"This liberty i smaintained and exercised in a way of subjection to authority; it is of the same kind of liberty where with Christ hath made us free. The women's own choice makes such a man her husband; yet, being so chosen. he is her lord, and she is to be subject to him, yet in a way of liberty, not of bondage; and a true wife accounts her subjection her honor and freedom and would not think her condition safe and free, but in her subjection to her husband's authority."
This quote is an illustration of civil liberty in the view of John Winthrop. He beilieves the difference between natural liberty and civil liberty has restrictions. Civil liberty has an authority figure such as a wife to her husband. Natural liberty has no boundaries and one may act out corruptly or like an animal using their natural instincts. Civil liberty allows us to be moral and have freedom to choose moral acts to follow guidelines, rules, and therefore follow an authority. As people today we follow the laws of the government to prevent punishmnt and preserve our freedom.
I chose this quote because it stood out to me as I read the passage. It clearly painted the image of the point Johnn Winthrop was making on liberty. As a female in 2011 I would feel insulted by such a statement he made that through a woman's own choice of husband, she makes that man her lord and is subjected to him. However, I liked how he metaphorically clarified the statement by saying the wife is to be subjected to her husband but not as bondage but by honor and freedom for her safety being the wofe of the authortity figure being the husband. As a human being having liberty we are preserved our honor and freedom through the authority of the government because if not we would just have natural liberty and not be safe.
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