LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 121 



Bishops had in like manner practised, the dig- 

 nity of cathedrals would have been kept up 

 as in the primitive times, and we should not 

 have seen several of them so scandalously neg- 

 lected," &c. 



The other rule above-mentioned, vs^hich he 

 laid down to himself, was, never to be concerned 

 in parliamentary Elections. 



It will readily be believed that he could not 

 avoid being importunately applied to for his 

 countenance and interest on these occasions. 

 His interest was as extensive as his diocese, 

 both among laity and clergy. And so it ap- 

 peared to be, as often as he had occasion to use 

 it for recommending such things as he judged it 

 became him to recommend. But as to Elec- 

 tions of members for parliament, he never could 

 be brought by any applications to intermeddle 

 with them. He looked upon them as having no 

 relation to his office and business ; and judged 

 very rightly, that if he concerned himself any 

 ways with them, they would only entail checks 

 and difficulties upon him in his episcopal capacity. 

 Whereas, on the contrary, by waving his power 

 and influence, and forbearing to disoblige any 

 persons in these matters, which did not belong 

 to him, he preserved his personal interest and 

 authority entire in all those points that related 

 to his pastoral care. 



