God, before whom I acknowledge myself the chief of sinners, I
challenge before man an examination of my life, and fear no evil
report from England or elsewhere. But for this self-boasting, I crave
the pardon and prayers of my brethren. Touching the prisoner, which is
the matter in hand, I find him somewhat bold, and not altogether in
other respects what I desire, but yet not worthy of severe punishment,
or likely to be a dangerous person in the Commonwealth. Where need
requires, I trust, with preventing grace, never to be deficient in
prompt and energetic action, but no necessity therefor hath, in my
judgment, at present arisen. For, as for this young man, ye are to
recollect that he is a soldier, and that a stout one, and may yet do
the Commonwealth service in her defence, whereunto I doubt not his
willingness, and that his free speech doth proceed rather from the
license of camps than from malignity of temper. Moreover, I find not
the rule of Scripture whereby we are bound that by the mouth of two or
three witnesses every word shall be established altogether complied
with, meaning not, thereby, to impugn the statement of our brother of
the congregation, worthy good man Timpson, but only that his words are
not confirmed as our law requires."

Thus spoke Endicott, who was afterwards so notorious for his
severities against dissidents; but these sentiments found no echo in
the mind of the Deputy Governor.

"I thank God," he said, "that however gross and innumerable my errors
and backslidings, I am no libertine." (Here Endicott's eyes flashed,
but he contented himself with stroking, in a musing manner, the long
tuft of hair on his chin.) "The evil we are called upon by the united
voice of the suffering saints in this wilderness to suppress,"
continued Dudley, "demands, I trow, sharper practice than has hitherto