Pilgrims and the Puritans

I grew up in Duxbury, MA which is part of Plymouth Colony. Duxbury in Brief: A Historical Sketch

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Some of the most influential men in the colony received grants in Duxbury and became its first leaders. Captain Myles Standish, the military leader of the colony, lived in “the Nook,” an area now known as Standish Shore. Elder William Brewster was for many years the religious (Puritan) leader of the colony. He probably led services in Duxbury until it received its own minister in 1637. John Alden was another important settler, Assistant Governor of the colony for fifty years. His house, now a museum on Alden Street, was the site of many important meetings of the colony’s leaders. The graves of many of Duxbury’s first settlers can be found in the Old Burying Ground on Chestnut Street, next to the site of original Meeting House.

Puritans and History
Origin of the Puritans: The "Separatist" was formed that this movement produced such leaders as John Smyth (whom some regard as the father of English Baptists), John Robinson, William Brewster, and William Bradford. Like Luther and the Catholic Church, the Separatists wanted to remain as part of the English establishment, working for biblical reform from within.

Puritans: Pilgrims and Thanksgiving The Puritans were "The Separatists" in England in the 16th century. These are the founders of our country for whom immigration to America constituted withdrawal from the mother church. The Puritans reached North America with the English settlers who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It remained the dominant religious force in New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the Puritans who started "Thanksgiving". In 1620 one of the separatist congregations sailed for New England on the Mayflower. In New England the colonists established independent congregations, each congregation having the right to choose its own leaders and discipline its members. While church and state supported each other, neither one was allowed to interfere in the affairs of the other.

The Puritans and Democratic Principles Before America was born, Puritan devotion to democratic principles by having town meetings in their church that every church member had the right to speak, and decisions were made by majority rule. The Puritan devotion to democratic principles had an important effect on American life.

Puritans and Education The New England Puritan established a tradition of free, popular education, which later became the American tradition. Puritans formed the first formal school in 1635, called the Roxbury Latin School. Four years later, the first American College was established; Harvard in Cambridge. Children aged 6-8 attended a "Dame school" where the teacher, who was usually a widow, taught reading. "Ciphering" (math) and writing were low on the academic agenda.

Puritans and Publications In 1638, the first printing press arrived. By 1700, Boston became the second largest publishing center of the English Empire. The Puritans were the first to write books for children.

Puritans and Economics Capitalism was adopted by following Puritan work ethic in form of stewardship and that economics are called for efficiency and productiveness of common sense and a strong sense of disiring to be a good steward of God’s gifts. The Puritan attitudes towards money that their conviction that money is a social good, not a private possession and that the economic main purpose is the welfare of everyone in society, not the personal pleasure of the person who happens to have control over it. Richard Baxter's quote: “The question is how they (Puritans) use that which they labour so hard for, and save so sparingly. If they use it for God, and for charitable uses, there is no man taketh a righter course.” Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was a prolific writer and included in his works is The Christian Directory which consists of a practical detailed application of the gospel to every aspect of life. This is probably the most comprehensive exposition of its kind ever written.)

Puritans and 'ONE NATION UNDER GOD' How did the Puritans get the zeal for 'one nation under God' come from? The pilgrims back in days of old were a nation, an 'ekklesia' or congregation/church of "called out" people. Moses, back at Sinai, had set before Israel a great quest. He charged them to walk on with their God to become a 'kingdom of priests, and a holy nation'. (Exodus 19:6). This very same charge and destiny, to become 'a royal priesthood and a holy nation', was laid out for the Church by our Apostle Peter. (1Pet.2:9). They basically adopted that thought and used "Nation" from the greek word "Ethnos". Strongs defines Ethnos as a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together as a company, troop, swarm. A multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus the human family a tribe, nation, people group (Culture).

Puritans and Church & State The Puritans were interested in establishing a degree of separation of church and state because they had been persecuted by the English government and wanted to ensure their own freedom of religion in Massachusetts Bay. They also disagreed with the Catholic/Anglican idea that the church should be should be universal, encompassing every member of the community. This implied a division between the institutions of society (government) and the institutions of the church.

Puritans and Government (before America) After Plymouth, between the 1620s and 1630s groups began to move and found new towns : Duxbury (my hometown), Marshfield and Scituate to the north, Taunton, Rehoboth and Bridgewater to the west, and Eastham and Barnstable on Cape Cod. Puritans have established democratic government system before "America" was born.

If we study true history, the Puritans have impacted more on the America culture. I wished people studied history between 1620 to 1776 so that they can see how American was born through Puritans' influences.

I have visited churches that started as Puritans.Today, you will find some puritans within the conservative Presbyterian, Congregational and other denominations. I have learned alot about Puritans and most their teachings were sound. Just like the rest of us, they were not perfect but they were forgiven Christians. The principles of Puritanism are most comprehensively and magnificently expressed in the Westminster Standards which is Reformed Theology. They do hold Calvinistic doctrines as well as other doctrines. Puritans believes that believers are to be into subjection to Jesus Christ, as He has revealed in His Word which includes individuals, families, churches and well as government. Education was and is vital to Puritanism through Scripture-based education is necessary so that man might glorify God in truth.

Regarding the witch trials, the puritans themselves repented of the way the trials were conducted. Their confession was then made: "...as to the Guilt contracted, upon the opening of the late Commission of Oyer and Terminer at Salem (to which the order for this Day relates) he is, upon many accounts, more concerned that any that he knows of, Desires to take the Blame and Shame of it, Asking pardon of Men, And especially desiring prayers that God, who has an Unlimited Authority, would pardon that Sin and all other his Sins; personal and Relative: And according to his infinite Benignity, and Sovereignty, Not Visit the Sin of him, or of any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the Land. . . " Governor William Phips put an end to the Salem witch trials precisely because there was the recognition that innocent people were being prosecuted without sufficient tangible evidence of their guilt. Innocent people were being incriminated based upon unsubstantiated accusation. Salem trials have brought down Puritanism in New England.

There is a good book about the Puritans written by a Theologian named J.I. Packer: "A Quest For Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life" will give people a good perspective on the Puritans' background.

Here are some of the well-known Puritans Theologians: John Bunyan
Jonathan Edwards
Thomas Goodwin
William Guthrie
Matthew Henry
John Owen
Thomas Watson.