These eight are bestowed among the four Tribes or Casts, to each two
Commandements: to the _Brammanes_, which are the Priests, the first and
second, as being strictest in Religion. To _Shuddery_ they appropriate
the third and fourth, as most proper to them. To _Cuttery_ the fifth,
and sixth, and to _Wyse_, the seventh and eighth: they are all enjoyned
to keep all the Commandements, but more particularly those that are
appropriated to their several Casts.
The second Tract of the Book delivered to _Breman_, comprized certain
ceremonial injunctions, which are these.
First, washing their bodies in rivers, in memory of the deluge, in which
they use this ceremony: first, they besmear their bodies in the mud of
the River, as an emblem of mans filthyness; and then coming into the
water and turning their faces towards the Sun, the _Bramman_ prayes,
that as the body which is foul as the mud of the River which is cleansed
by water, so that his sin may be in like manner cleansed; and then the
party plunging himself three times in the River, and shaking in his hand
some grains of Rice as an offering on the water: he receiveth absolution
for his sins past, and is dismissed.
2. The ceremony of anointing the fore head with red painting, as a
peculiar mark which they often renew.
3. They are enjoyned to tender certain prayers and offerings under green
trees, the original of which custom they derive from _Wyse_, to whom
they say God appeared in a Vision under a tree; the tree particularly
appropriated for this worship, is called _Ficu Indica_, as, _vide_ Sr.
W. _Rawleigh_, for which tree they have a very great esteem.
4. They are enjoyned prayers in their Temples, where they offer to
Images with ringing and loud tinckling of bells and such like
impertinent services.
5. They are enjoyned Pilgrimage to rivers remote, as _Ganges_, where
they throw in, as offerings, Jewels and Treasure of great value.
6. They use Invocation of Saints, and for all their affairs they have
several Saints they invoke for assistance.
7. Their law binds them to give worship to God, upon sight of any of his
Creatures first seen after Sun rise, especially to the Sun and Moon,
which they call the two eyes of God, as also to some Beasts.
8. In baptizing children, there is difference in the Casts, for the
_Brammanes_ are extraordinary: the rest of the children are only washt
in water, with a short prayer, that God would write good things in the
front of the child, all present saying _Amen_. They name the child,
putting a red oyntment on the midst of his forehead, and the ceremony is
done. But the children of the Cast of the _Brammanes_ are not only
washed with water, but anoynted with oyl with these words: _Oh Lord, we
present unto thee this child, born of a holy Tribe, anointed with oyl,
and cleansed with water_; unto which they add other ceremonies, then
they enquire the exact time of the childs birth, and calculate his
Nativity, which they keep by them and give them at the day of their
marriage.
9. As for their marriages, their time is different from other Nations,
for they marry at 7 years of age, they are usually contracted by their
Parents; which being agreed on, they send presents, and use many
triumphant perambulations about the town for two dayes; and then at the
going down of the Sun they use this ceremony. A fire is made and
interposed between the young couple, to intimate the ardency of their
affections; then there is a silken string that encloses both their
bodies, to witness the insolveable bond of wedlock; after this bond,
there is a cloth interposed betwixt them, a custom taken from the
meeting of _Brammon_ and _Savatre_, who covered themselves till the
words of matrimony were uttered, so the _Brammanes_ pronouncing certain
words, enjoyning the man to provide for the Woman, and her to loyalty,
and pronouncing the blessing of a fruitful issue, the speech is
concluded; the cloth interposed is taken away; the bond which ingirted
them, unloosed; full freedom is given them to communicate with one
another; they give no dowry, only the Jewels worn on the Bridal day;
none come to the feast, but those of the same Tribe or Cast: no Woman is
admitted to second marriage, except the Tribe of _Wyse_, which are the
handicrafts; men in all Tribes may marry twice except the _Bramanes_,
every Tribe marries in their own Casts, and the Tribe of the _Wyse_ not
only marry in their own Tribe, but in their own trade: as a Barber or
Smiths son, must marry a Barber or Smiths daughter of the same Tribe.
