Shift in the concept of Religion

-Donald Altamirano

In the early part of the period, the concept of religion is (for the most part) seen through strict beliefs in religious ideologies (mainly Christianity and Protestantism). Samuel Butler's character Sir Hudibras (Hudibras) a very religious man.

"For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and his wit:
'Twas Presbyterian true blue,
For he was of that stubborn crew
Of errant saints whom all men grant
To be the true church militant" lines 187-192

Religion is also the central part of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, where Christian's travels become an allegory for Christian (the religion) beliefs.
Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man deals with the concept that their is order in the universe created by God. And Man is under God. Man is to obey God's will and authority.

Later in the period this idea is still prevalent, however it is being questioned to a great degree by ideas about the concept of Man, such as those put forward by William Blake. Blake throws out the traditional notions of God and religion in his works, stating that Man as a collective self is God, and God is Man: "Therefore God becomes as we are, that we may be as he is." (There Is No Natural Religion [b]) The same idea is also presented in The Lamb when Blake compares the lamb, the child (mankind), and God to be the same. Blake's works work against the traditional notion of religion, and warns against any form of authority.