The triumphs of the reformed religion, in America. The life of the renowned John…

His Liberality to pious Uses, whether public or private, went much beyond the proportions of his little Estate in the world. Many Hundreds of Pounds did he freely bestow upon the poor; and he would with a very forcible importunity press his Neighbours to join with him, in such Beneficences. 'Twas a marvellous Alacrity, with which he embraced all opportunities of Relieving any, that were miserable; & the good people of Roxbury doubtless cannot ⟨p. 37⟩remember (but the Righteous God will!) how often, and with what Ardours, with what Arguments, he became a Beggar to them, for Collections in their Assemblies, to support such needy Objects, as had fallen under his Observation. The poor counted him their Father, and repaired still unto him, with a filial confidence in their Necessities; and they were more than seven or eight, or indeed than so many scores, who received their portions of his Bounty. Like that worthy and famous English General, he could not persuade himself, That he held any thing but what he gave away; but he drove a mighty Trade at such Exercises as he thought would furnish him with Bills of Exchange, which he hoped after many days to find the comfort of; and yet after all, he would say like one of the most charitable Souls that ever lived in the World, That looking over his Accounts, he could no where find the God of Heaven charged a Debtor there. He did not put off his Charity, to be put in his last Will, as many who therein show that their Charity is against their will; but he was his own Administrator; he made his own Hands his Executors, and his own Eyes his Overseers. It has been Remarked, That liberal men are often long-lived men; so do they after many days find the Bread with which they have been willing to keep other men alive. The great age of our Eliot was but agreeable to this Remark, & when his Age had unfitted him for almost all Employments, ⟨p. 38⟩and bereaved him of those Gifts & Parts which once he had been Accomplished with, being asked, How he did? he would sometimes answer, Alas, I have lost every thing; my Understanding leaves me, my Memory fails me, my Utterance fails me; but I thank God, my Charity holds out still; I find that rather grows than fails!

His Liberality to pious Uses, whether publick or private, went much beyond the proportions of his little Estate in the world. Many Hundreds of Pounds did he freely bestow upon the poor; and he would with a very forcible importunity press his Neighbours to joyn with him, in such Beneficences. 'Twas a marvellous Alacrity, with which he embraced all opportunities of Relieving any, that were miserable; & the good people of Roxbury doubtless cannot