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
An invective against the most wicked [and] detestable vice of swearing, newly co[m]piled by Theodore BasilAn inuectyue agenst the moost wicked [and] detestable vyce of swearing, newly co[m]piled by Theodore Basille
Thomas Becon 1512–1567London: printed by J. Mayler and J. Gough, 1543
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And when they dye, they shall leave their heirs such livings, that y• best Gentle men in all the country shall be glad to marry their daughters unto them.
And whan they dye, they shall leaue theyr heyres suche lyuynges, that y• best Gentle men in all the countrey shall be glad to marry theyr doughters vnto them.
Are not these great commodities? who would want these pleasures, & may have them by one means or other: O miserable wretches, which for a little easy lining, & that they may leave their children wealthy behind them, fear nothing at all to cast their souls into hell fire.
Are not these great cōmodities? who wolde want these pleasures, & maye haue them by one means or other: O miserable wretches, whyche for a lytle easy lynynge, & that they maye leaue theyr chyldren wealthy behynde them, feare nothyng at all to cast theyr soules into hell fyre.
What doth it profit a man to win all the whole world, and at the last to lose his soul. To much a wretch is he, which for worldly possessions ⟨p. xliii⟩will put his soul in danger:1 To far estranged is he from GOD, which regardeth the goods of this world more than his own souls health. And what commodity shall he have by those goods wrongfully gotten, which he hath left unto his son, when his soul lieth burning in hell fire, and grievously punished with all kind of cruel & intolerable pains?2
The son is counted a Gentle man before the world for the goods sake, y• father is reckoned before God and his holy saints a fire brand o• hell. The son is Lord of many possessions, y• father is a wretch & hath nothing. The son is replenished with dainties, joy and pleasures, the father is filled full of bitter sorrows grievous pains and intolerable torments. The son singeth, playeth danceth and maketh merry, the father
⟨image 45⟩
weepeth lamenteth, sorroweth, and wisheth himself never to have ben borne.
Behold what is the end of evil gotten goods. Behold how Dame Perjury rewardeth her servants at the latter end. Behold unto what point falsehood bringeth them, that use it. Why do not men remember these things, & labour to live justly, righteously & of their own? Godliness is great riches, saith S. Paul,
if a man be content with that he hath. Oh that men would once be wise, and remember their latter end. So would they not hunt about to get the goods of this wretched world by hook or by crook, as they do now a days, but rather lay up treasures for them selves in heaven, where nether rust nor moths corrupt,
saith Solomon. Let not therefore those men think, which so greedily gather together the goods of the world, yea & that unrighteously, that those possessions can long endure in their stock, kindred & linage. For we have both heard and seen, that goods wrongfully gotten be soon dispersed abroad & come to nought. Is not this a common saying among us: Evil gotten goods will never cone to good proof. Again, the goods, which are wrongfully gotten, the third heir shall scarcely enjoy. The Latinists also say, Male partum peius perit.
What dothe it profyt a man to wyn all the whole worlde, and at the laste to lose hys soule. To much a wretch is he, which for worldely possessions ⟨p. xliii⟩wyll putte hys soule in daunger:1 To farre estraunged is he from GOD, whiche regardeth the goodes of this worlde more than hys owne soules health. And what commoditie shall he haue by those goodes wrongfully gotten, whiche he hathe leafte vnto hys sonne, whan his soule lyghethe brennyng in hel fyre, and greuously ponyshed wythe all kynde of cruell & intollerable paynes?2 The sonne is counted a Gentle manne before the worlde for the goodes sake, y• father is reckenned before God and his holy saynctes a fyre bronde o• hel. The sonne is Lorde of many possessions, y• father is a wretch & hath nothyng. The sonne is replenyshedde withe deynties, ioye and pleasures, the father is fylled ful of bitter sorowes greuous paynes and ītollerable tormentes. The sonne syngeth, playeth daunceth and maketh mery, the father ⟨image 45⟩weapeth lamenteth, soroweth, and wysheth hymselfe neuer to haue ben borne.3 Beholde what is the ende of euell gotten goodes. Behold how Dame Periury rewardethe her seruauntes at the latter ende. Behold vnto what poynt falshode bryngeth them, that vse it. Why do not mē remember these thynges, & laboure to lyue iustly, ryghteously & of theyr owne? Godlynesse is great ritches, sayth S. Paule,4 if a man be cōtent with that he hath. Oh that mē wold once be wyse, and remember theyr latter ende. So would they not hūt about to get the goodes of this wretched world by hooke or by crooke, as they do now a dayes, but rather lay vp treasures for them selues in heauē, where nether rust nor moulthes corrupte,5 and where theues nether breke vp nor steale. Treasures that are wickedly gotten profyt nothing ⟨p. xliiii⟩but ryghteousnes delyuereth from death,6 sayth Salomō. Let not therfore those men thynke, which so gredely gather togyther the goodes of the worlde, yea & that vnryghteously, that those possessions can longe endure in theyr stocke, kynred & lynage. For we haue both hearde and sene, that goodes wrongfully gottē be soone dispersed abrode & come to nought. Is not this a common sayeng among vs: Euel gotten goodes wyl neuer cōe to good profe. Agayn, the goodes, whiche are wrongefully gotten, the thyrde heyre shall scasely enioye. The Latinistes also saye, Male partum peius perit.
