The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Justice and Honesty.

See Care of the Bodies of others.

Jews.

THE Jews in case of Meum and Tuum, have a cheap and compendious way of proceeding, and determining what is Right and Wrong, by a Juncto of Sabios or Masters. Dr. Addison.

Ancient Christians.

Nazianzen reports of his Father, That though he went through great Offices of State, yet he made not one Farthing's addition to his own Re∣venue; though he saw some before his Eyes, that with Briarius laid hold on the publick Trea∣sures, and therewith filled their own Coffers.

St. Austine saith, He knew a Man (probably himself) who having a Book offered him to be sold, by one that understood not the Price of it, at a very small Under-rate, took the Book, but gave him the full price according to its just rate, a great deal more than the Seller asked. De Trin. l. 13.

It was Pliny's Testimony to Trajan (l. 10. Ep. 97.) — The greatest Fault that they (the Christians) are guilty of, is, that they use harmlesly to meet to worship Christ, and at those Meetings to bind themselves, by a Sacrament (or Oath) that they would not do any Wickedness, that they might be firmlier obliged not to commit Theft, Robberies,

Adulteries, not to falsifie their words, or to deny any thing wherewith they are entrusted, when it was required of them.

A Woman, that industriously made her self to Miscarry, was adjudged to ten years Pennance.

Infant-killing (by a Law of Valentinian Em∣peror) was made subject to the same Penalty with killing an adult Person.

The Punishment of Willful Murder (by St. Basil's Rule) was twenty years Pennance. — In Tertulli∣an's time perpetual Pennance, not to be absolved by Death. Dr. Cave's Prim. Christian.

Georgians.

In Georgia, a Thief is acquitted, paying Seven∣fold what he hath stole, two parts to the Party robbed, one to the Judges, and four to the King. If he hath not wherewith to satisfie, he is sold; if the Product do not yet equal the Sum, his Wife is sold; and if that will not do, his Children. Tavernier, l. 3. c. 9.

Muscovites.

There is no Craft or Cheat, but the Muscovites make use of it, rather to circumvent others, than to prevent being deceived themselves.—Yet they make Conscience to retain what is paid them more than their due, and return what they have received by mistake: But they think it no Sin, in their Dealings, to surprize those who Trade with them, giving this reason, That the Merchant is to make his Advantage of the Wit and Industry God hath bestowed on him, or never meddle with Traffick. Accordingly, when some Muscovites found themselves over-reached notoriously by a Dutch Merchant, they desired better acquaintance with him, looking upon him and applauding him

for a very Ingenious Man, hoping to get some Secret out of him. D. of Holstein's Amb. Trav.

And because Cheating cannot be exercised with∣out Treachery, Lying and Distrust, they are mar∣vellously well versed in these Qualities; as also in the Lectures of Calumny; which they commonly make use of against those, on whom they would be revenged for Theft, which among them is the most enormous of all Crimes, and the most severely punished. Idem.

Such as cannot pay their Debts, are first put into the Sergeants House till a further time; if he pay not then, he is carried to Prison; every day brought out, and beat upon the Shin-bone by the common Executioner, with a Wand, for a whole hour together; and then to Prison again, till next day, &c. And this upon all sorts of Persons, Sub∣jects or Foreigners, Men or Women, Priests or Laicks. Idem.

Abassines.

See afterwards, under the Title of Care of Mens Bodies.

Mahometans and Indians.

By the Laws of India, they imprison for debt and hang fetters on them. Many times they will sell their persons who are the Debtors and wives and children into bondage, when they cannot satis∣fy their debts. The Hindoes are so very just in their dealings, that if a man will put it to their Consciences to sell the Commodity as low as they can, they will deal honestly and squarely with him. But if a man offer them much less then the price, they will presently say, what dost thou think me a Christian, that would go about to deceive thee?

The great Mogul will himself sit as Judge in matters of Consequence that happen near him. They proceed in their Tryals Socundum allegata & probata.

They punish Theft and Murder with death, and what kind of Death the Judge pleaseth to appoint: Some are hanged, beheaded, empailed and put on stakes, torn in peices by wild Beasts, killed by Ele∣phants, stung with Snakes.

No Malefactors lie above one night in prison: Sometimes not all, but are speedily brought upon trial and so to Execution.

The Mahometans are prohibited by their Alcoran, to lend Money upon Usury; and with them it is a very great Sin, and they are very careful to ab∣stain from it; yet some of them make such Bar∣gains, as differ little from Usury. M. de Thevenot.

Sultan Amurat disguising himself, would go sometimes to a Baker's Shop and buy Bread; and sometimes to a Butcher's for Meat; and one day a Butcher offering to sell Meat above the Rate which he had set; he made a sign to the Executioner, who presently cut off his Head. Idem.—He beheaded two in one day for Smoaking Tobacco.

I saw a Man, who sold Snow at five Deniers the Pound, receive—Blows on the Soles of his Feet, because his Weight was not exactly full.

Another having sold a Child a double worth of Onions, and the Officers of the Market meeting this Child, and finding that he had not enough, went to that Man, and gave him thirty, blows with a Cudgel. Idem.

The Chinese punish Murder and Theft with Death. Sir. Tho. Herb. Their Justice is Severe, their Prisons strong, and Executions quick.

Persians.

It was ordinary with Scha-Abbas King of Persia to go incognito into the Markets, and examine their Weights and Wares, and punish the Guilty severely. One day at Ardebil, he caused to be put into a red-hot Oven a Baker, who refused to sell Bread to the Poor, under Pretence of keeping it for Abbas and his Soldiers. He caused a Butcher to be hung by the Back upon his own Hooks, for that he found his Weights too light. D. of Holstein's Amb.

Japon.

The Japonese punish all manner of Theft with Death, Tavernier's Collect. p. 4.