An invective against the most wicked [and] detestable vice of swearing, newly co[m]piledAn inuectyue agenst the moost wicked [and] detestable vyce of swearing, newly co[m]piled

Thus see we both by the holy scriptures,¹ the ancient Doctors, and the godly old councils, how greatly all Bishops and Priests ought to be occupied in studying and preaching God's word. But to this their godly preaching they must also join a virtuous and pure life, unless they edify not so much with their preaching, as they destroy with their wicked living. It is a shame for a Physician to be so spotted & pocky, that it shall may justly be said to him, Physician heal thy self. God said to the sinner, saith the Psalmographe,² why dost thou preach my laws, and take my Testament in thy mouth: Thou haste hated to be reformed, and thou haste caste away my words behind thee. If y• ⟨p. lxxxv⟩sawest a these, thou rannest with him, and with adulterers diddest thou lay thy portion. Thy mouth did abound with cursed speaking, and thy tongue did couple craftily together deceits. Thou diddest sit, & speak against thy brother, & against thy mothers son diddest thou lay a stumbling block. These things haste thou done, and yet have I holden my peace. Thou wickedly thoughtest, that I would be like unto thee, but I will reprove thee, & come face to face against thee. O understand these things, ye that forget God, unless he pluck you away, & there be none y• can deliver you. Saint Paul also saith,³ thou that teachest another, teachest not thy self. Thou that preachest that men should not steal, stealest thy self. Thou that sayest that whoredom should not be committed, playest the whoremonger ⟨image 87⟩thy self. Thou that abhorrest Images, robbest God of his honour thy self. Thou that gloryest of the law, through breaking of the law, dishonourest God. For the name of God is evil spoken of among the Gentiles through you.

Thus se we both by the holy scriptures,¹ the aunciēt Doctors, and the godly olde councels, how greatly all Byshoppes and Prestes ought to be occupyed in studyēg and preachyng Goddes worde. But to thys theyr godly preachyng they must also ioyne a vertuous and pure lyfe, vnlesse they edify not so muche wyth theyr preachynge, as they destroye wythe theyr wycked lyuyng. It is a shame for a Phisiciō to be so spotted & pocky, that it shall maye iustly be sayde to him, Phisiciō heale thy selfe. God sayde to the synner, sayth the Psalmographe,