Winthrop encourages his fellow Puritans to embody their duty of mercy which he said to be “exercised in the kinds: giving, lending and forgiving of debt.” (59).  He goes on to give the definition of love through scripture which is “love is the bond of perfection” meaning that love isn’t perfect but perfection makes love (perfection being Christ). Love isn’t just one being but many beings knitted together with Christ who is perfection which then makes love. All the pieces of this body are different sizes and are just different in every way but when they are put together through Christ it becomes the most well made and beautiful body there is. Winthrop hopes to have this theme of love implemented into their new community by: professing themselves members of Christ, dual form of government (civil and ecclesiastical), do more service, love one another no matter what.

Winthrop sees the relationship between the community and God as a love relationship but more of a tough love. If one was to ignore the four articles of the community and instead they cared about their own self they would feel God’s wrath. So they have to follow the articles very strictly because that is what God expects from them. The curse of God can be avoided only be following the counsel of Micah: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”(Micah 6:8). Simply saying to take the image of being knitted together with Christ seriously. One should never go through anything alone and should not rise above his brother but instead give something up when he is in need.

Winthrop’s view on the new community directly relates to how Matthew describes it: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”(Matthew 5:14-16). This meaning that everyone has the opportunity to be the light or guide for someone else and influence them to do good. By being good and living by the articles set in place for the community you are able to be seen and appreciated by your fellow followers of Christ. These good deeds are to not be hidden but to be shown to all and help others to rise up and be apart of the body.

I feel as though if I were to be in the situation where I was leaving England and going off to start a new life in a new community I would rely on what Winthrop is saying in his speech. Even now these sound like good and valid guidelines to live ones life. Also, coming from a place like England at the time and then being told that I am stitched together with this community by God would be very empowering in my opinion. I think having that outlook that in a way we are all literally made with God from God and I always have Him and I am connected with my peers through him would feel comforting during this big transition.