nothing memorable in this Kingdom but some places where the Inhabitants do pick up golden sand which they refine and sell to the Merchants of Melinde that bring hither their Camels This Country hath no Barley nor Wheat but instead of those grains they have Tafo Daguza seed with which they make a bread very pleasant to the taste but much more sweet than ours It grows in any ground the worst as well as the best nature hath thus provided for all Countries and people a means to supply themselves by their industry if they will make use of it This Country is extream hot and the most unfit for dwelling of any one that I have seen in the Territories of the Neguz the beams of the Sun beat against the sandy ground and meeting there with an obstinate resistance they return back into the face and uncovered part of the body so that it is not possible to walk here abroad about noon by reason of the excessive heat therefore the inhabitants do keep themselves within their Houses from ten of the clock until two In the Houses that are all thatcht and supported with posts it is very cool the Sun-beams have not the power to enter in through the Reeds Of Amara ALthough this Kingdom is directly under the Line there is not a more pleasant place to dwell in all over the world It is full of Mountains and Valleys about twenty leagues in circumference adorned with high Woods and Forrests the ground is extream fruitful the people very civil the Clergy devout the Nobles gallant and brave In the mountains are many little Villages planted in the low ground and in the midst of them is a strong Castle that looks like a Town for the outmost wall contain about two miles in circumference Here the Kings Children are kept with the Emperours as Hostages of their fidelity They are all trained up in several exercises the only inconveniency is that they are here confined to live which it may be to them is no inconveniency for they never see any thing else but these mountains and think the world hath no other place for a dwelling but here The Bishop of Amara a very grave man introduced us into the Castle where the Emperours Children were kept they were then but young the eldest was not above four years of age His countenance was promising we had a sight of the Gardens and Walks full of pleasant Fountains and Rivulets artificially brought into these high places The Walks were covered with a Tree not usual in our Country the branches were twisted one with another in such a manner that no Sun could penetrate them they were entertained always green for at the root of the Trees on both sides of the Walk a little Current of fresh water doth always run that refresheth the roots and preserveth them from the droughth of Summer It is as delicious a place as any I have seen in Europe the Children have the liberty to hunt and divert themselves out of the Walls of this Castle but they are never to go out of the mountains while their Father lives for that purpose a strict guard is kept at the passage where no man can go or come without leave It is both narrow and steepy made with the hand a few persons are able to keep it from all the world in the castle are places appointed for the exercise of the youth and over them they have Masters learned and experienced in all those Sciences and Disciplines that they are to know Here are excellent Astrologers for that is a Science unto which this Country people is addicted They have some here learned in the Arabian and Indian Tongues others that give themselves over to the study of Philosophy and Nature but very few do trouble their brains with Divinity this makes them less notional but more practical for they know no niceties in Cases of Conscience to excuse their actions and inclinations The other Kingdoms are less remarkable only that of Damut and Goiame are full of Mines of Gold The Emperour keeps them with above 6000 men in Arms continually Tegrai and Vangue are mountainous and peopled with wild beasts trees more than with men Xoa is rich and fruitful but in it nothing else remarkable Of the Religion of the Abyssins and of the manner of their Discipline THey do all profess the Christian faith with much zeal the Church of the Queen Candaces whose name they say was Indich first brought this Religion into their Country that was for the most part possessed with the Jewish St. Thomas afterwards went into that Country and there did confirm them in the Christian Religion obliging all the inhabitants by the greatness and number of his Miracles to embrace it Some opposition he met with from the Grandees that had always retained the Pagan superstitions especially in the Kingdom of Damut where there is a mountain that bears yet his name The Heathens subject to the Emperour of Aethiopia had got him into their possession and were resolved to make him suffer for the destruction and neglect of their Idols they had often attempted upon his life but neither Sword nor Poison could injure his Person they sought therefore to drown him in a lake and when that could not procure his death they shut him up in a Tower built in the top of these unpleasant mountains where he remained prisoner until an Angel took him from thence leaving all his keepers dead on the ground and brought him again to the Imperial Court where he complained of the violence and unjustice that had been done unto him which the Emperor going about to revenge raised an Army to seize upon the King of Damut that had consented to the imprisonment of the Apostle He remained here many years until he departed into the Indies where he preached also the Gospel He left behind him many thousand Christians and as they say he brought unto them the two books Abelil and Menda and established here the Discipline that is used amongst them with all the Ceremonies practised They and the Capties of Egypt differ much in point of ceremony but in belief they are Eutycheans as for the most part Some there are that have true and Orthodox opinions of Christ Here is the form of their belief published in writing amongst them by which we may judge of them further WE believe in the Name of the Holy Trinity the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit who are but one Lord three names but one Divinity three faces but one similitude The conjunction of the persons is equal in the Divinity for there is but one Kingdom one Throne one Judge one Charity one Word and one Spirit The word of the Father of the Son and the word of the Holy Ghost and the Son is the same word The word with God and with the holy Spirit and with himself is the son of the Father and from the Father without the least deficiency or division without
