NON
CIRCULATING
THE
HART GIFT.
PRESENTED BY
New
Library.
CANCELLED
Dr. Mckhart
From the Libary of his Father,
Samuel Black Lockhart, of Liverpool.
889.
|
Life By Richard Boulton
Lee p. 37.5-
ех
6037
P
BTS
·
:
2

номы
ROBERT 2017
FMla Cave feulp.
For J. Hinton at the Kings Arms in Newgate Street.
MICH
$6.
4
Prof Law, & fa par jour
43 44
THE
LIFE
OF THE
HONOURABLE
ROBERT BOYLE, Eſq;
T
HE Honourable Robert Boyle, The Intra-
was not only diftinguished by duction...
the Nobleness of his Family
and Birth, but by his early
Piety and the confiderable
Progress, his Affiduity and Parts made, in all
manner of Learning; fo that he was ex-
empt from that Reflection, which Juvenal made
on fome, who valued themſelves only for the
Merits of their Anceſtors, fince he might truly
fay,
Quod Genus & Attavi & qua non fecimus ipfi
Vix ea noftra voco.
He
1
"
→
2
The LIFE of the
His Birth
dion.
He had Intrinſick value enough of his own, to
entitle him to Honour, befides that of his Fa-
mily and Extract; fo that his whole Life was
ſpent in enobling his own Mind, and cultiva-
ting fuch Studies as might not only be ſervicea-
ble to himſelf, but the Generality of Mankind;
having publiſhed fo many excellent Tracts, that
whoever reads them would think, that his whole
Life was nothing but a continued Series of Study,
and employed in improving Ufeful Knowledg;
fo that the Perufal of his Books in a great Mea-
fure fpeak his Life, and might ſeem to fpare us
the trouble of writing on that Subject, ſince an
Indifferent Perfon might Judg thofe enough to
take up his whole time,and that but little could
be fpared for any other Amuſements; but his
quick and penetrating Thoughts could foon dif-
patch a great deal of buſineſs.
Since then the World is fo much obliged to
him, for what he hath favoured them with;that
we may do all the Juftice we can, to the Charac
Eter of ſo worthy a Perfon, we ſhall endea-
your,as far as the Information we can have will
admit, to draw a fhort Scheme of his Life;
which will be an Honour to himſelf and a No-
ble Example to Pofterity, which can ſcarce,nay
cannot poffibly be paralelled.
The Honourable Robert Boyle was fourth
and Extra- Son to Richard the first Earl of Cork in Ireland,
and Born at Lismore in that Kingdom. Lifmore
is feated upon Broodwater, a River on the
Weft fide of the County of Waterford, juft as
it leaves the County of Cork. It is remarkable
for it's Biſhops See, where Chriftian the Bifhop
and Legate of Ireland prefided, about the
Year
Honourable Robert Boyle.
3
Year 1148, a Perfon very deferving of the
Church of Ireland; and the place may be faid
to be no leſs remarkable for the Birth of this
Honourable Perfon, who hath Signalized him-
felf by fo much Learning and Merit, and rai-
fed a lafting Character throughout the Learned
Part of the World. As for the Account of his
Family, we ſhall take it from what Mr. Collier
hath obferved in his Great Dictionary, which
is thus brefly delivered. "Richard Boyle, Earl
of Burlington had this Honour confered upon
'him by King Charles the II. 1664 and is the
'firſt Engliſh Earl of that Title; his Father was
Richard Baron of Youghall and Bandon, Viſ
count of Kinalmeaky and Dungarvan, and Earl
of Cork in Ireland, whereunto King Charles the
'Ift. added that of Baron Clifford Earl of Cum-
berland. But that which added to the Glory
of his Family is the Fame of the late Earls two
Brothers, viz. Roger Boyle Earl of Orrery, and
Baron Broghall in Ireland, fufficiently recom-
'mend to the World by his elegant Writings
'both in Verſe and Profe; and Robert no leſs
'known by his large Improvements in Experi-
'mental Philofophy, and the many Excellent
• Volums he hath Publifhed to the World.
.
،
And as the Honourable Robert Boyle was an
additional Ornament and Honour to his Noble
Family; ſo he was not leſs happy in a Siſter the
Lady Renelaugh, with whom he lived Forty
Years, and of whom the Right Reverend Father
in God Gilbert Lord Bishop of Sarum, gives
the following Character. "She lived the long-
⚫eft on the Publick Scene; fhe made the grea-
teſt Figure in all theRevolutions of thefeKing
doms
:
4
The LIFE of the
}
C
C
.
،
L
i
'doms for above Fifty Years, of any Woman
' of our Age. She Employed it all for doing
good to others,in which the layed out her Time,
her Intereft and her Eftate, with the greateſt
'Zeal and the moſt Succefs that I have ever
'known; fhe was indefatigable as well as dex-
terous in it; and as her great Underſtanding
and the vaſt Eſteem fhe was in, made all Per-
fons in their fevera! Turns of Greatness, de-
fire and value her Friendship; fo fhe had a
good Title to employ her Intereft with them
for the Service of others, by never making a-
ny uſe of it, for any end or deſign of her own.
She was contented with what fhe had, and
though twice ftripped of it, ſhe never mo-
ved on her own Account, but was the gene-
ral Interceffor for all Perfons of Merit,
or in want, which was the more Chriftian and
Effectual, becauſe not limited to the Compafs
L of Parties or Relations. When any Party was
down, he had Credit enough and Zeal to
6 ſerve them, and made uſe of thoſe fo Effectu-
ally, that in the next Turn fhe had a new ſtock
of Credit; which was wholly employed in
that Labour of Love in which the spent her
Life; and though fome Particular Opinions
might ſhut her up in a Divided Communion,
< yet her Soul was never of a Party; fhe divi-
ded her Charity and Friendship betwixt both,
her Efteem, as well as her Bounty, with the
trueft regard to Merit, and her own Obliga-
tions, without any difference, upon the Ac-
count of Opinion. She had a vaſt reach of
Knowledg and Apprehenfions, and an Uni-
verfal Affability and Eafinefs of Accefs; Hu
C
6
C
<
'
<
،
mility
Honourable Robert Boyle.
5
A
C.
mility which condefcended to the meaneft of
Perfons and Concerns; an obliging kindneſs
C and readineſs to adviſe thoſe who had any
occafion for her Affiftance; and befides other
Excellent Qualities, he had the deepeſt fenfe
of Religion, and perhaps more conftantly tur
ned her Thoughts and Difcourfe that way,
than was frequent in her Age. Such a Sifter
well became fuch a Brother, which the might
in a great meaſure owe to his conftant Conver-
fation and Example, what hath been ſaid of
her being agreeable with his Character; but of
this in another place. This may be fufficient
to fhew, that though he was an excellent and
bright Ornament of his Noble Family, yet an
extraordinary Concourſe of goodQualities were
eminent in each Branch of it, but more efpeci-
ally in himſelf, who retained all Vertues in an
eminent Degree, as well as the other peculiar
Endowments of his Mind; thofe fhining Bran-
ches, fhewing the bright Original from whence
they sprung.
All that I fhall fay further in refpect of his
Birth and Extraction, is, that as his Family was,
to uſe the Words of the Learned Bishop Burnet,
"Watered with the bleffings and due of Hea-
'ver, as well as fed with the beſt Portions of
this Life, and produced fo many Noble Plants,
'fo they fignally felt the Effects of their Hum-
ble and Chriftian Motto, God's Providence is
my Inheritance. And as he was the only Bro-
ther of five, who had none of thoſe high Ti-
tles that found great in the World; yet he
raiſed himſelf a Name, greater than any could
give him, and which all the World confented
to.
The
6
The LIFE of the
i
His Educa-
tion.
His Tra-
štels.
The promising Bloffoms of his early Piety,
which afterwards fhone out in full Perfection,
and the Specimens of his great Capacity, and
large Endowments of Mind, made an early
appearance in his Tender Years; which were
firft cultivated in the meaner Schools in Ireland;
where, no doubt, his Progrefs was anſwerable
to the quickness of his Parts, and the great ad-
vantages his Noble Birth afforded him.
When his tender Years had been duly inſtru
&ed and improved in the neceffary Rudiments
of School Learning, and his Age and Oppor-
tunities made it reaſonable, he further impro-
ved and purſued his Studies, in the Univerſity
of Leiden in Holland; where his Progress and
Application were fuitable to the Greatneſs of
his Genius, and the Natural Diſpoſition he
had, to furniſh his Mind with fuch things, as
were grateful and acceptable to a Difpofition
that aimed at Univerfal Knowledg, eſpecially
fuch as might become fo great a Soul, and en-
large the Sphere of a Capacity of fo vaft an Ex-
tent.
When he had improved his Studies at the
University, he omitted no Opportunities of ad-
ding to the Knowledg of Books, the ftudy and
fearch into the Knowledg of Men, which can
no way be better underſtood,than by traveling
into foreign Countrys; where the Manners and
Cuſtoms of People appear more free and un-
diſguiſed to Strangers, than to their own Coun-
try men; and could be advantagious to none
more than to one, whofe fagacity and quick
apprehenſion, would enable him to make the
niceft Judgment, and whofe plentiful Fortune
would
Honourable Robert Boyle.
7
would allow him all the Opportunities, which
Obfervation or Converfation could afford to
improve a Mind fo well qualifyed to receive
Inſtruction, and to admit of Improvement. To
this end, when he had qualifyed himſelf in the
University, he firft Travelled into France, and
then into Sufferland, Italy and other Countries,
where his Curiofity orHopes of advantage in
the Improvement of his Knowledg inclined
him, and as his early Piety was well grounded
in a well difpofed Mind,his Vertuous Inclinati-
ons fecur'd him from admiting the leaft Tincture
of the Vices of the Places he came in, or of the
Times; fo that he rather like the induftrious
Bee, extracted and collected Honey out of the
pureft Flowers, and converted the worst of
Examples to a pious Ufe, and to use Dr.
Burnet's Expreffions, "He began early to thew
both a Probity and Capacity, that promiſed
great things; and paffed through the Youthful
Part of his Life, with fo little of the Youth in
'him, that in his Travels, while he was very
young, and wholly the Mafter of himself, he
was out of the reach of the diforders of that
Age, and the Countries he paffed through.
'He had a Modefty and Purity fo deeply root-
'ed in his Nature, that those who knew him
the earlieſt, have often told me,that even then
• Nature ſeemed entirely fanctityed in him.
And as Liberal Education, great Oppor His early
tunities, and plentiful Fortunes too frequent. Pity and
ly expofe young Gentlemen to great Inconve. Learning:
niences, and as great Vices, Mr. Boyle being
prepoffeffed with good Principles, and the ear-
ly Seeds of Piety, reaped the quite contrary
d
advantages.
8
The LIFE of the
The Pro-
C
advantages. And as he had a great and noble
Fortune, it was eſpecially great to him, as he
was endowed with a great and noble Soul, to
make use of it to the best purpoſes. The early
increase of his Piety and vertuous Principles,he
frequently owned to receive a great deal of af-
fiftance and advantage from his Converfation
with the Godly and Pious Archbp. Uſher, Pri-
mate of Ireland, who as he was a particular
Friend to the whole Family,was not backwards
in promoting the growth of thofe hopeful Seeds
he might easily difcern would produce a noble
and plentiful Harveft. He put him chiefly on
the ſtudy of the Scriptures in the Original Lan
guages, which he for feveral Years purfued with
fo much exactnefs, that he could readily quote
all remarkable Paffages in Hebrew; and he read
the New Testament fo diligently in Greek, that
when any paffage was mentioned upon any Oc-
cafion, he could readily repeat it in that Lan-
guage.
Having hitherto taken Notice, as far as we
grefs of bis can inform our felves, of what happen'd in his
riper Tears. tender Years, and the early Progrefs he made
towards Heaven, and the hopeful Foundations
he had laid for a Noble Superftructure, we
ſhall proceed to that which his riper Years
made fo Splendid and Magnificent, and which
had not only a large foundation in the Know-
ledg of Natural Things, but foared ſo high,
that he converfed with Saints and Angels, and
even Seraphims themſelves; nor did he only
trace the footſteps of Nature, but penetrated
fo deep, as to diſcover the bright Apprehenfi-
ons of a God and his Attributes, ſo that in him
WC
Honourable Robert Boyle
9
*
،
him.
we may, to uſe the words of the Learned Dr.
Burnet" triumph upon the Honour that belongs Dr. Bur-
to Vertue and Religion, which appeared fo net'sCha-
eminently in a Life, which may be confidered racter of
as a Pattern of Living, and a Pattern fo per-
fect, that it will perhaps feem a little too far
out of fight, too much above the hopes, and
by confequence, above the endeavours of any
that might pretend to draw after fuch an O-
riginal, which muſt ever be reckoned amongſt
the Maſter Pieces even of that Great Hand
that made it. I might here challenge the whole
Tribe of Libertines to come and view the Ufe.
fulaefs, as well as the Excellence of the Chri.
ftian Religion, in a Life that was entirely de-
'dicated to it, and fee what they can object. I
ought to call on all that were ſo happy as to
know him well, and obferve his Temper and
'Courſe of Life, and charge them to fumm up,
and lay together, the many great and good
things, that they faw in him, and from thence
to remember always to how vaft a Sublimity
'the Chriftian Religion can raiſe a Mind, that
does both throughly believe it, and is entirely
governed by it. I might here alfo call up the
Multitudes, the vaft Multitudes of thofe who
have been made both the wifer and the eafier,
the better and the happier by his means; but
that I might do all this with the more ad-
vantage, I ought to bring all at once into
my Memory, the many Hours that in a Courſe
of nine and twenty Years Converfation have
fallen to my own here, which were very fre-
quent and free for above half of that time,
that have fo offen both humbled and raifed
• me,
.
14
d 2
IO
The LIFE of the
t
с
·
C me, by feeing how exalted he was, and in
that feeling more fenfibly my own Nothing
' and Depreffion, and which have always edi-
fyed, and never once, nor in any one thing
been uneafy to me. When I remember,how
much I faw in him and Learned, or at leaft
might have Learned from him ; when I reflect
on the Gravity of his very Appearance, the
Elevation of his Thoughts and Diſcourſes, the
• Modeſty of his Temper, and the Humility of
his whole Deportment, which might have
ſerved to have forced the beſt Thoughts even
upon the worst Minds, when I fay, I bring
all this into my Mind; as I form upon it too
C bright an Idea to be easily received by fuch
' as did not know him: fo I am very fenfible
that I cannot raife it equal to the Thoughts
' of fuch as did.
I cannot bring out into
'diftin&t Thoughts, all that of which I have
the imperfect hints and ruder draughts in my
Mind, which I cannot think equal to a Sub-
'ject fo far above my own Level. And if the
Depth and Sublimity of the Subject was too
extenfive for one of my Lords Learning and
Capacity, we may easily fufpect that what we
fhall fay, will be far fhort of his Noble Chara-
eter, which can be no other way better expref
fed, than by acknowledging that what we can
fay of him,can only help to reprefent the faint-
eſt Idea of the brighteſt of Character.
<
He studied the Scriptures for many Years fo
exactly, in the Original Languages, and with
fo much critical Strictness, and underſtood that
Sacred Book fo well, that few of thofe that
made Divinity their ſtudy, could parallel him
OF
Honourable Robert Boyle.
or go beyond him and had fo great a regard &
value for that Sacred Book, that if any thing
happened in Converfation, which might con-
tribute to illuftrate and explain, and give him
a clearer view of any Paffage or Text in Scrip-
ture, he received it with pleaſure and fatisfa-
ction, and examined it with the greateſt accu-
racy and strictnefs, and was follicitous to have
it in writing, if he perceived the Perfon not
unwilling or uneafy; and as he was very diliş
gent and exact in fearching the Scriptures him-
felf, fo he thought it the Duty of every Chri-
ftian to do so; and as, whatever things were
written aforetimes, were written for our Inftruction,
Rom. 15. 4. on this Occafion he delivers his
Opinion to this Purpoſe, in his first Part of
the Excellency of Theology above Natural Philofo-
phy; when God hath given greater Intellectual
Abilities than to the generality of Chriftians,
and we willingly come fhort of the Mysteries
and Truths of Chriſtianity, which he hath in-
vited as well as commanded us to ſearch after,
it is not much of Gratitude to neglect that
Duty; does it look like Gratitude, to receive
Underſtanding and the hopes of Eternal Feli-
city, without enquiring into the Nature and
Purpoſes of that good God, who hath revea
led them in fuch an Excellent way? to be fol-
licitous about the Properties of an Atom, and
careless of the Attributes of the Great God, that
formed all things. What regard does it fhew
to Religion, when we question the Truth of a
Propofition in Staticks, about the Centre of
Gravity; or in Geometry, about the Proper-
ties of a Curve Line, and yet take the Articles
id 3
of
།:
12
The LIFE of the
His Skill
in the Ori-
of Faith, Matters of Everlaſting Confequence,
upen the Authority of other Men, as fubject
to miſtake as our felves, when fatisfaction may
be had from the Word of God? the Noble Be-
reans, when the Gofpel was propoſed to them,
fearched the Scriptures daily, whether thoſe things
were fo, Acts 18. 11.
And though he understood the Hebrew very
ginal Lan- Well, and had made a confiderable progrefs in
guages,&c. the Rabbinical Writings, and other Oriental
His Know-
Languages; and had read fo much of the Fa-
thers, as to form a clear Judgment of all the
Eminent Ones, yet he declares in his Excellent
Tract of the Style of the Scriptures, that thofe
Sacred Writings have the greateſt Influence
both on our Faith and Practice, God's Will
being no where to be better Learned than
where it is revealed, and as Obedience to God's
Commands requires thofe from us, he further
declares his Opinion freely, to this Purpoſe, I
take the Liberty to examin what God fays,
without confiding in what Men, by their In-
terpretations may make him fay; confidering
the Senſe of the Text, without the Gloffes of
Interpreters, or even of the Fathers. And as
he was well verfed in the Sacred Writings both
of the Old and New Testament, fo he was ear-
neftly defirous that all Mankind ſhould be ac-
quainted with them too.
And as he had read ſo much of the Scriptures
ledg ando as was fufficient to make him a compleat Mafter
pinion in of the Body of Divinity, and had examined
Controver- nicely the whole Controverfies of Religion;
fial Divi- fo he was far from being byaffed in his Judg
nity.
ment, by any Parties or private Intereft; and
as
i
Honourable Robert Boyle.
17
:
as he did not confine himſelf to any Party, fo
he excluded no Party from him; having a
Chriſtian Charity for all Parties, who were
truly Religious, which he plainly declares in
his Trac of the Style of the Scriptures, for fays
he, I read the Sacred Authors and their Expo-
fitors with an Impartial Aim, having no de-
fign to prove any Articles by the Scriptures,
but rather chufing to deduce my Opinions from
it, than to reft them to prove my Opinions;
nor do I neglect thofe Arguments or Pallages
which confirm the Doctrin of the Church I ad-
here to, yet only chufing fuch Paffages as may
folidly justify my Thoughts, and as may raife
in me a Reverence for the Scripture and Chri-
ſtianity in general, obferving fuch things chief-
ly, as may confirm the Articles clearly difco-
vered in the Bible, and fhew the Excellent
Majefty of the great Author, and the manifold
Wifdom of God. Nor do I think any Pains
mifpent that tend to evince that great Truth,
that the Scriptures are the Word of God, and
1 ufe not the Scripture to defend the Opinions
only of particular Parties, but to contemplate
the Beauty, Symmetry and Magnificence of
the Compofure, and to excite my Devotion to
the Duty there Preached.
petes in the
Church.
And as he was impartial in puttingConftructi- His Opini-
ons on Texts of Scripture, he loved no Practice of Dif
or Niceties that might occafion Divifions a-
mongſt Chriſtians, and to ufe Dr. Burnet's Ex-
preffions," he thought pure and difintereſted
Chriſtianity was fo bright and fo glorious a
thing, that he was much troubled at the dif
'putes and divifions which had riſen about fome
leffer
d 4
14
The LIFE of the
f
leffer Matters, whilst the greater and moſt im-
C portant,as well as the most univerfally acknow-
ledged Truths, were by all fides almoſt as ge-
nerally neglected as they were confeffed,
and purſuant to this Character the Honourable
Mr. Boyle in his Style of the Scriptures propofes
feveral Fundamental Controverfies, which he
fays are more worthy a Wife Man's Study,
than a great many trifling ones that puzzles
Christendom. But though, as he elſewhere
fays, we ought to have ſeveral Texts of Scrip-
ture in Readiness, and that Chriftians ought to
be armed with Spiritual Weapons, and to have
the Sword of the Spirit in readineſs upon all oc-
cafions, yet he was far from encouraging un-
neceffary Disputes; and if at any time, Con-
troverfies happened, they ought to be avoided
by illiterate Perfons; for when he advifesChri-
ftians to arm themselves with the Sword of the
Spirit, he gives this Caution. What we have
faid, we fuppofe to be ſpoken to Intelligent Per-
fons but were we to speak to common
People, who could not hope either for want
of Parts or Leifure, to vindicate either them-
felves or others; I ſhould adviſe them, not to
liften to, or undertake Diſputes of any kind,
about that facred Book, eſpecially when pro-
pofed by infinuating Wits; for it not being ne-
ceffary for the Common People to be acquainted.
with theControverfialParts of Scripture,nor to
be acquainted with thofe that wander from the
common way toHeaven(which he takes thofe to
do,that puzzle themfelves with unneceffary Ni-
ceties.) It is not convenient for them to dif
quiet their Faith, or to hazard the fubverting
pf it, to gratify unnecellary Curiofity, which
like
+
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
15
like the Itch, grows worse, though it gratifyes
the Fancy to ſcratch it. And he further re-
preſents the Danger, to prevent fuch Perfons
from falling into fuch Inconveniences; for, fays
he, though a Man's defign may be to gratify
his Curioſity only, by hearing of Wit and No-
velty; yet fuch Notions are apt to raiſe ftrange
Scruples in fuch Men's Thoughts, which, tho'
eafily answered, are hard to get out again.
And as in Infectious times, Phyfitians forbid
fmaller exceſſes, or other irregularities, which
may breed distempered Humours, becauſe
flight Fevers are apt to grow Peftilential; fo
thoſe that value their Faith, ought to be cau-
tious, left the Cuftom of railing againſt the
Scriptures, ſhould taint them, either by Rea -
ding or Converfation; left the fmalleft de-
grees of Contagion fhould end in Irreligi-
on.
From hence it appears, how Cautious Mr. His Efteem
Boyle was of entring into Dangerous Diſputes, of the Holy
eſpecially with fuch as were unfit to undertake Wris
them. And as he thought a great many Dif
putes in Religion unneceffary, fo he esteemed
the Bible as the chief Inftructer of our Faith,
and Guide of our Actions; which being the
Word of God was moft likely to reveal his
Will. To fhew his highEfteem and Venerati-
on for thoſe facred Writings, he hath not only
wrote an Excellent Tract in Defence of it, but
repreſents,that as it is the Word ofGod,and is a-
greeable to his Will; fo the Bible in refpect of
other Books is as Diamonds amongst pretious
Stones; as the moft fparkling, apteft to ſcatter
Light, and as the most folid, apteft to make
Impreffions.
16
The LIFE of the
:
His Pri-
Jste as
well as
Publick
Studies of
the Scrip-
SETSS.
Impreffions. And as the Word is termed a
Light, the worst and plaineft Rufticks may by
the benefit of it's Light direct his ways, and the
greateſt Philofophers may be exercifed with the
abftrufeft Myfteries; fo that the Ignorant may
learn Knowledg,and the wifeft find their Igno-
rance. And to reprefent his Efteem for it far-
ther,he thus Expreffes himſelf. The Bible loo
fts much of it's Luftre by not being confidered
as a Syftem, it's greateft advantage appearing
when displayed at it's full Dimenfions; the
Study of it affording fo much delight to devout
and intelligent Profecutors of it, that like the
Hallalujahs of the Bleffed, the Duty is a Plea-
fure, and the Exercife a Recompenfe of Piety.
And to fhew what delight he took in it, he
fays, when I contemplate Mofes and Elias talk-
ing with Chriſt, I mean the Law and the Pro-
phets, concording with the Gofpel, I cannot
forbear crying out with Peter, It is good for me
to be here, Mar. 17. ver. 4 fo that I cannot
wonder the Pfalmift ſhould compare the tran-
fcendent Sweetness of the Scriptures to that of
Honey.
And as he had a juſt Veneration and Eſteem
for the facred Writings of the Holy Pen Men,
fo he manifeſted his value for them not only by
making a Publick Defence against their Oppo
fers, but hath published a whole Treatife to
excite us to the Study of them; and as he fe
dulouſly purſued the Study of Divinity in
General fo he as conftantly made it his
daily Study, for he had not only feveral Chap-
ters read to him every day, but once a Week
had a Chapter in Genefis read to him in Hebrew,
as
Honourable Robert Boyle.
17
as I am informed by one, who he for fome
Years employed every Saturday Morning for
that Purpoſe; and as he daily heard the Scrip-
tures himſelf, fo he urged it as a duty incum-
bent upon all Chriftians to do the fame; thus
fixing them upon our Memories till our Únder-
ftanding can attain the Knowledg of them;
which Duty is not only incumbent on private
Perfons but Kings themfelves of which fe gives
a very ſignal Inftance, for when God made a
King to govern his People, concerning the
Book of the Law he faid, It shall be with him,
and he shall read therein all the days of his Life,
Deut. 17. 18, 19 by which means it fhall be
prolonged, ver. 20. and the King was not
only obliged to Read, but to Write the Law;
and to write it out as he was King, for though
he had a Copy of the Law of his own Writing,
before he was King; yet afterwards he was
obliged to write it with that Hand that held
the Scepter; and certainly it cannot be an Em-
ployment too mean for Princes to fecure their
Eternal Felicity. But to proceed,
As Mr. Boyle was a diligent Studier of the what he
Scriptures, and endeavoured to perfwade o- thought of
thers to the fame Practice; and having by his Morality.
conftant Application, and the large Endow-
ments of his mind grounded himfelt in the Fun-
damentals of Chriftianity, fo compleatly, he
could not fail of being as devout a Chriftian,
being well acquainted with the Doctrin of Chri-
ſtianity as well as Morality, which he proves.
to be no where more. copious and cogently de-
livered than in Sacred Writ. For, fays he,
though I have formerly taken pains to perufe
Books
18
The LIFE of the
Books of Morality, yet fince they have only a
Power to perfwade, but not to command; and
Sin and Death do not neceffarily attend the
Difobedience of them, they have the lefs Influ
ence; for fince we may take the Liberty to
queſtion Human Writers, I find, that the Me-
thods they take to impoſe their Writings upon
us, may ſerve to countenance either Truth or
Falfehood. And indeed Moralifts excepting
thofe Duties which Nature, or our Cnrioſity
in enquiring into times and places, have
taught us, feem rather to fence with Wit, their
Popular Topicks being built upon fuch uncer
tain Foundations, that they may with as much
Probability be overthrown as defended; and
our Corruptions prove Sophiſters fufficient to
deny that a Duty,they have no mind to comply
with. But when any thing is commanded by
the Scriptures, being confcious, that it is the
Will of that Father of Spirits, I diſpute not to
obey his Orders, and comply with his 'auris
spn thus faith the Lord, more than with Plato's
Dialogues, or Seneca's Epiftles, thofe Ethicks
having the trueft Foundations which are built
upon the Senfe of the Scriptures.- and fur-
ther, amongst bare Moralifts, I would ex-
amin and diftinguish, how far what they fay, is
confiſtent with Reaſon, as well in refpect of the
Inducements as the Nature of what they offer,
being unwilling to be cheated into Vertue, with-
out the Liberty of Acting as a Rational Crea-
ture and Christian.
We
Honourable Robert Boyle.
19
We have hitherto fuperficially taken Notice His Chri-
of fome Occurrences or Paffages of the Ho- ftianity
more partis
nourable Mr. Boyle's Life in General Terms; cularly com
from whence it appears, how large a Foundati- fidered.
on he laid for Chriftianity, fo that to uſe the
Words of the learned Dr. Burnet Biſhop of
Sarum. "He had poffeffed himſelf with fuch
❝ an Amiable View of that Holy Religion, fe-
'perated either from Superftitious Practices or
theSournefs of Parties, that as he was fully per-
'fwaded of the Truth of it, and indeed wholly
• poffeffed with it, fo he rejoyced in every Dif
· covery that Nature furnished him with, to
'illuſtrate it, or to take off the Objections a
gainst any Part of it. He always confider-
'ed it as a System of Truths, which ought to
purify the Hearts, and govern the Lives; and
as he believed it himſelf, fo he hath made uſe
of convincing arguments, to perfwade others
to the belief of it,not only fhewing the Grounds
of Natural Religion to be founded upon Reaſon,
but alfo making it appear, that the Chriftian
Religion is grounded upon Reafon and Expe-
rience; for,fays he, fince Man is endowed with
Reafon to tell him, that God is both is Maker
and continual Benefactor, and that confequent-
ly, he may jofily require Worship and Obedi
ence; and fince the fame Rational Faculty may
tell him, that it may well become the Majefty
and Wiſdom of a God, as a Sovereign of the
World, to preſcribe Laws to his Creatures,
who are capable of Understanding as well as
of Obeying them, and Glorifying their Author;
and further, fince his own Mind,if not vitiated,
will convince him, that he owes a Veneration
for
20
The LIFE of the
for the Author of his Being, and his continual
Benefactor; and fince his Confcience upon
theſe Accounts will convince him, that he
owes all the Duties of Natural Religion;
and fince his Reafon will tell him, that his
Soul is lmmortal, and therefore capable as
well as defirous of being everlaſtingly happy,
he muft confequently be defirous of what
God would have him believe or do. And
therefore if he ſhall be informed by Supernatu-
ral Revelation, what manner of Worſhip and
Obedience would be moſt acceptable to him,
and God fhall encourage him, by Promises of
that Felicity, to both of them, he cannot but
thankfully acknowledg fuch Proceedings, be-
coming the tranſcendent Goodneſs of God; fo
that,one who takes Notice of God's wonderful
Providence in his Difpenfations, will have an
advantage to confirm his Belief grounded upon
Hiſtorical and other Proofs of Chriftianity.
And to fhew, that we have good Grounds for
the Chriſtian Religion, he tells us, that we
ought to give the higheft degree of Affent to
what is taught us by God, by thofe Ferfons
that have been commiffioned to declare his
Mind; for the Knowledg of, and the faithful-
nefs in, delivering. what is witneffed, being
required in a Witnefs, Divine Teftimony muft
be stronger than Human, being warranted by
the Veracity of God and his boundless Know-
ledg, it being impoffible for him to be deceived,
or that he would deceive us; ſo that Chillia-
nity grounded upon fech Demonftrations and
Reaſons as he offers, no wonder if it bring
forth Fruits proportionable to the foundaefs
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
21
of it's Foundation, and that the Tree fhould
bring forth Fruit ſuitable to it'sGoodneſs.
Bat that we may trace the Original from
whence ſo many good Works fprung a little
more exactly, and view the folid Foundation
of his Meral and Chriſtian Vertues a little more
cxadly, from Generals, we fall defcend to
Particulars, and face the Foundations of Chri-
Aiznity depend not only on a firm Belief of
Revealed Religion, but also on thofe Funda-
mental Articles of our Belief of the Existence
of a God,and a Providence, we fhall take a view
of what the Honourable Mir. Boyle hath faid to
make his Faith evident, and then we fhall pro-
ceed to his good Works, which were fufficient
to confirm a lively Hope of Everlasting Felicity;
for he had not only Faith in the highest degree,
which along with his good Works might raife
a lively Hope, but his Charity was as Extenfive
and Exemplary.
God.
That he had a firm Belief of, and Veneration His Belief
for, the Holy Scriptures, his Writings are fuf. of the Exi
fience of
ficient Testimonies; and they are no lefs, Te-
ftimonies of his tedraft Belief of the Existence
of a God,for which he hath produced the ftrong-
eft Arguments and Demonftrations. The Be-
lief of a God was fo firmly grounded in him,
that as Dr. Burnet fays, "he had the Profoun-
deft Veneration for the great God of Heaven
and Earth, that I ever obſerved in any Perfon.
The very Name of God; was never mentioned
"by him without a Paufe and a vifible Stop in
"his Difcourfe, in which one that knew him
moſt particularly above twenty Years, hath
told me,that he was fol exact, that he does not
• remember
•
L
4
•
22
The LIFE of the
را
remember to have obferved him once to fail
"in it. "
— and indeed it appeared to
'thoſe who converfed moft with him in his
Enquiries into Nature, that his main defign
in that, on which as he had his ownEye moſt
conftantly, fo he took care to put others often
in Mind of it, was to raiſe in himſelf and o
thers, vafter Thoughts of the Greatneſs and
Glory, and of the Wiſdom and Goodneſs of
of God. This was fo deep in his Thoughts,
that he Concludes the Articles of his Will,
which relates to that Illuftrious Body,the Royal
Society, in thefe Words, wishing them alſo a
• happy fuccefs in their laudable Attempts, to diſco
ver the true Nature of the Works of God, and
praying, that they and all other Searchers inte
Phyfical Truths,may Cordially refer their Attain-
ments,to the Glory of the great Author of Nature,
and to theComfort of Mankind And as he had
fo profound a Veneration for the Name of God,
fo he took a great deal of Pains to convince
Mankind of his Existence, and to difplay his
Attributes, and in diſabufing the World, who
were impofed upon by theErroneous Notionsof
Epicurus & Ariftotle,making it appear,that God
alone was the Author of Things,and the Creator
of the Univerfe; for fpeaking of the
Author of Things; he fays, what they af
cribe to Nature,I afcribeto the Wiſdom of God
in the Creation; and elſewhere he fays. I, for
my Part, allow no other Plaftick Power but
God, Antecedent to the Formation of the
World, there being no Foundation in Scripture
to acknowledg fuch a Being for in the Mo-
faick Hiftory of the Creation, it is faid, God in
the
Honourable Robert Boyle.
23.
the beginning made the Heaven and the Earth
and when he viewed what he had made, God
Saw every thing that he had made, and faid they
were good. And to evince, how far God was
concerned in the Formation of the World, he
Tuppoſes it to be after the following Magner.
The Great and Wife Author of Things, firft
forming the Univerſal Undigefted Matter, put
it's feveral Parts into various Motions; by
which they muft needs be divided into innume-
rous Particles of different Bulks, Figures, and
Scituations; guiding and over- ruling the Mo-
tions of thoſe Parts by his Wifdom and Pow-
er, fo as to difpofe them into that Beautiful
and Orderly Frame we call the World; fome
being fo contrived as to form Seeds or the Se-
minal Frinciples of Plants and Animals. Be-
fides, he fettled fuch Laws or Rules of Local
Motion amongst the Parts of Matter, that by
his ordinary Concourfe, the Parts of the Uni
verſe once compleated, ſhould continne the Oe.
conomy of the Univerſe, and propagate the
Species of Living Creatures; fo that God's
Omnipotent Power and Infinite Wifdom con-
curred to compleat the Form of the Univerfe,
according to thoſe compleat Ideas, he had de-
termined them to conform to. And upon ano
ther occaſion he fays; The Divine Author of
the Univerfe hath formed it fo admirably, and
not only contrived it's Structure, but fettled
fuch conftant Laws amongſt it's Farts, as were
moſt convénient for fuch a Fabrick as the Uni-
verfe, and hath given the particular Parts of
it fuch a Subordination in reference to one ano-
ther, and the Original Fabrick of the Syſtem
of
24
LIFE of the
The
;
:
of the World, that the Welfare of particular
Parts of it ſhould be ſo far provided for, as
was confiftent with the General Laws of the
Univerfe, and fuch Ends as he propofed more
confiderable than the Welfare of Particular
Creatures. Upon which confiderations not to
mention Miracles which are fupernatural, nor
thoſe Inſtances, where the Providence of God
does particularly interpofe, it may be reafona-
bly faid, that God having an Infinite Under-
ftanding, clearly difcerned the confequences
of thofe Laws he had made, in respect of all
Conjun&úres, and confequent Circumſtances,
and having ſettled ftanding Laws of Motion,
fuitable to his wife Ends, it was agreeable to
his Wifdom to prefer Catholick Laws before
Subordinate Ones, and Uniformity in his Con-
duct, before Alterations according to particu
lar Emergences. And confequently, he re-
cedes not from General Laws wifely eſtabliſhed,
to ferve particular Creatures, or to prevent
feeming Irregularities, which he forefaw would
happen, and thought fit to ordain and permit,
not unfuitable to fome Phyfical Moral or Poli-
tical Ends he had in view; fo that feveral
things which to us feem Anamolous, were con
gruous enough to his fecret Ends, and there-
fore not to be cenfured by us.From whence it
appears, what Setled and Rational Notions Mr.
Boyle had of a God; which is confirmed by fe-
veral Paffages difperfed in other Parts of his
Writings, which fince they may ferve to illu-
ftrate the Authors Sentiments of a God and
his Attributes, we think it not unreaſonable on
this occaſion to take Notice of them.
:
:
Since
Honourable Robert Boyle.
25
Since then God Almighty's Works are Proofs
of his Existence, we fhall further obferve, what
the Honourable Author hath elſewhere faid on
this Subject,making uſe of his Expreffions, with-
out taking Notice of the particular Occafions,
fince that would be too tedious;we fhall there-
fore only hint, that fpeaking of Final Cauſes,
he expreffes himself to this Purpofe; the Ex-
cellent Contrivance of the Syftem of the World,
the Curious Fabrick of Human Bodies, the U-
fes of their Senſories and other Parts have al-
ways been ftrong Arguments of the Existence
of a Deity, who made thoſe admirable Stru-
&tures. And in another Place,he fays, that fe-
veral Parts of the World, which we have not
made ufe of, may be of advantage to a Rational
Creature, who by contemplating, the Works
of God, may elevate his Mind in the Acknow-
ledgments, and produce the Sentiments of
Gratitude, Veneration and Love. Another
Inftance of his Belief of a God, we fhall take
out his Excellency of the Mechanical Philofophy,
which is, that God first gave Motion to Mat-
ter, and fo guided their Parts, that they might
convene into a World according to his deſign,
and eſtabliſhed fuchLaws of Motion as are com-
monly called the Laws of Nature.So that the ll-
niverfe being once formed by God, and the
Laws of Motion being fettled and continued by
the Concourfe of Divine Providence,all Phane-
mena arePhyfically produced by theMechanical
Affections of Matter.
To evince further the Existence of a God, he
fays, If we confider the Vaftnefs, Beauty and
regular Motions of Celeſtial Bodies, the Admi-
rable
€ 2
I'v
..
261
The LIFE of the
rable ſtructure of Animals and Plants, and a
Multitude of other Phanomena of Nature, and
how they are fubfervient to Mankind, they are
fufficient to perfwade a Rational Creature, that
fo valt beautiful and regular a Syftem, and fo
admirably contrived a Structure as the World,
owed it's Origin to an Author Supremely Pow-
erful Wife and Good. The Generality of Phi-
lofophers and Contemplative Men in almoſt all
Ages and Countries, confidering the various
Phenomena of the Universe, were perfwaded of
the Exiſtence of a Gcd, thinking it Irrational
to ſubſcribe ſo wifely contrived a Fabrick to
the Accidental Caufe of Blind Chance. And
further, it is not a flight Survey, but a diligent
and skillful Search into the Works of God,that
will be fufficient to engage a Man, by a Ratio-
Dal and Effectual Conviction to acknoledg with
the Prophet, The Author of the Univerfe is
Wonderful in Counsel and Excellent in Working,
Ifa. 28. 29.
But not to mention all thofe Paffages in
which he hath expreffed the Existence of a
God, he hath fufficiently demonftrated his
Faith in that Particular, not only by Expreffi-
ons but whole Treatifes, in which he hath
traced the Footſteps of the Divine Artificer
through most of his Viſible Works, whence it
appears, that God was not only in his Faith,
but in all his Thoughts, nor fhould we need
to mention fo many Proofs of his Belief, only
that it might have the more lively Influence
upon those that perhaps are lefs apt to follow
fo Good an Example.
Thus
Honourable Robert Boyle.
27
rgidence.
Thus much being faid in refpect of his Be of Pro-
lief of a God, we fhall next proceed to take a
fmall View of what he hath faid of Providence,
and fome other of his Attributes, which he
not only diligently Obferved, but as reverent-
Jy Expreffed on all Occafions, and not only
carried it in the Motto of his Arms, but ac-
knowledged it in all his Works; and was on
feveral fignal Occafions an Inftrument of it,
in difpenfing freely thofe Benefits to his Fellow
Creatures, which God Almighty had beſtow-
ed on him. But of this elfewhere, we fhall
here proceed to enumerate fome Exemplary
Inftances of his Proofs and Acknowledgments
of Divine Providence, The firft Inftance we
fhall offer is, That one who fearches deep in-
to the Nature of things, and obferves the Ex-
cellent Fabrick of the World, the Variety of
Creatures that compoſe it, and the excellent
Contrivance eſpecially of it's animated Parts,
their admirable Coordinations and Subor-
dinations, the Vaſtneſs, ſcarce conceivable
Swiftnefs, and yet Conftant, Regular and Va-
rious Motions of the Sun, Moon, and other
Celeſtial Bodies; if he further confiders, how
the Magnetism of the Earth preferves it's Poles,
and difpoſes them to look the fame way; not-
withſtanding the Motions of the fluid Parts of
it's Vortex; how by it's Vertical Motion run-
ing round every twenty four Hours, it receives
the advantage of the Sun and it's Light, and
of all the Conftellations of the Firmament, as
if the whole Celeſtial Region moved about it;
how by the fituation of it, it continues the re-
gular Viciffitudes of Night and Day, Summer
and
е 3
28
The LIFE of the
and Winter, &c. how the feveral Parts of the
Sublunary World are fubfervient to one ano-
ther,as well as to Mankind; how curiouſly the
Bodies of Animals are contrived; what diffe-
rent and convenient Provifion is made for
different Animals, to fubfift according to the
Inſtitution of Nature, by enabling them as
their Natures differ, fome being endowed
with ſtrength to take their Food by force, o-
thers with ſubtlety to procure it with fubtlety,
fome with Arms,as Hörns to defend themſelves
or offend their Enemies, fome with Wings or
Swiftneſs to fly from Danger; others with
Fore-fight to prevent them; others with fubtle
Craft to elude them; how each is diftinguifhed
into two Sexes, and endowed with fit Organs
to propogate their Species, and skill and kind-
nefs to nourish them up, till they are able to
help themſelves; how Wonderful and Curi-
ous the Progress is in the formation of a Fætus;
how feveral Animals are endowed with diffe
rent Instincts, which feem in their Effects to
outdo the Efforts of Reafon, though added to
the Mechanical Structure of the Animal, and
argues a refpect to things remote from it, as
to Time, Place or both; and perhaps to the
grand Fabrick of the World, and the general
Oeconomy of Nature; if theſe things, I fay, are
confidered, it will be reaſonable to conclude,
that the Wife Author of it would not neglect
fo great a Work, but would ftill Maintain
and Preferve it, regulating the fwift Motions
of fuch ftupendious great Globes, and great
Maffes of Matter, left by any Irregularity, they
fhould diforder the Syftem of the Univerſe.
!
And
Honourable Robert Boyle:
29
And as it is not out of the Power of the Di-
vine Author to prefeve and govern his own
Works; fo he thinks it not below his Dignity
and Majeſty to extend his Care to the meaneft
of his Creatures, providing not only for the
Nouriſhment, but alfo the Propagation of Spi-
ders and Ants themfelves. And fince the
Truth of the Affertion, That God governs the
World he hath made, appears from the Conftan-
cy, regular and rapid Motions of Celeſtial
Bodies, as well as the Artful and Neceffary
Propagation of all Sorts of Animals, God's
Providence may well extend to the Nobleft of
his Creatures, Mankind. And further fpeak-
ing of the Notion of the Creation juſt above
propofed,and which we offered as an Inftance
of his Belief of a God, he fubjoyns, The No-
tion we have of the Courfe of Things, and
their Cauſes are much more confiftent,with the
ſupernatural and extraordinary Interponitions
of Divine Providence; for when God Al-
mighty is pleafed to over-rule the ordinary
Courfe of Things by his Omnipotent Hand,
fuch things may more eafily be acknowledged
miraculous, by thofe who allow the Effects
of Matter and Motion, &c. And in another
place he afferts, that God's Providence may
cafily be afferted upon proper and folid
Grounds; as the Infinite Perfections of the
Divine Nature, which enables him to govern
the World, he hath made and fupports: The
exquifite Contrivance of Men's Bodies requi-
ring Stupendious Wifdom; the Supernatural
Revelations made of himfelf, and his Care of
his Creatures, by Prophefies, Apparitions
d 4
and
39
!
The LIFE of the
and Miracles, above the Power, and contrary
to the Laws of Motion in Matter. Another In-
ftance of his Acknowledgment of Divine Pro-
vidence is, that God declares in Scripture,
that he Curfed the Ground on Earth for Man's
fake, and that there is no penal evil in the City,
that is not owing to him. Befides, he is not
over-ruled by the Motions of Matter, but over-
rules the eſtabliſhed Laws of Motion to execute.
his Juftice, as in Earthquakes, Plagues, &c.
to deprive wicked Men of that Life, and thofe
Bleffings, which their Sins had made them un-
worthy of.
And further, to illuftrate God's Providence,
he fays, that Divine Providence had feveral
Ends in making the World, and the ſeveral
Creatures that compofe it, fome of which are
hid to us, and others known, fome being made
for the Manifeftation of the Glory of God, o-
thers the Uſefulneſs of Man,or the Maintenance
of the Syſtem of the World, with refpect to
particular Creatures, or the Propagation of
their kinds; fo that we ought not preſently
to deny or cenfure Divine Providence, though
all his Creatures are not equally provided for
their fafety, or fome less than they might be ;
and though fome Anomalies are permitted,
which are eſteemed mischievous Irregularities,
for the good of forme particular Creatures, be-
ing not the Principal Ends of Gods Creation,
it is not to be expected, that he fhould regard
the Welfare of fome particular Creatures be-
fore the good of Creatures of a Superior Or
der, fo that fome things which feem incon-
gruous to Providence, do not only agree with
it,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
31
it, but tend to accomplish it's Deſigns. And
as Inftances of God's Providence, he takes No-
tice, that feveral Perfous have been choaked
with a Hair, which they could neither caugh
up nor fwallow down, which occafioning an
unuſual Irritation in the Throat, produces
Convulfions to expel it. But if we reflect on
the Uſefulneſs of Deglutition, and in fome Ca-
fes of Coughng and Vomiting, it is requifite
that the Parts fhould be irritated, by the fudden
Senfe of unusual things, this being confiftent
with God's Providence, who in making Pro-
viſion for the Welfare of Animals, regards
more what ufually befals them, according to
the regular Courfe, than extraordinary Ca-
fes, or unuſual and lefs frequent Accidents.
But to Illuſtrate Mr. Boyle's Notion of Pro-
vidence further, we fhall add, what he hath faid
in respect of Critical Difcharges of distempered
Humours, to this Purpoſe. We are therefore
to confider, that the wife Author of things fo
skilfully contrived the Body of Man, that were
there in it an Intelligent Principle of ſelf Preſer-
vation, things could not be better contrived for
it's Preſervation than they are, fo that we que-
ftion not the Wiſdom and Providence exerciſed
in fuch Cafes, but upon what Account they
are performed: Moft Phyfitians think the In-
telligent Principle Nature, being careful of the
Patients Welfare, watches an Opportunity of
expelling it, diftreffed with the Quantity of
Morbifick Matter. Put we attribute it to the
Wiſdom and Providence of God, exerting it's
Power Mechanically, partly by the help of the
great Machine the World, and partly by the
fmaller
=
.
32
The LIFE of the
*
fmaller Engin a Human Body; and in another
Place to the fame purpofe, he fays, though it
is my Opinion, that the wife Author of things
feldom recedes from the fetled Courfe of the
Univerfe, and the Catholick Laws of Motion,
yet his Divine Prudence is often converfant
in a peculiar manner about the Actions of Men,
and the things that happen to them, and where
Men, whom he hath endowed with free Will,
are nearly concerned, he hath not only acted
in a Supernatural way, by fignal and manifeft
Interpofitions, we call Miracles; but as Sove-
reign Lord and Governour of the World, fe-
veral times, by the Intervention of Rational
Minds, either united or not united to Human
Bodies, gives fuch Determinations to the Mo-
tions of Parts in thofe Bodies, which meerly
by Laws Mechanical would not have been, and
thus produces either good or bad Crifes's; and
that Divine Providence interpofes in Cafe of
Life and Death, appears in Scripture, which
propoſes long Life to Obedient Children, as a
Reward,and threatens Bloody and Deceitful Men
fhall not live out half their Days. Thus an Im-
pious King of Ifrael had his Difeafe made Mor-
tal, by having recourfe to the God of Eckron,
and on the contrary, upon Hezekia's Prayers
and Tears, God was pleafed to add fifteen
Years to his Life. And elſewhere he fays, there
may be fome general Ends in refpect of the
whole World, as the Creators exerciſing his
immenfe Power and Wiſdom, the communi-
cating his Goodnefs, the Admiration and
Thanks which are due from Intelligent Crea-
tures,
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
33
fures, for thoſe Divine Excellences which ma-
nifeft his Glory.
And to illuftrate his Notion of Providence
further, elſewhere he fays: The Immenfe Bulk
of Celeſtial Bodies, as well as the Celerity of
their Motions, fufficiently fhew his Power and
Greatness, as well as his Wifdom and general
Providence, having preferved the Regular
Courſe of things fo many Ages. And further,
in another Place he fays, though Man at the
firſt is not able to help himſelf, or to exerciſe
Dominion over Inferior Creatures, yet God
hath contrived, that Parents fhould have fuch
Natural Affections, as to take care of him, till
he is able to take care of himſelf, and hath ac-
quired Knowledg and Induſtry to make uſe of
thoſe Advantages that were defigned for him.
And further, he fays, the Contemplation
indeed of the Celeſtial Part of the World, is
fufficient to encourage us, to admire the ftn-
pendious Power and Wiſdom of the Author of
fuch Immenfe Bodies, who hath preferved fuch
vaſt Orbs, in a conftant rapid Motion ſo many
Ages, and likewife a regular One. And we
ought to return Thanks and Praiſe, to the
Goodness of Divine Providence, who hath con-
tinued the Motion of the Sun and Moon under
that Oblique' Circle of the Eclyptick, it requi-
ring Skill in a Cofmographer to apprehend,how
ufeful the Scituations and Motions are to the
good of Men and other Animals.
And though, he brings Phyſical Inſtances of
God Almighty's Providence, yet he proves it
further by the Scriptures; for, fays he, though
Philofophy does not, Revelation tells us, that
:
the
+
34
The LIFE of the
'
:
the World, and what is contained in it, were
defigned for the Ufe of Man, who hath a right
to make Uſe of what he can fubdue; and that
the Sun and Moon were defigned for the Ufe
of Man; and therefore the Pfalmift might well
cry out, How wonderful are thy Works, O Lord!
bow wifely haft thou made them all. The Heavens
declare the Glory of God and the Firmament fheweth
his handy Work. And further he fays, it feems
reaſonable to think, that God Created Angels
before the World, that they might not only
fee, but praiſe him for his Productions. And
fince Angels are of a Nobler Order than Man,
as Intelligent Creatures, and are not unconcer-
ned Spectators of the Works of God, who
knows, but there is as much contrivance in thofe
Stars, which are only to us as Declarations of
their Makers Power, as in our Globe, which
may invite their devout Hymns and Accla-
mations. Nor will God loofe the Glory of his
Divine Attributer, though the fixed Stars
fhould not be only or principally defigned
for the fervice of Men. And as an Inftance
not only of Gods Supreme Wiſdom, but of
his own Humility, being unwilling to affert
any thing fo affirmatively or negatively of what
is beyond the Extent of Human Knowledg, he
elſewhere fays, if it be asked, what the hidden
Parts of the Earth and thofe Stars, which are
not to be difcerned by the Eye, are made for,
if not for the uſe of Man, we had much better
acknowledg our Ignorance, than to fuppofe
them to be made for a particular End, which
appears neither worthy of the Wiſdom of God,
nor to be attainable by us. And thus much, to
ufe
i
!
Honourable Robert Boyle.
35
:
:
"
ufe Mr. Boyle's Expreflions in another place,
we have faid, to fhew the Vanity of thoſe who
have more Wit than Philofophy or Piety, and
to convince them of, as well as manifeft, the
admirable Wiſdom ef God; to which he adds,
Boundless Wiſdom is an Attribute included in
the Idea of a Being infinitely perfect, but fuch
a General and Indefinite Idea will not give us
fo much Gaufe to admire and fhew a Venerati-
on for it, as the Knowledg and Confiderations
of the admirable Contrivance of the particular
Productions of that immenfe Wiſdom, and their
exquifite aptneſs for the Ends and Ufes they
were defigned for.
Thus far we have endeavoured to reprefent, His Chris
though too faintly, how firmly grounded his fix Cha
Belief was, both of a God and his Providence, rity.
and of his high Efteem and Value for thofe Sa-
cred Writings which he fledfastly believed to
be the Word of God, tranſmitted to us by
thofe Sacred Writers whom he intrufted to re-
veal his Will to Mankind; I ſay, having thus
briefly offered ſome laftances of his Exemplary
Faith, we ſhould next proceed to ſpeak fome-
thing of that Hope, which might reaſonably be
grounded upon fo entire a Vertue as his Faith
manifefted it ſelf to be; but we ſhall defer that
till we come towads the Period of that Life,
which antecedeth the fullFruition of his Hopes,
and crowned them with that Eternal Happi-
neſs he now enjoys; we fhall therefore in the
next place fay fomething of that other Grand
Chriſtian Vertue Charity, which he was fo emi-
nent for, I mean not his Exemplary only, but
that alſo which was even beyond Example;
which
~~3.6.
The LIFE of the
*
→
which he exerciſed in an Eminent Degree, both
in Gifts to thoſe in Neceflity, and Affections
towards his fellow Chriftians. In the firft, he
exceeded all of his Rank and Fortune, and
what God Almighty had bountifully beſtowed
on him, he as liberally diftributed ro relieve
the Neceffities of his Brethren, and fince he was
bleffed with a plentiful Eftate; he made it the
greater Bleſſing, by exchanging his Treasure
on Earth, for an Everlaſting Treafure in Hea-
ven; nor was he only Charitable to thoſe that
ftood in need of Temporal Things, but as free-
ly Communicated Spiritual Gifts, and to thoſe
who moſt ſtood in need of them, being very
zealous in promoting Chriftianity, and the Ho-
nour and Glory of God amongſt thofe that
were ſtrangers to and unacquainted with the
means of Salvation. To ufe the Words of the
Right Reverend and Learned Dr. Burnet, "He
was at the Charge of the Tranflation and Im
preffion of the New Teftament into the Maly-
gan Language, which he fent over all the
East-Indies. He gave a Noble Reward to him
that tranflated Grotius's incomparable Book
of the Truth of the Chriftian Religion into Ara-
bick, and was at the Charge of a whole Im-
preffion, which he took care to order to be
• diftributed in all the Countries, where that Lan
guage is understood. He was refolved to have
'carried on the Impreffion of the New Tefta-
'ment in the Turkish Language; but the Com
pany thought it became them to be the Doers of
it,& fo fuffered him only to give a large fhard
towards it; ſo that as our Saviour ordered his
Diſciples to go and teach all Nations, he did
C
ધર્મ.
the
Hourable Robert Boyle.
37
1100
?
the Office of a great many Difciples, in ſpread-
ing God Almighty's Declarations in known
Languages, where Chriftianity was un-
known.
But to proceed to his other Acts of Charity
of this kind; "He was at ſeven hundred
Pounds charge in the Edition of the Irish Bi-
ble, which he ordered to be diſtributed in Ie-
Land, and he contributed largely both to the
*Impreffions of the Welsh Bible, and of the
With Bible in Scotland. He gave during his
Life three hundred Pounds to advance the de-
fign of propagating the Chriftian Religion in
America; and as foon as he heard, that the Eaft
India Company were entertaining Propofiti-
ons for the like deſign in the Eaſt, he prefent-
ly fent an hundred pounds for a Beginning
and an Example, but intended to carry it much
further; when it fhould be fet on foot to
purpoſe. Thus his Zeal was Lively and Ef-
fectual in the greateſt concerns of Religion;
but he avoided to enter far into the unhappy
"Breaches that have fo long weakned, as well
as diſtracted Chriftianity, any other wife than
to have a great Averfion to all thofeOpinions
and Practices, that feemed to him to deſtroy
Morality and Charity. And if amongst the
Romans, he was thought worthy of a Crown of
Diftinction, that faved the Life of a Citizen,
what an Immortal Crown of Glory muft his
Merits deferve who promoted the Salvation
of fo many Thousands of Souls, and propa-
gated Chriſtianity amongft fo many People and
fo many Countries. How Joyfully would he
be received amongst the Saints who had con-
tributed
38
The LIFE of the
tributed ſo much to the Increaſe of Piety, and
what Joy did he promote in Heaven, who had
brought fuch a Multitude to Converfis
ол.
And as his Charity was extenfive to his fel-
low Creatures inGeneräl,in his Life time; fo he
not only Lives after Death in the pious Memo-
ry of all Good Chriftians, but continues his
Acts of Kindneſs in promoting Chriftianity,
whilſt his Body lyes in deep filence in the Grave;
and as our Saviour before he left the World
commanded his Difciples to teach all Nations,he
following fo Good and Great an Example, was
a very notable and lively Pattern of Imitation,
encouraging thofe Succeffors of his Difciples,
to profecute fo good a Work,particularly in the
Metropolis where he lived; "He had there-
*fore deſigned, though fome Accidents did up-
on great confiderations, divert him from fet-
ling it during his Life, but not from ordering
it by his Will, that a liberal Proviſion ſhould
be made for one, who ſhould in a very few
'well digefted Sermons, every Year fet forth
the Truth of the Chriſtian Religion, in Gene-
ral, without defcending to the Subdivifions a-
'mongst Chriftians and who fhould be
changed every third Year, that fo this Noble
Study and Employment might paſs through
many Hands, by which means many might
become Maſters of the Argument. Thus he
contrived that the Preachers of the Gofpel
ſhould not only be encouraged to inftruct thoſe
committed to their Care, but that by teaching
they ſhould become wifer themfelves, and edify
their own Souis as well as thofe of their Hearets.
''
To
!
Honourable Robert Boy1z.
39
To theſe Inſtances of his Publick Charity,
we ſhall add another, which is not only an E-
minent Inftance of it, but likewife fhewed his
Reſpect and Value for the Clergy. When he
understood what a fhare he had in Impropria-
C tions, he ordered very large Gifts to be made
to the Incumbents in thofe Parishes, and to
'the Widows of fich as had dyed before he
had refolved on this Charity. The Summs
'that as I have been informed, by one, that was
concerned in two Diftributions that were
made, Amounted upon thofe two occafions
to near fix hundred Pounds, and another very
"Liberal one is alfo ordered by his Will, but
in an indefinite Summ, I fuppofe, by Reafon
of the prefent Condition of Eftates in Ireland,
fo plentifully did he fapply those who fer-
C ved at the Altar, out of that which was once
'devoted to it, though it be now converted to
•
a Temporal Eſtate. So that he had ſo much
regard for thoſe that communicated Spiritual
things, that he deprived them not of that
Temporal Reward, which might be neceflary
to ſupport them in the Performance of their fa
cred Function.
Thus far we have confidered thoſe Publićk
Acts of Charity, which have had fo great and
good Effects on a large Part of Mankind,
we ſhall next take Notice of thoſe Private A&s
of Charity, which he endeavoured to conceal
from the World, eſpecially from thoſe who
received the advantage of his Liberality, and
on this Occafion we ſhall make Ufe of the Ac-
count given by the Learned Bishop Burnet, in
thefe Words." His Charity to thofe that were
Y
'in
40
The LIFE of the
<
C
in want, and his Bounty to all Learned Men,
that were put to wraftle with Difficulties,
were fo very Extraordinary, and fo many did
Spartake of them, that I may ſpend little time
"on this Article. Great Summs went easily
from him, without the Partialities of Sect,
"Country or Relations; for he confidered him-
felf as part of the Human Nature, and as a
'Debter to the whole Race of Men. He took
care to do this fo fecretly,that even thoſe who
C knew all his other concerns, could never find
out what he did that way; and indeed he
was fo ftrict to our Saviours Precept, that ex-
cept the Perſons themſelves or fome one, whom
he trufted to convey it to them; no Body e-
ver knew, how that great ſhare of his Eſtate,
which went away invifibly, was diſtributed;
even he himſelf kept no Account of it; for
that he thought might fall into other Hands. I
ſpeak upon full Knowledg on this Article,
becaufe I had the Honour to be often made
ufe of by him in it. If thofe that have fled
hither from the Perfecutions of France, or from
the Calamities of Ireland, feel a ſenſible ſink-
ing of their fecret fupplys, with which they
were often furniſhed without knowing from
whence they came; they will conclude, that
. they have loft not only a Purfe, but an Eſtate
that went fo very liberally amongst them,
that I have Reaſon to ſay; that for fome
Years his Charity went beyond a Thouſand
* Pounds a Year.
*
C
·
He had another moft Excellent Branch of
Chriſtian Charity, which we have in fome
Meaſure hinted before, and which we fhall
hereafter
Honourable Robert Boyle.
41
1
.
.
: ས་
hereafter have occafion to mention more fully,
viz. His CharitableOpinion of Perfons of other
Perfwafions, and to uſe Bishop Burner's Ex-
preffions; "He loved no narrow Thoughts,
nor Low or Superftitious Opinions inReligion,
C and therefore as he did not fhut himself up
' within a Party, fo neither did he hut any
Party out from him. And as our Saviour com-
manded his Difciple to put up his Sword when
he drew it in the Defence of his Mafter, and
fmote the Ear of the Servant of the High-
Prieft, and healed the Wound he had made, fo
the Honourable Mr. Boyle was agaiuft all vio.
lent Means to defend Religion, or oppofe ad-
verfe Opinions; He had a moft peculiar
Zeal ag inft all severities, and Perfecutions
upon the Account of Religion, fays Dr. Bur-
d net, to which he adds, i have feldom obferved
him to speak, with more Heat and Indignati-
on, than when that came in his way.
Having thus far gone through thofe Grand His Chri-
Chrifti in Vertues, Faith, Hope and Charity, ther evit-
filanity fur
which he lo eminently Illuftrated both in his
Life & PublickWritings;theSecond of which we
ſhall more fully contider hereafter, we ſhould in
the next place proceed to takeNotice,how exict-
he was in other Chriftian and vioral Vertues,but
before we engage iu thofe, we think it nor amifs
if we take notice, how fincerely and ftrictly he
obferved thote two great Commands which
oblige us both to Love God,and our Neighbou s.
ced.
And First, as it appears from what we have
faid,how firm he was in his Faith and the Ex: By his Du-
cife of his Charity,fo he was no lefs remarkable ty to God.
and worthy of Praife and Imitation in the Ex-
f 2
ercife
42
The LIFE of the
erciſe of theſe other Chriftian Duties; and as
nothing can more plainly demonftrate our
Love to God, than a complyance with his Will
in ferving and obeying him,ſo none could more
Pathetical exprefs their Love to God than he
did, nor give greater Proofs of their Service
and Obedience. As Dr. Burnet obſerves; " He
'was most conftant and ferious in his Secret
• Addreffes to God; and indeed it appeared to
thofe that converfed moft with him in his En-
quiries into Nature, that his main deſign
in that was, to raife in himſelf and others,
vafter Thoughts of the Greatnefs and Glory
' of the Wiſdom and Goodness of God. And
as he was conftant in his private Devotion, fo
he publickly expreffes his Satisfaction in Ado-
ring the Author of the Univerfe; for,fays he,
I think my time well employed, IfI can contri.
bute to raiſe a juft Admiration and Venera-
tion for God,which can never be great enough,
fince the more we know and adore his Infinite
Excellency, the greater Influence and more
Advantage we find by it; as God is introdu-
ccd ſaying, becauſe he hath ſet his Love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him, I will fet him on high,
because he hath known my Name. And elſewhere
he fays, If I confider the Excellency of God's
Prerogatives, I cannot but wonder as well as
be concerned, that Rational Men who are
Chriſtians, fhould wilfully and contemptuoufly
neglect thoſe Notices, which might increaſe
their Knowledg of God, and confequently that
Veneration that is due to him, it contributing
both to Men's Happiness and Duty, to feek
after the Knowledg of God, that they might
adore
Honourable Robert Boyle.
43
adore hiin:God who endowed Men with an in-
nate Defire of Knowledg, and a Power to di-
ftinguiſh and chufe the beſt Informations of his
Excellency, and hath made it his Duty to fearch
after God, and to Love him, did this, that Man
might find him the worthieft Object of his Un-
derſtanding, as well as Wonder and Venerati-
tion. And again, it ought to be both the In-
tent and Reſult of our Admiration of God, to
raiſe more worthy Ideas, and more Honourable
and Reverend Thoughts of a Being fo wonderful
and beyond a Parallel,whom the more we ap-
prehend, the more we find him Superior to his
Works,efpecially our felves, who are not of the
higheſt Order, but meer Men, and no more
Noble, than as capable and permitted to know,
admire and adore God; which he that esteems
a flight and regardleſs Employment, would be
unqualifyed to find Happiness in Heaven, tho'
admitted there.
But further, he had fo profound a Refpect
for God Almighty, and Revercaced his infinite
Majefty fo much, that he never thought we
could fufficiently Love and Praiſe him, fays he,
We are fo little inclined to cherish an awful
Veneration for God,either for want of Thought,
or through Vice, Prejudices, and the Sublimi-
ty of the Subject, which requires a ftudious con-
templation to diſcover his adorable Attributes,
that it requires both a great many Arguments,as
well as frequent Inculcations, to imprint them
upon Men's Minds, before they will be brought
to an Exerciſe they are unacquainted with, or
not willing to be fo; and further he ſays, Hu-
man Reaſon is but fmall and dull in refpect of
f 3
that
44
The LIFE of the
that Fountain as well as Father of Light, and is
cf en darkned with Lufts and Paffions, or a
fuſpenſion of the Influence of God Almighty's
Beams and at the beſt is blemiſhed with Im-
perfections. Therefore we ought to be very
circumfpect, when we make Philofophical En-
quiries, or difpute about God, eſpecially when
we deſign to praife him; for when we speak of
God, we ought to fay, what is worthy of God,
as well as true; our Ideas however fo great,
will rather exprefs the Greatnefs of our Vene-
ration, than the Immensity of his Perfections;
and the Notions worthy the most intelligent
Men, are far ſhort of being worthy the Incom-
prehenfible God, the brighteſt Ideas we can
frame of God, being infinitely inferior, and no
more than a Parhelion in reſpect of the Sun. He
therefore hath the trueft Veneration for God,
who reprefents his Excellences and Perfections
in the moſt Noble Expreffions and through a
Senfe of his ownl.feriority hath the best Ideas of
the Perfections of his Maker. And if our Hymns
and Praiſes of that Supreme Being deferves our
Bluſhes, and ſtand in need of his Pardon, their
Faces will one Day be covered with ſtrange
Confufion, who not only ſpeak flightly and
confuſedly, but contemptuously and drolling-
ly of that infinitely perfect and fupreme Being,
who impiously and ungratefully mifemploy
thofe Faculties and Wit he bestowed upon them
for better Purpoſes. From whence it appears,
that he not only had the higheſt Veneration
and Love for God, but thought the beſt Ser-
vices below what the Dignity and Worthiness
of God might deferve from us.
And
Honourable Robert Boyle.
45
;
And to make us ftil! more mindful of our
Duty to God, not only as we ought to love
and admire his infinite Perfections, but alſo
proportion our reafonable Service, he further
fays, we have but a dim and fhallow Knowledg
of thoſe Attributes of his, viz. His Wiſdom and.
Power, and may difcern, that there is an un-
bounded Extent of Perfection, beyond our
Abilities to perceive, and therefore fuch im-
perfect Creatures ought not to talk haftily
and confidently of God, confidering our in-
eftimable Inferiority to fuch a Being; and
therefore our Ignorance ought to teach us De-
votion, that Ignorance proceeding from the
Number and Incomprehenfibleness of his Ex-
cellences, fo that our Knowledg only helps
us the more to admire his Perfections.
And
elſewhere, to fhew how much we ought in
Duty to praise and admire God, he fays,thofe
Intellectual Beings, the Angels, though their
Minds are illuminated with extenfive Know-
ledg, are defirous to pry into the Myſteries
of the Gofpel; whence it appears, they are far
from prying into the Depths of God, or from
comprehending his Nature. And thus in the
Majeſtick Viſion before Ifaiah, they are repre-
fented as Attendants about God's Throne cove-
ring their Faces with their Wings, as not able
to behold the Brightness of his Majefty. How
then ſhall we Mortals, infinitely beneath him,
degenerated by Sin, and the Imperfections of
our inferior Nature, talk irreverently of the
Divine Eſſence and Perfections, not regard.
ing the immenfe difference betwixt God and
Us, being unable to fearch into his adorable
f 4
Nature.
46
The LIFE of the
Nature. We had much better with the Pfal-
mift confefs, fuch Knowledg is too wonderful for
me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it, and cele-
brate that God, whoſe Glorious Name is exalted
above all Bleſſing and Praiſe.
To reprefent further our Duty towards
God, and to move us to the Practice of it, he
fays elsewhere, God's Attributes 'might yet
further appear worthy of our Efteem and Ve-
neration, ſhould we confider befides his Wif-
dom and Power, his other Perfections, as his
Goodness to all Creatures, his Mercy, Juftice,
Veracity, &c. befides he may have feveral
Attributes and Perfections, which we know not
of, nor can ſo much as gueſs at, the Fecundity
of the Divine Nature being fo inexhauftible,
and the Productions of an Almighty Power,
being attended with Infinite Wifdom, which
his exuberant Goodness is pleafed to commu-
nizate. And further, by the Idea we have of him,
and fome of the Attributes we know he hath,
we may be induced to believe, that he hath o-
ther Perfections that we know not of; for not
to mention thoſe irrelative ones, as his Self-
Exiſtence, Eternity, Simplicity and Indepen-
dency, which we know by confidering him as
an abfolutely perfect Being, he hath relative
Perfections which we come to the Knowledg
of, by Experience, of what he hath done for
his Creatures. As God's Mercy was unknown
to Adam before his Fall, and his Fidelity in
respect of the Promiſes of the Meffias before the
fulneſs of Time, in which they were fullfilled.
Since therefore God's Perfections reſpect the
Natures and Conditions of his Creatures, and
their
!
Honourable Robert Boyle.
47
their Actions towards him, as well as his to-
wards them, and we know not but he hath fe-
veral Creatures, and hath feveral Relations
towards them, according to their Conditions,
he may have Attributes in refpect of them we
know not of. But let the Attributes we know,
or do not, be what they will, fuch Divine Per-
fections muſt flow from a most glorious Majefty,
whofe Intelligent Works ought to pay him the
higheſt Veneration; for this Reafon, Angels,
who are the moft Excellent of his Creatures, are
repreſented as always employed, both in obey-
ing and ferving, as well as praifing and ado-
ring the Divine Majefty. And our Saviour in
his preſcribed Form of Prayer, tells us, that
the Will of God is done in Heaven, fince he
propoſes the Imitation of it here on Earth;
and though Angels affect the moft Excellent
Perfons in their glorious Appearance, with
Amazement, if not Terror, and force their Ve-
neration, their Prefence being accompanied
with a furprizing Splendor, fo that one of them
is repreſented as Enlightning the Earth with his
Glory, and though they are fo Numerous, that
we are told of Millions, Legions, Thouſand Thou-
Sands, and ren 1housand times ten Thoufand of
them, yet theſe Glorious and Celeſtial Courtiers,
who are Intelligent and Spotlefs, ftand about
the Throne of God, not to Gaze but Miniſter,
covering their Faces before their Maker, ele-
vated on the Throne. And that they adore
and celebrate his Majeſty is evident, fince they
cry to one another, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the
Lord God of Hoffs, the whole Earth is full of his
Glory. So that it is not to be wondered, that
"
Angels
48
The LIFE of the
Angels fhould fhew that profound Refpect,
fince the greater their Knowledg is, the greater
Veneration will be had by an Intelligent Being.
And though Angels have Prerogatives above,
Men, yet they are Creatures infinitely inferior
to God. And fince the Angels fhew fo much
Reverence to the Supreme Being, who are great-
er in Power and Might than we, as they are pro-
pofed for our Imitation, they ought to put us
in Mind, what Ecftatick Refpect we owe him,
and when ever we fpeak to, or of him, we
ought to confider the vaft difference betwixt
our moſt perfect and omnipotent Creator, and.
an impotent Creature, a moſt holy God, and a
finful Man.
But to fhew more exprefly, that he not only
thought it our Duty to Love and Adore, but
alfo to Obey God, he fays, when any thing is
commanded by the Scriptures, being confci-
ous, that it is the Will of that Father of Spirits,
I difpute not to obey his Orders Go'ds
Will being no where to be better Learned than
where it is Revealed.
And as a further Motive to the Worſhip as
well as the Belief of a God, he fays, in another
place, The Works of God retain on their very
Surface, the manifcft Impreffions of the Wif
dom and Goodness of their Author, befides a
great many more curious and excellent Tokens
and Effects of his Divine Artifice in their ob-
fcure and innermoft Receffes, which are not to
be difcovered by the fuperficial and careless In-
fpection of fuperficial Beholders, but require
and deſerve the utmoſt Attention of a curious
and inquifitive as well as skilful Inſpector; and
in
Honourable Robert Boyle.
49
¦
in one lingle Creature, there are feveral admi-
rable Phenomena, which though they escape
the Eyes of the Vulgar, may apparently be
difcerned by a true Naturalift, who befides
Curioſity and Attention, hath acquired a com
petent Knowledg in Anatomy, Opticks, Cof
mography, Mechanicks and Chymiſtry; for
God Almighty hath comprized ſo many things
in his viſible Works, that the clearer the Light
of a Man's Underſtanding is, the more he will
be capable of difcovering the Exquifiteness of
thoſe that are lefs obvious, and will more di-
ftinctly and clearly difcern the Qualities of
what are moſt apparent; and the more won-
derful Discoveries he makes in the Works of
Nature, and the ſeveral Parts of the Univerſe,
he will be furniſhed and aſſiſted with the ſtrong-
er Proofs and Arguments, to demonftrate that
there is a God, which is fo weighty and impor-
tant a Propoſition, that it ought to make us
eager in the purſuit of whatever may confirm
us in the Belief of it, and furnish us with Mo-
tives to acknowledg and adore the Divine Au-
thor of the Univerſe.
On this Occafion to fhew, how indifpenfably
our Duty of Worſhip and Obedience is owing
to God, in his Opinion, Mr. Boyle tells us, that
fince Man is endowed with Reafon to tell him,
that God is both his Maker and continual Be-
nefactor, and that confequently, he may
justly require and expect both Worship
and Obedience; and fince the fame Rational
Faculty may tell him that it may well
become the Majefty and Wiſdom of God, as.
the Sovereign of the World, to preſcribe Laws
>
to
"
J
50
The LIFE of the
to his Creatures, who are capable of Under-
ftanding, as well as of Obeying them, and glo-
rifying their Author; and farther, fince his
own Mind, if not vitiated, will convince him,
that he owes a Veneration for the Author of
his Being, and his continual Benefactor; and
fince his Confcience upon thefe Accounts will
convince him, that he owes all the Duties of
Natural Religion; and fince further, his Rea-
fon will tell him, that his Soul is immortal,and
therefore capable,as well as defirous,to be ever-
laftingly happy, he muft confequently be de-
frous of a fupernatural Diſcovery of what God
would have him believe or do. And therefore
if he ſhall be informed by fupernatural Revela-
tion, what manner of Worship and Obedience
would be moft acceptable to him; and God
fhall encourage him by Promiſes of that Feli-
city to both of them; he cannot but acknow-
ledg fuch Proceedings, becoming the Tranf
cendent Goodneſs of God, without any Dero-
gation from his Majefty and Wifdom, and
further, fince God hath vouchfafed to Man an
explicite and pofitive Law, threatning ſtub-
born Tranfgreffors with fevere Penalties, and
offering Rewards to the fincere Obeyers of his
Will, fuitable to his own greatnefs and good-
nefs;
thus the confideration of God's Provi-
dence in the difpenfation of Corporeal Things
may difpofe a well inclined Contemplator, and
be his rational Guide, from Natural to Revea-
led Religion; which comprises our Duty to
wards God as well as our Neighbour.
And to excite us further to the Duty of Ser-
ving and Praiſing God, he urges the Example
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
S
of Angels; who, though God made them im-
mortal, and not to propagate their Species;
and as the Scripture informs us, though they
refide in Heaven, enjoying the fight of God,
yet are they conftantly praifing and obeying
him without faning against him. And though
Splendid and Majeftick in their Appearance,
y et are miniftring Spirits, for the good of the
Heirs of Salvation, and refufe to be adored by
Mes, exhorting them to pay it to God.
2
And so direct us the better, in order to our
Duty to God, he fays, the Myfteries in Scrip-
ture have always had a good Effect upon the
Contemplators of them but he that hath a
deeper Knowledg of God's Wifdom and Good-
neſs, will more Admire, and Love, and Truſt
ithim, which Difpofition of Mind, is a great
Part of the Worship of God, and promotes
thofe Vertues without which we can neither
obey God, nor manifeft our Love to him.
And to thew us further by Example,how we
ought to inform our felves of ourDuty towards
God, he tells us, that it is the Will and Com-
mand of God, to learn thofe Truths he hath
been pleaſed to teach either in refpec
of his Nature or Attributes, or the ways he
would be worshipped in, will eafly appear;
for not to mention the Injunctions of Scrip-
tures, our Reaſon will tell us, that we ought to
purfue what he hath ordered to be taught us,
as far as our Capacities or Opportunities will
admit, and if it be the Will of God we ſhould
fearch after Truth; it must confequently be
our Duty; for though the Nature of the Sub-
ject would not, God's Commands would lay
an
52
The LIFE of the
!
*
4.
an Obligation on us; for as he is Supreme
Lord of all his Creatures, he hath bath a full
Right to make what Laws he pleafes, as well as
enjoyn what Services he thinks fit; and puniſh
thoſe who violate the one or deny the o-
ther. And thus Adam before his Tranfgreffi-
on had a Law impofed, which was obliging,
because the Will and Pleafure of him that gave
it; fo that Man feems to be Subject to the Laws
of God, not as obnoxious to him, but as a Ra-
tional Creature, and things become a Duty
by being commanded, which were not fo in
their own Nature. And if Adan is his State
of Innocency, when he was happy and taſted
of God's Bounty, without wanting his Mercy,
was, by Obedience, obliged to conform to a
Law indifferent of it felf,we in our fallen Con-
dition ought to be obedient to his Will, and
to ſtudy his Truths, and to purfue fuch things
as have Intrinfick Goodness fo that it would
be a Duty, though not commanded, befides
the Recompence which makes it an Advantage.
And further, fays he, how pleafing Men's Prai-
fes are to God appears from what is faid by the
Royal oet who was a Man, after God's own
Heart, who introduces God faying, whofo effe-
reth Praise Glorifieth me. And in another Place
he fays,as admiring the Nature and Providence
of God, and contemplating the Mysteries of
Religion, are the greateſt Homages and Ser-
vices by which we cau venerate and obey God,
fo the Recompence is proportionable, viz. the
Enjoyment of himfelt aints and Angels have
been Meffenges of the Truth of Divinity, and
they have been follicitous to dive into thofe fa-
*cred
Honourable Robert Boyle.
53
:
cred Myſteries, and God hath faid, that thoſe
that employ themſelves in fuch Studies here,
fhall practise the fame in Heaven.
By his Du
bour.
i
Thus much may fufficiently fhew the pro-
found Veneration, Mr. Boyle had for God Al- ty towards
his Neigh™
mighty, and how much he thought it our Du
ty to Worship and Adore, and to ferve and
obey him. Nor was he lefs wanting in his
Duty towards his Neighbour, which appears
from what hath been already faid of his Cha-
rity, both in respect of Spiritual and Tempo-
ral Gifts,and his Chriſtian Charity upon other
occaſions; and will further appear, from what
will be faid hereafter upon other Accounts;
yet we ſhall here upon this occafion takeNotice,
of what the Honourable Mr.Boyle hath faid in a
Similar Cafe; for fpeaking of the Love of
God, and ordinary Love, he fays,though there
are certain Degrees of Love for a Friend, a
Miſtreſs or a Wife; yet there is a peculiar
Temperament of Love, which juftly belongs
to God; and elſewhere, he fays, that though
fome Perfons have been blamed for too much
Devotion, the want of Difcretion,not the Ex-
cefs of Love was guilty of their Faults. Our
Love to God ought to be regulated by his Re-
vealed Will, and not our wild Fancies, If you
Love me keep my Commandments, fays Chrift,
and therefore it is poffible to be too devout,
not that any Expreffions of Love towards God
can be too Ardent confidered abſtractly, and
irrelatively to the reft; but becauſe there are
feveral Duties of Love, which require an Ar-
dency, fo that it is injurious to exercife all our
Love upon that alone, which belongs to other
neglected
•
54
The LIFE of the
His Religi
neglected Obje&s. We are not to daſh the
two Tables of the Law one againſt another,
but must Love God with all our Hearts, and yet
we muſt Love our Neighbour as our felves, and
elſewhere be fays, our Love to the Creature is
a Prefent, but to God it is a Tribute; and
though we may be eafily too prodigal in
parting with our Gifts, we cannot be easily fo
in paying our Debts, A&ts of Juftice being no
Profuſeneſs, ſo that the Honourable Mr. Boyle
fhews us,how we ought to regulate our Love,
giving a due fhare to our Neighbour, but the
greateſt to the moſt Worthy Object of it.
And to fhew us,how much more worthy of our
Love God Almighty is than any other Ob-
ject, he thus reprefeats the Inducements we
have,that no other Object should divert us from
paying that Duty to God Almighty. Says he,
the Excellency and Prerogative of Divine Na-
ture, makes our Love due to God, though
in celebratingGod's Perfections, I am fenfible I
ſhall rather detract from what I would Praiſe,the
Subject being fo high that Seraphims themſelves
would come thort in doing it right. And if theſe
things never fell within the reach of our Sen-
fes, nor entered into the Thoughts of Men,
which God hath referved for thofe that Love
him, how incomprehenfible muft those things
be, which he hath referved for himself.
Having thus far traced Mr. Boyle through
thofe Grand Chriftian Vertues, Faith, Hope and
Charity, and thoſe other two Grand Chriftian
Duties and Commands, viz. Our Duty to God,
and to our Neighbour, and fhewn how Jaft
and Chriſtian like his Sentiments were of them;
which
Honourable Robert Boyle.
·
55
which he to the higheſt Degree Practifed in his
Life, we ſhould next proceed to thoſe other
Moral Vertues which he no less excelled in;but
fince theſe laſt mentioned peculiarly belong to
a Chriſtian, and are the Baſis of the Chriſtian
Religion, before we proceed further, we ſhall
repreſent what kind of a Chriſtian he was; we
mean of what Sect or Perfwaſion or in what
Communion he profeffed his Faith; for though
he adhered to a particular Profeflion in Religi-
on, yet he was far from being of any Party;
his Religion being founded upon a true Bafis,
and good Principles; and the Intent and Aim
of it being not the Acquiſt of Temporal Ad-
vantage, but a pious Difpofition to purſue
the means of Salvation, and to merit that E-
ternal Felicity which he now enjoys ; he court;
ed not the Tranfitory Vanities of this World,
but had a reſpect to that Recompence of Reward,
which God hath promised to thofe that patient-
ly perſevere in well doing acts the End. As
to the Religion he profeffed and adhered to, to
ufe the Words of the Learned Dr. Burnet Bi-
fhop of Sarum: "He did throngly agree
with the Doctrins of our Church, and
'conform to ou: Worfhip; and he approved
of the main of our Conftitution, but he much
"lamented fome abufes that he thought remain'd
'ftill amongst us. He gave Eminent Inftances
' of his Value for the Clergy. He was conftant
'to the Church; and went to no feparate Af-
'femblies;how Charitably foever he might think
of their Perfons,and how plentifully foever he
'might have relieved their neceffities. In which
he followed our Saviours Example, who when
his Difciples came and told him, that others
g
caft
C
$6
The LIFE of the
caft out Devils in his Name, he ordered them,
they ſhould not forbid them, fince thofe that ga-
ther with us are not against us.
And as in his Seraphick Love, he uses the
Difintereſtednefs of God's Love to Us,as a Mo-
tive to our Love of God. His deſign being on-
ly to make us Inftruments and Partakers of his
Glory, and to make us happy, a way that both
Elevates and Dignifyes our Natures, & prepares
Chriſtians for that higher State of Bleffedness,
referved by God for thoſe that Love him,it's va-
lue being heightued by the Vertues and Graces
given Men on Earth; fo Mr. Boyle's Religion
and Chriſtianity were Difintereſted in reſpect
of Temporal Advantages, and only Studied
and Improved his Vertues and Graces on this
fide the Grave; that he might enjoy the bleffed
Hopes here, and the full Fruition hereafter, of
those Joys and Eternal Bliffes, which are the
Rewards of a Fight fo well Fought, and a Courfe
fo wellFinished,viz.an EverlaſtingCrown ofGlo-
ry: fo that he might well fay with the Apoſtle.
