Disputation XXX: On Witnesses

Since the whole truth of the Judgment hangs on the words of the Witnesses, the Judge ought before all else to be most well instructed in examining these with the greatest care, whose first duty in this office is to admonish the witnesses how grave and criminal a thing is the crime of falsehood; second, he is bound to commit to writing the things which they depose against or for the Accused; and if he believes them reasonably suspect, in the sifting of the truth he ought to employ every diligence, and even acuteness; yet not suggestion, or cavillation: Third, he is bound to search out all the circumstances of the fact, from which its gravity, or levity can be discerned; finally, omitting all the crimes of the witnesses themselves, except those which plead unfitness; he ought not, however, to examine Clerics, or Religious without the license of their superiors; yet once examined they are bound; These things seen, we must speak of the obligation of the witnesses themselves.