The Deity is not injured, because his creatures know not what he is, and hit upon ridiculous modes of service. It is true, and it is to be lamented, that
"the name of God
Has fenc'd about all crime with holiness:"
and that madmen, in their ignorance, their interests, and their vices, have made him
"The creature of his worshippers!"
The most horrible crimes have been committed in the name of the God of benevolence and love! Murder and bloodshed, and pillage, have been blasphemously sanctioned by his pretended authority The professing servants of Jehovah have been as barbarous as the followers of Mahomet, and the disciples of the Pagan deities! And had the same parties worshipped Necessity, or had no idea of any deity, they would not have wanted other excuses to perform the same acts. It was not the God that led them, but the evil passions that were paramount to the express commands of the God in whose name they spread desolation, and slaughter. This idea is by no means peculiar to Mr. Shelley. One of Shakspeare's heroes could "seem a saint, while most he played the "devil." In another place, the dramatist asks—
