make any such Additions as should be requisite agreeable to their Law and conformable to the antient League and that therein his Majesties Ambassador should find no Difficulty for they honoured his Majesty and were resolved to give him assurance of their will to maintain a true Friendship and therefore desired the Ambassador to draw and prepare the Capitulations and send them to him and the Chancellor who would consider them and being such as were fit to be granted the Ambassador should have speedy order To the Second the Visier answered with great Subtilty First justifying the occasion of the War and imputing the Fault to the Cossacks maintained by the Pole to rob even at the Port of Constantinople therefore that the Emperour could not in Honour but chasten and destroy them having first by message demanded Justice against them and now his Master being ingaged with great charge and in his Honour he could make no Peace with them who had beguiled him pâ—etending that they had no other intention but the War because having raised his Camp and dissolved his Army the Polacks now scorned him and kept no Faith neither sending Ambassador nor Messenger no not any Letter since their return That therefore they could not hearken to any Condition and that his Majesty of Great Britain did not value the Honour of the Grand Seignior in this motion To the Third he replied That the motion for the Prisoners was unseasonable because in order it should follow the general Treaty and making Peace which if finished his Majesty of Great Britain should find that for his sake all those mentioned in the Memorial should be free except only the Prince Coreskie who had been the cause of many Troubles and had made escape from Prison formerly To the Fourth he made Protestation in the Grand Seignior's name against the Pyrats offering that his Majesties Ambassadors should have what Commands what Message he would desire in company of any Englishman To the Fifth he replied It was an old obsolete Quarrel and that the Ambassador did him Injury to press him when in the time of three former Visiers his Predecessors could obtain no Relief therefore he would not look back upon the Actions of other Men nor rake among the Bones of the dead but he desired the Ambassador should rest satisfied that while He had the Honour to govern there should no wrong be done unto the English Nation and that he would hear all Complaints so as no man should need to look back upon his Actions This perfunctory Answer did not much satisfie his Majesties Ambassador but that he desired some other of Effect being loth to accept of Generalities and therefore required a direct reply for his own discharge which was promised after much pressing by the Visier who had first undertaken the same The long stay of the Duke of Sbaraskie chosen extraordinary Ambassador by the King of Poland to consummate the Peace between him and the Grand Seignior did much trouble the Emperours Court and especially the Visier who procured the Cessation of Arms but that a Letter was writ by the King of Poland which did a little prolong their hopes In the mean time the Emperour divulged a pretence to visit Mecha the Tomb of Mahomet his great Prophet contrary to the Counsel and instance of all his Visiers that knew not the secret and even to the hazard of a general revolt for they were jealous that under colour of that Voyage he had some other design and it was feared the Duke would not proceed to follow him at random nor treat with his Deputies left at the Port For the Polacks seemed in performing and assuring the Peace a little too glorious of their good Success year 1622 and the Nobility not so obedient to the King as that he could absolutely command which did both trouble their Agents at the Port and discontent the Turks so that a little motion of the Cossacks or Tartars at that time spoil being both their livelihoods had kindled new Fires and had disturbed or quite broken the Peace In the mean space the Grand Seigâ—ior writ his Letter to his Majesty of Great Britain in answer to his Royal Letter by his Ambassador wherein was contained a Satisfactory reply to all the particulars of those five Articles delivered unto him And the Grand Seignior made such demonstration of great care to give his Majesty all content and satisfaction that his Letter was presented to the Ambassador with Ceremonies of Honour requiring that it should be sent by an express Messenger and gave command for a safe conduct for that purpose The true translated Copy whereof doth immediately follow Prince Osman ever victorious To the Mighty Prince renowned among the Majesties of the Princes of the Law of Iesus obeyed of the great Potentates followers of the Messiah the only director of the important Affairs of the Nazarene People Sovereign of the Limits of Power and Honour Lord of Advancement and Authority the most Glorious IAMES King of Great Britain France and Ireland to whose last days We wish all Felicity THIS our Imperial Letter arriving you shall know that your Honourable and Famous Ambassadour and worthy Knight Sir Thomas Roe is with your Royal and acceptable Letter come unto our happy Port the refuge of the Princes and Commanders of the World. Whereof the sincere Contents and Substance was That our antient Capitulations should be renewed and divers Articles therein reformed and explained and some others inserted And whereas certain Customers and other Officers of our Empire have often transgressed our Royal Agreements and done many Violences and Injuries to the Merchants your Subjects that for the time to come they may be secured from all Oppression and concerning the Affairs of the Polacks that the Enmity and War lately begun between us and them might be converted into Peace and Friendship and that there should be established a sincere League and Amity as in the Time of our Ancestors And that divers Noblemen of Poland and one of your Majesties Subjects now detained in our Captivity should be set at Liberty Complaining also against the Inhabitants of Tunis and Algier That they who have violated our Imperial Capitulations Amity and League ought to be duly punished And lastly That whereas one of your Subjects named Arthur Garaway from whom upon a pretension there was a great fine taken and other wrong done unto his Person you desire that his cause may be with Iustice renewed All which being made known unto us with prudent and mature Deliberation we have duely weighed and perfectly conceived them Wherefore by the favour of the great and prosperous God we do promise that in all these matters propounded we will imploy our Imperial Care and Diligence And we have already given our high and express Command that our antient Capitulations should be renewed and confirmed And such Conditions as are correspondent to the Peace Amity and League between us shall in due form be granted
these Rebels of Asia whereof we have made mention the Governour of Sarepta or Sidon in Syria called Armil or Emir Facardin he who gave entrance into his Port to the Florentines and received them in their Courses to the Levant hearing that the Bassa of Damas and the Bassa of the Sea with the Gallies which he brought from Constantinople and the threescore which he took at Negropont whereof we have made mention came to fall upon him with a mighty and fearful Army he left his eldest Son within Sidon with Forces to command there and in other Forts about it and flying from a furious tempest of Enemies he went to Sea with three Ships to retire himself into Eâ—rope with his four Wives ten Children seventy Turks and fourteen thousand pound weight in Gold. He arrived at Legorn and went from thence to Florence under the Protection of Cosmo de Medicis Great Duke of Tuscany whose hands he kissed presenting unto him a Cuttelas very curiously wrought and inriched with Stone and two Jewels to the Great Dutchess to the value of six thousand Crowns This Turk though he had no Faith yet he found Faith with this Prince of Tuscany Cosmo received him desraied him and all his Train furnished him with Money whether it were by way of Gratification or that Emir had consumed his own and by all kind of Courtesies made this Infidel see what difference there is to fly unto the Protection of a Christian Prince or to have recourse unto a Mahometan They say that Emir roade many goodly overtures for the settling of the Christians in Asia but to attempt it with a good and happy Success it should be necessary that most of the Christian Princes would joyn their Wills and Arms together for the general good of Christendom It is true that the Great Duke Ferdinand deceased and Cosmo his Successor had made proof of their good Intentions by many generous Enterprises against the Turk But one Prince alone cannot do all These things past in the Year 1613 the end whereof concludes with the Fury of terrible Tempests in the Mediterranean Sea. The Tenth of November a fearful Tempest full of Lightning Thunder and furious Winds was the cause of the loss of many Gallies and Ships in the Port of Genoa with a great number of Persons which were miserably drowned which loss was valued at above 800000 Crowns The Port of Naples was not free from this Storm and the Gallies of Malta with a great number of other Vessels received great loss The Grand Seignior having this Year and the Year before sustained great loss of his Gallies and Frigots in the Mediterranean Sea by the Gallies of Naples Malta and Florence and in the black Sea by the Cossacks who had taken two Gallies well manned and richly laden he now imposed a great Tax upon all his Christian Subjects towards the reparation of that loss so as he charged the Armenians to build him nine Gallies at their own costs and the Grecians twenty such is the Tyranny of the Turk as he suffers not the poor Christians to injoy any thing but he finds means to pull it from them The Grand Visier Nassuff held his credit with the Prince at whose return from Adrianople many Janizaries to whom the Visier was very odious conspired to kill him as he should enter in at the North Gate coming from Adrianople and had placed themselves there for the effecting of what they had intended but coming near unto the Gate the Sultan being ignorant of what was intended against the Visier called for him to speak with him keeping him by him until he was entred into the City by which means he escaped the pretended practice Soon after Nassuff invited the Sultan to a sumptuous Feast and within few days after theEmperour feasted the Visier who presuming upon his great credit caused all the Crosses in the Church of St. Sophia which is one of the goodliest Monuments in Constantinople to be thrown down and all the Images to be defaced the which had stood intire ever since the Christians Government The Year before the King of Persia had put to death 1200 Armenians upon a false Sugestion as if they had intended to reconcile themselves to the Pope that King hating the Papists and yet suffers divers Jesuits to live in his Dominions The English Ambassador's Chaplain desirous to know the reason of the Persians Cruelty conferred with the Patriarch of the Armenians which resided at Constantinople for there are two Patriarchs whereof the one is under the Persian and the other at Constantinople under the Turk who told him that it was true he had miserably slain many of their Nation by the cunning practises of an Armenian who had counterfeited Letters from the Patriarch of Armenia to the Pope by which the Patriarch with his whole Church of Armenians made offer to reconcile themselves to the Church of Rome and to acknowledge the Pope as their head intreating the Pope to write to the King of Persia to give them leave to do it freely which Letters the Pope receiving he rewarded the Messenger bountifully and returned Letters by him to the King of Persia whereby he intreated him to suffer the Armenians in his Country to use their Consciences freely The King of Persia having received these Letters grew into a great rage causing many of them to be put to death saying That if they would be obedient to the Pope he could expect no service nor obedience from them notwithstanding the Papists said that this was done directly by the Patriarch but the Armenians affirm that it was the practice of a counterfeit Rogue Soon after there arrived three Ambassadors at Constantinople the one was a Circassian the second a Georgian and this was a Bishop and the third a Mingrelian all of them to complain of the Persians Oppression and Cruelty imploring Succours from the Grand Seignior for their support Presently after them arrived a Persian Ambassador whom the Sultan would not admit to Audience until all Controversies were concluded betwixt himself and the Emperour which was then in question the Sultan having sent one Gasparo sometime a Servant in the English Ambassador's House to treat with the Emperour by whose means at length all matters were reconciled betwixt them The Year 1614 began by the horror of great Prodigies year 1614 which were seen in divers parts of Hungary and Silesia Over the Town of Vienna in Austria the Heavens grew so red and fearfully darkned as they feared that either the last day was come or else there would follow some horrible Effusion of Blood. But all these signs had no other effect this year than the ruine of the great Fortune and prodigious Authority of Nassuf Bassa Grand Visier of the Turkish Empire formerly one of the greatest and most fearful Rebels which had carried Arms in Asia against the sovereign Power of their Sultan but to comprehend more plainly the fall and
proceed to an open Rupture for the Wars in Persia being unsuccessful and pressing required moderation and Lenitives on this side that so the differences now on the Frontiers might be transferred to an opportunity more seasonable for dispute In the month of September Sultan Morat being at his small Seraglio called Daâ—â—â— Pasha year 1631. and sleeping there one night in his Bed he was on a sudden awakned by a terrible Lightning which entring his Chamber surrounded his Bed leaving several Marks on his Sheets and Quilts and whilst he sought some place to hide himself in it passed under his Arm and burnt part of his Shirt the afrightment of which so astonished him that he remained for some time in a swound which for ever after did much impair the strength of his Brain He now began to be sensible that there were other Thunder-bolts than those that proceeded from his own Throne and like Tiberius learned to tremble at the Voice of God whilst he heard him speak in the Clouds Nec Deum unquam nisi iratum pertinuit turbatiori Coelo fulminantem And so affected was the Sultan with this Accident that afterwards he dismissed divers of his Buffoons from the Court and particularly a Mute whose ridiculous Gestures were his common Divertisement and for some time caused him to abstain from Wine and as a farther token of his Conversion and Thankfulness to God for this eseape he ordered five thousand Dollars to be given in Alms to the Poor and Korban to be made of three hundred Sheep and the Friday following he solemnly went to the Mosch to render Thanks unto God for having so prodigiously preserved him from the Executioner of his Vengeance During all this time the Great Vizier wanting Succours and Supplies of Men and Mony had great difficulty to contain his People in their due Obedience or within the Bounds of their Quarters for they were apt to leave their Colours and would really have disbanded had not their Spirits been daily held up with the hopes and amusements of Pay and Recruits The four brethren-in-Brethren-in-Law which greatly apprehended left their Power and Authority should be abated by the return of the Vizier exercised all the diligence they were able to make new Levies the reinforcement of which might instil new Courage into the Souldiery and be a means to continue the Vizier in those parts but the Mufti obstructed all Levies on the side of Greece and the Frontiers of Christendom alledging That the best Souldiers being sent from those parts would hazard the Empire by exposing and laying it open to the Incursions of the Christians by which contrary Opinions and Delays the Vizier wanting the Assistance expected the Persians recovered all the little Fortresses which they had lost the Year before with the considerable place of Illay which being taken by Assault and by an absolute force of Sword and Arms the greatest part of the Garrison consisting of eight thousand Men commanded by the three Pasha's before-mentioned were cut off which was an important loss to the Turks not only for the slaughter of so many brave Souldiers but also for the quantities of Provisions being the Granary and Magazine for the whole Army Therein were likewise taken forty Field-pieces carrying eight pounds Bullet with a great Chain of Iron which usually encompasses the Treasury which is carried into the field With this ill success the Vizier retreated â—â—om Mosul as far as Mirdin from whence â—e redoubled his Instances for Supplies for Men and Mony. At length it was agreed that an Army of thirty thousand Tartars should be sent thither but Ragotskie advising that he was â—pon the point of breaking with the Emperor it was ordered that their number should be reduced to ten thousand the which taking their Journey into Persia by the way of Circassia were there encountred by Han Ghâ—rey the Prince of Tartary whom we formerly mentioned to have been deposed by that People and by him obstructed in their passage the Van-guard of their Army being cut off by him so that they were forced again to retreat and to embark their Men and Horse at Caffa to be transported by Sea to Trapezond which as it was a matter of great trouble so it was a course unpractised by the Tartars The Grand Signior being unable to render a more considerable Succour than this unto his Army which was now reduced to the weak number of two thousand Janisaries and three thousand Spahees he resolved to condescend to Terms and Articles as the only means to save his Honour and the remainder of his Forces In order unto which he released a Persian Lord from his Imprisonment in the Seven Towers and qualified him with the Title of Ambassador bestowing upon him an Equipage of Men and Horse agreeable to his Character with four thosand Dollars to defray his Expence And that the King of Persiâ— might be assured of the Sultan's real Intentions and desires of Peace he recalled his Army in the Spring whereby all Acts of Hostility ceased And thus the Vizier being returned to Constantinople that Pride and Rigour which he exercised towards all in the time of his prosperity laid him low by Misfortunes in the esteem of his Enemies who gladly embracing the opportunity to disgrace him with all the terms of Obloquy and Detraction deprived him at length of his Office. One of the four Brothers-in-law married to one of the Grand Signior's Sisters and Prime of the Cabal being constituted Vizier in his stead Nor did the late Vizier easily escape with his Life until he had repreived it with an Atonement of an hundred thousand Zechins of Gold and some choice Horses which he presented to the Sultan the like Example other Pasha's his Companions followed in proportion to their Estates and Employments by which Presents the empty Treasury was in a manner recruited and the present Necessities of the Sultan relieved But this new Vizier enjoyed not long either his Honours or his Life for the first Act he performed was to mitigate the Valedé Sultana or Queen-Mother to obtain a Hattesheriff or Writing under the Grand Signior's Hand for cutting off the Head of Casref Pasha the Spaheeler Agasi or General of the Spahees which being executed by Mortesa the Commander in Chief in Persia his Head was brought and thrown at the Gates of the Divan year 1632. The Spahees astonished at this Spectacle and enragâ—d to see that Head on the Ground which they so much esteemed and loved forgot all the Terms of Duty and Obedience to their Superiors and without regard to the Place wherein they were even within the Walls of the Grand Signior's Court they threw Stones at the Vizier and beat him from his Horse which though the Grand Signior and all the Viziers highly resented as the most scandalous Indignity that could be offered to the Majesty of a Supreme Ruler and to all Government yet their Counsels rather sought Remedies to suppress the Mutiny than to make
