184 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



encouragement to enter into these societies, from 

 a passage of my Lord of Canterbury's circular 

 letter which was sent the last year to the 

 bishops of his province, though it is certain in 

 that passage he did not intend the setting up 

 such formal associations under rules and articles 

 as are now formed in many places. The pas- 

 sage is in the fourth paragraph, where he says — 

 ' It were to be wished that the clergy of every 

 neighbourhood would agree upon frequent meet- 

 ings to consult for the good of religion, &c. 

 And these meetings might still be made a greater 

 advantage to the clergy in carrying on the re- 

 formation of men's lives and manners, by in- 

 viting the churchwardens of their several parishes 

 and other pious persons among the laity to join 

 with them in the execution of the most probable 

 methods that can be suggested for those good 

 ends. And we may very reasonably expect the 

 happy effects of such a concurrence from the 

 visible success of that noble zeal, wherewith so 

 many about the cities of London and West- 

 minster do promote true piety,' &c. 



'' I have transcribed thus much out of that 

 printed letter for fear you should not have it by 

 you. 



" Upon these considerations I am thus far 

 come into these projects, that I tell my clergy 

 when any of them apply to me about this matter 



