to the mode of these times:  yet it is agreeable to the sense of my heart, and I do very much desire my Will may be carefully observed herein, hoping it may become exemplary to some or other:  at least however testifying at my death—­what I have so often and earnestly professed in my life time—­my utter dislike of the flatteries commonly used in Funeral Sermons, and of the vast expenses otherwise laid out in Funeral solemnities and entertainments, with very little benefit to any; which if bestowed in pious and charitable works, might redound to the public or private benefit of many persons.”

[Sidenote:  His death]

I am next to tell, that he died the 29th of January, 1662; and that his body was buried in Buckden, the third day after his death; and for the manner, that it was as far from ostentation as he desired it; and all the rest of his Will was as punctually performed.  And when I have—­to his just praise—­told this truth, “that he died far from being rich,” I shall return back to visit, and give a further account of him on his last sick bed.

His last Will—­of which I have mentioned a part—­was made about three weeks before his death, about which time, finding his strength to decay by reason of his constant infirmity, and a consumptive cough added to it, he retired to his chamber, expressing a desire to enjoy his last thoughts to himself in private, without disturbance or care, especially of what might concern this world.  And that none of his Clergy—­which are more numerous than any other Bishop’s—­might suffer by his retirement, he did by commission impower his Chaplain, Mr. Pullin,[31] with Episcopal power to give institutions to all livings or Church-preferments, during this his disability to do it himself.  In this time of his retirement he longed for his dissolution; and when some that loved him prayed for his recovery, if he at any time found any amendment, he seemed to be displeased, by saying, “His friends said their prayers backward for him:  and that it was not his desire to live a useless life, and by filling up a place keep another out of it, that might do God and his Church service.”  He would often with much joy and thankfulness mention, “That during his being a housekeeper—­which was more than forty years—­there had not been one buried out of his family, and that he was now like to be the first.”  He would also often mention with thankfulness, “That till he was three score years of age, he had never spent five shillings in law, nor—­upon himself—­so much in wine:  and rejoiced much that he had so lived, as never to cause an hour’s sorrow to his good father; and hoped he should die without an enemy.”

[Sidenote:  Rules and habits]