John Winthrop 1588-1649 English colonial administrator who was the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, serving seven terms between 1629 and 1649.

A Model of Christian Charity John Winthrop A Model of Christian Charity   Main Points: God has made different classes of men, and, indeed, of all things. All men are not created equal. The reason hereof: In conformity to the rest of the world, and demonstrating his wisdom, God created a great variety and differences in his creatures for the preservation of the whole. The differences give humans the opportunity to manifest the work of the Spirit within them. The poor should be loyal and honest in their service to their betters and to authorities. The rich and powerful should honestly and loyally dispense with justice and mercy to the poor. God made variety and differences so that all men would have a need of one another. This mutual need knits mankind “more nearly together in the Bonds of Brotherly affection.” Thus, by serving his fellow mankind, man serves “the glory of his creator and the common good of the creature, man.”

John Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity We have made a covenant with God to form a new colony in a new land and live as God would want us. If We Are Good: If we fulfill our covenant (i.e. do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God) the “Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as his own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways. So that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies…” We will be considered to be a city upon a hill, and the eyes of all peoples will be upon us. If We are Bad: “…if we shall neglect the observation of these articles which are the ends we have propounded, and, dissembling, with our God, shall fall to embrace the present world and prosecute our carnal intention, seeking great things for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us; be revenged of such a [sinful] people and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant.” Questions: Did the Puritans live up to their ideals? Why was it necessary for them to leave England? Does community negate individualism?

John Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity Questions: In this world, does God always punish the wicked and bless the virtuous? Are all men created equal or created different? What does God expect us to do in regard to treating people equally? When should men be considered equal? When should they be considered unequal? What were Winthrop’s views of equality? Winthrop’s views of community? What was the Puritan covenant? Were the eyes of the world really on the Puritans? Were they really a city upon a hill?