Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Reverend Thomas Sharp (1677 - 1693)
Minister at Mill Hill
Impact on Mill Hill Chapel
In 1677, when Richard Stretton resigned from the Mill Hill pulpit, Sharp was chosen as his successor. It is uncertain whether he commenced his duties in the same or the following year, but Thoresby states that he was preaching at the chapel on March 3rd, 1678. He was known for his scholarship and involvement in theological controversies of his time. He was also a strong advocate for religious freedom and tolerance. In addition to his ministerial duties, Sharp engaged in writing and published several works, including "A Dissertation on the Duty of Mercy and the Sin of Cruelty to Brute Animals”.
During his time as Reverend of Mill Hill Chapel, Thomas Sharp faced the 1682 service ban by Charles II. When Charles died in 1685, his Catholic brother, James II and VII of Scotland, succeeded him. Just two years later in 1697, James II declared services could resume. During this time, in 1688, the ‘Glorious Revolution’ occurred. James II was deposed in favour of William of Orange and James’s daughter Mary to take the Throne. Finally, in 1689, William III’s Toleration Act legitimised their worship. Within his diary, Thoresby wrote “King James II’s Declaration of Indulgence gave us ease in this case, and though we dreaded a snake in the grass, we accepted it with due thankfulness."
3rd April 1687, Mr. Sharp preached the first sermon in public, from Psalm Lxviii.28; "...that whatever be the instruments, yet the supreme author of all good to his people, is God himself. We were infinitely happy in his ministry he, being a person of great piety and learning, judgment and moderation” (Thoresby, R. & Hunter, J. 1830).
Conclusions
Thomas Sharp held the pastorate for nearly sixteen years until his death.
In the Mill Hill Library, there is a posthumous work by Sharp, published in 1700, entitled “Divine Comforts antidoting inward Perplexities”, with a Hebrew word on the title page that may be rendered ‘Consolations”. This book was edited by Oliver Heywood, and it contains a short memoir of the author, written by the editor with the assistance of Ralph Thoresby.
The history of Mill Hill Chapel reflects the broader historical context of dissenting religious movements and the evolving landscape of religious freedom in England during the 18th century. Sharp was a man of considerable pulpit power, and was much admired by his congregation, one of whom, Ralph Thoresby, speaks of him as “incomparable". His death in Leeds was recorded by Thoresby and must have been very affecting for all in the congregation. Sharp was succeeded by Timothy Manlove in 1693.
Bibliography
- Garside, I. (2023) Old Mill Hill Chapel Interior [Photograph]
- Lupton, B. E. (n.d.) A History of Mill Hill Chapel, Leeds 1672-1920
- Thoresby, R. & Hunter, J. (1830) The Diary of Ralph Thoresby now first published from the original manuscript (2 vols). London: H. Colburn and R. Bentley.
