How it comes to passe, that Death is more general∣ly excused then accused. [ 1516]
IT was a Fable amongst the Antients in former times,* 1.1 that God appointing to every thing it's office and function, he gave order unto Death to take away the lives of Men; but Death refused the employment, and gave this reason, because he should be by every one accused, They would all be ready to say, that he had killed them; No, sayes God, they shall all be forward to excuse thee; Nay then, sayes Death; let me alone to undertake the service: Hence it comes to passe, that of such a one we say, He died because he was an old Man; of ano∣ther, because he was intemperate in his diet; of a third, because he was carelesse of his Health; a fourth, might have been a living Man, had he not gone such a journey by land, or such a Voyage to Sea, so that with one thing or other, Death that Prince of terrours, though he have his name in Latine Mors, à mordendo, yet he is more generally excused by all Men, then ac∣cused by any.