A defence of the Apology of the Church of England containing an answer to…A defence of the Apologie of the Churche of Englande conteininge an answeare to…

So it is noted upon your Decrees, Quòd dicitur, Sacerdos non potest percipere mercedem prostibuli,¹ potest dici, quòd non debet recipi Oblatio Meretricis: licet Eleemosyna possit inde fieri: Whereas it is said, The Priest may not receive the reward, or Oblation of the Stews, we may say, that the Oblation of an Harlo• may not be received: notwithstanding we may make an alms of the same: That is to say, A Harlots money may be taken by y• way of Alms, but not by the way of Oblation. Thus are we taught, and it behooveth us to believe, that the Pope may live, not by the Oblations of the Courtesans, but by their Alms.

So it is noted vpon your Decrees, Quòd dicitur, Sacerdos non potest percipere mercedem prostibuli,¹ potest dici, quòd non debet recipi Oblatio Meretricis: licet Eleemosyna possit inde fieri: Whereas it is saide, The Prieste maie not receiue the revvarde, or Oblation of the Stevves, wee maie saie, that the Oblation of an Harlo• maie not be receiued: notwithstandinge wee maie make an almouse of the same: That is to saie, A Harlottes monie maie be taken by y• waie of Almouse, but not by the waie of Oblation. Thus are wee taught, and it behooueth vs to beleeue, that the Pope maie liue, not by the Oblations of the Courteghianes, but by theire Almouse.

1. 114. quae. 5. Quod verò. In Glossa. Et Dis. 90 Oblationes, in Glossa.

Now for as much as M. Harding would so fain have this matter to pass by the name of a punishment of these il women, I beseech thee, good Reader, to consider, how grievously, and with what extremity, and rigour of Law they have devised,