Due to technical difficulties (don't we all have trouble with the Internet) this post is a little late, but it is here none the less. I am posting on Sam's profile.
1. What is the relationship between the Puritans and England according to Winthrop, and how do I know?
Winthrop is calling the Puritans to greater action than what was normally done in England. For example, he says:
"Whatsoever we did, or ought to have done, when we lived in England, the same
must we do, and more also, where we go. That which the most in their
churches maintain as truth in profession only, we must bring into constant
practice."
So it seems that the English church was under-committed, at least according to Winthrop’s view. But when Winthrop says, "Whatsoever we did...when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go", he is calling them to a greater service than what the Puritans themselves had been doing. This is because the Puritans are all believers and therefore love each other better than those of the world, as Winthrop also says,
"The former [the law of nature] propounds one man to another, as the same flesh
and image of God; this [the law of grace] as a brother in Christ also, and in
the communion of the same Spirit, and so teacheth to put a difference between
Christians and others. Do good to all, especially to the household of
faith,"
and,
"Neither must we think that the LORD will bear with such failings at our hands
as He doth from those among whom we have lived {emphasis my own}; and
that for these three reasons; 1 in regard of the more near bond of marriage
between Him and us, wherein He hath taken us to be His, after a most strict and
peculiar manner, which will make them the more jealous of our love and
obedience...2 because the LORD will be sanctified in them that come near Him...3
When God gives a special commission he looks to have it strictly observed in
every article."
The Puritans are leaving England to come nearer to God and obey Him more perfectly. Or else that is Winthrop's goal in writing his document for those who are leaving. Because England was full of unbelievers and people who were persecuting good Christians, the Puritans could not serve God as well as they wished.
2. What is their relationship to God?
As stated before, the Puritans are leaving England to better pursue their faith. Winthrop, in calling them to greater service to God, also testifies that these people are desperate to serve God without apprehension, and that they are willing to leave their country in order to do it.
3.What issues are most important to Winthrop? Why do I think he focuses on these issues? What does this tell us about Winthrop's audience?
Winthrop's underlying principle to his work is the concept of godly love. He talks about justice, mercy, forgiveness, and other matters, but he ties them all up into the doctrine of love. One reason he may be focusing on these issues is because England set a bad example of them and he wants to present the Puritans with a better picture of this love, as he says, "That which the most in their churches maintain as truth
in profession only {emphasis mine}, we must bring into familiar and constant practice." Perhaps the hostility of England was working its way into the Puritan's minds. They would certainly be tempted to be hostile to the English people who were oppressing them, and to look down on people who don't believe the same things that they believe. But Winthrop cautions them to take heed lest they fall into that trap when he quotes the Bible: "Whatever you would have men do to you, do also to them." This is an exhortation for them not to look down on people of different beliefs as England has looked down on them.
Daniel
