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

And for to make him more ashamed, he propounded unto him the example of the Panim Ephron, and the honesty that he used towards Abraham touching his field for the burial of his wife. What shall we say friend Eusebius of those poor blind men, blinded through their avarice, who so openly speak against the word of God, and all Councils and Canons? May not we rebuke and check them with that, that Tertullian ¹rebuked the Gentiles and Paynims, saying: The Gods that are most tributaries and the greatest givers, are to you the most holyest, but for to speak better, those that are the holyest, are the greatest givers and tributaries. Their majesty is put to sale and valued and is esteemed after the gain that it bringeth. Your begging Religion, goeth about in Taverns, Shops and Markets, ²for to beg. ⟨image 61⟩Ye demand money for the pavement and boarding of the Temple, for the entering into the Temple and holy places. It is not lawful for to know your Gods without money ³or reward, for they are to be sold. We cannot suffice or have enough both for men and for your begging gods, and let us not think that we are bound to give unto any other, then unto those that ask it. If Jupiter then will have it, let him put forth his hand. For our mercy doth bestow more goods throughout all the street, then your religion throughout all your Temples. He ⁴declareth by those words that the ancient Christians bestowed not their goods in building of Temples, setting up of Idols, and in offering to them sacrifices, and in feeding of those Caphards & false Prophets, and in the mean season to suffer the poor to perish with hunger, about in the streets: but do bestow them in nourishing and feeding of those that were among them. Therefore he complaineth in the name of all the Christians, that sith that they have bestowed already so much goods for to nourish and feed the poor, they cannot provide sufficient to give so much unto the Idols and Gods of the Paynims, who do never cease to ask and beg. He thinketh in his judgement that the Christians have enough to do to keep and provide for the poor that are among them, without bestowing so much cost and charge to keep and provide for the Gods of the Paynims, who are more costly then the poor.