Description

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An Investigation of the 16th-18th Century Puritan Vernacular Tradition argues that Puritan writers, specifically from the 17th to the 19th century, developed a collective vernacular which was intended to-in the words of John Milton-"justify the ways of God to man." However, their phrases (much like the Puritans themselves) never achieved a sufficient level of uniformity. As a result, their verbiage, though quite often similar, the manner in which it is used frequently differs. Puritan authors' routine suggestion that certain circumstances "pleased God" began as an attempt with which to interpret God's involvement in their day-to-day lives. However, as time passed, these interpretations became further removed from the Scripture and ultimately functioned as a way for writers to indict God when things badly or to praise him only when he showed them favor.

About the Author

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Douglas Root is assistant professor of English at Claflin University.