Burnet viewed every act and every character through a medium distorted and coloured by party spirit.

The tendency of Halifax's mind was always to see the faults of his allies more strongly than the faults of his opponents.

Burnet was, with all his infirmities, and through all the vicissitudes of a life passed in circumstances not very favourable to piety, a sincerely pious man.

The sceptical and sarcastic Halifax lay under the imputation of infidelity.

Halifax therefore often incurred Burnet's indignant censure; and Burnet was often the butt of Halifax's keen and polished pleasantry.