Final answer:
John Winthrop urged colonists to follow God by creating a model Christian community, the "city upon a hill," and by committing to a covenant with God that involved personal piety and communal economic and moral success.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Winthrop, in his sermon "A Modell of Christian Charity," articulated the reasons why colonists should follow God by establishing a righteous community. He envisioned the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a "city upon a hill," an exemplar of Christian virtues that the world would look to. By adhering to the covenant with God and each other, the Puritans believed they would receive God's favor and protection. Such a society, based on moral laws and collective welfare, would be a testament to their faith and dedication to God's service.
Doing God's Work and adhering to the concept of a calling were central to Winthrop's philosophy. This dual calling entailed not only personal piety and prayer but also a societal commitment to hard work, economic prosperity, and assistance to one's neighbors. The Puritans were to create a community that both flourished materially and remained true to their religious principles, thus fulfilling their part in the covenant with God.