266 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 
cite them to rebellion, as being lawful, the fword of the — 
civil power cuts them off, without any blame falling up- 
on their religion, becaufe thefe things were done in con- 
tradiction to what their priefts, from the fcripture, fhould: 
have taught them were truly she tenets of that very reli- 
gion. 
Tur Iteghé now interpofed: What do you think, Tenfa 
Chriftos, if Yagoube is not a prieft, fhould he not be one?’ 
Madam, fays he, Ihave one queftion more to inquire of him,, 
and that fhall be all, nor would I afk it if he was not going 
away to-morrow. It is an unfair one, then faid I, but out with. 
it ; [cannot fuffer in the opinion of good men, by anfwering. 
directly a queftion which you put to me out of curiofity,. 
It feems then, fays he, you are not a frank, but you, think. 
your own religion a better one than theirs ; you. are not of | 
our religion, however, for you fay,we are nearer the Catho-_ 
lics than you; now what objection have you to,our ‘religion, 
and what is your opinion of it?. 
As far as I am informed, faid I, I think well of it; it is the: 
ancient Greek church, under St Athanafius, fucceflor to. 
St Mark, in the chair of Alexandria. This being the cafe, 
you cannot have a better, as you have the religion. neareft 
to that of the apoftles, and, as I have before faid, no religion 
teaches a man evil, much lefs can your religion give you 
fuch inftruction, if you have not corrupted it; and if you — 
have, it is no longer the religion of St Athanafius, or the 
Apofiles, therefore lable to error. And now, Tenfa Chriftos, 
let me afk you two queftions ; you are in no fear of anfwer- 
ing, neither are you in danger, though not about to leave - 
the country, Does your religion permit you to marry one 
4 7 Ae 
