Question

historian samuel eliot morison has said that "bradford... had a constant sense of an unseen hand... that seemed to be guiding puritan policy." what events on the voyage to the new world does bradford credit to the direct intervention of god?

Answer 1

Answer:

As a puritan, William Bradford saw the world based on the idea that God was good and evil at the same time. So, every event that happened during the voyage was credited to God (for good, or for bad).

Explanation:

Let's se some examples.

According to William Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation (1620 - 1647), he describes how an arrogant sailor was abusing the puritans. Bradford wrote that God would punish him, and save the puritans. He describes the sailor as "a young and profane young man", and following,

"But it pleased God before they came half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate manner, and so was himself the first that was thrown overboard." (IX:58)

In other passage, when a sailor fall from the ship, Bradford write that, if the sailor was righteous, God would save him.

". . . but it pleased God that he [the sailor] caught hold of the top-sail halyards . . . (though he was several fathoms under water) till he was hauled up by the same rope. . . . and his life saved. . . . " (IX:124)

In other words, God was always present on the trip. We have to consider other aspects also, especially the sickness and storms that tormented the crew.

Answer 2

During the voyage to the new world, a lot of people were experiencing seasickness and many have fallen ill. There was this young robust man who was very haughty and proud. He abhorred people for falling ill. He suggested that they throw sick people overboard since they are useless. Then, without warning, this man fell ill. Everyone on board thought that it was the work of God. He got is divine justice and he was the first person to be thrown overboard.

They have encountered a lot of storms and winds but their ship remained strong and steadfast amidst the battering rain and wind. They all accounted their safety to God.