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  • Essay / Compare and contrast John Winthrop and Edwards

    An example in which Winthrop uses brotherly love is: “[t]here is also a secular double by which we are regulated in our conversation with one another in both directions precedents: the Law. of the nature and law of grace, or of the moral law, or of the law of the Gospel, to omit the rule of justice as not properly belonging to this purpose, otherwise it might be taken into consideration in certain special cases” (Winthrop 104). From there, Winthrop says every man of God should treat another man of God the way he wants to be treated. Edwards, for his part, says: "The God who holds you over the pit of hell, as one holds a spider or a loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you and is terribly provoked: his wrath towards burns you like fire; he considers you worthy of nothing but to be thrown into the fire” (Edwards 285). The comparison between "Pit of Fire" and "Pit of Hell" is a running theme in Edwards' sermon. Some will say that this is unnecessary and will only lead people away from God and into fear, but Edwards has a different view on this. At the end of Edwards' sermon, he says, "[and] now you have a tremendous opportunity, a day when Christ has opened wide the door of mercy and stands to call and cry with a loud voice to the poor sinners; a day when many flock to him, and