to be feared being of so opposite and contrarie practice much one to the other This desperate state of things at home maketh the people for the most part to wish for some forein invasion which they suppose to be the onely means to rid them of the heavy yoke of this tyrannous government CHAP. XI Of the Emperours Counsell THe Emperours of Russia give the name of Counsellour to divers of their chief Nobilitie rather for honours sake then for any use they make of them about their matters of state These are called Boiarens without any addition and may be called Counsellours at large For they are seldome or never called to any publick consulearion They which are of his speciall and privie Counsell indeed whom he useth dayly and ordinarily for all publick matters pertaining to the State have the addition of Dumnoy and are named Dumnoy boiaren or Lords of the Counsell their office or sitting Boarâ—â—ua dumna Their names at this present are these in their order First Knez Feoder Joanowich Methisloskey 2. Knez Jean Michailowich Glinskoy 3. Knez Vasiâ—ee Juanowich Silskoy Scopin These three are accounted to be of greater birth then wisdome taken in as may seem for that end rather to furnish the place with their honours and presence then with their advise or counsell 4. Knez Vasilie Juanowich Suskey thought to be more wise then the other of his name 5. Knez Feauer Michailowich 6. Knez Micheta Romanowich Trowbetskoy 7. Knez Timophey Romanowich Trowbetskoy 8. Knez Andriew Gregoriwich Curakine 9. Knez Demetrie Juanowich Forestine 10. Knez Feoder Juanowich Forestine 11. Bodan Juanowich Sabarove 12. Knez Juan Vasilowich 13. Knez Feoder Demetriwich Shestinove 14. Knez Feoder Michailowich Troyconiove 15. Juan Buterlyney 16. Demetrie Juanowich Godonoe 17. Borris Federowich Godonoe brother to the Empresse 18. Stephan Vasilowich Godonoe 19. Gregorie Vasilowich Godonoe 20. Juan Vasilowich Godonoe 21. Feoder Sheremitove 22. Andrew Petrowich Cleshenina 23. Ignatie Petrowich Tatislove 24. Romain Michailowich Peva 25. Demenshoy Juanowich Cheremissen 26 Romain Vasilowich Alferiove 27. Andrew Shalcalove 28. Vasily Shalcalove 29. Eleazar Wellusgin 30. Drezheen Penteleove 31. Zapon Abramove The foure last of these are called Dumnoy Dyakey or Lord Secretaries These are all of the Emperours privy counsell though but few of them are called to any consultation for that all matters are advised determined upon by Borris Federowich Godonoe brother to the Empresse with some five or six more whom it pleaseth him to call If they come they are rather to hear then to give counsel do so demean themselves The matters occurrent which are of state done within the Realm are informed them at their sittings by the Lords of the foure Chetfirds or Tetrarchies whereof mention is made in the chapter concerning the Government of their Provinces who bring in all such letters as they receive from the Dukes Dyacks Captains other officers of the Cities Castles pertaining to their severall quarter or Chetfird with other advertisements and inform the Counsell of them The like is done by the chief officer of every severall office of Record who may come into the Counsell chamber and inform them as occasion incident to his office doth require Besides matters of State they consider of many private causes informed by way of supplication in very great numbers Whereof some they entertain and determine as the cause or means can procure favour Some they send to the offices whereto they pertain by common course of Law Their ordinarie dayes for their sitting are mondayes wednesdayes and fridayes Their time of meeting is commonly seven a clock in the morning If there be any extraordinary occasion that requireth consultation on some other day they have warning by the Clerk of the counsell called Dorosey Bushew who receiveth order from the Koserad or high Constable of the realm to call them together at the time appointed CHAP. XII Of the Emperours customes and other revenues FOr the receiving of customes and other rents belonging to the Crown there are appointed divers under-officers which deliver over the same into the head-treasurie The first is the office of Dwoertsova or Steward of the houshold The second is the office of the Chetfirds which I comprehend under one though it be divided into foure severall parts as was said before The third is called Bulsha prechâ—de on the great income As touching the first which is the office of the Steward it receiveth all the rents of the Emperours inheritance or Crown land which they call Vochin The Vochin or Crown land containeth in it 36. towns with the territories or hundreds belonging unto them Whereof the chief that yield the greatest rents are these Alexandrisca Corelska Otser Slobodey Danielska Moisaiskoy Chara Sametzka Strararouse Bransove c. The inhabitants or tenants of these and the other towns pay some rentmoney some other rent-duties called Obrokey as certain chetfirds or measures of grain wheat rie barley 〈◊〉 c. or of other victuall as Oxen Sheep Swannes Geese Hares Henâ—es wild Fowl Fish Hay Wood Honie c. Some are bound to â—ow for the Emperours provision certain akers of ground and to make the corn readie for his use having for it an allowance of certain alters of ground for their own proper use This provision for the houshold specially of grain served in by the Tenants is a great deal more then is spent in his house or in other allowance served out in liverie or for the Emperours honour called Schalovaney for which use there is bestowed very much both in grain and other victuall This