I appreciate that, but if he was to remove one line based on being too close to the pulpit why didnt he remove such preachy lines as “endowed by our creator”, “Laws of Nature and of Natures God”, Divine Providence etc.. his edits show one line dealing with religion while others stood.
......all very nonsectarian language that is applicable to any American; and very influenced by Deist philosophy. Our founders didn't mind spiritual language, indeed they thought spirituality underlies our right to be free, they just wanted it nonsectarian and applicable to ANY American.
But those references are quite consistent with Deism, particularly the equation of Nature and God. The 18th Century “pulpit”, that Franklin refers to was more reminiscent of Jonathon Edwards and Cotton Mather, and as such quite opposed to enlightenment concepts like the notion that we were endowed by our creator with inalienable rights.