Early America was colonized and inhabited by a religious group known as the Puritans who left their homeland of Great Britain to start over in a new country. A man named John Winthrop, a prominent Puritan and governor, delivered a sermon that expressed the ideals of a perfect Christian community in a new country. His goal of an altruistic, utopian community raises two very different questions. Were these Puritans idealistic spiritual people whose sole purpose was to please God? Or were they simply materialistic proto-capitalists seeking wealth with the support of their religious beliefs to support their cause? Winthrop's sermon and other writings of Puritans of this time show that they placed extreme importance on material wealth that was justified by their strict religious beliefs. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay From the beginning of Winthrop's sermon it is very clear that God determined those who were worthy of his love by determining who was rich and who was poor. Winthrop said that God, in his infinite wisdom, showed that “some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, some mean and submissive” (Winthrop 147). This statement shows an important ideological belief of the Puritans: predetermination, the idea that God determines who is successful or powerful and who is poor and of low social status. Winthrop states that, because of their beliefs, God can manifest himself in their daily lives by moderating and restraining people, “so that the rich and powerful do not devour the poor, nor the poor and despised rise up against their superiors and shake themselves off their responsibilities." yoke” (Winthrop 148). It clearly states that the poor are despised and inferior to those who possess wealth and the subtle inclusion of the word “yoke” makes them seem like servants or slaves to those who are successful. Divine Providence not only shapes how Puritans live their lives, but through hard work and spirituality to prove they have God's grace, but also how they view each other. Winthrop demonstrates this by saying, “All men are thus (by divine providence) classed into two kinds, rich and poor” (Winthrop 148). The justification for achieving the “superior” status of being rich is hidden under a multitude of biblical quotes and utopian ideals that convince its followers that being rich and successful is God's desire. Claiming that the reason for wealth is to help each other in need and not expect a reward on this earth, he also goes on to say that he will still be rewarded but in heaven «we know what advantage we will have in the day of reckoning, when many of these witnesses will appear for us to testify to the improvement of our talent ” (Winthrop 150). In other words, being rich gives the person the ability to lend and be merciful, which, upon reaching heaven, those who have received this generosity will see the lender's talent improve in the afterlife. Although it may seem that it is Christian charity that drives them to lend and be generous, Winthrop clearly states that there is another reason, "you look not upon it as an act of mercy, but as an act of commerce" (Winthrop 151) and, “This love is ever rewarded… love and affection are mutual in a fairer and sweeter kind of trade” (Winthrop 155). Therefore, the loan is not a merciful act but a business agreement. Anne Bradstreet was a Puritan poet and highly educated, which was rare for that period. In his poems the paradox between beliefs is shown.