Note, 1. It is a great sin in any, especially in rulers, to hearken to
lies; for thereby they not only give a wrong judgment themselves of
persons and things, according to the lies they give credit to, but they
encourage others to give wrong informations. Lies will be told to those
that will hearken to them; but the receiver, in this case, is as bad as
the thief. 2. Those that do so will have all their servants wicked. All
their servants will appear wicked, for they will have lies told of
them; and they will be wicked, for they will tell lies to them. All
that have their ear will fill their ear with slanders and false
characters and representations; and so if princes, as well as people,
will be deceived, they shall be deceived, and, instead of devolving the
guilt of their own false judgments upon their servants that misinformed
them, they must share in their servants' guilt, and on them will much
of the blame lie for encouraging such misinformations and giving
countenance and ear to them.