What Is The Metaphors In A Model Of Christian Charity

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In John Winthrop’s sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity”, Winthrop uses persuasive diction and figures of speech to reinforce his idea of a “city upon a hill,” which is having absolute unity and conformity in able for the colony to prosper, in which others will look to as an example for guidance. Throughout his sermon aboard the Arbella, Winthrop greatly emphasizes metaphors of unification, love, charity, and mercy. These metaphors help illustrate a beautiful sermon. Winthrop demonstrates metaphors of unification throughout his sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity.” His entire sermon is in the first-person plural to refer to the Puritans that he is speaking to and saying that they are a group that is not diverse. Winthrop states that they …show more content…

In our churches today, members feel themselves bound together by love as strong as the “bond and ligament” described by Winthrop in this sermon. The scriptures state that love is the bond of perfection. It is a bond or ligament; fore there is no body, but consists of parts which knits these parts together and gives the body it’s perfection. Furthermore, he offers the idea that expresses how unity of all men is “the bond of perfection”, and that a bond was about love. However, it is in human nature to sin and violate, as proven with the sins of Eve and the fall of Adam. Winthrop defines love as “a bond or ligament” that bonds and knits man and Christ together, but sadly humans are not perfect and not able to avoid sin. Perhaps it can be traced back to the fall of Adam, that every man is born of sin and to be selfish and love himself more than another, as in Winthrop’s quote “every man is born with this principle in him to love and seek himself only (page 172).” It would be safe to say that most human beings cannot do much about their selfish nature and continue to go about their way of self-love. Winthrop states that this self-love would continue until “Christ comes and takes possession of the soul and infuse another principle, love to God and our brother (page 172-173).” Additionally, he goes on to say that love among Christians “…is a divine, spiritual, nature; free, …show more content…

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) It is clear to the reader’s eye, that Winthrop meant specific things within his sermon, and he clearly states his opinions with his words; “America needs to exemplify the bonds of love and the community; However, different each person is different parts of the body, should all work together for a common