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"Gov.: 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. H.: Sir, I do not believe that to be so.
Gov.: Well, we see how it is. We must therefore put it away from you or restrain you from maintaining this course.
Mrs H. If you have a rule for it from God's word you may.
Gov.: We are your judges, and not you ours and we must compel you to it.
Mrs. H.: If it please you by authority to put it down I will freely let you for I am subject to your authority...."
The Trial of Anne Hutchinson, 1637
Which of the following statements regarding the Puritan community in New England is supported by the
excerpt?
A. Puritan society was in a constant state of fear from God's punishment.
B. There was no separation between church and state in Puritan New England.
C. Puritans modeled their style of governance after the traditional British
structure.
D. The Puritan community lacked law and order.

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

The Puritan community in New England did not have a separation between church and state.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt from the trial of Anne Hutchinson supports the statement that there was no separation between church and state in Puritan New England.

In the conversation between Governor Winthrop and Mrs. H, Governor Winthrop asserts that the Puritan authorities have the authority to restrain Mrs. H's course of action because they are the judges and she is subject to their authority.

This indicates that in Puritan New England, the government and the church were closely intertwined and the authorities believed they had the power to regulate religious practices.

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