Social standing in the Puritan church was largely dependent on CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND STICKING TO THE RULES OF THE CHURCH.
The central dogma of Puritanism was the supreme authority of God over human affairs. For some, such authority was expressed to the degree of predestination taught by John Calvin, but not all shared this opinion.
In addition, the Puritans stressed that the individual must be reformed by the grace of God. Each person, to whom God showed mercy, had to understand his own lack of importance and trust that the forgiveness that is in Christ had been given to him, so that, out of gratitude, he should follow a humble and obedient life.
Therefore, it was believed that it was a moral duty (and in fact, an obligation) to attend church and comply with the precepts that it required.