10. Which is the last, is the ceremony of their burials; when any is
sick to death, they enjoyn him to utter _Narrane_, which is one of the
names of God, importing mercy to sinners: they pour fair water into his
hand, praying to _Kistnetuppon_, the God of the water, to present him
pure to God; he being dead, his body is washed, and after buried in this
manner. They carry the body to a rivers side and being set down, the
_Brammane_ uttereth these words. _Oh earth! we commend unto thee this
our brother, whilst he lived thou hadst an interest in him, of the earth
he was made, by the blessing of the earth he was fed, and therefore now
he is dead, we surrender him to thee_: after this putting combustible
matter to the body, lighted by the help of sweet oyl, the _Brammane_
saith, _Oh fire, whilst he lived thou hadst a claim in him, by whose
natural heat he subsisted, we return therefore his body to thee that
thou shouldst purge it_. Then the son of the deceased sets two pots, one
with water, and the other with milk on the ground; the pot with milk on
the top of the other, and with a stone breaks the pot with water,
whereby the water and milk are both spoiled; upon which account the son
thus moralizeth, That as the stone makes the vessels yield, so did
sickness ruin his Fathers body, which is then burnt to ashes, which are
thrown into the air, the _Brammane_ uttering these words, _Oh air,
whilst he lived by thee he breathed, and now having breathed his last,
we yield him to thee_. The ashes falling on the water, the _Brammane_
saith, _Oh water, whilst he lived, thy moysture did sustain him, and now
his body is dispersed, take thy part in him_. This being done, the
_Brammane_ reads (to the Son or nearest of kin to the deceased) the Law
of mourners; _That for ten days he must eat no Beetle, nor oyl his head,
nor put on clean clothes; but once a month make a Feast, and visit the
River whose water drank up his Fathers ashes_. Besides this, there was a
Custom which is brought into a Law, for the Wives of the deceased to
accompany their Husbands in death, by burning themselves with his body;
and this is still used among persons of greatest worth, the Women
voluntarily exposing their bodies to the flames. And this is the sum of
the second Tract of the Book delivered to _Breman_.
The third Tract consisteth of their being distinguished into Casts and
Tribes, with peculiar observations for each. The _Brammanes_ being
first, have their name either of _Brammon_, who was the first of that
Tribe; or else from _Breman_, who was the first of the second Age, to
whom the Law was delivered, of which there are two sorts, the common,
and the more special; the common _Brammane_ hath eighty two Casts or
Tribes; which are distinguished by the names of the places of their
first habitations. These discharge the Ministerial function, in praying
and reading their Law to the People, in which they use a kind of minical
fantastical gesture, and a singing tone. They are first received into
that Order at seven years of age, using the ceremony of washing and
shaving their heads, only leaving one lock; they are bound to a
Pythagorean silence, and prohibited haulking, spitting, or coughing,
wearing about their loyns a girdle of an Antilop’s skin, and another
thong of the same about their neck, descending under the left arm: At
fourteen years of age they are admitted to be _Brammanes_, exchanging
those leather thongs for four sealing threads that come over the right
shoulder, and under the right arm, which they sleep withal, in honour of
God and the three persons; they are enjoyned to keep all things in the
_Brammanes_ Law.
The more special sort of _Brammanes_ are of the Cast of the _Shudderys_
or _Merchant-man_, who for devotion take this condition; He wears a
wollen garment of white, reaching down to the middle of the thigh, the
rest is naked: his head is alwayes uncovered; they do not shave, but
pluck off all the hair from their heads and beards, leaving only one
lock.
There are several Casts of these, that live more strictly than the rest;
for these never Marry, are very moderate in their Diet, and drink
nothing but water boyled, that so the vapour, which they suppose to be
life, may go out; they sweep away and disperse their dung, lest it
should generate worms that may have life, and be destroyed, they keep an
Hospital of lame and maimed flying fowl, which they redeem with a price;
they have all things common, but place no faith in outward washings, but
rather imbrace a careless and sordid nastiness.
The second Tribe or Cast was _Cutteryes_, who had their name from
_Cuttery_, the second son of _Ponrous_, who having Dominion and Rule
committed to him; therefore all Souldiers and Kings are said to be of
his Tribe.
That particular of _Bremans_ Book that concerned this Cast, contained
certain precepts of Government and Policy, which being of common import,
I chose to omit, and shall only tell you, that in their flourishing
estate they were the ancient Kings of _India_, especially of that part
that is called _Guzzarat_, and were called by the name of _Racabs_,
which signifies a King; they are said to have thirty six Tribes, and
none were admitted to rule or govern but out of these Tribes. But in
time these _Racabs_ were most of them put from the Government, and
destroyed by the _Mahometans_, who oppressed them; some of them still
remain, and are called _Rashpootes_, which I have before named; some are
as yet unconquered, and sometimes fight with and against the great
_Mogul_.
