60 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



those who have, and to be too much pleased 

 with seeing the other's weakness exposed, but 

 with such caution and yielding to natural in- 

 firmity and involuntary prejudices, as excludes 

 all appearance of triumph in having the better 

 of the argument ; and scarce can fail to allure 

 the attention, and prevent the displeasure at 

 least, even of such whose doubts are not by 

 reason to be surmounted. 



And indeed Dr. Sharp, in all his casuistry, 

 ever inclined to the milder determinations. He 

 had himself experienced the strong effects of 

 mistaken principles early instilled into the mind, 

 and how vigorously they resisted and embar- 

 rassed reason when 7ipe and mature. He him- 

 self had felt the pangs of a melancholy doubtmg 

 mind, though under great sincerity of intention 

 and rectitude of will ; and this taught him how 

 to treat others who fell into the like misfor- 

 tunes and unhappy ways of thinking, and how 

 necessary it was to be soft and gentle with such 

 tender consciences. 



The substance of the two forementioned dis- 

 courses was afterwards published by Dr. Bennet, 

 at Cambridge, in the year 1700, in his Abridg- 

 ment of the London Cases ; and it was done 

 very exactly, for he had received the author's 

 own corrections of it, as he himself gives notice 

 in his preface to the book. 



