"this new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious livery from every part of europe" in this context, does asylum have a postive or negative connotation?
a positive
b negative

In this specific instance and use of the word, it can be seen that the word asylum is used in an empathetic and positive connotation, due to the fact that it is welcoming those who are looking to escape persecution to a safe haven to be able to come to their country.