Against such a fact as this all the efforts of detractors are vain.

A writer, whose voluminous works, in several branches of literature, find numerous readers a hundred and thirty years after his death, may have had great faults, but must also have had great merits: and Burnet had great merits, a fertile and vigorous mind, and a style, far indeed removed from faultless purity, but always clear, often lively, and sometimes rising to solemn and fervid eloquence.

In the pulpit the effect of his discourses, which were delivered without any note, was heightened by a noble figure and by pathetic action.

He was often interrupted by the deep hum of his audience; and when, after preaching out the hour glass, which in those days was part of the furniture of the pulpit, he held it up in his hand, the congregation clamorously encouraged him to go on till the sand had run off once more.

[217] In his moral character, as in his intellect, great blemishes were more than compensated by great excellence.