APPENDIX. Concerning burial of the dead. W. H E N any perfon departeth this life, let the dead body, upon the day of burial, be decently attended from the houfe to the place appointed for public burial, and there immediately interred, without any ceremony. And becaufe the cufioms of kneeling down, and praying by, or to– wards the dead corps, and other fuch ufages, in the place where it lies, before it be carried to burial, are fuperfiitious; and for that, praying, reading, and finging, both in going to, and at the grave, have been groily abufed, are no way benificial to the dead, and have proved many ways hurtful to the living, therefore let all fuch things be laid aiide. Howbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the chriilian friends which accompany the dead body to the place appointed for public burial, do apply themfelves to meditations, and conferences fuitable to the occalion: And that the miniiler, as upon other occaiions, {o at this time, if he be prefent, may put them in remembrance of their duty. That this fhall not extend to deny any civil refpeds or deferences at the burial, fuitable to the rank and condition of the party deceafed, while he was living. Concerning public folemn .fajling. W H E N fome great and notable judgments are either inflicted upon a people, or apparently imminent, or by fome extraordina– ry provocations notorioully deferved; as alfo, when fome fpecial bleiling is to be fought and obtained, public folemn failing (which is to continue the whole day), is a duty that God expedeth from that nation or people. A religious fa(l requires total abilinence, not only from all food. (un– lefs bodily weaknefs do manifefily difable from holding out till the fail: be ended, in which cafe, fomewhat may be taken, yet very fparingly, to fupport nature, when ready to faint), but alfo from all worldly labour, difcourfes and thoughts, and from all bodily delights (although at other times lawful), rich apparel, ornaments, and fuch like, during the fail; and much more from whatever is in the nature, pr ufe, fcandalous and offeniive, as gaudifh attire, lafcivious habits, and geftures, and other va– nities of either fex; which we recommend to all miniil:ers, in their pla– ces, diligently and zealoufly to reprove, as at other times, fo efpecially at a f::dl:, without refped of perfons, as there fhall be occafion. Before the public meeting, each family and perfon apart, are privately to ufe all religious care to prepare their hearts to fuch folemn work, and to be early at the congregation. So
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