Anne Hutchinson quotes

Anne Hutchinson was an influential Puritan spiritual adviser in colonial America. Her challenges to the established religious authorities led to her trial and subsequent banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She is remembered as a pioneering figure for religious freedom and women’s rights in American history. Here are 18 of her quotes:

One may preach a covenant of grace more clearly than another... But when they preach a covenant of works for salvation, that is not truth.

Anne Hutchinson

Better to be cast out of the church than to deny Christ.

Anne Hutchinson

Do you think it not lawful for me to teach women and why do you call me to teach the court?

Anne Hutchinson

As I understand it, laws, commands, rules and edicts are for those who have not the light which makes plain the pathway.

Anne Hutchinson

As I do understand it, laws, commands, rules and edicts are for those who have not the light which makes plain the pathway. He who has God's grace in his heart cannot go astray.

Anne Hutchinson

I shall I not equivocate, there is a meeting of men and women and there is a meeting only for women.

Anne Hutchinson

I will give you another scripture, Jer. 46. 27, 28 - out of which the Lord shewed me what he would do for me and the rest of his servants. - But after he was pleased to reveal himself to me . . . Ever since that time I have been confident of what he hath revealed unto me. . . Therefore I desire you to look to it, for you see this scripture fulfilled this day and therefore I desire you that as you tender the Lord and the church and commonwealth to consider and look what you do. 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 I bring a curse upon you and your posterity, and the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. . .

Anne Hutchinson

I have been guilty of wrong thinking.

Anne Hutchinson

Must not I then entertain the saints because I must keep my conscience.

Anne Hutchinson

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.

Anne Hutchinson

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.

Anne Hutchinson

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.

Anne Hutchinson

How did Abraham know that it was God that bid him offer his son, being a breach of the sixth commandment?

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.

Anne Hutchinson

If you please to give me leave I shall give you the ground of what I know to be true.

Anne Hutchinson

I will give you another scripture, Jer. 46. 27, 28 - out of which the Lord shewed me what he would do for me and the rest of his servants.

Anne Hutchinson