116 LIFE OV ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



and in the next place, such as concern his pro- 

 ceedings at the court and in parliament; and 

 last of all, such as have respect only to his pri- 

 vate life and economy. Which disposition and 

 arrangement of materials into different classes, 

 ecclesiastical, civil, and domestic*, seems most 

 convenient, and is preferable to a close prose- 

 cution and regular detail of particulars by the 

 dates of years and months ; which would neces- 

 sarily have involved several inconsiderable pas- 

 sages of no other consequence than to preserve 

 connexion and the thread of narration ; and 

 would likewise have occasioned several repe- 

 titions and recapitulations of points before men- 

 tioned ; — whereas by methodizing and digesting 

 the materials in the manner above described, 

 not only these inconveniences are avoided, but 

 a much better opportunity is given of forming a 

 judgment concerning the steadiness of his prin- 

 ciples, and the uniformity of his practice to 

 them, in the respective capacities in which he is 

 distinctly considered. 



That which claims the preference in point of 

 order, is his proper character of a bishop or 

 pastor ; under which head will be comprized all 

 the steps that he took, and the rules by which 



* This division of his materials is observed by the Author, 

 and corresponds with Part the Second, Part the Third, and 

 Part the Fourth of the Life. Editors Note, 



