The^aturallancfMoratt 



the ground, not daring to beholde them : they had lin- 

 nen garments , and it was lawfbil for them to goeinto 

 the Citty fourc or fixe together, toaske alniesinali 

 |j quarters: and when they gave them none, it was lawful 

 ^ to go into thecorne fields and gather theearesof cornc 

 or clufters of Mays,which they mod needed 3 the Mai- 

 fter not daring to fpeake, nor hinder them . They had 

 this liberty,becaufe they lived poorely , and had no o 

 ther revenues ? but almes. There might not be above fif 

 ty live in penance, rifing at midnight to found the cor 

 nets and trumpets to awake the people. Every one wat 

 ched theidoll in his turne, left the fire before the Altarc 

 fhould die : they gave the cenfor , with the which the 

 Prieft at midnight inccnfcd theidoll, andalfointhe 

 morning, at noonejand at night. They were very fub- 

 ie& and obedient to their fuperiors, and pafled not any 

 oncpoynt that was commaunded them. And at mid 

 night after the priefthad ended his cenfing,they retired 

 themfelves into a fecret place ? npart,facrificing,& draw 

 ing blood, from the calfes of their legges with fliarpc 

 bodkins : with this blood they rubbed their temples^ 

 vnder their eares : and this ficrificc finiihed, they pre- 

 fently wafht themfelves in a little poole appoynted to 

 that end. Thefeyongmen did not annoint their heads 

 and bodies with any Pctum , as the Prieftes did : their 

 garments were of a courle white linnen cloth they do 

 make there. Thefe exercifes and ftridneflc of penance 

 con tinued a whole yeare,during which time they lived 

 with great 'aufteritie and fblitarineiTe. In truth it is ve 

 ry ftrange to fee that this falfe opinion of religion hath 

 fo great force among thefe yoong men and maidens of 

 Mexico, that they will ferve the Divell with fb great ri 

 gor and auftcrity, which many of vs doe not in the fer- 



vicc 



