Puritanism began in America after a group of separatists fled from religious persecution in England. The well-known original fugitives who fled England are the Pilgrims, who landed in America in 1620. However, the group of escapees also contained a group of separatists whom later identified themselves as Puritans. The Puritans founded Salem in 1626 to be the capital or “nucleus of a Puritan colony.” (History of Massachusetts) The Puritans who escaped from England’s religious persecution could be categorized into two different groups, the non-separating and separating Puritans. The colonists who settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony were primarily non-separatists, whereas the Plymouth colonists were classified as “separating Puritans.” Non-separating Puritans believed in reform of the established church through voluntary compacts and separating Puritans believe that the Church of England was corrupt and therefore Christians must separate themselves. (Puritanism in N.E.) The colony was regarded as “an agency of God’s will on earth” and the Puritans regarded themselves as “a new Chosen People of God.” (Puritan History) Puritans interpreted the Bible literally, even more so than their British counterparts. In order to understand and interpret the Bible, Puritans insisted on studying scripture. The emphasis on scripture stems from one of the primary goals of the Puritan community: to fulfill God’s plan.
