Separatists and Puritans
Puritans and Separatists are distinct. Described as “a theology of regeneration”, (Woodridge and James, 2020, 281.), both English Puritans and American Separatists rejected the vestments, formalities and prayers of the Church of England which many considered to be “too Catholic”, “Puritans were English Calvinists who sought to reform, or purify, the Church of England. Separatists were English Calvinists who sought to separate from the Church of England, which they felt was beyond reform.” This is a significant distinction; the distinction of someone who wants to enforce their views on others, as opposed to those who simply want to be without outside influence on their worship.

Whether through advisors close to the King or via the Lord Protector Cromwell, Puritans wielded real power, committed genocide, and sought to ban through legislation everything from theatre-going to pies. Hardly sporting. Beyond the negative was a bold positive: according to Bruce, Marilynne Robinson attributes the first examples of religious tolerance to the Puritans, “It is in the Puritan period that we get the first stirrings of this idea of religious toleration.” (Bruce 2021.) This observation is buttressed by the significant contributions of Puritan thought leaders, “So, Owen preaches sermons on religious toleration, Milton (who wrote “Paradise Lost”), wrote one of the first treatises on religious toleration in the English language.” (Bruce 2021). “Puritans were spread throughout many denominations.” (Bruce, 2021).
Separatists were not comprised of the religious variety of the Puritans, and did not wield their political power. They sought personal change that was internal, rather than to change others. The initial Separatists only settled on land abandoned by Native American tribes, and the one reported instance of one of their number committing theft to the Native Americans, grave robbery, was later recompensed. The initial separatists met their neighbors with alliances, good relations and not, as a rule, warring genocide like the Puritans. After generations, this golden era of accord would diminish due largely to succeeding waves of Puritan immigration as well as some their own offspring..
When faced with the realization that nearly half of their number that did not hold their beliefs, Separatists wrote the most significant agreement in English law to that point: The Mayflower Compact. Within this accord, the Separatists struck a bold agreement for self government for all. Bruce observes about the Separatists, without distinguishing them from the Puritans, “That is a very American ideal. We have this idea that everybody has the obligation to worship God according to their own conscience. Well, that goes back to the Puritans, to a very great extent.” (Bruce, 2021). The Separatist dabbling in communism was a failure and they faced constant health challenges and death. Despite these challenges, it was their inclusion of their non-believing shipmates that made separatists those who truly embodied what Bruce believed to be the correct conclusions of Calvin and Augustine, “Always have a mix”. (Bruce, 2021.)

While Puritans sought perfection in society via the means of political power, Separatists abandoned England for the Netherlands and then North America to build a new society that was better, but not perfect, and based on personal reflection rather than the force of political prowess. They were willing to brave the unknown wilderness and surrender all for their devotion to Christ. Separatists and their shipmates alone served as the spiritual and legal foundation for their New Israel, The United States. Following waves of Puritans took fewer risks and furthered the ideas of tolerance in bringing the precepts of purity and Calvinism to what they considered the New World. As the Separatists faded into the overwhelming numbers of Puritans, they may have echoed Peter, in Matthew 19:27 “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”, as they founded the great Christian civilization to come.
(REFERENCE LIST ENTRIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT
Bruce, Josh. 2021. “Reformation to Modern.” CH504 Lesson 21. Updated October 4, 2021. Lecture video,
6:00”. https://learn.knoxseminary.edu/mod/page/view.php?id=65977&forceview=1
Bruce, Josh. 2021. “Reformation to Modern.” CH504 Lesson 23. Updated October 4, 2021. Lecture video,
1:10, 1:44 and 3:44”. https://learn.knoxseminary.edu/mod/page/view.php?id=65977&forceview=1
Burns, Rick. 2015. “The Pilgrims (American Experience).” DVD
Newcombe, Jerry. 2020. “The Foundation of American Liberty Series: The Pilgrims.” DVD
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b2Rz3QJBJw
BOOKS
Woodbridge, John D., and James III, Frank A.. 2013.
Church History Volume Two: From Pre-reformation to Present Day
ZONDERVAN ACADEMIC.
WEBSITE CONTENT
Bible Gateway.com. “The Holy Bible”.
Matthew 19:27
Accessed 3 August 2025
WorldHistory.org. “Pilgrims, Puritans and Separatists”.
Accessed 4 August 2025.
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