Seasonable considerations on the indecent and dangerous custom of burying in churches and church-yards. With remarkable observations historical and philosophical ... Proving, that the custom is not only contrary to the practice of the ancients, but fatal, in case of infection / [Anon].

  • Lewis, Thomas, 1689-1749?
Date:
1721
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Seasonable considerations on the indecent and dangerous custom of burying in churches and church-yards. With remarkable observations historical and philosophical ... Proving, that the custom is not only contrary to the practice of the ancients, but fatal, in case of infection / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Churches for the future fhould be confecrated with¬ out Relicks; and that Bifhops prefuming to confer crate without Relicks fhould be depofed. A Doc¬ trine, that in Time let a Thoufand Supei ftitions into the Church, and open'd the Way to infinite Frauds and Impo(lures; and fiich as the Bleffed Saints them- felves, if they have any Knowledge of the State of Things below, could not but look upon with the litmoii Deteflation and Abhorrence, (a) But that tliefe Relicks might be made beneficial to. the Dead * as well as the Living ; the Doblrines of Merits, Works of Supererogation, Purgatory, Inter- ceffion of Saints, and the Invocation of Saints there¬ on were invented, and introduced at, and about that very Time;' for, the(e Dobtrines were neceflary to obtain thofe Ends, namely, to gull the People of their Money. , 4 . The People, therefore, being perfivaded by the Cler¬ gy, and being willing to believe, that the Saints de¬ parted had a Love for the Saints here below, and that they pray’d for the Conversion of Sinners/ and inter¬ ceded for them in Heaven.; and that their Remains*' their Bones and Afhes had Virtue to do as much Good to the dead Bodies of Men, as their Spirits could to the Souls of Men; the Sacred Relicks were as gree¬ dily fought for, for the Good of the Dead, as ever they had been for the Living before; and thereupon' the neared Grave to the Altar was efretmed the mod fertuous, and confequently, to be p lit chafed at any Rate. . . , Add to this, that the Dodbine of the MASS was invented much about the fame Time, (£) or followed (bon after, to compleat the Cheat, that is, to bring (rf) JDr. InettA llijlory of the Church if England, Lib. I. c/tp. 13. fag. 21 So' ■„ , i *•) * 4 {by By the Council of Nice, Anno 787. EafihC Rathhe/t? Anno 844. O ' SUPE-Bwf