LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 259 



Christianity give place to a laboured descant 

 upon civil government, princes, and administra- 

 tions. So far indeed as subjection to the higher* 

 powers, praying for those that are in authority^ and 

 preserving peace and unity, were Gospel duties, 

 and of an obligation distinct from that of na- 

 tional laws, so far he urged and insisted upon 

 them, on all proper occasions, and charged them 

 upon men's consciences. But even when he 

 did this, he always took care to let his audience 

 understand that he was acting within his own 

 province and sphere as a divine, least he should 

 be thought to be influenced by any civil consi^ 

 derations, while he was laying down the com- 

 mon duties of Christianity. Thus when he op- 

 posed himself to that separation from the esta^ 

 blished Church, which was made at the Revo- 

 lution, when it was pretended by some that 

 they could not join in prayers for their Majes- 

 ties, he introduces his consideration of thaf 

 point with these words. 



" With men's differences as to their notiori§ 

 about the politics, I am not concerned. Let 

 them frame what hypotheses they please stbout 

 goveunment, though I do not like them, yet I 

 do not think myself bound to preach against 

 them. But when these differences are come to 

 that pass, that they threaten both the civil and 

 ecclesiastical peace, there I think no minister 



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