Pansebeia, or, A view of all religions in the world with the severall church-governments from the creation, to these times : also, a discovery of all known heresies in all ages and places, and choice observations and reflections throughout the whole / by Alexander Ross.

The Contents of the second Section.

The Religions of the ancient Babylonians; of the making, worshipping of images, and bringing in Idolatry. 2. Of Hierapolis, and gods of the Syrians. 3. Of the Pheni∣cians. 4. Of the old Arabians. 5. Of the ancient Persi∣ans. 6. Of the Scythians. 7. Of the Tartars, or Cathai∣ans and Pagans. 8. The Religions of the Northern Coun∣tries neer the Pole. Three-ways whereby Satan deludes men by false miracles. The fear of his Stratagems whence it proceeds; His illusions many, our duty thereupon. 9. Of the Chinois. 10. Of the ancient Indians. 11. Of Siam. 12. Of Pegu. 13. Of Bengala. 14. Of Magor. 15. Of Cambaia. 16. Of Goa. 17. Of Malabar. Pagan Idolaters believe the immortality of the Soul. 18. Of Narsinga, and Bisnagar. 19. Of Japan. 20. Of the Philippina Islands. 21. Of Sumatra, and Zeilan. 22. Of the ancient Egypti∣ans. 23. Of the modern Egyptian Religions.

SECT. II.

Quest. WHat kinde of Religious, or rather Superstitious go∣vernment was there among the Ancient Babylo∣nians?

Answ. They had their Priests called Chal∣deans, and Magi, who were much addicted to Astrolo∣gy a••d Divination, and had their Schools for educati∣on of the Youth in this knowledge. They worshipped divers gods, or idols rather; the two chief were Belus or Bel, or Baal, by whom they meant Iupiter; the other was Astaroth, or Astarte, by which Iuno was understood. They were bound also, by their superstitious discipline, to worship the Sun; and so was the King to offer to

him every day a white horse richly furnished. They worshipped also the Fire, under the name of Nego; and and the Earth, by the name of Shaca. To this Goddesse they kept a feast for five dayes in Babylon, where, du∣ring that time, the Servants were Masters, and the Ma∣sters Servants. They worshipped also Venus; for main∣taining of whose service, the women prostituted them∣selves to strangers, and received much money thereby; to this purpose they sat and exposed themselves at the Temple of Venus, which they call Militta. Their Priests used to have their Processions, and to carry their Idols on their shoulders, the people before and behinde worshipping. The Priests also there used to shave their heads and beards, and to stand in their Temple with Ax∣es, Scepters, and other Weapons in their hands, and Candles lighted before them. They held a Divine Pro∣vidence, but denied the Creation. Ninus was the first Idolater, who after the death of his Father Belus, set up his Image, and caused it to be adored with divine honours here at Babylon, and in the rest of his domini∣ons. Thus we see that the making of images, and the worshipping of them, was the invention of the Gentiles; for indeed they were men whom the Pagans affirmed to be gods; and every one according to his merits and magnificence, began after his death to be worshipped by his friends, but at length by the perswasion of evil spirits, they esteemed those whose memories they ho∣noured, to be lesser gods; this opinion and idolatry was fomented by the Poets; and not onely a preposte∣rous love, and a vain admiration of the worth and me∣rits of dead men brought in idolatry, but likewise Deisi∣demonia, or a foolish and preposterous fear; primus in orbe Deos fecit timor; for the Gentiles did fear their Re∣ligion would be in vain, if they did not see that which they worshipped; they would therefore rather wor∣ship stocks and stones, then an invisible Deity; but it is ridiculous, saith Seneca, Gen•• posito simulachra adorare & suspicere, fabros vero qui illa secerunt contemnere; to wor∣ship and admire the image, and to slight the image ma∣ker; whereas the Artificer deserves more honour then the Art. Against this madnesse the Prophet Isaiah speaketh chap. 44. men cut down trees, rinde them, burn a

part of them, make ready their meat, and warm themselves by the fire thereof; but of the residue he maketh a god, an idol, and prayeth to it; but God hath shut their eyes from sight, and their heart from understanding. Divers ways they had in worshipping of their Idols, sometimes by bowing the head, sometimes by bending the knee, sometimes by bowing or prostrating the whole body, and some∣times by kissing the idol, or by kissing their own hand, if they could not reach to kisse the idol; of this Job spea∣keth; if my mouth hath kissed mine hand when I beheld the Sun shining, or the Moon walking in her brightnesse, Iob. 31. 27. but of the Babylonish idolatry see Diodorus, Philo∣stratus, Eusebius, Isidor, Scaliger.

Q. How doth it appear that the Gentile Idols were dead men?

A. By their own testimonies; for Hermes in Asclepio as Apule••us records, confesseth, that Aesculapius grand∣father to Asclepius, and that Mercury his own grandfather, who had divine worship at Hermopolis in Egypt, were men whose bodies were buried, the one in Lybia, the other in E∣gypt, in the Town Hermopolis, so called from him; but under these names Spirits or Devils are worshipped, which I did draw or intice into their Statues. Plutarch witnesseth that the Egyptian god Osyris was a man, who because he distinguished every Region in the Camp by their co∣lours, in which Dogs, Oxen, and other beasts were pain∣ted; therefore after his death he was honoured under these shapes. In Cyprians book concerning the vanity of Idols, Alexander is informed by Leo the chief Egyp∣tian Priest, that their gods were no other then men. The Greek Poets in rehearsing the Genealogy and off∣spring of their gods, do intimate that they were men. King ••aunus in Italy, made his Grandfather Saturn a god, and so he did deifie his father Picus, and his wife Fauna, who from her gift of prophecying was called Fa∣tua and afterward Bona dea. When the Senate made an Act that none should be worshipped at Rome for gods, but such as the Senate did allow, did they not by this Act intimate that their gods were but men, and subject to their approbation. Cicero in his books of the nature of Gods, sheweth that all their Deities, both great and small were but men; their Temples were their Sepulchres, and their Religion but Superstition.

Virgil by confessing that the Trojan gods were subdued by the Grecians, doth acknowledge they were but men▪ Sibylla calls the Gentile gods 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, the idols or images of dead carkasses; the whole story of Iupiter, to wit, his birth, education, actions, and death, do testifie he was but a man; and if we look on his adulteries, incests with his own sister Iuno, and his daughter Minerva▪ if on his Sodomy with Ga∣nymedes, his ravishing of Europa and many others; if on his impiety against his father Saturn, whom he drove out of his kingdom, and forced to hide himselfe in Italy; if, I say, we consider these things, we must needs say, that he was so far from being a god, that he scarce de∣served the name of a man, but rather of a savage beast, and indeed not unlike in ••alacity to the Goat his Nurse. Such another god was Saturn, a cruel murtherer of his own children, and whose chief delight was to have lit∣tle children sacrificed to him. What was Mercury but a Theese, Venus a Whoore, Bacchus a Drunkard? Vulcan was but a Smith, Apollo a Shepherd and Mason, Mars a Souldier, Neptune a Mariner, Minerva a Spinster or Weaver, Saturn a Husbandman, Aesculapius a Physitian, &c. in a word, as these were men, so they had no other Deity but what they had from men; therefore I will end with that witty saying: Si Dii, cur plangit is! si mortui, cur adoratis? if these are gods, why do you be∣wail them? if men, why do you adore them? But a∣gainst these deified men, the fathers of the Church have written sufficiently; chiefly Clemens. Augustine, Eusebi∣us, Tertullian, Cyprian, Lactantius, Arnobius, Nazianzene, &c. who tell us that there was no Religion at all a∣mong the Gentiles, seeing every kinde of impurity and impiety was patronized by their gods, and as Greg. Na∣zianzene saith in his third Oration against Iulian, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, to be wicked was not only counted no disgrace, but it was also honoured with Altars and Sacrifices: Therefore justly might the Apostle call the worship∣pers of such gods, Atheists, because they did not wor∣ship the true God, but such as were no gods at all, and scarce worthy to be called men. Goodly gods (saith the same Father) who would be drawn to Aethiopia

so far off, for the love of good cheer; these sure were belly-gods; and withall would undertake a quarrel for the Strumpet Lacaena.