The third Son of _Ponrous_ being called _Shuddery_, and Merchandizing
being appointed him, all Merchants therefore are comprized under this
Name. The particular of _Bremans_ Book that concerned this Cast, was a
Seminary of Religious advertizement, enjoyning them to truth in their
words and dealings. These are they that are most properly called
_Banians_, which name signifies a _harmless People_, that will not
endure to see a fly, or worm, or any living thing to be injured, and
being themselves strucken, bear it patiently without resistance; they
are equal in number of their Casts to the _Brammanes_, and being like to
them, do more strictly follow their injunctions. Their form and contract
in buying and selling is something notable; for the Broaker that beateth
the price with him that selleth, looseth his _Pamerin_ that his folded
about his wast, and spreading it upon his knee, with hands folded
underneath, by their fingers ends the price of pounds, shillings or
pence, is fixed, as the Chapman is intended to give: The seller in like
manner intimateth how much he purposeth to have; which silent
composition their Law enjoyneth.
Lastly, as the Son of _Ponrous_ was called _Wyse_, and was Master of
Merchants or Handicrafts, so all Handicrafts are of that Tribe. The
directions that were in _Breman’s_ Book for these, were touching their
behaviours in their Callings: The name _Wyse_ signifies one that one is
_servile_ or _instrumentary_; these People are now commonly called
_Gentiles_, which are of two sorts; first, the purer _Gentile_, such as
diet themselves as the _Banians_, not eating flesh, fish or wine; and
the impure eat of all sorts, and are commonly Husbandmen, and usually
called _Coulees_. Those of the purer sort have thirty six Casts,
according to the number of the Trades practised among them; in which,
they make as few instruments serve for the effecting of divers works, as
may be; and whatever they do, is contrary to the Christian form of
working, for the most part. This is the substance of the the third Tract
of the Book delivered to _Breman_, concerning the manner of the four
Tribes.
This Book was by _Breman_ communicated to the _Brammanes_ to be
published to the People, who did give absolute obedience to these
injunctions; but in time, fraud, violence and all manner of wickedness
being committed, God grew angry, and acquainted _Breman_ that he would
destroy the world: who acquainted the People herewith, but to little
purpose, for soon after they fell to their wickedness, and God took
_Breman_ up into his bosome who had interceeded for man-kind; then also
_Vistney_ (whose nature and Office it was to preserve the People) did
interceed, but God would not be pacifyed, but gave charge to _Ruddery_
(whose Office it was to destroy) to cause the bowels of the earth to
send out a wind to sweep the Nations as the dust from the face of the
earth: this command was accordingly executed, and all people were
destroyed saving a few that God permitted _Vistney_ to cover with the
skirts of his preservation, reserved to propagate mankind in the third
age, and so this Age concluded.
The wickedness and ill government of the Kings and Rulers, being the
chief cause of destroying the last age: therefore all those of
_Cutteries_ Tribe were all destroyed. Now because it was necessary that
there should be some of that Cast as well as others, wherefore God
raised that Tribe again out of the Cast of the _Bramanes_: the name of
him who renewed and raised this Tribe was called _Ram_, who was a good
King and lived piously; but his successors did not so, but committed so
much wickedness that God again destroyed the world, by the opening of
the earth, which swallowed up all mankind, but a few of the four Tribes
who were left to new-people the world again, and this was the conclusion
of the third Age.
At the beginning of the fourth Age, there was one _Kistney_, a famous
Ruler, and pious King, who wonderfully promoted Religion. _Vistney_ was
now taken up into Heaven, there being no further need of his
preservation; for when this Age is concluded, there shall be a full end
of all things. The _Brammanes_ suppose this Age shall be longer then any
of the rest, in the end whereof _Ruddery_ shall be taken up into Heaven:
these four ages they call by these four names, _Curtain_, _Duauper_,
_Tetrajoo_ and _Kotee_; they hold the manner of these last judgements
shall be by fire, when all shall be destroyed; and so the four Ages of
the world shall be destroyed by the four Elements. And then shall
_Ruddery_ carry up the souls of all people to Heaven with him, to rest
in Gods bosome, but the bodyes shall all perish: so that they believe
not the resurrection; for they say Heaven being a place that is pure,
they hold it cannot be capable of such gross substances.
