THE CONDUCT AND CHARACTER Of Count NICHOLAS SERINI Protestant Generalissimo of the Auxiliaries in Hungary The most Prudent and resolved Champion of Christendom With his Parallels SCANDERBEG TAMBERLAIN Interwoven with the principal Passages of the Christians and Turks Discipline and Succâ—ss since the Infidels first Invasion of Europe in the year 1313. London Printed for Sam. Speed at the Rainbow in Fleet-street 1664. Imprimatur Ex AEd. Lambeth Feb. 24. 1663. G. Stradling S. T. P. Rev. in Christo Pat. D. Gilb. Archiep. Cant. a Sac. Domestic TO All the Admirers of Count NICHOLAS SERINI The Great Champion of Christendom IT being as convenient to divert a discontented people in dangerous curiosity with Foraign discourses as â—t is necessary to spend their unquiet idleness upon Foraign employments there is nothing of more remark to offer the speculative and the discoursive in this Juncture of Affairs than the grand concerns of Christendom in reference to the general invasion maâ—e upon it â—y the Infidels and the uâ—aâ—iâ—ouâ— defence maâ—aged for tâ—y Believers among whom the Exâ—â—llâ—nt Couâ—t Serini seems to be the Heâ—â—â— upon whom Providence hath devolâ—â—â— the â—ate of Europe whosâ— Câ—aracter and Portraâ—â—â—ure thoâ—gh takeâ— with the coâ—siderable disadâ—aâ—tages of distance common Fame anâ— varâ—â—â—s prepossessions and apprehensions yet upon the review of the 〈◊〉 piecâ— resulting from these twenty years partial Relations seems to promise the Ingenious and Inquisitive peruser Thâ—se nine particulars viz. 1. A Brief summary of the Turkish affairs since their first appearance in the world Anno 1092. to this timâ— 2. An exact account of their several attempts upon Christendom 3. A satisfactory recapitulation of their several successes againsâ— ours and ours against them fâ—â— three 〈◊〉 yâ—ars tâ—gether 4. A verâ— seasonaâ—le Discoursâ— oâ— the 〈◊〉 Persâ—ns who in evâ—ry Agâ— weâ—e â—aâ—sed â—â—â—â—eck â—heir 〈◊〉 〈…〉 wiâ—h thâ— ways and methoâ—s 〈…〉 for these four Ages aâ—â— Gâ—â—â—raâ—ioâ—s 5. The partâ—â—ular serviâ—â—s oâ— tâ—e Famouâ— Serini's Anceâ—â—ors hâ—s Grandfather and Father upon the same account 6. An Historical Narrative of the incompaâ—aâ—lâ— Couâ—ts own braâ—e undertakings from July 16. 1663. when he first set out against the Mahumetans to this present 7. Most useful observations of his great Prudence and Conduct in all his exploits 8. His Temper Education and â—â—rtues emâ—â—ent in his Actions 9 His great Parallel Scanderbeg Now not to flatter this little attempt for the worlds satisfaction iâ— that great persons particular Emiâ—ences of Incliâ—ation or Action I shall onely resuâ—e the foresaid particulars And say 1. â—ho would not have alwaies before him a brâ—eâ— Survey of their original progrâ—sse and successes that manage so great a part of the world 2. Who would not compare this dreadful iâ—â—asion with those that have gone before And 3. Observe by what sort of personâ— by what Policies by what Counsels methods and designs that grand Invader hath now twenty six times since his first assault upon the Christian world been forced to his own Port Moreover 5 6 7. Seeing Serini is the great name that upholds dâ—ooping Christianity â—ow the the aâ—â—ination is broke in uâ—on it that makes desolate who would not know what he is oâ— whom desâ—endeâ— what his Ancestoâ—s haâ—e done for the same great cause what his 〈◊〉 what his consâ—itution what his Religion what his hopes and virtues In a word what manner of Heroe he is upon whose success or overthrow the Western world seems to stand or fall Besides that the curious will here finde History to â—ass away the time the Gentleman a great example to live by the Noble man great Actions to imitaâ—e the â—oulâ—ier and Statesman many rules 〈…〉 of Peace and â—ar to 〈◊〉 the undertakers in that cause 〈…〉 Commander to 〈◊〉 under and the pâ—rpâ—exed 〈…〉 Gentlâ—man 〈…〉 Protestant to dâ—pend 〈…〉 Here you may see what this great man is and what all men should be here is an exact model of eminent and great Virtues drawâ— with as equal design for others instruction as his Renown to eâ—noble those that Read his Actions as well as celebrate him that performed them that Christeâ—dom may be prâ—pled with Serinâ—'s and it's Champions grow with its dangers which are now as considerable as they have been these hundred years the Grand Seignior straining himself for an universal and compleat Conquest this Spring threatning Europe with no less then three hundred thousand men making the most dreadful provisions of Ammunition and store that ever were heard of layiâ—g the most dangerous plot aâ—d coâ—triving the most terrible coâ—federacy against us that ever was thought of taking the most unhappy occasions and advantages of divided interests and parties that ever was offered him and offering the greatest temptations those of Liberty and Priviledge that Christendom can now lye under to revolt and Aposâ—asie yet for our support we â—ear every day that our illustrious Personage goeth on with success hath taken in the Upper and Lower Zigeth where his Ancestors laid their Bones and though deluded by those of Five-Kâ—rke to the loss of