What does Paine mean when he says, "Tis a form of government which the word of God bears

testimony against, and blood will attend it"?

Paine begins his pamphlet by outlining what he feels is an essential lesson in common sense too easily misunderstood. This misunderstanding, in turn, is what feeds the misconception among those resistant to rebellion and revolution against England.

"Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins. Society is produced by our wants, and government by our wickedness."