honour walks Women are rarely seen amongst the men at Court they have a private place unto which none is admitted but the Abuna and some of the most Religious Persons They have Eunuchs that wait upon them usually Blacks they appear at the Churches but in a place separated from the rest Sometimes when the Emperour will shew his Grandeur and happiness to his Courtiers he sends for his Chief Queen who must appear in all the State and Glory that her Industry or Beauty can produce she is received by the Emperour with some expressions of kindness and then she is admitted to sit down on his right hand for the left is the place of honour in Abassia Once every year he hath a great Feast kept at Court with wonderful expressions of joy it is the day of the Emperours Birth It is the custom that the Neguz should give entertainment to all that will be pleased to accept of his kindness he is the next day after requited with Presents of the most considerable Persons of his Court. This Imperial Court is never fixed in any one place but Marches with the Emperour about 6000 Tents do always pitch about him in such an excellent order that in a moment from the farthermost tent one may come to that of the great Neguz where a strong guard watches about his Person day and night The Souldiers of the Kings guard are very neatly attired and well furnished with Bows and Guns they are mixed at present since the use of Powder was introduced amongst them by the Portugueses Of the Government THe Emperour hath several great Kingdoms that acknowledge his jurisdiction and seven or eight crowned heads that are under him His name is Giam Belul that is Precious Giam Or John a name of the same signification as Illustrious Serenus Excellent c. Titles that we give to our Princes When he writes this is his stile In the name of God the Father Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth of things visible and invisible in the name of God the Son Jesus Christ who is the same with the Father from the beginning of the world Light of Light true God of true God and in the name of God the Holy Spirit who is also a living God proceeding from the Father This Letter you shall receive from a mighty King whose name the Lions do respect by the grace of God I am call'd Athani Tinghib that is the Incense of the Virgin the son of K. David the son of Solomon the Son of the King by the hand of Mary the Son of Naw according to the flesh the son of S. Peter S. Paul according to grace the beloved of God the Pillar of the Faith who hath taken upon him the name of Abraham Emperour of the Great and upper Ethiopia and of large Kingdoms and dominions King of Xoa of the Cafates of Fatigar of Angote of Baru of Baliganze of Adea of Vangue of Goiame where is Nilus source of Damaraa of Vaguemedri of Ambea of Vagne of Tigremahon of Sabaym the Country of the Queen of Saba of Bamagaes and Supream Lord as far as Nubia that confines upon Egypt c. Many Titles and Kingdoms are heapt together to express his Grandeur at present he enjoys but the Titles alone of many of those Kingdoms whiles others do eat up the reversion eleven or twelve of them do remain faithful to him sometimes the Inhabitants are disturbed by their war-like Neighbours but they could never be subdued by any other Prince for his sake they endure the loss of their Goods Estates Children and oft times they are driven into extream Poverty because they cannot leave their lawful Prince but they must also renounce Religion with him before they can be accepted of by their enemies This consideration ties them fast to the Neguz interest and obliges them to be most faithful unto him notwithstanding all their losses The Government of this Great Prince is partly Arbitrary and partly Subject to the written Laws that are contained in two Volums written as they say by the Apostles themselves The first they call Manida the other they name Abethilis they comprehend the Rules of Government relating to right or wrong they further observe much of the politick Law of Moses which he commanded the Jews In those other occasions of which these Books are silent the Emperours or the Judges pleasure and reason passeth for a Law The first Books called Manida and Abethil are full of most excellent Rules and Statutes Some wise man of that Empire composed them for to direct the Prince in the execution of his Office and that they might receive more credit he caused it to be bruited abroad that these books had been found in the ruines of the Church where St. Lycanon who was sent into Ethiopia by St. Philip the Apostle did teach and that they had been composed by the Disciples of our Saviour assembled together in a general Councel Assoon as this religious lye had been divulged every one was desirous to see and hear the Contents of this Book when they saw therefore that the matter was answerable to the fame of it they began really to credit it so that they do as religiously obey the commands of these Books as the Gospels and the word of God When the Emperour dines or sups some small portion of it is read before him after the Musick which in this country is very pleasant and grateful to the ear more than in any other place out of Italy although the instruments upon which they play be not like ours The Emperour hath one Judge called Bikir over all his dominions to judge of matters of right or wrong under him are the Sudhâ—drie's provincial Judges that are to give up an account of their actions to him they are often removed at the least complaint and others placed in their rooms It is a great disgrace to receive a bribe they all do follow the dictates of reason in pronouncing their sentences in proportioning the penalties according to the nature and hainousness of the offences These Judges have only a power over the people the Clergy and Monks have other Officers and Superintendants that do judge of their matters Besides these inferiour Judges every other year the grand Marshal or Supream Bikir sends men into several Provinces to hearken after the behaviour and examine the deportment of the Judges If any be found guilty of any crime he is severely punished and shamefully thrust out of his Office with a mark of Infamy that renders him incapable of having any publick employment in this Country Such seldom remain there long for the shame and obloquy of the people forces them to be gone and seek other habitations in a remote Country The Bikir hath also his Lieutenants like unto our Colonels disposed of in all the dominions of grand Neguz each Lieutenant gives him account of all the men he is able to provide for the service of the Prince in case of necessity