having again recruited his Forces easily surprized and took the City whilst that People relying on the late Agreement suspected nothing less than the Prophet's Treachery And that such prefidiousness as this might not be Chronicled in future Ages in disparagement of his Sanctity he made it lawful for his Believers in Cases of like Nature when the Matter concerned those who are Infidels and of a different Perswasion neither to regard Promises Leagues or other Engagements and this is read in the Book of the Institutions of the Mahometan Law called Kitab Hadaia It is the usual Form and Custom when a noble Advantage is espied on any Country with which they have not sufficient ground of Quarrel to demand the Opinion of the Muftee for the lawfulness of War who without consulting other Consideration and Judgment of the reasonable Occasions than the utility of the Empire in conformity to the foregoing President of his Prophet passes his Fetfa or Sentence by which the War becomes warrantable and the Cause justified and allowed It is not to be denied but even amongst Christian Princes and other the most gallant People of the World Advantages have been taken contrary to Leagues and Faith and Wars commenced upon frivolous and slight Pretences and the States have never wanted Reasons for the breach of Leagues though confirmed by Oaths and all the Rites of Religious Vows We know it is controverted in the Schools whether Faith is to be maintained with Infidels with Hereticks and wicked Men which in my Opinion were more honourable to be out of Question But we never read that Perfidiousness by Act and Proclamation was allowable or that it was wholly to be Faithless until the Doctors of the Mahometan Law by the Example of their Prophet recorded and commanded this Lesson as a beneficial and useful Axiom to their Disciples And here I cannot but wonder at what I have heard and read in some Books of the Honesty and Justice of the Turks extolling and applauding them as Men accomplished with all the Vertues of a Moral Life thence seeming to infer that Christianity it self imposes none of those Engagements of Goodness on Mens Natures as the Professors of it do imagine But such Men I believe have neither read the Histories nor consulted the Rules of their Religion nor practised their Conversation and in all Points being ignorant of the truth of the Turks dealing it is not strange if through a charitable Opinion of what they know not they err in the Apprehension and Character they pass upon them OF THE Turkish Religion BOOK II. CHAP. I. Of the Religion of the Turks in General THE Civil Laws appertaining to Religion amongst the Turks are so confounded into one Body that we can scarce treat of one without the other for they conceive that the Civil Law came as much from God being delivered by their Prophet as that which immediately respects their Religion and came with the same Obligations and Injunctions to obedience And though this Polity was a Fiction of some who first founded certain Governments as Numa Pompilius Solon and the like to put the greater Engagements and ties on Men as well of Conscience as through fear of Punishment yet in the general that Proposition is true That all Laws which respect Right and Justice and are tending to a Foundation of Good and Honest Government are of God For there is no Power but of God and the Powers that be are ordained of God. And then if God owns the Creation and Constitution of all Princes and Rulers as well the Pagans as Christians the Tyrants as the Indulgent Fathers of their People and Country no less doth he disallow the Rules and Laws fitted to the Constitution and Government of a People giving no Dispensation to their Obedience because their Prince is a Tyrant or their Laws not founded according to true Reason but to the humour of their corrupted Judgments or Interest It is vulgarly known to all that their Law was compiled by Mahomet with the help of Sergius the Monk and thence this Superstition is named Mahometanism whose infamous Life is recorded so particularly in many other Books that it were too obvious to be repeated here and therefore we shall insist and take a view of the Rites Doctrines and Laws of the Turkish Religion which is founded in three Books which may not improperly be called the Codes and Pandects of the Mahometan Constitutions The first is the Alchoran the second the Consent or Testimony of Wisemen called the Assonah or the Traditions of the Prophets and the third the Inferences or Deductions of one thing from another Mahomet wrote the Alchoran and prescribed some Laws for the Civil Government the other Additions or Superstructures were composed by their Doctors that succeeded which were Ebbubecher Omer Ozman and Haly the Califfs of Babylon and Egypt were other Doctors and Expositors of their Law whose Sentences and Positions were of Divine Authority amongst them but their esteem of being Oraculous failing with their Temporal Power that Dignity and Authority of Infallible Determinations was by force of the Sword transferred to the Turkish Mufti And though there is great diversity amongst the Doctors as touching the explication of their Law yet he is esteemed a true Believer who observes these five Articles or Fundamentals of the Law to which every Turk is obliged The first is Cleanness in the Outward Parts of their Body and Garments Secondly To make Prayers five times a day Thirdly To observe the Ramazan or Monthly Fast. Fourthly To perform faithfully the Zekat or giving of Alms according to the proportion prescribed in a certain Book wrote by the four Doctors of theirs called Asan Embela c. Fifthly To make their Pilgrimage to Mecha if they have means and possibility to perform it But the Article of Faith required to be belived is but one viz. That that there is but one God and Mahomet his Prophet Other Rites as Circumcision Observation of a Friday for a Day of Devotion Abstinence from Swines-flesh and from Blood as they say amongst the five pincipal Points because they are enjoined as Trials and Proofs of Man's Obedience to the more necessary Law. CHAP. II. The Toleration that Mahometanism in its infancy promised to other Religions and in what manner that Agreement was afterwards observed WHEN Mahometanism was first weak and therefore put on a modest Countenance and plausible Aspect to deceive Mankind it found a great part of the World illuminated with Christianity enduâ—d with active Graces Zâ—al and Devotion and established within it self with purity of Doctrine Union and firm profession of the Faith though greatly shaken by the Heresies of Arius and Nestorius yet it began to be guâ—rdâ—d not only with its Patience Long-suffering and Hope but also with the Foâ—tifications Arms and Protection of Emperors and Kings so that Mahometanism coming then on the disadvantage and having a hard Game to play either by the lustre of Graces and Good Exaâ—ples of
the Romanists have judged the Afflictions and almost Subversion of the Church of England to be a token of God's desertion and disclaim of her Profession forgetting the Persecutions and Martyrdoms of the Primitive Saints and that the Church of God is built in Sorrow and established with patience and passive Graces but these men rather than want an argument their malice will use the weapons of Infidels to oppugn the truth And on this ground the Turks so horribly detest and abhor the Iews calling them the forsaken of God because they are Vagabonds over all the World and have no Temporal Authority to protect them And though according to the best enquiry I could make that report is not true That they permit not a Iew to become a Turk but by turning a Christian first as a nearer step and previous disposition to the Musselman's Faith yet it is certain they will not receive the Corps of a Renegado Iew into their Cemeteries or place of Burial and the Iews on the other side disowning any share or part in him his loathed Carkass is thrown into some Grave distant from other Sepulchres as unworthy the Society of all Mankind CHAP. IV. The Power and Office of the Mufti 's and of their Government in Religious Matters THE Mufti is the principal head of the Mahometan Religion or Oracle of all doubtfull questions in the Law and is a person of great esteem and reverence amongst the Turks his Election is solely in the Grand Signior who chuses a man to that office always famous for his Learning in the Law and eminent for his vertues and strictness of Life his Authority is so great amongst them that when he passes Judgment or Determination in any point the Grand Signior himself will in no wise contradict or oppose it The Title which the Grand Signior gives unto the Mufâ—i when he writes to him is To the Esad who art the Wisest of the Wise instructed in all Knowledge the most Excelent of Excellent abstaining from things Vnlawfull the Spring of Vertue and True Scilence Heir of the Prophetick and Apostolical Doctrines Resâ—lver of the Problems of Faith Revealer of the Orthodox Articles Key of the Treasures of Truth the Light to Doubtfull Allegories strengthened with the grace of the Supreme Assistour and Legislatour of Mankind May the most High God perpetuate thy Vertues His power is not compulsory but onely resolving and persuasive in matters both Civil and â—riminal and of State his manner of resolves is by writing the question being first stated in Paper briefly and succinctly he underneath subscribes his sentence by Yes or No or in some other short Determination called a Fetfa with the addition of these words God knows better by which it is apparent that the Determinations of the Mufti are not esteemed infallible This being brought to the Cadee or Judge his Judgment is certainly regulated according thereunto and Law Suits of the greatest moment concluded in an hour without Arrests of Judgment Appeals or other dilatory Arts of the Law. In matters of State the Sultan demands his opinion whether it be in Condemnation of any great man to Death or in making War or Peace or other important Affairs of the Empire either to appear the more just and religious or to incline the People more willingly to Obedience And this practice is used in business of greatest moment scarce a Visier is proscribed or a Pashaw for pretence of crime displaced or any matter of great alteration or change designed but the Grand Signior arms himself with the Mufti 's Sentence for the nature of man reposes more security in innocence and actions of Justice than in the absolute and uncontrollable power of the Sword. And the Grand Signior though he himself is above the Law and is the Oracle and Fountain of Justice yet it is seldom that he proceeds so irregularly to contemn that Authority wherein their Religion hath placed an ultimate power of Decision in all their Controversies But sometimes perhaps Queries are sent from the Grand Signior to the Mufti which he cannot resolve with satisfaction of his own â—onscience and the ends of the Sultan by which means affairs important to the well being of the State meet delays and impediment In this case the Mufti is fairly dismissed from his infallible office and another Oracle introduced who may resolve the difficult demands with a more favourable Sentence if not he is degraded like the former and so the next untill one is found apt to Prophesie according to what may best agree with the interest of his Master This Office was in past times esteemed more sacred by the Ottoman Princes than at present for no War was undertaken or great Enterprize set on foot but first like the Oracle or Augur his Determination with great Reverence was required as that without which no blessing or success could be expected but in these days they are more remiss in this manner of Consultation sometimes it is done for formality but most commonly the Prime Visier conceited of his own Judgment and Authority assumes the Power to himself and perhaps first does the thing and afterwards demands the Approbation of it by the sense of the Law. And herein the Mufti hath a spacious Field for his Interpretation for it is agreed that their Law is temporary and admits of Expositions according to times and state of things And though they Preach to the People the perfection of their Alchoran yet the wiser men hold that the Mufti hath an expository power of the Law to â—â—â—rove and better it according to the state of things times and conveniences of the Empire for that their Law was never designed to be a clog or confinement to the propagation of Faith but an advancement thereof and therefore to be interpreted in the largest and farthest fetched sense when the strict words will not reach the design intended So it was once propounded to the Mufti what rule should be observed in the devotion of a Turk carried Slave into the Northern parts of the World where in Winter is but one hour of day how he might possibly comply with his obligation of making prayers five times within the twenty four hours viz. Morning Noon Afternoon Sunset and at an hour and half in the Night when the whole day being but of one hour admitted of none of these distinctions for resolution of which the Mufti answered that God commanded not things difficult as it is in the Alchoran and that matters ought to be ordered in conformity to time and place and making short Prayers once before day then twice in the hour of light and twice after it is dark the duty is complied with Another question of the same nature was proposed to the Mufti concerning the Kiblah or holy place of Mecha to which they are obliged to turn their faces in their Prayers how at Sea where they had no mark especially bad Geographers as commonly the Turks are it is possible to comply
recompence this Imperial Royal Favour with all sort of Happines from above Deliver'd to His Sacred Majesty at Aix la Chapelle upon his going to Vienna the 24 th day of April in the year 1689. Your most Sacred Majesty's most Humble and Faithful Subjects the Deputies of the Evangelicks in the Counties Cities Towns and Frontiers of Upper and Lower Hungary about the Business of their distressed Religion The First Article of the Peace of Vienna in the Year 1606. AS to the Business of Religion notwithstanding the former publick Constitutions and the last Article of the Year 1604 which was made without the Diet and the consent of the Subjects and therefore is annulled it is granted That according to his Imperial Majesty's former Resolution to which the Subjects refer themselves in their replying all and each State of the Kingdom of Hungary as well the Peers and Noblemen as the free Cities and the Privileged Towns belonging immediately to the Crown and all the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers shall any where and at any time profess and exercise their Religion without any Disturbance either from His most Sacr'd Majesty or from any Person whatsoever a free exercise of Religion being hereby granted to all the said States of the Kingdom Provided always That the Roman Catholick Religion be not thereby prejudiced That the Roman Catholick Clergy Churches and Chappels remain free and unmolested and that what has been taken from them in these Troubles be restor'd The First Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. concerning Religion COncerning the first Article of the Treaty of Vienna it is resolv'd by the States and Orders of Hungary that the Exercises of Religion shall be left free not only to the Noblemen and to the Inhabitants of the free Cities but also to the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary and to all the Farmers and Peasant that will freely accept the same nor shall any of 'em be disturbed in the free Exercise of Religion but to prevent any effect of hatr'd and dissension between Roman Catholicks and Protestants It is Order'd That each Party shall have a Superior or Surperintendant of his own Profession Although this last first Article of the Year 1608 was renew'd in 77 th Article of the Year 1618 inserted in the General Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second in the Year 1622 restor'd to his Force by the 22 d Article of the Year 1625 by the 33 d Article of the Year 1630 and by the 29 th Article of the Year 1635 confirm'd in the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and 14 th Articles of the new Treaty of Peace made with George Ragoczy Prince of Transilvania in the Year 1648 Ratifyed both in the aforenamed Articles of 1649 and in the 10 th Article of the Year 1649 and in the 18 th Article of the Year 1655 made at Rakocziâ and lastly confirm'd again and inserted in the Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of Leopold the present Emperor in the Year 1659 yet notwithstanding all these the said Article remains without Force and the Exercise of the Protestant Religion is wholly exterminated against the Articles and the publick Constitutions of the Kingdom as well as against the Sacred Imperial Letters Patent And yet all this contributed