1Mark wellMark wel
2A comparison between y• father & the sonneA comparison betwene y• father & the sonne
A thing that is evil gotten, never thriveth, but y• spending of it is worse, than the getting was. The Poet Claudianus have very godly verses pertaining unto this our matter, which I will here now rehearse.
A thyng that is euell gotten, neuer thryueth, but y• spendyng of it is worse, thā the gettynge was. The Poet Claudianus haue very godly verses pertaynyng vnto this our matter, which I wyll here nowe reherse.
In prolem dilata ruunt periuria patris,1
Et paenam merito filius ore luit.
Et quas fallacis collegit lingua parentis,
Has eadem nati lingua refudit opes.
That is to say, the perjuries of the father escaping punishment in this world, •aull upon the son, in so much that the son is plagued for that the father hath offended. And look what riches the tongue of the deceitful father hath gathered together, even the very same hath the tongue of the son paid home again and wastefully spent. The Greek Poet Hesiodus also saith,1 that that man which wrongly testifieth and falsely forsweareth himself, doth not only hurt Justice, but he himself also is so hurt, that he can never be healed after. Moreover he saith, that all his posterity and children shall be of th• less reputation ever after, so that they shall live in ignominy, & their ⟨p. xlv⟩renown shall be obscure, dark and of no price before all men.
That is to saye, the periuries of the father escapyng punishment in this worlde, •aull vpon the sonne, in so muche that the sonne is plaged for that the father hathe offended. And looke what rytches the tonge of the deceatfull father hath gathered togyther, euen the very same hath the tonge of the sonne payde home agen and wastfully spēt. The Greke Poet Hesiodus also sayth,1 that that mā whiche wrongly testifieth and falsly forsweareth hymselfe, doth not only hurte Iustice, but he himselfe also is so hurte, that he can neuer be healed after. Moreouer he saythe, that all his posterite and chyldren shall be of th• lesse reputaciō euer after, so that they shall lyue in ignominy, & theyr ⟨p. xlv⟩renowme shall be obscure, darke and of no price before all men.
Who now therefore is so mad as falsely to forswear him self for a little dungelyke muck, seeing that by this means he shall not only provoke God's wrath unto him self, condemn his own soul, cast himself into everlasting damnation, but also procure plagues for his children that succeed him? Oh that men would once be wise, and learn this lesson of S. Paul and follow it,1 having meat, drink, & cloth, let us be contented. For we brought nothing in to the world, neither shall we carry any thing out of it. Fear not, o my son,2 said Tobias, we live a poor life in this world, notwithstanding we shall have many good things, if we fear God, and go away from all sin and do well.
Who nowe therfore is so mad as falsely to forsweare hym self for a litle dungelyke mucke, seyng that by this means he shal not only prouoke Goddes wrath vnto hym selfe, condemne his owne soule, cast hymselfe into euerlastyng damnacion, but also procure plages for his chyldren yt succede hym? Oh that menne wolde once be wyse, and learne this lesson of S. Paule and followe it,1 hauyng meate, dryncke, & cloth, let vs be contented. For we brought nothyng in to the worlde, neyther shall we cary ony thyng out of it. Fear not, o my sonne,2 sayde Thobias, we lyue a poore lyfe in this worlde, notwithstondyng we shall haue many good thinges, if we feare God, and go awaye from all synne and do well.