〈…〉 y beginning he was the son of his Father without Mother no body can know the Mystery of his filiation unless it be the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit Now this Son was in the beginning the Word and this Word was the Word with God and the Word was God The spirit of the Father the holy Spirit the spirit of the Son is the â—ame divine Spirit the holy Spirit is without diminution or increase this Divine Spirit is called the Comforter a living God who proceeds from the Father and the Son he spake by the mouth of the Prophets he descended in a flame of fire upon the Apostles in Sion They published all over the world and preached the word of the Father and this word is the Son Besides the Father is not first because he is the Father nor the Son the last because he is Son so the Holy Ghost is neither the first nor the last They are three Persons and one God that sees all and is seen of no body he hath by his own counsel created all things afterwards the Son for our Salvation with the consent of the Father and of the divine Spirit descended from the highest Heavens â—â— incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary who was adorned with a twofold Virginity with a spiritual and carnal He was born without anâ— corruption his Mother Mary remaining a Virgin after his Birth foâ— by a great miracle she brought her Son Jesus Christ without effusion of bloud or pangs He was a just man without sin perfect God and perfect man having but one Person wheâ— he was a Child he grew up by degrees sucking the Milk of his Mother the Virgin Mary and when he came to be thirty years of age he was baptized in the River Jordan As other men he walked sweat hungred thirsted and was weary He suffered all things willingly and shewed many miracles By the power of his Divinity he restored sight to the blind he healed the lame cleansed the lepers raised the dead at last of his own accord he was taken prisoner whipt buffeted crucified he languished and dyed foâ— our siâ—s by his death he did overcome death and the Devil by his sufferings he satisfied for our sins and bore our infirmities with the Baptism of his bloud which is that of his death he baptized the holy Patriarchs and Prophets he descended into Hell where were the Souls of Adam and of his Sons and of Christ himself which is of Adam This soul of Adam Christ did receive from the Holy Virgin Mary by the power and Authority of his Divinity and efficaciousness of his Cross he broke the strong gates of hell and of death he confined Satan to his chains and redeemed Adam and his Sons All this Christ did because he was filled with the Divinity and the Divinity itself was with his soul and with his most holy body which Divinity hath granted vertue to the Cross this Divinity he enjoys common with the Father as he â—â— ways did At last he was buryed 〈…〉 the third day Jesus Christ the f 〈…〉 of the Resurrection our greatest delight the chief Priest Jesus Christ the great King of Israel rose â—â— from the dead by his own strength and power And when all was accomplished that had been fore-told by the holy Prophets he ascended into Heaven with glory and is sate down at the right hand of the Father he shall come again with glory having before him a Cross and in his hand the Sword of Justice to judge both the quick and the dead of whose Kingdom there shall never be any end We believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church we believe one Baptism for the remission of sins we hope â—or the Resurrection of the dead and the life of the World to come Amen This is their Creed they often do repeat it in their Churches especially every new Moon with many gests which they have retained of their former Religions The Priest that officiates says it alone and three or four times the people do repeat these words This is our Faith Since they have had knowledge of the Roman Catholick Religion they have added something to their Creed by the consent of one of their general Assemblies for they were careful to hinder their people from receiving any other Opinions than those that they had formerly embraced for when they saw that our Priests and Jesuits were busie in drawing them to the faith of the Church of Rome they published a little addition to their Creed to inform every one of their judgments hinder them to receive any opinions which they do not approve of We believe that the Virgin Mary is a pure Virgin before and after the Birth of Christ as she is the Mother of God she ought to be loved and respected accordingly but we neither worship Her nor pray unto Her We believe that the Cross of Christ is a useful sign it was upon it that he suffered for our sins and purchased unto us Salvation with his own bloud His Cross is a scandal to the Jews and a folly to the Gentiles but to us Christians it is in much esteem and honour we believe that the Cross of Christ is sufficient to redeem us as S. Paul hath taught us but the outward sign and use of it we employ more for distinction than out of duty And that we may never think it a scorn to wear the badge of our Profession We believe that S. Peter was the first of the Apostles that the Stone that Christ mentions upon which his Church is built is his Law and Faith which Law is established upon the Prophets and Apostles unto them was granted the power of governing the Church of binding and loosing and to them was committed the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven But we do not acknowledge the Superiority that his Successors the Popes of Rome do derive from S. Peter nor do we believe that he ever had any priviledge which the others did not enjoy We believe that the holy Apostles Saints and Martyrs that are in glory did follow the foot-steps of our Saviour Christ and that they have received from him the pardon of their sins as we do We believe that we must honour them with the holy Angels but we do not approve of prayers made unto them nor of the sufficiency of their Merits to benefit us or the Church of Christ We believe that it is well done to confess our sins before the Ministers of the Church for by their prayers we may be assisted and comforted We receive all the books of the Old and New Testament as they were delivered unto us by S. Thomas without any addition or innovation We believe that our Clergy have liberty to Marry as the Apostles and Disciples of our Saviour were but that it is not lawful for a Priest to have two Wives or a Concubine We believe that we are bound to obey in Conscience cur Supream Lord â—iam Belul and under