little towards a Peace for the Results of this Diet concerned none but the good and quiet Men and such as were zealous for the Settlement and Peace of their Country Whilest Tekeli and others of that Spirit whose Minds were possess'd with virulent Malice and Ambition were plotting and contriving the means to set up their own Authority and give themselves into the Hands of the Turks rather than to the Power of their Sovereign Prince of whose natural Clemency thô they were well assur'd yet they suspected and fear'd his Councils which being chiefly influenced and directed by Jesuits and the Spirit of the Clergy could never be reconciled in any tollerable manner to the Protestant profession Thus whilest things were Negotiating in the Diet Tekeli besieg'd Kalo which surrendr'd at discretion with little or no resistance and Prince Apafi joyning with some Parties of the Malecontents laid Seige to Zatmar with an Army composed of Transilvanians Moldavians Turks and Malecontents of Hungary all which acted in four separate Bodies being well provided with Cannon and all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions so soon as Apafi had form'd his Siege he put forth a Manifest or Declaration which he caused to be privately stolen into the Town and there dispers'd signifying that out of Christian piety and compassion to the miserable state of that Kingdom he had left his Country and Dwelling with no other intent than only to cause their Churches to be restor'd to them with a free Liberty of Conscience and Exercise of Religion and that their Estates which had been confiscated for the sake of their Religion and defence of their Rights and Privileges might be again restor'd to them To which he added many Solemn Protestations that he had no other end nor intention than the welfare and happiness of the Kingdom Farther also he said that he had a power sufficient for this Enterprise being well seconded by the Grand Seignior and acted by his Commission and that the Succession to the Principality was promised unto his Son to whom besides the Forces with him he had left a Guard of 20.000 Men. Having made thus much known to the Inhabitants of Zatmar he vigorously proceeded in the Siege having received a Recruit of 8000 Men from the Pasha of Buda being a Detachment from 40.000 which were Encamp'd before the place whereof he was Governour And thô with these Forces the Town of Zatmar was taken yet Serini who Commanded the place retiring into the Castle or Citadel he so well defended the same that Apafi was forc'd to raise the Siege and march away burning several Towns year 1682. and taking a Thousand Prisoners in his Retreat The raising of this Siege was variously interpreted and so ill taken by the Turks that Complaints were made thereof against Apafi at the Port. But it was no time now to make alterations or disturbances in Transilvania Towards the end of this year the Emperor being desirous to Crown the Empress at Oedembourg sent a Convoy of 500 Huâ—sars 100 Heyduks and 500 Cuirassiers to fetch the Crown of St. Stephen from the Castle of Presburg where it is always lodg'd which being brought thither the Empress was Crown'd Queen of Hungary with great Solemnity And that this Ceremony might be performed with the more order and security a Cessation of Arms was agreed with Tekeli for six Moths And to make appear how propitious this day of Coronation was like to be Count Caprara fell on the Rear of Apafi s Forces as they were retiring into their own Country took all their Baggage and entring into Transilvania burn'd five Castles and divers
me leave But so far was he from that to suffer me there to rest as that I was by him most cruelly assailed as an open Enemy and had I not by speedy flight withdrawn my self from the imminent danger and departed quite out of my Fathers Kingdom I must have yielded my self my blood and life as a Sacrifice into his cruel hands Neither is he to me so mortal an Enemy or thirsteth after my life so much for fear as for very hatred and malice for what is there in me to fear Verily nothing Constantinople is his the favour of the great Chieftains and Men of War is his the Treasure and Regal Riches are all his wherefore he hateth his Brother but feareth him not He will sway all things alone he will have all that belongeth to the Othoman Family alone and he yea none but he must live alone Xerxes was a mighty King and yet in that great and large Kingdom he not only preserved his Brethren in safety but had them also in great Honour and Estimation What did Alexander the Great Who not only took pleasure in his Brother but had him also as a Companion of his most glorious Expedition and many other famous Kings of foreign Nations and of our own Family have ruled both more safely and better strengthned with the counsel and aid of their most loving Brethren rather than with others But Bajazet is of a far other mind reputing violence and haughtiness of heart to be his greatest and surest defence herein his fierce Nature delighteth more than in the lawful course of Nature Iustice and Equity he had rather have his Brother his Enemy than his Friend and to drive him into exile than to make him partaker of his counsels But I beseech thee most puissant Monarch the faithful Keeper and Maintainer of our Law and Religion by the sacred Reliques of our great Prophet Mahomet which thou hast at Jerusalem and Mecha suffer me not a Kings Son to live in banishment and exile poor and miserable a scorn of his Brothers cruelty far from home far from his Country and Kingdom but regarding the Law of the great Prophet lift up the afflicted and oppressed and by the great Authority which you have bridle Domestical wrongs or if that will not take place revenge it with thy Sword and suffer not our Empire with so great travel founded by the cruelty or folly of one wilful man to be overthrown which should be no more grievous and lamentable to us than dangerous to your most high Estate and all other Kings and Princes of our Religion For you of your self understand right well what deadly Enemies the Christian Princes are unto the Turks and do you think that if any great War which I wish not should arise of this our Discord that they would long rest in quiet and as idle Beholders stand looking on until it were of it self appeased Or rather having such an opportunity presented would not with might and main suddenly invade our Kingdom before shaken with Civil Wars and seek the utter ruine and destruction of the same Which their desire if tâ—at hateful people could bring to pass which tâ—ing Mahomet turn upon themselve my mind abhorreth to think how far that mischief would run For the Othoman Family once rooted out there is none of â—ur Religion your Majesty only excepted which is able to withstand their Power wherefore you must then stand for your felf and all the rest you alone must withstand the force of the Christians you must maintain that War with much lâ—ss and greater charge and most uncertain success Wherefore invincible Monarch I most humbly beseech thee that pittying our Estate whiles the matter is yet whole and remedy is yet to be had to deal with Bajazet by your Embassadors That though he will not receive me his Brother as Partner of the Empire yet at least to admit me into some small part of my Fathers Kingdom Let him Reign and Rule let all things be at his Command let it be lawful for me pâ—or man but to live in rest and quiet somewhere possessing but so much as may suffice me honestly to lead a private life Which thing if he shall refuse to grant althâ—ugh he nâ—ither fear the Laws of God or man yet as I have at Jerusalem so will I also shortly at Mecha if by your leave I may complain unto the great Prophet of the Injuries done unto me by my cruel and unnatural Brother and afterwards make proof of your compassion towards me all which I hope shall much avail But if which I would not I shall prove all thâ—se things in vain sith desperation enforceth men to all Extremities I will go with Fire Sword and Slaughtâ—r by secret and open force by right and wrong and hated will vex my hateful Brother by all manner of Mischief by all manner of Revenge Neithâ—r will I make an end of confounding of all until I be eithâ—r received into part of the Empire or else together wiâ—h my life leave those desperate and lost things for him alone to enjoy For I deem it much better quickly to die than with disgrace and infamy to protract a lingring loathed life The great Sultan in courteous manner comforted the distressed Prince willing him to be of good chear and patiently to bear his presâ—nt hap forasmuch as it became a man born in so high Fortune not to be discouraged with any mischance or dismaid if things fell out otherwise than he looked for commending him withall for that he saw in him no less courage than might well have becomed his better Estate and willing him to live still in hope promised to do what in him lay to reconcile him to his Brother and to perswade him that he might be received into some part of the Kingdom and to that purpose shortly after dispatched away an honourable Embassage to Bajazet Zemes in the mean while by the same Sultans leave upon a superstitious devotion travelled into Arabia to visit the Temple of Mahomet at Mecha and his Sepulchre at Medina Upon his return to Caâ—re the Embassadors before sent returned also but not having obtained any thing they desiâ—ed for Bajazet would not give ear to any Agreement but seemed altogether to contemn and despise his Brother Wherefore Zemes more upon stomach and desire of Revenge than for any hope he had of the Empire determined with himself to make open War upon him reposing some good hope in his secret Friends and in the revolt of some of the great Captains who discontented with the Government of Bajazet secretly wished for his return Whilst he was thus plotting these weighty Matters year 1483. a Messenger with Letters came fitly from the King of Caramania offering with all the Power he could make to joyn with him if he would take up Arms against his Brother This poor titular King then lived in Armenia and being able by his Friends to make some good force was in hope
great men had met together in the open Fields and there dined more like Enemies than Friends without any shew of friendship or good will Grittus inwardly chasing at his bare entertainment covertly threatned to be revenged upon all such as should make so light account of his Authority and immediately as he departed from the Banquet taking his Cap from his Head which was after the Turkish manner made of a high fashion of rich Sables and opening it with both his Hands said This Cup will not hold two Heads and therefore it must be fitted to one and so put it on again Iohn Docia one of the Hungarian Captains his Followers who deadly hated the Vayvod for that he had long time before for his malepert Speech in a great Assembly given him a blow with his Fist took hold of that Speech of Grittus as a fit occasion for him to work his revenge and said Your honour maketh a fit comparison neither can this Province contain two equal Governors or Commanders nor you ever enjoy your Power and Authority except you do this day with speedy and manly resolution defend both Solymans credit and your own You know not this proud Beast Americus whose Pride and Insolency if you but say the word I will quickly put down for he hateth Solyman he regardeth not the King and of you he maketh no account at all for why he aspireth unto the Majesty of a King and saith that the Vayvodship of Transylvania well beseemeth a King for that in this Country Decebaldus the Dacian sometime reigned whom the warlike Emperor Trajan with all the force of the Roman Empire hardly subdued No man can more proudly or arrogantly set himself forth than he neither more craftily or cunningly dissemble to serve his turn Indeed he hath for fashion sake presented your honour with a few simple Presents and given you his Hand also better known for his Falshood than his Faith to the intent that when you are once past his Country he may scoff and jeast at your Decrees verily he deadly envieth at your Honour and Felicity and grudgeth in his heart that you should set down the Laws of Peace and War in Hungary and whereas he doth manifestly aspire unto a Kingdom he feareth you above all others lest you should trouble his designs abate his credit and chastise his insolency Verily he that thus maligneth your happyness and contemneth your Authority is not to be suffered but by good reason to be taken away thereby at this your first entrance to defend the credit of your Commission and honour of your Name For nothing is more dangerous than a faithless Companion and a secret Enemy especially when you shall leave him at your back behind you for when he shall as occasion serves shew forth his hidden malice he shall so much the more slily and desperately endanger your Person Grittus enraged with his Speech more than before thought it best to make hast and to use his Authority to the full he commended Docia and promised him in short time to requite his good will towards him especially if he would by some notable attempt abate the Bishops Pride It is reported that Grittus gave him no other charge but to take the Bishop that so he might after the Turkish manner have sent him in Chains to Constantinople and bestowed the honour of the Vayvod upon Hieronimus Lascus the Polonian who in hope of that honourable Preferment unto him promised by King Iohn had done unto him great and faithful service as his Embassador both unto Solyman and also unto the French King. But when King Iohn perceived that he could not conveniently without manifest danger place him being a Polonian who could scarcely speak the Hungarian Language Governor over such warlike People he as it were enforced by necessity preferred this Americus the Bishop of Veradium a man of them both reverenced and feared Which so grieved Lascus a man of great Stomach and Experience and thereunto excellently learned that he would never admit of any excuse of the Kings but alwaies after complained that he was by the King deluded Yet for all that he kept himself within the bounds of Loyalty and enjoyed certain Lands and Towns which the King had given him in the Borders of Polmia and estranged nevertheless from him in mind was now become one of Grittus his Followers hoping of his better Preferment by his means unto Solyman and for that cause was not so forward to do the King such service as he had in times past Now by the commandment of Grittus a strong Company of Turkish Horsemen and certain Troops of Hungarians were delivered to Docia who secretly departing that night from Baxovia came suddenly to the Vayvods Camp having a little before by his Hungarian Spies learned that he lay in the open Fields in his Tent by reason of the great heat without any watch or guard attended on only with his Pages and Houshold Servants as a man without fear and that all the rest of his retinue lay dispersed in the Country Villages round about All which served so well for Docia his purpose that the Vayvod ignorant of his death so nigh at hand who rather contemned than feared his Enemies was suddainly oppressed by Docia his Souldiers so that whilst he was yet lying in his Bed and scarcely well awaked by his Chamberlains and the noise of the Enemy Docia breaking into his Tent cut off his Head as he lay All they which lay near amazed with the suddainness of the matter fled away for fear and left their Horses and other things for a Prey to the Turks and other of Docia his Followers Docia having done so great an outrage returned to Grittus presenting unto him the Vayvods Head which he brought in his Hand by the Ear. Lascus was then present but altogether ignorant of the murder who as a man moved with a natural compassion in so suddain and horrible a Fact and forgetting all former grudges as in like case it oftentimes chanceth stood as one dismaid nothing rejoicing at the unworthy death of his Enemy To whom Grittus turning himself said Lascus Dost thou not know this shaven Pate truly it is a great Mans Head but of such an one as was very ambitious rebellious and proud To whom Lascus replied Truly though I loved him not yet I thought it not so whilst it stood upon his Shoulders disallowing therein the Cruelty of the Fact. Which thing Grittus perceiving began to repent him of that was done and said openly that although he was worthily slain yet he could have wished rather to have had him taken Prisoner The report of this horrible murder once bruted abroad the Bishops Kinsmen and Friends yea almost all the People of that Province rise up in Arms against Grittus to revenge the death of the reverend Bishop whom living they had both loved and feared Never did any People in revenge of a common wrong enter
