The penitent pilgrim bemoning his sinfull condition. Faith appeares vnto him affording him comfort hope seconds that comfort charity promiseth him in this vaile of missery to cover all his scarlett sins wth: [sic] ye white robe of mercy, & conduct him safly to ye kingdome of glory. By Io: Hall

CHAP. 21. His breach of the Fifth, in sup∣pressing testimonies to wit∣nesse a truth, or subor∣ning witnesses to maintaine an untruth.

NEver was there sinne of higher quality, that ad∣mitted more impunity. Wher∣as I might have performed an office of Christian charity, in giving testimony before a Ma∣gistrate to settle my Neighbors estate; or in clearing his good name; or in vindicating his cause from a powerfull injuri∣ous Adversary: were it in my selfe or any other, I have la∣boured to suppresse the testimo∣ny; closed with the worser party; and so for mine own ends

strengthned an injury. Or if this failed, being so well pra∣ctised in evill, I would not stick to suborne witnesses to main∣taine an untruth: and by false oathes to suppresse a truth. And yet I thought with my selfe, who could bee safe, if such hatefull Agents could be safe? if it were sufficient to accuse, who would be found innocent? yet whether it were for gaine or spleen, or to purchase a pow∣erfull friend; Truth must bee out-countenanc'd, because pri∣vate ends were made to beare it.

The excellent speech of that Heathen might have wrought much on mee, for it well de∣served to be ever printed in my memory; who, when his friend came unto him, desiring him to take a false oath in a cause of his which highly concern'd

him, made answer: you must, said hee, beare with me, I can∣not shake hands with truth so easily. There are many friends to be gotten if I lose you: but if by forswearing my selfe I lose the favour of God, I cannot get another, there is but one God.

I had heard of the fearefull judgements likewise of many false Accusers, suborned wit∣nesses, and hatefull Suborners, what miserable ends befell them; how they were discar∣ded from the company of all good men; how they were to weare some badge or marke of distinction, that every one might know them, and know∣ing abhorre them. Yet was this path so much bette, as I could not but thinke, that there was some gainefull thing in it, or else it would not be so much fre∣quented.

And the common Road was ever held the nearest and securest. And so indeed, I found it; the nearest to destru∣ction: and so little safe by being secure as my security brought me to the brinke of perdition.

Indeed I tooke occasion sometimes to talke with my selfe (whom I ever found my greatest foe) and by commu∣ning with mine owne heart, to sift & search my selfe through∣ly how I stood affected. And even in the breach of this Commandement I thus reaso∣ned.

Tell me, Pilgrim, dost thou know what in this case thou oughtst to doe; and shall the follicitancy of a power∣full friend prevaile so farre with thee, as to bring thee to doe what thou oughtst not to doe? Hast thou not to doe? Hast thou not a friend

within thee, whose favour thou art to preferre before all friends without thee? And will not this deare bosome friend of thine, thinke much, that either for love, hatred, dread or reward, thou shouldst despise her, nay sell her; and by this meanes make thy nearest friend thy Accu∣ser?

And I begin to inquire what friend this might bee! And I found right soone how it was no other then my Con∣science; who, howsoever I bore my selfe to her, would deale faithfully with mee; and justly as I had deserved at her hands, either accuse or excuse mee. This was likely enough to have wrought some good effect upon me; but alas, world∣ly respects made me forget my best friend. So as shee, who should have stood in the gate,

and spoken for me, is now be∣come mine Enemy.

Sweet Iesu, thou, against whom so many false witnesses stood up, to condemne thee; vouchsafe to be a witnesse for me, that I now hate what some∣times I so unhappily loved; and intend to love what I some∣times undeservedly hated. To witnesse a truth, were it for my deadliest Foe: and to sup∣presse an untruth, were it to the prejudice of my dearest Friend.

Deare Lord, be thou my defen∣der against the Devil, my great Accuser!

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.