I press towards the Mark for the Prize of the high
Callig of God in Chrift Jefus, Phil. 3. 14.
But to thew more plainly, and to illuſtrate
the Dilintereſtedness of his Religion and other
Vertues which added a Luftre to his Chriſtian
Character, we ſhall add, what Dr. Burnet fays,
upon this occafion, which the Right Reverend
Father in God brings as an Inftance of his va-
lue for the Clergy, and his Senſe of the facred
Functions; "Soon after the Reftoration in the
Year Sixty, the great Minifter of that time,
preffed him both by himſelf, and by another,
who was then likewife in a high Poft, to en-
ter into Orders. He did it not meerly out of a
C
Refpect
Honourable Robert Boyle.
$7
·
• Reſpect to him and his Family, but chiefly out
of his regard to the Church, that he thought
' would receive a great Strengthening, as well
• as Powerful Example from one, who, if he
• once entered into Holy Orders, would
be quickly at the Top. This he told met
made fome Impreffions on him. His Mind
<was even then at three and thirty, fo intirely
• difingaged from all the Projects and Concerns
of this World, that as the Proſpect of Dig-
nity in the Church,could not move him much,
• fo the Probabilities of doing good in it, was
• much the ſtronger Motive. Two things de-
•termined him againſt it, one was, that his
'having no other Interefts, with Relation to
• Religion, beſides thoſe of ſaving his own Soul,
gave him, as he thought, a more unfufpected
• Authority,in Writing or Acting on that ſide.
He knew the Prophane Crew fortifyed them-
• felves againſt all that was faid by Men of our
Profeffion, with this, that it was their Trade
and that they were paid for it: He hoped
therefore that he might have the more Influ.
ence, the lefs he ſhared in the Patrimony of
the Church. But his main Reafou was, that
he had fo high a Senfe of the Obligations of
"the Paſtoral Care, and of fuch as atch over
⚫ thofe Souls which Chrift purchafed with his own
• Blood, and for which they mult give an Ac-
'count, at the Laft and Great Day, that he
• durſt not undertake it, eſpecially not having
<felt within himſelf an Inward Motion to it by rhe
. Holy Ghost. And the first Queftion,that is put
to thoſe who come to be initiated into the
Service of the Church,relating to that Motion,
י
•he
g 2
58
The LIFE of the
'he who had not felt it, thought he durft not
'make that ſtep, left otherwife he ſhould have
lyed to the Holy Ghoft ; fo folemnly and feri-
oully did he Judg of Sacred Matters. Thus
though he did all he could, both by Example
and Writing, to promote Chriftianity, he
fought no other Advantage but the Reward of
a good Confcience. He efteemed the Reward
in Heaven, above all the Honours and Digni-
ties here on Earth; but of this elfewhere,
fo that he might fay with the Apoſtle,
Let us therefore Fear, least a Promife being made
us of entring into his Reft; any of you ſhould ſeem
to come short of it. Heb. 4. 1. fo that he con-
temned the Super fluities of this World; laying
up in ſtore for himſelf, a good Foundation against
the time to come, that he might lay hold on Eter-
nal Life, 1 Tim. 6. 19 and took care to make
himſelf one of the Number of them, who by Pati-
ent Continuance in well doing, feek for Glory,
and Immortality, and Eternal Life, Rom. 2.
17.
His Modefty But to proceed to thoſe other Vertues, which
in his Opi- were figually entertained in his Mind and as e-
nions of
vidently Prasiifed, and were Ornamental to
Things and
hirn both as a Chriftian and a Philofopher, and
Perfons;
firit, to make ufe of the Right Reverend Dr.
Burnet's Words; "He had brought his Mind
'to fuch a freedom, that he was not apt to be
impofed upon, and his Modefty was fuch,
that he did not dictate to others; but propo
fed his own Senfe, with a due and decent di-
'ftruft; and was ever very ready to hearken
to what was fuggefted to him by others.
When he differed from any, he expreffed
C
himself
Honourable Robert Boyle.
59
'
he
himſelf in ſo humble and fo obliging a way,
' that he never Treated Things or Perfons with
neglect, and I never heard, that he ever offen-
'ded any one Perfon in his whole Life, by any
Part of his Deportment; for if at any time he
'faw Cauſe to ſpeak roundly to any; it was
never in Paffion, or with any reproachful or
'indecent Expreffions. And as he was care-
'ful to give thoſe that Converfed with him, no
Caufe or Colour for Diſpleaſure, fo he was yet
، more careful of thoſe that were abfent, never
to ſpeak ill of any; in which he was the ex-
'actest Man I ever knew. If the Difcourfe turned
to be hard on any, he was prefently filent,
' and if the Subject was too long dwelt on,
would at laft interpofe, and between reproof
and rallery, divert it. That his Modefty was
peculiar in his private Converfation was fuffi-
ciently evident to all thofe that converfed with
him; and appears from thofe Specimens of his
Converfation which he hath madePublick in his
Writings, of which we fhall produce this In-
ſtance mentioned in his Difcourfe of Things a-
bove Reaſon, where he fays, Men flatter them.
felves too much, to think their Capacities of
fuch extent, and unprepoff ffed, as many Phi-
lofophers think they are, fince we are but Crea-
ted and Finite Beings, being fuch, as it pleaſed
the Author of Nature to make us, fo that we
may have congenite Notions, Appetites and
Tendences of Mind, as well as the means we
are furnished with to inquire into and judg
of Truth, being anſwerable to the Deſigns of
our Maker, whofe purpofe was not, that we
ſhould
8 3
60
The LIFE of the
fhould be capable of comprehending all man-
ner of Truths; many of which are unneceſſary
for us to know, and fome chiefly deſigned to
ſhew us our Imperfections, and make us defi-
rous of that place, where our Underſtandings
fhall be enlarged. But though God hath limi-
ted our Faculties, that fome Objects ſhould be
beyond the comprehenfion of our Intellects;
yet we have Knowledg enough to diſcern, that
we come fhort of knowing them. And in ano-
ther place he fays, it appears not from the
Writings, but the Difcourfe of many Specula
tive Metaphyfitians and Mathematicians, that
after many frustrated Endeavours, they have
owned themſelves at a lofs in feveral Points,
not only in thoſe abſtruſe Subjects of the Nature
of God and a Human Soul,but thoſe more obvi-
ous Bodies in the Corporeal World, and the
leaft Portions of them. And as a further In-
ftance of his Modeſty we shall add, what he
elſewhere fays, viz. there are ſeveral things al-
ready which we think we know, becauſe we
never tryed to frame fuch Ideas as would be fit
to acquiefce in.
And to fhew what little Reafon we have to
boaſt of our Knowledg and Capacities, he in
another place fays, I am inclined to think,
that God who is a free Agent, having made
Intelligent Beings, may have made Ranks and
Orders of them, whereof Man may not
be the Principal; and if not, he hath made
Man of a limited Nature and Capacity, and
hath furnished him with inate Ideas or Prin-
ciples, or a Faculty and Diſpoſition to frame
them, as Occafions happen to excite them. But
as
༥་
Honourable: Robert Boyle.
as he defigned Man but a limited Capacity, his
Underſtanding is fuitably framed, that the in-
nate or acquired Ideas or primitive Axioms it
is endowed with, and by reference or fimili-
tude it judges of other Notions and Propofi-
tions, are not extended to all Objects that may
be known, but only thoſe that have affinity,
to thoſe primary Ideas and Rules of Truth,
which are fufficient to help us to the attainment
of a competent, though not a perfect, Know-
ledg, of as much as God thought fit to allow
us in our preſent State.
And to reprefent both his Modefty in aſſert-
ing, as well as a Caution in receiving Opini-
ons, we ſhall add, what he further fays, viz.
We ought to regulate our Belief by our Per-
ceptions and not our Wishes, and muſt not
think that nothing is above our Capacities, be-
caufe we wish there were none; nor will it make
us,as knowing as Angels, becaufe we defire it,
nor can we be immortal, becauſe we would
not dye. And further he fays, what caution
ought to be uſed in affirming or rejecting O-
pinions in Natural Things, before Men are
well acquainted with the Hiftorical Part, that
belongs to the Object Men propofe to make
Judgment of, is eafily obferved; and therefore
we ought to be much more fo, in forming
Negative Propofitions of things above the
reach of Human Reafon; nor ought we rudely
to reject the Opinions of Learned. Men, who
differ from us about fuch things; fince miſtakes
about things fo fublime, ought the easiest to
be pardoned, becaufe not easily avoided; and
fince we may eaſily fall into as great miſtakes
g 4
our
61
62
The LIFE of the
:
:
His Humi-
fity.
our felves; which ought to incline us to to-
lerate other Mens Opinions, our own being
much ſhort of Science. Yet on the other fide,
we ought to be wary, how we are impofed up-
on by Prooflefs Affertions; yet there is a great
deal of difference betwixt affenting to a proof-
lefs Affertion, and framing negative Conclu-
fions about Opinions, which for ought we know
may be true.
Having thus briefly reprefented, the pecu-
liar Modcfty with which he delivered his
Thoughts, both in Converſation as well as in
his publick Writings, and the averfion he had
to flandering and backbiting his Neighbours,
we ſhall next proceed to fhew, what Sentiments
he had of Humility, which he both taught o-
thers by Practice and Example, as well as Pre-
cepts. And as Chriftian Vertues are Orna-
ments, and worthy of the Acquiſt of a great
Soul, which appears yet greater when adorned
with thoſe neceflary Endowments of the Mind,
we shall briefly fhew, what Vertues he thought
were requifite to accomplish a greatSoul & first,
to ſpeak the Senſe of the Honourable Mr. Boyle,
he fays, Humility is a Vertue, which at the
firſt fight ſeems different from Greatness of
Mind; yet in conjunction with other Quali-
ties, which makes up Greatnefs of Mind, or
which is an Ornament of the Mind, it adds to
their Number, and though not fo bright as
fome of them, yet it adds Luftre to the reſt.
Nor will it ſeem a wonder, if we conſider, that
Wealth, Honour, and other Bleſſings, exalt a
Man's Condition, to be Humble; amidſt fuch
Advantages, argues a Mind elevated above the
Prefents
Honourable Robert Boyle.
63
.......
Prefents of Fortune, and great enough to un-
dervalue; what others admire, and which fome
Men accounted great, make the Objects of their
Ambition and Pride, when they have obtain-
ed them. And if the Perfon be famous for
great Actions and Vertues, his Humility fhews
he hath a Noble Idea of Vertue, and valuing
himself not upon fuch ordinary Attainments,
ftill purfues a greater degree of Heroick Ex-
cellency. And if a Laudable Practice, which
is difficult, is a figu of a great Soul, Humility
muſt have that Character, it being more diffi-
cult to Excellent than Ordinary Souls. And
it is more difficult, to overcome Vertues when
they act united, than to contend only with Vi-
ces, Paffions, or open Enemies, which a Man
muft do to be Humble; for though other Ver-
tues affift one another,they all confpire againſt
Humility; for Pride is ſo ſtrange an Adverfary,
that fometimes by being foyled it overcomes;
for when we uſe the beſt Arguments against it,
the Success tempts the Mafter of them to be
proud.
And as he thus reprefents the Excellency of
Humility, fo he fhews us a great deal of Reaſon,
we have to be fo, and that we ought not to be
fo proud of our Attainments. Says he, it is not
a little to be admired, that ſo many Men, and
fome of them Divines, fhould fo little confider
what God is, and what they are themſelves,
as to talk of him with as much freedom and
unconcern, as of fome Geometrical Figure or
Mechanical Engin, as if the Nature and Per-
fections of that unparallelled Being were Ob.
jects of their Intellect, and fuch abftrufe Sub-
jects
64
The LIFE of the
jects within the reach of Human Reafon, and
familiar Objects of Senfe. And as he fays with
St. Paul, that the foolish things of God are wifer
than Men, and the weak things of God ftronger
than Men, ſo human contrivances are very fhal-
low, and often limited to fuch as are but of
one fort, as an Artiſt that can build a Houſe,
cannot build a Ship, and an excellent Clock-
maker, may not make a good Watch, nor con-
trive a Fowling Peice or a Windmil.
And to fhew further, what humble Thoughts
we ought to have of our felves, and on the con-
trary, what reſpect we ought to have to God
Almighty and his Word, he fays, thoſe who
fo much respect the Writings of the Antient
Wits, becauſe they believed thofe that difco-
vered thofe Truths, were furnished with ex-
traordinary Intellects, ought to pay a propor-
tionable reſpect to the Omnifcient Author,fince
Men are but of Yeſterday and know but little or
wething; which are the Words of Elihu in Job,
fo that we ought to have very humble Thonghts
of our Knowledg, which is fo fmall, even in
thofe things we know the moft of, fince Mr.
Beyle, whofe Knowledg was fo large and uni-
verfal, thought he had no Reafon to be proud
of what he knew.
But to fhew further, how much he was Ma-
ſter of that Vertue Humility, we ſhall make ufe
of the Words of the Right Reverend Father in
God Gilbert Lord Bishop of Sarum, "He had
about him all that unaffected neglect of Pomp,
"in Cloaths, Lodging, Furniture and Equipage,
6 which agreed with his grave and ferious courfe
"of Life;and as he was far from taking a Pride in
the
Honourable Robert Boyle.
65
the pompous Vanities of the World,and of that
external Greatnefs of Appearance, which amu-
fes the World, fo he took Pains rather to mag-
nify the Endowments of his Mind, and to have
that true Intrinſick Greatneſs which confifts in
the Greatness of the Soul. He was not of that
vain Opinion to think, that
Nobilitas fola eft atq; unica Virtus.
He valued not that outfide and only Titular
Dignity, which diſtinguiſhes Men only by Ti-
tles of Honour, but eftimated true Greatnefs
by other Characteriſticks, viz. thoſe of the
Mind. Indeed, the Vulgar, fays he, whoſe
Judgment is rather lodged in the Eye than the
Brain, when they think of Greatnefs of Mind,
fancy fomething like the Coronation of a King,
attended with Pomp and Splendor, a great
number of Gazers, and the clamorous Accla-
mations of the People. And they think, that
an Heroick Soul can be no where lodged, but
in a great Commander, like a Roman Emperor,
or a Tartarian General, who Commands and
Conquers Armies, makes Countries defolate,
and leaves them peopled only with dead Bo-
dies. But Reafon and Religion, which refpect
Human Things, without thofe glittering Var-
niſhes, which dazles the Eyes of the Vulgar,
diſtinguiſh eafily betwixt Greatnefs of Fortune
and Greatnefs of Mind; and Chriſtianity teach-
es,that God who is no refpecter of Perfons, fees
not Perfons as Man fees them, and that a thing
that is fublime amongst Men, may be an abami-
nation to him. But a Philofopher may easily di
ftinguish
66
The LIFE of the
I
ftinguiſh real Greatneſs inherent in a Man,from
that Pompous one annexed to Fortune. And
though peculiar Honour and Refpect is due to
Vertue in Sovereigns, more than Subjects, as
it is more diffufive in the former and benefici-
al,and cannot continue without reſiſting ſtrong-
ér Temptations, yet we know, that an Empe-
ror though never fo great, can neither find nor
make a Soul.
But he had another Notion of Greatneſs
from the Vulgar, and only aimed at that Great-
nefs, which Solomon and other wife Men call
true Greatness; fays he, true Greatness of
Mind refides in the Soul, and is perfective of it.
But neither Fortuue nor outward Greatneſs
can make a Sould Great, though they may
afford Opportunities of fhewing it fo. And
the fubmiffion and refpect which Men fhew,
through Cuſtom, Fear or Intereft, to fuch as
are only Great by their Titles, Places or Pow-
er, adds as little to the Worth of thoſe Perfons,
as ftanding for more in Count does to the va-
lue of a Brafs Counter, that value turning it
neither into Gold nor Silver.
Socrates
in his private and neceffitous Condition, when
Greece was the Theatre of Generous Minds,
was prefered by the Oracle to all the Grecians;
and that of Delphos declared the Widdows Mind
and Circumstances, and her Mite as greater
Liberality than all the rich Man beftowed up-
on the Corban.
We are not therefore fays Mr. Boyle, to take
our Eftimate of fo fublime and extraordinary
a Quality, as Greatnefs of Mind, from the
mean Notions of the Vulgar, nor the fond O-
pionins
Honourable Robert Boyle.
67
pinions of common Souls; fince they approve
and applaud a great many things, which de-
ferve but little Efteem, if condemned by the
Wife,
But to fhew wherein Greatnefs of Mind truly
confiſts, and what a Man ought chiefly to value
himſelf for, he ſays, a Man may be faid to have
a great Mind, who employs his utmoſt moral
diligence, to find out what Actions he had
beſt purfue, and then profecutes them, with-
out being deterred by dangers, or diſcouraged
by difficulties, with refolution and ſteadineſs
of Mind, as far as his Abilities and Opportu-
nities will admit, and out of an Internal Frin-
ciple of Love to God and Man, and with a fin-
cere Aim to glorify the one, and benefit the o-
ther; of which Greatness of Mind he had as
great a fhare as any Body, it being the princi-
pal buſineſs and ftudy of his Life, as well as
his conſtant Practice,
And as he made Humility, and the profe-
cuting of Chriftian Vertues the ftandard of
Magnanimity, and the cleanfing of our felves
from all Filthinefs both of Flesh and Spirit, and the
abstaining from all kind or appearance of Evil, a
part of our Chriftian Duty, fo on the other
hand, we are obliged by the fame Rules, to
furniſh our felves with the Knowledg of Chri-
ftian Vertues, and to put them iu Practice, fince
unless our Righteousness exceeds that of the Scribes
and Pharifees, who cover the chief Seats in the
Synagogues, andGreetings in the Market Place,
we ſhall not enter into the Kingdom of God.
But
68
The LIFE of the
His flight
of Honour
and Pre-
ferments,
&c.
But as the Honourable Mr. Boyle had a juft
Opinion of the Vanities and pompous Gloffes
which amufe a great part of Mankind, and
only coveted that Greatnefs, which appears
Glorious in Heaven, fo he as little valued the
Advantage as the Honour of empty Titles ; as
we intimated before, he refufed, though pref-
fed to it, the greateſt profpects of Advantage
and Dignity in Ecclefiaftical Preferments. Nor
did lefs induftroufly avoid temporal Honours
or Intereſt, to ufe Dr. Burnet's Words, "He
• fpake of the Government even in times which
"he diſliked, and upon Occafions which he fpa-
'red not to condemn, with an exactnefs of Re-
ſpect. He withdrew early from Courts and
publick Affairs, yet was always honourably
treated by his Princes, and had he aimed at
it, might have attained both Honour and Ad-
vantage.
6
The Honour and Dignity be aimed at were
not Temporal but Eternal Advantages, and to
uſe his own Words; the reward of a good
Confcience which affords great Advantages to
thoſe whofe Vertue flows from Religion: and
to apply the Words he hath uſed on another
occafion, the Applaufes of a Good Confcience
being more acceptable to him than all the Mu-
fick,which Solemnized the Dedication of Nebu-
chadnezar's Golden Image; fince a Chriſtian
Conſcience does not only, at the Part of a
Judg, but of a Delegate from God himself.
And it's Abfolutions are more welcome, as
Pledges of God's Acceptance, and the Reward
in the World to come, than barely the Appro-
bation of Reaſon; Heaven being a place of
Happiness
Honourable Robert Boyle.
69
Happineſs far beyond my Power to defcribe,
made up of a Confluence of all Things, which
Reaſon can defire, for as the Scripture fays,
Eye hath not feen, nor Ear heard, nor the Heart
of Man conceived, what God hath laid up for them
that fear him.
The Title of Honour which he thought moſt
worthy was a Good Name, which to fpeak his
Opinion of, we ſhall make uſe of his own Ex-
preffions. A Good Name for Good Actions,
muſt be very defirable, the Applaufe of Wife
and Good Men, being aloud Eccho to confirm
the Approbation of the Confcience within,
which though vertuous and worthy Actions
are the moſt likely to acquire it; yet it is not
a certain one,Ignorance, Malice andEnvy,being
apt to misreprefent a Man. The Sublimity,
Brightneſs and regular Motions of the Stars
"hath not Exempted them from the Name of the
Lyon, the Eagle, or of more Contemptible
Creatures, as the Dog, the Goat, &c. And
though Innocency, like Lightning, may break
out at the laft, yet it often happens, that Malice
and Envy are dead firſt, becauſe the maligned
Perſon is fo; fo that he lives not to know he is
Juſtifyed, nor may thoſe miſinformed Perfons
live to be undeceived,whofe Opinion he aimed
at. But that which is Satisfa&tion to a Chriſtian
is to uſe Mr. Boyle's Expreffions. Though a
Chriſtian may be traduced by Calumny, and
repreſented as the Heathens did the Martyrs,in
the skins of Beafts to make them Hideous and
Hateful, yet it affords him Satisfaction,that his
Oppreffed Innocency fhall fhine forth and
Triumph, and his good Name as well as his
Body,
1
I
i
70
The LIFE of the
!
Body, have a Glorious Refurrection, and be
juftifyed before his Enemies and Slanderers, as
well as thofe that were misled by them. For at
that great Affize there will be a far greaterCon
fluence than the Affyrian Monarch drew to the
Plains of Babylon. Where the Difciples of the
Apoft les may fay,upon happier Terms than they
did here below, we are made a Spectacle to God,
to Angels, and to Men. And in that Illuftrious
Affembly of the First Born, whofe Names are
wrote in Heaven, the Vizards ſhall be taken off,
and the traduced Saints wellcomed with the
Title, Good and Faithful Servants, and acquitted
by the Sentence of an Infinite and Supreme
Judg, that Searches the Hearts and Reins, and
cannot be deceived or bribed. Where the injured
Saint fhall come off with Honour, and inſtead
of Calumny receive a Crown.
As for the Honour and Dignity he aimed at,
though it was not Temporal, it was much to
be preferred before the Crowns of Monarchs
here below; for, as he fays, Earthly Crowns
may be the Reward of Worth and Vertue, but
are not the Proofs of them. Sometimes they
are the Gifts of Nature or of Fortune, and
which is pitty, the acquifts of Crimes. But
Celeſtial Crowns proclaim the Worth of the
Receiver, being the Reward of Previous Gra-
ces and Vertues in thofe that are found qualifyed
for the inheritance of the Saints in Light. Befides
Earthly Crowns may be obtained without Me-
rit, and poffeffed without Happineſs; but a
Crown of Righteoufnefs being the Reward of
Vertue, is an infeparable Bleffing and Happi-
neſs.
and further; an Earthly Crown be-
เ
ing
Honourable Robert Boyle.
71
ing Hereditary, cannot preferve the Profeffor
from Death, whilft the other is called a Crown
of Life, and an unwithering Crown of Glory, which
gsves Life to the owners of it, and which is an
Additional Happineſs, in a Kingdom that cannot
be moved.
And to encourage others to what he ſo much
valued and purſued, he adds, that as to have
a Noble Deſign is the chief fign of an Heroick
Temper of Mind, fo none can have fublimer
Aims, than thoſe which a Chriftian is encoura
ged to, which is to pleaſe and glorify God, to pro-
mote the good of Mankind, to improve as much as
poffible his Perfonal Excellences in this Life, and to
Secure to himself for ever a Glorious and Happy
Condition in the next. And this none could more
conſtantly and exactly purfue in their Endeavours
and aim at than Mr. Boyle, it being his daily
tudy to Pleaſe and Glorify God, and to do
good to Mankind, and to improve himself be-
yond common Examples; fo that he might rea-
fonably entertain a lively hope of future Felici-
ty.
From hence it appears, how much this Great
and Good Man contemned and flighted the Va-
nities of this World, though his Parts and For-
tune could fo eufily have lead him into the ful-
left Enjoyment of them; fo that what he fays
on another occafion, in refpect of himself, may
be applyed perhaps to fome that read hisWorks,
viz.lt hath a greater Influence on me to find the
Vanities of the World, proclaimed by one
who ( might have ) enjoyed all the Pleaſures of
it, than if the fame Truth were delivered by a
beggarly Cynick, that never tafted of them;
h
for
72
The LIFE of the
His Averfi
for a little fhare of Philofophy may make him
defpife that which the narrowness of his For-
tune would never allow him to enjoy, but the
Honourable Mr. Boyle, who was endowed with
a plentiful Fortune, was fo far from indulging
himself in the vain Pleaſure and Pomp of the
World, that he rather employed his Superflu-
ities, in Charity and Ufeful Improvements, his
fole delight being in doing Good to his, own
Soul and to his fellow Creatures, and in Impro-
viag Ufeful Knowledg.
،
<
And as he contemned and flighted, or rather
on to Popu- made a due Eſtimate of the Trivial and Tranfi-
larity and
Vain Glory. tory Pleafures of this Life, preferring thoſe
that were Eternal; fo he coveted not to be po-
pular,nor was he puffed up withVain Glory.To
make ufe of Dr. Barnet's Expreffions tho'," they
"hadoften occafions to difcover new Inftances of
'Goodneſs in him; no fecret Inclinations did
at any time fhew themfelves. He affected no-
thing that was Solemn or Supercilicus. He
ufed no Methods to make Multitudes run after
him, or depend upon him. It never appeared
that there was any thing he bid under all this
appearance of Goodness, that was not truly fo.
He hid both his Piety and Charity all he could.
He lived in the trueft Methods of Civility,
and would never affume the Authority,which
all the World was ready to pay him; he al-
lowed himſelf a great deal of decent Chear-
fulneſs, ſo that he had nothing of the Morofs-
nefs, to which Philofophers think, they have
fome right, nor of the Affectations which
* Men of an ExtraordinaryPitch of Devotion go
ino fome times, without being well aware of
C
C
them.
Honourable Robert Boyle.
73
them. He was in a Word plainly and fincere-
ly in the fight of God, as well as in the view
of Men, a good Man even one of a Thou-
fand.
And as he was Civil to his acquaintance, and His Huma-
very exact in the Rules of Decency, fo he u- nity andCi-
fed no leſs Humanity and Civility to Strangers vility to
and Foreigners, to whom he was extraordinary
Strangers.
Civil and Obliging. To ufe the Words of the
Learned Bishop Burnet," He was exactly Civil
' rather to Ceremony; and though he felt his
eafinefs of acceſs, and the defires of many,
"all ſtrangeers in particular, to be much with
him made great waſte on his time; yet as he
was fevere in that, not to be denyed when he
was at home, fo he ſaid he knew the Heart
"ofa ftranger, and how much eaſed his own
had been; while Travelling, if admitted into
'the Converfation of thofe he defired to fee;
therefore he thought his Obligation to Stran-
& gers, was more than bare Civility, it was a
* piece of Religious Charity in him. Nor did
he receive them only with CommonCivility,but
Hoſpitality, uſing ftrangers rather as Friends
than as fuch. This I have been told occaſioned
a great many Vifits, which otherwife would
not have ſo much Interupted him, a great ma-
ny making their Addreffes, as much for the
fake of their kind Entertainment as to gratify
their Curiofity, which nevertheleſs met with
the fame Civility and Candid Entertainment;
his own fincerity gave him no Room to fuf-
pect it in other Perfons, and his Sagacity and
Judgment was too great to be impofed upon,
his Reafon being fufficient to weigh and di-
h 2
ftinguish
1
74
The LIFE of the
Flis Pati-
ſtinguiſh what Relations were Probable and
what were Fabulous.
But to proceed to the reft of thofe Chrifti-
ence in ef- an Vertues, which the Honourable Mr. Boyle
fictions.
excelled in, to what we have already mentioned,
we ſhall add that great Vertue of Patience
which none could be a greater Maſter of than
the Worthy Mr. Boyle, who had frequent oc-
talions to make ufe of it. And as Patience in
Afflictions is a much greater Vertue than in o-
ther Cafes,fo he exerciſed it no lefs upon thofe
occafions than in ordinary ones. This Mr.
Boyle himſelf reckons amongſt thoſe Vertues
which make up Greatnefs of Mind, and fays,
it is fo Noble a Quality, that it gains eſteem
when exercised by Malefactors,for though their
Actions are inexcufable, yet their manner of
fuffering for them must be commended. Calm-
nefs of Mind in the Midft of Storms, looks
fo handfomly, that neither Crimes nor their
Puniſhments can hide it, nor hinder the Perfon
from being pitied and applauded. And that
the Chriſtian Religion contributes to this Qua-
lity, and part of Greatnefs of Mind, will ap-
pear from what it contributes to Patience and
Conftancy, under outward Calamities, by
Precepts, Examples and Arguments.
That Mr. Boyle had a great deal of occafion
to exercife this Virtue of Patience was very e-
vident to all that knew him. "He had for al-
moſt Forty Years, laboured under fuch a fee-
bleness of Body,and fuch lowness of ſtrength
and fpirits, that it will appear a Surprizing
& thing to imagin, how it was poffible for him
to read, to meditate, to try Experiments,and
to
Honourable Robert Boyle.
75
.
'to write as he did. He bore all his Infirmities
' and fomeſharpPains with theDecency and Sub-
* miffion that became a Chriftian and a Philo-
'fopher. He had Noble Thoughts as well as
Chriſtianity enough, to fupport him under the
Heaviest Burthens, knowing that God Almigh-
ty often afflicts thofe moſt whom he loves, and
and therefore in his Occafional Reflections on
the pruning of a Tree, he fays, the pruning of
a Tree may give us thefe Thoughts, for as by
cutting feveral Twigs, and Nailing the reft
to the Wall, the Gardner both fecures it from
being blow down, and alfo makes it look well
ſhaped; fo the Divine Husbandman by his Af-
flictions, fecures them from a great many dan-
gers,andas he fecures their fafety,by obftructing
their Liberty, fo by afflicting them he adorns
them; thofe kind and skillful ftrokes beantify-
ing a Chriſtians Mind, as they diminiſh the Su-
perfluities of their Fortune; for afflictions give
fo much Glofs to the Soul that bears them pa-
tiently and refignedly,that the Heathen Mora.
lift ventured to fay, that if any thing here be
low was worthy the fight ofGod,it was a good
Man generouſly contending with in Fortune
which Hyperbole will be the lefs ftrange,if we con-
fider that when Jobs Patience was tryed to the
uttermoſt, it was Crowned with Fortune fairer
than the beſt in the Eaft; and when it was nog
fo far tryed; his Conftancy was received with
higher than Mortal Honour, as any thing that
was ever confered on Man before, God him-
felf declaring his Approbation, as if he boafted
of a Man, hast thou confidered my Servant Job
that there is none like him in the Earth, a Perfect
h 3
and
+
76
The LIFE of the
!
C
and Upright Man, one that feareth God and ef
chemeth Evil; and ſtill be boldeth faft his Integri-
ty, although thou moveft me against himto deftroy him
without a Caufe, Job 2. 3. And as Mr. Boyle pro-
pofed Job as a Pattern for others,himfelfmight
be another worthy our Imitation; and though
his Afflictions only affected his Body, yet thoſe
are moſt fenfibly felt that occafions Pain. As
for his Eſtate, there was no need for God Al-
mighty to Affli&t him that way, to diminish his
Superfluities: He knew too well whom he had
Intrusted it with, and that his Charity could
diſpoſe of thoſe fast enough, nor could they be
better employed than in doing Good.
When ill Men are afflicted by God Almighty,
we may think thofe Afflictions are the punish-
ments of their Vices, but when fuch pious Per-
fons fuffer and are afflicted as much as wicked
Men, the World is apt to cenfure even the
Righteous, but there was no room left for fuch
Reflections, on a Man of his Probity and Good-
nefs, he not only ferved God truly, but Man-
kind in general; and was always improving
the Talent God committed to his Charge, fo
that what he applyed upon a general Occaſion,
may be faid in fome refpect of himself, viz.
When we ſee a Tree pruned, one that under-
ſtands not the Reafon of it, might think the
Gardner an Enemy to the Tree, as if he meant
to cut it in pieces,but one that confiders that it
is not anger but skill, that made him lop off
fome Branches, and that he defigns not to de-
troy it, but to make it fruitful; and thus,
whether one that knows not the defigns of
Providence, may think when a Church is ex-
pofed
Honourable Robert Boyle.
77
pofed to the Afflictions of private Societies and
Perfecutions, which feem to beDivineInfi&iors,
thatgiveMen occafion to fay of the Body,aslfaiah
faid of the Head,we efteemed him ftricken, fmitten
of God and afflicted. Ifa. 53. 4. I fay, whatever
a Carnal Man might fay of hefe Diftreffes, a
Chriſtian will not thence infer, that God hates
the Church, or hath left her, fince he loved
her fo well as to give himſelf for her, and cha-
ftens and rebukes whom he Loves. This is ар-
plicable alſo to Believers, fo that the great ul-
tivator of the Ground, both lets us know, that
Afflictions do not fuppofe God's Hate, and that
they do not always fuppofe Man's Guilt, but
fometimes rather tend to his Improvement,
fince our faviour fays, Joh. 15.2. Every Branch
in me that beareth not Fruit, he taketh away, and
every Branch that beareth Fruit, he purges ut, that
it may bring forth more Fruit.
But the Honourable Mr. Boylo was fo good Hisself-de-
a Chriſtian, and fo exact in his Practice of it, wyal.
that he could only be made better, by exerci-
fing that Vertue of Patience, which he was ve-
ry conftant in, for as he was of fo infirm a
Body, fo he was as exact in obferving Rules
to preferve his Health, as much as poſſible,
"He was adviſed to a very ungrateful fimpli-
city of Diet, which by all appearance, was
that which preferved him fo long, beyond all
• Mens expectations; this he obferved fo ftri-
C ly, that in a Courſe of above thirty Years,
'he neither eat nor drank to gratify the varie-
'ties ef Appetite, but meerly to fupport Na-
ture; and was fo regular in it, that he never
$ once tranfgreffed the Rule, Meafure, and Kind,
·
h 4
that
78
The LIFE of the
The pious
Uſe he
itions.
C
C
C
that was preſcribed him. He had a feebleness
in his Sight, his Eyes were fo well used by
him, that it will be eafily imagined, he was
very tender of them, and very apprehenfive
of what Diftempers might affect them. This
is very evident, from the particular Obferva-
tions he hath made of the Structure of thofe
Parts, and of the Accidents they are fubject to,
in which he was very curious and exact, but
of this in another place.
But to proceed, to fome very ſignal Inftan-
ces, not only of his great Patience, but the
made of Af- extraordinary pious ufe he made of his Affli-
&tions, fo that he could out of every thing, to
ufe his own Words, ſtrike ſome ſparkles of
Celeſtial Fire, that would kindle, feed or re-
vive it, and by this means, he made the fay-
ing good, that all things work together for good
to them that feek God, Rom. 8. 28. A devout
Occaſional Meditation, being from never fo
mean a Theme, like Jacob's Ladder, whoſe
Foot leaned on the Earth, and the Top reached up
to Heaven, Gen. 28. 12.
>
As Mr. Boyle was of an infirm Body and
fubject to Diſorders, to fhew what pious Ufes
he made of his Afflictions, and confequently
how patiently he bore them, we fhall here give
a brief fummary of ſome Reflections he made
in the time of his Sicknefs. Being feized with
an Ague fit, fays he, it had not furprized me,
had I confidered of how many curious Parts
fuch an exquifite Engin confifts, whoſe Har-
mony is requiſite for Health; fo that it is not
ftrange a Man's Body fhould be ſubject to Pain
or Sicknefs, no more than that an Inftrument
with
Honourable Robert Boyle.
79
with above a Thoufand Springs, fhould be
often out of Tune, fince the change of Air
may as well difcompofe the Body of a Man,
as untune the Strings of an Inftrument, fo that
the ftructure and fabrick of a Man's Body is fo
curious and elaborate, that it is a wonder it is
no oftner out of order than it is. And if we
further confider,how many outward Accidents.
may deſtroy the Health or Life of thoſe that
are moſt careful to preferve them; again if
we confider, how many ways our Appetites or
Vices, which makes the Creatures offend
us,
and how Sin may provoke the Creator to pu-
niſh us; I ſay, if we confider all the Accidents
that may happen before grey Hairs, it is a
wonder if an Old Man be any thing Healthy.
But theſe things are feldom thought of, till
excited by fome ill Accident, thofe that are in
Health thinking to continue fo, without think-
ing that a Mercy. We think not how much
our Welfare depends on the Will of Divine
Providence, when we long enjoy Mercies; and
therefore he deprives us of them, to make us
fenfible we ſtand in need of them, it being
reaſonable, thofe Mercies fhould be denyed,
which are not acknowledged as fuch; this
Sickness therefore fhall make me thankful for
Health, when God fhall pleaſe to reſtore it;
nor fhall I confidently depend upon it's conti-
nuance; for though we are not inclined to fol-
low the Wife Man's advice, who bids us not
boast our ſelves of to Morrow, becauſe we know not
what a Day may bring forth. Yet he had not
done amifs, if inſtead of a Day, he had ſubſti-
tuted an Hour, for we are expofed to fo many
Accidents,
80
The LIFE of the
:
Accidents,that Health will deſerve our Thanks
as well as Wonder, And though my Sickness
was but my unhappiness, my furprzie at it
was my fault.
And to manifeft the Greatneſs of his Soul,
and how he could be Mafter of his Thoughts,
whilft his Body was difordered, we ſhall re-
prefent, what uſeful Reflections he made on
the troubleſom fit of his Ague; fays he, one
that ſhould ſee me covered withſo many Cloaths,
would ſcarce think me troubled with Cold,and
if he was, he would be apt to envy me. And
if he ſhould ſee me in the hot Fit, uncovered,
he would think I lay very cool. But instead
of that, an Internal Froft is in every Part, and
I am fo little relieved by the Number ofCloaths,
that I might fooner be cruſhed with more,than
warmed. Thus when a great Man is affected
with Ambition, or any other immoderate Affe-
tion, though the by-ftanders fee not the Caufe
of his difquiet, and may envy the Plenty he is
poffeffed with, yet they will little fut pect his
want ofContentment, And as theCold of External
Air is more fupportable than the Cold of an A-
gue-fit, with a pile of Blankets, or the hot fit
with a fingle Sheet; fo external Inconvenien-
ces are more fupportable, than the beſt Ac-
commodations to a diftempered Soul. Men's
Happiness therefore confifts, not ſo much in
what they have, as in what they are.
Fortune
can but give much, but the Mind makes that
much enough.
But further fays he, in the cold fit I rather
defired the Torrid than the Temperate Zone,
and envied the Labourers that tend the Chy-
mifts
Honourable Robert Boyle.
81
mifts Fires. But when the hot fit fucceeded,
I thought it worfe than the cold one, and re-
moved the Cloaths with as much importunity
as I called for them before. I then envied the
Inhabitants of Norway, and the Fish that
ſwim in cold Streams. Upon which, fays he,
if a Man's condition can fo foon alter, that what
he thought a grievance becomes a relief, we
may eaſily miſtake in eftimating Afflictions, and
judg them not fo uneafy as we think them,fince
we increaſe the Affiiction by repining at it.
A Man in Affliction is apt to think, that he
ſuffers worſe than any other, and is apt to ſay
otherwife than St. Paul, who fays, no Tempta-
tion hath befallen you, but what is common to Men,
1 Cor. 10. 13. He thinks he could more easily
bear other Peoples Afflictions than his own,
yet if Sickneſs was changed he would wish for
the former, and be as much concerned at his
folly, as at the difeafe. Every Distemper hath
it's particular fymptoms and uneasiness, tho
Religion may foften and mollify them. And
that which increafes our unhappiness in
Sickness is, that we fancy our Distemper more
grievous than if it was fome other. But we
hould make a better eftimate of Afflictions, if
we confidered the attending uneafinefs in ge
neral and therefore what we find may pro-
i
ceed from the Nature of the Sickneſs and Crof-
fes, rather than from the particular kind or
degree of ours. And many who we think lefs
ſufferers than our felves, would be glad to
change with us, and though they carry it off
better, yet they find no more eaſe than we, ac-
cording to St. Peter, who fays, that the fame
fufferings
82
The LIFE of the
Sufferings are accomplished upon our Brethren in
the World, 1 Pet. 5. 9:
But further, he was fo pioufly inclined,that
every Misfortune and every Chance of it gave
him an Opportunity of improving it to his ad-
vantage, fays he, drinking no longer relieving
my Thirſt, than I was ſwallowing it, and what
was worſe increasing my Thirft as it increaſed
the Fever, and Juleps being only ferviceable as
they relieved my Fancy, and palliated my Ex-
pectation, the Doctor ordered Phlebotomy to
remove the Symptoms, by taking away the
Caufe. Thus when the Mind is diſturbed and
eagerly purſues Objects unfit for the Perfon,
they think the only way to oppoſe their defires
is to grant them what they defire, but a difcreet
Phyfitian, minds not fo much what we defire,
as what is convenient for us, and a Lancet per-
forms what Juleps will not. So God Almigh-
ty takes away ſpiritual fuperfluities, rather than
grants what we inordinately defire, and a few
Afflictions help to moderate our inordinate Ap.
petites. To gratify our Appetites,amufes, but
does not cure the Patient, but ſeaſonable Crof-
fes make us know our felves, and fenfible how
little thoſe things we are greedy of, would con-
tribute to make us happy, and if obtained,may
produce a Reſignation and Tranqnility of Mind;
fo that being denyed the Enjoyment of them,
we find not the need of them.
Being obliged to take Phyfick, he makes this
Reflection. Being in hopes each Dofe would
be the laſt, I ftill find and fear there will be
further Occafion; but though it is troubleſom
it is healthful, and if loathfom, the fickness is
much
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
834
much worſe. Thus a relenting Sinner, having
waſhed away his Sins with his Tears,may think
him felt throughly cleanfed, and if entertained
with thofe delights which God beſtows on
returning Prodigals,he is inclined to think that
Repentance like Baptifm needs to be repeated
but once in a Man's Life time. But though
an unexperienced Convert may fay,he fhall ne-
ver be moved, yet though the Spirit indeed is
willing, but the Flesh it weak, and frequently our
Refolutions abate with our Joys; and "thofe
who have thought they could defpifetheWorld,
have in a little time been mistaken,finding it hard
to be amongſt Sinners, without being of their
Number, and in a World ſo defiled, without a
Spot. And as David ſaid in his Profperity, he
fhould never be moved, fo in Diſtreſs he ſaid,
he ſhould one day dye by the hand of Saul; fo
in the height of Joy and Tears of Repentance,
we are apt to contemn and defpife all Ghoftly
Enemies, but in a little time thefe Refolutions
will meet with Impediments, and turn into De
fpair, we thinking thofe defpicable Enemies
invincible, but as we ought not to reject Phy-
fick, that does good for a time, nor other Mea-
fures that affist our Recovery; fo though Re-
pentance is to be repeated frequently, fince it
is the only means to recover our Souls out of
a ſtate of sin, we are not to be diſcouraged,but
to renew that Duty as often as we fall into Sin,
with a hearty forrow for them, and firm re-
folves againſt them. And as Phyfick is to be
choſen before Sickness, fo Repentance is bet-
ter than to continue in Sin. And as a bitter
Potion is better than the Symptoms of an Ague,
fo
84
The LIFE of the
·
His Sisk-
mess.
fo forrow for fin here is better than Lamenta-
tion, where there is nothing but wailing and
gnashing of Teeth. Our Souls in this are much
like our Bodies, our whole Lives being ſpent
betwixt gathering and purging away ill Hu-
mours. And the Flesh is ftill faying to the Spi-
rit, as Ruth did to Naomi, The Lord do fo to me
and more alſo, if ought but Death part thee and
me.
But though Defilements are waſhed away
they do as often return; and though the necef-
fity of asking many Pardons for the fame fault,
may give juft Occafion for an ingenious Chri-
ftian to cry out with St. Paul, O! wretched Man
that I am, who shall deliver me from the Body of
this Death, yet the fenfe of our own frailty may
alfo comfort us, and give us occafion to fay,
Thanks be to God who hath given us the Victory
through our Lord Jefus Chrift.
His
Such Thoughts as thefe the pious Mr. Boyle
Thoughts of had on all the Turns and Circumftances of his
Death in Distemper, we fhall only mention the following,
referring the Reader for the reft to his occafio-
nal Reflections; fays he, finding my Diftemper
attended with unufual Symptoms which might
prove Mortal, I began to think of my End,
which we ought more readily to entertain. First,
fince we cannot be too well provided for an A&t
that never can be acted but once and as it is
appointed for all Men once to die, fo after Death
comes Fudgment, and where the Tree falls, there
it lies, fo errors in this laft Action being irrepa-
rable, is the ſafeſt way to follow the Example
of him that fays, If a Man dies fhall be live a
gain, to which he adds by way of Inference,
all the days of my appointed time, will I wait till
Honourable Robert Boyle.
85
my change comes. Secondly, we ought to think
of the Grave to provide our felves againſt ma-
ny Dangers, which perhaps may never reach
us;
for ſeveral endure more Torment by the
Apprehenfion, than they would by the Infli-
ation of Miſchief; but Death is what will at
one time or another, certainly come,and there-
fore the Thoughts of it may be ſerviceable and
advantagious; the Thoughts of Death, tend-
ing to make us live well, and confequently as
advantagious to thoſe that live as thoſe that die.
but not to mention all the thoughts that every
Perfon, as a Man or a Chriſtian, would have
upon a Death Bed, we fhall mention fome fug-
gefted by the generalCircumftances of my Con
dition. The Approach of Death is apt to
make Men ferious, and to make a truer Judg
ment of the World they are to leave, having
no partiality for the pleaſures and profits of
Life, they are about to quit: And as Mer
are apt to have their Thoughts better ground-
ded, fo they are to speak them more freely;
Death being free from Hypocrify, as well as
ſtripping them of other things.
One thing then I was thinking was, how
wretched I ſhould be, were I of the fame Mind
with the Generality of thofe of my Age, who
think their Youth as good an Excufe for, as
it is a Temptation to Vanity, and that they do
a great deal in their Youth, if they refolve to
reform, when it is gone, and they think more
than Intentional Religion, is a Reflection up-
on Youth, as well as an enchroachment upon
Old Age. But how few live to be Old, and it
is but little Satisfaction on aDeathBed to think,
that
8:6
The LIFE of the
that according to the Courſe of Nature a Man
might have lived longer,fince theThoughts muft
be diſmal to unprovided Perfons, whofe early
decay imploys the number of his iniquities,and
that his Death is rather a Puniſhment for his
Sins, than a Debt due to Nature. The plea-
fures of Sin will not countervail the Horror
they Create in a Dying Perfon, who is not
only to leave them, but to fuffer for them.
But when a Man hath forfaken his Pleaſures
for Vertue or Religions fake, it will yeild him
far greater Joys, than the Fruition of them
could afford him.
But to proceed, to fome other Thoughts and
Apprehenfions of Death might fuggeft to him,
fays he, 1 muft confefs I have quite different
Thoughts now of a fufficient Preparation for
Death, than I had in Health. If then a Chri-
ftian fhould frequently break his Refolutions,
but never renounce them, but often ſtumbled
in the way to Heaven, and find the approach
of Death formidable, being free from Scandal
and fomething more than negative Piety; is
not common amongſt thofe that have the Op-
portunities of enjoying the Pleaſures and Va-
nities of this World; which with the Charity
of others, and my own felf-flattery, made me
think I was fitter to dye, than to be afraid of
It. But now I fee the Grave underneath me,
and that Gulph of Eternity, it is difficult to
prepare for a Change, to be doomed by an
Omniscient Judg, to a ftate of Eternal Happi-
nefs or Mifery. The Death-bed makes us re-
member thoſe things, which Youth and Jollity
make us forget, and thofe frivolous Argu
ments
Honourable Robert Boyle.
87
ments which Excufes us in Health to our indul-
gent Thoughts, will fcarce now be thought
fufficient to excufe us to God, before whom
if the Angels cover their Faces, finful Men may
tremble to be brought. When approaching
Death makes our Eyes grow dim, our Confci-
ences more clearly difcern, that our Senfes
prevailed upon our Reaſon, which made us ac-
quiefce in thoſe frivolous Pleas; but when we
appear before God, our Jolly Companions can-
not excuſe thoſe Actions they tempted us to
fince they muſt be condemned themſelves. If
we confider Death as the Conclufion of Life
and a Debt Due to Nature, it is fufficient to ex-
cite Horror; but if we confider, that the Body
will not only corrupt, but the Soul muſt be
brought to the Tribunal of God, to answer for
the Actions of this Life, and there to be con-
demned to Eternal Torments, or Sentenced
to inexpreffible Joys, fuch a change muſt occa-
fion a Commotion in the moft Pious or Coura-.
gious; and thofe that would not be afraid
of Death it felf, will be afraid of Eternis
ty.
Another Reflection he hath made upon this HisOpinion
occafion is, that moſt Men think a Death Bed of Repen-
the fittest place for Repentance; but fuch must tance on a
little confider the Difadvantage of Sickness, Death Bed.
or the Nature of Repentance. Indeed Sin
and Death may more easily frighten us
when both together, but being frighted
with Hell, will not give us lopes of Heaven;
for whensin and Torment appear together,it is
not easily todiscover which of the two frights us
towards Heaven.And Repentance which ought
A
to
·
88
The LIFE of the
to be the Work of a Man's whole Life, and to
be a thorough Change of the Man is impro-
perly begun, when his Courfe is almoft finish-
ed, in which it should have guided him. Nor
cau Men Reaſonably think, that whilſt God is
puniſhing them for their Sins, he will voach-
Lafe them theGrace of Repentance, which they
refuſed before. Befides in fo uncertain a ſtate,
it is hard to promiſe themſelves the Opportu-
nity: Who knows, when a Phrenfy may feize
the Brain, and caſt che Patient into a Defperate
Condition on this fide the Grave, ſo that the
Man may be dead, before his Body is diffol-
ved.
But though theſe things happen not,the Or.
ganical Faculties of the Mind, must be dulled
by the Diſorder of the Spirits, by which they
perform their Offices; befides the Senfe of Pain,
the Effects of Medicines, the Faintnefs of the
Spirits, the unealinefs for want of fleep, and
occafioned by Medicines, the Importunities of
intereſted Perfons about them; that like Birds'
of Prey wait for a Carcass, the Tears of Friends
at the laſt farewel, theunea ſie Direction of aLaw
yer to draw a Will, the Divines Difcourfe a-
bout the Soul, and the Confcience frighted,
render a Man's Condition fo amazing, difmal
and diſtracting, that it is as much madnefs to
think this a proper time for Repentance, as
any a Death Bed can produce, it is fo impro-
per a time to begin to provide Graces on a
Death Bed, that it is difficult there to practice
fuch Graces as were before acquired, it being
difficult there to reap the Confolation of a pi-
ous Life.
But
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
89
But one Confideration that may deter us
from relying on a death bed Repentance is,that
though we allow that they are miſtaken, who
think fuch a Repentance too late, yet though
a dying Sinner may not defpair of Heaven,
yet he can ſcarce have a Comfortable Affurance
of it; for though true Repentance cannot be
too late; yet it is a Queſtion, whether that late
Repentance is true; for Repentance, implying
a renouncing of Sin, at least with a hearty pur-
pofe and refolution, an habitual Sinner, who
remembers how often he hath violated thoſe
Vows and Promifes of Amendment, which
Sickneſs or Dangers have extorted from him,
when thofe Dangers were over, cannot eafily
be fure, that the prefent is not of the fame kind,
fince he hath no Experience to fhew, whether
his Refolutions would prevail againſt the oppo-
fite Temptations: Befides a Man may eaſily
miſtake a true Hatred for Sin, and Love of God
for horror of the impending Dangers,Sin makes
himſelf ſubject to, and a Strong defire to go
to Heaven, when he is no longer able to ftay
upon Earth, but must go to Hell if he Miſcar-
ries. And as it is difficult for a Man to know
upon what Account he is forry, when he feels
the puniſhment of Sin, fo it must be a ftrange
uncomfortable ſtate; for a Man to be hurried
to the Grave, when he cannot tell whether he
is going to Heaven or Hell. And if he ſhould
be miſtaken in eſtimating the validity of his
Repentance, the error would be fatal,and with-
out remedy, and more horrid than that of the
Syrians, who inftead of arriving Victorious at
Dothan, found themfelves at their Enemies.
i 2
Mercy
५०
The LIFE of the
1
Mercy in Samaria, 2 Kings 6. 18. But to Con-
clude, he that renounces not his Sins, till Chrift
is ready to renounce him, both hazards his Soul
and Ingenuity, and it will be a fad loſs for a
Man, to looſe the opportunities of a pious Life
by Death, and to derive his comfort from the
bare affurance that he intends it.
:
thought here to have paffed on to another
Topick and purfued the Exemplary Vertues
of this bright and noble Character, but there
are fome Inftances of the Extraordinary pious
Thoughts of Mr. Boyle, fo remarkable, that I
cannot here eaſily pafs them over, one is upon
his comparing a Clock with a Watch, where
he oblerved, that though the Circle on which
the Hours are placed in a Clock is much greater
than that of the Watch, yet the Index being
at the Hour twelve, when the other was but at
eleven, though the larger had moved over
the greater space; yet the Index of the Watch
went not only truer but fafter. Thus, fays he,
we are not to eftimate Men'sLives by their Du-
ration; fome loyter fo much of their Lives a-
way, that they have nothing to fhew their Age,
but Church Books and gray Hairs; and they as
little live that fpend their Years in Diverfions,
neglecting the bufinefs and true end of Life,fo
that fuch may be rather ſaid to have lafted,
than to have lived long. So a Traveller,
that wanders to and fro without pursuing the
right way, may rather be faid to have been
long on Horfe-back, than to have performed
a long Journey; whereas he that makes good
Ufe of his time, and hath foon performad what
he was fent into the World for, may have lived
long
I
Honourable Robert Boyle.
91
long enough, and confequently longer than
thofe that have gray Hairs, though born fome
Years before him, fo that one may be faid to
have had a longer Time, and the other a longer
Life, as the Heathen faid Non eft vivere, fed va-
lere vita. And how fhort foever time a Man
may live, if in that time he hath done, that
which was the end of Living, the Acquifition
of compotent Knowledg, and the Practice of
Graces and Vertues, that fit a Man to Glorify
God, and to be Glorifyed by him, in that
which fhall have no end.
The Honourable Mr Boyle having thus fhewn
not only how patiently he bore his fickneſs,
but how pious Ufes made of his Actions
may tend to make a Man better, to theſe Ob-
fervations we ſhall only add one other, which
he made upon his Recovery and the Apprehen-
fions of a relapfe which may evince,how thank-
ful he was to God Almighty for his Bleffings,
and what good Ufes he made of fuch; fays he,
having recovered my Health,and being able to
pursue my ufualCourfe of Life, what our Saviour
faid to the Paralytick may be feaſonable, Behold
thou art made whole, fin no more,left a worſe thing
come unto thee. Yet though I am free from my
Distemper, I am not from the Apprehenfions
of it; for having had Experience of my
Sickness, I have the more value for my
Health, and am now more Jealous in prefer-
ving fuch a Bleffing; and the fmall Chilneſs,
which I formerly imputed to theSpleen or Me-
lancholly, I am now apt to fufpect, as the fore-
runners of my diftemper, and therefore I am
careful to avoid all irregularities, which may
13
en-
}
:
92
The LIFE of the
His
endanger a relapfe. But why ſhould not I be
as folicitous for the welfare of my Soul, and
avoid cheriſhing fuch beginnings, as have en-
ded in fin, when neglected, and as dangerous
Distempers leave the Body infirm, and ſub-
ject toRelapſes; fo fins commonly leave behind
them a Difpofition to fall into the fame Sins,
Men being much more apt to relapſe into Spi-
ritual Diftempers, than thofe of the Body; fo
that we ought to have a much greater Care
of thoſe relapſes that concern the Soul, if we
think the nobleſt Part is the moſt worthy look-
ing after.
4
Having thus fhewn, how patiently Mr. Boyle
Thoughts of bore his Afflictions, and what a pious ufe he
Profperity. made of them, and how he pursued his way
to Heaven, through Bryars and Thorns, and
how the Infirmities of his Body added ſtrength
to his Soul, fo that his Infelicities became a
Happineſs, we fhall in the next place take a
fhort view of fome of his Thoughts of Prof-
perity.Says he, it is too ufual to ftumble in the
fmooth ways of Profperity, though we pafs
fteadily through Adverfities. And it is an old
faying, that Fortune ruins more in her Embra-
ces, than whilft fhe would crufh them. And
thoſe that make the obfervation are as frequent
ly Inftances of it; Fortune hath not yet turned
Syren to pervert me, and hath hitherto given
me more Exerciſe for Conſtancy than Modera-
tion. I have often wished my felf in the num-
ber of the profperous, who never think Prof-
perity formidable till deferted by her. But up-
on fecond Thoughts, I leave the choice of my
Antagonist to Fortune, and him that knows
my
Honourable Robert Boyle.
93
my ſtrength and gives it me, fince Solomon fays,
even the just Man falls feven times a Day, Prov.
24. 16. So ftumblers often happen to mifcarry
in the fairest way, into which when Provi-
dence leads me, it will be feafonable to pray,
lead us not into Temptation, and 1 fill coulider,
that Ice is not only the fmootheft but the flip-
pereft of ways, and we ought to be no where
more Cautious, than where Treacherous E-
vennefs makes us think our felves moft fecure.
Where he manifefts not only his entire Rebg-
nation to the Will of God, bat puts as in
mind to be Cautions, and to provide our
felves against the Jofuence of Adverf-
ty.
And in another place, fpeaking of the Con-
dition of a certain Lord, fays he, if one not
knowing his Humour and Aims, fhould know
his Eftate and his Skill to manage it, he would
be apt to envy the happiness of his Condition,
nothing appearing to be wanting. But alas!
the Man wants Efteem and Reputation, which
hath a refemblance to Wind, being an aery
thing which we muſt receive from others, and
know not how long we muſt keep it, when we
have it; the want of this will make all the
reft infufficient for his fatisfaction. Thus 4
lexander, who was more ambitious than great,
after he had conquered the World,fhed Tears,
becauſe he had not conquered more than one,
being told by a Philofopher; that there was
more than one. And all the Favours proud
Hammon could enjoy upon Earth, could not
make him happy, becaufe he could not neglect
the Captives neglect of him; nor could his
1 4
Great-
:
94
The LIFE of the
Greatnefs do him any Good; if one Man only
réſiſted it, and did not bow to it, ſo that we
often repine at God's Providence by miſtake.
Therefore we often Envy the Great and Rich,
as if thoſe Advantages made them as happy,
as they would a Good and Wife Man, when
the Man courts a Favour to make him happy,
which he cannot obtain, fo that is is not what
a Man hath, but what he defires that makes
him happy or otherwife.
And to repreſent further the uncertainty of
Temporal Felicities, as well as the fmall value
we ought to put upon them, fays he, there are
à fort of vain Perfons, who much reſemble
painted Clouds; both being raiſed to fuch a
Station, that makes moft Men think them a-
bove them, being rendered more confpicuous
by the Sunſhine of the Princes Favour, which
though it alters not their frail Natures, yet it
adds a Luftre and Gaudineſs, which attracts the
Eyes, and perhaps the envy and respect of thofe
that admire infignificant Outſides, but further,
as the Clouds Sublimity and Confpicuoufnefs,
makes them not lefs airy and unfolid, they con-
fifting of Vapours, drove about by every Wind;
fo thefe fine People, notwith&tanding their be-
ing exalted, are in themſelves but flight, ha-
ving no intrinfick nor folid weight, but are
guided by their own Lufts and Paffions, or by
Intereſt as fickle and variable as the Wind. And
though the Cloud's feem great and high, and
for fome time darken the Sky, yet they are but
of short continuance, and quickly fall down in
Rain, or are diffipated and vanish; fo thoſe
great Perfons, either defcend by voluntary Hu-
mility
Honourable Robert Boyle.
· 95
mility and Repentance, or make amends for
their paſt uſeleſnefs or Miſchief,by doing good,
or after a while their fplendor vanishes, with-
out leaving behind them the leaft Token of
their Greatneſs. And this happens not only
to Favourites, but Princes themfelves, and is
often occafioned by the fame Power that rai-
fed them.
To fhew further, what a flightOpinion he had
of the feeming profperousConditions of this Life,
and what a true Judgment he made of them,
we ſhall only add this Inftance, fays he, there
are fome Pleaſures andConditions in the World,
which hew well enough at a diftance, and are
not only deſired, but ftir up envy, fo that he
that calmly looks upon them,alone enjoys them,
fince that which at a diftance promifes fatisfa-
Єtion, on a nearer fruition would be far from
appearing fo, and would as little gratify the
Palate, as the Eye, and would be more uneafy
and troublefom than defirable.
the Poor,
And as Mr. Boyle put not too high a value His Ghari
upon Profperity and the Gifts of Fortune; fo table and
neither did he contemn or defpife any one for chriftian
his Poverty, fays he, a Chriftian in this Life Thoughts of
is often in a mean obfcure Condition, always
expofed to Oppreffions and Afflictions, and
thofe that take Notice of him, arc apt to de-
fpife his homely nefs. Thus the Pfalmift complai-
ned, that all the Waves paffed over him, nor are
his Sorrows removed in the Intervals of tem-
pestuous diftreffes. But when Sickneſs or Per-
fecutions have taken away his Life,
tranflated into a higher Region,
and Diſtreſſes will be left behind.
and he is
Afflictions
And when
the
96
The LIFE of the
the Senfual are cloathed with Bodies as loath-
fom as the Mind, and as reftlefs as their Con-
fciences, his Body will acquire Noble Quali-
ties, and the Mortal Part ſhall be ſwallowed up of
Life, that Perfection which is but in part fball be
done away, 2 Cor. 5. 4. and he who was flight-
ed upon Earth, fhall be received into the bleft
Society of Celeſtial Spirits, and be dignifyed
by the Son of God. We are not therefore to
judg of a Chriftians future ftate by the prefent,
fince Mal. 3. 17. it is faid. They shall be mine
in the Day, when I make up.my Special Treaſure,
fo that we may judg of the Chriftian's Condi-
tion, as St. John hath faid of it, We are no
the Sons of God,and it does not yet appear, what we
Shall be, but we know, that when we shall appear
e fhall be like him, 2 John 3. z. which far tranf
cends the most glorious Things here. Thos
Mr. Boyle though he enjoyed a plentiful Eftate
himfelf, was fenfible of the fufferings of his
fellow Creatures here, and knew that one Day
they would appear, before one that would not
flight them, but value them the more, fince
they ferved him more than thofe he had blef-
fed with the fruition of tranfitory and tempo-
ral Goods, and that they would be rewarded
for their Sufferings with more valuable Bene-
fits. He was fo pathetically affected with the
Afflictions of thofe in Adverfity, that like a
good Chriftian, he feemed to be a fellow Suffe-
rer with them ; and as our Saviour was afflicted
for us, and by his Stripes we are healed, and
when Chriftians were perfecuted, cryed out,
Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou me, fo Mr. Bayle
had compaffion on thofe in diftrefs, and not
only
Honourable Robert Boyle.
4
97
only plentifully relieved them, but excited o-
thers to do the fame.
His
How far Mr. Boyle was exemplary in the
Vertue of Charity we have already fhewn; to Thoughts of
what we have there faid, we fhall here add Liberality.
his Thoughts of Liberality, which though it
be a degree above Charity, it exceeded not
the bounds of his, which no doubt was reſtored
to him in that place, where he now reap; the ad-
vantage in a Treafure which cannot corrupt.
His Thoughts of Liberality, he communicates in
Words to this purpoſe, and fays, He who fees
a Liberal Perfon part with Money freely, which
others are fond of, being unacquainted with
the Effects of Faith, and the Promiſes of the
Gospel, may think it folly or profuſeneſs, and
that the Perfon is fallen out with his Money.
But he that confiders the future Proſpect, and
that the Scripture bids the Diſciples, make
themſelves Friends with the uncertain Mammon,
that when we fail, they may receive us into Ever-
lafting Habitations. And further, if he confi-
ders the tranfitory Nature of worldly Poſſeſſi-
ons, their periſhing or ours,being fure to make
a Divorce, and the ineftimable Reward in Hea-
ven, he will conclude this way of parting with
it, the way to preferve it, exchanging it for
Riches he shall never loofe. So that a chari-
table uſe of Wealth, is only parting with what
we cannot long keep; for that which will not
fade, and though we have not them in kind,
yet confidering Riches under the Notion of
Goods, we fhall procure there, what here, they
could never afford us, Happiness.
And
↓
:
"
98
The LIFE of the
And to illuftrate his Thoughts of Liberality,
he elſewhere brings an Inftance of a Fiſherman
throwing a Bait plentifully into a River over
Night; fays he, thoſe that ſaw the Fiſherman
throw his bait into the Water and go away,
might think him very waſtful to bury his Corn,
and throw his Baits to be eat up by the Fiſh,
who would perhaps never come to thank him
for them. But thofe that knew how profitable
it was, would not think it a folly, but a piece
of prudence; for though he caught what he
threw away, yet he was rewarded with things
of more value. Thus though the World may
eſteem'a generous Almsgiver a Fool and a Pro-
digal, becauſe he feems to throw away what
he hath in Poffeffion, without hopes of recove-
ring any Goods of the like Nature; yet thoſe
that confider a future ftate, and the final Iffue
of temporal Things, will commend his Wif
dom for parting with fuch Trifles, for more
permanent Riches. Nor will parting with a
greater or leſs Eſtate alter the Cafe, no more
than parting with greater or lefs grains of
Corn do the Fisherman's; for Heaven is more
ineftimable than the greateſt value we can give
for it, and he who is of more value than all the
World, fays, that fuch as plentifully fow, fhall
likewife reap, and receive proportionable Re-
wards; and as the Fisherman is fure of no great-
er Reward than Fiſhes, for what he there threw
into the Water; a Chriftian Adventurer may
promiſe himſelf an hundred fold in this World,
and Life Everlaſting in the other. And there-
fore as St. Paul fays, if we regard not things
Temporal, but the Invisible Ones which are E-
ternal,
:
Honourably Robert Boyle.
99
ternal, the Exhortation will be both Rational
and Pious, which is after his Difcourfe of a Fu-
ture State thus. Wherefore my beloved Brethren,
be ye stedfaft, immoveable, always abounding in
the Work of the Lord, for as much as ye know, that
your Labour is not in vain in the Lord.
F
And as the Honourable Mr. Boyle thought His
what was liberally layed out in good Acts of Thoughts of
Profufeness
Chriſtianity, was well beftowed, fince what is
given to the Poor is only lent unto the Lord,
who will plentifully repay the Stock with In-
tereft, fo he as much condemned Profufenefs,
which might hinder and obftruct fuch good
Acts, by burying fuch Talents in things unne-
ceffary and extravagantly fuperfluous; fays he,
it is not ſtrange the fair Sex fhould delight in
handfom things about them, fince that Quality
they find admired in themfelves; nor is it dif
commendable, that Perfons of Quality ſhould
have a retiring place neatly adorned, that it
may invite them to be alone, to Read or Me-
ditate, provided thoſe Ornaments are not fo
coftly, as to hinder Charity, or fo gaudy, as
to diſtract Devotion; for the old Serpent hath
not only a variety of Wiles, but fuits them to
the temper of the Perfon he hath to deal with;
and if he cannot eradicate the Inclinations of
Ladies vertuously inclined, from the best part
of Religion, Charity; he will endeavour to
blaſt and render them fruitless, and he thinks
he hath done a great part of his Work, if he
can but hinder them from doing Good, if he
cannot tempt them to do Evil; and encoura-
ges them to lay out fo much in unneceffary Ex-
pences, that it difables them from applying any
confiderable
!
100
The LIFE of the
confiderable part of their Eſtates, to the End
God beſtowed them; for by that time their
Houfe, Clofet, &c. are furnished with the Or-
naments that Vanity and Emulation call for,
they have nothing left for Charity, nor per-
haps for Juſtice, the Creditor being often turn
ed back as well as the Beggar, if not made a
Beggar too by ruinous Delays. And great For-
tunes may be exhauſted by gratifying Ambiti-
on, nothing puting Limits to it, but Difcre-
tion; Cuſtom having not yet regulated that
Vanity.
But most People think this excufable, be-
caufe not forbid in Scripture, and therefore it
cannot be finful, but though theſe fumptuous
Clofets are not unlawful in their own Natures,
vet Circumftances may make them fo, that
being in Effect ill, which hinders us from doing
well; and our Saviour who diſcommended a
Woman for wearing Gold,would never coun
tenance fumptuous Ornaments upon a Wall.
Theſe cannot pray for us, but the Poor may
or cry out against us. Dives in Hell is char-
ged with no other Crimes, but that he faired
Sumptuously and dreffed fine, and neglected
the Poor, and a few fuch rich Closets might
easily be enlarged into an Hofpital. A fmall
part of thefe Superfluities might relieve the
Neceffities of a great many Families, and pur-
chafe Heaven at an ealier Rate than to furnish
a Cloſet. Befides,this Practice goes not with-
out Puniſhment in this World, fince they of
ten live in want in the midſt of Plenty, thefe
trifles cofting fo much, that they are forced
to deny themselves neceffaries or things con-
venient,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
蛋​〇​毫
​venient, for thoſe that are neither; and often
facrifice their innocent Defires to their Vani-
ty. But thoſe that find their Happiness in
making others fo, take more Satisfaction in
feeding hungry Mouths, than idle Eyes. And
he that encourages expenfive ways of Vanity,
is worse to the Poor, than one that destroys
Alms houfes and Hofpitals; and by Example
is uncharitable after Death, and does harm,
when Mifers are wont to do good. To coa-
clude, we ought not to make the Dictates of
Piety, comply with thoſe of Cuſtom, and it is
better to want a fine Cloſet than Charity.
Having thus briefly reprefented, how much His Enco
Mr. Boyle took care to furniſh himſelf with all ragement
thofe Accompliſhments that might become a and Exam.
Chriſtian, and what Notions he had of most ple of In-
of thoſe Vertues which he not only practifed, duftry.
but endeavoured to inftrud others in, we fhall
proceed to that which may be called a Vertue,
which is Induſtry; in this he was an extraor-
dinary Example, as well as, as great an ER-
courager of it; on this Occaſion, he fays, the
wife Man's Council was, Whatever our Hand
finds to do, we ſhould do it with all our Might, &c.
but moft Men endeavour to prolong Life, be-
ing more follicitous to live long than well, and
would not endure the leaft hardship, to do
the greateſt good, and would rather looſe a
hundred Opportunities of ferving God, than
an Hours fleep, with a pretence of regarding
their Health. And thofe jolly People, who ufe
fucceflive Diverſions to avoid ſerious Thoughts,
make their Lives only ufelefs but not immor-
tal. And acute Difeafes, as well as thofe that
are
102
The LIFE of the
C
are contagious, befides Accidents, fhorten fo
many Peoples Days, more than Diligence and
Induſtry deſtroy, by the Duties of Religion or
Curiofity, that we need not fear to uſe our Bo-
dies for the Intereſt of our Souls; for our Sa-
viour faid it was meet to do the Will of God
that fent him, and to accompliſh his Work,
The Trouble of Sweating, Thirst and Undref
fing,are juft recompenced by Eating and Drink-
ing and Sleeping, and to confine an honeft Man
from the Exercife of Vertue, and the Purfuit
of Knowledg, in hopes to lengthen his Life,
is to deſtroy the end and uſe of it; and is all
one, as to offer him a Horfe which he muſt not
ride, or a Perſpective Glaſs with a caution not
to pull it out, left the Air fhould damnify the
Glaffes. It would fcarce be worth a Rational
Souls while, to tend the Body if not allowed
to uſe it. And they who are fo much afraid
of ſpending their Spirits, are worſe than Mi-
fers, both being to be parted with for the Ufes
they were defigned, for the later by their near
nefs may avoid ſpending their Money, but La-
Zinefs will not hinder the Confumption ofTime.
Yet profufenefs in the one, is to be avoided
as well as in the other. But if I had my choice,
whether I ſhould live long and a lazy Life, or
to have my Life Glorious, though in a fhorter
number of Days, I had rather ſpend my Lifet
quickly, than ufelefly; for he that ſhortens his
Life with feeking after Eternity, fooner enters
upon an inexhauftible ſtock of it; whereas
thoſe that would lengthen their Lives by La-
ziness, add to the Number of their Years, ra
ther than the Length of their Days.
On
Honourable Robert Boyle.
103
On this occafion, I fhall add a Reflection
he made on a Theif in a Candle, in the time
of a fit of Sickneſs, which he afterwards re-
covered of, fays he, the dim Light of the Can-
dle being fuddenly increaſed, I perceived it
was occafioned by a Thief, which had wafted
down a great deal of the Tallow, and which
would have ferved the reft fo; had it not been
prevented. Which occafioned me to think,
that though the Thief made the Candle fhine
more brightly, yet fince it made an irregular
wafte, I ordered it to be taken away, which
put me in mind of what Pharoah's forgetful
Butler faid I do remember my Faults this day,Gen.
41.9. for though I could easily abstain from o-
ther kinds of Imtemperance; yet to studying
I have been too indulgent; and though in that
Exerciſe there may be Exceffes, yet fince they
tend to the Improvement of Knowledg, and
the Exercife of Piety,it maybe allowable, if not
commendable, to spend our time in purſuing
fuch ends; for which Reafon, Sickneſs is more
formidable,for diſabling us to learn or teach
than as it is attended with Pain and Danger,
and when it hath hindered me from purſuing
what I defigned,it makes me more uneafy than
what I fuffer. But my Body is fooner weary
than my Mind, and I have been more tired with
Contemplation than with riding Poft. There-
fore,though a Candle is to confume to light o-
thers, yet the Thief would have wafted it too
faſt, and therefore I have thought it conveni-
ent for the future, to favour what ſtrength t
have left, and endeavour to make it fhine lon-
ger, though more dimly, which Abſtinence and
k
"
Self.
1
104
The LIFE of the
His hatred
of Sin.
1
Self-denial will be more difficult, than if Wine
or Women were the Objects of my Delight; but
if I fhould not always perform what I intend,
1 fhall easily excufe my felf, if I a little haften
the End of my Life to attain the Ends of it.
Thus this pious and ftudious Perfon, never
thought he could take too much Pains, to pro-
mote the good of his own Soul, or to enrich
it with noble Endowments, which might ex-
tend the Sphere of his own Knowledg, or ena-
ble him to be uſeful in inſtructing and commnu-
nicating his Diſcoveries to his Fellow Crea-
tures.
Hitherto we have given the Reader a fhort
View of fome Inftances, that argue the great
Progress Mr. Boyle had made in the Study and
Practice of Divinity, and the Exerciſe of thofe
Vertues that might fecure fo good a Chriſtian
Tranquility of Mind here on Earth,and a good
Foundation for certain Hopes of Future Felici-
ty, and the Reward of a well run Courſe, that
Crown of Glory he now enjoys, in a ſtate that
admits of no change but is always continued
in a full Fruition of Eternal Happiness. Ha-
ving therefore endeavoured to repreſent his
Vertues,though not in their true Luftre, which
he alone could illuftrate by his t-ractice of them,
we shall next proceed to fhew his averfion to
Sin,and his hatred to Vice,his great Soul utterly
abhorring any thing that was an Abomination
to that great Lord of Heaven and Earth, and
the great God that made him; the Omnipotent
Author of the Univerfe.
And
Honourable Robert Boyle.
105
"
Divinity 4
And as he had a Hatred and an Averſion to The early
Sin,which is next a kin to the poffeffing of Ver- Study of
tue, the preventing and caution against the ftep to pre-
Growth of Distempers being a kind of Cure, vent viti-
fo he had not only the Seeds of Vertue well´ous Inclina
rooted in his mind, which might prevent the tions.
Enchroachments of Vice, but he furnished o-
thers with the fame Precautions, not only by
inftilling Vertues, but by creating in them an
Averſion to the contrary, endeavouring both
to Prevent and Cure. And First, To prevent
the growth and increaſe of Vice,he recommends
the Early Study of Divinity, the richeſt Or-
naments of Learning and Eloquence,being me-
rited by the Study of Theology. We have be-
fore obferved, how much he urged as well as
purſued the Study of Divinity; and as we there
brought Inftances, to fhew,how careful he was
to lay the Foundation of Vertue; we ſhall now
take Notice,how he applyed the fame as a Bull-
work againſt Vice and Immorality; fays he,
moſt Men are defirous to enjoy as well as leave
a good Name behind them; to which purpoſe,
they take a great deal of Pains to hide and dif
guife their fins, and to convey a good Name
to Poſterity by flattering Epitaphs. Now pi-
ous Perfons, who can write well, may eaſily
gain the Reputation of being Vertuous as well
as Knowing, and will hereafter receive a dou
ble Reward; for they that are Wife, shall shine
as the brightness of the Firmament, andthey that
turn many to Righteousness, as the Stars for ever
and ever. Dan. 12. 3. It is a great Complaint
amongſt Zealous Perfons, that more Wits and
Grandees, pervert God's Gifts to the Service
K 2
of
106
The LIFE of the
of Idols of their own fetting up, like the dege-
nerate Jewish Church, of whom God complains,
that she did not know, that he gave her the Corn
and Wine, and Oyl, and multiplyed her Silver and
her Gold,which they prepared for Baal, Hof. 2. 8..
then imitate David and his Princes, who con-
fecrated their Gold, Silver and pretious Stones,
towards enriching the Temple, 1 Chron. 29.
and perfumed their Offerings with this Acknow.
ledgment. All things come of thee, and thine
ern have we given thee. v. 14. But though a
great many Perfons of Note, and great Wits
think not of that faving, what haft thou that thon
dist not receive, 1 Cor. 4.7. but like the Clouds
obicure thofe Rays that elevate them; yet I
doubt not, but that as feveral Royal Pens have
been employed in examining the Scripture,
and as God made choice of the wifeft, and moſt
learned Perfons in Egypt, to write down,what
he dictated; fo he will one day excite both the
Grandees and Wits, by their Devotion and
Service,to improve the Scriptures, and make a-
mends for the Injuries irreligious Parts and
Greatnefs have done it.
And the carly Study of Divinity would in-
deed easily engage the greateſt Witsjin it's caufe,
and it were to be wished, that witty Writers
were more employed in behalf of Religion,
that their Services might endear it to them;
for Men are as apt to engage themſelves by
the kindness they do, as by thoſe they receive.
And to encourage Men of Parts to employ
their Fens on fo good a Subject as theScriptures.
I shall reprefent, that that Immortality of
Name, which thofe acquire, that write upon
other
Honourable Robert Boyle.
107
J
other Subjects,may be obtained by Divine Ones,
nor can the Subject diminiſh their Fame, cx-
cept in compariſon to a greater Good, Men
looking upon their own Glory as an Acceffion
to God's; nor does it hinder others from prai-
fing the Wit and Eloquence they employ in
the praifing of God; as Beauty was admirable
in Veſtals, and an Excellent Voice may ravish
us with a Pfalm; or as Jewels, which adorn
it, fhone in Aaron's Breaft-plate; for, as Godli-
nefs is profitable unto all things, having the promife
of the Life that now is, and of what is to come, i
Tim. 4. 8. and as the hundred fold new in this
time, is not inconfiftent with the Eternal Life
in the World to come, Mark 10. 30. fo a pious
Writer may at once involve his Name, both in
the Books o Life and Fame, and like holy
David wear a Crown of Lawrel both here,and
hereafter, that unfadingCrown ofGlory, 1 Per.
5. 4.
And though we are fo finful, that we cannot
reliſh any thing that would reclaim us; yet less
Licentious Times will make amends for the O.
miſſions of the Prefent,with Gratitude to them
that conveigh thofe Truths to others, in the
beſt dress they will admit. And though Solo-
mon communicated fo many Songs and Proverbs
as well as the Natures of Animals of feveral
Kinds, and the Hiftory of Plants, from the
Cedar of Libanus even to the Hyfop,that spring-
eth out of the Wall, 1 Kings 31. 32, 33 yet
thofe Treatifes defigned for the Inftruction of
the Church remain, though the other are loft.
And as the Manna, the Ifraelites gathered for
Domeſtick Ufes, remained not good for above a
k 3
Day
108
The LIFE of the
<i
Day or two, yet that which was laid in the
Sanctuary to perpetuate it, lafted whole Ages
uncorrupted; fo thofe Books, which only ferve
our private Intereft or Fame feldom live long;
whereas thofe built for the Honour of God, are
more laſting and durable. And thofe unelo-
quent Expofitions of the Antient Jews, that
have continued for fo many Ages, only for the
fake of the Subject, give us Reafon to know,
that theScripture makes the Names of thofe that
illuftrate it as immortal as it felf. And fuch an
Employment according to the Pfalmift, I have
more understanding than all my Teachers, becaufe
thy Teftimony is my Meditation, Pfalm. 119. 99.
invites God to encreaſe our Parts, as he that
had moft Talents committed to him,as a reward
for his fervice improving of them, was intru-
fted with more, Mat. 25. 28. And he who en-
tertained our Saviour with a few Cups of Wine,
had Veffels of Water turned into Wine, John
2. 10. And certainly great Wits, when they in-
cline themſelves to write Divinity, improve
thofe Subjects, fo capable of Improvement,
and a little time Signalizes their Pens, being al-
ready furniſhed with the requifites of Good
Writers; fo that they need but apply their
Knowledg and Eloquence to make them han-
dle Divine Subjects Elaborately. Thus Hiram
ufed the skill he had learned in Tyre fuccefsful-
ly, in building and adorning the Temple of
God, 1 Kings 7. 13, 14. &c. Aud Fepthah
fhewed his Courage and Art, which raiſed his
Name in the Land of Tob, in defending the
Cauſe and Victoriously defeating the Enemies
of God, Judg, 11. And the Primitive Times fur-
nih
Honourable Robert Boyle.
109
niſh us with ſeveral Inftances of this; as the
Productions of the Stupendious Wit, St. Auftin
in an unregenerated State, when he was con-
verted to the Catholick Faith and Pie-
ty.
And as the Honourable Author thus endea- The Satif-
voured to promote Piety, and encouraged o- faction in
thers to it, that they might be the better able doing well.
to oppofe Vice; fo as a further Encourage-
ment, he propofes the Advantages and Satis-
faction in doing well;and tells us,that we ought
not only to do well our Selves, but that it is
our Duty to do and practiſe what we teach o-
thers; fays he, there is a difference betwixt
writing fineCharacters ofVertue, and Poffeffing
of it, and it would be ridiculous for a Painter
to think himfelf handſom,becauſe he can draw
Faces fo; and it would be the fame to be proud
of devout Compofures, and to phancy our
felves Maſters of Piety, becauſe we could make
others in Love with it. The Devil will let us
write well; if we will forbear doing well. Our
Wars againſt Vice, are much like Alexander's,
not out of Anger, but Glory, and we often
ufe the Enemy with more Curtefy when Con-
quered, than thofe for whofe fakes we Conque-
red, and Vanity, as often as Zeal moves us to
oppofe Vice, and if we are Proud of it, we
do but like Witches, when they turn Exor-
cifts, joyn with Satan to caft out the De-
vil.
To which he adds, that it happens to us in
this Cafe,as it did once toGideon, Jud. 8.24, 25.
who with the Spoils of God and Ifrael made
an Idol, which in the end was his, and his
k 4
Houſe's
:
1
The LIFE of the
!
Houfe's Snare. It was Inftructive and a Divine
Admonition our Saviour gave his Apoſtles,
when they told him, their Power of cafting out
Devils, Natwithstanding in this rejoyce not, that
Spirits are Subject to you, but rather rejoyce, that
your Names are written in Heaven, and though
Judas had this Power, yet afterwards, Satan en-
tered into Judas, and it had been good for him,that
be had never been born. And though as Solomon
tells us, he that winneth Souls is wife, yet he that
does as he teaches,fhall be called great in the King-
dom of Heaven, Mat. 5. 19. and we are told,
many in the laft Day will plead,that in his Name
they have not only Prophefyed or Preached, but caft
out Devils, Mat. 7. 22, 23. and yet they may
do many Wonderful Works, yet be Workers of Ini-
quity. A true Chriſtian ſhould always be wil-
ling to communicate uſeful Discoveries, and
fhould confider the beſt Notions he can frame
of Vertue, more as Engagements to it, than as
Arguments of it, and in Devout Inftructions,
Charity ought to begin at home; ſo that he
ought to make himſelf a Votary, as well as an
Advocate for Piety. And as the Wife Men in-
formed thoſe at Jerufalem of the Star in the
Eaft, and followed it themselves till it came to
Chriſt, ſo to get a Title to our Saviour. AGood
Man out of the Good Treasure of his Heart,brings
forth Good Things, Luke 6.49. his Celebrations
of Vertue being taken from his Experience, as
Nurfes feed themfelves to Nourish their Infants,
giving nothing to them, which hath not firſt
been digefted in their own Breaſt, left whilſt he
Preaches to others, himself becomes a cast a-
Way.
And
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
III
7
to Preach.