in the middle of a large mountain called Amarak where a stately Castle is built encompassed with the River Borohr and fortified with a strong wall There they are kept with the other precious things belonging to the Emperour they never go out unless it be in the Gardens and places of Recreation with which this territory is abundantly furnished and then they never loose the sight of their governours and guard when the Father is dead the chief Officers of the Empire come to this place and unless the eldest be uncapable of the honour they take him to succeed in his Fathers room If there be no Sons the eldest Daughter takes the Scepter During their Fathers life they are kept here as in a Seraglio to learn all exercises proper to their Sex and age They are taught the Hebrew and Arabick tongues humane Philosophy and the Principles of Christian Religion Here is for that purpose a large Library of above ten thousand Volums all in Manuscripts some told me that they had there the most ancient Books of the world written by the Aegyptian Sages in the time of Moses by Phaenicians afterwards and by the Learned of all Ages I saw some in the Library into which I had the leave to enter that were made of the Aegyptian leaf called Papyrus and others made of old Parchment that did bear the marks of antiquity I ask'd the Subdi an Officer that led me in to see the curiosities how they did to preserve the Books so many years from consuming he told me that they do usually transcribe them when the leaves are worn or likely to decay and that for that intent there are twenty three Persons appointed with a good maintenance for them by the former Emperours their imployment is only to transcribe and copy out the books that age threatens to spoil they have not the excellent use of Printing for want of communication with their European brethren Hither are also sent the chief Noblemens sons of the Empire to keep company with the Royal bloud and to receive with them the instructions which this place only affords for here is maintained a Learned Bishop with several inferiour Priests that have the charge of instructing and tutering the Children that are committed to their custody The Bishop is Governor of the Castle and Overseer of the Diocess oâ— Kingdom of Amara here is his Palace and place of abode he seldom stirs to Court The Emperour visits this place oncea year with his Wives When he is chosen then all his brethren accompany him to his Coronation a great solemnity in this place as well as amongst our Christian Princes afterwards the Males are sent to govern Provinces the Maids are disposed of in Mariage to Noblemen who commonly expect this time as an opportunity to advance themselves by such an alliance The Emperour is first crowned with thorns before he puts on the Imperial Diadem in imitation of our Saviour or to express the troublesome employment that he is to undertake The Abuna puts both upon his head in the place appointed for the devotions of the people in the presence of all the Nobility of the Country At that time the Prisons are opened a thousand slaves are released at the Emperours charge and the poor are relieved actions that become a Christian Emperour besides a great Feast is kept several days with all the splendor that becomes so great a Prince and sâ— large a Fortune and great Revenue The present Emperouâ— name is Abraham he is a young man about thirty years of age his Meen is comely and pleasant his body is streight and tall the features of his face are very welâ— proportioned so that he passetâ— for a great Beauty amongst them his eyes are quick and large he iâ— much delighted with the sport oâ— hunting the wild Beasts for thaâ— intent he keeps excellent Horse and great Mastives that are fetchâ— out of Indostan and Arabia thâ— chief Officers that are near his Person are his Bishur the Lieutenant General of his Armies the Zoroah the Treasurer and superintendant of his revenues the Bikir the grand Marshal of the Kingdom who is also the supream Judge of Affairs of consequence the Huloh the Secretary of State Diriharvah Neguz the Captain of the Guard or preserver of the great Emperours Person Satyrhab is the Chamberlain of his Houshold the Grashun is the keeper of his Horses several other Officers are in his Court whose names I omit when they come to their Emperour they bow their knee three times to the ground The Embassadours of the Infidels do never receive the honour of speaking to him but they are dealt with by the mediation of some appointed for that purpose The Abuna is much respected at Court what he speaks is received by all as a Law The former Emperour was a man of War but this is a Peace-maker to his own prejudice and that of his Subjects He hath this good quality that he is severe against all vices against Swearing and Drunkenness c. He is fitter to sit upon a peaceable Throne than to govern one that hath so many watchful enemies about it as his hath He is very inquisitive into all Affairs he suffers none to be dispatcht without his knowledge He is not easily over-ruled by Councel but sticks fast to his own opinion and resolution sometimes to his prejudice he is very Religious and a great observer of the Ceremonies of his Church hating all things that appear with the face of Innovation by this means it happens that all about him look so serious in their Religious duties and shew less profaness in their Practises their Princes example encourages them If any be named debauch'd he is certain to be disgrac'd as soon as the fame hath reach'd his Masters ear A great favourite of the Emperour one that attended on him continually was suspected to have some familiarity with anothers Wife the suspicion was blown by some envious persons into the Emperours ear who presently sent for him and dismissed him his service This good severity causeth his Laws to be well obeyed Did this Emperour know as well how to deal with his enemies as he doth know how to govern his Subjects he would be as much feared abroad as he is reverenced at home and all his Neighbours would stand in aw of him I doubt not but the Empire of Ethiopia would be again restored to its former Greatness could he but as well manage a Sword as a Scepter But that weakness is to be attributed to the manner and place of his Education he hath been shut within the narrow limits of a little Territory unto which he did confine his ambition when he was produced in the world his larger fortune did not increase his pretentions but being content to what he then enjoyed the increase was look'd upon as a super fluity besides this manner of Education weakens the spirits that should have a compass and a larger scope to act than a narrow
