158 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



take notice to you of what hath lately come to 

 my ears, of the new difFerefices, or the old ones 

 revived, betwixt you and your wife ; the blame 

 of which is laid at your door. I would gladly 

 believe, that all that is said of you about this 

 matter is not true, particularly the very severe, 

 cruel, and unmanly usage with which, in your 

 passion, you do sometimes treat her, and the 

 just occasions you have given both to her and 

 others, to believe that you are not true to your 

 conjugal vow. These things are so bad, that I 

 should hardly think a clergyman can be guilty 

 of them; none can who is not abandoned of 

 shame, as well as virtue. I am sure none can 

 who hath any sense of his duty to God, or any 

 regard to the honour of the Church, or any 

 concern for the souls of his people, to whom, 

 by such scandalous examples, he doth frustrate 

 all the good effects that his labours ought to 

 have among them, and render his ministry per- 

 fectly ineffectual. 



'* I cannot, neither do I, charge you with 

 these things, because I have them only upon 

 report. And I should be Very sorry, for your 

 sake, that matters should come to that pass, as 

 to give occasion to any to attempt the proof of 

 these things upon you. But thus far I think 

 myself bound to take notice of these reports, 

 as earnestly to admonish you so to behave your- 