And as he reprefents it the Duty of thofe What Do
that teach others, that they should practice trin Tea-
chers ought
the fame themſelves, and not only teach by
Precepts, but alſo by good Example; fo he
likewife gives us his Opinion after what man-
ner Teachers ought to communicate that Spi-
ritual Food, which they have firſt reduced to
Practice. And first, He thought it the Duty
of Preachers, to communicate the Word of
God to their Hearers, fincerely, and in the
genuin and true Senfe of the Gospel, without
wreſting it to their own Opinions or wild Fan-
cies, making the Scriptures fay, what they
think or imagin, fo that fome feem to teach
their Auditory a Syftem of their ownInvention,
rather than the Doctrin of Jefus Chrift; fays he,
as the Moon communicates to the Earth Light,
which the receives from the Sun, fo the Mi-
niſters of the Gospel communicate Light to
the reſt of Mankind, which they received from
the Son of Righteoufnefs. And as the Moon
fhines with no other Light, than what is affor-
ded by the true Sun, fo the true Preachers mix
not their own Inventions or Human Traditi-
ons, with the fincere Light of Revelation, it
being the ſafeſt for the Church; it being re-
quifite Chriftians should receive the true Bread
of Life, as the Jews did the Material Bread;
as Chrift, Mat. 15. 36. firſt brake the Bread,
which his Difciples afterwards gave to the
People, fo that they might fay, with St. Paul,
1 Cor. 11. 3. I have received of the Lord, thas
which I delivered unto thee.
And to confirm his Opinion in this refpect,
as well as to ſhew all Difputes and Niceties are
of ill Confequence, he elſewhere fays, Intere-
fted
112
The LIFE of the
ſted Perſons, and Byaffed Judgments,reft Texts
of Scripture to countenance their Prejudices,
though they make thofe Texts difagree with
one another, to make them comply with their
partial Interpretations. So that ſome things
hard to be understood in St. Paul's Epiftles,
and other parts of Scripture, are faid by St.
Peter, by the unlearned and unſtable wrested to
their own Destruction. When Words are taken
in their obvious Acceptation, except the Con-
text fhews Reafon to the contrary, they are
cafily underſtood, but when prejudiced Wits
make an Author fpeak their Senfe inſtead of his
own, and confidering the different Acceptati-
ons of Words and Phrafes, make ufe of that
which beſt ſerves their Turn, and becauſe it
hath fuch aSignification in other Places, it muft
have the fame in this, he muſt be very Cauti-
ous, that prevents his Words from being ta-
ken in a different Senfe from his own.
our Laws which were defigned to prevent ftrife,
and are expreffed in plain Words, are fo per-
verted by fome Wits, that private Mens Cafes
are not only puzled, but Princes and Subjects
vary, and kill and execute one another. And
thus in Scripture, we often impute our own
faults and deficiences to it; but the best way
to prevent this is, not to quarrel about Nice-
ties, fince anſwering their Objections convin
ces them not of their Incredulity; and by ju-
ſtifying the Truth of the Scriptures, we only
fhew our Reverence to them, without making
them the better for it; but the only way is
to affert the Truth of the Scriptures, as of Di-
vine Origin, which gives Men reaſon to imputé
their Scruples to their own Miſtakes, as when
Thus
our
Honourable Robert Boyic.
113
our Saviour uttered a dark Saying, which puz-
led his Difciples, they did not forfake him,but
St. Peter in the Name of the rest fays, Thou
haft the Words of Eternal Life, and we believe,
and are fure, that thou art the Chrift, the Son of
the Living God, John 6. 60, 66, 68, 69. where
one comprehenfive Truth was fufficient to fi-
lence particular Scruples.
And to fhew us, that the Scripture ought to
be the chief Guide and Inftructor of our Lives.
and Converſation, and the Rules of our Acti-
ons, without the Gloffes and falfe Lights im-
pofed upon us by Men; he tells us, that as the
moſt elevated Subjects, are fuch as have God
for their Object; fo no Book can tell us better,
the Nature and Thoughts of God, than the Bi-
ble; nay, no other Book can tell us any thing
of fome of thofe fublime Subjects, except the
Bible. But fince fome prefer other Books in
reference to a good Life, we are to confider,
that there are other things requifite to make a
Man live well, than to tell them what to do,
and how they ought to do it, it being requifite
in order to live a good Life, that we overcome.
our Appetites and Inclinations; befides Perfe-
verance is attended with Hardships and Dan-
gers; fo thar good Precepts only are not fuffi-
cient to engage a Man to a good Life, which
inclines them not to conform to Precepts, that
are good, but only ferve to make them believe
them fo. But it is much more valuable,to give
as the Scripture does, the most prevalent Mo-
tives of Piety and Vertue, and Diffwafives from
Vice, and Promifes of Rewards and Punish-
ments according to our Actions. Now as the
Bible is furniſhed with good Precepts, and alfo
thof
*
114
The LIFE of the
thofe ftronger Motives, which no Book can do,
that is not divinely inspired; ſo we have no
Reaſon to believe meer Man, fo much as God
himſelf, what he promiſes or threatens depend-
ing on his free Will, which cannot be known.
without Revelation, which is contained in no
other Book but the Bible. And therefore St.
Paul might well afcribe to our Saviour, That
he had brought Life, and Immortality to Life thro'
the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10. And as Hope is the
greateſt Motive to engage Men in a vertuous
Life, St. Peter ſays, a Chriſtian Hope depends
on a Revealed Truth, and thanks God, who ac-
cording to his abundant Mercy, begot us to lively
Hope, by the Refurrection of Jefus Chrift from the
dead, 1 Pet. 1. 9. And what hopes, through
the Influence the Scripture gives us of the
Knowledg of God and Chrift, we may have of
a good Life, and through the Promifes, which
none but he can make, or thofe that he fent,
will appear from the fame Apoſtle, who fays,
that God, according to his Divine Power gives
unto us all things that pertain to Life and Godli-
nefs, through the Knowledg of him that hath called
us to Glory and Vertue, 2 Pet. 1. 2, 3, 4. and
he after tells us of being made Partakers of the
Divine Nature, efcaping the Corruption that is in
the World through Luft, by thofe Promiſes God
hath made us. Whence it appears, that as the
Scripture is the rule and guide of our Actions,
it is fufficient for us to be taught,what is there
contained; and that the true fenfe of the Scrip-
ture is what we ought to learn and that we
ought not to be mifguided, by the Notions and
Phancies of thofe that wreft the Scripture from
it's proper Senfe.
:
And
Honourable Robert Boyle.
115
And as it is a fault in fome Preachers to ſtart
Controverfies, and difpute againſt frivolous
Niceties, which rather in effect countenance
infignificant Errors, which would otherwise
not be taken Notice of, to fhew his diflike of
fuch Proceedings, he makes this Reflection, on
the fight of a Kite in a windy Day, fays he, if
the Air was Calm, this Kite would be unre-
garded, but being raised by contrary Winds,
makes it foar fo high, that it attracts our Eyes
as well as the Boys, and fometimes mounts out
of fight. Which may fhew us a reſemblance of
the Errors about Religion, when maintaind by
Men refolute and vicelefs; for fome of their
Conceits are ſo fond and groundleſs, that they
would foon vanith of themſelves, if they did
not meet with a too early Oppofition. And
as Kites diſregarded in a Calm, are elevated
with contrary Winds, fo erroneous Opinions
would foon be difregarded if not oppofed.
But to reprefent further, what Mr. Boyle hath
faid on other Occaſions in refpect of Preach-
ing, he fays, When a Learned and Eloquent
as well as Pious Perfon is diftributing Sermons,
where the Productions of the Tongue or Pen
are adorned with the advantages of Learning
and Wit,I ſhall not blame his expence of Time,
whether employed in fpeculative Notions in
Theology, or on critical Enquiries into Ab-
folete Rites or Difputable Etymologies, or
Rhetorical Flourishes of Language, or any
thing elſe,that hath not a Tendency directly to
promote Piety or kindle Devotion; for as
Man is fubject to feveral Wants, and is fur-
niſhed with allowable Appetites, and feveral
Faculties
116
The LIFE of the
Faculties and Abilities to gratify them; fo the
Pen may be uſually employed to teach Theo-
logical Truths or excite Zeal. Nay further,
Wife Men may profecute the fame defign,
without doing it all the fame way, and not-
withſtanding the particular difference of their
Methods, they may have the fame aim, and
proceed in a rational way. Therefore if a
Man ftudiouſly profecutes, and fpends his
Time in florid Compofures, I cannot be
forwards in cenfuring him as an Effeminate or
Uſeleſs Writer; for pious and laudable ways
may be fo differently promoted, by removing
Objections or other Impediments, that there
may be a Rational Defign, offeforming with
thoſe things that delight a nicer fort of Rea-
ders, not regarding any thing, unleſs well fet
out with Flowers of Rhetorick.
But as Rhetorick and fine Expreffions have
their Advantages; fo they are not without
their Difadvantages, both in refpect of the
Preacher and the Hearer. To communicate his
Opinion in this Reſpect, Mr. Boyle makes theſe
Reflections on a Looking-Glaſs, that had a
very fine Frame; fays he, the Frame of this
Glaſs is ſo curious, that it is fufficient to invite
both our Admiration and Curioſity; and for a
much like Reaſon, I admire or at leaſt approve
Eloquence in Sermons; for as this Glafs in a
common Frame would not have invited us to
confult it; ſo a Sermon by fome may be difre-
garded,though it'sSubftance beExcellent,and as
the Workmanſhip of the Glafs attracts our Eyes,
though it fhews us not our Face, fo Wit and
fine Language, though they be no Effential
Part
Honourable Robert Boyle.
117
Part of a Sermon, often invite Men to hear or
read it. And as the Frame at once attracts and
pleaſes the Eye, without reprefenting the Be-
holders Face; fo fine Expreffions are not able
to reprefent the hearers Condition, nor fhew
him,what is otherwiſe than it ſhould be, which
is the uſe of a Looking-Glafs; therefore as a
Man will not judg of the Goodneſs of a Glafs,
by the fineness of theFrame,but by repreſenting
his Face, and will not think the worſe of it,
for fhewing his Blemishes; fo a wife Chriftian
will not judg of a Sermon by the Language,
but the Divinity, and will not think the worſe
of it, for fhewing him his Errors. And as a
gaudy Frame often attractsChrildrens Eyes,and
makes them regardless of any thing elfe, and
even the moſt uſeful Part of it; fo too much
Rhetorick makes fome Men, take no Notice of
the more inſtructive Part of the Diſcourſe;
and the Witty Part are fo much more used to
judg of Sermons than themſelves, that they
uſe them only, as if a Man fhould only praife
the Frame, without caring to make uſe of the
Glaſs it ſelf, to mend any of his Faults. Thus
thoſe Wits only nfe Sermons to applaud the
Expreffions or Contrivance without regarding
the Doctrin. And it is too often, like People,like
Prieft;fome taking more pains to maketheir Hea
rers fuck,than to reform them,takingmore care
to make their Expreffions thanHearers Good,ra-
ther coveting they ſhould applaud their Preach-
er than condemn themfelves,being better plea-
fed with their Praifes than to hear their Sighs,
and chufing rather to tickle their Ears, than
to fting their Confciences, fuch may invert St.
Paul's
118
The LIFE of the
Remiſsueſs
Detrimen-
and Vertue.
Paul's Saying, that he Preaches not Chrift Cruci-
fied, but himſelf, and if he declaims againſt
Vice, it is fuch affected Anger, that he fences
with Sin rather than feeks to deſtroy it, exerci
fing his skill, rather than hatred, being more
follicitous to be an Orator than a Divine. A-
gain,he is more concerned to remember his own
Sermons, than that his Hearers hould. In fuch
Sermons little is fpoke from the Heart, or effect
thofe of the Hearers, both fides beeing agreed
to deceive themſelves, fo that inftead of aiming
at the Converfion of Sinners, the Minifter
thinks he hath done his Part, when he hath
fhewn his Wit, and the Hearer his, when he
hath commended it.
Having thus given Mr. Boyle's Opinion of
in Hearers fome Errors in Preaching, we fhall in the next
salto Piety place,reprefent fome Paffages,in which he con
demns the remifsnefs of Hearers. Their Neg-
left hath been in fome Meaſure taken Notice of
in the foregoing Paragraph; to which we fhall
add, what he hath elſewhere obſerved in his oc-
cafional Reflections, fays he, as the Moon re-
preſents the Duty of a Preacher, fo it may of
aHearer;for as it would be ingrateful in refpect
of the Author, not to make uſe of the Light of
the Sun by the Moon, or to think her uſeleſs,
becauſe ſhe communicates not heat as well as
light,fo it would be ungrateful for us not to ac-
knowledg as Hearers, or to be guided by the
Confpicuous Endowments of Learning and Elo,
quence of Scholars, though they were but il-
luftrated and warmed by the Beams they reflect.
And therefore as Oyfters and other fhell Fifh
thrive at the Increaſe of the Moon, though
her
Honourable Robert Boyle.
.
119
her Light hath no heat to attend it, and tho'
ſhe is not without fpots at the full; fo devout
Hearers will receive Inftructions from thoſe
Preachers whofe Illuminations have neither
Zeal nor Charity, and whoſe greateſt Luftre is
not free from ſpots and blemishes. And as the
Moon by Similitudes may fet forth the Vertues
and Vices of the Mind, fo it may give us anEm-
blem of our Condition; for as the Moon fome-
times is Eclipſed,and undergoes feveral Chan-
ges,and at the full is never free from dark ſpots;
fo Men's minds are partly in the dark, and
partly in the light, being more or lefs illuftra-
ted with Heavenly Rays of Light, and Joy,and
not only fome times dejected byDifconfolation,
but at the beſt know but in Part, and are part-
ly blemiſhed by their Native Imperfecti-
ons.
But to manifeſt Mr. Boyle's Opinion further
in relation to the Duty of Hearers, we ſhall
take Notice, that elſewhere he obferves, that
many a Pions Perfon, who is careful to attend
upon God's Ordinances, and to place himfelf
near them, is apt to be Difcouraged from pur-
fuing thoſe Duties by confidering how little he
remembers of what he hears, and is inclined
therefore to think, that he ſhall receive as little
benefit for the future. But though it be a fault
or unhappineſs to looſe ſo much of ſo pretions
a Doctrin as that of Salvation, yet it is lefs
mischievous to forget Sermons, than to forfake
the hearing of them; the one being occafioned
by a weak Memory, and the other by a de-
praved Will perverted by Laziness,Impatience
or fome other Fault. It would be as reafonable
for
120
The LIFE of the
for one that grows not fat with eating and
drinking in aDyſfentery or aConſumption,to re-
nounce doing fo. But Pious and Melancholly
Perfons are too partial to be Judges againſt
themſelves of their own State, being not fo
apt to forget any thing,as that Charity begins
at home; but they may remember,that Ground
that is equally good is not fo fruitful, feme
bringing forth an Hundred, fome Sixty, and
fome Thirty Fold, and yet all of them are e-
ſtéemed Good; and as bad Men that have loſt
their Senfes, feldom complain of the want of
them; fo thofe that are void of Grace, feldom
are forry, for their weakness. It is no fign of
Piety to deplore their want of Proficiency.
Preaching I fear is oftner a Death unto Death
than Life unto Life; yet though it aggravates
thofe fins committed in defiance of it, it may
prevent a great many, and he that is often put
in mind of God, Heaven and Hell,and his Duty,
will have his Confcience in a better ftate, than
he who never is told of fuch things. And if
we compare a defponding Chriftian with one
that Ayes from Inftructions, we fhall have Rea-
fon to Conclude, that Preaching may be gra-
dually Inftructive, as the Moiſture of a River
gradually imparts it's Fertility, to the Land by
unperceived Paffages: for though a great deal
runs by, yet fome will ſtay by the way, which
we may difcern by the Effects: For remember-
ing moſt does not always make Sermons do the
moft good, Water in a Pond making theBoar-
ders not the Bottom Fertile, and a Sermon does
more good by affecting the Underſtanding and
the Affections, than the Memory, and if we
frequent
Honourable Robert Boyle.
121
frequent God's Ordinances with fincere Inten-
tions, Defpondents may not be Non-proficients;
and though theSeeds of Regeneration grew not
haftily, yet by Degrees they may come to Ma-
turity. To Conclude, if a Sermon makes a
Man Good, or keeps him fo, the Effects are
not to be eſtimated by what we remember, but
by our Good Refolves. And as one having ba-
thed himſelf in a River,took Notice,that though
the greateſt Part of the River run past him,
without doing any Good; and though when he
went out of it, he carried very little with him,
yet whilſt he was in it, the ſtream waſhed away
the foulneſs of his skin; And likewife, both
cooled his intemperate heat which made him
faint,and helped him to a good Stomach, which
continued fome time after. Thus a Sermon,
though it hath not afforded me the Advantages,
that others might make of it,and though when
I went away, I found that I remembred but
little of it, yet it had that Effect upon my
Mind, to move away a great many Impurities;
beſides I found that fuch Sermons allayed the
Inordinate heats of my deſires, which Tempta-
tions excited, refreſhing my Spirits, and raiſed
my Appetite to the Means of Grace, which
are the true Aliments of Piety. And though
Sermons do not do me all theGood they might;
yet I dare not forfake them, though I forget
them, fiace it is fome good to make a Man bet-
ter than he was, and to create a Diſpoſition
towards being better.
But to manifeſt Mr. Boyle's Thoughts both
of Preachers and their Hearers, a little further
he fays, in another place, and upon another
occafion.
1 2
1
3
1
122
The LIFE of the
4
occafion. Many Good Men, are not fo well
inclined as they ought to be, to admit the Pre-
cepts of Vertue; when thofe that teach them
do not Practiſe what they teach. Aud few are
willing to take advice from one, who does not
follow it himſelf. And fome will ſcarce read
a Book except it comes from the Hand of an
Angel,like that of St. John in the Apocalyſe; but
it would be much to the Injury of Scriptures
and Reafon, if Perfonal Faults fhould hinder
them from doing good. And fince the Gof
pel according to the Etymology of the Word,
fignifyes it's being welcom News, and it is
a pitty thofe that teach it should not anſwer Da-
vid's Character of Achimaaz, he is a Good Man
and brings Good Things. But there is noReaſon,
Truth fhould lofe it's Efteem for the Faults of
the Propofer: when Noah rofe from his Wine
and Prophefied, the Event anfwered his Pre-
dictions. Our saviours Inftructing his Difti.
ples, about the Scribes and Pharifees, who fate
in Mofes his Chair, ordered them to conform to
their Doctrin but not imitate their Example;
and the Wife Men found Chrift at Bethlehem,
though the Priests and Pharifees did not go along
with them. And the Prophets Prefcription,
though conveyed by Gehazi cured the Affyrian
General of his Leprofy, who by his unworthy
Carriage in that Matter, tranſplanted that
Distemper to himſelf and his Pofterity. We
are therefore to Confider Sermons more than
Preachers; for as in a Burning-Glafs the Sua
Beams, only illuftrate, but do not heat in their
paffage, yet kindle Subjects duly diſpoſed; fo
Truths which do but enlighten the Preacher,
may
Honourable Robert Boyle.
143
may inflame the Hearer, and kindle the Love
of God; and as Perfumes fet on Fire by a burn-
ing-glafs are as Odoriferous,as if fired by a bur
ning Coal; fo Devotion kindled by an inde-
vout Preacher is as acceptable to God, as if o.
therwife. And what is faid in Kings of Elifba's
Bones contains a greater Miracle in the Hiftori-
cal than in the Allegorical Sence, it being no
fuch Wonder in that Sence for a Dead Prophet
to raiſe a Man to Life.
Thus we have briefly repreſented Mr. Boyle's
Opinion, both in Preaching and Hearing;
and indeed if Preachers were more zealous in
teaching Chriſtians their Duty, and fhew-
ing them the Paths of Vertue, and Hearers
were as diligent to learn;ifMinifers were more
Examplary in their Lives and Converfations,
and their Hearers as willing to follow good Ex
amples, the Growth and Practice of Chriftiani-
ty would not only make the World a great
deal better, but would prevent the fpreading
of Immorality, Prophanenefs and Atheism,
which hath, by fuch neglects, gained too much
Ground in the World, and as Mr. Boyle ob-
ferves, if the Rules of Chriftianity were as
much made the Subject of Sermons as thofe of
Rhetorick, and they took but as much Pains to
fhew themſelves Chriftians as Orators, and to
communicate Precepts of Vertue as Specimens
of their Wit and Learning, the Seeds of Piety
would be fo thick ſpread, that there would be
no room for thofe of Vice. But we speak not
this in General Terms, as if all Men were fo
full of Vanity or Negligent of their Duty:
God forbid, a Number of pious Paftors and
1 3
Practical
:
12.4
The LIFE of the
His
pany.
Practical Teachers fhould not make amends for
theFaults of thofe that lead their Sheep aftray,
and through Laberinths ofNotional aery Paths,
inſtead of the folid Fundamental way to Hea-
ven.
:
But fince the Vanity and ſelfOpinion of fome
Teachers as well as Hearers may thus neglect
the true Wiſdom, which teaches the way to
Salvation, and their Wiſdom is like Adam's,
who eat the forbidden Fruit, and was wife to
his own Deſtruction as well as that ofMankind,
we thought fit to reprefent, in this place,what
the Honourable Mr. Boyle hath faid on that
occafion. And fince the want of Good Prin-
ciples, and the folid Rules of Vertue and Mo-
rality, may occafion Men to give way to thoſe
Pernicious Seeds of Atheiſm and Immorality,
which are deftructive to a great many, and
Prevent the growth of Piety and Religion, we
ſhall in the next place proceed to thoſe other
Prejudices, which may encourage Men in thoſe
grofs Miſtakes. And fince, next to the neg-
lect in Teaching and Hearing, which might
lay a Good Foundation, Evil Communications
may corrupt Good Manners, or fupplant them;
we shall reprefent what the Honourable Mr.
Boyle thought of the ill Effects of Bad Compa-
ny, ill Examples and Converſation,
■
And as the want of Learning what isGood,
Thoughts of is a kind of giving way to what is ill; fo the
Bad Com later may eafily take place, where a Perfon is
not prepoſſeſſed with the former, and nothing
can fooner encourage ill, than bad Example
and Evil Communications. What Mr. Boyle
thought of Bad Company will appear from
fóme
Honourable Robert Boyle.
125
fome Paffages, which are worthy our Obſerva-
tion. Obferving then the Difpofition of the
Loadſtone to attact Iron, and the Inclination
of the later to be attracted to the former; he
fays, it might give us good Directions in the
choice of Company, a thing of much
Importance; for as it is a good Direction to
know, whether a Man be bid or good, wife
or fooliſh, fo it is a good way to make him fo;
Converfation difpofing our Minds & Manners to
a refémblance with thoſe we converſe with,moft
Men complying with Cuſtoms and Faſhions in
thoſe we eſteem or would be esteemed by. Yet
there is a great deal of difference betwixt keep-
ing Company with fome Men, and making it
our choice to do fo; for when the Exigency of
our Calling obliges us to bad Company, this
may be an Infelicity without a fault,but it muſt
be a great one to chufe fuch Company, and to
prefer it before that of Good and Wife Men;
the proper ufe of Converfation being to
improve our time not only to paſs it a-
way.
But further he ſays, many of thoſe who are
commonly called Good Company, either per-
Iwade or divert us from Good things, and it
is eſteemed Indiſcretion to ſay any thing, that
may enrich our Understandings, or awaken
our Confciences. Yet it ought not to be the
buſineſs of Converfation to promote Idlenefs
and Vice; for if'twere well employed,it might
be made an Inftrument of Piety and Knowledg
and be as ufeful as pleaſant. But before this
can be, the Method muſt be quite altered, Ver-
tue and Serioufnefs being commonly derided,
and
1 4
7
126
The LIFE of the
ཀ
and any thing contrary to Piety or Reaſon, in
jeft or railery is applauded; and in civiller
Sorts of Company the Paffages are ſcarce worth
remembering, any thing grave being looked
upon as Indiſcretion; fo that in the innocenteſt
fort of Company we only lofe our time. And
indeed when I think of idle Company, it puts
me in mind of Hermits, who chufe a Solitary
Life, that Converfation may not diſturb their
devout Thoughts, or diſcountenance the En-
tertainment of Good Ones. And if Civility
were not a Vertue, and Hofpitality in fome Ca-
fes a Duty, I ſhould take little delight in fome
kind of Entertainments, theCeremonies and in-
fignificant Converfation being likeParents play-
ing with their Children; and though it may
be juſtifiable to do fo,to ſtill aChild,or keep him
from harm; fo the Duty of Civility juftifyes
fuch Converfation, though the Expreffions con-
fidered feem much below a Man, who is fitted
with the uſe of his Reafon, or those whom Re-
ligion hath given the hopes of Heaven.
But further, fays Mr. Boyle, though we
ought to keep good Company, to acquire Ver-
tue or Knowledg, Chriftianity teaches us, that
we were not Born for our felves, and therefore
we ought to converfe with others, that they
may learn and fee, how much the Goodnefs of
God hath made them different from other Men,
and though our Converfation does not pre-
fently reform fuch, yet it may not be altoge-
ther ineffectual; for the Seeds of Vertue may
a long while lye Dead, yet at laft may Flouriſh
and Fructify; fo that your Converſation may
haye a good though not a confpicuous Effect.
As
Honourable Robert Boyle.
127
As a Man may be hindered from making fo
much hafte to Hell. So old People may be re-
lieved by Cordials, though not perfectly cured.
In this Mr. Boyle was fo good a Chriftian, that
his Advice is according to our Saviours Exam-
ple, who kept Company with Publicans and
Sinners, and though he was called a Wine Bib-
ber, and a Friend of Publicans and Sinners,yet
he valued not thofe Reproaches, whilst he was
doing the Work of his Father that fent him,
and converted sinners by his good Example and
Converfation.
But to proceed, to what Mr. Boyle fays fur-
ther on this occafion, It may not be a little
ferviceable for a Man of Piety and Parts, to
ſpeak of Religion amongſt thofe that deride it,
and to make their Confcience a Witneſs of God
and good Things; to let them fee, the Beauty
of a pious and good Life,and to let them know,
he deſpiſes thofe Vanities they doat on, living
contentedly without their finful Jollities; and
to let them know, that amongſt bad Men, a
vertuous Life is neither impracticable, nor a
Melancholly one. Our Saviour by converfing
with Publicans and Sinners, gained the Hearts
and reformed the Lives of thofe he conyerfed
with; and though Men of Vertue and fetled
Parts, may make a good uſe of bad Company,
yet for others to be often in fuch Company, is
not only an Infelicity but a Fault. For gene-
rally speaking, there are three forts of Com-
pany; One which can neither improve, nor
will be improved themſelves; Others both a-
ble to learn and to inſtruct; And others though
unable to inftruct, are willing to learn. I fhall
therefore
1
128
The LIFE of the
aherefore moſt chearfully ſeek fuch Company,
as may impart to me Vertue and Knowledg;
nor fhall I refuſe the Company of those who are
forward to learn, and ſtand in need of it; but
thoſe who can neither teach me good, nor are
willing to learn, though their Company may
court the Eyes, and though I may accidentally
happen into their Company, yet I fhall not
willingly chufe it.
But as good Company may have a good Effect
amongſt bad,ſo Mr. Boyle elſewhere reprefents
the danger of bad Company; fays he, when a
good Man firſt falls into prophane or vitious
Company,his Zeal inſtead of being overpowred
by fuch Oppoſition,is excited,being more likely
to warm the Devotion of others, than looſe any
himſelf, but when he is frequently furrounded
with fuch Company, he will too often both
loofe his own Fervency, as well as the Power
of communicating it, and will at the laft live
quietly with them,and fhew as little Religion as
they,that which at the firft exasperated them be-
coming familiar, and not at all moving them.
To prevent further the ill confequences of
bad Company, he tells us, that we often think
of Atheiſtical Suggeſtions and Luftful Fancies,
without defign to purfue them, or to quit Re-
ligion and Chaſtity, thinking to fortify our
felves againſt them, by difcerning their formi-
dableness; and yet the Nature of Atheiſm and
Luft are ſo pernitious,that they turn ourBrains,
and without the Interpofition of Providence &
Chriſtian Prudence, we might fall into them,
and be devoured by the greatnefs of the Dan-
ger we were confidering. It is dangerous to
parley
Honourable Robert Boyle.
129
parley with fuch Enemies, though we defign
to strengthen our Averfion,and is as dangerous,
though not fo fatal, as to hold Intelligence with
our Enemies. Indeed the Deformity of theſe
Sins is fuch, that it cannot at once be diſcer-
ned, but the Discovery is more dangerous than
neceffary; a fmall Knowledg of them being
fufficient to make us abhor them. And fince
thoſe Deformities which are lefs obvious, are
dangerous to be pryed into, we ought to be
cautious, how we learn more of them than is
neceſſary to make us hate them, fince thofe that
are frightned with the recent Marks of the
fmall Pox, may catch the Difeafe with that
fight.
C12.
Flis
Thus much being faid to give a brief though
faint Idea of Mr. Boyle's Notion of the Effects Thoughts of
of Company, we fhall in the next place repre- Converfati
fent, what he fays of Converſation, which he
lays down by way of Reflection, on a Friend
difcourfing with an Eccho, fays he, one of the
Company diverting himself with an Eccho, a-
nother told him, that he fhould not like fuch
Company as talked indifferently with any Bo-
dy,that would talk to her, and make noiſe e-
nough; for thoſe who are fo eafy in admitting
all kind of Company, provided Men have bold-
nefs enough to intrude themſelves, are expofed
to one of the greateſt hardſhips, which does
more Miſchief than moſt Men are aware of, for
it does not only keep Fools in Countenance,but
encourages them to be troubleſom to Wife Men.
Some fort of Pratlers fill their Difcourfe with
Noiſe inſtead of Sence, and becauſe Men give
çar
car to their Impertinences, they think them
none;
·
•
•
130
The LIFE of the
2.
none; and Confidence and Wit are fo hard to
be diſtinguiſhed by fome, that they will eaſily
answer any Body that will talk loud enough.
Which hazard of Patience and lofs of Time, en-
courages others to multiply idle Words; fo
that by Cuftom, Civility is made a Duty, and
Vertue acceffary to a Fault. And though fuch
Talkative People are worfe Grievances, and
rob us of our Time, than thofe which Judges
condemn for petty Thefts, a little Money be-
ing leſs valuable than that Time which it can-
not purchaſe; yet thoſe Lords and Ladies who
thus fpend it, deferve it; for if their Minds
were fuitable to their Qualities, they might
easily banish fuch Converfation, and live at
quiet, advancing the Reputation of their own
Judgment, without injuring that of their Ci-
vility; for when this fault is committed, their
Quality makes it the more confpicuous; for
no doubt fewer will be found ftudious to ex-
prefs Wit and Vertue, when they fee, that
empty impertinent Prattle with Confidence and
Loudness, obtains as good a Reception as Ra-
tional Difcourfe. And indeed, that tyrannous
thing called Civility, hath been fo prejudicial
to Reaſon and Piety in Converſation, that if
never fo many be engaged in Inftructive Dil-
courfe, the addition of one that is impertinent,
and below their Difcourfe, fhall debafe the
whole, and level it to their own; as if the Ex-
erciſe and Benefit of Wit and Vertue were to
be laid afide, for the fooliſh Converſation of
one, not able to difcourfe with them. Thus
they ſeem to be ashamed of their Conversation,
inftead of improving him, to make him fit for
their
7
!
Honourable Robert Boyle.
their Company; which if they ſhould endear
vour to do, they would either be freed of fach
Companions, or make them worthy of their
Company.
But to proceed, another Objection Mr. Boyle
makes againſt the Converfation of an Eccho is,
that we make her to ſpeak what we will, juft
as we pleaſe. Indeed moderate Complaifance
is neceſſary to preſerve the peace and pleaſant-
nefs of Human Society; and Diſcretion, allows it
in feveral Cafes, for if Men always spoke their
Minds freely, and did not mutually conceal
their diflike and diffents, and by external ex-
preffions of Kindness and Refpect, reprefented
by Compliments and Geſtures; Men have fo
many Imperfections, and fo much Self-Love,
that they would fcarce endure one another.
Nay though Men are Naturally inclined to in-
dulge themſelves, yet there is ſcarce a Man of
a Thouſand that would endure himſelf, if we
did not flatter our felves, and exercife a Com-
plaifance within our own Breaſts, and thus
diſguiſe our felves to our felves as well as to
others.
But he proceeds, perhaps I may endure, but
fhall never chufe, a Companion, whom I muft
always direct how to answer me. And I should
like one better that would always diffent from
me, than one that never would; for I fhould
never eſteem him my Friend, or think him not
worthy to be fo, who rather chufes to pleaſe
me than to advantage me, and takes not the
Liberty of a Friend, by fhewing, that he re-
gards me as well as himself; for as Unity of
Affections is a Token of true Friendfhip;ſo there
Can
131
!
ނ
132
The LIFE of the
can be no good Company, where there is not
fometimes a diffent in Opinions.
But as every thing may be reprefented with
advantage as well as difadvantage, Mr. Boyle
not only made Reflections on this Subject, to
reprefent the diſadvantages of converfing with
fuch Company, but offers what favourable
Thoughts we may have of the fame, in defence
of the harmleſs Nymph Eccho; for fays he, fhe
is fo modeſt and referved, that fhe never be-
gins a Conference with you, and is fo complai
fant, that you must blame your felf, if the fays
any thing to diſpleaſe; and as Human Things
are none of them fo perfect, but that fomething
in them ought to be fhunned; fo there are not
many fo imperfect, but that fomething in them
may be worthy Imitation; and as Eccho hath
two Qualities that diſcommend her, fo fhe
hath as many to recommend her. The firft is,
that this Nymph is lefs talkative than moſt of
her Sex, or even of ours; for fhe never ſpeaks
except fpoke to. If we confider, how much
Talkativeneſs waftes Time, and is made up
fuch Difcourſe, as either flatters the Prefent,
or detracts from the Abfent, or cenfures our
Superiors; or otherwife, expreffes our own
Prophanenefs, or excites Pride and Luft in o-
thers, and if we further confider, that in much
Words we are apt to offend, and muſt give
an Account of thefe idle Words, a Man being
to be juſtifyed by his Words as well as Actions,
we ſhall eaſily believe, that filence would be
much more ſerviceable to Mankind, and that
Hell would be much thinner than it is. Be-
fides Silence is commendable, as it conceals Ig-
of
norance
Honourable Robert Boyle.
133
norance and diſcovers Wiſdom,it being a Pro-
perty belonging to Wife Men ſo much, that a'
Fool may pafs for one when he fays nothing;
and this may be faid for our Nymph, that the
never ſpeaks, but when an Anſwer is extorted
from her. Another good Quality in Eccho is,
that ſhe ſeldom repeats above a ſmall part of
what is faid, which in dangerous Times is a
great piece of Diſcretion; for fome, as if fit
for Univerfal States-men, concern themfelves
in almoſt all the Publick Quarrels in Chriften-
dom; being zealous for a Party, that hath no
benefit by their difputes, and are not like Mer-
chants, who may fuffer by their Paffions in the
remoter Parts of the World. In our own fa-
tal Differences, they will declare their Opini-
ons, when there is no occafion for it, for want
of Judgment; and perhaps ruin themſelves as
well as thofe that protect them, by fpreading
Reports and maintaining Difcourfes, which
make them ſuſpected amongſt thoſe, who would
otherwiſe think their forces better. Nay fome
in confiderable Employments, would talk fo
much of their Party, their Innocence not de-
ferving it, their Goodness would not fupport
it; thefe Men dealing with their Fortunes as
Children do with their Cards, who build Ca-
ftles and blow them down with their own
Breath: It is lefs Folly to believe, what one
hears, than to report all one believes, and ef-
pecially thoſe that are cenfured for want of
refervedness; for though fome Men's talking,
makes others take notice, how much their own
Party confides in them, yet it would argue
more difcretion to confider, that the proof they
gave
1
1
26
134
The LIFE of the
avoided.
gave of their being trufted with Secrets, argues
that they ought not to be fo.
Ill Exam- & Thus much being faid, to fhew how far illCom-
ples take pany or ill Converſation,may be prejudicial, we
fhall next proceed to reprefent, what Mr. Boyle
fays further of Bad Examples, and what Encou
ragement he propofes to enable us to refift them,
fays he, It is a great Vertue to conquer thofe
Difficulties, which occur in refifting the Temp-
tations of Evil Cuftoms and Examples; and
though the Scandal given by bad Examples, is
fo obvious a Temptation; yet it is one of the
moft Dangerous, for Intereft, Bafhfulneſs, and
Complaifance, in well bred or good Natured
Perſons, makes them rather comply with the
Sentiments and Practices of the Perfons they
live with, than offend or difoblige them, and
many have been debauched with the Company
and Examples of the Vitiods, whofe Frowns
or Threats could not affect. But thefe Temp-
tations are guarded by the Precepts and Prece-
dents of Religion. Thou shalt not follow a Mul-
titude to do Evil, was the Command of the Mo•
faick Law.Say not thou a Confederacy to all to whom
the People fhall fay aConfederacy, was theCommand
of God to his Prophets,& our Saviour to prevent
an anxious Solicitude amongft his Difciples,u-
festhisArgument, that after all these things theGen-
tiles feek. And in the fame Sermon on the Mount,
he perfwades them againſt vain Repetitions in
Prayer. And the Heroick Conqueror of Cana-
an unwilling to contradict a Multitude, told
the Victorious Jewish Nation, they might Wor-
fhip whom they thought fit, either the Gods
of their Fathers, or thofe of the Neighbouring
Nations,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
135
Nations, but as for me and my House we will ferve
the Lord. Be ye not conformed to the World,
fays St. Paul, and the Apostle John, 1 John 5.
9. paffionately tells the Chriftians of his time,
We know that we are of God, and the whole World
lyes in Wickedness.
tations.
!
The Honourable Mr. Boyle having thus fhewn His Admo-
us, how we ought to refift the ill Effects of bad nitions to
reſiſt Tewipa
Examples, we fhall next proceed to take a
fhort view of what he hath faid to promote the
ill Effects of Vice, by refifting Temptations;
fays he, we ought to think, how the World's
Treacherous Pleafures are apt to deceive us.
For as the Apostles were Fishers of Men in a
Good Sence, fo the Devil is a skilful Fifher of
Men in a Bad Sence, and finds as much fuc-
cefs in his Attempts on us fooliſh Mortals; and
as fadly deludes us, when he ufes his beft Baits;
for the beſt things he can offer, are of fmali
value in reſpect of what it muſt coſt us to enjoy
them. But though Riches, Power, &c. which
delight the Senfes, are Good in their kind,thơ
they are not of the beſt kind, yet many are fo
eafily deceived, that he needs not make use of
his beft baits to catch us, fince we fuffer him to
cheat us with empty Titles of Honour, the
Smiles of great ones, and the Uneafy Drudge-
ries diſguiſed with the empty Names cf great
Employments. And thefe when obtained
by Sin, are the Reward of it, and the De-
vils Counterfeit Baits, which we greedily fwal-
low; not difcerning what Vice fhews no more
than what it hides. We ought therefore to be
cautious of fuch Baits as may grofly deceive
us; for whoever is tempted with the delicious
fweets
In
136
The LIFE of the
:
fweets of fin, which the Enjoyment promifes,
fwallows a true hook for a Counterfeit Bait,
which hides that under it, which makes it not
need to be a Counterfeit to deceive him.
And to guard us, and give us a Caution to
be wary,how we fall into Sin, he elſewhere tells
us, that it is not fafe to travel on the Confines
of what is Lawful and Sinful, no more than on
the Borders of two Hoftile Countries; for
when we venture too near the Confines of Sin,
and to the utmoft Verge of what is Lawful,
our Natural Proclivity to evil is apt to carry us
into fin,as our weight carries our Bodies down-
wards; ſince we may meet with hollow ground
where we may expect to find it firm. He that
goes too near fin to day may fall into it to
morrow; fo that the wife Man forbidding his
Son to go into the Paths of the Wicked, and
the way of Evil Men, bids him avoid it, pafs
not by it, turn from it, and pafs away. God
hath been fo indulgent as to give us a Latitude
and Liberty to exercife a pious Zeal over our
felves, that we may fhew how much we fear
to offend him, and a cautious Chriftian will
fay with St Paul, All things are Lawful, but all
things are not expedient. And Prudence will not
always venture to the brink of Innocence.
To thefe we fhall add another Caution, Mr.
Boyle makes use of to refift Temptations; fays
he, in another place, though I take a great deal
of delight in Aftronomy; yet I can look upor
the Ornaments of Heaven, with a Mind as Se-
rene as the Night fit to obferve them in. Thus
thoſe who are of an Amorous Difpofition of
Mind, and delight to gaze upon a Conſtellation
!
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
137
of fine Ladies, their Hearts commonly pay for
the Pleaſure, and they met with fo many difap-
pointments that they rather languish than live,
whereas one that hath his Reafon and Affecti-
ons at command, can look upon fuch Objects
with pleaſed, yet not dazled, Eyes. He looks
upon fuch Curious Productions and admires
them for the Workmanship, adoring the
Divine Artificer; and what hath been fald on
theſe are applicable to all other Ob-
jects.
"
And as Mr. Boyle thus admonishes us to re- The Dant-
fift Temptations; fo he takes Care to forewarn gør of idle-
us to avoid the purfuit of thofe Things that wes.
are apt to lead us into Temptations, and as be-
ing employed in doing Good, keeps us from
being engaged in Evil; fo he tells us the ill
Confequences of Idlenefs, and adviſes us to
employ our time in fuch things, as inſtead of
expofing us to Inconveniences may improve
our time to our Advantage. And Firft, to
repreſent the Danger of Idlenefs, he tells us,
that to keep the Soul from Idlenefs or other
Exerciſes worſe than Idleneſs; we ought to em-
ploy our felves in fuch fort of Meditations,
which are innocent at leaſt, if not Good; by
which means, our Ghoftly Enemy hath lefs En-
couragement to attack us; for theEvil and Dan-
ger of Idleness though in it felf it be no fin,
yet it may be more mischievous than a great
one, as it gives dccafion for the Tempter to
tempt us,expofing the Soul like a place uninha-
bited, to the next Paffion or Temptation, that
hath the Opportunity to feize upon it, which
reprefents it fo formidable an Enemy, that that
:
་་
m 2
is
•
138
The LIFE of the
is a fufficient Motive to recommend innocent
Meditations,or fuch as are advantagious, That
it banishes Idleness. He that is verfed in mak-
ing Reflections on the Works of Nature, and
the Actions of Men, and fets his Thoughts at
Work, on what Cafualties fall under his No-
tice will not want Subjects to employ them on;
and he that can make the World Vocal, and e-
very Occurrence converfant with himſelf, and,
every Accident of Life, and even the Flowers
of his Garden fpeak Lectures of Ethicks and
Divinity, needs not frequent Taverns,or worſe
Places to pafs his time away with a Drawer or
a Gamefter; nay, he will rather pity than co-
vet the Company of those, who neglect the
maia buliness of Life, and fpend it wholly in
Diyerlions, and led by ill governed and
unskilful felf Love hate to be by themfelves. He
that frequents the Company of Gamefters, loo-
fes what his Winnings can never purchaſe nor
redeem, expoſing himfel to more Caſualties
than thofe of War, giving way to thofe Pafli-
ons which Wisdom would decline, and Vertue
fupprefs, fuch patiently loofing their time,and
that Reverence and Submiflion, they own to him,
that of Lots themselves the whole Dilpufal is his.
He will have no occation for want of Employ-
ment, to throw away his time in impertinent
Vifits, or idle Company, to the lofs of his
Good Name, his Innocence and true
Zeal.
And as Mr. Boyle directs us,how to keep our
felves from Idlenefs, fo fays he, it is the beſt
way to keep out evil Thoughts, to employ the
Soul with good Ones, as Husband-Men, to rid
2
Honourable Robert Boyle.
139.
a piece of Ground of Weeds, fow it with
Good Seeds, and cut down them or burn them
up. And fince fome Peoples thoughts are for
active, that they will be perpetually employed
about fome thing or another; Meditations
will ftir up fome Good Thoughts and ftir up
Affections full of Serenity and Joy; and when
a Mind is once elevated to fuch a welcome ſtate,
a Man cannot give way to an ordinary Temp-
tation, without forfeiting his Pleaſures as well
as violating his Duty. But if the Employment
of occafional Meditations will not be fo delight-
ful, it will give a Man the fatisfaction of fy-
ing with Neh. 6. 3. Iam doing a good Work, fo
that I cannot come down, why should the Work cease,
whilst I leave it and come down? For when a pi-
ons Soul is upon the Wing of Contemplation,
fhe must floop to exchange her Converfation
with Heavenly Objects, for one with earthly
Vanities,which much more debafe, and degrade
her, if tempted to Lufts, as low as Hell, which
they both belong to, and deferve. And further
he fays, there is this difference betwixt Ghoft-
ly and Ordinary Dangers, that as in Military
Hazards, they are boldeft to run themfelves in-
to Military Dangers, who are beft able to fur-
mount them, fo on the other hand, they are
moſt cautious of Temptations, who are most
refolved, and qualifyed to refift them.
But to proceed, as Idlenefs is fo pernitious,
and of ill confequence, fo Mr. Boyle, not only
fhewed us an Example, even beyond Example,
to the contrary, but to encourage us to do the
fame: He tells us, that God holds forth Eter-
nal Glory, and his Gracious Word encoura-
m 3
ges
་
140
7
The LIFE of the
ges us to attempt it; Alas! fays he, it is above
the reach of our Endeavours or Merit; yet if
we ſtrive not for it, it is in vain for us to ex-
pect it but if we ufe our utmoſt Endeavours,
God Mercifully accepts the Will for the Effect,
and what we can do, for what we ſhould do,
his Grace condefcending to bring down, what
we cannot aſpire to. Piety is the Terms but
not the Price of Heaven, and like the Wedding
Garment, though it gives us not a right to the
beatick Feaſt, yet without it no Gueft fhall be
admitted. And though Good Works will not
reach Heaven; we cannot attain it without
them.
1
But to repreſent further the Danger of I-
dleness, and how idly fome Perfons employ
their time, fays he, there are a great many that
hate thinking or to be alone, their finful Pa-
ftimes making them afraid of it, as well as
preventing it. In Health, Vifits, Cards and
other Paftimes fucceed fo thick, that the di-
ftracted Perfon hath no time to converfe with
his own Thoughts; and in Sicknefs, Cards and
Company prevent the Opportunities of think-
ing, which he willingly declines; fo that fick-
nefs is far from helping them to think, unless
it hinders them from Sleeping. But when all
the Company is withdrawn, then in the dark
Night he begins to think of his Condition, and
for want of outward Objects begins to look in-
ward, and muſt needs think of what Avocati-
ons in a Day would not admit.
Having thus reprefented, how much like a
Chriſtian Mr. Boyle both by good Examples and
Precepts endeavoured to promote Piety; and
having
Honourable Robert Boyle.
141
having further fhewn, how zealous he hath
been to prevent thofe neglects or errors,which
might obftruct the growth and increafe of Pie-
ty and Religion, and give way to Immorality
and Irreligion; we fhall in the next place con-
fider, how he not only endeavoured to prevent
vitious Habits, which might lay us open to Sin,
but briefly take a view of what he hath offered
against the Practice of thofe Sins, he had fo
much averfion to.
The first then which we (hall take Notice.of, His averf
and which he had an abfolute abhorrence of, on to Hy-
is the Sin of Hypocrify. Says the Learned Bi- purify.
fhop Burnet, "He had too unblemished a Can-
'dour to be capable of thofe Arts and Practifes,
}
that a falfe and deceitful World may call Wil-
'dom. He could neither Lye nor Equivocate,
'but he could well be Silent, and by practising
that much, he covered himself upon many
'uneafy Occafions. And as he was free from
the Sin of Hypocrify before Men; fo he was as
averfe to it before God; fays he, the Lark
feems to be of the most elevated Nature of any
Bird, giving the earlieſt and ſweeteſt welcome
to the fpringing Day; and obferving one which
rofe higher than the reft, upon it's défcent,fays
he, it feemed to fing as if it came from the place
The feemed to go too, and mounted fo high as
if he meant to stop at that Sun, whofe Beams
cheriſhed and tranfported her; and foared fo
high, that if the left not the Earth beneath her
fight, fhe mounted quite out of ours; and when
the lighted on the Earth to catch fome Worms
or other wretched Prey, the feemed, like the
Earth about her, and could not be difcerned
m 4
from
142
The LIFE of the
from it's Clods. And as other Birds fly not fo
high, nor are ſo fond of the Sun, yet build their
Nefts in Trees, the Lark builds hers upon the
Ground, and looks like part of it. Thus ma-
ny a Hypocrite, when converfant about fub-
limer Subjects, looks like a Saint, and is plea-
fed with nothing more than new Light, as if
his Lips was touched with Coals from the Al-
tar, which freely fet forth God's Praife and
facred Difpenfations. So that in a fit of De-
votion, one would either think he had been in
Heaven, or would not reft till he had mount-
ed thither. But when his Interest concerned
him in fecular Affairs, he feemed altogether
Earthly, and meaner and lower Spirited,than
thoſe he undervalued, for being more Earth-
ly than himſelf, fo the beſt things corrupted
prove the worst, it being no difadvantage to
Piety, to diſcountenance Hypocrify as a Vice.
And when pretended Religion is in requeſt,
feveral are formally Religious, who deny the
Power of it, and fome have been prefered lefs
for their Jacob's Voice, than for their Efan's
Hands.
But we are not to run out of one Extreme
into the other, and to deny Religion, becaufe
Hypocrites do but profeſs it. It is Ignoble and
Prepofterous, fays he, to make Piety aftep to
Preferment rather than to Heaven; but it is
more excufable to live free from Scandal for
an Inferior End, than not to live fo at all; Hy-
pocrites being no more able to juftify them-
felves than the Prophane; and though all that
own Religion are not Pious, yet those that
fcorn to own it must be lefs fol; and if Scoffers
at
Honourable Robert Boyle.
143
at Religion fhould fucceed Pretenders to it,
they cannot be faid to be an innocent fort of
Hypocrites, who are better than they feem to
be for Scandal is fo Criminal, that thofe that
defire to feem fo, are fo; and to refufe to be
Religious becaufe fome feem to be fo, is to be
injurious to God, becauſe others have been fo
and as Counterfeits do not leffen the value of
true Pearls, fo they are not lefs Cordial, be
caufe the Counterfit made of Mercury and Glafs
at Venice, are rather Hurtful than Medicinal.
And indeed, Hypocrites fhould rather com-
mend Piety, than difcourage it, fince none
would endeavour to perfonate it, if it were
not a Noble Quality. Therefore the beſt way
to fhun Hypocrify, is to become Profeffors of
what we pretend to.
And as Mr. Boyle thus fhews his diflike of
fo great a Sin as Hypocrify,fo he was as unwil
ling any ſhould be innocently condemned of it,
as that they ſhould be guilty of the Practice.
We need not doubt, fays he, but that thofe
that perfonate ſadneſs, are Courtiers; for tho
their Cloaths are mournful, their Faces do not
appear fo, their Difcourfe being as unconcer-
ned, as when they wore other Cloaths; and as
their Grief hath neither influence on their
Looks nor Words, it ſeems ſtrange that Cour-
tiers cannot diſguiſe or diſſemble Sorrow with-
out an over difficult Conſtraint. But as Men
may ſeem to mourn without doing fo, fo they
may be thought to diffemble, when they do
But what Duty can there be to mourn
for a Prince, whofe Subjects we are not, from
whom we have received no Obligations, and
not.
who
:
144
The LIFE of the
His A-
version to
Avarice
Rice.
who laid it out of the Power of his Succeffor to
do good, becaufe himſelf did none. And if
we thould ask, why we should put on Black, it
may be anſwered, that Cuftom hath eftablished
that Ceremony in the Courts of Princes in A-
mity, and that the Omiffion is an Affront and
a Provocation; therefore Black is out of reſpect
to the Living, not grief for the Dead, and
therefore this mourning is not Hypocrify, but
Prudence and Civility.
Nor was the Honourable Mr. Boyle lefs a-
verfe to Avarice and Injustice. His great Cha.
rity and Liberality evinced his Indifpofition to
and Inju- the former, and his juft dealing his Diflike of
the later. But to fhew his Thoughts of theſe
Sins further, we fhall reprefent what he faid on
fuch Occafions, fays he, a Fish having greedily
fwallowed a Bait, thought to go away with it,
but being ſtruck and wounded as well as detai-
ned, after a fhort ſtruggle broke the Line,
and carried away the Hook. And if we are not
too forwards in allowing Brutes to think, no
doubt but this Fifh expected a great deal of
Pleaſure in the Bait he fo greedily fell upon,
which when he had got in his Mouth, he might
well think his own; and no doubt but other
Fish when they faw him fwim away with it, en-
vied his good Fortune. But though he got
what he wished for, yet fince he got the Hook
as well as the Bait, which wounded his Gills
and put him to Pain; no doubt but he wished
theHook,Bait and all out of his Jaws,the Pain of
the one taking away the Pleaſure of the other.
Thus Men who make uſe of undue Meaſures,
to obtain an Object of fenfual Pleaſures, are of
ten
Honourable Robert Boyle.
145
ten diſappointed in their Expectations; Con-
fcience, Reafon or Hononr,when perhaps their
Defires are not of the worſe kind,making them
do as David did, too earneſtly longing for Wa-
ter out of the Well of Bethlehem, which being
got by the bold and adventerous Attempts of
his Affectionate Officers, he did not taſte it,
but poured it upon the Ground. But when
things are Criminally obtained; fometimes it
happens as it did with Ammon, who hated his
Siſter he had inceſtuouſly raviſhed more than he
loved her before; and fometimes as Judas, who
when he betrayed his Maſter,of more value than
all the World, for a little Money, could not en-
joy it, but in a fit of remorfe parted with that
Money, which the Price of his Confcience pur-
chafed; fo that though he had what he look-
ed for, he had not what he expe&ed, nor could
enjoy it, for the guilt of acquiring it. And in
lefs Criminal Cafes, when Men have got their
Aims, their wounded Confcience is fo pain-
ful, that they deteft what they have gain-
ed.
To reprefent further his Thoughts of Ava-
rice, and Injuſtice, we ſhall take Notice of what
he bath faid elsewhere, upon a Waterman's
drawing a Boat afhoar. Says he,when we came
to the Landing-place, the Water-man took
hold of the Shoar with his Boat-hook, and
hawled her afhoar, which other wife would
have been carryed away with the Stream; on
which he made this Reflection: That it is as or-
dinary for Men to think themſelves Wife, as
it is impoffible for them to be fo. Thoſe that
study and leave nothing undone,to obtain their
ends,
:
146
The LIFE of the
ends,often lay their Deſigns with fo much Art ;
that whatever becomes of the Deſigns of God,
his Promiſes or Threats, they doubt not of the
Success of their own. And Pious Men, who
have the Opportunity of Difcovering the Mea-
fures they take to bring about their Ends, are
often poffeffed with needlefs Fears, that Pro-
vidence will be puzzled with them, and that
for good and juft Reaſons, Providence may be
forced to an After-game in the World to come:
But fuch Deſigners have the like Fate with our
Water man, for one that did not know the
the World was fixed; would think, that this
Water-man endeavoured to pull to him, what-
ever he forceably laid hold on; but the Shoar •
being unmoveable inſtead of drawing that to
him, his Force drew himſelf, and his Boat to
that;
fo the Contrivers of Babel, thought by
their building to get a Name and prevent Dif
perfion; and had not only engaged Mankind
in their Deſign, which was as high as their in-
tended Building, fince it is faid,that this they be-
gun to do,and now nothing will be restrained from
them, which they have not imagined. But their
Policy being contrary to God's Decree, he made
that which brought them together the Cauſe of
their Seperation, fo that the remoteſt Parts of
the Earth are but Colonies of Babel, and tho'
it's diftreffed Architects have got them aName,
yet it is different from their Defign. And thus
Jofeph's Dreams of Superiority over his Bre-
thren, occafioned them to fell him to prevent
it, yet that Method brought him to be Inter-
preter to Pharoah's Dreams, which promoted
him to be Lord of a Rich and PlentifulCountry,
and
•
Honourable Robert Boyle.
147
and by that means of his Envious Brethren.
And the proud Favorite of Abafuerus doubted not
of his Ends, when he provided Mordecai's Gib-
bet, which if he had not erected it, he might
probably have eſcaped. And the high Prieſt
andSanhedria of the Jews thought they had acted
Politickly, when he refolved upon the Death
of our Saviour, left the Romans fhould come
and deſtroy their Temple and Nation, which it
rather procured than prevented. And the De-
vil himself, who was the Wifeft Inftructor of
the reft, found himſelf taken in his own Craf-
tinels; for though by making Pilate and Herod
Friends, he thought to deftroy the Lamb of
God, and to engage them to kill the Prince of
Life, and by that means to deftroy the Devil's
Enemy, and to make God's theirs; yet Chrift
by his Death deſtroyed the Devil, who had
the Empire of Death, and the Wound in our
Saviour's Side was deadly to him; fo that the
Decrees of Providence cannot be moved by
Human Attempts. God's Power and Wif
dom over-ruling their utmoſt Endeavours, and
ufing their own Policies, to defeat what they
aim at.
!
V.
And as Mr. Boyle was not only Eminent for His Advice
his Vertues, but demonftrated his Averfion to to moderate
Vices; fo he was careful in adviſing us to ren- ourPaſſions.
der our felves lefs Subject to them, by Govern-
ing our Paffions and Mortifying our Appetites;
for fays he, the Devil might in vain attempt
our grand Refolutions, till the lefs confidera-
ble ones are overcome and made Inftruments
to deſtroy the other, our more trivial Affecti-
ons, having once received his fiery Impreffions,
eafily
148
The LIFE of the
eaſily communicate them to the higher Facul
ties, and kindle thofe more folid Materials.
The best way then is to be watchful over our
leffer Determinations and Pallions, and nei-
ther to violate or neglect thofe lefs confide-
rable ones, confidering the Confequences, that
may attend them, and that fuch flight things
may tend to endanger or preſerve.
But though he would have us to moderate
our Paffions, yet he tells us, it cannot be expe-
&ted, that we ſhould be wholly without them;
for obferving not only the Windings of a River,
but the Fertility of the Land near it, and the
other uses which it was ferviceable in, in con-
veying Ships of Trafick; he makes this Reflecti-
on. Says he, this River furnishes us with an
Argument against the Stoicks,who would have
us deal with our Paffions, as Pharoah did with
the Jewish Males, left they fhould one day rife
up againſt us. But though theſe Paſſions are
Rebellious, yet it would be as unreaſonable to
be without them, as without Rivers; becauſe
when they overflow they do a great deal of
Mifchief. The Immaculate Lamb looked round a-
bout him upon certain Jews, with Indignation, be-
ing grieved for the hardness of their Hearts,where
two Paffions are affigned to him and if we
confider what Ufe the Wife may make of their
Paffions, we ought not to deſtroy thoſe Inftru-
ments of Piety, which God hath beftowed up.
on us, fince we ought to retain them, as Abra-
kam did thofe Servants he bought with Money,
whom he both Circumcifed and kept as Ser-
vants.
But
}
Honourable Robert Boyle.
149
14
But as Rivers drown thofe Grounds, and
ruin Husbandmen when they overflow, which
they made fruitful, whilft they kept within
bounds; fo Paffions deftroy thofe Vertues,
which they might if within due bounds be fer-
viceable to. Valour is faid to be Anger's Whet-
ftone, and the Apoftle councelling us to be an-
gry and not to Sin, argues Paſſion within Li-
mits of Moderation, to be confiftent with Inno-
cence. But when Anger is blown up into
Rage, or Choler turns to habitual Fury, it does
more Miſchief than Beafts or Inundations. The
greateſt Part of thofe Rivers of Blood, which
are loft in Battles, ftir up the Thirſt of infati-
ate Fury. The burning Towns and Fleets, and
the Defolations of Kingdoms, are the Effects
of Inhuman Paflions, when once it invades
Crowned Heads. And even Love, when once
it grows unruly and mifplaced, produces a
great many Tragedies; and innocent Love, if
not regulated, is apt to grow disobedient, de-
ceive Parents, violate Friendſhip, fight Duels,
betray the Innocency of Virgins, and a great
many more Accidents, which make Thoufands
miferable. And as Ambition when it refpects
Vertue and Goodnefs, makes Men undertake
Noble Things; fo when it pretends to Supe-
riority in Fame and Power, how many Vices
does it run Men into! as the Contempt of the
Laws, the Violation of Oaths, theRenouncing
of Allegiance, &c. and when harboured in a
Princes Breaft, it tends to the undoing of his
own Subjects, and a great many Inconvenien-
ces that refult from his Difputes with Neigh-
bouring States. From whence came Wars and
BrATT-
INA
1
150
The LIFE of the
Brawlings amongst you, come they not from hence,
even of your Lufts that war in your Members. An-
ger and Ambition bringing upon Men publick
Calamities, either as Judgments inflicted by
God, or as Evils flowing from thofe mifchie-
vous Practices, which unbridled Paſſions inflave
Men in. So that as the usefulness of Rivers
hinders them not from being fecured by Banks
to prevent Inundations;fo neither does the Ufe
fulneſs of Paffions, hinder us from reſtraining
our Paffions within due Bounds by Reafon and
Religion, which when they overflow, they are
like Fire and Water, which are not ſo good Ma-
fters as they are good Servants.
And fince the Paffions of the Mind are to be
moderated and regulated, to encourage us to
undertake a Difficulty, which is apt to foil our
beft Endeavours, he tells us in another place,
that when theFaculties of the Mind are difcom-
pofed,whoever attempts to bring them into or-
der,mut meet withOppoſition,& expect the be-
ginning ofaReformation,more troubleſom than
the paft diforders; but thefe difficulties ought
not to difcourage our Endeavours; for when
once the Faculties and Affections of the Soul,
are tuned with Reafon and Religion, the com-
pofed Mind will afford a fatisfaction, which will
recompence the Trouble of procuring it; not
to mention that more ravishing Melody a-
mongſt the Saints, that fing the Song of the
Lamb, and the Hallelujahs of the Celeſtial
Choir.
་
And as Luft is not only a Rebellious Paffion,
and as dangerous; to arm us with Cantion a-
gainſt it, he tells us, the Luftfull think, that if
they
Honourable Robert Boyle.
151
they can but ftifle it's viſible Effects, and fèn-
fible Heats that will fecure them from all the
Miſchief they need to fear. But Luft is fo apt
to intrude wherever it hath been entertained,
that it may be Mifchievous to thofe that have
repelled it; for as Wood being throughly fired.
and then extinguiſhed by choaking it up, may
be turned into Charcoal, which is more eafily
kindled and enflamed than before, fo thofe
who have had their Hearts once kindled with
the Flames of Luft, which is to be fet on fire
with the Flames of Hell, when thofe Carnal
Flames are ftifled, and their Heat is extingui.
fhed, their Reputation may be ſtained by what
is paft, and they ftill retain an unhappy Dif
pofition, to be reinflamed, and by a few fpar-
kles fomented, are apt to have thofe fires kind-
led again, and rage more fatally than e-
ver:
And as our Paffions being not duly regula-
ted on the one hand, it may be dangerous one
way; ſo they may be exorbitant on the contrary,
and produce that ill EffectDefpair, upon which
occafion Mr. Boyle hath offered fomething,
which may be worthy our Notice, and afford
comfort to thofe poffeffed with it; for, fays he,
though for Reaſons best known to God, a pi-
ous Soul may be reduced to fo bad a Condition,
the Face of Heaven appearing fo overcaft, that
Tokens ofGod's difpleafure may follow as clofe
as Clouds return after Rain. Yet if notwith-
ſtanding the Soul feems to be deſerted, it
brings forth Fruit, like the Good Ground in
the Gospel, with perfeverance, and if Prayers,
Charity, Refignation, and other Divine Gra-
n
睿
​ces,
}
152
The LIFE of the
N
Some hints
theilmand
با همه
ces, genuin Products of God's Spirit, flourish
and profper in the Soul, we may conclude
that Soul to be in a State of Grace, and fhall
have that bleſſed Affiftance from him who
can give the Increafe, though not fo confpicu-
oufly as in an unclouded Heaven; yet in the
fecret Method of fructifying lofluences. And
it may reaſonably be expected, that he who
hath begun a good Work, and carryed it thro'
fuchImpediments,will gradually bring the flow-
ly ripening Fruit to Perfection. For Chriftian
Graces fo much depend on the Author, that
tho' he be hid in the Clouds, we need not fear
the Fruit we fee, to be the Productions of the
Son of Righteoufnefs. We must not conclude.
it Winter with the Soul, becauſe the Heavens
Jower, if the Earth be Fruitful; fince the fa-
ving Influence of God's Spirit may be where:
his Prefence is not confpicuous. Senfible Com-
forts and Joys are rather Rewards, than Parts
of our Duty, and it would be a great Confo-
lation to pions Perfons, if they would
of
their Spiritual Conditions, by the Duties and
Services they pay to God, rather than the
Comforts he at prefent affords them!
Any one that hath only confidered, what he
of his Opi- hath hitherto been faid, to fhew briefly how
nion of A- Good as well as how Learned a Chriftian
Prophane Mr. Boyle was, and how much he was Exame
of Vertues, as well as his
Aversion to Vice, will
ties.
plary in the Practiefly conclude, that he was
no lefs averfe to Atheism and Prophanenefs
From what hath been faid of his Faith of the.
Existence of a God-and-a Providence, itappears,
that he was far from being of the number of
thoſe
}
Honourabl: Robert Boyic.
difclaimed, how reafonofe
•
he
thofe that deny them, yet as we enumerated
thofe amongst the rest of his Vertues, we fhall-
here fhew briefly, among thofe Vices which he
be oppofed the
Growth or Increaſe of Atheiſm and Prophane-
nefs. And fince the Vitious Habits he endea-
voured to reclaim, reciprocally encourage and
tend to Atheiſm and Prophaneneſs, as Atheifin
and Prophaneneſs encourage thofe Vices, 10
prove the Principles of Atheifm without Foun-
dation and Groundleſs, ſpeaking of the Shadow
of a Man, he ſays, it had the like Relation to
himfelf, as the Univerſe hath to God, it re-
prefenting and containing the Impreflions of
his Attributes, and Perfections: And as the
fhadow only reprefents the fhape and outlines
of a Body; fo in refpect of that, it is but a fu-
perficial thing; and thus though the World
contains the Linements of Divine Wifdcm and
Power, yet it is but a dark imperfe and Su-
perficial Reprefentation of the Excellency of
our Adorable Author, who is infinitely above
all his Works and as the fhadow of a
Man is made without taking pains for it, with
as little difficulty God made the World. He
Spoke, and it was done, He commanded and it flood
faſt. Pfal. 33. 9. and Ifaiah 40. 28. the E-
verlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends
of the Earth, faint eth not, neither is weary, and
therefore his refting the Seventh Day, was a cef-
ſation from Creating,but not as a refting hom
Labour; for the Difproportions betwixt Infi
nite and Created Agents are fo inconfiderable,
that Omnipotence may make the World with
out Toyland further, our Creed declares
n 2
him
453
}
154
The LIFE of the
him Creator of Heaven and Earth, and the
Apoſtle tells us, Heb. 11. 8. that through
Faith we understand, that the Worlds were framed
by the Word of God, ſo that the things which are
feen, are not made of things that do appear. He
brought forth Light out of Darkneſs, by calling for
Light and there was Light, be spake and it was
done, fays the Pfalmift, fo that the World was
bu: an Eccho to that Fiat. Thus far Mr.
Boyle,
And as the Shadow of aMan was loft by with
drawing himself under the fhadow of another
Body; fo the Prefervation of the World de-
pends on the Will and Pleafure of it's Author,
Tays Mr. Boyle; for in him me not only live and
move, and have our Being, and Nehemiah 9. 6.
he fays of God, that he hath made the Heaven,
the Heaven of Heavens with all her Hoft, the Earth
and all things that are thereon,the Sea and all things
that are therein, and preferves them all; fo that
without God's Influence the World would foon
fall into nothing. And further, he fays, fo the
Notions of Genus and Species exift no longer
than they are upheld by being thought of by an
Intellectual Being, and the falmift fpeaking of
many of God's Creatures fays, Thou hideft thy
Face they are troubled, thon takeſt away their Breath,
they dye, and return to their duff hou Jendeft forth
thy Spirit, they are Created, &c. And as by mo-
ving any Part of the Body, the fhadow may be
altered without any Inftrument or Emiffaries,
fo when God hath a mind to Work Miracles,
as when the Sun ftood till in Joshua's time, or
When it went back in Hezekiah's, we are apt to
think,that he is forced to put himself to a great
deal
Honourable Robert Boyle.
:.
deal of trouble to exert his Power; whereas
those things are fo far from being difficult to
that Divine Agent, that it is as eafy for him as
to refolve to do fo; fuch Miraculous Effects
flowing from the Motion of his Will, it bring
no more trouble to produce the greateſt than
the leaft Effects amongst his Creatures, as it is
no harder to move the Arm, than the Finger of
any fhadow.
And as Mr. Boyle hath offered fufficient Rea-
fons to prove the Existence of a God and aPro-
vidence, fome of which we have obſerved in
the beginning of th's Effay of his Life; fo to
deter Prophane Perfons from their vain and
conceited Opinions, he fays, when Good
Chriftians fhall have a larger Profpect than orr
Saviour had, when at once he viewed all the
Kingdoms of the World, Zuk. 4. 5. and fhall
behold a more Numerous Affembly than came
to the Dedication of Nebuchadnezzar's Golden
Image, viz People of all Nations and Languages,
Dan. 3. and when by the Voice and Trumpet
of the Arch Angel, the Fallen Angels and all
the Off-fprings of Adam fhall be called to Judg-
ment on that Decretory Day, and when the dead
fhall be raised, and the Book fhall be opened, the
Wiſdom of God will appear in it's full Splendor
and Meridian Luftre When it will appear,
that Divine Providence hath obferved, both
theFaults of private Perfons, Families and So-
cieties, as well as the Fates of Kingdoms and of
Empires, which he hath over-ruled with his
incomparable Wifdom. Then thofe Politicians,
who thought to outwit Providence, will find
their Subtleties outdone, and themſelves taken
n 3
in
:
:
.
C
16
The LIFE of the
1
1
:
in their own Craftiness, and their Councils turned
into foonfhnefs,and then the amazed World will
find themfelves miſtaken.
It is accounted
a great piece of skill to keep in order, a com-
plicated Clock,or a Man of War, and the Ar-
tift is valued and eſteemed for his Conduct ac-
cording to the Intricacy of the Structure. But
it must be extremely aftonishing to fee, what
Wisdom and Providence was requifite to guide
and over-rule Millions of Engins, which are
furnished with free Will; fo as to find them
fabfervient at the laft, to purpoſes defigned by
Divine Providence, who is both Holy, Juft &
Good. To Conclude, when all Nations fhall
appear at once,and their Intreagues fhall be dif-
covered without difguife, and the Secrets of
Hearts laid open, from the Beginning to the
End of time, and appear to be fo contrived and
continued, by the Author of the World,and
of Men,that their various Actions and Designs,
confpire to the accompliſhment of fo worthy
a Delign, fo great an Effect will be a vaft Ar-
gument of his Stupendious Wifdom, fo that
human Intellects must confefs, that nothing but
a Divine and Omniscient Author could bring
about fuch Ends.
A
And to fhew, what great Advantage he hath
that hath theKnowledg of God, before an Athe
ift,that is without that Knowledg, Mr. Boyle elfe-
where fays, that they are much to blame both
in refpect of themfelves and their Maker, who
employ not their Thoughts in fo Pleafant and
Noble a Speculation, and Veneration for him
that made them; fo that Reafon feems to be a
mych greater Blefling to other Men than to A
theiſts,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
17
#
theiſts, who cannot employ it about God, but
with Infidelity and Terror. So Plato was much
more happy than Epicurus; the former being
entertained with the Contemplation of a Deity,
whereas the later had not the Felicity of fuch a
rational and delightful Admiration.
And further, to fhew how vain it is for Man,
who is but fmall, and a Creature of Knowledg
of very narrow Limits, to pretend to deny
what he does not understand; fays he, we
may confider, that God knows a great many
things which we are ignorant of, viz. moſt
of his Works both Corporcal and Immaterial;
known unto God are all his Works, from the bigin-
ning of the World, nay his infinite Power to
make more than he hath or will make. And
what we know but in part, he knows fully;
and difcerns thofe things clearly, which we have
but a dim fight of and hath a certain Knowledg,
of what we underſtand by fallible Mediun:s
But what is the great Prerogative of our Crea-
tor, he knows himself, which is too wonder-
out of the reach even of
an infinite Knowledg be-
ing only able to underſtand the Nature ofGod,
which is Infinite Nor is our Knowledg of his
Corporeal Works to be compared to his; for
the Phanomena which Philofophers pretend to
explain,fuppofe the prefent Fabrick of the U-
niverfe, and the fetled Laws of Motion; but
God knows, how the World was firſt formed,
and how the Laws of Motion were firft efta-
bliſhed, and transfered according to his deter-
mined Rules. And further, fays he, when we
confider thoſe elaborate Specimens of God's
Wifdom,
ful for a
Angelical V
སདྡྷ;
0 4
.
158
I be LIFE of the
Wifdom, the Seeds and Eggs of Living Crea-
tures, c. the Ingenious confefs, and the Con-
fident betray their Ignorance.
And to fhew, what little Reafon we have to
be proud of our Knowledg, and to boaſt our
felves fo wife,as to deny God Almighty to be fo
or even his Being, fays Mr. Boyle in another
Place, the Admiration, the Contemplation of
God affords to one that is attentive and humble,
hath two advantages, above what can be in his
Works,or any of our own.For when we admire
the moit noble and pretious Corporeal Bodies,
as Stars, Gems, our Satisfaction is allayed
with a moft fecret Reproach, grounded on that
Wonder, fince it fhews a great Imperfection in
our Underſtandings, to be fo much ſtruck with
Wonder about Creatures, fo much Inferior in
Nature to our felves; whereas it is no Reflecti-
on on a finite human Intellect, to be furprized
and amazed as well as aftoniſhed, contempla
ting fo glorious and infinitely a perfed Being,
which a Created Intellect cannot understand,
much less comprehend.
And further,
fpeaking of God, he fays, ifince we afcribe but
one Name to him, we may think him but,
Object of Speculation; but though he is but
one in Effence, his Immenfity is fo great, that
he is infinitely various; as Heaven hath but
one Name, yet a great many Stars and Planets
which afford a great variety of Motions, and
a great many Phenomena, which after the Curi-
ofity of a great many Ages, admit of as many
Improvements, as the Knowledg of the Anti-
Cuis amount to,
:
i
one
But
་་
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
159
But as the Honourable Mr. Boyle, thus re-
prefents what little Reafon we have to be A-
theifts, or rather, what Reafon we have to be
otherwife, fo he as plainly reprefents, the Rea-
fons which induce fome to be Atheiſtical fays
he, it is evident from feveral Paffages in Scrip-
ture, that Multitudes continue in a Criminal
Infidelity, through a great Conceit of their own
Knowledg, and a Difpofition to be influenced
rather by Prejudices, than the ſtrongeſt Argu-
ments to remove them.
And elfewhere he fays, if we confider the
different ends to which God's Works, efpeci-
ally fuch as are animated, feem defigned, with
respect to their own Welfare, or their Ufe-
fulness to Man,and with how much Wifdom the
Creator hath made them fit for their respective
Ends, we cannot think, fo Wife and Benign a
Being, hath left fo Noble a Creature as Man,
deftitute of Means to procure his own Welfare,
except it be his own neglect.
But to conclude, what we fhall offer upon
this Subject, Mr. Boyle elſewhere fays, That
God's Divinity and Eternal Power, are fo evi-
dent in the things that are made, that the Gen-
tiles who were led to the Acknowledgment of
the true God, only by the Light of Nature,
were excufelefs for not following that Guide.
And further, fays he, Experimental Philofo-
phy gives fo clear a difcovery of the Divine
Excellences in the Fabrick of the Univerſe and
it's Condu&t, and the Creatures it contains, as
may prevent the Mind from afcribing fuck ad-
mirable Effects, to fo incompetent and pitiful
a Cafe as blind Chance, or the tumultuous ju-
ftling
ウ
​1
•
160
,,,,,
The LIFE of the
1
ftling of the Atomical Particles of fenfelefs Mat-
ter; and therefore if Philofophy be per-
verted to countenance Atheiſm, it is the fault
of the Perfon, not the Doctrin, which is to be
cenfured by it's Natural Tendency, and not
the ill Uſe bad Men make of it, thofe prevarica-
ting Pretenders to Philofophy, as little under-
ftanding the Mysteries of Nature, as they be-
lieve thofe of Chriftianity; which Character
belongs to moſt of thofe Atheistical and Pro-
phane Men, whofe Senfualities, Lufts and Paf-
fions, darken and feduce their Intellects. Their
Immorality, fays he, is the Original Cauſe of
their Infidelity, nor were they inclined to Ir-
religion by Philofophy, but having got fome
fmatterings of it, pervert them to countenance
thoſe irreligious Principles, which they brought
with them to the ftudy of it.
Having thus obferved his averfion to Athe-
ifm, we ſhall next take Notice of his Averfion
to Prophaneness, which most commonly Athei
ftical Perfons are moft guilty of Says Mr. Boyle,
a great many are looked upon as Wits, who
diſparage the Scriptures, that really are not
fo; nor would they be thought fo, did they
not employ what they have, with a great deal
of Impudence, in perverting infpired Expref-
fions to a bad purpoſe, as if they contained ob-
fcene thoughts. But this will but little recom-
mend prophane Perfons, to thofe that are fe-
rious, and Men of Knowledg, the beſt Books
being liable to be burleſqued, to make ſport
for the Readers; nor is it any hard Matter to
mifrepreſent difmembered Words and Paffages
of any Book; fo that any Man may be fuch a
kind
Honourable Robert Boyle.
161
nef.
kind of Wit, who will allow himſelf the Sauci-
Thus fays he, dull Perfons cor-
rupted, are regarded, but it is only for their
depravity,and they only pafs for Wits amongſt
fuch as are not fo themfelves. For Men of Wit
only esteem that fuch, which appears fo to their
Judgment, and not to their Corruptions, and
a great many will talk tolerably in Derogati-
on of the Scriptures, who upon other Occafi-
ons are very dull, and fay nothing well but
what is ill, if faid; and moft of thefe kind of
Wits, are guilty of Prefumption as well as Pro-
phanenefs, fome of them pretending to talk Rhe-
torick more Magifteriouſly than Ariftotle or
Tully, and magnify their own Writings above
the Bible, or the moſt efteemed Authors of An-
tiquity, and as Afaph faid, Pfalm 83. 8, 9.
They speak Loftily, they fet their Mouths against
the Heaven, and their Tongues walk through
the Earth. They fpeak arrogantly, and cen-
fure both God and Man; and no won-
der fuch tranfcendently conceited Wits under-
value the Scriptares, when they prefer fome
drunken Song, or trivial Epigram, a Love-
Letter, or ſome flafhy Trifle, which diſcovers
a mean Soul, more than an elevated Fancy.
Their Songs too like Anchovies, only ferve to
invite Men to drink,or in an Amour,proſtitute
their Wit, to celebrate the defeat of their Rea-
fon; and are proud to be flattered with the
vain Thoughts of Wit, magnifying thofe that
magnify them, and think it as great a Proof of
Eloquence, to perfwade a Miſtreſs fhe is hand-
fom and adored, whom it would be Eloquence
to perfwade to the contrary.
To
162
The LIFE of the
To difcourage Men from fuch Irreligious
Practices, fays Mr. Boyle, the higheſt Applauſe
will hardly recompence the Punishment of Pro-
phaneness, nor will his Name avail in other
Books, if blotted out of the Book of Life. And
thoſe who covet a future Name by irreligious
Writings, and not to have a Name till the Re-
gion of Darkneſs precedes that future Light,
that Ambition muſt be ſtrange, which beyond
the Grave comes fhort of Heaven; and thoſe
Wits muſt be great Fools, who for Praiſes
they ſhall never hear, fecure themfelves Tor-
ments they fhall never part with. For though.
Prophaneneſs may be thought but a fmall Sin,
becaufe but a verbal one, I wish it were well
confidered, how great a fault it will be to af-
front God's Word, at that great Day, when the
Lord fhall come with ten Thousand of his Saints,
to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all
that are ungodly among ft them, of all their ungodly
Deeds, which they have ungodlily committed, alſo
of all their hard Speeches, which ungodly Sinners
have spoken against him, Jude v. 14, 15. And
though thefe fmall Sins in Health and Profpe-
rity, feem not much to blemish our Confcien-
ces, yet in Diftrefs or near Death, when God
comes to fearch Men's Hearts, as if it were with
Candles, and punish the Men that are fetled upon
their Lees; Terror than will feize them.
And in another Place, fays Mr, Boyle, Pro-
phaneness is fuch an unprofitable Sin, that it
only gets an ill Name amongſt Men upon
Earth, and a worfe Place amongſt them in
Hell, and is fuch a malicious Enemy to Piety,
that he will do Religion harm, though he does
himſelf
Honourable Robert Boyle.
163
:
a Sin that
himſelf no good; and further,
is fo injurious to the Glory of God, and tends
to fubvert the Immortal Souls of Men, and to
destroy thems for whom Chrift dyed, by being ver-
bal will not be lefs heinous; therefore to thofe
that commit it, I fhall recommend the laſt half
of the Epistle of St. Jude, which ought to make
thoſe that confider the Fate threatned to their
Predeceffors, that were guilty of it, to trem-
ble at their Crime, who upon the Prefumpti
on of their great Wit, like Jeroboam, who
forfook the Temple, where God fo gloriouſly
manifefted himfelf to Mankind, to worship
Calves of his own making,difparage the Scrip-
ture.
>
From what hath been hitherto faid, it ap
pears, that the Honourable Mr. Boyle was not
only Learned in thofe Languages, which are
required to fit a Man for the ftudy of Divini-
ty, but that he made, fo good a Uſe of his
Learning, and purfued his Studies in Di-
vinity fufficiently to learn his own Duty, and
to qualify him to teach it to others. And as
he was qualifyed with the Speculative
Part to the higheſt Degree; fo he was care-
ful and diligent to put what he knew in Pra-
ctice, and as he was furnished with the true
Principles of Religion and the Rules of Mo-
rality, in which he was examplary; fo he was
ſtocked with Preparatives againſt the Incroach-
ments of Vice, and Immorality, and was free
in communicating his Thoughts to others.
Having
164
The LIFE of the
----------
What other
befades Di-
vinity be
was excel-
ent in.
Having therefore taken Notice of fome hints
*
7
Parts of which may be Specimens of his Learning inDi-
Learning vinity, we fhall in the next place briefly confider,
what other Parts of Learning his Knowledgex-
tended to and in which he was Excellent, and
made fuch ConfiderableProgreffes,that he hath,
taking all together, left no room for any that
fhall come after, to Parallel hím, much leſs to
excel him in; to ufe the Words of the Learned
Bishop Burnet; "He run through the whole
Compafs of the Mathematical Sciences,and tho
" he did not fet himself to fpring new Game,
yet he knew even the abftrufeft Parts of Geo
metry, Geography in the feveral Parts of it,
that related to Travelling or Navigation,
"Hiſtory and Books of Travels were hisDiver
"fions. He went very nicely through at the
Parts of Phyſick, only the Tenderneſs of his
Nature made him lefs able to endure the Ex-
"actnefs of Anatomical Diffections, especially of
Living Animals, though he knew thefe to be
the moſt Inſtru&ting,this will be very evident to
any one, that peruſes his Writings, Mr. Boyle
throughout feveral Parts of his Books, as oc-
cafion feem'd to encourage him,to illuftrate any
Subject, making Compariſons or Allufions to fe
veral Mathematical, and Geometrical Demon-
ſtrations or Queftions, which he could with
readiness apply to the prefent Purpofe. Nor
was he lefs nice in the Hiftory of the Microcom,
» Macrócoſm, diftinguishing his Knowledg of
Human Bodies, and the Art of Phyfick, by
hewing on fome occafions as Proofs, what No
tions we ought to have of Critical Judgments;
or
Honourable Robert Boyle.
$
165
or the Structure of Animal Parts in difcovering
their Uſes and Ends.
But in Philofophy, he made the moſt confidera-
ble Progrefs; fo that it may not lye in the
Power of any one perhaps to equal hin,"efpe-
cially in that Fart of Thilofophy which is Ex-
perimental; to uſe the Words of the Learned
Bifhop Burnet; But for the Hiftory of Na-
،
<
،
C
C
C
•
ture Antient and Modern, and of the Pro-
ductions of all Countries, and of the Vertues
and Improvements of Plants, of Oars & Mine-
rals; and all the Varieties that are in them, in
differen
Climates; he was by much, by very
much the readieft and perfecteft I ever knew,
in the greateſt Compafs, and with the trueftEx-
actneſs.
This put him the way of making
all that vaſt Variety of Experts, beyond
..
any Man,as far as we know that ever lived.
And in thefe, as he made a great Progrefs
in newfo he ufed fo nice a ſtrict-
nefs, and delivered them with fo fcrupulous
a Truth, that all who have examined them,
have found how fafely the World may depend
upon them. There was no circumſtance in
any Experiment he made, which was not taken
Notice of by him, with the greateft exactness,
and delivered with as much; nor did he mifs
any Inference,that might be drawn fren. them,
either to the Improvement of Philofophy, Sta-
ticks, Hydroftaticks or Phyficks.