Q. What Religious worship, or idolatrous rather, was used in Hierapolis of Syria?

A. In this holy City (for so Hierapolis signifieth) was a magnificent Temple, built by Deucalion, or, as some write, by Semiramis, or, as others, by Bacchus. Queen Stratonice repaired; or re-builded rather, this Temple, being decayed. Here men used to geld themselves, and put on womens apparrel, such Priests were called Galli; Here stood two Priapi or Phalli, and within the Quire (into which the chief Priest onely might enter) stood Iupiters statue, supported with Bulls, Iuno's with Ly∣ons, having in one hand a Scepter, and a Distaff in the other: In the Temple stood Apollo, cloathed and bearded, whose Oracles were much consulted; if the Petition was liked, the Image would move forward; if otherwise, backward. Here also stood divers other Idols; 300. Priests were maintained here; who did Minister all in white, with their heads covered, and sacrificed twice a day, with singing and musical Instru∣ments, if to Iuno; but to Iupiter no musick. Their high Priest was elected every year, whose cloathing was Purple, and a golden Myter. Not far from the Temple was a deep Lake, in which were kept consecra∣ted fishes: in the midst thereof stood a stone Altar, crowned continually with Garlands; on this odours did still burn. They had divers feasts: the greatest was that of the Fire; where they set divers trees hung with divers sorts of beasts for sacrifice on fire, after they had carried about these Fires (in Procession) their I∣dols. Here the gelded Priests wound each other, and divers young men at this feast geld themselves. Here was much confused Musick, Disorder, Fury, and Pro∣phecying. Into the Temple none might enter in 30. days, in whose Family any died, and then his head must be shaved. He that but lookt upon a dead Corps, was excluded the Temple a whole day. To touch a Dove was abomination, because Semiramis was trans∣formed into a Dove; and so it was to touch fishes be∣cause of Derceto, the Mermaid and Mother of Semiramis,

half a Fish and half a Woman. To Hierapolis were di∣vers Pilgrimages; each Pilgrim was tied to cut his hair on his head and browes; to sacrifice a sheep, to kneele and pray upon the fleece thereof; to lay the head and feet of the sheep upon his own head, to crown himself, to drink cold wa••er onely, and to sleep on the ground till his return. The young men were bound to conse∣crate their hair, then to cut it in the Temple, and to offer it in a box of Gold or Silver, with their names in∣scribed thereon. Some other foolish circumstances there were in their superstitious Church discipline, if I may so call it: Of which see Lucian in his Syrian Goddesse; out of whom I have this description. By this, and by what we are to speak of the Gentile idolatry, we may admire the madnesse of those men, who being made af∣ter the image of God, do subject and enslave themselves to dead images, to senselesse blocks and stones, which have eyes and see not, eares and heare not: then not without cause did David say, that they who made them are like unto them; he meanes those that worship them; for not the Artificer, but the Worshipper makes the Idol; So the Poet,

Qui fingit sacros auro vel marmore vultus, Non facit ille De••s; qui colit iste facit.

And it is strange to see how cold and sparing we are in the worship of the true God: how zealous and expen∣sive they are in the service of their false gods; they can cut their flesh, and cry from morning to evening with Baals Priests; they can part from their gold and silver, their jewels and ear-rings to make them a golden Calf, yea they can offer their sons and daughters to be bur∣ned in the fire to Moloch; and yet there is no sin so re∣pugnant to God as Idolatry; for it is repugnant to his entity, because an Idol is nothing in the world, saith the Apostle; it is repugnant to his unity, because he is but one; but false gods or idols are many; it is repugnant to him as he is verity, because Idols are lying vanities; it is repugnant also to him, as he is life, because Idols are dead and senselesse things; it is repugnant to his purity; for Idols are called filthinesse, pollution, and abomina∣tion in Scripture; it is also repugnant to the love he carrieth to his Church: for it causeth jealousie in him,

and therefore he calleth Idolatry Whoredom, and Ido∣ters Adulterers; and they that worship Idols are said to goe a Whoring after other gods; it is likewise opposite to gods goodnesse; therefore idolatrie is particularly cal∣led sin, as if it were the only sin in the world, so Exod. 32. 22. This people is prone to sin, that is, to idolatry: so Lament. 1. 8. my people have committed a sin, that is, Ido∣latry: and as it is most repugnant to Gods nature, so it is to almost all his commandments. To the first; because it makes other gods then he. To the seond: because it makes graven Images, and worships them. To the third: be∣cause it takes Gods name in vain, by giving it to the creature even to stocks and stones. To the fifth: because it gives the honour due to parents, uno sense∣lesse Idols; for the Idolater saith to the stock, thou art my Father, and to the stone thou hast begotten me, Jer 2. 27. To the sixth commandement, because the Idolater is a horrible murtherer, in not sparing his own children. To the seventh, for Idolatry is not onely spiritual A∣dultry, but the cause also of carnal pollution, and of un∣natural lust; for among the Indiáns they practised So∣domy in the sight of their Idols, as a part of that wor∣ship due to them. Lastly it is against the eighth com∣mandement; for the Idolater is a sacrilegious thiefe, stealing from God his due, and giving it to his Idol, as the Prophet complaineth Hos. 2. 8. There are three sins inseparable companions of Idolatry; namely, Witch∣craft, Coveteousnesse, and carnal Pollution. For the first, The Apostle Gal. 5. 20. joyneth Idolatry and Witchcraft together: The Ephesians as they were gi∣ven to Idolatry, so they were to Magical Arts: and as soon as they forsook their idolatry, they forsook also their witchcraft, and burned their conjuring books, Acts 19. 19. as Manasseh reared up Altars for Baal, so he used inchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits, and Wizzards, 2 Kings 21. 6. hence proceeded diabolical inspirations, and Enthusiasmes, Oracles, and many other inchanting tricks. As for covetousness, it is no won∣der that it accompanies idolatry; for it is a kind of i∣dolatry, and so the Apostle calls it; The covetous man worshippeth his god Plutus, or Mammon, with as great devotion as any Idolater doth his Idol: he saith to the

wedge, thou art my hope, and to the gold, thou art my confidence; he sacrificeth to his god the poor whom he oppresseth, his own soul also, and his body too, which he macerates with care, and deprives of things neces∣sary. King Ahaz no sooner gave himself to Idolatry, but he presently shews his sacrilegious covetousnesse in robbing the house of the Lord of its wealth, 2 Chron. 28. As for carnal uncleannesse, how much that hath been practised by Idolaters, is known to them that have read Histories; for they did not think their daughters fit for marriage, till first they had been prostituted be∣fore their Idols; and though adultery, fornication and Sodomy were thought sins, yet these were held vertues, and a part of religious worship in the presence of their gods; and it is no marvel; for their very gods were in∣cestuous, Adulterers, and Sodomites; and divers Strum∣pets after their death were deified, as Lactantius instan∣ceth in Laurentia, the Wife of Faustulus, who for her whoordomes among the Shepherds was called Lupa, that is a Whore. Such another was Leaena among the Athenians; such was Faula, Hercules his Whore, and Flora, who left her estate to the Romans. In a word, Idolatry hath been the cause of all sin and mischiefe in the world; from whence proceed murthers, rapine, oppression, injustice, intemperance, uncleannesse, sor∣sery, avarice, &c. but from this, that men forsook the living God, who is the punisher of vice, and rewarder of vertue; and served false gods, who had been wicked men themselves whilest they lived, and patronized wickednesse when they were dead?

Q. What Idolatrous Gods or Devils rather, did the ancient Syrians worship?

A. Their chief god was Baal-Zebub, or Beel-Zebub, the Lord of Flies, either because his Temple was much infested with Flies, or else from the power he had in driving away Flies. He was a great god at Ekron, and is called in the Gospel, Prince of the Devils. Some take him for Jupiter, others for Priapus, others for Su∣manus chief god of the Manes, which some think to be Pluto. 8. Baal-Phegor or Peor, that is, the gaping or naked Lord, so called from the naked posture in which he was worshipped▪ h•• was the God of the M••abites.

His Temple is called Beth-Peor, Deut: 3. 29. some take him for Priapus. 3. Baal or Bel, which signifieth Lord, was a great god or Idol amongst the Babylonians, Sido∣nians, Samaritans, and Moabites, and sometimes among the Iews; some take him for Mars, others for Iupiter, who by the Phoenicians is called Baal Samen, that is, Lord of Heaven, by which I think they meant the Sun. 4. Baal-berith, that is, Lord of the Covenant, Iudg. 9. 4. by whom they meant Iupiter, whose office was to confirme Covenants, and to punish the breakers there∣of, Audiat haec genitor, qui foedera sulmine sancit, Virg. Aene. 12. So Aristophanes calls upon Iupiter to send his Thunder upon Perjurers, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Therefore among the Romans, the Herauld or Foecialis in making of Leagues, used as he was killing the Hog, by which they used to confirm their Covenants, to call on Iupiter. 5. Dagon from Dag a Fish, because from the navel downward he was made in the form of a fish, but upward like a man; this was a great Idol a∣mong the Philistines, and is thought to be the same that Neptun or Triton. Others who derive the word from Dagan, that is, corn, of which he is said to be the in∣venter, make him all one with Saturn. 6. Astaroth or Astarte was Goddesse of the Sidonians; the word signi∣fieth a flock of sheep or sheep fold; this is thought to be all one with Iuno, Venus, or Lucina, under which names and the form of a sheep, they worshipped the Moon, as they did the Sun under the name of Iupiter, and form of a Ram. She is called also by the Greekes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Heaven, where her aboad is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from her dominion over the Stars. 7. Ad••ammelech, that is, the Kings cloak, or power. Anamelech, the Kings Oracle or Answer; these two Idols were worshipped at Sepharvaim a Town of the Assyrians, 2 Kings 17. these gods were also honoured in Samaria, and so were Suc∣coth-Benoth, the Tabernacle of Daughters, Nergal the light of the grave, Ashima a fault, Nibhas, the fruit of vi∣sion, Tartak, that is, Chained. All which may be seen in the above named chapter of the Kings. 8. The Mo∣abites worshipped Chemosh, the Ammonites Milchom, 2 Kings 23. Nisroch was Senacharibs Idol, 2 Kings 19. Rem∣phan or Repham is the same that Hercules the god of Tyrus,

from Rephaim, that is. Giants. Moloch or Molech from Molach to reign, was a great idol among the Moabites, and Ammonites, and is thought to be the same that Saturn, for their images and sacrifices were much a like; to whom the superstitious Gentiles, and the Jews also offered their sons and daughters to be burned. Thamuz mentioned Ezek. 8. 14. is by Hierom taken for Adonis, so called from Adon, that is, Lord, by which they understood the Sun, as likewise by Hercules; many other idol gods they worshipped: but these mentioned are the chief.

