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Gov. John Winthrop: You know that
there is no rule that crosses another, but this rule crosses that in the
Corinthians. But you must take it in this sense that elder women must
instruct the younger about their business and to love their husbands and
not to make them to clash Mrs. Hutchinson...
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: Will it please you to answer me this and to
give me a rule for then I will willingly submit to any truth, Mrs.
Hutchinson If any come to my house to be instructed in the ways of God
what rule have I to put them away?.... Do you think it not lawful for me
to teach women and why do you call me to teach the court?
Gov. John Winthrop: We do not call you to teach the court but to
lay open yourself....
(The argument over the broken rule continues)
Gov. John Winthrop: Your course is not to be suffered for. Besides
that we find such a course as this to be greatly prejudicial to the state.
Besides the occasion that it is to seduce many honest persons that are
called to those meetings and your opinions and your opinions being known
to be different from the word of God may seduce many simple souls that
resort unto you. Besides that the occasion which hath come of late hath
come from none but such as have frequented your meetings, so that now they
are flown off from magistrates and ministers and since they have come to
you. And besides that it will not well stand with the commonwealth that
families should be neglected for so many neighbors and dames and so much
time spent. We see no rule of God for this. We see not that any should
have authority to set up any other exercises besides what authority hath
already set up and so what hurt comes of this you will be guilty of and we
for suffering you.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: Sir, I do not believe that to be so.
Gov. John Winthrop: Well, we see how it is. We must therefore put
it away from you or restrain you from maintaining this course.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: If you have a rule for it from God's word you
may.
Gov. John Winthrop: We are your judges, and not you ours and we
must compel you to it.
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: If it please you by authority to put it down
I will freely let you for I am subject to your authority....
Continued... |
