276 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



which gave him an acceptable opportunity of 

 addressing her highness by letter, and signifying 

 his satisfaction in the prospect of her illustrious 

 house succeeding to the crown of these realms. 



•' Yorhf September 4, 1702. 



*' Madam, 



" I was struck with astonishment to 

 see your electoral highness's name to a letter 

 which I lately received, and much more so, 

 when I had read the contents of it. It was 

 great presumption in one to offer so mean a 

 thing as my sermon to so great a princess ; and 

 your pardon for it was all I could expect. But 

 that your electoral highness should vouchsafe 

 me a letter of thanks for it, and that so extremely 

 gracious a one, this was a favour as much 

 beyond my hopes, as it was above my merits. 

 But thus you charm all the world with your 

 condescending goodness. 



*' It is out of my power to express the grate- 

 ful sense I have of this surprising obligation ; as 

 it is also to make any returns for it, other than 

 those of my prayers. But these I shall never 

 cease to put up to the throne of grace for your 

 electoral highness and your princely issue ; that 

 God would multiply his blessings upon you both 

 spiritual and temporal, and preserve you for the 

 support, and welfare, and happiness of this 