Q. What kind of Discipline was used among the Phoeni∣cians?

A. By their execrable discipline they were bound to offer yearly Sacrifices to Saturn, or the Devil rather, of young Infants: and in the Temple of Venus, to practise not onely Whoredom, but Sodomy also; the Phoenici∣ans were bound to prostitute their daughters to Venus before they married them. In the Temple of Venus were celebrated the annual Rites of Adonis, with bea∣tings and howlings, to whom they perform solemn Ob∣sequies. The next day they say he is alive, and then they shave their heads. The women that refused to be sha∣ved, were tied to prostitute themselves to strangers for one day, and by this means money was raised for Venus. The fun also is much worshipped amongst them, whose Priest is crowned with gold, and is cloathed with a long sleeved garment down to the feet. They were al∣so tied by their Discipline to worship Astarte in the shape of a sheep, and Dagon in the form of a Mermaid, This idol was called Atergatis, and Dercetis: in honour of which the Phoenicians abstained from fish, yet her Priests did eat of the fish which they set all day before her. She had also offered to her fishes of gold and sil∣ver. Of these passages, see Eusebius in his Preparation, Diodorus Siculus, Lucian, Pliny, Athenaeus, and others.

Q. What was the Religion and Discipline of the old Ara∣bians?

A. They worshipped the Sun and Moon, Serpents, Trees, and other such like Deities. The Nabathaeans burned Frankincense to the Sun on his Altar. They doe not bury their dead, but lay them, even their Kings, in dunghills. Adultery is death among them, but Incest

Is no sin. They are circumcised after the example of Is∣mael, at thirteen years of age. Their Priests are cloa∣thed with linnen: they wear Myters and Sandals; they abhor Swines flesh: they pay the tithes of their Fran∣kincense to their god Satis: the Priests are not to take it by weight, but by measure. They are tied by their discipline not to gather Cinnamon, till first they sacri∣fice; then they divide it with a consecrated spear, and assign to the Sun his portion. In Panchaea is a rich and stately Temple, adorned with Statues, and the Priests houses about it. The Priests here rule all, both in Po∣litick and Ecclesiastick Affairs. They are bound to spend their time in singing Hymns, and rehearsing the Acts of their gods. It is not lawful for them to go out of the sacred bounds allotted them: if they doe, they may be killed by Law. They hold Mice to be arrant enemies to their gods, therefore they kill them. Of this subject see Solinus, Athenaeus, Diodorus, Boeinus, and others.

Q. What was the Religious discipline of the antient Per∣sians?

A. They had neither Temples, Altars▪ nor Images, holding these improper for their Gods: but on the tops of hills offered sacrifices to Heaven, and to the Sun, Moon, Fire, Earth, Water, and Winds. The Priest useth neither Musick, Vestments, nor Libaments, b••t onely his Tiara, or Head attire, crowned with Myrtle. He prayeth for all Persians, chiefly for the King. He cuts his sacrifice into smal pieces, and puts herbs under. One of the Magi is bound to stand by, and to sing a Hymn of the Genealogy of their gods; for without a Magus▪ the sacrifice is not lawful. Every man celebrates his own birth day. To lye, and to be in debt, are hei∣nous crimes with them; so it is to spit, wash, or pisse in a River, which with them are hallowed. The Magi may with their own hands kill any thing, except a man, and a dog. They leave no part of their sacrifices for their gods, but divide it by the direction of their Magus amongst themselves; for they hold that God is satisfied with the soul of the sacrificed beast. To blow the fire with their breath, or to cast any dead thing in•• to it, or dirt, was death. They sacrificed chiefly to the

Fire and Water; the fire they cherish with dry sticks without their barks, with tallow also and oyl. When they sacrifice to the Waters, they slay the beasts in a ditch, and lay the flesh on Mirtle, and Lawrel▪ the Magi burn the same, then they pray and sprinkle on the earth, Oyl, Milk, and Honey. They used not to slay their sacrifice with a knife, but with a mallet or club. The Magi keep the sacrifice still burning, and pray eve∣ry day an hour before it. They adored the Sun, whom they called Mithra, at his rising, and offered to him white Horses, whose sacred Chariot was drawn with white Steeds before the King when he went to sacri∣fice. They had divers festival days, the chiefe whereof was that of the Sun. The next was that they called the Destruction of Vices, when they killed poysonable creatures and sacrificed. Of these Persian Rites see, Herodotus, Athenaeus, Pausanias, and others.

Q What was the Old Scythian Religion?

A. They worshipped first of all Vesta, then Iupiter, Apollo, Venus, Mars, and Hercules: they had neither I∣mages, Altars, nor Temples for any of their gods, except for Mars, whose temples they erected of bundles of twigs, heaped up together. In stead of his Image, they set up an old iron sword, to which they offered yearly sacrifices of cattel, and horses; and of men every hundreth Cap∣tive, with whose blood they besprinkle Mars his sword. Then they cut off the right shoulders of the slain men, and s••ing them into the air. They used to wound first, and then to strangle the beast which they sacrificed, praying to that god to whom they offered the beast; they kindled no fire of wood, for the Country yielded none, but they burned the bones of the beast to boyl the flesh withal; if they want a vessel, they boyl the flesh in the beasts paunch; they use no Vows, nor any other ceremonies. Their chiefest sacrifices were Hor∣ses. But of this, see Herodotus and others.

Q. What Religious discipline had the Tartars, or Cathai∣ans?

A. They worshipped the Sun, Stars, Fire, Earth and Water, to whom they offered the first fruits of their meat and drink each morning before they eat and drink themselves. They beleeve there is one God, ma∣ker

of all things; yet they worship him not, nor pray to him. They place Idols at their Tent doores, ••o pre∣serve their cattel and milk. To these silk and felt Idols (for of such materials they make them) are offered the first fruits of milk, meat and drink, the hearts also of beasts, which they leave before them all night, and then eat them in the morning; they offer horses to the Emperours Idol, which none afterward must ride; they do not break, but burn the bones of their Sacrifices; by their discipline they must not touch the fire with a knife, nor meddle with young birds, nor pour milke, drink, or meat on the ground, nor break one bone with another, nor make water within their Tents, and di∣vers other such traditions, which if violated, are pu∣nished with death, or else redeemed with much money. They believe another world, but such as this is. When one dieth, he hath meat set before him, and mares milk: his friends eat a horse, and burn the bones thereof for his soul: they bury also with him a Mare, a Colt, and a Horse bridled and sadled; his gold and silver also; and they set upon poles the horse hide that was eat, that he may not be without a Tent in the other world; they use to purifie every thing by making it passe between two fires. When they pray, they are injoyned by their Discipline to lift up their hands and smite their teeth three times. They use to feed the Ghosts or Spirits with Mares milk cast in the air, or poured on the ground. They have their religious Votaries and Monasteries, a∣mongst which there is an Order called Senscin, which eat nothing but bran steeped in hot water. They wor∣ship not Idols, nor do they marry; but they hold trans∣animation, and divers other ridiculous opinions, as may be seen in Iohannes de Plano Carpini, whom Pope Inno∣cent Anno. 1246. sent Embassadour to the Tartarian Court. See also M. Paulus Venetus, Vincentius, Bellouack in spec∣bist. Math. Paris and others. There is one thing com∣mendable in their Discipline, that they force no man to embrace their Religion. But Ortelius mentioneth a strange custom amongst them, that their Priests on high trees preach to them, and after Sermon besprinkle their au∣ditors with blood, milk, earth, and cow-dung mixed together, and no lesse strange it is that they do not bury their dead but hang them on trees.

