96 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



effect of this order, published a second, direct- 

 ing and commanding the aforesaid Ecclesiastical 

 officers to make this a matter of their inquiry at 

 their visitations, which they were required to 

 hold before the 15th of November following, 

 and to transmit an account thereof before the 

 6th of December. But Providence prevented a 

 return of this inquiry. 



For now came on that surprising change and 

 happy turn of affairs, which released the Clergy 

 of the Church of England, and all good Pro- 

 testants from the difficulties that surrounded 

 them, and the great dangers that threatened 

 them. During the several steps of which 

 transaction Dr. Sharp preserved the character 

 that befitted his station, by a conduct that best 

 suited with his calling. He divided his time 

 between his two churches of Norwich and St. 

 Giles's, though not a little interrupted in his ser- 

 vices to both by a severe fever that he had in 

 October. He never in his life meddled or in- 

 terposed in affairs of state, further than was in- 

 cumbent upon him by vii^tue of his station and 

 office. This was his principle, which he adhered 

 to both at this time and ever after. Nor did the 

 change of any man's private fortunes and condi- 

 tion through the alteration of the time, tempt 

 him to forget private and personal obligations ; 

 which principle of gratitude induced him to 



