A summons to the grave, or, The necessity of a timely preparation for death…

4. Riches cannot deliver from Death, if it could we should have few rich men die; doubtless they would give their all to save themselves from the grave: they would leave but little to Friends or Executors, could they but bribe Death ⟨p. 14⟩with their Silver and Gold. I have read of one who would make a trial, and so called for a Bag of Gold, when on a Sick-bed, and laid it to his trembling heart; but presently cried out, Away, away with it; it will not do. Oh my Beloved, Riches will not avail you in the day of wrath, Prov. 11. 4. and as it will not in the Day of Judgement, so it will not in the hour of Death. The brutish person dies and leaves his wealth behind him, Psal. 49. 10. The Cardinal of Winchester, who procured the death of the good Duke of Gloucester in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth, was shortly after taken with a grievous Disease; who understanding by his Physicians that he could not live, murmuring and repining thereat, he cried out, (Fie) will not Death be hired? Will money do nothing, must I die, that have so great riches? If the whole, Realm would save my life, either by policy I can get it, or by riches I can buy it. But yet all would not do, ⟨p. 15⟩the proud Cardinal must submit to death.

4. Riches cannot deliver from Death, if it could we should have few rich men die; doubtless they would give their all to save themselves from the grave: they would leave but little to Friends or Executors, could they but bribe Death ⟨p. 14⟩with their Silver and Gold. I have read of one who would make a tryal, and so called for a Bag of Gold, when on a Sick-bed, and laid it to his trembling heart; but presently cried out, Away, away with it; it will not do. Oh my Beloved, Riches will not avail you in the day of wrath, Prov. 11. 4. and as it will not in the Day of Judgement, so it will not in the hour of Death. The brutish person dies and leaves his wealth behind him,