Q. Had the Pagans any knowledge of the Creation?

A. It seems by these Tartars and divers other Gen∣tile Idolaters, of which we are to speak, that many of them had some knowledge of the beginning of the world, which they learned, not from the Jewes, with whom they had no commerce, but from the heathen Phi∣losophers and Poets; and these were led to believe this truth by the guide of natural reason; for when they considered the continual vicissitudes in the world, the alteration, generation, and corruption of things, the nature of motion and of time, whereof the one presup∣poseth a Chief Mover; for nothing can move it selfe; the other consisteth in Priotity and Posteriority, which depends upon motion, and suteth not with Eternity; when they observed also the Harmony, Order and Beau∣ty of things, & how every motion and mutation aimed at a certain End, they concluded that this great Universe could not be ruled, or have existence by chance, but by providence and wisdom; and that therefore this must needs have a beginning; otherwise we could not know whether the Egge or the Bird, the Seed or the Plant, the Day or the Night, the Light or the Darknesse were first. And seeing the world consisteth of corruptible parts, how can the Whole which is made up of such Parts be Eternal? They found also that it was repug∣nant to reason, for so many Eternals and infinite En∣tities to exist actually together; for every Entity in the world must be Eternal, if it selfe be eternal. Besides, that it is against the nature of Eternity to admit magis & minus, degrees, auction or diminution; which it must needs do, if the world be eternal; for if there have been infinite annual revolutions of the Sun, and infinite monethly revolutions of the Moon, there must needs be something greater then Infinity; for the revolutions of the Moon, are far more then of the Sun; by these reasons they were induced to acknowledge a beginning of the world; of which Merc. Trismegistus in Poemandra speaketh plainly, in saying, That God by his word made and perfected the world, dividing the Earth from the Heaven, and the Sea from the Land, &c. Orpheus in his Argona••tes sing∣eth, How Jupiter hid within his breast the world which he was to bring forth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, into the pleasant

light, &c. this same song is sung by Hesiod, Homer, AEs∣chilus, Sophocles, Euripides, and other Poets. Pythago∣ras as Plutarch, and Laertius testifie, taught, That the world was made by God. Thales, Empedocles, Anaxagoras, and the other ancient Philosophers, ascribe a begin∣ning to the world, some from one element, some from another. The Platonists alwayes held the creation of the world; and the Aristotelians affirming there is a first mover, must conclude, that the world which is moved, had a beginning; they say also that the world doth depend upon God; how then can it be Eternal? seeing dependance and eternity are incompatible. Ari∣stotle in his Book de mundo, and in his Metaphysicks saith, That God is the cause and Author, not onely of living creatures, but also of nature it selfe, and of the world. Cice∣re in his Books of the nature of the gods confesseth, That every thing had a beginning, and that man was not created by chance, but by a supream power. Seneca, Macrobius, Virgil, Ovid, and other Latine Poets, except Lucretius, affirm the same Doctrine. The Stoicks also asserted the original of the world, and so did the Epicures, though these held a beginning fortuital, not providential, a∣scribing the original of things to chance, not to coun∣sel. This same doctrine of the creation is at this day beleeved by Turks, Arabians, Persians, Armenians, the most barbarous people of both Indies, as we may see in the progresse of this Book: and the greatest opponents to this doctrine of the worlds creation, as Pliny, Lucre∣tius, Galen, and others, are forced sometimes to doubt the truth of their own Tenets.

Q Were all the Tartars of one Religion or Discipline?

A. No; For that vast Country containeth several Nations, who were, and some of them yet are of several Religions. Some Christians, some Mahumetans, and o∣thers Pagans, among whom also are divers Sects and Religions. In Sachion they have divers Monasteries of Idols; to whom they dedicate their children, and on festival days sacrifice Rams to these Idols, for their chil∣drens preservation, the flesh whereof they eat••, but re∣serve the bones as holy reliques: the Priests Fee is the skin, with the head, feet, and inwards, and some part of the flesh also. Before the Corps of any great man be

buried, they set a table before it, furnished with all sort of meats, with the odour of which they think the de∣parted soul is refreshed and heartned against the bur∣ning of the body. They cast into the fire with the bo∣dy pictures of his men, women, horses, and other things to serve him in the other world. In Tangoth they wor∣ship Idols with many heads and hands; they have Mo∣nasteries where the Monks are walled up. In Succuir, they make perfumes of Rheubarb for their Idols. In Caindu they prostitute their wives, sisters, and daugh∣ters to strangers, as an honour due to their Idols. In Cathai and Mangi, the sick vow to offer their blood to their Idols if they recover; their Sorcerers also cause them to offer to these Idols sacrifices of Rams with black heads, which with spiced drinks they eat up mer∣rily, with singing and dancing, and fling the broth of the sacrifice in the air. In some Provinces of Cathaia the Monks wear strings about them full of nut shells, on which they are still praying: they worship still to∣wards the north, but keep their Church doors open towards the south. Of these see Paulus Venetus and Will, de Rubruquis, who both travelled in these Coun∣tries.

Q. Of what Religion are the Northern countries neer the Pole?

A In Nova Zembla (as the Hollanders who travelled thither relate) there is no Religion prescribed by Law; but they worship the Sun so long as he is with them, and in his absence the Moon and north Star. To these they offer yearly sacrifices of Deer, which they burn except the head and feet; they sacrifice also for their dead. The Samodyes which are subject to the Musco∣vit, are much addicted to witchcraft and idolatry; a∣mong them each kindred have their Temple where they sacrifice; their Priest is he that is eldest, whose ornaments are small ribs and teeth of fishes and wilde beasts hanging about him; with a white Garland on his head; in his divine service he doth not sing but howse, and that so long till he become like a mad man, and then falls down as if he were dead, but riseth a∣gain, or dereth five Deere to be sacrificed, and then thrusts a sword half way into his belly, still singing or

howling rather; the sword he takes out again, heats it in the fire, and then thrusts it in at the Navel, and out at the Fundament; then he lets two men standing by him, pull off his head and left shoulder with a small line, by which they pull the head and shoulder into a kettle of hot water, but he reviveth again, and cometh out whole as he was before; with such jugling illusi∣ons do they deceive the people. But of these see Richard Iohnsons relation in Hakluit, tom. 1.

Q. How many ways can Satan delude men by such false miracles?

A. Three wayes. 1. By local motion, suddenly re∣moving one object from the eye, and substituting in stead thereof another; thus are we deceived in many supposed transformations; as when we think we see Women transformed into Cats, or Hares, or any other creature; the Woman is suddenly conveyed away and the Cat put in her place; such were these transmuta∣tions of Vlysses fellows into beasts, and of Diomedes his company into birds. 2. By darkning the Medium or Aire, that we cannot see the object, or by condensing of it so, that the object appeareth bigger then it is, or by altering of it so, that the object appeareth quite other then it is; as we see strange things through some glas∣ses; or lastly, by working on and disturbing of the fancy, which is no hard matter for Satan to do, being a subtile spirit of long experience, and full of knowledge. 3. By working on the outward sensitive organ, either by altering situation thereof; thus by elevating or depres∣sing the eye, we see things double, and otherwise then they are; or by disturbing the visive spirits, or by ca∣sting a mist before the eye. By such tricks the Egyptian Sorcerers made the people beleeve they had done the same miracles that Moses did. And so the Witch of En∣dor deluded Saul, by presenting to him the resemblance of Samuel; whereas it was not in the power of Satan to disturb the soul of any just man, and to take it from that place of rest and happinesse, where it is under the immediate protection of the Almighty; yet many lear∣ned men are of another opinion, that Samuel did truly appear, God so permitting that Saul might be convin∣ced of his wickednesse, and desertion from God, by the

same Prophet, whose counsel he had heretofore despi∣sed. Now though Satan deludes oftentimes with false miracles, yet I deny not, but that sometimes by Gods permission he doth strange wonders; by the help of natural causes, as he can raise storms, so he did against Iobs Children; he can carry his Witches in the Aire, so he did carry Christ to the pinacle of the Temple, and thence to an high Mountain; so the Angel carried Ha∣bakkuk; he can also make beasts to speak, by guiding their tongues, so the Angel made Balaams Asse to utter certain words; but he can do no miracle, that is, he cannot produce such effects as exceed the activity of natural causes; so he cannot raise the dead, or give them life again; he cannot restore sight to the blinde, where there is a total privation, nor can he transform men into beasts, being the body of a beast is not capa∣ble of an humane soul; nor can the soul of man ani∣mate a beasts body, there being no relation betweene the matter and form, nor is there any disposition, appe∣tite, or aptitude in that matter to receive such a form. This is onely the work of God, who changed Lots Wife into a Pillar of Salt, and Nebuchadnezzar into a beast. Satan hath no power over celestial bodies, though he be Prince of the Aire; he cannot create, nor do these things, which God hath reserved for himselfe. Therefore when we hear of men transformed into beasts, or raised from the dead, and such like miracles as exceed the course and activity of nature, we may be assured these are not true miracles, but Satanical delu∣sions, especially if they be done to confirme errour, wickednesse and superstition; for the end of all true and divine miracles are to establish truth and holinesse. Therefore when we read of bringing down the Moon, of driving the Stars backward, and such like impos∣sibilities beleeved among the Gentiles, we must con∣clude they were meer delusions of Satan. Such were those wonders adscribed to Simon Magus, of making images to walk, of turning stones into bread, of being transformed into a Sheep, Goat, and Serpent, of raising souls from the dead, and such like stuffe; all these were meer jugling tricks and Satanicall decepti∣ons.

