Puritanism is a pure way of living under the Word of God. Puritanism has gradually evolved from the original roots it encompassed more than 400 years ago. The process of this evolution can be seen by studying the history of change in societies through works by American literature writers. Examples of such writers are Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Paine who have produced works demonstrating a straying from these original Puritan values.
             According to the website, "Puritan Roots," the original Puritan values were based on living a "Biblical Christian life" (McMahon 4). Puritans strove to live spiritually, and they constantly sought this spiritual state through Jesus Christ. "Puritans knew the Bible well and wrote deeply and passionately about it" (McMahon 2). They took this knowledge gained from the Bible and put it into use by living by it in every aspect of their lives. They believed that every man was born with equal opportunity to be successful, and it was through their faith they would be able to achieve success. Ultimately, Puritans strove for a pure spiritual existence.
             Benjamin Franklin represents in his work, "The Way to Wealth," a turn away from these original Puritan values. "The Way to Wealth" takes on a belief that man is in control instead of God. By using the statement, "God helps them that help themselves," Franklin gives a direct reflection of the belief that man is in control of his own life, not God (Franklin 221). Another account that gives man control is the statement, "he that
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             lives upon hope will die fasting" (Franklin 222). Puritans believed in hope in Jesus Christ, and they believed helping themselves was to have faith in God; they did not have faith in man or that man was in control of every aspect of their lives.
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