Samuel West

On the Right to Rebel Against Governors Samuel West

During the time of the American Revolution, Dr. Samuel West was the humble pastor of a small Congregational church in Massachusetts. He was fondly regarded as one of America's greatest theologians, and his sermons were attended by large crowds of travelers eager to learn from his wisdom. His most famous sermon was delivered at the request of the Massachusetts government on election day in 1776. Dr. West gave this sermon the provocative title of "On the Right to Rebel Against Governors," and in it, he claimed that the American colonies were already free and independent states according to British law. He then provided one of history's best theological justifications of the Revolution.