
Visible Saints
The History of a Puritan Idea
Edmund Morgan(Author)
Cornell University Press
Published on 15. May 1965
Book
Paperback/Softback
168 pages
978-0-8014-9041-5 (ISBN)
Description
Through a richly detailed account of the genesis, flowering, and decline of the Puritan ideal of a church of the elect in England and America, Professor Morgan offers an important reinterpretation of a pivotal era in New England history.
Historians have generally supposed that the main outlines of the Puritan church were determined in England and Holland and transplanted to the new world. The author convincingly suggests, instead, that the distinguishing characteristic of the New England churches-the ideal of a church composed exclusively of true and tested saints-developed fully only in the 1630's and 1640's, some time after the first settlers arrived in New England. He also examines the influence of the Separatist colony at Plymouth on the later settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and follows the difficulties created by a definition of the religious community so selective that the New England churches nearly expired for lack of saints to fill them.
Historians have generally supposed that the main outlines of the Puritan church were determined in England and Holland and transplanted to the new world. The author convincingly suggests, instead, that the distinguishing characteristic of the New England churches-the ideal of a church composed exclusively of true and tested saints-developed fully only in the 1630's and 1640's, some time after the first settlers arrived in New England. He also examines the influence of the Separatist colony at Plymouth on the later settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and follows the difficulties created by a definition of the religious community so selective that the New England churches nearly expired for lack of saints to fill them.
Reviews / Votes
Although he does not pretend to deal 'exhaustively' with the subject, Professor Morgan leaves. few aspects untouched. Throughout, we are presented with thoughtful, original scholarship and with a skillful reinterpretation of a Puritan idea.(New England Quarterly)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 187 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8014-9041-5 (9780801490415)
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Schweitzer Classification