But would God, would God that ⟨image 47⟩Lady Perjury did exercise her unmerciful and tyrannical cruelness only in getting and scratching •p together falsely and contrary to all1 justice the goods of this world.
But wolde God, wolde God that ⟨image 47⟩Lady Periury dyd exercyse her vnmercifull and tyrannicall •r•elnes only in gettyng and scra•chyng •p togyther falsely and contrary to all1 iustice the goodes of this worlde.
1Peiurye their t•the innocent •loudePeiurye thyr t•the innocente •loude
Would God, would God, she did not also through her unrighteous violence & churlish malice thirst, shed, and suck up innocent blood. Would God that through her false witness bearing, true men were not put unto death causeless. Hath it not been heard, yea known and seen, think you, that of very malice, & through the perjuries of false forsworn caitiffs, which have taken an oath & testified contrary to the trueth, and given false evidence at sises, sessions or else where,1 many men both honest and true have been hanged, or other wise rid out of the way? yea and that without a cause, as it hath ben proved afterward? Some also have ⟨p. xlvi⟩been condemned for Heretics, and […], for speaking against A•••christ and Idolatry. &c. What will men say unto this? Is not this a thing worthy to be lamented?
Wolde God, wolde God, she dyd not also thorowe her vnryghteous violence & churlysh malice thyrst, shede, and sucke vp innocent bloud. Wolde God that thorowe her false wytnes bearyng, true men were not put vnto deathe causeles. Hath it not bene heard, yea knowen and sene, thynke you, that of very malice, & thorowe the periuries of false forsworne caytiffes, whiche haue taken an oothe & testified contrary to the trueth, and gyuen false euidence at syses, sessios or els where,1 many men both honest and true haue bene hanged, or other wyse rydde out of the way? yea and that wythout a cause, as it hath ben proued afterward? Some also haue ⟨p. xlvi⟩bene condemned for Heretykes, and 〈…〉, for speakyng agaynste A•••christ and Idolatry. &c. What wyll mē saye vnto this? Is not this a thynge worthy to be lamented?
1True men are sometime hanged.True mē are sometyme hanged.
Would not here be a redress in this behalf. De•er•ethe this malicious perjury to be wy•ked at, a•d not rather to be punished according to y• deserts thereof? Awake, awake, ye Quest mongers,1 and take heed you give a true, just & right verdict. Remember that ye go upon life & death, and therefore ought ye to do nothing rashly. Remember that it is not the blood of an o•e or a calf that shall be sh•d but the blood of a Christen man, for whose life and health our Lord & saviour Jesus Christ did suffer his most precious blood to be shed,2 and in whose heart the holy Ghost dwelleth. Remember that he is the Image of god, which hath h•s ⟨image 48⟩life put into your hands ether to be saved,3 or to be cast away. Remember that if ye defile the Temple of God, & handle a Christen man otherwise, than right require, surely god will destroy you. The blood of that innocent, whom ye so cruelly have murdered, shall cry for vengeance against you both day & night, as the blood of Abel did upon Cain,4 & never cease until God hath taken vengeance on you. Remember that with what measure ye mete to other which the same shall it be measured again unto you. Therefore take ye heed. Be not rash nor hasty in giving your verdict. Be prudent, wise & circumspect. Ponder all things with a right up conscience. Weigh the matter in the balance of justice. Mark all parties. Believe not every lygh•e tale straightways, but bolt out with all diligence the original ⟨p. xlvii⟩o• it. Let neither the riches, nor the fame, nor the dignity, nor yet the gifts of that man, which putteth in the indictment against another, move you any thing at all to give the more credence unto his words, & by that means to caste away the party accused, until ye have thoroughly bolted out y• trueth of the matter. Show such indifferency, that ye may not be found at the dreadful day of judgement guilty of the shedding of any righteous blood, but blameless and with a pure conscience.
