John Winthrop might persuade himself that God had sealed a covenant with Massachusetts simply by bringing a company of people safely across the Atlantic Ocean. Roger Williams could not. John Winthrop might see the hand of God offering him authority whenever the voters of Massachusetts cast their ballots for him. Roger Williams could not. And when Puritans talked of the divine right of kings or of the people’s holding the powers of government in trust for the Almighty, Williams wanted to see the deed of gift. Where and when and how, he wanted to know, did God transfer His powers to the people
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