¶ THE communication between my Lord Chancellor and judge Hales, being among other judges to take his oath in Westminster hall. Anno. M.D.Liii. Vi. of October.   
Chancellor Hales. 
MAster Hales, ye shall understand that like as the queens highness hath heretofore received good opinion of you, especially, for that ye stood both faithfully and laufulli in her cause of just succession, refusing to set your hand to the book among others that were against her grace in that behalf: so now through your own late deserts: against certain her highness doings: ye stand not well in her grace's favour. And therefore, before ye take any oath, it shall be necessary for you to make your purgation,  Hales. 
I pray you my Lord, what is the cause?  Chancellor, 
Information is given▪ that ye have indicted certain priests in Kent, for saying of Mass.  Hales. 
Mi Lord it is not so, I indicted none, but in deed certain indictamentes of like matter were brought before me at the last assizes there held, and I gave order therein as the law required. For I have professed the law, aghast which, in cases of justice will I never (god willing) proceed, nor in any wise dissemble, but with the same show forth mi conscience, and if it were to do again, I would do no less than I did.  Chancellor. 
Yea master Hales, your conscience is known well enough. I know ye lack no conscience.  Hales. 
Mi Lord, ye may do well to search your own conscience, for mine is better known to my self then to you, and to be plain, I did aswell use justice in your said Mass case by mi conscience as by the law, wherein I am fulli bend to stand in trial to the uttermost that can be objected And if I have therein done ani iniuri or wrong: let me be judged by the law, for I will seek no better defence, considering chieflis that it is mi profession.  Chancellor. 
why master Hales, although ye had the rigour of the law on your side, yet ye might have had regard to the queens highness present doings in that case. And further although ye seem to be more than precise in the law: yet I think ye would be veri loath to yield to the extremity of such advantage as might be gathered against your procedings in the law, as ye have some time taken upon you in place of justice. And if it were well tried, I believe ye should not be well able to stand honestli thereto.  Hales. 
Mi Lord i am not so perfect but i may err for lack of knowledge. But both inconsience & such knowledge of the law as god hath given me, i will do nothing but i will maintain and abide in it. And if mi goods and all that I have be not able to counterpoise the case: mi body shall be redi to serve the turn, for they be all at the queens highness pleasure.  Chancellor. 
Ah sir, ye be veri quick & stout in your answers. But as it should seem, that which ye did was more of a will, favouring the opinion of your Religion against the Service now used, then for any occasion or zeal of justice, seeing the queens highness doth set it forth, as yet wishing all her faithful subjects to embrace it accordingli: & where ye offer both body and goods in your trial, there is no such matter required at your hands, and yet ye shall not have your own will neither.  Hales. 
My Lord, I seek not wilful will, but to show myself as i am bound in love to God, and obedience to the queens majesty, in whose cause willingly for justice sake (all other respects set apart (i did of late (as your Lordship knoweth) adventure as much as i had. And as for my religion, i trust it to be such as pleaseth God, wherein i am ready to adventure aswell my life as my substance, if i be called thereunto. And so in lack of mine own power and will, the Lords will be fulfilled.  Chancellor. 
Seing ye be at this point Master Hales, i will presently make an end with you. The queens highness shallbe enfoutmed of your opinion, and declaration. And as her grace shall thereupon determine, ye shall have knowledge, until which time ye may departed, as ye came without your oath, for as it appeareth, ye are scarce worthy the place appointed  Hales. 
I thank your Lordship, and as for my vocation, being both a burden and a charge, more than ever i desired to take upon me, whensoever it shall please the queens highness to ease me thereof: i shall most humbli with due contentation obei the same.  And so departed from the bar.