Katie Crabtree

Mr. Kruse

September 15, 2023

American History

Unit 1 Paper: A City on a Hill

To be set apart from the world is a long-standing expectation for Christians. In John Winthrop’s

sermon in 1630, “A Model of Christian Charity”, it explains the desire that he has for the Godly

community of the Massachusetts Bay colony. John Winthrop was a lifelong religious figurehead,

so it is no shock that he was a huge leader to the settlers traveling alongside him to the New

World. His famous sermon was given while still journeying to Massachusetts. Once the settlers

had arrived John Winthrop was elected as the first governor. He was continuously elected 12

more terms in his lifetime. His time was spent guiding the colonists in the creation of towns and

church communities as his religious background would suggest.

The context of the desire to build Godly communities is that Winthrop believed that there

was a lack of discipline from most people. He alludes to this fact in his quote, “but 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 this present world and prosecute our carnal

intentions, seeking great things for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in

wrath against us, and be revenged of such a people, and make us know the price of the breach of

such a covenant.” John wished for a united colony that was in a covenant with God. He used

many tactics related to fear when talking to the settlers. Like he said in the last quote, God will
surely unleash His wrath on them if they are not devoted to God. His sermon spoke much about

selflessness and having more respect for others than oneself. “The same as before, but with more

enlargement towards others and less respect towards ourselves and our own right. Hence it was

that in the Primitive church, they sold all, had all things in common, neither did any man say that

which he possessed was his own.,” said John in his sermon. His ideal community would be one

like the Primitive church, where they attribute all belongings to God. Nothing would be

considered one’s own property.

The document makes clear that the goal for The Massachusetts Bay colony was to stand apart

from the rest of the New World to be a light of God. In Winthrop’s opinion the rest of the

colonies were not exemplifying the life that a Christian should, also including the Native

Americans. His religious beliefs were followed by many since he was elected governor many

times. He had opposing ideals from Anne Hutchinson, who believed his views were based on

works rather than faith. Even after being contradicted by Hutchinson, Winthrop still stood on his

belief that the state should have power over enforcing religious laws. Winthrop states in his

sermon, “First to hold conformity with the rest of His world.” He expected the settlers living in his ideal

Godly community to follow the laws that the state put in place.

In Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity,” he is telling the settlers traveling alongside him how this

new colony should be organized. It was easy for the colonists to listen and believe Winthrop because he

was already such a large religious figurehead. The towns and church communities that Winthrop helped

set up stood strong with the backing of other puritan leaders. The document holds up the ideal puritan

community.