many brave persons that fell under their walls laid that place in Ashes bestowing the infinite Treasure of the Town upon his deserving followers whose Army now fills with persons of Resolution that aim at spoil or honor And indeed upon his late Victories his friends the Hungarians and Imperialists are so resolved and his enemies so awakened that he seeth he must come to an engagement and therefore he hath draâ—◠〈…〉 to prepare himself accorâ—â—â—gly Our Great God the cause and pâ—ayeâ—s â—f Christendom the Siâ—s aâ—d Blaâ—phemies of Infidels make â—is success as great as his cause is gooâ— So prayeth O. C. The Conduct and Character of Count Nicholas Serini IT is not a more general observation of the What Heroes were always raâ—sed to oppose the Turksinvasions and â—ow they did it Physician that in every Country Poysons grow up with their Antidoteâ— and Distempers with their Remedies than it is an approved Maxime of the Divine and Politician that in eveâ—y Age the disturbers of the Church are poyzed with its Champions and no sooner appear the Boutefeus â—nd incendiaries of an Age than they are matched with its Worthies anâ— Heroes for when the Turkes the poor remains of the Ten Tâ—â—bes leâ— Captive under Salmanassâ—â— anâ— lost in the Barbarism and desolation of Scythia forced by their wants 〈…〉 The Turkes original and growth and encouraged by their hopes broke out of that sheath as they call it or indeed Sword of Nations upon the pleasure and plenty of Asia as these cold Countries as fruitful in inhabitants as they are barren in Provision every Age send forth some superfluous thousands to seek their Bread and after some vagaries under Tangrolipix his conduct erected to themselves a Government both upon the Persians estate whom they pretend to assist and his enemies whom they overâ—hrew to the â—error of weaker Princes and the disturbance of the most Potent Cutlumâ—ses that noble Persian checked the encroachments
so his affability wooeth them to obedience providing that when nothing but terror possesseth his Camp yet there should be seen nothing but Love in his words and Charity in his actions for where he seeth the poor His civility in his progress thorowout the Countrey he scattereth his money where the guilty his indulgence where the deserving his incouragement where the weak and helpless his defence and protection going about as the Sun carrying in his looks and actions no less Serenity then splendor in all about him answering acclamations with blessings suffering no distasteful act to be performed by Souldiers who must first be masters of their peoples hearts before they are possessed of their enemies Camp his souldiers shall not fight with friends and foes too for he hands all grievances to the people by the mediation of others who have less occasion to make use of them and by such amiable gestures with the high price he seems in publike to set upon the Nations content so great a love is kindled in the hearts of the people that all the evils that fall upon them are removed from the principal cause and attributed to such as are onely instrumental in their promotion the just General always giving a favourable hearing to such as complain of grievances whereby he satisfieth the people and engageth their persons and Estates and removes the oppressors to some distant employments where being further from the Camp and the enemy severity may be more necessary at least not so dangerous as within hearing of the Infidel that promiseth fairer usage and by this even and constant procedure an uninterrupted success hath been entailed to his command Thus by claiming nothing the brave Count enjoyeth all and by protecting no injustice he secures himself and the cause he hath undertaken For his Justice is not the least Virtue His Justiâ—e that possesseth his great soul such a habit that he will suffer the greatest misery before he will do the least wrong and when he is perswaded to take the liberty of the Field and not tie himself to the strictness of a Court Let me saith he stand or fall to mine own Conscience the Laws are the measures of his War and Peace the Justice of his Army is as exact as that of his own breast the people fear his souldiers and they the Law he alloweth his followers equity but not indulgence freedom but not licentiousness His severe Discipline security against an enemy but not against right an Egge stollen is as fatall to his Myrmidons as a Turk a Chicken kills as sure as a Mahumetan he can contentedly sacrifice a man for the least injury to gain a Country which fills his Army as fast as his severe Discipline exhausts it no follies follow him no perishing families curse him no ravished Virgins meditate revenge on him no children starved for the bread he took out of their mouth as busie as he is he sets five hours in the week to redress grievances at once to indear his Disciplined Army to the people and make odious the rude Rabble of the Turke whose Barbarousness is as intollerable as their cause unjust who provoke the people to oppose them if not to save Empire yet to secure themselves his punishments are more severe than common and more private than severe