SIR ROBERT SIBBALD. 
41 
Earle had many tymes signified the aversion he 
had for some of the doctrines of the Church of 
Rome, and I was secure upon that head, although 
both he and I thought ther wer many great and 
good men amongst them; bot behold, (how it 
was brought about the Lord knowes,) he had 
declared himself of the Romish faith, and joined 
in ther worship some two moneths befor I knew 
it. At last one Sunday he had taken physick, 
he took the opportunity, wee being alone, to tell 
me, weeping, that he was of that persuasion, 
and that no consideration of worldly interest 
had induced him therto, but that he was 
convinced it was the true and the ancient 
Church. Though I was much surprised at this, 
yet I told him I could not but have the charity 
to believe it was so as he told me, for I thought 
there could be nothing more contrary to his 
interest then that was ; he said he was sensible of 
it, and had offered with great earnestness to 
resigne his place, but the king had commanded 
him, upon his allegiance, to continue in his post. 
This did occasion odd thoughts in my mynde ; 
yett I thought whatever he did, I could do 
better to continue in the church I was born and 
bred in. I never had met with any of the 
Romish Clergie, nor spoken with any upon their 
doctrin, and was secure, when in the begining of 
September, 1685, he carried me alongst with him 
