Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson, born Anne Marbury, was a Puritan spiritual adviser, mother of 15, and an important participant in the Antinomian Controversy that shook the infant Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1636 to 1638. Her strong religious convictions were at odds with the established Puritan clergy in the Boston area, and her popularity and charisma helped create a theological schism that threatened to destroy the Puritans' religious community in New England. She was eventually tried and convicted, then banished from the colony...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth17 July 1591
CountryUnited States of America
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.
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?
Must not I then entertain the saints because I must keep my conscience.
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.
For you see this scripture fulfilled this day and therefore I desire you as you tender the Lord and the church and commonwealth to consider and look what you do.
But after he was pleased to reveal himself to me I did presently, like Abraham, run to Hagar. And after that he did let me see the atheism of my own heart, for which I begged of the Lord that it might not remain in my heart.
Better to be cast out of the Church than to deny Christ.
The Lord knows that I could not open scripture; he must by his prophetical office open it unto me. So after that being unsatisfied in the thing, the Lord was pleased to bring this scripture out of the Hebrews.
An oath, sir, is an end of all strife, and it is God's ordinance.
It was never in my heart to slight any man, but only that man should be kept in his place and not sit in the room of God.
I have been guilty of wrong thinking.
You have power over my body but the Lord Jesus hath power over my body and soul; and assure yourselves thus much, you do as much as in you lies to put the Lord Jesus Christ from you, and if you go on in this course you begin, you will bring a curse upon you and your posterity, and the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
As I understand it, laws, commands, rules and edicts are for those who have not the light which makes plain the pathway.
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.