God and John Winthrop
Wee shall be as a City upon a Hill,” 1630 - John Winthrop
Summarize the reasoning given by John Winthrop for why humankind is separated into economic and political classes.
According to Winthrop, despite class divisions (or perhaps because of them), how should humans treat each other?
What does Winthrop mean by suggesting that New England is like a “city on a hill”? What does he feel is the responsibility of all New Englanders?
John Winthrop, "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630)
God almighty in His most holy and wise providence hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, others mean and in subjection.
Reason: First, to hold conformity with the rest of His works, being delighted to show forth the glory of His wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures and the glory of His power, in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole.
Reason: Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of His spirit. First, upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against their superiors and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate in exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance, etc., in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience, etc.
Reason: Thirdly, that every man might have need of other, and from hence they might all be knit more nearly together in the bond of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more honorable than another, or more wealthy, etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his creator and the common good of the creature, man.
Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work, we have taken out a
Summarize the reasoning given by John Winthrop for why humankind is separated into economic and political classes.
According to Winthrop, despite class divisions (or perhaps because of them), how should humans treat each other?
What does Winthrop mean by suggesting that New England is like a “city on a hill”? What does he feel is the responsibility of all New Englanders?
John Winthrop, "A Model of Christian Charity" (1630)
God almighty in His most holy and wise providence hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, others mean and in subjection.
Reason: First, to hold conformity with the rest of His works, being delighted to show forth the glory of His wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures and the glory of His power, in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole.
Reason: Secondly, that He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of His spirit. First, upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against their superiors and shake off their yoke. Secondly, in the regenerate in exercising His graces in them, as in the great ones, their love, mercy, gentleness, temperance, etc., in the poor and inferior sort, their faith, patience, obedience, etc.
Reason: Thirdly, that every man might have need of other, and from hence they might all be knit more nearly together in the bond of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that no man is made more honorable than another, or more wealthy, etc., out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his creator and the common good of the creature, man.
Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work, we have taken out a