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Anne Bradstreet's Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God

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Puritanism, a version of Calvinism, addresses the sinfulness of man and claims that God has predetermined those who will be saved and those who won’t; despite their sins. In the poem “Here Follow Some Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10, 1666,” Anne Bradstreet recounts a tragic accident that occurred and how she used it to glorify God. Jonathan Edwards conducted sermon titled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in Connecticut, 1741. In this text he goes in depth into the sinful nature of man, and a just and angry God who doesn’t hesitate. Both passages address the life Puritans should live. The structure in these two texts also play important roles in representing Puritanism in its truest form. Anne Bradstreet’s purpose was to use her own personal tragedy to grow closer to God; as well as share the idea with the world that God is good all of the time, despite all possible circumstances one may deal with in life. This is evident in the passage when she states. “And to my God my heart did cry / To strengthen me in my distress / And not to leave me …show more content…

“So that, thus it is that natural men are held in the hands of God, over the pit of hell,” (Edwards 79) Edwards’ motive in his sermon is to scare the less devoted Puritans into being “born again” and dedicating their life to the Father. “The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconnected persons in this congregation.” (Edwards 80) Edwards believes man to all be self-righteous, unfaithful, and dubiously sinful creatures in desperate need of a savior. The only way that they can be spared being dropped into the pits of hell and graciously given eternal life is to repent of their transgressions and bow their knees to God in

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