Final answer:
John Winthrop's sermon emphasized communal Puritan values and societal structure for a new colony, whereas Jonathan Edwards's sermon aimed at personal spiritual renewal during the Great Awakening. Winthrop focused on planning a model society, while Edwards concentrated on the immediate need for salvation and the emotional awakening of individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences in the Writings of John Winthrop and Jonathan Edwards
The writings of John Winthrop and Jonathan Edwards differ significantly in terms of purpose, audience, and the selection of details. John Winthrop, in his sermon 'A Modell of Christian Charity,' addressed the settlers of what would become the Massachusetts Bay Colony, expounding on the vision for the new society they were to establish based on Puritan principles. In contrast, Jonathan Edwards, a central figure in the Great Awakening, delivered the sermon 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' to existing congregations within the colonies to enliven their relationship with God and renew religious fervor.
Winthrop's writings were meant to outline a communal purpose for a society that values moral correctness and collective responsibility, appealing to the settlers' desire for a 'city upon a hill' that the world would look towards as an example. On the other hand, Edwards's aim was to invoke an individual spiritual awakening, focusing on the urgency of repentance and the profound consequences of sin. His work catered toward instilling a sense of deep personal conviction and immediate action among his listeners.
The historical context further influences these writings; Winthrop's takes a hopeful tone as it lays the groundwork for a new society, while Edwards's is intense and emotionally charged, speaking to people amidst an era of religious revival. As such, Winthrop's selection of details is grounded in societal structuring, and Edwards's in theological urgency and the emotional responses of his audiences.