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This book is based on a set of lectures that Morgan gave as the Anson G Phelps Lectures delivered at New York University in 1962. He used these lectures as the basis of four chapters of the book and then expanded a little by writing a conclusion. Despite its length, Visible Saints has become classic work on Puritanism.
What are Visible Saints? The Puritans saw themselves as Visible Saints. Visible saints were godly Christian people who would go to heaven when they died. They took upon themselves the task of demonstrating their sainthood. They started the movement in the 16th century to eradicate the remnants of the Catholic Church. They spent part of each day privately praying. They attended church regularly. Although they were interested in their church and being good Puritans, they realized that commerce and financial success were important. They, in effect, established in New England the idea of the protestant work ethic: be true to God, pray, and make money. Was this the birth of WASP and the importance of making money? Morgan does not go there.
Morgan starts the book by explaining the historical background of the Puritans and the development of their ideas of “Church.” When Henry VIII wanted to marry Anne Boleyn he needed a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, his dead brother’s widow. The Pope frowned on divorce so, in 1534 after Pope Clement VII refused to grant the King a divorce, Henry left the Catholic Church. Henry then allowed the translation of the Bible into English. He stripped the monasteries of their wealth and established the Church of England. The church swung back to Rome when Henry’s daughter Mary came on the throne; she was Catherine of Aragon’s daughter and a devout Catholic.
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Puritans_under_Elizabeth_I
* http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h573.html
* "<i>New England's Great Migration." </i> Lynn Betlock April 2008* "<i>The Puritan Migration: Albion’s Seed Sets Sail." </i> Claire Hopley December 2008.
[http://videri.org/index.php?title=Guide_to_the_Literature Check out other great articles at Videri.org.]
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