208 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



they do not come to hear you: but be pleased 

 to go to them, and talk to them, man by man, 

 and try what you can do towards the awaken- 

 ing them out of their state of dozedness and insen- 

 sibility of their greatest concernments. Endea- 

 vour to convince them of the absolute necessity 

 there is of owning God and his religion, by join- 

 ing in the public worship on the Lord's day, and 

 receiving the holy sacrament at due times, if 

 they either would have God's blessing upon them 

 and their labours, and their families in this world, 

 or would not perish everlastingly in the next. 



" I would hope your good discourses and 

 persuasions will have effect upon them, and you 

 may gain several of them to a more lively sense 

 of religion than they have yet had. And I 

 must confess I like these gentle methods a great 

 deal better than force. But if, after all your 

 endeavours, there be any that are resolved to 

 continue heathens, 'and absolutely refuse coming 

 to Church, I must desire you to signify their 

 names to me, at least of the chief of them, that 

 other methods may be tried with them, such as 

 the law has provided for the reformation of 

 offenders of this nature. 



** With my hearty wishes of the blessing of 

 God upon all your good endeavours, I rest, 



'* Your affectionate friend and brother, 



" Jo. Ebor." 



