ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Puritans were English Protestants who were committed to “purifying” the Church of England by eliminating all aspects of Catholicism from religious practices. English Puritans founded the colony of Plymouth to practice their own brand of Protestantism without interference.

Detailed explanation-2: -Unlike the Pilgrims who had left 10 years earlier, the Puritans did not break with the Church of England, but instead sought to reform it. Seeking comfort and reassurance in the Bible, they imagined themselves re-enacting the story of the Exodus.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Puritans thought that the bishops and priests had too much power over church members. The most extreme Protestants wanted to separate from the Church of England. These Separatists formed their own churches and cut all ties with the Church of England. In response, Anglican leaders began to punish Separatists.

Detailed explanation-4: -During the reign of James I, most Puritans were no longer willing to wait for further church reforms and separated from the Church of England.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Puritans in Massachusetts Bay believed in a separation of church and state, but not a separation of the state from God. restricting future freemanship and the right to vote only to Congrega-tional Church members in order to guarantee a “godly” government.