23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.



Ver. 23. No small stir] Covetousness, as itself is idolatry, so it upholds idolatry. (as here) under a pretext of piety. Deos quisqus sibi utiles cudit, saith Epictetus. Ubi utilitas, ibi pietas, saith another. The Papists are sound in those points that touch not upon their profit, as in the doctrine of the Trinity, &c. Luther was therefore so much set against (as Erasmus told the Elector of Saxony) because he meddled with the pope’s triple crown and the monks’ fat paunches. (Scultet. Annal.)