The failure to convert the Native Americans to Christianity perhaps is another reason that changed the puritans’ attitude toward the Indians. The puritans saw Indians less as people that needed to be converted but irredeemable heathens that needed to be exterminated in order to fulfillment God’s divine plan, like Canaanites or Amalekites in the Bible. “Now He hath many ways to destroy them”, said Mary at the end of her
John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts, emphasized in his sermon that they were to be “a city upon a hill”, where everyone can see them and can be represented as a model Christian community (Doc A), which would also shame England into truly reforming the Church of England. Unlike the Puritans, settlers in Chesapeake were blinded by thoughts of seeking gold, in which they did not find any (Doc F). Most of the Puritans came as families (Doc B) because they believed that society’s foundation rested not on the
But in a Christian nation, as our Founders would have defined it, the principles and institutional foundations are Biblically based and the people in general share a Biblical world-view. Before America was America Christopher Columbus' commission was given to set out and find a new world. Though this order was given from King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain according to Columbus’ personal log, his purpose in seeking undiscovered worlds was to “bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathens. …. It was the Lord who put into my mind … that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies … I am the most unworthy sinner, but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy, and they have covered me completely … No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Saviour, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service[1].” Columbus, being a Catholic, was Protestant and felt obligated to bring God to the world.
Maryland was founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore. This colony was formed for the specific reason of religion; it was formed to become a Catholic haven. They wanted profit and religious freedom. Then to ensure this purpose, Maryland’s Act of Toleration was formed in 1649. This document called for toleration of all Christians, not including the toleration of Jews or Atheists.
Conversion is the receipt of God's free gift of saving grace. Protestants were constantly seeking signs to see if they were part of the elect, thus being apart of god and heaven. Puritans came from depressed areas such as the woolen district because this religion open the door to a way out and into heaven without having to pay the religious officials for a
The Model of Christian Charity’s tone is more comforting and with great reason, Winthrop was trying to establish a loving comradely between the colonist. This is evident when he says that “all true Christians are of one body in Christ.” Then he compares each person to a body part and according to the sermon “The ligaments of this body are knit together by love. (Lauter 336) ” Winthrop realized that in order for the colony to succeed he had to have the colonist working as one unit especially considering the imminent dangers they were facing in the New World. He also tries to satisfy the individual by addressing the colonist concerns with wealth and social status. Winthrop assures his colonist that being rich, or poor is all part of God’s plan and everyone has a purpose in that plan.
However the greatest difference noticed was in their religion. For Winthrop, a Puritan, whom established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, his aspect of life revolved around religion. He stated that there was a need for people to obey their governors and for the governors to obey God in order for the thrive of civilization. A more simple way to put by the
Martin Luther was a well-educated German monk who developed strong opinions against the Roman Catholic Church. Luther wanted an end to the greed which was leading the Church away from the true message of Christ. Luther attempted to allow christians to focus more God's mercy than his judgements. Martin Luther had strong foundations for a Reformation, which he never even planned on leading. Luther was confident and passionate about what he believed.
The Puritans fled from England to the New World to escape persecution. The Puritans, their name meaning to “Purify” the church urged for many reforms in the Church of England. The Puritans followed John Calvin’s vision of predestination, and believed that everyone had either two destinies- salvation or damnation. Puritans are commonly known for their quest to freedom -freedom through salvation as well as freedom of their own religious practice- and their strict hardworking lifestyle. The Puritans wanted to alter practices promoted by the Anglican Church as well as decrease the power of the discriminatory and corrupt bishops.
These tyrants have forsaken ethical and moral beliefs. They believe that only force makes right. They are aggressively seeking to expand the area of their domination.” But he did not claim that ridding the world of tyranny would bring eternal peace. As a Christian, he saw both the “barriers of ignorance and poverty” and the “barriers of tyranny”; as a Christian statesman, however, he concentrated his attention on the worst