Politique Observation.
AS Sacraments render Actions the more venerable, so have all people thought it fit to confirm their Treaties therewith, that Princes might be obliged, the more Religiously to observe them. But in all times, they have been as various, as Nations. That which was most universally observed, was to drink in the same Glasse. It is true those of Thracia and Aegypt, did not use the same Cup, but the same Ox∣horn. The Jewes used to kill certain Beasts and divide their entrailes. The Cal∣deans, passed through certain Flames, holding a Sword in their hand, to confirm their oaths: But the Ceremonies of the Arabians seem to me more extraordinary, then all the rest; Some eminent Person of the Treaters, placed himself in the midd'st, and beating his hand with a sharp stone, drew bloud, which was gather'd up, with some part of their Cloths, wherewith they besmeared seven other stones, about which they stood, invocating the names of Denis & Vrania; The Scythians mingled blond with Wine, dipp'd their Arrows, their Hatchet and Javelins in it, with several Pro∣testations of Fidelity, and then drank it up, causing the witnesses of their oath to do the same. The Romans were accustomed to call their Great Priest, who raised an Altar of Turf, placed a Hog on it, which he smit with a stone in their presence, beseeching Jupiter to strike them in the same manner, if they should break the Treaty. We likewise read in the History of the Sieur de Join'eville, that St. Lewis the King being at Caesarea, a Knight of the House of Concy came to him, and de∣sired him for a greater assurance of his fidelity, that he would be pleased, that his Majesties Souldiers and his, might in token of a strait alliance, mingle blond with Wine, and drink it one to t'other, and that the King approved thereof: and the same History addeth, that moreover; they forced a Dog to passe between their Ranks, at which every one struck with his Sword saying, so may he be struck that fails of his word.