LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 207 



they stood further in need of the aid of their 

 ordinary, he was ready to aiFord them all the 

 assistance that the laws enabled him to give 

 them. One letter of this sort, wrote to a cler- 

 gyman in his diocese, will shew sufficiently his 

 temper and judgment in this matter. 



" May 21, 1698. 



'* Sir, 



** I have been informed that several of 

 your parishioners, even a considerable number 

 of them, are exceed'mgly negligent of the worship 

 of God on the Lord's day ; neither attending 

 prayers nor sermon, nor any other ordinances of 

 religion. I did think at first they might be dis- 

 senters against whom these complaints were 

 made ; who, though they did not appear at 

 church, yet served God in private meetings. 

 But I am told the matter is otherwise, and that 

 they do 72ot serve God at all. 



" If this be true, I am sorry for it, and I am 

 sure it concerns both you and me to do what 

 we can to have it amended. I beseech you, 

 therefore, Sir, that you will take some pains 

 with these people, that they may be brought to 

 some sense of their duty ; and do not content 

 yourself with general preaching against irreli- 

 gion and profaneness, and neglect of God's wor- 

 ship ; which they will be little better for, since 



