Puritanism - Revision history

Pankratz at 11:26, 14 November 2018

2018-11-14T11:26:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:26, 14 November 2018
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	Name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.		"Name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.

	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.
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	Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.		Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.

	The Puritans believed that humankind was utterly dependent upon God for salvation. With their predecessors in England and with Luther and Calvin they believed that reconciliation with God came as a gift of his grace received by faith. They were Augustinians who regarded humans as sinners, unwilling and unable to meet the demands, or to enjoy the fellowship, of a righteous God apart from God's gracious initiative.		The Puritans believed that humankind was utterly dependent upon God for salvation. With their predecessors in England and with Luther and Calvin they believed that reconciliation with God came as a gift of his grace received by faith. They were Augustinians who regarded humans as sinners, unwilling and unable to meet the demands, or to enjoy the fellowship, of a righteous God apart from God's gracious initiative."

WikiSysop at 19:53, 23 July 2018

2018-07-23T19:53:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:53, 23 July 2018
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	Name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.		Name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.

	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. During the Commonwealth more radical (democratic, anarchic and/or proto-communist) Puritan sects emerged, such as [[Ranters]], [[Diggers]], [[Levellers]] and [[Quakers]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England. Persecution was intensified after the rising of the [[Fifth Monarchy Men]] (or Venner's Rising) in 1661, according to the legislation of the so-called [[Clarendon Code]].		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the [[Hampton Court Conference]] (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by [[William Ames]] and later by [[Richard Baxter]], gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop [[William Laud]], became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. During the [[Commonwealth of England\|Commonwealth]] more radical (democratic, anarchic and/or proto-communist) Puritan sects emerged, such as [[Ranters]], [[Diggers]], [[Levellers]] and [[Quakers]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the [[Church of England]]. Persecution was intensified after the rising of the [[Fifth Monarchy Men]] (or Venner's Rising) in 1661, according to the legislation of the so-called [[Clarendon Code]].
	[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration ~~comedy~~.		[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in [[Restoration Comedy]].

	Convictions:		'''Convictions'''
	Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.		Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.

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	Source:		Source:
	http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm ~~<br />~~		http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm
	[Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US.]		[Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US.]

Pankratz at 08:09, 25 October 2011

2011-10-25T08:09:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:09, 25 October 2011
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	~~Puritans was the name~~ given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.		Name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.
	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

Daniel: linked, though i don't think Levellers and Diggers were religious sects. they seem more akin to modern political movements.

2009-07-21T20:07:43Z

linked, though i don't think Levellers and Diggers were religious sects. they seem more akin to modern political movements.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 21 July 2009
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	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. During the Commonwealth more radical (democratic, anarchic and/or proto-communist) Puritan sects emerged, such as [[Ranters]], Diggers, Levellers and [[Quakers]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England. Persecution was intensified after the rising of the [[Fifth Monarchy Men]] (or Venner's Rising) in 1661, according to the legislation of the so-called [[Clarendon Code]].		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. During the Commonwealth more radical (democratic, anarchic and/or proto-communist) Puritan sects emerged, such as [[Ranters]], [[Diggers]], [[Levellers]] and [[Quakers]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England. Persecution was intensified after the rising of the [[Fifth Monarchy Men]] (or Venner's Rising) in 1661, according to the legislation of the so-called [[Clarendon Code]].
	[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.		[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.

WikiSysop at 13:46, 27 May 2009

2009-05-27T13:46:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:46, 27 May 2009
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	Source: ~~This is taken from~~ http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm		Source:
	Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US		http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm <br />
	~~thanks~~. ~~Bridget~~		[Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US.]

Pankratz at 06:56, 20 May 2009

2009-05-20T06:56:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:56, 20 May 2009
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	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England ~~and persecuted~~ according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. During the Commonwealth more radical (democratic, anarchic and/or proto-communist) Puritan sects emerged, such as [[Ranters]], Diggers, Levellers and [[Quakers]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England. Persecution was intensified after the rising of the [[Fifth Monarchy Men]] (or Venner's Rising) in 1661, according to the legislation of the so-called [[Clarendon Code]].
	[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.		[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.

