John Winthrop “a Model of Christian Charity” (1630)

John Winthrop “A Model of Christian Charity” (1630) Daisha A. Powell South University John Winthrop “A Model of Christian Charity” (1630) The Puritans had different beliefs from the Pilgrims in which they jilted separatism postulating the Anglican Church could be saved. They wanted to build churches to function as models for the English Church. John Winthrop on the eve of the puritans’ settlement of Massachusetts Bay wanted to have a structure of government and social order already established.
John Winthrop stated that the only way order and success of a colony is rooted in a belief in God, communal covenant and the mindset the life of hard work is God’s plan. First, John Winthrop believes that life itself was predestined and with conformity and belief in God and his almighty power and glory, preservation lies within. Secondly, all men are equal and no one is more honorable, more wealthy, or superior to another. All men shall be tight knit in the bond of brotherly love.
Thirdly, bound by an agreement between God in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior in return, man has a choice. By choosing to live by God’s word man will continue to be blessed with countless blessings but deciding to live life outside of this covenant God will break out in wrath as an act of revenge. John Winthrop goes on to say that man must work as one, entertain one another, and be willing to help each other with meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality.

He views his community as one of the same body and so when one person suffers everyone suffers or supply that person with some sort of relief. By keeping the unity in the bond of peace the Lord will be pleased with their actions and they would see much more of his omnipotent power, wisdom, and goodness. John Winthrop believes that they will have a new profound belief that God is among them when ten of them will be able to resist a thousand of their enemies. He consistently prompted his people of heir mission and encouraged them to satisfy their divine obligation to become a beacon of godliness for all mankind, and that they should be as “a city upon a hill” (Stone, 2012). They will witness things unheard of and become a testimony to others, believers and non-believers. These testimonies will serve as proof of God’s existence and of his power. In conclusion, man should love, worship, serve, and obey the Lord as well as love one another, walk in His ways, live by His commandments, ordinance, laws, and by the covenant.
By cleaving to God, he will give an abundance of blessings to life’s pleasures and profits. This commitment to God ensures a life of prosperity.
References Goldfield, D. (2011). The American Journey: A History of the United States. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Stone, P. (2012, October). Worlds Apart, Translation and Adaption 1600-1685. The American Journey. Lecture conducted from South University, Novi, Michigan.