^* leaving personal judgment to Him to whom alone
" it belongs* "
It is true, that, as a general principle, Mr. Sharp s
* Of his practice, founded on this rnle, sufficient in*
stances appear in his correspondence with the respectable
Quaker to whoa this letter was addressed ; in a letter addressed
to his friend Beneset» on similar topics ; and in his letters to
Dr. Laatbeaas and others, at the period of the French popalar
Revolution.
One of hb answers to Dr. Lanthenas proves the united coia-
placeacy and stvength of his nnid* It b eminent as an eaample
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330 UEMOIRS OF GRANVILLE SHARP. . [V.
theory of separating the offender from the bfience,
differs from that of every good man in little else than
in the mode of declaration ; namely, that punishment,
or coercion, should never be influenced by, or in
any manner conjoined with, hatred or malice to the
criminal It is also universally admitted, and par-
ticularly as a Christian's duty, that we ought to do
good to the worst of men, as far as we can do so
without danger or inconvenience to those who depend
on us (including ourselves), or to general society.
But the world owes a debt of gratitude to any one
who institutes a new form, or rule, of practical
application, in concerns of general morality and
importance to our daily happiness : and Mr. Sharp's
maxim is valuable in this respect. It is easily bom
in mind; and, when put in practice, is of immediate
efficacy in promoting mutual forbearance and bene-
volence among mankind.
of tlie spirit of Christian benevolence, in which the Troth should
ever be maintained.
A later letter, designed to have been sent to.Benezet» appears
to have been withheld, Aroin the dread of giving pain to him in
a state of health not calculated to support the conflict of argu-
ment. It is found among the MSS., and has this superscrip-
tion :— •• G. Sharp to Anthony Benezet : a second letter. G. S.
wrote to A. Benezet July 1774, and Mr. Benezet replied in
November 1774. Several years afterwards, in August 1768,
G. S. promised an answer to the first letter of 1774 ; but before
it was transcribed from the rough copy, a letter from Dr. Rush,
dated 27th AprU 1784, informed G. S. that Mr. Benezet was
then seventy years of age, and in bad health." A postscript of
the same letter, dated 16th May following; mentions his death.
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3.] GENERAL REMARKS dN HIS CHARACTER. 331
Such, indeed, is the tendency of a far more ex-
tensive precept, offered to us in the whole tenour of
his life. He displayed the venerable example of an
almost perfect peace of mind, preserved and main-
tained through a constant course of vigorous action*
£ver gentle and amiable spirit ! may the seeds of
charity sown by thee in so many hearts produce in
their season an abundant harvest, and offer to the
sight of the Creator a grateful return for his bounties !
May the lesson of thy philanthropy be diffused over
latest ages, and teach the child of man, while he
aspires to chasten error in the strong, or lift the weak
and wretched from the dust, to love and venerate, in
all, the felbw-creature — the equal work of God !
Two letters, here annexed, will aptly close Mr.
Sharp's history, and supply all that is yet deficient in
the delineation of his character : the first sent to the
Rev. Mr. Owen, on the day of Mr. Sharp's interment,
apologizing for the absence of one of die Deputies
named by the Afirican Institutk>n to attend his
funeral at Fulham ; the second from Mr. Owen him*
self, to the Writer of this Narrative, with such in-
formation concerning his departed friend, as a long
intimacy enabled him to impart, and the reader will
not fail to value as it deserves. —
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332 MEMOIRS OF GRANVILLE SHARP. [V.
To tliM Rev. John Owen, Fulham.
'* My dear Sir—
" It was my full intention to testify to-day my regard
and affection for our departed friend, by joining the
monrners at his funeral. Owing, however, to the sudden
illness of die only person who could supply my absence, I
am compelled to substitute this apology to ydu, and» through
you, to the friends of this* venerable and lamented saint.
