Diest vs. Puritan: Ideological Differences through Literary Work (Essay Example)

Over the course of the 18th century, various philosophies and ideologies grounded their roots and began to take practice in societies.  With that being stated, these practices showcased many differences from their counterparts; Puritan and Deist to name a couple.  In addition, these differences can be identified through the literary works of those relative to the ideologies.  A plethora of American literary figures wrote upon their beliefs with these 18th-century orientations including authors such as founding father, Benjamin Franklin, former Governor of Massachusetts Bay, John Winthrop, and American poet, Michael Wigglesworth.  When under the analysis of these literary works, both spiritual and physical variations are present between the guidelines of both ideologies.  While both religions share similar spiritual backgrounds, the departure of declaration and law throughout its’ society is major.  The deist works of Franklin alongside the Puritan perspective of Winthrop’s and Wigglesworth’s work present various discrepancies on societal standards with God, the destiny of ones’ fate throughout life, and the betterment of human nature.

To begin, the comparison of Deist and Puritan philosophies showcase a sizeable disparity on the subject of God’s role in their society.  To further explain, the Puritans believed God had surrounded the world's dystopia, withdrawing all evil from nature and saving society through his adornment (“Puritanism Versus Deism Analysis”).  This bundle of ideas is further presented through the scholarly works of Winthrop such as A Model of Christian Charity.  Through the lines in the dialogue, it states, “Let him lay aside as God hath blessed him. If the time and occasion be extraordinary, he must be ruled by them; taking this withal, that then a man cannot likely do too much, especially if he may leave himself and his family under probable means of comfortable subsistence“ (Winthrop).  Essentially, Winthrop states that God blesses all men and that men aren’t likely to provide much impact without his assistance.  In addition, he continues to assert, “that ourselves and posterity may be the better preserved from the common corruptions of this evil world, to serve the Lord and work out our salvation under the power and purity of his holy ordinances” (Winthrop).  Further praising God’s strength, the statement exclaims the uncertainty of corruption staying tame in the world; however, God’s decrees and purity will save humanity.  On the contrary, those native to Deism preached the statement of humanity possessing good fortune by default, in addition to God holding no interference to ones’ free will, but instead a grounding to follow after.  Various claims to this statement can be further exclaimed in the works of Franklin.  Found in the Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion, it states, “For I conceive that he has in himself some of those Passions he has planted in us, and that, since he has given us Reason whereby we are capable of observing his Wisdom in the Creation” (Franklin).  Essentially, Franklin states how God planted guidelines for us to observe, learn, and use in order to achieve well-being and fortune in a solitary fashion.  While both ideologies acknowledge the wisdom and superiority of God, the similarities end as Franklin states that God planted opportunities for humans to pursue on their own accord, rather contradicting Puritan belief.  While both mythologies understand the amplitude of God, neither beliefs agree on his place in their own separate societies, for Deism claims God holds no effect on society's fortune, while Puritan thinking holds truth to God being the saving grace in their dystopian society.

Furthermore, both Puritan and Deist mythologies show the contrast between each other, in this case, how their societies' faith is set in stone in regards to heaven or hell.  As previously stated, God is present in both mythologies; however, the inequality is further showcased through God’s grants or accords.  As previously stated, natives of Deism claimed the absence of God’s impact on ones’ faith, as he only plants the seed for one to grow from.  This idea still applies in the afterlife, as Deists preach their fate being settled through the decisions they make throughout life and being whether they are granted heaven or hell.  Authors such as Benjamin Franklin display this mindset in sermons such as A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain. Franklin begins to state, “Actions are done which ought not to be done, or would be better undone; these Things or Actions they cannot ascribe to God as His, because they have already attributed to Him infinite Wisdom and Goodness“ (Franklin).  Further explaining, Franklin continues to back up that free will and morality are in the hands of man since it’s stated that only ‘Him’ can possess ‘Wisdom’ and ‘Goodness’.  In addition, God’s wisdom helped shape what can be considered good or bad; however, this reasoning doesn't classify any conditions as good or bad, for it is societies’ actions that will determine so (Viney).  Conversely, Puritanism pursued a doctrine known as Predestination, a rather hopeless look on ones’ faith.  To further explain, inhabitants of Puritanism state that God has already selected the few to be saved or not, in this sense, be rewarded heaven or not, with ones’ actions or morals giving no hope.  In the ballad, The Day of Doom, it states, “A separation, and diff'ring station by Christ appointed is (To sinners sad) 'twixt good and bad, 'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss” (Wigglesworth).  The poet expresses that God chooses who will be appointed to both the good and bad, which in this scenario, refers to heaven or hell.  In addition, it shows how God commanded all depravity and doom toward the people (Admin).  While continuing to share similarities in regards to the presence of God, the ideologies begin to strafe away from each other as societies’ allegiance becomes bipolar when revolving from one mythology to the other, as Puritans show signs of hopelessness while Deism left faith be decided through ones’ lifetime.

Lastly, Nature, while playing a considerable role in the 18th-century ideologies, shows a considerably large gap when placed side-by-side with Puritan and Deist philosophy.  In other words, both beliefs held opposite views on human behavior, and with it, their doing of virtuous acts and betterment.  To clarify, Deism held high demand for betterment in the world throughout all day-to-day registries, and without it, visioned no purpose in the world.  Franklin continues this mindset by stating, “If a Animal is made by God, it must depend upon God, and have all its Power from Himaˆ¦because He is Good ; therefore a Animal can make nil but what is good” (Franklin as cited in Admin).  Since God holds all power to prosperity, humans inhabit good nature by default; hence, the animal can do no wrong.  When taken to the opposing side, Puritans held a more negative opposition by holding truth towards humans inheriting a sinful nature.  In addition, there was no sight of a clean state, everyone within the community was stained by corruption and degradation (Van Engen).  Present within The Day of Doom, it states, “All Kindreds wail: all hearts do fail: horror the world doth fill With weeping eyes, and loud out-cries, yet knows not how to kill” (Wigglesworth).  Opposing the bright advocacy of Deist philosophy, Wigglesworth narrates the Puritan setting fulfilled with wrath and horror, not as a consequence of God, but from an immoral nature, meaning it's the regulated blemish to life.  While both philosophies held an understanding towards the action of betterment, the differences prevail as betterment through a Deist society provides liveliness to the world, while Puritan societies provide no meaning to the word of betterment and see their nature as hopeless and sinful.

In conclusion, the 18th-century held grounding to a multitude of ideologies, all across the space of American land.  Although being on the same ground as its counterparts, the differences present between these ideologies is clear.  In addition, these differences are more than present throughout the scholarly works of authors native to their respective philosophies, both physical and non-physical.  While holding true to different mythologies, these scholarly authors The Diest literary works of Franklin, alongside the Puritan production from authors such as Wigglesworth and Winthrop, showcase various diversities in the customs of their philosophies such as their societal role with God, the path of ones’ fate, and the nature that surrounds both respected environments.