shulde be estemed among Christen men of so small pryce that for the valoure of a lytyll temporall auauntage and worldely lucre men shulde abuse it and vaynely take it Wo be to that man whyche for hys owne priuate lucre dothe blaspheme the name of God or ony of hys creatures There oughte to be so great sincerite and fayth among Christen men that there shulde nede no othes in theyr bargaynes and worldly businesses A Christen mannes worde oughte to be better and surer than ony obligacioÌ„ God graunt that we maye once se thys come to passe in Englonde Let them that sweare Swearers of custome because it is the custome so to do leaue theyr swearyng and no more followe the wycked custome but the truethe of Gods worde whiche saythe sweare not at all Math. v. Let your communicacioÌ„ be yea yea naye naye Lette them that glory reioyse so muche in theyr swearyng Swearers for pryde that they wyll take vpon them to mayntayne it by yâ— scripture abstayne froÌ„ theyr idle oothes and wreaste no more the holy scripture vnlesse they folowing the manners of SataÌ„ receaue a rewarde worthy theyr wyckednesse Math. iiii Let them that saye though they sweare Swearers meanynge no euyll yet we thyncke no harme Math. â—iii leaue theyr swearyng and remember that they shall gyue accouÌ„tes at the dredeful daye of iudgement for euery idle word that they haue spoken Swearers yâ— they may be beleued so that they shall not escape vnponished for theyr idle oothes Let them that saye fewe or none wyll beleue vs except we sweare rather meddle wyth fewe or none thaÌ„ they shuld transgresse the commauÌ„dement of God bryng damnacion vpon theyr owne heades To conclude let all oothes be taken away from the myndes of Christen menne excepte they be taken for those causes whiche I haue expressed before If we wyll thê° do we shal easely exchewe the moost detestable vice of periury and frendely lyue togyther in all truethe sincerite and fayth as it become the saynctes so many as professe Christ. For he that wyll not sweare wyll not lyghtelye falsely sweare and be forsworne And that we maye be the more encouraged to forsake all vayne idle oothes The conclusion of the booke let vs remember that God which is the euerlastyng truthe hath promised that he wyll glorify them whiche honoure hym and haue hys name in reuerence Agen that they shall come vnto dishonour a shamefull ende that despyse hym and blaspheme hys moost holye name Nowe if we wyll that God glorify vs God to glorify vs what it is that is to saye be our good Lord defend preserue kepe gouerne vs blysse vs lyghten hys gracious couÌ„tenaÌ„s vpon vs sende vs all thynges necessary for our lyuynge in this present worlde and after thys lyfe gyue vs eternall glory than is it conuenient that we do not abuse yâ— name of god by our vayne vnrighteous othes but alwayes laude prayse coÌ„mend magnify blysse it caull vpon it fly vnto it as vnto an holye anchore in all our aduersite and neuer to haue in our mouthes What euylles shall chaunse vnto vs if we vaynly swere but wythe hygh reuerence and great honour If we do the contrary that is to saye blaspheme hys moost holy name than shall we vndoubtedly come vnto dishonoure a shamefull ende In thys worlde the plage and veÌ„geauÌ„ce of God shall not go awaye from oure houses we shal be stryken wyth many greuous diseases in our bodyes oure goodes and cattell yea and all that euer we haue shal come to noght our kynde of lyuyng shall be despysed wyth all good men our death shall be paynefull miserable and wretched after these so great and manifold plages we maye be sure for our wycked sweryng to be cast into hell fyre where the flames of it shall neâ—er be quenched where wepyng and gnashyng of tethe shall be Esa. lâ—vi where the worme that shall gnawe oure consciences shall neuer dye Math. xxiii Therfore I beseche al Christen meÌ„ by the tender marcyes of God and by the moost precious bloud of oure sauiour Iesus Christ wherby alonâ— we are redemed made pure and deliuered from al our synnes that they from hensforth leaue theyr abhominable swearyng ether by God or by ony of hys creatures Let them neuer take God to wytnes excepte it be in a necessarye and earneste matter I meane suche a matter as maketh vnto the glorye of God Let theyr coÌ„municacion be yea yea nay naye Let so great syncerite truthe and faythe reygne among theÌ„ that one maye beleue another wythoute an oothe euen by a worde Let theÌ„ haue God in suche reuereÌ„ce and honoure and so order theyr tonges in thys worlde vnto the glory of God that after this lyfe thorowe the mercy of God they maye be found worthy to be in the nomber of those blissed spirites which without ceasyng syng perpetual prayses to the moste holy name of God on thys manner Great and maruelous are thy workes Apoca. xv O Lorde God almyghty Apoca. iiii ryghteous true are thy wayes o kynge of saynctes Who shall not feare the O Lorde and magnifye thy name For thou arte worthy O Lorde to take the glory and honour power for thou haste made al thynges and for thy wyll they are and were made Apoca. v. To him that sytteth in the throne and to the lambe be blyssynge and honour and glory power worldes wtout end AmeÌ„ ¶ Saye not but that ye are warned ¶ Gyue the glory to God alone ¶ Actes agaynst customable swearers made in tymes past by dyuers excellent Prynces and theyr honorable councell ¶ Kynge Henry the fyfte KYnge Henry the fyste made a statute for swearers in his owne Palace Vvaldenus in quo dam sermone that if he were a Duke yâ— dyd swere he shuld forfyt for euery tyme xl sÌ„ to the aydyng of poore people Wolde god thys statute were obserued and keptâ— now adayes not only in the courte but also thorowout EngloÌ„d If he were a Lorde or Barone xx sÌ„ If he were a Knyght or an Esquyer x. sÌ„ If he were a Yeman xl d If he were a Page or a Lackey or a slaue to be scourged naked eyther wyth a rodde or els wyth a whyppe ¶ Kynge Edmunde KYnge EdmuÌ„de made thys law that they whyche were proued once falsly forsworne shuld for euer be seperated froÌ„ Gods coÌ„gregacioÌ„ ¶ Donaldus Kynge of Skottes DOnaldus Kynge of Skottes made thys acte wtin hys lond 〈◊〉 Botius in historia Scotorum that all Periurers common swearers shulde haue theyr lippes feared wyth a burnyng whot yron ¶ Sayncte Lodowycke Kynge of Fraunce THys lawe aforsayd dyd Saynt Lodowycke Kynge of Fraunce enacte also A godly prâ—clamacion god send 〈◊〉 many 〈◊〉 and put it once in execucioÌ„ at Paris vpon a Cytezyn there for blasphemyng the name of Christ vnto the
wytnes in vniuste and trifelynge matters vaynely to sweare by his moost blyssed name to take it in our mouthes wythoute a necessary vrgent cause and to obscure the glory of it thorow wycked vngodly othes All they that thus do shall not escape vnponysshed O Lorde God howe many are there at thys tyme that transgresse this holy precepte Howe many caull God a wytnes in vniust trifelyng matters Howe many pollute defyle yâ— in them is the glory of Gods moost blyssed name How many sweare coÌ„tinually not only by God al yâ— euer he made agayne not onely by his derely beloued son our Loâ—d sauiour Iesus christ but also with honour reuerence I speake it by all yâ— holy meÌ„bers of his moost glorioê° body How common an oothe nowe dayes is Gods flesh Gods bloud Gods hart Gods bodye Gods woundes Gods nayles Gods sydes Goddes guttes and all that euer maye be rehearsed of God O wickednes O abhominacion What parte of Christes moost blyssed body do these wycked abhominable swearers leaue vnreÌ„t and vntorne They are much worsse thaÌ„ the Iewes which cried Tolle tolle crucifige eum Awaye awaye to the gallowes wyth hym Ioan. xix crucifye hym torment hym leaue not one part whole of hym For they only cryed vpoÌ„ Pylate to haue hiÌ„ crucifyed but these swearers them selues crucify hym rent and teare hym The Iewes crucifyed hym but once and than theyr fury ceased In math but these wicked caytiffes crucify him dayly with theyr vnlawefull oothes neyther doth theyr malyce cruelnes cease at ony tyme S. Austen sayth They syn no lesse whiche blaspheme Christ reygnyng in heauen than they whiche crucifyed hym walkyng on the earthe Yea there want not which haue so great pleasure in swearyng yâ— they thinke theÌ„ selues no men excepte they face crake and bragge out theyr matters wyth large and shameles oothes They iudge it a poynte of elogancye ciuilite and good nourtoure to enterlase theyr talke wythe abuÌ„daÌ„s of oothes They recount him an asse a dastarde and an hobbe of the contrey that can not sweare valeauntly so greatly hath vice preuayled so greatly hath wickednes rooted herselfe in the hartes of men so lytle authorite bearethe vertue godlynesse nowe a dayes in the worlde MeÌ„ of occupacion The maÌ„ of occupacon feareth no thyng at al to sweare by God to call him a witnes in a vayne and triflyng matter whan he byeth or selleth ony thyng so that he maye gette but a peny by this means O Lorde what dothe it profyt a man to wynne all yâ— who le world to loose his soule How customably is this hearde dayely among them that be byers and sellers O â—â—treâ—e abhominacioÌ„ By Gods soule man take it vnto the say not but that thou haste a frendly peny worth For by the blyssed body of god thou hast it as good chepe as euer I bought it And yet are all togyther starke lyes But lette it be grauÌ„ted that theyr ooth were true is it therfore conuenient yâ— in worldly matters for euery lyghte trifle what 〈◊〉 and faythe oughte to reygne amoÌ„g christen men we shoulde thus abuse the name of god whom we ought neuer to haue in our mouthes without great reuerence and for vrgeÌ„t weyghty causes There ought to be so