An elaborate allegorical engraving depicts the major religions of the world. In the upper center, a personified figure of the Catholic Church sits on a throne. She wears a papal tiara and holds an open book of church councils and traditions. To her left, a woman holds a multi-language Bible above a scene of baptism. This Bible is titled in Greek, Latin, Dutch, and English. To the right, various figures represent other Christian denominations and world religions. In the foreground, a group of men in Middle Eastern attire represent Islam. They are seated near a camel. Beside them is a large stone tablet inscribed with eight tenets of the Islamic faith in Dutch. The background shows a diverse landscape with a pagoda, temples, and a distant city under a clouded sky. A banner in the center displays an image of Christ with the motto 'Mercy and Justice'.

THE HOLY BIBLE original: "TA AGIA BIBLIA" in Greek script. HOLY BIBLE original: "BIBLIA SACRA" in Latin. The Holy Scripture The Holy Bible MERCY AND JUSTICE original: "MISERICORDIA ET JUSTITIA" THE BULL UNIGENITUS. A 1713 papal bull issued by Pope Clement XI. It condemned Jansenist doctrines and was a major point of religious and political contention in the 18th century. COUNCILS TRADITIONS original: "CONCILIA TRADITIONES" INDULGENCES PLENARY ABSOLUTION original: "INDULGENTIÆ ABSOLUTIO PLENARIA" WEGEL AND WEILERS PUBLISHERS IN AUGSBURG. original: "EXC. AUG. V." refers to Excusum Augustae Vindelicorum, meaning printed in Augsburg. I. THERE IS NO GOD, BUT GOD. II. MUHAMMAD IS THE MES- SENGER OF GOD. III. ALI IS THE REPRE- SENTATIVE OF GOD. This inclusion of Ali indicates a focus on the Shi'a tradition of Islam. Picart likely included it to highlight the different branches within world religions. IV. ON THE NECESSITY OF RITUAL PURIFICATIONS. V. ON PRAYER. VI. ON ALMS. VII. ON FASTING. VIII. ON PILGRIMAGES OR JOURNEYS OF PENANCE.

SCENE OF THE PRINCIPAL RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD.

EXPLANATION

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The Christian Religion Represented as an allegorical female figure., which keeps itself before the Tree,
Displays the Bible with its pages turned open;
A Franciscan friar, who builds upon other foundations,
Tries, through the sound of his flute, to discourage its use,
And with one hand flutes away the Salutory Work The "Salutory Work" refers to the Bible itself.,
While the other points to the Book in which the Laws of the Councils
Are recorded. Thus the Authority of the Roman Church intends,
To set her arm unshakeably fast upon this ground (1).
Here rests her left hand, which has firmly grasped,
The Holy Sacrament, while the other offers as a sign
Of Peace, the branch of fresh Olive: but see how
A small snake coils around that sprout, appearing to sting
A visible Poison into her hidden innards;
Added to this is a tightly forged iron chain,
Which keeps the Enslaved Faith bound by her Church discipline.
By the triple Crown The Papal Tiara. one can measure the great Authority;
She sets her left foot upon the militant Roman Empire,
Which lies here in impotence, trampled by her power,
While Superstition has snatched away that which was Imperial,
To clothe the High Priesthood with those spoils.
In her Retinue, one sees strict Spiritual Discipline;
A Jesuit applies himself to praising to the Bishop,
The Pope's Bull (2) original: "Paussen Bulle"; specifically the bull Unigenitus.; yet this tasteless Fruit,
Bears in his pure soul a distaste of horror.
The Cardinal with all the further procession of Bishops,
Stand yet to earnestly consider the Papal Command.
Also this Ecclesiastical power...