"If you have aught to spare, in God's name give it for the building of
St. Peter's, but do not buy pardons.

"If you have means, feed the hungry, which is of more avail than
piling stones together, and far better than the buying of indulgences.

"My advice is, Let indulgences alone; leave them to dead and sleepy
Christians; but see to it that ye be not of that kind.

"Indulgences are neither commanded nor approved of God. They excite no
one to sanctification. They work nothing toward salvation.

"That indulgences have virtue to deliver souls from Purgatory I do not
believe, nor can it be proven by them that teach it; the Church says
nothing to that effect.

"What I preach to you is based on the certainty of the Holy
Scriptures, which no one ought to doubt."

So Luther preached, and his word went out to the ends of the earth. It
was no jest, like Ulric von Hütten's _Epistles of Obscure Men_, or
like the ridicule which Reuchlin and Erasmus heaped upon the stupid
monks. It raised no laugh, but penetrated, like a rifle-shot, into the
very heart of things.

Those who listened were deeply affected by the serious boldness of the
preacher. The audience was with him in conviction, but many trembled
for the result. "Dear doctor, you have been very rash; what trouble
may come of this!" said a venerable father as he pulled the sleeve of
Luther's gown and shook his head with misgivings. "If this is not