LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 147 



insufficiency, he took so great compassion, on 

 account of some peculiar circumstances of their 

 misfortune, though they were otherwise un- 

 known to him, and independent of him, that he 

 entertained them in his own family till they were 

 so instructed, that he could satisfy himself they 

 might be put into holy orders. 



To return : he laid hold on these occasions, 

 when young men were first engaging themselves 

 in the work of the ministry under his fiat or 

 commission, to lay before them with great so- 

 lemnity, and with an authority that became 

 him, and carried more than ordinary weight 

 with it at such times, " of what mighty con- 

 cernment it was, that they who took upon them 

 this profession, should do their duty. And what 

 horrible consequences must ensue, if they who 

 had the preaching of the Gospel intrusted with 

 them, either did not preach it at all, or preach 

 it negligently, or preach it unfaithfully, or did 

 any way, either by their life or doctrine, hinder 

 the belief and entertainment of it among those 

 they were to serve." ] 



He told them, " The charge they were now 

 taking upon themselves was such, as even the 

 best qualified men, both for learning and piety; 

 in the primitive times, have trembled at, when 

 they considered of it. That they were now to 

 be made stewards of the mysteries of Christ; 



L 2 



