354 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



he lived were not seasonable for such proposals; 

 and that the reformation of d'lsci'pline and esta- 

 blishment of new rules and orders, even in small 

 matters, were to be maturely considered and 

 thoroughly canvassed by men of other profes- 

 sions, as well as of his own, before they could 

 be properly carried into execution. 



What opinion he had of the Established Church 

 of England, will best appear from his own words, 

 delivered upon a very solemn occasion, and in a 

 very solemn manner. 



** If we take our measures (says he) concern- 

 ing the truths of religion, from the rules of the 

 Holy Scripture, and the platform of the primi- 

 tive Churches; the Church of England is un- 

 doubtedly both, as to doctrine and worship, the 

 purest Church that is at this day in the world ; 

 the most orthodox in faith, and the freest on 

 the one hand from idolatry and superstition ; 

 and, on the other hand, from freakishness and 

 enthusiasm, of any now extant. Nay, I do 

 further say, with great seriousness, and as one 

 that expects to be called to account at the 

 dreadful tribunal of God, for what I now say, 

 if I do not speak in sincerity, that I do in my 

 conscience believe, that if the religion of Jesus 

 Christ, as it is delivered in the New Testament, 

 be the true religion (as I am certain it is), then 

 the communion of the Church of England is a 



