John Winthrop > Quotes

“For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man, we must entertain each other in brotherly affection, we must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other, make others' conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, the Lord will be our God and delight to dwell among us, as His own people and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness, and truth then formerly we have been acquainted with.”
― John Winthrop

“For we must Consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill, the eyes of all people are upon us; so that if we shall deal falsely with our god in this work we have undertaken and so cause him to withdraw his present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world, we shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of god and all professors for Gods sake; we shall shame the faces of many of gods worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into Curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whether we are going: And to shut up this discourse with that exhortation of Moses that faithful servant of the Lord in his last farewell to Israel Deut. 30. Beloved there is now set before us life, and good, death and evil in that we are Commanded this day to love the Lord our God, and to love one another to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments and his Ordinance, and his laws, and the Articles of our Covenant with him that we may live and be multiplied, and that the Lord our God may bless us in the land whether we go to possess it: But if our hearts shall turn away so that we will not obey, but shall be seduced and worship other Gods our pleasures, and profits, and serve them, it is propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good Land whether we pass over this vast Sea to possess it.”
― John Winthrop

“We must delight in each other, make others conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body.”
― John Winthrop

“A woman of haughty and fierce carriage, of a nimble wit and active spirit, a very voluble tongue, more bold than a man.”
― Winthrop describing Anne Hutchinson

“We must knit together, in this work, as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’ necessities . . .

We shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all the people are upon us so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause him to withdraw his present help form us, we shall be made a story and a byword throughout all the world.”
― John Winthrop

“For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.”
― John Winthrop

“A democracy is ... accounted the meanest and worst of all forms of government.”
― John Winthrop

“To love and live beloved is the soul's paradise.”
― John Winthrop

“For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man, we must entertain each other in brotherly affection, we must be willing to abridge our selves of our superfluities for the supply of others' necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other, make others' conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor, and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace...We shall be as a city upon a hill.”
― John Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity

“When a man is to wade throughe a deepe water, there is required tallnesse, as well as courage, and if he findes it past his depth, and God open a gapp another waye, he may take it.”
― John Winthrop

