Mathematical and Philosophical Works

unsteady principles and not fixed in matters of religion. This drew severe censures upon him from Archbishop Sheldon, Bishop Fell, and Archbishop Dolben, etc., without considering that he could not but have a great deal of charity for Dissenters Protestants who separated from the Church of England. by reason of his education under Mr. John Dod, his grandfather—a truly pious and learned man—who dissented in many things from the Church of England long before the separation which afterwards followed upon Archbishop Laud’s severities and new impositions.

And as his said grandfather never approved of the extremities on the other side, but continued loyal to the last and advised others to continue in their allegiance, in like manner Dr. Wilkins (though he had the clarity, when the government was dissolved, to submit to the powers then in being, by which he procured an interest and a share in the government of both universities) was always a friend to those who were loyal and continued well-affected to the Church of England, and protected several of them by the interest he had in the then government.

After the Restoration, he conformed himself to the Church of England and stood up for her government and liturgy; but he disliked vehemence in little and unnecessary things and freely censured it as fanaticism on both sides.

Having thus conformed to the Church himself, he was very willing to bring over others, in which he was not without success, especially in his own diocese, where the extremes on both sides were as remarkable as in most parts of the nation. Being a person of extensive charity himself, he was for an indulgence and a comprehension Terms used for policies aimed at allowing religious Dissenters to remain within the Church of England. in order to have brought our divisions in matters of religion to a conclusion; which drew upon him the hatred and obloquy Strong public criticism. of those who were for contrary measures.

His indefatigable pains in study brought the stone Kidney or bladder stones, a painful medical condition. upon him, which proved incurable. He had for many days a prospect of death, which he viewed in its approaches and gradual advances upon him; and a few days before his dissolution, he frequently said that he found a sentence