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Rachel Trus

Ms. Storer

English 3 Honors Block 4

4 September 2019

Mighty Perceptions

A work of literature, more often than not, communicates the author’s beliefs and

personality. Anne Bradstreet’s poem “Upon the Burning of Our House” and Jonathan Edwards’

sermon “from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” explore this idea by reflecting the authors

perceptions of God. Although Bradstreet’s and Edwards’ views on eternal life and God’s

relationship with man are vastly separable, both authors are aware of God’s almighty power that

brings salvation.

Eternal life in Heaven is addressed in both works, however Bradstreet’s and Edwards’

views on how one obtains eternal life are vastly different. Bradstreet holds a view of a loving and

caring God whom she will spend eternal life with: “Thou hast a house on high erect, / Framed by

that mighty Architect, / With glory richly furnished, / Stands permanent though this be fled”

(Bradstreet 43-46). Bradstreet expresses this sentiment after the burning of her house and

belongings takes place. When first searching through the ashes of her home, Bradstreet is

disturbed over the loss of her precious belongings. Towards the end of her poem, Bradstreet

remembers that while the burning of her belongings is unfortunate, her true home and happiness

are found in heaven. Bradstreet believes the burning of her house to be a punishment from God

because she is too focused on worldly pleasures. The suffering she experiences is God’s way of

preparing her heart to receive His grace and prepare her spiritually to receive the ultimate prize

of heaven. Bradstreet is always searching for signs of God’s favor or anger. She believes that her
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reaction to the burning of her house will determine God’s consideration of her place in heaven.

In this passage Bradstreet puts complete faith in God and re-devotes her life to Him. Bradstreet

seeks to prove to God her worthiness to have a place in heaven, thus proving that Bradstreet

believes that in order to get to heaven, one must keep their faith, even in the toughest of times,

and keep God as the focus of one’s life. On the other hand, Edwards preaches an extreme

message of God in his sermon explaining that most people are subject to eternal damnation:

“There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell’s wide gaping

mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of. There is nothing

between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you

up” (Edwards 97). Edwards’ message to his audience is that one is in danger of spending

eternity in hell unless one is reborn in God. He preys upon the fears of his audience that they

may reflect on their lives and seek to be reborn in faith. Edwards explains to his audience that

most are subject to hell because most take for granted God’s promise of grace. As a Puritan,

Edwards believes that faith, not works, will allow one to enter heaven. He preaches a message of

fear to influence his audience to submit to God in faith. The perception Edwards has of God is

that he is the holy master and humans are fundamentally evil; God is the only instrument keeping

one from hell. Therefore, Edwards believes that in order to receive salvation, one must do what

God demands and be reborn in faith to be saved. Furthermore, Bradstreet and Edwards hold

differing views on God’s relationship with man.

Both Bradstreet and Edwards discuss God’s relationship to man in their works, however,

the way the authors present this relationship differs. Bradstreet shares an intimate view of God

with her readers: “I, starting up, the light did spy, / And to my God my heart did cry/To

strengthen me in my distress/And not to leave me succorless” (Bradstreet 7-10). As chaos and

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panic occur around her as a result of the house fire, Bradstreet chooses to call out to God in her

moment of distress. Rather than blaming God for taking away her belongings, Bradstreet asks

God for His strength to get through this difficult time He has given to her. She places her trust in

God, despite her unhappiness with the situation. Bradstreet’s Puritan faith teaches her that God

will take away the aspects of life that prevent her from giving her entire heart to God.

Bradstreet’s affectionate behavior toward God during and after the house fire allow the reader to

understand the personal relationship held between God and Bradstreet, proving her stance that

God desires a true connection with each of His creations. On the contrary, Edwards presents God

as wrathful and limitless: “The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a

spider, or some loathsome insect, over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked…He

looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire” (Edwards 98). Edwards use

of imagery allows the reader to understand that God views man as easily destroyable and

despised. Man is insignificant in comparison to God and needs His mercy more than anything

else in this world. Edwards portrays humanity as perverted and it is this that keeps the fire of

God’s wrath burning. Therefore, Edwards’ perspective on God’s relationship with man is that

man is frail and is need of God’s great mercy and that God will treat people with wrath.

Moreover, while Bradstreet’s and Edwards’ works present different versions of God, they share

the same conviction that God is the only way to salvation.

Despite their contrasting presentations of God, Bradstreet’s and Edwards’ belief in the

saving power of God is similar. Through God’s grace, Bradstreet explains that, “Thou hast an

house on high erect, / Framed by that mighty Architect, / With glory richly furnished, / Stands

permanent though this be fled. / It’s purchased and paid for too/By Him who hath enough to do”

(Bradstreet 43-48). All on Earth will come to ashes, similar to Bradstreet’s house, but those who
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are saved have a permanent home in heaven. Bradstreet helps the reader to understand that one

will never be greater than God, as He is the mighty Architect, but one will receive glory in

heaven for following God everyday on earth. This passage emphasizes the importance of trusting

God through difficult trials in order that one may join God in heaven. This passage highlights the

attentiveness with which Bradstreet lives her daily life, because she seldom looses sight of the

gift God gives one at the end of a faithful life, heaven. This demonstrates Bradstreet’s belief in

the saving action of God. Similarly, Edwards preaches that despite God’s anger, He still seeks to

redeem all souls: “And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has

flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door calling and crying with a loud voice to

poor sinners…” (Edwards 99). Edwards explains that God gives all people the opportunity to

abandon their sinful ways and seek refuge in His unfailing mercy. Despite the wrath God pours

out, He understands that sin is human nature and that redemption is urgent. He calls all people to

flock to Him and find salvation before their day of judgement comes. Therefore, Edwards

preaches that everybody has the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God through faith and

humility. Despite their differences, both authors share the message of redemption found in God.

Both Bradstreet’s and Edwards’ works reflect their shared belief of Puritanism.

Bradstreet’s poem shows a personal view of Puritanism, while Edwards sermon demonstrates

extreme values of Puritanism. Despite the divergent gap between Bradstreet and Edwards’

presentation of eternal life and God’s relationship with man, they both find common ground in

their message that God is the only way to salvation. Through these works, one understands that

though each person may have a different understanding of their relationship with God, salvation

is available to everyone.

Works Cited
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Bradstreet, Anne. “Upon the Burning of Our House.” Glencoe American Literature, by Jeffrey

D. Wilhelm et al., Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009, pp. 91.

Edwards, Jonathan. “from Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Glencoe American

Literature, by Jeffrey D. Wilhelm et al., Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009, pp. 97-99.