Gatherings from grave yards : particularly those of London : with a concise history of the modes of interment among different nations, from the earliest periods. And a detail of dangerous and fatal results produced by the unwise and revolting custom of inhuming the dead in the midst of the living / by G.A. Walker.

Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Gatherings from grave yards : particularly those of London : with a concise history of the modes of interment among different nations, from the earliest periods. And a detail of dangerous and fatal results produced by the unwise and revolting custom of inhuming the dead in the midst of the living / by G.A. Walker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    70/290 (page 44)
    tion valuable, so deeply concerned the interests of piety and religion, that it was not sought after by the majority of believers. The priesthood, the cloister, and irreprochable morals, were titles ne- cessary to obtain it. The laity, to whom no ele- vation of rank could confer a claim, endeavoured to obtain the privilege by presenting handsome donations to the church, and distributing alms with liberality. (^) So rapid a revolution was not general; many Churches shewed great attachment to ancient rules, and were more rigid as to the exceptions. This change could only be the effect of a relaxation in dis cipline relative to an object to which both Popes and Bishops could present more or less of opposition ; for which reason, ecclesiastical history, during this period, furnishes statements which appear contradictory. In some Churches, at certain epochs, the exception had not as yet been admitted, (-) whilst in many others it had been granted to all Ecclesiastics. The more (') Thomassin assigns this as the period of the relaxation of discipline relative to sepulchres.—(Par;; 3, I I, c 65, § 2, and also Greg.) (•) This exception commenced in favour of persons of exem- plary piety. Muratori has demonstrated that this custom was not introduced at the time of the Pontificate of St. Gregory, by the superstition or cupidity of the Ecclesiastics, as Kepper pretends. The most ancient examples he adduces, which do not go further back than the fourth or fifth century, are all of persons distin- guished for their piety. A holy humility frequently determined Bishops not to make use of this prerogative, thinking themselves unworthy of it.—( Vide Muratori A^iecd. t. 1, disq. 17, ct t. 2, duq. 3)