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 he 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 bad 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 
