John Winthrop’s Arbella sermon, 1630: Quotes and Analysis

Quote One:
“The definition which the scripture gives us of love is this: ‘Love is the bond of perfection.’ [I]t is a bond or ligament. . . . There is no body but consists of parts and that which each part so contiguous to others as thereby they do mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain. . . . Christ and his church make one body. The several parts of this body, considered apart before they were united, were disproportionate and as much disordering as so many contrary qualities or elements, [however, when united], it is become the most perfect and best proportioned body in the world[.]”
Analysis:
- For Winthrop, what is the benefit of a well coordinated (social, spiritual, political) body?
The benefit of a well coordinated body is that things get done easier and more efficiently. Just like a church, it attendants combine and work together which makes them create a strong community that would not be possible without the combination of work from all the people that attend the church.

- Why might the metaphor of the body make sense to Winthrop’s audience?
This may make sense to Winthrop's audience because a colony could not possibly survive without the help of EVERYONE involved in that colony. They need all the help they can get, if all the farmers were to leave the colony, the colony would die out. This is because not everyone knows how to farm and the contribution of the farmers is needed to produce food for the colony. The same goes for blacksmiths and merchants and politicians. This would make sense to their audience because they are living proof of what he is saying.

- How might this union of separate parts create a genuine COMMONWEALTH?
The union of separate parts might create a genuine commonwealth because it will produce a successful body, which in this case would be a colony. And when the colony does well and thrives, so does the people. Therefore, creating a commonwealth within the colony.

Quote Two:
“Whatsoever we did or ought to have done when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go.”
Analysis:
- What is in the word new?
It means something that will be different than the 'old'. Most often it is supposed to be better than the old, an improvement.

- What did it mean to name the colony New England?
The word new shows how it will be different from England, but still be a direct derivative from England. It will be a new, and much improved England.

- Why not come up with some kind of name that denoted complete newness and separation from the Old World?
This is because they (the people) still had respect for the King, and they did not want to be totally separated from England. But they wanted control over this new land, which could be called New England to show where it came from, but also that it is unique to the area and has control over its government.


Quote Three:
“Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with him for this work. We have taken out a commission, the Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these actions . . . . Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it.”
Analysis:
-How did the Puritans, and Winthrop, view their charter for colonization as a spiritual mandate to purify the world of Christendom (or at least the Church of England)?
The Puritans viewed their charter for colonization as a spiritual mandate to purify the world of Christendom because everything is new, and God would only let them go to a prosperous place if it was pure. That is proven where they say "Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission," they are saying that if there is peace where they settle, it is their obligation to purify it.

Quote Four:
“[W]hen he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding [colonies], ‘the Lord make it like that of New England.’ For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us[.]”
- What does it mean, or what did Winthrop mean, to be a “city upon a hill”?
When Winthrop said "city upon a hill" he meant that the city needs to be a starting example for the rest of the cities. This is because a city upon a hill is above everyone else, everyone can see it which leaves the possibility for everyone to envy it. That is what Winthrop wants, he wants to thrive and have new england be a place of envy to those that do not inhabit it.