256 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



plainer man he was in himself, the less he re- 

 garded the world, and the less tincture he took 

 from the court in which he conversed, the better 

 was he fitted for this service. He gained more 

 credit and interest to himself and the cause in 

 which he was engaged by his native air of pro- 

 bity and openness in his whole conduct, than 

 he could have done, had he studied and prac- 

 tised the arts and refinements of the subtilest 

 politicians, or admitted the least mixture of 

 chicane into his address. 



But as all men, at least all who are worthy of 

 the public notice, are commonly reputed and 

 voted by the world to be either of this or that 

 party, so was he, how much soever he disliked 

 those mischievous distinctions that kept up the 

 animosities and jealousies of a divided people. 

 They who were called the Tories^ or the High 

 Church party, claimed him as theirs ; for he was 

 observed more generally to approve and favour 

 their principles, and to go more along with 

 them, than those of the other side. But what- 

 ever he might be reputed by the world, yet this 

 may be as truly said of him as of any man who 

 was his contemporary, that he was a fast friend 

 to the Constitution both in Church and State. 

 In this he was " steady*;' and did both heartily 



* Allusive to Bishop Burnet's comminative comparison of 

 Sliarp to Tillotson, p. 252. 



