The Puritans, in their own words, demonstrate the depth and variety of a culture that took root in New England in the 17th century. Introduction ix Permissions xvii PART I From the Old World to the New 1(64) Chapter 1 William Bradford, the "Pilgrims," and the Founding of Plymouth Plantation 9(23) William Bradford: Of Plymouth Plantation 11(21) Chapter 2 Thomas Weld: "We Dream Not of Perfection" 32(5) Thomas Weld: To His Former Parishioners at Terling 32(5) Chapter 3 Thomas Shepard on His Life in Old and New England 37(16) Thomas Shepard: "To My Dear Son": An Autobiography 38(15) Chapter 4 The Town of Dedham Organizes a Gathered Church 53(12) John Allin: A Brief History of the Church of Christ at Dedham 54(11) PART II Theology in New England: The Plight of Sinners and the Stages of Redemption 65(40) Chapter 5 Thomas Shepard's Catechism: On the Fall and Redemption of Humankind 71(5) Thomas Shepard: First Principles of the Oracles of God 72(4) Chapter 6 Thomas Hooker on Vocation, or the Gospel Promise 76(10) Thomas Hooker: The Gift of Free Grace through the Effectual Call 77(9) Chapter 7 Thomas Shepard on Sin 86(3) Thomas Shepard: The Sound Believer 86(3) Chapter 8 The Antinomien Controversy: John Cotton Debates the Other Ministers 89(8) John Cotton: A Conference Held at Boston 91(6) Chapter 9 Increase Mather on the New Baptismal Piety 97(8) Increase Mather: Pray for the Rising Generation 98(7) PART III Patterns of Piety and Devotion 105(52) Chapter 10 John Winthrop on Becoming a Christian 111(8) John Winthrop: Christian Experience 112(7) Chapter 11 Laypeople Describe the Work of Grace 119(16) Confessions from the Churches of Cambridge, Chelmsford, and East Windsor 120(15) Chapter 12 Anne Bradstreet on Vanity and the Practice of Meditation 135(5) Anne Bradstreet: For my dear son, Simon Bradstreet 136(2) Anne Bradstreet: As Weary Pilgrim 138(2) Chapter 13 A Story of Spiritual Confusion: Elizabeth Knapg's "Diabolical Possession" 140(17) Samuel Willard: A Brief Account of a Strange and Unusual Providence of God Befallen to Elizabeth Knapp of Groton 141(16) PART IV The Good Society 157(44) Chapter 14 John Winthrop on the Social Ethics of a Godly Commonwealth 164(7) John Winthrop: Christian Charity, A Model Hereof 165(6) Chapter 15 John Cotton on Democracy, Power, and Theocracy 171(6) John Cotton: To Lord Say and Sele 1636 172(3) John Cotton: An Exposition upon the Thirteenth Chapter of the Revelation 175(2) Chapter 16 John Winthrop Defends His Understanding of Authority 177(4) John Winthrop: A Little Speech on Liberty 178(3) Chapter 17 Sarah Goodhue on Family as a Spiritual Community 181(7) Sarah Goodhue: A Valedictory and Monitory Writing 182(6) Chapter 18 Anne Bradstreet: Verses Addressed to Her Husband and Family 188(5) Anne Bradstreet: To My Dear and loving Husband 188(1) Anne Bradstreet: In reference to her Children, 23 June 1659 189(2) Anne Bradstreet: In memory of my dear grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, who deceased August, 1665 being a year and half old 191(1) Anne Bradstreet: On my dear grandchild Simon Bradstreet, who died on 16 November 1669 being but a month, and one day old 192(1) Chapter 19 The Ministers Complain of Public and Private Sins, and Offer a Remedy for Them 193(8) Increase Mather: The Necessity of Reformation 194(7) PART V Dissenters 201(38) Chapter 20 Roger Williams: Separatist, Baptist, "Seeker" 205(6) John Winthrop: From A History of New England 207(4) Chapter 21 Anne Hutchinson Defies the Magistrates and Ministers 211(15) John Winthrop and Thomas Weld: A Short History of the Rise, Reign, and Ruine of Antinomians 213(13) Chapter 22 The Baptists Plead for Freedom of Conscience 226(13) John Clarke: Ill Newes from New-England 228(4) Roger Williams: To the Governor of Massachusetts 232(2) Sir Richard Saltonstall: To John Cotton and John Wilson 234(1) John Cotton: To Sir Richard Saltonstall 235(4) PART VI Encountering the Native Americans 239(84) Chapter 23 The Pequot "War" of 1637 245(10) John Mason: A Brief History of the Pequot War 246(9) Chapter 24 Forming Native American Congregations 255(15) John Eliot and Thomas Mayhew: Tears of Repentance 258(12) Chapter 25 The Martha's Vineyard Mission 270(12) Experience Mayhew: Indian Converts 270(12) Chapter 26 Mary Rowlandson: A Captive Because of God's Providence 282(41) Mary Rowlandson: The Sovereignty & Goodness of God 283(40) PART VII Errand into the Wilderness 323(26) Chapter 27 John Cotton on the Millennium 329(4) John Cotton: The Churches Resurrection 330(3) Chapter 28 Edward Johnson on New England's Newfound Prosperity 333(3) Edward Johnson: The Wonder-working Providence of Sions Saviour in New-England 334(2) Chapter 29 Samuel Danforth on Errand and Decline 336(6) Samuel Dan forth: A Brief Recognition of New-England's Errand into the Wilderness 337(5) Chapter 30 Increase Mather on the Politics of Declension 342(7) Increase Mather: The Day of Trouble is near 343(6) Bibliographical Note, and Works Cited 349(10) Index 359