ommentaries on the Bible still form a part of
theological libraries; the other was Jane, a vehement Tory, who had
assisted in drawing up that decree by which the University of Oxford had
solemnly adopted the worst follies of Filmer. The conference took place
at Whitehall on the thirtieth of November. Rochester, who did not wish
it to be known that he had even consented to hear the arguments of
Popish priests, stipulated for secrecy. No auditor was suffered to be
present except the King. The subject discussed was the real presence.
The Roman Catholic divines took on themselves the burden of the proof.
Patrick and Jane said little; nor was it necessary that they should
say much; for the Earl himself undertook to defend the doctrine of
his Church, and, as was his habit, soon warmed with conflict, lost his
temper, and asked with great vehemence whether it was expected that he
should change his religion on such frivolous grounds. Then he remembered
how much he was risking, began again to dissemble, complimented the
disputants on their skill and learning, and asked time to consider what
had been said. [195]

Slow as James was, he could not but see that this was mere trifling. He
told Barillon that Rochester's language was not that of a man honestly
desirous of arriving at the truth. Still the King did not like to
propose directly to his brother in law the simple choice, apostasy or
dismissal: but, three days after the conference, Barillon waited on
the Treasurer, and, with much circumlocution and many expressions
of friendly concern, broke the unpleasant truth. "Do you mean," said
Rochester, bewildered by the involved and ceremonious phrases in
which the intimation was made, "that, if I do not turn Catholic, the
consequence will be that I shall lose my place?" "I say nothing about
consequences," answered the wary diplomatist. "I only come as a friend
to express a hope that you will take care to keep your place." "But
surely," said Rochester, "the plain meaning of all this is that I must
turn Catholic or go out." He put many questions for the purpose of
ascertaining whether the communication was made by authority, but
could extort only vague and mysterious replies. At last, affecting a
confidence which he was far from feeling, he declared that Barillon must
have been imposed upon by idle or malicious reports. "I tell you," he
said, "that the King will not dismiss me, and I will not resign. I know
him: he knows me; and I fear n