mind, was rising above the poverty of his utterance, and his soul was rallying most mightily upon God. This appears to have been particularly the case in a conversation which he had with the celebrated Dr. Johnson, on the subject of impressing seamen. Johnson defended the practice, and overwhelmed Sharp with words. Sharp mourned, but was strengthened. He only saw the more clearly, the need in which that wildly noble, but much outraged class stood of an advocate; and he was only stirred up, the more vigorously to defend their sacred rights.
His regard for the established church, appears to me, to have been excessive—and his objections to Catholic emancipation, I cannot but condemn; but I am hereby taught a new lesson of humility, in relation to political and ecclesiastical questions; and I see, more clearly than ever, the vital necessity of distinguishing them from questions of moral and eternal importance, such as religion itself; impartial equity; the rights of the poor; personal liberty and property; brotherly love, &c.; that while I yield all the latitude which God has given them, to things of a political and ecclesiastical nature, I may follow God's exactness and invariableness, in relation to moral and eternal things.
He united, in an admirable manner, the respect due to office or condition, with the kindness due to the person who fills it, and with the candid boldness which truth demands. He rebuked severely; but he seems rarely to have given offence. Every body saw that he loved every body; and that the severity and constancy of his censures, sprung from the same holy source. There was a glorious consistency in him, which precluded all well grounded reproach. His favorite text of scriptural duty was, "The tree which beareth not good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire."
"God appeared to have raised him up, and qualified him," says John Owen, "for the work of political and moral reformation. He had, in a measure, the spirit and power of Elijah. He was jealous for the Lord of hosts, and he hated iniquity with a perfect hatred; but with all
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