faction and so you do dishonour us." Permitting heretics to remain would only "cause divisions and make people look at their magistrates, ministers, and brethren as enemies to christs and antichrists." Thus Winthrop in 1638. By 1641, pursuant to the "Capitall Laws" section of the "Body of Liberties," which cited biblical authority, religious dissent was punishable by death.
If any man after legall conviction shall have or worship any other god, but the lord god, he shall be put to death [Deut. 13.6, 10].
If any man or woeman be a witch, (that is hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit,) they shall be put to death [Ex. 22.18; Deut. 18.10]. . . .
If any man shall conspire and attempt any invasion, insurrection, or publique rebellion against our commonwealth . . . or shall treacherously and perfediouslie attempt the alteration and subversion of our frame of politie or Government fundamentallie, he shall be put to death (Body 79-80).
An extensive witchcraft discourse appeared in 1689, from a minister at Boston's Old North Church named Cotton Mather, who
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