In “Upon the Burning of Our House,” Bradstreet explains the loss of her house has helped her realize that the promise of heaven is more important and valuable than any material possessions. 

Which lines from the poem best convey this thought?

In “Upon the Burning of Our House,” Bradstreet explains the loss of her house is a part of God’s plan.

Which lines from the poem best convey this thought?

Read the poem:

To My Dear and Loving Husband

by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.

If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.

If ever wife was happy in a man,

Compare with me, ye women, if you can.

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.

Thy love is such I can no way repay.

The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.

Then while we live, in love let’s so persever

That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Read the lines from “To My Dear and Loving Husband.”

I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold

Or all the riches that the East doth hold.

What do these lines suggest?

Read the lines from “To My Dear and Loving Husband.”

My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,

Nor ought but love from thee give recompence

What do these lines suggest?

Read the lines from “Upon the Burning of Our House.”

Thou hast an house on high erect,

Framed by that mighty Architect

What do these lines suggest?

Read the passage:

an excerpt from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards

O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: ‘tis a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you as against many of the damned in hell: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.…

Now God stands ready to pity you; this is a day of mercy; you may cry now with some encouragement of obtaining mercy: but when once the day of mercy is past, your most lamentable and dolorous cries and shrieks will be in vain; you will be wholly lost and thrown away of God as to any regard to your welfare; God will have no other use to put you to but only to suffer misery; you shall be continued in being to no other end; for you will be a vessel of wrath fitted to destruction; and there will be no other use of this vessel but only to be filled full of wrath: God will be so far from pitying you when you cry to him, that ‘tis said he will only laugh and mock.…

But here you are in the land of the living, and in the house of God, and have an opportunity to obtain salvation. What would not those poor damned, hopeless souls give for one day’s such opportunity as you now enjoy! And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to poor sinners; a day wherein many are flocking to him, and pressing into the kingdom of God; many are daily coming from the east, west, north, and south; many that were very lately in the same miserable condition that you are in, are in now an happy state, with their hearts filled with love to him that has loved them and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. How awful is it to be left behind at such a day! To see so many others feasting, while you are pining and perishing! To see so many rejoicing and singing for joy of heart, while you have cause to mourn for sorrow of heart, and howl for vexation of spirit! How can you rest one moment in such a condition?

Which viewpoint does Edwards convey in paragraph 1?

Which viewpoint does Edwards convey in paragraph 2?

Which viewpoint does Edwards convey in paragraph 3?

Read the passage:

excerpt from “A Model of Christian Charity” by John Winthrop

When God gives a special commission He looks to have it strictly observed in every article.… Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with Him for this work.… Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath He ratified this covenant…and will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it; but if we shall neglect the observation of these articles, …and, dissembling with our God, shall fall to embrace this present world and prosecute our carnal intentions, seeking great things for ourselves and our posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against us, be revenged of such a perjured people and make us know the price of the breach of such a covenant. 

Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck, and to provide for our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with our God. For this end, we must be knit together in this work as one man. We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’ necessities. We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience, and liberality. We must delight in each other, make others’ conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us as His own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways, so that we shall see much more of His wisdom, power, goodness, and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with. We shall find that the God of Israel is among us, when ten of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies: when He shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding plantations, “The Lord make it like that of New England.” For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us, so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God and all professors for God’s sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God’s worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us, till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going.

One reason Winthrop delivers this sermon to his congregation is to emphasize that the success of their community will depend on their ability to unify and function as a team. 

Which detail from the sermon best helps to convey this purpose?

One reason Winthrop delivers this sermon to his congregation is to remind them of their common goals and explain that it will take focus and cooperation to achieve them.

Which detail from the sermon best helps to convey this purpose?

One reason Winthrop delivers this sermon to his congregation is to warn them that selfishness and greed will break their agreement with God and their mission will fail. 

Which detail from the sermon best helps to convey this purpose?

Read the journal entry.

excerpt from Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford

An Understanding with the Indians (1621)

All this while the Indians came skulking about them, and would sometimes show themselves aloof off, but when any approached near them, they would run away. And once they stole away their tools where they had been at work and were gone to dinner. But about the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand but marveled at it. At length they understood by discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the eastern parts where some English ships came to fish, with whom he was acquainted and could name sundry of them by their names, amongst whom he had got his language. He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number and strength, of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them. His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian whose name was Squanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself.

