rity, proclaims you fo good a Friend to the Intereft of Learning and Religion. Those flow Benefactors, who give only what they cannot keep, and fo rather cut out a Channel for their flowing Wealth than cause it to flow, determining only the course and directing the flight of their Riches when they make themfelves Wings, may indeed do a great deal of good to the World, but are thought to deserve little Acknowledgment from it for their late, and as it were Pofthumous Works of Mercy. For tho they do what is materially Good, they do it not well, this being but little better than the fordid Practife of those who heap up their Riches together (not understanding the much great.. er ་ the The Epiftle Dedicatory. er Pleasure of doing good with them) for Moths and Ruft, or for the worse Corruption of a loose and Libertine Heir. But there is another value to be fet upon Works of Charity which are not extorted by the Arrests of Death, but are the free and kindly Productions of Life and Health. When a Man gives before he is fummon'd to furrender, and has a Heart to part with the World while he may poffefs and enjoy it. This is the Excellency and Commendation of Charity, and while the other only. Profits, this Obliges the World,and calls for the moft juft Acknow ledgments of Efteem and Gratitude. This, Sir, you have a very e minent Right to, and I hope the A 3 Pub Publick will be as juft, as you have been Good and Charitable. Con cerning which I have a fair occafion to fay great Things, but fince your Modesty will not bear what your Generofity deferves, give me leave inftead of a Rhetorical Panegyrick, to erect this Philofophick Monument at least to the Memory of your noble and perpetual Bounty, and to infcribe your Name to a Work which may as much commemorate your Goodnefs as it is like perhaps to exercise it. For indeed it would be Happinefs beyond what the Senfe of my Infirmity permits me to promife my felf, if there fhould not be things that will need Indulgence in the Prefent which is here humbly addrefs'd to you. Which yet if you you please to accept with all its Defects, you will yet farther commend your Goodness to the World, by shewing your forgiving to hold proportion with your gi. ving Charity. Which that God would bless to the best Advantages of the publick here, and doubly upon the Head of its pious Author hereafter, is whatought to be the Prayer of all, and shall be said with a particular Devoti. on, by reward SIR, Your most Humble, J. Norris. THE |