What do you already know about the Puritans? Who are they? Where do they come from? Why did they leave? What did they believe in ? How did they write? Journal Topic for Monday, October 5 th :

The Puritans English 11 Mr. Bradley

Who were the Puritans? Branch of Protestant church Branch of Protestant church Began in 16 th & 17 th centuries Began in 16 th & 17 th centuries Preferred to be called “the godly” Preferred to be called “the godly” Attempted to “purify” Church of England Attempted to “purify” Church of England Encouraged free enterprise and emerging capitalist economy Encouraged free enterprise and emerging capitalist economy Wanted to strip the church of Catholic influences Wanted to strip the church of Catholic influences

Two Types of Puritans: Separatists Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from it Held irreconcilable differences with the Church of England; they thought the church was corrupt and that they must distance themselves from it Were persecuted under various monarchies in England Were persecuted under various monarchies in England First fled from England to Holland First fled from England to Holland Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620 Later, came to found the Plymouth Colony in America in 1620Non-Separatists Held less extreme views of the Church of England Held less extreme views of the Church of England Believed in church reform Believed in church reform Came to America in 1630 Came to America in 1630 Massachusetts Bay Colony Massachusetts Bay Colony

Doctrine of Election / Predestination: Man is innately sinful Man is innately sinful Original Sin Original Sin Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved Only those who are chosen by God (the elect) are saved 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 No one knew who was or was not saved Must have conversion experience Must have conversion experience God’s grace given to chosen God’s grace given to chosen Grace shown through Godly behavior Grace shown through Godly behavior Self-reflection to determine who had this behavior Self-reflection to determine who had this behavior

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: Literal interpretation of the Bible Literal interpretation of the Bible Explicit readings vs church doctrines Explicit readings vs church doctrines No excesses in worship No excesses in worship Simple, so they can concentrate on God Simple, so they can concentrate on God Constant struggle between God & Satan Constant struggle between God & Satan God rewards the good & punishes the wicked God rewards the good & punishes the wicked

Education & Work Ethic: Virtuous, self-examined life Virtuous, self-examined life Strict discipline Strong work ethic Virtues would lead to economic success Valued education Valued education Founded Harvard College in 1636 to train ministers Get children away from evils of England Get children away from evils of England No games No games Women less capable Women less capable Eve was the first sinner Literature for pleasure highly censored Literature for pleasure highly censored

Puritan Literature & Writings: Very little writing for pleasure or entertainment Very little writing for pleasure or entertainment Fiction considered frivolous & possibly immoral Fiction considered frivolous & possibly immoral Historical documents, personal journals, religious poetry & tracts Historical documents, personal journals, religious poetry & tracts Plain Style Plain Style Clarity Clarity Accessibility Accessibility Straightforwardness Straightforwardness Lack of ornamentation Lack of ornamentation

Jonathan Edwards Fire and brimstone imagery. Fire and brimstone imagery. Helped bring about the Great Awakening. Helped bring about the Great Awakening. Tyrannical pastor - extreme and strict - humans “lowly sinners.” Tyrannical pastor - extreme and strict - humans “lowly sinners.” The last “Puritan” The last “Puritan”