19
The Roman Tax-Tables, (for such they may
very appropriately be called,) are certamly a
considerable advance and improvement upon
the simple Indulgence, under which they class ;
for there^ absolution for the grossest crimes—
perhaps for all crimes — is expressly set to sale
at specified prices — without any allusion or
admonition respecting the two first parts of
Penance— although, if mentioned^ they would
probably occasion no impediment. But, in the
penitentiary part^ that which chiefly occupies
us, the whole is nothing but bare absolution,
or dispensation, or licence, &c. for Grossi, or
floreni, or ducats — ^Pounds, shillings, or pence.
To what times or persons the origin of these
small and precious volumes is to be assigned is
nor more supeislitiously and iinpoJl.v nbusod, than of late days
they have been umong us : which sects and religions had so ruany
hypocritical w(^rks in their state of religion, a« they," the pa-
pists, " arrogantly named it, that their lamps, astliey siiid, ran
always over, able to satisfy not only for their own sins, but also
for all other their benefactors, biutliers, and sisters of tin reli-
gion, as most ungodly and craftily they had persuaded the mul-
titude of ignorant pen^de, keeping in divers places, iis it were,
marts or markets of inei its, being full of their holy relics, images,
^^l^incs, and works of supererogation ready to be sold." More
follows to the same purpose. — It is observable, by the way, how
familiarly the writer speaks of the secta^ into which the " reli-
gion^ as they arrogantly named it,'*'* i. e. Popery, was dix ided at
the time. It was then well known that the assumed Uniiy of
the apostolic church woa a perfect farce.
