Topic > The Reasons Why the Massachusetts Bay Colony Became a Strong Colony

The Massachusetts Bay Colony was very different from neighboring colonies in both leadership and founding principles. It all began when, according to Keene, Cornell and O'Donnell (2010), in 1629, Charles I of England put an end to Parliament in an attempt to restore Catholic rituals. He also began to elevate non-Puritan members to higher positions in the church. The fear this aroused in the Puritan masses caused them to reflect on their future if they remained in England. They were looking for a place where they could be free from the influences of English corruption. They founded a new society focusing on God which made them different from other colonies at the time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay John 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 far from corruption. Others who shared his vision joined his cause, and over 20,000 Puritans descended on the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He pushed the people who came with him to be 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. While founding the colony, John Winthrop gave a sermon titled The Model of Christian Clarity, in which he highlighted what he envisioned for the colony, its purpose, and a plan to be successful. John Winthrop (City on a Hill 1630) begins his sermon by talking about the social and economic condition of the people. Throughout history, status has been of great importance to humanity, with power and money being some of the most sought after things in our society. No one wants to be poor or weak. John Winthrop states that God chose to create people with a different status. It was through his providence that some were to be rich, some powerful, some poor, and some weak. While it may seem unfair that God would allow such inequality, God has his reasons and a plan in mind for people. One of the reasons listed by John Winthrop (A City on a Hill 1630) is to conform to the rest of the world. He takes great pleasure in displaying His wisdom through the differences He has created in us. He has given gifts to each of us, placing people in different situations and using them to bring glory to 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 put in different circumstances so that they can display the almighty power of God and always helping others and giving Him glory. The second reason why 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 hard when you're rich to be a good and honest person. Money tends to bring out the worst in most people. Many times, the rich take advantage of the poor, which causes the poor to rise up against richer people with jealousy. The Spirit then works in our lives and can keep us from doing things that are within our sinful nature. He works through the rich by giving them humility, mercy and generosity and through the poor by giving them patience, faith and gratitude. These are God-given gifts. John Winthrop wanted to make sure that the Puritans always helped others. He wanted that