But to use the Words and juft Character the
moſt Worthy and Learned Bifhep Burnet hath
made ufe of," His peculiar and favorite Study
'was Chymiftry, in which he engaged with
none of thofe ravenous and an bitious defigns,
* that
:
166
The LIFE of the
<
،
C
'that draw many into them. His deſign was
€ only to find out Nature, to fee into what Prin-
ciples things might be refolved; and of what
they were compounded, and to prepare good
Medicines for the Bodies of Men. He spent
"neither his Time nor Fortune upon the vain
Purfuits of high Promiſes and Pretenfions.
He always kept himself within the compafs
that his Eſtate might well bear, and as he.
'made Chymiſtry much the better for his deal-
*ing in it; fo he never made himself either the
worfe or the poorer for it. It was a Chari-
"ty to others, as well as an Entertainment to
himfelf, for the produce of it was diſtributed
'by his Sifter, and others, into, whofe hands
he put it. Nay, both in his Experiments in
Philofophy, as well as Chymiſtry, his Labours
had Charity annexed to them; but eſpecially
the later, for as a great many were employed
in profecuting his defigns, fo he proved Cha-
ritable to the Perfons employed, as well as thofe
to whom the Products were diftributed. He
was Charitable and Liberal, without being Pro-
fufe,and might ſay to the World upon much bet
ter Terms than Horace did to Macenas 2
Haud Paravero
A
Quod aut avarus ut Chremes terra premami,
Difcinctus aut perdam ut Nepos.
He had a Temper ferious enough to have ac-
compliſhed and fitted him for a Mifer, and E-
ftáte fufficient to have furniſhed him with what
might fupport Extravagancy; but what was
much better for himſelf he had Prudence and
Piety
Honourable Robert Boyle.
167
Piety enough to check the later and turn it to
better Ufes, and had too charitable and gene-
rous a difpofition to hide that Talent in a Nap-
kin, which did ſo much good to others; and
which he knew fo well how to improve, by
exchanging it for a more valuable and lafting
Treaſure.
Thus it appears, how Univerfal his Know.
ledg was in all Parts of Learning; but what
we have offered here, are but fmall hints of
thoſe brighter Specimens he hath publiſhed to
the World, of which Biſhop Burnet gives this
Character, "They are highly valued all the
"World over, and his Name is every where
' mentioned with particular Characters of Re-
'fpect. I will conclude this Article with this,
in which I appeal to all competent Judges,that
'few Men (if any) have been known to have
made fo great a Compafs, and to have been
fo exact in all the Parts of it as he was.
Govern
ment.
Hitherto we have briefly endeavoured to re- Some
prefent a faint Idea of his Learning and Piety; Thoughts
but though we have infifted on fo many Parti- of his, of
culars, which as Beams from the Sun, may ſpeak
the Splendor of their Original; yet this Know-
ledg was not all; He not only underftood Books
and Sciences, but Men, and the Conftitutions
of their Minds, as well as of their Bodies; and
though, as we have before obferved, he early
withdrew himſelf from Court, and was not
willing to involve himſelf in troublefom Prefer-
ments, or to be valued for empty Titles; yet
he was not a ftranger to Government,nor with-
out the Knowledg of Men and fecular Af-
fairs. Says Mr. Boyle, a Commonwealth being.
compared
1
168
The LIFE of the
compared to a Ship, the skill of ruling Nati
ons is an Art both noble and difficult, a Ruler
being to work upon free Agents, who may have
private intereft and Defigns, different from
thofe of the Prince, and perhaps repugnant to
them. And Prizes in Government are thought
fo valuable, and fo eagerly purfued, that it
makes the Rulers of States often mifgovern
them. But the Infelicities of declining States,
are not always due to the Imprudence of Ru-
lers; but the Refentments of fuch Imprudence,
often occafions publick Diſorders. And it is a
Queſtion, whether it be a greater Infelicity, to
have indifferent States men, or a great many
wife Subjects, who are apt to cenfure what is
done by their Superiors, becaufe not done by
themſelves. And it may be queftioned, whe-
ther the Refpect. we pay to Princes, is ground-
ed on our Reaſon, and our inward Thoughts;
for Right in Government, does not employ
Skill, nor confer it, a Crown adorning the out-
fide, without enriching the infide; and the
Splendor can scarce dazle the Beholders, tho'
it does them that wear it, the Jurifdiction of
Reaſon reaching Thrones themfelves, though
Sovereigns fometimes cannot well avoid what
they do.
But further, Mr. Boyle fays, it is not a breach
of Loyalty, to question the Prudence of a Go-
vernor,no more than to think him tall,ftreight,
or fharp-fighted, when he is low, crooked or
purblind. AMonarch may command my Life or
Fortune, but my Opinion I cannot com-
mand my felf, it arifing from the Nature of
the thing Ijudg of, therefore to think, that all
things
Honourable Robert Boyle.
169
C
things done by Men in Power are done with
Wiſdom, is too great an Impoffibility to be a
Duty, and it would leffen the merit of Obedi-
ence, which upon that account is paid to the
Authority of the Magiftrate; fince we obey
the Injunctions of Lawyers and Phyfitians, if
for our good, though we acknowledg they have
noRight to command us. And as the great-
eft Prince's Actions fhould be regulated as well
as judged of by Reafon, fo lawful Authority
may have a Jurifdiction over my Actions, tho'
not my Opinion, and though Authority and
Wiſdom are obeyed with more Cheerfulness,
yet Power unguided by Prudence, may be o-
beyed as punctually and faithfully.
:
To which purpofe Mr. Boyle proceeds, I
would not oppofe a Magiftrate I cannot esteem,
and though I may fee the Folly of a Prince
never ſo great, I can reverence Authority in
the weakest. But this is not only difficult to
do, but what perhaps is not ufual; yet it would
not be amifs if we did it more; for as Human,
efpecially Political, Matters are attended with
a great variety of Circumſtances, fome of which,
or others, may be differently confidered and
eſtimated; fo it is not difficult to reprefent moft
Actions, Politick, or otherwife, as thofe Cir-
cumſtances
or difcommend them. So that thofe Councils,
which are capable of feveral Conftructions,
ought to be favourably cenfured; and I ſhould
ufe the Fathers of myCountry,as Noah's Children
did their fick Father, who when they faw their
Fathers Nakedness, covered it, being willing
to fee no more of it than was neceflary to hide it.
are confidered, which may excufe
0 2
But
170
The LIFE of the
But further, fays Mr. Boyle, the Vulgar,who
are the greateſt and loudest part of them, that
concern themſelves with State Affairs, and find
Fault with their Management, are but incom
petent Judges of Politicks; for to judg of things
by Success, is to forget the wife Difpofer of E-
vents, and contrary to the Opinien and Cuſtom
of the Wife. Belides, the Vulgar have not a
fufficient Profpect of the true State of Affairs,
to enable them to judg of them; and are un-
acquainted with the Motives of the Princes de-
figns or counfels; fo that that which to them
feems Imprudent, may in reſpect of other de
figns be Politick enough; and a private whiſper
from an unſuſpected Spy, or things unthought
of, by thofe concerned inState Affairs,may make
Proceedings feem imprudent, which they can-
not be acquainted with, thofe private Reaſons
being as unfit to be divulged as obeyed. So
that only Pride and Ignorance give the Vulgar
occafion often to complain, and when they judg
upon incompetent grounds, they may be mi-
ftaken, when even their Superiors are in fault.
Not but that fuch as have Parts and Opportu-
nities, and have fuitable Conditions, and know
their Intereſts and Deſigns, may judg of their
Counfels, and know their Miftakes.
But for ambitious pragmatical Inferiors, fays
Mr. Boyle, to correct the Government, is no
lefs prejudicial than common; for when it is
decryed at home, it encourages Foreigners to
fubvert a State, and make the Subjects deſpair
of preferving it, little confidering, that Impru-
dences in Government are much less prejudi-
cial than a Subverfion, whether by a Foreign
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
171
or an Inteftin Power, fuch Changes entailing
upon an unhappy Country, the greater Mif
fortune of War. And though the right of Go-
vernment confers not Skill, yet it is better to
ftand by the former than to oppofe it, tho' it
wants the later, for the right is commonly in-
herent in one, or but two or three, but skill is
fo undetermined a thing, that every Man would
flatter himself capable of Sovereignity. And
where the craftieft or the ſtrongeſt might pre-
fide, there must needs be frequently Viciffitudes
in Government and Governours, fince he that
could get an Intereſt amongst the Souldiers,
might affume the Government by Power.
-
He further obferves, what Confufion might
happen by every Body's pretending to a right
of Government, and pretending to Counfel
or Command, and none to Obey to which
he adds,thatMagiftracy being inftituted byGod,
for the good of Men, we may by obeying Ma-
giftrates lefs Wife than our felves, or than we
could wifh,reap feveral Advantages of our Obedi-
ence, befides thofe Bleffings which God bestows
upon thoſe that are Obedient to his Vice-Ge-
rents on Earth. We may wish for wife Princes,
but ought to fubmit to thofe which Providence
and the Laws of our Country hath given
us. We ought to affift with the wifeft Coun-
fel we can, and to make the beft of the unwife
Coun fel he hath taken, not adding Faction
to Mifgovernment; for the Happiness of a
Common-wealth conſiſts,not only in the Prince
commanding, but alſo in his Subjects obeying
well; and weak Counfels affifted by thofe that
execute them, may be lefs prejudicial, than
0,3
A
i
the
172
--
The LIFE of the
1
the jarrig Endeavours of thofe who perhaps
might govern more wifely. Affection and Di-
ligence in Publick Services may, in fpite of Mir
carriages, prevent or leffen the ruin of a State.
However,it will be a fatisfaction to an honeft
loyal Subject, that he hath no ways contributed
to Publick Calamities, and he will bear thofe
Calamities better, when they are not attended
with publick Guilt. Nay whatever Service we
do to a Prince, as God's Vice-gerent, is ulti
mately done to that Supreme, which the Scrip-
ture calls the only Potentate, whofe Munificence
is inexhaustible; and whatever we have fuffe-
red in Obedience to his Commands, we may
expect to be confidered in reward of our Obe-
dience.
And as Mr. Boyle thus briefly reprefents, how
Rulers ought to be eſteemed by their subjects
and Inferiors, and how the later ought for their
own Intereft to refpect and be obedient to the
former; fo on the other hand, he elſewhere
fhews, how Superiors ought to be Exemplary
to their Inferiors, and reprefents the good Ef-
fects of it. Says he, fome Men who were fub-
ject in a private Condition to Vices, lay them
afide; and when elevated to Honour, Improve
by their Stations, being vitious before, becaufe
depreffed below their proper Sphere. And
indeed, fays he further, a Throne not only
affords Temptations to Vice, but Engagements
to Vertue, and though fo high a Station may
make a Man giddy, yet it is enough to make
him circumfpect, fince the Eyes of the World
are upon him; and indeed, fo fublime a Stati-
on would make a generous Soul defpife mean
4
things,
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
173
things, which Inferiors are prevailed on by.
Princes that have Shame or Honour, will con-
fider, that there are too many Eyes upon them,
to keep their Faults fecret and free from cen-
fure, which Men are the more fevere in, be-
caufe Reputation is all that Subjects can punish
their Sovereign in. A generous Mind will make
them ambitious of Glory, which Monarchs
cannot purfue without great and good Anti-
ons. And if they have a refpect to Piety, be
ing God's Vice gerents, they cannot but in
Gratitude to him, promote his Intereft, and
imitate him in his Attributes of Clemency,
Juftice and Bounty, as he hath given them
Power and Authority. Befides an Earthly
Crown leaves us nothing but a Heavenly Crown
to afpire to, and confidering the Advantages
they have of doing Good above others; fo their
Examples have a great Influence either in Ver-
tue or Vices; and what a great Account muft
they give one Day, of Thoufands committed
to their Care, which they ought to be careful
to make a good one,
C.
And to fhew,how prevalent good Examples
are in Princes, as well as how obfervant Sub-
jects ſhould be of them. Mr. Boyle further ob-
ferves in another place, in refpect of Cuſtoms,
it would be odd for one in another Habit to
come to Court, fince he would be ftared at as
a ftranger,and one unacquainted with the place;
and though there are no Laws made to the con-
trary, to forbid fuch things; yet not to com-
ply with Cuſtom and the Rules of Civility,not
only makes a Man look like a Stranger, but a
Player rather than a Courtier. This may give
04
นรั
/
174
The LIFE of the
His
Thoughts of
a private
Country
Life.
us occafion to think ſince Cuſtoms are ſo pre-
valent, what a happineſs it would be, if thofe
who have the Power to introduce Cuftoms
would make good ones, the impofing and re-
forming of Faſhions being more Noble, if well
ufed, than the Splendour and Pleaſure they live
in the Authority of raifing Armies, or the
Happiness of being Victorious, and it is a much
more improveable Prerogative to introduce
good Cuftoms, than to coin Metals into Mo
ney and make it current.
•
And further, he ſays, though Princes do well
in making good Laws, and taking care to ex-
ecute them to preſerve the Peace of Human So-
cieties, and to reftrain them from doing Mif-
chief, yet there are a thouſand Rules of Rea-
fon or Chriſtianity, which Laws have no In-
fluence on, which are contrary to the Laws of
Nature and Chrift, and Multitudes may pafs
uncited, before Man's Tribunal, which may re-
ceive Condemnation at God's. But though
Laws cannot prevent fuch fins yet Example
may do much, and a Princes Declaration of
what he approves or difapproves, will have
a great Influence on thofe about him, which
will be further Examples to the reft of his Sub-
jects.
、,·,,
Having thus briefly repreſented his Thonghts
of Princes, and Courts as well as Government,
we fhall next obferve fomething he hath given
us a faint Idea of his Thoughts in, of the Hap-
pinefs and Innocency of a Country Life, of
which he expreffes himſelf to this Purpofe, viz.
Though Villagers feem to be a wretched fort of
Creatures; yet their Condition feems to make
them
Honourable Robert Boyle.
175
them happy, and alfo to keep them innocent;
being contented with a cheap way of Living,an
fwerable to Natures Bounty, and an eafy In-
duftry. Whereas amongft Perfons of Quality
it is looked upon as want of Breeding not to
think themſelves unhappy, if they have not a
Thoufanda Year. But Innocence and Con-
tentment depend more upon a Man'sMind,than
the Condition of Life, it not being always the
occafion or object, but the degree that makes
the Affections unruly and troublefom; nor is
the latrinfick value but the Rule put upon
things, that makes them affect the Paffions.-
And though Courtiers and Gallants have grea-
ter Temptations to Sin and Difcontent than
Country People, theirs may be as great,though
not fo fpecious, their faults and infelicities being
not fo much taken Notice of, their Perfons and
Conditions being more obfcure; for their
Poverty conceals their Vices as well as their
Vertues from us. But if we ſhould enquire in-
to them, the
Inferior Country People are not
withour their Parties and loireagues, as far as
their Wits will allow. And the lowest Cottage
hath Care proportionable, attended with Ma-
lice Covetournefs and Envy,if thoſe that dwell
in them are minded to entertain them. And
the meaner neceffitated fort of Men are fubject
to fome fort of Vices, as thatched Houſes are
more Subject to Spiders and Cob-webs than
great Men's Houfes. Though, fays Mr. Boyle,
1 fhould be an
to think, thefe Men happy, if
they thought themſelves fo; but the Pomps and
Vanities of the World are often ſtronger Temp-
tations to thefe, than to Grandees and Cour-
tiers;
176
The LIFE of the
!
+
His
tiers; for thofe that are poffeffed of thefe Ima-
ginary Joys, are convinced that they are envi-
ed without Caufe., When I was converfant
in great Men's Houfes, I found their Courfe of
Lives, convinced me as much of the Vanities
of the World, as Sermons could convince them;
whereas the Country People only fee the glit-
tering Outfides of Vanity and Greatnefs, and
in the moſt favourable Light, which is apt to
tempt them to admire and envy their Conditi-
on, and to repine at their own every gaudy
trifile in a Country Town, being apt to make
a Country Man gape and admire them. And
a Country Maid we think fo happy, may per-
haps envy fome NeighbouringCountry Farmer's
Daughter for a tawdry Ribbon, or a black
Hood; for it is not a Man's outward Condition
but his Temper and Mind that makes him Sub-
ject to Temptations to Sin and Difcon-
tent.
:
Having thus briefly reprefented Mr. Boyle's
Thoughts of Thoughts of the feveral Stations and Conditi-
Courtship ons of Mankind, as they are placed in Greater
snd Ma- or Meaner Stations and Circumftances, fince
crimony.
Courtship and Marriage are two Diftinct Con-
ditions of Life, though near akin, that make
Men happy or otherwife, we fhall next obferve
fome Paffages and Expreffions of his re-
lating to thofe. As for himſelf, though he
was not againſt Matrimony in others, yet his
own Choice was to Live a Single Life, though it
were a pity fo Noble a ſtock fhould not have
produced fome branches of the fame kind: As
for Courtship, he fays, I have fometimes been
Satyrift enough. to endeavour to difabufe thofe
Servile
Honourable Robert Boyle.
177
Servile Souls, who being born to Reaſon, only
boat an Excefs of Paffion, and had fuch narrow
Thoughts of Happiness, and Mifery, as to ex-
pect either from a Woman's fage. And this
I thought I might the more freely do, becauſe
having never known the Infelicities of Love,
except by others fufferings, my declaiming
might be taken for the Effect of Reaſon, and
not Revenge. But though fome Men's Folly
hath been fo great, that I could not avoid
Laughing atit, yet l'am not fo much an Enemy
to Love, except in excess or misplaced, to re-
prefent the Nobleft Paffions of the Mind as a
Hideous and Formidable Diſeaſe.
And in another place,in refpect of this Paffi-
on he fays. He that prefents his Heart to
Mortal Beauty, expofes it to be Wounded in
her Breaft, and thoſe Misfortunes become his,
which would otherwife terminate in her, and
the Felicity of two Perfons grows requifite to
make one happy. Expofing our Hearts to Mu-
tual Objects, fays he, enlarges the Mark for
Fortune, and makes it liable to be wounded
in more Places; for though Love may make us
partakers of the Joys as well as of the Infelici-
ties of the Parties loved, yet the most happy
in this Fickle and Tempestuous World, meet
with fo many more Stormy than Profperous
Gales and we are fo much more fenfible of plea
fure than pain, that even Friendship, which is
a much calmer Affection than Love,ought to be
avoided, as injurious to our quiet, as it is a
partnership of Fortune, not as it is an Exer
cife of Vertue.
L
And
•
178
The LIFE of the
And Mr. Boyle elſewhere fpeaking of the
Torments and Difquiets that attend fenfual
Love, fays he. Indeed I cannot fay, that many
have dyed for it, except as Reafon may be faid
to be the Conſtituent Part of a Man, Love de-
throning Reafon; for though it leaves the Lo-
ver alive, the Man may be faid to be killed.
But though Love deſtroys not Men's Lives, it
much difquiets them. Lovers must be a long
while Servants, before they have the Honour of
being taken Notice of as fuch, and the Tor-
ments that Lovers feel, are often called Martyr-
doms, which perhaps is not without fome Rea-
fon, if the Greatnefs of the Torment, with-
out theCauſe andObject were fufficient to make
them Martyrs. And though Romances repre-
fent Lovers fo dexterously, that their Readers
admire and envy their Felicity; yet I have been
fo much concerned for fome engaged in fuch Ad-
ventures, that Envy was foon turned intoPity:
for though the Repulfes, Regrets, Jealoufies,
Fears, Abfences, Defpairs and the other Dif-
quieting Affections of Lovers, are foon read
by the diverted Perufer; yet they are not eafi-
ly fupported by the difconfolate Lover, and
though they may be handfomly expreffed to
divert the Reader; yet it is much happier to
be free from Misfortunes, than to be able to
talk Eolquently of them.
And further, he ſays, Obje&s of Love,which
charm us at a distance, whilft gazed on with
Expectation and Defire, when once poffeffed,
their former Luftre vaniſhes, and they appear
quite different things, though Abfence in a lit-
tle time makes us forget their Emptiness, and
at
Honourable Robert Boyle.
179
at a Diſtance, they are as apt to deceive as e-
ver.
3
But fays Mr. Boyle, though I am not fo a-
verfe to Matrimony as fome think me, and
would not refufe Advice, tho' I fhould be loath
to be an Example; yet I have feen fo few hap-
py,and fo many unhappy Marriages, and have
fo feldom feen Men Love their Wives, as they
did their Miſtreffes; that I wonder not, that
Law-makers made Marriages undiffolvable to
make them lafting. For it is like aLottery,he
that ventures may lofe, as well as win, and
there are a great many Blanks to one
Prize.
;
But as he fhews us the Difficulties and Dan-
gers of Lovers, and the frequent Misfortunes
of Matrimony, yet Mr: Boyle tells us,how thoſe
Dangers ought to be prevented. Says he, Paffi-
onately to lovea Perfon you would Marry is
both requifite and expedient,to fix your Affe-
tions, where you have engaged your Faith
for Love is feldom confined except by Match-
es of it's own making, and few that ſee not
cauſe enough to be in Love beforehand, `prove
conftant afterwards. Since then the Marriage
of a Wife Man, fuppofes as much Love,, as he
can be capable of, without loofing that Title,
to be moderately in love cannot but be injurious
to Marriage, which is a ſtate I can allow others
more eafily than contract it my felf; yet 1 can-
not condemn fuch a Condition of Life, as if it
were Expedient to none, fince without that
Paradice and Innocence could not compleat the
Happineſs of Adam. And further, he fays,there
is a certain Degree of Love for a Friend, a
Miſtreſs,
1
180
The LIFE of the
IN's Wif-
dom and
other En-
damarents
of Mind.
"
Miſtreſs, or a Wife. And again, a Vertuous
Wife may Love both her Husband's Relations
and her own, and yet Love him with her whole
Heart, there being a peculiar unrivalled fort
of Love, which conftitutes true Conjugal Affe-
ations, which the referves intirely for him, and
would be Criminal to Harbour for any other
Perfon.
Having thus far confidered his Thoughts in
refpect of fecular as well as fpiritual Affairs,
and briefly reprefented the wonderful Frøgrefs
he made in refpect of both, and that he was,
not only Learned in Sciences, but well acquain-
ted with the Affairs of Mankind, to illuftrate
what we have faid in refpect of both, and
briefly fum up the greatExtent of his Qualifica-
tions of Mind, we ſhall here obferve fome par-
ticular Tokens and Marks of his great Wildom
and Sagacity, which befides his great Learning &
Knowledg,may be fome fmall Addition to the
faint Idea we have given of his Character. A-
mongst the rest of thofe Marks of Wifdom he
was fo plentifully ftored with,to tife the Words
of the Learned Bishop Burnet, "He could well
be Silent, and by practising that much, he
covered himself upon many Occafions. He
made true Judgments of Men and Things.
His Advices and Opinions were folid and
found; and if Caution and Modefty gave too
ftrong a Byafs, his Invention was fruitful to
fuggeft good Expedients. He had great No-
'tions of what Human Nature might be brought
to, but fince he faw Mankind was not capable
of them, he withdrew himfelf early from
Courts and Affairs, notwithstanding the di-
વ
<
2
FR 360
Honourable Robert Boyle.
181
↓
•
2
'ſtinction with which he was always treated
" by our late Princes. But he had the Princi-
ples of an Engliſh-man, as well as of a Pro-
teftant, too deep in him to be corrupted, or
• to be cheated out of them; and in theſe he
'studied to fortify all that converfed much with
him; fo that what the Prophet faid, might
well be applyed to him, viz. That those that turn
others to Righteouſneſs ſhall ſhine for ever and ever.
And as he looked upon it as fo good a Work,
he both made it his own Bufinefs, and endea-
voured to perfwade others to follow his Exam-
ple. Says he, if we have any Friends, that ſtand
in need of this kindneſs, let us not be diſcou-
raged by their coldly receiving our Admoni
tions, though they look upon them as diftur-
bances; for, not to fay, that the leſs they are
defired,and the worſe they are entertained, the
more they ſtand in need of them;aChriſtian is not
ſo much to confider the fuccefs of his Endea-
vours, as to leave it in their Power to make
him unhappy, whom he reproves, when he
may mifs his Aim, without loofing his Labour,
fince the Maſter he ferves, is as ready to re-
ward, as able to difcern Intentions; for if your
Endeavours fucceed, you will at once make
a Man your Friend, and alfo worthy to be ſo;
and ſcarce any Men are more affectionate, than
thoſe who are made Friends, by making them
Enemies to Vice.
But to proceed to thofe other Marks of
Wiſdom, which beautifyed his Mind, in Bi-
fhop Barnet's Words, " He had a very particu-
lar Sagacity in obferving what Men were fit
and had fo vaft a Scheme of different
for
ذ
Performances,
{
1
The LIFE of the
182
Elus Direct.
Live
Performances, that he could foon furniſh eve
ry Man with Work, that had leafure and ca-
pacity for it, and as foon as he faw him en-
gaged then a handfom Prefent was made, to
enable him to go on with it. And thus he
employed a great many, not only in his Philo-
fophical, but Chymical Experiments.
Ε
4
L
Andas a further Argument of his great Wif
dom and Prudence,inſtead of thoſe looſe and fen-
fualPleaſures which theGenerality ofMen enter-
tain themſelves with, his fpare hours were al-
ways employed in uſeful Meditations, and folid
Converfation ; and as Biſhop Burnet Witnef-
fes; "He had indeed nothing of Frolick and
Levity in him, he had no Relish for the Idle
and Extravagant Madneſs of the Men of Plea-
fure, he did not waſte his time, nor diffipate
his Spirits into Fooliſh Mirth, but he poffeffed
his own Soul in Patience,full of that folid Joy,
which his Goodneis as well as his Knowledg
afforded him. He who had neither Deſigns
"nor Paflions, was capable of little trouble from
any concerns of his own. He had about him
all the tenderness of good Nature, as well as
the foftneſs of Friend fhip, theſe gave him a
large hare of other Men's Concerns; for he
had a quick Sence of the Miſeries of Mankind.
He had alſo a feeble Body, which needed to
be looked to the more, becauſe his Mind went
"fafter than his Body could keep pace with it, yet
his great Thoughts of God, and his Contem-
"plation of his Works, were to him Sources of
"Joy which could never be exhauſted.
!
What
Honourable Robert Boyle.
183
What we have hitherto faid may in fome
Meaſure faintly delineate the Character of this
Great Good Man, who indeed, as Bishop Bur-
net ſays, was one of a Thousand, nay of a great
many Thouſands; his Vertues were lo con-
fpicuous and pure without ſpot or blemiſh,and
his Wiſdom and Knowledg fo aftonishing
and extenſive; and his Performances every way
fo much to be admired, and ſo much eſteemed
and valued all the World over. Theſe will be
lafting Monuments of his great Worth and Me-
rit, and perpetuate the juft Memory of him
with the higheſt Eſteem to future Ages; which
fince they are noble Specimens of the large Ca-
pacities and Endowments of his Mind, and
argue a Soul attended with all the bright Qua-
lities and Perfections belonging to a Rational
and Human Soul, and were a great Part of a
Life not only well ſpent, but as diligently em-
ployed. We fhall here give a Brief and Summa
ry Account of thofe Works, which have not
only ſpread his Name in this World; fo that
it muft never dye whilft Learning is valued,but
hath placed his Immortal Fame as well as Soul
amongſt Saints and Angels.
Works.
And fince the Soul is more valuable than an Account
things Corruptible, and the Knowledg of Di- of his The
vinity tends not only to improve the Welfare logical
of our Souls,and to fecure us Everlaſting Hap
pineſs,but as Mr. Boyle hath obferved,enables us
to make a better ufe of our Knowledg of other
things, we ſhall firſt give a fuccine Account of
his Theological Works, and then proceed to
give an Account of his Philofophical Writings.
la which we fhall not obferve any ftrict Method
P
as
184
The LIFE of the
as to the time of his Publiſhing thofe Books;
nor shall we exactly regifter them as they might
be Reaſonably placed in a continued Difcourfe,
but as they may in this place, beft illuftrate his
Character, which is the prefent Intent of this
Effay. And First, of his Theological Works.
The First of his Theological Works we ſhall
The Martyr- take notice of,is, Love and Religion, demonftra-
dom of
Theodora ted in the Martyrdom of Theodora and Didymus.
and Didy- This Book he wrote in his tender years,though
thus. it was not published of a long time after. In
this Tract he fhews,how Love and Chriſtianity
may be confiftent, and entertained in the fame
Perfon, and that pure and fincere Love deſtroys
not Chriſtianity, thoughChrißianity contributes
to preſerve that Paffion free from thoſe Blemi-
fies,which expoſes it to the Criminal and Igno-
minious Titles of Vice. And though the Paffi-
on of Love may move us to contribute what in
us lies, for the Prefervation of the Object of it,
yet Chriftianity limits it to juft Bounds: and as
the Love of God, and the Happineſs promiſed
in another World,is more inviting & to be pre-
fered before thofe fading Objects in this
World; fo a Chriftian ought to make
that his chief Aim; and no Dangers, not even
Death itſelf, ought to deter us from purſuing
thofe Ends which are more valuable than all
the World. To be brief, this Tract not only
gives us good Examples of Love and Honour,
as confiftent with Chriftianity, but fhews, that
as Love ought not to byafs or divert us in the
way to Heaven; fo a Chriftian ought to behave
himſelf with the greateſt Courage and Refolu-
tion to gain that Prize, which our Saviour
purchaſed for us with the Price of his Blood,
and
Honourable Robert Boyle.
18.5
and that we cannot fuffer too much for that
Cauſe, fince we are to be rewarded with Eter-
nal Happiness. This Tract fhews, what early
and great as well as folid Thoughts Mr. Bayle
retained of Chriftianity,when his Years might
have inclined him to give way to that Paffion of
Love which is apt to divert others Thoughts
from Chriſtianity.
The next of his Theological Works we shall Seraphick
take notice of, is, his Seraphick Love. In this Love.
Tract he discovers the Vanities of Love placed
upon Earthly Objects, and invites us to fix it
upon God Almighty; and having repreſented
the Inconveniences that attend our Enjoyments
here, he fhews us the Beauty of Heavenly Ob-
jects, furniſhing us with Arguments to direct
our Love to God; and though we are not whol-
ly to deſpiſe temporal Things; yet our Love
of them ought to be limited, and chiefly to be
fixed upon the moſt deſirable Objects, which
inſtead of deluding us with fading leafures
rewards our Love with more valuable Returns;
Everlaſting Happineſs reſerved and prepared
for thoſe that Love God; and to make us the
more Intent upon fuch Objects, he repreſent to
us thofe Joys of Heaven, which though at the
preſent beyond our Conception, will be much
more pleaſant in the Fruition, when our Capa-
cities and Knowledg of them fhall be enlarged.
Whence it appears,how much this Good Man
had diverted his Thoughts, and refuſed to fix
them upon corruptible Things, which like an ill
Foundation cannot be lafting; and how far he
had placed his Affections on things above which
are everlasting. He had too true a profpect of
p 2
the
186
The LIFE of the
The Style
Gures-
the Vanities of this World to doat on them?
and too bright an Idea of Heaven, not rather
to make it his Choice, and fix his Love, where
his-Hart was, and where he now enjoys thofe
Celestial Pleaſures, he fo long thirfted after,
converfing whilft he was on Earth with Saints,
Angels and Seraphims, in ftreins beyond the
common pitch of Mankind.
And as he made Divinity his early study, fo
of the Scrip- he endeavoured to recommend it to others, and
to shew them the value of thofe facred Writings;
the better to engage them in theStudy of it,and
to take off thofe Imputations, which have been
fo prejudicial, he hath wrote an Excellent Tract
in Defence of the Style of the Scriptures, where
he hath learnedly examined and answered all
thofe Objections which Irreligious and Pro-
phane Perfons have made againſt it, to under-
value a Book fo worthy of it's great Author.
In this it appears, how well verfed he was in
the Scriptures, and how exactly he had ftudied,
and taken Pains to underſtand thofe Languages
which might be requifite for one that would
underſtand that Book, and make themſelves
Maſters of it, fo for as might enable them to
explain it, and write in it's Defence. This
Book is not only a Specimen of his skill in the
Oriental Languages, and what Pains he took
to Study the Scripture, and a good defence a-
gainst thofe Groundless Objections raiſed to un-
dervalue It,but he hath likewife produced good
Arguments to induce others to the ſtudy of it,
especially thoſe who are not only concerned for
the Welfare of their own Souls, but have alfo
undertaken the Charge of others; offering the
beſt
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
187
"
beſt Motives and Confiderations to perfwade
them to a ſtudy of everlaſting Confequence,
which he fhews fhould not only be their chief
and principal, but their daily,Study. He fur-
ther repreſents the Danger of Burleſquing
and Prophaning the Word ofGod. Which fhews,
what a profound Veneration he had for thofe
Writings which were endited by God Almigh-
ty's Secretaries,and attefted by his own Autho-
rity, proving themfelves by their Doctrin to
be of Divine Origin.
07.
And as he had a profound respect for thofe Thei-
facred Books, which were dictated by God bility of the
himfelf to his Divine Pen-Men; fo he had a firm Refurrecti
Belief of whatever Doctrins were delivered by
fuch great Authority; he not only believed the
Myſtery of Man's Redemption and the Incar-
nation of our Saviour Jefus Chrift; but alfo
of the Refurrection of our Mortal Bodies,which
after Death muft come to Judgment; and to
confirm others in the fame Faith, hath wrote a
Learned Treatife of the Poffibility of the Re-
furrection, deriving his Notions of the Identi-
ty of the rising Body from the true Sence of
Texts of Scripture, and fhewing how durable
the Parts of Matter are in many Cafes; ſo that
though they may feem to undergo feveral chan-
ges, ftill retain their priftine Natures; fo that
if might not be impoffible but that the fame Par-
ticles of Matter might be again united, or
that others joyning with them might form the
fame, fince feveral things are eſteemed the
fame, though there happens almoft, if not alto-
gether,a total Addition or Accefs of fresh Parts
of Matter. But the Notion of Identity hath
Pr
occafioned
88
The LIFE of the.
of the Fe-
neration due
to God.
occafioned a great many trivial Difputes about
that Subject; He was too well fatisfied of the
Authority of the Scriptures to difpute what
is there afferted, and he was fufficiently ac-
quainted with Philofophical Principles, to be
able to demonftrate what is there afferted con-
fonant with Reafon.
And as he was well acquainted with the
Word of God, and had a juft value and vene-
ration for it; ſo he was very well skilled in,and
had a great Knowledg of, his Viſible Works.
He was not a common Gazar, that admired the
outfide of things, but had Skill and Knowledg
as well as Sagacity and Judgment, which were
ftrengthened with Induftry to dive into and
fearch out their Natures; he was well acquain-
ted with the Connection of Things and their
Caufes, and not only Phyfick and Philofophy.
gave him a great View of the Microcofm; But
his Skill in Mathematicks, Geometry,& Aſtrono-
my raiſed his Knowledg above the Clouds.
He could obferve and admire thofe Celeſtial Bo-
dies which move perpetually in vaſtOrbs above,
as well as the Inteftin Motion ofParts of Matter
within our own Globe. This gave him a
vaft Advantantage in admiring the Attributes
of God, feeing the wonderful Effects of his
Wiſdom and Power; and as he had fo great a
Knowledg of the Infinitive Perfections of the
Author of all things; fo it raiſed in him a juſt
Veneration for that God, who communicated
that Knowledg, and was the Author of thofe
things that were the Subjects of it; And as
hehad a great Veneration for God,fo he wrote
an Excellent Tract, to fhew his Fellow Crea-
:
:
tures
•
:
}
Honourable Robert Boyle.
189
tures what Veneration they ought alſo to have
for the Author of their Being. In his Trea-
tife of the Veneration due to God, he fhews us,
what great Reaſons we have to admire, vene-
rate and adore that God, fo Infinitely Wife,
Powerful and Good; and having confidered his
Attributes and furnished us with Arguments
fufficient to raise our Admiration, and to pro-
duce a due Veneration in others; He not on-
ly repreſents God Almighty's Attributes and
Excellences as Motives and Inducements; but
as a further Reafon of admiring the InfinitePer-
fections of God, he reprefents, the narrow-
nefs of our Intellects, and the limited Bounds
of our Capacities, fhewing how vaftly diftant
Infinite is from what is Finite, and that the
Imall and fuperficial Knowledg of thofe things
we know is far fhort of the Knowledg which
none but he that is Infinite can underſtand.
And fince vain Man, though as a Worm and of Things
of a narrow and limited Capacity, would needs above Rea-
think himſelf ſo wife as to be able to under- Son.
ſtand every thing, and is apt to flatter himſelf,
that he knows, what he does not understand,
and therefore judges too frequently, that thofe
things which are above hisCapacity are beneath
it; and being too proud of his fmall Know-
ledg, is apt to think that whatever does not
quadrate with his Reafon must be contrary to
Reaſon, and confequently unreasonable; Mr.
Boyle to convince Mankind of ſo grofs a mi-
ſtake, hath wrote a Treatife of Things above
Reaſon, where he makes it appear, that ſeveral
things,which we judg to be contrary to Reaſon,
becauſe beyond the Verge of our Underſtand-
ing, are not therefore to be thought unreafona-
P 4
ble
#90
The LIFE of the
Advices a-
above Rea-
fon.
ble becauſe we cannot comprehend them, fince
they may be apparently Reaſonable to a greater
and more comprehenfive Underſtanding; thus
Men know more than Children, and Men of
Learning fee the Reafon of Things which illi-
terate Perfons underſtand not, and are apt to
cenfure & Erroneous ;becaufe not agreeable to
thofe Thoughts and theKnowledg they have to
make Judgment by. And and as Infinite Un-
derſtanding is above Finite, fo what appears
inconfiftent with our Reafon, is agreeable
with his Wifdom.
.
:
And having made it appear, that there are
bout Things feveral things above Reafon, he hath wrote
another Tract, exhibiting Rules or Advices in
judging of things above Reaſon, which may regu-
late our Judgments, when we meet with fuch
things as we do not underſtand, as being above
the reach of our Reafon; for as there is a dif-
ference betwixt knowing the Nature of a thing,
and being able to give an Account of our In-
ducements to believe it; fo we may have In-
ducements to believe fome things, whofe Na-
ture we are not able to underftand; and fince
there are ſeveral Myfteries in Scripture, which
we cannot reconcile to Reafon, becauſe they
are above our Capacities, we ought to be cau-
tious how we cenfure the Difpenfations of In-
finite Wiſdom, becaufe above the reach of our
Finite Reafon and Underſtanding, and as it
would be Prefumption for us, to think our
felves as wife as our Maker; fo it is much more
for us, to pretend to cenfure and undervalue
what he approves; and as we cannot without
Vanity pretend to know, except in part, thofe
things
Honourable Robert Boyle.
191
things which are about us; fo thofe of a much
fuperior Nature and abſtruſer, must not be dif
believed without good Grounds, no more than
they ought to be believed without Proofs fuffi-
cient in their kind. To prevent which Errors
in Judgment, Mr. Boyle hath in this Tract
propofed, Advices and juft Cautions to prevent
us from being impofed upon by our own Er-
rors, or the Miſtakes of others, telling us, what
Proofs are fufficient in their kinds, and how far
we may queſtion, or ought to give our Affent,
to things that are above Reafon, or appear
fo.
Nature.
And as Mr. Boyle had a due Veneration,both free En-
for the Sacred Writings as well as their Au quiry into
thor, and took Pains to undeceive the World, the vulgar
in thoſe grofs Miftakes, which occafioned a Notion
great many to have a flight Opinion of what
they ought fo much to efteem and value; fo he
took a great deal of Pains, to undeceive Man-
kind in fome miftaken Notions they had en-
tertained, which he thought and knew proved
prejudicial to Piety and Religion, and might
leffen the juft Efteem they ought to have of a
Deity and the true God; and fince the vulgar
Notion of Nature feems to rob God of the Ho-
nour and Veneration due to him, fince the
World is apt to afcribe thoſe wonderful Effects
to Nature, which are only to be ascribed to
God; He wrote another Treatife entituled,
Afree Enquiry into the received Notion of Nature,
wherein he fhews, what Erroneous Opinions
not only the Vulgar have entertained of Nature,
but thoſe who have acquired the Names of Phi-
lofophers, derogatory to the Honour of God,
and
192
The LIFE of the
and destructive to that Adoration and Vene-
ration we ought to pay him. He not only
fhews, how grand a Miſtake it is, to afcribe
Effects to Nature, which are only produced by
the Wiſdom and Power of God, fince Nature
is a fuppofititiousBeing only,and not a real one,
but having refuted the Vulgar Notion of Na-
ture, he tells us, what Opinion we ought to
have of her. And as Ariftotle hath falfely at-
tributed a great deal to this fictitious Goddefs,
and hath formed a great many Axioms ground-
ed upon a fuppofition of her Exiſtence, he re-
futes his Opinions; and not only fhews his
Axioms to be ill grounded, but tells us, in what
Sence they ought to be explained. He likewiſe
fhews us, what Errors thefe Notions have led
the Moderns into, and what Idolatrous and
Pernitious Superftitions the Antients were mi-
fled into, by their miſtaken Notions of Nature,
and their Anima Mundi, which he traces down
from the Sabeans to future Ages; and having
thus difcovered the Impofitions proceeding
from fuch ill grounded Opinions, he fhews the
neceffity of a Deity, and that the World and
all the Effects produced by fecond Caufes owed
their Origin to a Supreme Omnipotent and
Omnifcient God; having thus diſcovered thofe
vulgar Errors and their ill Effects, and proved
the neceffity of a God, he briefly enumerates
thofe Advantages that may accrue to Piety and
the Chriftian Religion, by detecting thoſe Er-
rors; and as his defign in all his Works, tended
to the Glory, and to raiſe a juft Veneration
for his Maker; fo he could do it no better way
than
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
193
than by promoting his Honour, and proving
his Exiſtence.
-
Difquifi-
And as he thus proved the neceflity of, and
confequently the Existence of a God; fo he took tion of Fi-
nalCauſes.
as much Pains to convince us of his Providence, malufer.
and in proving his fuperintending Power by
it's visible Effects, in An Effay about Final Caufes
of things Natural. Wherein he enquires not only
generally and indefinitely whether there are any
Final Caufes of Natural Things within the
Scope of a Naturalift's Knowledg; but whether
we may confider Final Caufes in all forts of
Bodies, or only in fome particularly qualifyed;
as alfo, whether, and in what Sence, Ends may
depend on Unintelligent or Inanimate Bodies;
and further, what Cautions are to be ufed in
forming Arguments upon a fuppofition of Final
Caufes; and not to mention the diftinction.he
makes of Final Caufes, he was fo well acquaint-
ed with comparative Anatomy, especially with
the different Structure of fome Parts of Animals,
that he was fufficiently stocked with Arguments
from their feveral Ulies, to prove the defigns
of Providence, by undeniable Inftances; every
Creature of different Spccies, being furnished
with Parts fuitable to the Einds defigned; and
as the Structure of Parts of Animals, were good
luftauces of theSuperintendency of Providence,
fo the Difpenfations, and the orderly and re-
gular Contrivance of the Univerſe,were no lefs
prevailing Inftances; Mr. Boyle was fo well
acquainted with the whole Frame of Nature,
that he could well difcern the mutual concur-
rence and dependence of every Part, to com-
pleat the fymmetry of the whole, having fear-
ched
194
The LIFE of the
Obfervati
ched into the fecret Contrivance of God Al-
mighty's Works, as far as Human Capacities
extended to the utmoſt would admit; and there-
fore he could not want Arguments or Inftances
to prove and illuftrate, that Providence that
furnished him with Abilities, both to difcern
and make ufe of them. His own good Works
were Arguments fufficient to prove aProvidence
to thoſe who received what he was intruſted
to communicate to them; and his great Per-
formances proved the great End he was made
for.
i
In proving the Superintendency of a Provi-
ons of Viti- dence and Final Caufes, he made ufe of feveral
ated Sight. Inftances infered from the particular and dif-
ferent Structure of the Parts, eſpecially of the
Eyes of Animals, and though his own Eyes
were weak, he was fo well acquainted with the
Structure of thofe Parts, that he could eaſily
difcern the Imperfections of others, which he
as well diftinguifhed; though it might be won-
dered, that one that could fee fo little, fhould
difcern fo much; but he made feveral Obfer-
vations of Vitiated Sight, and fo exactly, that it
confirmed his Knowledg and Sagacity, as well
as Accuracy extraordinary in whatever his
Curiofity inclined him to, and the brightneſs of
his Capacity, like thofe of the Sun Beams, dif-
played it felf wherever it went.
QHF.
Occaſional
The great Knowledg he had in Divinity,
Meditati- which he had fo induſtriouſly ſtudied, and was
fo perfectly acquainted with, enabled him to
read Divinity in every thing he caft his Eyes
on; and his Skill in, and Knowledg of, the
Works of Nature, made fuch Divinity Books
the
Honourable Robert Boyle.
195
the larger; fo that his leafure Hours were al-
ways employed in good Thoughts, and as he
made good Ufe of his own Time, fo he fhewed
others how to do the fame, in that Excellent
Book of Occafional Reflections, to which he hath
prefixed, a Treatife or Difcourfe of Occafional
Meditations, in which Difcourfe he reprefents
the Uſefulneſs of fuch Meditations, and makes
Ufe of feveral Motives and Inducements to per-
Iwade others to do the fame. Whatever he
faw, gave him fuch Noble Thoughts, and Cu-
ftom made fuch Reflections fo familiar, that
he like the Bees fucked Honey out of every
Bough; He took fo much delight in fuch Re-
flections, and was fo happy in his Thoughts,
and his fagacity and quickness of Apprehenfi-
on fuggefted them fo readily, that he could
eafily turn any Subject to his advantage; and as
he fays himſelf, when once the Mind is fet at
Work, the firſt Thoughts may be the Subjects
of further Meditations, and the connection of
Thoughts within the Mind, is frequently fo
ftrange, that the Contemplator himself will
often admire, to fee how far his laſt Thoughts
are removed from his firſt Meditations. And
fuch incidental Excurfions may fometimes as
much delight and furprize him, as the Honey
in the Carcass of a Lyon did Sampson, Judg. 14.
8. Mr. Boyle had fuch copious Thoughts upon
every Occafion, and fuch a readiness of Wit,
that like a Multiplying Glafs, every fingle
Object was reprefented with a manifold Ad-
vantage. The feeding of a Dog; The Beg-
gars on the High-way; The ftumbling of a
Horfe; The fight of a Wind-mill; The paring
of
196
The LIFE of the
The Chri-
ftian Vir
*Hoſe.
of an Apple, and fo trivial a thing as a rufty
Horfe-fhoe, furniſhed him with Reflections
worthy our Reading; and the darkeſt Cloud
afforded Light to his Underſtanding. His
Diverſion afforded Information, and his Sick-
nefs was a School of Divinity, and though he
walked through Weeds, and amongſt Places
frequented with the most defpicable Creatures,
he could convert the former into a Garden of
Flowers, and trace the Footsteps of his Maker
amongst the later..
He knew the Works of God fo well, and was
alfo fo intimately acquainted with his Word,
that every thing tended to make him the
better Man, as it improved his Knowledg,and
the better Chriftian, as he made a picus Uſe
of it; even Philoſophy taught him Divinity,
and he made uſe of it to inftru& others, the
fame way; to which end he wrote the Chriftian
Virtuoso, in which he fhews, that the want only
of a pious Difpofition, inclines thofe that ftudy
Philofophy, without an dueKnowledg inDivin'
ty,to convert it to a illufe; whereas thofe that
are firſt well inftituted in Sacred Things, eafily
diſcover a God in all his Works. In this Book
he fhews, that Philofophy not only teaches us
the Fundamentals of Natural Religion, but
confequently affords us Arguments to prove
the Truth of the Chriftian Religion; fo that
a Philofopher not only grows wifer in the
Knowledg of Natural Things, but the fur-
ther he ſearches into that Knowledg, the clea
rer he diſcovers the appearance of a God, and
more plainly difcerns theGreatnefs of his Wif
dom and Power.
To
!
i
·
Honourable Robert Boyle.
197
To this Treatife entituled the Chriſtian Vir-
tuoſo, he hath annexed, Reflections upon a Theo
logical Distinction, according to which it is
faid, that fome Articles of Faith are above Rea-
fon, but not against it; in which he fhews, that
by things above Reaſon, he means, fuch No-
tions as Reafon, without the affiftance of fut-
pernatural Reafon,would never difcover; whe-
ther comprehenfible to our finite Capacities or
not; and that there are feveral forts of Things
above Reafon; and having enumerated their
kinds, he makes it appear, that though they
are above Reaſon, they are not againſt it. And
having reprefented the Ufe of this Diſtinction,
he fhews further the ill Effects of it, when mif
applyed, and adds fome Arguments in favour
of Myſteries.
To the fame Book, entituled the Chriftian
Vartuofo, he likewife adds another Difcourfe of
the Greatness of Mind promoted by Christianity,
where he fhews the Errors of the Common No.
tion, and reprefents in what Vertues true
Greatnefs of Mind conſiſts.
The Recons
And as in the Chriſtian Virtuoſo, he makes it
appear, that Philofophy affifts us in demonftra- cileable-
ting the Grounds of Natural Religion, and nefs of Rea
furniſhes us with Arguments which lead us to Jon and
the Knowledg of Revealed Religion s
fo in Religion.
the Reconcileableness of Reason and Rel gion, he
fhews us further, not only how Philofophy may
be conducive to, and furniſh us with, Argu-
ments to ſtrengthen our Belief of the Chrifti-
an Religion; but alfo he fhews us,how far Rea-
fon may guide us in confirming our Belief of
the Mysteries of Holy Writ, and confequently
of
198
The LIFE of the
;
- Excel-
of the Truth of Chriftianity. In this Book he
not only fhews us,how Men become guilty of
Miftakes in judging of fuchTruths as are above
the reach of our Reafon, and admonishes us not
to be too forward, in concluding things unrea-
fonable, that furpafs our Reafon; but fhews us
Examples in Natural things, where our Reafon
is at a lofs in reconciling fuch things to it,tho'
we are affured of the Truth of them; knowing
their Exiſtence,though not the Modus of their
being performed; and he likewife fhews us,
that feveral things in Nature would be thought
as incredible as the Mysteries of our Faith,
were we but as much ſtrangers to the Mediums
of Proof, as feveralGeometrical and Mathema-
tical Demonſtrations, and the various Phano-
mena of the Load-ftone, which to one unskil-
led in them are incomprehenfible & incredible.
But for a further Character of this Book,we fhall
refer the Reader to the Book it felf.
·
The next Book we ſhall take Notice of, wrote
Lency of The- by the Honourable Mr. Boyle is,the Excellency of
logy-
Theology, or the Pre-eminence of the Study of Di-
vity above that of Natural Philofophy. In which,
he first reprefents the Excellency of the Study
of Divinity, to excite us to purfue it, fince
it not only teaches us theNature & Will ofGod,
but tells us what judgment we ought to make
of Men's Lives; and as Divinity teaches us fe-
veral things, which we fhould be ignorant of,
without it; fo our Knowledg of Natural Things
are in a great Meaſure owing to it, and asMen
could never have known the Immortality of
the Soul, without the Affiftance of Divinity;
fo neither would they have been acquainted
with
•
Honourable Robert Boyle.
199
C.
with the Hiſtory of Man's Redemption,which
Knowledg, being fo beneficial to Mankind, it
is as much more Valuable than the Study of
Philofophy,as the Heavens are above the Earth;
for what would it profit a Man, If he should gain
the whole World, and lofe his own Soul. But Mr.
Boyle,who was fo well acquainted with both,
knew how to put a juft value upon them, and
not only in his Writings but in his Life diftin-
guiſhed his Opinion, having a conſtant regard
to that which was of Eternal Confequence, yet
without flighting thofe things which might con-
tribute to that End, and by making a Man the
Wifer, and confequently more able to diſcern
the Power, Greatnefs and Goodness of God.
But further,as he fhews us the Advantages of
the Study of Divinity to induce us to it; fo he
repreſents the Danger and Difadvantages of
neglecting it. And having fully reprefented
the Motives to the Study of Divinity both in
reſpect of this and another World, he com-
pares the Advantages of the Study of Philofo-
phy, which appear to be in no meaſure anfwe-
rable to thoſe which accrue by the Study of Di-
vinity; for as the Knowledg of Natural things
is but fhallow and uncertain,and continues but
for a while, the Knowledg of thoſe things that
tend to our Salvation and Eternal Happiness
are of Everlaſting Concern and Advantage;
the Rewards of the one being both uncertain
and an Aery Name, which may eatly be forgot,
and muſt certainly be ſo in a little time; where-
as the other ſecures us Felicities and the full
Fruition of Celeſtial Joys, a good Name and
happy Abode in Heaven, far exceeding the
૬
greatest
?
200
The LIFE of the
The Excel-
Lency of the
greateſt Happiness on Earth. But though the
Study of Divinity in refpect of it's end,hath the
pre-eminence over the Study of Natural Philo-
fophy, as well as other Advantages; yet they
may mutually be affiftant to one another, and
therefore though Divinity is to be prefered;
Natural Philofophy is not to be flighted. This
Mr. Boyle was an Eminent Example in, being
fedulous in the Study of Divinity, and
diligent in the Pur fuit of Natural Know-
ledg.
To the Book Entituled, the Excellency of the
Mechanical Study of Divinity, Mr. Boyle annexes the Ex-
Principles. cellency of the Mechanical Principles, which tho'
it feems to be more Philofophical than Divine;
yet fince he hath placed it amongſt his Phyfico-
Theological Works, we shall confider it in the
fame place, fince it tends not only to recom-
mend the Mechanical Principles as Philofophi-
cal, but alfo as that Hypothefis is not repugnant
to, but rather helps to account for the Fhanc-
mena of Nature, without denying Gød Al-
mighty for the firſt Caufe, which determined
the Laws of Motion amongft Natural Bodies,
which being once fixed, fhould ad according
to his determined Ends, whereas other Syftems
pretend to Account for things without confide-
ring that AlmightyCaufe which determined the
Motion of fecondCaufes,and without which wer
could not apprehend,how they could firft be-
gin to act, or have Matter to act upon. In
this ſmall Tract or rather Abſtract of the Me-
chanical Principles, Mr. Boyle not only offers
Reasons,why it ought to be valued more than
other Principles, but alſo that it comprizes
A
and
Honourabl: Robert Boyle.
201
and comprehends all other Principles that are
intelligible, thoſe being hut fubordinate to theſe
Primary ones; and to that end confiders the
Principles of other Philofophers, and fhews,
how far they are agreeable or repugnant to
Reafon.
Thus far we have given a brief and fummary
Account of the Honourable Mr.Boyle's Theologi-
calWorks,fo as to repreſent a faintIdea of thoſe
Performances; but this isbut anEmblem orSuper
ficialProfpect of the Excellencyof thofe Writings;
for as in Writing an Account of the Hiſtory of a
Country, there are a great many things and
circumftances,which cannot be repreſented in a
Deſcription, nor can the moſt exact Defcripti-
on give the Reader fo clear an Idea of it, but
that when he comes to Travel that Country, he
will find a great many things not taken Notice
of, or form a new Idea upon Profpect, from
what he formed by Defcription, as a Notion of
a Country is more eafily formed, than the Land
is furveyed and travelled over; fo the Reader
must expect to find the Beauty of Mr. Boyle's
Writings in perufing his Works, and will have
a larger and brighter Idea of them than he can
expect in fo brief an Account, which is little
more than the Title is to a Book, and which a-
lone can truly give it's own Character; for as
in the Epitomy of his Works we have reduced
and comprized the Sence of the Author in as
little Compaſs as we poffibly could, without
leaving out any thing ufeful; fo it cannot be ex-
pected this fmall Volum fhould contain theSence
of the whole but only a General view in or-
q 2
der
202
The LIFE of the
phical
Works.
der to illuftrate Mr. Boyle's Character in Ge
neral.
Having thus given the Reader an Idea of his
Theological Works, 1 ball to illuftrate his
Charater further add an Account of his Per-
formances and Progrefs in Philofophy,Staticks,
Hydrostatick,Chymistry,Phyficks,&c.but fince
to obferve the fame Method in thofe as we have
in his Theological Works would be too long
and fwell this Volume to too great a Bulk, we
fhall fift give a Lift of his Writings in Ge-
neral, and then fubjoyn a General Account or
Idea of the Docti in delivered in thofe Books,
which may be fufficient to acquaint the Rea-
der with the main Scope and Intention, refer-
ing him to the Epitomy of his Philofophical
Works, published fome Years ago, for a fuller
Account.
An
A Lift of Mr. Boyle's Philofophical, Statical,
A Lin of Hydrostatical, Phyfical and Phifiological Works,
kisPbilofo- followeth, viz. NewExperiments Phyfico-Me-
chanical of the Spring and Weight of the Air.
A Continuation. A defence of the fame.
Examen of Hobb's Dialigues de Natura Aeris.
Phifiological EЛays. The Experimental Hiſto-
ry of Colours. Confiderations of the Uſefulneſs
of Experimental Natural Philofophy in three
Volums. An Experimental Hiftory of Cold.
An Examen of Hobb'sDoctrin of Cold.Attempts
to convey Liquors immediately into the Mafs of
Blood. Obfervations and Experiments, and a
Deſcription of the Barometer. Hydrostatical
Paradoxes made out by new Experiments. An
Account of an Earthquake, near Oxford, and
it's Concomitants. The Origin of Forms and
Qualities
Honourable Robert Boyle.
203
Qualities illuſtrated. A way of preferving
Birds taken out of the Eggs, and other ſmall
Fatus's. An Account of a new kind of Barofcope.
A new Frigorifick Experiment to produce a
confiderable Degree of Coll. Tryals propo-
fed to Dr. Lower,for the Improvement of Tranf-
fufing of Blood out of one live Animal into a-
nother. Free Confiderations about Subordinate
Forms. A Letter to the Author of the Philo.
fophical Tranfictions, with Experiments of
injecting acid Liquors into the Blood. New
Experiments concerning the Relation between
Light and Air, in fhining Air and Fish. A
Continuation of the fame. An Invention for
eftimating the Weight of Water in ordinary
Ballances end Weights. Certain Philofophical
Eflays concerning the abfolute Reft of Bodies.
New Pneumatical Experiments about Refpirati-
on, upon Ducks Vipers, Frogs, &c. and a
Continuation. Trafts about the Cofmical Quali-
ties of Things. The Temperature of the Sub-
terraneal and Submarine Regions. A Diſcovery
of the admirable Rarefaction of the Air without
Heat. An Effay upon the Origin and Vertues
of things. Some Obfervations upon hining
Fish, of Veal and Pullets without any fenfible
Putrefaction. A new Experiment of the Effect
of the varying Weight of the Atmosphere, up-
on fome Bodies in the Water. Tracts of new
Experiments touching the Relation between
Flame and Air, Expofitions, Hydrostaticks. Of
the Pofitive or Relative Levities of Bodics un-
der Water, &c.Effays of the ſtrange Subtlety,
great Efficacy and Determinate Nature of Ef-
luviums. A Letter concerning Ambergreafe.
9 3
Obfer-
204.
The LIFE of the
Obfervations about the Saltnefs of the Sea. A
Diſcourſe about the Excellency and Grounds of
the Mechanical Hypothesis. An Account of the
two Sorts of Helmutian Laudanum,with the way
of preparing it. Tracts of Sufpitions about
fome hidden Qualities of the Air,Celeſtial Mag-
nets, and Hobb's Problemata de Vacuo. A Dif-
courfe of the Caufe of Attraction by Suction.
A Conjecture concerning the Bladders of Air
that are found in Fishes. A new Eflay Inftru-
ment invented by the Author to try the Good-
nefs of Metals. Ten new Experiments about
the weakned Spring and fome unobferved Ef
feas of the Air. An Experimental Difcourfe
of Quick-filver growing hot with Gold. Ex-
periments, Notes,&c.about the MechanicalOri-
gin or Production of divers particular Quali-
lities, with Reflections on the Hypothefis of Acid
and Alkali New Experiments about the Super-
ficial Figures of Fluids, and a Continuation.
The Sceptical Chymift, or Chymico Phyfical
Paradoxes. The Aerial Noctiluca. The Gla-
cial Noctiluca. Memoirs for the Natural Hifto-
ry of Human Blood. Experiments about the
Porofity of Bodies. Memoirs for the Natural
Hiſtory of Mineral Waters. An Historical
Account of a Strange felf moving Liquor. The
Reconcileablenefs of Specifick Medicines to
the Corpufcular Philofophy. The Great Ef-
fects of Languid unheeded Motion. Medecina
Hydrostatica. Experimenta & Obfervationes Phy-
fica. Medicinal Experiments. General Heads
for the Natural History of a Country.
Having
Honourable Robert Boyle.
205*
Having given a general & the most compleat General
Lift, we have met with of Mr. Boyle's Philofo Idea of his
cal, Statical Works, &c. we ſhall in General cal Works,
Philofophi
proceed to fubjoyn a General Account of the &c.
Aim and Scope of thefe Work; and for as much
as we have formerly, wrote an Epitomy of
thofe Works, we fhall here only give a Gene-
ral Idea of them, in the Order and Method, the
Subjects are contained in that Epitomy, without
obferving the Method of this Lift; the Subjects
being there ranged in the fame Method in which
they might probably have been placed, had
they been publiſhed altogether. And fince the
deſign of mentioning them here is to repreſent
more clearly Mr. Boyle's Character, we fhall only
reprefent theGeneralDoctrins contained in that
Abſtract, refering theReader to thatEpitomy it
felf for a fuller Account, whereMultitudes of Ex-
periments are recited to prove what we here
only hint at, and which are as fully delivered as
the Subjects might require.
N. B. Every diſtinct section in the Margin
denotes an account of a diftin&t Chapter in the
Epitomy.
To proceed then to give a brief Account of his Phi-
and Idea of the Doctrins contained in thoſe loſophy,&c.
Tracts, Firft, he informs us, that the Matter Section. I.
of all Natural Bodies is the fame, viz. A divifi-
ble, impenetrable extended Subſtance. And
fince there could be no change in Matter, if all
it's Parts were perpetually at reft, to form fo
great a Variety of Natural Bodies, it was re-
quifite, there should be a Motion variouſly de-
termined in all the Parts of it, or at the leaft,
fome of them; and Matter being divided into
Parts by Motion, the Parts divided muft have
9 4
a
206
The LIFE of the
a peculiar fize and fhape, and either Reft or
Motion; fo that Matter being once Created and
put into Motion by God Almighty, hath theſe
three primary Affections, Magnitude, Shape
and either Reft or Motion.
ار
If then we allow theſe Primary Affections of
Matter,it will follow,that there muftbe a certain
poſition or ſcituation of theParts of Matter thus
divided, & the difpofition & contrivance of the
Parts of the whole,may be called their Texture
or Modification,& confequently as that Texture
or Modification varies, the Qualities of that
Body will be different; for if the Difpofition of
the Parts of the Body are peculiarly adapted to
produce fuch Effects, the Power to produce
them, gives us grounds to fay, the Body is
endowed with fuch Qualities in reſpect of the
Bodies it acts on.
As for the Forms of Bodies we may reafona-
bly fuppofe them, owing to fuch an Affociation
of Accidents,as is requifite to compofe a Body of
this or that kind, the Texture of which united,
may be called their Form, and that a conven-
tion of accidents is capable of performing what
is afcribed to a form, appears, fince they are
fufficient to diſcriminate it, from all other Spe-
cies of Bodies.
Nor will it be difficult to explainGeneration,
Alteration and Corruption by the forementio-
ned Doctrin; for when Accidents thus concur,
which are requifite tc conftitute any Species,
new Species are faid to be generated,pre-ex-
iftent Matter acquiring a new kind ofExiſtence
or Modification; and when that Effential Mo-
dification is diffolved, the Body is faid to be
corrupted, And as for Putrefaction it is but
Honourable Robert Boyle.
207
a flower kind of Corruption, the Effential
Qualities of a Body being only more flowly
altered but not deſtroyed.
This being premifed in general, in refpe&t set. II.
of the Origin of mixed Bodies, we are to note
further, in reference to particular Qualities,
that in Compound Bodies they differ much,
from the Qualities of the feparate Ingredients,
fo that Qualities may be the Reſults of Mix-
ture, as well as proceed from the Alterations
of Textures, and the Motion of the Parts of
the Ingredients.
But the Effects of mixed Bodies, are not al-
ways to be confidered, as the bare refult of
the Parts of Matter of a determinate Texture,
but as placed amongſt other Bodies, on which
they may variously act, and be acted on, ac-
cording to the difference of the Agents and Pa-
tients, in reſpect of their ſhape, fize, poſture,
order, texture, pores or effluviums, reft or
motion; which may enable them to produce
a great variety of Effects. We ſee a ſtrange va-
riety of Sounds are formed only by Muſical
Inftruments; befides a vaft number of other
Accidents owing to it. But in feveral Bodies,
there are not only Qualities very various in
Effects, but even in the fame which are homo-
geneous as to Sence, of which feveral Inftan-
ces are produced, in the fecond Chapter of
the Epitomy, V. I. p. 26.
But further, Mr. Boyle having in another seat. III.
Book, offered ſeveral Reaſons againſt the Ari-
ftotelian Doctrin of Forms, it appears, that
the Subftantial Forms urged by the Schools, pro-
duce not the various Forms of mixed Bodies,
but
.
7
208
Se8. IV.
The LIFE of the
but that they depend on the various Textures
and Modifications of the Compound.
And he further fhews, that though the In-
gredients of a Compound uniting make one
Form, yet each Ingredient retains it's peculiar
Attributes and Qualities, each having it's pro-
per Form, and though they are fubordinate to
the general Form of the Compofition, yet they
are Specifick in refpect of the Ingredients they
belong to; as each part of a Tree hath it's
peculiar Forms, diftinct from the Form of the
whole, as the Juices and Vertues of the Salt of
thofe Parts differ; and according to the dif-
ference of their Effential Textures. And for-
ther, he fays, that the Faculties and Vertues
of Animals and Plants, do not wholly depend
on the Forms of mixed Bodies, confidered as
fuch, fince the Effects of a Compounded Body,
may be attributed to the mixed Action of the
Compound Ingredients, each of thoſe Bodies
cooperating and modifying each others A&ti-
ons, which is evident, fince upon a Diffolution
of that Union, each Body hath its' determinate
Form and Vertue. Yet fometimes when the
Specifick Form of a Body is deftroyed, the re-
maining Qualities may not always refult from
united fubordinate Forms, but depend on the
determinate Forms of particular Parts of that
Body; and fometimes feveral new Qualities
may be added to a Body; a Specifick Form be-
ing deſtroyed, by the influence of External A-
gents.
To what hath been faid of Subordinate
Forms, he adds the following Particulars; First,
That
Honourable Robert Boyle.
209
That it is not difficult to determin the Noble-
nefs of Forms. Secondly, Though Bodies un-
dergo feveral Alterations, by the lofs or ad-
dition of Qualities, yet they have the ſame
Denomination, and have the fame Form, by
Reaſon of ſome eminent Quality or Ufe. Third-
ly, Compound Bodies have feveral Effects, pro-
duced by the Union and joynt Action of their
Ingredients. Fourthly, Sometimes a fuper-ad-
ded Form is accidental to a pre-exiftent, yet
it modifyes the Operation, without altering it's
Nature. Fifthly, Befides the Specifick Opera-
tions of a Body, in respect of the whole, feve-
ral of it's Effects may depend on the feparate
and particular Properties of it's Ingredients.
Sixthly, The most eminent, and not the prefi-
ding, is often called the Specifick Form. Se-
venthly, Thofe Forms which are generally cal-
led Subordinate, may more reaſonably be called
Concurrent, the Form of the whole depending
on their Coalition.
He further fhews, that a flight variation of Sect. V.
Texture,produced by Motion,may diſcriminate
Natural Bodies, and qualify them to produce
different Effects; as Ice and Salt will freeze
other Liquors, though Water and Salt will not.
He further fhews, that the Productions of Art,
are really the Effects of Nature, the Artiſt only
putting Natural Bodies together, whilft their
Effects are produced according to Natural
Laws.
Mr. Boyle further fhews us, that the curious seat. VI
and various Figures of Salts, may be produced
without a plaſtick Power, refulting from a bare
Connection of Metalline and Saline Bodies, and
their
>
210
The LIFE of the
;
their Figures may vary according to the diffe
rent Quantities of Liquors, or the space of
Time they fhoot in. And he further fays, that
Acids hoot into Chryſtals variouſly figured, as
the Nature of the Menftruum differs, or the
Bodies it works upon; and that Salts may be
obtained by flight alterations, without the af
fiftance of Subftantial Forms, which he proves
by feveral Experiments mentioned in that Trea-
tife.
And by feveral Experiments, he further
Se&. VII, makes it appear, agreeeable to what hath been
VIII, IX. delivered, that by alteration of Texture, and
a new Modification of Matter, feveral changes
may be wrought in Matter, without the help
of Subftantial Forms; from which Experiments,
he likewiſe draws feveral Inferences, to fhew
the Abfurdity of the Ariftotelian Principles.
Sect. X.
Sect. XI.
I
He likewife produces feveral Experiments,
to prove that by altering the Texture of Bo-
dies, feveral Qualities may be deſtroyed, and
regained again, eſpecially in Salt-Petre. As
alfo, that the fame Parts of Matter, may pro-
duce different Effects, in a fluid, from what
they have in a folid Form. And in the fame
Tract, he makes it appear, that Chymistry
rather deſtroys, than difcovers, the Principles
of Natural Bodies.
Mr. Boyle further informs us, in his Hiſtory
of Fluidity, that a Body is faid to be fluid, as
it confifts of Parts, which eaſily flip upon one
anothers Superficies, which they are the more
eafily difpofed to, by their porous Interſtices;
the Motion of their Parts likewife, occafioning
them to ſpread and diffuſe themfelves every
•
way,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
211
way, till fome folid Body oppofes them, to
whoſe Superficies they adapt themſelves. And
he further informs us in the fame Tract, that to
render a Body fluid, it's Parts ought to be mi-
nute, and of a determinate Figure; likewife,
that there fhould be Pores betwixt their Parts,
which ought to be in a perpetual and variouſly
determined Motion. He alfo informs us, how
a confiftent Body, may be rendered fluid, and
having illuftrated the Doctrin of Fluidity, by
Experience, he further fhews, that the Reafon
why fome Fluids will not mix with others, is
their particular Textures, and the peculiar
Motion of their Parts.
XIII.
Hellkewife makes it evident, that the Su- Sect. XII,
perficies of Liquids, preffing one againſt ano-
ther, give each other different and determinate
Figures.
In the History of Firmness, he informs us,
That Solidity confifts in this, that the grofs
Parts are interwoven together; fo that they are
unapt to diffuſe themſelves feveral ways, as the
Parts of Fluids do, and that the Figure of their
Superficies depends on the Connection of the
Parts that compoſe them, rather than External
Bodies fo that there feems to be three Cauſes
of Solidity, Grofuefs of Parts, Reft, and the
Implication of their Conftituents.
He further likewife fhews us, that a Juxta-
poſition of Parts is not the only Cauſe of Co-
hefion, but that the Spring and Weight of the
Air is one great Caufe, though a Juxtapofition
of the Parts of Glafs, feems requifite and fuf-
ficient to make fuch a compact Subſtance, the
Parts of Matter that compoſe it, being firſt mi-
nutely
212
The LIFE of the
}
nutely divided, by the Fire before their Union
And he further tells us, that both the Figures
and Textures of the Parts of a Body, may not
only contribute to their Solidity, but that the
Interpofition of the minute Parts of another
Body,may render fomeLiquids folid,and that the
addition of aPowder only may make aLiquor fo-
lid. And he further tells us,thatFluids conſiſt not
of Parts divisible into fluid,as quantity into quan-
tity; and that there is a plaltick Power inhe-
rent in feveral Bodies, and that mixture is fuf-
ficient to produce Putrefaction.
Seff. XIV. Mr. Boyle further informs us,which he proves
by ſeveral Inſtances, that there is a Motion,
even in the Parts of confiftent and folid Bodies.
Se§. XV.
Treating of the great Effects of unheeded
and languid Motion, he proves by feveral In-
ſtances and Obfervations, First, The great Ef-
ficacy of Celerity in Bodies very fmall, eſpeci-
ally when the ſpace they move through is but
very finall, as in Lightning. Secondly, That
the Infenfible Motion of fo foft Bodies as Flu-
ids, may have a fenfible Effect upon folid Bo-
dies, as in Sounds, when they fhake the Win-
dows of a Houſe, &c. at a confiderable diſtance.
Thirdly, The Number of the Infenfible Parts
of Matter put into Motion, enables them to
perform ſeveral things. Fourthly, That Local
Motion may be propagated through feveral
Mediums, and even folid Bodies. Fifthly, The
Effects of particular Modifications, of the in-
viſible Motions of Fluids on Animal Bodies
difpofed to be worked upon by them are very
confiderable. Thus a particular Note of a Mu
fical Inftrument, hath a peculiar Effect upon
particular
>
Honourable Robert Boyle.
213
particular Animals. Sixthly, The Effect of Fla-
ids upon inanimate Bodies, by a particular Tex-
ture and Modification of the Agent and the
Patient, are alfo confiderable. Seventbly, Some
Bodies are thought to have their Parts abfo-
lutely at reft, when they are only in a ſtate of
Tenſion or Compreffion. Eighthly, We are too
apt to take Notice of the vifible Effects of Bo-
dies on one another, without confidering the
Inteftin Motion of their Parts.
Thus far we have given a brief Scheme of
the Doctrin propofed and contained in the
Books abridged, in the firſt Book of the Epi-
tomy of Mr. Boyle's Philofophical Works, we
fhall next proceed to a fhort Idea of what is
contained in the Subjects abridged in the fecond
Book of that Epitomy.
And first, Treating of the Cofmical Quali- sec. f.
ties of Things, he informs us, that they depend
partly on the Influence of External Agents, as
well as the primary Affections of Matter, fo
that fome Bodies are altogether inactive, till
acted on; and others are put into Action, chie-
fly by the lufluence of catholick and unheeded
Agents. Secondly, There are feveral Bodies,
which, when put into Action, are fubtle e-
nough to infinuate themſelves into the Pores of
other Bodies, which they are forced to act on,
by the eſtabliſhed Laws of Nature, which ap
pears in the expanfive force of Beans, foaked
with Water. Thirdly, An alteration of the
Mechanical Texture of a Body, is fufficient to
diſpoſe it, or make it unapt to be worked upon
by thoſe unheeded Agents.
In
214
The LIFE of the
Seff. II.
SeĦ. III.
In the next Chapter, the following Sufpici-
ons or Conjectures are propofed. First, That
the Ether contains feveral Parts of Matter,
which are variouſly diſpoſed to work upon Bo-
dies, as the Textures of thofe Bodies differ,
which they chance to work upon, or according
to the difference of the Agents, which work
concurrently with them. Secondly, He informs
us, that ſeveral People have difcovered Pefti-
lential Steams in the Air, before they acted
as fuch upon other Bodies. Thirdly, He fufpects,
that confiderable Changes in the Internal Parts
of the Earth, may occafion a variation of the
Mariners Needle. Fourthly, He fuppofes the
ebbing and flowing of the Sea and fuch like
Phenomena, to be occafioned by fome Cofmical
Law of Nature, or that the Planetary Vortex
may not be a little concerned in producing fuch
Effects. Fifthly, He fuppofes all Endemical
and Epidemical Diftempers, chiefly to depend
on the Influence of thofe Globes, that move
about us, and the Terreſtrial Eluvia of our
own Globe.
Treating of the Temperature of Subterra-
neous Regions, Mr. Boyle, as to heat and cold,
divides them into three Regions, and informs
us, that the Bounds as well as Temperature of
the first are very different That the Tem-
perature of the fecond feems to be colder
than that above, or that below it, being re-
moter both from the Influence of External and
Subterraneous Heat, and that in feveral places
that may be refered to in this middle Region,
the Temperature of the Air is different, at the
fame Seaſons of the Year; and further, the
different
ļ
་་
Honourable Robert Boyle.
215
different Temper of fubterraneous Regions,
may be varied by the Soil. And he further
adds, that the Temperature of the third Re-
gion is warm, which Warmth varies in feveral
Places.
As to the Sea, Mr. Boyle only affigns two Re. Sect. IV.
gions,the one extended from the Superficies of
the Water,as far as theSunBeams penetrate ;and
the other, from thence to the Bottom. So that
the upper Region muft vary as to it's Extent;
according to the difference of the Climate,and
theHeat of the Sun, or the Nature of the Soils
about the fhoar; as for the Lower Region it is
generally Cold:
He further tells us, that the Bottom of the sea. V.
Sea is very rough and unequal, and that the
Water gravitates confiderably upon Bodies im-
merced in it, and that the bottom of the Sea
is not diſturbed with Storms, but that the Wa
ter almoſt Stagnates.
He tells us further, that Coral when firft set. VI.
taken up, is ſoft, flexible, and very pale; but
when the bark is taken off, and it is expofed to
the Air, it preſently appears red; it is much
paler on the Inſide, than on the External Super-
fices. He likewife tells us, that feveral Trees
in Africa are obferved to grow under Water.
Mr. Boyle likewiſe informs us, that the Pro- seat. VII.
portion of Salt to Water in Sea Water, is as
one to forty and that theSalt is ſupplyed by Salt
Rocks comiguous, or near theWater, or by Salt
washed away bySprings and Rain Water, which
float into the Ocean, or by latent Springs. The
bitterneſs commonly obſerved inSea Water, he
fuppofes to proceed from fome Bituminous Bo-
dies
216
The LIFE of the
stâ. VIII.
Seff. IX.
dies carried along with Spring Water into the
Sa. To which Obfervations he adds, that A-
gitation is requifite to keep Sea Water from
ftinking, and as to it's Saltnefs, it is obferved,
to differ much in it's Degrees.
--
The Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh
Chapters of the Second Fook, chiefly contain
Queries for the Natural History of MineralWa.
ters, in trying of which he gives the following
Directions. First, to obferve the Changes of
the Colours made by Tinctures,in aGood Light,
to diſtinguiſh what Mineral Tinctures they are
impregnated with. Secondly, He advises us to
vary the Shades of Colours made by Mineral
Waters, either by dropping fuch Waters upon
Paper, whofe Pores are faturated with Pow-
der of Vitriol, or tinged with a Decoction of
Logwood. Several Variations of Colours may
alfo be made by dropping, either Me
dicinal Liquors into Mineral Waters, or an
Infufion of Galls either before or after. Third-
by, he recommends for fuch Experiments, the
Aftringent Parts of Plants, or Animal, or ef
pecially Mineral Subſtances.
In the Twelfth Chapter he tells us, that the
Natural State of Bodies varies according to the
difference of Climates; fo that in fome Parts
and Seafons, Water in a Natural State is Froze,
and turned into Ice, and in others it is always
Fluid. To which he adds, that all violent States
of Matter are not preternatural,it being a com-
mon Error, that nothing violent is durable, the
Atmoſphere we live in being always in a for-
ced or compreffed Stats,
la
Honourable Robert Boyle.
217
4.
In the Thirteenth Chapter,Mr. Boyle' Pneu- sect, x
matick Engin is defcribed, and feveral Experi-
ments tryed with it which fhew,that the Air
acts upon moft Bodies by Virtue of it's Sprin-
ginefs, which inclines it always to expand;
and by it's Weight; fo that it gravitates on Bo-
dies below it, according to the weight of the
incumbent Pillar of the Air. And by this
Weight it raiſes Mercury, in Weather Glaffes,
and Water in Pumps. And by feveral Expe-
riments made in an exhaufted Receiver, it is e-
vident, that though Gun. Powder will not ex-
plode without the Preffure of Air upon it, nor
will fire burn; yet a Loadſtone externally ap-
plyed to an exhaufted Receiver, will have con-
fiderable Effects on Bodies contained in it, but
Sounds are not propagated in Vacuo. And he
further fhews, that two flat poliſhed Marbles
will adhere to one another by the help of the
Compreffare of the Atmoſphere. And that
the Weight of the Atmoſphere was able to raiſe
a hundred Pound Weight tyed to the fucker of
a Pump,depreffed when theReceiver was exhau-
fted. To which Experiments he adds, others
which fhew, that Filtration is caufed chiefly by
the Preffure of the Atmofphere; and that the
Proportion betwixt the Weight of Air and Wa-
ter is as 1 to 338, and that the Proportion of
Quick-filver is as 14000 to 1. He likewife
made feveral Experiments and Obfervations,
to find what Effects the exhaufted Receiver had
on Animals included in it, and how long they
conld live without Air.
T 2
:
In
218
The LIFE of the
Sect. XI.
In the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth and
Seventeenth Chapters, he continues a Defence
of what hath been delivered in the Preceding,
and Objections againſt the Erroneous Opinions
of others,which is continued to the Nineteenth.
Sec. XII. In the Nineteenth Chapter he hath defcri-
bed an Inftrument with which feveral Experi-
ments were tryed, which fhew, that the ſpring
of the air alone is able to raife Mercury in a
Tube, and that Attrition only in an exhauſted
Receiver is able to produce Heat. And further,
that the Spring of the Air is able to burſt blad-
ders, and to raiſe a confiderable Weight.And
further,that Mercury can be raiſed bySuction no
higher than the Weight of the Atmosphere is able
to impel it,and he fhews likewife to what height
Mercury & Water may be raiſed proportionably
to their ſpecifick Gravity. He further fhews,
how to difcern the Weight of the Atmosphère
by the Touch, and how to make portable Ba-
rometers, and that in an Exhaufted Receiver a
fpring may be raiſed without any Difficulty,
yet when the Air is let in, it will be violent-
ly depreſſed again, and not ſo easily be raiſed
again. He fhews alfo,that the Preſſure of the Air
makes Cupping Glaffes Stick. To which he
alds, a great many more Experiments worthy
our Curioſity to enquire after.
Se&. I.
The First Chapter of the Second Volum of
the Epitomy of Mr. Boyle's Philofophical Works
contains feveral Experiments to evince further
the weight and fpring of the Air,whence it ap-
pears, that the aſcent of water in Syringes de-
pends on the Preffure of the Air, and that light
may be produced in Vacuo Boyliano, aud that
by
Honourable Robert Boyle.
219
by a ſmall Quantity of included Air in an exhau-
fted Receiver, 50 or 60 pounds, or a greater
weight may be raiſed.
The Second Chapter contains Defcriptions
of feveral Engins employed in fucceeding Ex-
periments.
„Sec. IL
In the Third Chapter, it appears, that Air sea. III.
may be produced feveral ways, as from Bread,
Grapes, Plants, Maftard, boiled Apples, &,
He alfo informs us, how the Production of Air
may be obſtructed, as by Cold, by the Ufe of
Spirit of Wine along with the Body included
in Vacuo;or by employing Vinegar,by compref-
fion, by Water or Leaven;and he further fhews
us, that Artificial hath different Effects from
common Air; alfo, that Air compreffed varies
in it's Effects from thofe of common Air. That
Animals cannot live in Artificial Air, and that
the Condenſation of the Air promotes the Con
fumption of combuftible Matter. Alſo that
Air is produced from dryed Fruits without any
Regularity; That Bodies yield as much Air as
they can, before Putrefaction; That Artificial
Air may be destroyed; That Liquors may be-
come fower without an Evaporation of Spirits;
That fermented Liquors may preferve Fruit;
That Beef may be preferved in Beer. And tho
Fiſhes afford not fo much Air as Flesh; yet they
will corrupt, though not affected by the out-
ward Air. That Butter may be preferved a
long time, if not expofed to External Air, and
that Sugar does not preferve Fruit as well as
fermented Liquors; and that Fleſh may be kept
fresh, if kept in a Receiver in a strong comprei
fed Air
He
E
1
220
The LIFE of the
:
Sect. IV.
Sect. V.
Sect. VI.
Sect. VII.
Sect, VIII.
Sect. IX.
Set. X.
He further fhews, that Bodies may be prefer-
ved a long time in Vacuo Boyliano, without boi-
ling.
In the Fifth Chapter, he makes it appear,
that Air may be unfit for Refpiration, thongh
it retains it's ufual Preffure. He alfo fhews us
by feveral Experiments, that fome fort of A-
nimals will live much longer without Air than
others.
In the Sixth Chapter he makes Animadver-
fions on Mr. Hobb's Problemata de Vacuo, and
fhews,that the Atmoſphere is the chief Cauſe of
the Afcent of Water upon Suction.
In the Seventh, he fhews, the Cauſe of At-
traction by Suction, fhewing, that it depends
chiefly on the External Preffure of the Atmof-
phere, when thePreffure of it is taken off the In-
ternal Surface in the Tube. And that Water
may be raiſed by Suction, when neither the
Weight nor Spring of the Air occafions it's
Elevation; and Secondly, that the Weight of
the Atmoſphere is fufficient to raife up Liquors
by Suction.
In the Eighth Chapter, he makes Obſerva-
tions and gives Directions about the Barometer.
And the Ninth contains a Deſcription of a new
Bareſcope.