great sincerite faythfulnes trueth singlenes amonge Christen men that yea yea naye naye should be sufficient But alas there is so moch crafte deceate suttelty falshode and doublenes reygnyng in the worlde at this tyme that none dare trust another no thoughe they promyse neuer so fayre excepte they sweare Exulaâ— fides no nor than nether He that feareth notto blaspheme yâ— name of god wyl not let to deseaue his neyghbour excepte they haue them bound in blacke whyght as they saye O Lorde vnto what poynt are we come whan all trueth credence is so farre banysshed from the boundes of Christianite yâ— there is more fayth trust gyuen to an obligacioÌ„ or suche other trifle than to yâ— word and promyse of a Christen man It is euen as the Prophet sayth Oze iiii there is no trueth vpoÌ„ the earth Psal. â—x but swearyng cursyng lyeÌ„g Rom. iii Euery man is a lyare Luke xviii Euery man that lyuethe is nothyng but vanite nether is ther ony trust in hym Do ye thynke sayeth Christ that the sonne of manne shall fynde ony fayth on the earthe whaÌ„ he shall come Verely I thynke but a lytle which is an euident tokeÌ„ that the daye of the great terrible iudgement is not farre of Moreâ—uer howe is God rent and torne by blasphemous othes not only among men in bargaynynge Dysers and Cardâ—rs byeng and sellyng choppyng and chaâ—â—gyng c. but also in playeng yo le matters How wyl the diser sweare rather than he wyll loose one caste Howe wyll the carder teare God on peces rather than he wyll loose the profyt of one carde Howe wyl they that stonde by beholde forsweare them selues for the loue that they beare to one of the parties Agayn howe depely do menne of lawe sweare vnto theyr Clientes Men of lawe yâ— they haue laboured theyr matters earnestly to the Iudges whan many tymes they haue not spoken one worde but styl prolonge the matter that theyr auauntage maye be the greater Howe doth the prest sweare that if it had not ben for the loue of suche suche an honest man and for yâ— good Prestes benefyced men reporte that he hath hearde before of the Parysh he would neuer haue beÌ„ person of 〈◊〉 And yet it is not vnknowen that the moost part of the loue theyr paryshners so derely that after they be once â—ure of theyr benefyce they care not although they neuer se none of theÌ„ after so that they maye haue the auaÌ„untage of the benefice excepte peradueÌ„ture of theyr deuocion it be at haruest whan the tythe barnes are ful or elles at Easter to searche howe good the Easter boke wyll be that yeare This once done hense go they agayne leaue asyr Iohn Lack latin in theyr stead whyche teachethe not muche more than the hyll mouethe The wolffe maye come and easely rent Ioan. x. teare deuour the poore shepe For the shepparde hath gotteÌ„ the mylke wolle and he is gone He hathe lycked the fatte from hys paryshners berdes hath taken his iourney Take thought for the flock who lysteth O Pastor Idolum derelinquens gregem Zaâ—h xl O shepeparde Idolle that thus forsaketh his flocke But alas what consciences haue these menne which take so muche and do so lytyll If they wyll reape carnall thynges so must they sow spiritual thynges sayth the scripture The labouryng plow maÌ„ not the ydle lubber muste receaue of the frutes i. Cor xix sayth S. ii Tim. ii Paule i. Tim. v They that rule well are worthy double honour
not of the world but I haue chosen you out of the worlde Ioan. xv Now they that followe the fashons of yâ— world are none of Christes disciples so followeth it that all swearers pertayn not vnto Christ seynge they so diligentely followe the manners of thâ— worlde Of the custome Notâ— And where as they obiecte that it is the custome so to sweare this can nothyng excuse them For we may not looke what the custome but the trueth of Gods worde wylleth vs to do Followe not the coÌ„moÌ„ sorte of people saythe the scripture for to do euell Agen do not ye those thinges which they haue done that were before you Eâ—o xxiii Lem. xviii Zacha. i nether be ye polluted defyled in them The Prophet Zachary also sayth Be not ye lyke your forfathers neyther followe ye the fashons of them Lib. Epist ii Epist. iii ad Caâ—câ—â— The â—oly Martyr S. Câ—prâ—an sayth vndouâ—â—â—dâ—y we must â—othe heare do that that Christ hath done that he hath commaunded to â—e done seynge that he sayth in his gospel if ye do chose thiÌ„ges that I commaunde you In yâ— no more call ye seruauÌ„tes but 〈◊〉 And that Christ alone ought to be heaâ—d the father from heauen testifyeth sayeâ—g This is my 〈◊〉 beloued soâ—e Math xviâ— Marâ— ix Luk. ix ii Pet. i in whom I am fully satisfyed heare ye hym Iâ— that Châ—ist alone ought to be hearde we oughte not to maâ—ke what ony man before vs thought best to be done but what Christ dyd fyrst whiche is before all men Epist. ad pomp coÌ„tra Steplâ— Dist. viii Can Consuetado Agayne he â—ayth a custome with out trueth is an olde erroure Therfore leauyng the erroure let vs â—oâ—lowe the truethe Whan the truethe is once come to lyght sayth S. Austen let the custome gyue place to yâ— trueth For Peter also which dydde circuÌ„cyse gaue place to Paule preachyng the trueth Dâ—c vnico bap lib. ii Therfore seyng yâ— Christ is the truethe we oughte rather to followe the trueth than the custome If thou doste laye agaynst me the custome Guiel Auers Dist viii Can Sâ—consuâ— sayth S. Gregory thou muste marke what the Lorde sayth I am the waye trueth lyfe He sayde not I am the custome but yâ— trueth Now hath Christ sayd to vs in hys holy Gospell thou shalte not sweare at all Why than do they not follow yâ— truthe doctrine of Christ Ioan. xiiii Math. v thaÌ„ the wycked vngodly custome But many are so addicte to customes old vsages now a dayes yâ— although they se yâ— scripture manifestly condemne theyr croked customes wycked vsages yet wyl they by no meanes gyue place to the truthe If a man obiecte and laye the scriptuagaynst them and wolde so reforme them charitably than are they redy streyghtwayes to accuse hym of heresy O bloude â—oupers and to bryng hym vnto a fagot of so lytle authorite is the moost holy worde of God recounted with these bely Gods and wycked worldlynges nowe a dayes so harde a thynge is it to speake agaynst a custome be it neuer so wycked and vngodly Another sort glory and reioyse so greatly in theyr wickednes of swearyng â–ª that they feare nothing at all to take vpon them for to mayntayn it by the scriptures Psa. lxiiâ— Sayth not the Psalmographe saye they Laud abuntur omnes qui iurant in eo All yâ— swear by hiÌ„ shal be praysed Doth not god yâ— father also gyue a commaundement saye Deut. x Dominum Deum tuum timebis per illius nomen iurabis Thou shalte feare thy Lorde God and sweare by hys name As concernyng the fyrst text whyche they alleadge I aunswere theyse glorious famous swearers differ no thyng from theyr father yâ— dyuell Math. iiii For as he wrested the Scripture whaâ— he teÌ„pted Christ so lykewyse do they The wordes of yâ— pâ—almographe are these all that sweare iâ— hym â—hal be 〈◊〉 He â—ayth not all that sweare by hym but in hym To sweare in God What it is to sweare in God is to call God a wytnes in a iust ryghteous earnest matter to take an oothe for the glorye of God for the promocion of hys worde for the mayntenaâ—â—ce of the Christen fayth or els for the helch of our neyghbour They that thus do sweare in God and they shal not be condemned but praysed for theyr oothe As towchynge the seconde texte How swearyâ— geâ—ame vp fyrâ—â—e wherin they saye they are not only suffered frely to sweare but also coÌ„maunded so to do I answer Whan euell thynges began to encrease in the worlde Hom. xxvi as Chrisostome writeth whan there was a confusion made in euery place and no order whan men fell vnto the seruyse worshyppynge of Idolles whanne all sayth was loste and all vnfaythefulnesse reygned than began the Infidelles seyng that one wolde not trust and beleue another in matters of coÌ„trauersy to call vpon theyr Goddes for wytnesses protestynge therby that they spake truth forasmuch as they called theyr Gods to wytnes in the matter whome to name they thought it not lawful but in serious earnest graue weyghty and necessary matters and by this means obtayned they fayth one of another Now for asmuche as God had selected the Israelites from the Gentiles to be his people Hoâ—â—â— xxvii and would by no means that they shoulde in ony poynte followe theyr wyckednes vnlesse therby they shoulde be allured from the true worshyp of god vnto Idolatry Why god suffered yâ— Iewes to sweare by hym he gaue a commaundement to theÌ„ yâ— in all matters of controuersy and in suche affayres as shuld make vnto his glory and the health of theyr brothers they shulde not call ony of those false Goddes whome the Ethnyckes worshypped vnto wytnesse nor sweare by theyr names but call hym a wytnesse and sweare by hys name so euery one to beleue another for the reuerence and honoure that they owe to his moost holy and blyssed name What is this to yâ— purpose what refuge can these abhominable swearers haue here Thys commaundemeÌ„t only serueth for graue weyghty serious ernest matters they abuse it to cloke couer theyr wycked abhominable custom of swearing Is this allowable before God wyll this go for good paymeÌ„t No surely GOD wyll not thus be mocked God wyll not suffer his moost glorious name so wickedly to be abused God wyll not abyde that hys worshyp honoure renowme glorye and magnificeÌ„s shuld so be obscured defaced blotted God is a ielous God he canne not abyde that he shulde be dishonoured by ony meanes I am yâ— Lorde sayth he this is my name I wyll gyue my glorye to none other Here therfore haue these swearers no refuge but styll runne hedlongs into euerlastyng damnacion Another company Esa. xiii that vse swearyng say we thynke no harme whaÌ„ we sweare and therfore can it be no
