XIV. Of Burial.

Burial in all ages hath been holden in estimation, to signify the faith that the same body that was committed to the earth would not utterly perish, but would rise again. And we would have the same kept within this realm, provided that superstition, idolatry, and whatsoever hath proceeded of a false opinion and for advantage's sake, be avoided. Singing of Mass, placebo, and dirge, and all other prayers over or for the dead, are not only superfluous and vain, but are idolatry, and are repugnant to the plain Scriptures of God. Plain it is that every one that dieth departeth either in the faith of Christ Jesus, or else departeth in incredulity. Plain it is that they that depart in the true faith of Christ Jesus rest from their labours, and from death do go to life everlasting, as by our Master and by His Apostle we are taught. But whosoever shall depart in unbelief or in incredulity shall never see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him. And so we say that prayers for the dead are not only superfluous415 and vain, but are expressly repugnant to the manifest Scriptures and truth thereof.

To avoid all inconveniences, we judge it best that there be neither singing nor reading at the burial. Albeit things sung and read may admonish some of the living to prepare themselves for death, yet shall some superstitious and ignorant persons ever think that the singing or reading of the living does and may profit the dead. For this reason we think it most expedient that the dead be convoyed to the place of burial by some honest company of the Church, without either singing or reading; yea, without all kind of ceremony heretofore used, other than that the dead be committed to the grave, with gravity and sobriety, so that those that be present may seem to fear the judgments of God, and to hate sin, which is the cause of death.²⁷⁰²⁷⁰And yet, notwithstanding, we are not so precise, but that we are content that particular kirks use them in that behalf, with the consent of the ministry of the same, as they will answer to God, and to the Assembly of the Universal Kirk gathered within the realm. (Additio.)

We are not ignorant that some require a sermon at the burial, or else that some places of Scriptures be read, to put the living in mind that they are mortal, and that likewise they must die. But let those men understand that the sermons which are daily made serve for that use. If men despise these, the preaching of funeral sermons shall nourish superstition and a false opinion, as we have said, rather than bring such persons to any godly consideration of their own estate. Besides, either shall the ministers for the most part be occupied in preaching funeral sermons or else they shall have respect to persons, preaching at the burial of the rich and honourable, but keeping silence when the poor or despised departeth; and this the ministers cannot do with safe conscience. For, seeing that before God there is in respect of persons, and that their ministry appertaineth to all alike, whatsoever they do to the rich, in respect of their ministry, the same they are bound to do to the poorest under their charge.

In respect of divers inconveniences, we think it unseemly that the church appointed to preaching and ministration of416 the Sacraments shall be made a place of burial. Some other secret and convenient place, lying in the most free air, should be appointed for that use; and this ought to be well walled and fenced about, and kept for that use only.