surplus of provision is sold by the Steward to the best hand and runneth into the Emperours treasurie In the time of Juan Vasilowich father to this Emperour who kept a more Princely and bountifull house then the Emperour now doth this overplus of grain and other incomes into the Stewards office yielded to his treasurie not past 60. thousand rubbels yearly but riseth now by good husbanding of the Steward Gregory Vasilowich Godonoe to 230 thousand rubbels a year And this by the means of the Empresse her kindred specially Borris Federowich Godonoe that account it all their own that runs into the Emperours treasure Much of this surplusage that riseth out of the rent-provision is employed to the paiment of the wages of his houâ—…ld officers which are very many attending at home and purveying abroad The second office of receit called the Chetfirds being divided into foure severall parts as before was said hath foure head-officers which besides the ordering and government of the shires contained within their severall Chetfirds have this also as a part of their office to receive the Tagla Podat belonging to the Emperour that riseth out of the foure Chetfirds or Quarters The Tagla is a yearly rent or imposition raised upon every Wite or measure of grain that groweth within the land gathered by sworn men and brought into the office The Wite containeth sixtie Chetfirds Every Chetfird is
had entred himself this last year into the Russe profession and so was rebaptized living now as much an idolatour as before he was a riotour and unthriftie person Such as thus receive the Russe baptisme are first carried into some Monasterie to be instructed there in the doctrine and ceremonies of the Church Where they use these ceremonies First they put him into a new and fresh suit of apparell made after the Russe fashion and set a coronet or in Summer a garland upon his head Then they anoint his head with oyl and put a wax candle light into his hand and so pray over him foure times a day the space of seven dayes All this while he is to abstain from flesh and white meats The seven dayes being ended he is purified and washed in a bathstove and so the eighth day he is brought into the Church where he is taught by the Friers how to behave himself in presence of their idols by ducking down knocking of the head crossing himself and such like gestures which are the greatest part of the Russe religion The Sacrament of the Lords supper they receive but once a year in their great Lent time a little before Easter Three at the most are admitted at one time and never above The manner of their communicating is thus First they confesse themselves of all their sinnes to the Priest whom they call their ghostly father Then they come to the Church and are called up to the Communion table that standeth like an altar a little removed from the upper end of the Church after the Dutch manner Here first they are asked of the Priest whether they be clean or no that is whether they have never a sinne behind that they left unconfessed If they answer No they are taken to the table Where the Priest beginneth with certain usuall prayers the communicants standing in the meanwhile with their arms folded one within another like penitentiaries or mourners When these prayers are ended the Priest taketh a spoon and filleth it full of claret wine then he putteth into it a small piece of bread and tempereth them both together and so delivereth them in the spoon to the Communicants that stand in order speaking the usuall words of the Sacrament Eat this c. Drink this c. both at one time without any pause After that he delivereth them again bread by it self and then wine carded together with a little warm water to represent bloud more rightly as they they think and the water withall that flowed out of the side of Christ. Whiles this is in doing the communicants unfold their arms and then folding them again follow the Priest thrice round about the communion toble and so return to their places again Where having said certain other prayers he dismisseth the communicants with charge to be merry and chear up themselves for the seven dayes next following which being ended he enjoyneth them to fast for it as long time after which they use to observe with very great devotion eating nothing else but bread and salt except a little cabbage and some other herb or root with water or quasse mead for their drink This is their manner of administring the Sacraments Wherein what they differ from the institution of Christ and what ceremonies they have added of their own or rather borrowed of the Greeks may easily be noted CHAP. XVIII Of the doctrine of the Russe Church and what errours it holdeth THeir chiefest errours in matter of faith I find to be these First concerning the word of God it self they will not read publickly certain books of the Canonicall Scripture as the books of Moses specially the foure last Exodus Leviticus Numeri and Deuteronomie which they say are all made disauthentick and put out of use by the coming of Christ as not able to discern the difference betwixt the morall and the ceremoniall law The books of the prophets they allow of but reade them not publickly in their churches for the same reason because they were but directours unto Christ and proper as they say to the nation of the Jews Onely the book of Psalmes they have in great estimation and sing and say them dayly in their Churches Of the new Testament they allow and read all except the Revelation which therefore they read not though they allow it because they understand