* * * * *
And, on the whole, the chief justice broke down so hopelessly in his
examination, that the deputy governor, or his senior associate upon the
bench, thought it necessary to interfere.
* * * * *
_Dep. Gov._ I would go a little higher with Mrs. Hutchinson. Now ... if
she in particular hath disparaged all our ministers in the land that they
have preached a covenant of works, and only Mr. Cotton a covenant of
grace, why this is not to be suffered...
_Mrs. H._ I pray, sir, prove it, that I said they preached nothing but a
covenant of works....
_Dep. Gov._ If they do not preach a covenant of grace, clearly, then, they
preach a covenant of works.
_Mrs. H._ No, sir, one may preach a covenant of grace more clearly than
another, so I said.
* * * * *
Dudley was faring worse than Winthrop, and the divines, who had been
bursting with impatience, could hold no longer. The Rev. Hugh Peters broke
in: "That which concerns us to speak unto, as yet we are sparing in,
unless the court command us to speak, then we shall answer to Mrs.
Hutchinson, notwithstanding our brethren are very unwilling to answer."
And without further urging, that meek servant of Christ went on to tell
how he and others had heard that the prisoner said they taught a covenant
of works, how they had sent for her, and though she was "very tender" at
first, yet upon being begged to speak plainly, she had explained that
there "was a broad difference between our Brother Mr.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255