Editing Puritans (section)

=== Calvinism ===
{{Calvinism}}
{{Main|Calvinism}}
''Puritanism'' broadly refers to a diverse religious reform movement in Britain committed to the [[Continental Reformed]] tradition.{{sfn|Ahlstrom|2004|p=125}} While Puritans did not agree on all doctrinal points, most shared similar views on the nature of [[God in Christianity|God]], human [[sin]]fulness, and the relationship between God and mankind. They believed that all of their beliefs should be based on the [[Bible]], which they considered to be [[Biblical inspiration|divinely inspired]].{{sfn|Bremer|2009|p=35}}

The concept of covenant was extremely important to Puritans, and [[covenant theology]] was central to their beliefs. With roots in the writings of Reformed theologians [[John Calvin]] and [[Heinrich Bullinger]], covenant theology was further developed by Puritan theologians [[Dudley Fenner]], [[William Perkins (theologian)|William Perkins]], [[John Preston (priest)|John Preston]], [[Richard Sibbes]], [[William Ames]] and, most fully by Ames's Dutch student, [[Johannes Cocceius]].{{sfn|Ahlstrom|2004|pp=130–131}} Covenant theology asserts that when God created [[Adam and Eve]] he promised them [[Eternal life (Christianity)|eternal life]] in return for perfect obedience; this promise was termed the covenant of [[Good works|works]]. After the [[fall of man]], human nature was corrupted by [[original sin]] and unable to fulfill the covenant of works, since each person inevitably violated God's law as expressed in the [[Ten Commandments]]. As sinners, every person deserved [[damnation]].{{sfn|Bremer|2009|pp=37–38}}

Puritans shared with other Calvinists a belief in [[Predestination in Calvinism|double predestination]], that some people (the [[Election (Christianity)|elect]]) were destined by God to receive [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] and [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] while others were destined for [[Hell in Christianity|Hell]].{{Sfn|Bremer|2009|p=40}} No one, however, could [[Merit (Christianity)|merit]] salvation. According to covenant theology, [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Christ's sacrifice on the cross]] made possible the covenant of grace, by which those selected by God could be saved. Puritans believed in [[unconditional election]] and [[irresistible grace]]—God's grace was given freely without condition to the elect and could not be refused.{{sfn|Bremer|2009|p=42}}