What were the reasons the Puritans were immigrating to New England?

1. To do God’s work--Stop spread of Catholicism

2. Church of Europe is having problems1. They believe that New England was

created by God as a safe haven where they should rebuild their church

Sarah Vowell Discussion

1.Based on Vowell's history lesson, how did the Puritans come to be "The Puritans"?

2. How did the Mass Bay Colony try to portray itself? How did they really feel about the king/religion/their task?

3. What did the people of the Massachusetts Bay Colony value in their lives and education (which Vowell says is rather surprising, considering that they were basically in the wilderness of North America)?

4. How do we normally view the Puritans? What does Vowell point out is inaccurate in our view?

5. How has the Puritan vision continued to impact America today?

John Winthrop1588-1649

English colonial administrator who was the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, serving seven terms between 1629 and

1649.

Outlining Winthrop’s SermonI. Introduction

I. God has created us diverse and unequalII. Reason why people live in a variety of conditions

II. DoctrineI. Justice and mercy

III. ReasonsI. (Q&A)

IV. ApplicationsI. Persons, Work, Ends (goals), Means (how)

V. EpilogueI. Conclusion (Moses)

Main Points

God has made different classes of men, and, indeed, of all things. All men are not created equal. The reason hereof:

① 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.

② 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.

③ 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.”

Epilogue & Conclusion① Looking at the last section of the

sermon, why did Winthrop quote Moses?

② What was he predicting would happen if they followed Moses’ advice?

③ What was the alternative if they did not?

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:

1. Did the Puritans live up to their ideals?

2. Why was it necessary for them to leave England?

3. Does community negate individualism?

Questions

Answer in complete sentences…

Looking for more than “yes” or “no” here…provide details and examples from the sermon

1. In this world, does God always punish the wicked and bless the virtuous?

2. 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?

3. What were Winthrop’s views of equality? ..of community?

4. What was the Puritan covenant?

5. This is a text that was first prepared as a sermon—what clues suggest an awareness of listeners rather than readers? How does Winthrop draw upon logical organization?

6. What does Winthrop mean by the word charity? 7. Why does Winthrop call the Puritans project a "city on a hill"?

8. Were the eyes of the world really on the Puritans? Were they really a city upon a hill?