Inthe Tenth he fhews,the admirableRarefacti-
on of the Air, without Heat; fo that it poffef-
fes 8232 times it's former Dimenfions & fome-
times 10000.
The Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth
Chapters teach us, that the Duration of the
Spring of Expanded Air is very confiderable,
and that the Air may be compreſſed into an
Eighth
Honourable Robert Boyle.
221
Eighth Part of it's former Demenfions, and
that the Proportion in refpect of the Degrees
of Rarefaction and Condenſation is, as, 1 to
70..
The Fourteenth Chapter fhews ns, the Ufe sea.XI.
of Hygrafcopes; and informs us, that the Ge-
neral ufe is to thew the Changes of Air, as to
moiſture & drynefs,and the particular Ufe is to
fhew the Variations of Weather, the fame
Month, Day and Hour. To inform us, how
much one ſeaſon is dryer than another, and to
fhew how the Temper of the Air is altered by
Winds ftrong or weak, Froft, Snow or o,
ther Weather. Alfo they help to compare the
different Temper of Houfes and different
Rooms in the fame Houfe. They alfo fhew in
a Chamber, the Effects of the prefence or ab.
fence of Fire in a Chimney or Stow, and direct
us, how to keep a Chamber in the fame
or any affigned Degree of Dryness.
The Eighteenth Chapter fhews, the Efficacy Sec. XII.
of the Airs Moisture in contracting Ropes,
fwelling of Timber, and bursting of Marca-
fites.
In the Nineteenth Chapter, he gives us an sex. XIIL
Account of fome unheeded Caufes of theInfalu-
brity or Salubrity of the Air, comprized under
the following Propofitions. First, That it is
probable, that in feveral Places the Salubrity
or Infalubrity of the Air in general, may in a
great meaſure,depend on Subterraneal Expira-
tions, especially ordinary Emiffions. Secondly,
It is not improbable, that in feveral places En-
demical Diftempers chiefly,or partly depend on
Subterrraneous ſteams. Thirdly, that probably
Epide.
г 4
V
222
The LIFE of the
Sect. XIV.
Epidemical Distempers are in a great meaſure
occafioned by Subterraneous Effluvia. Fourthly,
It is likely that moft Difeafes called new ones,
chiefly or concurrently depend on fubterrane-
ous Effluvia.
In the Twentieth and Twenty firſt Chapters,
he shews, that the Air hath feveral Latent
Qualities, occafioned by the Union and Con-
junction of other Bodies with it, fome of which
may be raiſed by the Sun Beams, alfo he fays,
that the Air feems to contain all manner of Se-
minal Principles.
Sect. XV. In the Twenty Second Chapter, he endea-
vours to improve Artificial Magnets. And in
the Twenty Third and Fourth Chapters, he
fhews, that Magnetical Qualites depend on the
the Mechanical Conftruction of the conftituent
Parts of a Body, fince the Effects of Fire will
alter that Quality, and other concurring Acci-
dents, which can only produce Mechanical Ef-
fects.
Sect. XVI.
Sect.XVII.
Sect. I.
Sest. II.
The Twenty Fifth Chapter fhews by feveral
Experiments, that Electricity may be pro-
duced or deſtroyed Mechanically.
The Twenty Sixth Chapter contains a Ge
neral History of the Air, which being
only Hiſtorical, we fhall refer the Reader to
it.
In the Fourth Book of the Epitomy of Mr.
Boyle's Philofophical Work, he fhews, that
Taftes may be Mechanically produced.
The Second and Third Chapters fhew, that
Odours and Colours depend on a Mechanical
Texture of the Bodies endowed with fuchQua-
lities.
He
Honourable Robert Boyle.
223
He further gives us an Experimental Hiſtory Set, III.
of Colours, which fhews, that Diversity of
Colours, frequently imply different Properties
in Bodies, and that the Perception of Colours,
depends on a particular Motion given to the
Spirits in the Retina, and communicated to
the Brain. As for the Caufe of Colours, he
affigns it, to the variouſly and differently mo-
difyed Superficies of Bodies, or the different
fuperficial Parts, and their fituation; and fome-
times the Motion of a Body, which enables it
to reflect the Rays of Light differently to the
Eye.
And as to particular Colours,in the fifthChap-
ter we are informed, that whitenefs depends
on fuch a fuperficial Texture, as reflects the
Rays of Light not upon another, but upon the
Eye, reflecting them without Refraction; and
he further tells us, that the Surfaces of white
Bodies are ſpecular, and that by changing the
Texture of the Parts of that Body, it may be
deprived of that Colour. Blackneſs he fays,dif-
fers from White, where the Rays of Light are
reflected inwards, and not upon the Eye, the
Protuberant Parts yielding to the Impreffion of
thoſe Lucid Rays. The fixth and ſeventh Chap-
ters contain ſeveral Experiments, which fhew,
that both Black and White may be mechanical-
ly produced and destroyed.
In the firſt Chapter of the Appendix to the sea. L
fourth Book of the Epitomy of Mr. Boyle's
Works, we are told, that Cold may be me-
chanically produced or destroyed, by a bare
Change of Texture, or other Mechanical Al-
terations, without fuppofing the Ariftotelian
Subſtantial
}
:
224
The LIFE of the
'Set. II.
Set, III.
Sect. IV.
Sect. V.
Sec. VI.
Sec. VII.
Subftantial Forms, or the Hypoftatical Princi-
ples of the Chymifts.
And that not only Weather-Glaffes, but
our Senfes, may give us fo much Information
about Cold, by feveral Predifpofitions, and
the Temper of our Senfories; thus we find it
colder in the Air, coming out of a hot Bathe,
than when only out of a warm Room, &c.
He alſo communicates his Obfervations a-
bout the Deficiences of Weather-Glaffes, &c.
teaching us how we may learn to improve the
Uſe of them.
He further informs us, that the Caufe of the
Condenſation of the Air in Weather-Glaffes.
and the Afcent of Water by Cold, are occafi-
oned by the Preffure of External Air upon the
Surface of the Water without the Pipe, and
overpowering the Internal Spring of the Air
weakned by Cold.
:
The fifth Chapter contains a Natural Hiſto-
ry of Cold, which being Hiſtorical, we ſhall
refer the Reader to the Epitomy.
In the fixth Chapter, he refutes the received
Notion of Antiperiftafis, and in the feventh ex-
amins Mr. Hobbs's Doctrin of Cold; the ninth
and tenth Chapters only contain Hiftorical
Truths, for which we refer the Reader to the
Epitomy, which admitting of no Recapitulati
on, we pass it by.
In the Tenth Chapter, he tells us, that Cold
is a privative Quality, depending on a Priva-
tion of the Motion of the Parts of a Body cool-
ed.
He
A
Honourable Robert Boyle.
225
He further fhews, the great expanfive Force Set. VIII,
of Freezing Water, being able when frofe in a
Braſs Cylinder, to raife 254 pounds, though
the Cylinder was: none of the largeft. And he
further tells us, that a cold Ebullition, or Effer-
vefcence depends purely on the Texture of the
fermenting Liquor.
In the twelfth Chapter, he communicates Set. IX.
feveral Experiments, which evince, that heat
is occafioned by, and depends on, a variouſly
determined and rapid Motion of the minute
Parts of the Body eiteemed hot.
And in the next, he gives an Account of a set, X.
particular fort of Mercury, which grows hot
with Gold.
He further makes it appear by feveral Expe- sec. XI.
riments, that the Particles of Fire may be de-
tained in Metal, and thus add to the weight
of it, the next Chapter being full of Experi-
ments to the fame purpoſe.
He in the next place fhews, the Perviouf- Sect. XII.
nefs of Glaſs, to ponderable Parts of Flame,
and makes it appear, that flame may act as a
Menftruum, and make Coalitions with the Bo-
dies it acts upon.
And he further communicates Experiments, Sec. XIII.
fhewing the Relation betwixt Flame and Air,
and how difficult it is to produce Flame
without Air, and impoffible to preferve it.
He likewife communicates Experiments, sec. XIV
fhewing the Relation betwixt the Air and the
Flamma Vitalis of Animals, making it appear,
that it is as impoffible to preferve Animals
without Air, as Flame.
In
225
The LIFE of the
1
Sec. XV.
sea.XVI.
Sect.XVII.
Sca, I.
Sect. II.
In the three fucceeding Chapters, he lays
down Experiments to fhew, that fhining Flesh
and Fish, as well as Worms, lofe their lucid-
nefs, if deprived of the contract of the Air.
The twenty third Chapter confifts of Expe-
riments made with a Diamond, which fhone
in the dark.
The two laft Chapters give an Account of
an Aerial and an Icy Noctiluca, their Lucidneſs
depending on Fumes raiſed by the faline Parts
of the Air, which united with the Air, affect
the Eye joyntly.
The five firft Chapters of the fifth Book, Part
the first, prove, that Bodies have only a Re-
lative Levity under Water, and that the Air
affects fuch Bodies, according to the different
Weight of the Atmosphere. He likewife com-
municates an Invention, for eſtimating the
Weight of Water in Water.
In the next place, he proves the following
Hydrostatical Paradoxes by feveral Experi-
ments. I. That in Water and other Fluids, the
lower Parts are preffed by the upper. II. That
a lighter Fluid may weigh upon a heavier. III.
That if a Body contiguous to the Water, be
altogether, or partly lower, than the level of
the faid Water, the lower part of the ſaid Body
will be preffed upwards by the Water that
touches it beneath. IV. That in the aſcent of
Water in Pumps, &c. there needs nothing to
raiſe the Water, but a competent weight of
an External Fluid. V. That the Preffure of
an External Fluid, is able to keep an Hetero-
genous Liquor fufpended at the fame height
in feveral Pipes,though of different Diameters,
VI.
Honourable Robert Boyle.
227
VI. Ifa Body be placed under Water, it's up-
permoft Surface, being paralel to the Horizon,
let never fo much Water be on this or that
fide the Body, the direct preſſure ſuſtained by
the Body, is no more than that of a Column of
Water, having the Horizental Superficies of
the Body for it's Bafis, and the perpendicular
depth of the Water for it's height. And fo
likewife, if the Water that preſſes upon the
Body, be continued in Pipes, open at both
ends, the preſſure of the Water is to be efti-
mated by the weight of a Pillar of Water,whoſe
Baſis is equal to the lower Orifice of the Pipe,
and it's height equal to a perpendicular, ex-
tending thence to the top of the Water, tho'
the Pipe be much inclined towards the Hori-
zon, or though it be irregularly ſhaped, and
broader in fome Parts than the faid Orifice.
VII. A Body immerfed in a Fluid, fuftains a
lateral Preffure from the Fluid, which increafes
as the depth of the immerfed Body increaſes
below the Surface of the Fluid. VIII. Water
may be made to deprefs a Body lighter than
it felf,as well as to buoy it up. IX. Oyl light-
er than Water, may be kept in Water without
afcending. X. The Caufe of the afcent of Wa-
ter in Syphons, and of flowing through them,
may be explained, without having recourie to
Natures abhorrency of a Vacuum. XI. One of
the moſt folid Bodies, or moſt pondérous, tho'
near the top of the Water, will fink by it's
cwn weight, yet if it be placed at a greater
depth, than twenty times it's own thickneſs, it
will not ſink, if it's defcent be not aſſiſted by
the weight of incumbent Water.
In
228
The LIFE of the
Se&t. III. In the eighth Chapter, a new Hydrostatical
Inftrument is defcribed, to estimate the diffe
rence of Metals in goodness.
Sect, IV.
Sect. I.
Se. II.
Bett. III.
"
In the ninth Chapter, he gives a fhort Ac-
count of the increaſe and growth of Metals.
In the rest of the Chapters of the firſt Part of
the fifth Book of the Epitomy, he propofes a
Method to eſtimate the goodneſs of ours, and
alfo of Medicinal Subftances; whence it ap-
pears, that if a Body be heavier than Chriftal,
it muft contain more or lefs of a Metalline In-
gredient, as it exceeds that in weight.
·
The fecond Part of the fifth Book, contains
feveral Obfervations and Experiments, both
Chymical, Medicinal and Phyfical, which fince
they contain nothing but hath been before
taught,and can be reprefented in no leſs Room,
than in the Epitomy, we fhall refer the Reader
thither.
The two firſt Chapters of the third Part of
the fifth Book of the Epitomy, fhew, that all
Gems have once been in a fluid Form, and owe
both their Colours and Vertues to Mineral
Tin&tures.
He next fhews, that even folid Bodies emit
Effluvia.
The fourth Chapter reprefents, the ſtrange
fubtlety of Effluvia, a grain of Silver Wire con-
fifting of 64800 metalline Parts; and a grain
of Leaf Gold being divifible into 2000000.
Squares. And Filings of Copper will give a
Tincture to 613620 times their Bulk of Wa-
ter.
12
Honourable Robert Boyle.
229
In the fifth Chapter he reprefents, the great sell. IV.
Efficacy of Effluviums, as in Lightning, and
other Effluvia, which affect Human Bodies.
Next he fhews, that the Effluviums of Bodies set. V.
act according to the determinate Nature of the
Body they are emitted from.
And in the feventh and eighth Chapters, he sea. VL
repreſents, that not only Animal, but other
folid Bodies are porous.
The two next Chapters, contain a Natural sea. VIL
Hiſtory of Human Blood, the Contents of
which, not admitting of a Recapitulation in
much less room than the Epitomy, I muft re-
fer the Reader thither for an Idea of them.
The last Chapter of the third Volum of the Sea. VIII,
Epitomy, reprefents, that the Operations of
Specifick Medicines, are reconcileable to the
Corpufcular Philofophy. What he fays as to the
Manner of their acting, may be compriſed un-
der the following Propofitions.
Prop. I. Sometimes a fpecifick Medicine may
cure, by difcuffing or refolving the Morbifick
Matter, and by that means difpofing it for Ex-
pulfion, by the greater Emunctories of the Body,
and the Pores of the Skin.
Prop. II. Sometimes a Specifick may over-
power the too Acid, or other immoderate Par-
ticles that infect the Mafs of Blood, and deftroy
their coagulatory, or other Effects.
Prop. III. Sometimes a Specifick Medicine,
may be ferviceable to a Patient, by precipita-
ting the Morbifick Matter out of the Mafs of
Blood, or the other Liquors of the Body in
which it harbours.
Prop.
230
The LIFE of the
Sett. IX.
Set. I.
Prop. IV. Sometimes a Specifick Medicine
may work by peculiarly ftrengthning and che-
riſhing the Heart, the part affected, or both.
Prop. V. Sometimes a Specifick Medicine may
operate, by producing in the Mafs of Blood a
difpofition, by correcting, expelling, or any
other fit ways, to furmount the Morbifick Mat-
ter, or other caufe of the Distemper.
Prop. VI. Sometimes a Specifick Medicine
may unite with the Morbifick Matter, and form
à quid Tertium, lefs offenfive to the Body, tho'
not fo easily expelled.
The first Chapter of the fourth Volum, en-
courages the Ufe of fimple Medicines. First,
Becauſe we may more eaſily foreſee their Effects,
than the Effects of a Compofition; and there-
fore fafer. Secondly, A good Medicine may be
taken in a greater Quantity without being of-
fenfive; and Thirdly, fince by that means the
Effects of the Materia Medica may be fooner
brought to aCertainty. The fecond Chapter
contains, Hiſtorical Obfervations about Vitia-
ted Sight.
The first Chapter of the fifth Book contains
Mr. Boyle's Chymical Works, which fhew, that
Chymical Principles are tranfmutable; and
that a Subftance efteemed Homogenious, and
a Chymical Principle, may yield very different
Principles, if acted on by Fire; and that Fire
is not the true and genuin Anolizer of Bodies,
fince it does not feparate the Principles of
a Body, but variously compounds and alters
the Texture of a Body it acts upon. And he
further makes it appear, that the Bodies drawn
from Subſtances expofed to the Fire, were not
pre-exiftent
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
231
pre-existent in thofe Bodies, in the fame
Form.
The Second Chapter fhews, the Infufficiency Set. II.
of the Chymical and Ariftotelian Arguments in
favour of their Doctrin; and the remaining
Part of the fifth Book in General evinceth,that
Chymical Principles are producible, and de-
pend on a Mechanical Structure and Texture
of Parts; and that the different Subſtances into
which Bodies are divisible by Fire are not of a
pure Elementary Nature; nor is their number
exactly either 3 or 5. And Laftly,that there are
ſeveral Qualities which cannot be refered to a-
ny of theſe Subſtances.
In one of the Chapters belonging to the set. III.
Fourth Part of the Fifth Book, he confutes the
Doctrin of Acid and Alkali, fhewing the Infuf-
ficiency of it.
The Sixth Book, which concludes the Epito- set. IV.
my confiſts of an Abftra&t of fome of his Phy-
fiological Effays of the Uſefulneſs of Experimen-
tal Philofophy, of which we can give no fhor-
ter Account than is there contained.
Thus far we have given a brief and general
Idea of Mr. Boyle's Writings, both Theo-
logical and Philofophical, &c. which are large
Inftances, not only of his Wifdom, but alſo
of the vaſt Extent of his Knowledg. His great
Knowledg in Divinity, was that trueWifdom,
which Solomon fo much prized, and which Mr.
Boyle fo much valued, and as that fecured him
Everlaſting Happiness in a future State; fo the
other Part of his Knowledg hath acquis ed him
a perpetual Fame on Earth, which will conti-
nue as long as the World endures. But the
f
fmall
f
213
The LIFE of the
fmall hints we have here given of them, are but
flender Specimens of what his Writings are
Noble and Valuable Monuments; for what we
have here faid is but like fmallShreds or Paterns
of Cloath, which though they may reprefent
in fome Meaſure, the value of the reft, yet
they appear not with fo much Beauty as in the
whole Piece; nevertheless they will in Part
contribute to enlarge the Idea we would form
of fo worthy a Promoter and Encourager of
Learning and Knowledg, and thete Samples
of the Doctrin aud Subjes he fo diligently
cultivated and fo much improved, will give us
a faint view of thofe Thoughts which ranged
fo far through the Labarinths of Knowledg,
& foared out of the fight of common Capacities;
for, from hence it appears, that he not only
diſcovered the Minute Ingredients of which
groffer Bodies are formed,but traced the whole
Chain of Second Caufes, from the most obvi.
ous to the moft fecret, and even to the Prima.
ry and Omnipotent Caufe of all Things. He
was not content with the Hiftorical Knowledg
of the Superficial fhell and covering of the
Earth; but penetrated as far as poffible into
the moſt internal and deepeft recefles both of
Sea and Land, endeavouring both to know
Things and their Natures. He was intimately
acquainted with the circumabient Parts of the
Earth, and with all the Properties and Acci-
dents of the Atmosphere, from the Superficies of
our Globe to the utmoft bounds of our Vortex.
Nor could he confine his Thoughts to the Nar-
row Limits of one World, but enlarged and
extended his Knowledg to the Spheres above,
making
Honourable Robert Boyle.
233
making himſelf Maſter of all valuable Arts and
Sciences worthy his Curiofity.
And as his Writings are Teftimonies of his
Knowledg; fo likewife they are Witneſſes of
his Indefatigable Induſtry; and as one would
think it impoffible for one Man to make fo
many Diſcoveries and Improvements in the
Term of his Life; ſo it is as much to be admi-
red,how he ſhould be able to profecute fo ma-
ny Studies, and withal make fo many Obferva-
tions and try fo many Experiments, as are
diſperſed through, and every where adorn,his
Books; thefe we can only mention here fince
3
they are only to be juſtly admired by thoſe that
perufe his Works; of which we have formerly
wrote an Epitomy,containing all the Subſtance
of his Writings, only cleared from unneceſſa-
ry Circumſtances and Circumlocutions, which
made them long and tedious to fome Rea-
ders.
Having thus given a brief Account of Mr.
Boyle's Writings which are Famous all the
World over; we might reafonably ſtep to-
wards the Conclufion of a Life, that by the
Multitude of Good Works done in it,might pro-
bably have an end, fince one that knew not
how long he lived, and viewed his Works,
would think his Life already prolonged much
above the common Age of Men; fince he hath
done the Work of a much greater Number of
Years; yet before we can come to the Period
of his Noble Courfe, there is fomething yet
which we muſt take notice of.
f 2
The
2.34
The LIFE of the
Fragments
and fmall
Specimens
of his Cu-
riofity.
The Fame of his, Writings had not only
gained him Unive fal Applaufe, but general
Acquaintance; and every one that was curious,
coveted and thought it an Honour to be ac-
quainted, and a much greater to hold Cor-
refpondence at a distance with a Man fo emi-
nent and univerfally Learned; every one was
fond of Communicating what they could, and
thought it an Honour to have the Liberty to
make their Offerings at his Altar; nor was he
lefs free in Communicating to the World what-
ever Improvements he made, or whatever he
thought might be ferviceable to Mankind, or
entertaining to the Curious, whether it were
fm. Fragments of his own Curiosity, or fuch
as were handed to him from others, which he
readily Communicated to the Royal Socie-
ty.
Since then,there are feveral Fragments either
of his own,or thoſe which he received from o-
thers, and thought fit to communicate to the
World, interfperfed through the Transactions,
and which are not taken Notice of in his Works,
I hope theReader will not think it amifs,if after
an Account of his more noted Works and
Writings, which afford the World fo Noble an
Entertainment, and employed a great Part of
of his Life; we gather together theſe looſe Frag-
ments, which employed and helped to fill up
fome Imall Intervals; nor may it be improper
to take Notice of fch Things in an Account
of his Life, which he thought worthy to take
up Part of his Life whilft on Earth.
And
Honourable Robert Bovic.
235
And fince thefe Fragments have little or no
Relation to one another,we fhall not give our
felves the Trouble to put them in any other
Method or Order than what they were publifh-
ed in.
Mon-
The first we shall begin with, is an Obfer- An Account
vation imparted to Mr. Boyle by Mr. David of a
Thomas, with an Account of a very odd Mon- ftrous Calf.
ftrous Calf. The Account is as followeth. A
Butcher having cauſed a Cow (which caft her
Calf the Year before) to be covered; that
fhe might the fooner be fatted, killed her when
Fat, and opening the Womb which he found
heavy to admiration, faw in it a Calf, which
had begun to have hair, whofe hinder Legs had
no Joynts,and whofe Tongue was Cerberus like,
triple, on each fide of his Mouth one, and one
in the midft; betwixt the fore-Legs, and the
hinder Legs was a great Stone, on which the
Calfrid; the Sternum or that part of the Breaft
where the Ribs lye,was alfo perfectly Stone,and
the Stone on which it rid, weighed twenty
Pound and a half; the outſide of the Stone
was of a greenish Colour, but fome Parts of it
being broken off, it appear'd a perfectFree-ftone.
To which Accounts he adds, an Obfervation
touching fome Particulars further confiderable,
Says he, upon the ftricteft Enquiry, I find by
one,that faw the Monſter Calf and Stone, within
four hours after it was cnt out of theCows Belly,
that the Breaſt of the Calf was not ftony, buc
that the skin of the Breaft, and between the
Legs, and of the Neck (which Parts lay on the
fmiller end of the Stone) was very much thick-
er, than on any other Part, and that the Feet
f3
of
536
The LIFE of the
..
Milk in
Veins in-
stead of
"Blood in the
Afpera
Arteria.
of theCalf were ſo parted as to be like theClaws
of a Dog. The ſtone I have fince feen, it is
bigger at the one end than the other; of no
plain Superficies, but full of little Cavities. The
ftone when broken is full of fmall Pebble ftones,
of an oval Figure; it's Colour is grey like Free-
ftone; but intermixed with Veins of Yellow
and Black.
The next thing, that comes in our way is,
fome Anatomical Obfervations of Milk found
in Veins, inſtead of Blood, and of Grafs found
in the Wind Pipes of Animals. A Curious
Perfon wrote not long fince from Paris, that
there they had, in the Houſe of a Phyfitian
newly opened a Man's Vein, wherein they
found Milk inſtead of Blood. This being im
parted to Mr. Boyle at Oxford, his Anfwer
was That the like Obfervation about white
Blood, had been made by a Learned Phyfitian
of his acquaintance, and the thing being by
him looked upon as remarkable, he was defi-
rous to have it very circumftantially from the
faid Phyfitian himself,before he would fay more
of it.
The other Particulars, fays the Author of the
Tranſactions, mentioned in the Title of this
Head, came in a Letter fent alſo by Mr. Boyle
in theſe Words, I fhall acquaint you,that two
very Ingenious Men, Dr. Clark and Dr. Lower
were pleaſed to give me an account of pretty
odd kind of Obfervations. One of them affu,
ring me,that he had ſeveral times, in the Lungs
of Sheep, found a Confiderable Quantity of
Grafs, in the very Stanches of the Afpera Ar-
seria; and the other relating to me, that a few
Weeks
Honourable Robert Boyic.
237
Weeks fince, he and a couple of Phyſicians,were
invited to look upon an Ox, that had for two
or three days, almost continually held his neck
ftreight up, and was dead of a Difeafe, the
Owner could not conjecture at; whereupon the
Parts belonging to the Neck and Throit, be-
ing opened, they found to their Wonder, the
Afpera Arteria in it's very Trunk, all ftuffed
with Grafs, as if it had been thrust there by
main force, which gives a juft Caufe of Mar-
velling and Enquiry,both how fuch a Quantity
of Grafs fhould get in there, and how being
there fuch an Animal could live with it fo
long.
In another of the Philofophical Tranfacti-
ons Mr. Boyle gives a further Account of an
Obſervation about white Blood, which is this,
I have at length according to your defire re-
ceived from the Ingenious Dr. Lomer, an Ac-
count in Writing of the Obfervations about
Chyle found in the Blood; which though you
may think frange, agrces well with fome Ex.
periments of his and mine, not now to be
mentioned. The Relation though fhort com-
prizing the main Particulars of what he had
more fully told me in Difcourfe, I fhall give
you with little or no Variation from his own
Words.
A Maid after Eating a good Breakfaſt about
feven in the Morning, was let Blood about e-
leven the fame Day in her Foot; the first
Blood was received in a Porringer, and with-
in a little while it turned very white; the
next Blood was received in a Sawcer, which
turned white immediately, like the White of
£ 4
2
238
The LIFE of the
Of the In-
fusson of
Liquors in
to the
Blood.
-
a Cuſtard, within five or fix hours after; the
Phyfitian chanced to fee both; and that in the
Porringer was half Blood and half Chyle,fwim-
ing upon it like Serum as white as Milk, and
that in the Sawcer all Chyle, without the leaft
appearance of a drop of Blood; and when he
heated them diftinctly over a gentle Fire, they
both hardned; as the White of an Egg, when
it is heated, or juft as the Serum of the Blood
doth when it is heated, but far, more White.
This Maid was then in Good Health, and only
let Blood, becauſe ſhe never had her Courſes,
yet of a very Florid Clear Complexi-
on.
And as Mr. Boyle was curious in all manner
of Obfervations, which might illuftrate the
Works of Nature; fo his Fame and great Cu-
riofity, not only led him into the acquaintance
of other ingenious Men of all Faculties and
Sciences, but ſcarce any thing curious was done,
which was not communicated to him, or which
he had not a hand in; how far he was concern-
ed in that Noble Experiment of the Infufion
of Liquors immediately into the Mafs of Blood,
appears, from the Account of the Rife and
Attempts of a way to conveigh Liquors imme-
diately into the Mafs of Blood, firſt propoſed
by Dr. Wren. The Account given in the Phi-
lofophical Tranfactions is as follows. Whereas
there have lately appeared in Publick, fame
Books, printed beyond Seas, treating of the
way of injecting Liquors into Veins, in which
Books, the Original of that Invention feems
to be ascribed to others, befides him to whom
it belongs; it will not be thought amifs, if
fomé-
*
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
2.39
fomething be faid, whereby the true Inventors
Right, may be beyond Exception, afferted and
preferved. To which end, there will need no
more, than barely to reprefent, the time when,
and the place where, and among whom, it was
firſt ſtarted and put to tryal. To jayn all theſe
Circumſtances together, it's notorious, that at
leaft fix Years fince, (which was 1659) before
it was heard of,that any one did pretend to have
fo much as thought of it; the Learned and
Ingenious Dr. Chriftopher Wren, did propofe in
the University of Oxford, (where he is now
the worthy Savilian Profeffor of Aftronomy,
and where very many curious Perfons are rea-
dy to atteft this Relation) to that noble Bene-
factor to Experimental Philofophy Mr Boyle,
Dr. Wilkins, and other deferving Perfons, that
he thought he could eaſily contrive a way, to
conveigh any Liquid Thing immediately into
the Maſs of Blood, viz. by making Ligatures
on the Veins, and then opening them on the
fide of the Ligature towards the Heart, and
by putting into them flender Syringes or Quils
faſtened to Bladders in the manner of Clyfter-
Pipes, containing the matter to be injected;
performing that Operation upon pretty big
and lean Dogs, that the Veffels might be large
enough and easily acceffible.
This Propofition being made, Mr. Boyle
foon gave order for an Apparatus, to put it to
Experiment, wherein at feveral Times, upon
feveral Dogs, Opium, and the Infufion of Gro-
cus Metallorum, were injected into that part of
the hind Legs of thofe Animals, whence the
Larger Veffels, that carry the Blood, are moſt
eafily
;
240
The LIFE of the
Mercurial
ens and
abeirRe-
ades.
eaſily taken hold of, whereof the Success was,
that the Opium being foon circulated into the
Brain, did within a fhort time ftupify, though
not kill the Dog; but a large Dofe of the Cro-
ens Metallorum, made another Dog vomit up
Life and all.
The next Fragment we meet with, in the
Obferuati Philofophical Tranfactions relating to Mr.
Boyle, is in a Relation of fome Mercurial Ob-
fervations and their Refults; fays the Author
of the Tranſactions, Modern Philofophers, to
avoid Circumlocutions, call that Inftrument,
wherein a Cylinder of Quickfilver of between
28 and 31 Inches in Altitude, is kept, fufpend-
ed after the manner of the Torrecellian Expe-
riment, a Barometer or Barofcope, firft made
publick, by that Noble Searcher of Nature,
Mr. Boyle, and imployed by him and others,
to detect all the minute variations in the
preffure and weight of the Atmosphere. For
the more curious and nice diftinguishing of
which ſmall changes, Mr. Hook in the Pre-
face to his Micrography, hath defcribed fuch
an Inftrument with a Wheel contrived by
himſelf, and by thefe two laft Years Tryals of
it, conftantly found most exact for that Pur-
pofe; which being fo accurate and not difficult
to be made, is very deſirable, that thoſe who
have a Genius and Opportunities of making
Obfervations of this kind, would furnish them-
felves with fuch of these Inftruments, as were
exactly made and adjuſted, according to the
Method delivered in the newly mentioned
Place.
:..
To
Honourable Robert Boyle.
241
To fay fomething of the Obſervations made
by this Inftrument, and withal to excite ſtudi-
tious Naturalifts, to a fedulous profecution of
the fame, the Reader may firſt take Notice,that
the lately named Mr. Boyle hath, (as himſelf
did intimate not long fince to the Author of
thefe Tracts) already made divers Obfervati.
ons of this kind, in the Year 1659 and 1669
before any others were publick, or by him-
ſelf ſo much as heard of, though he hath hi-
therto forborn to divulge them, becauſe of ſome
other Papers (in whofe Company they were
to appear,) which being hindered by other
Studies and Employments, he hath not yet fi-
niſhed.
And as a further Inftance of the extraordi-
nary Uſefulneſs of this Invention, and the Ho-
nour and Eſteem, Mr. Boyle obtained by that,as
well as the reſt of his Performances, we fhall add
what the Learned Dr. Beal fays on this Occa-
fion; fays the Author of the Tranſactions,next
that, befides feveral others, who, fince I have
had the Curioſity of making fuch Obſervations,
the worthy and inquifitive Dr. John Beal is do-
ing his part with much affiduity,
but
what is to our prefent purpoſe is, the Honou
rable Character he gives Mr. Boyle, who is
mentioned with peculiar Marks of Eſteem by all
Learned Men,
The faid Dr. is fo much
pleaſed with the Diſcovery already made by
the help of this Inftrument, that he thinks it
to be one of the most wonderful that ever was
in the World, if we fpeak of ftrangeness and
just wonder, and of Philofophical Importance,
feparate from the Intereſt of Lucre. For fays
he,
242
The LIFE of the
L
An Accouns
he, (in one of his Letters, ) who could ever ex-
pect,that we Men fhould find an Art, to weigh
all the Air that hangs over our Heads, in all
the Changes of it, and as it were to weigh,and
to diſtinguiſh by weight, the Winds and the
Clouds? Or, who did believe, that by palpa-
ble Evidence, we fhould be able to prove the
fereneſt Air to be moft heavy, and the thickest
Air, and when darkeft Clouds hang neareſt
us, ready to diffolve or dropping, then to be
lighteft. And though, (fa he goes on) we can-
not yet reach to all the Ufes and Applications
of it; yet we ſhould be entertained for a while,
by the truly honourable Mr. Boyle, as the lead-
ing Perfon herein, upon the delight and won-
der. To me, fays he, it's a wonderful delight,
that I have always in my ftudy before my Eye
fuch a curious Ballance.
And in another of the Tranfactions, the Ho-
nourable Mr. Bayle is mentioned with no lefs
regard to his worthy Invention. Says the Au-
thor, We ſhall begin this fecond Year of our
Publications in this kind, with a few more par-
ticular Obſervations upon the Ballance of the
Air, as they are moſt happily invented and di-
rected by Mr. Boyle, and deferve to be proſe-
cuted with care and diligence all the World
over.
From hence it appears, how much the World
sfanEarth is obliged to the Honourable Mr. Boyle, for
quake. that happy Invention, both fo pleaſant and
ufeful, the next thing, we ſhall take Notice of,
that occurs, is, a Confirmation of an Account
of an Earthquake near Oxford, and the Conco-
mitants thereof, which came from the Noble
Mr.
•
Honourable Robert Boyle.
243
Mr. Boyle in a Letter to the Publiſher, which
is the following. As to the Earthquake, your
Curiosity about it makes me forry, that though
I think, I was the firft, that gave Notice of it
to ſeveral of the Virtuofi at Oxford; yet the
Account I can fend you about it, is not fo much
of the thing it felf, as about the Changes of
the Air, that accompanied it, to inform you
of which I muft relate to you, that riding one
Evening fomewhat late betwixt Oxford and a
Lodging, I have at a place, four miles diftant
from it, the Weather having been for a pretty
while Frofty; I found the Wind fo very Cold,
that it reduced me to put on fome Defenfives
against it, which I never fince, nor if I forget
not, all the foregoing Part of the Winter was
obliged to make ufe of. My unwillingness to
ſtay long in fo troublefom a Cold, which con-
tinued very piercing till I had got half way
homewards, did put me upon Galloping at no
very eaſy rate; and yet before I could get to
my Lodgings, I found the Wind turned and
the Rain falling, which confidering the fhort-
nefs of the time, and that this Accident was
preceded by a fetled Froft, was furprizing to
me, and induced me to mention it at my re-
turn, as one of the greateſt and ſuddeneſt Alte-
rations of Air, I had ever obſerved. And
what Changes I found have been taken Notice
of in the Gravity of the Air at the fame time
by that Accurate Obferver, Dr. Wallis, who
then fufpected nothing of what followed, as I
ſuppoſe he hath 'ere this told you himſelf.¡Soon
after, by my gueſs about an hour, there was
a manifeft trembling in the Houfe,where I was
(which
244
The LIFE of the
:
(which ſtands high in Comparison of Oxford,)
But it was not there fo great, but that 1, who
chanced to have my Thoughts bufied enough
in other Matters than the Weather, fhould not
have taken Notice of it as an Earthquake, but
have imputed it to fome other Caufe, if one
that you know, whofe hand is imployed in this
Paper, and begins to be a diligentObſerver of
Natural things, had not advertiſed me of it,
as being taken Notice of by him and the reft of
the People of the Houfe. And foon after, there
happened a brisk Storm, whereupon I fent to
make Enquiry at a place called Brill, which
ftanding upon much higher Ground,I fuppofed
might be more obnoxious to the Effects of the
Earthquake(of which had I had any fufpicion of
it, having been formerly in one, near the
Lacus Lemanus, would have made me the more
obſervant) But the Perfon I ſent to, diſabled
by Sickness to come over to me, writ me a
Ticket, whofe Subftance was. That the Earth-
quake was there much more confiderable than
wherellodged, and that a Gentleman's Houfe
whom he names, the Houfe trembled very
much, fo as to make the Stones manifeftly to
move to and fro in the Parlour, to the great
amazement and fight of all the Family. The
Hill whereon this Brill ſtands, I have obſerved
to be very well ftored with Mineral Subſtances
of ſeveral kinds, and from thence, I have been
informed by others, that this Earthquake,rea-
ched a good many Miles. But I have neither
leifure nor inclination to entertain you with
nacertain reports of the extent and other cir-
cumitances, especially, fince a little further time.
an
Honourable Robert Boyle.
245
an Enquiry may enable me to give you a better
Warranted Account.
Baremt“
cer.
The next thing worthy our Notice, and obfervati-
communicated by Mr. Boyle to the Royal So- ons andDi-
ciety, is fome Obfervations and Directions a- rections a-
bout the Barometer. As to the Barometrical bout the
Obfervations you gueſſed right, that when I
faw thoſe of the Learned and Inquisitive Dr.
Beal, I had not mine by me; yet fince by the
Communication you have made Publick, it's
probable, that-divers ingenious Men will be
invited to attempt the like Obfervations, I
fhall, notwithſtanding my preſent hafte, men-
tion to you ſomeParticulars, which perhaps will
not appear unfeaſonable, that came into my
Mind upon the Reading of what you have pre-
fented the Curious.
When I did, as you may remember, fome
Years ago publickly exprefs and defire, that
fome Inquifitive Men would make Barofcopical
Obfervations in feveral parts of England, if
not in foreign Countries, and to aflift them to
do ſo, preſented fome of my Friends with the
neceflary Instruments, the declared Reaſon of
my defiring this Correfpondence, was amongſt
other things, that by comparing Notes, the Ex-
tent of the Atmoſpherical Changes, in point of
Weight, might be the better eftimated. But
having not hitherto received fome Accounts,
that I hoped for, I fhall now, without ſtaying
for them intimate to you, that it will be very
convenient, that the Obfervers not only take
Notice of the Day,but as near as they can of the
Hour, wherein the height of the Mercurial Cy-
linder was obſerved; for I have often found,
that
A
246
The LIFE of the
that within less than the compafs of one Day,
or perhaps halfa Day, the Altitude of it, hath
fo confiderably varyed, as to make it in many
Cafes difficult to conclude any thing certainly
from Obſervations, that agree but in the Day.
It will be requifite alfo, that the Obfervers
give Notice of the Scituation of the place,
where their Barometers ftand; not only be-
eauſe it will affift Men to judge, whether the
Inſtruments were duly perfected, but princi-
pally, becauſe that though the Barofcope be
gooi, nay, becauſe it is fo, the Obfervations
will much difagree, even when the Atmoſphere
is in the fame ftate as to Weight, if one of the
laftruments stand in a confiderable higher part
of the Country than the other.
To confirm both the foregoing Admoniti-
ons, I muſt now inform you, that having in
thefe Parts two Lodgings, the one at Oxford,
which you know ftands in a Bottom at the
Thames fide, and the other at a place four
Miles thence, feated upon a moderate Hill, I
found by comparing two Barofcopes, that I
made, the one at Oxford, and the other at
Stanton St. Johns, that though the former be
very good, and hath been noted for fuch, du
ring fome Years, and the later was carefully
filled; yet by Reifon,that in the higher place,
the incumbent Part of the Atmosphere must be
lighter than in the lower, there is almoſt al-
ways 2 or 3 eighths of an Inch difference be-
twixt them. And having fometimes ordered
my Servant to take Notice of the Diſparity,
and divers times carefully obferved it my ſelf,
when I paffed to and fro betwixt Oxford and
St Anton
Honourable Robert Botle.
247
Stanton, and the other i, as it were, by com-
mon confent to rife and fall together, fo
as that in the former, the Mercury was ufually
higher than in the later.
Which Obfervations may teach us, that the
Subterraneous fteams which afced into the
Air, or the other Caufes of the varying weight
of the Atmosphere, do many times, and at leaft
in fome places, uniformly enough effect the
Air, to a greater height, then till I had made
this Tryal, I durft conclude.
But as most of the Barometrical Obfervati-
ons are Subject to acceptions, fo I found the
formerly mentioned to be; for, to omit leffer
variations, riding one Evening from Oxford
to Stanton, and having before I took Horfe,
looked upon the Barofcope in the former of
thefe two places, I was fomewhat furprized
to find at my coming to the later, that in pla-
ces no further diftant, and notwithstanding
the ſhortness of the time (which was but an
hour and a half, if ſo much) the Barometer at
Stanton was short of it's ufual diance from the
other, near a quarter of an Inch, though the
weather being fair and calm, there appeared
nothing of manifet Change in the Air, to
which I could afcribe fo grca: a Variation;
and though alfo fince that time, the Mercury
in the two Intruments, hath for the moſt
Part proceeded to rife and fall as be-
fore.
And thefe being the only Obfervations I
have yet met with, where Barofcopes at fome
diſtance of Place and Difference of height,
have been compared (though I cannot now
t
fend
248
The LIFE of the
h
fend you the Reflections I have How made up、.
on them) as the opportunity I have had to
make them my felf, rendered them not unplea-
fant to me,fo perhapstheNovelty will keep them,
from being unwelcom to you. And I confefs
I have had fome flying fufpitions, that the odd
Phanomena of the Barofcope, which have hi-
therto more pofed than inftructed us, may in
time, if a competent Number of Correfpon-
dents do diligently profecute the Inquiries (ef-
pecially with Barofcopes accommodated with
Mr Hook's ingenious Additions) make Men fome
Luciferous Discoveries, that poffibly we do
not yet dream of.
I know not,whether it will be worth while
to add, that fince I was obliged to leave Lon-
don, I have been put upon fo many leffer re-
moves, that I have not been able to make
Baroſcopical Obfervations with fuch a conftan-
cy, as l'have wifhed; but as far as 1 remem-
ber, the Quick-filver hath been for the moft
Part fo high,as to invite me to take Notice of
it, and to delire you to do me the favour to en-
quire amongst your Correfpondents, whether
they have observed the fame things. For if
they have, this lafting (though not uninter.
rupted) Altitude of the Quick-lver happening,
when the Seafons of the Year have been extra-
ordinary dry fo much as to become a grie-
vance, and to dry up as one of the late Gazets
informs us, fome Springs near Weymouth,
that uſed to run conftantly) it may be worth
Inquiry, whether thefe obftinate Droughts,may
not by cleaving of the Ground too deep, and
making it alfo in fome places more Porous, and
as
Honourable Robert Boyle.
24)
as it were Spungy, give a more copious Vent
then is uſual to Subterraneous Steams, which
afcending into the Air increafe the Gravity of
it. The Inducements 1 have to propofe this
Inquiry, 1 maft not now ſtay to mention; but
perhaps if the Obfervation holds, it may prove
not uſeleſs in Reference to fome Difea-
fes.
Perhaps it will be needlefs to put you in mind
of directing thoſe Virtuofi, that may defire your
Inſtructions about Barofcopes to fet down in
their Diaries, not only the Day of the Month,
and Hour of the Day, when the Mercuries
height is taken; but in a diftinct Column, the
Weather, eſpecially the Winds both as to the
Quarters, whence they blow (though that be
not always fo eaſy nor neceflary) and as to the
violence or remifnefs, wherewith they blow.
For though it be more difficult than one would
think, to fettle any General Rule, about the
rifing and falling of the Quick filver, yet
in theſe Farts, one of thofe, that feem to hold
ofteneſt is, that when high Winds blow, the
Mercury is the lower; yet that it felf does
fometimes fail; for this very day, though on
that Hill, where I am, the fomewhat Weſterly
Winds, have been bluſtering enough ;fyet ever
fince Morning, the Quick-filver hath been
rifing, and is now rifen of an Inck.
I had thought to add ſomething about ano-
ther kind of Barofcope, but inferior to that
in uſefo for that Letter; to which the
Publiſher of the Tranfactions adds, fince which
time another from the Noble Obferver inti-
mates. That as for that caufe of the height of
the
250
The LIFE of the
the Quick-filver in draughts, which by him, is
fufpected to be the Elevation of Steams from
the Cruft or Superficial arts of the Earth,
which by little and little may add to the weight
of the Atmoſphere, being not as in other feafons,
carryed down from time to time by the falling
Rains, it agrees not ill with what he hath had
fince occafion to obferve; for whereas about
March 12th. at Oxford, the Quick filver was
higher than for ought he knew, had been yet
obferved in England,viz.above 46 above 30 In-
16
ches, upon the firft confiderable Showers that
bave intercepted our long drought, as he af-
firms, he foretold divers hours before, that the
Quick-filver would be very low (a bluftering
Wind concurring with the Rain) fo he found
it at Stanton to fall below 29:
4 Way of The next Fragnient we fhall take Notice of,
preferving which Mr. Boyle Communicated to the Royal
Birds, &c.
Society is, a way of preferving Birds taken
out of the Egg and other fmall Fatus's, the
Letter is as followeth. The time of the Year
invites me to intimate to you, that amongſt
the other uſes of the Experiment, I long fince
preſented the Society of preferving Whelps ta-
ken out of the Dams Womb, and other Fatus's,or
Parts of them in Spirit of Wine, I remember,
I did, when I was Sollicitous to obferve the
Proceſs of Nature, in the Formation of a Chick,
open Hens Eggs, fome at fuch a Day, and fome
at other Days, after the beginning of the In-
cubation, and carefully taking out theEmbroy's,
embalmed each of them in a diftinct Glafs
(whichis to be carefully ftopped) in Spirit of
Wine, which I did,that fo might have them
in
·
Honourable Robert ↓ oyle
251
in readiness, to make on them at any time the
Obfervations I thought them capable of afford-
ing, and to let my Friends at other Seafons of
Year fee, both the different Appearances of the
Chick at the third, fourth, feventh, fourteenth,
and other days, after the Eggs had been fat on;
and especially fome particulars not obvious in
Chickens that go about, as the lianging of the
Guts out of the Abdomen, r. How long the
tenderEmbryo of the Chick foon after the Pun-
Etum Salidens is difcoverable, and whilst the Bo
dy feems but a little Organized Gelly,and fome
while after that will be this way prefei ved,with
out being too much fhrivelled up, I was hin-
dred by fome Mifchances to fatisfy my felf;
but when the Fatus's I took out, were fo per-
fectly formed as they were wont to be about the
feventh day, and after, they fo well retained
their shape and bulk, as to make me not repent
of my Curiofity; and fome of thoſe I did very
early this Spring, I can yet fhew you. I know
I have mentioned an eafy Application of what
1 fome Years fince made publick enough; but
yet not finding it to have been made by any o-
ther, and being perfwaded by Experience,that
it may be extended to other Fry's, which this
Seafon (the Spring) is time to mike provifion
of, I think the Advertiſement will not prove
unfeaſonable to fome of our Friends, tho' being
now in hafte, and having now in my thoughts
divers Particulars, relating to this way of pre-
ferving Birds taken out of the Egg, and other
fmall Fatus's, 1 muft content my felt to have
mentioned that which is Effential, leaving di.
vers other things, which a little Practice may
teach
1 3
-
252
The LIFE of the
Anew kind
teach the Curious unmentioned. Notwith-
ftanding which, I must not omit theſe two Cir-
cumſtances, the one, that when the Chick was
grown big, beforel took it out of the Egg, 1
have,but not conftantly,mingled with theSpirit
of Wine, a little Spirit of Sal Armoniack, made
by the help ofQuick-lime which Spirit 1 chooſe,
becauſe, though it abounds in a Salt not fowr,
but urinous, yet I never obſerved it (how
ſtrong foever I made it) to coagulate Spirit of
Wine. The other Circumſtance is, that I ufu-
ally found it convenient, to let the little Ani-
mals I meant to embalm lye for a little while in
ordinary Spirit of Wine, to wash off the loofer
filth, that is wont to adhere to theChick,when
taken out of the Egg, and then having put ei-
ther the first kind of Spirit, or better upon the
fame Bird, I fuffered it to feak fome hours (per-
haps fome days Pro re nata) therein, that the
Liquor, having drawn as it were what Tincture
it could, the Fatus being removed into more
pure and well dephlegmedSpirit of Wine,might
not difcolour it, but leave it almoſt as limpid
as before it was put in.
The next thing we ſhall take Notice of is,an
of Barofcope. Account of a new kind of Barofcope, which
may be called Statical, and of fome advantages
and conveniences it hath above the Mercurial
communicated fome while fince, by the Ho-
nourable Robert Boyle, which is this; as for the
new kind of Barofcope, which not long agol
intimated to you,that my hafte would not per-
mit me to give you an Account of, fince your
Letters acquaint me,that you still defign a Com-
municating to the Curious as much Information
as
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
253
as may be, in reference to Bat ofcopes, 1 fhall
venture to ſend you fome Account of what 1
did but name, in my former Letter to you.
Though by a paffage you meet with in the
19th. and 20th. Pages, of my Thermometri-
cal Experiments and Thoughts, you may find,
that I did fome Years ago, think upon this
new kind of Barofcopes; yet the changes of
the Atmoſphere's weight, not happening to he
then fuch as I wifhed, and being unwilling to
deprive my ſelf of all other Ufe of the exacteft
Ballance, that I, or perhaps any Man ever had,
I confefs to you, that fucceffive Avocations
put this Attempt for two or three Years out of
my Thoughts, till afterwards returning to a
place, where I chanced to find two or three
pair of Scales, I had left there, the fight of
them brought it into my Mind; and though I
was then unable to procure exacter, yet my
defire to make the Experiment fome amends,
for fo long a neglect, put me upon considering,
that if I provided a Glafs Bubble, more than
ordinary large and light, even fuch Ballances
as thofe, might in fome meaſure perform,what
I had tryed with the ftrangely nice ones a-
bove mentioned.
I cauſed then to be blown at the flame of a
Lamp, fome Glafs Bubbles, as large, thin and
light, as I could then procure, and chuling
amongſt them one, that feemed the leaft unfit
for my turn, I counterpoifed it in a pair of
Scales, that would loofe their Equilibrium
with about the 30th. part of a grain, and
were fufpended at a frame. I placed both the
Ballance and the Frame by a good Barofcope,
[ 4
from
254.
The LIFE of the
from whence I might learn the prefent weight
of the Atmosphere. Then leaving thefe .In-
ftruments together, though the Scales, being
no nicer than I have expreffed, were not able
to fhew me all the Variations of the Air's
weight, that appeared in the Mercurial Baro-
fcope, yet they did what I expected, by fhew-
ing me variations no greater, than altered the
height of Quickſilver half a quarter of an Inch,
and perhaps much fmaller than thoſe. Nor
did I doubt, that if I had either tender Scales,
or the means of fupplying the Experiment with
convenient Accommodations,I fhould have dif-
cerned far finaller Alterations of the weight of
the Air, fince I had the pleaſure to ſee the
Bubble' fometimes in an Equilibrium, with the
Counterpoife; fometimes, when the Atmof
phere was high, Preponderate fo manifeftly,
that the Scales being gently ſtirred, the Cock
would play altogether on that fide, at which
the Bubble was hung; and at other times
(when the Air was heavier) that which at
the firft was but the Counterpoife, would pre-
ponderate, and upon the Motion of the Bal-
lance, make the Cock vibrate altogether op
it's fide. And this would continue fometimes
many Days together, if the Air fo long retai-
ned the fame Meaſure of Gravity; and then
upon other changes, the Bubble would regain
an Equilibrium, or a Preponderance; fo that
I had oftentimes the fatisfaction, by looking
first upon the Statical Barofcope, to foretel,
whether in the Mercurial Barofcope the Li-
quor were high or low. Which Obfervations,
though they hold as well in Winter, and feve
rale
Honourable Robert Boyle.
2.55
:
ral times in Summer, as well as in the Spring,
yet the frequency of their Viciffitudes (which
perhaps was but accidental) made them more
pleaſant in the later of theſe Seaſons.
So that the Matter of Fact having been made
out, by variety of repeated Obfervations, and
by fometimes comparing feveral of thofe new
Barofcopes together, I fhall add ſome of theſe
Notes about this Inftrument, which readily
occur to my Memory, referving the reft to
another Opportunity.
And firf, If the Ground, on which I went in
framing this Barofcope be demanded, the an-
fwer in fhort may be, 1. That though the
Glaſs Bubble, and the Glafs Counterpoife, at
their time of firſt being weighed, be in the
Air, wherein they both are weighed, exactly
of the fame weight, yet they are nothing near
of the fame bulk, the Bubble, by reaſon of
it's capacious Cavity (which contains nothing
but Air, or ſomething less than Air,) being
perhaps a hundred or two hundred times (for.
I have not conveniency to measure them)
bigger than the Metalline Counterpoife. 2.
That according to a Hydroſtatical Law, if
two Bodies of equal gravity, but unequal bulk,
come to be weighed in another Medium, they
will be no longer Equiponderant; but if the
new Medium be heavier, the greater Body,
as being lighter in Specie, will looſe more of
it's weight, than the leffer, and more compact;
but if the new Medium be lighter than the
first, than the bigger Body will outweigh the
leſfer. And this difparity arising from the
change of Mediums, will be fo much the great-
:
er,
256
The LIFE of the
er, by how much the greater nequality of
bulk, there is betwixt the Bodies formerly
Æquiponderant. 3. That laying thefe two
together, I confidered that it would be all one,
as to the Effect to be produced, whether the Bo-
dies were weighed in Mediums of different
Gravity, or in the fame Medium, in cafe it's
Specifick Gravity were confiderably altered;
and confequently, that fince it appeared by
the Barofcope, that the weight of the Air was
fometimes heavier, and fometimes lighter, the
Alterations of it, in point of gravity, from the
weight it was of, at first counterpoifing of
the Bubble of it, would unequally affect, fo
large and hollow a Body, as the Bubble, and
fo fmall and denfe a one as a Metalline Weight.
And when the Air by an increaſe of Gravity,
fhould become a heavier Medium than before,
it would bouy up theGlafs more than theCoun-
terpoife, and if it grew lighter than it was at
frft, would fuffer the former to preponderate.
And though our English Air be a thouſand
times lighter than Water, the difference in
weight of fo little Air, as is but equal in bulk
to a Bubble, ſeemed to give ſmall hopes, that
it would be fenfible upon a Ballance, yet by
making the Bubble very large and light, I fup-
pofed and found the Event I have already re-
lated.
Secondly, The Hermetically feated Bubble
I employed, was of the bignefs of a fomewhat
large Orange, and weighed about a Drachm
and ten Grains. But I thought it very poffible
if I had been better furnished with Conveni-'
ences (wherein I afterwards found I was not
miſtaken
Honourable Robert Boyle.
257
miſtaken) to make (among many that might
be expected to mifcarry fome that might
be preferable to this, either for Capacity or
Lightness, or both; efpecially,if care be taken,
that they be not fealed up whilft too hot. For
though one would think, that it were advan-
tagious to rarify and drive out the Air as much
as poffible, becauſe in fuch fealed Bubbles the
Air it felf hath a Weight, yet this Advantage
countervails not the Inconveniences of being
obliged to increaſe the Weight of the Glafs,
which when it includes highly rarifyed Air, if
it be not fomewhat ftronger, will be broken
by the preſſure of the external Air, as I have
fufficiently tryed.
Thirdly, I would have tryed, whether the
dryness and moisture of the Air, would have
in any Meafure altered the Weight of the Bub-
ble, as well as the variation of Gravity pro-
duced in the Atmosphere by other Caufes; but
the extraordinarily conftant abfence of Fogs,
kept me from making Obfervations of this
kind,fave, that one Morning early, being told of
a Miſt,I ſent to ſee (being my ſelf in Bed) whe-
ther it made the Air fo heavy, as to bouy up
the Bubble, but did not learn, that that Miſt
had any fenfible Operation on it.
Fourthly, By Reafon of the Difficulties and
Cafualties, that may happen about the procu-
ring and preferving fuch large and light Bub-
bles, as I have been lately mentioning, it may
in fome Cafes prove a Convenience to be in-
formed; that I have fometimes, inftead of one
fufficiently large, Bubble, made use of two, that
were fmaller. And though a fingle Bubble of
competent
1
258
The LIFE of the
1
competent bignefs be much preferable, by Rea-
fon that a far lefs Quantity and Weight of
Glafs, is requifite to comprize an equal Capa-
city, when the Glafs is blown into a fingle
Bubble, than when it is divided into two; yet
I found that the employing of two inftead of
one, did not fo ill answer my Expectations,
but that they may for a need, ferve the turn,
inſtead of the other, than which they are more
eafy to be procured: And if the Ballance be
ftrong enough to bear fo much Glafs, without
being injured, by employing two or a greater
number of large Bubbles, the Effect may be
more confpicuous, than if only a fingle Bub
ble be employed.
This Inftrument may be much improved,
by divers Accommodations; as,
First, There may be fitted to the Anfa or
Cheeks of the Ballance, an arch of a Circle,
divided into 15 or 20 Degrees, more or leſs,
according to the Goodness of the Ballance, that
theCock refting over against thefeDivifions,may
readily and without calculation,fhew the Quan-
tity of the Angle, by which, when the Scales
propend either way, the Cock declines from
the Perpendicular, and the Beam from it's Ho-
rizental Parallelifm.
Secondly, Those that will be ſo curious, may,
inſtead of the Ordinary Counterpoiſe of Brafs,
employ one of Gold, or at least of Lead, where-
of the later being of equal Weight with the
Brafs, is less in Bulk, and the former amounts
not to half it's bigneſs.
•
Thirdly,
Honourable Robert Boyle:
259
Thirdly, Thefe Parts of the Ballance that may
be made of Copper or Brafs, without any pre-
judice to the Exactnefs, will by being made of
one of theſe Materials, be lefs fubject than Steel
[ which yet if well hardened and poliſhed, may
laft good, a great while, ) to ruft with long
ftanding.
Fourthly, Inftead of thefe Scales, the Bubble
may be hung at one end of the Beam, and
only a Counterpoife to it at the other, that the
Beam may not be burthened with unneceffary
Weight.
1
Fifthly, The whole Inftrument, if placed
in a fmall frame, like a fquare Lanthorn with
Glaſs Windows, and a hole at the top for the
Commerce of the Internal and External Air,
will be more free from Duft, and irregular A-
gitations, to the later of which it will be other-
wife fometimes incident.
Sixthly, This Inftrument being accommo-
dated with a light Wheel and an Index (fuch
as have been applyed by the excellent Dr.
Christopher Wren to open Weather Glaffes, and
by the ingenious Mr. Hook to Baroſcopes) may
be made to fhew much more minute Variations
than otherwife.
Seventhly, And the length of the Beam, and
exquifiteness of the Ballance, may eafily with-
out any of the foregoing helps, and much more
with them, make the Inftrument far exacter,
than any of thoſe I was reduced to employ,
and to thefe Accommodations, divers others
may be ſuggeſted, by a farther confideration
of the Nature of the thing, and a longer Fra-
tice.
:
Though
260
The LIFE of the
Though in fome Reſpects, this Statical Ba-
rofcope be inferior to the Mercurial, yet in o-
thers it hath it's advantages aud conveniences
above it.
And first, It confirms ad Oculum our former
Dorin, that the falling and rifing of the Mer-
cury depends upon the varying weight of
the Atmosphere; fince in this Barofcope it can
not be pretended, that a fuga vacui or a funi-
culus, is the cauſe of the changes we obferve,
Secondly, It fhews, that not only the Air hath
Weight, but a more confiderable one, than
fome Learned Men, who will allow me to
have proved it hath fome weight, will admit;
fince even the variation of the weight in fo
ſmall a Quantity of weight, as is but equal in
bulk to an Orange, is manifeftly diſcoverable
upon fuch Ballances, as are none of the niceft.
Thirdly, This ftatical Barofcope will be often.
times more portable than the other; for ma
ny will find it more eafy, to procure a good
pair of Gold Scales, and a Bubble or two, than
a long Cane fealed, a quantity of Quickfilver,
and all the other Requifites of the Mercurial
Baroſcope, eſpecially, if we comprize the trou.
ble and skill, that is requifite to free the de-
ferted part of the Tube from Air. Fourthly,
And whereas the difficulty of removing the
Mercurial Inſtrument, hath kept Men from fo
much as attempting to do it, even to neigh-
bouring places; the Effential Parts of the Scale
Baroſcope, for the frame is none of them, may
very eaſily in a little room be carryed, whi-
ther one will, without the hazard of being
fpoiled or injured. Fifthly, There is not in
ſtatical
Honourable Robert Boyle.
261
ſtatical Baroſcopes, as in the other, a danger
of uncertainty, as to the goodness of the In-
ftruments, by reaſon that in theſe, the Air is
in fome more and in fome lefs perfectly exclu-
ded; whereas in thoſe, that conſideration hath
no place. And by the way, I have fometimes
upon this Account, been able to diſcover by
our new Baroſcope, that an esteemed Mercurial
one, to which 1 compared it, was not well
freed from Air. Sixthly, It being as I former-
by intimated, very poffible, to diſcover Hy-
drostatically, both the bigness of the Bubble,
and the contents of theCavity, and the weight &
dimenſions of the Glaffy Subftance (which to
gether with the included Air, make up the
Bubble, much may be difcovered by this In-
ftrument, as to the weight of the Air, ab-
folute or refpective. For when the Quickfil-
ver in the Mercurial Baroſcope, is either very
high or very low, or at a middle ſtation,bring-
ing the Scale Barometer to an exa& Equili-
brium (with very minute Divifions of a Grain)
you may by watchfully obferving, when the
Mercury is rifen or fallen juft an Inch, or a
fourth, or half an Inch, and putting in the
like minute Divifons of a Grain to the
lighter scale, till you have again brought the
Ballance to an exquifite Equilibrium, you may,
I fay, determin, what known weight in the
ftatical Baroſcope,anfwers fuch determinate Al-
titudes, of the afcending and defcending Quick-
filver, in the Mercurial. And if the Ballance
be accommodated with a divided Arch, or a
Wheel and Index, thefe Obfervations will
aflift you, for the future, to determinate rea-
dily,
262
The LIFE of the
dily, by feeing the Inclination of the Cock,
or the degree marked by the Index, what Pol-
lency the Bubble bath, by the Change of the
Atmospherical Weight, acquired or loft. Some
Obfervations of this Nature, I watchfully made,
fometimes putting in a 64th. fometimes a 32th.
fometimes a 16th, and fometimes heavier Parts
of a Grain to the lighter Scale. But one that
knew not for what Ufes thofe little Papers
were, coming to a Window, where my Baro-
fcopes ftood, fo unluckily fhook them out of
the Scales, and confounded them, that he rob-
bed me of the Opportunity of making the nice
Obfervations, I intended, though I had the fa-
tisfaction of feeing they were to be made.
Seventhly, By this Statical Inftrument, we may
be affifted to compare the Mercurial Barofcopes
of feveral Places, though never ſo diſtant, and
to make fome eftimates of the Gravities of the
Air therein, as if for Inftance, I have found
by Obfervation, that the Bubble 1 employ
(and one may have divers Bubbles of feveral
fizes, that the one may repair any Mifchance,
that may happen to another) weighed juſt a
Drachm, when the Mercurial Cylinder was
at the height of 29 Inches (which in fome
places I have found a moderate Altitude) and
that the Addition of the 16th. part of a Grain,
is requifite to keep the Bubble in an Æquili-
brium, when the Mercury is riſen an 8th. or
any determinate part of an Inch, above the
former ſtation. When1 come to another place,
where there is a Mercurial Barometer, as well
freed from Air as mine ( for that muſt be fup-
pofed) if taking out my Scale Inftrument, it
appears
Honourable Robert Boyle.
263
!
appears to weigh preciſely a Drachm, and the
Mercury in the Barofcope there ftands at 29½
Inches, we may conclude, the gravity of
the Armojphere not to be fenfibly une-
qual in both thofe two places, though
very diftant.
And though there be no
Baroſcope there, yet if there be an Additional
weight, as for Inftance, the 16th Part of a
grain requifite to be added to the Bubble, to
bring the Scales to an Aquilib, ium, it will ap-
pear,that this fecond Place is, at that time fo
much heavier, than the Air at the former place
was when Mercury ſtood at 29
29 In-
ches.
"
I
2
But in making fuch Compariſons, we muſt
not forget to confider, the Scituation of the
feveral Places. if we mean to make Eftimates
not only of the weight of the Atmosphere, but
of the weight and denfity of the Air. For tho'
the Scales will fhew (as has been faid ) whether
there be a difference of weight in the Atmos-
phere at the two places, yet if one of them be
in a Vale,or Bottom,and the other ou the Top,
or fome elevated Part of the Hill, it is not to
be expected, that the Atmefphere in this later
place, fhould gravitate as much as the Armof
phere in the former, on which a longer Hillar of
Air does lean or weigh.
And the mention I have made of the differing
Scituation of Places, puts me in mind of fome-
thing, that may prove another Ufe of our Sta-
tical Barofcope, and which I had thought of
making Tryal of,but was accidentally hindered
of the Opportunity of doing it Namely, that by
exactly pausing the Bubble,at the foot of a high
u
Steeple
264
The LIFE of the
A new fri-
Steeple or Hill, and carrying in a cloíe frame
to the Top, one may by the weight requifite
to be added to counterpoife there, bring the
Beam to it's Horizontal Poſition, obferve the
difference of the Weight ofthe Air,at the bottom
and at the Top; and if the Hill be high e-
nough, at fome intermediate Stations. But
how far this may affift Men, to eftimate the
abfolute or comparative height of Mountains,
and other elevated Places; and what other U-
fes the loftrument may be put to, when it is
duly improved; and the Cautions that may be
requifite in the feveral Cafes,that ſhall be pro-
pofed, I muſt leave to more Leiſure, and further
Confideration.
The next thing that offers it felf, which
gorifickEx Mr. Boyle communicated to the Royal Society,
periment is, a new Frigorifick Experiment fhewing,
how a Confiderable Degree of Cold may be
fuddenly produced without the help of Snow,
Ice, Hail, Wind, or Nitre, and that at any
time of the Year, you may remember, fays Mr.
Boyle, that the fpring before the laft, 1 mewed
a particular account of a way, wherein by a
certain Subitance obtained from Sal Armoniack,
1 could preſently produce a confiderable degree
of Cold, and that with odd Circumftances without
the help of Snow, Ice, Nitre, &c. But that
Experiment being Difficult and Coftly enough,
and defigned to afford Men Information and
Accommodations, 1 afterwards tryed, what
fome more cheap, and facile mixtures of likely
Bodies with Sal Armoniack would do towards
the Production of Cold,and afterwards I began
to
Honourable Robert Boyle.
265
to confider, whether to that purpoſe alone (for
my first Experiment was defigned to exhibit o-
ther Phenomena too,) thoſe mixtures might not
without Inconvenience be omitted; and I was
much confirmed in my Conjecture, by an ac-
cident, which was cafually related to me by
avery Ingenious Phyfitian of my acquaintance,
but not to be repeated to you in few words,
though he complained he knew not what to
make of it.
Amongst the feveral ways, by which I have
made in frigidating Mixtures with Sal_Armoni-
ack. The moſt fimple and facile is this; take
one pound of Powdered Sal Armon, and about
three Pounds or Pints of Water, put the Salt
into the Liquor either all together, if your de-
fign be to produce an Increaſe, though but a
fhort Coldness;or at two or three or four times,
if you defire, that the produced Coldness
ſhould rather laft fomewhat longer than be fo
great. Stir the Powder in the Liquor with
a Stick or Whale-Bone (or fome other thing
that will not be injur'd by the fretting brine,that
will be made ) to haften the Diffolution of the
Salt, upon the quickness of which depends very
much the Intensity of the Cold, that will en-
fue upon this Experiment; for the clearing up
whereof I fhall annex the following particu-
lars.
First, That a confiderable degree of Cold
is produced by this Operation is very evident,
First, to the Touch, Secondly, by this, that if
you make theExperiment, as I fometimes do,in
a Glaſs Body, or a Tankard, you may obſerve,
that while the Solution of the Salt is making
the
U 2
1
266
The LIFE of the
the outſide of the Metalline Veffel will as high
as the mixture reaches within, he bedewed
with a Multitude of little Drops of Water, as
it happens when mixtures of Snow and Salt
being put into Glaffes or other Veffels, the
aqueous Vapours that fmim to and fro in the
Air; and chance to glide along the fides of the
Veff Is, are by the Coldneſs thereof condenfed
into Water. And in our Armoniack Solution
you may obferve, that if you wipe of the dew
from any Particular Part of the outfide of the
Veffel, whilft the Solution does yet vigorously
go on, it will quickly colle& fresh dew, which
may fometimes be Copious enough to run down
the fides of the Veffel. But Thirdly, the beft
and fureſt way of finding out the Coldneſs of
theMixture, is, that which I fhewed you by
plunging into it a good fealed Weather-Glafs,
furnished with Tinted Spirit of Wine. For
the ball of this being put into our Frigorifick
mixture, the Crimſon Liquor will nimbly e-
nough defcend much Lower, than when it was
kept in the open Air, in common Water of the
fame Temper with that, wherein the Sal Armo-
niack. And if you remove the Glaſs out of
our mixture into common Water, the Tinted
Spirit will haftily enoughre-afcend for a pretty
while according to the greater or leffer time,
that it continued in the Armoniack Solution.
And this hath fucceeded with me, when inſtead
of removing the Mixture into common Water,
I removed it into Water newly impregnated
with Salt-Peter.
Secondly,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
207
Secondly, The Duration of the Cold produ-
ced by this Experiment, depends on feveral
Circumſtances, as First, upon the Seaſon of
the Year and the prefent Temper of the Air;
for in Summer and hot Weather, the Cold will
fooner decay and expire. Secondly, upon the
Quantity of Salt and Water; for if both theſe
be great, the Effect will be as well more lafting
as more confiderable. Thirdly, for ought I
yet know, we may add the Goodnefs and Fit-
nefs of the particular Parcel of Salt, that is em-
ployed; for though it be hard to diſcern before
hand, which will be the more, and which will
be the lefs proper, yet fome Tryals have temp-
ted me to fufpect, that there may be a Confi
derable Disparity, as to their fitness to produce
Cold, betwixt Parcels of Salt that are without
Scruple, looked upon to be Sal Armoniack; of
which difference it were not perhaps very
difficult to affign in probable Reaſons from the
Nature of the Ingredients of this compound
Concrete, and the ways of preparing it.
the duration of the Cold may be conceived to
depend alfo. Fourthly, upon the way of put-
ting the Salt into the Water; for if you caft
it in all at once,the Water will fooner acquire an
IntenseDegree of Coldnefs, but it will alſo foo-
ner return to it's former Temper; whereas, if
you defire but an laferior degree of that Quali.
ty, but that it may last longer (which will ufu-
ally be the moſt convenient for the cooling of
Drinks) then you may put in the Salt by little
and little,for keeping a long Weather-Glafs fora
good while in our impregnated Mixture, I of-
ten purposely tryed, that when the tinctured
11 3
But
Spirit
268
The LIFE of the
Spirit fubfided but flowly, or was at a ftand,
by putting in from time to time, two or three
Spoonfuls of fresh Salt, and ſtirring the Water
to quicken the Diffolution, the Spirit of Wine
would again defcend, if it were at a ſtand
or riſing, or fubfide much more ſwiftly than it
did before. And if you would lengthen the
Experiment,it may not be amifs, that part ofthe
Sal Armoniack be but grofly beaten that it may
be the longer in diffolving, and confequent-
ly in cooling the Water. Whilft there are dewy
drops produced on the outſide of the Veffel, it's
a fign that the Cold within continues pretty
ftrong for when it ceaſes, thefe drops efpeci
ally in warm Weather will by degrees vanish.
But a furer way of Meafuring the Duration of
the cold is, by removing from time to time
the fealed Weather-Glafs, out of the Saline
Mixture into the fame common Water, with
part of which it was made. And though it be
not easy to determin any thing particularly
about this Matter; yet it may fomewhat affift
you in your Eſtimates, to be informed, that I
have in the Spring by a Good Weather Glafs,
found a fenfible adventitious Cold, made by a
Pound of Sal Armoniack at the utmost to laft
about two or three hours.
Thirdly, To cool drink with this mixture you
may put them in thin Glaffes, the thinner the
better, which their Orifices being ſtopped,
and ftill kept above the Mixture) may be mo-
ved to and fro in it, and then be immediately
poured out to be drunk. Though when the
Glafs I employed, was conveniently ſtopped,as
like a Sugar Loaf,or with a long Neck, I found
it
Honourable Robert Boyle.
269
it not amifs to drink it out of that, without
pouring it out into any other, which can ſcarce
be done without leffening the Coolness. The
refrigeration, if the Glafs will be convenient
is quickly performed. And if one have a mind
to cool his hands, he may readily do it, by ap
plying them to the outside of the Veffel, that
contains the refrigarating mixture; by whofe
help, pieces of Chriftal or Bullets for the Cool-
ing of the Hands of thofe Patients, to whom it
may be allowed, may be potently cooled, and
other fuch refreshments may be cafily procu-
red.
Fourthly, How far Sal Armoniack mingled
with Sand or Earth, and not diffolved, but on-
ly moistened with a litte Water fprinkled on
it, will keep Bottles of Wine or other Liquors
more cool than the Earth, or that Sand will do,
I have not yet had opportunity, by fufficient
Tryals fully to fatisfie my felf, and there-
fore refign that Enquiry to the Curi-
ous.
Fifthly, For the Cooling of Air and Liquors,
to adjuſt Weather-Glaffes (to be able to do
which at all times of the Year, was one of the
chief Aims that made me bethink my felf of
this Experiment) or to give a ſmall Quantity
of Beer, &c. a moderate degree of coolness,
it will not be requfite to employ near fo much
as a whole Pound of Sal Armoniack at a time;
for you may eaſily obferve by a fealed Wea-
ther-Glafs, that a very few Ounces, well pow-
dered and nimbly diffolved, in about 4 times
the weight of Water will ferve well enough for
many purpoſes.
H 4
And
•
270
The LIFE of the
.*
And that you may the lefs fcruple at this, I
fhall tell you, that even before and after Mid-
fummer, I have found the Cold producible by
our Experiment to be confiderable and uſeful
for refrigeratingof Drinks, &c. but if the Sal
Armoniack be of the fisteft fort, and if the fea-
fon of the year do make no difadvantagious
Difference, the Degree of Cold, that may be
produced by no more than one Pound, if not
by lefs, of Sal Armoniack,tay within it's own
Sphere of Activity be much more vehement
than I prefume you yet imagin, and may af-
fords us excellent ftandards to adjuſt fealed
Weather-Glaffes by,and for feveral other Pur-
poſes. For I remember that in the Spring about
the End of March, or beginning of April, 1
was able with one pound of Sal Armoniack and
a requiſite proportion of Water, to produce a
Degree of Cold much greater than was necef-
fary the preceeding Winter to make it Frosty
Weather abroad, nay, 1 was able to produce
real Ice in space of time almoft incredibly
fhort. To confirm which particulars, becauſe
they will p:obably feem ftrange to you, 1 fhall
here annex the Tranfcript of an Entry, that 1
find in a Note Book, of the Phanomena and fuc-
cefs of one of thofe Experiments, asl than tryed
it, though fhall be ashamed to expoſe to your
Perufal a thing fo rudely penn'd; if I did not
hope, you would confider, that it was haftily
wrote for my own Remembrance. And that
you may not stop at any thing in the immedi-
ately annexed Note, or the two that follow, it
will be requifite to premife this Account of the
fealed Thermofcope, which was a good one,
wherewith
Honourable Robert Boyle.
271
i
wherewith thefe Obfervations were made; that
the length of the Cylindrical Pipe was 16 Inch-
es, the Ball about the bigness of a large Wall-
Nutt,and the Cavity of the Pipe by gueſs about
an eight or ninth Part of an Inch Diameter.
I i
The first Experiment is thus regiftred,
March the 27. in the fealed Weather-Glafs,
when firſt put into the Water,the tincted Spirit
reſted at 8 Inches; being fuffered to stay there a
good while, and now and then ſtirred to and fro
in the Water, it defcended at length a little be-
neath 7 Inches, then the Sal. Armoniack being
put in,within about a quarter of an hour or a
- little more,it defcended to/2 Inches;but before
that time, in half a quarter of an hour, it began
manifeftly to freeze the Vapours and Drops of
Water on the outfide of the Glafs. And when
the frigorifick lower was arrived at the height,
I feveral times found, that Water thinly pla-
ced on the outſide, whilft the mixture within
was nimbly ſtirred up and down, would freeze
in a quarter of a Minute. At about of an hour
+44
after the infrigerating Body was put in the Ther-
mofcope, that had been taken out a while be-
fore, and yet was rifen but to the lowest freez-
ing Mark, being again put into the Liquor,fell an
Inch below the Mark. At about 2 hours from
the firft folution of the Salt, I found the tin-
cted Liquor to be in the midft between the
freezing Marks, whereof there was at 5. Inches
(at which height when the Tincture refted,
it would ufually be fome, though but a fmall
Froſt abroad) and the other at 4 Inches, which
was the height to which ftrong and durable
Froſts had reduced the Liquor in the Winter.
I
At
!
272
The LIFE of the
:
At 3 hours after the beginning of the Operati-
on, I found not the crimſon Liquor higher than
the upper freezing Mark newly mentioned;
after which it continued to rife very flowly,for a
bout an hour longer, beyond which time I had
not occaſion to obferve it.
Thus far the Note Book, wherein there is
mention made of a Circumftance, of fome for-
mer Experiments of the like kind, which I re-
member was very confpicuous in this newly
recited. For the frigorifick Mixture, having
been made in a Glafs Body, with a large and
flattiſh bottom, a quantity of Water which I
purpoſely fpilt upon the Table, was by the O-
peration of the mixture within the Glaſs, made
to freeze, and that ftrongly enough, the bot-
tom of the Cucurbite to the Table, that ſtag-
nant Liquor being turned into folid Ice, that
continued a confiderable while unthawed away,
and was in fome places about the thickneſs of
half a Crown Piece.
Ancther Obfervation made the fame fpring,
but lefs folemn, as meant chiefly to fhew the
duration of Cold in a high degree, is recorded
in these Terms; The first time the fealed Wea-
ther-Glafs was put in, before it touched the
common Water, it flood at 84 having been left
there a confiderable while, and once or twice
agitated in the Water, the tinted Liquor funk
but to 7 or at the farthest 7%, then the fri-
gorifick Liquor being put into the Water, with
Circumftances difadvantagious enough, in a-
bout half a quarter of an Hour, the tincted
Liquor fell beneath 73, and the Thermoſcope
being taken out, and then put in again, an
hour after the Water had been firft frigidated,
fub fi
Honourable Robert Boyle.
273
fubfided beneath 5 Inches, and confequently
within of an Inch of the Mark of the ftrong-
ly freezing weather.
Seventhly, Whereas the grand thing, that is
like to keep this Experiment from being as
generally useful, as perhaps it will prove lu-
ciferous, is the dearneſs of Sal. Armoniack, two
things may be offered to leffen this Inconveni-
ence, for first, Sal. Armoniack, might be made
much cheaper, if inftead of fetching it beyond
Sea, our Country men made it here at home
(which it may be eaſily, and I am ready to give
you the receipt, which is no great Secret) bur
next 1 confidered, that probably the infrigida-
ting Vertue of our Mixture, might depend on
the peculiar Texture of the Sal. Armoniack,
whereby, whilft the Water is diffolving it
either fome frigorifick Particles are extricated
or excited, or rather fome Particles which did
before more agitate the minute Particles of the
Water, are expelled, or invited out by the am-
bient Bodies, or come to be clogged in their Mo-
tion; whence it feems reaſonable to expect, that
upon the reunion of the faline Particles into fuch
a Body, as they had conftituted before, the
redintigrated Sal. Armoniack, having near
upon the fame Texture, would upon it's being
rediffolved, produce the fame, or a not much
inferior degree of Coldnefs; and hereupon tho'
1 well enough forefaw, that an Armoniack Solu-
tion, being boyled up in earthen Veffels (for
Glafs ones are too chargeable) would by pier-
cing them, both lofe the more fubtle Parts,
and thereby fomewhat impair the Texture of
the reft; yet I was not deceived in expecting,
1
that
274
The LIFE of the
;
that the dry Salt remaining in the Pipkins, be-
ing diffolved in a due proportion of Water,
would very confiderably in rigidate it; as may
further appear by the Notes, which for your
greater fatisfaction you will find here fubjoyn'd,
as foon as I have told you, that though for
want of other Veffels, 1 was first reduced to
make use of Earthen ones,and the rather, becauſe
fome Metalline Veffels, will be injured by the
diffolved Sal. Armoniack, if it be boyled in them,
yet 1 afterwards found fome Conveniences in
Veffels of other Metals, as Iron, whereof you
may command a further Account.
March the 29th. the Thermoſcope in the Air
was at 8 Inches, being put into a ſomewhat
larger evaporating Glafs, filled with Water,
it fell (after it ftaid a pretty while, and had
been agitated in the Liquor) to 8 Inches, and
then about half the Salt, or lefs, that had been
ufed twice before, and felt much lefs cold than
the Water, being put in and ftirred about, the
tinated Spirit fubfided with a viſible Progrefs,
till it was fallen manifeftly beneath four Inches,
and then,having cauſed fome Water to be freſh-
ly pumped and brought in, though the newly
mentioned Solution were mixed with it, yet it
prefently made the Spirit of Wine manifeftly
to afcend in the Inftrument, much fafter than
one would have expected, &c.
And thus much may fuffice for this time,con-
cerning our frigorifick Experiment, which 1
fcarce doubt, but the Cartefians will lay hold
on, as very favourable to fome of their Te-
nents, which you will eaſily believe, it is not
to the Opinion I have elſewhere oppofed, of
thefe
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
275
?
theſe Modern Philofophers, that would have
Salt Petre to be the primum frigidum (though I
found by tryal, that whilft it's actually diffol-
ving, it gives a much confiderabler degree of
Cold than otherwife.) But upon the Reflections
that may be made on this Experiment, and the
variations, and improvements and ufes of it,
though I have divers things lving by me,
I fhall forbear the mentioning of them here,
not thinking it proper to fwell the Bulk of
this Letter with them.
c.
The next thing we fhall take Notice of, in
Inquiries
the Tranfactions communicated by Mr. Boyle, concerning
is Inquiries concerning the Sea, which with the Sea.
the occafion of their being communicated, is
thus. The Publiſher of theſe Tracts knowing,
that the Honourable Robert Boyle, had not left
unconfidered, the Natural Hiſtory of the Sea,
of which Subject the late, and theſe preſent Pa-
pers have entertained the Reader, as to it's
flux and reflux; He was on this Occafion, in-
ftant with that Gentleman to impart to him
for Publication, thefe Heads of Enquiries, he
had drawn up, touching that Subject; which
having obtained (though the Author defires,
they may be looked unfiniſhed) he thus fub-
joyns.
What is the proportion of Salt, that is in
the Water of differing Seas; and whether in
the fame Seas, it be always the fame and it
it be not, how much it differs?
What is the Gravity of Sea Waters, in refe-
rence to freſh Waters, and to one another?
whether it varyes not in Summer and Winter,
and on other Scores? and whether in the fame
Seafon,
276
The LIFE of the
Seaſon, it's Gravity proceeds only from the
greater or leffer proportion of Salt that is in
it, and not fometimes from other Caufes? and
what are the different Gravitys of Sea Water,
according to the Climates?
This Claufe containing a difficult Quare, and
that may seem fomething odd, Mr. Boyle thinks
fit to Note, that having recommended this
Matter amongſt others, to a Learned Phyfitian,
that was Sailing to America, and furniſhed him
with a ſmall Hydroſtatical Inftrument, to ob-
ferve from time to time the difference of Gra-
vity he might meet with, this Account was re-
turned him, that he found by the Glafs, the
Sea Water to increaſe in weight, the nearer
he came to the Line, till he arrived at a certain
degree of Latitude, as he remembers it was a-
bout the 30th. after which, the Water feemed
to retain the fame fpecifick Gravity, till he
came to Barbadoes or Jamaica.
What are the Odours, Colours and Tastes
obfervable in Sea Water?
What is the Depth of the Sea in feveral Pla-
ces, and the Order of it's Increaſe and Decre-
ments? and whether the Bottom of the Sea
does always rife towards the Shore, unleſs ac-
cidentally interrupted.
Of the Bottom of the Sea, and how it differs
from the ſurface of the Earth, in reference to
the Soyl, and evennefs or ruffnefs of the Super-
ficies; and the Stones, Minerals and Vegeta-
bles to be found there?
What the figuration of the Seas from North
to South, and from Eaſt to Weſt, and in the
feveral Hemispheres and Climates?
What
1
Honourable Robert Boyle.
277
What Communications there is of Seas by
Streights and Subterraneous Conveyances?
Of the Motion of the Sea by Winds, and
how far Storms reach downwards, towards the
bottom of the Sea?
Of the grand Motions of the Bulk or Body
of the Sea, eſpecially of the Tides. Their Hi-
ſtory as to the Nature and Differences, the par-
ticulars whereof, fays Mr. Boyle, are here ad-
mitted, Sr. Robbert Morray and Dr. Wadis, ha-
ving by their more accurate Enquiries about
Tides made them needlefs.