I have been much mortified by this circumstance, not only
as it deprives me of the opportunity of showing this last
token of respect to this great leader in every work of piety
and beneficence — this emancipator of Africa, this father of
the Bible Society^but as it puts it out of my power to
execute my part of the trust, delegated by the African
Institution, of assisting to convey his remains to the house
appointed for their repose, until that day arrive when all
that was mortal of him shall put on immortality. I had
anticipated no small benefit to myself, from having my
thoughts turned to the contemplation of an honoured cha-
racter, who, for near eighty years, had stemmed the tidQ
of oppression and corruption ; who, animated by a simple
view of his duty, and that Christian philanthropy which
emanates from the love of God and Christ, stood before
kings and judges in the cause of the friendless and the
faint; who laboured for God and man with unexampled
assiduity and perseverance, and who yet made no acconnl
of his labours ; who waged no war but with the devil, and
the works of the devil and the flesh ; and whose highest
enjoyment arose from the advancement of God's spiritual
kingdom in his own soul, and from the anticipation of its
full establishment in every heart. I verily believe that a
purer and more upright mind, one more single in its aim
and intention, and more unequivocally scrupulous as to the
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3.] GENERAL REMARKS ON HIS CHARACTER. 333
rectitude of his means, more simply directed to the glory
«f God aod the good of oolu, has oerer leftthis woild.
'' E?er yonrsy my dear frieod,
" ZACHABY MACAULAY."
From the Rnv. John Ojotn.
[extract.]
(In reply to moerid imquitm*)
^ My -dear Sir — *' Falbam, March 95,i816.
*' I am not acqaainted with tlie occasion of
•Mr. G. Sharp's writing and pubUshiaghis tract on seyerat
important Prophecies. He was a man of constant obser-
Tation; interpreied all the passing events, political and
religions, with a reference to Scripture Prophecy; and
generally wrote and published under impressions for which
a satisfactory account (I mean satisfactory to others) could
not always be given* • His principle, was sound. He con»
sidered the world as under the admiaistratioa of the Messiah,
to whom all power had been given both in heaven and on
earth. He regarded, therefore, every occurrence as form-
ing part of that administration, and. as ministerial to the
purposes of Christ's spiritual kingdom. The Bible was bis
text; the events of every day were his commentary* « The
error to which he was liable (an error from which the
wisest and the best have not been wholly free) was .that of
laying too much stress on the exactness of a mode of inter-
pretation, which, from its very nature, must be doubtful
and uncertain. In regarding the Papacy as the grand
apostaoy, and unrighteousness as the besetting sin of poli-
tical authority, he was strictly correct Nor can he be
enough admired (or the grace of God in him) for the un-
daunted courage and unwearied perseverance with which
he maintained these scriptural positions against every
species of corruption, both in Church and State. But the
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334 MEMOIRS OP ORANVILLE SHARP. [V.
lore of his principle^ and die inflaence whieh it had on his
own heart and condoct, would not permit him to make an j,
the least, aliowatioe for the mixed and imperfect state of
human affairs. He was for bringing back every thing to
the standard from which it had deflected, and that with a
degree of rapidity and deciaion often inapplieaUe to the
case, and seldom compatible with a peaceful and orderly
return to integrity and justice. I say this merely that you
may know my opinion of what I must cdl his erfvre.
These errors, indeed, are splendid sins; and I heartily
wish the best virtues of some who have been, and are stiH,,
admired as great and good men, were not inferior to the
worst of his errors. God appeared to have raised him up
and qualified him for the work of political and moral .re-
formation. He had, in a measure, the spirit and the pow^
of Elijah : he was aealous f<Nr the Lord of Hosts, and he
hated iniquity with a perfect hatred. With all bis ardour
for refotm (an ardour which only expired with bis life), he
was full of loyalty and subordination. He revered the
throne and the altar, and stood in the gap between those
who would overthrow them, and those who widied to con-
vert them into instruments of gain and egression. In
short, I would say of him, and can from a long and inti*
mate knowledge of his character do so most conscien-
tiously^ that the Church had not a move dutiful son, the
King a more loyal subject, and Mankind at large a more
sympathiadng friend and brother.
