In secret place where once I stood
Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood,
I heard two sisters reason on
Things that are past and things to come.
One Flesh was call'd, who had her eye
On worldly wealth and vanity;
The other Spirit, who did rear
The concept of this poem, seemingly “material wealth vs. spiritual salvation,” I believe can be better analyzed with some historical context – particularly biographical information pertaining to the author herself.  Regarding her religion, biographer Cheryl Walker writes “Throughout her life Bradstreet recorded intense periods of self-examination with regard to her religious shortcomings. In order to under-stand the urgency with which she felt these spiritual tensions, it is necessary to reconstruct not only Puritan sentiments in general but also Bradstreet’s particular relationship to the sociopolitical system under which she lived. Self-scrutiny was part and parcel of Puritan existence; and there is certainly no evidence that Bradstreet was any less a Puritan because she had periods of internal debate concerning such matters as atheism, the Trinity, and the legitimacy of Puritanism itself” (American Writers: A Collection of Literary Biographies).  So, this particularly “involved” form of religion may certainly have had an effect on Bradsteet’s themes in this, along with many of her works.  Also, I feel it important to note here that Bradstreet comes from a particularly privileged background, having lineage to the renowned author Sir Philip Sidney, as well as financial security, in her marriage to Thomas Dudley.  Walker continues “Thomas Dudley was a man who possessed not only mental talents but material wealth as well; and the Bradstreets no doubt continued to benefit from his secure financial status, even after he moved to Roxbury in 1639 (American Writers).  Taking this history into account, one may not only be able to better understand Bradstreet’s conflict between her own wealth and beliefs; but also, given her financial status (and respected status),how she may have felt secure enough to contemplate and analyze such quandaries. 
 Here is a link to Walker’s entire essay (however you will need a login code for Gale Virtual): 
 
 I’ve found a great website that gives access to some Puritan documents and essays composed by some of Bradstreet’s contemporaries, and may help better understand the historical context of this poem. Here is the link: 

Flesh and the Spirit The