This is the sum of the _Banians_ Religion, wherein you find much of
fancy and conceit as to make it be so antient, and the number four to be
used so often, as you have heard the meaning of the three creatures, I
suppose alludes to the Trinity; but instead of a confirmation and proof
of a Trinity, they would make a Quaternity thereof, in the name; I
suppose, they (as well as other Nations who differ from us in Religion)
had read over our Bible, and supposing that but fictions, were resolved
to make a Law of their own, to be somewhat like that of ours; which how
they have done you have already heard: I shall now likewise give you a
brief account of the Religion used by the _Persees_, and so put an end
to this Chapter.
These _Persees_ are a People descended from the antient _Persians_, who
lived in much splendor, but warrs coming among them, they were
dissipated, and the _Mahometans_ who invaded them, compelled several to
leave their antient Religion for that of the _Mahometan_: which they
refusing, exposed themselves to a voluntary banishment, and therefore
carried what of their substance they could with them: they sought for a
new place of habitation, and at length found it in this Country, where
they now inhabit, being admitted to use their own Religion, but yielding
themselves in subjection to the government of the Nation, and paying
homage and tribute, their Religion being different from the rest of the
Inhabitants, I shall thus describe to you.
They affirm that before any thing was, there was a God, who made the
Heavens, and the Earth, and all things therein conteined: at six times
or labours, and between each labour, he rested five dayes, first, He
made the Heavens with their Orbs, adorned with great lights and lesser,
as the Sun, Moon and Stars; also the Angels whom he placed in their
several orders, according to their dignities, which place he ordained to
be for the habitations of such as should live holy in this life; and
this being done, he rested five dayes. Then he made Hell in the lower
parts of the world, from which he banished all light and comfort,
wherein were several Mansions that exceeded each other in dolour,
proportioned for the degrees of Offenders; about which time _Lucifer_
the chief of Angels, with other of his Order, conspiring against God, to
gain the Soveraignty and command over all; God threw him first from the
Orb of his happiness, together with his confederates and accomplices,
damn’d him to Hell, the place that was made for offenders, and turn’d
them from their glorious shapes, into shapes black, ugly and deformed,
till the end of the world, when all offenders shall receive punishment;
this was the second labour. After this God created the earth and waters,
making this world like a ball, in that admirable manner that now it is;
this was the third labour. The fourth, was to make the Trees and Herbs;
the fifth, was to make Beasts, Fowls and Fishes; and the sixth and last,
Man and Woman, whose names were _Adamah_ and _Evah_, and by these the
world was propagated in this manner; _God_ as they affirm, _did cause_
Evah _to bring forth two twins every day for a thousand years together,
and none dyed_. Lucifer _being malicious, and endeavouring to do
mischief God set certain Supervisors over his creatures_: Hamull _had
charge of the Heavens_, Acob _of the Angels_, Foder _of the Sun, Moon,
and Stars_, Soreh _of the Earth_, Josah _of the Waters_, Sumbolah _of
the Beasts of the Field_, Daloo _of the Fish of the Sea_, Rocan _of the
Tree_, Cooz, _of Man and Woman_, _and_ Settan _and_ Asud _were Guardians
of_ Lucifer _and other evil spirits, who for all that did some mischief,
the sins of men occasioned the destruction of world by a flood which
spared only a few to repeople the earth, which was done accordingly_;
and this is their opinion of the Creation and first Age. As to their
Religion, it was given them by a Law-giver, whose name was _Zertoost_,
whose birth was strange, and breeding and visions miraculous; the names
of his Father and Mother were _Espintaman_ and _Dodoo_, he was born in
_China_, and great fame going of him when young, the King of that
Country endeavoured his destruction, but could not bring it to pass, for
those who were sent to destroy him, had their sinews shrunk; he being
twelve or thirteen years of age, was taken with a great sickness, the
King hearing thereof, sent Physicians to destroy him; but _Zertoost_
sensible of their practise, refused their Physick, and fled with his
Father and Mother into _Persia_; in his way meeting with Rivers, he
congeal’d them them to ice, and so went over: he arrived at _Persia_ in
the time of the Raign of _Gustasph_; it was in that Country that at his
request to God, he being purified, was carried up into heaven, where he