" His knowledge of languages, conridering the limited
nature and time of his education, was surprising. Besides
his native language, he understood French, Latin, Greek,
Hebrew, and the Syriac and Chaldee dialects. For the
acquisition of these he was principally indebted to his own
exertions, prompted, not by an ambition for literary fame,
but by a desire to understand the Holy Scriptures in their
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d«] OENKRAL ftEMARKS ON QI8 CHARACTER. 380
origiDal texts, and to possess the means of cttrrying into
effect, botfa by reading and communicatioD, the great par-
pose to whick his life was devotedi that of promoting glevj
to God, and peace and good will among men/'
'' With great regard, 8cc.
*' JOHN OWBM/' *
^ Besides Hie distinguished notices of Mr^ Shlurp*s decease
already mentioned, many other obitaary tributes to his memory
were given to the world in various respectable publications*
from which some extracts are here subjoined, because they aM
evidently the effusions of sensible and pious minds, and have a
tendency to strengthen the impression of so much Worth on ike
reader, and, of course, to reader the example Riore largely
beneficial.
" At Fulbam, on the4Sth July last, died Granville Sharp, Es^.*
in the 99th year of his age ; — a man of varied learning, and
pre*eminent philanthropy ; whose life was most actively aad
perseveringly devoted to promote the best interests of his species,
under a deep sense of his responsibility to God. He was a man
of singularly gentle and modest and courteous manners ; bat,
in a cause which he deemed important, especially when it in«
volved the rights either of his great Lord and Master or of his
fellow-men, he was no less singularly bold aad intrepid* Wkk
peculiar, and perhaps mistaken, views on some political and
Biblical subjects, which might have exposed him to be under-
valued by many as a man of understanding, and with a style of
composition which was far from attractive, he nevertfieless was
a most efficient instrument in operating some mighty changes
in the opinions aad conduct of nations ; — changes which will
immortalize his name, while the idea of liberty is cherished, or
fearless and unwearied and self-denying and successful eaeitioas
for the happiness of mankind are admired among men. Bal
the praise of men was not the prevailing. motive to exertion
with this distinguished individual : he did what be did, as unto
God •
*' He was truly the friend of the firiendless. MQiat he pos«
sessed, he regarded as bebnging to the poor : he was himself
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336 MEATOIRS OK' GRANVILLE SHARP. XY*
' Such are now the memorials of a name which, by
a long progress of religion, virtue, and beneficence,
has been rendered— not illustrious, for the blessings
but a sharer, in commoD with them, of the necessaries of life
which it covld purchase : and'many are now doubtless mourn-
ing his departure, of whom the world knows, nothing, to whom
be bad been. as an angel of God, drying their tears,, and causing
their, hearts to sing for joy ! " — Christian Obterver.
'' Granville Sharp is now no more. Full of years, and for
beyond any usaal period for active exertion, when .he took .the
chair at the meetings of the ' Protestant Union,' he no loss
wisely than benevolently gave the final sanction of his name to
a measure the most necessary at thertime ' for the defence, and
support of the Protestant Religion, and the British Constitution,
as established at the glorious rbvolution in Id&Q/ This
wa» bis legacy to his country.
•••••/' He was, to speak most briefly of him, a man in whom
the truly constitutional love of liberty was exceeded only by a
piety of the highest order and most judicious temperance ; who
studied. politics only to benefit the community, and religion only
to purify and defend his own faith, and that of his brethren.
