Amongst the Baker MSS., 40, 75, Cambridge University Library, is an undated letter written by
“Dr. Sherlock to my Lord of Canterbury,—
“In obedience to your Grace, I have again read over the first part of Bp. Overall’s Convocation Book, but cannot give such an account of it as your Grace possibly may desire; for the more carefully I read it, the more evidently it appears to be the sense of that Convocation, that we owe and ought to pay allegiance to a Prince, who is settled on the throne, though he ascend thither by wicked arts, and without any legal rights.”
After debating on this point at considerable length, fortifying his argument by reference to the Convocation Book, he concludes by saying: “I beg your Grace’s pardon for the hasty and impolished draught, for my thoughts are all on fire, and it seems a very amazing providence to me that such a book should be published in such a juncture as this, as serves, indeed, the end it was designed for; but does a great deal more than ever was intended, and that which nobody thought of, to reconcile the doctrine of passive obedience and non-resistance, with a submission and allegiance to usurped powers, when their Government is thoroughly settled. I will wait on your Grace on Saturday or Monday next.”
[198] There is in the British Museum (Cole MSS., xxx. 168) a curious letter by Sherlock on taking rash vows, addressed to some one who had sworn to God he would not follow the trade in which he had been brought up.
[199] 5th August, 1690. Tanner MSS., xxvii. 176.
[200] 9th February, 1691. Ibid., 247.
[201] Mant’s Hist. of the Church of Ireland, ii. Preface.
[202] January 20, 1691. Tanner MSS., xxvii. 236.
[203] Ken’s Life, 381.