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Show [ 24-l ] B 0 0 K VI. 'The Reli'gi'on if the Mext'cans: na:m!y, thei'r Gods, :femp!eJ, Priej/t, Sacrifices, and Ojjering.s: their Fajh and Aujleritiu, thei'r Chronology, Calendar, and Feflivalt; their Ceremoniet upon the Birth if Children, at Marriage~, and Funeralt • • T HE religion, govcmmen t, and reconomy of a fiate are the three things which chiefly form the charatl:er of a nation, and with- 0Ut being acquainted with thefe, it is .impoffible to have a perfetl: idea of the genius, difpofitions, and knowledge of any people whatever. The religion of the Mexicans, of which we are to give an account irt this book, was a heap of errors, of fuperftitions, and cruel rites. Such weaknelfes of the human mind, of which we have had but too many examples even in the moft enlightened nations of antiquity, are infeparable from every religion that takes its fource in the fantaftical imaginations and fears of mankind. If we compare, as we lhall do in another place, the religion of the Greeks and Romans with that of th~ J\!Iexicans, we {ball find the former more fuperititious and ridiculous, the latter more cruel. Thefe celebrated nations of ancient Europe, from the unfavourable opinion which they entertained of the power of their gods, multiplied their number to excefs, confined their influence within narrow bounds, imputed to them the moil: atrocious crimes, nnd {bined their woril1ip with the moil: fcandalous impurities; for which they have been juftly reproached by the advocates of Chritl:ianity. The Mexicans imagined their gods more perfetl:, and in their woril1ip, however fuperfl:itious it might be, there was nothing repugnant tQ decency. BOOK. Vl; '" , SrcT. 1. The Mexicans had fome idea, though a very imperfeCt one, of a fupre111e, ab.ililute, and independent Being, to whom they <lckno\vledged to owe fear and aqoration. They reprefenteu him in no external V 01. I. I i · · · . · form, Principlr~ of rh cir rcliJ; Wn . .. |