The second wall is still frailer than the first, says the writer, for anyone can see that in spite of the priests' claims to be masters of the Bible they never learn one word of it their whole life long.

The third wall falls of itself, for the Bible plainly commands everyone to punish and correct any wrong-doer, no matter what his station.
[Sidenote: Reform measures] After this introduction Luther proposes measures of reform equally drastic and comprehensive.

The first twelve articles are devoted to the pope, the annates, the appointment of foreigners to German benefices, the appeal of cases to Rome, the asserted authority of the papacy over bishops, the emperor, and other rulers.

All these abuses, as well as jubilees and pilgrimages to Rome should be simply forbidden by the civil government.

The next three articles deal with sacerdotal celibacy, recommending that priests be allowed to marry, and calling for the suppression of many of the cloisters.