The whole works of W. Tyndall, John Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs,…

But Christ bringeth light, and salt to the text (which the Pharisees had darkened and corrupt with the stinking mist of their sophistry) and forbiddeth to swear at all, either by God or any creature of Gods: for thou canst swear by none oath at all, except the dishonour shall redound unto the name of God. If thou swear, by God it is ¹so, or by God I will do this or that, the meaning is, that thou makest God judge, to avenge it of thee, if it be not as thou sayest or if thou shalt not do as thou promisest. Now if truth be not in thy words, thou shamest thine heavenly father, and testifiest that thou believest that he is no righteous judge nor will avenge unrighteousness, but that he is wicked as thou art and consenteth and laugheth at thee, while thou deceivest thy brother, as well created after the likeness of God and as dear bought with the precious blood of Christ, as thou. And thus through thee (a wicked son) is the name of thy father dishonoured, and his law not feared nor his promises believed. And when thou swearest by the Gospel book or Bible, the meaning is, that God, if thou lye, shall not fulfil unto thee, the promises of mercy there in written. But contrariwise to bring upon thee all the curses, plagues & vengeance therein threatened unto the disobedient & evil doers. And even so when thou swearest by any creature, as by bread or salt, the meaning is, that thou desirest, that the creator thereof shall avenge it of thee, if thou lye, &c. Where ²fore our dealing ought to be so substantial, that our words might be believed without an oath. Our words are the signs of the truth of our hearts, in which ought to be pure and single love toward thy brother: for what soever proceedeth not of love, is damnable. Now falsehood to deceive him & pure love can not stand together. It can not therefore be but damnable sin to deceive thy brother with lying, though thou add no oath to thy words. Much more damnable is it then to deceive & to add an oath thereto. &c.

But Christ bringeth light, and salt to the texte (which the Phari•eis had darckened and corrupt with the stynkyng myst of their sophistrie) and forbiddeth to sweare at all, either by God or any creature of Gods: for thou canst sweare by none othe at all, except the dishonour shall redound vnto ye name of God. If thou sweare, by God it is