it not neither have the like occasion to know the fulfilling of the prophesies contained within it concerning especially the apostasie of the Antichristian church as have the Western Churches Notwithstanding they have had their Antichrists of the Greek Church and may find their own falling off and the punishments for it by the Turkish invasion in the prophecies of that book Secondly which is the fountain of the rest of all their corruptions both in doctrine and ceremonies they hold with the Papists that their Church Traditions are of equall authoritie with the written word of God Wherein they preferre themselves before other Churches affirming that they have the true and right traditions delivered by the Apostles to the Greek Church and so unto them 3. That the Church meaning the Greek and specially the Patriarch and his Synod as the head of the rest have a sovereigne authoritie to interpret the Scripture and that all are bound to hold that interpretation as sound and authentick 4. Concerning the divine nature and the three persons in the one substance of God that the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father onely and not from the Sonne 5. About the office of Christ they hold many foul errours and the same almost as doth the Popish church namely that he is the sole mediatour of redemption but not of intercession Their chief reason if they be talked withall for defence of this errour is that unapt and foolish comparison betwixt God and a Monarch or Prince of this world that must be sued unto by Mediatours about him wherein they give speciall preferment to some above others as to the blessed Virgin whom they call Precheste or undefiled and S. Nicolas whom they call Scora pomosnick or the Speedy helper and say that he hath 300. angels of the chiefest appointed by God to attend upon him This hath brought them to an horrible excesse of idolatry after the grossest and prophanest manner giving unto their images all religious worship of prayer thanksgiving offerings and adoration with prostrating and knocking their heads to the ground before them as to God himself Which because they do to the picture not to the portraiture of the Saint they say they worship not an idol but the Saint in his image and so offend not God forgetting the commandment of God that forbiddeth to make the image or likenesse of any thing for any religious worship or use whatsoever Their church-walls are very full of them richly hanged and set forth with pearl and stone upon the smooth table Though some also they have embossed that stick from the board almost an inch outwards They call them
horsemen that are ever in a readinesse and in continuall pay are 80000 a few more or lesse If he have need of a greater number which seldome falleth out then he entertaineth of those Sinaboiar skey that are out of pay so many as he needeth and if yet he want of his number he giveth charge to his Noblemen that hold lands of him 〈◊〉 bring into the field every man a proportionable number of his servants called Kolophey such as till his lands with their furniture according to the just number that he intendeth to make Which the service being done presently lay in their weapons and return to their servile occupations again Of footmen that are in continuall pay he hath to the number of 12000. all Gunners called Strelsey Whereof 5000. are to attend about the Citie of Mosko or any other place where the Emperour shall abide and 2000. which are called Stremaney Strelsey or Gunners at the stirrop about his own person at the very Court or house where himself lodgeth The rest are placed in his garison Towns till there be occasion to have them in the field and receive for their salarie or stipend every man seven rubbels a year besides twelve measures apiece of Rie and Oats Of mercenarie Souldiers that are strangers whom they call Nimschey they have at this time 4300. of Polonians of Chirchasses that are under the Polonians about 4000. whereof 3500. are abroad in his garisons of Dutches and Scots about 150. of Greeks Turks Danes and Swedens all in one band an 100. or thereabouts But these they use onely upon the Tartar side and against the Siberians as they do the Tartar souldiers whom they hire sometimes but onely for the present on the other side against the Polonian and Sweden thinking it best policie so to use their service upon the contrary border The chief Captains or leaders of these forces according to their names and degrees are these which follow First the Voyavodey Bulshaia that is the Great Captain or Lieutenant generall under the Emperour This commonly is one of the foure houses of the chief Nobilitie of the land but so chosen otherwise as that he is of small valour or practice in martiall matters being-thought to serve that turn so much the better if he bring no other parts with him save the countenance of his Nobilitie to be liked of by the souldiers for that and nothing else For in this point they are very warie that these two to wit nobilitie and power meet not both in one specially if they see wisdome withall or aptnesse for policie These great Voiavod or Generall at this present in their warres is commonly one of these foure Knez Theodor Juanowich Methisloskey Knez Juan Michailowich Glinskoy cherechaskoy and Trowbetskoy all of great Nobilitie but of very simple qualitie otherwise though in Glinskoy as they say there is somewhat more then in the rest To make up this defect in the Voiavod or Generall there is some other joyned with him as Lieutenant Generall of farre lesse nobilitie but of more