brought weak and in despair of Life and quite abandoned of all hope by his Physicians and therefore not to be spoken withall they were fain by the Mouth of such as were their trusty Friends about him to represent unto him the Necessity of their return and withal after many reverend Intreaties caused it also to be signified unto him That if he stood obstinate and would needs stay dallying out the time in those dangerous Places where no such need was they should be inforced to withdraw themselves and to forsake him Osman who had now nothing else to do in those Countries but only to leave some convenient Garrison in the new Fortress at Tauris liberally promised to satisfie their Requests by departing thence the next Morning So calling unto him Giaffer the Eunuch Bassa of Tripolis a man of a crafty and cruel Nature made him Governour and Keeper of the new built Fortress at Tauris And the more to incourage him to take that charge upon him he gave him freely for the space of three whole years not only the Office and Authority but also the Rents and Revenues of the Bassa of Caraemit lately slain by the Persian Prince and withal honoured him with the Title of a Bassa of the Court so that having finished his three years Office of Caraemit he was then to go and sit among the sovereign seats of the Bassaes of the Porta The Bassa seeing so fair and so high a way for him to mount to those high honours greater than which there is none in the Turkish Empire readily accepted the offer and dispatching his Lieutenant to Caraemit to the Government of those Countries in his Absence with an hundred of his own Followers setled himself in the said Fort with a Garrison of twelve thousand Souldiers furnished with all necessary Provision until the next Spring The General having thus set all things in order and carefully provided for the safety of the Fortress departed according to his Promise and the same Morning which was the fourscore and seventh day after his departure from Erzirum came to a Place called Sancazan seven Miles distant from Tauris The Turks were now upon the point of their incamping in a confused disorder and hurliburly when those that were hindermost in the Army heard the neighng of Horses and the noise of Drums and Trumpets as if it had been the coming of an Army Which when the whole Camp understood they ran headlong and disordered as they were to the rescue on that side where the noise of the Horses and warlike Instruments was heard But whilst the Turks were thus intentively busied on that side to expect the coming of the Enemy the Persian Prince without any sign or token of Battel with 28000 Horsemen was ready upon them on the other side who having discovered the Camels and other Carriages whereupon their Booty their Spoils and their Riches were laden which they had taken in Tauris beside much of their Provision of Victuals for the sustenance of the Army he turned upon them and with a provident and safe Convoy had taken for a Prey eighteen thousand of the Camels and Mules well loaden with the same Booties and Victuals which the Prince sent presently away with six thousand of his Souldiers and he himself with his two and twenty thousand Persians entred into the Turks Army who now to withstand his assault had on that side also made head against him A gallant thing it was and terrible withall to see what a mortal Battel was made what singular Prowess shewed even presently in the fore-front of the Battel for in a moment you might have seen the Tents and Pavilions turned upside down and their incamping Lodgings replenished with dead Carkasses and Blood victorious Death ranging and reigning in every Corner The Turks themselves were astonished and marvelled to see their Enemies so few in number and intermingled among so populous an Army of warlike People more like fatal Ministers of Death than mortal men to brandish their Swords over them as if it had lightned and to make so general a slaughter and do to this day with great Admiration recount the Valour and Prowess of the Persians But they all now doubting lest the Enemy in this Fury should forcibly have entred the very Lodgings of the sick Visier it was commanded not by himself for he lay now at the last gasp but by him who at that time commanded in his Name That without delay the Artillery should be unbarred and discharged which in that Medly and Confusion of both Armies without any Exception or Distinction of Persons overthrew both Friends and Foes and did more harm perhaps among the Turks themselves than among the Persians for at the first thundring noise thereof the Prince with all speed retired after whom presently followed all the rest so that the Turks which remained behind were more annoied with the deadly shot than were the Persians who flying away could not feel the damage but that the Turks must first be well payed for their Labour The Turks pursuing the flying Persians made shew as if they would gladly have overtaken them but Night coming on they feared to proceed any further than they might without Danger return In this Battel of Sancazan were slain twenty thousand Turks without any notable loss of the Persians Among the rest in the same place died the Visier Osman General of the late dreadful but now desolate Army not by the hand of the Enemy but consumed with the vehemency of an Ague and flux of Blood. Whose Death notwithstanding was kept secret from the whole Army every man verily thinking that it was but only the continuance of his Sickness because the Charets wherein he lay were still kept close and in his Name Cicala Bassa for so he had appointed in his will gave out Answers and Commandments to the whole Army Nevertheless it was disclosed to the Persians by means of three young men who in the Life of Osman having charge of his Jewels and Treasure were with the best thereof and the fairest of his Horses fled to the Persian King to whom they revealed the Death of the General The Persians who before had thought it not possible for so great cowardise and dishonouâ—able kind of fighting and ordering of an Army to have proceeded from the Virtue and Valour of Osman of whose worth they had too manifest a trial and experience in times past now understanding of his Death were thereby incouraged to attempt the utter overthrow of the Turkish remnant and so to give them an honourable farewel Whereupon the Persian Prince with 14000 men followed the Turks who had now raised their Camp and were removed to a certain River of Salt-water not far from Sancazan where the Prince caused a few Tents to be pitched about four or five miles distant from the Turkish Camp the aforesaid Brook running in the midst between the two Armies Now the Prince had purposed to have
certain of his chief Counsellors and they altogether favouring the Roman Catholicks would give them of the Religion no certain Answer whereon to rest they therewith much discontented as our of hope to be by them relieved and in gâ—â—aâ— fear to be by their Adversaries as Enemies â—nto â—he State oppressed layd their heads together and after good Deliberation taken what were best for them to do both for the safety of themselves their Wives Children and Religion they by a general consent of themselves appointed the fourth of May to hold a general meeting of them of the Religion in the new Court at Prague there to consult of all matters concerning the bâ—siness of Religion And yet in the mean time openly in Parliament protesting by the Mouth of Wentceslaus Bodouiisius a Baron of Bohemia Them to have appointed this Assembly for the Emperors good and for the common quiet of the whole Realm as also for the better informing of the Emperour of all Matters and to provide that the Emperour and the Kingdom might not through the means and perswasions of those his evil Counsellors be brought into extream Peril and Danger Immediately after the States of the Religion with all speed dispatched their Ambassadors unto King Matthias the Elector Palatine the Duke of Saxony and the Duke of Brunswick to request them by their intercession to become Mediators for them unto the Emperour for the obtaining of the free Exercise of their Religion which in all points agreed with the Confession of Augusta and which long before was exhibited unto Maximilian the Emperour and by him allowed Now in the mean time these the States of the Religion were by some for these their proceedings commended but by other some not only blamed but also accused of Rebellion against the Emperour and the State. But the matter being declared unto the Emperor he complaining unto himself of the inconsiderateness of his Counsellors to maintain his Authority caused the Parliament then in hand to be prorogued and to seem of himself to grant that which he could not well withstand commanded by a Decree that same very day to be appointed for the concluding of that Article of Religion on which the States themselves had before appointed for their Assembly to be holden in the new Court at Prague Notwithstanding which Decree many troublesome Spirits publickly set forth other their Conceits in Writing to far other purpose grievously therein reprehending the States of the Religion for that of themselves they had appointed a day for their Assembly into the new Court at Prague Which as they said was nothing else but in a rebellious manner to rise against the Laws of the Kingdom and the Authority of their lawful Prince and therefore advised them to forbear from making any such Assembly as was by them appointed Hereof arose great troubles even under the Emperours nose in Prague the chief City of Bohemia they of the Religion not daring to trust the Roman Catholicks neither they them being still ready upon every false report or vain â—urmise to go together by the ears until that the Emperour for the staying of these Troubles and the avoiding of farther danger was glad to cause it to be openly proclaimed in the new Court at Prague That his Imperial Majesty having received and understood the Apology of the States now did abrogate that his Edict published against them but a few days before and now by this his new Edict did account all the States of the Religion for his faithful and well beloved Subjects and as of them unto whom the right of the Kingdom and the King's Oath belonged as well as to all other States of the Kingdom And that he also had those the same States excused in that they for the good of his Majesty and of the whole Kingdom had appointed their Assembly in the new Court at Prague and that therefore he denounced them in so doing not in any thing to have done any thing contrary unto his Majesty And that he appointed the five and twentieth day of May for the general Assembly of Parliament to be holden in the Castle of Prague for the ending of the Article concerning Religion and the reforming of other the publick Grievances of the Common-weal yet with this proviso That the said States should safely and quietly come unto the said Parliament without entertaining of any foreign Souldiers as that his Majesty should also not by himself nor any other for pay entertain any or suffer any foreign Souldiers to come into the Kingdom Which the Emperours Edict being proclaimed the States of the Religion having made their publick Prayers and sung certain Hymns and Psalms unto the Glory of God for the good success of their business left the new Court at Prague and returned every man home to their own Houses to make themselves ready to come unto the Parliament to be holden at the appointed day But the day appointed for the Parliament being come and the Emperour still delaying the matter the States of the Religion weary of such long delays and in doubt to be therewith deluded as having not received from the Emperour any such answer as whereon to rest the third of Iune offered unto the Emperour a short writing concerning their Grief and farther purpose to this effect They had as they said expected and well hoped that regard being had not only of so many requests of so great and most noble Princes made in their behalf but even of the Emperour's promise also made unto them both in the general Assembly of the States the last year and in the late Precept of the Emperour 's also they should at length have received such answer unto their Petition concerning the free Exercise of their Religion as whereon they might have safely rested Which for that it had not been yet done they referred the doing thereof unto God and future time imputing the blame thereof not unto his Imperial Majesty but unto the unquiet and troublesome Natures of some as well the Ecclesiastical as Temporal Magistrates and Persons But forasmuch as they meant not longer to be deluded by their Enemies and much less to be defrauded of his Majesties Royal Promise which was now unto the World known they had thought good to offer and present unto his Majesty a Writing conceived in the Bohemian Tongue according unto which they desired to be secured concerning the free Exercise of their Religion most humbly requesting his Majesty to accept of the same and at length to satisfie their requests Which if it might not be granted the Emperour's Majesty having more respect unto the troublesome Clergy-men and some other his evil affected Counsellors than to the faithful States and Subjects of his Kingdom that then they would rest themselves upon the Decree made in the Assembly holden in the year 1608 and upon the last Edict of his Majesty yet with this solemn Protestation That seeing they had by certain Information understood much Warlike Preparation
of us nay so much as intimation to us of the Grounds thereof or such Matters and Things as they pretend at least to have against us whereby we might answer for our selves and so whilst we are labouring as for these many Years we have done with all fidelity for them and their publick Interest whereof as we have proof sufficient in our Actions so we have him that is Iudg of the World for Witness to our Conscience they are contriving the ruin of us and our Posterity Which manner of proceeding so unjust horrid and odious before God and Man as in all reason we ought taking to heart and our serious consideration and as well that Violence which is offered to the Laws and his Majesty's Honour and Interest therein as our Self and our Family not pretending to extend that Authority which his Majesty hath put into our Hands to unlawful Ends but only to make a just use of it for the right and lawful defence of our selves and it in the several Occasions aforementioned finding by Accompt under the Hands of the Treasurer of the said Company here that for such Goods as they have brought in and carried out from the Port of Constantinople there is due unto us according to the Capitulations and the Grand Signior's Grants therein to the value of Dollars Ryals of 8 8 seventy four thousand and that for the like in Smyrna there is due Dollars Ryals of 8 8 one hundred thousand in circa and rating that Estate in Land which they have gotten into their power as aforesaid but at the value we were offered for it viz. at ninety seven thousand and five hundred Dollars in all two hundred seventy one thousand and five hundred Dollars Besides for ought we know to the contrary they may else have prevailed themselves upon of ours and as due to us by Privy Seal to the value of one hundred thousand Dollars and Leases under the Great Seal to near as great a value more We hereby enorder Sequestration of all Monies Merchandizes and other Goods and Faculties whatever within the Dominions of the Grand Signior where-ever belonging to the Parties and Members of the said Company in the Schedule hereunto annexed the chief Fomentors Contrivers and Abettors of these unjust and horrid Proceedings requiring you John Hetherington and you Lorenzo Zuma or one or both or either of you by the help and means of that Officer sent by the Vizier and those Commands in your Hands being now at Smyrna on other like Occasions according to your Instructions herewith sent to board and enter all Ships and Vessels and to break open and enter into all and every of the Houses Ware-houses Counting-houses of all and every of the Parties in the Schedule hereunto annexed and aforementioned and there to Attach Arrest and take into your custody and possession and as arrested and sequestred to take carry away and put into safe custody all such Monies Merchandizes other Goods and Faculties of what Nature soever that you shall discover find out and get into your power belonging to any of the Parties or under the Marks of the Schedule hereunto annexed and the same to keep so arrested and sequestred for our better Indemnity Satisfaction and Defence against all Pretences of the Levant Company before-mentioned whatever until we may be heard therein by due course of Law and till farther Order from us in that behalf for which this is to be your Warrant Dated in Pera of Constantinople this 30th of April Anno 1646. To our loving Friends and Servants Iohn Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma Sackvile Crow To perform and put in execution the foregoing Warrant it was necessary to make use of the Turkish Officers Power and Authority Wherefore Sir Sackvile Crow demanding Audience of the Grand Vizier and representing Matters unto him in that manner as he judged most agreeable to his Cause was heard by him with a gentle and gracious Ear and assurances made to him of all Respect Favour and Assistance imaginable For the Turks had now smelt out a Cause in Transaction which with good improvement might be worth them many Purses of Mony and was of such a Nature as that their Religion and Doctrine obliged them to nourish having the prospect of gaining Mony and enflaming Christian Discord On these Grounds Sir Sackvile Crow easily obtained Commands from the Vizier directed to the Kadi of Smyrna to act all things according to direction of him the Ambassador and to enforce Matters with better execution a Chaous or Pursuivant accompanied with Iohn Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma Interpreter was dispatched to Smyrna with Commands to carry up the Consul and Factors to Constantinople and to break open the Ware-houses and make seizure on such Estates belonging to the Turkie Company as would answer the Demands and Pretentions of the Ambassador Accordingly the Consul and Factory were carried up and with that other of Galata imprisoned in the Ambassador's House In the mean time the Agents at Smyrna with assistance of the Kadi sealed up all the Merchants Ware-houses but when it came to execution and Seizure more Difficulties arose for the Turks Armenians and Jew-Merchants made high Clamours to the Justice that many of the Goods belonged unto them some were not yet paid for others were only Pawns in the English Hands and all the Town being desirous to favour the Cause of the Merchants a great Uproar and Hubbub arose amongst the People The Kadi affrighted hereat grew more slack and faint in his Proceedings but the Cordial of 1500 Dollars and Gratuities to his Servants overcame the Difficulties and gave him new Resolution so that at length being attended with the Principal Officers of the Town he began first with the Consul's House making Seisure and delivering out of the Ware-houses all the Goods found there with some Caution howsoever and respect to those Pretensions which Stranger-Merchants made thereunto as appears by the following Letters Joh. Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma their Letters to Sir Sackvile Crow advising further of their Proceedings dated in Smyrna June 16. 1646. Right Honourable YEsterday we received your Lordships of the 4 th present being the Copy of the 3 d And to day we received your Lordships's of the 8 th and rejoice to hear your Lordship is in such a readiness for your just Demands and wish your Lordship less Trouble and better Success than we this day have had and we doubt for many days shall incounter here This morning the Cadie's Son with his Neipe and principal Officers came and we began first with the Consul's House But before we began 't was spoken in the Kaddie's own House and all over the Town our Design to seize what we could find about seven a Clock his Son came and entred the Consul's House and opened all the Warehouses and took from thence with Elford's and Keeble's some four hundred Clothes and nine Bales Mohairs we left behind us 38 Bales of Silk 13 Bales his Servant pretended were sold by
