The Puritans have a reputation for being insufferable moralists. I have no idea where this idea came from, since 1) the Unitarians who split from the Puritans seem far more moralistic and 2) I can find no evidence of this moralistic stance in the writings of such emminent Puritans as John Owen. Take, for instance, his treatment of the mortification of sin from the book, Overcoming Sin & Temptation:
"Without sincerity and diligence in a universality of obedience, there is no mortification of any one perplexing lust to be obtained." While this may sound moralistic, observe what follows:
"It is evident that you contend against sin merely because of your own trouble by it. Would your conscience be quiet under it, you would let it alone. Did it not disquiet you, it should not be disquieted by you... Do you think he will ease you of that which perplexes you, that you may be at liberty to that which no less grieves him? No. God says, "Here is one, if he could be rid of this lust I should never hear of him more; let him wrestle with this, or he is lost."
The concern is for knowledge of God, not mere moral conformity. In fact, Owen opposes self-motivated and achieved moral efforts. Where did the Puritan reputation come from?
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