356 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



for which they were compiled ; which judgment 

 probably he had formed from that examination 

 of the Liturgy which he was concerned in, as 

 one of the ecclesiastical commissioners in King 

 William's reign, for reforming the Liturgy and 

 Canons. But though he had these sentiments, 

 yet he ever blessed God that our public worship 

 was so pure as it is ; our rites so simple and 

 inoffensive, and our discipline in no worse a 

 state, all things considered. 



But what most commendeth his zeal for the 

 Ecclesiastical Establishment is this, that it was 

 always accompanied with moderation and tender 

 compassion towards those whose consciences 

 would not allow them to comply with it. He 

 was generally thought a warm man against the 

 dissenters ; but this opinion of him seems rather 

 to be grounded upon another equally mistaken 

 one, viz. his supposed inviolable attachment to 

 a party, than upon any just reasons. He pressed 

 his arguments against separations and schisms 

 with warmth and earnestness in his sermons 

 and writings ; but it will be seen in them also, 

 with how mild a temper and with how Christian 

 a spirit he treats the dissenters themselves. 

 He compassionates their weaknesses, but never 

 exclaims at their obstinacy, or attempts to raise 

 resentment or indignation against them. So 

 that, if he was their adversary (and in one sense 



