towers of defence and bulwarks are ye, emulous only to show your love.

"It hath been said--to come more immediately to the matter in
hand--that the vice of evil speaking of dignities had greatly
increased, and needed to be repressed. It is so, and cannot be denied;
and I would thereupon note a caution to my brethren, and that is, the
necessity of rather discouraging that democratical spirit which is
threatening to sweep away all distinctions, and to strip the
Assistants themselves of necessary power. It is an insubordination,
whereof foul breaths, licentious imaginations, and undisciplined
tongues, are the inciters and fomenters. Now, if one can legitimately
be proved guilty of the offence, I would be forward as well for the
salutary discipline of the offender as highest weal of the state, to
visit him with a due measure of punishment. But it behooves the court
to see that the charge is proved.

"In the present case, even although the testimony of the principal
witness were thrown out, which, howbeit, cannot be done, he standing
unimpeached before us, yet there remains sufficient from the testimony
of the second, the truth of which is not denied by the prisoner, to
convince us that something light and trivial has been uttered
reflecting upon the godly Mr. Cotton, whose edifying discourses were
degraded beneath the value of a song. This is in a manner to impeach
the sanctity of religion, by making light of the character of her
ministers. As for what the prisoner said touching the magistrates, I
trust that it is true, and am disposed to connect no evil intent
therewith. My judgment is to pronounce him guilty of using indecorous
language respecting a minister of the gospel, and to condemn him
therefor in a light fine, to help replenish our lean treasury."