“No ofrecen criatura viviente alguna en sacrificio, ni consideran propio del Ser Divino —de cuya generosidad estas criaturas han recibido la vida— complacerse en su muerte ni en la ofrenda de su sangre. Queman incienso y otros aromas dulces, y tienen un gran número de velas de cera durante su culto, no con la imaginación de que tales ofrendas puedan añadir algo a la naturaleza divina (cosa que ni siquiera las oraciones pueden hacer), sino porque es una manera inofensiva y pura de adorar a Dios; de modo que piensan que esos aromas y luces, junto con algunas otras ceremonias, mediante una virtud secreta e inexplicable, elevan las almas de los hombres y las inflaman con mayor energía y alegría durante el culto divino.
“All the people appear in the temples in white garments; but the priest’s vestments are parti-coloured, and both the work and colours are wonderful. They are made of no rich materials, for they are neither embroidered nor set with precious stones; but are composed of the plumes of several birds, laid together with so much art, and so neatly, that the true value of them is far beyond the costliest materials. They say, that in the ordering and placing those plumes some dark mysteries are represented, which pass down among their priests in a secret tradition concerning them; and that they are as hieroglyphics, putting them in mind of the blessing that they have received from God, and of their duties, both to Him and to their neighbours. As soon as the priest