Price of Redemption, Spiritual Economy of Puritan New England (Innbundet (stive permer))

Beginning with the first colonists and continuing down to the present, the dominant narrative of New England Puritanism has maintained that piety and prosperity were enemies, that the rise of commerce delivered a mortal blow to the fervor of the founders, and that later generations of Puritans fell away from their religious heritage as they moved out across the New England landscape. This book offers a new alternative to the prevailing narrative, which has been frequently criticized but heretofore never adequately replaced. The author s argument follows two main strands. First, he shows that commercial development, rather than being detrimental to religion, was necessary to sustain Puritan religious culture. It was costly to establish and maintain a vital Puritan church, for the needs were many, including educated ministers who commanded substantial salaries; public education so that the laity could be immersed in the Bible and devotional literature (substantial expenses in themselves); the building of meeting houses; and the furnishing of communion tables all and more were required for the maintenance of Puritan piety.

Introduction; 1. A 'right middle way'; 2. A temple in the wilderness; 3. A garden in the metropolis; 4. 'The want of all means ordained to help me'; 5. Keepers of the vineyard, gentlemen of means; 6. 'Christ's curious garden fenced in ... '; 7. Defending the garden, cultivating the wilderness; 8. '... With solid walls of discipline'; Conclusion; from the covenant to the revival and beyond; Notes; Index.