day of Pentecost where he moved to me first this Question Where God had his being before the Heavens and Earth and therein all things else were created Which Question though it seemed to me not much pertinent to our purpose yet lest he should imagine us ignorant of our great God's universal presence I said He then was in his own being But when that seemed to him somewhat obscure and that he did not sufficiently understand it I then told him He was where he now is Which he understanding denied in the general and said Not so but that he then was in a bright cloud Which when he earnestly affirmed I quoted Genesis for they also read the books of Moses and the Prophets and said If God were in a Cloud before the Foundation of Heaven and Earth then that Cloud must be created before them both and upon further argument on this point being at last convicted he would dispute no further in it but gave me leave to propound some Question to him and for solemnity of that dayes sake I thought fit to say something thereof and finding these words In the name of God his mercies and the Spirit of them in their Alcoran in the Arabian Tongue and Character I desired him to read them The mystery of the holy Trinity Which when he had considered and wondred at he said Christian from whence had you this for in the beginning of all our actions we Musselmen use these three words and prefix them to every Chapter of our Alcoran when we sit down to eat when we go to prayers when we wash our hands or other parts of our bodies these words we first pronounce and these actions finished we sprinkle our heads with water and repeat these words In the Name of God his Mercies and the Spirit of them When thus he had confessed the Truth I desired to understand from him what he meant by the word Mercies who replied He understood it literally without other signification Then I applied my self to the mystical Interpretation and divided it according to Truth into three Persons the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and shewed them written in the Arabick tongue And when he saw I had mentioned the Son of God he question'd How God could have a Son since according to their Law and Doctrine of Mahomet God had neither Wife nor Childe To whom I answered according to my weak understanding and capacity We Christians call God the Father for his Creatures sake being the first creating Cause and sole Preserver of all created who was for ever in the same Essence he now is in and will be for Eternity and is the first Person in the Trinity We believe the Son who by Mahemet in the Arabick phrase is called Rahman and signifieth Mercies so changed by him to be likewise God not according to flesh for God is a Spirit born of a Woman but of the Essence and substance of God Omnipotent begotten by God the Father to put away the sins of the World and so took humane flesh by the Holy Virgin Mary suffered for us died and was buried and according to the sayings of the Prophets arose again the third day and ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father there to judge the quick and the dead to render immortal happiness to those that have faith in him and to the unfaithful everlasting punishment I then presented him a Crucifix and said Behold this now and see if Mahomet did unworthily call the Son of the eternal God by Name of Mercies when with Arms thus stretched forth he calls poor sinners to his embraces saying Come unto me all ye that labour and art burthened with sins and I will refresh you And to render him more capable of the Trinity I pointed to the Sun saying You have a fair similitude here as there is but one Sun that hath form heat and light so there is but one God the Father who hath Son and the Holy Spirit which you call Ruâ—ahim consisting of three Persons equally of one substance and from Eternity coexisting This comparison wrought in him a belief in God the Father his onely begotten Son and the Holy Ghost a Trinity in Unity And when he had heard my weak discourses of God the Father God the Son and God the holy Ghost he much admired with saying O God O God I nor any of our Sect could ever imagine you had such good thoughts of God for we conceive you live in darkness of understanding but by your relation it seems you have great apprehensions of him and believe well if you did not neglect our great Prophet of God Mahomet I said What shall we do with the toyes and dreams of Mahomet for besides Baptism and the mystery of the Trinity which were had from Christians we know the Alcoran contains nought that tends to Truth Then I alledged to him the fancies and silly trifles of Mahomet's two Angels called Arot and Marot whom Mahomet sayes That God did send from Heaven to minister justice unto mortal men commanding them to forbid drinking of wine and unlawful mixtures with women to shew the ways to heaven to no man These Angels transgressing Divine Commandment were defiled deceived and made drunk by a Woman and shewed to Mahomet the way to heaven whom when God saw there he asked the Angels standing by who it was