The strangely expressed ideas and involved imagery are very similar to the "Metaphysical" poetry of the same century. Browne is worth reading for his broad-mindedness, unexpected in a time of fierce religious and political strife. His generosity of spirit puts 21st century xenophobes and racists to shame: "I feel not in my self those common Antipathies that I can discover in others: those National repugnances do not touch me, nor do I behold with prejudice the French, Italian, Spaniard, or Dutch: but where I find their actions in balance with my Country-men's, I honour, love and embrace them in the same degree".