The New Divinity and the American Revolution

Abstract

O N Sunday, June 2 5, I 7 7 5, Joseph Bellamy (I 7 I 9I 7 90) explained to his parishioners in Bethlehem, Connecticut, that the recent outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord was unavoidable. [British] ministry, he observed, angry with us, more than with any part of america, because we are puritans and particularly of the old puritans.... The ministry angry with us because they would have our money in ways which we ask to be independent. The colonists, Bellamy concluded, now had no option but to take up arms: was not safe to submit [to British troops]. There was no way but to fight at Lexington. We are now declared rebels. will subdue [us] if they can. In subsequent sermons Bellamy assured his congregation that God would release them from the oppression of king and Parliament, despite the apparent power of imperial forces: They [the British officials] think themselves superior ... [and] expect we will divide. God loves to conduct things so as to abase the proud and let it be known that he the Lord.... It an easy thing for God to deliver us next year.... It a wise thing for these colonies to prepare for next year.1 The conflict with Britain also fired the preaching of Levi Hart (1738i8o8), Bellamy's student, son-in-law, and colleague in Preston, Connecticut. In the spring of I 7 7 5 Hart began preaching inflammatory sermons to townspeople and militia. fatal tendency of monarchical government whether open or closed, he maintained in April, is that people should be