Why did Thomas Paine refer to the soul as his opening to The Crisis?

Thomas Paine referred to the soul in the opening of "The Crisis" to emphasize the moral and emotional stakes of the American Revolution. By invoking the soul, he aimed to appeal to the deeper convictions and values of his audience, urging them to recognize the importance of their struggle for freedom. This rhetorical choice set a serious tone, highlighting the fight for liberty as not just a political battle but a profound moral imperative.