that came in that shape thither And the Angels telling him it was by the error of Arot Marot he turn'd the Woman into a Star and sent those Angels chained into a well to be punished everlastingly Divers like ridiculous stories I related as that of the Beast Baraile who could speak as man who carryed Mahomet to heaven where himself confesseth to have seen great Angels with many heads and those speaking many Languages in divers Tongues which is sufficiently foolish unworthy the name of a Prophet but said I knew not whether oppressed with Wine in sleep he dreamed to have seen such miracles or monstrosities in his imaginations And therefore when he inserts such follies in his Alcoran he deserves nor the Title of a Prophet from any reasonable man Having heard this somewhat abashed he arose and would argue no further but led me into the Temple and shewed me certain Images carved in wood and asked me If we did worship those silmilitudes of men or adore them I answered No think not we worship the stones or timber wherein these figures are engraved they are used and respected onely as records and remembrances to mens mindes of the passions and sufferings of our Saviour Jesus Christ for the redemption of our transgressions and we worship our true God in minde and Spirit remembred by that Crucifix neither are you denied the like remembrances of your great Princes and famous men nor we of holy Saints but 't is to give God thanks for their examples of holiness and our prayers to imitate their charity and pieties In these
God who hath preserved us from such calamities and likewise hoping to encrease the number of relenting mindes and charitable dispositions My poverty and weak capacity could finde no other means to be instrumental for them Thick and dark clouds have eclipsed the warmth and comfort of the Sun from me but Be you merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful Farewel ERRATA Page Line  12. 23. for and paid read are paid 14. 16. put out Troy-weight 28. 5. for teh read the. 44. 8. Passengers read Passages 79. 1. do kill read do not kill 102. 14. for their fenars read their defenc◠117. 21. for drunk read drink 123. 8. for Rocks read Rocks Of the Rites and Ceremonies of the TURKS CHAP. I. Of their Oratories THe fabricks of their Churches are sufficiently large and sumptuous and called by the name of Meschites in which I never could perceive any sort of fancies or imageries for Idolatry is held by them the worst of abominations but onely these or one of these inscriptions following in the Arabick Language There is no God but one and Mahomet his Prophet or One Creator and Prophets equal or None is strong as God Then there is seen a great abundance of burning Lamps the whole Church whited the Pavement covered with Mattresses and on them the Ornaments of Tapestries Neer the Church is erected a Tower of great height to the top whereof the Priest ascends before the time of Prayers and with a loud voice his ears stopped with his fingers he thrice proclaims these words God True One which Clamour or Outcry for they have no Bells being heard the Nobility and all unbusied persons repair to Church as bound to that devotion Afterwards the said Priest descending prays with them and then they turn their faces towards Mecha And this he is tyed to do by his Office five times day and night But whosoever cometh to these Prayers must wash his hands his feet and privities and his head thrice sprinkled with water and these words pronounced Glory to my God Then their shooes put off and left at the Church-door they enter in some bare-footed others having new Shooes or Socks and so tenderly touch the ground Women come not into Churches as being not excis'd and for fear of disturbing mens devotions but meet apart in severed places altogether shut off from eyes and ears of men and more seldome frequent their Churches except in time of Passeover or Easter and on Fridays which days from Mahomet's Traditions for distinction and imitation they almost respect as much as Jews their Sabbaths or Christians the Lords day They pray from nine a clock at night till twelve and in their praying their bodies are ever in great motion and agitation wherewith they marvelously afflict themselves with loud cryings and fierce ejaculations so as oftentimes their strengths and spirits failing they sink unto the ground and if it happen any of them conceive her self with child she then assures her self that pregnancy proceeds from favour of the Holy Spirit and when delivered the Infants born are called Sons or Souls of the Holy Ghost This hath been related to me from their Hand-maids for I nor ever any man else were present at that spectacle At mens devotions I have been often present with my Master whose customes are in manner following in their prayers they ne'er take off their Turbants coverings of their heads but with the tops of their fingers gently touch them in token of taking them off they fall upon their knees and often kiss the ground they hold it for great wickedness to have a Christian present at their