Storia do Mogor 338.12.2

338.12.2

To this they all replied with one voice that they could not in their consciences raise up so great a falsehood against Father Friar Michel Ange, and as little could they swear that the said certificate was drawn up under compulsion. For they had drawn it up of their own accord, as was reasonable, without any objection or constraint, things which were not necessary, seeing that Father Friar Michel Ange did not thereby ask them any favour, nor had they done him any. Moreover, to ask an acknowledgment of what has been delivered seems no more than what is just, and to deny what you have received can never fail to be an act of bad faith; they were not in the custom of employing such subterfuges in such matters. To receive the things and not admit it, even if they wished to act thus, would produce no result, for they could always be placed under compulsion. For the document which his paternity wished them to execute would not do the slightest harm to Father Friar Michel Ange; but it would bring evils on them, poor creatures! for having published falsehoods under constraint from the said Father Friar Diogo do Sacramento.