A14461:217
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wiseThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise
The Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Divided into three parts, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take great pleasure in the reading thereof. Translated out of French into English, by John Brooke of AsheThe Christian disputations, by Master Peter Viret. Deuided into three partes, dialogue wise: set out with such grace, that it cannot be, but that a man shall take greate pleasure in the reading thereoff. Translated out of French into English, by Iohn Brooke of Ashe
London: printed by Thomas East, 1579
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
and of vile things, as of bawdry, even as the Pope did that received tribute of whores and of brothel houses that are at Rome. One may also speak it of those that get money of all men, without any difference either of friends, poor or 1of the beggars, and in the end, of those that are dead. But that Proverb could never be better applied, then to our Priests and Monks. Vespasian although he was otherwise a good Emperor, hath been taxed of covetousness for that tribute that he received of the urine. And when his son Titus who was ashamed, 2admonished him, he caused him to smell at his nose the money he received, afterward asked him, whether he did smell the urine? When Titus had answered him, that no, he said unto him then? All savour is good ⟨image 48⟩so that money do come. The savour of the gain is good which way soever it do come and of what thing soever it 3be. Our Priests have kept well that proverb and know very well to practise it. For notwithstanding that the dead carrions of whom they take money, do stink, it sufficeth them so that the money doth not stink. The Romaine Princes have been in the old time much despised, 4for that they have digged up the monuments of the Corinthians, and have carried away their Images and pictures of brass. But what shall men say of these here? They are not content with the dismes, prebends, benefices, rents and revenues that they have continually, but 5we must give them new money daily, after that we be conceived in our Mothers belly, until an hundred years after we be dead and more. If our Mother that beareth us do take any hurt because of her child, she shall make incontinently a vow unto some Saint, and shall cause Masses to be said, and shall bring money unto the Priest, and shall bind her son to keep the vow and to do the like when he cometh to age. Are we not already appointed to pay a ransom in our Mothers belly? Do we not begin to pay tribute, before we be borne? Afterwards if the child be borne? he shall not be baptized, nor can be a Christian, except you do