Q. But why are we so afraid of Satans Stratagems, seeing the most of them are but illusions?

A. This fear in us proceeds partly from the guilt of our own conscience; for Adams sin brought fear both on himselfe and on his posterity; therefore after he had fallen, he confesseth, that as soon as he heard the voice of God in the Garden, he was afraid and so we his children do often times fear, where no fear is, and are afraid sometimes at our own shadows, or at the shaking of a leafe Partly this fear proceeds from want of faith, which Christ reproved in his Apostles; who when they saw Jesus walking in the night time on the Sea, they were afraid, thinking they had seen a Spirit. Besides, the implacable hatred of Satan against man∣kind, his delight he taketh in affrighting and hurting us, either in our persons, or in our estates, that irre∣concilable enmity which is between the Serpent and the Womans seed, is a great cause of this fear in us. Lastly, we are naturally fearful in the dark, because our imagination worketh upon it self, having no outward object to divert it; hence Satan who is the Prince of darknesse, useth the opportunity of the night to hurt or to delude us; thus he affrighteth us in the dark in our houses with strange apparitions, motions and sounds; whence some houses have blin said to be hanted with Spi∣rits. So in the night he affrighteth travellers with ignis fatuus, or jack in the candle, as we call it, which though it be a natural Meteor, yet Satan can move it to and fro purposely to draw travellers into precipices or waters. So in the night time he affrighteth mariners at Sea, by insinuating himself into these fiery Meteors, which like candles or balls of fire, run up and down the ship; these were deified by the old Pagans; if one single flame ap∣peared, they called it Helena, and held it an ominons fign of destruction, as she was to Tr••y; if there were two, they named them Castor and Pollux, and placed their statues in their ships, as we read Act. 28. And Sea men use to tell us of many strange sights and apparitions they have seen in the Ocean. Satan also useth to af∣fright men in Churches and Church yards in the dark, by representing to their phantasie the shape of dead men in their winding sheets; in the night also strange

voices and sounds are heard neer deep waters, or ri∣vers, which are taken as presages of some shortly to be drowned there; the like I have heard my selfe, and have found the event to fall out accordingly; for one day travelling before day, with some company neere the River Don by Aberden, we heard a great noise, and voices call to us; I was going to answer, but was for∣bid by my company, who told me they were spirits, which never are heard there, but before the death of some body; which fell out too true; for the next day, a gallant Gentleman was drowned with his horse, of∣fering to swim over. It is strange what Plutarch writ∣eth of the voice which from the shoare called upon Thamus the Egyptian ship-Master (who then had cast Anchor at Praxeae) telling him that the great god Pan was dead. Though the night Mare, which is called Incubus and Succubus, be a natural disease; as Physitians know, yet Satan hath often times made use of this in∣firmitie, to abuse the bodies of men and wom••n in their sleep. By all which we see his malice against man∣kinde, and the causes of our fear; which hath wrought so powerfully among the ignorant Pagans, that they have planted their whole Religion in the worshipping of these evil spirits; for their gods were none other, as Porphyrie she ••eth, l. 2. de abstinen. & l. 2. de sacrificio. For, saith he, These wicked Spirits delight in shedding of blood, in filthy and obscene speeches, exhorting men to lust, vice, wickednesse, and flagitious actions, &c. they perswade men that the supreame God delighteth in such impieties, &c.

Q Since the Stratagems and illusions of Satan are so ma∣ny, what is our duty in this case?

A. Our duty is. 1. To be assured that nothing can come to pas••e but by the providence of our Heavenly Father, who hath numbred the hairs of our heads, and hath Satan in a chain, so that without permission he could neither afflict Iob in his person, children, nor cattel, nor durst he enter into the herd of swine with∣out leave from Christ. 2. Let us remember what Christ hath promised, to wit, that he will be with us, to the end of the world; and if he be with us, who can be against us? Christ came to destroy the works of

the Devil; to cast out the strong man, and to tread down Satan under our feet; he hath promised not to leave us Orphans; he is the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep, which he holdeth so fast that no man shall take them out of his hand; his name is Ema∣nuel, God with us. He was amongst his Apostles, Luke. 24. when they were assembled together, and in great fear; and so he will be in the midst of two or three gathered together in his name. He is the watch∣man of Israel, that neither slumbers nor sleeps; there∣fore with David let us lie down and take our rest, for he will make us to live in safety. Though we walk through the vally of the shadow of death, let us fear no evil, because the Lord is with us. Let us not be moved, because he is at our right hand; he is our buck∣ler, and our exceeding great reward, therefore let us not feare 3. Let us put on the whole Armour of God, chiefly the shield of faith, that we may quench all the fiery darts of the Devil, and let us fight against Satan, as Christ did with the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Let us resist the Devil and he will flee from us. 4. We must remember that God doth some∣times permit Satan to buffet us as he did Paul, that he might try our patience, and obedience, that we may be the more watchfull of our selves against that roaring Lyon, which compasseth the earth to and fro, seeking whom he may devour; that we may be the more ear∣nest in prayer, that we may adhere the closer to God, and that we may acknowledge his fatherly care and goodnesse, who will not suffer us to be tempted above measure, comforting our selves in this, that his grace is sufficient for us. 5. We must remember that God hath given his Angels charge over us, to hold us up in their hands, least we dash our foot against a stone. Christ was no sooner tempted by Satan, but the Angels came and ministred to him. When Iacob was persecuted by his brother Esau, God sent a multitude of Angels to guard him. The Prophet Elisha was encompassed with fiery Chariots, or Angels in that shape, from the Syri∣an Souldiers. Let us not then fear, so long as we know that the Angels of God are round about those that fear him, and delivereth them; and that the same Angels

will be ready at our death to convey our souls as they did Lazarus, into Abrahams bosome. 6. Let us support our selves against Satan, by the assurance of Christs death, and the remission of our sins; for blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven him; therefore let us not be afraid, for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus. It is God that justifieth, who can condemn? if Satan objects against us, that sin hath a∣bounded, let us answer him in the Apostles words, grace hath much more abounded. 7. Let us as our Saviour counselleth us, watch and pray continually; our spirituall enemies are many, vigilant, malicious and powerful; nothing will give them advantage over us, but security and neglect of prayer; vigilancy and prayer are Armour of proofe against all tentations; with these Saint Paul armed himself when he was buffeted by the Angel of Satan; therefore saith Saint Hierom, When thou walkest abroad, let prayers arm thee; when thou returnest home, let prayers meet thee: Egredientes domo armet oratio, regredi∣entibus de platea occurrat oratio. Lastly, let us take heed we do not countenance or approve, or have any commerce with Necromancers, or such as take upon them to raise Spirits; for God often times punisheth such vain curiosity; let us beware of too much retirednesse; for Satan is most ready to tempt us when we are alone; so he tempted Eve when she was alone in the Garden, and assaulted Christ when he was alone in the Desart. Let us take heed also of too much sadnesse and melan∣choly; for though this be a natural infirmitie, yet Sa∣tan by it takes occasion to work mischief; as we see in Saul, who is said to have an evil spirit, when he was in his melancholy fit; and we know that in the Go∣spel mad men, Phreneticks, and Lunaticks are called Demoniacks, because the Devil took occasion by their madnesse to advance his kingdom of darknesse. And let us chiefly endeavour to have a good conscience which is a continual feast, to live a holy life, and to be just in all our wayes, and so we shall not need to feare Satans Stratagems or illusions; for the righteous man is bold as a Lyon▪

Q. Of What Religion were the Chinois?

A. They were alwaies and still are Idolaters, ex∣cept

as few gained to Christianity by the Jesuits, and a few Tartars that are Mahumetans. That vast Do∣minion is full of Temples and Monasteries, replenished with multitudes of Idols, which their cunning Priests feed with the smoak of meats, but they eat the meat themselves. The Priests here have so much power over their gods, that they may beate and whip them when they do not answer their expectation. They have one Idol with three heads, which they much reverence. These represent their three great Philosophers, Confusius, Xequiam, aud Tanzu. Their chiefe gods are the Sun, Moon, and Stars. They worship also the devil, not out of love, but feare, that he may do them no hurt; there∣fore they place his picture in the fore Castle of their ships. They are Pythagoreans in the opinion of Trans∣ahimation; therefore some of them will not kill any living thing. For this cause at Quinsay in a walled Parke belonging to a Monastery, the Monks feed 4000 living creatures of divers kinds, out of their charity to the souls of Noble men, which were entred into the bodies of these creatures. Their Monks are shaven, are bound to weare beads, to be present at burials, to maintain Celibate whilst they are Monks, to pray two hours together before day. Of these religious Or∣ders there be four sorts, distinguished by their colours, black, white, yellow, and russet. These have their Priors, Provincials, and Generall; he is carryed on mens shoulders in an Ivory Chaite, and is cloathed in silke. Their maintainance is not onely the Kings allowance, but also the benevolence of devout peo∣ple, which they procure by begging and praying for them. They have their Nuns also, and Hermits, and consecrated Hills, to which the people make divers Pilgrimages. There are many Colledges for learning, which is of high esteem among them. Their Secular Priests weare long hair and black cloath, their Regu∣lares are shaven, but neither must marry. They are bound to observe all Feastivall days, such as the New and Full Moons, the Kings birth-day, but chiefly New∣years day, which is the first day of the New Moon in February. The people here are very Superstitious in ob∣••rving their birth-day, and in performing the Fun••al

Obsequies of their Parents, whom they adore, and bury in the fields, with all solemnity and excessive charges. No man is tyed to any particular worship a∣mong them, but he may be of what Sect he will. They have abundance of Hospitals for the poor, and no beg∣gers to be seen among them. But for any knowledge of heavenly joyes, or hell torments, they have very little or none at all. They are very much afraid when there is any Eclipse of the Sun or Moon, which they hold to be man and wife; for then they think that these two gods are angry with them. Of their many super∣stitious Ceremonies, and vain opinions in Divinity, see the Discourse of China, Boterus, Ortelius, Maffaeus, Linschoten, and the Jesuits Epistles.

