ve, no little loss of temporal wealth
has come and daily is coming upon our lands. To prevent these two great
evils would truly give the temporal power enough to do, for the inroads
they have made are wide and deep. And how could those in power serve
God better and thereby also improve their own land?

Secondly, to forbid the excessive cost of clothing, whereby so much
wealth is wasted, and yet only the world and the flesh are served; it
is fearful to think that such abuse is to be found among the people who
have been pledged, baptised and consecrated to Christ, the Crucified,
and who should bear the Cross after Him and prepare for the life to
come by dying daily. If some men erred through ignorance, it might be
borne; but that it is practised so freely, without punishment, without
shame, without hindrance, nay, that praise and fame are sought thereby,
this is indeed an unchristian thing. Thirdly, to drive out the usurious
buying of rent-charges, which in the whole world ruins, consumes and
troubles all lands, peoples and cities through its cunning form, by
which it appears not to be usury, while in truth it is worse than
usury, because men are not on their guard against it as against open
usury. See, these are the three Jews, as men say, who suck the whole
world dry. Here princes ought not to sleep, nor be lazy, if they would
give a good account of their office to God.

XVII. Here too ought to be mentioned the knavery which is practised by
officiales and other episcopal and spiritual officers, who ban, load,
hunt and drive the poor people with great burdens, as long as a penny
remains. This ought to be prevented by the temporal sword, since there
is no other help or remedy.

O, would God in heaven, that some time a government might be
established that would do away with the public bawdy-houses, as was
done among the people of Israel! It is indeed an unchristian sight,
that public houses of sin are maintained among Christians, a thing
formerly altogether unheard of. It should be a rule that boys and girls
should be married early and such vice be prevented. Such a rule and
custom ought to be sought for by both the spiritual and the temporal
power. If it was possible among the Jews, why should it not also be
possible among Christians? Nay, if it is possible in villages, towns
and some cities, as we all see, why should it not be possible
everywhere?

But the trouble is, there is no real government in the world. No one