The Conversion Narrative: An Account of Eternal Grace

Two individuals who had a profound effect on Puritan society are John Winthrop and Jonathan Edwards. Edwards, valedictorian of his class at what would come to be known as Yale University in 1720, eventually became a minister notorious for the “evangelical” nature of his ministry. Edwards subscribed to a Calvanist doctrine, believing that man exercised will, motivated by “apparent good.” He asserted that man, while entering the world in complete depravity, was not predisposed to right or wrong behavior, a stance detailed in his book known as The Freedom of the Will. Winthrop, in contrast, was well-grounded in traditional Puritan values, as he was born prior to the departure of the Mayflower for the New World. Winthrop, who like Edwards became a minister, had visions of “a city of God,” an ideal society for Puritans. His sermon, “A Modell of Christian Charity,” expounds upon this notion, explaining how Puritans would impact one anoth...