He received an anonymous letter which purported to come from one of his parishioners who had been staggered by the arguments of Roman Catholic theologians, and who was anxious to be satisfied that the Church of England was a branch of the true Church of Christ.

No divine, not utterly lost to all sense of religious duty and of professional honour, could refuse to answer such a call.

On the following Sunday Sharp delivered an animated discourse against the high pretensions of the see of Rome.

Some of his expressions were exaggerated, distorted, and carried by talebearers to Whitehall.

It was falsely said that he had spoken with contumely of the theological disquisitions which had been found in the strong box of the late King, and which the present King had published.