circle of the heavens, be attained."

"This is no private matter of mine own," answered the Assistant, "but
a thing of public concernment; and I humbly trust, should ever my
voice be demanded in its decision, that it will be raised to the glory
of God, and the advancement of the interests of the colony which he
has planted. But I should consider myself derelict to duty, and
unworthy of the trust committed to me, were I to hold back my honest
judgment, in view of the evidence now before me, subject to such
modification as further examination may give rise to, especially when
that judgment is asked for by the honored head of our oppressed
Israel."

"It is my purpose," said Winthrop, rising, wherein he was imitated by
the other, "to call together, this evening, at this place, for the due
consideration of this subject, such of the Assistants as may be here
present in Boston, and to advise with them thereupon, when and where I
shall hope to be favored with the presence and counsel of my friend,
whose zeal is never slack in aught that may redound to the welfare of
the Commonwealth."

"My presence, God willing, may be depended on, worshipful sir,"
answered Spikeman.

A meeting of the Assistants was accordingly held at the house of the
Governor the same evening, and the subject of the letters received
from England, and the course to be pursued in view of their contents,
considered in all their aspects. No great diversity of opinion
prevailed in respect to the necessity of caution, in reposing any
further confidence in Sir Christopher; but as for the proceedings to
be adopted on his return, there was a considerable difference of
sentiment. The more moderate, and least prejudiced against the Knight,
at the head of whom was Winthrop, advised that he should be received
with all honor, and the charges laid privately before him, in the
first instance, and an opportunity afforded him to refute them. This
they urged was the more just and honorable mode, inasmuch as the
accusations came not before them invested with any judicial authority.
But an opposite party, headed by Spikeman, strenuously insisted on
another course. They contended, that in a matter of the kind,
severity, and even what might look like precipitation, was better than
a slackness, which might defeat their object. They pressed the point,
that such was the number of letters received (some of them by private
persons) reflecting on the character of Sir Christopher, i