Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. II. Of burying the Dead, &c.

The Burial of the Dead is a Moral Duty, as it is an evidence of Hu∣manity, and yet hath no Form prescribed in the Word of God for the So∣lemnity to be used on such occasions. That therefore which may most improve the Death of our Friends to our own preparation for Death, and give demonstration of our love to the Deceased, with our hope of his Resurrection, is most useful at such opportunities; be it a word of Ex∣hortation, with solemn Prayer, for the better preparation of our selves for the day of Dissolution, &c. Usually of old Burials were solemni∣zed with Lamentation. Gen. 25. 2. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her; yea, with great Lamentation, as when Stephen

was buried, Acts 8. 2. and sometimes with Fasting, 1 Sam. 31. 13.

But for the place of Burial, we find it was at Mens liberty also, some preparing their own Sepulchres in their Gardens: Nor matters it much so the Dead be buried, in what part of the Earth we make restitution of that Earth which we have carried about for a small moment. Yet this I must say, That Births and Burials are material Passages concerning Hu∣mane Affairs, and therefore publick notice would be taken of such Chan∣ges. And here the Baptized Churches should not be rejected, but some care taken for the keeping in memory the Births and Burials which hap∣pen to be among them, for the avoiding of such Controversies as are wont to arise about Matters of Estate, &c.

Nor is it rational to debar them the benefit of the common Burying-Places, sith they do pay all Impositions for the Fencing, and orderly keeping of the said places, as they have frequently been in late Times; yea, so inhumane hath been the usage of some, that they have been taken out of their Graves, drawn upon a Sledg to their own Gates, and there left unburied. Thus did certain of the Inhabitants of Croft * 1.1 deal with one Mr. Robert Shalder, a Baptized Believer, Anno 1666. to the eter∣nal infamy of the doers of that cruel Act, whilst his Epitaph lives to keep in memory that sordid Action, viz.

Sleep, pious Shalder, sleep, in thy sequestred Grave; Christ's Faith thou well didst keep; maugre the fiercest Wave Which Satan's Storms could raise against thy Faith: And now In vain he findeth ways his malice still to show. Thy Saviour had no Grave, but what a Friend did lend; Enough if th'Servant have like favour at his end; And now thy Faith Divine, I'le pin upon thy Herse, Which bright (though brief) doth shine, Heb. 6. first, second verse.

For any to make it unwarrantable for the Baptized Churches to bury their Dead among their Neighbours, though of differing Opinion in Point of Religion, is a gross vanity; and it were as idle, as to say, we may not dwell in one House or City together; nay, much more absurd, for the Dead know nothing, cannot injure one another, but the Living may. * 2.1 This was Tillam's conceit, that prodigious Apostate, who instead of promoting Truth in an amicable way, made it odious in the Eyes of all Men, by the foolish Niceties wherewith he had incumbred it, together with his Jewish Ceremonies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In the County of Lincoln.
• * 2.1

  T. Tillam of Colchester, an Apostate.