would beg her Intercession with her Son in his behalf and being admitted to discourse with her he thereby plainly discovered her most inveterate hatred and displeasure against her Son not only for this but for many other Actions of like nature This discovery which the Queen had made gave him the boldness to propose the confinement again of Ibrahim to his old Prison not that he should be absolutely laid aside and deposed but only corrected awhile and being put in remembrance of his past Condition might be taught Wisdom and instructed for the future what moderation and justice Sultans are obliged to exercise in the Administration of Government and so subtilly did he insinuate his Discourse that the Queen-Mother assented to the Proposal and that the Seal should be conferred on Mahomet Pasha for she had conceived an irreconcileable hatred against Achmet the Grand Vizier by whose Counsel she was sent to the old Seraglio and was united in Confederacy with the detested Shechir Para. The Mufti greatly satisfied to have gained so considerable a Conspirator to the Party communicated the whole Business with the Progress of it to the two Kadileschers year 1648. or Lord Chief Justices of Romelia and Anatolia who approving thereof and promising their utmost assistance the 7 th of August was the Day appointed for the Insurrection of the Janizaries who being all in a readiness on that day went in a tumultuary way to call the Mufti the Kadileschers and other Officers and Ministers of the Law whom they seemingly forced to accompany them to the presence of the Grand Signior of whom they demanded that the present Vizier Achmet should be deprived of his Office and that Mahomet Pasha should be constituted in his place The Grand Signior at first refused their Demand but being perswaded by his Mother that it was necessary to content the Militia in that tumult he consented thereunto and having called Achment he took from him the Seal and conferred it on Mahomet Pasha and therewith the Office of Grand Vizier Achmet trembling at the consequences hereof resolved to commit himself to the Mercy of the Mufti and therefore hastned to his House to attend his return hoping to find him his Protector under whose Shadow and Roof he fled for Sanctuary The Souldiery having thus obtained the first-fruits of their Insurrection accompanied the Mufti unto his Home where finding the deposed Vizier Achmet the Janisar-Aga immediately Commanded him out of Doors from whence he had no sooner drawn his Foot than that he was seized upon and strangled and his Body thrown before the Gate of the new Mosch The next day being the 8 th of August 1648 the Janizaries again arising in the like Tumult as before came to demand of the Mufti Whether that according to their Law Sultan Ibrahim as a Fool and a Tyrant and unfit for Government ought not to be deposed To which the Mufti giving Answer in the Affirmative sent to cite Sultan Ibrahim the day following to appear in the Divan to administer Justice to his Souldiers and Subjects who expected it from him But Ibrahim supposing that he had sufficiently satisfied the Souldiery by putting the Vizier out of Office laughed at the Summons which the Mufti made him which being seconded by a Fetfa which is a point of Law resolved by the Mufti who is the Mouth or Oracle thereof viz. That the Grand Signior being called to account is obliged to appear before the Justice the Sultan in high disdain tore the Paper threatning the Head of the Mufti but it was now too late he having already sufficiently fortified himself with the Power and Strength of his Rebellious Companions This Fetfa was immediately seconded by another of a higher nature which declared That whosoever obeyed not the Law of God was not a true Mussulman or Believer and though that Person were the Emperor himself yet being become by his filthy Actions a Kafir or Infidel was ipso facto fallen from his Throne and no farther capable of Authority and Government This Fetfa being seen by Ibrahim he tore it in pieces commanding the Grand Vizier instantly to put the Mufti to Death as guilty of Treason against his Prince but having now lost his Authority his Commands were not longer regarded nor any reverence had of his person For the Janizaries being again assembled about five a Clock in the Afternoon came with their usual tumult to the Gates of the Seraglio And now Sultan Ibrahim losing all Courage at this third attempt fled into the Arms of his Mother begging her Assistance and Protection She being a bold and subtle Woman employed all her Rhetorick and Eloquence to perswade the Souldiery not to offer Violence to the Person of their Lord and Master promising that he should relinquish the Government and retire himself with a Guard into his old Lodgings Ibrahim comforted a little that he should save his Life shrunk himself willingly into his old Shell wherein he had so long conserved his Life In the mean time the Conspirators taking forth his eldest Son Sultan Mahomet set him on the Throne of his Father and planting the Sargouch or Imperial Feathers on his Head saluted him for Emperor with loud Acclamations Ibrahim continued his Imprisonment for some days with great patience but at length growing desperate and furious often beat his Head against the Wall until at length he was on the 17 th strangled by four Mutes In this manner Sultan Ibrahim ended his Days which puts me in mind of the saying of a wiser and a better King than he That there is little distance between the Prisons and the Graves of Princes And this Example made a great Officer understand how King Charles the Glorious Martyr was put to Death For he I think it was the Great Vizier falling into Discourse with the Chief English Interpreter at Constantinople not then calling to mind the Fate of Sultan Ibrahim demanded How and when King Charles was put to Death Sure said he Your King must have no Power or your People must be more Rebellious and Mutinous than other Nations of the World who durst commit an Act so horrid and vile as this See said he How our Emperor is revered and observed and how submissive and obedient half the World is to the Noâ— of our Great Monarch To which the Interpreter replyed that to recount unto him the History and Occasion of this prodigious Fact would be too long and tedious for him to hear but that the time it happened was some Months after the Death or Murder of Sultan Ibrahim which was an Item sufficient to give him a perfect understanding of what he required Sultan Ibrahim having in this manner ended his Days the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Vizier and the old Queen-Mother which is she whom we call Kiosem in the Ottoman State and of twelve Pashaws who were to manage all Affairs with supream Power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet who now Reigns Ibrahim was the
made a present payment of one half but desired time for the Remainder either for want of that instant supply or else in hopes of ease of his Fine But the Sultan who is impatient of any delay in his Slaves which favours of obstinacy or disobedience tho never so reasonable dispatched another Command enjoining present Compliance and as a Penalty for the late Neglect raised the Demand from four hundred to six hundred Purses which if not as readily payed as required the Kimacham of Constantinople was impowered to commit him Prisoner within the four Gates of the Seraglio the fatal Prison from whence few find other Release than by Death The Pasha not being able to comply was there restrained of his Liberty and yet had the good fortune in a few days to obtain his freedom by the endeavours as some suppose of the Great Vizier who having by this Act weakened his Power and Treasure did afterwards as an instrument of his Deliverance conserve his Life and obtain for him the Government of Darbiquier where being remote and obscure at so far a distance could never be capable to shadow or by his great popularity and affable comportment endanger the present happy state of the Vâ—ziers Office. Matters growing now towards Action by return of the Spring the Grand Signior to incourage his Vizier in a continuance of his duty sent him a Horse and a Sword as a Testimony of his favour and good esteem of his Person and Orders were issued out through all the Empire for publick Prayers to be made some days before the Vizâ—er began his March towards the Enemy This appointment of publick Devotions occasioned matter of argument and dispute between the Mufti and a Shegh or Preacher one that was always near the Grand Signiors Person and therefore on Confidence of his familiar Access to the Presence of the Sultan and on Presumption of his Sanctity and Priviledg of his Office took Liberty to oppose and contradict the Oracle of the Ottoman Law. The Problem in question was Whether Prayers appointed for success of the Ottoman Arms according to the Law of their Prophet were to be made privately and in every Mosch or Oratory apart or in a general Assembly of the whole City The Mufti maintained the last Position citing in favour of his Opinion the Testimony of divers Arabick Doctors and the customs of the present and past times The Shegh on the contrary was for Devotions to be performed in every Mosch declaring That the Assembly of all the People of a City into one Body did nothing avail or inforce the Power or Prayer for they being true Believers were all illuminated and had no need of helps to make their Prayers more fervent or more acceptable The Argument was hot on both sides and tho the Mufti had got another Shegh on his part who might pretend to as much of Illumination as the other and joyned to the Muâ—ti's Opinion who is the Mouth and undoubted Interpreter of the Law might seem able not only to resolve the knottiest difficulties but to impoâ—e an Assent on them with greater Authority yet the Shegh having the Grand Signior on his side presently got most of Reason and forced the Muâ—ti to recant his former Opinion as Erroneous and to banish the other Shegh his Companâ—on pretending that he was now convinced and had sooner discovered the truth had not the Impostâ—r the false Preacher deceived him by his feâ—gned Illuminations This Victory gained the Shegh much applause and eâ—â—eem with the Grand Signior so that he venâ—ed what Doctrine he pleased and all he said was taken for Divine Rules and Precepts He was born about Van on the Coâ—fiâ—es of Persia so that he is called Vanni Efendâ— and is of the Armenian Race he preached every Friday at Adrianople in one Moâ—ch or other where the Grand Signior was for the most part present and tho the greatest part of his â—ermons were stuffed up with Praises of the Mahâ—mâ—â—an Religion and Invectives against Christians sentencing all polluted and profane who assâ—ciate with them and exclaiming against the Abomination of Wine yet it is confidently reported that he is no strict Observer of the Law he proâ—esses the which his Disciples and Familiars are ready to excuse in him saying That it may be lawful for him to dispense with such matters in regard his Illuminations and high Prerogatives of Sanctity have infranchised him from observance of the meaner and less substantial points of the Law. The Turks who are as much given to Predictions and Interpretations of old Prophecies as ever the Egyptians were busied themselves this year more than ever to know the Event of this War. Some who had studied ancient Arabick Predictions had extracted certain Astrological Figures and from thence framed strange Fancies according to the humour or melancholly of the Astrologer one whereof coming to the Grand Signiors ears mentioning divers things obscurely and in general of the great Effusion of Blood but that at last the Advantage and Victory should remain to the Turk and that the Grand Signior himself should shortly make a Journey the Grand Signior troubled hereat as much as ever Pharaoh was about the Interpretation of his Dream sent for one of the Chief Justâ—ces of the Law called the Kadilescher and with him conferâ—ed concerning this Prediction all things pleased him well but only the latter part of making a Journey Whither that Journey should be he could not imagine his Arms were â—o prosperous in Hungary that he conceived the Vâ—zâ—er had no need of his Preâ—ence either to animate or recruit his Army and to any other part he knew not what could move him from his delightful and beloved City of Adrianople The Kadâ—lescher supposing that he might put that Interpretation thereon which might not be ungrateful replied Perhaps O Emperour he may mean that you shall again reâ—urn to your sublime and happy Porâ— of Câ—â—stantinople The Grand Signior suddenly touched herewith burst into choler How said he to Constantinâ—ple what joy what comfort can I have there Hath not that place been fatal to my Father What benefit had my Uncle from thence or any of my Race Have not all my Princes Ancestors been subject to a thousand mutinies and Rebellions in that place I shall sooner than return thither set fire to it with my own hands and rejoyce to see that City with my Seraglio brought to ashes And that we may farther discover the strange aversion the Sultan had to Constantinople and his resolution to change the Seat of his Empire it is observable that he built a small Seraglio not far from Adrianople in imitation of that near Constantinople called 〈◊〉 Pasha the place to which he most frequently resorted after that City fell under his dâ—slike and hatred The Village where his Pallace was built was called Chiâ—mlichoi or the Village of Pots where earthen Vessels were made but the Grand Signior changed the name and called it
iniquity shall not hurt us and towards whom our hearts pant and are consumed within us who shall give us talons of Iron to be worthy to stand under the shadow of your Ass. These are the words of the servant of your servants who prostrates himself to be trod on by the soals of your feet Nathan Benjamin And that he might publish this Doctrine of the Messiah and himself more plainly he wrote from Damascus this following Letter to the Jews at Aleppo and parts thereabouts TO the Residue or remnant of the Israelites Peace without end These my words are to give you notice how that I am arrived in peace at Damascus and behold I go to meet the face of our Lord whose Majesty be exalted for he is the Soveraign of the King of Kings whose Empire be enlarged According as he hath commanded us and the Twelve Tribes to elect unto him twelve men so have we done and we now go to Scanderone by his Command to shew our faces together with part of the principal of those particular friends to whom he hath given license to assemble in that said place And now I come to make known unto you That tho you have heard strange things of our Lord yet let not your hearts faint or fear but rather fortifie your selves in your faith becamse all his actions are miraculous and secret which humane understanding cannot comprehend and who can penetrate into the depth of them In a short time all things shall be manifested clearly unto you in their purity and you shall know and consider and be instructed by the Inventor himself and blessed is he who can expect and arrive to the Salvation of the true Messiah who will speedily publish his Authority and Empire over us now and for ever Nathan And now all the Cities of Turkie where the Jews inhabited were full of the expectation of the Messiah no Trade or course of gain was followed every one imagined that daily Provisions Riches Honours and Government were to descend upon him by some unknown and miraculous manner An Example of which is most observable in the Jews at Thessalonica who now â—ull of assurance that the restauration of their Kingdom and the accomplishment of the times for the Coming of the Messiah was at hand judged themselves obliged to double their Devotions and purifie their Consciences from all sins and enormities which might be observed by the scrutiny of him who was now come to penetrate into the very thoughts and imaginations of Mankind For which work certain Kochams were appointed to direct the people in the regulation of their Prayers Devotions and Fastings but so forward was every one now in his acts of Penance that they stayed not for the sentence of the Kocham or Prescriptions or Rules but applied themselves immediately to Fastings and some in that manner beyond the abilities of Nature that having for the space of seven days taken no sustenance were famished others buried themselves in their Gardens covering their naked bodies with earth their heads only excepted remained in those beds of dirt until their bodies were stiffned with the cold and moisture others would endure to have melted wax dropt upon their shoulders others to roul themselvs in snow and throw their bodies in the coldest season of the winter into the Sea or frozen waters But the most common manner of Mortification was first to prick their backs and sides with thorns and then to give themselves thirty nine lashes All business was laid aside none worked or opened shop unless to clear his Ware-hose of Merchandise at any price who had superfluity in Houshold-stuff sold it for what he could but yet not to Jews who were interdicted from all bargains or sales under pain of Excommunication pecuniary mulcts or corporal punishment for their comportment as to business and imployment was esteemed the test or touch-stoâ—e of their â—aith year 1669. It being the general Tenent That in the days that the Messiah appeared the Jews should become Masters of the Estates and Inheritance of Infidels until when they ought to content themselves with matters only necessary to maintain and support life But because that every one was not Master of that Provision and Fortune as to live withouâ— daily labour therefore to quiet the clamours of the poor and prevent the enormous lives of some who upon these occasions would become vagabonds and desert their Cities due order was taken to make collections which were so liberally bestowed that in Thessalonica only four hundred poor were supported by the meer charity of the richer And as they endeavoured to purge their consciences of sin and to apply themselves to good works that the Messiah might find the City prepared for his reception so lest he should accuse them of any omission in their Law and particularly in their neglect of that ancient Precept of Increase and multiply they married children together of ten years of age and some under without respect to richess or poverty condition or quality but being promiscuously joyned to the number of six or seven hundred couple upon better and cooler thoughts after the deceit of the false Messiah was discovered or the expectation of his Coming grew cold were divorced or by consent separated from each other In the heat of all this talk and rumour came Sabatai Sevi to Smyrna the City of his Nativity infinitely desired there by the common Jews but by the Kochams or Doctors of their Law who gave little or no credence to what he pretended was ill received not knowing what mischief or ruine this Doctrine and Prophecy of a new Kingdom might produce Yet Sabatai bringing with him Testimonials of his Sanctity holy Life Wisdom and gift of Prophecy so deeply fixed himself in the heart of the generality both as being holy and wise that thereupon he took courage and boldness to enter into dispute with the Grand Kocham who is the head or chief Expositor of their Law and Superintendent of their civil Government between whom the arguments grew so high and language so hot that the Jews who favoured the Doctrine of Sabatai and feared the Authority of the Kocham doubtful what might be the issue of the contest appeared in great numbers before the Kaddee of Smyrna in justification of their new Prophet before so much as any accusation came against him the Kaddee according to the custom of the Turks swallowed money on both sides and afterwards remitted them to the determination of their own Justice In this manner Sabatai gained ground daily and the Grand Kocham with his Party losing both the affection and obedience of his People was displaced from his Office and another constituted more affectionate and agreeable to the new Prophet whose Power daily increased by those confident reports of his Enemies being struck with phrensie and madness until being restored to their former temper and wits by him became his Friends Admirers and Disciples No invitation was now made in Smyrna by the Jews
