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Summary. Jews should be
compelled to make satisfaction for the tithes and offerings e churches, which
the Christians supplied before their properties fell into of the Jews.
Text. The more the
Christians are restrained from the practice of usury, the more are they
oppressed in this matter by the treachery of the Jews, so that in a short time
they exhaust the resources of the Christians. Wishing, therefore, in this
matter to protect the Christians against cruel oppression by the Jews, we
ordain in this decree that if in the future under any pretext Jews extort from
Christians oppressive and immoderate interest, the partnership of the
Christians shall be denied them till they have made suitable satisfaction for
their excesses. The Christians also, every appeal being set aside, shall, if
necessary, be compelled by ecclesiastical censure to abstain from all
commercial intercourse with them. We command the princes not to be hostile to
the Christians on this account, but rather to strive to hinder the Jews from
practicing such excesses. Lastly, we decree that the Jews be compelled by the
same punishment (avoidance of commercial intercourse) to make satisfaction for
the tithes and offerings due to the churches, which the Christians were
accustomed to supply from their houses and other possessions before these properties,
under whatever title, fell into the hands of the Jews, that thus the churches
may be safeguarded against loss.
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