“9.] Query, whether the following be fit to be published. The governor, Mr. Bellingham, was married, (I would not mention such ordinary matters in our history, but by occasion of some remarkable accidents). The young gentlewoman was ready to be contracted to a friend of his, who lodged in his house, and by his consent had proceeded so far with her, when on the sudden the governor treated with her, and obtained her for himself. He excused it by the strength of his affection, and that she was not absolutely promised to the other gentleman. Two errors more he committed upon it. 1. That he would not have his contract published where he dwelt, contrary to an order of court. 2. That he married himself contrary to the constant practice of the country. The great inquest presented him for breach of the order of court, and at the court following, in the 4th month, the secretary called him to answer the prosecution. But he not going off the bench, as the manner was, and but few of the magistrates present, he put it off to another time, intending to speak with him privately, and with the rest of the magistrates about the case, and accordingly he told him the reason why he did not proceed, viz., being unwilling to command him publicly to go off the bench, and yet not thinking it fit he should sit as a judge, when he was by law to answer as an offender. This he took ill, and said he would not go off the bench, except he were commanded.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“Every town chose two men to be at the next court, to advise with the governor and assistants about the raising of a public stock, so as what they should agree upon should bind all, etc.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“He told them, that, when the patent was granted, the number of freemen was supposed to be (as in like corporations) so few, as they might well join in making laws; but now they were grown to so great a body, as it was not possible for them to make or execute laws, but they must choose others for that purpose: and that howsoever it would be necessary hereafter to have a select company to intend that work, yet for the present they were not furnished with a sufficient number of men qualified for such a business, neither could the commonwealth bear the loss of time of so many as must intend it. Yet this they might do at present, viz., they might, at the general court, make an order, that, once in the year, a certain number should be appointed (upon summons from the governor) to revise all laws, etc., and to reform what they found amiss therein; but not to make any new laws, but prefer their grievances to the court of assistants; and that no assessment should be laid upon the country without the consent of such a committee, nor any lands disposed of.[”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“The lady Arbella and the gentlewomen, and Mr. Johnson[29] and some others went on shore to refresh themselves.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“22.] The grampus[142] came up towards Charlestown against the tide of ebb. This season Mr. Allerton fished with eight boats at Marble Harbor. By this time seventeen fishing ships were come to Richman’s Isle and the Isles of Shoals.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“Mo. 2. (April) 13.] A negro maid, servant to Mr. Stoughton of Dorchester, being well approved by divers years’ experience, for sound knowledge and true godliness, was received into the church and baptized.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“One Darby Field, an Irishman, living about Pascataquack, being accompanied with two Indians, went to the top of the white hill.[49] He made his journey in 18 days.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“We lay at Mr. Maverick’s, and returned home on Saturday. As we came home, we came by Nataskott, and sent for Capt. Squib ashore — (he had brought the west-country people, viz., Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Rossiter, Mr. Maverick, etc., to the bay, who were set down at Mattapan,)”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“The church likewise dealing with him, he stiffly denied it, but soon after, when the Lord’s supper was to be administered, he did voluntarily confess the attempt, and that he did intend to have defiled her, if she would have consented. The church, being moved with his free confession and tears, silently forgave him, and communicated with him: but after, finding how scandalous it was, they took advice of other elders, and after long debate and much pleading and standing upon the church’s forgiving and being reconciled to him in communicating with him after he had confessed it, they proceeded to cast him out.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“Nine bachelors commenced at Cambridge; they were young men of good hope, and performed their acts, so as gave good proof of their proficiency in the tongues and arts. (8.) (October) 5. The general court had settled a government or superintendency over the college, viz., all the magistrates and elders over the six nearest churches and the president, or the greatest part of these. Most of them were now present at this first commencement, and dined at the college with the scholars’ ordinary commons, which was done of purpose for the students’ encouragement, etc., and it gave good content to all.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“17.] A general court at Boston.[78] The former governor was chosen again, and all the freemen of the commons were sworn to this government. At noon, Cheeseborough’s house was burnt down, all the people being present.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“This session continued three weeks, and established 100 laws, which were called the Body of Liberties.[41] They had been composed by Mr. Nathaniel Ward, (sometime pastor of the church of Ipswich: he had been a minister in England, and formerly a student and practiser in the course of the common law,) and had been revised and altered by the court, and sent forth into every town to be further considered of, and now again in this court, they were revised, amended, and presented, and so established for three years, by that experience to have them fully amended and established to be perpetual.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“When he came to Acomenticus, now called Bristol,[7] he found all out of order, for Mr. Burdett ruled all, and had let loose the reigns of liberty to his lusts, that he grew very notorious for his pride and adultery; and the neighbors now finding Mr. Gorge well inclined to reform things, they complained of him, and produced such foul matters against him, as he was laid hold on, and bound to appear at their court at Sacoe: but he dealt so with some other of the commissioners, that, when the court came, Mr. Vines and two more stood for him, but Mr. Gorge having the greater party on his side, and the jury finding him guilty of adultery and other crimes, with much labor and difficulty he was fined (under £30). He appealed unto England, but Mr. Gorge would not admit his appeal, but seized some of his cattle, etc. Upon this Mr. Burdett went into England, but when he came there he found the state so changed, as his hopes were frustrated, and he, after taking part with the cavaliers, was committed to prison.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“The 13th day he wrote to the governor, to excuse his not coming to see him, upon the same reasons. The governor returned him answer, that his entertainment was such as time and place could afford, (being at their first coming, before they were housed, etc.) and retorted the discourtesy upon him, in that he would thrust himself, with such a company, (he had five or six gentlemen with him,) upon a stranger’s entertainment, at such an unseasonable time, and having no need so to do; and for his letters, he protested his innocency, (as he might well, for the letters were opened before they came into the bay); and so concluded courteously, yet with plain demonstration of his error. And, indeed, if the governor should have invited him, standing upon those terms, he had blemished his reputation.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“Mo. 12. (February) 2.] The church of Dorchester being furnished with a very godly and able pastor, one Mr. Mather, and having invited to them one Mr. Burr, who had been a minister in England, and of very good report there for piety and learning, with intent to call him also to office, after he was received a member in their church, and had given good proofs of his gifts and godliness to the satisfaction of the church, they gave him a call to office, which he deferring to accept, in the meantime he delivered some points savoring of familyism, wherein the church desiring satisfaction, and he not so free to give it as was meet, it was agreed that Mr. Mather and he should confer together, and so the church should be informed wherein the difference lay.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“The governor and assistants met at Boston to consider of the deputy his deserting his place.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“These and other speeches passed before dinner. After dinner, the governor told them, that he had heard, that the people intended, at the next general court, to desire, that the assistants might be chosen anew every year, and that the governor might be chosen by the whole court, and not by the assistants only.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“And when the tub was drawn up, one knocked upon the head of it, and thrust a long pole under water, which the diver laid hold of, and so was drawn up by it; for they might not draw the open end out of water for endangering him, etc.[53] The case of the money, shot out of one of the guns, which came to a trial in the court at Boston, (8) (October) 27, see in the next leaf.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2

“December 6.] The governor and most of the assistants, and others, met at Roxbury, and there agreed to build a town fortified upon the neck between that and Boston, and a committee was appointed to consider of all things requisite, etc.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 1

“5. God hath not confined all wisdom, etc., to any one generation, that they should set rules for all others to walk by.”
― John Winthrop, Winthrop's Journal, History of New England, 1630-1649: Volume 2