[697] The earlier inscriptions express merely the consular dates, and in one instance only, the name and age of the deceased.
[698] Dr. McCaul remarks the occurrence of a similar expression in a pagan inscription given by Muratori, (978, 979,) as follows: D.M. in hoc tumulo jacet corpus exanimis (sic) cujus spiritus inter deos receptus est; sic enim meruit,—“In this tomb lies a lifeless body whose spirit is received among the gods, for so it deserved.”
[699] The use of recedo in the sense of “to die” is classical; but in the above form it is unknown in pagan epigraphy.
[700] Compare Wesley—
“There everlasting spring abides,
And never-withering flowers.”
[701] De Rossi thinks Ancilla Dei a proper name.
[702] The following is the brief biography of some unknown saint at Naples: SERVVS DEI ... ET AD VITA (sic) PERBENIT (sic,)—“A servant of God ... and attained unto life.”
[703] Burgon.
[704] Of the Antiochene Christians Chrysostom writes: “They say not of the departed ‘he is dead,’ but, ‘he is perfected.’”—Hom. in Matt., 68.
[705] Apol., c. 48.