48 MEMOIR OF 



he embraced the Romish faith, whatever opinion 

 may be formed of his discretion, judgment, and 

 strength of mind ; he gave way to his feelings 

 without guiding them by reason. Indeed, there 

 is little doubt, that he was all along marked out 

 as the tool of Perth, and, perhaps, also of James 

 himself. His education had probably peculiarly 

 exposed him to the Jesuitical attacks of his wily 

 patron. We have seen that, early in life, he had 

 studied with great delight the writings of Sir 

 Kenelm Digby ; and Digby himself had, to use 

 the current phrase, " been reconciled to the 

 Church of Rome ;" while the axiom he had im- 

 bibed from Leighton, " of loving all good men of 

 every persuasion," had been, perhaps, too incau- 

 tiously received. It is an opinion that requires 

 to be guardedly advanced, especially towards 

 young persons, as it may lead to an idea that 

 all forms of religion are the same ; besides it 

 requires a previous consideration of what con- 

 stitutes a good man, or in other words, what are 

 to be considered fundamental principles* That 



* " The misapplication of the word candour was more 

 injurious in its effects on religious sentiments than can 

 now be well conceived. It was supposed to possess 

 indescribable virtues. Candour was sounded from many 

 a pulpit ; and like charity it was supposed to hide a mul- 

 titude of sins. An orthodox minister, who had candour, 

 was to believe that an Arminian or Socinian was a very 

 good man ; and that if he was sincere in his opinions, and 

 not rigid in condemning others, he ought not to be con- 

 demned himself. The influence of this idea was exceed- 

 ingly pernicious ; for it led to an indifference with respect 



