Chapter 6, A Special Commission Summary and Analysis

The Puritans believe God demands more of them than ordinary moral codes do. However, they do not think they need to be prudes or prohibitionists. However, they still are attempting to create a society where God's will is observed in every way. In their eyes, God approves; he has delivered them across the ocean and made them prosperous.

Since the Puritans have a special commission, they have to adhere to God's law particularly stringently. They are determined to be a model for others. For this reason, they try to punish every sin in Massachusetts. Families are cells of righteousness and no one is allowed to live alone. Church is filled every Sunday and censures or excommunicates those who stray. The whole population is a police force but it is hard to determine what counts as...