152 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



selves to those things that immediatdij con- 

 cerned their profession. He exhorted them to 

 be " assiduous in following their studies, and 

 reading good books, and daily improving them- 

 selves in all good learning, especially those 

 parts of learning that related to their vocation. 

 He laid before them, how highly ** necessary it 

 was for every clergyman to be well versed in 

 those points wherein religion is concerned ; that 

 unless they were masters of their profession, 

 they were lost, and the cause of God would 

 suffer by their ignorance and weakness. That 

 the times would not now bear an ignorant clergy- 

 man, whatever they ivould have do?ie heretofore. 

 That learning was become so common, that they 

 would quickly be found out if they were defec- 

 tive in any part of it ; and therefore, for their 

 own reputation and honour, as well as the 

 Church's, he besought them to study good 

 authors, and to use the best conversation they 

 could meet with, and to improve themselves in 

 all kinds of knowledge." 



Again as to their pleaching, he laid down 

 very plain lessons. ** That there was a trifling 

 way of preaching, though yet perhaps it might 

 be elaborate enough ; of which sort were all 

 those sermons wherein the business was to 

 make ostentation of learning, or reading, or wit, 

 or politeness of language; but which, in the 



