LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 315 



Presently after this, his fit of the stone re- 

 turned with some violence. But voiding the 

 stone at last, he became able, though with great 

 difficulty, to perform his journey ; and preached 

 both with more vigour and more acceptance, 

 than could well have been expected, considering 

 how he was disabled both in body and mind. 



After this he had several conferences with her 

 ]\Iajesty about ecclesiastical matters ; and (says 

 he) " / thank God, I honestly spoke my thoughts 

 about things and persons. She ptvmised that she 

 would not alter her list of chaplains. I did what 

 good offices I could to my Lord Canterbury, Lord 

 Norwich,*' &c. His stay in town was very short 

 upon this occasion. But, upon his return to 

 Parliament next winter, the Queen offered him 

 the almonry and a seat in the Privy Council, by 

 my Lord Treasurer. But he ^entreated to be 

 excused from accepting either, especially the 

 former. He went to the Queen ; he prevailed 

 upon Lord Nottingham to intercede for him with 

 her ; but to no purpose, for, 



1702, December 15th, " The Queen sent for 

 me, and again pressed me to take the almoner's 

 place. I refused it as much as 1 could ; but she 

 would not give over urging it ; and when I left 

 her, she bid me consider of it, and would not 

 take a denial. I afterwards met my Lord Trea- 

 surer at the Scotch Commission. He gave me 

 12 



