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

Thomas. Behold most vile, execrable and most unworthy things, I say not of an Emperor, but of the most wickedst man in the whole world. That is much worse then to recover tribute of urine and piss.

Thomas. Beholde most vile, excecrable and most vnworthy things, I say not of an Emperour, but of the most wickedst man in the whole worlde. That is much worse then to recouer tribute of vrine and pisse.

Hillarius. If you think that to be unworthy for a heathen Emperor, what may you judge of the Pope and his officers, if they do the like, yea, or rather worse? You have already heard how that there is neither poor man nor rich, of whom they have not gotten money every way and daily. And if you will know what tribute they receive of the victuals they sell, you must ask the Italians, ¹who can tell by experience. I do believe that Caligula never used such cruelty as Pope Clement used, ⟨p. 43⟩altogether contrary to his name, who in the time of dearth ²and famine, seeing that the poor people had not any other thing to eat then herbs, of which they made salads for to nourish and feed them, the better to show forth his clemency, pity & compassion that he had of the poor people of Italy being much oppressed with hunger, caused to make their salt dearer, and set a talent upon it, to the end that they could not eat a sallet but that they must pay tribute. But ³do we not daily see the money that they get unto them, for to dispense with those that would eat flesh & all such meats as are made of milk, against their decrees? These are marvellous sellers of victuals and Butchers, that receive money of flesh, eggs, milk, butter and cheese, and do never distribute any thing. And of their plaints and process, doth there come unto them small gain? And at Rome, Boulonge and other Cities subject unto the Pope, hath he not officers