Q What was the Religion of the ancient Indians?

A. They worshipped their own gods, till Bacchus and Alexander subdued them, and then the Grecian deities were honoured amongst them; chiefly Iupiter, Iuno, Neptune, and Berecynthia. Hercuses also they honoured in the forme and bigness of a Gyant. The Ri∣ver Ganges, and their tallest trees were honoured as Gods among them; therefore it was death to cut down any of them. Dancing to their Idols was held a part of Divine worship; but the Brachmans among them worshipped no Images▪ nor any living creature, were very temperate in in their dyet, and gave themselves to contemplation of divine things. They abstain from Wine and strong drink, and women, and lie on skins. Their Gymnosophists were Philosophers, who accusto∣med their bodies to endure all hardnesse, and their eyes to gaze on the Sun from morning to evening. Of the Indian Religion see Alexander ab Alexandro, Pliny, B••emus, &c.

Q. What is the Religion of Siam?

A. This kingdome of the East-Indies (except where the Moors inhabit, and some Christians) is also idolatrous. But especially they worship the four Elements, and accordingly there be four differ••nt Sects. Each one desireth to be buried in that element which he worshippeth: hence some are buried, some burned, some hanged in the Ayr, and some drowned in the Water. They hold that God made all things,

that the good are rewarded, and the wicked punished. That each man hath two spirits waiting on him, a good and a bad. That the world shall stand 8000 yeers, and then shall be burned into ashes, whence shall come forth two eggs, and out of them one man, and one wo∣man, who shall again replenish the Earth. Their re∣ligious Orders are so strict, that it's death among them to speak to a woman. They feed on Rice onely, and herbs which they beg from door to door. They must not buy nor sell, nor take Rents. They are tyed to rise at midnight to pray to their Idols. They go still bare∣footed, and in poor cloaths. Every King of this Country at his Coronation is bound to erect a Temple, with high Steeples and multitudes of Idols. Their priests go in yellow, being a sacred colour, resembling the Suns light. They may not nourish any female thing, not so much as a hen. He that drinks Wine, is stoned to death. See the discourse of China, Boterus, Maginus, and others.

Q. What is the Religion of Pegu?

A. The religious Ceremonies of this kingdom con∣sisted in multitudes of Temples, Images, and begging preachers, who are still preaching and begging. Their Alms are brought to them in the Pulpits, whilst they are preaching. The people when they enter into their Churches, at the dore wash their feet, and by lifting up their hands to their heads, salute the preacher first, and and then the Sun. When any enters into that Order of Talip••n, or preacher, he is first carried in solemnity a∣bout the streets on horse-back, with Pipes and Dr••ms, then upon mens shoulders to his house, which is with∣out the Town. They keep holy day every New-Moon. They believe multitudes of gods & worlds succeeding each other; that this world hath been governed by four gods already who are gone, the fift is not yet come after whose death the world shall be burned. After this life they hold some shall live in carnal pleasure, some in torment, and others shall be aunihiarid. They hold Transanimation, and are bound to fast thirty days every year. They know no women; for whom they al∣low Nunneries. The People drink the water wherein their Preachers wash themselves, co••nting it holy

They feed the Devil each morning with baskets of rice, that he may not hurt them that day. When they are sick, they build him Altars, and pacif••e him with flow∣ers, meat and musick. Their Idols are honoured with divers festivals, in which wax lights are burned all night, and the gates stand open, that all those may see and have accesse to the idol, who bring presents with them.

Q. Of what Religion are the people of Bengala?

A. They are not content to worship the River ••ah∣ges, but to its image also they give divine honours. The River is visited by many Pilgrims, who think them∣selves happy if they can wash themselves in it. If any can drink of the water thereof at the point of death, he thinks presently by the vertue thereof to obtain heaven. There is also a Well which they adore; in If they wash away all their sins, and are all clean, both without and within, if they wash in it, and drink thereof. They carry away the sand of this Well as a sacred Relique, and in recompence leave flowers behind them in the Well; For fear Ieast their idols should saint with too much heat, there are some who with fans blow the wind for refrigeration. All are bound to enter bare∣••ooted into the idol-Temples. The more horrid and ugly the idol looks, the more he is worshipped. Sick people are brought and laid before the idols, which are honoured with lights continually burning before them. Their marriages are made in some Water, where∣in the Priest and the married couple hold a Cow with her Calfe by the taile, and poure water upon it; then the Priest tieth the ma••ried persons cloaths together; then going round about the Cow aud Calse the Cere∣mony is ended. The Priest hath for his Fee the Cow and Calf; the poor some Almes, and the idols some Money. About Iemena, they use to pray naked in the water and to do pennance by lying flat on the ground, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the earth, holding up their hands to the Sun, and turning themselves about fourty times. Who de∣••ire more of this stuff, let them read Linschoten, R. Fitzh. 〈…〉〈…〉,

Q. Of what Religion is the kingdom of Magor?

A. They are for the most part Pythagoreans, holding

Transanimation; they acknowledge one God, but have many fabulous conceits of him; as that he hath appeared in the world in divers monstrous shapes, to wit, of a Fish, a Snail, a Hog, a Monster resembling Woman in the lower part, and a Lyon in the upper. They worship divers idols, one chiefly representing a Woman with two heads and many hands: to this image ne••r the City Tahor repair many Pilgrims. The King worshippeth every morning the image of the Sun, and of Christ also the Son of righteousnesse, which he sets on the crown of his head. See Oranus in his Narration of Magor.

Q. What is the Reiigion of Cambaia?

A. The people here are so superstitiously Pythagore∣ans, that there are among them some religious orders, who are afraid to kill a Gnat, or Worm. They are much addicted to fasting and almes-giving. Their religious persons called Verteus, leave no hair on their heads and faces, but a little on their crown. They will not drink their water cold, fearing, least thereby they should slay the soul of the water, which is quickened by boyling. The people here redeem birds and beasts appointed to be slain; and if any bird be sick or hurt, they carry it to the Hospital. They redeem also Male∣factors condemned to dye, and sell them for slaves. For fear least they should tread upon Ants, they will rather go out of the way, then goe neer their Hills. They drink no Wine, nor will eat Eggs, least there should be blood in them. Neither will they eat of Ra∣dishes, Onyons, or any herb that hath red colour in it. See. Maffaeus, Linschoten, and Purchas.

Q. What is the Religion professed in Goa?

A. Here are Christians, Jewes, Mahumetans, and Pa∣gans, who pray to the Sun and Moon, and worship di∣vers idols of horrible Aspects; but their custome is to pray to the first thing they meet with in the morning, though a Goose, or an Asse, and all the day after they pray to it; but a Crow they cannot abide, the sight of that will make them keep in all day. They salute the first appearance of the New Moon with prayers on their knees. Neer to every Idol is a Cistern of water, in which they that passe by wash their feet, worship, and

offer Rice, Eggs, or such like. When they sow, mow, marry, go to sea, and when the women lie in, they feast their idols with musick, and other solemnities, fourteen days together, and so do sea-men after they return home. See Linschoten.

Q Of what Religion are the people of Malabar?

