John Winthrop and the other founders of Massachusetts believed they were building

a$.$ stable, protected community where they could spread "the gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world."

b$.$ a strong outpost to help repel incursions by the Spanish and Indians.

C$.$ a refuge for religious dissenters of all types.

d$.$ a holy commonwealth, a model $-$ a "city upon a hill" $-$ for the corrupt world to see and emulate.

e$.$ None of these answers is correct.