He was unwilling to give fresh provocation but the act which he was directed to perform was a judicial act.

He felt that it was unjust, and he was assured by the best advisers that it was also illegal, to inflict punishment without giving any opportunity for defence.

He accordingly, in the humblest terms, represented his difficulties to the King, and privately requested Sharp not to appear in the pulpit for the present.

Reasonable as were Compton's scruples, obsequious as were his apologies, James was greatly incensed.

What insolence to plead either natural justice or positive law in opposition to an express command of the Sovereign Sharp was forgotten.