William Bradford

The nature of William Bradford’s writing is much like Perry Miller describes. Bradford’s writings are clear, calm, and revelatory in that they offer an up-close, detailed glimpse into the life and mindset of the Puritans. There are many quotes by Bradford that could aptly summarize the plight of the Puritans, but few are more telling of their purpose than when Bradford writes in what is known as the Mayflower Compact:

“Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colonie in the Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation” (Carter 26)

This quote clearly illustrates just what Perry Miler described in that it provides a calm and clear account of the goals and aspirations of the Puritans as they embarked upon their new life in a new land. Bradford seems to also make clear with these words that even though their mission is one of their own making, it is a mission that is selfless and done in honor of God and to help aid Christianity. (Bradford, et al. n.p.).

There is no shortness of spirit or authentic passion within Bradford’s writing and the confidence of the Puritans is made very apparent. In fact, many of Bradford’s most spirited words are spoken from a place of personal experience, such as being religiously persecuted and oppressed while living back in their homeland of England: “Our fathers were Englishman who came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in the wilderness; but they cried unto the lord and he heard their voice, and looked on their adversity” (Bradford, William, and Paget 19). Such words show the intense commitment of the Puritans and their willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed in their mission. Bradford explains the extreme determination of the Puritans by writing, “All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage” (Bradford 31). These words speak to the courageous nature of the Puritans as they worked to establish a new society with the initial thirteen colonies after escaping the harsh intolerance in England.

Bradford’s writings demonstrate that the Puritans had no doubt that their journey would be arduous and that they would encounter many different obstacles along the way. Even though they knew they faced certain struggle, they fought their way to personal and religious freedom - with their descendants eventually breaking from England with the Declaration of Independence.

Works Cited

Bradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation. Franklin: FaithWorks, 2003. Print.

Bradford, William, et. al. The American Puritans. Ed. Perry Miller. New York: Anchor Books, 1956. Print.

Bradford, William, and Paget, Harold. Bradford’s History of the Plymouth Settlement, 1608- 1650. New York: E.P. Dutton & Company, 1920. Print.

Carter, E.J. The Mayflower Compact (Historical Documents). Chicago: Heinemann Know It, 2003. Print.