Sunday, February 8, 2009

Mather constantly describes both Bradford and Winthrop as having more than normal zeal and spirit for Christianity than others. It is interesting that in each case they are described as having this trait from an early age, Bradford even displaying his spirit from the age of 12. Also, both men are constantly compared to Moses and Nehemiah, leaders chosen by God. These comparisons do two things. First they show how the Puritans viewed themselves, as acting out God's will by establishing their own view of religion in the new world. Second, the comparisons suggest that it was not only the will of the people that chose these men as governors, but God who delivered them with their heightened piety, greater than the other men around them, to lead the puritans in living out God's will.

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