MEXICAN RITE RESEMBLING BAPTISM. 360 



the conference with these witches, whereof there have bin, _ 

 and are still, great numbers, although by the grace of the 

 Lord, and diligence of the Prelates and Priestes, they de 

 crease, and are not so hurtefull. Some of them have beene 

 converted and preached publikoly, discovering and blaming 

 themselves, their errors and deceites, and manifesting their 

 devises and lies, whereof wee have scene great effects ; as 

 also we vnderstand by letters from Jappou, that the like 

 hath arrived in those parts : all to the glory and honour of 

 our Lord God. 



CHAP, xxvii. Of other Ceremonies and Customer of the 

 Indiana whicJi tiro like into ours. 



The Indians had an infinite number of other ceremonies 

 and customes which resembled to the ancient law of Moses, 

 and some to those which the Moores vse, and some ap 

 proached neero to the law of the Gospel, as their bathes or 

 Opacuna, as they call them ; they did wash themselves in 

 water, to dense them from their sins. The Mexicaines had 

 also amongst them a kind of baptisme, the which they did 

 with ceremony, cutting the cares and members of yong 

 children new borne, counterfaiting in some sort the circum 

 cision of the lewes. This ceremony was done principally 

 to the sonnes of Kings and Noblemen; presently vpon their 

 birth the priestes did wash them, and did put a little sword 

 in the right hand, and in the left a target. And to the 

 children of the vulgar sort they put the markes of their 

 offices, and to their daughters instruments to spinne, knit, 

 and labour. This ceremony continued four daies, being 

 made before some idoll. They contracted marriage after 

 their manor, whereof the Licentiate Polo hath written a 

 whole Treatise, and I will speako somewhat thereon heere- 

 after. In other things their customes and ceremonies have 



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