These are all simple cases: but preambles far more elaborate are frequently found. Thomas Penistone (dated August 20, and proved September 5, 1601), after the fervent introduction which has been quoted, thus continues: “Sithence nothing in this world is more certain to man than death, nor anything more uncertain than the time of death, after due consideration of the frailty of this fleeting life even in the youngest and strongest persons, and that by the dying intestate of divers upon vain hope of longer life great discord, yea utter ruin, befalleth their children and posterities, in that in their life time no distribution is made of their substance amongst their posterity, but that the same is left to such as by force or deceit can obtain the same, and considering in the time of sickness oftentimes a man’s mind, which then ought only to be conversant in divine meditation, is so grieved with the pang of his disease that he is disable (how willing soever) in any good sort to remember and provide for wife children and friends according to his ability: upon these motives I Thomas Penistone, of Saint Margaret’s near the City of Rochester, in the County of Kent, Esquire, aged three and thirty years or thereabout, being in perfect mind and memory, (thanks be given to Almighty God therefor,) do ordain and make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.” From the same year one other example may be given. “In the Name of God, Amen. Forasmuch as the state of man hath no perpetual dwelling within the carnal body, but is separable from it at the will and pleasure of Almighty God at His time appointed, which time is always uncertain, requisite expedient and most necessary it is that every Christian man prepare and make himself ready at all times to leave the same, so that whensoever he shall be called for he be not found sleeping and unprepared: therefore the ninth day of August, A.D. 1601, and in the three and fortieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, I Nicholas Scott, citizen and grocer of London, being of perfect mind and memory, laud and praise be therefore given to Almighty God, and intending by His grace to prepare and make myself ready to go forward in the universal journey of all flesh, do make and declare this my last will and testament concerning the disposition of all and singular my goods chattels lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever.” Upon this basis the changes are rung in will after will, and not the least curious and elaborate pages of literature may be discovered in this mode. CHAPTER XV BURIALS AND FUNERALS “It is a common use to entertain The knowledge of a great man by his train: How great’s the _dead man_ then? There’s none that be So backed with troops of _followers_ as he.” QUARLES.