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