English 4 Lesson 40: If you had been a member of the General Court, how would this sermon have influenced your politics? Why?

In 17th century Massachusetts, Puritan minister John Wise delivered a sermon entitled “A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches.” In this sermon, Wise argued for the importance of a strong government in maintaining order and discipline in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As a member of the general court, this sermon would have greatly influenced my politics.

First, Wise’s argument for a strong government resonated with me because I believe in the need for order and stability in society. A strong government is essential in maintaining peace and ensuring the protection of individual rights. Wise argued that a weak government would result in the breakdown of social order and the oppression of the people. This idea is particularly relevant in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where the government was tasked with maintaining order among a diverse population of settlers, indigenous people, and slaves.

Second, Wise’s emphasis on the importance of obedience to authority also resonated with me. He argued that individuals must submit to the authority of the government, even if they disagree with its policies. Wise believed that this was necessary in order to maintain order and avoid anarchy. This idea is particularly relevant in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where dissent and religious differences often led to conflict.

Third, Wise’s argument for the importance of the government in maintaining religious discipline also influenced my politics. Wise believed that the government had a responsibility to enforce religious conformity in order to maintain the purity of the church. This idea is particularly relevant in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, where Puritanism was the dominant religion and non-Puritan practices were often seen as a threat to the colony’s religious order. A quick note to those who don’t know who Puritans were, they were dissidents, they sought religious freedom and economic opportunities in distant lands. They were religious people with a strong piety and a desire to establish a holy commonwealth of people who would carry out God’s will on earth. Basic beliefs of Puritans were that God was a Judgmental God, they believed in Predestination/Election, Original Sin, Providence, and God’s grace. Things like following the Puritan covenant was important and sacred according to John Wise:

1) Thou shalt not miss church and community meetings.

2) Thou shalt work hard and support my fellow Puritans.

3) Thou shalt worship a strict and Christian God.

4) Thou shalt put the Lord first in my life and obey his words.

In conclusion, Wise’s sermon “A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches” would have had a profound influence on my politics as a member of the general court. His arguments for a strong government, obedience to authority, and the importance of religious discipline would have shaped my views on the role of government in maintaining order and stability in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In this way, Wise’s sermon would have helped to form the political landscape of early America and shaped the development of American government.

Thanks for reading this essay! I hope you learned something new or enjoyed reading through. I’ll be posting more soon and have a blessed rest of your day!

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