What led to the decline of the Puritan religion in New England?
The English theologian, John Owen, wrote a book, “A New Testament Church.” It changed the nature of the main religion in New England from Presbyterianism to Congregationalism. Presbyterian Churches are governed by boards meeting in secret. Although they have boards, in Congregational Churches congregations meeting in the open have more power. With the inability to rule in secret, Puritanism lost power. The same thing happened in the government in New England. Town meetings replaced secret councils. Trials became open and people gained the right to confront witnesses.