sadler was specially interested in the history of the older english presbyterianism. his tastes led to a commission, in 1867, to edit henry crabb robinson's "diaries". the work appeared in 1869, and went to a third edition in 1872; but only a small portion of the crabb robinson papers were used utilised. with some devotional works, sadler was also author of "edwin t. field: a memorial sketch", 1872; "the man of science and disciple of christ", a funeral speech for william benjamin carpenter, 1885; and "prayers for christian worship", 1886.