A Model of Christian Charity

“GOD ALMIGHTY in his most holy and wise providence, hath soe disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poore, some high and eminent in power and dignitie; others mean and in submission. [...] that every man might have need of others, and from hence they might be all knitt more nearly together in the Bonds of brotherly affection. From hence it appears plainly that noe man is made more honourable than another or more wealthy &c., out of any particular and singular respect to himselfe, but for the glory of his creator and the common good of the creature, man.” 

Winthrop begins his sermon giving three reasons God has created wealth disparity. First, to show his glory in the variation of people. Second, to allow Grace to enter the lives of individuals in different ways. Third, so that all people might together contribute to a whole. This third reason is the most important of the three and is a foundational point to the rest of the sermon: God demands charity of humans as an expression of his demand they work together and express love between them.

“Therefore God still reserves the property of these gifts to himself as Ezek. 16. 17. he there calls wealthe, his gold and his silver, and Prov. 3. 9. he claims theire service as his due, honor the Lord with thy riches.” 

Winthrop uses two sequential Biblical citations to remind his congregation that their wealth, like their very lives, does not belong to them. Instead, it belongs to God. God placed wealth on this earth to serve as a vehicle for charity, which God demands. Therefore, in expressing charity, we “honor the lord with our riches.”

“There are two rules whereby we are to walk one towards another: Justice and Mercy [...] There is likewise a double Lawe by which wee are regulated in our conversation towardes another; in both the former respects, the lawe of nature and the lawe of grace, or the morrall lawe or the lawe of the gospel [...] By the first of these lawes man as he was enabled soe withall is commanded to love his neighbour as himself. Upon this ground stands all the precepts of the morrall lawe, which concernes our dealings with men. […] The lawe of Grace or of the Gospell hath some difference from the former; as in these respects, First the lawe of nature was given to man in the estate of innocency; this of the Gospell in the estate of regeneracy […] and soe teacheth to put a difference between christians and others. Doe good to all, especially to the household of faith.” 

Winthrop outlines the laws of Justice and Mercy, which correspond respectively to the law of nature or moral law, and the law of grace or law of the Gospel. Though Winthrop confuses his point with the multiplicity of names, his main argument is that God designed all humanity to act morally toward one another. Since the time of Christ, who arrived to “regenerate” humanity toward God, this law has changed to emphasize especially that all Christians should bear exemplary love and mercy to other Christians.