Page:Good Newes from New England.djvu/75

 they come to the ſtate of men and women, they alter them according to their deeds or diſpoſitions.

When a maide is taken in marriage ſhe firſt cutteth her haire, and after weareth a couering on her head till her hayre be growne out. Their women are diuerſly diſpoſed, ſome as modeſt as they will ſcarce talke one with another in the company of men, being very chaſte also; yet other ſome light, laſciuious and wanton.

If a woman haue a bad husband, or cannot affect him, and there be warre or oppoſition between that and any other people, ſhee will runne away from him to the contrary party and there liue, where they neuer come vnwelcome: for where are moſt women, there is greateſt plenty.

When a woman hath her monethly termes ſhee ſeparateth her ſelfe from all other company, and liueth certaine dayes in a houſe alone: after which ſhe waſheth her ſelfe and all that ſhee hath touched or vſed, and is againe receiued to her husbands bed or family.

For adultery the husband will beate his wife and put her away, if he pleaſe. Some common ſtrumpets there are as well as in other places, but they are ſuch as either never marryed, or widowes, or put away for adultery: for no man will keepe ſuch an one to wife.

In matters of vniuſt and diſ-honeſt dealing the Sachim examineth and puniſheth the ſame. In caſe of thefts, for the firſt offence he is diſgracefully rebuked, for the ſecond beaten by the Sachim with a cudgell on the naked backe, for the third hee is beaten with many ſtroakes, and hath his noſe ſlit vpward, that thereby all men may both know and ſhun him. If any man kill another, hee muſt likewiſe die for the ſame. The Sachim not only paſſeth the ſentence vpon malefactors, but executeth the ſame with his owne hands, if the party be then preſent; if not, ſendeth his owne knife in caſe of death, in the hands of others to performe the ſame. But if the offender bee to receiue other puniſhment, hee will not receiue the ſame but from the