His benevolence was equal to his piety/' — Britisk Critic,
' ** We cannot refuse ourselves the gratification of dwelling for
a moment upon a theme, consecrated in the hearts of M who
revere exalted worth, and delight to contemplate a long course
of quiet and peaceful, but unremitting, exertions for the liber-
ties and happiness of mankind. In preserving the names of
other virtuous men from the temporary oblivion into which
more dazzling and |)erishable glories are wont to cast them, it
is frequently necessary to exhaust the arts of composition, to
display arguments which may convince, or to seek, - amidst
figures and periods, the road to congenial feeling. But he who
would hold up. this venerable philanthropist in. the most striking
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3.] GENERAL REMARKS ON HIS CHARACTER* 33?
which fell on it were breathed from lips that could
not confer celebrity ; from those of the poorest and
humblest of society ; from the houseless exile, from
the captive, and from him who had none to help
him ; — but sacred^ in the records which are written in
the bosoms of the good and wise, and which angels
KEEP and PERPETUATE !
light, has only to tell faithfully and plainly the story of hia
actions* Unaided hy any authority or party in the State —
before any of those benevolent institutions existed which have
since done so much honour to the age— H>pposed by the opinions
of lawyers and the most rooted prejudices of the times«*he
fought» by his single exertions, and at his individual expense,
the most memorable battle for the Constitution of this country,
and in its consequences for the interests of the species, of which
modem times afford any record He abolished a SUve
Trade carried on in the streets of Liverpool and London... Jt
cannot be doubted, that when those distinguished persons (who
formed the Deputation of the African Institution) attended the
remains of Granville Sharp to the grave, they mourned the ex-
tinction of the light which at first went before to guide them in
their course, and had ever since been their fiuthful companion.*'
— Edmburgh Review.
VOL. IL
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MEMOIBS
OF
GRANVILLE SHARP.
PART VL
Literature and Writinge.
CATALOGUK« BT MR. SHARP, OF THB BOOKS WRITTEN BY
HIMSELF, AND OF OTHER WORKS IMMBDIATBLT RE-
LATING TO THEM.
OBSERVATIONS ON MR. SHARP'S BIBUCAL CRITICISMS, BT
THE LORD BISHOP OF ST. DAYID'S.
ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIES.
BRIEF REMARKS ON HIS MORAL AND POUTICAL WRITINGS.
CONCLUSION.
2 8
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PART VL
CHAP. L
A F£W of Mr. Sharp's publications have been
noticed, with a particular view, in the early part of
these Memoirs. The following complete Catalogue,
with his own accompanying notes, is printed from a
folio MS. left among his papers. It is entitled,
An Account of Books written and published by
G. Sharpy and also of some other Books that have
been ^written either for or against his publica-
tions.
[TA< Book$ mot written dy Mr, Sharp wn marked x*]
No. I. Answer to the Rev. Dr. Kennicotfs Charge
of CorruptioDs in the Hebrew Texts of '
Ezra and Nehemiah. (2d Edit. 1775). . • 1765
The proper flUe of this little book it, ** Remirkt on a
printed Paper lately handed about, entitled, * A
Catalogne of the sacred Veisels restored byCyrns,
and of the chief Jews who returned at first from the
Cuptivity ; together with the Names of the retnming
Families, and the Number of the Persons at that
Time in each Fatetly ; dispdsed in such a manner as
4o show most clearly the grehi Corruptloo of proper
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342 HEMOIES OF GRANVILLE SHARP. [VL
Names and Nnmbers in the present Text of the Old
Testament .' " The Anther of the Remarks was
cantions not to oppose Or. Rennicott any farther
than his own printed Paper really reqnired ; and
therefore the Remarks were not published in the
ordinary way, but given gratis to those persons only
who conld prodnce a copy of the Doctor^s own
printed paper. The WIect of this was agreeable to
what is recommended in the last paragraph of the
Remarks-— via. that the Doctor was obliged to gife
np his intentions of correcting the Hebrew text,
and to abide by his first proposals, offered In 1760,
of printing his new edition of the Hebrew Bible
(not with a new text, bM) from one of the best edi-
tions already published, having the Tarions readtaigs
inserted at the l>ottom of etery page.
