The vvhole workes of W. Tyndall, Iohn Frith, and Doct. Barnes, three worthy martyrs, and principall teachers of this Churche of England collected and compiled in one tome togither, beyng before scattered, [and] now in print here exhibited to the Church. To the prayse of God, and profite of all good Christian readers.

The vij. Chapter.

IN the vij. chapter he maketh much * 1.1 to do about swearyng and that for a suttle purpose. Notwithstandyng, the truth is, that no iudge ought to make a man sweare agaynst hys will for many inconuenients. If a man re∣ceaue an office he that putteth hym in the rowme ought to charge him to do it truly, and may and happly ought to take an oth of him. If a man offer him * 1.2 selfe to beare witnesse, the iudge may & of some haply ought to take an othe of them: but to compell a man to beare witnesse ought he not. And Moreouer if a iudge put a man to an othe that he shall aunswere vnto all that he shalbe demaūded of, he ought to refuse. How beit if he haue sworne, and thē the wic∣ked iudge aske him of thinges hurtfull vnto his neighbour & agaynst the loue that is in Christ, then he must repent * 1.3 that he hath sworne, but not sinne a∣gayne to fulfill his othe. For it is a∣gaynst Gods commaundement, that a man should hurt his neighbour that hath not deserued it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sweryng.
• * 1.2

  The oth of a witnes may be ta∣ken, but no mā may be cōpelled to sweare & be a witnes.
• * 1.3

  A godly lesson.