Dudley was faring worse than Winthrop, and the divines, who had been bursting with impatience, could hold no longer. The Rev. Hugh Peters broke in: “That which concerns us to speak unto, as yet we are sparing in, unless the court command us to speak, then we shall answer to Mrs. Hutchinson, notwithstanding our brethren are very unwilling to answer.” And without further urging, that meek servant of Christ went on to tell how he and others had heard that the prisoner said they taught a covenant of works, how they had sent for her, and though she was “very tender” at first, yet upon being begged to speak plainly, she had explained that there “was a broad difference between our Brother Mr. Cotton and ourselves. I desired to know the difference. She answered ‘that he preaches the covenant of grace and you the covenant of works, and that you are not able ministers of the New Testament, and know no more than the apostles did before the resurrection.’”... * * * * * _Mrs. H._ If our pastor would show his writings you should see what I said, and that many things are not so as is reported. _Mr. Wilson._ Sister Hutchinson, for the writings you speak of I have them not.... * * * * * Five more divines followed, who, though they were “loth to speak in that assembly concerning that gentlewoman,” yet to ease their consciences in “the relation wherein” they stood “to the Commonwealth and... unto God,” felt constrained to state that the prisoner had said they were not able ministers of the New Testament, and that the whole of the evidence of Hugh Peters was true, and in so doing they came to an issue of veracity with Cotton. An adjournment soon followed till next day, and the presiding justice seems to have considered his case against his prisoner as closed. In the morning Mrs. Hutchinson opened her defence by calling three witnesses, Leverett, Coggeshall, and John Cotton. * * * * * _Gov._ Mr. Coggeshall was not present. _Mr. C._ Yes, but I was, only I desired to be silent till I should be called. _Gov._ Will you ... say that she did not say so? _Mr. C._ Yes, I dare say that she did not say all that which they lay against her. _Mr. Peters._ How dare you look into the court to say such a word? _Mr. C._ Mr. Peters takes upon him to forbid me. I shall be silent.... _Gov._ Well, Mr. Leverett, what were the words? I pray speak.