What Power the Sea hath to produce or ha-
ften Putrefaction in fome Bodies, and to pre-
ferve others, as Wood, Cables, and others
that are funk under it ?
Of the Power afcribed to the Sea, to ejec
dead Bodies, Succinum, Ambergreafe?
Of the ſhining of the Sea in the Night.
What are the Medicinal Vertues of the Sea,
eſpecially againſt Hydrophobia?
What is it's Vertue to manure Land, and
what are the Plants that thrive beft in Sea Wa-
ter?
Monfieur
In another Part of the Tranfa&tions, Mr.
Inquiries
Boyle propofes Enquiries about Mines, which about Cold
fince they are comprized in his General Heads recommen-
for the Natural Hiftory of a Country, we fhall ded to
not here take further Notice of them; only of Hevelius
fome Promiscuous Enquiries briefly about Cold, and his
formerly fent and recommended to Monfieur Anſwer.
Hevelius, together with his Anfwer, of whom
the following Character is given, viz. That ex-
cellent Promoter of Aftronomy and Philoſophy,
Monfieur Hevelins Conful of Dautzick, who de-
mon-
1
278
The LIFE of the
monſtrates ſo much Zeal for the Advancement
of real Knowledg, that he not only promotes
it, and improves it by his own Studies, but la-
bours alfo to incite others to do the fame, ha-
ving already warmed many of the Northern
Climate, particularly Poland, Pruffia, Livonia,
Sweden and Denmark, into a diſpoſition to be ſtu-
dious, and active in inquiring after fuch parti-
culars concerning Philofophy, as are recom-
mended from hence, and rendered them very
willing to employ themfelves in things of that
Nature.
The Enquiries fent to Dantzick are theſe.
1. What Signior Burattini (an Itallian Gen-
tleman, Maiter of the Mint to the King of Po-
land, and reputed a great Maſter in the Mecha-
nicks) hath performed in Diopticks? whether
at the prefent he employs himself, as is rela-
ted in grinding a Telefoope of 120 foot long?
and iffo, what may be the means to make uſe
of, commodioufly to handle a Tube of that
Length.
2. Whether the fame hath the Art (as hath
been written from Paris )to make fuch Glaſs, as
is not at all inferior to that of Venice Glafs, and
exceeds any plate of Glaſs, hitherto made there,
twice or thrice in bignefs?
3. What is the way of making Pot-alhes in
Poland?
4. What is to be obferved about Succinum or
Amber? whether it be an Exfudation of the Sea?
whether it be ſeen to float upon the Surface of
the Sea? whether it be foft when it's firſt caſt
on fhoar, and what feafon of the Year, and in
what manner it's taken up, &c.
5.
Honourable Robert Boyle.
279
!
5. What is to be obſerved in the digging of
Sal. Gemme in Poland? what is the depth of the
Mines ftored with this Salt? what their diſtance
from the Sea? &c.
6. What truth there is in that Relation con-
cerning Swallows, being found in Water, un-
der Waters congealed? And reviving, if they
be fiſhed and held to the fire.
7. Whether there be in the Bodnick Bay a
Whirl-pool, as is related to be in the Sea of
Norway, which is commonly called the Maal-
Stroom? And whether there be any figos, that
fpeak the Communications of thofe Gulphs by
Subterraneous Paffages, as the Jefuit Shishrer af
firms in his Mundus Subterraneus. T. 1. p.
246.
8. To what depth the Cold in thoſe parts
pierces the Earth and Water.
9. Whether their Watches go flower by the
Intenſe Cold?
10. Whether their Oyls in hard Froſt are
turned into true, that is hard and brittle
Ice?
11. Whether they can freeze there a ſtrong
Brine of Bay Salt? And a ſtrong Decoction of
Sal Gemme, or Soot; or a ſtrong Solution
of Salt of Tartar; or of Sugar of Lead?
12. Whether they can congeal meer Blood,
all the ferous Part being fevered? Item, Cana-
ry Wine; the Lixivium of Soap-Boylers, and
fuch as are prepared of other Salts; as alfo
the Spirits extrated out of Salts, as Spirit of
Vitriol, Nitre, &c.
13.
280
The LIFE of the
13. Whether an Intenfe and lafting Froft
makes any Alteration in Quick-filver, expofed
very fhallow in a flat Vellel ?
14. Whether the Purgative Vertues of Ca-
tharticks be increafed or ieflened, or even total-
ly destroyed, by a ftrong and continued
Cold?
15. Whether Harts horn thawed, and fuch
like ſubſtances uling the fame Method of Diſtil-
ling, yield the fame Quantity of Liquor,
which they uſed to yield, when not Fro-
zen?
16. What Cold Operates in the Fermenta-
tion of Liquors?
17. Whether Birds and Wild Beafts grow
white there in Winter,and recover their native
Colour in Summer?
18. Whether Colours may be concentered.
by a ſharp Cold? E. G. a ftrong Decoction
of Cochincel in a fit Glafs?
19. Whether the Electrical Vertues of Am-
ber, and the Attractive and Directive force
of the Magnet, be changed by a vehement
Cold?
20. Whether peices of Iron and Steel, even
thick ones, be made brittle by Intenfe Froft;
and therefore Smiths are obliged for Preventi
on, to give their Iron and Steel Tools a fofter
Temper?
21. Whether accurate Obſervations evince,
that all Fines dye in Frozen Waters, if the Ice
be not broken? Where it is to be diligently en-
quired into, whether the Cold it felf, or the
want of changing or ventilating the Water, or
the Privaion of Air, be the Caufe of the Death
of Fishes?
22.
Honourable Robert Boyle.
281
22. Whether any Phyfitians or Anatomiſts
have enquired by Freezing to Death fome A-
nimals (as Rabits, Pullets, Dogs, Cats, &c.)
after what manner it is, that Intenfe Cold kills
Men? Whether they have found any Ice in
inward Parts, and if ſo, in which of them?
Whether in the Ventricles of the Brain and
Heart, or in the greater Veffels?
To whichQueries Mounfieur Hevelius returns
this Anſwer.
TheEnquiries you propos'd to me,Idid impart
to ſeveral of my Learned Friends; but hitherto I
have attained an answer but to few particulars.
Amongſt the reſt ( being along with feveral other
Papers) you'l find a Letter of the Learned
Johannes Schefferus, Profeffor in the Sweedifh
University at Upfall, wherein he difcourfes
handfomly of feveral things, being ready to
entertain à Literary Commerce with you about
fuch Matters. Touching Amber, I am almoſt of
the fame Mind, with him, that it is a kind of
foffil Fitch or Bitumen; fince it is not only
found on the ſhoar of the Boruffian Sea, but
alfo digged up in Subterraneous Places, fome
German Miles diftant from the Sea, and not
only in Sandy but other Hills of firmer Earth,
of which I have feen my felf pretty big pieces.
Concerning Swallows, I have frequently heard
Fiſhermenaffirm,that they have here often fiſhed
them out of the Lakes in the Winter,but I have
never seen it my felf whilft I am writing this,I
Received Letters out of Denmark, Advertiſing
me, that thoſe two Learned Men, Thomas and
Erafmus Bartholin, do intend ſhortly to anſwer
the fame Queries. Next Winter,if God vouch-
X 2
fafe
:
282
The LIFE of the
fate me Life and Health, I purpoſe to make
a Journey to Konings berg, where I hope to
learn many things, efpecially about Am-
ber.
Of the
The next thing that offers it felf to our view
Transfusion is, the Method obferved in transfusing the
of Blood. Blood out of one Animal into another, which
was practifed in Oxford, by Dr. Lower, and
Communicated to Mr. Boyle, who imparted
it to the Royal Society as followeth.
First, take up the Carotidal Artery of the
Dog or other Animal, whofe Blood is to be
transfufed into another of the fame, or a diffe-
rent kind, and feperate it from the Nerve of
the eighth pair, and lay it bear above an Inch,
then make a ſtrong Ligature on the upper part
of the Artery, not to be untied again; but an
Inch below, Videl. towards the Heart make a-
nother Ligature of a running knot, which may
be loosened and faftened as there is occafion.
Having made theſe two knots,draw two threads.
under the Artery, between the two Ligatures,
and then open the Artery, and put in a Quill,
and tye the Artery upon the Quill very fast, by
those two threads, and ftop the Quill with a
flick. After this make bare the Jugular Vein
in the other Dog about an Inch and a half long,
and at each end make aLigature with a running
knot, and in the space betwixt the two running
knots, draw under theVein too threds as in the
other; then make an Inciſion in the Vein, and
put into it two Quills one in the Defcendant
Part of the Vein, to receive the Blood
from the other Dog, and carry it to the Heart,
and the other Quill put into the other Part
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
203
of the Jugular Veia, which comes from the
Head out of which the fecond Dogs
own Blood muft run into Dies). Theſe two
Quills being put in and tyed faft, Rop them
with a tick, till there be occalion to open
them.
All things being thus prepared,tye the Dogs
on their fides towards one another fo conveni-
ently, that the Quills may go into each other
(for the Dogs necks cannot be brought fo near,
but that you must put two or three Quills more
into the first two. to convey the Blood from
one to another} after that unftop theQuill that
goes down into the first Dogs Jugular Vein,and
the other Quill coming out of the other Dogs
Artery; and by the help of two or three other
Quills put into each other, according as there
fhall be occafion, infert them into one another.
Then flip the running knots, and immediately,
the Blood runs through the Quills, as through
an Artery, very impetu ully. And immedi-
ately, as the Blood runs into the Dog, unſtop
the other Quill coming out of the upper Part
of his Jugular Vein (a Ligature being first made
about his Neck, or elfe his other Jugular Vein
being compreffed with ones finger) and let his
own Blood run out at the fame time into Diſh-
es (yet not conftantly, but according as you
fee him able to bear it) till the other Dog be-
gins to cry and faint, and at laſt fall into Con-
vulfions, and at
at the
the laft dye by his
fide.
Then take out both the Quills out of the
Dogs Jugular Vein, and tye the running knot
faft and cut the Vein afunder (which you may
x 3
do
284
The LIFE of the
i
do without any harm to the Dog, one Jugular
Vein being fufficient to convey all the Blood
from the Head and the Upper Parts, by Reafon
of a large Anoftomafis,whereby both the Jugular
Veins meet about the Larynx) this done, fow
up the skin and difmifs him, and the Dog will
leap from the Table and fhake himſelf, and
run away, as if nothing ailed him.
And this I have tryed feveral times, before
feveral in the Univerſities, but never yet upon
more than one Dog at a time, for want of leis
fure, and convenient fupplles of feveral Dogs
at once. But when I return I doubt not but to
give you a fuller Account, not only by bleeding
feveral Dogs into one, but feveral other Crea-
tures into one another as you did propoſe to me
before you left Oxford, which will be very ea-
fie to perform, and will afford many plea
fant and perhaps not unuſeful Experi-
ments.
But becauſe there are many Circumſtances
neceſſary, to be obſerved in the performing of
this Experiment; and that you may better di-
rect any one to do it, without any Danger of
killing the other Dog, that is to receive the
others Blood, I will mention two or three.
Firft, That you faften the Dogs at fuch a con-
venient Diſtance, that the Vein or Artery
be not ſtretched; for then being contracted
they will not admit or convey fo much
Blood.
Secondly, That you conſtantly obferve the
Pulfe beyond theQuill in the Dogs Jugular Vein
(which it acquires from the Impulfe of the Ar-
terious Blood). For if that fails, then it is a
fign
Honourable Robert Boyle.
285
fign the Quill is ſtopped by fame coagulated
Blood, fo that you must draw out the Arteri
al Quill from the other, and with a Probe opea
the Paſſage again in both of them, that the
Blood may have it's free Courfe again. For
this muſt be expected, when theDog that bleeds
into the other, hath oft much Bloed, his
Heartwill beat very faintly,and then theimpulfe
of Blood being weaker, it will be apt to con-
geal the fooner, fo that at the latter end of the
Work, you muſt draw out the Quill often, and
clear the Paffage, if the Dog be faint heart-
ed as fome are, though fome ftout fie ce
Dogs will Bleed freely and uninterruptedly,
till they are convulfed and dye
But to pre-
vent this trouble, and make the Experiment
certain, you must Bleed a great Dog into a lit-
tle one, or a Maftiff into a Carr, as I once tryed,
1
and the little Dog bled out at leaft double the
Quantity of his own Blood, and left the Ma-
ſtiff dead upon the Table, and after he was
untyed, he ran away and ſhaked himſelf, as if
he had been only thrown into Water. Or elſe
you may get three or four feveral Dogs prepa-
red in the fame manner, and when one begins
to fail and leave off bleeding, administer ano-
ther, and I am confident one Dog, will receive
all their Blood (and perhaps more) as long as
it runs freely, till they are left almoſt Dead by
turns; provided that you let out the Blood
proportionably, as you let it go into the Dog
that is alive.
Thirdly, I fuppofe the Dog that is to bleed
out into Dishes, will endure it the better, if
theDogs that are to be adminiftred to ſupply the
Blood
X 4
286
The LIFE of the
Blood be of near an equal Age, and fed alike
the Day before, that both their Bloods may
be of a near Strength and Nature.
There are many things I have obferved upon
Bleeding Dogs to Death, which I have feen
fince your departure from Oxford, whereof I
fhall give you aRelation hereafter; in the mean
time fince you were pleaſed to mention it to the
Royal Society, with a promife to give them an
Account of this Experiment, I could not but
take the firſt Opportunity to clear you from
that Obligation, &c.
So far this Letter, the Prefcriptions whereof
having been carefully obferved, by thofe who
were employed to make the Experiment, have
hitherto been attended with good Success; and
that not only upon Animals of the fameSpecies
(as two Dogs firft and then two Sheep) but
alfo upon fome of very different Species (as a
Sheep and a Dog, the former Emitting the o-
ther Receiving.
Note, only, That inftead of a Quill, a
fmall crooked thin Pipe of filver or Brafs, fo
flender that the one end may enter into a Quill,
and having at the other end, that is to enter
into the Vein and Artery, a ſmall knob, for the
better faſtening them to it with a Thread,will
be much fitter than a ftreight Fipe or Quill,
for this Operation; for fo they are much
more eafy to be managed.
It's intended, that thefe Tryals fhall be pro-
fecuted to the utmoft variety, the Subject will
bear, as by exchanging the Blood of Old and
Young; Sick and Healthy, Hot and Cold, Fierce
and Fearful, Tame and Wild Animals, &F.
and
:
:
Honourable Robert Boyle.
287
and that not only of the fame but of differing
kinds. For which end, and to improve this
Noble Experiment, either for Knowledg or
Ufe or both, fome Ingenious Men have already
propoſed conſiderable Tryals and Enquiries,
For the prefent we hall only fubjoya
fome.
Confiderations about this kind of Experi
ment.
First, It may be confidered in them, that
the Blood of the Emittent Animal, may after
a few Minutes of Time, by it's Circulation,
mix and run out, with that of the Recipient.
Wherefore to be affured in theſe Tryals, that
all the Blood of the Recipient is run out, and
none left in him, but the adventitious Blood of
the Emittent, two or three or more Animals
(which was alſo hinted in the Method above)
may be prepared and adminiftred to bleed them
all out into one.
Secondly, It seems Rational to guefs afore-
hand, that the exchange of Blood, will not
alter the Nature or Difpofitions of the Animals,
upon which it shall be practiced: though it
may be thought worth while, for fatisfaction
and certainty, to determin that Point by Ex-
periment. The Cafe of the exchange of the
Blood of Animals, feems not like that of Graft-
ing, where the Cyons turns the Sap of the Stock,
grafted upon, into it's Nature; the Fibres of
the Cyons fo framing the juice, which paſſes
from the ftem to it, as thereby to change it in-
to
288
The LIFE of the
Mr.Boyl's
Propofals
to Dr.
to that of the Cyons whereas in this transfufion'
there ſeems to be no fuch Percolation of the
Blood of Animals, whereby that on the one,
fhould be changed into the Nature of the o-
ther.
Thirdly, The most probable Ufe of this Ex-
periment may be conjectured to be, that one
Animal may live with the Blood of another,
and couſequently that thoſe Animals that want
Blood, or have corupt Blood, may be fupply-
ed from others, with a fufficient Quantity, and
of fuch as is good, provided the Transfusion be
often repeated, by reafon of the quick expence
that is made of the Blood.
Having thus taken Notice of Dr. Lowers Let-
ter to Mr. Boyle, and his Thoughts upon it,
we ſhall in the next place infert, fome Tryals
Lower. propoſed by Mr. Boyle to Dr. Lower, to be
made by him, for the improvement of transfu-
fing of Blood out of one live Animal into ano-
ther.
The following Queries and Tryals, fays the
Author of the Tranfactions, were written long
fince, and read about a Month ago in the Royal
Society, and do now come forth againſt the Au-
thors Intention, at the earneſt deſire of feveral
Learned Perfons, and particularly of the wor-
thy Doctor, to whom they were addreſſed; who
thinks they may excite and affift others in a
Matter,which to be well profecuted, will require
many Hands. At the reading of them,the Author
declared, that of divers of them, he thought
he could foreſee the events, but yet judged it
fit not to omit them, becauſe the importance
of the Theories they may give Light to, may
make
Honourable Robert Boyle.
289
make the Tryals recompence the Pains, whether
the fuccefs favour the Affirmative or Negative
of the queſtion, by enabling us to determine the
one or the other upon furer grounds, than we
could otherwife do. And this Advertiſement
he defires may be applyed to thoſe other Papers
of his, that confift of Queries or propofed Try,
als.
The Queries themſelves are,
First, Whether by this way of transfufing of
Blood, the difpofition of individual Animals
of the fame kind, may not be much altered..
As whether a fierce Dog, by being quite
new ſtocked with the Blood of a cowardly Dog,
may not become more tame, and vice verfâ,
óc?
Secondly, Whether immediately upon the un-
binding of a Dog, replenished with adventiti-
ous Blood, he will know and fawn upon his
Mafter, and do the like Cuſtomary things as
before? and whether he will do fuch things
better or worse, at fometime after the Opera-
tion?
Thirdly, Whether thofe Dogs that have Pe-
culiarities, will have them either abolifhed, or
at leaſt much impaired by Transfufion of Blood?
as whether the Blood of a Maftiff, being fre-
quently tranfufed into a Bloodhound, or a Spa-
niel, will not prejudice them in point of fcent?
Fourthly,
I
J
290
The LIFE of the
Fourthly, Whether acquired habits will be de-
ftroyed or impaired by this Experiment? as
whether a Dog taught to fetch and carry, or
to dive after Ducks, or to Set, will after fre-
quent and full recruits of the Blood of Dogs
unfit for thoſe Exercises, be as good at them
as before?
Fifthly, Whether any confiderable change is
to be obſerved in the Pulfe or Urin, and other
Excrements of the recipient Animal, by this
Operation, or the quantity of his fenfible Tran-
fpiration?
Sixthly, Whether the Emittent Dog, being
full fed at fuch a diftance of time before the O-
peration, that the Mafs of Blood may be fup-
pofed to abound with Chyle, the recipient Dog,
being before hungry, will loſe his appetite,
more than if the emittent Dog's Blood had not
been fo Chylous? and how long, upon a vein
opened of a Dog, the admitted Blood will be
found to retain Chyle?
Seventhly, Whether a Dog may be kept alive
without eating, by the frequent injecting of the
Chyle of another, taken freshly from the recep-
tacle into the Veins of the recipient Dog?
Eighthly, Whether a Dog that is fick of fome
Diſeaſe, chiefly imputable to the Maſs of Blood,
may be cured by exchanging it for that of a
found Dog? And whether a found Dog, may
receive fuch Diſeaſes from the Blood of a fick
Dog, as are not otherwiſe of an infectious Na-
ture?
Ninthly, What will be the Operation of fre-
quently ſtocking (which is fenfible enough) an
ld and feebleDog with theBlood of young ones,
as
Honourable Robert Boyle.
291
as to liveliness, dulnefs, drow finefs, fqueamish-
nefs, &c. or vice verfâ?
Tenthly, Whether a ſmall young Dog, by be-
ing often fresh ftocked, with the Blood of a
young Dog of a larger kind, will grow bigger
than the ordinary fize of his own kind?
Eleventhly, Whether any medicated Liquors
may be injected together with the Blood into the
recipient Dog? and in cafe they may, whether
there will be any confiderable difference found,
between the feparations made on this Occa-
fion, and those, which would be made, in cafe
fuch medicated Liquors had been injected, with
ſome other Vehicle? or alone, or taken in at
the Mouth?
Twelfthly, Whether a purging Medicine gi-
ven to the emittent Dog, a while before the O-
peration, the recipient Dog will be thereby
purged, and how? which Experiment may be
hugely varyed.
Thirteenthly, Whether the Operation may be
fuccesfully practiced, in cafe the injected Blood
be, that of an Animal of another Species, as
of a Calf into a Dog, &c. and of a Cold Ani-
mal, as of a Fiſh or Frog, or Tortoife, into the
Veffels of a hot Animal, and vice verſâ?
Fourteenthly, Whether the Colour of the Hair
or Feathers of the recipient Animal, by the fre-
quent repeating of this Operation, will be
changed into that of the emittent.
Fifteenthly, Whether by frequently transfu-
fing into the fame Dog, the Flood of fome A-
nimal of another Species, fomething further
and more tending to fome degree of a change
of Species, may be effected, at leaſt in Ani-
mals
292
The LIFE of the
Dr. Wal-
lis's Let
ter to Mr.
Boyle.
mils near of kin ? as Spaniels and ſetting Dogs,
Irish Grey-hounds and ordinary Grey-hounds,
&.c.
Sixteenthly, Whether the Transfufion may
be practiſed upon pregnant Bitches, at leaſt at
certain times of their Gravitation? and what
Effect it will have upon the Whelps?
There are fome other Queries propofed, as
the weighing of the emittent Animal, before
the Operation, that making Abatement,for the
Effluviums, and for the Excrements if it voids
any, it may appear how much Blood it really
loofes; to which were annexed feveral others
not ſo fit to be peruſed, but by Phyſitians, and
therefore here omitted.
The next thing which occurs to our Obfer-
vation, is a Letter to Mr. Boyle from Dr. Wallis,
concerning his teaching a Perfon dumb and
deaf to fpeak, and to underſtand a Language,
with the fuccefs thereof. The Letter is as fol-
Joweth,
Sir
Id
did acquaint you a while fince, that be fides the
confideration I had in hand, I had under-
taken another Task, to teach a Perfon dumb
and deaf to ſpeak, and to underſtand a Lan-
guage; of which if he could do either, the
other would be more eafy; but his knowing
neither, makes both harder. And though the
former may be thought the more difficult, the
later may perhaps require as much of time. For
if a confiderable time be requifite, for him thas
can speak one, to learn a fecond Language;
mach more for him that knows none, to learn
the firft.
I
}
Honourable Robert Boyle.
293
I told you in my Laft, that my Mute was now
at leaſt ſemi vocalis, whereof, becauſe you de-
fire a more particular Information, I thought
my
felf obliged to give you this brief Account
of the whole Affair, that you may at once per-
ceive, as well upon what confiderations I was
induced to attempt that Work, and what I did
propofe to my ſelf as feaſible therein, as what
fucceſs hath hitherto attended that Eſſay.
The Task it felf confifts of two very diffe-
rent Parts, each of which doth render the o-
ther more difficult; for beſides that which ap.
pears upon the firft view, to teach a Perfon
who cannot hear, to pronounce the found of
Words, there is that other, of teaching him to
underſtand a Language, and know the fignifi-
cation of thoſe Words, whether ſpoken or writ-
ten, whereby he may both exprefs his own
Sence, and underſtand the Thoughts of others,
without which later, that former were only to
Speak like a Parrot, or to write like a Scrive-
ner; who underſtanding no Language but En-
gliſh, tranſcribes a piece of Latin, Welſh or
Irifn; or like a Printer of Greek, or Arabick,
who knows neither the found nor fignification
of what he Printeth.
Now, though I did not apprehend either of
thefe impoffible, yet that each of them, doth
render the other more hard, was fo obvious,as
that I could not be ignorant of it; for how ea.
fily the Understanding of a Language is attai-
ned, by the benefit of Difcourfe, we fee every
Day; not only in thofe, who knowing one Lan-
guage already, are now to learn a ſecond; but
(which does more refemble the prefent cafe)
in
294
The LIFE of the
in Children, who as yet knowing none, are now
to learn their firft Language.
For it is very certain, that no two Languages
can be fo much different the one from the other,
but that the Knowledg of the one, will be fub-
fervient to the gaining of the other; not only
because there is now a common Language,
wherein the Teacher may interpret to the Lear-
ner, the fignification of thoſe Words and No-
tions,which he knows not, and expreſs his own
Thoughts to him; but likewife, which is very
confiderable, becaufe the common Notions of
Language, wherein all or moft Languages do
agree, and alfo fo many of the Particularities
thereof, as are common to the Language he
knows already, and that which he is to learn
(which will be very many) are already known;
and therefore a confiderable Part already diſ-
patched, of that Work,which will be neceffary
for the teaching of a firit Language to him, whe
as yet knows none.
But to this diſadvantage (of teaching a firſt
Language) when that deafness is fuperadded,
it muft augment the difficulty; fince it is ma-
nife!tly evident from Experience, that the moſt
advantagious way of teaching a Child his first
Language, is that of perpetual Diſcourſe, not
only what is particularly add: effed to himſelf,
as well in pleaſing divertiſements, or delightful
fportings (and therefore infinuates it felf, with-
out any irkſom or tedious Labour ) as what is
directly intended for his more ferious Informa-
tion: But that Difcourfe alfo, which paffes be-
tween others, where without Pains or Study,
he takes Notice of what actions in the fpeaker
de
Honourable Robert Boyle.
289
do accompany fuch Words, and what Effects
they do produce in thofe to whom they are di
rected, which does by degrees infinuate the
Intendments of thofe Words.
And as that Deafness makes it the more dif-
ficult to teach him a language, fo on the other
hand, that want of Language, makes it more
hard to teach him how to fpeak, or to pro-
nounce the Sounds. For there being no other
way to direct his Speech than by teaching him,
how the Tongue, the Lips, the Palate, and
other Organs of Speech, are to be applyed and
moved in the forming of fuch Sounds as are
required; to the end, that he may, by Art,
pronounce thofe Sounds, which others do by
Cuſtom, they know not how, it may be thought
hard enough to exprefs in Writing, even to
one who underftands it very well, thofe very
nicities and delicacies of Motion, which mußt
be obſerved (though we heed it not ) by him,
who without help of his Ear to guide his
Tongue, fhall form that Variety of Sounds, we
ufe in fpeaking; many of which Curioſities
are fo nice and delicate, and the difference in
forming thoſeSoundsis fo very fubtile,that moſt
of our felves, who pronounce them every Day,
are not able, without a very ferions confidera-
tion, to give an Account, by what Art or Mo-
tion our felves form them, much lefs to teach
another how it is to be done. And if by wri-
ting to one who understands a Language, it
be thus difficult to give Instructions how,with-
out the help of hearing, he may utter thofe
Sounds, it muſt needs increaſe the difficulty,
when there is no other Language to express it
in, but that of dumb figns.
Thefe
y
:
290
The LIFE of the
Thefe difficulties (of which I was well a-
ware,) did not yet fo far difcourage me from
that undertaking, but that I did ftill conceive
it poffible, that both Parts of this Task might
be effected.
As to the firſt of them, though I did not
doubt, but that the Ear doth as much guide
the Tongue in fpeaking, as the Eye doth the
Hand in Writing,or playing on the Lute; and
therefore those who by accident do wholly lofe
their Hearing, loofe alfo their Speech, and
confèquently become Dumb, as well as Deaf
(for it is in a manner the fame difficulty, for
one that hears, not to speak well, as for him
that is blind, to write a fair hand'; ) yet fince
we fee, that it is poffible for a Lady to attain
fo great a Dexterity, as in the dark to play on
the Lute, though to that variety of nimble
Motions, the Eyes direction, as well as the
judgment of the Ear, might feem neceffary to
guide the hand; I did not think it impoffible,
but that the Organs of Speech might be taught
to obſerve their due Poftures, though neither
the Eye behold their Motion, nor the Ear dif
cern the Sound they make.
And as to the other, that of Language might
feem yet more poffible. For fince that in Chil
dren, every Day, the Knowledg of Words,
with their various Conftructions and Signifi
cations, is by degrees attained by the Ear; fo
that in a few Years, they arrive to a compe-
tent ability of expreffing themſelves in their
first Language, at least as to the more ufual
Parts and Notions of it; why fhould it be
thought impoffible, that the Eye (though
with
Honourable Robert Boyle.
201
with ſome diſadvantage ) might as well apply
fuch complications of Letters or other Cha-
racters, to reprefent the various Con.
ceptions of the Mind, as the Ear, a like
Complication of Sounds? For though as things
now are, it be very true, that, Letters are
with us, the immediate Characters of Sounds,
as thofe Sounds are of Conceptions; yet there
is nothing in the Nature of the thing it felf,
why Letters and Characters might not as pro-
perly be applyed to reprefent immediately, as
by the intervention of the Sounds, what our
conceptions are.
Which is fo great a Truth (though not fo
generally taken Notice of that it is practiced
every Day, not only by the Chineſes, whofe
Language is faid to be made up of fuch Cha-
racters as to reprefent things and notions, in-
dependent on the Sounds of the Words; and
is therefore differently fpoken by those who
differ not in the writing of it (like as what in
figures we write, 1, 2, 3. for one, two, three;
a French Man for Example, reads, Un, Deux,
Trois :) But in part alfo amongst our felves; as
in the numerals Figures now mentioned, and
many other Characters of Weights and Metals,
ufed indifferently by divers Nations, to figni-
fy the fame Conceptions, thongh expreſſed by
a different Sound of Words: And more fre-
quently in the Practice of fpecious Arithmetick,
and Operations of Algebra, expreffed in fuch
Symbols, as fo little need the Intervention of
Words to make known their meaning,thatwhen
different Perfons come to exprefs, in Words,
the Sence of thoſe Characters, they will as little
agree
y 2
292
The LIFE of the
agree upon the fame Words, though all ex-
prefs the fame Sence, as two Tranflators of one
and the fime Book into another Language.
And, though I will not difpute the practi-
cal poflibility of introducing an Univerfal Cha-
racter,in which all Nations, though of different
Speech, fhall exprefs their common Concepti-
ons; yet, that fome two or three, or more
Perfons, may by confent, agree upon fuch Cha-
racters, whereby to exprefs to each other their
Sence in Writing, without attending the Sound
of Words, is fo far from an Impoffibility, that
it mult needs be allowed to be very feaſible,
if not facile. And, if it may be done by new
invented Characters, why not as well by thofe
already in ufe? which, though to thofe that
know their common Ufe, they may fignify
Sounds; yet to thofe that know it not, or do
not attend it, may be as immediately applyed
to fignify Things or Notions, as if they figni-
fyed nothing elſe: And confequently, fo.long as
it is purely arbitrary, by what Characters to
exprefs fuch a Thing or Notion; we as well
make use of that Character or Collection of
Letters, to exprefs the Thing to the Eye of
him that is Deaf, by which others exprefs the
Sound or Name of it to thoſe that hear.
that indeed, that fhall be to him a real Chara-
Eter, which expreffed to another a Vocal Sound;
but fignifyeth to both the fime Conception,
which is to understand the Language.
So
To thefe fundamental Grounds of poffibility
in Nature, I am next to add a Confideration,
which made me think it morally impoffible,
that it's not impoffible to fucceed in Practice.
And
Honourable Robert Boyle.
293
And becauſe I am now giving an Account to
one, who is fo good a Friend to Mathematicks,
and Proficient therein, 1 fhall not doubt, but
this confideration, will have the force of a
great Swafive. Confidering therefore, from how
few and defpicable Principles, the whole Body
of Geometry, by continual confequence is in-
forced, if fɔ fair a Pile, and curious Structure
may be raiſed, and ftand faft upon fo fmall a
bottom, I could not think it incredible, that
we might attain fome confiderable fuccefs in
this defign, how little foever we had at firft to
begin upon, and from thofe little Actions and
Geſtures, which have a kind of Natural Signi-
ficancy, we might, if well managed, proceed
gradually to the explication of a compleat Lan-
guage; and withal, direct to thofe Curiofities
of Motion and Pofture in the Organs of Speech,
requifite to the formation of a Sound defired,
and fo to effeſt both Parts of what we intend.
My next Inducement to undertake it, was a
confideration of the Perſon (which in a work
of this Nature, is of no fmall concernment)
who was repreſented to me as very ingenious.
and apprehenſive C and therefore a fit Subject
to make an Ellay upon; ) and ſo far at leaſt a
Mathematician, as to draw Pictures; wherein
I was told, he had attained fome good ability,
which did induce me to believe, that he was
not incapable of the Patience, which will be ne-
ceflary to attend the Curiosity of thofe little
varieties in the Articulation of Sounds; being
already accuſtomed to obſerve and imitate thoſe
little Niceties in a Face, without which, it is
not poffible to draw a Picture well.
уз
I
·
294
The LIFE of the
I ſhall add this alfo, that once he could have
fpoken, though fo long ago, that I think he
does scarce remember it. But having by Ac-
cident, when about five Years of Age, loft his
hearing, he confequently loft his Speech alfo,
not all at once, but by degrees, in about half a
Years time, which though it does confirm what
I was faying but now, how needful it is for
the Ear to guide the Tongue in fpeaking (fince
that habit of fpeaking, which was attained by
hearing, was alſo loft with it,) and might there-
fore diſcourage the undertaking; yet I was
thereby very much fecured, that his want of
Speech was but a confequent of his want of hea-
ring, and did not proceed originally from any
Indifpofition in the Organs of Speech, to form
thofe Sounds. And though the neglect of it in
his younger Years, when the Organs of Speech
being yet tender, were more pliable, might
now render them lefs capable of the accurate-
nefs, which thofe of Children attain unto
(whereof we have daily Experience; it being
found very difficult, if not impoffible, to teach
a Foreigner well in Years, the accurate pro-
nouncing of that Sound or Language, which in
his tender Years he had not learned: ) yet if
he can attain to fpeak but fo well as a Foreigner
at his Years may learn to ſpeak Engliſh, what
hall be further wanting to that accurateness,
which a Native from his Childhood attains to,
may by an indifferent Eſtimate, be very well
diſpenſed with.
Having thus acquainted you with thoſe confi-
derations, which did induce me to attempt it;
left you may think I build too confidently there
upon,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
295
upon, and judge me guilty of too much vanity,
in promifing my felf, a greater fuccefs than can
in Reafon be hoped for; it will next be neceffa
ry, to give you fome Account, what meaſure
of fuccefs I might propofe to my felt as proba-
ble, in fuch an Undertaking.
And as to the first part of it, that of ſpeak-
ing; though I did believe, that much more is
to be effected, than is commonly thought fea-
fible,and that it was poffible for him fo to fpeak,
as to be understood; yet I cannot promife my
ſelf, that he ſhall fpeak fo accurately, but that
a critical Ear may easily difcern fome failures,
or little differences, from the ordinary Tone
or Pronunciation of other Men(fince that we fee
the like every Day, when not Foreigners only,
but thoſe of our own Nation in the remoter
Parts of it, can hardly fpeak fo accurately, as
not to diſcover a confiderable difference, from
what is the common Dialect or Tone at Lon-
don.) And this not only upon the Confiderati-
on laſt mentioned (concerning the Origin of
Speech less pliable to thofe Sounds, to which
they were not from the first accuſtomed,) but
efpecially upon that other confideration, con-
cerning the Ears ufefulness, to guide and cor
rect the Tongue. For as I doubt not, but that
a Perfon, who knows fo well how to write,
may attin by Cuſtom, fuch a dexterity, as to
write in the dark tolerably well, yet it could
not be expected, that he ſhould perform it with
the fame Elegancy, as if he faw the Motions of
his Hand, fo neither is it reaſonable to be ex-
pected, that he who cannot hear, though he
may know how to fpeak truly, fhould yet per-
form
y
296
The LIFE of the
form it fo accurately, as if he had the advan-
tage of his Ears alfo.
Nor can I promife, nor indeed hope, that
how accurately foever he may learn to fpeak,
he ſhould be able to make fo great Ufe of it
as others do. For fince, that he cannot hear
what others fay to him, as well as exprefs his
own Thoughts to them; he cannot make uſe
of it in Difcourfe as others may. And though
it may be thought poffible, that he may in time
difcern, by the Motion of the Lips, viſible to
the Eye, what is faid to him (of which I am loth
to deliver a pofitive Judgment,fince much may
be faid conjecturally both ways: ) yet this can-
not be expected, till at the leaft he be fo perfe-
&tly Maſter of the Language, as that by a few
Letters known, he may be able to fupply the
reft of the Word; and by a few Words, the
the rest of the Sentences, or at least the Sence
of it, by a probable Conjecture; as when we
decypher Letters written in Cypher. For that
the Eye can actually difcern all the varities of
Motion in the Organs of Speech, and fee what
Sounds are made by thofe Motions, of which
many are inward, and are not expofed to the
Eye at all, is not imaginable.
But as to the other Branch of our defign,con-
cerning the underſtanding of a Language, 1
fee no Reaſon at all to doubt, but that he may
attain this,as perfectly as thofe that hear; and
that allowing the like time and exerciſe as to
other Men, is requifite to attain the Perfecti-
on of a Language, and the Elegancy of it, he
may underſtand as well, and write as good Lan-
gnage as other Men; and abating only what
does
Honourable Robert Boyle.
297
does directly depend upon Sound, as Tones,
Cadences, and fuch Punctilios, no what infe-
rior to what he might attain to, if he had his
hearing as others have. And what I fpeak of
him in particular, I mean as well of any other
ingenious Perfon in his Condition, who I be-
lieve may be taught to ufe their Book and Pen,
as well as others, if a right courfe be taken to
that Purpoſe.
To tell you next, what Courſe I have hither-
to ufed toward this defign, it will not be fo
neceffary; for fhould I defcend to particulars,it
would be too tedious, especially fince they are
to be uſed very differently, and varyed as
the prefent Cafe and Circumftance do require.
And as to the General way, it is fufficiently in-
timated already.
As to that of Speech; I must firft, by the
moft fignificant figns I can, make him to under-
ftand, in what Pofture and Motion would
have him to apply his Tongue, Lips, and o-
ther Organs of Speech, to the forming fuch a
Sound as I direct. Which if I hit right, I con-
firm him in it, if he miss, I fignify to him in
what he differed from my directions,and to what
circumft:nces he muſt attend to mend it. By
which means, with fome Tryals, and a little
Patience, he learns first one, then another
Sound, and by frequent Repetitions, is confir-
med in it; or if he chance to forget, recovers
it again.
And for this Work I was fo far prepared
before hand, that I had heretofore, upon ano-
ther Occaſion, in my Treatife de Loquela, pro-
fixed to my Grammar for the English Tongue,
confidered
298
The LIFE of the
confidered very exactly, what few attend to,the
accurate formation of all Sounds in fpeaking,
at leaſt as to our own Language, and thofe I
knew; without which it were in vain to fet
upon this Task. For if we do not know, or
not confider, how we apply our own Organs
in forming thofe Sounds we fpeak, it is not
likely we ſhall this way, teach another.
As to that of teaching him the Language, I
muft, as Mathematicians do from a few Prin-
ples first granted, from that little ſtock (that
we have to begin upon) of fuch Actions and
Geſtures, as have a kind of natural fignifican-
cy, or fome few figns, which himfelf had be-
fore taken up to exprefs his Thoughts, as well
as he could, proceed to teach him fomewhat
elſe; and fo by ſteps to more and more: And
this fo far as well as I can, in fuch methods,
as that what he knows already, may be a ſtep
to what he is next to learn; as in Methema-
ticks, we make uſe of, not only Principles,
but Propofitions already demonftrated, in the
demonftration of that,that followeth.
It remains now for the perfecting the Ac
count, which at prefent you defire of me, only
to tell you, what progrefs we have already
made, which had not your defires commanded
from me, I ſhould have refpited a while longer,
till Imight have made it fomewhat fuller.
He hath been already with me, ſomewhat
more than two Months, in which time, though
1 cannot be thought to have finished fuch a
Work; yet the fuccefs is not fo little, as to
difcourage the Undertaking, but as much as I
could hope for in fo fhort a time, and more than
I
Honourable Robert Boyle.
299
I could expect. So that I may fay, the greateſt
difficulty of both Parts being almoft over;
what remains, is little more than the Work of
Time and Exercife. There is hardly any Word,
which with deliberation he cannot fpeak; but
to do it accurately and with expedition we
muft allow him the Practice of fome confiderable
Time, to make it familiar to him.
And as to the language, though it were
very indifferent to him, who knew none, which
to begin withal; yet fince it is out of queſtion,
that English to him, is like to be the moſt
ufeful and neceffary, it was not advifeable to
begin with any other: For though he can pro-
nounce Latin with much more eafe (as being
lefs perplexed with a multitude of concurring
Confonants) yet this is a confideration of much
lefs confideration than the other.
To this therefore, having applyed himself,
he hath already Learned a great many Words,
and I may fay, a confiderable part of the En-
glish, as to the Words of the moft frequent Ufe.
But the whole Language being fo copious, tho'
otherwiſe eaſy, will require a longer time to
perfect, what he hath begun.
And this Sir, is the full Hiftory of our Pro-
grefs hitherto, if you ſhall hereafter efteem our
future fuccefs, worthy your taking Notice of,
You may command that, or what elfe is with-
in the Power of,
Oxford,
March the
14th. 1667.
Sir,
Your Honours very Humble
Servant,
John Wallis.
The
300
The LIFE of the
fhining
·
Obfervati- The next thing which offers it felf to our
ons about Notice, is fome Obfervations about fhining
Flesh, made by the Honourable Robert Boyle,and
by way of Letter addreffed to the Publifher,and
prefented to the Royal Society, as follows,
Fleft.
Yefter night,when I was about to go to Bed,
an Amanuenfis of mine, accuftomcd to make
Obfervations, informed me, that one of the
Servants of the Houſe, going on fome Occafi-
on into the Larder, was frighted by fomething
Luminous, that the faw (notwithſtanding the
darkucfs of the Place, where the Meat had been
hung up before.) Whereupon fufpending for
a while my going to reft, I prefently fent for
the Meat into my Chamber, and caufed it to
be placed in a corner of the Room, capable of
being made confiderable dark, and then 1 plain.
ly faw, both with wonder and delight, that
the joynt of Meat, did in ſeveral places fhine
like rotten Wood, or ftinking Fifh, which was
fo uncommon a fight, that I preſently thought
of inviting you to be a fharer in the Pleasure of
it. But the late hour in the Night, did not
only make me fear to give you too unfeafona-
ble a trouble, but being joyned with a great
Cold I had got that Day, by making tryal of a
new Teleſcope, you faw, in a windy Place;
I durft not fit up long enough to make all the
Tryals I thought of, and judged the Occafion
worthy of. But yet, becauſe I effectually re-
folved to employ the little time I had to ſpare,
in making fuch Obfervations and Tryals, as
the Accommodations, I could procure at fo
inconvenient an hour would enable me, I fhall
here give you a brief Account of the chief
Circumſtances
Lionourable Robert Boyle.
301
Circumstances and Phanomena, that I had op-
portunity to take Notice of.
First, Then I must tell you, that the Subject
we diſcourſe of, was a neck of Veal, which as
I learnt by Inquiry, had been bought of a Coun-
trey Butcher the ruefday preceding.
Secondly, In this one piece of Meat, Irecko-
ned diftinctly, about twenty feveral Places,
that did all of them fhine, though not all of
them alike, fome of them doing it, but very
faintly.
Thirdly, The bigness of thefe Lucid Parts
was differing enough, fome of them being as
big as the Nail of a Man's middle Finger, fome
few bigger, and most of them lefs. Nor were
their Figures at all more Uniform, fome being
inclined to a round, others almoft oval, but the
greateſt Part of them very irregularly fha-
ped.
Fourthly, The Parts that fhone most, which
it was not ſo eafie to determine in the dark,
were ſome griftly or foft Parts of the Bones,
where the Butchers Cleaver had paffed; but
thefe were not the only Parts that were Lumi-
nous; for by drawing to and fro the Medulla
Spinalis, we found that a part of that alſo did
not fhine ill: And I perceived one Place in a
Tendon to afford fome Light, and Laftly, three
or four Spots in the fleshy Parts, at a good di-
ftance from the Bones were plainly diſcovered
by their own Light; though that were fainter
than in the Parts above mentioned.
Fifthly, When all thefe Lucid Parts were fur-
veyed together,they made a very Splendid fhew,
but it was not fo eafy, becaufe of the moiftnefs
and
302
The LIFE of the
•
and grofsnefs of the Lump of Matter, to examin
the Degree of their Luminouſneſs, as it is to
eftimate that of Glow-worms, which being
fmall and dry Bodies, may be conveniently laid
in a Book, and made to move from one Letter
or Word to another. But having by good
Fortune by me the Curious Tranfactions of this
Month, I was able to apply that Flexible Paper
to fome of the more refplendent Spots, that I
could plainly read divers conſecutive Letters
of the Title.
Sixthly, The Colour that accompanied the
Light was not in all the fame,but in thoſe which
fhone livelieft, it feemed to have fuch a fine
greenish blew, as I have divers times obſerved
In the Tails of Glow-worms.
Seventhly, But notwithſtanding the vividneſe
of this Light, I could not by the Touch diſcern,
the leaſt degree of heat in the Parts, whence it
proceeded, and having put fome Marks on one
or two of the more fhining places,that I might
know them again when brought to the Light,
I applyed a fealed Weather-Glafs, furnished
with tincted Spirit of Wine, for a pretty while,
and could not fatisfie my felf, that the fhining
parts did at all fenfibly warm the Liquor But
the Thermoſcope, though good in it's kind,
being not fitted for fuch nice Experiments,
I did not build much upon that Try-
al.
Eighthly, Notwithſtanding the greatNumber
of Lucid Parts in this neck of Veal, yet nei-
ther I, nor any of thofe that were about me,
could perceive by the fmell, the leaft degree
of ftink, whence to infer any Putrefaction; the
meat
Honourable Róbert Boyle.
301
*
meat being Judged very freſh and well Conditi-
oned and fit to be dreffed.
Ninthly, The Floar of the Larder, where
this meat was kept, is almoſt a Story lower
than the level of the Street, and it's divided
from the Kitchen,but by a Partition of Boards,
and is furniſhed but with one Window, which
is not great and looks toward the Street,which
lyes Northward from it.
Tenthly, The Wind as far as we could ob-
ferve it, was then at South-weft, and bluſter-
ing enough. The Air by the Sealed Thermof-
cope appeared hot for the Seafon. The Moon
now paft it's last quarter. The Mercury in
the Barometer ſtood at 29 6 Inches.
Eleventhly, We cut off with a knife one of
the LuminousParts, which proved to be a tender
Bone, and being about the thickness of a half
Crown piece, appeared to thine on both fides,
but not equally; and that Part of the Bone
whence it had been cut off, continued, joyned
to the reſt of the neck of Veal, and was feen
to ſhine, but nothing near fo vividly as the
Part we had taken off did before.
Twelfthly, To try, whether I could obtain
any Juice or moift Subſtance from this, as I
have ſeveral times done from the Tails ofGlow-
worms; I rubbed fome of the fofter and more
Lucid Parts ( which I cauſed to be cut off, as
dexterously as I could) upon my hand, but I
did not at all perceive any Luminous moiſture
was thereby imparted; though the Fleſh feem
ed by that Opetation to have loft ſome of it's
Light,
Thirteenthly,
304
The LIFE of the
Thirteenthly, I caufed alfo a piece of fhining
Flesh to be compreffed betwixt two pieces of
Glaſs,to try,how well the contexture of it would
refift that external force; but I did not find
the Light thereby entinguiſhed during the ſhort
time I could allot to the Experiment.
Fourteenthly, But fuppofing, that high recti-
fyed Spirit of Wine,might fo alter the Texture
of the Body it permeated, as to deſtroy it's fa-
culty of fhining, I put a Luminous peice of
Veal into a Chryftalline Phial, and pouring
on it a little pure Spirit of Wine, that would
have burned all away, after I had fhaken them
together, I laid by the Glafs, and in about a
quarter of an hour or lefs,Ifound that the Light
was vaniſhed.
Fifteenthly, But Water would not fo eaffy
quench our feeming Fires; for having put one
of them into a China Cup, and almoft filled it
with Cold Water,the Light did not only appear
perhaps undiminished, through that Liquor,
but above an hour atter was vigorous enough
not to be eclipsed by being looked upon at no
great Diſtance from a burning Candle, that
was none of the fmalleft, and probably the
Light would have been leen much longer, if
we could have afforded to watch out it's Dura-
tion.
Sixteenthly, Whilft thefe things were doing,
I caufed the Pneumatical Engine to be prepared
in a Room without Fire (that the Experiment
might be tryed in greater Degree of Darknefs)
and having conveighed one of the largeft Lu-
minous pieces into a fmall Receiver, we caufed
the Candles to be put out, and the Pump to
be
Honourable Robert Boyle.
305.
be plyed in the Dark; but the diminution of
Light, after the Pump feemed to have been
employed for a competent while, appeared fo
inconfiderable (whether becauſe our Eyes had
leaſure to be fitted to that dark place, or for
what other Caufe foever,) that I began to fuf-
pect that the Inftrument, having been mana-
ged in the Dark, had leaked all the while;
wherefore caufing the Lights to be brought in,
and a Mercurial Gauge to be put into the Re-
ceiver, when we was fure that this Glaſs was
well cemented on to the Engin, the Candles
being removed, the Pump was fet a work again,
and then opening my Eyes, which I had kept
clofed againſt the Light of the Candles, I
could perceive, upon the gradual withdrawing
of the Air, a difcernable and gradual leffening
of the Light, which yet was never brought
quite to diſappear (as I long fince told you the
Light of rotten Wood and glow Worms had
done) or to be fo near vanifhing; as one
would have expected; though upon the bring-
ing in of the Candles again, it appeared by
the Gage, that the Pump had been diligently
applyed. But the Room being once again
darkened, by the hafty increaſe of Light,that
had diſcloſed it felf in the Veal, upon this
letting in of the Air to the exhaufted Receiver,
it appeared more manifeſtly than before, that
the Decrement, though but flowly made, had
been confiderable. This Tryal we once more
repeated, with a not unlike fuccefs; which
though it convinced us, that the Luminous Mat-
ter of our included Body, was more vigorous
or tenacious, than that of most other fhining
Bodies;
7.
305
The LIFE of the
Bodies; yet it left us fome doubts, that the
Light would have been much more impaired,
if not quite made to vanish, if the Subject of it
could have been kept long enough in our ex-
haufted Receiver. But the unfeafonable time
of the Night reducing me at the length to go
to bed, I could not ftay to profecute this or
any other Tryal.
Seventeenthly, Only whilft I was undreffing,
this further Obfervation occurred, that fuppo-
fing there might be in the fame Larder, more
Joynts of the fame Veal than one, innobled
with this fhining faculty, it was found, that a
Leg of Veal, which was brought into my
Chamber, had fome thining Places in it, tho?
they were but very few and faint in compari
fon of thole, that were confpicuous in the a-
bove-mentioned Neck.
Eighteenthly, What further Phanomena this
Morning might have afforded me, I cannot
tell, having been haftily called up, before day
for a Neice,that I am very justly and exceeding-
ly concerned for, who was thought to be upon
the point of Death, and whofe almoſt gasping
Condition, had too much affected and imploy-
ed me, to leave me any time for Philofophical
Entertainments, that require a calm, if not a
pleafed Mind. Only this I took Notice of,
becauſe the Obfervation could not coft me a
Minute of an hour, that whilft they were
bringing me Candles to rife by, I looked
upon a clean Phial, that I had laid upon the
bed by me, after a piece of our Luminous Veal
had been included in it, and found it to fhine
vividly at that time, which was. between four
and
Honourable Robert Boyle.
307
1
and five a Clock this Morning, fince when
1 have made no
made no Obfervation or Try-
al.
Pofcript.
Nineteenthly,Near two Days after I had made
the fore-mentioned Obſervations, thoſe hor-
rid Symptoms of my Neice's Diféafe, that had
fo much alarmed the Phyfitians and me, being
through God's Goodness confiderably abated,
I began to reſume the thoughts of the fhining
Veal, and though having, in the hurry I was
in, forgotten to take any Order about it, I
found it was already diſpoſed of; yet the piece
I lately mentioned to have been included in
Phial, being preferved in it, 1 looked upon it
the third day, inclufively,after we had obfer-
ved the meat 'twas cut off from, to be Lumi-
nous, and I found it to fhine in the dark as vi-
gorously as ever. The fourth day, it's Light
was alſo confpicuous, fo that I was able in a
dark corner of the Room to fhew it even in the
day time, to three or four ingenious Phyfiti-
ans all of them, fave one, Members of the
Royal Society, and I prefume,I need not remind
you,that the following Night, I invited you to
he Spectator of it, though before that time,
the Light had begun to decay, and the of-
fenfive ſmell to grow fomewhat ftrong; which
feems to argue, that the Difpofition, upon
whofe Account our Veal was Luminous, very
well confifted both with it's being and it's not
being in a State of Putrefaction, and confe-
Z 2
quently
308
The LIFE of the
quently is not likely to be derived meerly from
one or the other. The fifth day in the Morn-
ing, looking upon it when I awaked, and be-
fore the Curtains were opened, it feemed to
fhine better than it had done the day prece-
ding. The fame Night alfo it was manifeft e-
nough, though not vivid in the dark. When
I awaked the fixth day, in the Morning after
the Sun was rifen, I cou'd within the Curtain
perceive a glimmering Light. But the feventh
day, which was yesterday, I could not fate at
Night difcern any Light at all.
You faw too much in what a Condition I
was, when you did me the favour to visit me,
to expect that fhould prefume to entertain
you, with any Speculations about the Caufe of
hefe unuſual Apparitions of Light. It's true
indeed, that in fome Notes, I formerly menti
oned to you, I endeavoured to make it proba-
ble, that whether Light depends upon a peculi-
ar kind of Impulfe, propagated through a
transparent Medium, or upon a Diffusion of
extremely little Parts of fome other Corporeal
Agent; whatever the Efficient be, the Effect is
produced in a Mechanical way. But though
I had theſe Papers y me, yet to determin what
peculiar kind of Motions or other Operations
Nature really employed in the Production of
Light, which feemed not clearly (by what I
fhall preſently note J referable either to the
particular and fetled Conftitution of the Ani-
mals, whofe Flefh fhined (as in our Glow-worms,
and fome American Flies; ) or to that Inteſtin
and Unuſual Motion of the Parts, that Caufes
or Accompanies Putrefaction in rotten Wood
/
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
309
?
or Fishes; fince upon the first and livelieft ap
pearance of the Light, there was not any (at
leaft, that could be taken Notice of by the
Senfes: To determin this, I fay, it feemed
to me fo difficult a Task, that I fhall willingly
leave the Solution of fuch Abftrufe Phenomena,
as fome of ours unattempted; efpecially fince
1 may, God permitting, make an Hiftorical
Mention of them the day after to Morrow, at
the Meeting of the Royal Society; where I doubt
not much more, and more will be faid and con-
ſidered, than I have Vanity to think my ſelf
capable of offering,only, for the prevention of
fome needless conjectures, to which without
this previous Advertisement, one might upon
plaufible grounds indulge, I fhall in the mean
while Add and Conclude with one Obfervation
more, which may poffibly take offour Thoughts
from ſtriving to deduce the fhining of our Veal
from the peculiar Nourishment or Conflitution
or Properties of that Individual Calf, whofe
Fleſh, &c. was Luminous. For having feveral
Nights fent purpofely into the Larder, to ob-
ferve, whether any Veal, fince brought thither,
or any other Meat, did afford any Light, a ne-
gative Anfwer was always brought me back;
lave at one time, which happened to be with-
in 48 hours of that, at which the Luminoufnes
of the Veal had been first taken Notice of; for.
at that time there was in the fameLarder a con-
fpicuous Light feen in a Pullet, that hung up
there,which having caufed to be brought up in-
to a darkned place in my Chamber in the
Night time, I perceived four or five Luminous
Places, which were not indeed near fo large as
thofe
2 3
3.0
- A
The LiFE of the
A new Ex-
periment
thofe, of the Veal, but were little lefs vivid
than they. All of thefe I took Notice to be
either upon or near the Rump, and that which
appeared moſt like a fpark of fire, fhone at
the very Tip of that Part; yet was not this
Foul mortifyed, nor at all ill fcented, but fo
fresh, that the next day I found it very good
Meat. But whether this may reaſonably lead
to a fufpition,that the peculiar Conſtitution of
the Air in that Larder,and at that time,may as
well deferve to be taken into Confideration,
as the peculiar Nature of the Animals, whofe
Fleſh did ſhine,is a Queſtion, that I', who have
fcarce time to name it, muft not prefame to
to do any more than Name it. And therefore
as foon as I have begged your Pardon for this
tedious though hafty fcribble, 1 ſhall without
Ceremony fubfcribe my ſelf, &c.
The next thing we shall take notice of is,a
new Experiment of the noble R. Boyle concer-
of the Ef- ning an Effect of the varying weight of the
fects of the Atmofphere, upon fome Bodies in the Water,
Atmos-
the Defcription whereof was prefented An.
1671 to the Ferufal of the Right Honourable
the Lord Bruncker, as follows.
phere.
Though many things have by Ingenuous.
Men been obferved, as to the Power and Ope-
rations of Atmosphere's weight upon Liquors,
that are expoſed to it in Torrecillian Tubes,
or other Veffels clofed at one end, and near
the Top,either empty or unfilled with any vifi-
ble Body, yet Men feem not to have much in-
quired, what Effects the Variation of this
weight of the Atmosphere may have on the Li-
quors which it preffès in other Veffels than fuch
as
Honourable Robert Boyle.
371
to
as Baroſcopes or Pumps. And yet when I
remember how much of Air appears, by our
Engin to be visibly harboured in the Pores, not
only of Water, but of the Blood, Serum, U-
rin, Gall and other Juices of the Human Body.
And that the Preffure of the Atmoſphere, and
the Spring of the Air work upon Liquors,
and on Bodies immerfed in thofe Liquors, as
well as upon folid ones immediately
expoſed to the Air, I am prone
think; that the very Alterations of the At-
mosphere,in point of weight, may in fome Ca
fes, have feme not contemptible Operations,
even upon Men's Sickneſs or Health; when the
Ambient Air, for Inftance, grows fuddenly ve-
ry much Lighter than it was before, or than
it was wont to be, the Spirituous and Aerial
Particles, that are plentifully harboured in the
Mafs of Blood, will Naturally fwell that Li-
quor, and fo may diftend the greater Veffels,
and not a little alter the Celerity and Manner
of the Circulation of the Mafs of Blood, by
the Capillary Arteries and Veins. By which
Alteration, that divers Changes may happen in
the Body, will not feem improbable, to thofe
that know in General, how Important a thing
the manner of the Circulation of the Blood
may be there, though as to it's particular Ef-
fects, I leave them to the Speculation of Phyfi-
tians; and fhall only add,that to keep this Con-
jecture of mine (for I propofe it as no other)
from feeming groundleſs or extravagant, I will
annexan Experiment, that you will not per-
haps diflike, juft as I find regiftred amongſt
fome of my loofe Papers.
Z 4
I
312
The LIFE of the
I cauſed to be blown at the flame of a Lamp,
three fmall round Glafs Bubbles, about the
bignefs of Hazel-Nuts, and furnished each of
them with a fhort and flender Stem, by whofe
means they were fo nicely poiſed in Water,
that a very small change of weight would ei-
ther make them emerge, if they but lightly lea-
ned on the bottom of the Veffel, or fink if
they floated on the top of the Water.
This being done at a time, when the At-
moſphere was of a convenient weight (and fuch
a Seaſon is not ordinary difficult to be chofen
within fome reaſonable time to him that wants
neither Attention nor a good Barofcope, )!
put them in a wide mouthed Glafs, furnifhed
with common Water, and leaving them in a
quiet Place, where yet they were frequently
in my Eye, and were fuffered to continue ma-
ny Weeks, or fome Months; I obferved as I
expected, that fometimes they would be at the
top of the Water, and remain there for di-
vers Days, or perhaps Weeks; and fometimes
would fall to the bottom, and after having
continued there for fome time, longer or fhor-
ter, they would again emerge. And though
fometimes (eſpecially, if I removed the Veffel,
that contained them to a Southern Window,)
they would rife to the top, or fall to the bot-
tom of the Water, according as the Air was
hot or cold; yet it was not difficult to diftin-
guifh thofe Motions, from thofe produced by
the varying Gravity of the Atmosphere. For
when the Beams of the Sun, or Heat of the am-
bient Air, by rarifying the Air included in the
Bubbles, made that Air drive out fome of the
Water,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
3¹B
ร
as
Water, and confequently made the whole Bub-
ble (confifting of Glafs, Air and Water) fome-
what higher than a Bulk of Water equal to it,
though the Bubble did neceffarily fwim
long as the included Air was thus rarifyed, yet
when the abfence of the Sun,or any other Caufe,
made the Air lofe it's adventitious Warmth,
there would enfue a condenfation of the Air
again, and thereupon an Intrusion of more
Water (to fucceed the Air ) into the Glaſs, and
confequently a finking of the Bubble; and this
would commonly happen at Night, if it did
not happen fooner. But when it was upon the
Account of the varying weight of the Atmof
phere, that the Bubbles either rofe or fell, it
appeared by the Barofcope, that the Atmof-
phere was fo heavy or fo light, that they ought
to do fo, Infomuch, that I divers times pre-
dicted, whether I fhould find the Mercury in
the Barofcope high or low, by obferving the
fitustion and poffure of the Bubbles, and con-
fulting that Inftrument, it very fyed my Conje-
&ture. And though whilft the Atmoſphere was
not too confiderably either light or heavy, the
Changes of the Air as to heat and cold, would
(as I was faying) place the Bubbles fometimes
at the top, and fometimes at the bottom of the
Water, within the compaſs of a Day; yet if
the Atmoſphere was either very heavy or very
light, the Bubbles would continue at the bo
tom or the top of the Water for many Days
together, in Cafe the Atmoſphere did not in all
that time change it's Gravity. And I remem-
ber, that I did, for Curioſities fake, when the
Quickfilver was high in the Barofcope, put the
Glafs
314
The LIFE of the
Glaſs two or three Days in a South Window
about Noon (and for a good while after,) and
that in Sun fhining Weather, and yet even then
the Bubbles did not emerge, though it appear-
ed by a good fealed Weather Glafs, which I
kept in the fame Window, that the ambient
Air, was much warmer than at other times,
when I had obferved the Bubbles to keep at the
top of the Water.
N. B. 1. It being very difficult to poife fe-
veral Bubbles precifely, as well one as another,
I thought it not ftrange, that all the three Bub-
bles did not conftantly (though for the moſt
part they did) rife and fall together, but fome-
times two of them, and now and then (though
feldom ) one alone would fink or emerge, when
the change of the weight of the Atmoſphere, was
not confiderable enough to operate fenfibly up-
on the reſt (and of fuch Inftances I have had
the Opportunity to obferve one or two within
theſe laſt three Days :) And therefore it is not
amifs, to poiſe a greater Number of Bubbles to-
gether, that after tryal made of all, the fitteft
may be chofen. Which Advertiſement will ap-
pear the more proper, becauſe of what is to be
added in the followng Note.
2. I have obſerved it fometimes to happen,
that a Bubble, that floated, when it was firft
poiſed, would after a while, fubfide without
any manifeft Caufe, or if it were made to fink
by ſuch a Cauſe, it would continue at the bot-
tom of the Water, though that Caufe were re-
moved: Which difficult Phenomenon feeming,
to depend upon a kind of Imbibion, made of
certain Particles of an Aerial Nature, by the
Water;
Honourable Robert Boyle.
315
Water; the confideration of it belongs to ano-
ther place, not to this; where it may fuffice,
that the Experiment did ſometimes actually an-
fwer Expectation, as that above related did,
wherein my main drift was to fhew, that fince,
the Atmoſphere is heavier or lighter, it's capa-
ble to work upon Bodies under Water, fo as
to procure their finking, or their emerfion;
the Air (though a fluid,a thouſand times light-
er) muſt lean or prefs upon the Water it
felf, by whofe intervention it produces theſe
Effects; which confirms what I elſewhere teach,
that the Atmoſphere is incumbent, as a heavy Bo-
dy, upon the Terraqueous Globe.
3. Befides the other Circumftances, upon
whoſe account this Experiment may fail of
fuccefs, the Seafon of the Year wherein it is
tryed, may for ought I know, be confiderable.
For which Reafon, I fhall here add this Adver-
tiſement, that I chooſe, but do not confine my
ſelf, to make my Tryals about the beginning
of the Spring, as a time wherein notable Alte-
rations of the Air, as well as to weight, as to
other things, are the likelieft to be frequent.
So far this Experiment, which upon this Oc-
cafion is likely to be improved into a new kind
of Baroſcope.
The next thing that occurs, is a Letter of of Amber-
the Honourable Robert Boyle of September the greeſe.
13th. 1673. to the Publiſher of the Tranſa-
tions, concerning Ambergreefe, and it's being
a vegetable Production.
SIR,
316
The LIFE of the
SIR,
Son
Ome Occaſions calling me this afternoon up
to London, I met there with a very intel-
ligent Gentleman, who was ready to go out
of it, but before he did fo, he willingly ſpared
me fome time, to difcourfe with him about
fome of the Affairs of our Eaft Indian Compa-
ny, of which he was very lately Deputy Go-
vernour; and his Year being expired, is ftill,
one of the chief of the Court of Committees,
which a Foreigner would call Directors of that
confiderable Society. And amongst other
things, talking with him about fome Contents
of a Journal lately taken in a Dutch East Indian
Prize, I learnt from him, that he who under-
ftands that Language very well, is now peru-
fing that Manufcript, and among many things
recorded there, that concern the Oeconomical
and Political Affairs of the faid Dutch Compa-
ny,he met with one Phyſical Obſervation,which
he thought fo rare, that remembring the Cu-
riofity I had expreffed for fuch things, he put
it into English, and tranfcribed it for me, and
immediately drawing it out of his Pocket, he
prefented me the fhort Paper, whereof I now
Thew you the Copy. Upon Perufal of which,
you will very easily believe, that not only his
Civility obliged me, but the Information it
brought me,furprized me too. For the feveral
Tryals and Obfervations of my own about Am-
bergreefe, have long kept me from acquiefcing
either in the Vulgar Opinion, or thofe of fome
Learned Men concerning it, yet I confefs my
Experiments did much lefs difcover what it
is,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
317
is, than this Paper hath done, in cafe we may
fafely and intirely give credit to it's Informati-
on, and that it reach to all kinds of Ambergreife.
And probably, you will be invited to look on
this Account, though not as compleat, yet as
very fincere, and on that fcore credible; if
you confider, that this was not written by a
Philofopher to broach a Paradox, or ferve an
Hypothefis, but by a Merchant or Factor for
his Superiors to give them an Account of a
Matter of Fact, and that this Paffage is extant
in an authentick Journal, wherein the Affairs
of the Company were by publick Order from
time to time regiftred, at their chief Colony,
Batavia. And it appears by the Paper it ſelf,
that the Relation was not looked upon as a
doubtful thing, but as a thing from which a
practical way may be deduced to make this
diſcovery easily Luciferous to the Dutch Com-
pany. And I could heartily wiſh, that in thoſe
Countries, that are addicted to long Navigati
ons, more Notice than is ufual were taken and
given of the Natural Rarities that occur to Mer-
chants and Sea-Men. On which Occafion I re-
member, when I had, in complyance with my
Curiofity,put my felf into our Eaft Indian Com-
pany, and had, by their Civility to me, been
chofen of their Committee, as long as my Health
allowed me to continue fo; I had the Oppor-
tunity, in fome Regiſter Books of Merchants
English and Dutch, to obferve fome things,
which would easily juftify this with of mine,
if my Haſte and their Intereft would permit
me to acquaint others with them. But to return
to our Account of Ambergreeſe, I think you will
eafily
318
The LIFE of the
eafily believe, that if I had not received it by a
Paper,but immediately from theWriter,1 fhould
by propofing feveral Queftions, have been ena-
bled to give you a much more fatisfactory Ac-
count, than this ſhort one contains. But the
obliging Perfon that gave it me, being juſt go-
ing out of Town, I could not civilly ſtay him, to
receive my Queries about it, which though
(God permitting)1 may propofe 'ere long, if
I can light on him again, yet I fear he hath gi
ven me in theſe few Lines, all that he found a-
bout this Matter. However this Relation as
fhort as it is, being about the Nature of a Drug,
fo pretious and fo little known, will not I hope
be unwelcom to the curious, to whom none is
fo like to conveigh it ſo foon and fo well, as
Mr. Oldenburg; whofe forwardness to oblige
others by his various Communications, challen-
ges Returns of the like Nature from others, and
particularly from his affectionate humble Ser-
vant.
The Extract it ſelf out of a Dutch Four-
nal, belonging to the Dutch Eaft-Indian
Company.
Ambergreefe is not the Scum or Excrement
of the Whale, &c. but iffues out of the Root of
a Tree, which Tree, how far foever it ſtands
on the Land, always fhoots forth it's Roots
towards the Sea, feeking the warmth of it,
thereby to deliver the fatteſt Gums that comes
out of it: Which Tree otherwife by it's Co-
pious Fatnefs might be burnt and deftroyed.
Whereever
Honourable Robert Boyle.
319
Whereever that fat Gum is fhot into the Sea,
it is ſo tough that, it is not caſily broken from
the Root, unless it's own weight, and the
working of the Sea does it, and ſo it floats on
the Sea.
There was found by a Souldier of a Pound,
7.
and by the chief, two peices weighing five
Pounds. If you plant the Trees, where the
Stream fets to the Shoar, then the Stream will
caft it up to great Advantage, March,1.1672.
Batavia, Journal advice from-
The next thing we fhall take Notice of, as of the two
it comes in our way, is, an Account of the two forts of
forts of Helmotian Laudanum, communicated by Helmonti-
the Honourable Robert Bolye, together with the an Lauda-
way of the Noble Baron F. M. Van. Helmont, пиm-
Son to the Famous Johannes Baptifta of prepa-
ring his Laudanum.
As for the Helmontian Laudanum, you
may uſe your own Liberty in fufpecting the
Receipts that go about of it. For the Name
it felf feems ambiguous to me, who am well
informed, that there are two Sorts of Helmon-
tian Laudanum; the one ufed by the Elder Hel-
mont, the other by his son. The former was
a great fecret communicated to me by anExpert
Chymift, fent by a German Prince to compli-
ment Johannes Baptifta Fan. Helmont, fome of
whofe Manufcripts (one of which perished in
the Fire of London) he procured together with
the way of making his Laudanum, which ha-
ving received from him tourteen or fikteen
Years ago, I carefully prepared, and thought
my Labour fo well recompenced, by the Extra-
ordinary Operations it had, not fo much in my
Hands,
320
The LIFE of the
1.
Hands, as thofe of Learned Phyfitians and o-
thers, to whom I prefented Portions of it,
that 1 fhould have thought the Chymift a Be-
nefactor to Phyfick, if he would have made it
Publick, or permitted me to make Publick,the
way of making fo ufeful a Medicine. And tho'
the Acceſs to my Laboratory was fo free to inge-
nious Men,who knew fuch a Medicine was pre-
paring there, that fome of them might easily
fuppofe themſelf Mafters of the fecret, yet my
Juſtice to the Communicator,who made a great
& deferv'd Benefit ofthe Landanum,made me take
that Care to conceal fome of the Circumftances,
that Men may eafily be much more confident
than fure, that they have the right way of ma-
king the Medicine. Which becauſe I durft not
Communicate, meeting two years ago, with
that obliging and very Ingenious Perfon F. M.
Baron Van. Helmont, Son to the Famous Johan、
nes Baptifta, obtained from him by Word of
Mouth, fome Directions about the Laudanum,
he ufes, which though he confeffed, and 1 foon
perceived, to be differing from his Fathers, yet
Tre feemed to think it not inferior and more po-
rable. But he having for a certain Reaſon im-,
parted to me his Procefs, only by Word of
Mouth; left it ſhould flip out of my Memory,
I foon after committed it to writing, as the
particulars 1 gathered from his Writing occur-
red to me, and at the next feafon caufed the
Medicine to be prepared in my Laboratory,
where the Progrefs was often watched in my
abſence by a very Leerned and Induftrious Lon-
don Doctor, who having at my requeſt made
many Tryals with it, and ſome in Cafes where
other
I
Honourable Robert Boylc.
321
other Laudanums had been found unavailable,
both uſes it,and commends it more than I could
expect from fo wary and judicious a Man.
This Medicine being fomewhat more cheap and
eafy to be made than the Elder Helmonts, the
Experience of it's Efficacy made me defire of
the Younger, a Permiffion to communicate it
for the Publiek Good, and to prevent thoſe ſpu-
rious Receipts, that go about of the Helmontian
Laudanum, which request of mine being almoſt
as foon granted as made, I think my felt bound
both to own his readiness, to oblige the Pub-
lick, and to acquaint them with his way of ma-
king fo confiderable a Medicine, as 1 practifed
it;though if I had received his Directions in Wri
ting, they might have been more Full and Me-
thodical. For though 1 perceived,that he fome-
times a little varies his Preparations; yet that
Laudanum, proving very fuccessful, that was
made according to the annexed Paper, I think
it will not be amifs to keep to that: Which I
wifh could have been Publiſhed before the Sea-
fon of the Quinces were fo far advanced. And
I fhall the more hope it may come abroad before
it be quite too late, if you pleafe, to afford it
room in the Papers, where with I am informed
you intend this Week to gratify the Cu-
rious.
Laudanum Helmontis Junioris:
Take of Opium a quarter of Pound, and of
the Juice of Quinces four Pound at the leaſt (for
near five Pounds would perhaps do better ).
The Opium being cut into very thin Slices, and
a a
then
322
The LIFE of the
!
then as it were minced to reduce it into smaller
Parts, is to be put into, and well mixed with
the Liquor, fi ft made Luke-warm,and fermen-
ted with a Moderate heat,for eight or ten days,
rather more than lefs, then filter it (which Cir.
cumftance the Author often omits, though I
do not) and having infufed in it, Cinnamon,
Nutmeg and Cloves, of each an Ounce (the
Author fometimes ufes half an Ounce more of
each Spice) let them ftand three or four days
more; I it be a full Week it may be fo much
the better, then filter (or ftraia it well through
a Canvas bag) the Liquor once more, having
let it boil a Walm or two after the Spices have
been put in. This being done, evaporate a-
way the Superfluous Water, to the Confiftence
of an Extract, or to what other Confiftence you
pleaſe; Laſtly, Incorporate very well with it,
two or at molt three Ounces of the beft Safforn
reduced to fine Powder. (Sometimes the Au-
thor instead of thePowder makes use of as much
Extract as can be obtained from the Quantity
of Safforn).
According to the Confiſtence you defire to
have your Medicine of, you may order it fo, as
either to make it up into a Mafs of Pills (in
which form I have caufed it to be given) or
keep it in a Liquid form; but in this later Cafe,
the evaporation mnft have been made more
fparingly, that after the putting in of the Saf
forn,or it's Extract,it may not grow too thick.
In this form the Dofe may be from five or fix
drops to ten or fewer, according to Circum-
ftances; and of the Pills a fomewhat lefs quan-
tity is required.
The
Honourable Robert Bovie.
323
-.
ร
The next thing we shall take no ice of is,
Conjecture concerning the Bladders of Air
found in Fiſhes, communicated by A.J. and il
luftrated by an Experiment fuggefted by the
Honourable Robert Boyle.
Reflecting on that Quftion, whether Liquids
gravitate on Bodies immer fed or not? I came
to a Reſolution in my own thoughts, that they
do gravitate; and one of the greateft Inftances
that did occur to me was, that a Bubble of Air
rifing from the Bottom, does dilate it ſelf all the
way coming to the Top; which is cauſed by
the leffening of the weight or preffure of the
incumbent Water, the nearer it is to the Top
upon Confideration of that Inſtance, the follow-
ingConjecture preſented it felf to my thoughts;
that Fishes, by Reaſon of that Bladder of Air,
that is within them, can fuftain or keep them-
felves in any Depth of Water: For the Air in
that Bladder is like the Bubble, more or less
compreffed according to the depth the Fifh
fwims at, and takes up more or less space;
and confequently the Body of the Fish, Part
of whoſe Bulk this Biadder is,is greater or leſs,
according to the feveral Depths, and yet re-
tains the fame weight. The Rule de Infidentibus
humido is, that a Body that is heavier than fo
much Water as is equal in Quantity, to the
Bulk of it, will fink; a Body that is lighter,
will fwim; a Body of equal weight will reft in
any Part of the Water.
Now by this Rule, if the Fish in the middle
Region of the Water be of equal weight to
the Water that is Commenfurate to the bulk of
it, the Fifh will reft there without any Tenden-
23 2
cy
A Conje-
ture about
of Air
found in
Filbes.
the Bladders
32.7
The LIFE of the
:
cy upwards or downwards, and if the Fifh
be deeper in the Water, the bulk of the Fish
becoming lefs by the Compreffion of the Blad-
der, and yet retaining the fame weight, it will
fink and rest at the bottom. And on the other
fide, if the Fish be higher than the middle
Region, the Air dilating it felt, and the bulk
of the fish confequently increafing, but not the
weight, the Fish will rife opwards, and reſt at
the Top of the Water.
Perhaps by fome Action the Fish can emit A ir
out of his Bladder, and afterwards out of it's
Body, and alfo when there is not enough, take
in Air, and convey it to this Bladder,and then it
will not be wonder'd,tha: there fhou'd be always
a fit Proportion of Air in the Bodies of all Fifhes
to ferve their ufe, according to the Depth of
ater, they are bred and live in; perhaps by
fome Mufle,the Fish can contract this Bladder,
beyond the preffure of the weight of Water;
perhaps the Fiſh can by it's fides or fome o.
ther defence keep off the preffure of the Water,
and give the Air leave to dilate it felf. In thefe
Cafes,the Fifh will be helped in all intermediate
diftances, and may rife or fink from any Regi-
on of
the Water without moving one
Fin.
It were worth obferving, what Fishes want
Bladders, and if the Bladders of feveral Fishes
are not of different Shapes or Bigneſs, and how
they are in ea Fishes, that live in great Depths,
and whether any Amphibious Creatures have
them, or any thing analogous, as the Lungs
may be, or other Cavities. By an Enquiry
into these and other particulars; this conje-
&ture
Honourable Robert Boyle.
325
&re may be either Fortifyed or Refu
ted.
So far this Conjecture,in reference to which,
when it was propound d to the Honourable
Robert Boyle, he reflecting upon the manner, howa
Fish comes to rife or fiak in the Water, foon
bethought himself of an Experiment, probably
to determine,whether a Fish makes thofe Moti-
ons by constricting or expanding himself? The
Experiment by him fuggefted was; To take a
Bolt head with a wide neck, and having filled
it almoſt full with Water, to put into it ſome
live Fish of a convenient fize, that is,the biggeft
that can be got in, as a Roch, Perch or the
like, and then to draw out the neck of the Bolt
head as flender as you can, and to fill that alfɔ
almost with Water: Whereupon the Fish lying
at a certain depth in the Water of the Glaſs,
if upon his fuking you perceive the Water at
the lender Top does fubfide, you may infer,he
contracts himself, and ifup on his Rifin, the
Water be alfo raiſed, you may conclude he di-
lates himſelf,
The next thing we fhall take Notice of is, An Obfer.
an Extract of a Letter fent from Genua to Seig-vation of
nior Sarotti, the Venetian Refident here, and by red Snom.
him communicated to the Honourable Mr Boyle,
which is as followeth.
On it. Fofeph's Day, upon the Mountains
called Le Langhe,there fell upon the whiteSnow,
that was there already, a greatQuantity of red,
or if you pleaſe Bloody Snow. From which
being squeezed,there came a Water of the fame
Colour. Of this there are here many Eye-wit-
neffes.
a 3
The
·
326
The LIFE of the
•
Dr. Cole's
The next thing that occurs to our Obferva-
Letter to tion is a Letter from the Learned Dr.Cole,directed
Mr. Boyle. to the Honourable Robert Boyle,concerning a falfe
Conception. The Letter and it's Direction is
as follows.
Epiftola Clarifs. Viri Dom. Gulielmi Cole,
Med. Doct. ad Honoratiffimum Dom. Dom.
RobertumBoyle, Armigerum, de falfa Gravidita-
te.
Ignofcat mihi Humanitas veftra, Honoratiffi-
me Vir, quod ignotus graviora, quibus in rem lite-
rariam (præfertim Medicam ) invigilas negotia
interpellare aufim. Eximius ille candor, quo cun-
Etos, eos maxime quibus Natura Studium cordi eft,
perfequeris, hanc mihi fiduciam, ut ad te literas con-
fignarem fuggerit, nec de venia obtinenda dubitare
finit,quandoquidem è Nature (cui te ab intimis fe-
cretis nulli non fufpiciunt & gratulabuntur) penu,
quod afferunt, de promptum invenies, Hiftoriam
fc.fatis, opinor, raram ; quam( nifi ejusdem fama
ad aures,veftras jamdudum pervenerit) paucis hifce
accipere digneris, Rei plurimas mihi teftes,tota habet
Vicinia.
Matrona quadam, mente omnino conftans, pia,
fide digniffima, & circa pregnantes & puerperas o.
lim verfatiffima,Septuagefimum nonum annum nunc
agens, fe jatum utero geffare jam diu credidit, cre-
ditq; adhuc, imo quod magis mirabere ( forfan &
in ufu excipies)per totos feptemelapfos menfes geftaffe.
Dum illac negotiorum Canfa quadrieneo abhinc iter
facerem, & à quibuſdam, ipfa non minus credulis,
rei famam acceperam, Novitate permotus ad hoc
miraculum nulla mora contendi, ut tam infolita
fcena oculos pafcerem. Inveni ventre multum tu-
enentem, non autem, qualis effe folet Hydropicorum
a
tumor
Honourable Robert Boyle.
227
}
tumor apparuit, Jed furfum more gravidarum, emi
nebat. Et dum plura fcifuterer, nec illam (ut
nec ejus maritum cui decenneo minor uxore (uit )
de ingravidatione amplius dibitantem comperiffem,
petii ut natur& fiducie caufam expone-
ret.
>
Illa haud gravate refpondit, fe olim decem libe-
rosenixam, nec ab eo tempore per 28 annorum Spa-
tium mer firm fixum poff m, in eam tandem fatis
copiofum incid ffe, ex quo brevi poft omnia concep-
tus figna apparuerunt, inde naufeam & vomitio-
nes fubinde recurrentes nec non & inordinatam
quorundam prarateris ciborum Appetentiam ut preg.
nantium mos eft, in afiff & per lures menfes per-
ftitiffe, Ventre paulatim intumefcente; pofi ea fo-
lito tempore primas jatus Motus je percepiffe, &
exinde tumore indies aulo,molus etiam tanquam
ejufdem locum fcpe variantis, nunc ab una nunc ab
altera ventris saite, qui & tractus temporis invalef-
cebant, fenfiffe; tandem (appellente ufit at opartus
tempore ip/os parturientis Labores fabiiffe, ut ob-
ftetricem accerfere neceffe habuerit, fed non ad fuit
Lucina; attamen licet dolores ili evenuerint hand
detumuit venter; quin fæpius præ dolorum recurfu
obſtetrix { quæ & ipfe, prout à nonnullis accepi, in
eandem cum Domina fua Sententiam propenderat)
rurfus acc.ffa eft. Ab eo tempore motum illum,
fed vegetiorem fe perfenfiffe afferuit, adeo ut veftes
frequenter attoli ab adjtantibus con/pecte fuerint
tumore, licet aliquantulum, haud tamen impenſe
aucto. Mamma, quas & vidi & attractavi, mi-
nime, pro ut vetulis folenne eft, flaccide, fed ample
& diftenta (at non fupra modum) glandulifq; more
pragnantium, diftinita. Mihi quin etiam fponte.
affirmavit Obstetricem fibi afferuiſſe Orificium Ure
a a 4
328
The LIFE of the
1
riinternum æque tenerum & molie fuiffe, ac in qua
vis fœmina mox paritura. Cum porro perconterer,
utruminter decumbendum, cum a latere ad latus
fereclinaret, pondus ab uno in alterum devolviper-
ciperet, prorfus negavit, meg, de Mola nil fufpicari
juffit, cum illam peritias dignofceret, quam ut hac in
parte decipi poffet.
Cis paucos Dies illam reviſi, eademq; ut retuli,
denuo narrantem audivi, mammafg, in eodem ftatu
comperi,ventrem vero aliquamo magis intumuiffe,de
cujus tenfione plurimum conquefta eft. Motus au-
tem magis, quam ante hac,vegetos fe tum percipere
·dixit, atq, ego, manu fupra Veftes admota, bis,
dum pauculam iluc moram facerem, ejus modi mo-
tum nunc ex una nunc exaltera parte ventris fenfi,
qualem in ve e pregnantibus obfervaffe memini.
