God's call to England, for thankfulness after gracious deliverances

But these empty Pretenders to Christianity could never have accomplished their sincere designs of destroying us, had they not impudently laid the ground of all this wickedness with the Orient colour of specious Religion; and so preserved deluded Souls from the disturbing flashes of unstupifi'd Conscience. But the Principles of their avowed Religion warranting its Patrons in such Impieties, and ⟨p. 100⟩defending such damnable Courses, hath animated their cruel minds with mighty expectations of renowning Merit by such bloody Exploits.

But these empty Pretenders to Christianity could never have accomplish'd their sincere designes of destroying us, had they not impudently laid the ground of all this wickedness with the Orient colour of specious Religion; and so preserv'd deluded Souls from the disturbing flashes of unstupifi'd Conscience. But the Principles of their avowed Religion warranting its Patrons in such Impieties, and ⟨p. 100⟩defending such damnable Courses, hath animated their cruel minds with mighty expectations of renowning Merit by such bloudy Exploits.

Thus they transforming themselves into Angels of Light, have seduced a blinded Multitude, and by this powerful Engine have gained innumerable Allies to promote a Design most diametrically opposite to Reason and true Religion. Thus Religion is used to destroy the Religious; and Policy clothing it self with the title of Piety, insinuates unspeakable Vigour into infatuated Mortals in the pursuit of gainful designs through greatest difficulties. And had not the Almighty discountenanced such Religion by blasting designs promoted by it, their Religion had brought our ruin, and the shadow of Religion had consumed the substance of it. Now what favour have we found with God, that he should disappoint a Contrivance managed by those who had gained in so many Confederates by the deluding Pretences of Religion? which is also to make its seduced Zealots do more than the greatest Allurements imaginable.