An Inuectyue agenst the moost wicked detestable vyce of swearing newly coÌ„piled by Theodore Basille Eccl. 23. A man that vseth muche swearing shall be fylled with wyckednes and the plage that is to say the veÌ„geance of god shal not go away froÌ„ his house ¶ The Inuectyue speakethe LAmentably do I nowe procede Of myn Author sent at this season In a sadde and lamentable wede To make my complaynte lamentacion Lament I must bothe daye and nyghte To beholde the greatâ— abhominacion Whych thorow swearyng in all mennes syght Is now vsed wythout lamentacion Lament all christen hartes do I am â—uâ—e To heare God and hys â—reaturâ—s eâ—he one So wyckâ—dly blasphemed wythout â—ure And yet noman maketh lamentacion Lament oâ—ye Swearers lament lament And looke ye cease from thys great abusion For yf to do thus ye be not now bent In hell shall ye make full sore lamentacion Lament your synnes take me to you For to leaue your great abhominacion I wyll teache you yea all thyng true That ye maye be fre from lamentacion Lament yf ye wyll not in hel fyre But enioye the diuine fruicion Looke that ye accomplyshe my desyre So shall ye be fre from lamentacion To the right worshypfull Master Rycharde Skotte Theodore Basille wysheth loÌ„ge lyfe coÌ„tinual helth and prosperous felicitie ✚ GOD the father saythe by hys Prophete Esa. lviii Crye cease not Lyfte vp thy voyce as a trompe and shew to the people theyr wickednes and to yâ— house of Iacob theyesynnes That this is chefelye spoken to them that are Prechers Ministers of Gods worde Ther is no maÌ„ that is but meanely learned ignoraunt therof For it is theyr dutye to crye not to cease It is theyr dutye to exalte lyft vp theyr voyce as a troÌ„pe It is theyr duty to shew vnto the people theyr wyckednesses synnes It is theyr duty to preach the Gospel to euery creature It is theyr duty to preach Repentaunce remission of synnes in the name of Christ vnto al nacions â—at xxviii It is theyr dutye to gyue meate to the Lordes family household in due tyme. It is ther duty to fede Christen people with doctrine knowledge â—uke xxiiii It is theyr duty to conforte the weake â—at xxiiii to bynd vp that is broken â—uke xii to bryng agayne that is caste awaye Timo. v to seake vp that is loste â—zec xxxiiii to cheryshe all the slocke of Christ. It is ther duty to cast away vngodly olde wyues fables Tim. iiii and to exercyse themselues vnto godlynes It is theyr dutye to be an example of the faythfull in worde in conuersacion in loue Tim. v in spirite in fayth in purite It is ther duty to rebuke theÌ„ that synne before all menne that other may haue â—eare It is theyr dutye to shewe them selues coÌ„mendable to God worke men yâ— nede not to â— Tim. ii be ashamed iustly dyuyding yâ— word of truth It is ther duty not to stryue but to be gentle peaseable toward all men redy to teache sufferyng the euyll wyth mekenes enformynge them that resiste if God at ony tyme gyue them repentaunce to knowe the truthe ii Tim. iii It is theyr dutie to preach the word to be feruent both in tyme out of tyme to reproue to rebuke to exhorte with al foftnes and doctrine Titus i. It is theyr duty to watch iÌ„ al thynges not to shrinck in affliccions to do the worcke of an Euangeliste to make theyr ministracion commendable euen vnto the vttermost It is theyr duty to be fautles as the stewardes of God not hyghe mynded not angrye not droneken not â—yghtyng not gyuen to fylthy lucre but mayntenyng Hospitalite â–ª studious of good thinges soâ—er ryghteous godly temperate holdyng fast that faythful word which is accordyng to doctrine that they may be able to exhorte by wholsome doctrine 1. Pet. v. to ouercome them that speake agaynst it It is theyr dutye to fede yâ—â—locke of Christ somuch as lygheth in theyr power To be short it is ther duty to shewe themselues dispeÌ„satours of the diuine misteries on such maÌ„ner that they may seme appere vnto all menne to haue taken ther power to edifye not to destroye For they are the lyghte of the world to shew men how they ought to walk They are the salt of yâ— earth to sauoure such as be vnsauerye But alas the lyght of the worlde I mean Prestes is now so do dymme yâ— it shewethe almoste no â—yght at al. Menne yâ— walke in darknes can not perceaue how to walke the Prestes are so wrapped about wyth the workes of darkenes The salt of yâ— earth I meane the Prestes is so vnsauery that it can not sucke out the corrupte humores The people that are diseased can not be healed yâ— preastes themselues are so fâ—ble weake infirme sycke wounded on euery part Morouer yâ— Prestes Esay lvi which shuld be ouersears of yâ— people are al blind as the Prophet sayth they are all with out knowlege they are dumme dogges not able once to barke they haue a pleasure to looke vpon vayne thynges they gyue them selues to sluggyshenes they lyghe snortynge all daye yea they are vnshamefaced dogges that haue neuer ynoughe The sheppardes themselues are wtout all knowledge All follow theyr owne wayes euery one of theÌ„â—s giueÌ„ into couetousnes Esa. lviii euen from the hyghest to the lowest God sayth Crye cease not But they turne caâ—te in the panne saye Cease crye not God sayth Lyfte vp thy voyce as a troÌ„pe But they saye whyst not a word vnles we be suspecte to be fellowes of the new lerning God sayth show vnto the people theyr wyckednesses and rebuke theyr synneful lyuynge Na by saynt Mary say they al thiÌ„g saue that It is good sleapyng in an whoâ—e skynne He is not wyse that wyll cast hymselfe into trouble whan he maye lyue in reste O Lorde haue marcy vpon vs. By thys meanes is it come to passe that vertue is so lytyll regarded vice so vniuersallye vsed Wo be to those prestes whiche neglecte theyr office flatter the people suffer them to lyue in al wyckednes For they are the Authors of all euell They are the occasion that so many soules perysh They cause yâ— so much myschyfe abhominacion reygneth now a dayes Theyr negligence ther sileÌ„ce theyr dissolute lyuing cause yâ— God 's worde is so euyll regarded among many and yâ— so great wyckednes suppresseth yâ— honour of the christen religion Is it ony maruell We se that yâ— bodye wythereth awaye perysheth and decayeth if it wanteth corporal sustenaunce Is it thaÌ„ to be thought yâ— the soule caÌ„ be in salue estate if it waÌ„teth her meat I mene yâ— word of God Matth. iiii Christ sayth Man shall not lyue wyth breade alone but wyth euery worde Deut. viii that coÌ„meth forth from the mouth of God Salomon
damnacion vnto the which thou haddest made thy selfe bounde thorowe the offence of thy fyrste father Adam Gen. iii whiche he committed in Paradise Rom. â— I haue fed the in thy mothers wombe I haue norysshed the hytherto I haue sent the thy helth saued the from all daungers And now at the last also eueÌ„ of myne own mere mercy fre goodnes Exo xiiii I haue delyuered the out of Egypt that lond of seruitude extreme bondage eueÌ„ out of the handes of that thy moost cruel vnmercyful enemy Pharao I fede the with meate from heauen Ex. xvixvâ—â— I gyue the dryncke out of the harde stony rocke nowe I hast with al mayne to lead the into the lond of yâ— Cananites euen suche a lond as floweth wyth mylke and hony abundethe wyth all good thynges where thyne enemies caste out before thy face thou shalte lyue reygne lyke a moost wealthy Prynce rulare of the earth Exo. xx Looke therfore that thou kepe my commaundementes ordinaunces Deut. v. Heare my voyce Flye the voyces of straungers Looke thou haue none other Gods besydes me Take me â—or thyne one alone god Feare honoure worshyp me alone Loue me wyth all thy harte myade strength power soule c. Hange on me Seake for all good thynges at my hand Beleue me to be that God alone which am omnisufficient pleÌ„teous to gyue and nedy of nothyng Make the no grauen â—mage vnto yâ— lykenes of ony thyng in heueÌ„ earth or elles where Do no reuerence nor honoure vnto them But aboue all thynges loke thou take not yâ— name of me thy lord God in vayne For if thou so do verely thou shalt not escape vnponyshed I wyll be reuenged of thy wyckednes A comparisâ—â— betwene god and man For by no means wyll I suffer my name to be polluted deâ—iled wythe thyne abhominable vnlawfull othes Iob. xxxvii And that thou mayst take my name into thy mouch with honour Eâ—o xv and reuerence it whan it is named Deut. iiii remeÌ„ber that I am a Lorde Heb. xiii terrible in aspeâ—â—e Psal vi greate in power Math. vii righteous in iudgemeÌ„t Psal. â— redy to take veÌ„geauÌ„ce on yâ— wycked Gen. vi viii such one as am acoÌ„sumiÌ„g â—yre by no means caÌ„ suffer iniquite â–ª And as for the workers therof I hate detest and vtterly abhore Agayne thou arte a miserable wretched and vyle synner begotten conceaued borne in synne ful of al fylthynesse wycked in al thy thoughtes wordes and dedes deseruyng at euery houre by thyne abhominable lyuyng to be caste into hell fyre were not I called awaye from takynge vengeaunce by my greate mercy and long suffryng what art thou than O man whiche beyng so so vile wretched synfull stynkyng dareste presume to take my name whiche am kyng aboue all kynges Lord aboue all Lordes into thy polluted mouth seing it is a name that excellethe all other Phil. ii seynge also that vnto it euery knee that is in heauen earthe or hell bowe and gyue reuereuerence vnto it agen seyng that the dignite greatnes vertue ther of can by no meanes be comprehended Vse not therfore my name vnreuerently but magnify laud prayse honoure and