country, in which your proceedings may, in some way, be useful. For your Dr. Price, who seems to have speculated himself into no small de|gree of fervour upon this subject, addresses his auditory in the following very remark|able words:
I cannot conclude without re|calling particularly to your recollection a consideration which I have more than once al|luded to, and which probably your thoughts have been all along anticipating; a considera|tion with which my mind is impressed more than I can express. I mean the consideration of the favourableness of the present times to all exertions in the cause of liberty.
It is plain that the mind of this political Preacher was at the time big with some extra|ordinary design; and it is very probable, that the thoughts of his audience, who understood him better than I do, did all along run before him in his reflection, and in the whole train of consequences to which it led.
Before I read that sermon, I really thought I had lived in a free country; and it was an error I cherished, because it gave me a greater liking to the country I lived in. I was indeed aware, that a jealous, ever-waking vigilance, to guard the trea|sure of our liberty, not only from invasion, but from decay and corruption, was our best wisdom and our first duty. However, I considered that treasure rather as a possession to be secured than as a prize to be contended for. I did not discern how the present time came to be so very favourable to all exertions in the cause of freedom. The pre|sent
