This stupendious confidence of a dying man is very amazing, nay he drove on the Masquerade at that strange rate, that he may be truly said to have ended as he began, having received the blessed Sacrament, pretended the settlement of his Conscience, and making peace with Heaven with that seeming sincerity, as if he had resolved to prevaricate with God with the same assurance he had all along done with Mankind. The credulity of these deluded persons his Landlord, and the rest, is not much to be wonder'd at, when the last Gasps of Death could carry so fair an Hypocrisie, and their Transports for his extravagant Legacies bequeathed 'em are rather to be pittied then rediculed. And if they have been faulty in any little over-fondness of their imaginary good fortune, the Jests and Gibes they have received, have been their sufficient punishment; besides Mr. Cullin's being run out of above 30l.
After his Death care was taken to provide him a Coffin of about 10l. value, and the Embalmers were paid for some of their Office of preserving him sweet, till preparations for a solemn and sumptuous Funeral could be made, suitable to the remains of the honourable Deceased. And this Letter was sent as follows.
Sir,
These serve to inform you that Humphrey Wickham Esquire of Swaclift in the County of Oxon died this morning at my House where he has been about ten days; He has made his Will, and you are one of his Executors with me and others; A very great share of his Estate is given to you; therefore pray Sir speed to London, that we may take care of his Funeral and other matters necessary to be done upon this occasion.
I think it may not be amiss that you keep this private, lest any thing may be Purloyned or Imbezelled by any of the deceaseds Servants, or any else at his Seat at Swaclift, which is all given to you, some Legacies thereout to be paid; I am, Sir,
Your Servant
Tho. Cullin.
London 3. January 169-1/2. From my House at the Wheat-sheaf near St. Clements Church over against Arundel Street. Strand.
To Mr. William Wickham of Gazington inquire at the Blew Boars Head in Oxon.
These following Lines were inclosed from the aforesaid Executors in the said Letter being left by the deceased.