34S 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK IV. nificent structures and mausoleums, adorned with statues and inscriptions, 

 ^■''''^'^^ (planted about with Cypress and other evergreens, and kept in repair,) 

 were not only graceful, but a nobler and useful entertainment to the tra- 

 vellers, putting them in mind of the virtues and glorious actions of the 

 persons buried ; of which, I think, my lord Verulam has somewhere 

 spoken. However, there was certainly no permission for any to be buried 

 within the walls of Rome, almost from the very foundation of it ; for so 

 was the sanction, XII. Tab. IN URBE NE SEPELITO NEVE 

 URITO, " neither to bury or burn the dead in the city." And when 

 long after they began to violate that law, Antoninus Pius, and the em- 

 peror succeeding, did again prohibit it. All we meet of ancient to the 

 contrary, is the tomb of Cestius, the epulos, which is a thick clumsy 

 pyramid yet standing, nec in urbe, nec in orhe, as it were, but half 

 and half ivitliout the wall. If then it were counted a thing so profane to 

 bury in the cities, much less would they have permitted it in their 

 temples ; nor was it in use among Christians, who, in the primitive ages, 

 had no particular ccemeteria ; but when (not long after) it was indulged, 

 it was to martyrs only ad limina, and in the porches, even to the deposita 

 • See that of the apostlcs * themselves. Princes, indeed, and other illustrious 

 f^ous °^cM- persons, founders of churches, &c. had sometimes their dormitories near 

 id" legf ^'xh! the Basilicas and cathedrals, a little before St. Augustin's time, as appears 

 by his book de cura pro mortuis, and the concession was not easily ob- 

 chrys. Horn. Gained. Coustantiue, son to the Great Constantine himself, did not, 



XXVI. Epist. ' ' 



ad Corinth. without Icavc, inhume his royal father in the church-porch of that 

 august fabric, though built by that famous emperor : and yet after 

 this, other great persons placed their sepulchres no nearer than towards 

 the church-walls, whilst, in the body of the church, they presumed no 

 farther for a long time after, as may be proved from the Capitula of 

 Charlemagne : nor hardly in the city, till the time of Gregory the great : 

 and when connived at, it was complained of. We find it forbidden (as to 

 churches) by the emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius ; and 

 so in the code, where the sanction runs thus : Nemo apostolorum vel 

 t Gretser, mcirtijrum sedem humanis corporibus existimet esse consessam f , &c. 

 christ.'^capl's. Aud now, after all this, would it not raise our indignation to see so 

 Ritu'sepui many extortioners, luxurious, profane, and very mean persons, without 

 merit, not only affecting, but permitted to lay their carcasses, not in the 

 nave and body of the church only, but in the very chancel, next the 

 communion-table, ripping up the pavements, removing the seats, &:c. 

 for some little gratification of those who should have more respect to 

 decency at least, if for no other ! 



