haec contingant_, &c. A Tartar
prince, saith Marcus Polus, _lib. 1. cap. 23._ called Senex de Montibus,
the better to establish his government amongst his subjects, and to keep
them in awe, found a convenient place in a pleasant valley, environed with
hills, in [6402]"which he made a delicious park full of odoriferous flowers
and fruits, and a palace of all worldly contents," that could possibly be
devised, music, pictures, variety of meats, &c., and chose out a certain
young man, whom with a [6403]soporiferous potion he so benumbed, that he
perceived nothing: "and so fast asleep as he was, caused him to be conveyed
into this fair garden:" where after he had lived awhile in all such
pleasures a sensual man could desire, [6404]"He cast him into a sleep
again, and brought him forth, that when he awaked he might tell others he
had been in Paradise." The like he did for hell, and by this means brought
his people to subjection. Because heaven and hell are mentioned in the
scriptures, and to be believed necessary by Christians: so cunningly can
the devil and his ministers, in imitation of true religion, counterfeit and
forge the like, to circumvent and delude his superstitious followers. Many
such tricks and impostures are acted by politicians, in China especially,
but with what effect I will discourse in the symptoms.

Next to politicians, if I may distinguish them, are some of our priests
(who make religion policy), if not far beyond them, for they domineer over
princes and statesmen themselves. _Carnificinam exercent_, one saith they
tyrannise over men's consciences more than any other tormentors whatsoever,
partly for their commodity and gain; _Religionem enim omnium abusus_ (as
[6405]Postellus holds), _quaestus scilicet sacrificum in causa est_: for
sovereignty, credit, to maintain their state and reputation, out of
ambition and avarice, which are their chief supporters: what have they not
made the common people believe? Impossibilities in nature, incredible
things; what devices, traditions, ceremonies, have they not invented in all
ages to keep men in obedience, to enrich themselves? _Quibus quaestui sunt
capti superstitione animi_, as [6406]Livy saith. Those Egyptian priests of
old got all the sovereignty into their hands, and knowing, as [6407]Curtius
insinuates, _nulla res efficacius multitudinem regit quam superstitio;
melius vatibus quam ducibus parent, vana religione capti, etiam impotentes
faeminae_; the common pe