worshyp it hoth day and nyghte Flye vnto it as vnto a strong Bulwarke and holy anchore in all thyne aduersite Seake for remedy ayde and succoure of aâ—l thy diseases at the goodnes of that If thou doste otherwyse knowe that I am the lyuyng God into whose handes it is a dreadfull thyng to faull For I wyl visite the with moost greuous affliccions Hebre. x I wyll ponysh the with many intollerable diseases vpon thy bodye in this worlde I wyll smyte the thy wyse thy chyldren thy cattell All that euer thou hast wyll I bryng to nought Of al men lyuyng wyl I make the moost vyle wretched What so euer thou goest about shal not prosper but come to an euel end So that in this worlde my vengeaunce that is to saye corporall plages shall faull vpon the after this present lyfe Math. xiii shalte thou with oute fayle be caste into vtter darkenes Esa. lxvi where wepyng and gnasshynge of tethe shall be where the fyre shall neuer be quenched where thy tormeÌ„tes shall neuer haue ende where the worme that gnaweth thy conscieÌ„ce shall neuer dye Whose eyes send not forthe large fountaynes of teares to heare these thynges Yea whose harte faynteth not for distyllyng of bloudy teares to heare so great so greuous threates Ioan. xiiii yea and that from the mouth of God â—itus i whiche is yâ— selfe trueth Psa. â— xliiii whych can not lye which is faythfull in all his wordes What maÌ„ is so infected with the abhominable synne of sweryng that dothe not nowe tremble shake and quake for seare to heare what greuous and intollerable paynes abyde hym Who hath an harte so indurated and hardened thorowe the detestable vicious custome of swearyng whiche is not nowe redy so cease from hensforthe so wickedly to abuse the moost holye and blyssed name of God and to honour reuerence and worshyppe it euer after Thou shalte not take the name of thy Lorde God in vayne For the Lorde wyll not holde hym â—yâ—teâ—esse that taketh hys name in vayne God hathe gyuen ten commaundementes yeâ— haue none of them all coÌ„minacions threates subioyned expresly vnto theÌ„ but two only which are the seconde the thyrde one for Idolatrye the other for the vniuste vsurpacion and vnlawfull vsyng of the name of God Idolatry sweriÌ„g are the mooâ—re greuous synnes whereby he manifestly declareth how great the synne of Idolatrye and of swearyng is in his syght aboue al other vices Who is nowe so at defyaunce wythe the christen religion so lytle estemeth the glory of the moost excelleÌ„t name of God that he wyll not cease from his wickednes of swearyng learne from hensforth to glorify the moost blyssed name of God if not for lous yet for feare of the moost greuous intollerable plages that shal vndoutedly faull vpon hym Thou shalte not take the name of thy Lord god in vayn God speaketh these wordes wythe a maruelous great vehemeÌ„t â–ª emphasis because he woulde haue vs imprynt thys hys precepte in our memory And because we shoulde harkeÌ„ the more vnto it he addeth a threte and sayth For the Lorde wyll not holde hym gyltlesse that taketh hys name in vayne This is a greuous threat shaketh al yâ— partes of a ChristeÌ„ maÌ„nes body yâ— is led with ony fere at al toward god Nowe let vs lernâ— what it is to take yâ— name of our Lord God in vayne yâ— we faul not into that synne What it is to take the name of God in vayne receue a rewarde worthy our wyckednes To take the name of God in vayne is to caull God a
chefely they that labour in worde doctrine i. Cor. ix For the Lord hath ordined that they which preach the Gospel shulde lyue of the Gospell Wo be to me sayth S. Paule if I preach not yâ— Gospel Shal these good men thaÌ„ God wyll escape free seynge they do nought and yet receaue so great frutes commodities and rewardes Hom. vii Super illud Dignuâ— est operarius c. what do we O ye sheppardes sayth S. Gregory How may we be bolde to receaue wages yet be no worke men We take the profytes of holy chyrche for our dayly stipende yet do we labour no thyng at all in prechyng for the euerlastyng Chyrche Let vs consyder and weyghe what greate damnacion it is to take here the rewarde of laboure and to do no thyng for it Beholde we lyue of yâ— oblacioÌ„ of yâ— faythfull but what do we laboure for yâ— soules of the faythful we take for our stipend what so euer the faythfull haue offered to redeme theyr sinnes and yet do we not once shewe ony diligence agaynste those synnes ether by the studye of prayer or preachyng Let beneficed menne which gyue so lytle attendaunce vpon Christes flocke marke wel thafor sayde wordes of the holy Doctore consyder with them selues whyther they maye iustly receaue so muche do so lytle for it Dist. xviii cap. oporâ—et or not Agayne the same Doctore saythe the prestes to whome the Lordes people are coÌ„mitted must watch with great diligeÌ„ce vpon the Lordes shepe that they be not rent and torne with the bytynges of the wolfe that is to say with the mocions of the dyuell God giue them grace once to be prestes shepe herdes not only in name apparel but also in work and truth Among seruyng meÌ„ also aboue all other what wycked and detestable oothes are there hearde Seruing men If there be ony of that sorte which feare God loue his worde therfore abstayne from vayn oothes how doth his coÌ„panye lout hym Loke what an asse is among a sorte of apes eueÌ„ the very same is he amonge hys fellowes They thyncke hym not worthye to weare a sweard buckelare that caÌ„not face oute the matter with plentye of oothes He yâ— can swearebest soonest gyue a blowe he is couÌ„ted an hardy fellowe and fyt to do a GeÌ„tyll man seâ—uyse whan to saye the truethe of all men he is moost wretche and coward and moost of all vnapte to do suche a Gentyll man seruyse as â—oueth God and his holy lawes Yea such pestilent swearers and fylthy blasphemers of God and hys creatures ought all honest and vertuous Gentle men to putte oute of theyr houses vnlesse they bryng the vengeaunce of God vpoÌ„ theyr whole family wyfe chyldreÌ„ seruauntes c If they knowe that onye man haue bene in that place where the plage reygneth woulde come into theyr houses they speare the gates agenst hym they shutte hym ouâ— by no means wyll they suffer him to enter And why Verely because they wyll not haue yâ— plage brought in among them vnlesse they should be infected and so dye Alas for pure pite to dye we are all borne and dye we must at one tyme or other whyther it be by the plage or otherwyse therfore it maye seme that the death of the body ought not so greatly to be feared why than rather do they not putte out of theyr houses these pestiferous caytisses which thorow theyr abhominable swearyng infecte all theyr family not onely theyr bodyes but theyr soules also and prouoke God to poure out his moost fearse greuous plages vpoÌ„ them Is not this the sayeng of the wyse man the maÌ„ that vseth muche swearyng shall be fylled with iniquite Eccl. xxiii and the plage yâ— is to saye the vengeaunce of GOD shall not go awaye from hys house Awake therfore O ye gentyll men awake ye men of nobilite awake An admoniâ—ion for Gentle meÌ„ suffer no swearers in youre houses eschew them more then a venemous serpent fede a dragoÌ„ sooner in your house than ony suche one as hathe pleasure in swearyng For as towchyng the one it only hurteth the body the other destroyeth the bodyes soules of so many as be vnder you dayelye prouoke the vengeaunce of God agaynste you and all that euer ye haue in towne Eccle. xiii felde or els where He that toucheth pytche sayth Iesus Syrache shall be defyled of it And he that kepeth company wyth them yâ— are proud shall learne pryde Lykewyse they that accoÌ„pany suche as be swearers and blasphemers of Gods moost holy name must nedes proue lyke vnto them and therfore runne into lyke damnacion Awaye therfore wyth such out of your houses excepte they wyl amend Mayntayne none that shall bryng yâ— plage of God vpoÌ„ your house Suffer not the tender brestes of youre chyldren to be poysonned in theyr yonge age with the pestilent and damnable coÌ„municacion of these abhominable swearers But aboue all thynges looke that ye youre selues haue the name of God in so greate reuerence and honoure that by no means ye abuse it at ony tyme by your vaynâ— oothes vnto the euel exaÌ„ple of yourâ— family Agayne whan the comon sort oâ— people in a parysh are gathered togâ—ther at ony tyme to make mery Paryssh 〈◊〉 aâ— the custome in many places is to do chefely on the Sondayes other hâ—ly dayes at after noone whan theâ— oughte rather to be occupyed in seruent prayers or els in the readyng or hearyng of the holy Scriptures what shamefull wycked oothes do they sweare WhaÌ„ they are once set vpon the alebenche and well whytled in theyr braynes thorow the many cuppes that haue bene fylled in howe faull they then to swearynge What parte of Christes moost blyssed body is leaste vntorne He is taken for ioylyest fellow that can best swere I let passe theyr other fylthy talke dronckeÌ„shyppe and excesse O wyckednes Are these Christen meÌ„ Not muche before they were in the Temple and ful solemnely went vp downe patteryng with a payre of â—eades in theyr handes and whan yâ— preste redde the Gospell althoughe they vnderstode not one worde yet of custome they stoode vp lyke men and whan the prest named Iesus in the Gospell and they sawe hym for yâ— reuerence of it make curtesy they also full manerly bowed theyr knees as deuoute parsonnes pretendyng by that meanes that they haue the name of Iesus amoÌ„g them in great honour yet streyght wayes go they vnto the alehouse and by theyr wicked oothes do they there the gretest dishonour to the name of Iesus that can be done in the worlde These people maye well be resembled to those Iewes whyche in despyte strypped Christ put on hym a purple robe platted a crowne of thornes put it vpon his heade a reed in his right hand and bowed theyr knees before hiÌ„ mocked hym sayeÌ„g Aue rex Iudeorum hayle kynge of the
