Puritans

            The Puritans were god fearing and faithful people. This is one of the strongest characteristics that can be derived from any of the readings involving puritans. Two puritans that clearly exhibit these features are Jonathan Edwards and Anne Bradstreet. They both also speak much about heaven and where they will be when they die. Edwards is known for his strictness on faith and abiding by the rules set by god. He was a pastor who later went on to do missionary work. Anne Bradstreet was a writer who showed her love for god and her faith through poetry.
             Anne Bradstreet wrote from her poem, Verses upon the burning of our house, July 10, 1666, "And did thy wealth on earth abide? Didst thy hope on mold" ring dust? Rise up thy thoughts above the sky. That dunghill mists away may fly. Thou hast a house on high erect, Framed by that mighty architect." Bradstreet is telling the readers that she has faith in god. Though her house burned to the ground, she thinks it would be foolish because god has a house in heaven for her. This shows an example of extreme faith that puritans had. From Jonathan Edwards most famous sermon, Sinners in the hands of an angry god, "The devil is waiting for them, hell is gasping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold not them, and swallow them up," Edwards is referring to sinners and what will happen to them. This is also a puritan talking about after life and what god will sentence non- believers to. It also shows puritans were god-fearing people. Edwards also goes on to preach, "Your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing." This quote sounds much like Bradstreet because they both realize the earthy things mean nothing and that without God there would be nothing.
             Though Bradstreet and Edwards use a different kind of vernacular, they both have the same basic extremism. They both trust god and have placed all faith in him.