35. Since these things are
so, because it were too long to treat thoroughly of all that in
that “Pound” of Dictinius are set down as
precedents of lying, meet to be imitated, it seemeth to me that
this is the rule to which not only these, but whatever such there
be, must be reduced. Namely, either what is believed to be a lie
must be shown not to be such; whether it be where a truth is left
untold, and yet no falsehood told; or where a true signification
willeth one thing to be understood of another, which kind of
figurative either sayings or doings abounds in the prophetical
writings. Or, those which are convicted to be lies, must be proved
to be not meet to be imitated: and if any (as other sins) should
stealthily creep in upon us, we are not to attribute righteousness
to them, but to ask pardon for them. So indeed it seems to me, and
to this sentence the things above disputed do compel
me.