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."

"A calumny, doubtless," said Winthrop. "But touching the principle
involved in matters of government, I will deliver my opinion. Of
things coming within the scope of government, I judge there are two
classes; whereof, the one class may be said to consist of things _mala
in se_--that is, of those which, by an inner quality or essence, are
evil; and the other, of such as are _mala ab extero_, or what may be
connected with them and made evil only by a positive law of the State,
in which is vested the duty of watching over the common good. The
fantastic notions of certain libertines, who, setting at naught the
experience of the world, and fondly imagining that wisdom will die
with themselves, have insinuated a doubt of the rightful power of the
law-giver in this latter particular, I condemn, and see not how
government can exist without it. Now, as for things embraced in the
former category--such, for example, as those prohibited in the
decalogue--there can be no doubt of the duty of every Christian State
to see that the prohibition be sustained and enforced even by extreme
penalties, if otherwise the end cannot be reached. But as for those
contained in the latter category, a wide