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difficult to find out many of such an exalted pitch of goodness；
as to be equal to that dignity which demands the exercise of more
than ordinary virtues。 Nor are the priests in greater veneration
among them than they are among their neighboring nations； as you
may imagine by that which I think gives occasion for it。
When the Utopians engage in battle； the priests who accompany them
to the war； apparelled in their sacred vestments； kneel down
during the action； in a place not far from the field； and lifting
up their hands to heaven； pray； first for peace； and then for
victory to their own side； and particularly that it may be gained
without the effusion of much blood on either side； and when the
victory turns to their side； they run in among their own men to
restrain their fury； and if any of their enemies see them； or call
to them； they are preserved by that means； and such as can come so
near them as to touch their garments； have not only their lives；
but their fortunes secured to them； it is upon this account that
all the nations round about consider them so much； and treat them
with such reverence； that they have been often no less able to
preserve their own people from the fury of their enemies； than to
save their enemies from their rage； for it has sometimes fallen
out； that when their armies have been in disorder； and forced to
fly； so that their enemies were running upon the slaughter and
spoil； the priests by interposing have separated them from one
another； and stopped the effusion of more blood； so that by their
mediation a peace has been concluded on very reasonable terms； nor
is there any nation about them so fierce； cruel； or barbarous as
not to look upon their persons as sacred and inviolable。
The first and the last day of the month； and of the year； is a
festival。 They measure their months by the course of the moon； and
their years by the course of the sun。 The first days are called in
their language the Cynemernes； and the last the Trapemernes； which
answers in our language to the festival that begins； or ends； the
season。
They have magnificent temples； that are not only nobly built； but
extremely spacious； which is the more necessary； as they have so
few of them； they are a little dark within； which proceeds not
from any error in the architecture； but is done with design； for
their priests think that too much light dissipates the thoughts；
and that a more moderate degree of it both recollects the mind and
raises devotion。 Though there are many different forms of religion
among them； yet all these； how various soever； agree in the main
point； which is the worshipping of the Divine Essence； and
therefore there is nothing to be seen or heard in their temples in
which the several persuasions among them may not agree； for every
sect performs those rites that are peculiar to it； in their
private houses； nor is there anything in the public worship that
contradicts the particular ways of those different sects。 There
are no images for God in their temples； so that everyone may
represent Him to his thoughts； according to the way of his
religion； nor do they call this one God by any other name than
that of Mithras； which is the common name by which they all
express the Divine Essence； whatsoever otherwise they think it to
be； nor are there any prayers among them but such as every one of
them may use without prejudice to his own opinion。
They meet in their temples on the evening of the festival that
concludes a season： and not having yet broke their fast； they
thank God for their good success during that year or month； which
is then at an end； and the next day being that which begins the
new season； they meet early in their temples； to pray for the
happy progress of all their affairs during that period upon which
they then enter。 In the festival which concludes the period；
before they go to the temple； both wives and children fall on
their knees before their husbands or parents； and confess
everything in which they have either erred or failed in their
duty； and beg pardon for it。 Thus all little discontents in
families are removed； that they may offer up their devotions with
a pure and serene mind； for they hold it a great impiety to enter
upon them with disturbed thoughts； or with a consciousness of
their bearing hatred or anger in their hearts to any person
whatsoever； and think that they should become liable to severe
punishments if they presumed to offer sacrifices without cleansing
their hearts； and reconciling all their differences。 In the
temples； the two sexes are separated； the men go to the right
hand； and the women to the left； and the males and females all
place themselves before the head and master or mistress of that
family to which they belong； so that those who have the government
of them at home may see their deportment in public； and they
intermingle them so； that the younger and the older may be set by
one another； for if the younger sort were all set together； they
would perhaps trifle away that time too much in which they ought
to beget in themselves that religious dread of the Supreme Being；
which is the greatest and almost the only incitement to virtue。
They offer up no living creature in sacrifice； nor do they think
it suitable to the Divine Being； from whose bounty it is that
these creatures have derived their lives； to take pleasure in
their deaths； or the offering up of their blood。 They burn incense
and other sweet odors； and have a great number of wax lights
during their worship； not out of any imagination that such
oblations can add anything to the divine nature； which even
prayers cannot do； but as it is a harmless and pure way of
worshipping God； so they think those sweet savors and lights；
together with some other ceremonies； by a secret and unaccountable
virtue； elevate men's souls； and inflame them with greater energy
and cheerfulness during the divine worship。
All the people appear in the temples in white garments； but the
priest's vestments are parti…colored； and both the work and colors
are wonderful。 They are made of no