Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/351

tented that I have assisted all my poor relations, and put many into a way of getting their owne bread, and have laboured in public works and inventions; have sought out reall objects of charity, and do hereby conjure all who partake of my estate from time to time to do the same at their perill. Nevertheless, to answer custome, and to take the surer side, I give twenty pounds to the most wanting of the parish wherein I dye. As for the education of my children, which are 2 sons and one daughter, I would that my daughter might marry in Ireland, desiring that such a sum as I have left her might not be carried out of Ireland. I wish that my eldest son may get a gentleman's estate in England, which, by what I have gotten already intend to purchase, and by what I presume he may have with a wife, may amount to between two and three thousand pounds per ann., and by some office he may get there, together with an ordinary superlucration, may reasonably be expected, so as I designe my youngest son's trade and imployment to be the prudent management of our Irish estate for himself and his elder brother, which I suppose his said brother must consider him. For as for myself, I being now about threescore & two years old, I intend to attend the improvements of my lands in Ireland, and to gett in the money debts oweing unto me, and to promote the trade of Iron, Lead, Marble, Fish, and Timber, whereof my estate is capable; and as for studies and experiments, I think now to confine the same to the anatomy of the people and politicall Arithmetick, as also to the improvement of ships, land, carriages, guns, and pumps, as of most use to mankind, not bleaming the studies of other men. As for religion, I dye in the profession of that faith, and in the practice of such worship, as I find establht by the Law of my country, not being able to believe what I myself please, nor to worship God better than by doing as I would be done unto, and observing the Laws of my country, and expressing my love and honour to Almighty God by such signes and tokens as are understood to be such by the people with whom I live, God knowing my heart even without any at all; and thus begging the Divine Majesty to make me what He would have me to be, both as to faith and good works; I willingly resigne my soul into His hands, relying only on His infinite mercy and the merritts of my Saviour for my happiness after this life, whereof I expect to know and see God more clearly then by the study of the Scriptures, and of His works I have been hitherto been able to do. Grant me, Lord, an easy passage to thyself, that as I have lived in thy fear, I may be known to dye in thy favour. Amen. Dated the second day of May, in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand six hundred eighty and five.—Wm. Petty.