| Although their lives were separated by more than a generation, John Winthrop and John Wise had many of the similarities that could be expected of two Massachusetts Puritans. In addition, each man had an interest in the government of the Colony. However, there were basic differences between the two men.; John Winthrop and the early colonists brought with them from England a society structured into classes. As one of the landed gentry, Winthrop was accorded special privilege and honor, including the responsibility of magistrate.; The Puritans came to Massachusetts to establish a Bible Commonwealth. They believed that God would bless a nation which sought to practice righteousness. They maintained control in the Colony by restricting the franchise to church members. Although there were gradual encroachments into government by the lower classes, Winthrop never retreated from the belief that the magistrates should be elected from the gentry and should have complete authority. Also, he believed that the magistrates should govern by following general principles found in the Scriptures, using discretion in particular cases. He called it mixed aristocracy.; Significant changes had occurred in Massachusetts by the time of John Wise. The influence of the gentry was much less, and the limitation of the franchise to church members had been eliminated. As a result, the original goal for government was in jeopardy.; However, this was not a concern for Wise because he believed that the goal of government was to secure the rights and happiness of the individual. To guard those rights there should be a law code. Wise also believed that a man from any class could be magistrate, insofar as the voters perceived in him the abilities to rule. Once elected, the "called" magistrates should be obeyed. The scheme could be called a mixed democracy.; Each man was a product of his background. Winthrop's ability and character, along with support from men such as John Cotton, affirmed his viewpoint. Wise's ability and independent spirit, which fueled his rise to a position of respect, along with support from the community, affirmed his position. |
