A Golden Chain

Thirdly, householders must set their families in order before they die, as the Prophet Isaiah saith to Hezekiah,¹ Set thine house in order: for thou must die. For the procuring of good order in the family after death, two things are to be done. The first concerns this life, and that is to dispose of lands and goods. And that this may be well and wisely done; if the Will be unmade, it is with godly advise and counsel to be made in the time of sickness; according to the practise of ancient and worthy men. Abraham before his death makes his Will,² and gives legacies: so did Isaac; and Jacob, in whose last will and testament are contained many worthy blessings and prophesies of the estate of his children. And Christ our Saviour when he was upon the cross provided for his mother, specially commending her to his disciple John whom he loved. And indeed this duty of making a will, is a matter of great weight and importance: for it cuts off much hatred and contention in families, & stays many suites in law. It is not therefore always a matter of indifferency, which may be done or not done, as many falsely think, who upon blind & sinister respects abstain from making wills, either because their wealth should not be known, or because they would have their decayed estate to be concealed; or because they fear they shall die the sooner if the will be once made.

Thirdly, housholders must set their families in order before they die, as the Prophet Esai saith to Ezechiah,¹ Set thine house in order: for thou must die. For the procuring of good order in the family after death, two things are to bee done. The first concernes this life, and that is to dispose of lands and goods. And that this may bee well and wisely done; if the Will bee vnmade, it is with godly aduise and counsell to be made in the time of sicknes; according to the practise of auncient and worthie men. Abraham before his death makes his Will,² and giues legacies: so did Isaac; and Iacob, in whose last will and testamēt are contained many worthie blessings and prophesies of the estate of his children. And Christ our Sauiour when he was vpon the crosse prouided for his mother, specially commending her to his disciple Iohn whom he loued. And indeede this dutie of making a will, is a matter of great weight and importāce: for it cuts off much hatred and contention in families, & staies many suites in law. It is not therefore alwaies a matter of indifferencie, which may bee done or not done, as many falsly think, who vpon blind & sinister respects abstaine from making wills, either because their wealth should not bee knowne, or because they would haue their decaied estate to bee concealed; or because they feare they shall die the sooner if the will be once made.