13. That he keep an ever-living fire, that never may go out; which being
kindled by that fire that _Zertoost_ brought from heaven, may endure for
all ages, till fire shall come to destroy all the world, and that he say
his prayers over it.
This is a Summary of those precepts contained in the book of their Law,
that _Zertoost_ is by them affirmed to bring from heaven; and that
religion which _Gustasph_ with his followers embraced, perswaded by the
afore-mentioned Miracles wrought by _Zertoost_ among them.
The _3d._ particular in this Tract is the rights and ceremonies observed
by this Sect, differencing them from others.
First, Though their Law allows them great liberty in meats and drinks;
yet because they will not displease the _Banians_ and _Moors_, they
abstain from Kine and Hogsflesh; they eat alone, and drink in several
Cups.
2. They observe 6 Feasts in the Year, according to the 6 works of the
Creation.
3. As for their Fasts, after every one of their Feasts they eat but one
Meale a day for 5 days together; and when they eat Flesh they carry part
of it to the Temple as an offering.
Their worship of Fire is taken from _Zertoosts_ bringing it from Heaven,
and it being enjoyned them: for the nature of it, that which he brought,
could not be extinguished; whether that be preferred is unknown, but
upon effect thereof they are licensed to compose a fire of several
mixtures, which is of seven sorts; when they meet about that ceremony
bestowed on this Fire, the _Destoore_ or _Herbood_, together with the
Assembly encompass it about, and standing about 11 or 12 foot distance,
the _Destoore_ or _Herbood_ uttereth this speech. _That forasmuch as
Fire was delivered to_ Zertoost _their Law-giver from God Almighty, who
pronounced it to be his vertue and excellence, that therefore they
should reverence it, and not abuse it in the ordinary use thereof, as to
put water in it, or spit in it, &c._
At the birth of a child the _Daroo_ or Churchman is sent for, who
calculates the nativity of the Child, and the Mother names it without
any ceremony; after this it is carried to the Church, and water is
poured thereon, and prayer used, _That God would cleanse it from the
uncleanness of the Father, and menstruous pollutions of the Mother_. At
7 years of age he is led by the Parents into the Church to have
Confirmation, where he is taught Prayers, and instructed in Religion,
and being washed, he is cloathed in a linnen Cassock, and other habits,
which he ordinarily wears, and so is admitted into their Sect.
They have a five-fold kind of marriage, for which they have several
terms; the most singular, is that of hiring a mans Son or Daughter to be
marched to their dead Daughter or Son, with whom they are contracted.
The ceremony observed in their Marriages is performed at Midnight, not
in the Church, but upon a bed, by two Churchmen, one in behalf of the
Man, the other in behalf of the Woman, who ask if they are willing to be
married, and they joyn hands, the Man promising to provide for the
Woman, and give her some Gold to bind her to him; and the Woman
promiseth all she hath is his; then the Churchmen scattering rice, prays
that they may be fruitful, and so they conclude, celebrating the
Marriage feast for 8 days together.
As for burial they have two places or Tombs, built of a round form, a
pretty height from the ground; within they are paved with stone, in a
shelving manner, in the midst a hollow pit to receive the consumed
bones; about the walls are the shrowded and sheeted Carkasses laid both
of Men and Women, exposed to the open Air. These 2 Tombs are distant
from one another; the one is for the good livers, the other for the
wicked. When any are sick unto death, the _Herbood_ is sent for, who
prays in the ears of the sick man: and when he is dead he is carried on
an Iron biere; all who accompany them are interdicted all speech; only
the Churchman, when the body is laid in the burial place, saith thus,
_This our Brother whilst he lived consisted of the 4 Elements, now he is
dead let each take his own, Earth to Earth, Air to Air, Water to Water,
and Fire to Fire_. This done they pray to _Sertun_ and _Asud_, that they
would keep the Devils from their deceased Brother when he repairs to
their holy fire to purge himself; for they suppose the Soul wandreth
three days on the earth, in which time _Lucifer_ molesteth it; for
security from which molestation, it flyes to their fire, seeking
preservation there; which time concluded, it receiveth justice or
reward, Hell or Heaven; and therefore they for those three days offer up
Prayers Morning Noon and Night, that God would be merciful to the Soul
departed, and forgive his sins. After three days are expired they make a
festival, and conclude their mourning.
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