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The other Chappel, which was lined with the Star-stone,
did onely cast a splendorous and comfortable
light; both the Chappels stood upon Pillars, just in
the middle of a round Cloyster which was dark as
night; neither was there any other light within them,
but what came from the Fire- and Star-stone; and being
every where open, allowed to all that were within
the compass of the Cloyster, a free prospect into them;
besides, they were so artificially contrived, that they
did both move in a circle about their own Centres,
without intermission, contrary ways. In the Chappel
which was lined with the Fire-stone, the Emperess
preached Sermons of terror to the wicked, and told
them of the punishments for their sins, to wit, that
after this life they should be tormented in an everlasting
fire. But in the other Chappel lined with the Star-stone,
she preached Sermons of comfort to those that
repented of their sins, and were troubled at their own
wickedness; Neither did the heat of the flame in the
least hinder her; for the Fire-stone did not cast so
great a heat but the Emperess was able to endure it, by
reason the water which was poured on the stone, by its
own self-motion turned into a flaming fire, occasioned
by the natural motions of the Stone, which made the
flame weaker then if it had been fed by some other kind
of fuel; the other Chappel where the Star-stone was,
although it did cast a great light, yet was it without all
heat, and the Emperess appear'd like an Angel in it;
and as that Chappel was an embleme of Hell, so
this was an embleme of Heaven. And thus the Emperess,
by Art, and her own ingenuity, did not onely
convert the Blazing-world to her own Religion, but
kept them in a constant belief, without inforcement or
blood-shed; for she knew well, that belief was a thing
not to be forced or pressed upon the people, but to be
instilled into their minds by gentle perswasions; and
after this manner she encouraged them also in all
other duties and employments, for Fear, though it makes
people obey, yet does it not last so long, nor is it so sure
a means to keep them to their duties, as Love.
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| And if any should like the world I have made,
and be willing to be my subjects, they may imagine themselves such, and they are such—I mean
in their minds, fancies or imaginations. But if they cannot endure to be subjects, they may
create worlds of their own and govern themselves as they please.
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| © 2025 by Sarah Reitmeier, except text from The Description of a New World, Called the Blazing World, published 1666 by Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle.
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