mountain or a small Territory He was there so accustomed to a Pedantick life that he knew not how to handle the helm of State and act supream in the business of the Empire His Governours I conceive did so domineer over him as it is their custom that he was ignorant in any other thing but how to obey As therefore our Countryman Machiavel wisely advises let the Prince that is to succeed his Father be nursed up in the Camp and in the midst of business amongst men of courage and resolution that he may take impressions sutable to the employment he is to have in the world for were a Prince to judge of a proposition of Divinity or to compose a piece of Latine or Greek I would then shut in the wandring thoughts of his youth and not suffer them to see the world abroad but seeing he is to command men rather than Schollars and to compose those Affairs upon which depend his Subjects quiet and happiness I think it is wisdom to train him up accordingly and let him see the face of Souldiers as well as of Pedants a Gun and a Sword as well as Books that he may not only be a Master but a King My business is not to enlarge upon the manner of Education proper to a Prince only I take notice of the defaults I have mark'd in Ethiopia in the bringing up their young Nobility and the Person that is to wear the Crown that if these Memoirs have the happiness to fall into the hands of any of our Princes of Italy they may not make their Children so bookish that they may not be able to handle a Sword This present Emperour of Ethiopia is the most Learned of all his Dominions he speaks Arabick Persian Hebrew and many other Languages he is read in Philosophy in Astrology He is fitter for contemplation than for action Of the Imperial Court UNder so Religious and Learned a Prince we may look for Courtiers of the same temper for although some may follow their inclinations it is common to see them frame themselves according to their Princes will and disposition Never any Court was better modelled Solomon from whom this Emperour gives out to have derived his Pedigree did never order his Houshold in a more excellent manner Every Officer is to be dil igentin his place if any be careless or corrupt the Sheâ—â—vaâ—ous the Comptrolers and Officers appointed to take notice 〈…〉 all misdemeanours lesser offences are punished with the discredit of losing the place greater with imprisonment and loss of Estate and life The Neguz himself is so severe that lately at the request of his Mother he would not pardon a murderer one of his Attendants when he had killed a child of an Inferiour birth and Parentage but caused him to be forthwith banished out of his Territories Besides the Bishops that wait upon the Court here are ten Chaplains Ministers of the Inferiour Orders of the Clergy who do on the Sabbath day expound before the Emperour in their turns some Text of Scripture according to the ancient manner of the Jews who had their Synagogues where the Law was read and explained to the people every week The Saturday is the day appointed in this place for publick Devotion The manner observed at that time I shall set down in its place all Orders of men do resort to their Churches to assist in the service of God In the Court are entertained all the Princes sons that have any dependency upon this Empire when they come of age whiles they are young they are kept in the Castle of Amara and there brought up with the young Emperor a policy not unuseful to this State for by this means they are taught be time to know and respect their future Prince and when they are of age to manage and govern the Affairs of their several jurisdictions they are more faithful to his interest for whom they have had a kindess from their Infancy for nothing nourishes love so much as an early acquaintance and nothing lays a better foundation to a sincere friendship and loyalty as a familiarity from their tender years They are there taught to honour and respect the Emperours Children and he is also obliged to a loving correspondency with them But assoon as they come of age the Emperor calls them to Court and there they are further instructed and tutored before he commits unto them their Fathers Estates and Kingdoms This obliges also the Parents to stick close to the Emperour for their sons are as pledges in His Court of their fidelity and obedience The Emperour is not to dwell in any house nor to make any long residence in any Town for they look upon it as beneath his Grandeur to be confined within the Walls of any habitation and they judge it not consistant with the benefit of the publick that one place should constantly enjoy him therefore it is provided by the Statute Law of that Nation that the Prince shall never stay above four days in any Town for that reason when he hath been beaten by his Neighbours he shut not up himself in Cities or Fortresses but saved himself into the remotest and Desart places where none did offer to seek him out or to adventure themselves but the wild beasts The people of the Country that hold from him all their Lands and Tenements do never suffer him to be long in that distress but they flock about him out of a fear to lose the right or privileges of his protection so that if he loseth one battel and his people be destroyed whiles there are any remaining in the Land he is able to make a head against the enemy for all are obliged in such cases to appear in Arms from sixteen years old toâ— sixty unless sickness doth furnisâ— them with any reasonable excuse There is one practice remarkable in this Court every morningâ— all the Officers of the Neguz dâ— pay their respects unto him abouâ— eight a clock not to his Personâ— but to something that representâ— it In the Anti-Chamber of the Emperour is a couch of Statâ— standing under a glorious Canopyâ— upon three steps above the couchâ— is a Golden Scepter richly set with precious Stones and Pearls it commonly leans against the hanging of the room Before this empty seat are always waiters to observe all that omit to pay their daily homage It is the duty of every one to present himself and kneel three times to the ground before it every morning whether the Emperour be there or not The Abyssins never stir their hats nor discover their heads but in the Churches at their devotions then they observe the practice of all other Christians Lesser civilities are paid only with a bow of the body and an inclination of the head holding the right hand close to the breast greater respects are expressed with the bow of the knee the kissing of the girdle or the thigh and of the ground upon which the person that we intend to
