He that looks for Urnes and old sepulchral reliques, must not seek them in the ruines of Temples: where no Religion anciently placed them. These were found in a Field, according to ancient custome, in noble or private burial; the old practise of the _Canaanites_, the Family of _Abraham_, and the burying place of _Josua_, in the borders of his possessions; and also agreeable unto _Romane_ practise to bury by highwayes, whereby their Monuments were under eye: Memorials of themselves, and _memento's_ of mortality into living passengers; whom the Epitaphs of great ones were fain to beg to stay and look upon them. A language though sometimes used, not so proper in Church-Inscriptions.[74] The sensible Rhetorick of the dead, to exemplarity of good life, first admitted the bones of pious men, and Martyrs within Church-wals; which in succeeding ages crept into promiscuous practise. While _Constantine_ was peculiarly favoured to be admitted unto the Church Porch; and the first thus buried in _England_ was in the dayes of _Cuthred_. [74] Siste viator. Christians dispute how their bodies should lye in the grave.[75] In urnal enterrment they clearly escaped this Controversie: Though we decline the Religious consideration, yet in cemiterial and narrower burying places, to avoid confusion and crosse position, a certain posture were to be admitted; which even Pagan civility observed, The _Persians_ lay North and South, The _Megarians_ and _Phœnicians_ placed their heads to the East: The _Athenians_, some think, towards the West, which Christians still retain. And _Beda_ will have it to be the posture of our Saviour. That he was crucified with his face towards the West, we will not contend with tradition and probable account; But we applaud not the hand of the Painter, in exalting his Cross so high above those on either side; since hereof we finde no authentick account in history, and even the crosses found by _Helena_ pretend no such distinction from longitude or dimension. [75] Kirckmannus de funer. To be gnawd out of our graves, to have our sculs made drinking-bowls, and our bones turned into Pipes, to delight and sport our Enemies, are Tragical abominations, escaped in burning Burials.