Puritans Definition: Group of Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England. Definition: Group of Protestants who wanted to “purify” the Church of England. Believed religion was a “personal, inner experience” and that clergy or government could come between God and the individual Believed religion was a “personal, inner experience” and that clergy or government could come between God and the individual Suffered persecution in England. Suffered persecution in England. Small group led by William Bradford came to the New World in Small group led by William Bradford came to the New World in 1620.

Puritan Beliefs Most of humanity “damned” by sin of Adam and Eve. Most of humanity “damned” by sin of Adam and Eve. Select few would be saved. Those people could be identified by their saintly behavior. When God bestowed his grace on them, they were “reborn”. Select few would be saved. Those people could be identified by their saintly behavior. When God bestowed his grace on them, they were “reborn”. Values: self-reliance, hard-working, moderation, and simple living Values: self-reliance, hard-working, moderation, and simple living

Doctrine of Election / Predestination: Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are capable of any depravity Man is innately sinful; original sin means that we are capable of any depravity Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good works Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved; salvation is not based on your beliefs or good works The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of God The grace of Christ allows the chosen the strength to follow the will of God The chosen will follow the path of righteousness The chosen will follow the path of righteousness

Predestination continued… No one knew who was or was not saved. Puritans believed that you must have a conversion experience in order to be accepted by God. God’s grace was given to the chosen, and this grace was demonstrated through one’s behavior. Puritans would, therefore, reflect upon themselves (self- examination) for signs of this grace. So, even though they did not believe good works helped one get into heaven, they believed that living a godly life was evidence of being chosen.

As a result of their belief in predestination, Puritans: Were always looking for signs Were always looking for signs Scrutinized daily events Scrutinized daily events Thought there was always a reason for everything Thought there was always a reason for everything Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant Felt that God’s hand was in everything, no matter how insignificant

Puritan Beliefs & Values: Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible Puritans believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible They believed in explicit readings of the Bible, as opposed to church doctrines They believed in explicit readings of the Bible, as opposed to church doctrines They did not believe in excess worship; they wanted no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music They did not believe in excess worship; they wanted no rituals, adornments, no stained glass, no cushioned pews, no singing, and no music They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God They wanted to keep things simple so that they could concentrate on God There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan There is a constant struggle between the forces of God and Satan God rewards the good and punishes the wicked God rewards the good and punishes the wicked

Education & Work Ethic: They believed in living a virtuous, self- examined life They believed in strict discipline and had a strong work ethic They felt that qualities that led to economic success were virtuous They valued education Harvard was founded in 1636 to train ministers They wanted their children to get far away from the evils of England Children were not allowed to play games; boys were taught to go hunting and fishing, while girls were taught how to run a household Women were considered less capable intellectually, physically, theologically, and morally (Eve was the first sinner) Literature for pleasure was highly censored

Puritan Politics Contract or covenant exists between God and humanity. Contract or covenant exists between God and humanity. Idea of contract between people and government stems from that idea. Idea of contract between people and government stems from that idea. Rather undemocratic - felt that the “saintly elect” should have great influence in politics Rather undemocratic - felt that the “saintly elect” should have great influence in politics

Religion played an important role in Puritan life. The Puritans felt that they were chosen by God for a special purpose and that they must live every moment in a God- fearing manner. Every man, woman, and child was expected to attend the meeting on the Sabbath without question. Puritans were required to read the Bible which showed their religious discipline. If they did not read the Bible, it was thought that they were worshiping the devil. Religion played an important role in Puritan life. The Puritans felt that they were chosen by God for a special purpose and that they must live every moment in a God- fearing manner. Every man, woman, and child was expected to attend the meeting on the Sabbath without question. Puritans were required to read the Bible which showed their religious discipline. If they did not read the Bible, it was thought that they were worshiping the devil. Preparations for the Sabbath began the day before. All of the food had to be cooked and clothes ready. No labor, not even sewing, could be done on the Sabbath. Preparations for the Sabbath began the day before. All of the food had to be cooked and clothes ready. No labor, not even sewing, could be done on the Sabbath. The Sabbath began at sundown the night before, and the evening was spent in prayer and Bible study. The Sabbath began at sundown the night before, and the evening was spent in prayer and Bible study. The Puritan Way