it is his usual saying Advise me not onely what is safe but what is Just not onely what is expedient but what is lawful He is as Faithful as he is Just Leave His faithfulness me saith he to them who perswade him to secure himself to my Honor and Justice though I fall by them he is as true to his Superiors as he would have his inferiors to him he will never leave his Master untill he leaves himself A Messenger once came to him from the Grand Visier with an overture of an accommodation and the Archdukedom of Austria to boot he hangs up the Messenger saying If he had come to threaten me as an enemy he had been safe but coming to sollicite me to be a Traytor he hath his own reward To Abfti's Message about the Grand Seigniors esteem for him the His repliâ—s to those that would debauch him honest man replied That he had rather be a Page under the Christian Emperor then a Prince under the Barbarous Usurper and that if it pleased God the Grand Seignior who was now so prodigal of others should within a twelve moneth begg his own Dominion although the Emperor doth not supply him as he may expect although Hungary deserts him although Abafti jugleth with him although the Papists envy him although the jealousies in his Army distract him although others are set above him although the Germans are baffled and France threatneth the Turk is generally submitted to and the people as generally indifferent although he always wants Money and sometimes Provision and the Infidel bestoweth Crowns upon his Favorites yet the faithful Count is resolved to weather out all the difficulties in pursuance of bare duty and Allegiance and to make Germany either his Triumph or his Grave being the first that undertook the hard service of decaying Germany he will â—e the last that leaves it if he cannot live a Count of the Empire he will dye a Martyr of it Neither is he less careful of others fealty and serviceableness than his His care whom he employeth own employing none but such as honor his judgement and acquit themselves to the world as men of publike and great spirits who with himself had an uniform and constant care of the common interest he bestoweth not places on relations or parties but merit knowing no kinsman but what is allied to him in Vertue as well as Birth owning no purchase of trust but that by great dangers and noble services he bestows his Titles of honor where God had bestowed the Vertues enduring not that Command and Authority should be tainted in the base and unworthy he loved to see a man by a great spirit filling a great place his choice pitched there where the personage was strong and comely the speech Masculine for he said No man did Wonders that could not speak well the converse unblemished advice bold performance quick course steady undertakings noble patience observable and experience considerable such as being fixed in their duty to the Emperor and settled in their sentiments of Religion may restore Christendom and enlarge it as wide as the world His temperance and sobâ—iety is a great ornament to himself and an His temperance happy example to his followers his Diet is as hard as his employment his meals for health not excess his constitution bears a larger diet then his Virtue and his hard service larger then his constitution yet he eats but one meal a day and that as course and plain as can be for he prevents his souldiers Surfets and inures them to be contented with the least Provision and not to exceed with the greatest He is more
temptations to Sedition and kept in a cheerful compliance with the severest Government referring all things below to Providence as the Tuâ—ks do to Fate and looking on nothing worth stâ—iving for or against but the happiness and misery of the other world He hath enjoyned as great an awfulness of the name of God as that of the Mahumetans which is so great that they dare not employ the Paper they find it in to any base office but leave it in a hole to the further disposure of the owners providence and therefore possibly not so likely as Christians who observe no such decency to call it to witnesse an untruth much to the advantage of Governours there as it might be here did Law or Custom skrew the peoples minds up to as high an esteem of it It 's usually discoursed in those parts that all the evils that ever happened to Germany flowed from a defect in theiâ— Ecclesiastical policy in that the Ministers do not presse Religion with that strictnesse it 's capable of upon the people so that it may lay hold upon their Consciences and bear them up by serious apprehensions of the other world against all the contingencies and emergencies of this although they might remit those austerities and severities to the bodies of men the fond inventions of the melancholy and the reserved part of the world now the Turk is at hand with all the complacencies and * And it is not convement to force nature too much in smal things lest it break out in greater for the Turks being allowed lesser vanities are not at leasure for greater delights with the greatest freedom humane nature is capable of where men have an uninterrupted license to attain the farthest extent of their