314 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



must preach the coronation sermon^ it confounds 

 me so that I know not what to say to it. On 

 one hand I am sensible it is a mighty honour 

 designed me, and I am infinitely obliged to her 

 Majesty, for having so good an opinion of me, 

 as to think me capable of discharging such a 

 work. Yet, on the other hand, my health is so 

 broken with cholics in my stomach, and stone 

 and strangury, that I am altogether unfit to go 

 about any work, and least of all such a business 

 as this. So that if her Majesty will please to 

 appoint any one else for this service, I do not 

 doubt it would be performed much more to her 

 satisfaction. 



** But I do not say this with a design of de- 

 clining the service, if I thought / should he able 

 to go through with it. I have too great a honour 

 for her Majesty, not to take the least intimation 

 of her pleasure, to be a sufficient argument for 

 my obedience. And therefore I do mean to set 

 myself to make a sermon upon the occasion. 

 And I do likewise design to set out from hence 

 to London, on Monday, the 13th. But if any 

 thing happens in the meantime that renders me 

 incapable of prosecuting either the one design 

 or the other, I will give your Grace timely 



notice. 



I am, &c. &c. 



" Jo. Ebou." 