valour and experience in the warres then he who ordereth all things that the other countenanceth At this time their principall man and most used in their warres is one Knez Demetrie Juanowith Forestine an ancient and expert captain and one that hath done great service as they say against the Tartar and Polonian Next under the Voiavod and his Lieutenant generall are foure other that have the marshalling of the whole army divided among them and may be called the Marshalls of the field Every man hath his quarter or fourth part under him Whereof the first is called the Prava Polskoy or right wing the second is the Levey Polskoy or left wing the third is Rusnoy Polskoy or the broken band because out of this there are chosen to send abroad upon any sudden exploit or to make a rescue or supplie as occasion doth require the fourth Storeshovoy Polskoy or the warding band Every one of these foure Marshalls have two other under them eight in all that twice every week at the least must muster and train their severall wings or bands and hold and give justice for all faults disorders committed in the camp And these eight are commonly chosen out of the 110. which I spake of before that receive and deliver the pay to the souldiers Under these eight are divers other Captains as the Gulavoy Captains of thousands five hundreds and 100. the Petyde Setskoy or Captains of fifties and the Decetskies or Captains of tens Besides the Voiavoda or generall of the Armie spoken of before they have two other that bear the name of Voiavoda whereof one is the Master of the great Ordinance called Naradna Voiavoda who hath divers under Officers necessary for that service the other is called the Voiavoda gulavoy or the walking Captain that hath allowed him 1000. good horsemen of principall choice to range and spie abroad and hath the charge of the running Castle which we are to speak of in the Chapter following All these Captains and men of charge must once every day resort to the Bulsha Voiavoda or Generall of the Armie to know his pleasure and to inform him if there be any requisite matter pertaining to their office CHAP. XVI Of their mustering and levying of forces manner of armour and provision of victuall for the warres WHen wars are towards which they fail not of lightly every year with the Tartar and many times with the Polonian and Sweden the foure Lords of the Chetfirds send forth their summons in the Emperours name to all the Dukes and Dyacks of the Provinces to be proclaimed in the head Towns of every Shire that all the Sinaboiarskey or sonnes of gentlemen make their repair to such a border where the service is to be done at such a place and by such a day and there present themselves to such and such Captains When they come to the place assigned them in the summons or proclamation their names are taken by certain Officers that have Commission for that purpose from the Reserade or high Constable as Clerks of the Bands If any make default and fall at the day he is mulcted and punished very severely As for the Generall and other chief Captains they are sent thither from the Emperours own hand with such Commission and charge as he thinketh behovefull for the present service When the souldiers are assembled they are reduced into their Bands and Companies under their severall Captains of tennes fifties hundreds thousands c. and these Bands into foure Polskois or Legions but of farre greater numbers then Romane Legions were under their foure great Leaders which also have the authoritie of Marshals of the field as was said before Concerning their armour they are but slightly appointed The common horseman hath nothing else but his bow in his case under his right arm and his quiver and sword hanging on the left side except some few that bear a case of dagges or a javelin
Friers and Nunnes it needs not to those that know the hypocrisie uncleannesse of that Cloyster-brood The Russe himself though otherwise addicted to all superstition speaketh so fouly of it that it must needs gain silence of any modest man Besides these they have certain Eremites whom they call Holy men that are like to those Gymnosopâ—ists for their life and behaviour though farre unlike for their knowledge and learning They use to go stark naked save a â—lout about their middle with their hair hanging long and wildly about their shoulders and many of them with an iron coller or chain about their necks or mids even in the very extremitie of winter These they â—â—ke as Prophets and men of great holinesse giving them a libertie to speak what they lâ—â—t without any controlement though it be of the very highest himself So that if he reprove any openly in what sort soever they answer nothing but that it is Pâ—…um that is for their â—…es And if any of them take some piece of sale waâ—â— from any 〈◊〉 shop as he passeth by to give where he list he thinketh himself much beloved of God and much beholding to the holy man for taking it in that sort Of this kind there are not many because it is a very hard and cold profession to go naked in Russia specially in Winter Among other at this time they have one at Mosko that walketh naked about the streets and inveigheth commonly against the state and government especially against the Godonoes that are thought at this time to be great oppressours of that Common-wealth Another there was that died not many years ago whom they called Basileo that would take upon him to reprove the old Emperour for all his crueltie oppressions done towards his people His bodie they have translated of late into a sumptuous