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

For that which seemeth praise worthy before men, is abominable before God. Therefore so long as the preacher sitteth in the chair of Moses and not in the chair of pestilence, he is to be heard for the words sake, be his life never so wicked & ungodly. Notwithstanding I exhort all Christen Preachers, and so many as unfeignedly tender the glory of god, and the promotion of his most blessed word, that they do their endeavour not only to set forth God's trueth in word & tongue, but also in work and verity. Let them be the same in life, that they profess in word. For he taketh upon him the name of a Christen man in vain, saith saint Austen,¹ that followeth not Christ. For what doth it profit the ⟨p. xc⟩to be called that thou art not,² & to usurp a strange name? If thou haste a pleasure to be a Christen man, do those things that pertain unto Christianity, and than hardly take upon the the name of a Christian. S. Ambrose also saith,³ it is a shameful lye before any man to call himself a Christen man, & not to do the works of Christ. Hereto pertaineth the saying of S. Cyprian,⁴ no man is truly called a Christian, but he which laboureth, so much as lieth in his power, to show himself conformable & like to Christ in his manners & conversation. He y• saith, y• he dwelleth in Christ,⁵ saith. Joh• ̄, ought to walk as he hath walked.

For that whyche semeth prayse worthy before men, is abhominable before God. Therfore so long as yc preacher sytteth in the chayer of Moses and not in the chayer of pestilēce, he is to be hearde for the wordes sake, be hys lyfe neuer so wycked & vngodly. Notwythstondyng I exhorte all Christen Preachers, and so many as vnfaynedly tender the glory of god, and the promociō of hys moost byssed worde, that they do theyr endeuour not only to set forthe Goddes trueth in worde & tonge, but also in worcke and verite. Let them be the same in lyfe, yt they professe in word. For he takethe vpon hym the name of a Christen man in vayne, saythe sayncte Austen,