our tyme There lyue at this daye whiche haue knowen certen meÌ„ to be great swearâ—rs of whome some many yeares before they dyed were greuously punyshed wyth strauÌ„ge and innumerable diseases some by yâ— strong hand of God had theyr houses as yâ— Prophet Zachary sayth consumed with fyre some lost theyr speache before they dyed another sort certen dayes before they dyed Felix queÌ„ faciuÌ„t alienape ricula caâ—tum had such an heate and breÌ„ning in theyr mouthes that by no means they could suffer to haue them speared Theyr toÌ„ge all that euer was within theyr mouthe was so blacke as a coole Were not all these manifest tokens of Gods wrath and vengeaunce for takynge his holy name in vayne Woulde God they yâ— were thus punyshed myght be an example vnto vs for to leaue the wycked and vngodly custome of swearyng If we wyll not cease but styll prouoke god vnto anger surely we shal proue feale those same plages and much more greuous And wolde god oure paynes myghte cease in thys worlde that we myght be free from euerlastyng damnacion We all professe Christ Ioan. viii Ioan. x Ioan. xviii and caull our selues christians why do we not thaÌ„ those thinges that Christ commaundeth vs Christ sayth he that is of God heareth the wordes of god Ioan. xv Agayne any shepe heare my voyce Mat. â— Also in another place euery one that is of the trueth hereth my voyce If we therfore be of God why do we not heare the wordes of God If we be yâ— shepe of Christ whye do we not heare our sheppardes voyce If we pertayne vnto Christ which is yâ— selfe trueth why do we not heare hys voyce Christ sayth ye haue hearde that ii was sayd to them of thou old time thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe but perfourme vnto the Lorde that yâ— haste sworne But I saye vnto you swerâ— not at al neyther by heaueÌ„ for it is the throne of God neyther by earth for it is the footestoole of hys feete nor by Hierusalem for it is the citis of the great kyng nether shalt thou swear by thy head because thou art not able to make one heare whyght or blacke But let your communicacioÌ„ be yea yea naye naye For what so euer is more than that cometh of euell Herevnto agreeth S. Iames sayeng before all thynges Iacob v o my brethren looke ye sweare not nether by heueÌ„ nor by earth nor by ony other ooth Let your coÌ„municacioÌ„ be yea yea naye naye that ye fall not into dissimulacion Here are we forbyddan to sweare by ony thynge that euer God made If it be not lawfull for vs to sweare by ony thiÌ„g yâ— euer Godmade thaÌ„ is it not lawful for vs to swear by him that made al thinges If it be synne to sweare by the creatures thaÌ„ must it nedes be damnable to sweare by yâ— creatore Why do we not remember these thynges and leaue our great swearynge It is a shame to se christen men lyue so contrarye to theyr profession It shall be more tollerable to Tyrus and Sydon to Sodâ— me Gomorre at the daye of iudgement Math. xi than to vs except we shortely repent beleue and amend For that seruaÌ„t which knowethe his masters wyll and doth it not shall be beaten w many strypes Swearyng hathe euer bene couÌ„ted a thing of so great absurdite Luke xii that the very Ethnyckes and Gentiles dydde deteste it in so muche that a certayne Greke Poet wryteth on this manner flye swearyng although thyne ooth be ryghâ— accordyng to the truethe Our damnacion is greata What a sayeng is this of an Infidell Shall not he and such other ryse vp at the daye of iudgement condemne vs seyng they were Infidelles and we Christen men Our Lorde be mercifull vnto vs. All hunte after worldly promocions and seake to lyue in pleasure and welth but no man seaketh howe to lede a godly innocent lyfe howe to leaue theyr swearyng and to magnify the moost glorious name of God For we go forthe styll to synne as thoughe there were no punishment ordined for it at all We blaspheme the name of god as though he were so chyldysh that he woulde neuer caull vs vnto an accouÌ„tes for oure vngodly blasphemies We so â—eare Christ and al the partes of his moost blissed body as thogh he shuld neuer come vnto the iudgement for to rewarde the good to condemne the euell Christ sayth that we shall gyue an accouÌ„tes at yâ— daye of iudgement for euery ydle worde Math. xii that we haue spoken what is thaÌ„ to be thought of our abhominable othes wherby God is so greatly dishhonoured What accosites shal we gyue of theÌ„ Howe narowly shal we be examined of them What wyl we aunswere in this behalfe What wyll we saye what excuse wyll we make I feare vnlesse we shall be redy of oure owne free wyll to runne hedlong into hell syre before the terrible sentence of damnacion be giuen our conscience shall so condeÌ„ne vs. Lorde holde thy holy hande ouer vs gyue vs grace to amende Sayente Pauls sayth Colos. iiii lette your speache be well fauoured and powdered wyth salte that ye may know howe to answere euery man What place hathe thys commaundement of thapostle among them whiche so pouder theyr wordes the there come nothyng out of theyr mouthes but vayne othes wicked blasphemies The communicacioÌ„ of these men sauour lytle of salte wherby is vnderstonde the wysdome of Gods word what saâ—e signifyeth it is so fresh vnsauery Yea wolde God these abhominable blaspemers of Gods moost holy name were not extreme enemies to gods worde chosyng rather to remayne dastardes styll in the folyshnesse of the worlde Swearers are enemyes to gods word than to become wyse and prudeÌ„t in the wysdome of gods worde All swerers therfore are enemies bothe to god and hys worde A Christen man maye not acquaynte hymselfe wyth such maÌ„ners nor so wyckedly abuse hys tonge For oure tonge is gyuen vs not that we shoulde sweare lye blaspheme ieste rayle scoffe mocke vse vngodly talke but yâ— we shulde onely speake those thynges whiche maye bothe turne vnto the glory of god the health of our neyghbour And thys is it that S. Paule sayth let your speach be wel fauoured and poudered wyth salte Colos. iiii Our speche is well sauoured semely honest comely whan there appeare the no thing in it that maye offende the eares of ony true Christen man Mark wel but is agreable in all poyntes to godlynes and honeste It is poudered wyth salte wheÌ„ it vttreth those thynges which are godly wyse and edifye so many as are the hearers of it Let all swerers marke this and amende theyr coÌ„municacion vnlesse they be that vnsauery salte Math. v whiche shall be caste out and troden vnder foote Agayne he sayth lette no sylthye coÌ„municacion procede out of youre mouthes Ephe. iiii
youre iudgyng place which is the seate of God so long as ye iudge truly and do youre office accordyng to equite Whan ony matter is brought before you Howe Iudges shal be haue them seluâ—s whaÌ„ ony matter to brought before theÌ„ fyrst weygh ponder consyder it your selfe diligently and afterwarde delyuer it to the Quest moÌ„gers accordynge to the course of the lawe and exhorte them in the name of God christenly charitably frendly ryghteously indifferently and with a single eye and incorrupte conscience to looke vpon the matter and to deale so vpryghtly in that behalf and to giue so true iust verdit eueÌ„ as though it shulde be presented and offered vp to the hygh euerlastyng Iudge Christ. â—eclare vnto them how great an offeÌ„ce it is before god to gyue vp a false verdit by that means to haue innocent bloud shed and theyr owne soules condemned Let the Questmongers haue coÌ„uenieÌ„t â—easure to debate the matter among them selues soberly diâ—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 What men Questmongers oughte to be be honest men sober sage faythfull wyse discret prudeÌ„t godly mercifull ryghteous louyng indifferent pitiefull brotherlyke eueÌ„ such as feare god loue his word haue knoweledge in his holye lawe walke wyth a ryghte vp conscience both before God and man and haue alwaye bene of good reporte and honest fame among theyr neyghbours This vndoubtedly all thynges haÌ„dled according to equite and iustice shall not only mayntayne true and righteous iudgemeÌ„t 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 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 Magistrates As for an example the Magistrates and head officers of the publique 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 vnrighteousâ—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 Byshoppes and prestes promyse faythfully to be earnest Preachers Byshops Prestes setters forth of Gods word and to lyue accordyng vnto yâ— same nowe if they do the contrary that is to saye not labour in the haruest of the Lordes worde nor lede an honest and verâ—uous lyfe vnto yâ— good exaÌ„ple of other but seke after worldly promocioÌ„s lyue ydelly vpoÌ„ theyr benefices walowe in allâ—bestiall plesures tumble theÌ„selues in all kynde of synne hate theÌ„ that are prechers of Gods worde dryue men from readyng the holy Byble c. so are they falâ—ely forsworne shal not escape yâ— plage of periury The man wyfe haue promised fayth and â—routh betwene theÌ„ Maryed folke that they wyl be iust and true one to another the maÌ„ to loue his wyfe as himselfe and to â—olde hym contented with 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 All Subiectes haue promised to theyr rulars vnfayned obedience wyllyng seruyse Subiectes nowe if contrary to theyr promyse they resist the high powers become disobedient and repugne