Religiously that there is a great penalty put upon every one that is seen to suffer any water to go out of his mouth that day untill the evening he is forced to pay to the poor and towards the reparations of their Church a large summe of money and to suffer an imprisonment six days during which time he hath scarce enough of water allowed unto him to drink Thus they punish excess or want of abstinence by want of necessaries a good way to make a man sober They give the Sacrament not only to men grown up in years but also to Babes and Children for they do imagine that seeing Christ and his Apostles do esteem them holy of the body of the Church and commands them to be admitted into the Communion of Christians that therefore it is lawful to grant unto them the priviledges of Christian people as if they had an actual faith as those that are more aged have They are ignorant of those great disputes that have lately allarm'd Europe and are not acquainted with theniceties that have put us together by the ears about the Eucharist They know nothing of Transubstantiation the words of the Consecration they understand without any interpretation that they declare unto us the use and benefits that we are to receive by this Sacrament in the Christian Church They do not trouble their heads whether personally or virtually whether corporally or spiritually Christ is present in his Ordinance They hope for salvation without the knowledge of these curiosities and I think they will attain unto it before us that are carryed by these disputes of the Schools to deadly animosities against our brethren we had been in Europe very happy if the liberty of believing in this particular had been left to every one of us but the Devil cannot fish but in troubled waters and turbulent men have raised these disputes for their own interest but could never bring any benefit to the publick by them but ruine and destruction If like the Abyssin Church we had not troubled our selves about trifles we had spared the bloud of many Christian Nations and might be more ready to oppose the Turk that daily incroaches upon us In the celebration of the Sacrament they use no ceremonies nor insignificant gestures at the Consecration but as Chirst commanded so they practice the Bread is of the ordinary bread that they use in those Kingdoms they take of the better sort for this use and lay it in a large plate of Gold or Earth of a blew colour and the Wine is of the juice of the Grape squeezed out of it on purpose They place both very handsomely upon a Table or Altar at the end of the Church and after the Consecration the Priest followed by some Attendants goes to the several Separations where he delivers both kinds to them and they receive them with the greatest expressions of humility and thankfulness imaginable after all is done they sing a Hymn in the Church and the Priest gives them leave to depart with a blessing They baptize both Male and Female the Male on the tenth day the Female on the eighth This Sacrament they often do reiterate but not out of necessity but out of a custom that hath continued many hundred years derived as some do conceive from the practice of the Jews that thought the bodily washing able to contribute to the salvation of the soul These people therefore that were zealous Professors of that Religion do yet retain many of their customs although they do not believe those things that occasioned them at first for that reason they circumcise they often wash and to render their washing more beneficial the Priest on the day of Epiphany repeats over to the persons sprinkled the words of Baptism I baptize thee in the Name of the Father c. All of them do declare that they retain this custom not out of the belief of its necessity but only because it hath continued so long time amongst them for so many hundred years they know not how to reform it But I think that they have no mind to reform or leave it because it flatters the interest of both Priest and people for on that day the Princes officers do make a Feast and give gifts in the name of their Emperour to several persons they rejoyce and suffer none to do any servile work This custom is strengthned by a Law very ancient that whosoever is then baptized should be free from some small impositions that are laid upon them by the Prince Their former Kings have thus interessed the people in the obedience to their pious commands so that although they see how the performance is insignificant and useless nevertheless they do as Religiously observe this custom as if upon it did depend their eternal salvation when the Children are baptized they give the Bread of the Sacrament softned in some Liquor to them Their Religion in general is a mixture of the Jewish and Christian for they observe many of the Ordinances of the Law of Moses that were meerly ceremonial only because their fore-fathers did so This people hath always had a great Veneration for that which is derived unto them by inheritance and in which they were first educated so that they dare not venture to alter what was recommended unto them by their Ancestors practice they wisely fore-see the disorders that change would bring amongst them especially when the customs and ceremonies observed are in themselves indifferent If any be polluted according to the Law of Moses they forbid him to enter the Church until twenty four hours be past and then he must cleanse himself with water For their Churches they have a great Veneration insomuch that in them they neither spit nor suffer any unclean creature to enter when they do go in they take off their shooes the reason that they do alledge is this because Moses was commanded to appear before the bush with naked feet their Temples being as holy as that place on which he did tread they think themselves obliged to follow the same Religious practice They will not also suffer any to walk up and down in their Churches nor to discourse of their private business nor to laugh so highly do they reverence them our people in Italy do profess as much outward respect but they bear less to the Houses of prayer for it is ordinary amongst us to make the great Churches a Rendezvous of Lovers instead of praying to a Saint many whisper their devotions to their Mistresses that are at their sides and they do return answers accordingly thus they cheat the world that fancies them at their prayers and they profane the holy places with unhallowed and lascivious actions The Abyssins do shew unto such an excellent example of piety and and devotion They are no lâ—ss Religious in the other observances of Religion the water in Baptism it is true they do not sanctifie by exorcisms nor do they mingle any other ingredient but as the
