John Winthrop's Serman Quote break down

#1 “The definition which the scripture gives us of love is this: ‘Love is the bond of perfection.’ [I]t is a bond or ligament. . . . There is no body but consists of parts and that which each part so contiguous to others as thereby they do mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain. . . . Christ and his church make one body. The several parts of this body, considered apart before they were united, were disproportionate and as much disordering as so many contrary qualities or elements, [however, when united], it is become the most perfect and best proportioned body in the world[.]”

The people that believe in God are instantly connected to him. That connection creates a bond of perfection between the body (people) and the Lord. When Winthrop states that the body is disproportionate alone, he means that we were created to become part of God’s body, and if we are alone we are disordering or pretty much helpless. But when we are united in God, we are a lean, mean, working machine.

#2 “Whatsoever we did or ought to have done when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go.”

John meant that where ever they end up, they must do more than what they did in England. What I mean by this is that the Puritans thought the Church of England corrupt or un-pure, Winthrop wanted his church to go above and beyond what they did in England.

#3 “Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with him for this work. We have taken out a commission; the Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these actions . . . . Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it.”

This quote is explaining some sort transfer between the original English Church way and a new beginning. Since this quote is saying that they are on a mission from God then they “have” to put on a strict performance by following the bible to a “T”.

#4 “[W]hen he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding [colonies], ‘the Lord make it like that of New England.’ For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us [.]”

This is saying that all the other colonies and the people back home in England are look at them to see if they are going to fail and also to be an example to the rest of the Puritan colonies when they say “city upon a hill”. The quote is also saying that they want God to shape there colony into a recpectfull, God fearing one when Winthrop says “Lord make it like that of new England”. <(^^<)