[675] Wood says (Ath. Ox., iv. 855) that Sheldon was not installed at Canterbury, and never visited it during the time that he was Archbishop; nor did he visit Oxford all the time he was Chancellor.
[676] The expression is Milman's, in reference to another character.
[677] In these sketches, I include all the notable members of the Episcopal body down to the Revolution—but, though I anticipate the period embraced in our subsequent narrative, the seven Bishops are omitted, as they will require particular notice hereafter.
[678] Aubrey's Letters, iii. 574.
[679] Pope's Life of Ward, 57. This book abounds in amusing anecdotes.
[680] There is in the Lambeth Library, in addition to the returns made to Sheldon, an account of the number and proportions of Popish recusants, obstinate Separatists, and Conformists, inhabitants of Wiltshire, and Berkshire, under the immediate jurisdiction of the Bishop of Sarum, by Seth Ward, 1676. See as to Ward, Baxter's Life and Times, iii. 86.
[681] Seth Ward told Aubrey a queer story respecting a theological opponent. "One Mr. Hagger, a gentleman, and good mathematician, was well acquainted with Mr. Th. Hariot, and was wont to say, that he did not like (or valued it not) the old story of the creation of the world. He could not believe the old position, he would say, ex nihilo nihil fit. But, said Mr. Hagger, a nahitú killed him at last; for in the top of his nose came a little red speck (exceeding small), which grew bigger and bigger, and at last killed him. I suppose it was that which the chirurgeons call a noli me tangere." Letters, iii. 368.
[682] Burnet, i. 590.
[683] Morley's Treatises. Sermon before the King, p. 38.
[684] He had unfairly preached against Baxter, and blazed abroad his marriage with all the odium he could cast upon it. Life and Times, ii. 375, 384. I have noticed Baxter's opinion of Morley, and the conduct of the latter, on p. 439 of this volume.