Opinion began so commonly to take place as if this People resâ—lved never to be undeceived using the Forms and Rules for Devotion prescribed them by their Mahâ—mâ—tan Messiah Insomuch that the Cochams of Constanâ—â—nâ—ple fearing the danger of this Errour might creep up and equal the former condemned the belief of Sabatai being Messiah as damnable aâ—d injoyned them to return to the ancient Method and Service of God upon pain of Excommunication The Stile and Tenour of theâ—r Letter was as followeth TO you who have the power of Priesthood and are the knâ—wing learned and mâ—gnaâ—imous Gâ—vernours and Princes residing iâ— the City oâ— Smyrna may the Almighty protect you Amen for so is his will. These our Letters which we send in the midst of your Habitations are upon occasion of certain Rumours and Tumults câ—me to our ears from that City of your Hâ—linesses For there is a sort of men amongst you who fortifie themselves in their Error and say Let such an â—ne our King live and bless him in their publick Sâ—nagogues every Sabbath day and also adjoyn Psalms and Hymns invented by that man for certain days with Rules and Methods for Prayer which ought not to be done and yet they still remain obstinate therein And now behold it is known unto you how many swelling waters have passed over our Souls for his sake for had it not been for the mercies of God which are without end and the merit of our Forefathers which hath assisted us the foot of Israel had been rased out by their enemies And yet still you continue obstinate in things which do not help but rather do mischief which God avert Turn you therefore for this is not the true way but restore the Crown to the ancient custom and use of your Forefathers and the Law and from thence do not move We command you That with your Authority under pain of Excommunication and other Penalties all those Ordinances and Prayers as well those delivered by the mouth of that man as those which he injoyned by the mouth of others be all abolished and made void and to be found no more and that they never enter more into your hearts but judge according to the ancient Commandment of your Forefathers repeating the same Lessons and Prayers every Sabbath as hath been accustomary as also the Collects for Kings Potentates and Anointed c. and bless the King Sultan Mahomet for in his dayes hath great Salvation been wrought for Israel and become not Rebels to his Kingdom which God forbid For after all this which is past the least motion will be a cause of jealousy and you will bring ruine upon your own persons and upon all which is near and dear to you wherefore abstain from this man and let not so much as his name proceed out of your mouths For know if you will not obey us herein which will be known who and what those men are who refuse to conform unto us we are resolved to prosecute them as our duty is He that doth hear and obey us may the blessing of God rest upon him These are the words of those who seek your peace and good having in Constantinople on Sunday the 5th of the month Sevat under-wrote their names Joam Tob Son of Hanania Ben Jacar Isaac Alnacagua Joseph Kazabi Menasse Barudo Kaleb Son of Samuel Eliezer Casti. Eliezer Gherson Joseph Accohen Eliezer Aluff During the time of all these transactions and passages at Constantinople Smyrna Abydos upon the Hellespont and Adrianople the Iews leaving their mercantile course and advices what prices Commodities bore and matters of Traffick stuffed their Letters for Italy and other parts with nothing but wonders and miracles wrought by their Messiah As that when the Grand Signior sent to take him he caused all the messengers immediately to die upon which other Janizaries being again sent they all fell dead with a word only from his mouth and being desired to revive them again he immediately recalled them to life but of them only such who were true Turks and not those who had denied that Faith in which they were born and had professed After this they added that he went voluntarily to Prison and though the Gates were barred and shut with strong Locks of Iron yet that Sabatai was seen to walk through the streets with a numerous attendance and when they laid shackles on his Neck and Feet they not only fell from him but were converted into Gold with which he gratified his true and faithful Believers and disciples Some Miracles also were reported of Nathan that only at the reading of the name of any particular Man or Woman he could immediately recount the story of his or her Life their sins or defaults and accordingly impose just correction and penance for them These strong reports coming thus confidently into Italy and all parts the Iews of Casal di Monferrato resolv'd to send Three persons in behalf of their Society in the nature of extraordinary Legates to Smyrna to make enquiry after the truth of all these rumours who accordingly arriving in Smyrna full of expectation and hopes intending to present themselves with great humility and submission before their Messiah and his Prophet Nathan were entertained with the sad news that Sabatai was turned Turk by which information the Character of their Embassy in a manner ceasing every one of them laying aside the formality of his Function endeavoured to lodge himself best to his own convenience But that they might return to their Brethren at home with the certain particulars of the success of these affairs they made a visit to the Brother of Sabatai who still continued to perswade them that Sabatai was notwithstanding the true Messiah that it was not he who had taken upon him the hahit and form of a Turk but his Angel or Spirit his Body being ascended into Heaven until God shall again see the season and time to restore it adding farther that an effect hereof they should see by the Prophet Nathan verifyed now every day expected who having wrought Miracles in many places would also for their consolation reveal hidden secrets unto them with which they should not only remain satisfied but astonished with this only hope of Nathan these Legates were a little comforted resolving to attend his arrival in regard they had a Letter to consign into his hands and according to their instructions were to demand of him the grounds he had for his Prophecies and what assurance he had that he was divinely inspired and how those things were revealed unto him which he had committed to Paper and dispersed to all parts of the World. At length Nathan arrived near Smyrna on Friday the 3d of March towards the Evening and on Sunday these Legats made their visit to him but Nathan upon the news of what success his Messiah met with began to grow sullen and reserved so that the Legats could scarce procure admittance to him all that they could do was to
success concluding the year without any great Enterprise or Feats of Arms the Sultan returned to his Court at Adrianople about the end of November licensing all the Asian Horse and Souldiers of remotest parts to return to their own Countries with liberty to appropriate the the following year to their repose and care for their peculiar concernments To these Wars amongst secular Persons and men of Arms were added Differences and never to be decided Controversies between the Religious of the Roman and Greek Churches at Ierusalem who contending for the possession of the Holy Sepulchre of the King of Peace rent that seamless Coat of Christ and managed their Controversie with more malice and rancour each against other than Princes do who invade one the other with Fire and Sword. For the Franks or Western Christians subjected to the Popes Dominion had possessed for several Ages a right to the Holy Sepulchre and enjoyed the honour of the custody thereof notwithstanding the pretences of the Greeks thereunto who for many years in vain attempted at the Ottoman Court to obtain that Priviledge for the Franks being ever more powerful by charitable contributions brought from Christendom besides large Sums of Money from the King of Spain did always outbid the Market of the Greeks and consequently made use of stronger arguments than the adverse Party could produce in defence of their cause Until such time that one Panaioti a Greek born in the Island of Scio having by his parts and excellent address arrived to the honour of being Interpreter for the Western Tongues to the Great Vizier at length obtained that favour with his Master that he seldom refused whatsoever he with reason and modesty requested and being a great Zelot in his Religion and esteemed the chief Patron and Support of the Greek Church he secretly begged in behalf of his Country the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre at Ierusalem out of the hands of the Franks which the Vizier would not deny him both to reward him for some services already performed and likewise because he knew that a concession of this nature would again raise the spirits and animosities of Christians the allaying and appeasing of which being an office solely in the power of himself and the supreme Authority would certainly prove beneficial to the Ottoman Court. Panaioti having obtained this Command and considering that the defence thereof would be a trouble to him for that thereby he should create Enemies which were no less than Kings and Princes to contend with and perhaps should live to see it reversed wisely laid it by him there to remain dormant until the time of his death which happening the year past the Command was produced and brought to light and was before the Easter of this year set on foot at Ierusalem and by virtue thereof the custody of the Sepulchre sentenced by the Pasha and Kadi of that place to belong unto the Greeks the which was occasion of so great trouble and confusion as disturbed the Holy Feast and polluted the Sacrifices with the blood of one or two persons who most earnestly contended for the Priviledge of their Nation and Religion Nor could this difference he decided here but both sides appealed to the Court above which being heard and debated in publick Divan the possession of the Sepulchre was adjudged in favour of the Greeks the Franks being only to injoy aâ— precarious use thereof as Pilgrims and Strangers to the Country Howsoever the Fryers of Ierusalem would not tamely yield up their Right but again resolved to try their Fortune at the Court having by means of F. Canisaries their Commissario with expence of a great Sum of Money obtained a review of the case but without success for all these endeavours and charge proved fruitless the former sentence being confirmed in favour of the Greeks and the Franks having no other Expedient applied themselves to the assistance of the French Ambassadour to whose protection the Holy places are assigned by Capitulations But neither the power of the French Ambassadour nor of any other Christian Representative was available for the Vizier either mindful of his promise to Panaioti or being resolute to maintain the Command he had given would on no terms be perswaded to revoke it the which intention of the Vizier being made known to the Greeks their Patriarch earnestly pressed a hearing of the case but the Fryars not willing to abide the shock retired to Constantinople lest the Greeks forcing them to Justice they should be condemned in Iudicio contradictorio and a Hoget or Sentence passing they should be condemned in Law as well as by Authority of the Hattesheriff Which to put in execution the Patriarch took out a Command whereunto was added That the Fryers in token of their subjection should pay a Drachm of Silver a head to the Patriarch and hold all their places of them This was the issue of the present controversies which is certainly determined for the time of the Vizier without revocation yet perhaps in the time of another it may admit of a review for money especially being received when as yet the new Minister hath not satiated his covetous desires howsoever the expence will always be chargeable and the success uncertain Thus have I seen and observed in this particular the effect and experience of two things viz. The covetousness and pride of Fryars and the conclusion of their Law-suits before Infidels The Franks or the Western Christians had until this time the custody of the Holy Sepulchre and the Greeks that of the Chappel of Bethlem but the use was free to both but the Franks not being able to enjoy the Sepulchre with contentment whilst with envious eyes they beheld the Greeks in possession of Bethlem were always contriving designs by force of money and power of Christian Ministers to eject them from that Right until that now in these contentions they have lost both being neither able to recover the one nor conserve the other Before we end this year of 1674 and begin that of 1675 it will be necessary for us to discourse of the cause and original of that War which England had with the Government of Tripoli in Barbary and the success and conclusion thereof In the year 1672. Old Mahomet boar at Scio and of the Greek race who for many years by Baratz or commission from the Grand Signior had boaren the Office and Title of Pasha of Tripoli and being grown very rich and covetous by the Pyracies his Ships made on the Christians and oppression of his people not dividing amongst the Souldiery that just proportion of the prey which of right belonged to them so incensed the minds of that people that conspiring against him they murdered him in his Castle and seized all his riches to the use of the Publick The Pasha being dead all his creatures and persons that boar Office in his time were displaced and others of more justice and bravery as they imagined put in
the largest extent of Dominion But indeed when I have considered seriously the Contexture of the Turkish Government the absoluteness of an Emperor without Reason without Vertue whose Speeches may be Irrational and yet must be Laws whose Actions Irregular and yet Examples whose Sentence and Judgment if in Matters of the Imperial Concernment are most commonly corrupt and yet Decrees irresistible When I consider what little rewards these are for Vertue and no Punishment for profitable and thriving Vice how Men are raised at once by Adulation Chance and the sole Favour of the Prince without any Title of Noble Blood or the Motives of Previous Deserts or former Testimonies and Experience of Parts and Abilities to the weightiest the richest and most honourable Charges of the Empire when I consider how short their continuance is in them how with one Frown of their Prince they are cut off with what greediness above all people in the World they thirst and haste to be Rich and yet know their Treasure is but their Snare what they labour for is but as Slaves for their great Patron and Master and what will inevitably effect their Ruin and Destruction though they have all the Arguments of Faithfulness Vertue and moral Honesty which are rare in a Turk to be their Advocates and plead for them When I consider many other things of like Nature which may more at large hereafter be discoursed of one might admire the long continuance of this great and vast Empire and attribute the stability thereof without change within it self and the increase of Dominions and constant progress of its Arms rather to some supernatural Cause than to the ordinary Maxims of State or Wisdom of the Governors as if the Divine Will of the All-knowing Creator had chosen for the good of his Church and chastisement of the Sins and Vices of Christians to raise and support this mighty People Mihi quanto plura recentium sâ—u veterum revolvo tanto magis ludibria rerum mortalium cunctis in negotiis observantur But that which cements all Breaches and cures all those Wounds in this Body Politick is the quickness and severity of their Justice which not considering much the strict division and parts of distributive and commutative makes almost every Crime equal and punishes it with the last and extreamest chastisement which is Death I mean those which have relation to the Government and are of common and publick Interest Without this Remedy which I lay down as a principal Prevention of the greatest Disorders this mighty Body would burst with the Poison of its own ill Humors and soon divide it self into several Signories as the Ambition and Power of the Governors most remote from the Imperial Seat administred them hopes and security of becoming Absolute In this Government Severity Violence and Cruelty are natural to it and it were as great an Error to begin to loose the Reins and ease the People of that Oppression to which they and their Fore-fathers have since their first original been accustomed as it would be in a Nation free-born and used to live under the Protection of good Laws and the Clemency of a vertuous and Christian Prince to exercise a Tyrannical Power over their Estates and Lives and change their Liberty into Servitude and Slavery The Turks had the original of their Civil Government â—oundâ—d in the time of the War for when they â—irâ—t came out of Scythia and took Arms in their Hands and submitted unto one General it is to be