42 pages 1 hour read

John Winthrop

A Model of Christian Charity

Nonfiction | Essay / Speech | Adult | Published in 1838

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During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Reading Check and Short Answer questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

Reading Check

1. What are the “two sorts” that men are “ranked” into?

2. What type of bonds should mankind create with one another?

3. What motivates the soul to give?

4. What word does Winthrop use to refer to the punishment of God if the Puritans fail to fulfill the covenant?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Which two rules must mankind follow to support their fellow believers? How do these rules relate to the laws of mankind?

2. What does Winthrop conclude from the biblical verse “Love is the bond of perfection,” and what does the “body” refer to in relation to this concept?

3. How did the fall of Adam change the nature of love for mankind? What was God’s response?

4. What are the four conclusions that Winthrop makes about the nature of love among Christians?

Paired Resource

A Model of Christian Charity

  • The National Humanities Center’s teacher-facing resource focuses primarily on the understanding of Winthrop’s infamous phrase “a citty upon a hill.”
  • This information connects with the themes of The Divine Duty of Charity, Charity as an Expression of Christian Love, and Exceptional Piety to Create an Exceptional Society.