No.2. On VooalHilsid; (2d Edttion 1777.) 1707
N0« 9; Qn die ^dMneiatioa of the Englisb Tottgoe,
' ju^frenehud iEogliilif and tbe sane in
. ; £i%Iish;only ••.»..•••..••.• ,.both in 1767
No. 4* lUjiiarks on several important ProfJiecieSy
in Answer to Drl W ms. In five
fiarts; (2A Edifion:1775.) 1768
' A jeply to tl|is Wfrk was promised by Dr.W— ^ms,
every time he met O. 8., for about two years; and
^ at length Q^ B. recei? ed an anonymous book, l>eing
an attempt to set aside the two first chapters of St.
Matthew's Ctospel (from whence the evidence was
principally drawn which confoted the Doctor^s
former work). O.S. was too much engaged at that
time to undertake an answer to this ; but two very
able replies very soon 'appeired^-H»ne by the Rev.-
Mr. Velthosen, of ^he Savoy Chapel, a very learned
German Divine; and the second by the learned
' ' Dr. Caleb Fleming, who, thoogfa a Socinian, very
aUy and aealously deliended the sacred text fvam
, this calumny, under the feigned name of Xheophilus ;
<-«nd neither of these gentlemen were at all aware
of the original cnusu of this controversy. By the
latter, some very strong prooiB were given that tbe
Magi did not oome to Jernsalem to inquire for the
Messiah, until tho beginning of the second year alter
his Urth, by whieh aaiiy difficnlti«i am mamtd in
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1.] CATALOGUE OF HIS WORKS. 343
c—|Wrilif tltt MOMBto fiv«B by iSu MattiMw and
St; Liike« Aod thU expkUiit the wicked DiotiTe ef
Herod for eztendtof hit nrarderont cmelty to elt
^(Mreii mider two yttat of mge ; lor * he had privily
. . .called the wUeaieayaad^UiffeiitlylBqaired of them
what time the sUr appeared.** (Matt. ii. 7.) For
otherwise hit mardert might have been limited to
ehiidrea wider two mototht old, inttead of two yeart.
No. 5. •* A short Aoconnt of Aat Port of Afriea
inliabited by Negroes:'' (First printed at
Philadelphia in 1762.) To which is added,
an Aeconnt of tfie Endeayonrs of the So-
ciety for propagating the Gospel to instnict
Negro Slaves in New York, with two
Letters by Bishop Gibson on that Subject :
to which is added, a Conclosbn by the
Editor (G.Sharp) 1768
No. 6. A Representation of the Injustice of tole-
rating SlaTery « . , 1763
Written daiing the action commenced against the
Anther by Jamet Kerr, Stq.* of Jamaica, for having
Hherated a Negro^ Jonathan Strong. The action,
after two jeart impending, wat ditmitted, with trehle
cottt, in-fiivonr of the defendant; thit work having
heen oircalated in MS. daring that time, in aboat
twenty copies; after which it was printed.
Ditto, reprinted at Philadelphia in America,
by Mr. A. Beneaet 1760
No. 7. Beniarks concerning Enoroachments on the
Biver Thames^ near iP^rham Yard 1771
No.8. An Appendix to the Bepresentation against
. Slavery • 1772
No. 0. Remarks on the Opinbns of the most cel^
brated Writers on Crown Law, respecting
Oke due Distinctions between Mansbmghter
and Murder — viz. against Duelling. (3d
Edition 1780.) 177B
1
i
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844 M^lBfOIBS OF GEANVIJLLK SHARP. [VI,
No. 10. A Declaration of the People's mtoral Bight
'" td' a Share in the Legfislatore ; — ^against
the Attempts to ta:i^ America, and to make
LawB for her against her Consent 1774
No. 11. A DeclaratioD of the People's natural Rig^t
to a Share in the Legislature; containiiig
a Defence both of America' and Ireland,
: stating the Illegality of those declaratory
Acts of Parliament called Poining's Acts
. (January) , 1775
Ditto,, printed in Ireland 1776
N. B. A few years «fterw^ds the Irish- PMrlkmeat
repealed the obnoxious Acts. This change seems to
have prompted the English Administration to pro-
core the Union of the two kingdoms, which they
rendered extremely dangeroas, by permitting Irish
Papists to vote for Representatives; for whiqh trfist
they are ntteriy unqualified, becaase their princi-
ples and practices, have ever been contrary to the
t#o first foundations of English law.
