LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 393 



of a law within the present bounds of Scotland, 

 although the rest of Great Britain should be 

 under another law as to the same matter ; and 

 not that it implied any declaration of their assent 

 to or approbation of the Scotch discipline, or 

 form of Church government. But however that 

 was, such ratification cut off all the hopes of the 

 episcopal clergy, who were to entertain no fur- 

 ther thoughts of the restoration of their ancient 

 government. His Grace had told the Queen 

 ** he could not vote for this ratification, though he 

 should not vote against any of the articles." And 

 he was as good as his word, March 3rd, when 

 this bill was committed. 



From this time the usage of the episcopal 

 clergy grew yearly more grievous to them ; and 

 consequently their complaints and remonstrances 

 more frequent and lamentable. When he read 

 to her Majesty the letters of the Bishops of Edin- 

 burgh and Aberdeen, she would at one time say, 

 that *' she could not think things were so bad as 

 they were represented T at another, ''that they 

 must have patience, for all would do well in Scot- 

 land *." At last it came to a downright persecu- 

 tion, and when the account of it came to him 

 then in Yorkshire, he enclosed it in a letter of 



* " That she would consider of that matter, and advise with 

 her ministers." These were the answers she gave him. 



