LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 267 



cretion, or imposed upon all by a general rule ; 

 some of the members (who were not well pleased 

 with the oath, and chose rather to decline it 

 than take it) thought it more eligible to have it 

 enjoined by public authority, and enacted by 

 law, than offered as a voluntary thing to be taken 

 or let alone at the discretion of each person: 

 apprehending that the sanction of the parliament 

 would supersede all private scruples about it. 

 And when a certain member suggested to the 

 Archbishop as his own private reason for voting 

 the imposition of the oath upon all in general* 

 ** that ivhat he could not easily do, if left purely to his 

 own choice, he could do without difficulty if he 

 tvere commanded:'' to this his Grace answered, 

 " that whatever effect this argument might have 

 upon others who were not members of par- 

 liament, yet in you that are one, it is false rea- 

 soning. For your voting that the oath should 

 be imposed, makes it as voluntary in you as if it 

 were made voluntary in the act. And besides, 

 (says he) I think you are altogether mistaken in 

 your distinction of voluntary oaths, and those 

 that are required by law as you apply it : for I 

 do think as no law can oblige you in conscience 

 to take any oath but what upon just reasons you 

 may voluntarily take, so on the other side no 

 law can screen your conscience in taking an ill 

 oath, any more than private considerations will." 



