But, like many other good men of that age, he regarded the case of the Church of Rome as an exception to all ordinary rules.
Burnet had during some years had an European reputation.

His History of the Reformation had been received with loud applause by all Protestants, and had been felt by the Roman Catholics as a severe blow.

The greatest Doctor that the Church of Rome has produced since the schism of the sixteenth century, Bossuet, Bishop of Meaux, was engaged in framing an elaborate reply.

Burnet had been honoured by a vote of thanks from one of the zealous Parliaments which had sate during the excitement of the Popish plot, and had been exhorted, in the name of the Commons of England, to continue his historical researches.

He had been admitted to familiar conversation both with Charles and James, had lived on terms of close intimacy with several distinguished statesmen, particularly with Halifax, and had been the spiritual guide of some persons of the highest note.