Yet England is always in dread of France,--terrified at the apprehension of an invasion, suspicious of being outwitted in a treaty, and privately cringing though she is publicly offending.
In "The American Crisis," Paine critiques England's national character, portraying it as a mix of public aggression and private insecurity regarding France.
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More from Thomas Paine
But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.
Discussion and the general will arbitrates the question, and to this, private opinion yields with a good grace, and order is preserved uninterrupted.
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.
I do not believe that any two men, on what are called doctrinal points, think alike who think at all.