[Martin Luther writes about Johann Tetzel:] It happened in 1517 that a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel, a braggart, caused a great stir. Maximilian once sentenced him to drowning in the River Inn – Presumably because of his great virtue – but Duke Fredrick rescued him in Innsbruck from the punishment of being drowned. Duke Frederick reminded him of this incident when he began to denounce us Wittenbergers. Actually, he admitted it quite openly. This same Tetzel now began to peddle indulgences. With might and main he sold grace for money as dearly or as cheaply as he could. At the time, I was a preacher here in the cloister and was filled as a new doctor with an ardent love for the scriptures.

When many people from Wittenberg ran for indulgences to Juterborg and Zerbst, I did not know – as surely as my Lord Christ has redeemed me – what indulgences were, but no one else knew either. I carefully began to preach that one could do something better and more certain than to purchase indulgences. On an earlier occasion, I had already preached here in the castle against indulgences, but was not very graciously received by Duke Frederick, who was fond of his collegiate church. Now, to speak about the real cause for the “Lutheran scandal”, at first I let everything continue its course. Then it was reported to me, however, that Tetzel was preaching some cruel and terrible propositions, such as the following:

He [Tetzel] had grace and power from the Pope to offer forgiveness even if someone had slept with the Holy Virgin Mother of God, as long as a contribution would be put into the coffer.

Furthermore, the red Cross of indulgences and the papal coat of arms on the flag of the churches was as powerful as the Cross of Christ.

Moreover, even if St. Peter [Luther’s words re: calling the apostle Peter “Saint”] were here now, he would have no greater grace or power than he [Tetzel] had.

Furthermore, he [Tetzel] would not want to trade places in heaven with St. Peter, for he had redeemed more souls with his indulgences than Peter with his sermons.

Furthermore, if anyone put money into the coffer for a soul in purgatory, the soul would leave purgatory for heaven in the moment one could hear the penny hit the bottom.

Also, [Tetzel said that] the grace of indulgences is the grace by which man is reconciled with God.

Furthermore, [Tetzel said that] it is not necessary to show remorse or sorrow or do penance for sins when purchasing indulgences or a letter of indulgence. He [Tetzel] even sold indulgences for future sins. Such abominable things he did abundantly. He was merely interested in money.

[Luther continues:] At the time, I did not yet know who was to get the money. Then there appeared a booklet with the illustrious coat of arms of the Bishop of Magdeburg. In it the commissioners of indulgences were ordered to preach some of the propositions. Thus, it came to light that Bishop Albert had employed Tetzel, because he was such a braggart.

Luthers Schriften, herausg. Von Walch. XV, 446.

After Tetzel had received a substantial amount of money at Leipzig, a nobleman asked him if it were possible to receive a letter of indulgence for a future sin. Tetzel quickly answered in the affirmative, insisting, however, that the payment had to be made at once. This the nobleman did, receiving thereupon the letter and seal from Tetzel. When Tetzel left Leipzig, the nobleman attacked him along the way, gave him a thorough beating, and sent him back empty-handed to Leipzig with the comment that this was the future sin which he had in mind. Duke George at first was quite furious about this incident, but when he heard the whole story, he let it go without punishing the nobleman.