Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

Also, God once commanded, that if a thing were laid to pledge to any man, or left with him to keep, if the same thing were stolen, or lost, that the keeper thereof, should be sworn before Judges, that he did not convey it away, nor used any deceit, in causing the same to be conveyed away, by his consent or knowledge.¹ And s. Paul sayeth: that in all matters of controversy between two persons, whereas one sayeth yea, and the other nay, so as no due proof can be had of the truth, the end of every such controversy must be an oath ministered by a Judge. And moreover,² God by the prophet Jeremiah sayeth: thou shalt swear the Lord liveth, in truth, in judgement, in righteousness. So that whosoever sweareth when he is required of a Judge, let him be sure in his con science, that his oath have these three conditions, & he shall never need to be afraid of perjury.

Also, God once commaunded, that if a thynge were laied to pledge to any man, or left with him to kepe, if thesame thing wer stolne, or lost, that the keper therof, should be sworne before Iudges, that he did not cōuey it away, nor vsed any deceipt, in causyng thesame to be conueyed away, by hys cōsent or knowledge.¹ And s. Paule saieth: that in al matters of controuersy betwene two persones, whereas one saieth yea, and the other nay, so as no due profe can be had of the truthe, the ende of euery suche controuersy muste be an othe ministered by a Iudge. And moreouer,² God by the prophet Ieremy saieth: thou shalt sweare the Lord liueth, in truth, in iudgemēt, in righteousnesse. So that whosoeuer sweareth whē he is required of a Iudge, let hym be sure in his cō science, that hys othe haue these thre condicions, & he shall neuer nede to be afraied of periurie.

1. 1Hebr. vi.Hebre. vi.
2. 2Hier. iiii.