The Puritans were god fearing and faithful people. This is one of the strongest characteristics that can be derived from any of the readings involving puritans. Two puritans that clearly exhibit these features are Jonathan Edwards and Anne Bradstreet. They both also speak much about heaven and where they will be when they die. Edwards is known for his strictness on faith and abiding by the rules set by god. He was a pastor who later went on to do missionary work. Anne Bradstreet was a writer who showed her love for god and her faith through poetry.
Anne Bradstreet wrote from her poem, Verses upon the burning of our house, July 10, 1666, "And did thy wealth on earth abide? Didst thy hope on mold" ring dust? Rise up thy thoughts above the sky. That dunghill mists away may fly. Thou hast a house on high erect, Framed by that mighty architect." Bradstreet is telling the readers that she has faith in god. Though her house burned to the ground, she thinks it would be foolish because god has a house in heaven for her. This shows an example of extreme faith that puritans had. From Jonathan Edwards most famous sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry god, "The devil is waiting for them, hell is gasping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold not them, and swallow them up," Edwards is referring to sinners and what will happen to them. This is also a puritan talking about after life and what god will sentence non- believers to. It also shows puritans were god-fearing people. Edwards also goes on to preach, "Your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing." This quote sounds much like Bradstreet because they both realize the earthy things mean nothing and that without God there would be nothing.
Though Bradstreet and Edwards use a different kind of vernacular, they both have the same basic extremism. They both trust god and have placed all faith in him.
It is clear that many Puritans aspirations were, indeed, fulfilled, yet some were not. ... Puritans were very intellectual beings. ... Reason played a huge part in Puritan opinions. ... Puritans wished to maintain order in their colony. ... Puritans became the mold of religious liberty. ...
Works of the Puritans Most people think of the Puritans as simple people who have been passed by today's technological advances. ... The basic ideas and ways of the Puritan life can be seen from their numerous writings; these writings can be a hidden pathway into the every day life of a puritan. Jonathan Edwards was a shining example of the Puritan way of life. ... The end goal of the Puritans was of course to make it into heaven. ... The Puritan people lived almost entirely on the worship of God. ...
It was what the Puritans believed in as well as the villagers of Salem. The Puritans were very dedicated to their religious beliefs, and to the Puritans witchcraft was considered both a sin and a crime. The main reason why the witch trials occurred was because the Puritans goal in life was to purify the organization of their church. ... Nevertheless, the Puritans seemed to be a religious cult that put fear into the people of Salem. The extent that the Puritans had gone for the sake of religion is unbelievable....
The Puritans wanted to pray to their own church. ... One of the beliefs of the Puritans was the devil, whom they feared. Witches and the devil's servants were always battling the Puritans. ... The Puritans didn't like the way the English created new taxes, and Puritans saw this as taking away their independence. ... This is a distinguishing mark of Puritan culture. ...
Puritan child rearing practices are very diverse from modern childhood. ... The Puritans were very much a community in every way. The Puritans fundamentally lived in the community, church, and family. ... It is very imperative to try to comprehend the way the Puritans lived their lives. ... The Puritan children were educated and they did have morals and values. ...
The Puritans traveled from England to America in the early 1600s. The Puritans that founded Salem, Massachusetts left England in 1608. ... The Puritans believed in preaching not rituals. ... Puritans lived in fear of an eternity in hell, the Puritans projection of a bad life here on Earth. ... Their behavior was not at all what you would think a Puritans behavior should be. ...
Passionate Puritan laymen received savage punishments. ... The Puritans were "non-separating Congregationalists." ... Their religious principles set them apart as Puritans. ... The Puritans were not a small group of people. ... Most of the Puritans settled in the New England area. ...
All people practicing witchcraft were condemned by the Puritans. In Puritans pursued themselves to be more pure with God. ... The Puritans believed that their duty in life was to praise God. ... The Puritans learned a broad amount of right from wrong. ... Witchcraft was unacceptable to the Puritan's beliefs. ...
The Puritans also held a strong social order. ... The roles were very similar to those of the Puritans. ... Education was also important in Puritan's life. ... The Puritans were also driven by capitalism. ... The Puritans also had an impact of Individualism. ...
