Between them the two pamphlets are a masterly exposition, from the point of view of English interests, of the danger of permitting the Will to be fulfilled.
He tears the arguments of his opponents to pieces with supreme scorn.
What matters it to us who is King of Spain?
asks one adversary.

As well ask, retorts Defoe, what it matters to us who is King of Ireland.

All this talk about the Balance of Power, says another, is only "a shoeing-horn to draw on a standing army." We do not want an army; only let us make our fleet strong enough and we may defy the world; our militia is perfectly able to defend us against invasion.

If our militia is so strong, is Defoe's reply, why should a standing-army make us fear for our domestic liberties?
But if you object to a standing-army in England, avert the danger by subsidising allies and raising and paying troops in Germany and the Low Countries.

Even if we are capable of beating off invasion, it is always wise policy to keep the war out of our own country, and not trust to such miracles as the dispersion of the Armada.