How did Cotton and Winthrop view the emigrating people’s connection with the Old Testament? Who was Cotton. His last name was Cotton. First and last was John Cotton. According to Wikipedia, “John Cotton was a clergyman in England and the American colonies, and was considered the preeminent minister and theologian of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He studied for five years at Trinity College, Cambridge, and nine years at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.’” Winthrop’s first name was also John. According to Wikipedia “John Winthrop was an English Puritan lawyer and one of the leading figures in founding the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the second major settlement in New England following Plymouth Colony. Winthrop led the first large wave of colonists from England in 1630 and served as governor for 12 of the colony’s first 20 years.” John Winthrop is probably best known for being the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He’s also known for being a leading Puritan founder of New England. Both of these people were authors who wrote about the emigration to New England in America from Europe. 

John Cotton was the speaker of a speech called “God’s Promise to His Plantation.” In this speech, Cotton talked about how leaving Europe and going to America was a part of Gods will. He also said that America would be free for settlement for the Pilgrims once they arrived. Today, people debate on whether this speech was given before they began their journey, or during the trip. Cotton’s reason for the pilgrims going to America was better employment, their own colony, business opportunities, and freedom to choose which religion to have. In England, they were being forced to have the religion that parliament wanted them to have. 

Winthrop was in charge of the Puritan fleet sailing to America. He wrote about the problems of not knowing what to expect when arriving in America. 

Both Winthrop and Cotton spoke of the Old Testament commandments when they spoke to the puritans and their journey was similar to the Israelites journey in the Bible.