The following extracts from the memoir of Sir W. Temple, written for the satisfaction of his friends hereafter, upon the grounds of his retirement and resolution never to meddle again with
society while the Puritan party was at the height of power had, while the memory of the reign of that party was still recent, conceived a strong dissent for all religion. The imputation was common between Temple and all the most distinguished courtiers of the age. Rochester and Buckingham were open scoffers, and Mulgrave very little better. Shaftesbury, though more guarded, was supposed to agree with them in opinion. All the three noblemen, who were Temple's colleagues during the short time of his sitting in the cabinet, were of very indifferent repute as to orthodoxy. Halifax, indeed, was generally considered as an atheist, but he solemnly denied the charge; and, indeed, the truth seems to be that he was more religiously disposed than most of the statesmen of that age, though two impulses which were unusually strong in him, a passion for ludicrous images and a passion for subtle speculations, sometimes prompted him to talk on serious subjects in a manner which gave great and just offence. It is not unlikely that Temple, who seldom went below the surface of any question, may have been infected with the prevailing scepticism. All that we can say on the subject is, that there is no trace of impiety in his works, and that the ease with which he carried his election for an university where the majority of the voters were clergymen, though it proves nothing as to his opinions, must, we think, be considered as proving that he was not, as Burnet seem to insinuate, in the habit of talking Atheism to all who came near him.
"Temple, however, will scarcely carry with him any great accession of authority to the side either of religion or infidelity. He was no profound thinker. He was merely a man
