Christians abhorred this way of obsequies, and though they stickt not to give their bodies to be burnt in their lives, detested that mode after death; affecting rather a depositure than absumption, and properly submitting unto the sentence of God, to return not unto ashes but unto dust again, conformable unto the practice of the Patriarches, the interrment of our Saviour, of _Peter_, _Paul_, and the ancient Martyrs. And so far at last declining promiscuous enterrment with Pagans, that some[11] have suffered Ecclesiastical censures, for making no scruple thereof.
The _Musselman_ beleevers will never admit this fiery resolution. For they hold a present trial from their black and white Angels in the grave; which they must have made so hollow, that they may rise upon their knees.
The Jewish Nation, though they entertained the old way of inhumation, yet sometimes admitted this practice. For the men of _Jabesh_ burnt the body of _Saul_. And by no prohibited practice to avoid contagion or pollution, in time of pestilence, burnt the bodies of their friends.[12] And when they burnt not their dead bodies, yet sometimes used great burnings near and about them, deducible from the expressions concerning _Jehoram_, _Sedechias_, and the sumptuous pyre of Asa; And were so little averse from Pagan[13] burning, that the Jews lamenting the death of _Cæsar_ their friend, and revenger on _Pompey_, frequented the place where his body was burnt for many nights together. And as they raised noble Monuments and _Mausolæums_ for their own Nation,[14] so they were not scrupulous in erecting some for others, according to the practice of _Daniel_, who left that lasting sepulchral pyle in _Echbatana_, for the _Median_ and _Persian_ Kings.[15]
[14] _As that magnificent sepulchral Monument erected by Simon. Mach. 1. 13._
[15] Κατασκέυασμα θαυμασίως πεποιημένον, _whereof a Jewish Priest had alwayes the custody unto _Josephus _his dayes._ Jos. _Lib. 10. Antiq._
But even in times of subjection and hottest use, they conformed not unto the _Romane_ practice of burning; whereby the Prophecy was secured concerning the body of Christ, that it should not see corruption, or a bone should not be broken; which we beleeve was also providentially prevented, from the Souldiers spear and nailes that past by the little bones both in his hands and feet: Nor of ordinary contrivance, that it should not corrupt on the crosse, according to the Law of _Romane_ Crucifixion, or an hair of his head perish, though observable in Jewish customes, to cut the haires of Malefactors.