202 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



only time I broke my rule, and I would not wil- 

 lingly do it again." 



If this seem too great a strictness and disre- 

 gard of the inferior clergy in refusing them fa- 

 vours, which the lay lords are willing to bestow 

 upon them as far as they have opportunity; let 

 it be remembered, that in all other respects, 

 where the rules and constitutions of the Church 

 (which he understood and kept to, according to 

 their true meaning and first intention) did not 

 confine him, he was an admirable friend to 

 them, and not only promised, but gave them all 

 the encouragement that he possibly could. And 

 especially to those who were constantly resident in 

 their cures, and industrious in the business of their 

 profession. Such men as these always were enti- 

 tled to his protection, his counsel, and, if they 

 needed it, his purse also. Something should be 

 said in justice to him upon each of these arti- 

 cles of his kindness to his clergy. 



They who behaved themselves diligently and 

 exemplarily in their calling, might depend upon 

 being supported by him against any opposition or 

 oppression that they met ivith, as far as either his 

 authority or his interest would go. If he heard 

 of their being ill-treated, or discouraged, or of 

 endeavours used to prejudice their people against 

 them, by disparagi?ig them or their performances, 

 he would, after due enquiry into the truth of 



