By RAYMOND DE SOUZA, KM
Part 6
(Editor’s Note: This is the sixth installment in a series by Wanderer contributor Raymond de Souza on Henry VIII’s book defending the seven sacraments against Martin Luther. De Souza edited this updated version of Henry’s work, which is presented to readers in this series.
(This series will appear on a regular basis, as space allows.)
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Of Indulgences
By Henry VIII
Indulgentiae sunt adulatorum Romanorum nequitiae. (“Indulgences are iniquities of the Roman flatterers” — Luther.)
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EVERY LIVING creature is known chiefly by its face, so by this first proposition it evidently appears how corrupt and rotten Luther’s heart was; he whose mouth, being filled with bitterness, broke out into such a corruption.
To many, what he said of Indulgences (5) in times past seemed to detract much from the Roman Bishop’s power.
It also lessened the good hope and holy consolation of the faithful, excited men greatly to trust in the riches of their own penitence and to despise the treasures of the Holy Church and the Bounty of God.
And yet what he wrote then was favourably interpreted, because he only disputed many of them, but did not affirm them, desiring to be taught and promising to obey him who would instruct him better.
But what this new saint then wrote with a simple intention is easily laid bare — he who refers all things to the Holy Spirit, Who cannot brook anything of falsehood.
As soon as he had any wholesome advice given him, he immediately vomited his malediction against those who endeavoured to do him good, reviling them with reproaches and quarrels
It is worth our while to see what height of folly he has come to at last.
He previously confessed that Indulgences were good, to at least absolve us from both the crime and the punishments which should be enjoined us by the order of the Church, or by our particular priest.
But now it was not by learning but by mere malice that he labored against the Holy Church. (6)
Thus, contradicting himself, he condemns Indulgences and says, “they are nothing but mere impostures, fit only to destroy people’s money, and God’s Faith.”
Everyone can see how wickedly and furiously he rails in this matter: If Indulgences, as he says, are but mere impostures and good for nothing, then it follows that our Pope Leo X is an impostor!
Leo X, whose innocent, unspotted life and most holy conversation are well known throughout the world, as Luther himself confesses in a letter of his to the Pope.
Nay, all Roman Bishops in so many past ages are likewise impostors. They who used to grant Indulgences, as Luther himself says: some a year’s remission; some three years; some to forgive a Lenten penance; some a certain part of the whole penance; as the third, or one-half; at least something as to plenary, or full remission of the sin and punishment.
They were all impostors, if Luther speaks the truth.
But how much more reason is there to believe that this little brother is himself a scabbed sheep, rather than so many pastors were treacherous and unfaithful?
For Luther, as is said above, shows what kind of man he is, and how uncharitable, when he is not embarrassed to lay such a crime against so great and holy Bishops. (7)
If God says to all, “thou shalt not be a detractor nor a whisperer among the people” (Lev. 19:16), what may we think of Luther, who casts such a foul scandal, not only on one man, but also on so many venerable prelates?
And this he murmurs, not only in one city, but publishes to the whole world.
If he is accursed “who secretly killeth his neighbour” (Deut. 27:24), with how great a curse shall he be stricken who insults his Authorities with such reproaches?
Finally, if, as the Gospel says, “whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in himself” (1 John 3:15), does not this parricide deserve everlasting death for persecuting his Father with such hatred?
Seeing that Luther has come to deny Indulgences to be profitable in this life, it would be in vain for me to dispute what great benefits the souls in Purgatory receive from them.
Moreover, what would it avail us to discourse with him of the great helps whereby we are relieved from Purgatory itself?
Unable to endure hearing that the Pope delivers any person out of Purgatory, Luther presumes to leave no one there himself. (8)
What profit is there to dispute, or fight against Luther, who fights against himself?
What should my arguments avail me, even though I forced him to confess what he previously denied, since he now denies what he previously confessed?
Even if it is admitted that the Pope’s Indulgences were questionable, it is necessary that the words of Christ remain firm, whereby He gave the keys of the Church to Saint Peter, when He said: “whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven” (Matt. 16:19).
Likewise, “whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained” (John 20:23).
Thus, if it is manifest that any priest has power to absolve men from sins and take away eternal punishment due to them, who will not judge it ridiculous that the Prince of all priests should be denied the taking away of temporal punishment?
But some may say that perhaps Luther will not admit that any priest has the power of binding or loosing anything, or that the Pope has any greater power than other Bishops or priests.
But of what concern is it to me what Luther admits, or denies?
He who granted many things a while ago, which now he denies? And he who, alone, rejects all things which the Holy Church has held during so many ages?
Leaving aside other things that this new Momus, or feigned deity, censures, it is certain that, if the Popes have erred in granting Indulgences, then the whole congregation of the faithful are not free from sin, since they received Indulgences for so long a time, and with so great ease. (9)
I do not doubt that we may agree with the Pope’s judgment and the custom observed by the Saints, rather than with Luther alone.
He, who furiously condemns the whole Church and loads its Bishops with mad reproaches, does not fear to publish that the supremacy of the Pope is but a vain name, and effectually nothing but the Kingdom of Babylon and the power of Nimrod, that strong hunter.
Luther now desires his readers and bookbinders to burn whatsoever he first wrote on the Papacy and reserve this one proposition, namely,
Papatus est robusta Venatio Romani Pontificis. (The Papacy is the strong Game of the Roman Pontiff — Luther.)
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FOOTNOTES
5. Indulgences are the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. The faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains the indulgence under prescribed conditions for either himself or the departed. Indulgences are granted through the ministry of the Church which, as the dispenser of the grace of redemption, distributes the treasury of the merits of Christ and the Saints (Compendium, n. 312).
6. The Church is the community in which the Christian receives the Word of God, the teachings of the “Law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2), and the grace of the sacraments. Christians are united to the eucharistic sacrifice of Christ in such a way that their moral life is an act of spiritual worship; and they learn the example of holiness from the Virgin Mary and the lives of the Saints (Compendium, n. 429).
7. The Church is holy insofar as the Most Holy God is her author. Christ has given Himself for her to sanctify her and make her a source of sanctification. The Holy Spirit gives her life with charity. In the Church one finds the fullness of the means of salvation. Holiness is the vocation of each of her members and the purpose of all her activities. The Church counts among her members the Virgin Mary and numerous saints who are her models and intercessors. The holiness of the Church is the fountain of sanctification for her children who here on Earth recognize themselves as sinners ever in need of conversion and purification (Compendium, n. 165).
8. Purgatory is the state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of Heaven (Compendium, n. 210).
9. Because of the communion of saints, the faithful who are still pilgrims on Earth are able to help the souls in Purgatory by offering prayers in suffrage for them, especially the Eucharistic Sacrifice. They also help them by almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance (Compendium, n. 211).
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Next article: Henry VIII refutes Luther on the issue of the papacy.
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The book is accompanied by two talks on CD: 1) The De-Christianization of the Western World and 2) The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It is available to Wanderer readers at $33.00 (shipping and handling free in the United States). Please make your check payable to: Sacred Heart Media, LLC and mail it to: P.O. Box 1144, Rochester, MN 55903.
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(Raymond de Souza KM is available to speak at Catholic events anywhere in the free world in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Please contact Chevalierdemalta@outlook.com or phone 507-450-4196.)
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