The Puritans were very strong advocates of typology. This belief led many Puritans to liken themselves to the ancient Hebrews of the Old Testament, and the similarities between the two are quite striking. The Puritans crossed the Atlantic (Red Sea), with the hope of escaping Old World oppression (Egypt). They arrived in a pristine wilderness (Canaan), and proceeded to rid the land of heathen Indians just like the Hebrews had done with the idol worshiping Canaanites. Winthrop mentions the marked destruction of the Canaanites by God when he says “upon this ground the Israelites were to putt a difference betweene the brethren of such as were strangers though not of the Canaanites.” The Puritans also believed that G

od’s covenant in the Old Testament did not apply solely to the Jews. This Covenant was delivered to Moses, and is described in Exodus 19: 5-6: “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Thus, the Puritans believed that if established a pious community that followed God’s laws, that the Lord would protect them and bestow many blessings upon them. Undoubtedly, the knowledge of the trials and tribulations that the Hebrews had to endure in their journey to Israel, helped the Puritans make it through those harsh New England winters.

It was critical that the Puritans regard themselves as “God’s Chosen” since they believed in predestination. The Puritan belief in unconditional election arose most specifically from Romans 8: 29-30 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Winthrop’s clash with Anne Hutchinson, and indirect undermining of John Cotton expresses how steadfast his views were on this subject. On October 21, 1636 Winthrop says in his journal: “One Mrs. Hutchinson… brought over with her two dangerous errors 1. That the person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a ju

Some topics in this essay:
Jews Covenant, Holy Ghost, Christian Charity, Immediately Winthrop, Citty Hill, John Cotton, Red Sea, Charity” Winthrop, Canaanites God, God” Contrasting, modell christian, modell christian charity, christian charity, puritans believed, holy ghost, rest world, chosen people”, “god’s chosen people”, class structure, “god’s chosen,