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John Winthrop And Their Colony Should Be A City Upon A Hill

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John Winthrop and his followers established a society that would be an example to many more societies to come. They came to New England to create a place that was occupied by people approved by God and whom abided by God’s laws. Winthrop knew that this colony would have to be completely different from England, since at the time, England was in chaos, therefore, he learned from all of the mistakes England made, religiously and politically, and planned a colony that would thrive under the ruling of God and his worshipers. Everyone knew that this was a massive undertaking that may not promise them the success they were looking for, but the Puritans had to get out of England because they knew that God would eventually punish them for the evils …show more content…

The eyes of all people are upon us.” (Morgan 64). In this quote, Winthrop was telling his followers that their colony should be a “City upon a hill,” which means that they should be a model for others to follow. If they carry out their Puritan project successfully, it would be proof to the rest of the world that it is possible to create a community completely dedicated to God. Everyone in England, and the rest of Europe and New England, was watching and observing the Massachusetts Bay Company to see if they would succeed or fail. To ensure that this project was a success, Winthrop and his followers were dedicated to keeping the colony on good terms with God, and to do this, they had to punish every sin committed. The whole community agreed on this because if a sin in their colony went unpunished, everyone would be punished by God. The Massachusetts Bay Company’s dedication to being a “City upon a hill” made them admired by colonies across New England and the …show more content…

He planned the location, how he would deal with Indians, who went on the journey, and how they would get their resources. Winthrop planned to settle in Salem, Massachusetts, since it was where the earlier members of their colony had settled. He also knew that while in New England, he would have to interact with the Natives; he planned to treat them with respect, and his goal was to try to convert them to their religion (Morgan 37). One of the most difficult tasks Winthrop had was deciding on who could come on the journey to New England. Since they were forming a community dedicated to God, they had to make sure that only people approved by God were coming. Winthrop had to make sure that no Separatists were accompanying them and that they had people of different professions coming in case they needed help. For example, Winthrop invited carpenters, blacksmiths, doctors, and ministers to come on the trip because in New England, they would need them while building up their colony (Morgan 46). Winthrop assured that he was completely prepared for the journey and the adventure of starting a new

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However, if they should fall to embrace this present world and prosecute carnal intentions, God would break out in a wrath against them. Winthrop explains one of his great metaphors as he states the only way to avoid this shipwreck was for the colonist to remain knitted together in this work as one man. Should they fulfil the covenant, God would bless colonist, and they would have bountiful plantations. This would lead to Winthrop’s most famous passage in his sermon, “We shall be as a city upon a hill; the eyes of all people are upon us.” (pg. 177)

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