A Golden Chain

The fifth sin is, that in their doctrine they maintain perjury, because they teach with one consent, that a papist examined may answer doubtfully against the direct intention of the examiner: framing an other meaning unto himself in the ambiguity of his words. A• for example, when a man is asked, whether he said or heard Mass in such a place: though he did: they affirm he may say, no: and swear unto it: because he was not there, to reveal it to the examiner: whereas in the very law of nature, he that takes an oath should swear according to the intention of him that hath power to minister an oath: and that in trueth, justice, •••gement. Let them clear their doctrine from all defence of perjury, if they can.

The fift sinne is, that in their doctrine they maintaine periurie, because they teach with one consent, that a papist examined may answer doubtfully against the direct intention of the examiner: framing an other meaning vnto himselfe in the ambiguitie of his wordes. A• for example, when a man is asked, whether he said or heard Masse in such a place: though hee did: they affirme he may say, no: and sweare vnto it: because he was not there, to reueale it to the examiner: whereas in the very lawe of nature, he that takes an oath should sweare according to the intention of him that hath power to minister an oath: and that in trueth, iustice, •••gement. Let them cleere their doctrine from all defence of periurie, if they can.

The six• sin is, that they reverse many of Gods commandments, making that no sin which Gods word makes a sin. Thus they teach,¹ that if any man steal some little thing, that is thought not to cause any notable hurt, it is no mortal sin: that, the officious lie, & the lie made in sport are venial sins: that, to pray for our enemies in particular is no precept but a counsel: and that none is bound to salute his enemy in the way of friendship, flat against the rule of Christ,