108 LIFE OK ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



better claim to visit that country, and York and 

 Bishopthorp in particular. 



For soon after his return to London, his Ma- 

 jesty pitched upon him amongst others for sup- 

 plying the Sees vacated by the deprivations of 

 their Bishops. Accordingly, he had two or three 

 of them, or the choice of them offered to him. 

 Norwich, which was thought would be most 

 acceptable to him on account of the friendships 

 he had in that city, was pressed upon him by 

 Dr. Tillotson. But he waved all these offers 

 on account of the dispossessed Bishops being 

 yet alive, with whom he was acquainted, and 

 for whom he bore respect : and as to Norwich, 

 in particular, he declared, that having lived 

 hitherto in great friendship with its Bishop, he 

 could not think of taking his place, but rather 

 chose to continue in his present situation, than 

 remove to more honourable posts under such 

 circumstances as made them no ways tempting 

 to him, or agreeable to his inclinations. But 

 though it appears sufficiently that he disliked 

 succeeding to these vacancies made by depriva- 

 tion, yet he seemed not at any time to make it 

 a matter of conscience with himself. Much less 

 did he take upon him to censure or blame others 

 who took the preferments that were thus voided. 

 He readily went down to Canterbury to elect 

 Dr. Tillotson to the throne of that church where 



