Sch. How can that be?
Trav. Very easily: for they have a law, that if any Divine shall publish a new opinion to the Common people, he shall be accounted a disturber of the publick peace, and shall suffer death for it.
Sch. But that is the way to keep them in errour perpetually, if they be once in it.
Trav. You are deceived; for if any one hath conceived a new opinion, he is allowed everie yeere freely to dispute it before the Great Councell; if he overcome his Adversaries, or such as are appointed to be Opponents, then it is generally received for truth; if he be overcome, then it is declared to be false.
Sch. It seemeth that they are Christians by your relation of the Parochiall Ministers, but whether are they Protestants or Papists?
Trav. Their Religion consists not in taking notice of severall opinions and sects, but is made up of infallible tenets, which may be proved by invincible arguments, and such as will abide the grand test of extreme dispute; by which meanes none have power to stirre up Schismes and Heresies; neither are any of their opinions ridiculous to those who are of contrarie minds.
Schol. But you spoke of great honour which the Governours have in the Kingdome of Macaria.
Trav. They must needs receive great honour of the people, by reason that there is no injustice done, or very seldome, perhaps once in an age.
Sch. But how come they by their great riches which you speak of?
Trav. It is holden a principall policie in State to allow to the ministers of State, Judges, and chiefe Officers, great revenues; for that, in case they doe not their dutie, in looking to the Kingdomes safety, for conscience sake, yet they may doe it for feare of loosing their owne great Estates.