is that he was indolent, luxurious, and worldly: but such failings,
though not commonly regarded as very heinous in men of secular callings,
are scandalous in a prelate. The Archbishopric of York was vacant; Sprat
hoped to obtain it, and therefore accepted a seat at the ecclesiastical
board: but he was too goodnatured a man to behave harshly; and he was
too sensible a man not to know that he might at some future time be
called to a serious account by a Parliament. He therefore, though he
consented to act, tried to do as little mischief, and to make as few
enemies, as possible. [101]

The three remaining Commissioners were the Lord Treasurer, the Lord
President, and the Chief Justice of the King's Bench. Rochester,
disapproving and murmuring, consented to serve. Much as he had to endure
at the court, he could not bear to quit it. Much as he loved the Church,
he could not bring himself to sacrifice for her sake his white staff,
his patronage, his salary of eight thousand pounds a year, and the far
larger indirect emoluments of his office. He excused his conduct to
others, and perhaps to himself, by pleading that, as a Commissioner, he
might be able to prevent much evil, and that, if he refused to act,
some person less attached to the Protestant religion would be found to
replace him. Sunderland was the representative of the Jesuitical cabal.
Herbert's recent decision on the question of the dispensing power seemed
to prove that he would not flinch from any service which the King might
require.

As soon as the Commission had been opened, the Bishop of London was
cited before the new tribunal. He appeared. "I demand of you," said
Jeffreys, "a direct and positive answer. Why did not you suspend Dr.
Sharp?"

The Bishop requested a copy of the Commission in order that he might
know by what authority he was thus interrogated. "If you mean," said
Jeffreys, "to dispute our authority, I shall take another course with
you. As to the Commission, I do not doubt that you have seen it. At all
events you may see it in any coffeehouse for a penny." The insolence of
the Chancellor's reply appears to have shocked the other Commissioners,
and he was forced to make some awkward apologies. He then returned to
the point from which he had started. "This," he said, "is not a court in
which written charges are exhibited. Our proceedings are summary, and
by word of mouth. The question is a plain one. Why did you not obey
the King?" With some di