Matti Cone
4/21/14
1) In this speech John Winthrop is speaking aboard a ship to a people that are leaving their homes in search of a new land and new opportunities. He is placing in them hope and direction as they are seeking this new life. He provides reassurance, alongside warning of impending doom that would follow if they do not follow Gods design in this period of their lives. He wants to bestow upon the people a phrase that is repeated many times “love is the bond of perfection”.
2) Nearing their new home Winthrop encourages the people of the ship Arbella to draw upon the biblical reference of a “city upon a hill” as they draw vision for their new home. He uses the biblical ideals of love, service, and Christ centered living to shape this new “city”. He uses the reference of a body to explain Christs relationship with the church, Christ is the head of the body, and the church makes up the rest of the body parts to do the work of Christ. Winthrop exhorts the people to follow the path that God has sent them upon. They are to “seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship under a due form of government both civil and ecclesiastical.”This statement will help define the relationship between the church and the city government. Winthrop wants people to bear each others burdens, and love each other without dissimulation. He would like people to become unified and supportive of each other because this is the biblical idea and model Christ has laid upon them as a body of believers. Winthrop appeals to the Christ and God function of this group of people by bringing to light the results of not following God. The people will be watching them. If they deal falsely with God then the people will see, and God will withdraw his presence from them. To do this will further open the mouths of the enemies of God. This would bring shame to the faces of Gods Worthy servants. He wants them to keep Christ and God in the front of everything they are doing, to “cleave to Him, for he is our life and our prosperity”. If I were listening to this sermon as I'm sailing to a new world I would be encouraged to the task I have set in front of myself. I would want to do my part to help cultivate the city on a hill centered in the body of Christ. I would also think deeply into the warning Winthrop gives about what will happen if we fail to properly follow Gods ideal. This negative picture he paints would cause further reflection and analysis in my life to gain insight, ensuring that the warning is heeded and the path is not followed.
4/21/14
1) In this speech John Winthrop is speaking aboard a ship to a people that are leaving their homes in search of a new land and new opportunities. He is placing in them hope and direction as they are seeking this new life. He provides reassurance, alongside warning of impending doom that would follow if they do not follow Gods design in this period of their lives. He wants to bestow upon the people a phrase that is repeated many times “love is the bond of perfection”.
2) Nearing their new home Winthrop encourages the people of the ship Arbella to draw upon the biblical reference of a “city upon a hill” as they draw vision for their new home. He uses the biblical ideals of love, service, and Christ centered living to shape this new “city”. He uses the reference of a body to explain Christs relationship with the church, Christ is the head of the body, and the church makes up the rest of the body parts to do the work of Christ. Winthrop exhorts the people to follow the path that God has sent them upon. They are to “seek out a place of cohabitation and consortship under a due form of government both civil and ecclesiastical.”This statement will help define the relationship between the church and the city government. Winthrop wants people to bear each others burdens, and love each other without dissimulation. He would like people to become unified and supportive of each other because this is the biblical idea and model Christ has laid upon them as a body of believers. Winthrop appeals to the Christ and God function of this group of people by bringing to light the results of not following God. The people will be watching them. If they deal falsely with God then the people will see, and God will withdraw his presence from them. To do this will further open the mouths of the enemies of God. This would bring shame to the faces of Gods Worthy servants. He wants them to keep Christ and God in the front of everything they are doing, to “cleave to Him, for he is our life and our prosperity”. If I were listening to this sermon as I'm sailing to a new world I would be encouraged to the task I have set in front of myself. I would want to do my part to help cultivate the city on a hill centered in the body of Christ. I would also think deeply into the warning Winthrop gives about what will happen if we fail to properly follow Gods ideal. This negative picture he paints would cause further reflection and analysis in my life to gain insight, ensuring that the warning is heeded and the path is not followed.