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The Puritan Philosophy

The Puritan Philosophy. The Puritan Age. 1630: The Great Migration to New England (Puritans). Basic Timeline. 1690. 1745. The Great Awakening. 1636: Harvard College founded. 1692: The Salem Witch Trials. 1620: Mayflower lands (W. Bradford) with 100 pilgrims. Puritanism: a definition.

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The Puritan Philosophy

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  1. The Puritan Philosophy

  2. The Puritan Age 1630: The Great Migration to New England (Puritans) Basic Timeline 1690 1745 The Great Awakening 1636: Harvard College founded 1692: The Salem Witch Trials 1620: Mayflower lands (W. Bradford) with 100 pilgrims

  3. Puritanism: a definition • As a religion it stems from Roman Catholic Catholics Church of England (Anglican) Puritan (to purify) • As a way of life it is based on God and his teachings • Puritans lived in a THEOCRACY • Church = State • Elders • Ministers = government/law • Bible teachings

  4. View of God All-powerful All-knowing Revengeful Just/fair View of Man Sinful Unworthy of salvation Puritan Views: • View of Nature • - Used by God as a way to punish or reward man

  5. Puritan Tenets (beliefs): • The Bible is the inerrant (without errors) word of God and an outline for living • Special people (good Puritans) have been chosen by God to carry out certain actions • Your eternal destiny is decided before you are born. How you live life hints to this destiny. • In all aspects of life, be pragmatic (practical) and avoid frivolous (unnecessary) activities. • “Work is necessary and good for you.”

  6. Puritan reasons for writing: • Puritan literature is both PRAGMATIC and THEOCRATIC • Reasons for writing are • Loneliness • To describe the new land • For support from Europe • To explain action (esp. W. Bradford) • For religious purposes (esp. J. Edwards)

  7. William Bradford & Of Plymouth Plantation

  8. Son of an English farmer Was the typical first New England settler Extremely religious; joined a group of Puritans Fled from England to Holland and then to America because of religious persecution Reached Plymouth in 1620 aboard the Mayflower Wife either jumped or fell overboard and drowned 1st winter in America ½ the settlers died Became governor of Plymouth (re-elected 30+ times William Bradford: bio

  9. Wrote Plymouth’s history (began in 1630 and ended in 1647) 200 years later the manuscript was published Bradford was disappointed that America fell short of its promise Of Plymouth Plantation describes Puritan’s flight from England to Holland to America The trials of the 1st winter The bloody Pequot War Bio, cont.

  10. “Of Their Voyage, and How They Passed the Sea; and of Their Safe Arrival to Cape Cod” • Bradford shows Puritan ideals through the story of the “profane young seaman” • Many of the ship passengers were very seasick. The young seaman made fun of the sick and proclaimed that he would “cast half of them overboard” • This young seaman was struck down with a terrible disease and was, himself, the first to be thrown overboard • The fate of man is based on his actions (God is revengeful)

  11. Voyage was a mix of fair winds and fierce storms • One of the main beams bowed and cracked ½ way through the journey • Repaired the beam with a great iron screw (to raise it) and a post (to secure it) • Again, pilgrims believed that God would be fair to them • “So they committed themselves to the will of God and resolved to proceed” (26)

  12. God saves a good Puritan from drowning • John Howland was thrown into the sea during a storm • “it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards” (26) • John Howland “lived many years and became a profitable member both in church and commonwealth” (his good life yielded a good fate) • One person (besides the seaman) perished on the voyage, William Butten

  13. They first try to land @ Cape Cod • Then they decide to travel south down the Hudson (meet with rough waters) • Ultimately, they docked @ Cape Harbor • They landed in winter with no friends to meet them & no place for them to go • Bradford declares his trust in God to get them through • “What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His Grace?” (27)

  14. “The Starving Time” • In 2 or 3 months’ time, ½ the ship’s passengers died • Lack of proper housing • Infected with scurvy • 6 or 7 Puritans were healthy enough to care for the others (chosen by God) • The seamen were greedy and selfish, keeping food and drink for themselves even with the passengers so sick.

