All throughout their lives, Mary and William faced challenging hardships that tested their faith in their Puritan beliefs. Both found solace and comprehension through religion to overcome their difficulties. One of Mary Rowlandson’s hardships was being abducted by the Wampanoag tribe, along with her children, from their home. As a captive, she endured hunger and lived in constant fear for her life.
She remained steadfast in her faith, searching for an explanation as to why God had brought this hardship upon her and seeking reassurance of His presence. Despite facing the worst circumstances, she recognized that God was still with her, evident in His provision of food and shelter. Like many aboard the Mayflower, William Bradford embarked on a journey in pursuit of religious freedom, longing for a place where he could freely practice his beliefs. However, during the voyage to the New World, his wife tragically passed away, imposing a significant hardship on Bradford.
Despite facing the toughest of hardships, both Rowlandson and Bradford, who were both Purists, managed to stay strong in their faith and rely on God to help them cope. For Bradford, maintaining his beliefs was crucial in preventing him from losing control of himself. Recognizing the difficulty of dealing with death, he turned to his faith to find the strength to endure the loss of his wife. Similarly, Rowlandson also found solace in God during her own trying experiences. Both individuals recognized that relying on their faith was the most effective way to stay resilient in the face of adversity.
