being of the opinion of Tfo/^that wafer 

 was the originall of ail things, thought it 

 moft equall to fubmit unto the principle 

 of putrefaftion, and conclude in a moift 

 relentment.Othcrs conceived it moft na 

 tural to end in fire, as due unto the mafter 

 principlein the compofition^according to 

 the do&rine of Hcraclitw. And there 

 fore heaped up large piles, more aftively 

 to waft them toward that Element, 

 whereby they alfo declined a vifible de 

 generation inro worms, and left a lafting 

 parcell of their composition. 



Some apprehended a purifying virtue 

 in fire, refining the gr offer commixture, 

 and firing out the ^thereall particles fo 

 deeply iinmerfed in it. And fuch as by 

 tradition or rational! conjcfture held any 

 hint of the finall pyre of all things; or 

 that this Element at laft muft be too hard 

 for all the reft 5 might conceive moft na- 

 naturally of the fiery diflblution. Others 

 pretending no natural grounds, politick- 

 ly declined the malice of enemies upon 

 their buried bodies. Which confidera- 

 tion led sylla unto this pradHfe; who 

 having thus ferved the body of Meiriiu, 

 could not but fear a retaliation upon 



his 



