A14461:222
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.
Hillarius. Their Missals, Portesses and Manuals may bear witness, if you will not believe me. But you may well perceive and know that they have not invented all those manner of doings, but thereby the better to get money every where, the which they get very easily and without any great travail, but only in making of crosses, and mumbling some words after the manner of enchanters. But into what danger I do caste my self? I had rather to draw out all the water of the sea, then to declare all the manner of the pilings that they do unto us. The Historiographers do account as detestable crimes the tributes, and unhonest gains, ⟨image 49⟩the rapines and extortions that the Tyrants and Romaine 1Emperors have exercised, chiefly Caligula & Nero: But these here will justify them and account them for good men in respect of them, if that time should continue a little longer. It is written of Caligula (who was so bold that he would be worshipped as God, & hath builded a temple in his honour during his life) that he spared neither 2man nor any thing whatsoever it be, to the which he hath 3not laid some tribute. He received certain tribute of all manner of victual that are sold in the City. There was neither plaint, process, cause nor judgement, of which he toke not the forty part of the sum for which the controversy was, insomuch that if the plaint had been forty thousand crowns, he would take a thousand for his part. He receiveth 4the eight part of the gain that the poor get pence, janglers, log carriers, and other like did daily get. Also the common harlots and whores must not only pay unto him when & as often as they did commit whoredom, but did also compel those y• before time used that occupation, & which had been whoremongers and bawds: and not content with 5that, did receive tribute of those that are married. The players also of cards and dice were not exempted. But which