Burial record - John Harding 1767

[SplanK]

Hello
I am hoping somebody can help..

I have identified the following record as a person of interest, and i'm struggling with the first 2 words of the line.  I believe the first word is His but 2nd word is unclear to me.

This is what I have come up with so far!

[Feb]
16 His [??], John Harding Clerk Curate of Astbury

The original can be found here, page 411:
 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NHJ4-M9S

Thanks
Steve

[SplanK]

.

[goldie61]

'The Rever^d'
ie, The Reverend John Harding

[SplanK]

Thank you!  That's exactly what I was hoping it would say!