WikiSysop at 14:59, 19 May 2009

2009-05-19T14:59:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:59, 19 May 2009
Line 3:		Line 3:

	After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.
	Dissenters (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.		[[Dissenters]] (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.

	Convictions:		Convictions:

WikiSysop at 14:38, 19 May 2009

2009-05-19T14:38:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 19 May 2009
Line 2:		Line 2:
	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.		English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles]] I in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles I]] in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.
	Dissenters (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.		Dissenters (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.

WikiSysop: User:Bridget moved to Puritanism

2009-04-23T00:37:17Z

User:Bridget moved to Puritanism

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:37, 23 April 2009
(No difference)

WikiSysop at 00:36, 23 April 2009

2009-04-23T00:36:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:36, 23 April 2009
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	~~General Information on~~ Puritanism, ~~Puritans~~		Puritans was the name given in the 16th century to the more extreme [[Protestantism\|Protestants]] within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in [[Reformation\|reforming]] the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of [[Catholicism\|Catholic]] influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.
			English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were [[Calvinism\|Calvinists]]), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of [[Elizabeth I]]. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	Puritans was the name given in the 16th century to the more extreme Protestants within the Church of England who thought the English Reformation had not gone far enough in reforming the doctrines and structure of the church; they wanted to purify their national church by eliminating every shred of Catholic influence. In the 17th century many Puritans emigrated to the New World, where they sought to found a holy Commonwealth in New England. Puritanism remained the dominant cultural force in that area into the 19th century.		After [[James I]] became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated [[Charles]] I in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them [[Oliver Cromwell]] and [[John Milton]]. The [[Restoration\|restoration]] of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.
	English Puritans were not associated with one single theological doctrine or definition of the church (although many were Calvinists), one common denominator, however, was their extremely critical attitude regarding the religious compromises made during the reign of Elizabeth I. They encouraged direct personal religious experience, sincere moral conduct, and simple worship services; their efforts in that direction were sustained by intense theological convictions and definite expectations about how seriously Christianity should be taken as the focus of human existence.

	After James I became king of England in 1603, Puritan leaders asked him to grant several reforms. At the Hampton Court Conference (1604), however, he rejected most of their proposals, which included abolition of bishops. Puritanism, best expressed by William Ames and later by Richard Baxter, gained much popular support early in the 17th century. The government and the church hierarchy, however, especially under Archbishop William Laud, became increasingly repressive, causing many Puritans to emigrate. Those who remained formed a powerful element within the parliamentarian party that defeated Charles I in the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, government was dominated by Puritans, among them Oliver Cromwell and John Milton. The restoration of the monarchy (1660) also restored Anglicanism as norm, and the Puritan clergy were expelled from the Church of England and persecuted according to the legislation in the so-called Clarendon Code.
	Dissenters (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.		Dissenters (this was the umbrella term for members of Puritan sects, because they dissented from the teachings of the Anglican Church) were excluded from attending university and government posts. Adding insult to injury, the hypocritical, lecherous and stupid Puritan was a stock-character in Restoration comedy.

	Convictions:		Convictions:
	Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.		Puritanism generally extended the thought of the Reformation, with distinctive emphases on four convictions: (1) that personal salvation was entirely from God, (2) that the Bible provided the indispensable guide to life, (3) that the church should reflect the express teaching of Scripture, and (4) that society was one unified whole.

	The Puritans believed that humankind was utterly dependent upon God for salvation. With their predecessors in England and with Luther and Calvin they believed that reconciliation with God came as a gift of his grace received by faith. They were Augustinians who regarded humans as sinners, unwilling and unable to meet the demands, or to enjoy the fellowship, of a righteous God apart from God's gracious initiative.		The Puritans believed that humankind was utterly dependent upon God for salvation. With their predecessors in England and with Luther and Calvin they believed that reconciliation with God came as a gift of his grace received by faith. They were Augustinians who regarded humans as sinners, unwilling and unable to meet the demands, or to enjoy the fellowship, of a righteous God apart from God's gracious initiative.

	~~source~~: This is taken from http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm
			Source: This is taken from http://mb-soft.com/believe/txc/puritani.htm
	Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US		Here you can read the full history of Puritanism in the UK and the US
	thanks .Bridget		thanks. Bridget