Wolde not here be a redresse in thys behalfe. De•er•ethe this malicious periury to be wy•ked at, a•d not rather to be ponyssh•d accordyng to y• de•ertes therof? Awake, awake, ye Quest mongers,1 and take hede you gyue a true, iust & ryght verdi•. Remember that ye go vpō lyfe & death, and the•fore ought ye to do nothing rathly. Remember that it is not the bloude of an o•e or a calfe that shall be sh•d but the bloude of a Christen man, for whose lyfe and health oure Lorde & sauioure Iesus Christ dyd suffer his moost pricious bloude to be shed,2 and in whose harte the holye Ghoste dwelleth. Remember that he is the Image of god, which hath h•s ⟨image 48⟩lyfe put into youre handes ether to be saued,3 or to be cast awaye. Remeber that if ye defyle the Temple of God, & handle a Christen man otherwyse, thā ryght require, surely god wyll destroy you. The bloud of that innocent, whome ye so cruelly haue murthered, shall crye for vengeaūce agaynst you both daye & nyght, as the bloud of Abell dyd vpon Caym,4 & neu•r cease vntyll God hath takē vengeaūce on you. Remember that wyth what mesure ye mete to other wych the same shall it be mesured agayne vnto you. Therfore take ye hede. Be not rashe nor hastye in gyuing your verdit. Be prudent, wyse & circumspecte. Ponder all thynges wyth a ryght vp conscience. Weyg• the matter in the balance of iustice. Marke all parties. Beleue not euery lygh•e tale streyghtewayes, but boulte out wyth all diligence the originall ⟨p. xlvii⟩
Ye Judges also execute your office according to equity.1 Suffer not the comfortless to be oppressed. Let justice conjoined with a fatherly pity and tender compassion reign in your breasts. Suffer no matter of unrighteousness to prevail before the seat of your judging place. ⟨image 49⟩Remember that while ye sit in judgement, ye are no private persons. Ye represent the parson of God. Ye execute Gods office.2 Ye are the Image of God. Yea ye are Gods and the sons of the most highest, as the scripture calleth you. Your judging place is the judging place of God. Your mouth is the mouth of God. Beware therefore what sentence ye pronounce.3 Let all things be done with great deliberation. Give not judgement so hastily, that ye shall afterward repent you thereof. Remember that as ye judge,4 so shall ye be judged. God hath set you in authority, that ye should righteously judge of all things. Remember that God hath given you two ears, one to hear the accuser, & another to hear him that is accused, that by this means ye should not be partial nor wedded to one tale, but indifferently to ⟨p. xlviii⟩hear both parties. Remember that forasmuch as ye occupy the place of God, ye ought not to pervert judgement, but to do the office of God, and to execute justice, unless the high Judge for your unrighteous sentence pronounced condemn you and caste you into hell fire.5 For GOD, saith the scripture, shall appear to you, O ye rulers and Judges, very dreadfully, yea and that without any long tarriance. Wonderful hard judgement shall they have, y• bear rule. To the man of small power mercy is granted, but as for the mighty, they shall suffer mighty and exceeding great torments. For God which is ruler of all things,6 will not regard one parson more than another, nether will he fear y• greatness of any man, for he made both the little and the great, and he hath a like care for all. Notwithstanding ⟨image 50⟩surely the men that be in authority,7 shall have the greater punishment. Therefore ye that judge y• earth, take heed, love righteousness. Judge truly, o ye sons of men. Seek all means possible, that no innocent blood be shed. Admit no false witnesses, none unlawful oaths, no false swearings, no malicious perjuries to be brought & received before your judging place, which is the seat of God, so long as ye judge truly, and do your office according to equity.
