He faced about with bold and steady caution, on the alert to give the lie to anybody who dared to accuse him of facing about at all.

He frankly admitted that he was in a quandary what to say about the change that had taken place.

"If a man could be found that could sail north and south, that could speak truth and falsehood, that could turn to the right hand and the left, all at the same time, he would be the man, he would be the only proper person that should now speak." Of one thing only he was certain.

"We are sure honest men go out." As for their successors, "it is our business to hope, and time must answer for those that come in.

If Tories, if Jacobites, if High-fliers, if madmen of any kind are to come in, I am against them; I ask them no favour, I make no court to them, nor am I going about to please them." But the question was, what was to be done in the circumstances?
Defoe stated plainly two courses, with their respective dangers.