9/9: The Little Speech

"Therefore when you  see infirmities in us, you should reflect upon  your own and that would make you  bear the more  with us, and not be severe censurers of the failings of your magistrates, when you have continual experience of the like infirmities in yourselves and others."

In this quote the author was referring to the Puritan people of Massachusetts in the year 1639. He was trying to persuade the people to treat the magistrates as they would treat themselves. Magistrates are civil officers or lay judges who administers the law, or one who conducts the court or deals with minor offenses. Winthrop went on to reiterate that the authority of the magistrates and the liberty of the people were the greatest concerns of  the country. He wanted the people to understand that the magistrates were human beings, just as they were. If they were to mess up in the administration of the law, the people should not condemn them because they are not perfect. Everyone is flawed, and so the Puritan people should bear with them and work together with them to establish a better lawed community.

This  is relatable in todays society. In the U.S.A., the famous, and any leader or official are being watched all the time. With any mess up, their errors are broadcasted  on TV to make them look like awful people, when in fact they have done what  an average person has done. For example, the Tiger Woods scandal has lost the guy the respect he once had. They made him look so bad, but in reality there are husbands  and wives who cheat on each other all the time. He apologized to his many fans but not all forgave. Thus is the case with the magistrates. He pleads to all to be understanding as they do their job.

"Fourthly, the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience, is proved guilty of all the blood of the souls crying for vengeance under the altar."

In the fourth doctrine, those that were killed under this cause of conscience were metaphorically desiring to avenge their death. In  this quote, the author is trying to relay the hypocrisy of those same Christians murderers who supposedly loved peace. Here, the author is suggesting that they use violence and pressure to force their beliefs on other people. This is so common in todays society. Many people who observe religious beliefs that profess peace  are fighting and killing each other. Just as the piece  by Roger Williams was written in 1652, religious  persecution is still dominant in todays society, and when analyzed, one can clearly  detect hypocrisy in that.

"I. A democracy, which is when the sovereign power  is lodged in a council consisting of all the members, and where every member has the privilege of a vote."

Here the author is simply defining democracy. This  form of government happens to be the most ancient form, appearing in the greatest part of the world. It is a system of government by the whole population of a state, usually through elected representatives. For example, the American government has been democratic for centuries, even until today.