THE ORDER FOR BURIAL OF THE DEAD. + The Minister meeting the funeral company at the entrance of the churchyard, and going before it, either into the church or toward the grave, shall reverently recite one of the following groups of sentences. I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the Lord. Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and enter in through the gates into the city. I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore. Learn where wisdom is, and where is strength, and understanding; that thou mayest know also where is length of days and life, and where is the light of the eyes and peace. Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right; for that shall bring a man peace at the last. Come unto Him, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Unto you is Paradise opened, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is built, and rest is allowed; yea, perfect goodness and wisdom. Abide still, O my people, and take thy rest. Sorrows pass, and in the end is seen the treasure of immortality. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. The Eternal God is thy refuge. And a Man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place; as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. |