358 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



himself an enemy to that liberty of conscience 

 which by the favour of the government they 

 enjoyed. But when his reasons, and the parti- 

 cular part in those debates which he bore, are 

 known, the injustice of both those imputations 

 will sufficiently appear. 



Some of the first difficulties he met with in 

 his diocese, were from dissenters taking advan- 

 tage of the Act of Toleration to break loose, 

 and assume greater liberties than were designed 

 them by the act, or perhaps were justifiable 

 upon any construction of the words of the act. 

 Among other complaints, that of their setting 

 up schools and private academies, was the hai^dest 

 to find any remedy for. As he always proceeded 

 with temper and caution in such matters, he 

 applied to his brethren, the bishops in the 

 south, for their advice ; and his friend. Dr. 

 More, Bishop of Norwich, procured him the 

 Opinion of some of the best civilians upon 

 it. With respect to one particular academy set 

 up within his diocese, he had the following- 

 kind and prudent direction of Archbishop Til- 

 lotson, whose letter the reader will not be dis- 

 pleased to have at length. 



" Lambeth House, June 14-, 1692. 



" My Lord, 



" Yesterday I received your Grace's 

 letter concerning Mr. Frankland, with the copy 



