A treatise against lying Wherein is showed what it is, the nature and causes…A treatise against lying Wherein is shevved vvhat it is, the nature and causes…

Upon which grounds and reasons I conclude, ¹that being convented before a lawful Magistrate, and by him examined, we are bound in conscience to speak the truth and whole truth, if he proceed legally and in judicial manner, and demand of us such things as we may answer unto piously, without dishonouring God, and justly without any prejudice to the Church and Common-wealth, or wrong to any particular person. For if such questions be propounded as are not lawfully demanded, nor we bound by the Law of God and of the Common-wealth to answer, we may in such a case refuse, and conceal the truth. So likewise when the discovery of it tendeth to Gods dishonour, to the hindering or suppressing of his true religion, to the hurt and damage of the Commonwealth, by betraying unto the enemy the secrets of State; or the delivering of the innocent into the hands of impious and unjust men that are in authority and seek their ruin, and the taking away of their goods, liberties and lives, we are not bound ⟨p. 51⟩to answer the truth of the things demanded, yea we ought in such cases to hide and conceal it, though it be with the extreme and imminent danger of our goods, liberties and life it self. As for example, when in the times of persecution we are examined by wicked tyrants; whom we know to be of our religion, or who were present with us and accompanied us in such a place, and at such a time in Gods divine Service, Prayer, and hearing of the Word; we should in such a case endure any losses and tortures, rather than betray them into their hands that seek their lives. But though we may not discover the secrets and counsels of the innocent when it tendeth to their hurt and ruin; yet we may and ought to confess, when we are examined to reveal the faults and crimes of those that are guilty and have offended against the Laws of God or the Land, yea though we have been copartners with them in their wickedness, and by solemn promise or oath have mutually bound our selves to secrecy, because such oaths and promises are unlawful, as tending to Gods dishonour, the hindering of Justice, the nourishing of Vice, and the great prejudice of Church and Common-wealth.

Upon which grounds and reasons I conclude, ¹that being convented before a lawfull Magistrate, and by him examined, we are bound in conscience to speake the truth and whole truth, if he proceed legally and in judiciall manner, and demand of us such things as we may answere unto piously, without dishonouring God, and justly without any prejudice to the Church and Common-wealth, or wrong to any particular person. For if such questions bee propounded as are not lawfully demanded, nor we bound by the Law of God and of the Common-wealth to answere, wee may in such a case refuse, and conceale the truth. So likewise when the discovery of it tendeth to Gods dishonour, to the hindering or suppressing of his true religion, to the hurt and dammage of the Commonwealth, by betraying unto the enemy the secrets of State; or the delivering of the innocent into the hands of impious and unjust men that are in authority and seeke their ruine, and the taking away of their goods, liberties and lives, we are not bound