  15. The seamen began falling ill too • Nearly half of the seamen died before they set sail again • The pilgrims were much more willing to help each other in times of need and illness • The seamen were more barbaric and self-centered. They cursed each other instead of caring for each other

  16. “Indian Relations” • Samoset, an Indian that approached the pilgrims, helped them become familiar with the land • Squanto and the pilgrims set terms under which they would all live. These terms primarily favored the pilgrims (see page 30) • Squanto continued with the pilgrims as their interpreter and was “sent from God” (31) • He aided the pilgrims until he died

  17. Anne Bradstreet & selected poems

  18. 1630 she came from England to Boston Grew up in a Puritan household Married Simon Bradstreet @ 16 Father (Thomas Dudley) and husband both became governor of MA Published the 1st book of poetry by an American One of the 1st volumes of poetry by a woman 1st volume of poetry contains long poems on subjects such as medicine, history, and the qualities of fire Anne Bradstreet: Bio

  19. 2nd volume of poetry contains shorter poems in a simpler style about children, family, & home Later poems are more intimate and express her deep attachment to family and a sense of loss Poems express the Puritan belief that one must not get too attached to the things of the world Typical Puritan wife, quick to acknowledge the superiority of men Considered the 1st American poet Bio, cont.

  20. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” • Most likely from her 2nd volume of poetry because it is shorter, written more simply, and addresses family (specifically her husband) • Lines 5-6 create an image of wealth (mines of gold & riches of the East) • Bradstreet contrasts this material wealth with spiritual wealth (the love of her husband and God) • Last 2 lines = Puritan belief that successful marriages (faithfulness) are rewarded in the afterlife

  21. “Upon the Burning of Our House July 10th , 1666” • Most likely from her 1st volume of poetry because it is longer and concerns the qualities of fire • Lines 8-10 “And to my God…leave me succorless” show Bradstreet relying on God to give her strength in tough times and to be fair in his actions • Lines 14-16 “I blest his name…so ‘twas just” show the Puritan belief in God’s purpose (it must have happened for a reason)

  22. Bradstreet began valuing earthly possession more than her faith, therefore God took them away • Puritans are of the opinion that all things in this world are God’s and he has the right to take them away when he sees fit • Lines 43-48 illustrate that Puritans have a permanent house in heaven “house on high erect/Framed by that mighty Architect” • The end of the poem reinforces the Puritan belief in simplicity and plainness “There is wealth enough, I need no more…my hope and treasure lies above”

  23. Jonathan Edwards & “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

  24. Born in East Windsor, Connecticut Puritan minister Believes that everything in God’s universe exists for some purpose (stated @ age 11) Went to Yale College @ 13 Early 20s her married Sarah Pierrepont, a woman as absorbed in God as he Was an important part of the Great Awakening (1735 – 1742) Jonathan Edwards: bio

  25. The Great Awakening was the attempted revival of Puritanism “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” was a powerful sermon that moved many people  it “aroused a listening frenzy” 1750 – Edwards was dismissed as preacher of his Northampton church because of his insistence on grace as the essence of religious life Bio, cont.

  26. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” • Edward’s sermon begins with a thesis – God is all-powerful and keeps you from harm • He attempts to persuade his congregation through fear • Humans, his congregation, take their good health as a sign that they will be kept from hell • In reality, if it were not for God, all would fall straight to Hell • “…wickedness is as heavy as lead” • A simile comparing wickedness to a tangible (touchable) item • Lead drops just as people weighted with sin would

  27. Man’s attempt to keep out of Hell is ineffective • Edwards compare it to a spider’s web stopping a falling rock – impossible • Imagery – black clouds of God’s wrath, full of storm and thunder (meant to instill fear) • God keeps the storm from rushing upon you • The wrath of God is like great waters dammed; His power, over time, builds • God may temporarily withhold his vengeance, but your guilt builds greater and greater

  28. God is the only one that keeps you from death • YOU=spider, loathsome insect, hateful venomous serpent • If you are not born again (achieve grace) then you are in danger of receiving God’s wrath • Not all people have the opportunity to repent for their sins; those that do are lucky • Edwards end with hope for his congregation to receive salvation

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