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  • Essay / Reasons Why the Massachusetts Bay Colony Became a Strong Colony

    The Massachusetts Bay Colony was very different from its neighboring colonies, both in terms of leadership and founding principles. It all began when, according to Keene, Cornell, and O'Donnell (2010), in 1629 Charles I of England ended Parliament in an attempt to bring back Catholic rituals. He also began to elevate non-Puritan members to higher positions in the Church. The fear this created among the Puritan masses caused them to think about their future if they remained in England. They were looking for a place where they could free themselves from the influences of English corruption. They founded a new society focusing on God, which made them different from other colonies of the time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayJohn Winthrop was a great man and a born leader. Keene, Cornell, and O'Donnell (2010) state that he became the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the one who led the Puritans out of England. His goal was to create a community away from corruption. Others who shared his vision joined his cause, and more than 20,000 Puritans traveled to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He inspired the people who accompanied him to become a “city on a hill” (Keene, Cornell, O'Donnell, 2010, page 45 paragraph 1) or a shining example. To achieve this, they had to oppose corruption and make sure they focused on God. When the colony was established, John Winthrop delivered a sermon titled The Model of Christian Clarity, which outlined what he envisioned for the colony, its purpose, and a plan for success. John Winthrop (City on a Hill 1630) begins his sermon by talking about the social and economic status of the population. Throughout history, status has held great importance for humanity, with power and money being among the most sought after things in our society. No one wants to be poor or weak. John Winthrop mentions that God chose to create people of different status. It is through his providence that some should be rich, some should be powerful, some should be poor, and some should be weak. Although it may seem unfair that God has allowed such inequality, God has his reasons and a plan in mind for his people. One of the reasons given by John Winthrop (A City on a Hill 1630) is to conform to the rest of the world. He takes great pleasure in showing His wisdom through the differences He has created in us. He has given each of us gifts, placing people in different situations and using them to glorify His name. We should always take what God has given us and help others because it glorifies Him. John Winthrop imagined that the Puritan community had the mentality that people are placed in different circumstances so that they can display the almighty power of God and by always helping others and giving Him glory. The second reason John Winthrop (pdf City on a Hill 1630) included in his sermon is that God allowed people to be in different circumstances so that His spirit could work more through them. It's difficult when you're rich to be a good and honest person. Money tends to bring out the worst in most people. Very often, the rich take advantage of the poor, which leads the poor to rise up in jealousy against the richer. The Spirit then works in our lives and can prevent us from doing things that are in our sinful nature. He works through »