DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0317
WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 285
V
he entered into holy orders, and became domestic chaplain to Lord Chancellor
Parker. In 1719, he Avas Rector of Stapleford Abbots, Essex ; in 1720, of St.
Bartholomew, behind the Royal Exchange; and, in 1723, Vicar of St. Martin's
in the Fields. In 1724, the degree of doctor in divinity was conferred on him
by Archbishop Wake. On the impeachment and disgrace of his friend and
patron, the Earl of Macclesfield, his attachment to that nobleman, of whose in-
nocence he always maintained a perfect conviction, appears to have delayed for
many years his further advancement, though he enjoyed the favour of many per-
sons of high rank and distinction ; among whom were, Mr. Pulteney, Archbishop
Potter, Lord Hardwicke, aad Sir Isaac Newton: Queen Caroline was also pleased
to admit him frequently to the honour of her familiar conversation.
At length, however, in 1739, he was made Dean of Winchester ; in 1748,
he was promoted to the bishopric of Bangor ; and, in 1756, translated to the see
of Rochester, with the associated deanery of this church. These latter preferments
he is said to have accepted with reluctance, as he had already conceived the de-
sign of resigning his bishopric and retiring to a state of privacy. In 1763, being
advanced to the seventy-third year of his useful and learned life, he consi-
dered himself as no longer equal to the duties of his situation, and communicated
to his old friend Pulteney, now Earl of Bath, his wish to resign both his bishop-
ric and the deanery, and to retire upon his private fortune. That nobleman ac-
cordingly acquainted the king with the bishop's desire ; who was pleased to name
a day and hour when he would receive him alone in the closet, and hear him on
the subject. He then informed the king, that he was anxious to enjoy some in-
terval between the fatigues of business and eternity; and requested his Majesty to
consult proper persons, concerning the propriety and legality of his resignation.
In about two months, the king informed himf that Lord Mansfield saw no objec-
tion; and that Lord Northington, who had entertained some doubts on the sub-
V
he entered into holy orders, and became domestic chaplain to Lord Chancellor
Parker. In 1719, he Avas Rector of Stapleford Abbots, Essex ; in 1720, of St.
Bartholomew, behind the Royal Exchange; and, in 1723, Vicar of St. Martin's
in the Fields. In 1724, the degree of doctor in divinity was conferred on him
by Archbishop Wake. On the impeachment and disgrace of his friend and
patron, the Earl of Macclesfield, his attachment to that nobleman, of whose in-
nocence he always maintained a perfect conviction, appears to have delayed for
many years his further advancement, though he enjoyed the favour of many per-
sons of high rank and distinction ; among whom were, Mr. Pulteney, Archbishop
Potter, Lord Hardwicke, aad Sir Isaac Newton: Queen Caroline was also pleased
to admit him frequently to the honour of her familiar conversation.
At length, however, in 1739, he was made Dean of Winchester ; in 1748,
he was promoted to the bishopric of Bangor ; and, in 1756, translated to the see
of Rochester, with the associated deanery of this church. These latter preferments
he is said to have accepted with reluctance, as he had already conceived the de-
sign of resigning his bishopric and retiring to a state of privacy. In 1763, being
advanced to the seventy-third year of his useful and learned life, he consi-
dered himself as no longer equal to the duties of his situation, and communicated
to his old friend Pulteney, now Earl of Bath, his wish to resign both his bishop-
ric and the deanery, and to retire upon his private fortune. That nobleman ac-
cordingly acquainted the king with the bishop's desire ; who was pleased to name
a day and hour when he would receive him alone in the closet, and hear him on
the subject. He then informed the king, that he was anxious to enjoy some in-
terval between the fatigues of business and eternity; and requested his Majesty to
consult proper persons, concerning the propriety and legality of his resignation.
In about two months, the king informed himf that Lord Mansfield saw no objec-
tion; and that Lord Northington, who had entertained some doubts on the sub-