_Jews_, their Ancestors, had learn’d from the _Egyptians_, or else had their Tradition so confusedly left to Posterity, that they were forc’d to deviate from the antient Custom; for the best construction we can put upon _Embalming_ of the latter Ages, was anointing the Corps with bitter and Aromatick Ointments, compounded by the Apothecaries, [Sidenote: _Jewish Embalming_ rather a Ceremony than Preserving the Corps.] which nevertheless was rather a Ceremony, and render’d the Corps sweet and fragrant, than prevented Putrifaction. Thus the most devout _Nicodemus_ and _Joseph_ of _Arimathea_ Embalm’d the Body of Christ, both out of the Respect they bore him, and according to the Custom of their Nation. Thus, says the Text, _They took the Body of Jesus, and wound it in Linnen-Cloaths, with the Spices_ (_viz._ about an Hundred weight of Myrrh and Aloes) _as the Manner of the Jews is to bury_, John 19. 40. Likewise Holy _Mary_ anointed the Feet of Jesus, whilst alive, with a most costly and rich Ointment of Spikenard, which was done by way of Anticipation in order to his Burial, as the Words of our Saviour himself imply, _John_ 12. 7. So also without doubt _Lazarus_, who was no mean _Jew_, was Embalm’d, nevertheless _Martha_ fear’d he stunk, tho’ he had been Dead but four Days, _John_ 11. 39. Thus you see the more Modern way of _Embalming_ among the _Jews_, was only anointing the Body with an Ointment compounded of sweet Spices, whose chief Ingredients were Myrrh and Aloes, and which was not only very grateful to the Smell, but also dry’d up the Humidity of the Body, preventing an immediate Putrifaction, and likewise by its bitterness kept the Worms from eating it. The Custom of such like anointing the Dead was moreover very common among the _Greeks_, insomuch, says _Athenæus_ Lib. 15. that they studied what Ointments were most agreeable and fitting for every Member of the Body. From them it descended to the _Romans_, and was accounted one of the most commendable Actions of this Life, as being an Honour which appertain’d to the Dead, as _Pliny Nat. Hist._ Lib. 12. cap. 1. relates, wherefore after they had wash’d the Corps, they anointed it, says he, with Odoriferous and Aromatick Ointments. The _Babylonians_ either anointed their Dead with, or laid them in Hony. The _Persians_ and _Scythians_ did the same with Wax. The _Æthiopians_ with a sort of Parget; and others us’d Compositions either of _Salt_, _Nitre_, _Asphalt_, _Bitumen_, _Cedar_, _Balsam_, _Gypsum_, _Lime_, _Petrole_, _Naptha_, _Turpentine_, _Rosin_, or the like, of which see _Kirkmannus de F. R._ p. 62. [Sidenote: _Anointing_ the _Dead_ to what purpose us’d.]