The fact that they drank and smoked showed that they were not the unsocial, religiously restricted people some perceive them to be. The quote coming from the preacher Increase Mather, a widely respected and known Puritan preacher shows the approval rating for alcohol was widely accepted in the puritan community, which is a direct relation to their beliefs. The revelation of the law agreeing with the consumption of alcohol and smoke simply proves that the Puritans spiced up life with a gathering or celebration with a drink or a smoke. This proves the Puritans were a social people, definitely more social than some give them, they drank and had the pleasure that others would have from drinking also.