A. Pythagoreans they are, holding not onely the im∣mortality of Soules, both of beasts and men, and trans∣animation, but also a divinity in Elephants, Kine, and other beasts; therefore at Calecut, the chief City of this Dominion, and head of a small Kingdome of the same name, there is a stately Temple of 700. pillars de∣dicated to the Ape. Their Bramanes, or Priests (the successors of the old Brachmannes) are in such esteeme here, that the King will not converse with his new married Wife, till one of the chief Bramanes hath had the first nights lodging with her. They hold that God made the World, but because the trouble of governing thereof is so great, therefore hath given the charge thereof to Satan, whom they worship with flowers on their Altars, and sacrifices of Cocks. The Bramanes wash his image, sitting in a fiery Throne with three Crowns and four Horns, in sweet water every morning. The King of Calecut eats no meat till it be first offered by his Priests to this Idol. Debtors that will not pay, are arrested by a rod sent from the chief of the Brama∣nes▪ with which a circle is made about the Debtor, in the Kings name and the said Priest, out of which he da••e not go, till the debt be satisfied; otherwise he is put to death. Every twelfth year in the City of Qui∣lacare is a Jubilee kept to the honour of their Idol; in which, the King of that place, upon a Scaffold covered with silk, before the people, washeth himself, then pray∣eth to the Idol, and having cut off his nose, ears, lips, and other parts, at last cuts his own throat as a sacrifice to his idol. His successor, by their discipline, is bound to be present, and to act the same tragedy on himselfe at the next Jubilee. See Castaneda, Barbosa, Boterus, Lin∣••••hoten, and Purchas.

Q. How ca•••• these Idolatrous Pagans to beleeve the im∣mortality of souls?

A. By the meer force of natural reason; for they

observed that the soul is incorporeal, not onely free from al dependance on the body, in respect of its essence, but also in regard of its inorganical operations, to wit, of Understanding and Will: they found that the more the body decayed and grew weak, the more vigorous, active, and strong was the soul; that it lost nothing of its operations by the losse or decay of the outward senses, that it could comprehened all the world with∣in it self, that it could move it self in an instant, from one end of the world to the other; that it can make things past many years agoe, as if they were present; that it can conceive spiritual Essences, and Universali∣ties: all which do prove how far the soul exceedeth the body and bodily senses, which can reach no farther then to sensible qualities, singularities or individuals, to things present only, to bodies only. Besides, they ob∣served, that the soul could not dye, or perish, or cor∣rupt and putrifie as bodies do, because it is immaterial, simple, without composition of different substances, and free from contrary and destructive qualities, which are the causes of death, corruption and putrefaction in bodies. Again, every body is quantitative, sensible, and may be measured, and filled; but the soul hath no quantitie, nor is it sensible but by its effects, nor can it be measured, nor can the whole world fill it, nor doth it increase or decrease as bodies do; nor can it receive hurt or detriment, from any outward thing; and whereas bodily senses are weakned by any vehement object, as the eye by too much light, the ear by a vio∣lent sou••d, &c. the soul is perfected by its object, and the more sublime or eminent the object is, the more is the soul corroborated in sits understanding; neither is the soul subject to time and motion, as bodies, are; for it makes all times present, and is not capable of genera∣tion, corruption, alteration, &c. moreover, there is in the soul even of Epicurus himself, a desire of immortali∣ty, which desire cannot be in vain, nor frustrated, be∣cause natural, and consequently necessary; and wee know that God hath made nothing in vain, but this desire must be in vain if frustr••ted. And we find that many who have denied the souls immortality in their health and prosperity, have been forced to confesse it

in their sicknesse and troubles, and on their death bed▪ If we look upon the writings of the learned Gentiles, we shall find them professing this truth; this we may see in the fragments of Zoroastres, in Trismegistus, in Pho∣cillides, who thus sings.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. That is, The soul is immortal, and void of old age, and liveth all∣wayes. And againe. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. That is, The soules remain void of fate in death.

The Pythagoreans believed the same, as we see by their opinion of Transanimation. Socrates and Plato speak most divinely of the soul essence and immortality; so doth Aristotle in his books De anima; so do the Poets, so doth Cicero in Som. Scip. Erigamus in cae••um oculos, tanquam in Patriam, in quam nobis aliquando redeundum est; Let us (saith he) lift up our eyes towards Heaven as our country, to which at last we shall return. So he saith, The body is fraile, but the spirit is immortal. So Seneca, Animus unde demissus est•• ibi illum aeterna requies manet; Eternal rest remaines for the soul there from whence it came. Animus sacer & aeternus, & cui non possit inijci manus. Many such passages may be seen in his writi••gs: and that generally the Gentiles believed this truth, is plain by their opinion they had of torments in Hell, and of joyes in their Elysian fields.

Q. Of what Religion are the people of Narsinga, and Bisnagar?

A. This rich Indian Kingdom, having these two names from the two Chief Cities thereof, is infested with horrible Idolatry. Here is an Idol, to which Pilgrimes resort, either with their hands bound, or ropes abovt their necks, or knives sticking in their armes and legs, which limbs, if they fester, they are accounted holy. Gold, Silver, and Jewels are given by these Pilgrims, to maintain this Idol and his Temple. All these gifts are cast into a Lake, and kept there, for

the uses aforesaid. This Idol is carried yearly in pro∣cession, with Virgins and Musick going before. Under the Idols Chariot Pilgrims strive to be crushed to death, whose bodies are burned, and the ashes kept as holy Reliques. Some do cut their flesh in pieces, and stab themselves with knives, to the honour of this Idol, and cast into its face the pieces of their cut flesh. Women also do prostitute themselves to procure money for the Idols mainteinance. He thinks himself blessed that can but touch the Idols Chariot; whereas in other parts of the Indies the Wives burn themselves alive with their Husbands bodies, or else they are sha∣ven, and live ever after in perpetual disgrace. At the To••n Casta, the Women are content to be buried a∣live with their deadhusbands. In some places, when men make Vows to their Idols, they pay them, by suffering the Priests with sharp hooks fastened to the cross-yard of a Mast, to lift them up by both shoulders, till the blood run down on the Mast; then he is let down, and lifted up again by the middle to give thanks to his I∣dol for accepting his sacrifice. The Chief Priest of those parts dispenseth with Marriages at his pleasure; and when he gives licence to the Woman to marry a∣gain, he feales it with a hot iron on her shoulder. They have divers feastivals, some to their Kine, some to the Sun, and to other of their gods. When the Sun & Moon are eclipsed, they say it is because they are bit by that celestial signe called the Dragon. See Vertomannus, Fernandes, and the Writers above named.

Q. What Religion is professed in Japon?

A. The same Gentilism that is professed in the rest of the Indies, with some variation of Ceremonies; but Christianity hath got some footing there, by the in∣dustry and painful labours of the Jesuits. The hea∣then Japonians worship an Image with three faces, by which they mean the Sun, Moon, and the Elementary world. They have multitudes of Cloysters and Col∣ledges. They have also divers festivals to their Idols which they carrie in Procession, some on horse backe, others in Chariots. They beleeve there are divers, Paradises, to which every peculiar god carrieth his own worshippers; with which imaginary happinesse the silly

people are so in love, that many use to drown them∣selves, others to cut their own throats, or to break their necks by casting themselves down from high towers, to this they are encouraged by their cunning and coverous Priests, who out of this suck no small ad∣vantage. Some in narrow holes receive breath onely by a Cane, and so continue fasting and praying till they die. The Priests strangely extort confession from the people, by putting some of them in scaleshanging from high Rocks: from whence they being cast down by their Gogins, which they say are men disguised like de∣vils, are broken all to pieces. They have a Feast in which they burn multitudes of Lamps at their doors, and walk all night up and down the stree••s to meet the souls of their friends lately departed, before whom they set meat and drink, and invite them to their houses, that in their three years journey to Paradise they may not faint for want of provision, seeing that in lesse time then three years they cannot passe thither. Of these passages see Massaeus, Acosta, and the Jesuites Epistiles.

Q. What Religion is professed in the Philippina Islands?

A. There are Christians, Mahumetans, and Pagans in those Islands, who worship the Sun, Moon, and Stars, which they hold to be the children of the Sun and Moon. Their Priests are for the most part women, who are Sorcerers and Prophetesses. They worship also the Devil in ugly shapes, and so they do that thing which they meet with first in the morning, except it be a Lizard, or other kinde of worme; for the sight of these is held so unlucky, that it makes them leave off all businesse, and return home. They use to deck their Idols with Ostrich feathers. At the sacrificing of a hog they sound Cymbals, two old women, with Pipes of reede reverence the Sun, and in their sacred gar∣ments, with hair-laces and horns on the head of the Elder, dance about the hog, muttering certain words to the Sun. Then a cup of Wine is poured on the Hogs head, by the Elder of these two Hags, who at∣last kills the beast, and takes i••to her mouth a burning torch, which she bites. The other Witch with the Swines blood marks all that are present in the fore∣head

and then they fall to dressing of the Hog, which the women onely eat up. See Ant. Pigafetta, and Oliver Noorts Navigation.