Ye Iudges also execute youre office according to equite.1 Suffer not the confortles to be oppressed. Lette iustice conioyned with a fatherly pitie and tender compassion reygne in your brestes. Suffer no matter of vnryghteousnes to preuayle before the seat of your iudgyng place. ⟨image 49⟩Remēber that whyle ye syt in iudgement, ye are no priuate personnes. Ye represent the parson of God. Ye execute Gods offyce.2 Ye are the Image of God. Yea ye are Gods and the sonnes of the moost hyghest, as the scripture calleth you. Your iudgynge place is the iudgyng place of God. Your mouth is the mouthe of God. Beware therfore what sentēce ye pronounce.3 Lette all thynges be done with great deliberacion. Gyue not iudgement so hastely, yt ye shal afterwarde repent you therof. Remē ber that as ye iudge,4 so shal ye be iudged. God hath set you in authorite, that ye shulde ryghteously iudge of all thynges. Remember that God hathe gyuen you two eares, one to heare the accuser, & another to heare him that is accused, that by this means ye shulde not be percial nor wedded to one tale, but indifferentely to ⟨p. xlviii⟩heare both parties. Remember that for asmuche as ye occupye the place of God, ye ought not to ꝑuert iudgement, but to do the office of God, and to execute iustice, vnlesse the hyghe Iudge for youre vnryghteous sentence pronoūced condemne you and caste you into hell fyre.5 For GOD, sayth the scripture, shall appeare to you, O ye rulers and Iudges, very dredfully, yea and that without ony longe tariauns. Wonderfull harde iudgement shall they haue, y• beare rule. To the mā of small power mercy is graunted, but as for the mighty, they shall suffer myghty and exceadyng great tormentes. For God whych is rulare of all thynges,6 wyll not regarde one parsonne more thā another, nether wyl he feare y• greatnes of ony mā, for he made both the lytyll and the great, and he hathe a lyke care for all. Notwythstandyng ⟨image 50⟩
7Job. xxxiiii Eccl. xxxv Rom. ii Gala. ii Ephe. vi Colos. iii Act. x •. Pet. i Sap. i Psal. lviiIob. xxxiiii Eccl. xxxv Rom. ii Gala. ii Ephe. vi Colos. iii Act. x •. Pet. i Sap. i Psal. lvii
When any matter is brought before you,1 first weigh, ponder & consider it your self diligently, and afterward deliver it to the Quest mom gers according to the course of the law, and exhort them in the name of God christianly, charitably, friendly, righteously, indifferently, and with a single eye and incorrupt conscience to look upon the matter, and ⟨p. xlix⟩to deal so uprightly in that behalf and to give so true & just verdict, even as though it should be presented and offered up to the high & everlasting Judge Christ. declare unto them how great an offence it is before god to give up a false verdict, & by that means to have innocent blood shed and their own souls condemned.
Whan ony matter is brought before you,1 fyrst weygh, ponder & consyder it your selfe diligently, and afterwarde delyuer it to the Quest mō gers accordynge to the course of the lawe, and exhorte them in the name of God christenly, charitably, frendly, ryghteously, indifferently, and wt a single eye and incorrupte conscience to looke vpon the matter, and ⟨p. xlix⟩to deale so vpryghtly in that behalf and to giue so true & iust verdit, euē as though it shulde be presented and offered vp to the hygh & euerlastyng Iudge Christ. •eclare vnto them how great an offēce it is before god to gyue vp a false verdit, & by that means to haue innocent bloud shed and theyr owne soules condemned.
1Howe Judges shall be have them selves, wham any matter to brought before themHowe Iudges shal be haue them selu•s, whā ony matter to brought before thē
Let the Questmongers have convenient •easure to debate the matter among them selves soberly, discreetly and prudently, and so after much consultation and long deliberation give an answer according to trueth & justice. And let such as shall be upon the quest,1 be honest men, sober, sage, faithful, wise, discreet, prudent, godly, merciful, righteous, loving indifferent, pitiful, brotherlike, & even such as fear god, love his word, have knowledge in his holy law, walk with a right up conscience ⟨image 51⟩both before God and man, and have alway been of good report and honest fame among their neighbours This undoubtedly, (all things ham dled according to equity and justice) shall not only maintain true and righteous judgement, but also make greatly unto the preservation of innocent blood, so that God the high Judge shall highly be glorified in all our judicial affairs. But let us proceed with our matter.
Let the Questmongers haue cō ueniēt •easure to debate the matter among them selues soberly, di•cretely and prudently, and so after much consultacion and long deliberacion gyue an answere accordyng to trueth & iustice. And let such as shall be vpon the quest,1 be honest men, sober, sage, faythfull, wyse, discret, prudēt, godly, mercifull, ryghteous, louyng indifferent, pitiefull, brotherlyke, & euē such as feare god, loue his word, haue knoweledge in his holye lawe, walke wyth a ryghte vp conscience ⟨image 51⟩both before God and man, and haue alwaye bene of good reporte and honest fame among theyr neyghbours This vndoubtedly, (all thynges hā dled according to equite and iustice) shall not only mayntayne true and righteous iudgemēt, but also make greatly vnto the preseruacion of innocent bloud, so that God the hygh Iudge shall hyghly be glorified in al our iudiciall affayres. But lette vs procede wyth our matter.
1What men Questmongers ought to be.What men Questmongers oughte to be.