agaynst theÌ„ so are they falsely forsworne and shal not escape the plage of periury Al these heretofore rehearsed are gylty of the synne of periury if they do contrary to the ooth which they haue made and therfore maye they be sure to receaue a reward worthy theyr blasphemous tonge Some man wyll saye peraduenture A demauÌ„d whyther all oothes promyses and vowes are to be ê‘fourmed are all oothes to be obserued Shall a man faull into the synne of periury yf he performeth not what soeuer he hath promysed I answer nay not so God forbyd yâ— all oothes promysed vowes shulde be performed For many are folysh wyâ—ked vngodly Therfore as suchâ— displeased God so ought they to be broken These are they which fyght agenst Gods worde whiche also inarle the consciences of so many as kepe theÌ„ What oothes promises vowâ—s ought to be broken and make them that accomplysh theÌ„ to commit impiete and wyckednes These by no means are to be kept of ony christen man excepte he wyl offend GOD greuously by the obseruaunce of them For an vnfaythfull folysh promyse Eccle. v saythe Salomon In Sinoni mis. lib. ii displeaseth God Cap. xxii In euell promises breake thy fayth Quaest. iiii CaÌ„ In malis sayth Isydorus in a fylthy vow chaunge thy determinacion That thou haste vowed vnaduisedly looke thou do it not For that is a wycked promyse whiche is fulfylled with synne Aâ—ayne he sayth if ony man doth rashely define to do ony of those thinges that please not Ibidem God let hym be sory for it seynge that his determinacioÌ„ was done coÌ„trary to the coÌ„maundement of god let it be called backe agayne stond in none effecte S. Ierome also sayeth Lib. aduesus Iouinianum thou shalte do better o brother if thou doste abstayne from the vngodly acte Quaest. iiii than if thou doste styffely performe folysh wordes and perillous vowes Can magnae Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. Austen De offic it is a poynte of great wisdom for a man to call that agayne Lib. i. which he hath euyl spoken S. Quaest. iiii Ambrose also sayth Can. Est etiam It is agenst al godly honeste many tymes to performe the oothe that is made as Herode which sware that he wold giue to the doughter of Herodias what so euer she woulde aske He therfore sâ—ue IohuÌ„ because he wolde not deny hys promyse In concilio Toletano it was decreed Quaest. iiii Can. Si publicis that it is better not to fufyll the vowes of a folysh promyse than by the obseruaunce of them to commit ony wyckednes That oth promyse or vowe therfore which displeaseth God Mark wel repugnethe the diuine verite fyght agaynst the Lordes word prouoketh vnto synne condemneth the conscience of the keper and can not be performed wythoute wyckednes ought by no means to be obserued kepte but
to be holdeÌ„ excused for as much as theyr wyl was good although they coulde not bryng it to pasâ—e Voluntas reputatur pro facto There wyll was taken for the very acte So yâ— before the worlde they were counted godly parsonnes because they had a mynde to paye theyr vowes and dyd the best that in them was to performe theyr promyse so solemnely made and takeÌ„ and before god were they recounted malicious and cruell bloudy manslears Nam uoluntas reputatur pro facto Nowe in all suche folysh wicked vngodly vowes oothes promises ought there to be no fayth kepte seyng the ende of them tende vnto a noughty purpose and playne wyckednes as holy Bed a testifiethe Iâ— it shall chauÌ„se sayth he at ony tyme yâ— we sweare or promyse ony thynge vnaduisedly whiche beynge kepte shulde turne vnto an euell ende â—omel xlv Quaest. iiii Can. Si aâ—â—quid â—et vs knowe that that with more wholesome councel ought to be chaunged frely and wythout ony scruple oâ— coÌ„science and whâ—n necessite doth coÌ„pell vs we ought rather to forswere our selues than for the eschewing of periury we shoulde fall into ony other more greuous synne For Dauid dyd sweare by â—od that he wold â— Reg. xv slea Nabal a folysh and vngodly maÌ„ and destroye all that euer pertayned vnto hym yet at the fyrst intercession of A bigaâ—l beyng a wyâ—â— woman he streyght wayes lette go his threates put agayne the sweard â—â—to the scabbâ—rde nether sorowed he ony thyng at all De offic Lib. i. as thoughe he had committed ony faulte at all for such periury Here vnto pertaynethe the sayeng of S. Ambrose that Dauid dyd not fulfyll hys ooth by the shed dynge of bloude it was the greater godlynes I se that Dauid beyng a godly and holye man dyd faull into rash swearyng and yet that he had rather not to do that he had sworne than to fulfyll hys ooth by the shed dyng of mannes bloud In Hieremiam S. Ierome saythe that an oothe ought to haue thre compagnioÌ„s trueth iudgemet ryghteousnes An oothe oughte to haue thre coÌ„pagnioÌ„s Where these want saythe he it is no oothe but playne periury Therfore the ooth promise or vowe that is not grounded on trueth iudgement and ryghteousnes ought to be broken It is grouÌ„ded on truethe whan it is agreable to Goddes worde which is the selfe trueth Mark wel It is grouÌ„ded on iudgemeÌ„t whan it is not rashely folyshly and chyldyshly made but aduisedly and wyth hygh prudence and great deliberacion It is grounded on ryghteousnes whan there shall ryse vp no euell oâ— it neyther vnto oure selues nor vnto our neyghbours Al othes and promises thus taken and made ought to be obserued kepte but otherwyse to be broken refused and caste awaye without ony scruple of conscience or veracion trouble of mynde For this sentence of the preacher abydethe alwaye true Eccl. v. An vnfaythful and folysh promyse displeaseth God Thus perceaue we what oothes promises or vowes oughte to be obserued and whiche they are yâ— shulde be reiected So that all godly othes and promises ought to be obserued They that do not laboure to fulfyll them forsweare them selues shall not escape the plage of periury Now wyll I returne thyther froÌ„ whense I made digression God in the olde lawe amonge the grosse Iues coulde not abyde a faâ—â—e Deut. xix wirnes â—râ— xiâ— but commauÌ„ded yâ— he shulde dye the death If he can not abyde a false witnes whiche maye testify wtout an ooth â—owe thaÌ„ can he abyde thâ— which do not only here falâ—e witnesse but also in the confâ—rmacion therof addeth an othe yea and that a false ooth and maketh God to be a wytnes in an vniust wronge matter What in coÌ„modâ—tyâ—â— ryse of Periury so that by this means yâ— wretche is wyllyngly periured falsely for sworne God is blaâ—phemed Goddes moost holy name is abused iusticeâ— subuerted trueth is oppressed false hode is mayntayned wrong senteÌ„â— is pronounced the contrary parte althoughe the trueth be on his sydâ— is condened the man is vtterly empoueryshed and for euer after beggrâ—d both he his wife and all his châ—dreÌ„ if he hath ony Are all these thâ—ges but trifles Are all these thynges lyghte matters and thynges of small â—mportaunce Is it but a trifle to beare false witnes to sweare to be piured to be falsly forsworne to blaspheme God to abuse hys holy name to subuerte iustice to oppresse yâ— trueth to mayntayne falsehode to pronounce wrong senteÌ„ce to condemne the gylteles parsonne to empouerysh and vtterly beggare both hym and so many as pertayne vnto hym for euer and euer Perâ—ured personnes shal not es cape vnponyshed Do all these thynges which God so greatly abhorre deserue no ponyshment These periured wretches shall not escape let them beleue me they shall not escape from the terrible vengeaunce of God For although yâ— daye go on theyr syde and God differeth his plages so that they are not ponyshed so soone as they haue coÌ„mitted the offence yet let them be well assured they shall not escape surely they shall not escape The Poet Tibullus being but an Ethnycke and yet not ignorant of the greatnes of this abhominacioÌ„ and certenly persuaded that periury can not escape vnponysshed be it neuer so secretely handled and craftely dawhed wryteth on this manner Ah miser Lib. i. Eleg ix si quis primo periuria caelaâ— Sera tamen tacitis paena uenit pedibus Ah wretche sayth he although a maÌ„ at the fyrst doth kepe his periuries false oothes neuer so secret yet may he be sure at the last that they wyll come to light vnto his great shame so that punyshment wyll come vpoÌ„ hym before he be awars for hys wickednes In earm admon The Greke Poet Phocylides also sayth forswere not thy selfe neyther ignorantly nor wyllyngly For the immortall God hatethe the false swerer what so euer he be that sweareth Lib. ii de legibus Agayne Cicero yâ— famous Prynce of ornate eloquence moost eloquent Oratour sayth the payne of periury before god is euerlasting damnacion before men perpetual dishonour iiii re xâ—iiii and .xxv shame reproche ignominy God hate the periury so greatly in euery condicion that he greuously ponyshed Zedechias bycause coÌ„trary to his oothe he rebelled agenst Nabuchodonosor kynge of BabyloÌ„ Seyng thaÌ„ that God wyl so greuously ponysshe all kynde of oothes bothe vayne vniust both idle swearyng periury what wyll these idle swearers false forsworne creatures saye vnto this matter Wythe what coÌ„science wyll they appere before the high throne and ryghteous iudgyng place of Christ What wyll they laye for them selues What excuse wyll they make What shyfte wyl they inuent Wyll they flye vnto the custome Excuses of swearinge and saye that it is yâ— fashon of the worlde so to do I aunswere Christ sayd to his disciples ye are
