Introduction to the Puritan Society

Puritanism in 17th-century America
Puritanism is a religious movement which originated in 16th-century England that looked for a way between Roman Catholicism and Protestant Reformation. The name is rooted in the wish to purify the Church of England, which basically means to reform it. There are three fundamental principles in Puritanism. One of them is morality: this principle assumes that humankind is basically sinful, but the Puritans believe that God promised to save a certain number of human beings. Who will be saved is predestined. The Puritans see themselves as God’s chosen people.
The other principles are worship and a community based on God’s commandments: self-discipline and introspection are central in both of them. The Puritans were supposed to be faithful and worship God in a simple way, especially on Sundays, which was opposed to the Anglican Church: King James I. preferred to organize games on Sundays. Furthermore, the Puritans were opposed to the Episcopal system, as it did not conform to the Bible. By taking this position, the Puritans took a stand in politics. When the Puritans did not succeed in reforming the Anglican Church, some decided to go to America. There they wanted to found autonomous congregations, a “Christian commonwealth” in the wilderness that should be determined by biblical covenants with God. The Puritan saw himself as a new Adam, who was sent to live in a paradise on earth - America.
Three covenants can be named in this context: the first “Covenant of Works” that assured that a life of good deeds according to the moral principles of the Bible would lead to eternal life. This covenant was rejected by the Puritans as it was part of Catholicism. The second covenant was the “Covenant of Grace” that demanded the life of a saint and punishment for sins. The third, the “Covenant of Redemption”, claimed that the Christians will be saved by Christ’s suffering.