Reading 11: John Winthrop - Notes on 'A City on a Hill'

God's design includes a diverse condition of mankind:
- Some must be rich, some poor.
- Some high in power, others in subjection.
Reasons for this arrangement:
- 1st Reason: To reflect God's wisdom and power through variety and difference in creation.
  - God's glory is shown in ordering differences for the good of the whole.
  - Like princes with officers, God uses stewards to dispense gifts, honoring Himself through human agency.
- 2nd Reason: To manifest the work of His Spirit.
  - Restraining the wicked: the rich should not exploit the poor, nor the poor rebel against their superiors.
  - Exercising graces in the regenerate: love, mercy, gentleness, temperance in the great; faith, patience, obedience in the poor.
- 3rd Reason: To foster mutual dependence and brotherly affection.
  - Humans are meant to need one another, promoting unity.
Wealth and honor are not for individual benefit but for the glory of God and the common good.
- God retains ownership of these gifts (Ezekiel 16:17: wealth is "His gold and His silver").
- Service to God is a duty (Proverbs 3:9: "Honor the Lord with thy riches").
Society is divided into rich and poor:
- Rich: those able to live comfortably by their own means.
- Poor: all others.

Rule to observe in times of common peril: greater generosity towards others, less regard for oneself.
Examples:
- Early Church: sold all possessions, held all things in common.
- Return from captivity: Nehemiah urged Jews to remit debts and give liberally due to the danger from enemies and the work of restoring the church.
- Forefathers in times of persecution in England.
Those bountiful to the poor saints are highly commended in scriptures and church histories.

The settlers have entered into a covenant with God for their new enterprise.
- They have been given a commission and the freedom to define their own terms.
- They have sought God's favor and blessing.
If God brings them safely to their destination, He ratifies the covenant and expects strict adherence to its articles.
Failure to observe the covenant (pursuing carnal intentions and seeking personal gain) will result in God's wrath.
To avoid disaster, they must follow Micah's counsel: "do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God."
- This requires unity, brotherly affection, and a willingness to sacrifice for others.
- They must share each other's burdens and rejoice together.

The settlers must see themselves as members of the same body, united in purpose.
If they maintain unity and peace, God will bless them and dwell among them.
They will experience God's wisdom, power, goodness, and truth.
They will become a model for future plantations.
They must consider themselves "a city upon a hill," with the eyes of all people upon them.
- If they fail in their covenant, they will become a story and a byword, shaming God's servants and inviting curses.
Winthrop concludes with Moses' exhortation (Deuteronomy 30): choose life by loving God and one another, obeying His commandments, and keeping the covenant.
Turning away from God will lead to destruction.
He is to be obeyed so the Lord bless them in the land where they are going.
Choose life by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, as He is their life and their prosperity.