Arbella Sermon Analysis

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In The Arbella Sermon by John Winthrop in 1630, was a very inspiring sermon to read. Winthrop passion and desire to make New England a “city on the hill”, had a strong impact on the new settlers as they were determined to build a Christian community with biblical laws. They felt it was their responsibility to a beacon of light to the rest of the world. The sermon contained the roles of the rich and the poor, how they should treat others with kindness and how they should take care of each other. Overall, the sermon seemed to have good intentions and goals, however I question one of the requirements that was mentioned, “commanded to love his neighbor as himself.”, knowing that there would be quarrels and ill treatment of the Quakers in the future, makes me question how sincere and serious the Puritans were when loving their neighbors. Winthrop, expresses his desire for a unified group of …show more content…

The author of the first legislature, William Penn uses sophisticated literature such as, “Almighty God of Conscience Father of Light & Spirits and the Author as as Object of all divine Knowledge Faith and Worship.” (pg.70), to stress that the foundation of the laws were based on Biblical contents and influence. For example, keeping the Sabbath Day, not being intoxicated, and one of the worst punishable law, adultery. Those who committed adultery are not only imprisoned for a year but also whipped publicly. The most important historical fact is that to be elected one must be a proclaimed Christian, own a hundred acres of land and pay the scott and lott (taxes). Therefore, those in authority tend to be ones with the most wealth, land and appear as powerful “saints”. Overall, I think that the Laws of Pennsylvania are very favorable to the Puritans or religious group that controlled the town at that

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