and Bloud of Christ in the Sacrament since I am come into Portugal neither do I know wherefore I am esteemed amongst my Christian brethren as a Heathen and an excommunicated person which hath caused me much grief but to him that sees and Judges all things I remit my cause I am not sent by my most mighty Lord the Emperour of Ethiopia to the Bishop of Rome and the most Serene Prince John King of Portugal only to entertain them with disputations but to conclude a firm league and open a correspondency between them not to discourse about humane traditions but to inquire about the errours of Arrius the Prince of Hereticks and know whether the Christians of Europe do joyn with us in opposing his opinions and further that I might know whether it be the custom of the European Christians to assemble in Counsel twice every year about Matters of faith as the Apostles have commanded in their Synodial book the first assembly they order to be met on the day of Pentecosts the second on the tenth of October Besides I am come to know how we agree about the errours of Macedonius of Nestorius and of Eutiches about the last the Council of Calcedone assembled but the Bishops broke up the assembly before any Conclusion retaining their own opinions My Lord the most Mighty Emperour hath-all the books of the General Councel's and is much grieved so are all his subjects for the discords and errours these Tares that the Devil hath sown in the Lords field the Bishop of Rome we have always est comedus the first and most powerful Bishop of the world and were it not for the Mahumetans whose Country being between us do hinder our passage for the great distance of places we should send to his Court very often King Emanuel of blessed Memory did first open a way to us from the Red sea c. Having spoken of these things I will say something of our Emperour of our Patriarch You must know first that our Patriarch is thus solemnly elected by and out of our Monks of Jerusalem that there do dwell at the Sepulchre of our Lord. When the old Patriarch is dead the Emperour dispatches away with all speed an express to the Monks that live at Jerusalem as soon as they have received the news of the death of the Abuna with the Presents that the Emperour sends to our Saviours Sepulchre they proceed to the election of another Abuna whom they chuse by the plurality of voices It is not lawful to pitch upon another for that office but only upon an Inhabitant of Alexandria and upon one whose life is irreproachable When they have chosen him they give unto him his dispatches with the messenger that came to give them notice of the former Abuna's death They go together to Grand Cairo to meet the Egyptian Patriarch that hath there his ordinary residence to the end that he may be acquainted with the election The Patriarch when he approves of the sufficiency of the person for so eminent an office he sends him into Ethiopia with the messenger who must always be according to the ancient custom a Monk of the Order of St. Anthony the Hermite with him this messenger hastenâ— towards Ethiopia wherewith all expressions of joy and honour they are received of all men Sometimes a year or two passes before this business can be dispatched In the mean while the Neguz disposes of the great Revenue of the Abuna according to his pleasure Now the chief office of an Abuna is to confer Holy Orders none but he can give them or ought to take them away or degrade the Priests He never affects to meddle with the giving of Bishopricks or of Benefices that do belong to the Precious â—iam who may do with them according to his pleasure And when the Patriarch or Abuna is dead the Emperour is the Heir of his Estate which is very great It belongs also to the Patriarch to excommunicate contumacious offenders He never grants any Indulgencies of those penalties that are imposed for grievous faults The Sacraments of the Church are never prohibited to any unless it be for the crime of Murder Our Patriarch is called in our language Abuna he that is at present in this place is called at his baptism Mark a man aged of about 100 years Moreover it is to be noted that we begin the year the first of September which is with us the Eve of St. John Baptists day the rest of the Feast days we keep at the same time that they are kept by the Church of Rome We must not omit that St. Philip the Apostle came into our Country and did there preach the Gospel of our Saviour Christ You must further know the name of our Emperour that it is Precious John or â—iam and noâ— Priest John as here it is falsly reported for it is written in our language â—iam Belul that is Precius or high John in the Chaldaique Language it is written John Eâ—coe which hath the same interpretation Precious or excellent John He is not to be named Emperour of the Abyssins as Matth. hath written but of the Ethiopians He being an Armenian could not know our affairs perfectly especially those that concern our Religion for that reason he declared many things to King Emanuel of happy Memory which are not so amongst us not out of any design of deceiving him for â—e was a good man but because â—e was well acquainted with our Religion The Empire many times doth â—ot fall to the share of the Eldest Son of the Emperour but to him â—nto whom the Father will give â—â— He that now governs is the â—hird Son of the last Emperour â—e hath deserved that honour by â—is piety and respect which he had â—or his Father for when he was â—pon his death-bed he commanded all his Sons one after another â—o sit upon the Imperial Throne which they did he only excepted Far be it from me said he that I â—hould ascend to the Seat of my Lord and Father which pious moâ—esty procured him the Empire â—â—om his Father his name is David his Empire is very large and contains both Christians and Heathens In it are many Kings and Princes Earls Barons Grandees and much Nobility that is mo 〈…〉 obedient to him Gold and Silver are given and exchanged by weight Amongst us are many Towns and Cities but not such as I have seen in Portugal because Precious Giam doth always live iâ— a flying Camp and in Tents This Custom is observed that the Nobility might exercise themselves continually in Military Actions for we are surrounded on all with sides the enemies of our faith with whom we have often many Conflicts always or for the most part with success through the goodness of God This is the account Zaga Zaâ—i gives of his own Country his Relation may be consulted by those that desire more satisfaction for brevity sake much of it is omitted Scaliger in the eighth Book