No. IS* The Law of Retribntion; or, a serious
Warqing to Great Britain and her Colo-
nie/i, founded on unquestionable Examples
of God*s temporal Vengeance against
Tyrants, Slaveholders, and Oppressors . • 1776
No. 13. The just Limitation of Slavery in the Laws
• • of God. To which is added, a Plan for
the gradual Abolition of Slavery -In tfae> .
Colonies 1776
No. 14. The Law of passive Obedience; or, Chris-
- tiaa Submission to personal Injuries • • • • 1776
No* 15. The Law of Liberty 1776
No. 16. Addition to the Preface of the Sailor^s Ad-
vocate. (A Work of General Oglethoipe.) 1777
No. 17. The Law of Nature and Principles of Action
ioMan.. (2d Edit.. 1807, 3d Edit, 1809.) 1777
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1.]
CiA-TALOGCS OJ HIS WORKS.
346
7 BdidoBa:
8ihJ«iiitljrl79r.
No. 18. The Caseef Stfdl; iotended a? ito' Appendix
to the Law of Nature in sH^n, fcc,'^ .... 1777
No. 19. An Address to .the People of England against
the Suspension of Law, and also stating
the Illegality of impressing Seamen .... 1778
No. 20. Doctrine of ** Nnllam Tempos oecurrit
Regi ** explained, and its due Limitations 1779
This was written in 1771, in defence of the Dake of
Portland, with inccess.
No. 21. The Legal Means of Political Reformation.
In seven Tracts 1780
All these seyen tracts were afterwards (In 1797)
printed in one volnme, with an Index to the whole :
making the number of editions as follows :•—
Tract No. 1. Equitable Representa-"
tion necessary to the Establish-
ment of Law, Peace, and good
Government, &c. (Written March
1777: primed 1780.)
Tract No. 2. Annual ParliamenU the '
ancient and most salutary Right of
the ComiAons of Great Britain;
(Written in 1774 : printed 1780.)..
Tract No. S. A Defence of the an-'
cient, legal, and constitutional
Right of the People to elect Repre-
sentatives for every Session of
Parliament, not only ** every Year
once/' bpt also '' more often if
need be." (Dated 22d March
1780 : printed 1780.)
Tract No. 4. A Circular Letter to*
the several petitioning. Counties
and Towns, against a late Propo-
sition for a triennial Election of
RepreteutAtives, instead of the
ancient Constitution of electing
« every year once, and more often
if need' be.'! . (April 1780.) .. . . . • ^
Tract No. 5. Appendix to the legal ^
Means of political Representation* > ^uTtobittirTm. '
(Dated^March 1780.) 3
8ch jolnUy 1797.
sell JoinUy 1797.
SBdiUooa:
etlijoijitiyl797.
SSdiUou:
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«hJotartlyl99r.
846 MSXOIR8 OF ORANVILLE SHARP.
Tract Ifo«6» ThaChdau of the Peo-
ple of Eof luid : beiog Renuirkt
oa a lilUe Book pablished under
tiMt Title, wfalch contained the
principal Articles of the Act of
Settlement; sbowing the danger-
' ons AlierationB that haye since
been made in that very important
Act, and the necetsity of restoring
the original Principles of it.
(Written March 1T82.)
Tract No. 7. An Appendix to the
secomi Edition of Mr. Loffs Ob-
servations on a late Pnblicatioo,
entitled, ** A Dialog oe on the
actual State of ParliamenUy" and