Lent. They are great founders of Temples, and Hoſpitals, and are obliged to give to the poor the firſt day of the year, the tithe of what they have gained during the preceding year.
They believe, that after being well waſht, ſaying ſome prayer appropriate to that Ceremony; they have alſo the ſoul purified from all filthineſs and ſin, which is the cauſe that they waſh and bathe often, eſpecially before they pray.
They have no Sacrament, but Circumciſion, they cauſe their children to be circumciſed at the age of ſeven or eight years, and when they can pronounce theſe words, La ilha illa allha Mehement raſoul allha, that is, There is but one God, Mahoment is his Prophet and Apoſtle; this is their profeſſion of faith, nevertheleſs there is no mention of Circumciſion in all the Alcoran; they ſay they obſerve it in imitation of Abraham, whoſe Law is recommended to them by Mahomet: they believe that the Alcoran was brought to him ſeverall times by the Angel Gabriel, in the City of Mecca, and that of Medina, becauſe the Jews and Chriſtians had altered the holy Scriptures, and the Law of God.
They are permitted to have four wives, married at the ſame time, and as many Concubines as they are able to maintain.
They can put away their wives when they think fit, paying them what they promiſed them in contractt of marriage, and mary again at their pleaſure; but the women are bound to tarry until they are aſſured that they are not with childe before they marry again;& their husbands are obliged to keep, and take care
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