Neighbours to send Presents to him but when he was forty years old he grew amorous and wanton so that his new conquered subjects took advantage of him in a Battel where he lost all that he had conquered with his life his successour laboured to revenge this affront but in vain until the days of David the first none ever did recover the vast dominions that did formerly own the Ethiop Scepter This Prince was wise and very politick sufficiently qualified to fit at the Helm of State but he was no Warrior for want of Courage to manage the affairs in desperate occasions he appointed a General Zecharia a stout man that did perform the Office of his Prince in this particular He was very successful against all our Neighbours especially against the Blacks that inhabit beyond the sands their Princes came to do homage unto our mighty Emperour and to pay their yearly tribute they continued in their obedience many years until the Reign of Joseph the third a Prince that was given to all manner of debauchery he Reigned ten years and was afterwards killed by his chief Officers who were willing to preserve the State from total ruine which would have happened had he continued longer upon the Throne for he did not only permit but also invite the enemies of the Empire to enter into his dominions that they might revenge him of those Princes that he did not love and that he did not dare to punish himself therefore he made use of the strangers weapons to vex them that he could not otherwise overcome From that time we have nothing remarkable until Christs death at Jerusalem for all the Princes that did rule until that time were neither good nor bad they contented themselves with their own limits and if they did lose any part of their possessions they never made any great noise by raising their Armies to retake them Queen Candace was a most pious and Religious Woman her Eunuch of the Race of Black a-Moors did follow her steps he made his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem every five years from that place he brought the Christian faith that did daily increase insomuch that not one was found opposing it within two hundred years after The eldest Son of Candace for whom she did govern was Shediahr a mostvertuous man he encouraged Christian Religion in his dominions but would never suffer the old ceremonies to be abolished so that since the Jewish and Christian are mingled together he pull'd down many Idol Temples upon the borders which caused the revolt of some of his most superstitious subjects but one battel brought them under his command again His Son was Adreschek he succeeded his father when he was but sixteen years of Age. A certain Heathen Priest had crept into his favour so much that for his sake he did labour to oppose the success of the Christian and the continuance of the Jewish Religion in Ethiopia His Princes could not suffer him long they conspired against him and placed his young brother in his place but him they sent into the Kingdom of Damut into a close Prison that hath always been in those parts he did afterwards escape out of it and fled to the Blacks who did come against Ethiopia with a strong Army but they were vanquished and forced to suffer their Fugitive Prince to become a Prisoner again The eldest Son of this King was an accomplished Prince so that his Uncle had some jealousie of him therfore clapt him in a close prison with his Father but when he was dead the Grandees fetcht him out of his confinement and raised him to the Throne during the life of his Father who consented to the promotion of his Son After him Absalom was a famous Prince renowned for his careful provision against the enemies incursions for he caused certain Forts to be built in convenient places to bridle them in They were afterwards neglected and ruinated by the Wars He first began to encourage Shipping by offering great advantages to the Mariners and men that did study the Art of Navigation This good policy caused all the idle persons to render themselves excellent in the Sea affairs and laid the Foundation to that greatness unto which the Ethiopian Empire did afterwards rise Benjamin Reigned forty years about the year 600 after Christ from his time we have a good account of all our Kings but before none are named but those that have been excellent for some vertue or infamous by their notable vices This Prince was full of piety he reformed the disorders of the Clergy and put them in that form of Government in which they are at present before the persons that did wait upon the Worship of God had no setled allowance the people gave them what they pleased so that unless they did work as other people for their livings they were reduced to great necessities which nevertheless did happen in many places for he that depends upon his peoples kindness shall be enentertain'd with course Diet unto this great evil that entroduces many others in a Nation this Religious Prince did bring a Remedy As he was the sole Lord of all the Lands of his Empire and that none enjoyed them but from him he caused such a quantity of ground to be set apart for the maintenance of the Priests and Bishops as might entertain them with the yearly Revenue and caused this Land to be separated from the rest by granting unto it the priviledge of immunity from all saxes and Imposts so that they depend no longer upon the Crown This liberality redeemed the Clergy from contempt and raised them in the esteem of the people that usually treats them not according to their desert but according to that State that they maintain After the good Prince his second Son Hechakiah did Reign he followed his Fathers footsteps therefore he was blessed with a prosperous Reign his greatest enemies did respect him he continued in the Throne about thirty five years and a few moneths His Brother Abraham the first succeeded he held the Scepter ten years and then left it to his Son with all the Wealth his Brother had gotten His Sons name was Haroahki a Warlike Prince he began to leave the Cities and to pass his time in Tents for in the beginning of his Reign all the Nations subject to the Neguz began to revolt from him he could not appease the tumult so soon he was therefore forced to live in the Camp and to be in continual action all the time of his Reign He caused it to be enacted for the security of the State that the Ethiopian Emperour should never spend above six days in a Walled Town at a time but should live in the open Field All the Nobility that doth follow the Princes custom imitates him in this particular They look upon it as a great expression of weakness and fear to run into a fortified place This hath caused them to neglect such places and suffer them to be dismantled by time