CHAR L E S II.

5i

ia Scotland, had experienced from the prefby-terians, disposed him to run into the other ex-treme , and to bear a kindness to the party, mostopposite in its genius to the severity of thosereligionists. The solicitations and importunitiesof the queen - mother , the contagion of the com-pany which he frequented . the view of a moresplendid and courtly mode of worship , thehopes of indulgence in pleasure ; all these causesoperated powerfully on a young prince , whosecareless and dissolute temper made him incapableof adhering closely to the principles of his earlyeducation. But if the thoughtless humor ofCharles rendered him an easy convert to popery,the same disposition ever prevented the theologicaltenets of that sect from taking any fast hold ofhim. During his vigorous state of health , whilehis blood was warm and his spirits high ; a con-tempt and disregard to all religion held possessionof his mind ; and he might more properly bedenominated a deist than a catholic. But in thoserevolutions of temper, when the love of raillerygave place to reflection, and his penetrating,but negligent understanding was clouded withfears and apprehensions , he had starts of moresincere conviction ; and a sect, which always pos-sessed his inclination , was then master of hisjudgment and opinion

14 The author confesses, that the king’s zeal for poperywas ap:, at intervals, to go farther than is here supposed ,as appears from many passages in James the Second’s Memoirs,

E 3

H Alxiii.

166;.