Before the Scarlet Letter The History of Puritanism in the Colonies

Overview Major Topics Reasons for Puritan Colonization Early Days of Puritan Colonization Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society

Reasons for Puritan Colonization Religious Persecution in England Erection of a Model Christian Society

Religious Persecution in England Church of England Established by Henry VIII Split with Catholic church over Henry’s desire to marry Anne Boleyn Catholic framework with Protestant rituals Book of Common Prayer The King is the head of the Church of England Subordinate: Archbishop of Canterbury

Religious Persecution in England Puritans Religious reform movement in Church of England All with varying opinions of how to reform church “Slavish” devotion to the Bible Disliked for criticizing neighbors for their perceived lax or lack of Christianity Wanted change of tone and purpose of the mass Especially wanted an end to the Catholic remnants in the Anglican system Supported by professional classes Professional classes did not like restrictions on mercantilist policies set by Church Were not allowed by church to practice their form of Anglican practice

Erection of Model Christian Society Early on Puritan ministers began removing selves and parishes from English system Focused on establishing “City of God.” Orators Young men w/ Cambridge degrees Considered themselves “visible saints.” Communities wanting separation Would travel to New World and Netherlands to exercise religious freedom

Early Days of Puritan Colonization Plymouth Colony 1627=> Landed in Plymouth, MA Harsh Winter Taught to farm by Native Americans Thanksgiving tradition based off of this Massachusetts Bay Separate colony from Plymouth Also a Puritan colony Meant to be a “City on a Hill.” A light for the world to mimic Goal was to make a better society than the one in England By 1640=> 10,000+ settlers in Mass Bay

Early Days of Puritan Colonization Early Puritan colonies Mostly families High literacy VERY devotional life Loose confederation of various churches Puritan religious hierarchy as strict and intolerant as the one they fled Conflicts between authority of elders and the congregation

Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society Covenant Relationship with God Need to be in a relationship with God in order to attain salvation Salvation Revealed through Preaching Religious texts hold path to salvation BUT Salvation is revealed through spoken word of preachers and priests of Puritanism Heavy emphasis on learned ministry Priests must be educated in order to better translate and share the path to salvation with the people of Puritanism

Main Ideas/Views of Puritan Society Covenant Theology Puritans are “elect spirits” who are chosen by God to live godly lives Referred to both the individual and the community as a whole Public punishment so community could help guide sinners back to path Predestination a part of this as well It is determined if we are going to heaven or hell before birth Rejection of Anglicanism Saw Anglican beliefs as nothing more than “Popish idolatry” One of reasons they were persecuted in England Would rather draw on images from scripture or everyday life