york00orns

'
"Life
4o8
YORK.
by the deprivation of the occupant of the see, and
Sharp's personal feelings were so averse from succeeding
to a bishopric which was vacant in such a manner
that he absolutely refused these offers—much, it was
said, to the royal displeasure. No such reason
interfered with his acceptance of York, when, through
Tillotson's intervention, he received an intimation
that the king had nominated him to that high position.
He was enthroned on the i6th July, 1691.
Archbishop Sharp was no common man. His
personal religion was deep and genuine, his diligence
in his episcopal work unwearied, and he was especially
conscientious in the disposal of his patronage. He
made himself minutely acquainted with the character
of his clergy throughout his wide diocese. Residence
upon their benefices was strongly urged, and he set
his face, as far as he could, against pluralities, except
in the case of small and contiguous livings. He was
a true son of the Church of England, as deeply
attached to her formularies, and as exact in their
observance, as were men like Laud, or his predecessor
Neile ; but, unlike them, he was singularly tolerant as
regarded those who dissented from the Church, hating
anything that "had but the appearance of bitterness
and violence against their persons," and detesting "to
hear them vilified and maltreated in the pulpit, which
he abhorred should be prostituted to such purposes."^
The list of prelates who presided over the diocese
of York during the remainder of the century, after he
was taken to his rest in 17 14, presents no one who
stands out to view in any very marked and prominent
of Archbishop Sharp," i. p. 357 (London : 1825).