Tato boc Geftationis (fi ad ipfius mentem loqui li.
ceat ) tempore nullum, faltem alicujus momerti,
fanitatis difpendium paffim ſe profitetur, nullis
fymptomatis laboraffe, nifi que gravidis funt fami-
liaria, & qua etiam, dum puerpera fuit, perpeti
folebat. Cibosfatis recte appetit, optimeq; digerit,
minine fiticulofa eft, pro ut hydropicis ufui eft,
urinamg, ed liquidorum affumptorum menfuram,
proportionatam reddit; ad morem autem gravida-
rum folito frequentius. Edes hortumq; fatis va
Lenter obambulat, nec baculi fulcimentum indiget.
Moderate dormit, fed persulca ventris farcina matri
fue, vix ultra Diluculum quietem indulget, verum
calcitratu cogit, è lecto furgere, quo facto, & ci•
lečko
bis affumptis, illa fe iterum, fomno parar, faltem
mitius fivit. Quoad habitum Corporis carnofa est,
vultufq; nıl morbiai ( me judice ) intus latentis pra
fe fert. Nullum tibiarum pedumve toto decurfu un-
yuam paffu efi tumorem, nec vulgatum ullum hydro̟-
1
pis
Honourable Robert Boyle.
229
pis cujufcunq; five univerfalis, five ipfius uteri
indicium, præter folum, quem dixi, abdominis
tumorem colligere potui. Nec tamen fætum Utero
includi quifquam, nifi qui fame fua prodigus eft
affaruerit; cum & Atas, & Temporis, à prima
affectus invafione decurfi longitudo (quorum nutrum
cuiquam accidiffe, præterquam quod Saræ pro Mi-
raculo obregiffe sacra Pagina teftatur, ulla, quod
fciam, Hiftoria fide digna propalavit, in tam ob-
fonam fententiam infurgant. Quicquid id eft,
Illuftriffime Heros, haud fortaffe, abs re fore jadi-
cabit eximius, ille vefter arcani quantulicung, in-
veftigandi ardor, ut examen fubeant, tam inufitata
Phanomena, quod alimato judicio, quale tuum vere
eft imprimis fperandum effet. Iter Londinum (ma-
rito nuper Vita functo) propediem Meditatur, quod
fupereft Vita apul filiam confectura; ubi ( cum ap-
pulerit ) ab ipfius ore, fi locata Opera dignum cen-
Jueris, certior fias; nec enim in tam frequenti, no-
vitatis avida, urbe diu latere poteft. Interim boni
confulas, obteflor, quod in obfervantia tefferam
offert.
Honoratiffime Domine,
Jan. 28. 167;
FavorisVeAri cupientiffimus
G. Cole.
e vivis
Speraveram fore, quod fi me fuperftite
excederet spectabilis Domina, notitiam aliquam ex
diffe&tione, vel propria inspectione, vel aliorum com-
municatione, adipifcerer, unde tam infolita, max-
ime in proveƐta adeò Ætate, profluerint accidentia.
Verum didici tandem Dom. poftquam per duos vel.
tres
33.0
The LIFE of the
Az Account
of a felf
moving
Liquer.
tres annos Londini f:ris {anam ( cum codem tamIT
tumore ac motibus, licet non ufq; adzo wegetis aE
cwns ipfe inuiferam, literafq, iftas EXATAULTeM )
duxiffet visam, fase ceffiffe, cumq; inftarent Celeb.
aliquot Medici, ut cadaveris diffecandi copia illis
fieret, viri cujufdam nimis pii, fuaſu, id iis haud
conceffum eft.
The next thing we fhall take Notice of, is an
Hiſtorical Account of a felf moving Liquor,
communicated by the Honourable Robert Boyle.
An ingenious Teacher of Mathematicks, ha-
ving occafion to make a Compofition for a new
fire Engin, whereof he was to hew his Majefty
a Tryal, mingled divers ingredients in an Ear-
then pot over kindled Coals but could not, or
did not, do it fo warily, but that the Matter
took fire, and began to blaze furionfly; which
obliged him to fifle the flame, as haftily as he
could and having removed the Veffel from
the fire, and fuffered it to grow cold; when
afterwards he came to look upon it, to fee if
what remained might be of any Ufe to him, he
was furprized to find it variously and briskly
moved. Wherefore having fet it afide, to bę
fure, that it might be throughly cold; he after
fome Hours vifited it again, and found it move
as before. And having caft ftore of Seeds upon
it, to fee if the Liquor would move them alfo,
the bituminous part of it connected them into
a kind of thick fcum, that covered moſt of the
Superficies; but yet left fome Intervals, in
which the Liquor appeared, and difcovered
that it continued it's Motions. Two Days after,
the Engineer difcourfing with me of his Fire-
Work, about which he had adviſed with me
before,
Honourable Robert Bovie.
33%
before; told me, among other things, of this
odd Accident. And when I had asked him,
if the Motions continued ftil!, and had been
anfwered affirmatively, though it was then a
dark Night, and ill Weather, my Diffidence or
my Curiosity, made me engage him to fend for
the Pot as it was, partly to be fure of the Mat-
ter of Fact, and partly to try, if the Knowledg
I had of the Ingredients, which he had before
told me, would afford any hint of the Caufe
of ſo odd an Effect, alike to which in kind, tho'
not in degree, I had many Years devifed, and
fuccesfully practifed, the way of producing.
The Veffel being come, though the hafty
transportation of it, feemed to have fufficiently
diſturbed it, there did appear manifeft figns of
fuch a Motion, as the Engineer had afcribed
to it; and therefore he being willing to leave
it with me, I caufed it to be fet afide in a La-
boratory, where fome Furnaces kept the Air
conftantly warm, and did there and elsewhere
at diftant times, look heedfully upon it, now
and then difplacing or taking off fome of the
thick fcum, that too much covered the farface
of it; and by this means, I had the opportunity
to take notice of feveral Phanomena, whereof
thefe are the chief.
First, That I obferved, that the Motion of this
Liquor was not only brisk, but very various;
fo that having loofened fome fmall Portions of
the fcum from the reft, one of them would be
carried towards the right hand for Infiance,
and another towards the left at the fame time.
Secondly, Where the Liquor first came out from
under the fcum, it feemed to move the moſt
briskly
}
332
The LIFE of the
briskly, flowing almoſt like a Stream, whoſe
Motion upwards had been checked, and as if it
were reverberated by that incumbent Obftacle.
Thirdly, feveral Motions in this Liquor were
the more eaſy to be obſerved, becauſe though
it were dark, yet it was not uniform, conſiſting
in part of oily and bituminousIngredients, which
though they ſeemed to have but one common
Superficies with the reft of the Liquor, yet by
their Colours and Power of vigorously reflect-
ing the Light, they were easily enough diftin-
guiſhable from the reft. And I often obferved,
that fome of theſe unctuous Portions of Matter,
emerging to the furface of the Liquor, though
perhaps at firſt, one of them would not appear
bigger than aPins head, yet in moving forwards,
it would at the fame time diffufe it felf circu-
larly, and mike as it were a great Italo, adorn❜d
with the Colours of the Rain Bow, and fo very
vivid, as afforded a very pleafant, and at the
firſt furprizing Spectacle; thefe Phantafms of-
ten nimbly fucceeding one another, and laſting
till they lost themfelves againft, or under the
thick Scum. Fourthly, The Motions of this odd
Liqnor, were not only various, but frequently
vortical; to be fatisfyed of which, I fometimes
put ſhort pieces of Straw, or fragments of fome
fuch like Stuff, upon the difcovered part of the
Surface of the Liquor, by which they were car-
ried towards very diftant, if not oppofite,parts
of the Veſſel at the fame time. But to make
the vortical Motion more evident, I ſeveral
times detached confiderable large pieces of the
thick. Scum, from the reft of the Body; and
had the Pleaſure to fee them move both with a
progreffive
Honourable Robert Boyle
333
progreffive Motion in crooked Lines, and with
a Motion about their own middlemoft Parts.
All this while the Liquor, whofe parts were
thus briskly moved, was actually cold, as to
Senfe. Fifthly, to obferve what the prefence or
abſence of the free Air would do to this Li-
quor, I caufed many ſpoonsful of it, with fome
of the Scum, to be put into a Cylindrical Glaſs,
which though large it felf, had a Neck belong-
ing to it, that was but about the bigness of ones
Thumb, that it might be well stopped with a
Cork. But having by this means kept the free
Air from having a full and immediate contact
with the whole furface of the mixture, as it had,
when that mixture lay in the wide mouthed Vef
fel, I could not perceive the Liquor to move to
and fro, no not though the Orifice of the Neck
were left open; whereas having at the fame.
time, powred fome of the Liquor into a very
fhallow and wide mouthed Veffel, called in the
fhops a clear caked Glafs, it moved rather more
that lefs nimbly and varioufly, than in the
great Earthen Pot, which yet was of the fame
fhape, and fhewed as many of thofe vivid and
felf dilating Circles, that have been mentioned
in the third Number. And theſe, by the fine-
nefs of their Colours, and the quickness where-
with they fucceeded one another, afforded a
delightful Spectacle, as long as I stayed to ob-
ferve the Liquor. Sixthly, though the Motions.
of the hitherto mentioned Liquor, did not feem
to be always equally brisk, yet they continued
to appear manifeft and various, in fome diver-
fities of Weather, as to cold and heat, and
when I looked upon it byCandle light,as well as
by
E
374
The LIFE of the
!
by Day light. And when being not well enough
to vifit it my fel, I fent one purpoſely to look
upou it, about teu a Clock at Night,he brought
me word, that it continued to move as for-
merly, and fo it hath done for ten Days. And
how much longer it will continue to do fo,
Time must deter min.
Pofcript.
7
Some time after the foregoing Account had
been written, when I came to look upon the
Liquor (which in the mean time had been fe-
veral times viewed, and appeared to retain it's
Motions;) I found to my trouble, that fome
Bodies impertinent Curiofity and Heedlefsnefs,
had cracked the lower part of the Earthen Pot;
at which overture the Liquor, though not the
Scum was run cut, which had put a Period to
our Obfervations; but that foreſeeing that
fuch an Accident might happen, 1 had long
before taken out fome Spoonfuls of the Li-
quor, and kept it clofe ftopped in a Vial,
By this means I had the Opportunity to ob.
ferre, that when I poured out the Liquor into
a wide Mouthed Veſſel, it would move as be-
fore, though this was done fome Weeks after
it had been put up. And I remember, that long
after, having one day received the Honour of
a vifit from a Foreign Minifter, who was an
InquiLive Perfon, and a Man of Letters, we
chauced amongst other things to talk of this
Liquor. And though it were fcarce to be ho-
ped, that it ſhould ſtill retain any of it's Mo-
tive
Honone.ible Robert Boyle.
335
2516
tive Vertue, yet to grates his Curiosity, and
that of fome Ingenious Men there prefeat; f
caufed the Vial to be brought, and having un-
Stopped it, I poured out the i igsor into a con-
venient thaped Vedel; in which, after we had
fuffered it to reſt a while,they were delightfully
furprized to fee it move(thu'aot in my opinion
fo briskly as before,yet)very manifestly & vari-
Oully.This encourag'd me tothink it poffible,thas
it might retain fome Motion, tho' but Languid,
7 or 8 Weeks after, and therefore on the 25th
of July, I looked upon it again, and having
caufed it to be poured into a China Cup, it ma-
nifefted at first a manifeft and various "Motion.
But this after a while did fo Backen, that I be-
gan to have ſome fufpicion, that the Motion
it was put into by EffiGon, and the first coo-
tact of the Air, might have given it the grea-
test Part of it's Agitation. But this being but
fufpicion, I put the Veffel into divers Poſtures
in a Window, the better to discover the true
Caufe of this Phenomenon, but whilft I was bu-
fie about this,which engroffed my Attention, a
miſchance overturned the Cup, and by throw.
ing down the Liquor, put an end to my Spe-
culation. Yet this mifchance hindred me but
from obferving, how long the Agitation
of our Liquor would have continued, but not
from finding, that it lafted a great while. For
I fhewed it the Foreign Minifter about,or after,
the beginning of June,that is about fiveMonths,
or more, after the Liquor was obſerved to
move.
The
336
The LIFE of the
An Accusa
off his ma
king the
Phulphures
The next thing we shall take Notice of is,
a Paper of the Honourable Robert Boyles depofi-
ted in the Hands of the Secretary of the Royal
Society, and opened fince his Death, being an
Account of his making the Phofphoras,
&c.
There was taken a confiderable Quantity of
Man's Urine (becaufe the Liquor yields but a
fmall Quantity of the defired Quintefcence) and
of this a good part at leaf, had been a pritty
while digeſted, before it was ufed; then this
Liquor was diftilled with a moderate heat, till
the fpirituous and faline Parts were drawn off,
after which the fuperfluous Moisture was alfo
abſtracted (or evaporated away) till the re-
maining Subſtance was brought to the confi-
ftence of a ſomewhat thick Syrup, or a thin
Extract. This done, it was well incorporated
with thrice it's weight of fine white Sand; and
the Mixture being put into a ſtrong ſtone Re-
tort, to which a large Receiver (in good part
filled with Water) was fo joyned, that the Nofe
of the Retort did almost touch the Water; then
the two Veffels being carefully luted together,
a naked fire was gradually adminiftred for five
or fix Hours, that all that was Phlegmatick or
Volatile might come over firſt. When this was
done, the Fire was encreaſed, and at length for
five or fix Hours made as ftrong and intenfe,as
the Furnace (which was not bad ) was capable
of giving (which violence of Fire, is a Circum-
ftance not to be omitted in this Operation.)
By this means there came over, good ſtore of
white Fumes, almoſt like thoſe that appear in
the diſtillation of the Oyl of Vitriol; and when
thoſe
Honourable Robert Boyle.
337
thoſe fumes were paffed, and the Receiver grew
clear, they were after a while fucceeded by a-
nother fort, which feemed in the Receiver, to
give a faint blewifh Light, almoft like that of
little burning Matches dipt in Sulphur. And
laft of all, the fire being very vehement, there
paffed over another Subftance,that was judged
more ponderous than the former, becauſe it
fell through the Water to the bottom of the
Receiver; whence being taken out (and part-
ly even whilſt it ſtayed there) it appeared by
feveral Effects, and other Phenomena, to be
fuch a kind of Subftance as we defired and ex-
pected.
Water as
The next thing we ſhall take Notice of is, Mr. Boyl's
An Account of Mr. Boyle's way of examining way of ex-
Waters, as to Freſhneſs and Saltnefs, which amining
was depofited with the Secretaries of the Royal to saltneſs
Society, and Sealed up and opened after his and Fresh-
Death.
J. Having been Commanded by the King,
to fhew his Majefty an Experiment of the way
herein mentioned, to examin the Freſhneſs and
Saltnefs of Waters: I did in his prefence ( and
that of his Royal Highness, his Grace the Duke
of Grafton, and feveral Perfons of Quality)
make Tryal of it, both upon fome Water pre-
pared according to the Patentees way, and up-
on two or three Natural Waters, that were or-
dered to be brought. In all which Tryals (in
ſome whereof his Majefty, for greater certain-
ty, was pleaſed to employ his own Hands) the
fuccefs was ſuch, as moved him to vouchsafe
the Experiment, the Honour of his fpecial Ap-
probation,and to give me an Encouraging Per-
bb.
miffion
nfs.
:
+
-
338
The LIFE of the
1
miſſion to communicate it, as a thing that may
prove not unufeful to the Publick. This I think
fit to mention,not only to procure to my wayof
trying Waters, the high advantage of aRoyal,
and on Philofophical Accounts, Illuftrious Pa-
tronage; but that if this Method be found as
beneficial as I wish it may, Men may know to
whom they ought to acknowledg the early
Publication of it. This is all my late allows
me to premife, to the Account I am going to
deliver, of the way of trying Waters, hitherto
ſpoken of: Which Account I ſhall fet down, as
I drew it up to be dispatched to a Friend, in
cafe I ſhould have his M. jefty's Permiffion to
impartit to him.
II. My way of examining the Freſhneſs and
Saltnefs of the Waters, though (becauſe it is
wont to be furprizing the first time one fees it
tryed, and hath had the luck to be much talk-
ed of in many good Companies) it's thought to
be an Invention very difficult,to be either found
out or practifed, is yet really no fuch Myfteri-
ous thing,as Men imagin it. And for my Part,
hope it will be found much more confi.
derable for it's uſe, than I think it is for the
degree of skill and fagacity, that was neceffa-
ry to deviſe it. For when I remembered and
confidered that as 1 have found by various
Tryals) diverfe Metalline, and other Mineral
Solutions could be readily precipitated, not
only by the Spirit of Salt,but by crude Salt,whe-
ther dry or diffolved in Water, 'twas no ve-
ry difficult Matter for me to think, that by a
heedful Application of the precipitating Quali-
ty of common Salt, one might difcover whe-
ther
Honourable Robert Boyle.
339
ther any Particles of it (at least in aNumber any
way confiderable ) lay concealed in a distilled
Water, or any other propofed to be examin-
ed.
Ill. To find, whether I was not miſtaken in
this Conjecture, as alſo becauſe it is very con-
venient to be as little as one can confined to one
Material, 1 employed feveral Drugs, and thoſe
not all prepared by one Menftruum, to make
the intended Diſcovery. And though two or
three of my other Tryals and Succeffes, that 1
diſliked not when I made them, yet that which
lat laft pitched upon as the moſt certain, and
which therefore l meant, when I had the Ho-
nour to be fent for by his Majefty, about the
Patentees Water, was that, which I think may
be beſt underſtood, as well as recommended
by this fhort Narrative.
IV. I took fome common Water diftilled in
Glafs Veſſels, that it might leave it'sCorporeal
Salt, if it had any, behind it; and put into
a Thouſand grains of it; one grain of common
dry Salt. Into a convenient Quantity, for ex-
ample, two or three Spoonfuls of this thus im-
pregnated Liquor, Iler fall a fit Proportion,
for Inſtance four or five drops of a very ſtrong
and well filtrated Solution of well refined Sil-
ver, diffolved in clean Aqua- Fortis (for a ſhift,
common or Sterling Silver will ferve the turn ).
And I made the Experiment fucceed with Spi-
rit of Nitre, inftead of Aqua Fortis, upon
which there immediately appeared a whitish
Cloud, which though but flowly, defcended
to the bottom, and fetled there in a white Fre-
cipitate,
bb 2
V.
!
340
The LiFE of the
I
V. This Experiment having been feveral
times, for the main of it, reiterated with fuc-
cefs, I thought fit to keep conftant to the way
of Probation, made use of in it (and which
Tryals had recommended to me, for betwixt
20 and 30 Years ) though (by Reaſon of
fome things that hafte forbids me to mention)[
pitch'd upon this way without at all denying,that
Men of Sagacity, especially if well verfed in
Chymical Operations, may upon the fame
Ground that I went on, find ſome other and
cheaper ways, though fcarce any more nice and
certain, of compaffing the fame End.
VI. After what hath been hitherto faid, I
prefume, I may feafonably proceed, to fubjoyn
the four enfoing Advertiſements. And First, I
fhall give Notice, that to make the Experiment
rather feverely, than at all favourably, there
was uſually taken fomewhat more than a Thou-
Hand Parts of Water, to one of Salt,
VII. Next I obferved, that having let fall a
few Drops of our etailine Solution, into the
Liquor obtained from Sea- Water, by the Pa-
tentees way of fweetening it; there did not
prefently enfue any white Cloud or Precipitate,
much lefs fuch a one as had been newly afford.
ed by the Water, that was impregnated with
kefs than a Thoufandth Part of Salt. And if
after fometime there happened to appear (for
it is not abfolutely neceffary there ſhould) a
little Cloudiness in this Factitious Liquor,it was
both flowlier produced, and much less than
that which appeared in the impregnated Wa-
tire
VIII.
Honourable. Robert Boyle.
341
VIII. And perhaps it may be proper, that I
here obferve (what is not wont to be taken no-
tice of); That divers Solutions of Mineral
Bodies may be precipitated by Dilution: That
is to explain this Expreffion) when the Soln
tion hath time enough allowed to diffuſe it ſelf,
through a great Quantity of Water,the Saline
Parts are thereby fo diluded and weakned, that
they are no longer able to fuftain the Mineral
Corpufcles, they kept fwimming before, but
make with them and the Water, a confufed
and fubfiding Mixture, ufually of a whitish
Colour. This may appear, when the Butter
of Antimony, being put into common Water,
is thereby quickly and plentifully precipitated
in the form of that white Powder, that Chy-
mifts (not over defei vedly) call Mercuius Vita.
To which I may add, that I have alfo produ-
ced a Powder of that Colour, by pouring into
common Water a ſtrong Solution of TinGlaſs,
made in Aqua-Fortis. And by the fame way we
have precipitated the Tincture for Solutions of
the finer Parts of Jalap, Benjamin, true Labda-
num, Antimonial Sulphur, and divers other
Bodies made in Vinous Spirits. If it were not
for this Power,that Water bath to weaken moft
Solutions of Bodies, I could have employed in-
ſtead of that Silver, either Quick-filver dif-
folved in Aqua Fortis, or Lead crude or cal-
cined, in the fame Liquor, or (which is more
convenient) in ſtrong Spirit of Vinager; fince
thefe and fome others, are found to be precipi-
table by Salt Water into whitish Powders. But
though a very heedfulObferver may for a fhift,
make uſe of theſe Metalline Solutions, to guefs
bb 3
as
342
The LIFE of the
at theQuality of Water,as toFreſhneſs and Salt-
nefs, yet the Precipitation that is made by
Dilution, is not difficult to be diftinguished,
from that which is performed by a true and
proper Precipitant (as in our cafe by the com-
inon Salt, that is harboured in the Pores of the
Water) both by the quickness of the Effect,and
the Copioufnefs of the white Subftance produ-
ced, and in both thofe Accounts is very much
inferior to it, as may evidently appear in the
very different Effects that our Solution of -
had upon the Patentees Water, or upon well
diſtilled common Water, compared with thoſe
it had upon Water impregnated with a Thou-
fandth Part of Salt, and upon divers common
undiftilled Waters. But to proceed,
IX. Thirdly, the Ufefulness of this Experi-
ment, is not to be Eſtimated only by the Exa-
men it helps us to make of dulcifyed Sea Wa-
ter, but much more by the Eſtimate, that by
it's means may be made of Natural freſh Wa-
ters, whether of Springs, Rivers, Clouds,
Lakes, Wells, &c. For it being generally
granted, that thofe Waters, cateris paribus,are
the beſt, as well for the wholefomnefs, as di-
vers Oeconomical Ufes, as Waſhing, Brewing,
१
c. that are freeft from Saltnefs, which is an
Adventitious, and in moft Cafes, a Hurtful
Quality in Waters, by our way of examining
thefe Liquors, a heedful Eye may in a trice dif-
cover, whether there be any latent Saltnefs in
them as moft Waters imbibe from the Soyl
they have traversed, or do ftagnate in ) and
may enable one (epecially by the help of a
little Practice, to give a near guefs,how much
one
Honourable Robert Boyle.
343
ri
•
One Water is fresher thin another, as I have
purposely tryed with Pleafure in differing Wa-
ters, that were ordinarily drunk,even by confi-
derable Perfons. And if once you have atten-
tively marked, what change four or five drops
for Inftance, of our difcovering Liquor, will
make in two or three, or fome other finall de-
terminate Number of Spoonfuls, or rather of
half Ounces of Water; 'twill not be difficult
for a heedful Obferver, keeping the fame Pro-
portion between the two Liquors, to make
a near Eſtimate, whether any Natural Water
propofed to him, have a greater, a leffer, or
an equal Degree of Freshness or Saltnefs, than
that Water he hath chofen for his Standard;
and how much in cafe, there be a difference, the
propofed Liquor is lefs or more free from Salt-
nefs than the other.
:
X. And that to add this by the by, fuch a
difference in a Liquor of fuch frequent inward
Uſe as Water (which is the Bars of Beer, Ale,
Mead and fome other common Drinks) may
have confiderable Effects, upon Human Bodies,
in reference to Health, may be probably argu-
ed from the differing Effect that Waters more
or less impregnated with Salt, have upon divers
other Bodies; fince moft Pump Waters, for
inftance, will not boyle Peafe and Beef, and
fome other Aliments, near fo well as Spring-
water, or Rain-water, which are ufually fofter,
and more free from the Saltnefs we fpeak of
It is commonly known to Barbers and Laun
'dreffes, that the fame Pump Water will not
fo well and uniformly, or without little curd-
lings, diffolve Wafh-Balls and Soap, as Rain
Water,
b b 4
·
341
The LIFE of the
Water, and fome running Waters ufually will;
nay, when I was curious of tempering Steel,
I remember it was confeffed by the skilfulleft
Artiſts I made ufe of,that fome Tools (as Gra-
vers, &c.) made of that hardeft of Metals,
would receive a differing Temper, if they were
quenched in Pump Water, from that with
⚫ the like Extinction in Spring Water, or River
Water,would give them. But how to make
our Eſtimate of the Freſhneſs and Saltnefs of
Water, come neareſt the Truth, is a Problem;
of which I have now neither time, nor conve-
niency to deliver my Thoughts. And by what
hath been faid, I hope it does already feem fuf-
ficiently probable, that the way above propo-
fed, may prove of gcod ufe, both to Naviga-
tors, that are often neceffitated to Winter, in
unknown places, and to others; that only, or
frequently, drink that Liquor, without having
any other better way than the Tafte, which is
but an Incompetent one, to eftimate it's Freſh-
nefs and Saltnefs by.
XI. I might add on this occafion, that
whereas Experience hath informed feveralPer
fons, who have confidered it, that divers Me-
dicinal Waters, that are prefumed to owe their
Vertues to the Participation of either Metalline,
or other Mineral Bodies, do, upon Tryal, ap-
pear to leave ſometimes little, and fometimes
nothing behind them, except a kind of common
Salt; our Precipitant may much affift Men to
difcover, whether a Mineral Water propoſed
to be examined, do, or do not,contain fucha
Salt, and if it do,whether it contain it copiouſly
or no. This I have tryed upon more than one
of
Honourable Robert Boyle.
345
of our English Mineral Waters, and thereby
found in a trice, that one reputed of another
Nature, contained pretty ftore of faline Mat-
ter, and that another (that is ftill for ought I
have learned, of an unexamined and unknown
Nature) is impregnated with a furprizing
plenty of Saltiſh Subſtance. But how,and with
what Cautions, our Precipitant may be the
moſt uſefully employed, about tbe Examen of
Medicinal and other Mineral Waters, belongs
not to this place, upon which Account, I for-
bear to declare the ufe I have fometimes made
of our Precipitant, in examining the fresh U-
in of Men, the Serum of Human Blood,
and other Bodies belonging to what the
Chymifts call the Animal Kingdom.
A
XII. But fourthly and laftly, though I did not
for certain Reaſons, afcribe to our Method of
examining Waters, a greater niecety, than to
be able to diſcover one Part of Salt in a Thou-
fand of Water, that Proportion being great
enough to recommend it, and expreſſed by a
round Number eaſy to be retained in ones Me-
mory; yet I would not have it thought, but
that if it were requifite, our Method may make
more nice Diſcoveries. For having fometimes
for Curiofities fake, put one Grain of Salt, into
no less than fifteen hundred of distilled Water,
we could manifeftly (though not fo confpicu-
oufly as before) make it appear by our way,
that even this fo lightly impregnated Liquor,
was not devoid ofSalt,but had more of that in it
than fome of the Patentees Water, that I kept by
me,had; nay I once found, that a grain of dry
Salt, being difperfed through two Thousand,
and
-
•
346
The LIFE of the
and another time, that being diffolved in three
thousand times it's weight of the fame kind of
Liquor, fo inconfiderable a proportion of Salt,
was plainly diſcoverable by our Precipitant.
1
XIII. But here Philofophical Candor forbids
me, to conceal an Objection that I made to my
felf, though it be the Chief, if not the only con-
Liderable Scruple that occurred to me, about
our way of examining Waters. For forefaw,
that it may be objected, that whereas the Ex-
periments hitherto mentioned, have been tryed
only upon Waters incorporated with grofs or
corporeal Salt, this perhaps may not hinder,
but that they may be embued with the Spirits
of Marine falt, which by Reafon of their acti-
vity, may be as unhealthful to the Drinker
as the groffer Salt it felf. But though to this
furmife I might anfwer, that a very small pro-
portion of Spirit of Salt, may in many Cafes
make the Water feafoned with it, rather Me-
dicinal than unwholefom; yet I fhall anfwer
more dircaly to the Objection, by faying,that
to manifeft it's being not well grounded, I took
above a thouſand Grains of distilled Water,
and inſtead of corporeal Salt,put to it one drop
of moderately ſtrong Spirit of Salt (for I had
much ſtronger by me, that I purpofely declin'd
to employ,) and having fhaked it into the Wa-
ter, Ilet fall a Portion of this unequally com-
pofed Mixture, fome drops of our Solution of
Silver, which prefently began to pricipitate in
a whitish Form; infomuch, that for ought ap-
peared to the Eye, this Tryal fucceeded better,
than if the Water had been impregnated with
but a thousandth part of Corporeal Salt. The
like
Honourable Robert Boyle.
347
like Experiment was made with the Patentees
Water, inftead of the other. And to purfue
this Tryal a great way further, I had the curi
ofity to diffuſe one drop of Spirit of Salt, into
two thouſand grains of diftilled Rain Water,
and upon letting fall fome drops of our preci-
pitant into it, I found that the fuccefs well an-
fwered my expectation. And then to urge the
Tryal yet further, I added as much of the fame
diftilled rain Water, as by a modeft conjecture
made it amount to at least half as much more;
fo that one grain ofspirit ofSalt,had a manifeft
Operation tho' not quite fo confpicuous as the
former, upon above three thoufand grains of
Water, whofe Immunity from common Salt we
tryed apart; and poffibly,if the Vial could have
contained more, and would not have been when
filled, too heavy for our tender Ballance, the
difcolouration of the mixture would have been
difcernable, though but one grain of Salt had
been put upon four or even five thousand grains
of Water. And that a drop of the faline Spirit
we made ufe of, did not equal in weight a grain
of dry Salt; I found by this, that having let
fall into a counterpoifed piece of Glafs, ten
drops of that Spirit, I found them to want, near
half a grain of nine grains weight, which way
of eſtimating I choofe, as lefs fubject to any
confiderable Error, than that of weighing a
fingle drop by it felf.
XIV. The like tryal I made by fubftituting
above a thousand grains of Rain Water, in the
room of the like quantity of diftilled Water;
and theſe two Experiments I the rather menti-
on, becauſe they do not only fhew, how free
the
3
4
348
The LIFE of the
the Patentees Water was from fpirituous, as
well as from corporeal Salt; but alfo manifeft,
that whereas it is the Opinion of fome Sea Men,
and of a Perfon for whom I have a profound Re-
fpect, that Water ought to have a little faltifh-
nefs to preferve it, if this be really a defirable
Quality in our artificial Water, it may in,a
trice be fupplyed with as much faltnefs, whe-
ther corporeal or fpirituous as is required, and
confequently,as will bring it to be equal in that
Quality to the common Water of Rivers, or
of Springs. And perhaps it will not be imper-
tinent to add on this Occafion, that in fome
places, eſpecially lying in hot Climates, it may
fometimes be of good Ufe to know, whether on
the Account of the Sun's heat, or that of the
fubterraneous Regions of the Earth, the Rain
Water is impregnated with volatile (not acid)
Spirits, like thofe that are diftilled from Urine,
and which I have for Curiofities fake, obtained
from a Mineral Body, native Sat. Armeniack z
upon which account I made a Tryal, that infor-
med me, that if five or fix drops of ſtrong Spi-
rit of Urine (whoſe drops I obferved to be but
fmall,) were fhaken into a thousand grains at
leaft, of diftilled or rain Water, impregnated
but with one of Salt; our Precipitant would
make a diſcovery of fome faltishnefs in the Li-
quor. And it were neither to be admired nor
cenfured, if the Patentees Water, 'fhould fome-
times fhew a change, when our Precipitant is
plentifully put, or long kept in it, efpecially
that change being a more flight one, than that
I came from fpeaking of. Since, for ought 1
have yet obferved, not only fuch undiftilled
Waters,
Honourable Robert Boyle
349
Waters, as are generally allowed to be freely
potable, but even thofe that Nature her felf
diſtils, are not always quite devoid of faltneſs.
For I have found rain Water, that I have cau-
fed to be carefully faved, after the Houſe tops
had newly been well washed with former Rain,
to grow a little troubled, if any ftore of our
Precipitant were kept for fome competent time
in it. And being gently diſtilled off, it left a
refidence, which with a little of our Solution,
afforded a far more fuddenly made and copi-
ous Precipitate, than had been produced with
the like quantity of even Pump Water it felf.
And though I have met with Rain Water, that
was more free from Salt, than any ſpring or
rain Water, that I remember I have examined
yet, having for Curiofities fake, made tryal of
Snow Water (which if the Weather had been
fomewhat milder, would have been Rain,) this
Liquor, I fay, which is thought to afford the
lighteſt Water of all natural ones, I manifeftly
found by our way of examining of it, not to be
devoid of ſaltneſs.
XV. But to return to the Tryal we made
with Spirit of Salt, thefe Experiments may
not a little confirm the freſhneſs of the Faten-
tees Water. And whereas fome have really in-
fpected, or invidioufly pretended, that even a
moderate Action of the Fire upon the Water,
will make it brackiſh and putrify; as I fee no
ſubſtantial Grounds of this furmiſe, ſo it ap-
pears by the foregoing Tryals, that really the
Patentees Water is not brackish, but is more
free from faltnefs, than moſt of the Waters
Men do without fcruple drink: And if it were
T
•
true,
350
The LIFE of the
•
true, that this Water fhould not keep quite fo
long as others, yet that were no more than is
objected (how truly I now enquire not) to the
generality of diftilled Waters: And that this
we fpeak of, may keep fweet longer than is
necellary in a Ship, that can from time to time,
within a few Days, fupply it felf with freſh
out of the Sea, may be gathered from theſe
two things. The first is, That to fatisfy
my felf, whether clofenefs would make the
prepared Water foon putrify (as feemed
obvious to be furmized) or at leaſt afford
dreggs, I caufed a pint or a pound of it, to
be hermetically fealed in a Vial, whereof 1
left by guefs about a third Part empty, and
having above fix Weeks after held this Vial a-
gainst the Light, I found the Water to be clear
and limpid; though I did not judge it had
depofited fo much as the tenth part of a grain
of Feculency. And having opened the Seal, and
taken out a little of the Liquor, I did not find
it altered as to fmell or tafte. The fecond of
the two things,that were to be mentioned is,
that I have kept the Bottle of prepared Water,
mentioned in my Letter to Dr. Beal, in the
fame unftopped Veffel, ever fince March, that
is fo long, that it is now near eight Months
old, and yet continyes fweet and well conditio-
ned. And if that which is called Crudity in
Water does conſiſt (as probably it oftentimes
does) in certain grofs Particles, that are min-
gled with the purely aqueous ones, it is likely,
that the action of the Fire, may divide and dif
fipate theſe into minuter Particles, and thereby
deſtroy the Texture that makes them hurtful &
and
Honourable Robert Boyle.
351
and by cauſing innumerable tumblings and ro-
vings, amongſt the more earthly Particles, give
them opportunity, to make little Coalitions,
whoſe weight precipitating them to the bottom,
frees the pure Water from them.
XVI. And because it is but too probable, that
the unwholefomnefs of divers Waters,proceeds
not only, or perhaps not fo much, from bare
Crudity, as from a great quantity of groffer Par-
ticles, that are not eafily to be raiſed, becauſe
of their being combined with fixt and earthy
ones, that fwim up and down in the Water
they impregnate, as Silver or Mercury does in
a Solution made with aqua fortis; or rather, as
the Particles of Salt do in Pump Water, and
many other common Waters: on thisAccount,
1 fay, the Patentees Invention may much cor-
rect thoſe Waters, fince by their way of fweet-
ning thofe Liquors, the truly aqueous Parts are
not only freed from the faline ones, but from
the mineral, and other grofs and hurtful Cor-
pufcles, that may have been concealed in the
Liquor. As may be argued from hence, that
having purpofely in the gentle Fire of a dige-
ftive Furnace, flowly diftilled off a Pound of
the Patentees Water, it left us in the cucurbit
fo light and thin a Feculency, that the bottom
of the Glafs feemed to be rather fullied than
covered with it; and I did not jodg that the
whole feculency, if we could have got it out,
would have amounted to fo much as two
grains,
XVII. But to return, after this fhort, and I
hope not impertinent Digreffion, to what I was
lately faying, of the Vertue of the Fire to cor-
rect
352
The LIFE of the
rect the crudity of Waters: I fhall proceed, and
fay, 'twas perhaps upon fome fuch Reaſons (to
which others might be added, if I could in few
Words confirm Parodoxical ones) that the laft
great Duke of Tuscany when he drunk Water
(for it was not, as I perceive, fome have mif-
understood, his only Drink prefered for the
wholefomelt,that which wasdiftilled, before that
which was not; and if herein, that Learned
Prince, and thofe of the fame Opinion, were
not miſtaken,it will highly recommend the Ufe-
fulness of the Patentees Invention to Mankind :
For I ſhall on this Occafion obferve, that there
are multitudes of Waters, that are not confide
rably brackish to the Tafte, that yet, by Rea-
fon of fome unheeded faltnefs, as in moft Pump
Waters, are more frequently, by reafon of
Crudity, not only unfit, or at leaft lefs fit, for
divers Oeconomical Ufes, as waſhing, boyling
of fome Meats, &c. but are very unwholefom,
fometimes to a degree that makes them mifchie-
vous to whole Communities, and perhaps Na-
tions: Of this it were to be wifhed,that it were
harder to give luftances. I remember, I have
feen a notable one, in thofe hugh and unfightly
Tumours about the Throat, which are obfer-
ved by Travellers to be exceeding common,
amongſt thoſe that inhabit the lower Tracts of
Ground, that lye between the Rhétian, Helve-
ties, and fome other Neighbouring Mountains ;
which monftrous Swellings are generally impu.
ted to the Snow Waters, that flow from the
Mountains, and make the ufual Drink of the
meaner fort of People; whence it is obferved,
that Perſons of better condition, who drink
Wine
Honourable Robert Boyle.
353
Wine more than Water, are either not all, or
far lefs troubled with thoſe disfiguring Goitres
(as they call them.) But much more Noble In-
tances to our prefent purpoſe are afforded me,
by that great and yet living Traveller Monſieur
Tavernier, who Part I. Book II. Chap. 23. Pag.
156. ſpeaking of a Notion of Cafres or Negroes,
that comes fometimes to trade with the Portu-
gees, from a remoter Part of Africk, informs
us, That the Water of their Country is very bad,
whieh is, fays he, the Reason that their Thighs do
fwell, and it is a wonder to fee any one of them free.
Nay, which is far more, where he fpeaks of the
African Kingdom or Empire of Monomotapa, he
hath this memorable Paffage, The Natives never
live long, by Reafon of the badness of the Waters of
the Country. For at the Age of twenty five, they
begin to be Dropfical, fo that it is a great won-
der if any of them live above forty Years.
XVIII. What Monfieur Tavernier delivers be-
ing taken for granted, it feems very probable,
that thefe People may be much relieved, and
be brought to live as long as other Nations, if
they had fo compendious a way as that of the
Patentees, to provide themfelves plentifully
with Waters, whofe Crudity is corrected, it's
groffer and heavier Parts feparated, and it's
brackiſhneſs deſtroyed by the Fire, as it's action
is regulated and helped by their Invention.
The Experiment mentioned in this Paper,
was tryed at a meeting of the Royal Society, Feb.
17. 1691 by Dr. Slone with a fuccefs anfwera-
ble to the Affertions of the Honourable Author,
and that a drop or two of Spirit of Salt mixed
with common Water, would be by the fame
method diſcovered.
с с
Thus
314
The LIFE of the
A brief Re- Thus far we have not only given a brief Ac-
capitulati- count of the Honourable Mr. Boyl's Writings,
onof his Per-
formances. which Witness the large Extent of his Wif
dom and Knowledg, but have likewife gather-
ed together thofe loofe Fragments, which en-
tertained fome Part of his Leifure hours, and.
which were a kind of ftudious Diverfion to one
whofe chief Delight was to improve Natural
Knowledg and promote the good of Man-
kind.
And though thefe fmall Additions to the
Common-wealth of Learning, were but incon-
fiderable in respect of his larger Specimens and
Improvements; yet they ferve as great Inftan-
ces, to fhew how great a Benefactor to,and Pro-
moter he was of Learning and Knowledg; for
from hence it appears, that he was not only
affiduous and conftant in the purfuit ofKnow-
ledg, himself, but by his great Example and
Univerfal Acquaintance, he excited others to
do the fame, in all Parts of the World; both
at home and abroad, raiſing in all an Emulati-
on, and Defire to fellow fo great a Pattern, tho'
they came fhort in the Performance, and all
were glad of anOpportunity, by communicating
their Mites, to let him know they gladly en-
deavoured to pursue the fame Game.
To be brief, he not only employed his own
time to the beſt Advantage,but contrived Work
both for the Virtuofi in his own Country, and
Foreign Parts, who were glad to be fet at Work
by fo skilful a Task Mafter, and were proud
of receiving his Inftructions; ſo that he was a-
mongſt the Learned, as the Sun amongſt the
Inferior Orbs above, every way diffufing the
Beams
Honourable Robert Boyle.
255
Beams of his Knowledg,and illuminating thoſe
about him on every fide, who appeared more
Eminent for what they received at his
Hands.
He was the Univerfal Example, not only of
Induſtry in Improvements of Natural Know-
ledg, but alfo of Piety and Vertue; making
the later the chief Aim and Scope of all his
Natural Acquirements; fo that his whole Life
was spent in doing Good to Himfelf and Man-
kind; converting all his Knowledg to the Glo-
ry of God, and the Good of his own Soul; fo
that in the Words of the Learned Bp. Burnet,we
may fay; "You have thus far feen,in a very few
'hints, the feveralSorts and Inftances of Good-
C nefs, that appeared in this Life, which hath
now it's Period; that which gives Value and
"Luftre to them all, was, that whatever he
i might be in the fight of Men,how pure & fpot-
'leſs ſoever,thofe who knew him the beſt have
Reaſon to conclude, that he was much more
fo in the fight of God.
.
His
He had too great a Sence of God's Juftice,
and his own Duty, and of the Rewards and Thoughts of
Puniſhments in another World, to neglect a God's Fu-
thing of ſuch ever lafting Conſequence, in his ftice.
whole Life,and throughout the whole Courſe of
it, taking care to ſecure himſelf a certain hope
of that Happineſs which he now enjoys. He
knew and torefaw the fad Event and Effects of a
a finful Courſe of Life, and therefore took care
to make his Calling and Election fure,avoiding
all thoſe finful Pleafures, which might endanger
his future Hopes of Happiness; for fays he;
though fuch obdurate Epicures God often fuf-
fers
652
I
356
The LIFE of the
His
fers to continue in their fins, till their Iniquities
filling up their determinate Meaſure, Gen. 15. 16.
he often makes their fins take them off in the
height of their Enjoyments, and precipitates
them from the Pinnacle of their Delights into
the Place of Toraments, Luk. 16. 28. where the
Sweets of Sid afford Bitterness in the later end,
2. Sam, 2. 25. where they are convinced of
the folly of gaining any thing at the Lofs of their
Souls. Thus Lays he, the Ifraelinfh Prince found
a Nerafis to violate the Sanctuary of his Mi-
Itrelles Arms, and to extinguifh his Luftful
Flames with the Cold blafts of Death, Numb.
25. And thoſe that loathed Manna and Lufted
after Flesh, were fupplyed with Quails; but
whilft the Flesh was yet betwixt their Teeth, 'ere it
was chewed, Death choaked them with it, de-
vouring them as greedily as they did the Birds.
Numb, 11. 33.
and the revelling Bel-
fhazzar in the midſt of his Royal Feaft, faw the
Hand writing on the Wall, which took away
the Enjoyment without Spoiling the Dainties.
And that Monarch whom a Siege could not
bioder from Feafting,was at the laft furprized,
his trembling hand prefaging his Deſtiny un-
der the Enfigns of Cyrus, whofe Sword guided
by the hand of Providence, the fame Night let
out both hisWine which he drank out of con-
fecrated Cups, and alſo his Blood and Life
together.
But though this great and good Man Mr.
Thoughts of Boyle, lived a Life which appeared to all Man-
Repentance. kind fo pure and fpotlefs, that he had no need
to be afraid of thofe Terrors which attend the
Wicked and Unjuft, and lived fuch a Godly
and
Honourable Robert Boyle.
357
and Pious Life, that he had more Canfe to re-
joyce than be afraid of a Tranflation into the
other World, yet he had juft Sentiments of that
great Duty of Repentance, and exhorts us,
to purſue the fame, which ought to be done
in due time, and not to be deterred till it may
be uncertair, whether it will be effectual, and
have the true figns of fincerity. For fays he,
if we confider the Duties and Mortifications re-
quifite to remove us from a ftate ofSin to a ftate
of Grace, it requires good Refolutions to on-
dertake the Conditions of Piety, through fo
many difficulties as will prefent themselves to
our afrighed Imaginations. And reflecting on
the Number of Medicines he had taken in a fit
of fickness, fays he, it's true, were all the Me.
dicines to be taken at once, or a tenth Part
they would have killed me in one day, but tho
1 fee them all at once, fays he, I took them but
by degrees, and aflifted by moderate Intervals
of refpite, 1 was enabled to bear them, fup-
ported by feaſonable Cordials, and that chief
one the hopes of recovery, and of being freed
from the use of them. And thus though the
hardſhips of Piety are prefented at once to one
that is to be a Convert; yet he is to ftrive with
them, but by one at once, and may overcome
a Temptation one day, and another the next;
fo that what our Saviour fays may be applyed
in this Caſe of our not being follicitous for to
Morrow, nor charging one day with more than
belongs to it. And as a Phyfitian takes care,
that his Remedies fhall not be disproportionate
to the Patients ſtrength, and to relieve him af
terwards with Cordials; fo God will not fuf
сс 3
fer
358
The LIFE of the
fer us to be tempted above what we are able;
but will allow us Comfort, if he does not turn
our Sufferings into Cordials. If fays he,a Con-
vert confiders thefe things, the Difficulties will
not difcourage him, but will rather enable and
indear his Succefs, where he is fure God will
affift him in the Victory, and give him Heaven
for a Reward.
+
And to encourage and excite us to forfake
the fooliſh Vanities of this World, he elfe-
where fays, whilft a great many flattering out-
ward Objects invite us, how apt are we to
wander fromGod; but when deprived of thoſe
Allurements, our Maker is free from Rivals,
and our Affections chuſe the roblest Object,by
removing, as well as they would by the un-
dervaluing, and the Knowledg of Inferiors.
Lord! fays Mr. Boyle, when I looſe a Friend,
or any idle Fondness, let that lofs transfer and
fettle my thoughts on thee,and if thou vouch-
fafe to make me fo happy, I fhall not envy him
whom the lofs of his Affes made him find a
Crown; and fhall not fo much be concerned
at what thy Difpenfations have bereft me of,
as 1 fhall congratulate their having reduced me
unto thee.
And to encourage us further to forfake Sin
and turn unto God, reflecting upon the Ob-
jects reprefented by a Prifmatical Glafs,he fays,
this Glafs inftructs as well as delights, and by
deceiving teaches; for when God looks upon
finful Chriftians, polluted and disfigured with
fio, they appear loathfom to him, who is of pu-
rer Eyes than to behold Iniquity, but through
Chriſt, our filthinefs appears Lovely, if not
Glorious,
Honourable Robert Boyle.
359
Glorious, and as fome Objets, as White and
Flames, appear better through this Glafs,than
dirty and ordinary ones; yet the worst appear
better through it, thin the richeft without it;
fo notwithſtanding the difference betwixt' the
moft Innocent and Exemplary, and the frailer
Children of God,when we look throughChrift,
they are more acceptable to God, than the o-
thers, confidering them only on the Account
of Morality. And looking through the Prifon,
alters not the Nature of the Objects, which it
leaves as homely and foul as before, God's
gratious Afpects through Chrift, makes us by
degrees fit Objects of his Delight, and hath a
Transfiguring Power like the Sun, which Che-
rishes and Paints unblown Flowers with their
Natural Colours, by his looking on them,fince,
then we are both reconciled to God, and in-
gratiated to him in the Beloved, what Gra-
titude do we owe to God the Son, who hath
made us appear fo lovely to his Father, it being
the higheſt Honour, which leads to the higheſt
Happiness.
And to fhew us further the Danger of conti-
nuing in a finful State, and the Satisfaction of
forfaking it, he fays, when a Man is lulled a
fleep in fenfual Pleafures, he hath the faculty,
but not the uſe of Reafon, taking his Dreams
for Realities; and if a ſerious Divine would
out of a Concern for his Soul, or the Glory of
God, awake him out of that ftate,fuch attempts
are looked upon at first as unfeaſonable and un-
welcom,as the Light to one that is awaked out
of fleep, and inſtead of looking upon him as a
Friend,he's apt to check & expoftulate with him
cc 4
as
360
The LIFE of the
L
as an Enemy. But if byGod's Blefling he comes
to be throughly awaked, he prefently perceives
that he is brought out of the Kingdom ofDark-
ness into a Marvelous Light, and instead of
empty Dreams that deluded him, and to relish
which the Eyes of hisMind must be as much clo-
fed as thofe of his Body, he is then admitted
to Manly Entertainment, fuch as Reafon chu-
fes, Confcience applauds, and God approves.
Hence it appears, what care he took to lay
a good Foundation for a future Hope. What
further thoughts he had on this Subject, ap-
pears from what he hath offered before, in his
Reflections on a Death Bed Repentance in a
former fit of Sickness.
And as he thus encouraged and exhorted o-
His Hopes thers to the Purfuit of Vertue and Piety; fo he
bercafter.
made them his conftant Purfuit and Practice,
which afforded him a lively hope of the fruition
ofthofe Joys which continue for ever,in that hap-
py ftate which will have no end; which always
difpofed and prepared him to a free refignati-
on to the Will of God, whenever it ſhould
pleaſe him to call him to that Heavenly Habi-
tation, the Reward of his good Works and a
well spent Life; fo that to use the Learned Bi-
fhop Burnet's Words, "The Sence of his own
Integrity, and of the Good he found it did,
'afforded him the utmoft of all Pleafures, fince
they gave him the certain Profpect of that
fulness of Foy, in the fight of which he lived fo
long, and in the Poffeffion of which he now
lives, and fhall live for ever, and his fpent
and exhauſted Body fhall then put on a new
Form, and be made a fit dwelling, for that
!
'
.
c
:
pure
Honourable Robert Boyle.
361
.
pure and exalted Mind at the final Reftituti-
on; of which he had a great deal of Reafon
to be a happy Partaker.
To demonftrate the Confidence he had in
the Hopes of Eternal Salvation, and the great
Reafon he had for fuch hopes, we ſhall briefly
take Notice of ſome Paffages in his Writings,
which make his Expectations appear to be
grounded upon the firmeft Bafis, which a Chri-
ftian might hope for future Happiness.
That he had a well grounded Hope of Hap-
pineſs in the other World, appears from hence,
for fpeaking of the uncertainty of Human At-
tainments in this Life, he fays, a great many
famous Writers, after a great deal of Pains to
ſquare the Circle, and double the Cube, have
not only met with difappointment, but with
disgrace. And notwithstanding the pains to
find out Longitude, and to make certain Aftro-
logical Predictions, their endeavours have pro-
ved uſeleſs. But God,that made the World, and
all things therein, and is Lord of Heaven and
Earth, feeks not our Services, as if he wanted
any thing, feeing he giveth Life and Breath, and
all Things. For in our Obedience he feeks to
rewards us; prefcribing us Services fuitable to
our Rational Nature, which may prevail with
his Juſtice to make us happy. Thus Abraham
is faid to have been justifyed by Faith, when he
offered his Son Ifaac upon the Altar, Jam. 2. 21.
God graciously accepting the Will for the Deed,
and the Blood of the Ram inftead of his Sons.
And though Solomon and not David built the
Temple at Jeruſalem, God faid to the later, for
as much as it was in thine Heart to build a Houſe
for
·
362
The LIFE of the
for my Name, thou didst well in that it was in thine
Heart; notwithstanding thou shalt not build the
Houſe, &c. 2 Chron. 6. 9. and 2. Sam. 7. Da-
vid declaring his Will to build God a Houſe,
the Almighty honoured him as once he did Mo-
fes, with the Title of his Servant, verf. 5. and
bid the Prophet fay to him, Alfo the Lord tells
thee, that he will makethee a Houfe, verf 2. God
accepting his Intentions. And fince the defigns
and endeavours are ours, and the Events
are in God's Hands, Providence will not fuffer
us to be loofers by our Endeavours, either
crowning them with fuccefs, or fome other re-
compence. If we confider, that God's Good-
nefs is over all his Works, Heb. 1. 13. and
that his purer Eyes punish, as well as difcern,
Murther and Adultery in the Heart, we need
not doubt, but he will recompence pious At-
tempts. Our Saviour fays, Bleffed are they that
Hunger and Thirst after Righteoufneſs, Mat. 5. 6.
for they fhall be Satisfyed, fo that a defire after
Spiritual Grace, may entitule a Man to the Pof-
feffion of it, though not in this Life, yet in the
World to come, where we fhall not walk by
Faith, but by Sight, 2 Cor. 5. 7. acquiring En-
dowments fit for fo glorious a State, where we
fhall be equal to Angels.
And to ſhew further, the firm grounds of his
Hope, he elſewhere fays, St. Paul might well
afcribe to our Saviour, That he had brought Life
and Immortality to Life through the Gospel, 2 Tim.
1. 10. And as Hope is the greateſt Motive to
engage Men in a Vertuous Life, St. Peter fays,
a Chriftian Hope depends on a revealed Truth,
and thanks God, who according to his abundant
Mercy,
4. ! སA
Honourable Robert Boyle.
363
Mercy, begat us to a lively Hope, by the Refurrecti-
on of Jefus Chrift from the Dead, 1 Pet. 1. 3. And
what Hopes, through the Influence the Scrip-
ture gives us, of the Knowledg of God and
Chrift, we may have of a good Life, and thro'
the Promifes that none but he can make, or
thoſe that he fent, will appear from what the
fame Apoſtle fays, That God according to his di-
vine Power, gives us all things that pertain to Life
and Godliness, through the Knowledg of him that
hath called us to Glory and Vertue, 2 Pet. I. 2,
3, 4. and he after tells us of being made Par-
takers of the Divine Nature, escaping the Corrup-
tion that is in the Flesh through Luft, by thoſe Pro-
miſes God hath made us.
And to manifeſt further, his Hopes of a fu-
ture State, in another place he fays, in the
Work of Man's Redemption, there are ſome
Footsteps of Divine Wiſdom fo confpicuous,that
Men of ordinary Parts diſcover them. But fome
Parts of this Work are fo fublime, and con-
tain fo much of the Wisdom of God in a Mystery,
that Human Underſtandings are not able to
handle fo abftrufe a Subject. It requiring, that
Man fhould know in a great Meafure, the Na-
ture of Spirits, and of the Father of them, God
himfelf, likewife of the Will, Intellect, r. as
alſo of the Soul of Man, Adam's ſtate in Para-
dife, as alſo, what Influence his Fall had on his
Pofterity, and the Nature of God's natural and
vindictive Juftice; the Ends of Gods inflicting
Puniſhment, the Unparalelled Perfon of Chriſt,
the Qualifications requifite for his being our
Redeemer, the Conditions God made with
Man, in reſpect both of Works and Grace;
God's
:
364
The LIFE of the
God's Decrees with refpect to a future State,
the fecret and powerful Effects of Grace, and
how the Spirit of God influences Men's Souls,
which he converts and fanctifyes to Glory, I
fay, there are so many things to be confidered
to treat of Chrift's Redemption, that we may
fay with St. Paul, who is fufficient for these things,
fo that it being beyond the reach of Human Ca-
pacities, we have the more Reafon to admire
the Wiſdom of it.
And as he had a firm belief of the Mystery
of Man's Redemption, and hath written a
Tract to fhew the Poffibility of the Refurre&i,
on; fo he had fufficient grounds for firm Hopes
of the good Effects of his Faith, fince he might
expect, as the Prophet fays, That those that turn
ethers to Righteouſneſs ſhall ſkine for ever and
ever, which fince he made it his conftant En-
deavour, it might reaſonably give him Hopes,
that God himſelf, whofe Bounty is inexhaufti-
ble, will recompence his Work.
And to fhew further the lively grounds of
his Hopes, we ſhall obferve what be elfewhere
fays, to fhew the greatnefs of God's Love to
us, and which he might very well expect upon
very good Terms, fays he, God conferred on
us the Bleffing promiſed to his Antient People,
whom he affured,that he would love them freely,
Hof. 4. 14. he loved us both when we were
not at all, and when we were his Enemies. If
when we were Enemies we were reconciled to God,
by the Death of his Son. &c. Rom. 5. 10. Be-
fore we exiſted indeed, nothing could be a Mo-
tive to the Love of God, and when we were
Enemies, God commendeth his Love towards us,
in
Honourable Robert Boyle.
365
in that whilst we were yet Sinners Chrift dyed for us,
Rom. 5.8. and when we had no other Motives
for his Love, except the want of them, Yet God
fo loved the World, that he gave his only bogotten
Son, John 3. 16. who alfo fo loved us, that he
being in the form God, thought it no Robbery to be
equal with God, but made himself of no Reputation,
andtook upon him the form of a Servant, and was
made in the likeness of Man. And being found in
fashion as a Man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Crofs,
Phil. 6. 7, 8. he loving at no lefs rate than
Death, fuffering the extreameft, Indignities,
debafing himſelf to Exalt us, He was wounded
for our Tranſgreſſions, he was bruiſed for our Ini-
quities, the Chaftiſement of our Peace was upon him,
and with his Stripes we are healed, Ifa. 53. 5. For
ye know the Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, that
though be was rich, yet for your fakes he became
poor, that
ye through his Peverty might be made
Rich, 2 Cor. 8. 9. Men having diſpleaſed God,
and forfeited Happiness, and though in a for-
lorn Condition, were careless of the means of
Recovery, as well as incapable of contriving
them; yet then his Love contrived Expedients
to reconcile his Juftice and Mercy, and Sin-
ners to himſelf. Viz. by the Incarnation of his
Son, which was fo advantagious to us, and fo
wonderful, that the Angels defire to look into
thoſe Divine Mysteries.
And further, to fhew the grounds of his
Hopes, he fays, it is much difputed, whether
God could contrive to reconcile the Expiation
of Sin, without violating his Juftice, any other
way, than by the Paffion and Death of Chrift,
but
:
366
The LIFE of the
1
but whether he could or not, he hath chofen
the most obliging way, the manner of our Ref-
cue difplaying the fevereft Juſtice, and the
higheſt Mercy; the greateft hatred of Sin, and
the greateſt Love to Sinners, delivering up that
Son for us, who was fo near to him, that he
truly faid, I and the Father are one, John 10.30.
whom he gave for a Ranfom for thofe that
were guilty of what he hated and to let
us know, that by his Stripes we are healed, Ifaiah
53. 5. we read, that he never rejoyced, but
when his returned Difciples told him, they had
chaſed Devils and Difeafes out of oppreffed Mor-
tals, and that by his Authority, Men had been
difpoffeffed, Luke 10 He converfed with Vertues,
and fhewed,what he was by Prophefies and Mi-
racles, and often fufpended the Courfe of Na-
ture, to let Man fee, that he valued him above
thoſe Creatures he Idolizes, and reverfed the
Laws of the Univerfe, to bring us to the Obe-
dience of Gods.
And to manifeft farther the Grounds of his
Hopes, in another place he ſays, our Saviour
tells us,there is joy in the prefence of the Angels over
one Sinner that repenteth, Luke 15. 7, 10. and
the fole Hymn of the Celestial Choir, Luke 2.
13, 14. was for a Bleffing to Mankind, For unto
us the Child is born, and unto us the Son is given,
lfa. 9.6. who took not upon him the Nature of An-
gels, but the Seed of Abraham, Heb. 2. 16.
And further he fays, we fhall uot here tell
you, what we think of Predeftination fo much
diſputed. Thoſe that are truly Pious, whether
Caivenifts or Remonftrants, are perhaps more
eteemed by God Almighty, than one another,
the
Honourable Robert Boyle.
367
"
j
1
the one thinking to magnify his Goodneſs, and
the other contending to fecure his Juftice. Yet
in honouring Goodness, both Parties feem Ri-
vals, the one thinking it moſt celebrated by al-
lowing it irrefiftable to whom Happineſs was
defigned,and the other thinking it Univerſal,&
that every Body may be happy if he pleaſes, the
one affigning free Grace an unlimited Extent,
and the other afcribing it an infallible victorious
Degree. But, ſays Mr.Boyle, not to enter up-
on theſeControverſies, the Do&trin of Predefti-
nation is grounded on,is rejected by most; nor
is it neceflary to juftify the Greatneſs of God's
Love;for it is fo evident,that God is theAuthor
of Man's Felicity,that the Dispute is not fo much
about the thing as the manner of it's being per-
formed, the Calvenifts maintaining Grace irre-
fiftably offered, and the others granting it not
only free and undeferved, but that the Offer
enables thoſe it is prefented to, to accept it;
fo thatMan needs contribute nothing to his fe-
licity, but the acceptance of it, and thus pro-
perly may be faid to owe it to God. Chrift
fays he, payed Ranſom to redeem us, and is call-
ed the Lord that bought us, but as God provi
ded that Ranfom it was the Effect, not of his
Juftice but his Love. He fent his only begotten
Son to redeem us, John 3. 16. And St. Paul tells
us, we are justified freely by his Grace, Rom. 3.
24, through the Redemption that is in Jefus Chrift;
for our Merit can deferve nothing as a due,
except as his Promife hath made it fo, and we
owe to his Mercy the right we have to his Ju-
ftice. Though St. Paul having Fought the good
Fight, finished his Courfe, and kept the Faith, 2
་་
319
Tim.
368
The LIFE of the
!
:
I
Tim. 4. ver. 7, 8. and expected a Crown o
Righteousness from the Lord,as the Righteous Judg;
yet he tells us; 2 Pet. 1.4. By Grace we are fa-
ved through Faith, and that not of our felves, it
is the Gift of God, but the making us theſe great
and pretious Promiſes, is the Effect of his free and
undeferved Goodness, 2 Pet. 14. fince as we are
his Creatures, he might expect what ſervice,
he pleaſed, without the Recompence of Eter-
nal Glory, fince we must acknowledg our felves
unprofitable Servants, who have done but what was
our Duty to do, Luk. 17. 10. and what if we
had omitted we had been liable to be puniſhed
for.
And further, he elſewhere tells us, that the
Scripture advifes us, Let us therefore fear; leaſt
a Promife being left us of entring into his Reft,any'
of you should feem to come fhort of it, Heb. 4. 1.
and St. Paul tells us, I keep under my Body, and
bring it into Subjection, left by any means, when
I have Preached to others, Imy felf should be a caft
away, I. Cor. 9. 27, And Chrift himfelt gives
us this Admonition, 7 fay unto my Friends, be not
afraid of them that kill the Body, and after that
have no more that they can do: But I will forewarni
you
whom you fhall fear; fear him which after
he hath killed, hath Power to caft you into Hell,
I say unto you, fear him, Luk. 12. 4, 5. where
we are not only told, who we are to fear, but
are told the Reaſon why we ought to do fo.
And St. Paul fays, I know whom I have entrusted,
bow faithful and how omnipotent, 1 Pet. 4. 19.
whence he adds, and Iperfuaded, that he is as
ble to keep, that which I have committed unto him,
against that Day, 2 Tim. I. 12. To which we
A
Chall
Honourable Robert Boyle.
369
fhall add the following, I prefs towards the Mark
of the high Calling of God in Chrift Jeſus, Phil. 3.
14. Bleſſed are they that do his Commandments,
that they may have a right to the Tree of Life,, and
may enter in through the Gates into the City, Rev.
22. 14. Laying up in store for themſelvet a good
Foundation against the time to come, that they may
lay hold on Eternal Life, 1 Tim. 6. 19. To them
who by Patient Continuance in well doing, feek forGla-
ty, and Honour, and Immortality, Eternal Life,
Rom. 2. 17. And it was faid of Chrift; whofe
Love no doubt was filial, Looking unto Jefus the
Author and Finisher of our Faith, who for the Fox
that was ſet before him, endured the Cross, defpi-
fed the Shame, and is fet down at the right Hand
of the Throne of God, Heb. 12. 22. Nor does it
appear unfilial for a Child of God, to raiſe thoſe
Paffions, which his Father defigned to promote
in him upon the fame Motives God made ufe to
excite them. TheScripture plainly fays he invites
our hopes, Every Man, ſays St.Paul, that triveth
for the Maſtery is temperate in all things now they do
itto obtain aCorruptible Crown, but we an Incorrup-
tible, 1 Cor. 9. 25. And our Saviour is repre-
fented in one place, faying, rejoyce and be excee-
ding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven,Mat.
5. 12. and again, be thou faithful unto the End,
and I will give thee a Crown of Life, Rev. 2. 10.
fince the Scripture thus allures our hopes, it
cannot be finful to cherish the Paffions Naturally
belonging to thofe Objects.
Since then it appears, what lively hope Mr.
Boyle had of a future happy ftate, which that and
his other Chriſtian Vertues, which he excelled
in, might justly expect, we shall venture to fay
fome thing of that Period of his Life, which
d d
con-
*70
The LIFE of the
conveyed him from this, to Life Everlaſting,
and which by putting an End to the Practice of
his Vertues, gave a beginning to the Fruition
of his Rewards, viz. a Glorious Crown of
Righteousness.
He was fo very fenfible and apprehenfive of
His Death. what might attend the Circumftances of his
feeble Coaſtitution, as well as other Symptoms
of Diftempers he was Subject to, that he took
all the Caution he could to prevent them. To
ufe the Words of the Learned Bishop Burnet;
"He did alſo imagin, that if Sickneſs obliged
him to lye long a Bed, it might raife the Pains
of the Stone in him, to a degree that was a-
• bove his weak Strength to bear; fo that he
'feared his laſt Minutes might be too hard for
"him; And this was the Root of all the Cau-
⚫tion and Apprehenfion he was obferved to live
'in. But as to Life it felf, he had the juſt indif-
'ference to it, that became fo true a Chriftian.
"I mention theſe the rather, that I may have
,
occafion to shew theGood nefs ofGod to him in
"the two other things that he feared;for his fight
"began not to grow dim above four hours be-
"fore he dyed; and when Death came upon him,
' he had not been above three hours a Bed, be-
fore it made an End of him, with fo little un-
eafinefs, that it was plain the Light went out,
meerly for want of Oyle to maintian the Flame.
Hedyed the 30th. Day of December, 1691. in the
64th. Year of his Age, about a Week after his
Sifter the Lady Renelaugh, with whom he had
lived Forty Years.
Thus we have given a brief Account of the
Life and Period of the HonourableMr Rob.Boyle,
whofe
Honourable Robert Boyle.
371
"
6
whofe juft Memory will always ju. Vive him on
Earth, whilft his Immortal Soul enjoys Eternal
Felicity in Heaven,exalted amongſt Saints & An-
gels, with whom he converfed even on Earth;
we ſhall therefore conclude with the Expreffions
of the Learned Bishop Burnet, and end the Final
Character of this great Philofopher and as good
a Chriſtian,in his Words. "The only thought
'that is now before us,is to Triumph in the behalf
of Religion, to make our due boaft of it, and
'to be lifted up, I had almoft faid proud upon
'this occafion; how divine and how pure a thing
'muft that Religion be in it felf, which produced
'fo long a Series of greatEffects, thro' the whole
'Courſe of this fhining Life? What a thing would
'Mankind become if we had many fuch? And how
little need would there be of many Books writ
• for Truth and Excellency of our Religion,if we
had more fuch Arguments as this oneLife hath
'produced?Such fingleInftances have great force
in them;but when they are fo very ſingle,they
lofe much of their ftrength by this, that they
' are ascribed to fingularity,and fomething parti-
cular in a Man's humour and inclinations,that
makes him rife above commonMeafures. It were
a Monopoly for any Family or Set of Men, to
engrofs to themfelves the honour which arifes
'from the Memory of fo great a Man. It is a
• Common not to be inclofed.It is large enough
to make a whole Nation,as well as the Age he
lived in, look big and be happy : But above all,
it givesa new ftrength, as well as it fets a new
'Pattern to all that are fincerely Zealous for
their Religion. It fhews them in the fimpleft &
'molt convincing of all Arguments, what hu-
man Nature is capable of, and what the Chri-
dd z
• ftian
6
772
J
The LIFE of the &c.
5
<
&
I
'ftian Religion can add to it, how far it can
both exalt and reward it. I do not fay, that
every one is capable of what he grew to;
am very fenfible that few are; nor is every
one under equal Obligations: For the Service
of theUniverſe there must be a vaſt diverſity in
C Men's tempers, there being fo great a variety
" of aeceffities to be anſwered by them; but e-
very Man in every Employment, and of every
fize of Soul, is capable of being in fome degree
good in the fight of God; and all fuch fhall
receive proportioned Degrees of Wisdom,
Knowledg and Joy; even though neither their
Goodnefs,nor Acceffions to it, rife up to the
Meaſure of him that was a while amongst us
indeed One of a Thoufand, and is now but one
* of thofe ten times tenThouſand that are about the
Throne; where he is finging that Song which
was his great Entertainment here ; as it's now
his endleſs Joy there; Great and Marvelous are
thy Works, O Lord God Almighty; and juſt and
true are thy ways, O King of Saints.
6
&
c
4
•
FINIS.
3
373
TO THE
READER.
W
Hen we undertook to write an Epitomy of the
Honourable Mr. Boyle's Theological
Works, the following Traft not being commonlymen-
tioned in the Lifts of his Writings, nor having his
Name prefixed, it was doubted, whether he was
the Author of it or not; by fome who did not com.
monly reckon it among ft the number of his Works;
efpecially fince it appeared not only without his Name,
but with Letters of a Name much different from his,
but when we faw it in the Lift of his Works, given
by Mr. Collier, in his great Dictionary, and upon
that Account examined and read over the Tract it
Self, finding the Notions there delivered to quadrate
with other Parts of his Writings, and to be built up-
on a fimilar way of Arguing, we could not but con-
clude that Noble Perfon the Author of it ; nor could
we imagin any other Reason for his concealing of his
Name, except that Chriftian Temper which concealed
a great many of his good Works, I mean his Charity
upon a great many occafions; for as he was very li-
beralto feveral Perfons without letting them know
from whence that Bounty came; fo the fame Difpofi-
tion might influence him, to communicate this fer-
viceable Book fecretly, that it might have an unpre-
judiced Effect, whofe Reward will be returned openly,
and which he now enjoys.
d d 3
Had
і
374
To the Reader.
Had we been convinced that it was his before the
reft of his Works were Printed, we Jhould have placed
it after the Christian Virtuofo in the first Part of
the first Book of has Works, but fince those two Vo-
iums were Printed, before we had read this Noble
Tra&,that hisWorks might not be imperfect,we have
added it to his Life, as an Appendix to that firft
Part of the first Book of the Epitomy; for as in the
Chriſtian Virtuoſo,he not only fhews, how Natural
Philofophy may be ferviceable in leading us to the
Knowledg of Natural Religion, but likewiſe furniſh-
es us with Arguments to prove the truth of the Chri-
Stian Religion', fo in this Tract he makes it appear,
that Reajon leads us to the Knowledg, and helps to
confirmour Belief of theTruth of that Religion,fhew-
ing by several Instances, that feveral things are be-
lieved in other Cafes, where the Proof is much more
uncertain then what we have of the Truth of Chrifti
anity, fo that this Tract feems to be a Confirmation
of what he hath delivered in the Chriftian Virtu-
ofo. I am
The Readers,
Humble Servant
Richard Boulton.
AN
375
A N
APPENDIX
ΤΟ ΤΗΕ
First PART
OF THE
First BOOK
OF THE
EPITOMY
OF
Mr. Boyle's Theological WORKS.
Containing fome Confiderations about the Re-
concileableness of Reaſon and Religion.
T
duction.
Hough it be a miſtake amongſt The Intr
many, to think, that to em-
brace our Religion, we muſt
renounce our Reafon; and
that to be a Chriftian, one
muſt ceaſe to be a Man, and what is more, for-
fake being a Philofopher, yet I maft make this
Negative Anſwer, That I do not think, that a
Chriftian,
d d 4
376
Part. I.
The Reconcileableness
Chriftian, to be truly fo, is obliged to forego his
Reafon either by denying the Dictates of right
Reason, or by laying afide the Ofe of it. In order
to make this Affertion good, we ſhall both of-
fer ſome poſitive Inducements, that lead us to
this Opinion, and produce fome others, which
may anſwer fuch Objections as may probably
be alledged againſt it.
And here we would have it noted, that our
design is not ſo much to offer pofitive Proofs of
the Chriftian Religion, as to fhew that the Ef-
fential Doctrins of the Chriftian Religion, are
not repugnant to the Principles of Natural
Philoſophy, and that a Man needs not ceaſe to
be a Rational Creature, or to reject Philofo-
phical Tenets, to embrace Religion. Nor are
we follicitous to vindicate the Chriftians Belief
of a Deity from being irrational, fince the ac-
knowledgment of it is fo far from blemiſhing
a Chriftians Reaſon, that it hath been efteemed
reaſonable by all Philofophers, who without
Revelation, have been only guided by Reaſon.
And as I think the Atheists Philofophical Obje-
Aions,not near fo confiderable, as fome of them,
and all others may efteem them; fo a Chriftian
is not obliged to make his Faith of a Deity, a
here Poftulatum, fince befides Philofophical Ar-
guments, he may alledg fufficient Hiftorical
Proofs, the Miracles which were wrought by
Chrift and his Followers, being undeniable
Proofs of the Chriftian Religion, and that God
inuft be the Author of them.
But to purſue our propoſed deſign,We might
first fhew, that the Precepts of Chriftianity do,
not oblige us to lay afide our Reafon in Matters
7
of
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
3.77
of Religion,and that the Chriftian Doârin con-
tains nothing that obliges us to do fo. But to
invert the Order, we fhall first confider the
principal Difficulty, Whether there be a Neceffity
for a Chriftian to deny his Reason, and then we
fhall examin, whether though he needs not, it
is his Duty to difclaim his Reafon.
The First
01.
But to proceed, to the Confiderations pro-
pofed in this Difcourfe. I fhall in the first place Confiderati-
diftinguish betwixt that which the Christian Religion
it felf teaches, and that which is taught by this or
that Church or Sect of Christians, and much more by
this or that particular Divine or Schoolman. That
many things are taught concerning the Attri-
butes and Decrees of God, the Mysteries of the
Trinity, the Incarnation, and other Theologi-
cal Subjects, about which private Chriftians, as
well as Churches of Chriftians difagree, is very
evident. Some Men, through Ambition, Bold-
nefs, Self-conceit or Intereft, are apt to intrude
things, as parts of Religion on others, which
are both Strangers and Enemies to it, and o-
thers by indifcreet Devotion,are apt to increaſe
the Number and Wonderfulness of Myfterics,
as if Faith was not to elevate, but to trample
upon Reaſon, or that things not clearly to be
proved or underſtocd, were fittest to be belie-
ved. If indeed we confider, the charitable de-
figns of the Gospel, and the candid fimplicity
of it's Doctrin; and what wild Speculations
and Inferences have been father'd upon it,by Me-
taphyfical Writings, and the Articles ofFaith of
fome Churches, the Apoftles themſelves would
be puzzled with thefe Doctrins, and St. Paul as
well as Ariftotle would difapprove many of
thofe
378
Part 1
The Reconcileablenets
The Second
thofe nice Point, which would be a little en-
tertained by an Orthodox Divine, as a Rigid
Philofopher. Therefore I cannot approve all
as Gofpel, that is delivered in a Pulpit, or even
a Profeffors Chair: And if Scholaftick Writers
impofe upon the Chriftian Religion, Metaphy-
fical Speculations, or Human Doctrins, as Mat-
ters of Faith, I who think Metaphyficks neither
well underſtood nor well applyed, fhall deny
that it will follow, that though fuch Dodrins
adopted into the Number of Chriftian Vertues,
fhould be found inconfiftent with right Reafon,
that the Chriſtian Religion must be fo too;
which only confifts of that Syftem of Revealed
Truths clearly delivered in Scripture, or what
is regularly deduced from it.
But Secondly, In the next place, among things
Confiderati- that ſeem not Rational in Religion, I make a great
difference betwixt thoſe in which unenlightened Rea-
fon is manifeftly a competent Fudg, and those which
Natural Reafon it ſelf may diſcern to be out of it's
Sphere. It is certain, that Natural Theology is
fufficient to prove the Exiftence of a Deity;
and many of the old Philofophers, unaffifted by
Revelation, were by force of Reaſon led to the
Knowledg of a God, or a Being fupremely per-
fect. And if there be fuch a Being, many things
relating to his Nature, his Will and Manage-
ment of things muſt needs be beyond the Sphere
of Reafon for if our Reaſon cannot fully com-
prehend his Attributes and Perfections our
Conceptions of them must be inadequate, and
if God is a Being different from all others, fome
things in his Nature and Manner of Exiſtence,
must be without Analogy in inferior Beings;
?
for
Book I.
379
Of Reaſon and Religion.
for even in Man, the Coexiſtence and Union
of the Soul and Body is without a President or
Parallel in Nature. And though the Truth of
this Union may be, the manner was never pro-
ved, nor ever will be clearly underſtood in this
Life. And if God be Omnipotent, he muſt be
able to perform, what no other Agent can Pa-
rallel, nor can we, whofe Knowledg is finite,
and judg of things by Analogy, conceive the
manner of the Performance; as how a fufficient
Quantity of the difperfed Matter of a dead Bo-
dy may be recollected, and being reunited with
the Soul, may reconftitute a living Man, and
compleat the Refurrection, or how Matter was
created out of Nothing; or how fuch Rational
and Intelligent Beings as Human Souls were
produced: As for Angels,meer Philofophy can-
not evince their Exiſtence, though it may the
Poffibility. And fince God is as Wife as Pow-
erful, fuch confpiring Attributes may produce
Contrivances and frame Deſigns, which we
cannot hope to Underftand, much lefs Com-
prehend; fo that there may be many things
relating to a Deity above the reach of Human
Reaſon. Not that all theſe things are incom-
prehenfible when once propoſed, but that Rea-
fon alone could not diſcover them, and there-
fore the Knowledg of them muſt be owing to
Divine Revelation. And if God vouchſafes to
diſcover to us, in refpect of his Nature and
Attributes, what we cannot know without
his Information; and fince we know, that
whatever he ſays muſt be true, we have more
Reaſon to believe what he fays of himſelf and
divine things, than what we fhould be able to
-
guefs
380
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
guefs at about them, by the Anology of things
of an infinitely diftant Nature, or Maxims for-
med according to the Nature of inferior Things,
If then he reveals to us, that there is in the
Godhead, three diftinct Perfons, which make
one God, fince we believe God's Teftimony in
all other Cafes, we ought to believe it concern-
ing himself,and acknowledg, that in an Incom-
prehenfible Being, there may be unparallelled
manner of Exiſtence, though we cannot under-
ftand it, fince in our felves we cannot compre-
hend, how a Body and an Immaterial Spirit
fhould be united, fo as to make up one Man.
And though in fuch Cafes, our Reafon feems
to be captivated, yet our Reafon obliges us to
that Submiffion; and he who believes what Di-
vine Writings teach,rather than what he might
imagin without Information,does not renounce,
but only fuffers his Reafon to be guided by an
omniscient infallible Inftructor, who can teach
him more than his Reafon, or any Body elfe
could diſcover to him.
To confirm this Propofition, we fhall make
fe of the Teftimony of a French Virtuofo, who
Speaking of a Paradox of Galileo's, that makes
a Point equal to a Circle, he adds, confequently
one may lay, that all Circles are equal between
themfelves,each of them being equal to a point,
where though the Insagination may be over-
come by this Idea or Notion, Reafon will allow
it. To which he adds, I know ſeveral other
Excellent Perfons, who conclude the fame thing
other ways, but all acknowledg, that Indivifi-
ble and Infinite fo drown the Mind of Man,that
he is at a loss what to pitch on, when he con-
tem.
Book!. Of Reafon and Religion.
381
templates them; fo that Galileo is not the only
Philofopher, who hath confeſſed that the Attri-
butes of Infinite went beyond his Reaſon.
Another Inſtance, which may confirm this
Propofition, is, a Paffage in the fecond Part of
Des Cartes Principles of Philofophy, Numb. 34.
where ſpeaking of the Circle Matter makes, as
it moves through places leſs and lefs, he fays,
Fatendum tamen eft in motu isto aliquid reperiri,
quod mens quidem Noftra percipit effe verum fed ta-
men que pacto fiat non comprehendit, nempe divifio-
nem quarundam particularum Materia in infini-
tum, five indefinitum, atq, in tot partes, ut nulla
cogitatione, determinare poffimus tam exiguam,quin
intelligamus ipfam in alias adhuc minores reip-
fa effe divifam. And fays he, though we can-
not comprehend this indefinite divifion, we
ought not to doubt of the Truth of it, fince it
is of fuch a Nature, as cannot be comprehend-
ed by our finite Underſtandings.
•
If Quantity then may puzzle the Reafon of
fuch extraordinary Wits, which is a Natural,
nay Mathematical Object of Contemplation,
and the Subject of the strictest Demonftrations
in Mathematicks; why fhould we think much
to believe or acknowledg, that God's Attri-
buteswho is Effentially an Infinite Being,and ens
fingulariffimum, and feveral other things, which
Revelation only gives us the Knowledg of,
contain fomething our finite Underſtandings
cannot comprehend.
But to proceed to the third Confideration, The Third
which is, That there is a great difference betwixt Confiderati-
a Doctrins being repugnant to the general and well on.
weighed Rules of Reason, in the forming of which
Rules
382
Part I
The Reconcileableneſs
Rules it may be ſuppoſed to have been duly confide-
red, and it's difagreeing with Axioms, at the E-
ftablishment whereof, the Doctrin in queſtion was
probably never thought of. There are indeed fe-
veral Rules much efteemed, and useful when
reſtrained to thoſe things from which they a-
rofe, and others of the fame Nature, which
ought not to be uſed againſt thofe Divine Do-
Arins difconfonant to them; for thoſe Rules
being built upon the Obfervation of Natural
and Moral things, fince Reafon muſt acknow-
ledg fome things out of it's Sphere, it is poffi-
ble, that though thofe Rules may hold in infe-
rior Beings for which they were deſigned, they
may not extend to that infinitely fingular Being,
God, and other Divine Matters, which were
not confidered, when thofe Rules were made.
And if we confider God, as the Author of the
Universe, and the Eſtabliſher of the Laws of
Motion, whofe Concourfe is neceffary to pre-
ferve the Effect of every particular Phyfical A-
gent, we muſt Acknowledg,that when he with-
holds his Concourfe, or changes thofe Laws of
Motion, which depend upon his Will, all the
Axioms and Theorems of Natural Philofophy
muſt be invalidated; thefe fuppofing the Efta-
bliſhed Laws of Motion amongst the Parts of the
Univerfe, upon which all the Phenomena of Na-
ture depend. It's a Rule in Natural Philofophy,
that Caufa neceffarie femper agunt quantum poffunt,
but it follows not thence, that fire muſt burn
Daniels three Companions, or their Cloaths,
when caſt into the fiery Furnace, when God Al-
mighty withdrew his Concourfe to the Opera-
tion of the Flames, or Supernaturally defended
their
Book I.
