1780 THOMAS WELLS BRAY. A Dissertation on the Sixth Vial. American Revolution in Prophecy.

Justin Endy, in his Millennialism in the Revolution, described Thomas Wells Bray [1738-1808] as being one of the leading voices in sacralizing the American Revolutionary War as a part of the in-break of the Millennium and the establishment of God's kingdom, via his new Israel of America. By placing the War in the context of the "Vials" of Revelation, he immediately places the American people on the side of the sacred and the British as enemies of the sacred. 

One very significant contribution of Bray in the era was that of arguing for restraint and a moral and reconciliatory approach to the Revolution. Voices demonizing the British and invoking the language of Holy War and Crusade, especially in the popular voice, were abundant. But Bray argues that while the War was right, necessary, and indeed "prophetic," because it was a war for God's Israel, it must be engaged ethically and in keeping with the mission of Christ. 

Preached deep into the American Revolutionary War. Scarce in the trade.

Bray, Thomas-Wells. A Dissertation on the Sixth Vial; In Five Parts with and Introduction Upon the Design of Prophecy in General, and the Book of Revelation in Particular. By Thomas Wells Bray, A. M. Pastor of a Church in Guilford. Hartford. Printed by Hudson and Goodwin. 1780. 107pp.

A good + copy, bound in wraps, generally solid, with some toning and light foxing.