ABSTRACT
In all things which they undertake, either journeys by sea or by land, they use lots and cast them before their gods. The lots are two sticks made like half a nutshell, flat on the one side and round on the other; and also larger ones as big again as a half nut, strung together on a string. Whereby the fact of the Chinas not having knowledge of one God is sufficient argument to show that the Chinas do not have studies of natural philosophy, neither do they give themselves to the contemplation of natural things, in spite of what some Portugals try to maintain to the contrary. They worship the sun, the moon and the stars, and all the images they make without any respect. They have notwithstanding images of Louthias whom they worship for having been famous in some one thing or other.