383
Of Reafon and Religion.
their Bodies. Philofophers have always taught,
that when Men are Dead, they connot be
brought to Life again, which though crue ac-
cording to the Courfe of Nature, yet God may
reunite theSoul to the Body,if the Organization
be aot too much vitiated, or he may fo alter the
fabrick of the Body as to make it fit to exercife
theFunction of the Body;and though Miraculous
Effects are not to be attributed toPhylicalAgents,
yet we maybelieve the fame things when afcribed
toGod or Agents afflifted by hisSupernatural Pow-
er. That a Manborn blind ſhould recover his fight
by the application of Clay and Spittle, as in-
credible if done by Man, but we may believe,
that the Son of God was able to perform it;
and the like may be faid of all thofe Miracles
done by the Affiftance of Divine Power. For
it argues not our Belief irrational, becaufe fuch
things could not be done according to the
Courfe of Nature, but they must be proved
either impoffible to the Power of God, or that
the Records we have of them are not fufficient
Teftimonies, the later of which is foreign to
our prefent Difcourfe. And as the Rules in
refpect of Agents will not all hold in God, nei-
ther will they in respect of fome of his Attri-
butes. For in point of Juftice, where we think
our felves competent Judges of what may or
may not be done, in fome Cafes, God's fupreme
Dominion, as Maker and Governour of the
World, fets him above ſome of thofe Rules,
yet I fay not above all thofe Rules of Juftice,
which oblige inferior Beings, and even Mo-
narchs themfelves. And not to mention his
Power of pardoning and relaxing his own
Right, his Fower of Afflicting without any Pro-
vocation
384
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
vocation given may be an Inftance. But we
fhall not enter upon a Controverfie dé jüre Dei
in Creaturas, either in relation to what it is
founded on, or how far it extends; yet God
by his Right of Dominion, without any Viola-
tion of the Laws of Justice, might have deſtroy-
ed Adam and Eve before they tranfgreffed, or
had a Command layed upon them; for Man be.
ing a piece of God's Workmanship, unleſs ob-
liged by Promiſe or Contra to limit his Pow-
er, he was no more obliged to preſerve Adam
and Eve long alive, than a Lamb or a Pidgeon;
and therefore as he might take away the Lives
he had given thofe Creatures, when he pleaſed fo
to let the Angels know his Power, or for other
Reaſons, he might have fuddenly deftroyed A-
dam and Eve, if he had pleaſed, though they
had never offended. And by the fame Reafon,
he might have annihilated them, being no more
obliged to continue the Existence of a Nobler
than an Inferior Creature. And though there is
a difference betwixt God's refuming Adam's
and an Inferior Creatures Being; but if any,
this ruft concern fome other of his Attributes,
not his Juftice, that allowing him to refume
what he had lent, or to lay Afflictions lefs than
that Good could countervail. But not to pró-
fecute this, we hall take Notice of the Refult
of this and the foregoing Confiderations, which
is, that Truths divinely revealed, may feem
repugnant to the Dictates of Reafon, when they
are not. Nor does Chriftianity oblige us to
queſtion thoſe Rules, when duly applyed to what
they were defigned for, but when unduly ap-
plyed to God, and his Nature, or his abfolute
Power
Book I.
387
Of Reaſon and Religion,
Power and Will, fo that we rej.& not but only
limit thoſe Rules, and may ſafely admit them,
when restrained to their due Bounds.
The want of limiting ſeveral Axioms deli-
vered in General Terms, hath made many Lear-
ned Men Subject to Errors, and ſay, fome
things are true in Philofophy,and falfe in Di-
vinity, and the contrary. As that a Virgin
fhould have a Child,and continue fo, is thought
an Article, which Divinity afferts to be true,
and Philoſophy denys. But this miſtake might
have been prevented, by Wording the Propo
fition more cautiously and fully; for though
Phyſically a Virgin cannot bring forth a Child,
which is to fay, according to the Courfe of Na-
ture; but indefinitely fpeaking, without con-
fining the Effect to Phyfical Agents only, Phi-
loſophy cannot deny aVirgin to be a Mother;the
Author of Nature not being confined to the
ways of Working of Finite Agents; for he may,
out of the Subſtance of a Woman, torm a Man,
without the help of a Man, as well as in the
beginning, he formed a Woman out of the Sub-
ſtance of a Man, without the help of a Woman.
Thus, that Iron being heavier than Water,will
fink in it, if not upheld by another Body, is
true in Natural Philofophy; but as Phylicks
lead Men to the acknowledgment of a God, if
he interpofes his Power, he may make it fwim,
either by withholding his Concourfe from the
Agents, whatever is theCaufe of Gravity,or by
fome other unknown ways,as a Load-ſtone may
fufpend a piece ofIron in the Air without touch-
ing it, though the Air contributes lefs to the fu-
ftaining of it than Water would.
ее
Cartefins
386
Part I
The Reconcileableness
The Fourth
Cartefius, who afcribes fo great aPower to Mat-
ter & Motion, was far from thinking, that what
was impoflible to them was impoffible to God,that
tho' urged by an Argument which likely to be a
ftrong Temptation,to limitGod's Omnipotence;
yet heIngenioullyconfeffes in a private Letter.For
my Part, I think we ought not to say of any thing,that
it is impoffible to God. For all that is true and good
being dependent on his Almightineſs, I dare not fo
much as ſay, that God cannot make a Mountain
without a Valley, or cannot make it true, that one
and two shall not make three; but I fay only, that
he hath given me aSoul of ſuch a Nature,that I can-
not conceive a Mountain without a Valley, nor that
the aggregate of one and of two shall not make three,
&c. and I fay only,that fuch things imply a Contra-
diction in my Conception. And agreeable to this
in his Principles of Philofophy, he gives the
following Caution. Quod ut fatis tuto, & fine
errandi periculo aggrediamur, ea nobis Cautela eft
utendum, ut femper quam maxime recordemur
Deum Autorem rerum effe Ifinitum, & nos omnino
finitos.
But to proceed to the Fourth Confideration.
Confiderati- In the next place, I think we ought to diftinguish
between Reason confidered in it ſelf, and Reaſon con-
fidered in the Exercife of it, by this or that Philo-
fopher, or by this or that Man, or by this or that
Company, or Society of Men, whether all of one Sect
or of more, or to ſpeak more in abſtract, I di-
ftinguish betwixt Reafon in abftratto, and in
concreto. For whatever the faculty of Reaſon is
in it felf, the Ratiocinations are made by Men,
either fingly or concurring in the fame Ratio-
cinations and Opinions; and therefore if the
Reafon
Book I: Of Reafon and Religion.
387
Reaſoning Faculty is not made the beſt uſe of,
it does not follow, that what thwarts their Rea-
fonings, muft thwart the Dictates of right Rea-
fon; for Man having a Will and Affections as
well as an Intellect, though our Judgments and
Tenents ſhould be made with an unby affed Un-
derſtanding; yet Intellectual Weakness, Pre-
judices or Prepoffeffions,by Cuftom, Education,
c. or intereft, Paffions, Vices, &c fo much
Influence them, that we make few Concluſions,
or efpouſe few Opinions, which are the true
Reſults of Reafon,without fome Ferfonal Diſa-
bility, Prejudice or Fault.
But to confider the extent of this Diſtinction,
not only whole Sects, both in Religion and Phi-
lofophy, are Subject to Prepoffeffions, Envy,
Ambition, Intereft, and other Mifguides, as
well as fingle Perfons, nay further, the whole
Body of Mankind may be tainted with prejudi-
ces and errors, even from their Childhood,and
fome from their Birth, which continue undif
cerned, and confequently unreformed.
And Cartefius begins his Principles of Philo-
fophy to this Purpofe; for,fays he, becaufe we
were born Children,we often make wrong Judg-
ments of things, which we are apt to retain all
our Lives; which radicated Prejudices, fo often
miſlead our Judments,that he fays, he found no
other way to secure himself from their Influence
but once in his Life time to doubt of all that he
had till then believed. And the Illuftrious Ve-
rulam, having told us; that the Mind of Man
is befieged with four differing kinds of Idols,
or Phantofms, fome of which are got by on
vérfation and Difcourfe one with another;
others
ee 2.
388
Part 1.
The Reconcileableness
others proceed from theHypothefis or Theorems
and Opinions of Philofophers, and perverfe
ways of Demonflration. Others are Perfonal
to this or that Man, procceding from his Edu-
cation, Temperament, Studies, &c.and others
he calls Idolatribus, being founded in human
Nature or the Tribe of Mankind, of which he
diſcourſes of ſeven or eight: As that Man's In-
tellect hath an innate propenfity to fuppofe
greater order, and equality in things that it
finds, and being unable to acquiefce, it always
tends further and further,befides Mankind hath
ſeveral other innate Prejudices, which he judi-
ciontly endeavouļs to remove.
Now if innate unheeded prejudices and pro-
penlities to Errors are apt to fway all Mankind,
about things which are neither Divine nor Mo-
ral, nor Political, but Phyfical, where attain-
ments are pleafant and not attended with di-
Raftful confequences, not only a particular Phi-
lofopher or Sect, but the Generality of Men
may be fuf, ected of fecret propenfities to err
about Divine things, and be indifpofed to ad-
mit Truths, which both lay open the weakneſs
of Nature and our Perfonal Difabilities; fo as
10 mortify our Pride and Ambition, and afford
the Mind fo. Pure and Chafte a Light as to dif
cover our Vices and Faults, and often cross
our Deſigns and Intereft.
So that feveral of thofe Idols my Lord Bacon
takes notice of, which pervert Men's Judgments
in refpect of things Natural, may have the fame
Effect in respect of Supernatural Things. Thus
if fomethings have once pleafed the Underſtan-
ding, we are apt to incline all, other things to
fuffrage
I
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
389
fuffrage with them, though Inducements to the
contrary are more Numerous or Confiderable.
He further obferves, that Man is apt to eſteem
bis Senfes, and other Perceptions, as the Mea-
fures of Things, and that the Underſtanding
is not fincerely difpofed to receive Truth, but
rather an Infufion of adventitious Colours from
the Will and Affection; fo that he is more in-
clined to believe what he would have true and
to reject others upon grounds which do not in-
fer their fallity. Now if thefe things are ap-
plyed to divine Truths, and we confider, that
in Youth we are wont to conve: ſe with Corpo-
real things, and that our Affections which have
them for their Objects fway us, Men may well
be prone to frame fuch Notions ofDivine as they
of other things of a different and meanerNature;
or reject them, becaufe not analogous to fuch
things as were ufually the Meaſures of Truth
and Fallity. And if we consider Man's imbred
Pride, which inclined even Adam in Paradice,
to affect being like God, knowing Good and E-
vil,no wonder Men make their prefent Notions,
their Senfes, Inclinations, and Intereft,the Stan-
dard of Eftimating other things, whether
Natural or Revealed. And as Heraclitus com-
plained, that every Man fought the Knowledg
of Natural Things in himfelf, and not in
the World; fo we may, that Men feek all the
Knowledg they may or will admit, either from
themſelves or the Univerſe, inftead of the Om-
niſcient Author of them both. And if further,
in Phifical things, where one would think Ra-
tional Beings fhould feek Truth, with no other
deſign than to find and enjoy it, our under-
ee 3
ſtandings
390
Part
The Reconcileableness
OX..
ſtandings are fo byaſſed by our Wills and Af-
fections, no wonder, if we allow the fall of our
first Parents, that our Paffions and Intereft, and
frequently cur Vices fhould mislead our Intel-
lects about thoſe revealed Truths, feveral of
which are above our comprehenfions, and more
contrary to our inclinations.
The Fifth
And I think, There may be a great Difference
Conſiderati- betwixt things contrary to right Reaſon, or ſo much
as to any true Philofophy, and their being contrary
to the received Opinions of Philofophers, or to the
Principles or Conclufions of, of this or that Set of
them. And here I may apply what Clemens A
lexandrinus faid on another occafion, that Phi-
lofophy was neither Peripatetical, Stoical nor
Epicurean, but whatever amongst all of them
was fit to be approved.
And indeed, if we examin the Opinions of fe-
veralSects of Philofophers,in thofe Points,where
they hold things repugnant to Theological
Truths, many are fo ill grounded and difagree-
able amongst themfelves, that an Inquifitive
Examiner would have little Reaſon to admit
them, as a Philofopher only, though he had
none to reject them as a Chriftian. As fer the
Peripeteticks who have chiefly Questioned Chri-
ftiananity for fome time, their Doctrins are in
a great Meaſure exploded, and ſcarce any of the
Modern Philofophers, who allow themſelves the
free uſe of their Reafon, believe, that an Ele-
ment of Fire is lodged under the fuppofed Sphere
of the Moon, or that Heaven confifts of Solid
Orbs, that Celefțial Bodies are ingenerable &
incorruptible, that the Heart is the Origin of
the Nerves, and the Torrid Zone uninhabita-
!
ble,
Book I.
391
Of Reafon and Religion.
i
ble, and a great many other Doctrins which a
Corpufcularian thinks not worth confule-
ting.
And as for the Epicureans and the Somatici,tho'
they are more formidable Enemies toChriftiani-
ty, yet none of them entertain any Opinion in-
confiftent with it, which is not as repugnant to
Reaſon, or at leaſt cannot be demonftrated by
it. And as for the Cartefians,who lay afide all Su-
pernatural Revelations in their Enquiries into
Natural things, they both think and very plau-
fibly prove, the two firft of Epicarus's three
Principles; That the Bodies, he calls Atoms
are indiviſible, and that there is a Vacuum, to
be as repugnant to Reafon as the Epicureans think
the Notion of an Incorporeal Subitance, the
Creation of the World, or the Immortality of
the Soul, And as for the Somatici, what Mr.
Hobbs hath faid, hath not perfwaded me from
the Truth of any thing I believed before, even
in Natural Philofophy, having neither difco-
vered new Truths nor old Errors, having upon
fome occafions but ill proved his ownOpinions,
and but weakly oppoſed his Adverfaries.
But to examin theFundamental Maxim of all
his Philicks, viz. That nothing is removed, but by a
Body contiguous, & moved,for if this be true,it may
be asked, how there comes to beLocalMotion in
the World; for either all theParts ofMatter,that
compoſe the Univerfe, have Motion belonging
to their Nature, or fome Parts of Matter have
this Motive Power, and fome have not, or elfe
all of them are without Motion. If Motion be-
longs to Matter, to allow, that deftroys his Hy-
pothefis, if fome Parts of Matter have Motion
ee 4
Naturally
392
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
Naturally and others not, then the "Affertion
cannot be Univerfally true; for though it may
hold in the quiefcent Parts it cannot in the o-
thers, fince it appears not, why a Body, to
which Motion is Natural, may not move with-
out a Motion given by another contiguous Body
moved. And if Motion Naturally belongs to
no Body, but each wants another to move it,
we may ask, how any thing comes to be moved
locally, which is evident; for if no Part of
Matter hath any Motion, but what it receives
from the Impulfe of another contiguous, and
there is nothing but Matter in the World, how
fhould Bodies come by Motion, fince they have
it not by their own Nature, nor can receive it
from External Agents. If Mr. Hobbs fays, that
Motion was impreffed on fome Parts of Matter
by God, we allow that, but that will not an-
fwer his end, fpeaking agreeably to his own
Hypothefis. For we may ask, whether the Su-
preme Being, the Affertion refers to, be a Cor-
poreal or an Incorporeal Subftance.
If it be Incorporeal, and yet the Efficient
Caufe of Motion in Bodies, then it cannot be
univerfally true, that all Bodies moved are fo
by a Body contiguous in Motion. For accord-
ing to our fuppofition, the Bodies that God
moves, either himself, or by the intervention
of an Immaterial Being, are not moved by a
Contiguous Body, but an Incorporeal Spirit.
But fince Mr. Hobbs is thought to believe the
Notion of an Immaterial Subſtance abfurd, and
to imply a Contradiction, and fince, if God be
not an Inmaterial Subftance, he must confe-
quently be Material and Corporeal, there be-
Ing
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
393
ing no third Subftance, if Mr. Hobb's Deity be
Corporeal, the fame Difficulties will occur,that
were before mentioned; for calling this Body,
will not alter it from a true Body, and confe-
quently a Portion of this Divine Matter muſt
be contiguous and moved, before it can move
a part of the Mundane Matter, which it cannot
be without another Portion of Divine Matter,
qualifyed to impreſs a Motion, nor can this but
by another.
Beſides, it will make Confufion in giving the
Phyfical Cauſes of things, if we diftinguiſh ac-
curately betwixt Mundane Bodies and Divine,
nor does it appear, how this Corporeal Body
will make good the Hypotheſis; for it my be
asked, how this Divine Matter comes by this
Local Motion ? if it hath it from it's own Na-
ture, fince the Epicureans affert the fame of their
Atoms, how Mr. Hobb's Opinion will appear,
fince the Mundane Matter is as likely to have
congenit Motion, as that what is Corporeal
can be God, and capable of giving it Motion,
to do which it'sSubfiftence must be divided into
as many Parts, as there are Corpufcles in the
World, which move feparate from thofe near
them. Beſides, according to the fuppofition
thefe Divine Bodies are true Bodies, yet are not
moved by Bodies contiguous and moved, but
by an innate Motion, flowing from their Ef
fence or Nature, fince no fuch Body is pretend-
ed to exiſt, that is not to be refered to either
Mundane or Divine Matter. To conclude, fince
Local Motion muſt be in one or both of theſe
two Matters, it muſt be Natural to one of them,
according to Mr. Hobbs, for though he grant-
ed
394
Part 1.
The Reconcileableness
I
ed an Immaterial Being, it could not produce
Motion in any Body, fince he fays, no Body can
be moved, except by another contiguous and
moved.
And though this Pofition might be granted,
as cautiously propofed by Cartefius, who attri-
buted the first impulfe of Motion to God, and
that he preſerved it, yet as it is propoſed by
Mr. Hobb's Followers, there appears no com.
petent Reaſon to admit it.
As to that ſaying of Divines as well as Philo-
fophers, That fuch or fuch an Opinion is true
in Divinity, but falfe in Philofophy; or on the
contrary, Philofophically true, or Theological-
ly filfe. To determin how well grounded
thefe Expreffions are, we fhall confider, that
Philofophy may fignify two things very diffe.
rent. For first, it is uſed to figaify a Syftem of
the Doctrins of a particular Sect of Philofo-
phers. But in a more general Acceptation of
the Term,it may comprehend all thofe Truths
or Doctrins, which Man's Natural Reafon,free
from Prejudices and Partiality, and affifted by
Learning, Attention, Exercife, Experiments,
c. may evidently make out, or by neceffary
Confequences infer from clear and certain
Principles.
This being premifed, we are further to ob-
ferve, that many Opinions are maintained by
feveral Scots of Chriſtians, or by the Schools of
more than one or two Sects, which either belong
not to the Chriftian Religion, or ought not to
be efteemed Parts of it, unlefs the Philofophi
cal Principles and Ratiocinations, on which
they are fuppofed to be founded, and not ex-
prefs
Book I.
395
Of Reafon and Religion.
prefs or bure Revelation agree with right Rea-
fon.
So that if Philofophy be taken in the firſt
Sence, it's teaching things repugnant to Theo-
logy,in a large and vulgar Sence, will not con-
clude any thing to purpoſe againſt the Chri-
ftian Religion. But if Philofophy be taken in
the later and true Sence, and Divinity only
for a Syſtem of thoſe Articles, clearly revealed
in the Scriptures, nothing is falfe in Philofo-
phy fo underflood, that is true in Divinity thus
explained; for it is not likely, that God being
the Author of Reafon, as well as Revelation,
fhould oblige Men to believe as true,what Rea-
fon may reject as falfe.
Yet if by ſaying, fuch a thing is true in Divi-
nity, but falfe in Philofophy, we ſhould mean;
that if the Doctrin was propofed to a meer Phi-
lofopher, to be judged of, according to the
Principles of his Sect, or according to what
he, not having heard of the Chriftian Reli-
gion, or it not being duly propofed, would
reject it, the way of fpeaking ought to be al-
lowed; but then it is to be fuppofed, that he
would reject the Articles of Faith, not becauſe
they could not be proved, but as being found-
ed on Revelation, which he may not have
heard of, or hath not had it fairly propofed;
fo that he muſt as a Rational Man, reject them
as Prooflefs. And as the fame Philofopher will
be cautious,of admitting any thing that is not
proved, if it be Philofophical, yet he will be
cautious how he rejects things as falfe and im-
poffible, in Matters which feem to be beyond
the reach of NaturalReafon, especially if Lear-
ned
396
Part 1.
The Reconcileableness
·
וי,
ned Men pretend to know fomething of them by
Divine Revelation, which though he will not ea-
fily believe true, yet he will allow, if it be pro-
ved true, to be a proper Medium to evince
Truths, which he could not difcover by meer
Natural Reaſon. Indeed fuch a Philofopher
would reject the Articles of Faith, were they
only to be judged of by the Dictates of Natural
Philofophy; yet he would only pronounce
them falfe, fuppofing the Arguments which al-
ledge the Teftimony of Divine Revelation, are
not fufficient in their kind; for, as he would
not easily believe any thing in Nature, difa-
greeable to the eſtabliſhed Laws of Nature; fo
he would not easily pronounce his Judgment of
any thing beyond the Sphere of Nature. He
will indeed expect as much Proof of the Divine
Teſtimony, as the Nature of the thing will re-
quire or allow, yet he will not be unwilling to
acknowledg, that God who is the Author of
that Teftimony,can do and know more than we
can explain how he can difcover, or conceive,
how any Phyfical Agent can perform.
To countenance, what we have been offering,
we ſhall add, the Suffrage of a Philofopher
mentioned in Cartefius, who is accufed of ex-
cluding Theology out of his Philofophy, what
he fays, being to our prefent purpoſe, his
Words are, Si forte Nobis Deus de feipfo, vel
aliis, aliquid revelet, quod Naturales Ingenii no-
ftri vires excedat, qualia funt Myfteria Incarna-
tionis & Trinitatis, non recufabimus illa credere,
quamvis non clare Intelligamus, nec ullo modo mi-
rabimur; multa effe tum in immenfa ejus Natura,
tum
Book I.
397
Of Reafon and Religion.
tum etiam in rebus ab illo creatis, que captum no-
frum excedant.
And tho' the main Scruples faid to be ſuggeſted
by Philofophy, againſt fome mysterious Articles
of Religion, arife chicfly, becauſe the Modus of
thofe things is not eaſily conceived, or hard
to be explained, the confidence they are affer-
ted with, is the chief Force of theſe Objections;
for feveral things are maintained by the School
Divines, not contained in the Scriptures, which
may be applyed to what we are confidering,
the Scripture only aſſerting the Thing, to which
the Schools add the Modus. And as the School
Divines determin many things without Book;
ſo the Objections against what the Scripture
delivers, are grounded upon the Errors of the
School Philofophers, who ftyle their Conceits
Metaphyfical Truths.
But to proceed, to the Conſideration chiefly
intended, viz. That the Modus of a revealed
Truth, is either very hard, or not at all explicable.
But it will therefore follow, that the thing is
irrational, if it's Proofs are fufficient in their
kind; for in Philofophy feveral things are ad-
mitted, whofe Modus cannot be explained, or
perhaps conceived; for an Inftance of which,
we may urge the Union of the Soul and Body
in Man, none being able to explain Phyfically,
how an Immaterial Subftance can guide and de-
termin and excite the Motion of the Body, yet
cannot produce Motion in it, or how an In-
corporeal Subſtance fhould receive from a Bo-
dy, the Impreflions of Pain and Pleaſure, and
other Properties of this Upion; nor can we
conceive how the intimate Union is made be-
twixt
398
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
twixt a Spirit and a Body; fo that the former
cannot at pleaſure quit the later. And it is as
difficult to explain phyfically, how theſe diffe-
rent Beings came to be united, as how they are
kept from parting. And if to avoid explicating
the Modus of this Union betwixt the Soul and
Body, it be faid, that the former is but a Con-
texture of the finer and more fubtle Parts of
the later, the Abftrufeneſs of the Union will
be fhifted off, but the Doctrin will not much
relieve us; for thoſe that affert the Soul to be
Corporeal, have a Modus to explain that is in-
explicable. It appears not, how meer Matter
can form Syllogy ims, have Conceptions of U-
niverfals, and invent fpeculative Sciences and
Demonftrations, and be capable of thoſe things
which are peculiar to Man alone.
Upon what hath been ſaid in this and the firſt
Section, we ſhall make this Reflection, viz.
That if we lay afide all the irrational Opinions,
that are unreaſonably fathered on the Chrifti-
an Religion, and all erroneous Conceits repug-
nant to Chriftianity, which have been ground-
lefly fathered upon Philofophy, the feeming Con-
tradictions betwixt Divinity and true Philofo-
phy, will be but few,and the real ones none at all.
The fixth Confideration is, That a thing may,
The Sixth if fingly or precisely confidered, appear unreasonable,
Confiderati which yet may be very credible,if confidered as a part
en.
ef,or a manifeft confequence from a Doctrin that is
highly ſo. When Aftronomers tell us, hat the Sun,
which to fight appears fo fmall, is above a hun-
dred and threeſcore times bigger than theGlobe
of the Earth,which is forty times bigger than the
Moon, it at firſt ſeems incredible. But fince
Altronomers,
Book I.
399
Of Reaſon and Religion.
Aftronomers, by finding the Diameter of the
Earth, and obferving the Paralaxes of Planets,
have determined the Proportions of theſe
three Bodies, Learned Men admit what they
affirm:
So the Relations of Earthquakes, extending
hundreds of Miles, Eruptions of Fire,that have
Burnt up large fcopes ofLand,the blowing up of
new Mountains by their own Fires,the cafting up
of Islands in the Sea, and other unquestionable
Prodigies,if attefted but by ordinary Witnelles,
would be thought incredible, but the Circum-
ftances of the Relations gain our Affent.
If you confider, what Geometricians teach
upon the fixteenth Propofition of the third Book
of Euclid (containing a Theorem about the
Tangent and the Circumference of a Circle)
it will appear, that Geometricians have propo
fed greater Paradoxes than Philoſophers or Di-
vines. And though feveral of thoſe things have
been queftioned, yet what is allowed, contains
things fo ftrange, that Philofophers not well
acquainted with that Propofition, and it's Co-
rollaries, will think them incomprehenfible or
incredible, yet they are demonftrable and legi-
timately deducible from an acknowledged
Truth.
And even feveral Magnetical Phanomena, na.
kedly propoſed, feem incredible, yet thofe ac-
quainted with Magnetical Philofophy, without
particular Tryals, believe them, being confo-
nant to the Doctrin of Magnetism; and though
an Ordinary Philofopher would, a Magnetical
Philofopher would not think it unreasonable,
that one part of a Load-ftone fhould draw a
Needle
400
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
Needle to it, and the other drive it from it, and
that a Needle in a Sea Compafs, after it hath
been carryed feveral hundred Leagues without
varying, it's declination fhould fuddenly point
at a part of the Horizon, feveral Degrees dif-
ferent from what it did before; to which we
might add, feveral other Inftances about Mag-
netical Bodies.
Therefore when any thing is objected againſt
in Scripture, as incredible, we are not only to
confider, whether if it were not delivered in
that Book, we ſhould think it worthy to be be-
lieved or rejected; but whether it is fo improba-
ble, that all the Proofs brought for the Autho-
rity of the Scriptures, are rather to be rejected,
rather than this recommended by that Authori-
ty ought to be believed; I fay, when it is mani-
feftly recommended by that Authority, becauſe
it not clearly delivered in Scripture, or is not
fairly deduced thence, fo far as it wants of that
clearness, we may deny our Affent.
To countenance what I have ſaid, I fhall add
the Teſtimony of Socinus, who was accounted a
ftrict Examiner of whatever he admitted, who
in his Confeffion in his fecond Epiftle to Andreas
Duditius, fays, Jam verò ut rem in pauca confe-
ram, quod ad meas aliorumve Opiniones, que no-
vitatis præ fe ferunt fpeciem, attinet, mihi ita
videtur ; fi detur, Scripturam facram ejus effe Au-
thoritatis, ut nullo modo ei contradici pofit, ac de
interpretatione illius, omnis duntaxat fit fcrupulus,
nihil,ut ut verifimile aut ratione conclufum videatur,
afferri contra eas poffit, quod ullarum fit virium
quotiefcung, ille fententiis at verbis illius Libri aut
Rationibus liquido inde deductis probata atq; afferta
fuerins.
*
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
401
fuerint. Another Teftimony we fhall produce
out of Cartefius's Principles of Philofophy,
where difcourfing of the "Infinite or Indefinite
Diviſion of the Parts of Matter, requifite to
make them fill all differently figured fpaces,
through which various Motions makes them
país, he confeffes the point very abftrufe, yet
concludes, Et quamvis quomodo fiat indefinita ifta
Divifio, cigitatione comprehendere nequeamus, non
ideo tamen debemus dubitare quin fiat, quia clare
percepimus illam neceffario fequi ex Natura Materia,
nobis evidentiffime cognita, &c.
And here we fhall takeNotice of three or four
Particulars, which may be deduced as Carolla-
ries from the foregoing Diſcourſe, and which
will be confirmed by the Proofs annexed to them.
The firſt is,that we muft not prefently conclude
a thing contrary to Reaſon, becaufe Learned
Men cannot clearly comprehend it, if there be
competent proof of it's Truth, and the thing
is Primary or Heteroclite.
And it is not always neceffary to render the
belief of a thing Rational, that we should have
as clear a comprehenfion of it as in ordinaryCa-
fes;fince the Truth of a thing may be fuggefted
by Arguments drawn from the Nature of it,
already understood by us, and alfo by the Te-
ftimony of fuch a Witneſs as will not deceive
us, and cannot be thought to be deceived him-
felf. And therefore in fome Cafes a thing may
be reaſonably believed, fince we have fufficient
Reaſon to believe it true, either by the Evidence
and Cogency of the extrinsick Motives, we have
to believe, or the Proofs fuggefted, by what
we know of the thing believed, though fome
thing
ff
40%
Part 1
The Reconcileablenels
thing in the Nature of the thing puzzles our
under&tanding.
:
That many things require Attention and good
Judgment to prove them, and yet may be true,
will appear from fome Geometrical Demonftra-
tious, which require a good Stock of Know-
ledg in thofe Matters, and a great deal of Pa-
tience to carry fuch proofs in ones Mind tho
rowly. There are other things, though mani-
feftly exiftent, are of fo abftrufe a kind, that it
is difficult to form clear and fatisfactory Noti
tions of their Nature, which appears in fome
of the most obvious things, as Matter and Time,
As to the fift, though the World and our Bo-
dies are made of it; yet the Ideas we can form
of it are attended with two great difficulties to
be easily acquiefced in. As to Time, though
what Auguftine fays, fi nemo ex me querat quid
fit Tempus, foir; fi quarenti explicare velim, nef-
cio, feems to intimate a Knowledg of what it
is, in the first part, yet the fecond fhews, he
had no Intelligible Idea of it; fo that the firſt
fhews, that when he did not attentively confi-
der theNatue of it,he thought he understood it,
knowing there was fuch a thing, though
he could not explain what it was.
And indeed though time is allowed by all to
be, yet if we had no other Notions of Time and
Eternity, than what might be collected from
the Defcriptions of it's Nature and Properties,
we fhould look upon it as an Unintelligible thing,
and attended with fo many Difficulties, that a
Wife Man could fcarce admit the Belief of it,
which will eaſily be granted by one that hath
read thofe confounded Difcourfes and Specula-
tions
Book 1. Of Reafon and Religion.
403
tions about Time and Eternity, to be met with
amongst the School Men: And no wonder fince
Gaffendus hath fhewn, that Duration is neither
a Subſtance nor an Accident, which is alfo faid
of Space, that the Difputes about Time ſhould
be as difficult.
ThefeInftances feem to agree very well with
what we intimated by the Expreffion Primary
or Heteroclite, to which may be refered fome
of thoſe things called Spiritual or Supernatu
ral, about which the fame Confiderations may
have place. And I am induced to fuppofe, that
there ought to be in fome Cafes, a great diffe-
rence betwixt them and other things, and con-
fequently, betwixt the Judgment we make of
the ways of arguing about them, and other
things; fo that they are very difficult to be ex-
plained by our imperfect faculties, and confe-
quently are lefs fatisfactory and acquiefced in,
than things, though no more True or Rational,
fuggefted upon Enquiries concerning Subjects
more familiar, or more proportionate to our
Faculties. For thefe abftrufe things having no
proper and clear Genus, by which they may be
comprehended, or have nothing like them, by
whoſe reſemblance they may be conceived, or
being both Primary, and Heteroclite too, as
not being derived from the common Phyſical
Caufes of other things; and being very diffe-
rentin Nature, it is no wonder our Limi-
ted
them.
Underſtandings cannot comprehend
ff z
Upon
·
407
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
Upon fuch Confiderations as thefe, it may
not be unreasonable to think, that things Pri-
mary and Heteroclite, and by parity of Reaſon,
Immaterial and Supernatural, are fufficiently
proved in their kind, if the proof were com-
petent and Latisfactory, fuppofing no Confide-
rableObjections made againſt the thing proved.
And I know not, why in Judging of Primary
and Immaterial things, we fhould not prefer
that Opinion which hath the moft pofitive
proofs, though perhaps liable to the greater In-
conveniences, fince in fuch Cafes, our Under-
ſtanding is gratifyed with the moft pofitive In-
ducements to affert; and it is not confounded
by Objections, becauſe they cannot be directly
and fully anſwered, by reaſon of their abſtruſe
Nature, and the narrowness and weakness of
our Human Intellects.
And for this Reafon, in fuch uncoramon
Matters,we fometimes acquiefce in Proofs, not-
withſtanding fuch Objeftions as in ordinary Ca-
fes might prevail; for the things theſe proofs
relate to, being Frimary or Heteroclite, or e-
qually abftrufe, whatever Opinion we chufe,
must be incumbred with Difficulties, and will
be liable to Objections which may never be an-
fwered directly and fatisfactorily. And where
Opinions are Contradi&tory, we may conclude,
that thofe Difficulties will not Effectually evince
the falfity of a Theological Opinion, fince as
great may be objected againſt another, either a
manifeftly or confeffedly Truth, or which
muft needs be admitted to be one.
A
Book I.
405
Of Reafin and Religion.
A Second Corollary drawn from the Difcourfe
may be, that it may not be unreafonable to be-
lieve a thing, though it's proof be very diffi-
cult to be understood, which may appear from
feveral Geometrical and Mathematical Demon-
ftrations, fome of which are deduced from in-
termediate Conclufions, from Principles fo
very remote, and require fuch a long Series of
Mediums, that a Man muit have a great deal of
Patience, that reaches to the end of a Demon-
ftration, and diligent Perufers find themselves
often unable to carry along fuch a Chain of In-
ferences in theirMind,as to difcern whether the
whole Ratiocination be coherent,& all the parti-
culars have their due Strength and Connection;
fome of the Demonftrations of Vitellio,and even
of Clavius, being fufficient to tire your Patience
and Attention. And though the Modern Al-
gebrifts by their expreffing Quantities by Sym-
bels, have fo abridged Geometrical and Arith-
metical Demonftrations, that by the help of
Species it is fometimes eafie to Demonitrate,that
in a Line, which in the ordinary way would re-
quire a whole Page; yet fome Demonftrable
Truths are fo abftrufe, that in the Symbolical
way Men want more Attention to difcern them,
than fomeMen would employ in anyContempla
tion whatever. And Cartefius confeffes,that theSo
lution ofProblem in Papyrus,coft him no less than
fix Weeks Study, though now,moft Mathematical
Demonſtrations feenmuch horter than they are,
EuclidsElementsbeing fo many Lemmata already
known and demonſtrated. From whence it
appears, that though fome Theological Truth's
are fo Myſterious and Abftrufe, that the force
ff 3
ဝန်
406
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
1
of their Proofs cannot eaſily be difcerned,though
propoſed by Des Cartes and others, yet if o
ther Competent Judges,accuftomed to Patience
and Attention in difcerning difficult and impor-
tant Truths, are fatisfied with them, the Proofs
may be Powerful, though their force is not ea-
fily apprehended; for if Difficulty is fufficient
to prove the invalidity of a Ratiocination, none
may more fitly be rejected than Mathematical
Demonftrations.
A Third Corollary deducible from the fore-
going Difcourfe is, that it is not always against
Reafon to embrace an Opinion attended with
Difficulty, or fubject to an Objection not easily
anſwered. Especially,when the Nature of the
Subject is fuch, that other Opinions about it are
Subject to the fame Inconveniences, or as great.
The firft Part of this Confideration is a confe-
quence of a Suppofition in the preceding Dif
courfe; for whatever renders a Doctrin or an
Affertion difficult to be explained, will eafily
fupply it's Adverfaries with Objections. And
as for the later part of the Confideration it
will want but little proof; for if the Subject or
Object of the Opinion be fuch, that the Con-
tradictory Opiniou and others, are Subjec
to the fame Inconveniences, or equal or grea-
ter; the Difficulties offered against a Theo-
logical Doctrin, may reaſonably be attributed,
not to the unreasonableness of the Opinion, but
fomething elſe.
The Laft Confectary deducible from the pre-
ceding Difcourfe is, that it is not always unrea-
fonable to believe fomething Theological for a
Truth, which, though not truly inconfiftent with;
you
!
Book I. Of Reafon and Region.
407
Yet we do not clearly difcern to comport very well
with fomething else, that we also take for a Truth;
or perhaps that is one, if the Theological Te-
net have fufficient Proof in it's kind, and of
fuch fort of things as we difcourfe of
It is the Belief of the Generality of Philofo-
phers as well as Divines, that God fore knows
all future Contingences, yet how Preſcience and
the free Will of Man are confiftent, is fo difficult
to difcern, that the Socinians are wont to deny
fuch things, as depend on the Will of free A-
gents, to be the proper Object of Omniscience.
And the Head of the Remonftrants, though a
Subtle Writer, acknowledges,that he knew not
how to make out the Confiftency of God's Pref-
cience, and Mau's Freedom, yet acknowledges
them both to be Truths; being obliged to ac-
knowledge the former, as a Confequence of the
Infiniteness of God's Perfections, as well as by
prophetick Predictions. And the Reconcilea-
bleness of theſe Truths is not a difficulty pecn-
liar to the Chriftian Religion, but concerns fpe-
culative Men in all Religions, who acknowledg
a Deity infinitely perfe, and allow Man to be
a free Agent, I fhall conclude this Section with
Cartefius's Addrefs to a Philofophical Adverfary.
As I have often faid, when the Question is about
things that relate to God, or to what is Infinite, we
muſt not confider what we can comprehend of them
Since we know that they ought not to be comprehen
ded by us) but only what we can conceive of them,
or can attain to, by any certain Reaſon or A·gu
ment.
ff 4
But
1
408
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
The Scueath
$1.
But to proceed to cne of the main Confidera-
tions, which is, that when we are to Judg, whe-
ther a thing be contrary to Reaſon or not, there is a
great deal of difference, whether we take Reafon
for the faculty furnished only with it's own innate
Principle, and fuch Notions as are generally obvi̟-
ous, or for the faculty illuminated, by Divine Re-
velation, efpecially that which is contained in the
Books commonly called the Scriptures.
To make this more evident, we may obferve
Confiarati- the two following particulars,First,that inNatu-
ral things, it is not thought irrational to believe
feveral things upon extrinſical Proofs, eſpecial-
ly the Teſtimony of the skillful; as a Man, if
it were not for that Teftimony, though of Na-
tural Parts and Learned in Philofophy, would
think unreaſonable to believe and contrary to
the Laws of Nature. Of which the Phanomena
of a Loadſtone furnishes us with fomeInftances;
for though with one part it will draw; yet with
another, the fame Stone will repel the fame
point of the excited Needle, and yet will at-
tract either point of another Needle, which was
never near a Loadſtone before. And though
the Loadſtone imparts an Attractive Virtue to
Iron; yet when it is capped,and a piece of Iron
is interpofed betwixt the Loadſtone and the
weight to be raiſed, it will take up a great deal
more than if it be immediately applyed to it,
it felf; ſo that Merfennus ſays, he had a Load-
ftone, that of it's felf would take up but half an
Qunce of Iron, which armed would lift up ten
Hounds, which was three hundred and twenty
times more than the former weight. And that
3 Mariners Needle once touched with a vigorous
Load.
:
Book I. Of Reason and Religion.
409
Loadſtone, will afterwards point North and
South, when freely poifed, and if it be turned
any other way, as foon as left to Liberty, it
returns to it's former Pofition. And a Load-
ftone floating on Water, will as well come to,
and follow a piece of Iron that is held from mo-
ving towards it, as when it felf is fixed, and
the Iron at Liberty, it will draw that Iron to
it. And without any fenfible Alteration in the
Agent or the Patient, the Loadſtone will in-
ftantly communicate all it's Virtue to a piece of
Steel, and give that a Power to communicate
the fame Virtues to other pieces of Steel. And
further, If a Loadſtone marked at the End, be
cut Lengthways, according to it's Axis,and one
fegment be fufpended freely over the other, the
halves of the Marked end, which were contigu-
ous before, will not now lye together; but the
lower will drive away the other, and which re-
ſpected the North in the Marked end of the In-
tire Loadſtone, will joyn with that extreme of
the lower half, which in the intire Stone regar-
ded the South. And further, there are the fame
Magnetical Qualities in the feparated Parts of
a Magnet as in the intire Stone, and if it be
cut, or broke into a great many pieces, every
one of thoſe pieces, though never ſo ſmall, will
have it's own Northern and Southern Poles,and
become a little Magnet. And if a Loadſtone be
made Spherical, this little Magnetick Globe,
being freely placed, will not only turn North
and South, and keep that Pofition, but have
it's Poles, Meridians, Equator, &c. upon
good Grounds defignable upon it, as upon
the
410
Part. I
The Reconcileablenëfs
7
the Globe of the Earth and this will
hold, whether it be great or fmall.
From hence we may gather and fuppofe,that
a Man that never was acquainted with Mag-
netical Experiments, would think thefe con-
trary to the Principles of Nature, and confe-
quently to the Dictates of Reafon, and rejea
them as incredible. And I queſtion not, but
that I could form as plaufible Arguments from
the Axioms of Philofophers, and the Doctrin
of the Schools, againſt fome Magnetical Phe-
nomena, as the fame Topicks afford againſt the
Myſterious Articles of Faith; fince amongst the
trange Properties of a Loadftone, there are
fome, which are ftupendious and feem repug-
nant to the Dictates of Philofophy, and the
Courſe of Nature; for, whereas Natural Bodies,
though never fo fubtle, require particular
Difpofitions in the Medium,their Corpufcles are
diffuſed through, or their Actions tranfmitted,
fo that Light, whether a fubtle Body, or a bare
Quality, is refifted by all Opacous Mediums,
and the Effluvia of Amber and other Electrical
Bodies, will neither penetrate the finest Glafs,
nor a Sheet of Paper, yet the Loadſtone hath
it's Effects through all kind of Mediums.
If the Poles of two Magnetical Needles, both
reſpect the North, fome Philofophers would
afcribe it to Sympathy: yet if we bring the Ex-
tremes of the fame Denomination, within the
reach of one another, they will drive each other
away, as if they had a powerful Antipathy.
If a long Needle be placed horizontally, and
poiſed upon the point of a Pin, when you touch
one end with the Pole of a vigorous Loadftone,
it
Book 1.
411
Of Reafon and Religion.
it will evidently dip or ftoop, though it be fre-
quently taken off the Pin, and put on again;
which inclination of the Needle will continue
many Years, though no other Change is made
in the Metal by the contact of the Loadftone,
but that one end hath acquired a lafting pre-
ponderancy without the other growing light-
er, yet the whole Needle is not heavier than
before. And the inclination of the Magnetick
Needle, may be again taken away by another
Touch of the Loadftone, without diminishing
the weight of the part deprived of it.
And the Effect, the Load ftone hath upon the
Mariners Needle, tho' it makes no fenfible alte.
ration in it, continues,tho' carryed as far as the
Southern Hemisphere, nor does the Magnet lofe
any of it's Virtue, by communicating it to the
Needle. Yet the Needle will not every where
duly reſpect the North, it in fome places de-
clining fome degrees Eaft or Weft. Nor will
it in the fame place always reipect the fame
point of the Compafs, bat at feveral times may
vary from the true Meridian, fometimes to the
Eaſt and ſometimes to the Weft.
And further, all the Vertues of a Magnet
may be communicated to Iron, without an actu-
al Contact, by holding the Iron conveniently
near it for a little time: And the Metal may as
foon be deprived of thoſe Qualities, without
an immediate Contact, by the fame or another
Loadſtone. And if you mark one end of a Pod
or a long piece of Iron, that was never near
a Magnet, and hold it perpendicularly, you
may preſently make it become the North or
South Pole of a Magnetical Body; for if in a
perpen-
412
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
14
perpendicular Pofition, you apply the North
end of an excited Needle to the bottom of it,
the lower end of the Iron will drive away that
Extreme, which will be attracted by the upper
end. And if you invert it, and make the low-
er end the upper, it will not attract, but repel
the fame North Point of the Needle, under
which it is to be held perpendicularly.
Vis unita fortior, is a received Rule amongst
Naturalifts, yet frequently if a Magnet be cut in
two, thefe will take up more Iron than the in-
tire Stone. And if of two Loadftones, one be
much longer, and for that reafon ſtronger than
the other, it will draw a greater piece of Iron,
and retain it more ftrongly, yet when it fticks
fait to the greater, the leffer may draw it from
it.
Theſe Phanomena are fo repugnant to the
Opinions of Naturalifts,and the ordinary Courfe
of Nature; that if, without the Teftimony of
Experience they had been propofed to Ariftotle,
he would have efteemed them fictitious, as re-
pagnant to the Law of Nature; yet though
thefe Effects are fo ftrange,and that they fhould
continue at fome Thousands of Leagues di-
ftance, yet being attefted by Navigators, the
Ariftotelians believe it.
Thus though the Habitableneſs of the Torrid
Zone was denyed by Ariftotle, and others, upon
probable Grounds for many Ages, yet the con-
trary is now believed by Peripeteticks,that were
never there. And though Ptolemy end 'others
formed aplausible Theory of the Planets, which
was acquiefced in for 14 Ages; yet Modern
Aftronomers,
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
4:3
Aftronomers, who have fearched into thefe
things,and believe their Eves, and make uſe of
their Reafon, have altered that Theory as to
the Number and Order of the Planets. And
all theſe laſt Innovations are grounded upon
Phenomena diſcovered only by two or three pie-
ces of Glaſs placed in a long kollow Cane, and
called a Teleſcope.
But to proceed to the Laft, and two main
Confiderations, which is, that when we are to
Judg, which of two difagreeing Opinions is
moft Rational, i.e. to be Judged of most agreea-
bleto rightReaſon,we ought togive Sentence,not
for that which is the faculty,furnished only with
fuch and fuch Notions, whether vulgar or bor-
rowed from whatthis or thatSect ofPhilofophers
would prefer, but that which is prefered by the
Faculty, furnished either with all the Evidence
requifite or advantagious to make it give right
Judgment in the Cafe lying before it, or when
that cannot be had, with the beſt and fulleſt In-
formation it can procure.
This is fo evident,that it would be needlefs
to go about to prove it, and therefore, I fhall
only obferve, that provided the Information be
credible, and which he clearly underſtands, it
matters not, whether we have it by Reafon, as
it is taken for the faculty furnished only with
it's innate Notions, and common Obfervations,
or feme Philofophical Theory, or Experiments
purpoſely contrived, or Teftimonies Human
or Divine, which we call Revelation; theſe
being but different ways ofintorming the under-
ſtanding ; & if thefe Informations have the lately
mentioned Conditions, let the Understanding
receive
414
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
J
M
receive them which way it will, it may fafely
Reaſon and draw Inferences from them.
Aftronomers have obſerved a Star amongst
the fixed ones, which hath fhewn it felf for fome
Years, and difappeared, and then appeared
again. And though Experimental Philoſophy
could not contribute to the Producing of it, nor
is it taken Notice of in any Syftem,yet it may be
as truc à Celeſtial Light as any, and we may be
allowed to Philofophize upon it; and drawCon-
clufions from the Difcoveries it affords us, as
from any other, or thofe falling Stars within
our own Sphere.
That the Supernatural Performances of Wit-
ches and Evil Spirits, if true, might furniſh us
with Hypothefes and Mediums to prove Theorys
as well as Natural Phanomena,feems to be acknow-
ledged by thofe Naturalifts, that decline any
other way to avoid the confequences,which may
be inferred from fuch Relations, rather than to
difprove thofe Relations, occafioned by the
Credulity and Impofition of Men.
But to proceed to what is more unquestiona-
ble, fince Philofophers admit the Attributes of
Magnetick Bodies, which they never faw, only
upon the Teſtimony of Writers; who knew not
the Caufes of them, but were only looked up.
on to be honeſt and faithful Relaters; I fay,fince
fuch ſtrict Naturalifts believe fuch amazing
things, upon Men's Authority, who knew not
the Nature of Magnetick Bodies; And fince
theſe ſtrange Phanomena are not only believed,
but a great many Inferences drawn from them,
without any Reflection upon them that affent to
the Things and the Inferences, why should it
be
Book I.
4.5
Of Reafon and Religion.
be unreaſonable to believe the Teftimony ofGod,
either about his Nature, which he can best and
moft fally know, or about what he hath done,
as the Creation of the World and of Man; or
which he means to do, as the Deftroying the
World, and the Refurrection, and Rewards,
and Puniſhments, according to Merit; for I
think the Apostle fays very well. If we receive
the Teſtimony of Men, the Teftimony of God is
greater, 1 John v. 9. especially relating to his
own Nature, Will and Purpoſes, fince Reafon
by it's own Light, cannot give us the Know-
ledg of them. So that Chriftians affenting to
Doctrins revealed, neither need, or do reject
the Authority of Reaſon, only appeal from Rea-
fon more flightly, to it's Dictates more fully in-
formed. Of which two nothing is more Rea-
fonable than to prefer the later to the for-
mer.
And I am apt to think, that if what we have
reprefented were fully confidered,it might con-
tribute to anſwer or preyent the Objections,
which fix wrong Notions of the Articles of our
Faith, in fome Queſtioners of Religion, who
are not reſolutely vitious, as if thofe Articles
were repugnant to Reafon; for it is not to be
locked upon as the Judgment ofReafon,which is
pronounced by Rational Men, according to a
Sect of Notions, though the Inferences from
them might be Rational,if nothing elfe was to
be confidered by him that judges. But that
is rather to be efteemed the Judgment of Rea-
fon, which takes in the beſt Information, be-
longing to the things under Confideration. And
therefore those, tho' other wife Learned and
Witty,
416
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
Witty, do not equally weigh the Cafe of thoſe
that believe the Articles we fpeak of,when they
judg them to affent Irrationally, becauſe the
things they affent to,cannot be demonftrated by
Natural Reafon only, and might be rejected by
Ariftotle, Epicurus and Democritus, to whom
they might be nakedly propoſed. For though
this Allegation might be of force, did we pre-
tend to prove what we believe by Arguments
drawn from the Nature of the thing affented to;
it will be of no force, fince we pretend to
prove,what we believe, chiefly by Divine Te-
ftimony, and therefore ſhould not be cenfured,
foran irrational affent,except it be made appear,
that Divine. Teftimony is not duly challenged
for the main of our Religion, or that we Father
fome particular Articles on that Teftimony
which is not contained in it, or rightly infered
from it. And to urge us to prove the Articles of
Faith, delivered in the Scriptures, and which
are not to be known without Revelation by Na-
tural Arguments, without regard to the Proofs
of that Revelation, on whofe Account we be-
lieve the Articles, is to challenge a Man to a
Duel, and oblige him not to make uſe of his beſt
Weapons; as if a Man were obliged to prove
the Torrid Zone habitable and not to make ufe
of the Teftimony of Navigators, who tells us
of the Breeffes that fan the Air, and other Cir-
cumftances, which furnish us with Arguments
to confirm their Relations:
Indeed, the Limitations the Chriftian Religi
on gives to the Dictates of Philofophy, which
were once admitted in a larger Senfe; and the
Doctrin about God and the Soul, &c. which it
adds
Book I. Of Reafon and Religion.
417
adds, to what the Light of Nature might afford
Men, may feem to fome prejudicial to Philofo-
phy, which it can be no otherwife, than
as it adds fomething better; as a Gardiner graf-
ting into a Crabb Tree a nobler branch, makes
it bring forth better Fruit.
To what we have faid, we ſhall add, that it
often happens, that thofe things, which were
firft propofed to the Understanding, and be.
lieved upon the Authority of Revelation, are
afterwards affented to, upon the Account of
Reaſon only. And to this purpoſe I confider,
that none of the Antient Philofophers, not
even thoſe,that believedGod to be the Author of
the World, once thought, that he Created Mat-
ter out of nothing, but only formed the World
of pre-exiſtent Matter; whereas Chriftians are
taught as an Article of Faith, that beſides a
Mediate Création, as when Fiſhes were made
out of the Water, or Adams Body out of the
Earth, Matter it felf was produced out of no-
thing.
ced.
After what hath been faid, it may not be What Proof
improper to confider what kind ofProof is fuf- to make the
is fufficient
ficient to make the Chriſtian Religion thought Christian
fit to be embraced; for befides the Demonftra- Religion fit
tion uſually treated of in Logick, Philofophers to be embra-
reckon three diſtinct kinds and degrees of De-
monſtration. viz. Metaphyfical, where the Con-
clufion is built upon General Metaphyfical Axi-
oms; as, Nihil poteft fimul effe & non effe; non
entis nulla funt Proprietates Reales, &c. Phyfical,
the Conclufions being deduced from Phyſical
Principles, as, ex nihilo nihil fit, Nulla Subftantia
in nihilum redigitur, &c. which are not fo abfo-
gg
lutely
418
Part I
The Reconcileableness
lutely certain as the former; becaufe a God
can Create and Annihilate Subſtances;yet theſe
were held unquestionable by the Antient Na-
turalifts. The Third,Demonſtrations are Mo-
ral, the Conclusion being grounded on ſome co-
gent Proof in it's kind; or concurrent Proba-
bilities, fo that it must be allowed, granting the
moſt received Rules of Prudence, and Princi
ples of practical Philofophy.
And though this laft fort of Demonftration
is fhort of the other, yet it is the trueft guide,
which Men's Actions, though not their Con-
templations have regularly allowed them to
follow. And Moral Demonſtrations Men moſt
afpire to, both in the Conduct of private
Afits, and in the Government of States, Mo-
narchies and Empires Such Demonſtrations may
be made of particulars, each of which are but
probable; of which not only God's, but Hu-
man Laws afford us Examples; for though the
Teftimony of one Witnels is not thought fuf-
ficient to prove a Man guilty of Murder, yet
a fecond concurring with the former is thought
fufficient, tho' of no more Authority than the
former,
for each fingle is but a probability;
yet the concurrence of Probabilities amounts
to a Moral certainty, and the Judg proceeds
accordingly, againlt the Perfon accuſed.
But to apply thefe to the Chriftian Religion,
Ariftotle fays, it is as unskilful and improper to
require Mathematical Demonftrations in Moral
Affairs, as to acquiefce in Moral Arguments in
Mathematicks, and therefore, if the Articles
of the Chriftian Religion can be proved by Mo-
ral, though not by Metaphyſical or Phyfical De-
monftrations, it is fufficient to justify our affent,
and
Book I:
419
Of Reafon and Religion.
& confequently, the other Articles of the Chrift
an Faith, that are clearly and regularly deduced
from fuch Demonstrated Truths, may alfo rea-
fonably be affented to.
But further, our affent or diffent to embrace
the Chriftian Religion, propofed both as a Sy-
ſtem of Speculative Doctrins, and a Body Laws,
teaching us, that God Commands us to Worſhip
him, and regulate our Lives, is an act of choice,
and ought to be determined by the dictates of
Prudence. And we may wish for, and endea-
vour after Reaſons, to determin our Refolves,
which may amount to Moral Demonftrations, yet
Prudence will not always direct us to refuſe to
act upon lefs cogent Arguments; for in human
Affairs,Hazards and Inconveniences will attend
our Refolutions, and Prudence can only di-
rect us to the most preferable Refolution, which
yet may be liable to fome Objections, which can:
not be directly anſwered; but only by the pre-
valency of Arguments that direct our choice.
But in important Affairs, it may be ſaid, we
ought to fufpend an Action, every way atten-
ded with Difficulties, and neither embrace nor
reject the Chriſtian Religion, till the Truth or
Falsehood appear evident. Indeed in fpecula-
tive points, where the Underſtanding is only
converfant, to fufpend our affent is the fafefe
way; but Cartefins, who was the greateſt Exam-
ple of this Sufpenfion, and urged it fo much
declares, he would have it only practiſed about
Speculations, not Actions, fed hac interim dubi-
tatio ad folam, Contemplationem veritatis reftrin-
genda; non quantum ad ufum vite: Quia perſape
rerum agendarum occafio preteriret, antequam nos
dubiisnoftris exolvere poffumus Nonraro quodtantum
8 E 2
et
420
Part I.
The Reconcileablenejs
+
7
eft verifimile cogimur amplecti, el etiam interdum
étfi e duobus unum altero verifimilius non appereat,
alterutrum tamen eligere. Aat elfewhere he
fays it is unreasonable to expect in matter,where
to embrace or reject a Courle that requires pra-
Aice is neceſſary, fuch accrtainty as is requifite
to oblige a Philofopher to acquiefce in, in re-
fpes of Propofitions concerning Speculative
Matters. And be was much accufed for faying,
a Man needed not as certain Grounds for chu-
fing vertuous and avoiding vitious Courses, ass
to determia Notional things.
But there is a difference in chufing or refu-
fing a thing propoſed; for it may be offered,
where an advantage may be hoped for, or as
a dury, which befides the advantage of the per-
formance hath a penalty annexed to the neglect,
or as an Expedient to fhun a great miſchief, or
to obtain a great good. Thus when in the Thea-
trum Chymicum, the chiefAuthors, who pretended
to have been poffefiors of the Elixir, exhorted
their Readers to apply themfelves to the Study
of Alchimy, they make but a Propofition of the
firſt fort; for though a profperous attempt to
make the Philofophers Stone would mightily
enrich a Man, yet if he either refufe to believe
thefe Authors, or believes, and refufes to take
due pains, he can only mifs of the Riches, &c.
they would encourage him to hope for, but is
never the poorer for not engaging himſelf.
But if a sovereign lays a Command upon his
Subjects, and not only offers Rewards for them
that obey, but threatens heavy Penalties upon
them that diſobey, in this cafe a Man hath not
the fame Latitude allowed as in the firſt.
But
1
Book 1.
424
Of Reason and Religion.
But if a Man by the Tranflation of Morbifick
Matter, hath got a Gangrene in his Arm, and
a Surgeon tells him the only way to preferve his
Life is to part with his Am; this is the latt
Cafe propoſed, the lofing of his Arm being the
only way to recover his Health, where there
are ſtronger Motives for a fpeedy refolution
than in the firft Cafe.
To apply this to our prefent purpofe, the
Chriftian Doctrin not only promifes Heaven to
fincere Believers,but threatens Hell to the obſti-
nate. The advice of Mofes to the Jews in this was,
Behold Ifer before you this day a Bluffing and a
Curfe; a Bleffing, if ye obey the Commandments of
the Lord your God, which I command you this
day, and a Curfe, if ye will not obey the Command-
ments of the Lord your God.but turn afide out of the
way which I command you this day, Deut. 11.26,27,
28. And Chrift gave this Commiflion to his Ap
poſtles to Preach the Gospel, Go ye into all the
World, and Preach the Golpel unto every Creature,
be that believeth and is baptized fhall be jayed, buç
be that believeth not ſhall be damned, Mark 15.15,
16. ſo that, as far as there is Truth in the Chri
ftian Religion, he that refufes to be a Difciple
to it,not only hazards the greatest blefing Men
can hope for, but the greateſt Misfortune they
can fall into; fo that our Cafe in respect of the
Chriſtian Religion may be refered not only to
the Second, but the Third Cafe above mentio-
ned; for our Saviour faid, If ye believe not
that I am he, ye shall dye in your Sins, John 8.
And one of the great Heralds of Chriftianity
tells the Jews,that there is no Salvation in any o-
ther, for, there is no other Name under Heaven
88 3
24.
giver
·
422
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
given amongst Men, whereby we muſt be faved,
Acts 4. 10. And the other tells the Theffaloni-
ans, the Lord fhall be revealed from Heaven with
his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking Vengeance
on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel
of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who fhall be punished with
everlaſting Destruction from the Preſence of the Lord,
and from the Glory of his Power, 2 Thef. 1.7,8.9.
Whence it appears, that the Chriftian Reli-
gion is not only propofed as an Offer of Hea-
ven to thoſe that embrace it, but as a Law
which Men fhould be obedient to on the greateſt
Penalty; and the only way to gain Happiness,
and escape Mifery; fo that refufing to fubmit
our Neck to the Yoke of Chrift, being the way
torpin us, as well as to reject it; our Reaſon is
not fo much to tell us, whether the Arguments
for the Chriftian Religion are Demonftrations,
and will qualify us to answer all Objections,but
whether it's not more adviſeable to perform the
Conditions upon the hopes of the reward, or by
refusing to run the hazard of endlefs Mifery.
This may be thought a bard Cafe; but I fhall
here confider, that it relating to the Provi-
dence of God, who being the Author and Lord
of his Creatures, who can receive neither Laws
nor Obligations from them, but may preſcribe
what Laws he pleafes, not impoffible for them
to obey, and to punish their Difcbedience, and
may annex what Conditions he pleaſes, of that
happiness he offers, the Offer upon any Terms,
being an act of his Goodneſs, and the value a-
bove what we can do to obtain it; efpecially,
fince he might have enforced his Commands by
Penalties to the Difobedient without promifing
Rewards
Book I.
423
Of Reason and Religion.
Rewards for the performance; fo that he hath
given fuch Grounds for Expectations, that they
are felf condemned that refufe it: ſo that though
the proof of the Chriftian Religion amounted
not to Moral Demonftration,it would be Rati-
onal to embrace that Religion, if it only ap-
peared more likely to be true than not to be
true.
But this is not the only Cafe,whe e Prudence
would oblige us toRefolutions, notwithstanding
Doubts to the contrary.
But the hardness of the Cafe is, by moſt Men
made to be this, that for a Religion, whoſe
threats and promifes are not Demonftra.
ted, we must quit our pleafures, and undergo
hardſhips and loffes,exchanging what is certain
for uncertainty. But to this answer. First,
That what we are to refign to become Chrifti-
ans, is but of little value, compared to the
Goods we may acquire by parting with them.
For what we are to forfake are but petty
Enjoyments, which thofe that have enjoyed
moft, have pronounced them unfatisfactory,
whilst they poffeffed them, they being likewife
as tranfitory as empty, befides a Thouſand Ac-
cidents may take them from us, and Death will
certainly in a little time take us from them. if
it be faid, that thefe little Enjoyments are the
only Happiness we can fecure our felves of, 1
think it for that Caufe, the more eaſonable
to part with them, if neceffary, on the hopes
the Chriftian Religion gives us. For if a
Man looks upon them with the Eye of a Philo-
fopher or a Chriftian, fuch ſmall Happineffes are
fcarce defireable, and if there be fuch Tranf-
884
cendent
·
424
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
cendent Happineſs as Chriftianity offers, that
fhould be my Ambition. So that the meanness
of earthly happineſs will either make me think
it no mifery to be without it, or the Excellen-
cy of Heavenly Felicity will make me think it
Wiſdom to exchange Heavenly for Earthly Hap-
pineſs.
But further, Chriſtian Religion requires acti-
ons no more imprudent,than fome others which
are thought complying with the Dictates ofPry-
dence, and fome of them practifed by Politici-
ans in Affairs of ſtate. Merchants at Sea,often
throw their Goods over-board, and perhaps
their Victuals, being neither fure that this Lofs
will fave the Ship, or that it may not be faved
without it. And the Wifeft Men think them-
felves moſt fo, when they toyle and deny
themſelves many things to provide advantagi-
ouſly for their Children, which they have but a
Womens Word for, and confequently but a
Moral Probability, that they are theirs.
Some Phyfitians, in the fmall Pox, are for
bleeding, and others against it; if then the Pa
tient be told, that without Bleeding the Di-
ftemper will be Mortal, and another tell him,
that if he weakens Nature thus, the Diſeaſe will
be too ſtrong for him, what muſt a prudent
Man do, where he can make no refolutions,
which may not be oppofed by probable Argu-
ments, and where the fufpenfion of his Refolu-
tion may be as hazardous, as either of their
Advices. And he that hath a Gangrene in his
Arm, if he confents to have it cut off, as Pru-
dence directs, he is certain to lofe one of his
ufetul Limbs, and knows not but that he may
fave
:
Book I
425
Of Reafon and Religion.
fave his Life without it, nor is certain he fhall
fave it by it.
But to use more publick Inftances, how many
Generals and Commanders have hazarded their
Lives to feize upon Places promiſed to be fur-
rendered, when corrupted with Money, when
all the ground they go upon, is the Faithfulneſs
of a Traytor, that made that Criminal Agree-
ment? And how many Politicians have either
engaged in War, or taken Courfes that would
engage them, upon Informations from fuch as
they have Corrupted in other Princes Councils,
though at the fame time, they muſt believe them
faithless and perfidious Men.
Theſe and a great many more Inftances may
be alledged, to fhew, that a Man needs not quit
his Reason, to fulfil the Conditions of the Gof-
pel, though it wanted demonftrative Argu-
ments, For the probability of obtaining inefti-
mable Bleffings, and more than a probability of
enduring unspeakable Torments for the neglect,
may reaſonably induce a Man to fulfil the Con-
ditions, and it will justify his Prudence, if it
does but appear, that it is more probable fome
Religion fhould be true, than that ſo many at-
teſted Miracles alledged by the Antient Chrifti-
ans fhould be falfe; and that God, who hath
made the World and Man, fhould leave him
whom he hath fo fitted, and by internal Laws
obliged to worship him, undirected how to
perform it. And that if any Religion be true,
the Excellency of it's Doctrin and Promifes,
as alfo, Prophefies and Miracles, that bear
witneſs of it, make the Chriſtian moſt like-
ly; the Records of it being made by honeft
plain
426
Part. I.
The Reconcileableness
plain Men, who practiced as well as taught the
ftricteft Vertue, and knew that Lying was con-
demned by their Religion; and who freely
joyned their Doctrin and Relations with their
Blood, which was fo evidently true in the times
it was performed, that the Evidence converted
whole Nations, many of which were confidera-
ble and prudent Ferfons, who were both con-
cerned, and had Opportunities to examin the
Truth of them, and whofe Education fo much
indiſpoſed them to embrace Chriftianity, that
to profefs it fincerely,they were obliged to for-
fake both their former Religion and Vices, and
expoſe their Lives and Fortunes for it.
If it be objected, that it's harsh, if not unrea-
fonable, to affiga fo great a Penalty as Damna-
tion, upon fo firm an Affent as Faith, to Do-
arins fo obfcurely delivered, and have not
their Truth demonftrated; I answer, that I
believe, there is no degree of Faith neceffary to
Salvation, which is not fuitable to the Evidence,
if Men through Laziness, Prejudices, Vice,
Paffions, Intereft, or fome other Defect are not
wanting to themſelves; for as God is juſt and
gracious, and hath published the Gospel, that
Men might be brought to Salvation by it, I
cannot fee, he makes any thing neceffary to
Salvation, that they may not as far as they are
commanded, diftinctly and explicitely believe,
and what is not fo delivered, 1 fhould not think
or admit neceffary to Salvation; for I am far
from thinking, all the Tenets of the Schools,
or particular Churches, to be fo much as Chri-
ftian Verities, and are therefore far from being
fundamental and neceffary ones; nor are all the
Doctrins,
Book 1. Of Reafon and Religion.
427
Doctrins, that concern fundamental Articles,
fundamental too; as to the firmness of Affent
fuppofed to be required by Chriftianity to the
Articles it delivers, it may not be in all Cafes
fo neceſſary to true and faving Faith, as many
think it to be; for the Scripture it felf tells us,
that ſome of the Truths it reveals, are unfatho-
mable Myſteries, and others hard to be under-
ftood, and it is unreasonable to fuppofe, that
the highest degree of Affent, is to be given to
fuch Articles, or thofe parts of them, when
their obfcurity keeps us from underſtanding
them, as we do thoſe more plainly revealed.
Nor is the fame degree of Faith neceſſary to all
Perfons, fince Men's Capacities, Education,and
their Opportunities of informing themfelves,
may diſpoſe them to be diffident and apt to hefi-
tate. And the fame Arguments may appear
evident enough to one, to gain his affent, when
another Naturally more Sceptical, or better ac-
quainted with the Difficulties and Objections
urged by the oppofite Party, may have confide-
rable Doubts and Scruples. And when the Do-
Erin is not clearly delivered, or it's Proofs are
not fully cogent; for that Man not to give ſo
firm an affent, as demonftration may produce in
another,is not an affront to the Veracity of God,
fince he may be heartily difpofed and ready to
believe all that ſhall appear to him revealed by
God, and only doubts, whether the thing pro-
poſed be revealed by him, or whether the dif
fident Party rightly underſtands the Sence of the
Words, the Revelation is contained in, which
is not to diftruft God but himſelf. And in fome
Cafes,a degree ofFaith not exempt from Doubts,
3
may,
428
Part 1.
The Reconcileablene's
*
may, through God's Goodness be accepted, and
even the Apoſtles made it their Prayer, that our
Saviour would increaſe their Faith. And he who
follicited him to help his Son, cryed out, Lord
I believe, help thou my unbelief, and was fo mer-
cifully accepted by that high Prieft, who is fen.
fibly touched with our Infirmities, that his re-
queft was granted, though it could not be done
without a Miracle. And our Saviours Diſciples,
when they were ready to perish, and were faved
by their Maſter, he at the fame time gave them
the Epithite of Men of little Faith. And though
Peter when he walked upon the Sea, having loft
a degree of that Faith, which encouraged him
in the Attempt, and was reproved by Chriſt,
yet he was rescued from the Danger, both he
and his Faith was in. And we are told in Scrip-
ture of a Faith no bigger than a Mustard Seed,
that could move Mountains; fo that a degree
of Faith which is none of the greateſt, may be
accepted by God, and be rewarded by miracu-
lous Exertions of his Power. The Faith then
that is as neceffary under the Gospel, as the ge-
nuin Fruit of it is Obedience, fo it is not fuch a
Faith as excludes doubts, but refufals. And tho'
the affent is not fo ftrong as might be produced
by Demonſtration, yet it may be accepted, if
ftrong enough to produce Obedience. And as
St Paul declares in one place, That in Chrift Fe-
fus, neither Circumcifion availeth any thing, nor
Uncircumcifion, but Faith operative through Love,
we may learn his meaning from a parallelPlace,
where in different Words, without varying the
Sence of the later part of the Sentence, he fays,
that in Chrift Jefus, neither Circumcifion availeth
any
Book I. Of Reason and Religion.
429
any thing, ner Uncircumcifion, but the keeping the
Commandment of God. Indeed, the Attainment
of a higher degree of Faith, is always a Bleffing,
and cannot be too much prized nor aimed at,
but there are Degrees in-fome kind of Vertues
and Graces, which though it be a Happineſs to
reach them, yet the endeavouring after them,
is an indefpenfible Duty. And the firmness of
our Affent does in fome Meaſure bring Honour
to God,as the Father of the Faithful gave honour
to God, being mighty in Faith, yet a practi-,
cal affent, grounded on lefs doubted evidence,
may have it's pre-eminence; for when Chrift
now riſen, had ſaid to the distrustful Didymus,
Thomas, becauſe thou haft feen me, thou believeft,
he foon adds, but bleſſed are those that have not
feen, and yet have believed; nor does he a little
honour God, who willingly ferves and obeys
him, and is ambitious to be in a State, where
he may always do fo, that when what feems to
be but a probability of the Chriftian Religion,
being moſt acceptable to God,he embraces with
all Difficulties and Dangers, and boldly refolves
to ſubmit to a prefent and actual refignation of
all his Sins and Lufts, and perhaps his Intereft
and Life too, upon a comparatively uncertain
hope of living with him hereafter.
Againſt what I have faid in defence of the The Concl
Chriſtian Religion, perhaps it may be objected, fien.
that at this rate of arguing, one may Apologize
for any Opinion, and reconcile the most unrea-
fonable to right Reaſon. But it may caſily be
answered, that this Objection is either ground-
ed upon a Miſtake of my defign, or overlooking
what is fuppofed in it: For Ipretend not, that
the Confiderations alledged, fhould pafs for De-
monftrations
י
.
430
Part I.
The Reconcileableness
monſtrations of the Chriftian Religion, which
is to be proved by the Excellency of the Do-
trin it teaches, and of the Rewards it promi-
fes, and ſeveral other Arguments,eſpecially the
Divine Miracles that atteft it, but what I here
undertook was, not to lay down the grounds.
why I received the Chriftian Religion, but to
give an Anſwer, back'd with Reafons, to the
Queſtion, Whether I did not think, that a Chri-
ftian to continue fuch, must deny or lay afide his Rea-
Jon?
The Sum of the Anfwer is this, that the Do-
arins really propoſed by the Chriſtian Religion,
feeming by proper Arguments to be fufficiently
proved in their kind; ſo that the Proofs of it,
whether they be demonstrative or no, are fuffi-
cient to juſtify a rational and prudent Man's
embracing it, this Religion feeming to have fuch
pofitive Proofs for it, the Objections drawn
from Reaſon against it, do not prove the Belief
of it, inconfiftent with right Reafon, nor out-
weigh the Arguments alledged in it's Defence.
The general Grounds of our defign are propo-
fed in the Confiderations hitherto difcourfed
of, and if you attentively confider, what I write
in that fhort Difcourfe, wherein I handle, that
feeming popular Argument for Chriftianity,-
that is drawn from Miracles, that are faid to
atteſt it; you may think, that when all the other
Proofs are taken in, a Man may without re-
nouncing or affronting Reafon be a Chriftian.
The Confiderations I have alledged in behalf
of fome Mysteries of the Chriftian Religion,will
not be equally applicable to the most abfurd or
unreasonable Opinions, thefe Confiderations
being
Book 1. Of Reason and Religion.
431
being offered as Apologies for Chriftian Do-
arins,upon two or all of thefe three Sufpitions.
First. That the Truth of the main Religion, of
which ſuch Doctrins make a Part, is fo far po-
fitively proved by real and uncontrouled Mira-
cles, and other competent Arguments, that
nothing but the irreconcileableness of it's Do-
&trins to right Reafon, ought to hinder us from
believing them. The Second is, That divers of
the things excepted againft, are fuch as appear
to Reafon very difficult, or perhaps impoffible
for us to underſtand perfectly by our own Natural
Light; and Thirdly, That fome things in Chri-
ſtianity which are thought contrary to Reaſon,
are but contrary to it, as it is incompetently
informed and aſſiſted, but not when affifted by
Divine Revelation. And as thefe Suppofitions
are not justly applicable to any other, than the
Chriftian Religion; fo the last cautions us to be
wary, how we admit what pretends to be Su-
pernaturally Revealed, yet if it fufficiently ap-
pear to be fo, we ought not to flight it. For
as a Man may err, by rejecting or being igno-
rant of Truth, as well as by miſtaking what is
Falfe for it; thoſe who have an Inftrument of
Knowledg above other Men, have a great ad-
vantage towards acquiring of Truth, and may
diſcover Truth, which others with Pride and
Induſtry cannot attain to; as Galileo with his
Teleſcope, made diſcoveries others never drea-
med of. And it Men having heard of four Pla-
nets moving about Jupiter, and that Venus is an
opacous Body, and fometimes horned; and had
endeavoured to diſcover ſuch things with the
naked Eye, as Galileo might lock on fuch
with
就
​Part I.
432
The Reconcileableness, &c.
with indignation and pitty; fo a judicious.
Chriſtian, who upon due Examination admits
the Scripture as true, looks upon thoſe that
think to diſcover heavenly Truth by mere Rea-
fon, as well as others do by Revelation. And
as an Aftronomer will examin, whether a Telef
cope be a proper Inftrument to make difcove-
ries with, and being once fatisfyed, will believe
what it difcovers; fo an Inquirer into Religion,
though cautious upon what Terms he believes
the Scripture, yet if once fatisfyed, he ought to
believe it, upon the Authority of that, he will
believe whatever Supernatural Truths it difclo-
fes, which if the Scripture did not teach him
fo he would never affent to. And as the Ga-
laxy and other white Places in the Sky, were
once thought to be Meteors, yet by a Teleſcope
appear to be Conſtellations, fo there are The-
ological Doctrins, which to the Eye of Reafon
feem to be but fanta@tical Things, yet when
Reaſon affifted by Revelation, comes to con-
template them, it plainly diſcovers them to be
Celeſtial Lights, which their Sublimity keeps
concealed from our Eyes.
:
FINIS.
·
THE
CONTENTS.
Of Mr. BOYLE'S
LIFE
He Introduction
TH
His Birth and Extraction
His Education
Pag.
I
2
His Travels
His early Piety and Learning
The Progrefs of his riper Tears
6
id.
17
8
Dr. Burnet's Character of him
His Skill in the Original Languages
12
His Knowledg and Opinion in Controverfial Divi-
nity
His Opinion of Difputes in the Church
id.
13
15
publick Study of the Scrip-
His Efteem of Holy Writ
His private as well as
tures
What be Thought of Morality
16
17
His Chriftianity more particularly confidered 19
hh
His
The Contents.
His Belief of the Existence of a God
Of a Providence
His Chriftian Charity
His Chriftianity further manifefted
-by his Duty to God
Pag.
21
27
35
41
id.
53
54
By his Duty towards his Neighbour
His Religion
His Modefty in his Opinions of Things and Perfons
His Humility
His fight of Honour and Preferments
His Averfion to Popularity and Vain-Glory
His Humanity and Civility to Strangers
His Patience in Afflictions
His Self-denyal
The pious Ule he made of Afflictions
58
62
68
72
73
74
77
-8
84
87
92
·
His Thoughts of Death in his Sickness
His Opinion of Repentance on a Death Bed
His Thoughts of Profperity
His Charitable and Chriftian Thoughts of the Poor
His Thoughts of Liberality,
His Thoughts of Profufenes
His batred of Sin
95
97
99
His Encouragement and Example of Industry 101
104
His carly Study of Divinity, a step to prevent viti-
ous Inclinations
Hos Satisfaction in doing well
What Doflrin Teachers ought to Preach
10%
109
III
Remifness in Hearers, detrimental to Piety and
Werthe
118
His
The Contents.
His Thoughts of bad Company
Pag.
1 24.
Ill Examples to be avoided
His Thoughts of Converfation
129
134
His Admonations to refift Temptations
135
The Danger of Idleness
137
141
His averfion to Avarice and Injuflice
144
147
His Averfion to Hypocrify
His Advice to moderate our Paffions
Some Hints of his Opinion of Atheism and Pre-
phaneness
152
What other Parts of Learning befides Divinity he
was excellent in
Some Thoughts of his of Government
His Thoughts of a private Country Life
His Thoughts of Courtſhip and Matrimony
His Wifdom and other Endowments of Mind
His Diverfion
An Account of his Theological Works
164
167
174
376
1 So
182
133
Of the Martyrdom of Theodora and Didymus 184
Of Scraphick Love
Of the Style of the Scriptures
Of the Poffibility of the Refurrection
Of the Veneration due to God
Of Things above Reafon
Advices about Things above Reafon
لما
185
186
187
188
189
190
A free Enquiry into the Vulgar Notion of Nature
A Difquifition of Final Cauſes
Obſervations of vitiated Sight
Occafional Meditations
191
193
194
id.
hh 2
The
The Contents
Ex
The Chriftian Virtuofo
The Reconcileableness of Reafon and Religion
The Excellency of Theology.
Pag.
196 ·
197
198
200
202
205
The Excellency of the Mechanical Principles
A Lift of his Philofophie al Works, &c.
A general Idea of his Philofophical Works
Fragments and Specimens of his Curiofity, inter-
fperfed through the Philofophical Transactions
An Account of a monstrous Calf
234
235
Milk instead of Blood in the Veins, and Grafs in
the Afpera Arteria
235
Of the Infufion of Liquors into the Mafs of Blood
238
Mercurial Obfervations and their Reſults
An Account of an Earthquake
241
242
Obfervations and Directions about the Barometer
245
AWay of preferving Birds, &c.
250
Anew kind of Baroſcope
252
A new frigorifick Experiment
264
Inquiries concerning the Sea
275
Hevelius, and his Anſwer
Inquiries about Cold, recommended to Monfieur
Of the Transfusion of Blood
277
282
Mr. Boyle's Propoſals to Dr. Lower
Dr. Wallis's Letter to Mr. Boyle
288
292
Obſervations about Shining Flesh
A new Experiment about the Effects of the Atmo-
300
Sphere
Of Ambergreece
310
315
Of
The Gontents.
Of the two forts of Helmontian Laudanum
Pig.
•
319
A Conjecture about the Bladders of Air found in
Fishes
An Obfervation of Red Snow
Dr. Cole's Letter to Mr. Boyle
323
325
326
An Account of a ſelf-moving Liquor
330
An Account of his making the Phoſpherus
336
Mr Boyle's way of examining Water, as to Salt-
ness and Freshness
337
A brief Recapitulation of his Performances
354
His Thoughts of God's Justice
355
His Thoughts of Repentance
356
His Hopes hereafter
His Death
360
370
THE
THE
CONTENTS
OF THE
APPENDIX
Containing the Reconcileableness of Reafor
and Religion.
HE Introduction
T The first Confideration
The Second Confideration
The Third Confideration
www
Pag.
375
377
378
The Fourth Confideration
381
The Fifth Confideration
386
The Sixth Confideration
390
The Seventh Confideration
398
ligion fit to be embraced
What Proof is fufficient to make the Chriftian Re-
408
The Conclufion
417
429
}
A
ERRATA
*
ERRATA in Mr. Boyle's LIFE.
PAG. 14 1.9 for puzzles, r. puzzle. pag. 21 1. 7 for exactly, r. exactly alſo.
pag. 251. 22 for out his, r. out of his. pag. 51 1. 28 for Scriptures, r
Scripture. pag. 521. 12 for is, r. in. id. 1. 33 for himfelf Saints, r. himself.
Saints. pag. 71 1. for Froteflor, r. Poſſeſſor. pag, 75 1. 31 for as any thing
or any thing. pag. 76 1. 8 for occafions, r. occafion. pag. 871. 34 for cafily, I
easy. pag. 91 1. 12 for no end, r. ne end, are Jufficient. pag 98 1.11 for caught
what, r. caught not what. pag. 122 1.9 for Scriptures, r. Scripture. pag. 195 1.
22 for an, 1. a. pag. 225 1.2 for frofe, r. froze pag, 228 1. 8 for ours,f. oers.pag.
for 562, 1. pag. 236 1. 34 for Stan hes, T. Branches pag. 243 1. c3 for, found,r.
found, pag. 2491. 32 for for, r. jar. pag. 263 1. 35 for pauling r. poifing. pag.
266.1.25 for Sal Armoniack, r. Sal Armeniack was difõived. pag.2711. 30 for
there, r.one. pag. 273 l. 26 forhaving near, r. being near. pag.288 1. 3 for on
r. of. pag. 353 1. x for not all, r. not at all. pag. 356 1. 11 for Nirefis,r. Nemefis.
peg. $591. 10 for Looking through the Prilor, as Looking through the Prim
pag. 367 1.11 for Doctrin of Predeftination, r. Detrin Predeftenation.pag.36$
L 33 for and I perfwaded, r. and i am perfwaded.
ERRATA in the APPENDIX.
3
PAG. 380 1. 9 for unparallelled, r. an unparallelled.pag.383 1. 8 for Function
r. Funitions. id L 13 for as, r. is. pag. 384 1. 23 for but, r. pet. pag. 386
for that, r. fo that. id 1.4 for which likely, r.which was likely. pag. 5A8
10 for that, r. than, pag. 389 l. 15 for as they, 1. as they would. pag. 390 1.12
dele, of. pag. 391 1. 34 to allows, r. to allow. pag.393 1.21 dele, as. pag.397
1. 22 for will therefore, r. will not therefore. pag. 490 1. 15 dele, rather. DSS
405 1. 27 for Problem, r. a Problem. pag.408 1. 34 dele, that.
!
ADVERTISEMENT.
:
THe Works of the Right Reverend Ezekiel Hop-
kins, late Lord Bp. of London-Derry in Ire-
land, in fol.
Demonftratio de Deo, five Methodus ad Cogniti-
onem Dei Naturalem, brevis ac demonftrativa. Cui
accedunt Epiſtola quedam mifcellanea de Anima
Natura & Immortalitate, de Veritate Religionis
Chriftiana, de Univerfo, &c. Authore Jofepho Raph-
fon, A. M. & Reg. Soc. Socio.
Mercurius Theologicus: Or, the Monthly In-
ſtructor, briefly explaining and applying all Do-
&rins and Duties of Chriftian Religion, that are
neceffary to be believed and practifed in order to
Salvation. By a Divine of the Church of England.
A Syftem of Rational and Practical Surgery;
wherein all the general intentions, whether Na-
tural or Artificial, are accounted for and explai
ned, according to the Corpufcular Philofophy,
and the evident Qualities of Medicines: Together
with the Caules, Diagnofticks, Prognofticks, and
Method of Cure of Tumours, Ulcers, Wounds,
Fractures and Dislocations. To which is aaded,
an Index of Medicines, and their evident Quali
ties. By Richard Boulton, late of Brazen Nofe
College in Oxford.
A Supplement to Mr. Samuel Puffendorf's In-
troduction to the Hiftory of Europe, containing
a Succinct, but molt exact Hiftorical Acconnt
of 1-veral European States and Countries, not
inferted in the faid Introduction; viz. The Lives
of the Popes, the Turkish Empire, an Hiftorical
Account of the European Tartars, and the Coffacks.
With fome Hiftorical Obfervations of Lapland
and Greenland. By J. C. M. D. S. Reg. S. who
obliged the World with Pufendorf's Introduction
and Continuation.
Al Sold by William Taylor at the Ship in Pa-
ter-nofter Row.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
I
:
:
!
3 9015 03085 8131
ARTES
LIBRARY
1817
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
TUEBOR
SE QUERIS PENINSULAM AMŒNAM
CIRCUMSPICE
БОПЫТНИПІННІНШІШІНІНИН
АШИНІЕПНІЦНЕ
THE GIFT OF
Prof. Louis C.Karpinski
HITUKIGUINHOU
A 58144 7