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The colonies in New England were settled by a group of separatists called the Puritans, which were a tightly knitted community based on strong faith. This community of New England Puritans influenced religious liberties, education, and obedience in the colonies from the 1630's-1660's by relating them to their religious morals and beliefs. ` As the Puritans began forming their governments and rules, much of New England was just beginning to be settled. Although in document E the Puritans thank their God for the their passage to the new world, much can be thanked to Martin Luther and John Calvin, pioneers of the Puritan religion. Once the grievances had been posted on the door of Wittenberg's cathedral, the idea of an alternative religion had been planted. The Puritans, from the ideas of Luther, believed that the bible alone was the only voice of God and with that, all men are equal. Similar to Luther, John Calvin also had varying views from the the church, but his were the idea of predestination. Predestination is the idea that God had selected the “elect” to go to heaven from the very beginning. The Puritans used these two men to help shape their unique and devote religion.

The idea of obedience was extremely strong in the the community. Document C, The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636, explains the obedience to not only God, but to those above them in power. They are referred to as the Lord's stewards, which is quite an image of servitude and obedience. Document D, by William Bradford, likewise shows complete and total obedience under God by giving thanks to him in times of bloodshed. The Puritans believed that those who were enemies had without a doubt gone against their God. From this, they find it fitting to kill the enemy, in this case the Indians, and to give thanks. Although their religion preached non-violence, it did happen and because of their blind faith the Puritans believed that God had done so with his grace. In John Cotton's