great faulte I answere Yet are ye not so fauteles nor excused For the scripture sayth that we shall gyue a streyght count at the dredefull daye of iudgemente for euery ydle worde that we speake What is than to be thought of our idle vayne oothes I praye you Shal we not gyue an accountes of them Yies we may be sure also condemned for them if we do not repent beleue and amend Agayne Of thy wordes shalte thou be iustified and of thy wordes shalt thou be condemned Howe gothe it thaÌ„ with our oothes Sap. i In what case stond they The scripture sayth the mouth that lyeth slayeth the soule Do not vayne oothes so in lyke maÌ„ner And where as it is sayd we thinke no harme I answere the scripture sayth Math. xii Luke vi Of thabundans of the harte the mouth speaketh A good maÌ„ out of the good tresure of his harte bringeth forth good thiÌ„ges And an euel man out of the euyll treasure of his harte bryngeth forth euyl thynges What wyll we saye to thys Are we not here playnely condemned Another sorte excuse them selfes saye fewe or none wyll beleue vs excepte we sweare To thys answereth Chrysostome on this manner An ooth maketh not a man worthy to be beleued Hom. vii but yâ— testimony of his lyfe the integrite purenes of hys conuersacion a good mynde For many oftentymes haue sworne and entangled themselues greatly and yet haue they not made men to beleue them Other haue only made as it were but a becke and haue appered moche more worthye to be beleued thaÌ„ they which haue so greatly sworne These wordes declare manifestly that swearyng among faythful and honest men neadeth not and for theÌ„ that are vnfaythful regarde no honeste surely all the othes in yâ— world wyll not make them to be beleued of them that are vertuous godly disposed Therfore this can be none excuse for these swearers Among the faythful oothes nede not among the vnfaithful they profit not Dothes amoÌ„g yâ— faithfull nede not amoÌ„g yâ— vnfaithful they profyt not For he that beleueth not a man without an oothe nether wyl he beleue hym though he sweareth neuer so moche But alas for pytie that euer faythe shulde be so decayed among ChristeÌ„ men that one wyll not beleue another excepte they pollute and deâ—yâ—e the glorious name of our Lord God yea and that in triflynge matters It is hygh tyme for the worlde to be at an ende Luke xviii whan one man truste the not another Do ye thyncke saythe Christ that the sonne of man shall fynde ony fayth on the earth whan he shall come Thus sewe that al excuses which are inuented to mayntayne yâ— dyuellysh custome of swering are nothing worthe Oure damnacion abydethe styll The heate of Gods vengeauÌ„ce towarde vs is nothyng abated So that if we wyll be saued there is no remedy but to leaue our wicked sweryng Exo. xâ— Deut. v to reuereÌ„ce the name of God and thanckefully to vse his creatures euer settynge before oure eyes thys commaundement of GOD. Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lorde God in vayne For the Lorde wyll not holde hym gyltelesse that rakethe hys name in vayne Also the sayeng of Christ Math. v swear not at all nether by heauen for it is the throne of God nether by earthe for it is the foote stoole of hys feete nether by Ierusalem for it is the citie of the great Kynge nor yet by thy head shalte thou sweare for thou canste not make one heare nether whyghte nor blacke But your communicacion shall be yea yea naye naye For that is more than thys commeth of euyll Some man paraduenture wyll here demaund saye are all oothes taken awaye from Christen menne Whyther all oothes are taken awâ—y froÌ„ Chriâ—ten mâ—n Yea forsothe all oothes yâ— are vayne and triflynge false vnryghâ—eous Is it not lawfull than for a ChristeÌ„ man to sweare in no condicioÌ„ Yies verely God forbyd that all kynde of swearyng shulde be takeÌ„ from Christen men The erroure of yâ— Anabaptistes as the vngodly Anabaptistes holde whyche affyrme that it is not lawful for a Christen manne to sweare by no meanes This wyl not the scripture Agenst this fyghteth the word of God We are not forbydden to sweare but vaynely idlely falsely vnryghteously to sweare Thou shalte not take the name of thy Lord God in vayn saythe the scripture Marke that it is sayde â—n â—aynâ— A Christen maÌ„ maye lawfully sweare for the glory of God for the health both of hymselfe For what causes a christen man may sweare and of other so ofte as it shall make vnto the honoure and glory of God also For the glorye of God in all our othes is moost of al to be looked vpon coÌ„sidered We ought not to desyre ony thynge excepte it makethe vnto the glorye of God mochelesse ought we to swere for it I wyll make this matter more euident and playne by familiare examples If a Christen man were amonge the Iewes Example for the glory of god Turkes Saracens or ony other Infidelles preaching the word of God purely vnto them and earnestly labouryng to turne them from theyr Idolatrye vnto the true seruyse of God if they wolde by no means beleue hym excepte he â—ydde sweare by the name of that Lord his God whom he preached vnto them that all is truthe that he preacheth he may lawfully in this poynt take the name of God vnto wytnesse and sweare that it is truthe that he precheth For thys oothe thus taken beleued turneth both vnto the glory of God and also vnto the healthâ— of many soules and therfore is it not vayne and idle but righteous godly On this manner dyd God the father hym selfe in the olde TestameÌ„t the Patriaches and Prophetes in the newe Testament Christ and hys Apostles sweare and after this maÌ„ner maye all the sayntes and faythfull of God sweare He that perceaueth Serm. i. de verbis do mini sayth S. AusteÌ„ that an oothe oughte not to be had in good but in necessary thynges let hym refrayne hym selfe so mocâ—e as he can that he do not vse it except it be in necessite whan he seeth that men are slow to beleue that whiche is profitable for them to beleue excepte it be confirmed wyth an oothe Agayne Example for yâ— helth of our neighboure if it dyd so chaunse that two ChristeÌ„ men were at debate for some matter that is in controuersy betwene them and the thyrde dyd knowe that the one dydde the other playne iniury and wrought agenst hym contrary vnto the rule of equite and iustice and so made declaracion therof vnto yâ— Iudge The Iudge in this behalf may lawfully require an oothe of that wythnes bearer he that so testifyeth maye with a ryght good conscience sweare in thys behalfe And thys hys oothe is bothe ryghteous and godly For by
that is peace amite concorde Christen charite brought agayne betwene theÌ„ that were at debate and the worke of the dyuell is destroyed that is to saye dissensioÌ„ stryfe is takeÌ„ away An oothe sayth S. Paule Heb. vi is yâ— ende of all controuersy Moreouer if heresy treason theft manslaughter An example for the 〈◊〉 of our selfes whoredome or ony other notable vice were layd to a christeÌ„ mannes charge wherof he knoweth hymselfe gyltlesse and nothynge â—auty he may lawfully take an othe and sweare vnto the contrary for yâ— defence of his honest name and godly reporte And this hisooth is both ryghteous and godly For it dothe not only defende hys owne purite innocency of lyfe but also it setteth forthe the glory of God For as God is dishonoured thorowe the wycked actes of them â—hat professe hym so is he glorified thorowe the good dedes of them which do both professe hym also lyue accordynge to theyr professioÌ„ In Parenes 〈◊〉 Dâ—mon The Greke Oratour Isocrates gyueth an excelleÌ„t very notable commaundement concernynge swearynge whyche I wyll here reherse that Christen men redyng the wordes of an Ethnycke maye once be ashamed of theyr wyckednes His wordes are theyse Take an oothe yâ— is putte vnto the for two causes Mark wel eyther yâ— thou mayste delyuer thy selfe â—roÌ„ a filthy cause or yâ— thou mayst preserue thy freÌ„des yâ— are in perel dauÌ„ger But for mony looke thou swearest by no God although thou swearest ryghteously For to some thou shalt seme to forsweare thy self and to soÌ„e to be desyrous of mony What a sayeng is this of a Gentile Howe lytle dissente the this from the holye scriptures Howe doth this coÌ„deÌ„ne them which for slender auauntage or lytyl mony wyl not only streyght wayes sweare but also for swere theÌ„selfes Austen for swearynâ— S. Austen sayth doth not he take yâ— name of God in vayne which for the loue of a teÌ„porall thyng that is playne fylthynesse to a Christen maÌ„ taketh God for a wytnesse The lawe hath forbyddeÌ„ Exo xx that thou shuldest once couyt Doste thou not couit if thou byndest thy selfe wythe an oothe that thou mayst kepe thy substaunce Euery creature is subiecte vnto vanite And is not this for vayne thynges Ergo he sweareth in vayne whiche for creatures calleth God a wytnesse c. S. Hierome also saythe In Math Cap. v the Euangelicall truthe receaueth no othe seyng euery faythful word is for an oth Here vnto pertayneth yâ— sayeÌ„g of our golden mouthed Doctour the cause of an othe is this Quaestiv â—an Iuranenti sayth he that euery one that sweareth sweareth for this intent that he maye speake yâ— which is truthe And therfore yâ— Lord wyll haue no difference betwene an ooth and our speache For as in an oothe it is not coÌ„uenieÌ„t that there be ony falshode or breakynge of promyse so lykewise in our wordes ought there to be no lye Sap. â— For bothe periury lyeng is condemned with the payne of the diuine iudgement as the scrypture saythe the mouthe that lyeth slayeth the soule Who so euer therfore speaketh the truthe swearethe For it is wryttâ—n a faythfull wytnesse wyll not â—ye Finally The magistrate maye lawfully require an oothe so ofte as ony ciuile magistrate or head officer requireth an oothe of vs for the preseruacion and mayntenaunce of the comon weale or ony other necessary vrgeÌ„t cause we ought gladly and wyllyngly for to sweare accordyng