Not only these aforesaid are perjured parsons, which falsely forswear themselves, and testify in unjust and wrong matters, but also so many as have taken upon them just & lawful oaths, and by them promised to do some righteous and godly thing, and yet leave it undone, and work contrary to their godly promise.1 As for an example, the Magistrates and head officers of the public ⟨p. l⟩weal promise with a solemn oath to do all things according to equity and justice, and to accept no parson in judgement, but to do all things uprightly, to maintain the good, and to punish the evil, to exalt virtue and to suppress vice, now if they contrary to their oath work unrighteousness, oppress the succourless, judge for favour, condemn the good, save the evil, persecute the favourers of God's word maintain the Papists, neglect virtue, uphold vice. &c. so are they falsely forsworn, & shall not escape the plague of Perjury.
Not only these aforsayd are periured parsonnes, which falsely forsweare themselues, and testify in vniust and wronge matters, but also so many as haue taken vpon them iuste & lawfull oothes, and by them promised to do some ryghteous and godly thynge, and yet leaue it vndone, and worke contrary to theyr godly promyse.1 As for an example, the Magistrates and head officers of the publique ⟨p. l⟩weale promyse with a solemne ooth to do all thynges accordyng to equite and iustice, and to accepte no parsonne in iudgement, but to do all thynges vpryghtly, to mayntayne the good, and to ponysh the euell, to exalte vertue and to suppresse vice, nowe if they contrary to theyr ooth worke vnrighteous•es, oppresse the socourlesse, iudge for fauoure, condemne the good, saue the euell, persecute the fauourers of Goddes word mayntayne the Papistes, neglecte vertue, vpholde vice. &c. so are they falsely forsworne, & shall not escape the plage of Periury.
The Bishops and priests promise faithfully to be earnest Preachers1 & setters forth of Gods word, and to live according unto y• same, now if they do the contrary, that is to say, not labour in the harvest of the Lords word, nor lead an honest ⟨image 52⟩and virtuous life unto y• good example of other but seek after worldly promotions, live idly upon their benefices, wallow in all•bestiall pleasures, tumble themselves in all kind of sin, hate them that are preachers of Gods word, drive men from reading the holy Bible. &c. so are they falsely forsworn, & shall not escape y• plague of perjury.
The Byshoppes and prestes promyse faythfully to be earnest Preachers1 & setters forth of Gods word, and to lyue accordyng vnto y• same, nowe if they do the contrary, that is to saye, not labour in the haruest of the Lordes worde, nor lede an honest ⟨image 52⟩and ver•uous lyfe vnto y• good exāple of other but seke after worldly promociōs, lyue ydelly vpō theyr benefices, walowe in all•bestiall plesures, tumble thēselues in all kynde of synne, hate thē that are prechers of Gods worde, dryue men from readyng the holy Byble. &c. so are they fal•ely forsworne, & shal not escape y• plage of periury.
The man & wife have promised faith and •routh between them,1 that they will be just, and true one to another, the man to love his wife as himself, and to •olde him contented with her, the woman reverently to fear and obey her husband, now if they break this promise, so that one delighteth not in another, but each of them seek after strange flesh, so are they falsely forsworn, and shall not escape the plague of perjury.
The man & wyfe haue promised fayth and •routh betwene thē,1 that they wyl be iust, and true one to another, the mā to loue his wyfe as himselfe, and to •olde hym contented wt her, the woman reuerently to feare and obey her husbonde, nowe if they breake this promyse, so that one delyghtethe not in another, but ech of them seake after straung flesh, so are they falsly forsworne, and shall not escape the plage of periury.
1Married folkMaryed folke
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〈…〉
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⟨p. 12⟩
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o• it. Lette nother the rytches, nor the fame, nor the dignite, nor yette the giftes of that manne, which putteth in the inditement agenst another, moue you ony thyng at all to gyue the more credence vnto his wordes, & by that meanes to caste awaye the partye accused, vntyll ye haue thorowly boulted oute y• trueth of the matter. Shew suche indifferency, yt ye maye not be found at the dredefull daye of iudgement gyltye of the shedyng of ony ryghteous bloud, but blameles and wythe a pure conscience.
shall haue the greater ponyshment. Therfore ye that iudge y• earth, take hede, loue ryghteousnes. Iudge truly, o ye sonnes of men. Seake all means possible, that no innocent bloud be shed. Admitte no f•lse wytnesses, none vnlawfull othes, no false swearynges, no malicious periuries to be brought & receaued before youre iudgyng place, which is the seate of God, so long as ye iudge truly, and do youre office accordyng to equite.