mysteries for they believe their Churches as they say to be polluted by men unwashed and that Christians use not such Lavatories Every Church in Turky hath a peculiar place for Baths and washings with lodgings for a Priest Now here the Priest ascends his Pulpit reads a piece of the Alcoran and sometimes expounds it and there preaches about two hours his Sermon ended two boyes come up to him who pronounce their prayers singing with responsals which Songs being ended the Priest with the whole People in a low voice beating upon their sides repeat these words There is but one God which for the space of half an hour they do and so depart But this manner of Prayers and Ceremonies of Preaching and singing are not done every day unless in time of Lent Festivals some Sundayes and most observe the Fridayes for religious worship Of their Lent THey keep their Lent by fasting one Month and one Week every Year but not alwayes the same for if this Year they fast out January the next they fast out February and keep on that course so as in twelve Years space they dedicate to God in lieu of tenths one Year and twelve Weeks Travellers and sick Persons are excused from present fastings but are injoyned to supply it by fasting so many dayes at other times When they fast all that Day they taste nothing not so much as Bread or Water then the Stars appearing it is lawful for them to eat of all things which are not strangled or Hoggs-flesh which they esteem as carrion most unclean Their Lent being past they observe Easter for three dayes with great solemnity anoynting the Nails of their Feet and Fingers with an Oyl which they call Chna which maker those Nails to shine like Gold and with the same they somtimes stain or colour the Hoofs and Tails of Horses This Tincture holds very long can hardly be wip'd away so as until new Nails thrust out the old they still retain that dye but Nails of the Hand by frequent washing abate in time Women do not onely anoynt the Nails but their whole Hands and Feet also with that Oyl Of their Circumcision THey Circumcise not on the eighth day as the Jews do but when the new-born arrive at the age of seven or eight yeers and be of perfect speech the mystery whereof is from the words of confession required before circumcision which are some of those sentences afore-mentioned in their Churches which they repeat and give assent thereto by holding up the Thumbe of the right-Hand The Youth is not for this mystery brought unto their church but is circumcised in his Parents House I have been often present at this solemnity which is performed in manner following first the friends are all invited to a feast sufficiently furnished with all sorts of delicate flesh lawful for them to eat and almost everywhere especially amongst the wealthier sort an Ox is killed bowelled and flawed in the body whereof they include a Sheep and in that Sheep a Hen and in her an Egge all which are entirely roasted together for the solemnity and splendor of that day Then in their Feast and time of Supper the Boy that is to be circumcised is brought to a Physitian skilful in that Art who fixing between a pair of pinchers the fore-skin of his privie Member to prevent all fear in the
Spanish Souldiery the warlike fierceness of the Belgicke Provinces the quick prudence of the Italian wits the robustiousness and stoutness of the Germans will be easily perswaded by the King of Romans against this universal Enemy remembring you withal No Crown sits so gloriously on an Emperour or Princes head as that which beareth a true Title of the Peoples safety and lawful Liberties Imploring and beseeching the most Christian King of France to employ his helping and heroick Arms in safeguard according to his Title of his Christian Brethrens liberties and his own from Turkish Tyranny Imploring and beseeching the most mighty and potent Kings of England Poland Denmark Swedeland with all Republicks Cities and Corporations Christian to unite and joyne in one their strengths and powers in war against this cankered common Enemy of their Religion Crowns and Dignities Imploring and beseeching all sorts of Powers and Authorities spiritual and temporal to imploy their diligence and shew the worthiness of their callings by correction and amendment of wicked and dissolute loose livers by whom God's wrath is kindled against us and to reduce them to holy Rules of Christian Exercises in living justly soberly and religiously and so render God a true account of Stewardship and prevent the miseries have befallen others drowsie and sleeping inadvertencies Imploring and beseeching both young and old of all sects and conditions godly Christians religious and secular beloved Fathers dear Brethren respected Friends Neighbours and Companions That you all with humble face and countenance pure and sincere hearts and hands devout mindes mournfull voyces and weeping eyes condole grieve and lament the miseries the calamities of Turkish captives and call unto the Lord of Hosts with violence in pity to his people to avert his anger and not to give