|
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: But put the case, Sir,
that I do fear the Lord and my parents. May not I entertain them that
fear the Lord because my parents will not give me leave?
Gov. John Winthrop: If they be the fathers of the commonwealth,
and they of another religion, if you entertain them then you dishonour
your parents and are justly punishable.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: If I entertain them, as they have
dishonoured their parents I do.
Gov. John Winthrop: No but you by countenancing them above others
put honor upon them.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: I may put honor upon them as the children
of God and as they do honor the Lord.
Gov. John Winthrop: We do not mean to discourse with those of
your sex but only this: you so adhere unto them and do endeavor to set
forward this faction and so you do dishonour us.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: I do acknowledge no such thing. Neither do
I think that I ever put any dishonour upon you.
Gov. John Winthrop: Why do you keep such a meeting at your house
as you do every week upon a set day?
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: It is lawful for me to do so, as it is all
your practices, and can you find a warrant for yourself and condemn me
for the same thing? The ground of my taking it up was, when I first came
to this land because I did not go to such meetings as those were, it was
presently reported that I did not allow of such meetings but held them
unlawful and therefore in that regard they said I was proud and did
despise all ordinances. Upon that a friend came unto me and told me of
it and I to prevent such aspersions took it up, but it was in practice
before I came. Therefore I was not the first.
Gov. John Winthrop: ...By what warrant do you continue such a
course?
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: I conceive there lies a clear rule in Titus
that the elder women should instruct the younger and then I must have a
time wherein I must do it.
Gov. John Winthrop: All this I grant you, I grant you a time for
it, but what is this to the purpose that you Mrs. Hutchinson must call a
company together from their callings to come to be taught of you?
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: If you look upon the rule in Titus it is a
rule to me. If you convince me that it is no rule I shall yield.
Continued... |
