124 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



health and prosperity of your ladyship, and all 

 your noble family, 



" Your ladyship's most faithful 



*' And humble servant, 



'' Jo. Ebor." 



" Bishopthorp, July 4, 1702." 



To the same purpose, he wrote to Sir John 

 Kay, and to others, that " it was his first prin- 

 ciple, and long ago taken up, not to meddle 

 with those elections." 



And he adhered to his principle with the same 

 steadiness at elections for the city of York ; 

 though his interest could not but be very great 

 in that place, on account of his influence over 

 the clergy, ecclesiastical officers, and tradesmen. 

 Yet no body had that influence over him as to 

 be able to engage him on either side ; though 

 the strongest and most tempting arguments, 

 (such as the e.vpediency of his interposing for the 

 good of the church established,) were upon some 

 occasions urged to him. When the Duke of 

 Leeds, for instance, in the year 1695, had wrote 

 him word (Sept. 10,) that " it was very certain 

 a new parliament would be called ; and it was 

 likely to be of the highest concernment to the 

 church, that such members should be chosen as 

 were well affected to it; and that it was the 

 duty of all such to be as active as they could, 

 at that time, in the promoting such elections, 



