SIR ROBERT S1BBALD. 51 



is an additional proof of his integrity, that his 

 abjuration of the errors of Popery was as public 

 as possible,* and occurred while the king was 

 pursuing its extension with the utmost vigour of 

 his power. He deeply repented his fault, and it 

 ultimately proved beneficial to himself, as exhi- 

 biting to him his own weakness and dependence 

 for strength upon a higher power. " I thank 

 God," he adds, " who opened my eyes, and by 

 my affliction gave me the grace to know myself 

 and the world, and to take better heed to my 

 ways, and to amend my life." 



In times of affected liberality, like the present, 

 we would urge on every educated person the 

 duty of forming their religious principles, not 

 from the example of men, as they may happen to 

 be born in one part of the British dominions or 

 another; but, like the Bereans, let them search 

 the Scriptures, to ascertain whether these things 

 be so or no. Let them not " follow cunningly 

 devised fables," but be able to give a reason for 

 the hope that is in them. Let them thus form a 

 standard by which to test all things ; and having 

 thus satisfied themselves of the truth and impor- 

 tance of the principles they maintain, they will 

 not be liable to be blown about by every wind of 



* The news immediately reached London, as we find 

 Evelyn, in his Diary under that year, recording that " The 

 King's chief Physician in Scotland, apostatizing from the 

 Protestant religion, does, of his own accord, publish bis 

 recant*-?in nt Edinburgh." 



