USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Puritans believed that it was necessary to be in a covenant relationship with God in order to be redeemed from one’s sinful condition, that God had chosen to reveal salvation through preaching, and that the Holy Spirit was the energizing instrument of salvation.

Detailed explanation-2: -They formed a “covenant community” based on the principles of the Mayflower Compact and religious beliefs, Puritans were often intolerant of those not sharing their religion. They also sought economic opportunity and settled as family groups. Puritans practiced a form of direct democracy through town meetings.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Dedham Covenant was a covenant that governed the early settlement of Dedham, Massachusetts. It mandated that only those with similar, Puritan, community values could live in the town and set about a method for mediating disputes. It also required each resident to pay their fair share of taxes for the common good.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Puritans first focused on establishing their churches. A group gathered together to form a “covenant community, ” pledging to obey God’s laws. Every gather-ing, called a congregation, elected its own minister and decided its own church rules.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Puritans believed the community was bound in a covenant with God. This visible group of secular and clerical leaders, which they often brought with them from England, gave authority to the government as well as the church through their cooperation.