I found it interesting that Morton continually refers to Greek and Roman myths and gods when talking about the Puritans. For example, he writes that they "fell to tippeling as if they had obtained a great prize; like the Trojans when they had custody of Hippeus pinetree horse" (329).
Bradford on the other hand constantly refers to the bible when talking about events that took place. For example, he writes, "It is recorded in Scripture as a mercy to the Apostle and his shipwrecked company, that the barbarians showed them no small kindness in refreshing them" (352).
The effect that this has, for Morton's writing, is a sort of subversive typology. Morton seems to understand that writers like Bradford would want to compare Puritan struggles to previous chosen people of God. By comparing their trials to non-Christian gods, and unchosen people, he is attempting to undermine the effect that typology, such as Bradford's, might have.
Morton even goes as far as to compare the judges who deport him to judges of the underworld in Greek mythology. It might not seem like such a big deal in reading these comparisons today, but when put in the context of how important and prevalent typology was, especially after reading Bradford, it is easier to understand what Morton was trying to accomplish by using comparisons to non-Christian gods and people when describing the Puritans.
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This is a great reading! I did notice that Morton used Greek and Roman references often, but I didn't realize what the true implications were. I didn't give him that much credit, to be honest with you, but you are right. The subversion of the typology would really undermine everything the Puritans believed in themselves, and make it harder to justify all of their actions.
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