THE SOURCE OF THE NTLE. 341
nev to Jerufalem. The Falalu again declare, that their cir- cnmcifiori was that commonly practafed at jerufalem in the time or' Solomon, and in uie among them when they left Paleftine, and came into Abyflmia.
The circumcifion of the Abyffinians is performed with a ftiarp knife, or razor. There is no laceration with the nails, no formula or repetition of words, nor any religious ceremony at the time of the operation, nor is it done at any particular age, and generally it is a woman that is the lurgeon. The Faiaflia fay, they perform it fometimes with the edge of a ftiarp ftone ; fometimes with a knife or razor, and at other times with the nails of their lingers ; and for this purpofe they have the nails of their little fingers of an immoderate length: at the time of the operation the prieft chants a hymn, or verfe, importing, " Bleffed art thou, O Lord, who haft or- dained circumcifion !" This is performed on the eighth day, and is a religious rite, according to the firft inftitution by God to Abraham.
The Abyffinians pretend theirs is not fo ; and, being prefi- ed for the reafon, they tell you it is becaufe Chrift and the apo tics were circumcifed, though they do not hold it ne- ceflary to falvation. But it is the objection they conflantly make againft eating out of the fame plate, or drinking out of the fame cup with ftrangers, that they are uncircumci- fed, while, with the Egyptians or the Cophts, though equal- ly ftrangers, they make no fuch difficulty. In the time of the fefuits, when the Roman Catholic religion was aboli h- ed, and liberty given them to return to their old worihip, then priefts proclaimed a general circumcifion ; and the populace, in the firft days of their fury, or triumph, mur- dered many Catholics, by ftabbing them with a lance in that
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