Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from An Ecclesiastical History, Antient and Modern, From the Birth of Christ, to the Beginning of the Present Century, Vol. 5: In Which the Rise, Progress, and Variations of Church Power Are Considered in Their Connexion With the State of Learning and Philosophy, and the Political History of Europe During That Period
Chriliianity, they employ all their dexterity and zeal to render this refemblance more plaufible and firiking, and to perfuade the Indians that there is a great conformity between their ancient theology and the newreligion they are exhorted to em brace. They go {till further; for they indulge their profelytes In the obfervance of all their national culioms and rites, except fuch as are glaringly inconfii'tent with the genius and fpirit of the Chriftian worfhip. Thefe rites are modified a little by the Jefuits, and are direcied towards a di?erent fet of objeé'ts, fo as to form a fort of coalition between Paganifm and Chrif'tianity. To fecure themfelves an afcendant over the untutored minds of thefe fimple Indians, they fiudy their natural inclinations and propenfities, comply with them on all occafions, and carefully avoid what ever may Ihock them. And as in all countries the clergy, and men of eminent learning, are fuppofed to have a confiderable in?uence on the multitude, fo the Jefuits are particularly afiiduous in courting the friendfhip of the Indian priefts, which they obtain by various methods, in the Choice Of which they are far from being fcrupu lous. But the proteétion Of men in power is the great objeél: they principally aim at, as the fureil: method of ef'tablilhing their authority, and extend ing their in?uence. And hence they f'tudy all the arts that can render them agreeable or ufeful to. Great men; hence their application to the mathematics, phyfic, poetry, to the theory of painting, fculpture, architeéture, and the other elegant arts; and hence their perfeverance in ftudying men and manners, the. Interef'ts of princes.
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