â—esires so as they apprehend no felicity beyond the liberty to enjoy â—â—is We â—ight learn from the Turk to be more constant to the principles of our Religion than we are and give 〈◊〉 way to a refining by the agitation of experiences drawn from a conâ—â—uence of different events it being an observation with him that the 〈◊〉 allowance in things of that nature opens a gap to infinite pretentions that can never be satisfied until government be overthrown The Turkish Emperour is thought so much happier than the Germane because the Mufti his circumcised Pope and Meca his Infidel of Rome are both in his power The Mufti though 〈◊〉 with Mâ—homets â—indâ—eâ—s coâ—our â—hiâ—h is gâ—â—en and â—everenâ—â—d 〈…〉 very much 〈…〉 yet is concluded by reason of State and must comply with the government otherwise though he is not publickly punished he may be privately translated to another world Of religious influence upon mens spirits and his faults and he buried in a grave for it hath been long observable in this Empire that neither friends money sanctity love of people former deserts or any present need of the peoples accurate parts were ever found Antidotes sufficient to expel the poyson of the Emperours jealousie who esteems no number of lives equivalent with his own safety or the Nations Count Hohenlo usually saith that it is one defect in his Religion that it was presented with so much terrour as did amuse and despirit men whereas the Turks was contrived with such hopes encouragements as raise them in valour and undertakings beyond the ordinary pitch of men Whereupon Serini takes him up and undertakes to demonstrate to him That no Religion in the world ennobleth and raiseth mens spirits to an higher pitch than the Christian fortifying them against the greatest dangers and exercising them with the severest discipline Goes the German Embassador coucheth the offences that lie in the Turks way to our Religion in four particulars as he received them from the Grand Seignior himself The first That we eate our God in the Encharist 2. That we make our God in the Church 3. That we divide our God in the Trinity And 4. That we deny him in our lives The first two whereof saith young Kecherman the brave Count's Chaplain must be removed by a recantation The third must be assoiled by cautious clear and wary expressions The last must be reformed by doing nothing unlawfully by speaking nothing improperly and by wearing nothing undecently There being but two wayes to keep up the honour of Religion either to keep over curious men from pâ—ying and questioning the parts and restraining reason within it's own bounds or to clear up the grounds out of it so as might satisfie any rational man He wisheth there were a clear account extant of the grounds of Christian Religion for which purpose there was printed in Presburgh Ludovicus Vives his Dialogue of the Truth of Christian Religion Hugo Grotius and Du-Plessâ—s all translated into several Languages These are some of this excellent personage his sentiments of Religion with reference to the present exigent but his opinions are not so â—evere as his practice neither is he so 〈◊〉 in that matter to others as he is to himself Inâ—eed his piety is as â—pâ—eaâ—ing as his command and there is no man within the one but muâ—â— pâ—â—â—ake of the other Yet his own â—epoâ—â—ment His own â—emper is most remaâ—â—aâ—le all his â—nterpâ—â—zes begin with Prayer and some of them with Psalms which aâ— once inspire his Souldiers and blâ—sse his undertakings He would gain the love of heaven before he would â—epell the forces of hell Never any man did nobly that conversed not with the gods Bâ—fore the last City he took as he was observing the situation of the place and his advantages a Commander asked what he intâ—nâ—ed to do To take the place â—aith he within four houâ—s but we must go to prayers first and now said â—e afterwards We have a good Cause God and good mens prayers assist us He is not more careful of his Christian â—â—ties than of his Christian 〈◊〉 to all those persons and things thâ—t 〈…〉 relation to God makeâ— waâ— that spâ—â—eâ— nothing in its conâ—â—sed fury and â—nâ—â—stinguisâ—ing â—â—â—olation reâ—â—â—ence all sacred persons and places wheâ—eof he is as tender as he hopes their God is of him and his great and good Cause This is that gallant man that noble Gentleman that zealous Christian that sâ—out Souldier that able Sates-man that excellent personage upon whom are the eyes of Europe as upon the great Champion of Christedome This is he who fills the woâ—ld wiâ—h his Name and Annals with his Actions that shews the most humble devotion enamelled in Heroick gallantry the most generous soul in a wel-proportioned body that supports the drooping glory of Germany and checks the growing power of Turkey that dares do more than all the Kings of the Earth that was born to relieve distressed Princes to restore tottering Empires and hold up falling Crowns This is he that tramples upon offered Kingdoms and looks on Scepters beneath him that thinks it more Imperial to preserve Monarchies than to govern them to die a faithful Subject than to live a feared King This is he who