Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/170

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BOYLE 159 Bodleian Library. His friend, Dr. Wallis, in 1659, dedi- cated to him his excellent "Treatise on the Cycloid." And in the same year the learned Sanderson, afterwards Bishop of Lincoln, having been deprived of all his pre- ferments in consequence of his attachment to the royal party, Mr. Boyle generously settled upon him a pension of 50l. per annum, to encourage him to apply himself to the writing of cases of conseience. In consequence of which this excellent logician printed his lectures, which he had read at Oxford in 1647, "De Obligatione Con scientiae," and dedicated them to his friend and patron; without whose assistance, so liberally bestowed, this ex- cellent production would bave been buried, together with its pious author, in oblivion. On the restoration of Charles I1. Mr. Boyle was received by that monarch with great civility, and was solicited by Lord Clarendon, and afterwards by the Earl of Shaftes- bury, to enter into orders; both of those illustrious states- men conceiving that his unblemished life and extensive learning would give additional strength to the doctrines he should preach. This proposition was, bowever, de- clined by Mr. Boyle, who conceived that, as a layman, his works in behalf of religion would perhaps have more effect than as clergyman, as being evidently free from al suspicion of interestedness, and therefore not liable to the scoff so frequently aimed at those whose religion is con sidered as being merely their trade. In addition to this, as Burnet has informed us in his funeral sermon, he did not feel that "inward motion to it by the Holy Ghost," which he conceived to be essential to take upon him that important charge. In 1662 he commenced publishing the fruits of his studies with “ New Experiments, Physico-Mechanical, touching the Spring of the Air and its Effects, made for the most part in a new pueumatical Engine." This work he addressed to his nephew the Lord Dungarvan. He also published " Seraphic Love; or, some Motives and