supposed that they had no Laws but what were Arbitrary and Martial and most agreeable to the enterprise and Design they had then in hand when Tangrolipix overthrew the Persian Sultan possessed himself of his Dominions and Power and called and opened the way for his Companions out of Armenia when Cutlumuses revolted from him and made a distinct Kingdom in Arabia when other Princes of the Seleuccian Family in the infancy of the Turkish Power had by Wars among themselves or by Testament made division of their Possessions when Anno 1300. Ottoman by strange Fortunes and from small beginnings swallowed up all the other Governments into the Ogusian Tribe and united them under one Head until at last it arrived to that greatness and power it now enjoys The whole condition of this People was but a continued state of War wherefore it is not strange if their Laws are severe and in most things arbitrary that the Emperor should be Absolute and above Law and that most of their Customs should run in a certain Chanel and Course most answerable to the height and unlimited Power of the Governor and consequently to the Oppression and Subjection of the People and that they should thrive most by servitude be most happy prosperous and contented under Tyranny is as natural to them as to a Body to be nourished with that Diet which it had from its Infancy or Birth been acquainted with But not only is Tyranny requisite for this People and a stiff reign to curb them lest by an unknown Liberty they grow mutinous and unruly but likewise the large Territories and remote parts of the Empire require speedy preventions without Processes of Law or formal Indictment jealousie and suspicion of Mis-government being Licence and Authority enough for the Emperor to inflict his severest Punishments all which depends upon the Absoluteness of the Prince which because it is that whereby the Turks are principally supported in their Greatness and is the prime Maxim and Foundation of their State we shall make it the Discourse and Subject of the following Chapter CHAP. II. The Absoluteness of the Emperor is a great support of the Turkish Empire THE Turks having as is before declared laid the first foundation of their Government with the Principles most agreeable to Militay Discipline their Generals or Princes whose Will and Lusts they served became absolute Masters of their Lives and Estates so that what they gained and acquired by the Sword with Labours Perils and Sufferings was appropriated to the use and benefit of their Great Master All the delightful Fields of Asia the pleasant Plains of Tempe and Thrace all the Plenty of Egypt and Fruitfulness of the Nile the Luxury of Corinth the Substance of Peloponnesus Athens Lemnos Scio and Mitylene with other Isles of the Aegean Sea the Spices of Arabia and the Riches of a great part of Persia all Armenia the Provinces of Ponius Galatia Bythinia Phrygia Lycia Pamphylia Palestine Coelosyria and Phoenicia Colchis and great part of Georgia the Tributary Principalities of Moldavia and Walachia Romania Bulgaria and Servia and the best part of Hungary concur all together to satifie the Appetite of one single Person all the extent of this vast Territory the Lands and Houses as well as the Castles and Arms are the proper Goods of the Grand Signior in his sole Disposal and Gift they remain whose Possession and Right they are only to Lands dedicated to Religious uses
for the Sultana to draw her Dagger and imperiously to demâ—nd the reason of hiâ— bold Accâ—ss which he with much submission replies to and shews the Emmeri Podeshaw or the â—mperial Firm for his Marriage the Sultana then arises and with more kindness admits him to nearer familiarity The Eunuch takes up his Sâ—ippers and lays them over the Door which is a sign of his good Reception then he bows with all reverence before her to the ground and retires a few paces back making some brief Oration to her full of Complement and Admiration of her Worth and Honour and remaining afterwards a while silent in an humble posture bowing forward with his hands before him until the Sultana commands him to bring her Water which he readily obeys taking a Pot of Water provided for that purpose and kneeling before her delivers it to her hand then she takes off her red Veil from before her Face embroidered with Gold and Silver Flowers and so drinks in the mean time her Serving-maids bring in a low Table on which are set a pair of Pigeons roasted and a Plate of Sugar-candy the Bridegroom then invites his coy Spouse to the Collation which she refuses until other Presents are brought her which lie prepared in the outward Room with which her Modesty being overcome and her Stomach brought down she is perswaded to the Table and sitting down receiâ—es a Leg of a Pigeon from the hand of her Bridegroom tastes a little and then puts a piâ—ce of Sugar-candy into his Mouth and so rising up returns to her place All the Attendants then retire and leave the Bridegroom aâ—one with his Soltana for the space of an hoâ—r to court her singly that time being past the Musick sounding he is invited forth by his Friends to an outward Room where having past most of the Night with Songs and Sports at the approach of the Morning the Soltana weary of her pastime retires to her Bed which is richly adorned and perfumed sit to entertain Nuptial Joys The Bridegroom advised hereof by the nâ—d of the Eunuch creeps silently into the Bride-chamber where stripping himself of his upper Garments he kneels a-while at the feâ—t of the Bed and then by little and little turning up the Cloâ—ths gently rubâ— her feet with his hand and kissing of them ascends higher to the embraces of his Spouse which she willingly admits him to and wishes her self and him a happy Bedding in the morning betimes the Bridegroom is called by his Friends to the Bath at whose call arising he is presented by the Bride with all sorts of Linen to be used in Bâ—thing After these Ceremonies are past they are better acquâ—inted yet in publick she keeps him at a distance wears her Haniarre or Dagger by her side in token of her Superiority and so frequently commands Gifts and Riches from him until she hath exhausted him to the bottom of all his Wealth Nor is this esteemed sufficient to mortify these poor Slaves by Womens Tyranny but they are always put forward upon desperate attempts as lately Ishmael Pashaw who was killed passing the River Raab in the overthrow given the Turks by the Emperor's Forces under Montecuculi and others I could name in like manner lest the honour of their Marriage in the Royal Family without the crosses and mortifications which attend it should puff them up with the ambition and proud thought which is not lawful for them to imagine But it may well be objected how it came to pass that the present Prime Viziâ—r called Ahmet should succed his Father Kuperlee in the Government of the Empire 'T is true it was a strange deviation from the general Rule of their Policy and perhaps suâ—h a President as may never hereafter be brought into Example but Accidents concur oftentimes to the Fortune of some Men without Order or Reason and yet Kuperlee the Father had so well deserved of the Sultan and his whole Dominions for having by his own Wisdom and Resolution saved the Empire from being rent in pieces by the Faction and ambition of some aspiring Persons and by the Blood of thousands of Mutinous and Rebellious Heads had cemented and made firm the Throne of his Master that no Honour could be thought sufficient to be paid to his Ghost unless it were the succession of his Son in his place which the more unusual and irregular it was esteemed the greater Glory it was to that Family and herein also this subtile Fox plaid his Master-piece by representing the state of Affairs to remain in that posture as was necessary to be carried on with the same Method as begun which he had entrusted to the knowledg of his Son and this was the Reason why this young Vizier then scarce arrived to thirty Years and but an ordinary Kadee or Justice of the Law was both as to his Age and Relation thus irregularly preferred to the Office of Vizier Nor hath Hereditary Succession nor long continuance in Authority been only avoided amongst the Turks but we find that the Romans often changed their Governors and never suffered them to continue long in one Province And so the King of Spain doth at present in the Government of Flanders the Indies the Kingdom of Naples and other parts the space of three Years being commonly allotted them for their Residence But amongst the Turks there is no fixed term of Time appointed to their Pashaws but only they remain as Tenants at Will of the Grand Signior who according to his Pleasure and as he sees Reason cuts them off recalls them or transplants them to another Province only the Pashaw of Grand Cairo in Egypt hath a certain space of three Years appointed to which his Government is confined and there may be very good reason for it for it being a place of great Trust Riches and Power in which Pashaws grow in a short time vastly wealthy it cannot be wisdom to continue them long there the Revenue of which we have had occasion already to discourse of And therefore the Grand Signior doth often not only abbreviate their time but also at their return shares in the best part of the Prizes they have made The Romans had that Opinion of the Wealth and Power of Egypt that Augustus made a Decree and held it inter alia dominationis arcana that it should not be lawful for any without particular Licence to enter Egypt and expresly forbids Senators and Gentlemen of Rome without Order from the Prince or for the Affairs of State to visit those Parts And Tacitus gives this reason for it Ne fama urgeret Italiam quisquis eam Provinciam clustraque terrae ac maris quamvis levi praesidio adversum ingentes exercitus insedisset Another Danger to the Empire which the Turks sedulously avoid besides Hereditary Succession in Office is Rivalry among Princes of the Blood during the time of their Father's Life for afterwards the Successor takes care to secure his Brethren beyond possibility of
not read any Authour which hath given a satisfactory account of such Sects as are sprung up amongst them in these latter and modern times It is a common opinion that there are seventy two sects amongst the Turks but it is probable there are many more if the matter were exactly known and scanned The Turkish Doctours fansie that the seventy two Nations which they call Yesmish â—kee Molet into which the World was divided upon the Confusion of the Languages of Babel was a Type and a Figure of the divisions which in after-Ages should succeed in the three most general Religions of the World. In this manner they account seventy different Sects among the Jews seventy one amongst the Christians and to the Mahometan they assign one more as being the last and ultimate Religion in which as all fulness of true Doctrine is compleated so the Mystery of iniquity and the deviation of mans judgment by many paths from the right rule is here terminated and confined The Turks have amongst themselves as well as in other Religious Sects and Heresies of dangerous consequence which daily increase mixing together with them many of the Christian Doctrines which shall in their due place be described and in former times also a sort of Fanatick Mahometans which at first met onely in Congregations under pretence of Sermons and Religion appeared afterwards in Troops armed against the Government of the Empire So one Scheiches Bedredin Chief Justice of Musa Brother to Mahomet the Fifth King of the Turks after the death of his Master was banished to Nice in Asia where consulting with his servant Burgluzes Mustapha by what means they might raise Sedition and a Second War they agreed the readiest course was by broaching a new Sect and Religion and by persuading the people to something contrary to the ancient Mahometan superstition Whereupon Burgluzes masking his villany under a grave and serious countenance took his journey into Aydinin othewise Caria where he vented Doctrines properly agreeing to the humours of the people preaching to them Freedom and Liberty of Conscience and the Mystery of Revelations and you may believe he used all arts in his persuasions with which Subjects used to be allured to a Rebellion against their Prince so that in a short time he contracted a great number of Disciples beyond his expectation Bedredin perceiving his Servant thrive so well with his Preaching fled from his place of Exile at Nice into Valachia where withdrawing himself into a Forest like a devout Religious man gathered a number of Proselytes composed of Thieves Robbeâ—s and Out-lawed people these he having instructed in the principles of his Religion sent abroad like Apostles to preach and teach the people that Bedredin was appointed by God to be the King of Justice and Commander of the whole World and that his Doctrine was already embraced in Asia The people taken with these Novelties repaired in great numbers to Bedredin who conceiving himself strong enough to take the Field issued from his desâ—rt with Colours displayed and an Army well appointed and fighting with his deluded multitude a bloudy Battel against those Forces which Mahomet sent to suppress him under his Son Amurath the deluded Rebels were overthrown Bedredin taken Prisoner and his pretences of Sanctiâ—y and Revelation were not available to save him from the Gallows And thus we see that the name of God's cause revelations liberty and the like have been old and common pretences and delusions of the World and not onely Christians but Infidels and Mahometans have wrote the name of God on their Banners and brought the pretence of Religion into the Field to justifie their cause CHAP. X. Of the two prevailing Sects viz. Of Mahomet and Hali that is the Turk and the Persian the Errours of the Persian recounted and confuted by the Mufti of Constantinople THE two great Sects among the followers of Mahomet which are most violent each against other the mutual hatred of which diversity of Education and Interest of the Princes have augmented are the Turks and Persians The first hold Mahomet to have been the chief and ultimate Prophet the latter prefer Hali before him and though he was his Disciple and succeeded him yet his inspirations they esteem greater and more frequent and his interpretations of the Law most perfect and Divine The Turk also accuses the Persian of corrupting the Alchoran that they have altered words misplaced the Comma's and Stops that many places admit of a doubtfull and ambiguous sense so that those Alchorans which were upon the Conquest of Babylon brought thence to Constantinople are separated and compiled in the great Seraglio in a place apart and forbidden with a Curse on any that shall read them The Turks call the Persians Forsaken of God abominable and blasphemers of the Holy Prophet so that when Selymus the First made War in Persia he named his Cause the Cause of God and proclaimed the occasion and ground of his War to be the Vindication of the cause of the Prophet and revenge of the blasphemies the Persians had vented against him and so far is this hatred radicated that the Youth of what Nation soever is capable of admittance into the Schools of the â—eraglio excepting onely the Persian who are looked upon by the Turk as a people so far Apostatized from the true Belief and fallen into so desperate an Estate by a total corruption of the true Religion that they judge them alâ—ogether beyond hopes or possibility of recovery and therefore neither give them quarter in the Wars account them worthy of life or slavery Nor are the Persians on the other side endued with better nature of good will to the Turks estranging themselves in the farthest manner from their Customs and Doctrines rejecting the three great Doctours of the Mahometan Law viz. Ebbubecher Osman and Omar as Apochryphal and of no Authority and have a Custome at their Marriages to erect the Images of those three Doctours of Paste or Sugar at the entrance of the Bridal Chamber on which the Guests first casting their looks leave the impression of any secret Magick which may issue fâ—om their eyes to the prejudice or misfortune of the Married Couple for in the Eastern parts of the â—orld they hold that there is a strange fascination innate to the eyes of some people which looking attentively on any as commonly they do on the Bridegroom and the Bride in Marriages produce macerations and imbecillity in the body and have an especial quality contrary to procreation and therefore when the Guests are entred having the Malignity of their eyes Arrested on these Statues they afterwards cut them down and dissolve them And that it may the more plainly appear what points of Religion are most controverted amongst them and what Anathema's and Curses are by both sides vented each against the other this following sentence passed by the Mufti Esad Efendi upon Schah Abbas Tutor to the King of Persia called Sari Halife and all the Persians will
