During the 16th century, there were two religious groups, the Puritans and the Separatists, both practiced Protestantism, and belonged to the Church of England. Although, at first, it seems that the Puritans and Separatists held completely differing ideas, in reality, both groups really did not. Both groups believed that the Church of England needed to be reformed, it was just that the Separatists wanted to “separate” from the Church of England, whereas, the Puritans wanted to stay part of the Church. After leaving England, both groups were able to settle in the area known as New England and openly practice their ideas and beliefs. As the name Puritans implies, this group wanted to purify the Church of England. The Puritans felt that the
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The only way these stronger beliefs could be put into place would be to lead a pure life involving the absence of life’s pleasures and sinfulness. Total devotion to the will of God was essential. The Separatists, like the Puritans also believed that the Catholic religion was far too influential on the Church of England, and that stronger beliefs needed to be established. Instead of remaining with the Church of England, however, the Separatists wanted complete and total separation for they felt this was the only way this could be accomplished. Unlike Puritans, Separatists believed they were God’s chosen people and in turn would be saved. When the Puritans and Separatists both settled in the New World, besides bringing their religious beliefs, they also brought the English language with them. As a result, most of the 16th and 17th American literary works were written in the English language. Besides bringing and making the English language the dominant literary language, the Puritans and Separatists also influenced the type of literature written, at the time. Most literary works written dealt with the religious and cultural problems each group faced in the New World Through pamphlets, diaries, sermons, historical events and poems, each group recorded the daily events of their lives and stressed the importance of understanding the Bible
The only way these stronger beliefs could be put into place would be to lead a pure life involving the absence of life’s pleasures and sinfulness. Total devotion to the will of God was essential. The Separatists, like the Puritans also believed that the Catholic religion was far too influential on the Church of England, and that stronger beliefs needed to be established. Instead of remaining with the Church of England, however, the Separatists wanted complete and total separation for they felt this was the only way this could be accomplished. Unlike Puritans, Separatists believed they were God’s chosen people and in turn would be saved. When the Puritans and Separatists both settled in the New World, besides bringing their religious beliefs, they also brought the English language with them. As a result, most of the 16th and 17th American literary works were written in the English language. Besides bringing and making the English language the dominant literary language, the Puritans and Separatists also influenced the type of literature written, at the time. Most literary works written dealt with the religious and cultural problems each group faced in the New World Through pamphlets, diaries, sermons, historical events and poems, each group recorded the daily events of their lives and stressed the importance of understanding the Bible