LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 149 



As to their preaching, he gave them some 

 lessons very seasonable and proper for new be- 

 gmners, viz. " not to pump for witty expressions, 

 not to study the ornaments of language, not to 

 shew their reading or learning in the pulpit any 

 otherwise than by good sense and strong and plain 

 arguments. To remember always they were 

 doing God's work, and not man's ; and there- 

 fore to endeavour always to approve themselves 

 to their Master, and not to seek honour of men. 

 To make it their business to do good to their 

 hearers, by preaching to their consciences; telling 

 all people of their duty, representing to them 

 the Christian religion faithfully, and declaring 

 to them impartially the conditions of acceptance 

 with God, and to do this without fear or favour. 

 But if they took other ways, or had other views 

 in their sermons ; if they taught any other doc- 

 trines than what our Saviour had commanded^ 

 or misrepresented those doctrines which he had 

 taught ; or if they did the work of the Lord 

 negligently, and were not solicitous in using 

 their endeavours, that the people committed to 

 their charge should profit under their ministry, 

 what account would they give of their steward- 

 siiip." 



What he added about their being careful to 

 preach every day by their good life and conversation, 

 (which he said was a constant sermon,) shall be 



