2.3 Sermons and Religious Texts

Sermons and religious texts were central to Puritan life in colonial America. Ministers like Jonathan Edwards and Cotton Mather shaped society through powerful preaching and prolific writing. Their work reinforced Puritan values and beliefs, influencing everything from education to politics.

Puritan literature included fiery sermons, conversion narratives, and religious poetry. Works like Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and Wigglesworth's "The Day of Doom" vividly depicted sin, judgment, and the afterlife, reflecting key Puritan theological concepts.

Puritan Ministers

Prominent Figures in Puritan Theology

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• Jonathan Edwards was a prominent Puritan theologian and preacher known for his powerful sermons, including "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741), which emphasized the wrath of God and the need for repentance
• Cotton Mather, a prolific writer and minister, wrote over 450 books and pamphlets, including "Magnalia Christi Americana" (1702), a comprehensive history of the Puritan colonies in New England that aimed to demonstrate God's providence in the establishment and growth of the colonies
• Michael Wigglesworth, a Puritan minister and poet, is best known for his poem "The Day of Doom" (1662), which vividly depicts the Last Judgment and the fate of sinners, reflecting the Puritan belief in predestination and the importance of living a righteous life to avoid eternal damnation

Influence on Colonial Society

• Puritan ministers played a central role in shaping the religious, social, and political landscape of the New England colonies, as their sermons and writings provided spiritual guidance and reinforced Puritan values and beliefs
• The ministers' emphasis on education and literacy led to the establishment of schools and colleges, such as Harvard College (1636), which aimed to train new generations of Puritan leaders and ensure the continuation of Puritan traditions
• Puritan ministers often served as moral authorities and community leaders, influencing decision-making processes and enforcing strict codes of conduct based on their interpretations of biblical law, such as the suppression of dissent and the persecution of those deemed heretical or immoral (Salem Witch Trials)

Sermon Styles

Jeremiad

• The jeremiad was a type of sermon that focused on the decline of society and the need for repentance, often drawing parallels between the struggles of the Puritan community and the trials faced by the Israelites in the Old Testament
• Jeremiads typically involved a three-part structure: recounting God's blessings and the community's covenant with Him, lamenting the current state of decline and backsliding, and calling for repentance and renewal to avoid divine punishment and restore God's favor
• Examples of jeremiads include "God's Controversy with New England" (1662) by Michael Wigglesworth and "The Sin and Danger of Self-Love" (1621) by Robert Cushman, which warned against the dangers of materialism and self-interest in the Puritan colonies

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

• "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741) is a famous sermon delivered by Jonathan Edwards during the First Great Awakening, a period of religious revival in the American colonies
• The sermon employs vivid and terrifying imagery to depict the precarious state of the unconverted soul, likening sinners to spiders dangling over the flames of hell, kept from destruction only by the merciful hand of God
• Edwards' sermon reflects the Puritan belief in the sovereignty of God, the depravity of human nature, and the necessity of divine grace for salvation, urging his listeners to turn to Christ and embrace the gospel before it is too late
• The sermon's impact was profound, with many in the audience crying out in anguish and repenting of their sins, demonstrating the power of Puritan preaching to convict and transform individuals and communities

Religious Narratives

Conversion Narratives and Spiritual Autobiographies

• Conversion narratives and spiritual autobiographies were popular genres in Puritan literature, recounting an individual's journey from a state of sin and ignorance to a newfound faith in Christ and a transformed life
• These narratives often followed a common pattern: describing the author's early life and religious struggles, their encounter with the gospel and moment of conversion, and the subsequent changes in their thoughts, behaviors, and relationships
• Examples include "A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God" (1737) by Jonathan Edwards, which chronicles the spiritual awakening in Northampton, Massachusetts, and "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" (1682) by Mary Rowlandson, which recounts her experiences as a captive during King Philip's War and her spiritual growth during the ordeal

"The Day of Doom"

• "The Day of Doom" (1662) is a lengthy poem by Michael Wigglesworth that portrays the Last Judgment, when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead, and the eternal destinies of the righteous and the wicked are determined
• The poem is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of the judgment, such as the resurrection of the dead, the separation of the sheep and the goats, and the sentences pronounced upon the saved and the damned
• Wigglesworth's vivid descriptions of the torments of hell and the joys of heaven reflect the Puritan emphasis on the afterlife and the importance of living a godly life in preparation for judgment day
• "The Day of Doom" was immensely popular in New England, with many families owning copies and children memorizing passages, demonstrating the centrality of religious themes in Puritan literature and culture