Q. What Religon doth Sumatra, and Zeilan professe?

A. Along the Sea coasts there are Moors and Christi∣ans, but Pagans in the inland Countries; here the Sea is covered with multitudes of Islands, in some of which the Priests are tied to nourish their hair, and to have smooth faces like women. They guild their teeth, and are burned in pi••ch, if they have carnal commerce with a woman. In Zeilan or Ceylon, the blinded people undertake Pilgrimages of a thousand leagues, eighteen miles whereof they wade up to the middle in dirty stinking water, full of Blood-Leeches, and seven leagues they clamber up a steep Mountain, by the help of nayls and thorns tied thereto, there being no other passage. And all this toyl is to visit a stone on the top of this hill, having in it the print of a mans foot, who they say came thither first to instruct them in Religion. Neer the stone is a springing water, in which they wash, then pray, and with sharp pointed instruments cut their flesh, and draw blood, thinking thereby that God is pleased, and that all their sins are pardoned. In this water the poor are permitted sometimes by the King to gather precious stones▪ whereof there is store, to pray for his soul. There are in this Island many Temples, Priests, and Idols, Monasteries also of yellow Monks shaven, and still praying on Beads, who have their Processions in great solemnity, with dancing and musick, the Abbot riding upon an Elephant in rich attire, carrying a golden rod in his hand, lifted over his head; they pray here to the devil when they are sick, and to the Image of the Elephants head for wisdom. They have a huge Statue bearing a sword in its hand; they think the world shall not end so long as this Image is in safety. See Massaeus, Vertimannus, Odoricus, Spilbergius &c.

Q. Of what Religon where the Antient Egyptians?

A. Egypt may be called the mother of all superstition and idolatry; for they entertaining au opinion, that all things at first had beginning there of slime or mud by the heat or influence of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, mix∣ing

the Elements in the composition of bodies, ascribed divinity to these Celestial Luminaries and Elements, and so erected Temples, Images, Holy-days, and other divine Rites to them, worshipping the Sun and Moon der the names of Osiris and Isis. The Grecians under the names of Apolio and Diana, the four Elements by the names of Vulcan, Iuno, Neptune, and Ceres. The five lesser Planets by the names of Saturn, Iupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. At length they multiplyed their gods so fast, that every Beast, Spring, River, Tree, Trade or Profession in the world, Disease in the body, Faculty and Passion in the Mind, had its peculiar Deity. And so mad they were upon idolatry, that of a mans Yard they made a god, under the name of Phallus and Priapus, in memory of Osiris his Privities, which after much toyl were found by Isis in Nilus, being drowned there by Typhon his brother, who had cut his body in∣to many pieces, and buried them in many places. They worshipped Beasts, Birds, Vermi••, Leeks and Onyons. Their Priests were shaved, and clothed in pure Linnen, abstained from fish, Wine, and Onyons. Their Kings after election were chosen into the society of Priests. They held two beginnings: they consecrated red Bulls, flung the heads of their Sacrifices into Nilus, and abstai∣ned from salt. See Arnobius, Eusebius, Plutarch, Iambli∣chus, and many others.

Q. What devotion did the Egyptians use to their deified Beasts.

A. They were fed by their Priests in their Temples with choice food: when any dyeth, it is wrapped in clean Linin and embalmed, and buried in a consecrat∣ed place, with much lamentation. All shave themselves in that house where a Dog dieth. Their god Apis being dead and lamented, another was found by the Priests, and brought to Memphis, where he was placed in Vul∣cans Temple, and seven days kept holy for him. By their Law he must live but a prefixed time; then he is drowned in a sacred spring, and buried with much lamentation. All beasts are not worshipped in all parts, of Eygpt, but in some places the Crocodile, in other places the Goat, in some Satyrs, in others Cynocephalus, or Anubis, with his Dogs-head. The Serpent was a

great god amongst them, so was the Bull, the Dog, the Cat, the Hawk, and Ibis, and two fishes peculiar to Ni∣lus, to wit, Opyrinchus and Lepidotus. They worshipped the Hippopotamus, Frogs, Beetles, and other vermifie. Their Priests were bound to offer a Cock to the Sun, a Dove to Venus, a Peacock to Iuno, &c. And bloody Busiris sacrificed men to Nilus. Quis illaudati nescit Busi∣ridis aras? The Egyptians hate Swine so much, that if by chance one should touch them, he instantly washeth his cloathes: and Sow-heards are forbid their Temples. They circumcise male and female, and offer wine to the full Moon. The Priests wash themselves thrice in the day time, and twice in the night. They must not eat milk, eggs, or oyl, except with Salads. Their Priests were Judges, their Gymnosophists were Philosophers, who had their Colledge in a Grove neer the banks of Nilus: The Egyptians observed divers feasts to Isis, Di∣ana, Latona, Mars, Minerva, Mercury, Bacchus, Osiris and his Nurse. In these feasts was much disorder and vani∣ty, some beating of themselves, some cutting their fore heads with knivs; some dancing, some singing, some drin∣king, some quarrelling. In the feast of Bacchus they were all drunk. In that of Mars all mad, knocking down one another with clubs. In the feast of Isis they shewed their folly in tumbling an Ass down from a Precipice. In that of Minerva, in burning lights with oyl and salt. But of these, and other ridiculous, or rather impious Rites, see Hospinian, Coelius Rhodiginus, Plutarch, Herodotus, Diodo∣rus Siculus, Eusebius, Strabo, Lucian, and others▪

Q. How long continued this heathenish idolatry in Egypt?

A. Till the Sun of Righteousnesse shined upon it, and by the bright beams of his Gospel dispelled and scattered all the dark mists of idolatry, so that Alexan∣dria the chief nursery thereof, by the preaching of Saint Mark, became a Patriarchal seat, whose successors have continued till this day; but their residence now is at Cairo, where the Metropolitan of Aethiopia, or Archbi∣shop of the Abissins receiveth his confirmation from the Patriarch of Alexandria. 'Tis true that Gambyses, son to Cyrus King of Persia, destroyed many of the Egyptian Idols, and Ochus his successor killed their Apis•••• but these were shortly after restored by Alexander the great,

whose successors, the Ptolemies upheld the same idola∣try, and so did the Romans, till by the preaching of the Gospel, darknesse was forced to give place to light.

Q. What Religion is there now professed in Egypt?

A. Here at this day Christians have their Churches, Jews their Synagogues, and Mahumetans their Mosques: of these last there be four sorts differing in their Laws, Liturgies and Ceremonies. There is a Sect in Chairo which liveth altogether on horse flesh. And another who go naked, giving themselves to fleshly lusts openly. The Christians there are Eutychians, and are circumci∣sed; but it is thought that they have forsaken circum∣cision by the perswasion of the Popes Legates at a Sy∣nod held at Cairo, Anno. 1583. These are called Cophti, not from their Profession, but from their Nation: for in the Thalmud Egypt is called Gophti, and the Egyptians in old time, Aegophtia. They are not rigid Eutychians, which were condemned in the Council of Chalcedon, for affir∣ming one Nature, and one Will in Christ: but they are modern Eutychians, called Iacobites, from Iacobus the Syrian, who held that Christ was true God, and true man; yet he and his Scholars will not in direct termes affirm there are two natures, lest they should fall into the error of Nestorius, of the two Persons. These fast e∣very Wednesday and Friday, and have four Lents in the year. They make Infants Deacons, and baptise them not afore the fourtieth day, and then give them the Eu∣charist. They leave out the words in the Nicene Creed, From the Son. They condemne the Council of Chalcedon, and admit no general Council since that of Ephesus. They read publickly the Gospel of Nicodemus. They receive the Eucharist in both kinds, and in leavened bread▪ To the sick they neither administer the Eu∣charist, nor Extream Unction. They deny Purgatory and Prayer for the dead. They Marry in the second de∣gree of consanguinity. And in their Church government are subject to the Patriarch of Alexandria. There are not above three Christian Churches at Alexandria, and so many at Cairo; about fifty thousand Christians in all. Of these passages see Boterus in his Relations, Thevet in his Cosmography, Chytraerus of the State of the Church. Baronius in his Annals, &c. And Brerewoods Collections out of them.

Notes

• Babylonians, their ancient Religion.
• The making, worshipping of Images, and bringing in Ido∣latry.
• The Gentiles I∣dols were dead men.
• Hierapolis, the Religion there∣of.
• Gods of the Sy∣rians.
• Phoe••icians, Their Religion and Discipline.
• Arabians, thei•• Religion and Discipline.
• Persians, their ancient Reli∣gion.
• Scythians, their old Religion.
• Tartars, their old Religion.
• Pagans, their knowledge of the Creation.
• Tartars, their diversities of Religion.
• Religions of the Northern countries neer the Pole.
• Three wayes whereby Satan deludes men by false miracles.
• The fear of Sa∣tans stratagems (though illusi∣ons) whence it proceeds.
• Our duty respe∣cting the many stratagems and illusions of Sa∣tan.
• Chinois their Religion
• Indians their Ancient religion
• Siam its reli∣gion.
• Pegu, its Reli∣gion.
• Bengala, and its Religion.
• Magor, and its Religion.
• Cambaia and its religion.
• Goa the reli∣gion thereof.
• Malabar its religion.
• Pagans (though Idolatrous) be∣lieve the immor∣tality of the soule.
• Narsinga and Bisnagar its Religion.
• Japon its religion.
• Philippinae, their religions.
• Sumatra and Zeilan their Religions.
• Egyptians, their ancient Religion.
• Egyptian Ido∣latry, continu∣ance thereof.
• Egypt its mo∣dern religions.