John Winthrop A Model Of Christian Charity

In “A Model of Christian Charity,” by John Winthrop, he delivers a sermon to the Puritans as they are aboard the Arbella; the Puritans are traveling to America, so they could break apart from England and start their own church. His sermon is regarding the “city upon a hill” that waits for them in America. Winthrop suggests to the Puritans that the key to salvation is to remain pure to their God. In order for them to stay pure to God, they should have absolute unity amongst them, which he expresses this in his sermon by using scripture from the Bible. Winthrop shows unity by encouraging the practice of conformity, unifying together regardless of their social status, and loving one another without expectations. Winthrop …show more content…
He simply states that, “ He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of His Sprit: 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” (166). Winthrop is trying to instill in their heads that they could accomplish more as a community if they lived by God’s Spirit and not by the separation of classes. One should not simply think one is better than the other or take advantage of them due to their social class. Winthrop also encourages unity by stating, “When there is no other means whereby our Christian brother may be relieved in his distressed, we must help him beyond our ability, rather than tempt God in putting him upon help by miraculous or extraordinary measures” (168). He is emphasizing that they must reunite and help people in need, regardless of their social status. Winthrop does not mean just a few things here or there, he simply wants people to go above and beyond. If they just give a little, then it is not enough for the person in need to succeed in