Final answer:
William Bradford's 'Of Plymouth Plantation' portrays the Pilgrims' belief in God's guidance in their journey, establishment, and governance of their society, illustrated through the Mayflower Compact and their daily lives. The Pilgrims viewed their work as a divine calling and endeavored to create a virtuous society based on biblical blueprints, indicating God's pervasive influence in their lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on 'Of Plymouth Plantation' by William Bradford, the author illustrates a profound reverence for the influence of God in the lives of the Pilgrims. Bradford and the Pilgrims perceived their journey and establishment of a new society as a manifestation of God's will. This acknowledgment can be seen in the Mayflower Compact, which reflects the pilgrims' theocratic vision to found a colony for "the glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith." The Puritans believed they were chosen to build a new Canaan, a model of a new Christian utopia. Their sense of calling was dual, encompassing both a spiritual life of devotion and a secular occupation, both of which were to be practiced with reverence and dedication, for they deemed the work as doing God's will.
Furthermore, the Puritans' efforts to convert Native Americans to Christianity, as well as their view of their society as models of piety and virtue, further underscore their belief in the centrality of God in their lives. Their conviction in their divine election and calling, along with adherence to the 'blueprints' provided by the Bible and Calvinist theology, was expected to lead to a virtuous society in family, church, and state. Their daily life and societal structure were deeply intertwined with their religious convictions, indicating a pervasive influence of God in all aspects of the Puritan life in Plymouth Plantation.