LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 59 



This point he treated at large with great judg- 

 ment and solidity; and considered both the 

 nature, rule, and authority of a doubting con- 

 science, and also the power that human laws, 

 ecclesiastical or civil, have of overruling it ; or 

 determining a man's doubts for him in any mat- 

 ter. And in this work he had, as he used to say, 

 covertly, and without naming of names, answered 

 all that Mr. Wadsworth, or the other writer (for 

 his sermon had been wrote against by more than 

 one) had objected to him; and more especially 

 what had been either omitted by Mr. Dodwell, 

 or not answered altogether to his satisfaction. 



The reader who peruses these discourses will 

 find not only a wonderful clearness and exact- 

 ness in the management of a deceitful and per- 

 plexed subject, and great sagacity and nicety 

 in distinguishing, but the whole carried on and 

 wrought up with a temper befitting so tender a 

 subject as conscience is. He insists upon no- 

 thing further than he can make his appeal for, 

 to every man's own reason and sense. And 

 where he treats of the doubting conscience, his 

 discourse is suited to reach, if possible, the very 

 weakest side (which is ever the most inexpug- 

 nable) of an honest and sincere man. He seems 

 not to write for the pleasure and satisfaction of 

 those who have no doubts upon their minds, and 

 who therefore are apt to judge too hardly of 



