LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. S3 



service he could in his place and station, as 

 well to the late King, your royal brother, as 

 to your Majesty, both by preaching and other- 

 wise. 



** And so far hath he always been from vent- 

 ing any thing in the pulpit tending to schism or 

 faction, or any way to the disturbance of your 

 Majesty's government, that he hath upon all 

 occasions, in his sermons, to the utmost of his 

 power, set himself against all sorts of doctrines 

 and principles that look that way. And this he 

 is so well assured of, that he cannot but appre- 

 hend that his sermons have been very much 

 misrepresented to your Majesty. 



'' But if in any sermon of his any words or 

 expressions have unwarily slipt from him, liable 

 to such construction as to give your Majesty 

 cause of offence ; as he solemnly protests he 

 had no ill intention in those words or expres- 

 sions, so he is very sorry for them ; and re- 

 solves for the future to be so careful in the 

 discharge of his duty, that your Majesty shall 

 have reason to believe him to be your most 

 faithful subject. 



*' And therefore he earnestly prayeth, that 

 your Majesty, of your royal grace and cle- 

 mency, would be pleased to lay aside the dis- 

 pleasure you have conceived against your 

 humble petitioner, and restore him to that fa- 



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