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,…

But because they will maintain it by laws, why have they not a respect unto the interpretation of those laws? That is: If this kind of gain be once exacted of harlots, that ought to be restored unto the hire: otherwise it is not law full to require them. Neither can contrariety of laws be avoided by any other means. For these laws should not agree with those of Justinian's, which are had in the Authentics de lenonibus & scenicis mulieribus. But let them mark I pray you the things which are had in the title de ritu nuptiarum, in the law palam, and in the title de iis qui notantur infamia, in the law Athletas, namely that that woman is infamous, which hath prostituted herself, and he also which is partaker of the gain. And that universally all bawds are infamous. Let us also (which is of much more weight) have a regard to the words of god which commandeth: Be ye holy, because I am holy. What do we gather by these words? That that is not to be suffered among Christians, whereby men are made infamous: wherefore take away bawds and harlots, forasmuch as these kind of persons are by the testimony of the civil laws noted infamous. But they will say: Men fall very oftentimes, and sometimes commit those things whereby they are made infamous. I grant that, yet is not this to be borne withal, whereby will or nill they, they are made infamous. But though they had a thousand civil laws on their side,¹ yet ought we more to esteem the word of God. Jerome speaking of this thing, writeth very well in his Epitaph of Fabiola: Civill laws saith he, are not so diligently to be cited. Pampinianus writeth one thing, and Paul an other.² And before Jerome, Tertulliane de anima: Brothel houses (saith he) are execrable before God.

But bicause they will maintain it by lawes, why haue they not a respect vnto the interpretacion of those lawes? That is: If this kinde of gaine bee once exacted of harlots, that ought to be restored vnto the hire: otherwise it is not law full to require them. Neyther can contrariety of lawes be auoided by any other meanes. For these lawes should not agre with those of Iustinians, which ar had in the Authentikes de lenonibus & scenicis mulieribus. But let them marke I pray you the thinges which are had in the title de ritu nuptiarum, in the law palam, and in the title de iis qui notantur infamia, in the law Athletas, namely that that woman is infamous, whiche hath prostituted herselfe, and he also which is partaker of the gaine. And that vniuersally al bawdes are infamous. Let vs also (which is of much more weight) haue a regard to the wordes of god which cō maundeth: Be ye holy, bicause I am holy. What do we gather by these woords? That yt is not to be suffred among Christiās, wherby men are made infamous: wherefore take away baudes and harlots, for asmuch as these kinde of persons ar by the testimonie of the ciuil lawes noted infamous. But they wil say: Men fall very oftentimes, and sometimes cōmit those thinges wherby they are made infamous. I graunt that, yet is not this to be borne withall, wherby wil or nill they, they ar made infamous. But thoughe they had a thousand ciuil lawes on their side,