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Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: I
acknowledge using the words of the apostle to the Corinthians unto him,
(Mr. Ward) that they that were ministers of the letter and not the
spirit did preach a covenant of works.
Gov. John Winthrop: Mrs. Hutchinson, the court you see hath
laboured to bring you to acknowledge the error of your way that so you
might be reduced, the time grows late, we shall therefore give you a
little more time to consider of it and therefore desire that you attend
the court again in the morning. . (The next morning)
Gov. John Winthrop: We proceeded... as far as we could... There
were divers things laid to her charge: her ordinary meetings about
religious exercises, her speeches in derogation of the ministers among
us, and the weakening of the hands and hearts of the people towards
them. Here was sufficient proof made of that which she was accused of,
in that point concerning the ministers and their ministry, as that they
did preach a covenant of works when others did preach a covenant of
grace, and that they were not able ministers of the New Testament, and
that they had not the seal of the spirit, and this was spoken not as was
pretended out of private conference, but out of conscience and warrant
from scripture alleged the fear of man is a snare and seeing God had
given her a calling to it she would freely speak. Some other speeches
she used, as that the letter of the scripture held forth a covenant of
works, and this is offered to be proved by probable grounds....
Controversy--should the witnesses should be recalled and made swear an
oath, as Mrs. Hutchinson desired, is resolved against doing so
Gov. John Winthrop: I see no necessity of an oath in this thing
seeing it is true and the substance of the matter confirmed by divers,
yet that all may be satisfied, if the elders will take an oath they
shall have it given them....
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: After that they have taken an oath I will
make good what I say.
Gov. John Winthrop: Let us state the case, and then we may know
what to do. That which is laid to Mrs. Hutchinson charge is that, that
she hath traduced the magistrates and ministers of this jurisdiction,
that she hath said the ministers preached a covenant of works and Mr.
Cotton a covenant of grace, and that they were not able ministers of the
gospel, and she excuses it that she made it a private conference and
with a promise of secrecy, &c. Now this is charged upon her, and
they therefore sent for her seeing she made it her table talk, and then
she said the fear of man was a snare and therefore she would not be
affeared of them....
Dep. Gov. Thomas Dudley: Let her witnesses be called.
Gov. John Winthrop: Who be they?
Mrs. Anne Hutchinson: Mr. Leveret and our teacher and Mr.
Coggeshall.
Continued... |
