Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/184

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BOYLE 173 be genuine or adulterate. To which is subjoined, a pre- vious Hydrostatical Way of estimating Ores." "The Christian Virtuoso ; shewing, that by being addicted to Experimental Philosophy, a man is rather assisted than indisposed to be a good Christian.-The first Part. To which are subjoined, a Discourse about the Distinction that represents some things as above Reason, but not con- trary to Reason; and, the first chapters of a Discourse, intituled Greatness of Mind promoted by Christianity" In the advertisement prefixed to this work, he mentions a second part; which, however, he did not live to finish. But the papers he left behind him for that purpose, im- perfect as they are, are printed in the late edition of his works in folio. The last work which he published him- self, was in the spring of 169i; "Experimenta et Obser- vationes Physice; wherein are briefly treated of, several subjects relating to Natural Philosophy in an Experimen- tal Way. To which is added, a small Collection of strange Reports," His complaints continuing still to increase, after a tedious and lingering illness, which may be regarded as a com- plete decay of nature, he departed this life on the 30th December, 1691; exactly one week after the decease of his dear sister Lady Ranelagh, which afflicted him so much, as no doubt to hasten that melancholy event. On the 7th of the following January, he was buried at St. Martin in the Fields; his funeral sermon being preached by Dr. Gilbert Burnet, whom he had much assisted in his publication of the History of the Reformation, and who had gratefully acknowledged lis kindness in the preface to his second volume. He states in this sermon, that twenty- nine years of intimate conversation with Mr. Boyle, have enabled him to give a complete character of him. He descants upon his zeal for the christian religion, and men- tions with particular approbation his foundation for lectures in its defence against deists, atheists, &e. without interfering with any of those points on which christians