erity to glory in.

The present time, likewise, is that peculiar time, which never happens
to a nation but once, viz. the time of forming itself into a
government. Most nations have let slip the opportunity, and by that
means have been compelled to receive laws from their conquerors,
instead of making laws for themselves. First, they had a king, and
then a form of government; whereas, the articles or charter of
government, should be formed first, and men delegated to execute them
afterward but from the errors of other nations, let us learn wisdom,
and lay hold of the present opportunity --TO BEGIN GOVERNMENT AT THE
RIGHT END.

When William the Conqueror subdued England, he gave them law at the
point of the sword; and until we consent, that the seat of government,
in America, be legally and authoritatively occupied, we shall be in
danger of having it filled by some fortunate ruffian, who may treat us
in the same manner, and then, where will be our freedom? where our
property? As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of
all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I
know of no other business which government hath to do therewith, Let a
man throw aside that narrowness of soul, that selfishness of principle,
which the niggards of all professions are so unwilling to part with,
and he will be at delivered of his fears on that head. Suspicion is
the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. For
myself, I fully and conscientiously believe, that it is the will of the
Almighty, that there should be diversity of religious opinions among
us: It affords a larger field for our Christian kindness. Were we all
of one way of thinking, our religious dispositions would want matter
for probation; and on this liberal principle, I look on the various
denominations among us, to be like children of the same family,
differing only, in what is called, their Christian names.

In page forty, I threw out a few thoughts on the propriety of a
Continental Charter, (for I only presume to offer hints, not plans) and
in this place, I take the liberty of rementioning the subject, by
observing, that a charter is to be understood as a bond of solemn
obligation, which the whole enters into, to support the right of every
separate part, whether of religion, personal freedom, or property. A
firm bargain and a right reckoning make long friends.

In a former page I likewise mentioned the necessity