LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 361 



church women within their families. And when 

 they have expostulated this matter with them, 

 they affirm, that the Act of Indulgence doth 

 allow them to do all this. What now to do, I 

 am in this case at a loss. I think it hard on 

 one side, that the dissenters should thus en- 

 croach on the Established Church, and yet, if 

 I should prosecute them in the ecclesiastical 

 court for these things, when they have the law 

 on their side, that would be ridiculous. 



" As far as I can understand the Act, there 

 is no indulgence granted to the non-conforming 

 ministers, but only for preaching or teaching in 

 the meeting-houses. In one place, indeed, it 

 is expressed, officiating in any congregatio7i for 

 the exercise of religion allowed or permitted by this 

 act. But whether this officiating for the exer- 

 cise of religion will extend to marrying, or 

 christening, or burying, or whether such offici- 

 ating be allowed by this act, I much doubt. 



** I would beseech your Lordship, if you have 

 leisure, to look over this act ; and let me have 

 your Lordship's advice what I am to do. But 

 if I ask an unreasonable thing, I then beseech 

 you to pardon me, as I know you will. I am, 

 with the sincerest respects in the world, and 

 the heartiest wishes for all health and happiness 

 to your Lordship, 



'' My Lord, &c. 



" Jo. Ebor." 



