Topic > Compare and Contrast John Winthrop and Edwards

An example where Winthrop uses brotherly love is: “[t]here is also a double disposition by which we are regulated in our conversation towards one another in both the previous aspects: the Law of nature and the law of grace, or of the moral law or the law of the Gospel, omitting the rule of justice as it does not properly belong to this purpose otherwise it can be taken into consideration in some particular cases" ( Winthrop 104). From this, Winthrop is saying that every man of God should treat another man of God the way he wants to be treated. Edwards, on the other hand, says: “The God who holds you over the pit of hell, just as one holds a spider, or some loathsome insect over the fire, detests you and is terribly angry: his anger towards you burns like fire; considers you worthy of nothing more than to be thrown into the fire” (Edwards 285). Comparisons between “Fire Pits” and “Hell Pits” are common themes in Edwards' sermon. Some argue that this is unnecessary and will only lead people away from God and scare them, but Edwards has a different view on this. At the end of Edwards' sermon he says, “[and] now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day when Christ has thrown open the door of mercy, and stands calling and crying aloud to poor sinners; a day when many flock to him, and