Sefer HaBahir 35

1[Mar Rachumai continued,] "A parable, to what can this be compared? To a king who wants to punish his servants and whip them. A leader stands and asks why. He says, 'Because of this.' He [the leader] says, 'Your servants never did this thing. I will be their guarantor, and you will investigate them, whether this or that.' The king's anger subsided.