Most fruitful [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martyr Vermil Florentine, professor of divinity,…Most fruitfull [and] learned co[m]mentaries of Doctor Peter Martir Vermil Florentine, professor of deuinitie,…

Paulus .iii. once declared that he intended some reformation of the Church: & he committed the matter to Cardinals and Bishops, which were counted more pure than other. And what they judged, it is extant in the .3. Volume of counsels. And they complain that the power of harlots was greater at Rome, then it was any where else. But hath Paulus .iii. amended this? In the Synod also of Trident the clergy of Rome promised some great reformation. But they did it not, neither went they about any thing at all. Why do they not rather imitate and follow the laws of Justinian? He in is Authentics, in the title de lenonibus, will have harlots ⟨image 239⟩to be utterly thrust out of the city, and that if they promised any thing unto bawds, they should not be bound to pay and accomplish the same. Yea rather, if they have sworn to be harlots for a time, he absolveth them of their oath. These things these men dissemble, and suffer and maintain harlots. Which thing yet ought not to be marvelled at. For, forasmuch as they do so diligently cetain and increase spiritual fornication of minds, that is, superstition and idolatry, why also should they not maintain fornication of the body? But seeing they toke away wives from their sacrificers, it was a hard thing, yea and impossible to want brothel houses. Justinianus sorrowed, because he saw brothel houses nigh unto the Churches of God, but now they dwell in the middest of cities, & not from the houses where holy services are ministered: and it nothing grieveth the Pope. But let the Lords of those houses which the harlots dwell in, plead their cause. But such houses pertain for the most part unto Bishops and churches, & they will say, we do not take part of the gain of a harlot, but as it is mete, we receive rents for our houses: which is not prohibited by the civill laws. For in the Digestes (de petitione haereditatis in the law Ancillaram) it is said, that brothel houses are occupied in the city rents of honest men. And in the same title in the law possessor, it is ordained, that if a man have unhonest gains, he should be compelled to restore them, least an honest interpretation should bring profit unto the possessor with an unhonest gain.

Paulus .iii. once declared that he entended some reformation of the Church: & he committed the matter to Cardinals and Bishops, which were counted more pure thē other. And what they iudged, it is extant in the .3. Volume of counsels. And they complain yt the power of harlots was greater at Rome, then it was any where els. But hath Paulus .iii. amēded this? In the Sinod also of Trident ye clergy of Rome promised some great reformacion. But they did it not, neither went they about any thing at al. Why do they not rather imitate and folow the lawes of Iustinian? He in is Authentikes, in the title de lenonibus, wil haue harlots