The ^(jtturallanctMoratt 



tude of religious men that are in thofe Provinces, 

 \Vhometheycall #oncos, and alib their fuperftitions, 

 cuftomcs and lies.Somc fathers that have been irv thofe 

 countries, report of thefe Boncos and religious men of 

 Chw*) faying, that thcrearemany Orders, and of di- 

 verfe fortes , fome came vntojthem clad in white,bear- 

 inghoodes, and others all in blacke, withouthaireor 

 hoodc,and thefe are commonly little efteemed, for the 

 Mandarins or minifters of luftice vvhippc them, as they 

 doe the reft of the people. They make profeffion , not 

 to eatc any flefh, fim, nor any thing that hath life , but 

 onely Rice and hearbes ; but in fecret they do eate any 

 thing , and are worfe than the common people . They 

 fay the religious men which are at the Court , which is 

 at Paqtiin, are very much eftecmed. The Mandarins go 

 commonly to recreate thetnfelves at the Narells or mo- 

 nafteries of thefe Monkes , andreturne in a manner al- 

 wayes drunkc. Thefe monafterics commonly are with 

 out the tovvnes, and have temples within their clofe: 

 yet in China they are not greatly curious of idolles,or of 

 temples, for \hz Mandarins little cfteeme idolls>and do 

 hold it for a vsine thing, and worthy to belaughed at: 

 yea they beleeve there is no other life,nor Paradice 5 but 

 tobe in the office of the Mandarins,nor any other hel, 

 than the prifons they have for offendours . As for the 

 common forte, they fay, itisneceflary toentertayne 

 them with idolatry , as the Philofopher himfclfe tea- 

 - cheth his Governors : and in the Scripture it was an 

 excufe which Aaron gave, for the idol of the Calfe,that 

 he caufed to be made yet the Cbinoisvfcd to tarry in 

 the pou pe of their flitppes, in little chapels, a virgin im- 

 bofttfetina chaire with two Clnnois before her kneel 

 ing inmaner of Angels , having a light burning there 



both 



