THE PURITANS 1600’s to 1700’s

There were two groups of Puritans – Separatists who believe that the Church of England was corrupt and that the true church should separate themselves (Plymouth colonists) – Non-separating Puritans that believed that the church needed to be reformed but not separated from (Massachusetts colony)

Puritans believed that churches needed to be formed by voluntary compacts. – The idea of compacts was central to the Purtains’ conception of social, political, and religious organizations

Puritans believed in predestination – Puritans believed that one could not choose salvation. – Salvation was determined by God’s sovereignty alone – God chooses who will be saved and who receives grace – Puritans believed that the “elect” would be spared from punishment by God’s grace

Puritan Writings Puritans believed that writing should be useful, a tool to help them read and understand the Bible and guide them in their daily lives. They wrote sermons, histories, scientific works, and essays Their writings were very logical and clear They wrote poems with religious themes They used direct, powerful, plain language. (McDougal Littell)

Education All children were taught to read and write Writing-reading schools were mandated for townships that had over 50 families. Boys went to the town grammar schools so that they could possibly go to the university. Girls only attended the reading school because women introduced all children to reading.

Jonathan Edwards Puritan minister Delivered the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” Fiery descriptions of hell and eternal damnation

Believed that an intense religious experience was an important step toward salvation His sermons resulted in a great number of conversions