LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 387 



new and clear and ex^pi^ess terms of coming in to the 

 clergy y and that they might not be remitted to the 

 general assembly. But to think of excusing them 

 from the assurance was not a thing to be thought of 

 for that was what the parliament of Scotland would 

 never consent to take off; though he owned the clergy 

 of Scotland never used to be hampered ivith such oaths y 

 nor had it been enjoined them till the last sessions of 

 parliament, though it was put upon persons holding 

 offices of trust before that time.'' 



When he found there was no room or likeli- 

 hood of doing them better service than by pro- 

 curing collections for their relief at present, he 

 became their solicitor in this respect, and his 

 kindness this way contributed very much to their 

 support. Their poverty became so great, and 

 their condition so low towards the latter end of 

 King William's reign, that there was a scheme 

 laid for a public collection of charity for them 

 throughout England; but how that was defeated 

 may be seen by a letter of Bishop Burnet to 

 the Archbishop in the following words. 



*' May it please your Grace, 



" Your Grace's tender and compas- 

 sionate letter is as suitable to your own goodness 

 as to the charity of the Earl of Thanet to have 

 given the rise to it. I have transmitted it to my 

 Lord of Canterbury with what I could suggest 



c c2 



