O'Donnell The Puritans

In “A Model of Christian Charity,” John Winthrop discusses the importance of deeply respecting one’s fellow man. Winthrop deals with the Covenant of Grace by discussing the reasons why some live more comfortable lives than others, as well as how God keeps things spiritually equal among mankind. Winthrop writes, “God almighty in His most holy and wise providence, hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity; others mean and in submission.” While this sounds unfair, Winthrop reasons that these differences are important. “…And the glory of His power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole, and the glory of His greatness, that as it is the glory of princes to have many officers, so this great king will have many stewards, counting himself more honored in dispensing his gifts to man by man.” By writing this, Winthrop is saying that the “king” is important, but if he did not have all of his “stewards” and other servants, the whole kingdom could fall apart. Therefore, he is saying that each person, no matter what his economic standing, is as important as any other.

Next, Winthrop discusses how God keeps things equal while men are so inherently corrupt. “…That He might have the more occasion to manifest the work of his Spirit: first upon the wicked in moderating and restraining them, so that the rich and mighty should not eat up the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against and shake off their yoke.” These “works of his Spirit” are essentially the rules and regulations that God imparts on humans to save them from themselves. Also concerning the Covenant of Works, Winthrop writes, “When God gives a special commission He looks to have it strictly observed in every article.” This means that God gives us the ability to make our own choices, but in making our own choices we must follow these “articles” or rules made by God. Winthrop writes, “Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into a covenant with Him for this work…He ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, and will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it; 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.” Basically, in this passage Winthrop is explaining the consequences of breaking the laws that God put in place to protect human kind. These passages that describe the reasons behind the Covenant of Gace and the Covenant of Works are very telling of the Puritans’ relationship with their higher power, who seems to be wrathful, ironfisted, but also loving.

Anne Bradstreet’s work “By Night when Others Soundly Slept” is similar to “A Model of Christian Charity” in that it addresses both the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace, but portrays a wholly loving God. Also, this work does not directly address as much into the Covenant of Grace as Winthrop’s does, and does not mention outright that not all are destined for a life of ease or welcomed into heaven. Bradstreet writes, “What to my Saviour shall I give/ Who freely hath done this for me?/ I'll serve him here whilst I shall live/ And Loue him to Eternity.” While pondering how to repay God for his salvation, the narrator explains that she is going to serve God, and plausibly follow his law.  

Both works describe a vision of Puritan lifestyle and mindset. While Bradstreet’s poem is more allegorical and Winthrop’s sermon is almost a step-by-step guide to obeying God, they both demonstrate what a Puritan’s relationship with God should be like. Basically, the key to happiness and salvation is through God and his love, but God does not save or love those who disobey him.