“Although of a gracious presence, I cannot say that she greatly excelled in that respect,” answered Dudley.

“Then,” replied Master Bradstreet, “I see not how the view of her face could disturb the devotions of the congregation.”

“Ye smile, my masters,” said Dudley, looking round, “as though ye had me at advantage; but ye consider not the importance of the example of a lady so high in station, and so exemplary in her Christian calling.  Not so much on account of herself, but for other’s sakes, was it done by the godly and honorable lady.”

“I see no foundation therefor in Scripture,” said an Assistant.  “Surely married women have no pretext to wear veils as virgins, neither would married nor unmarried choose to do so from the example of Tamar the wanton, nor need they do it for such purpose as Ruth did, in her widowhood.”

“We claim no certain warrant of Scripture for the practice,” said Endicott, coming up to the rescue of the deputy, “but only as being based on the propriety and fitness of things.”

“Fall you not then into the very condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees, who imposed upon the people burdens enjoined neither by Moses nor the prophets?” said the same Assistant, using the deputy’s own argument.

“Nay,” said Master Increase Nowell.  “If we confine ourselves strictly to what we find in the Scripture, I fear it might strike, in some respects, at the proceedings of our government.  The sounder rule, it appears to me, is to follow Scripture as far as we may, having regard to the difference of the circumstances.”

“Such hath been our endeavor,” said Endicott.  “The manner of our dealing with the vile and pernicious weed, tobacco, sufficiently illustrates the principle of our government.  The wisdom of the godly founders of the plantation at Salem, the charge whereof was entrusted to my weak hands, did clearly perceive the lamentable effects, both to the souls and bodies of the users, hebetating the former, and debauching the latter, likely to arise from an indulgence therein, and they did therefore, both in their first and second letter of instructions to myself and the Council, straightly enjoin that no tobacco should be planted by any of the new planters under our government, saving under close restrictions, and that the same might be taken by ancient men and none other, and that privately.  Now, there were those affecting to be pinched with tender consciences, who said that this was an infringement of their natural liberty, authorized by no rule of Scripture, to whom we made answer that the said abominable weed, the smoke whereof may fitly be compared to the vapor from the bottomless pit, was not known in those primitive days, and for that reason, no rule regarding it was to be found, showing at the same time that other things, less objectionable, (as it would seem,) were prohibited, and thus by parity of reasoning, establishing our point.  Concerning this matter, as I understand, there is little difference of opinion among us, although a report hath of late reached my ears, that certain men in high position, even elders, having become addicted to the use thereof, are beating about for reasons to excuse their backsliding.”