Church near the Emperours house in Mosko and have canonized him for a Saint Many miracles he doth there for so the Friers make the people to believe and many offerings are made unto him not onely by the people but by the chief Nobilitie and the Emperour and Empresse themselves which visit that Church with great devotion But this last year at my being at Mosko this Saint had ill luck in working his miracles For a lame man that had his limbs restored as it was pretended by him was charged by a woman that was familiar with him being then fallen out that he halted but in the day time and could leap merrily when he came home at night And that he had intended this matter six years before Now he is put into a Monasterie and there raileth upon the Friers that hired him to have this counterfeit miracle practised upon him Besides this disgrace a little before my coming from thence there were eight slain within his Church by fire in a thunder Which caused his bels that were tingling before all day and night long as in triumph of the miracles wrought by Basileo their Saint to ring somewhat softlier and hath wrought no little discredit to this miracle-worker There was another of great account at Plesko called Nicola of Plesko that did much good when this Emperours father came to sack the town upon suspicion of their revolting and rebellion against him The Emperour after he had saluted the Eremite at his lodging sent him a reward And the Holy man to requite the Emperour sent him a piece of raw flesh being then their Lent time Which the Emperour seeing bid one to tell him that he marvelled that the Holy man would offer him flesh to eat in the Lent when it was forbidden by order of holy Church And doth Evasko which is as much to say as Jack think quoth Nicola that it is unlawfull to eat a piece of beasts flesh in Lent and not to eat up so much mans flesh as he hath done already So threatning the Emperour with a prophesie of some hard adventure to come upon him except he left murdering of his people and departed the town he saved a great many mens lives at that time This maketh the people to like very well of them because they are as Pasquils to note their great mens faults that no man else dare speak of Yet it falleth out sometime that for this rude libertie which they take upon them after a counterfeit manner by imitation of Prophets they are made away in secret as was one or two of them in the last Emperours time for being overbold in speaking against his government CHAP. XXII Of their Liturgie or form of Church-service and their manner of administring the Sacraments THeir morning service they call Zautrana that is maâ—â—ins It is done in this order The Priest entereth into the Church with his Deacon following him And when he is come to the middle of the Church he beginneth to say with a loud voice Blasslavey Uladika that is Blesse us heavenly Pastour meaning of Christ. Then he addeth In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost one very God in Trinitie and Aspody Pomeluy or Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us Lord have mercy upon us repeated three times This done he marcheth on towards the Chancel or Sanctum Sanctorum as they use to call it and so entreth into the Scharsuey Dwere or the heavenly doore which no man may enter into but the Priest onely Where standing at the altar or table set near to the upper wall of the chancell he saith the Lords prayer and then again Aspody Pomeluy or Lord have mercie upon us Lord have mercie upon us c. pronounced twelve times Then Praised be the Trinitie the Father Sonne and holy Ghost for ever and ever Whereto the Deacons and people say Amen Next after the Priest addeth the Psalmes for that day and beginneth with O come let us worship and fall down before the Lord c. and therewithall himself with the Deacons and people all turn themselves towards their Idols or Images that hang on the wall and crossing themselves bow down three times knocking their heads to the very ground After this he readeth the ten commandments and Athanasius Creed out of the Service book This being done the Deacon that standeth without the heavenly doore or chancell readeth a piece of a Legend out of a written book for they have it not in print of some Saints life miracles c. This is divided into many parts for every day in the year and is read by them with a plain singing note not unlike to the Popish tune when they sung their Gospels After all this which reacheth to an houre and an half or two houres of length he addeth certain set Collects or prayers upon that which he hath read out of the Legend before and so endeth his Service All this while stand burning before their Idols a great many of wax candles whereof some are of the bignesse of a mans wast vowed or enjoyned by penance upon the people of the parish
