A Model of Christian Charity

by

John Winthrop

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A crucial concept to Winthrop’s political philosophy, mercy is the attitude of human compassion that moves all acts of charity. Without it, humans are selfish and society barbaric. Winthrop defines this term at the outset and uses it throughout the sermon. It is important not only as a motive of compassion but also as a symptom of brotherly love: when imbued with love for one’s neighbor, mercy naturally kicks in when this neighbor is need, thereby prompting one’s help. This is the ideal chain of response in the society Winthrop envisions.

Mercy Quotes in A Model of Christian Charity

The A Model of Christian Charity quotes below are all either spoken by Mercy or refer to Mercy. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Inequality and Love Theme Icon
).
A Model of Christian Charity Quotes

There are two rules whereby wee are to walke one towards another: JUSTICE and MERCY.

Related Characters: John Winthrop (speaker), Colonists
Page Number: 54
Explanation and Analysis:

[…] as when wee bid one make the clocke strike he doth not lay hand on the hammer which is the immediate instrument of the sound but setts on worke the first mover or maine wheele, knoweing that will certainely produce the sound which hee intends; soe the way to drawe men to the works of mercy is not by force of argument from the goodness or necessity of the worke […].

Related Characters: John Winthrop (speaker), Colonists
Page Number: 58
Explanation and Analysis:
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Mercy Term Timeline in A Model of Christian Charity

The timeline below shows where the term Mercy appears in A Model of Christian Charity. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
A Model of Christian Charity
Inequality and Love Theme Icon
Instinct, Law, and Scripture Theme Icon
...necessary means by which the “poor” and the “rich” uphold lasting “brotherly affeccion”: justice and mercy. These terms, says Winthrop, represent the laws of “nature” and of “grace,” respectively, “the morrall... (full context)
Inequality and Love Theme Icon
Possession and Selflessness Theme Icon
In his second section, Winthrop describes the kind of  behavior mercy inspires in those who feel it. It asks people to give, to lend, and to... (full context)
Inequality and Love Theme Icon
Possession and Selflessness Theme Icon
Instinct, Law, and Scripture Theme Icon
Winthrop’s third section probes the feeling behind mercy: brotherly affection, or love. Just as a clock, once wound, strikes the hour on its... (full context)