though esteemed an Infidel as a Christian Jew or any other different profession so it be of those who are of a Learned Religion of which Books are wrote to defend and maintain it but such Women as are of a Religion which hath nothing in it of Learning oâ— of written Law as the Sect of Meiuzee who adore the Fire conserving it always burning in their Temples and are to be found in the parts of Persia but principally in some Countries of the Mogul and also the Gipsie Women are prohibited of which great numbers are amongst the Turks a Vagabond people without Religion but what is fabulous and ridiculous and having no Literature or knowledge amongst them are reputed as abominable amongst the Turks And here the Turks upon occasional discourses of the severity and strictness of the Christian Discipline in matters of Concupiscence telling them that no Copulation is allowable but in the Marriage-Bed and that restrained and confined to one Wife without the additions of Slaves to satisfie with variety the corrupted fancy that the very thoughts of Lust and Concupiscence pollute the purity of the Soul And that whosoever looks on a Woman to Lust after her commits Adultery in his heart They presently deride these our Precepts and our Laws which Christians not onely by their actions and corrupted lives contemn as invalid but Authority it self not by a simple coonivence onely but by indulgence and privileges foments and encourages persons walking contrary to that which is confessed to be an indispensable Law. For proof whereof they mention the Stews of Italy Whoredom made an allowable Trade and Profession in Venice Naples and the City of Rome and the Gantoneras in Spain and framed into a Politick Body as it is related and apprehended by the Turks from whence Taxes and Impositions are raised The Turks comprehend not the Politick grounds hereof with which in Italy this Maxim is defended nor is it fitting to produce the reasons or argue it with them since the benefit which accrues to the Roman Church and the Profits that arise thence being employed in maintenance of Gallies and Forces against Infidels is the best can be said to hallow this permission but 't is an improper argument with a Turk to excuse this Licence and Authority to sin upon considerations of being better able to War against the Professours of his Religion And therefore the Turk will hardly be convinced but that this manner of Concubinage hath much more of Sanctity Order and Policy in it as being feee from Diseases and Foulness than the wandring Lusts of Stews or impudence of Cortesans made bold and hard-fore-headed by concession of Authority Pudet haec opprobria Nobis Et dici potuisse c. Amongst all the privileges that the Sultan enjoys above his Subjects this one hath less than they that he cannot marry but yet he hath as many Women as serves his use though never so libidinous or are requisite for the Ostentation and great Magnifiâ—ence of his Court according to the custome of the Eastern Princes who placed a great part of their Pomp in the multitude of their Women This disuse of Marriage in the Sultan hath been a Mixim of state and reckoned amongst the Turks inter Arcana Imperii from the time of Bajazet untill this very Age the reasons hereof are diversly related Busbequius saith That Bajazet after the great Victory obtained against him by Tamerlane to his other great misfortunes and disgraces had this one added of having his Wife Despina whom he dearly loved to fall into the hands of the Conquerour whose ignominious and undecent treatment before the eyes of her Husband was a matter of more dishonour and sorrow than all the rest of his afflictions So that eversince that time the Sultans to free themselves from being capable of that disgrace on occasion of like fortune take no feminine companion of their Empire in whom they may be more concerned than as in Slaves or the loss of Goods Riches or Estate But in my opinion this Policy is of a deeper reach and design than the considerations of matters so meerly possible for as I have heard the onely sign and ceremony of a Sultans making a Wife is the endowing her with Riches agreeable to her condition and quality not called Kabin which is Dowry but Pashmaluck or Money for her Shooes which besides Presents Jewels and rich Garments for her self and great attendance her Revenue ought to be equal to that of a Valede or Mother of the Grand Signior which is four or five hundred thousand Dollars yearly Rent so that were this custome in use and meeting with the disposition of some Princes that are Amorous and Prodigal the chief Revenue of the Empire would be expended in the Chambers of Women and diverted from the true Chanels in which the Chanel ought to run for nourishment of the Politick body of the Commonwealth Besides were it the custome for Sultans to take Wives it would contradict that main principle of Policy amongst them of avoiding Alliances and Relations of the Grand Signior abroad And this was the principal reason of the murther of Sultan Osman tenth Emperour of the Turks contrived by the Rebellion and Toleration of the Souldiery it being objected that he had married a Sultana whereof he had contracted Alliances contrary to the fundamental Constitutions of the Empire The tye and solemnity of Marriage and the nature thereof amongst the Turks is as before related from which the Woman hath no ways to unloose her self whilst the Husband maintains her with Bread Butter Rice Wood and Flax to spin for her Cloathing the Law supposes her so industrious a Housewife as with her own labour to supply her self there are some other points pleadable in Law for Divorce in behalf of the Woman as impotency or frigidity in the Husband and the like but the man hath divers means to acquit himself and can do it by several allegations and may upon as easie terms and on as light grounds sue out his Divorce as was permitted to the Iews in cases of dislike or that she found no favour in his eyes There are amongst the Turks three degrees of Divorce every one of which is made before the Kadee or Justice and by him drawn out and registred The first separates the Man and Wife onely from the same House and Bed the maintenance of a Wife being still continued The second not onely divides them in that manner but the Husband is compelled to make good her Kabin which is a Joynture or Dowry promised at her Marriage so as to have no interest either in him or his Estate and to remain in a free condition to marry another The third sort of Divorce which is called Ouch Talac is made in a solemn and more serious manner with more rigorous terms of separation and in this case the Husband repenting of his Divorce and desirous to re-take his Wife cannot by the Law be admitted to her without first
consenting and contenting himself to see another man enjoy her before his face which condition the Law requires as a punishment of the Husbands lightness and inconstancy and as an evidence to shew that though the Turkish Law is very indulgent and open in the free choice and enjoyment of Women yet that it punishes such as unadvisedly frustrate the solemn points thereof with remarkable notes of infamy and disgrace Notwithstanding some afterwards repenting of their Divorce have been contented with the condition and have chosen some handsome Youth to enter into the Bed of their Wife It is a merry Story that is told of one who in this case being put to a great streight resolved to call the first man he conveniently met to this Office that so as one unknown his reputation might be the less concerned the man he first lighted on happened to be a Kaickgee or Boat-man who it seems so well satisfied and pleased the Wife that she afterwards renounced all interest in her Husband and resolved to adhere to her new Lover of whom she supposed she had sufficient proof and acquaintance with already to esteem a better Husband than her former There are but few amongst the Turks though some are found who so heartily repent of their Divorce and so fond of their separated Wives as to be contented to take them with the foregoing Condition for it is reputed a kind of an Abomination and when they would signifie any matter far alienated or estranged they call it Ouch Talac something so divided and separated as to be a Sin and Prophanation so much as to covet or desire it CHAP. XXII Of the other parts of the Turkish Religion Of Circumcision CIrcumcision is not reckoned amongst one of the five Points which constitute a true Mahometan believer but 't is onely as we have said before proposed as a tryal and proof of man's obedience to the more necessary parts of the Law. This Rite of Circumcision is not received by them as an Article or Precept delivered expresly from the Alchoran but by tradition and ancient practice and use amongst the Arabians before the time of Mahomet derived originally from Ishmael or Esau whose Progeny they are and from thence give themselves the name of Ishmaelites The Arabian Doctours affirm that Mahomet himself was born with his Navel cut and naturally circumcised perhaps to equal the same Story which the Jews report of Moses and some others of the Patriarchs and it seems in those Countries where Circumcision is in practice that it is not unusual for Children to be so born who are therefore called Sons of the Moon on whom the virtue of the Moon hath more than ordinary manner of influence Credebant siquidem Arabes quod ille qui sub lunae radiis nasceretur contrahi perinde ac circumcisum praeputium The Turks never circumcise their Children untill the age of seven years and upwards and then they do it by a Barber or Chirurgion it not being esteemed a matter appropriated to the Office of the Emaun or Priests for as we have said before they make no such distinction as Clergy and Laity I mean as to any spiritual Character of Priesthood for a man may cry upon the Steeple to day and like their Pastour be the first to lead his Congregation to their Prayers and expound the Alchoran in the Pulpit and next day be expelled his Parish and become free to any other secular Employment or Profession They observe some Ceremonies amongst them on this occasion often differing according to the Countrey and place but commonly the child is set on Horseback in his best Cloaths attended with his School-fellows and Companions who with loud shouts repeat some words in the Alchoran and being brought home and the act of Circumcision performed he is carefully attended for his Cure and in the mean time there is a Feast or Banquet prepared for the Guests those who of riper years become Mahometans in some places are carried about the Town on Horseback with a Dart in their left hand pointing to their heart signifying that they will rather suffer themselves to be passed through with that Instrument than renounce that Faith they then profess And this Circumcision is an admission and introduction of them into the number of the Faithfull as it is amongst the Jews and Baptism with the Christians CHAP. XXIII Of the five necessary Points which are required to constitute a true Mahometan Of their Washings THough Mahomet saith in the Alchoran that his Religion is founded in Cleanness and that it is half of his Law yet much before Mahomet's time Washings were observed according to the same prescriptions by the Arabians who descending from Ishmael maintained by tradition the practice of Washings and he had no other share in this invention than that it was enforced by his Authority on the Professours of his Sect. The Turks are certainly a very cleanly people in their exteriour manner of living as in their Washings relating to their holy exercises and duties they are very precise and superstitious some of them believing that the very water purifies them from the foulness of their sins as well as from the uncleanness of their bodies There being three sorts of Washings observed by them The first is called Abdest which is a preparation for their Prayers entring the Mosch or reading the Alchoran they first wash their hands and armes then their neck their forehead the crown of their head their ears their teeth the face under the nose and last of all their feet but if the weather be cold not convenient to uncover them it is sufficient if they make some evidence thereof by any other outward signification The second is called Gusul which is the cleansing of the Bath after copulation or nocturnal pollutions untill which time a man is called Giunub that is his prayers are accounted abominable before God and his Society to be avoided by Men. The third is Taharet which is a Washing after the ease or evacuation of nature to this homely office they design the three last fingers of the left hand and upon this account they call Christians Taharatsis which is as much as one defiled and impure for want of this manner of cleansing And washing is so usual and frequent amongst them both before and after Meat as hath caused a common Proverb amongst them That God hath created Meat that men may have occasion often to wash their hands Secondly Of their Prayers After their Washing follow their Prayers which Mahomet to recommend to his Disciples the force and virtue of Prayer calls it in his Alchoran the Pillar of Religion and the Key of Paradise and enjoined the performance five times in the space of twenty four hours viz. between the day breaking and Sun-rising called Sabanamesse Secondly at Noon called Vlemanasee Thirdly at the middle hour between the Noon and the setting of the Sun called Kindinamasee Fourthly at Sun-setting called Acshanamasee Fifthly at an hour and half
Original Institution which designed that benefit onely for maimed and disabled Soldiers so that now there is so great a number of Soldiery lusty and healthfull under the title of Dead mens pay as disfurnishes the Grand Signior's Treasury and weakens his Forces The Ianizaries also marrying freely and yet dispensed with as to the absence from their Duty and Chambers apply themselves to Trades and other Studies besides the War by which means having Children and Dependencies they are forced by other Arts than their few Aspers of daily pay to seek the provision and maintenance of a Family and their minds growing estranged from the War are solicitous with the care and anxiety for a Wife and Children and in my time have so abhorred the thoughts of the War both in Candy and in Hungary that many have offered great Presents to be excused and so general hath been the dislike of all kind of Martial action for the reasons before mentioned that at first the very rumours and discourse of War and afterwards the reality thereof caused so general a discontent as had if not prudently prevented and timely suppressed burst into a Mutiny of the Militia whose meer enquiry but into the reasons and grounds of the War is little different from a Sedition Another Corruption hath the Covetousness of the Officers produced for small Presents and Donatives in owning many under the title and name of Spahees and Ianizaries which have no name or place in the Rolls or Registers of the Soldiery by which means many Offenders and outlawed persons are defended by the Military Privileges and the ancient honour due to Arms is prostituted for the maintenance and protection of the rascalities and scum of the World. And this shall serve to have spoken in general of the present state of the Turkish Soldiery we shall now proceed to the particularities of the force and numbers of the Turkish Militia and from whence and how they are raised CHAP. II. Of the Turkish Militia IN the twelfth Chapter of the first Book we made an estimate of the Revenue and the Riches of all the Beglerbegs and Pashaws of the Empire be which might-by collected the number of Soldiers which these great men are able out of their own Families to furnish unto the Wars it will be now time to make a just computation in its due place of the Forces in particular the numbers the Countries from whence they are raised the several Military Orders and the true puissance of the Ottoman Empire which is indeed so incredibly great and numerous That with good reason they have formed it into a Proverb That no Grass grows there where the Turkish Horse hath once set his foot This speculation is absolutely necessary to a true description of the Regiment of a Countrey for the Martial Constitutions are the best part of the Political Science and Civil Laws have no vigour unless they receive their Authority by the enforcement of the Sword This consideration is also necessary to the Art of a Statesman that he ill studies the Geography of his Enemies Provinces who knows not the utmost strength it contains by Land and Sea and is ill prepared to gaâ—n a perfect knowledge of the prudent Art wherewith a Nation or People is conserved in Peace who is ignorant of their Force and Constitutions appropriated to the time of War. Wherefore we shall discourse as succinctly of this Subject as the matter will permit and with the same certainty that one of the principal Muster-Masters of the Turkish Rolls long practised and accurate in his Office hath decyphered from whose Report it self I profess to derive my Authority in this following Relation The whole Turkish Militia then is of two sorts one that receives maintenance from certain Lands or Farms bestowed on them by the Grand Signior others that receive their constant pay in ready money The great nerve or sinew of the Turkish Empire is that of the first rank which are of two sorts viz. Zaims which are like Barons in some Countries and Timariots who may be compared to the Decumani amongst the Romans Those of the second sort paid out of the Grand Signior's Treasury are Spahees Ianizaries Armourers Gunners and Soldiers called Levens who have no pay for life or are enrolled amongst the Military Orders but onely make an agreement for five or six thousand Aspers for their Voyage which being ended they are disbanded Of the Zaims and Timariots The nature of these two and their Institution is the same the onely difference is in their Commissions or Patents or rather we may call them the Conveyances or Evidences for their Lands which they have from the Grand Signior For the Rent of a Zaim is from 20 m of Aspers to 99999 and no further for adding one Asper more it becomes the Estate of a Sangiackbeck called a Pashaw which is from 100000 Aspers to 19m999 for adding one Asper more it becomes the Revenue of a Beglerbeg The Timariots are of two sorts one called Tezkerelw who have their Evidences for their Land from the Grand Signior's Court whose Rent is from 5 or 6000 Aspers to 19m999 for then with the addition of one Asper they enter the number of Zaims The other sort is called Tezkeretis who hath his Patent or Writing from the Beglerbeg of the Country whose Rent is from 3000 to 6000 Aspers The Zaims in all Expeditions of War are obliged to serve with their Tents which are to be furâ—ished with Kitchins Stables and other necessary Apartments agreeable to their State and Quality and for every 5000 Aspers of Rent received from the Grand Signior they are to bring a Horse-man into the Field which is called Gebelu as for example one of thirty thousand Aspers is to come attended with six one of ninety thousand with 18 Horsemen and so proâ—portionably every Zaim is entituled Kulitchgee or Sword-man so that when the Turks calculate the strength or numbers that a Beglerbeg is able to bring into the Field for the service of his Prince they make a computation upon so many Zaims and Timariots themselves which they call so many Swords not numbring the people with which they come accompanied The Timariots are obliged to serve with lesser Tent and to be provided with three or four Baskets for every man that attends them for thâ—â— Offiâ—e is bâ—sides fighting as also of the Zâ—â—ms and â—pahâ—â—s to carâ—y Earth and Stones for making Batteries and Trenches whilst the Ianizâ—ries are in skâ—rmish with the Enemy And for every three thousand Aspers Rent the Timariots â—re sessed at a Man and Horse as the Zaim is for every five thousand And both one and the other of these Souldiers little differ from those in England which hold their Lands in Capite or the ancient Tenure of Knights Service Both Zaims and Timariots are disposed into Regiments under command of Colonels called Alai Begler who march with Colours and the Kettle-Drum these Colonels are again under the