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Martin Luther'sSermon on Indulgences and Grace (German:Eynn Sermon von dem Ablasz und Gnade) is apamphlet written inWittenberg in the latter part of March, 1518 and published in April of that year.[1]
Thesermon itself was written as Luther directly addressing his audience. It stresses good works and sincere repentance overindulgences, with Luther criticizing indulgences as non-scriptural and theCatholic clergy as being greedy and wasting money onSt. Peter's Basilica when it could be better spent on the poor in their own neighbourhoods.[2][3][4]
The pamphlet was an instant hit and was reprinted 14 times in 1518 alone, in print runs of at least 1,000 copies. It is regarded by many as the true starting point of theReformation. Luther wrote the sermon in German, unlike his95 Theses (written inLatin), and avoided regional vocabulary to ensure that his words were intelligible across allGermanic lands. This helped the work quickly reach a wide audience.[5]
The sermon swept through the major centres of theHoly Roman Empire, and the broader reading public first came to know something of Luther through it.[6] It has been described as "the world's first printed bestseller".[7][8]
Wolfgang Capito thought highly of Luther's sermon.[9]
The sermon was countered byJohann Tetzel in hisVorlegung (Presentation) condemning twenty errors of Luther.[10]
