Final answer:
John Winthrop's sermon conveys a vision of the Puritan colony as a 'City upon a Hill,' symbolizing a model of Christian communal charity, moral responsibility, and a successful society founded on the Puritans' covenant with God.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Winthrop, in his sermon “A Modell of Christian Charity”, delivered aboard the Arbella in 1630, presents a perspective that emphasizes the importance of social and moral responsibility within a Christian community. Central to this perspective is the vision of the Puritan colony in New England as a “City upon a Hill”, a term Winthrop used to describe the aspiration that their new society would be a beacon to the world, exemplifying moral righteousness and communal charity. He urged his fellow settlers to uphold a strong sense of community, where individuals cared for each other and worked together to achieve prosperity and fulfill their covenant with God. The sermon also advocates for economic prosperity that is tempered by the values of charity and compassion, implying that the success of their community would be judged by their ability to maintain these values.