Being after some time of entertainment and gifts dismissed, a while after he came again, and five more with him, and they brought again all the tools that were stolen away before, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem, called Massasoit. Who, about four or five days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendance, with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after friendly entertainment and some gifts given him, they made a peace with him (which hath now continued this 24 years) in these terms:

​That neither he nor any of his should injure or do hurt to any of their people.

That if any of his did hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender, that they might punish him.

That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his.

If any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them.

He should send to his neighbors confederates to certify them of this, that they might not wrong them, but might be likewise comprised in the conditions of peace.

That when their men came to them, they should leave their bows and arrows behind them. 

After these things he returned to his place called Sowams, some 40 miles from this place, but Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died. He was a native of this place, and scarce any left alive besides himself. He was carried away with divers others by one Hunt, a master of a ship, who thought to sell them for slaves in Spain; but he got away for England and was entertained by a merchant in London, and employed to Newfoundland and other parts, and lastly brought hither into these parts by one Mr. Dermer, a gentleman employed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others for discovery and other designs in these parts.

Readers can infer that Samoset’s visit to the community improves the relationship between the colony members and the Native Americans.

Which detail from the passage best supports this inference? 

Readers can infer that the survival and success of the colony is largely due to Squanto’s assistance.

Which detail from the passage best supports this inference? 

Readers can infer that Samoset’s visit to the community positively changes the relationship between the colony members and the Native Americans.

Which detail from the passage best supports this inference?

Read the passage.

excerpt from An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation

{adapted for educational purposes}

by John Cotton

John Cotton was an influential civil and religious leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the seventeenth century. In this excerpt from An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation, Cotton explains the importance of limiting governmental power because human beings are, by nature, corrupt. At the same time, Cotton asserts that human beings cannot be allowed total freedom or liberty because of their corruption.

This may serve to teach us the danger of allowing to any mortal man an inordinate measure of power to speak great things: to allow to any man uncontrollableness of speech, you see the desperate danger of it. Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall use, for use it they will: and unless they be better taught of God, they will use it ever and anon. It may be make it the passage of their proceeding to speak what they will: And they that have liberty to speak great things, you will find it to be true, they will speak disrespectfully of God’s laws. No man would think what desperate deceit and wickedness there is in the hearts of men. And that was the reason why the beast did speak such great things, he might speak and no body might control him: What, saith the Lord in Jer. 3. 5. Thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldst. If a Church or head of a Church could have done worse, he would have done it. This is one of the strains of nature, it affects boundless liberty, and to run to the utmost extent. Whatever power he has received, he has a corrupt nature that will improve it in one thing or other; if he has liberty, he will think why may he not use it? 

Set up the Pope as Lord Supreme over Kings and Princes, and they shall know that he has power over them. He will take liberty to depose one and set up another. Give him power to make Laws, and he will approve, and disprove as he wishes. What he approves becomes religious law, what he disproves is rejected. Give him that power, and he will so order it at length, he will make such a State of Religion, that he that so lives and dies shall never be saved. All this springs from the vast power that is given to him, and from the deep depravation of human nature. He will open his mouth, His tongue is his own, who is Lord over him, Psal. 12. 3, 4. It is therefore most wholesome for Government Officers and Officers in Church and Commonwealth, never to affect more liberty and authority than will do them good, and the People good. For whatever transcendent power is given, will certainly over-run those that give it, and those that receive it.

There is a strain in a man’s heart that will sometime or other run out to excess, unless the Lord restrain it, but it is not good to venture it: It is necessary therefore, that all power that is on earth be limited, Church-power or other. If there be power given to speak great things, then look for great crimes against God, look for an obscene abuse of it. It is counted a matter of danger to the state to limit Privileges, but it is a further danger not to have them limited. They will be like a Tempest, a violent storm, if they be not limited. A prince himself cannot tell where he will confine himself, nor can the people tell. But if he has liberty to speak great things, then he will make and unmake, say and unsay, and undertake such things as are neither for his own honor, nor for the safety of the State. It is therefore fit for every man to be studious of the bounds which the Lord has set. And the same for the People, in whom fundamentally all power lies, to give as much power as God in his word gives to men. And it is appropriate that Government Officers in the Commonwealth, and so Officers in Churches, should desire to know the utmost bounds of their own power, and it is safe for both. 

