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English Puritanism, 1603-1689 (Social History in Perspective (St Martins Hardcover))

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From the Conclusion of the book:

This book initially suggested that Puritanism might be defined as that which Puritans recognized in each other. In its circular manner, such a defintion stresses the interaction of the spiritual and the social among the puritans; it asserts the mediation of individual spiritual experience through social exchange. It also allows for an emphasis on the puritans' common qualities of character, mind and imagination. The puritan impulse - that drive to show in their lives their strong sense of their own personal salvation - made it possible to recognize others who were also visibly worthy of election to salvation. The puritans knew who they were, ... in 1689 a puritan was still recognizably what he or she had been in 1603."

Spurr gives an interesting analysis of the Puritans as viewed by others, and a sufficient discussion of the role in the civil wars and their rise to power between 1649 and 1660. Spurr concludes that the Puritans ultimately chose personal integrity rather than political power as they suffered the Great Ejection of 1662. Spurr also provides an interesting discussion of how Puritans would reconcile the contradictory notions of predestination and the need for a personal conversion. Ultimately these men and women were more concerned with entering the kingdom of God rather than worldy affairs despite their constant interference in all things political and ecclesiastical. Spurr's work is not altogether unlike Ryken's portrayal of the Puritans in "Worldly Saints."