186 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



think that he will have gained a good point if he 

 can prevail with Mr. Chancellor to quit his dissent- 

 ing associates ; and if he be resolved on a society 

 for reformation, let only such be taken into it as 

 are hearty churchmen. 



" Sir, your affectionate servant, 



" Jo. Ebor," 



" Feb. 27th, 1699." 



Upon the receipt of this seasonable letter, 

 the Bishop of Carlisle (as the archdeacon ac- 

 quainted his archbishop in his answer a few 

 days after,) being now delivered from his per- 

 plexities, resolved upon the following expedient, 

 both for the direction of his clergy, and for the 

 effectually preventing any further solicitations 

 from the members of the society. He drew up 

 a paper which he dispersed in his diocese, 

 wherein he recommended to his clergy to pro- 

 mote the good ends of his Majesty's late procla- 

 mation, not only by their sermons, but by their 

 voluntary meetings and conferences, or other 

 methods allowed by the canons of the church, and 

 laws of the land. That they would in these con- 

 ferences (if they saw it necessary,) request the 

 assistance of such justices of the peace, or other 

 persons of note and gravity as might best for- 

 ward their good designs, provided they were 

 well affected to the doctrine and discipline of 

 the Established Church. 



