Meaning: The quote you provided is from Anne Hutchinson, a prominent figure in early colonial America. Anne Hutchinson was a Puritan woman who became known for her religious teachings and for challenging the male-dominated religious authorities of her time. The quote reflects her questioning of traditional religious doctrine and her willingness to challenge established beliefs.

In the quote, Hutchinson is questioning the concept of antichrist as it relates to the religious conflicts of her time. She is challenging the idea that only the Turk (a term often used to refer to Muslims or the Ottoman Empire) could be considered antichrist. By stating, "In considering found that the papists did not deny him to be come in the flesh, nor we did not deny him - who then was antichrist?" Hutchinson is essentially asking who can be considered antichrist if neither the Catholic Church nor her own Puritan community denied the fundamental belief in Christ's coming in the flesh.

This quote reflects Hutchinson's bold and unorthodox approach to religious interpretation. She was known for her criticism of the Puritan clergy and for her belief in direct personal revelation from God, which she claimed gave her the authority to challenge established religious leaders. Hutchinson's teachings and her bold questioning of traditional religious beliefs eventually led to her trial and banishment from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637.

To fully understand the significance of this quote, it is important to consider the historical and religious context in which Hutchinson lived. In the early colonial period, religious beliefs were central to the lives of the settlers, and the Puritan community in Massachusetts Bay was particularly rigid and authoritarian in its religious practices. Hutchinson's willingness to openly challenge the established religious authorities was seen as a direct threat to the stability and authority of the colony.

The concept of antichrist was a central theme in religious discussions of the time, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflicts between Christian denominations and the perceived threat of non-Christian forces such as the Ottoman Empire. The idea of antichrist, derived from the New Testament, was often interpreted in different ways by various religious groups, and it became a source of intense debate and division.

By questioning the traditional notion of who could be considered antichrist, Hutchinson was challenging the established religious hierarchy and the rigid interpretations of scripture that were used to maintain authority and control. Her bold questioning and her willingness to challenge the status quo made her a controversial figure in the religious landscape of early colonial America.

In conclusion, the quote from Anne Hutchinson reflects her willingness to challenge traditional religious beliefs and to question the authority of established religious leaders. It sheds light on the religious conflicts and debates of the early colonial period and highlights Hutchinson's role as a pioneering figure in the history of religious dissent and freedom of thought in America.