The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

OF INDULGENCES.S33CHAPTER XV.OF INDULGENCES.To dispense a gift so inestimable as the pardon of sin, andderive no benefit therefrom on her own account, was notagreeable to the usual manner of the Papacy. At the beginning,Rome scattered with a liberal hand the heavenlyriches, without reaping, in return,men.the perishable wealth ofBut it was not to be expected that a liberality so extraordinaryand unusual should last always. In the thirteenthcentury Rome began to perceive how the power ofabsolution might be turned to account as regards the mammonof unrighteousness. Formerly men had earned forgivenessby penance, by fasting, by pilgrimage, by flagellation,and other burdensome and painful performances ; but nowRome fell upon the happy invention by which she contrivesat once to relieve her votaries and to enrich herself; inshort, she proclaimed the doctrine of indulgences. The announcementspread joy throughout the Catholic world, whichhad long groaned under the yoke of self-inflicted penances.The scourge was laid aside, the fast was forborne, and moneysubstituted in their room. The theory of indulgences is asfollows :—Christ suffered more than was required for thesalvation of the elect ; many of the saints and martyrs likewisehave performed more good works than were requisitefor their own salvation ; and these, to which it is not un-