Puritans in the New World tells the story of the powerful yet turbulent culture of the English people who embarked on an "errand into the wilderness." It presents the Puritans in their own words, shedding light on the lives both of great dissenters such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson and of the orthodox leaders who contended against them. Classics of Puritan expression, like Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative, Anne Bradstreet's poetry, and William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation appear alongside texts that are less well known but no less important: confessions of religious experience by lay people, the "diabolical" possession of a young woman, and the testimony of Native Americans who accept Christianity. Hall's chapter introductions provide a running history of Puritanism in seventeenth-century New England and alert readers to important scholarship. Above all, this is a collection of texts that vividly illuminates the experience of being a Puritan in the New World. The book will be welcomed by all those who are interested in early American literature, religion, and history.

Table of Contents:
Introduction ix Permissions xvii PART I: From the Old World to the New 1 Chapter 1 William Bradford, the "Pilgrims," and the Founding of Plymouth Plantation 9 William Bradford: Of Plymouth Plantation 11 Chapter 2 Thomas Weld: "We Dream Not of Perfection" 32 Thomas Weld: To His Former Parishioners at Terling 32 Chapter 3 Thomas Shepard on His Life in Old and New England 37 Thomas Shepard: "To My Dear Son": An Autobiography 38 Chapter 4 The Town of Dedham Organizes a Gathered Church 53 John Allin: A Brief History of the Church of Christ at Dedham 54 PART II: Theology in New England: The Plight of Sinners and the Stages of Redemption 65 Chapter 5 Thomas Shepard's Catechism: On the Fall and Redemption of Humankind 71 Thomas Shepard: First Principles of the Oracles of God 72 Chapter 6 Thomas Hooker on Vocation, or the Gospel Promise 76 Thomas Hooker: The Gift of Free Grace through the Effectual Call 77 Chapter 7 Thomas Shepard on Sin 86 Thomas Shepard: The Sound Believer 86 Chapter 8 The Antinomian Controversy: John Cotton Debates the Other Ministers 89 John Cotton: A Conference Held at Boston 91 Chapter 9 Increase Mather on the New Baptismal Piety 97 Increase Mather: Pray for the Rising Generation 98 PART III: Patterns of Piety and Devotion 105 Chapter 10 John Winthrop on Becoming a Christian 111 John Winthrop: Christian Experience 112 Chapter 11 Laypeople Describe the Work of Grace 119 Confessions from the Churches of Cambridge, Chelmsford, and East Windsor 120 Chapter 12 Anne Bradstreet on Vanity and the Practice of Meditation 135 Anne Bradstreet: For my dear son, Simon Bradstreet 137 Anne Bradstreet: As Weary Pilgrim 138 Chapter 13 A Story of Spiritual Confusion: Elizabeth Knapp's "Diabolical Possession" 140 Samuel Willard: A Brief Account of a Strange and Unusual Providence of God Befallen to Elizabeth Knapp of Groton 141 PART IV The Good Society 157 Chapter 14 John Winthrop on the Social Ethics of a Godly Commonwealth 164 John Winthrop: Christian Charity, A Model Hereof 165 Chapter 15 John Cotton on Democracy, Power, and Theocracy 171 John Cotton: To Lord Say and Sele 1636 172 John Cotton: An Exposition upon the Thirteenth Chapter of the Revelation 175 Chapter 16 John Winthrop Defends His Understanding of Authority 177 John Winthrop: A Little Speech on Liberty 178 Chapter 17 Sarah Goodhue on Family as a Spiritual Community 181 Sarah Goodhue: A Valedictory and Monitory Writing 182 Chapter 18 Anne Bradstreet: Verses Addressed to Her Husband and Family 188 Anne Bradstreet: To My Dear and loving Husband 188 Anne Bradstreet: In reference to her Children, 23 June 1659 189 Anne Bradstreet: In memory of my dear grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, who deceased August, 1665 being a year and half old 191 Anne Bradstreet: On my dear grandchild Simon Bradstreet, who died on 16 November 1669 being but a month, and one day old 192 Chapter 19 The Ministers Complain of Public and Private Sins, and Offer a Remedy for Them 193 Increase Mather: The Necessity of Reformation 194 PART V: Dissenters 201 Chapter 20 Roger Williams: Separatist, Baptist, "Seeker" 205 John Winthrop: From A History of New England 207 Chapter 21 Anne Hutchinson Defies the Magistrates and Ministers 211 John Winthrop and Thomas Weld: A Short History of the Rise, Reign, and Ruine of Antinomians 213 Chapter 22 The Baptists Plead for Freedom of Conscience 225 John Clarke: Ill Newes from New-England 228 Roger Williams: To the Governor of Massachusetts 232 Sir Richard Saltonstall: To John Cotton and John Wilson 234 John Cotton: To Sir Richard Saltonstall 235 PART VI Encountering the Native Americans 239 Chapter 23 The Pequot "War" of 1637 245 John Mason: A Brief History of the Pequot War 246 Chapter 24 Forming Native American Congregations 255 John Eliot and Thomas Mayhew: Tears of Repentance 258 Chapter 25 The Martha's Vineyard Mission 270 Experience Mayhew: Indian Converts 270 Chapter 26 Mary Rowlandson: A Captive Because of God's Providence 282 Mary Rowlandson: The Sovereignty & Goodness of God 283 PART VII Errand into the Wilderness 323 Chapter 27 John Cotton on the Millennium 329 John Cotton: The Churches Resurrection 330 Chapter 28 Edward Johnson on New England's Newfound Prosperity 333 Edward Johnson: The Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour in New-England 334 Chapter 29 Samuel Danforth on Errand and Decline 336 Samuel Danforth: A Brief Recognition of New-England's Errand into the Wilderness 337 Chapter 30 Increase Mather on the Politics of Declension 342 Increase Mather: The Day of Trouble is near 343 Bibliographical Note, and Works Cited 349 Index 359