[559] In edit. 1722, Chap. XIV.
BURIALL in all aiges hath bene holden in estimatioun, to signifie that
the same body that was committed to the earth should not utterlie
perishe, but should ryse agane. And the same we wold have keapt within
this Realme, provided that superstitioun, idolatrie, and whatsoever
hath proceaded of a fals opinioun, and for advantage saik, may be
avoyded; as singing of Messe, Placebo, and Dirige, and all other
prayeris over or for the dead, are not onlie superfluous[560] and
vane, but also ar idolatrie, and do repugne to the plane Scriptures of
God. For, plane it is, that everie one that dyeth, departeth eather in
the fayth of Christ Jesus, or ellis departeth in incredulitie: Plane
it is, that thei that depart in the treu fayth of Christ Jesus, rest
frome thair laubouris, and frome death [doe] go to lyef everlasting,
as by oure Maister and by his Apostle we ar taught: But whosoever
departe in unbeleve or in incredulitie, shall never see lyef, but the
wrayth of God abydeth upoun him. And so, we say that Prayeris for the
Dead ar not onlie superfluous[561] and vane, but do expreslie repugne
to the manifest Scripturis and veritie thairof.
[560] In edit. 1621, "which are not only superstitious."
[561] In edit. 1621, "superstitious."
[Sidenote: REFERRES THIS ARTICLE TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHURCHE.]
For avoyding all inconvenientis,[562] we judge it best, that neather
singing nor reading be at the Buryall: for albeit thingis song and red
may admonishe some of the leving to prepair thame selfis for death,
yit shall some superstitious and ignorant personis ever think,[563]
that the workis synging or reading of the levying do and may proffat
the dead. And thairfoir, we think most expedient that the Dead be
convoyed to the place of buriall with some honest cumpany of the
Churche, without eather singing or reading; yea, without all kynd of
ceremony heirtofore used, uther than that the dead be committed to the
grave, with suche gravitie and sobrietie, as those that be present may
seame to fear the judgmentis of God, and to hate synne, whiche is the
caus of death.
[562] In edit. 1621, "of all inconvencies."
[563] In edit. 1621, several words in this sentence, are omitted.
[Sidenote: [ADDITIO.][564]
[564] This addition is not contained in the edit. 1621, or any other
copy.
AND YIT, NOCHTWITHSTANDING, WE ARE NOT SO PRECISE, BUT THAT WE AR
CONTENT THAT PARTICULAR KIRKIS USE THAME IN THAT BEHALF, WYTH THE
CONSENT OF THE MINISTERIE OF THE SAME, AS THEI WILL ANSWEIR TO GOD,
AND ASSEMBLIE OF THE UNIVERSALL KIRK GATHERED WITHIN THE REALME.
We ar nott ignorant that some requyre ane Sermone at the Buriall, or
ellis some places of Scripturis to be red, to put the leving in mynd
that thei ar mortall, and that lykwyise thei must dye. Bot lett those
men understand, that the sermonis whiche be daily maid, serve for that
use; whiche yf men dispyse, the preaching of the[565] Funerall
sermonis shall rather nureise superstitioun and a false opinioun, (as
befoir is said,) then that thei shall bring suche persones to any
godlie consideratioun of thair awin estaite. Attour, eather shall the
Ministeris for the most parte be occupyed in preaching Funerall
sermonis, or ellis thei shall have respect to personis, preaching at
the buriall of the rich and honorabill, but keaping silence when the
poore or dispysed departeth; and this with saif conscience can not the
Ministeris do. For, seing that befoir God, thair is no respect of
personis, and that thair ministerie apperteaneth to all alike,
whatsoever thei do to the riche, in respect of thair ministerie, the
same thei ar bound to do to the poorest under thair charge.
[565] In edit. 1621, the words, "preaching of the," are omitted.
In respect of diverse inconvenientis, we think it neather seamlie that
the Churche appointed to Preaching and ministratioun of the
Sacramentis shalbe maid a place of Buriall; but that some other
secreat and convenient place, lying in the most free air, be appointed
for that use; the whiche place aught to be weill walled and fensed
about, and keaped for that use onlie.