38 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



able preachers as any in the Christian Church, 

 since the primitive times. And such will be 

 ready to own, that it is no small attainment even 

 to read a sermon well; and that it is worth a 

 man's while and pains, to endeavour after it; 

 especially considering, that there are not many 

 who arrive at any perfection in doing so. And 

 for this reason, several of our eminent Prelates 

 have given this in charge to their clergy, that 

 they study propriety of elocution, and endeavour 

 after a decent and ornamental way of delivering 

 their discourses ; judging very rightly, that not 

 only the character of thq preacher, but even the 

 success of his labours depend, in too great a 

 measure, upon this seemingly inconsiderable 

 point. 



As to Dr. Sharp, they who knew his way of 

 talking, especially upon divine subjects (which 

 were often in his mouth,) with so much fluency, 

 piety, gravity, and every ornament that is pro- 

 per for discourses of that nature, can hardly 

 think otherwise than that he must have acquitted 

 himself in the pulpit, even in the extemporary 

 way, as well as most men, had he made the 

 trial, or thought fit to have pursued such a me- 

 thod. But it was utterly against his principle, 

 and contrary to his idea of useful preaching, 

 especially in populous assemblies, and mixed 

 congregations, as are usual in the London 