heard the Almighty speaking, as in flames of fire, who revealed to him
the works of the Creation, and what was to come, and gave him Laws for
the better government and establishment of Religion: _Zertoost_ desired
to live alwayes, that he might instruct the world in Religion; but God
answered, _That if he should live never so long, yet_ Lucifer _would do
more harm then he should do good: but if he desired to live so long as
the world endured he might_. God also presented to _Zertoost_ the seven
ages or times of the _Persian_ Monarchy; the first was the Golden Age,
the days of _Guiomaras_, second, the Silver, the dayes of _Fraydhun_:
third, the Brazen, the dayes of _Kaykodoy_, the fourth, the Tin, the
dayes of _Lorasph_; fifth, Leaden, the dayes of _Bahaman_, sixth, the
Steel, the dayes of _Darab Segner;_ the seventh, the Iron Age, in the
Raign of _Yesdegerd_: He finding by this that the times would be worse
and worse, desired to live no longer than till he had discharged his
Message, and then that he might be translated to the same place of
glory; so he was reduced to his proper sense, and remained in heaven
many dayes; and then having received the Book of the Law, and the
heavenly fire, he was conveyed by an Angel to earth again. But the Angel
had no sooner left him, but _Lucifer_ met him; but notwithstanding his
perswasions, he went on in his designs of revealing the Law, which he
did first to his Father and Mother, and by their means it came to the
ears of _Gustasph_, then King of _Persia_, who sending for him, he told
the King every circumstance, so that the King began to incline to his
religion, often sending for and conversing with him. The Churchmen of
that time endeavoured to put infamy upon _Zertoost_, by perswading the
King that he was an Impostor and of unclean living, for that he had the
bones of humane bodies under his bed, the King hearing this sent to
search, and found it so to be, for these Church-men had caused them to
be conveyed thither; wherefore _Zertoost_, by order of the King, was put
in prison: but there happened an occasion, that he was not only soon
released, but also brought into the Kings favour; for the King having a
Horse, that he prized, that fell sick, and no person able to cure him,
_Zertoost_ undertook the cure, and performed it; and working some other
miracles, was now of good credit, and esteemed as a man come from God;
so that now his Book gained an esteem, and the King himself told him,
That _if he would grant him four demands_, _he would believe his_ _Law,
and be a Professor thereof_. The demands were these; First, _That he
might ascend to Heaven, and descend when he list_. Secondly, _That he
might know what God would do at present, and in time to come_. Thirdly,
_That he might never dye_. Fourthly, _That no instrument whatsoever
might have power to wound or hurt him_. _Zertoost_ did consent that all
this might be done, but not by one person; and therefore to the first,
_Gustasph_ had power to ascend to, and descend from Heaven, granted to
him. The second, which was to know what would fall out, present and
hereafter, was granted to the Kings Church-man. The third, which was to
live for ever, was granted to _Gustasph’s_ eldest Son, named
_Dischiton_, who yet lives as they say, at a place in _Persia_, called
_Demawando Lohoo_, in a high Mountain, with a guard of thirty men; to
which place all living creatures are forbidden to approach, lest they
should live for ever, as they do who abide there. The last, which was
never to be wounded with instrument or weapon, was granted to the
youngest Son of _Gustasph_, called _Esplandiar_. So _Gustasph_, and the
other three mentioned, proving the power of these several gifts, all
determined to live according to the precepts in _Zertoost_ Book, he
unfolding the contents thereof, which were these: This Book contained
three several Tracts, the first whereof was of Judicial Astrology; the
second was of Physick; the third, was called _Zertoost_, and this was of
matters of Religion: And these three Tracts were delivered to the
_Magi’s_, _Physicians_ and _Church-men_, called _Darooes_; these Tracts
were devided into Chapters, seven were in the _Wisemen_ or _Jesopps_
Book, seven in the _Physicians_, and seven in the _Darooes_ Book; the
two first is unlawful or unnecessary, I shall omit it, and proceed to
the third. The Dicision of men being Laity and Clergy; and those of the
Clergy being ordinary or extraordinary, _It pleased God,_ say the
_Persees, to divide and apportion his Law among these men_. First,
therefore, to the _Lay-man_ God gave five Commandments:
1. To have shame over them, as a remedy against sin, for that will keep
them from oppressing his inferiours, from stealing, from being drunk,
and from bearing false witness.