Arbella Sermon Analysis

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

people as they were all part of the “Body of Christ. Winthrop believed that by holding steadfast to these beliefs and laws they will avoid, “shipwreck” or corruption. The important part of the sermon was, “..keep his commandments and his his ordinance and his laws, and the articles of our covenant with him..” (pg.60), it is evident that the Puritans were passionate about following the ten commandments as they were carried into The Laws of Pennsylvania, 1682.
Document four, The Laws of Pennsylvania, 1682 was a set of seventy-one specific laws that was mandatory for residents in Pennsylvania to follow and obey.

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

time.
The article, A Key into the Language of America, 1643 by Roger Williams, was very fascinating to read and gave a different perspective of the Native Americans, which contrast to the usual pessimistic view of their savagery. It is clear that Roger Williams spent a considerable time with the natives, learning their traditions, beliefs and language. He compared how friendly the natives were to the English, “a man shall generally finde more free entertainment and refreshing amongst these Barbarians, then amongst thousands that call themselves Christians…”, Williams clearly mocks the English and calling them hypocrites as they didn’t practice hospitality or kindness like the Native Americans did. He even went further to express his dislike for the English culture, “monstrous fashion, as to the shame of the English Nation,..” (pg62), Williams believed that the English society was slowly degenerating. I think the most important information is how affectionate the Native American’s father were as they would loving spoil their children then discipline them and how they were unashamed to help their wives. Williams paints a beautiful picture of harmony and unity of the natives when they came together to socialize and to harvest. In my opinion, since there are many different types of Native Americans, there were different reactions to the new settlers, but the Williams encounter a very friendly tribe and it gave me a new image of male natives as loving and affectionate instead of the warlike attitude that we usually see.
Lastly, the Testimony Against Accused Witch Bridget Bishop of 1692, was the hardest to read, because there were many innocent lives, especially females, that were taken. Even if they were guilty, there was not enough evidence to prove their guilty. There are many unbelievable stories in this document such as, John Cook and Samuel Gray being assaulted by Bridget Bishop many years earlier, a child being bewitched and a sow being cursed because there was a conflict on it’s price. This leads to one wondering if some of the accusers wanted to inflict Bishop, because they owe her money or maybe just fear her. Throughout the document, I question the accuser's motives and intentions of putting a fellow neighbor to death. It’s hard to believe that horror stories of people being bitten, choked and harassed to sign the “book” is enough evidence. “But there was no need for them.” (pg75), this quote shows that there were many more witnesses willing to accuse Bishop of witchcraft, therefore the people of Salem thought it was enough proof of Bishop’s witchcraft. From past research I know that some of the accusers wanted public attention or might even be paid for their accusations. Therefore the most important fact is that there was most likely no escape for Bridget Bishop. Even though she went to church, the number of her haters outweigh everything else.