Page 20 - 08 Luther Before the Diet

At the time when God is preparing to break

the shackles of ignorance and superstition,

then it is that Satan works with greatest

power to enshroud men in darkness and to

bind their fetters still more firmly. As men

were rising up in different lands to present to

the people forgiveness and justification

through the blood of Christ, Rome proceeded

with renewed energy to open her market

throughout Christendom, offering pardon for

money.

Every sin had its price, and men were

granted free license for crime if the treasury

of the church was kept well filled. Thus the

two movements advanced,—one offering

forgiveness of sin for money, the other

forgiveness through Christ,—Rome licensing

sin and making it her source of revenue; the