them up to the perpetual rebuke of this wicked Infidel most cruel Enemy of Christian Religion and Liberty but to inspire the mindes of Christian Kings and Governours with light of his holy Spirit to reduce them all to unity and concord against this ravenous and insatiable Dragon and grant others such success that these wretched captives their Christian Brethren may be restored to liberty in the worship and adoration of their God our Christ and onely serve him who is for ever blessed that at length the Christian World may be refreshed and eas'd from such perpetual slavery CHAP. V. An Exhortation against the TURK I Have often marvelled with my self most mighty Monarchs when I considered the advaÌ„tages which promise Christians victories against the Turk and yet inso many yeers they attempted none or failed We have Jesus Christ our God who in one onely night destroyed the host of Sennacherib who drowned Pharaoh who with a maiden hand of Judith struck off thâ— head of Hâ—lâ—phernes and to be 〈…〉 a God whose will is victory Conâ—â—ary to which they have a Mahomet a wicked man of life conversation in death yet hanging in his Sepulchre without Resurrection so as there is as much difference between them as is between an ever living Son of an ever living God and a putrid carkass of a son of a mortal man that if we diligently examine the nature of each Power and Authority it would apear like dead men superiors in strength to living Now in abilities of bodies capacities and gifts of understanding we exceed them which are good strengths and fortifications against an enemy and yet we are still defeated Who is more hardy then the Hungarian more stout and robustious then the German more quick and nimble then the Frenchmen more grave and solid then the Spaniard more cautelous and prudent then the Italian more valiant and daring then the English forbearing other Nations the endowments of whose mindes are better or at least equal All these abilities seem able singly to get a victory or at least well to forward it Courage often without much force generosity of minde wisdom forecast ambition of honour and policy oft subdues an Enemy yet notwithstanding wretches as we are amongst so many victorious attributes we get no victories Then if we consider the easie preparation great furnitures of all sorts of arms we shall appear far to exceed the Turk Guns of all sorts have bin our own inventions and the divers kindes of compleat harnesses for horse and foot The Turks Persians Subjects naked or half so march forth to war they have bows we guns that is fire and thunder they have arrows which hardly pierce an Armour we Cannons which Rocks cannot withstand and yet now some Mussel-men have Guns and Gunners but few and unskilful Now I pray what other kinde of people use they most in Expeditions Scythians and Thracians who have no Italian or Spanish Spirits onely a kinde of inhumane fierceness ignorance and stolidity to these are added Grecians lost men with ease and laziness Asians corrupt with luxury Aegyptians no less in minde then bodies feebled Arabians bloodless thin and parboyl'd with the Sun Who could imagine such-kinde of Souldiery should subdue the great advantages and abilities of those fore named Nations yet be it spoken with grief our Christians by these are overcome and mastered into servitude and our great Captains are forced to bear arms against us who were born and bred by Ancestors to liberty and in the mean season the Turk laughs at us and the Jew rejoyceth Now if I shall consider the Laws and Institutions of Nations we shall be found abundantly superiour in that respect for what is more righteous and divine then the Decalogue and holy Gospel written by God's own Finger and his Spirit what more regular then the Canon-Law more just and equal then the civil Law Whereas the Turks live by Direction Dictates of the Alcoran a book of stuff as foolish as full of vanity a book of sport and mirth if pity for the seduced did not allay it though now spread abroad too much and handled amongst Christians so as it may be truely feared we shall learn other Laws or shortly lose our own and turn Turks in our mindes and approbations sooner then in our bodies to their Dominion What is then the cause having so many prerogatives of hopeful war we are alwayes beaten why are our Ensigns adorn'd with Crucifixes fearful formerly to infidels and devils now trampled on frighted I shall tell you in few words and truth We have a God most great most good but alienated from us so far that according to the Prophets saying We scarce are to be named his people for why should Christ remain with us whom we have rent and torn in far more pieces then the Souldiers did his Garment by our hideous Sects Schismes and Heresies Besides his Name what of him is dear unto us The very Plow man these times is impudent and factious the Citizen fraudulent and avaritious the Magistrate seeks retributions and rewards the Nobility is riotous and lazy the Gentry contentious and proud the Souldier beyond his pay and spoil craves nothing from