Strict Order in the Church The church was usually a small bare building. Upon entering people would take their appropriate places. The church was usually a small bare building. Upon entering people would take their appropriate places. The men sat on one side, the women sat on the other, and the boys did not sit with their parents, but sat together in a designated pew where they were expected to sit in complete silence. The men sat on one side, the women sat on the other, and the boys did not sit with their parents, but sat together in a designated pew where they were expected to sit in complete silence. The deacons sat in the front row just below the pulpit because everyone agreed the first pew was the one of highest dignity. The deacons sat in the front row just below the pulpit because everyone agreed the first pew was the one of highest dignity. The servants and slaves crowded near the door, into a loft, or a balcony. The servants and slaves crowded near the door, into a loft, or a balcony. The service began with a prayer given by the minister that usually lasted around an hour. The service began with a prayer given by the minister that usually lasted around an hour. Puritans did not like music in their services. They also felt that music and celebrating were not appropriate in the church meeting house. It was many years before any musical instruments were allowed in the church. Puritans did not like music in their services. They also felt that music and celebrating were not appropriate in the church meeting house. It was many years before any musical instruments were allowed in the church.

Strict Order in the Church After the prayer, the minister would continue with an emotional sermon. The minister's sermon would last for two, three, even four hours at a time without restroom breaks or intermissions. The Puritans listened intently to the terrible warnings of sin and punishment. After the prayer, the minister would continue with an emotional sermon. The minister's sermon would last for two, three, even four hours at a time without restroom breaks or intermissions. The Puritans listened intently to the terrible warnings of sin and punishment. Church Deacons, such as this one, kept strict order in the church. Using this "staff," deacons would poke anyone misbehaving in church. In this illustration, the boy is being punished for turning around to talk to his friend. Church Deacons, such as this one, kept strict order in the church. Using this "staff," deacons would poke anyone misbehaving in church. In this illustration, the boy is being punished for turning around to talk to his friend. Churches were unheated and for many months of the year and in the winter were unbearably cold. Women carried small foot-stoves from home full of hot coals which were used to warm their feet during the church service. Churches were unheated and for many months of the year and in the winter were unbearably cold. Women carried small foot-stoves from home full of hot coals which were used to warm their feet during the church service.

Characteristics of Puritan Writing Bible provided model - individual life is a “journey to salvation.” Connections between Biblical events and own lives. Bible provided model - individual life is a “journey to salvation.” Connections between Biblical events and own lives. Used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of God’s work. Used writing to explore their inner and outer lives for signs of God’s work. Diaries and histories most common. Diaries and histories most common. Plain style stressed clear expression and avoided complicated figures of speech Plain style stressed clear expression and avoided complicated figures of speech

Puritan Plain Style: Plain Style Writing: Plain Style Writing: clear, accessible and straightforward clear, accessible and straightforward Simple, no ornamental language Simple, no ornamental language Biblical references Biblical references Wrote to glorify God rather than show off their talents Wrote to glorify God rather than show off their talents Wrote as a way to find their path to God Wrote as a way to find their path to God

Puritan Literature & Writings: They did not write for pleasure or entertainment. One reason was the fact that they were struggling to build their settlement. Another reason was the fact that they considered works of fiction frivolous and possibly immoral. They did not write for pleasure or entertainment. One reason was the fact that they were struggling to build their settlement. Another reason was the fact that they considered works of fiction frivolous and possibly immoral. Types of texts: GERNE (means type of) Types of texts: GERNE (means type of) - historical documents: preserving their history and offering justifications to relieve the guilt they felt over leaving relatives behind in England - personal journals: as tools for self-reflection/ examination and as a way to look for signs of salvation - poetry, but highly inspired by religious beliefs - religious tracts