The values and beliefs of Puritans are very important to them. Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards show this through their poems and literature. Many of their beliefs and values are reflected in their sermons. It can also be reflected in their literature. However, sometimes these values conflict between different authors, which will be put more into detail in the upcoming paragraphs. Puritan beliefs and values can be reflected in many different ways, depending on the author.
Jonathan Edwards speaks about his beliefs in “Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God”, in a very negative way. He says, “thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his enemies down to Hell” (Edwards 153). Jonathan Edwards sees it as if whenever God wanted, He could send someone who displeases Him down to Hell at anytime. He thinks that God has no pity for anyone who sins against the beliefs. He feels as if it was already a given if people would go to Heaven or Hell. Edwards preached that all people could be recipients of God's
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In the poem “Upon the Burning of Our House,” Bradstreet explains that she is losing everything she has. She still has a positive outlook towards God. Most people would not be worshipping God if their house had been burnt to the ground. When the sound of fire is heard, Bradstreet says, “That fearful sound of ‘Fire’ and ‘Fire!’ / Let no man know is my desire” (Bradstreet 5-6). She remains faithful to Puritan beliefs and immediately follows this with a plea to God for strength to face this, “To strengthen me in my distress / And not to leave me succorless” (Bradstreet 9-10). Anne Bradstreet allows herself to question this judgement as the will of God. To pray for the strength to overcome this would be a normal prayer, Anne Bradstreet prays for strength for human weakness within the framework of a material