John Winthrop's A Model of Christian Charity is one enduring example of a literary piece that illustrates many of the virtuous qualities and dogmas that the Puritans upheld. Written as a sermon, A Model of Christian Charity describes the Puritans' struggle and their "errand into the wilderness" (Winthrop). This work can be categorized into three sections. In the first section, Winthrop emphasizes the central message of this sermon and one of the main Puritan ideas: that all people's lives are the product of God's will and thus, all should live to please Him. Furthermore, individuals should not take excessive pride or sorrow in their lives because God has a larger plan in mind. This is evident when Winthrop says:.
No man is made more honorable than another or more wealthy, etc. out of any particular and singular respect to himself, but for the glory of his Creator and the common good of the creature, man. (Baym 206).
In the second section, Winthrop discusses material wealth, in relation to love. Winthrop believes that one must serve the needs of his family first before assisting others and that one must share their wealth with others, even if debts cannot be repaid. Moreover, people must be willing to sacrifice their entire fortunes, or even lives, for each other. The rewards of this kind of love, Winthrop states, far outweigh any economic price that must be paid to maintain a successful community. He finishes this section with a warning: excessive wealth will lead people away from God and toward the sin of pride and its social ramification. We can see this when he says: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth.they are subject to the moth, the rust, the thief. Secondly, they will steal away the heart: where the treasure is there will your heart be also" (Baym 209).
In the third section, Winthrop speaks of everyday actions and how the people's actions must reflect a pure and sanctified lifestyle that God would approve of.
