According to James Schafer (2), the primary purpose of existence to the Puritans was ôLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.ö Fleeing what they viewed as political corruption and religious persecution in Europe, the Puritans would arrive in America and be instrumental in forming the Colonies. The trip abroad in a time of few luxuries in travel, medicines to curb illness and disease, and few resources, many Puritans viewed their sufferings as evidence of their faith in God. Enduring suffering and ordeals represented elements of what the Puritans viewed as their Divine Mission. Ordeal and hardship were part of GodÆs overall plan through which the faithful passed His purposive tests of endurance. This is especially evident in the writings of many Puritans. This research will examine the writing of John Winthrop (ôA Model of Christian Charityö), Mary Rowlandson (ôA Narrativeö), and William Bradford (ôJournalö). In these three works by three prominent Puritans, it will readily be seen that ordeal and hardship were endured by being viewed as part of GodÆs overall plan to test faith.
One of John WinthropÆs (1630) most moving and lasting sermons is known as ôA Model of Christian Charity.ö Part of the divine mission of the Puritans was the view that those who followed their beliefs were predestined for salvation. If one was not predestined, one could not be saved. However, to be saved even if predestined, one had to follow the ways of God and illustrate through their lives and actions total faith in Him. Part of this faith was enduring ordeal and hardship. In this sermon, Winthrop (7) makes it quite evident that the Puritans will show their faith and prevail through enduring ordeal and hardships in a united manner in alignment with the ways of God. In the sermon, by Divine Right, Winthrop (12; 7) maintains America will become a ôshining city on a hill,ö so l...