to thys coÌ„mauÌ„dement of Christ Paye that to Cesar Mathâ— xxii which is due to Cesar. But here are they to be monyshed which shall require the ooth of yâ— subiectes that it is theyr dutye before the other be sworne to declare the matter wythe manifest wordes vnto theÌ„ An admonicion for theÌ„ yâ— shall râ—quire the oothe that they maye well perceaue that they shall not sweare in vayne but for weyghty and necessary matters coÌ„cerning ether the glory of God or the profyt of the common weale For meÌ„ ought not to be called forthe to sweare for euery lyght trifle nor yet to sweare as many do they can not tell what nor wherfore The to muche customable vse of sweryng hath brought it so to passe that as many care but lytyl to sweare so forse they not moche to forswear theÌ„ selfes The cause for the whiche menne shulde sweare ought not onely to be good but also necessary and so opeÌ„ly proued vnto them before they be broughte vnto theyr oothe Thys shulde make men to haue the name of God in yâ— hygher reuerence to take an ooth wythe the godlyer mynde and to haue the office of the head rulars in yâ— greater estimacion For to make meÌ„ sweare by compulsioÌ„ before they knowe the matter whyther it be good lawful godlye necessarye or otherwyse lette other menne iudge that be better learnedde than I whyther it be agreable to the worde of GOD or not But thys dare I be bolde to saye that an oothe can not be taken wythe to moche reuerence aduisemente in asmuche as by it God is called vpon to be a wytnesse in that behalfe Therfore ought men not to be compelled rashly to sweare vnles by that meanes they prouoke the veÌ„geaunce of God both agaynst them selfes and those also that cause them so vnaduisedly for to sweare but to come vnto theyr oothe wythe great sobriete and deliberacion Thus lewe for what causes it is lawfull for a ChristeÌ„ man to sweare what soeuer oothe cometh forth out of our mouthe if it be not for one of these causes aforsayd it is daÌ„nable playne synne Therfore lette all men take hede Let no man from henseforthe take the name of oure Lorde God in vayne for who so dothe shal not surely escape vnponyshed Let the rulars of the comoÌ„ weale fynde some honest remedy Magistrates that the name of God be no more blasphemed among theyr subiectes Let theÌ„ consyder howe loth they are that they them selfes shulde be euyll spoken of and blasphemed Lette them weygh wyth them selues howe moche God excelleth them how farre hys dignite dothe excede theyr dignite If ony man defacethe theyr renowme they are ponyshed streyghtwayes not without a cause But how chauÌ„seth it that the Lorde of all Lordes and Kyng of all Kynges is no more feared How cometh it to passe that hys moost holye blyssed name is so vniuersally blasphemed yea yâ— frely and wythout punyshment Were it not thyncke you conuenieÌ„t that the ciuile magistrate shulde earnestly prouide that the name of GOD myght haue hys due honour and yâ— it myghte no more be abused withe abhominable vnlawfull oothes in theyr Realmes but praysed magnified seynge that by it we obtayne all oure healthe and saluacion God by his holy spirite mought vouchesafe to breathe into the hartes of all Prynces Kynges and rulars that whan they be godly assembled togyther for matters coÌ„cernyng the glory of god the publique
maÌ„ckle the doctrine of Christ obscure the waye of trueth Of suche Christ warneth vs to take hede in the Gospell of Mathew Math. viâ— sayeng Beware of false Prophetes whiche come vnto you in shepes clothyng but inwardly they are rauening wolfes Agenst these Christ in another place thondereth Math. xxiii sayeng wo be to you Scribes and Phareses hypocrites for ye are lyke paynted sepulchres which outwardly appere beautifull but within are full of bones of dead men and of all fylthynes So ye lykewyse appere outwardely ryghteous to meÌ„ but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisye and wyckednes Agayne ye are they that iustify your selfes before meÌ„ Luke xvi Psal. i. but God knoweth your hartes For that whyche semeth prayse worthy before men is abhominable before God Therfore so long as the preacher sytteth in the chayer of Moses and not in the chayer of pestileÌ„ce 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 promocioÌ„ of hys moost bâ—yssed 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 that they professe in word For he takethe vpon hym the name of a Christen man in vayne saythe sayncte Austen Cura esse quodlubeÌ„â—er audis that followethe not Christ. For what dothe it profyt the to be called that thou arte not Lib. de doctrina christiana to vsurpe a straunge name If thou haste a pleasure to be a Christen man do those thynges that pertayne vnto Christianite and than hardely take vpon the the name of a Christiane S. Ambrose also sayth In Ser. de Abraham it is a shamefull lye before ony man to call hymselfe a Christen man not to do the workes of Christ. Hereto ê‘laynethe the sayeng of S. Cypriane De. xii abusionibus no man is truely called a Christiane but he whyche laboureth so moche as lygheth in hys power to shewe hymselfe conformable lyke to Christ in hys manners conuersacion He yâ— sayth yâ— he dwelleth in Christ i. Ioan. ii saiths Iohâ—Ì„ ought to walke as he hathe walked Seyng than that so great purite and innocency of lyfe is required of all men that professe Christ surely in Prestes and in theÌ„ that are preachers of Gods worde Math. v. it ought to excell aboue all other Men lyght not a candle and put it vnder a bushel but vpon a candlesticke it shyneth to so many as are in the house So lykewyse Prestes are not called vnto the office of preachyng that theyr conuersacion shulde be darke and wtout lyght but that it shuldbe so garnyshed wyth godly vertues good workes that it myghte lyghte to so many as are in the house of God Christ the hygh preste euerlastyng Byshoppe graunt it maye so be But as I may returne vnto our matter of swearynge let them that be Preachers I say aboue all thynges rebuke this abhominable synne of swearyng declare vnto the people what a great offence it is howe the plages of God and hys veÌ„geauÌ„s shal not departe from the houses of them that vse thys moost detestable synne of swearyng Furthermore let all fathers and mothers gyue earnest diligeÌ„ce that Fathers mothers theyr chyldren maye from theyr very cradles learne to worshyppe and honour yâ— moost blyssed name of god and neuer to haue it in theyr mouthes wythout great reuerence done vnto it eyther by puttynge of theyr cappes or elles by boweynge theyr knees Let them not be suffered by ony meanes to sweare by God or by onye of hys creatures Math. v Iacob v but let your coÌ„municacion be yea yea nay nay If they at onye tyme sweare lette them fyrste of all be admonysshed of theyr faute and tolde how great an offeÌ„ce it is before God wyckedly and vaynely to sweare If they wyll not so amende let the parentes ponyshe them sharpely Better were it that theyr bodyes in thys worlde shulde suffer a lytyll payne than after this lyfe to haue bothe theyr bodyes and soules caste into hell fyre If all fathers and mothers wyl thus diligeÌ„tly watche vpon theyr chyldreÌ„ it shal cause them not only not to be defyled wythe the moost greuous synne of swearing but also that the moost holy name of GOD shall be had in hygh reuerence great estimacion perpetuall honoure for euer after so longe as they lyue But aboue all thynges lette the parentes them selues be an ensample in thys behalfe vnto theyr chyldren and shew euermore such reuerence vnto the name of God that the yonglynges maye well perceaue that it is no vayne thyng that they are taught Let all masters and mastresses so many as haue seruauntes vnder theyr dominion Masters mastresses prouyde that by no meanes they suffer theyr seruauÌ„tes at ony tyme to swear nether by god nor by ony of his creatures Let theÌ„ shewe vnto them what a great dauÌ„ger it is Eccle. xxii and howe that the veÌ„geauÌ„s of God shall not departe from those houses where swearers are nether can there ony thyng prosper but all thynges must nedes go to hauocke Let them also teache them to haue the name of God in so great honour reuerence that it neuer be named among them but honorably and reuerently Let them at the least put of theyr cappes so ofte as they name God Christ or ony part of his moste precious bodye If ony of theyr seruauntes wyll not leaue theyr swearynge and learne to haue the name of God in honoure than let them be put out of theyr houses vnlesse they bryng the vengeaunce of God vpon so many as are in theyr company For as the godlynesse of one man is many tymes thoccasioÌ„ Nota. that God is marciful to many so is the wyckednes of one man oftentymes yâ— cause yâ— many are ponyshed Therfore it is not ynoughe that the masters the mastresses of the house be vertuous and godly excepte the seruauÌ„tes be so lykewyse It becommeth a master to haue Seruauntes lyke vnto hys owne manners vnlesse his goodnes profyteth not so moche in the ryght institucion of hys family as yâ— wyckednes of the other destroyeth It is well whan one plantethe another waterethe but it is euyll whan one planteth and another plucketh vp Myne eyes are vnto the faythful of the earthe that they maye dwell with me Psal. â— What seruauntes christeÌ„ meÌ„ oughte to â—auâ— sayth Dauid and who so ledeth a godly lyfe shall be my seruaunte There shall no disceatfull parsonne dwell in my house he that telleth lyes shall not tary in my syght Wolde God all masters were of this mynde Let all meÌ„ of occupacioÌ„ abstayne from swearyng in theyr byinge and sellynge Men of occupacion For it is a shame that the maÌ„ of God