All efforts to expand on powers which God has not given, they are not enlargements, but burdens and snares. They will certainly lead the spirit of a man out of his way sooner or later. It is wholesome and safe to be dealt with as God deals with the vast Sea: Hitherto shalt thou come, but there shalt thou stay thy proud waves: and therefore if they be but banks of simple sand, they will be good enough to check the vast roaring Sea. And so for Imperial Monarchies, it is safe to know how far their power extends. Then if it be but banks of sand, which is most slippery, it will serve, as well as any brazen wall. If you pinch the Sea of its liberty, though it be walls of stone or brass, it will beat them down. So it is with Government Officials, limit them where God has not limited them, and if they were walls of brass, they would beat them down, and it is just and appropriate they should. But give them the liberty God allows, and if it be but a wall of sand it will keep them. As this liquid air in which we breathe, God has set it for the waters of the Clouds to the Earth. It is like the space that surrounds the earth, it is the Clouds, yet it stands firm enough, because it keeps the Climate where it is, it shall stand like walls of brass. 

So let there be due bounds set, and I may apply it to Families. It is good for the wife to acknowledge all power and authority to the Husband, and for the Husband to acknowledge honor to the Wife, but still give them that which God has given them, and no more nor less. Give them the full latitude that God has given, else you will find you dig pits, and lay snares, and hinder their spirits. If you give them less, there is never peace where full liberty is not given, nor never stable peace where more than full liberty is granted. Let them be duly observed, and give men no more liberty than God does, nor women, for they will abuse it. The Devil will draw them, and God’s wisdom lead them thereunto; therefore give them no more than God gives. And so for children; and servants, or any others you are to deal with, give them the liberty and authority you would have them use. Beyond that, stretch not the tether, it will not tend to their good nor yours. 

And also from hence gather, and go home with this meditation; That certainly here is this distemper in our natures, that we cannot tell how to use liberty, but we shall very readily corrupt ourselves. Oh, the bottomless depth of sandy earth! Oh, of a corrupt spirit, that breaks over all bounds, and loves unregulated vastness. That is what we ought to be careful of.

Cotton asserts that both religious and civil leaders naturally tend to take advantage of the power they are given.

Which detail from the text best conveys this message to readers?

Cotton asserts that it is human nature for anyone with authority to abuse that privilege.

Which detail from the text best conveys this message to readers?

Cotton asserts that people in positions of power will naturally abuse that power.

Which detail from the text best conveys this message to readers?

How does paragraph 2 contribute to the development of the idea that the powers of those in authority must be limited?

How does paragraph 3 contribute to the development of the idea that the powers of those in authority must be limited?

How does paragraph 4 contribute to the development of the idea that the powers of those in authority must be limited?

Which answer most accurately describes Cotton’s purpose in this excerpt from An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation?

Which answer most accurately describes Cotton’s purpose in this excerpt from An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation?

Which answer most accurately describes Cotton’s purpose in this excerpt from An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation?

Refer to paragraph 1 of An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation.

Why does Cotton include a biblical quotation in this paragraph?

Select the two correct answers.

Refer to paragraph 2 of An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation.

Why does Cotton include a biblical quotation in this paragraph?

Select the two correct answers.

Refer to paragraph 1 of An Exposition upon the 13th Chapter of Revelation.

Why does Cotton end this paragraph with a question?

Select the two correct answers.

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

He will take liberty to depose one and set up another.

What is most likely the meaning of depose as it is used in the text? 

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

All this springs from the vast power that is given to him, and from the deep depravation of human nature.

What is most likely the meaning of depravation as it is used in the text?

Read the sentence from paragraph 2.

For whatever transcendent power is given, will certainly over-run those that give it, and those that receive it.

What is most likely the meaning of transcendent as it is used in the text?