About 9. of the clock in the morning they have another service called Obeidna or Compline much after the order of the Popish Service that bare that name If it be some high or Festivall day they furnish their Service beside with Blessed be the Lord God of Israel c. and We praise thee O God c. sung with a more solemn and curious note Their Evening service is called Vecherna where the Priest beginneth with Blaslavey Uladika as he did in the morning and with Psalmes appointed for the Vecherna Which being read he singeth My soul doth magnifie the Lord c. And then the Priest Deacons and people all with one voice sing Aspody pomeluy or Lord have mercy upon us thirty times together Whereunto the boyes that are in the Church answer all with one voice rowling it up so fast as their lips can go Verii Verii Verii Verii or Praise Praise Praise c. thirty times together with a very strange noise Then is read by the Priest and upon the holydayes sung the first Psalm Blessed is the man c. And in the end of it is added Alleluia repeated ten times The next in order is some part of the Gospel read by the Priest which he endeth with Alleluia repeated three times And so having said a collect in remembrance of the Saint of that day he endeth his evening service All this while the Priest standeth above at the altar or high table within the Chancel or Sanctum Sanctorum whence he never moveth all the service time The Deacon or Deacons which are many in their cathedrall Churches stand without the chancel by the Scharsuey dwere or heavenly doore for within they may not be seen all the service time though otherwise their office is to sweep and keep it and to set up the wax candles before their Idols The people stand together the whole service time in the body of the Church and some in the Church porch for pew or seat they have none within their Churches The Sacrament of baptisme they administer after this manner The child is brought unto the Church and this is done within eight dayes after it is born If it be the child of some Nobleman it is brought with great pomp in a rich â—led or wagon with chairs and cushions of cloth of gold and such like sumptuous shew of their best furniture When they are come to the Church the Priest standeth readie to receive the child within the church-porch with his tub of water by him And then beginneth to declare unto them that they have brought a little Infidell to be made a Christian c. This ended he teacheth the witnesses that are two or three in a certain set form out of his book what their dutie is in bringing up the child after he is baptized viz. That he must be taught to know God and Christ the Saviour And because God is of great Majestie and we must not presume to come unto him without Mediatours as the manner is when we make any suit to an Emperour or great Prince therefore they must teach him what Saints are the best and chief mediatours c. This done he commandeth the devil in the name of God after a conjuring manner to come out of the water and so after certain prayers he plungeth the child thrise over head and ears For this they hold to be a point necessary that no part of the child be undipped in the water The words that bear with them the form of baptisme uttered by the Priest when he dippeth in the child are the very same that are prescribed in the Gospel and used by us viz. In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Ghost For that they should alter the form of the words and say by the holy Ghost as I have heard that they did following certain hereticks of the Greek church I found to be untrue as well by report of them that have been often at their baptismes as by their book of Liturgie it self wherein the order of baptisme is precisely set down When the child is baptized the Priest layeth oyl and salt tempered together upon the forehead and both sides of his face and then upon his mouth drawing it along with his finger over the childs lips as did the Popish priests saying withall certain prayers to this effect that God will make him a good Christian c. all this is done in the Church-porch Then is the child as being now made a Christian and meet to be received within the Church doore carried into the Church the Priest going before and there he is presented to the chief Idol of the Church being laid on a cushion before the feet of the image by it as by the mediatour to be commended unto God If the child be sick or weak specially in the winter they use to make the water lukewarm After baptisme the manner is to cut off the hair from the childs head and having wrapped it within a piece of wax to lay up as a relique or monument in a secret place of the church This is the manner of their baptisme which they account to be the best and perfectest form As they do all other parts of their religion received as they say by tradition from the best Church meaning the Greek And therefore they will take great pains to make a proselyte or convert either of an infidell or of a forein Christian by rebaptizing him after the Russe manner When they take any Tartar prisoner commonly they will offer him life with condition to be baptized And yet they perswade very few of them to redeem their life so because of the naturall hatred the Tartar beareth to the Russe and the opinion he hath of his falshood and injustice The year after Mosko was fired by the Chrim Tartar there was taken a Divoymorsey one of the chief of that exploit with 300. Tartars more who had all their lives offered them if they would be baptized after the Russe manner Which they refused all to do with many reproches against those that perswaded them And so being carried to the river Mosko that runneth through the citie they were all baptized after a violent manner being thrust down with a knock on the head into the water through an hole made in the ice for that purpose Of Lieflanders that are captives there are many that take on them this second Russe baptisme to get more libertie and somewhat besides towards their living which the Emperour ordinarily useth to give them Of Englishmen since they frequented the countrey there was never any found that so much forgot God his faith and countrey as that he would be content to be baptized Russe for any respect of fear preferment or other means whatsoever save onely Richard Relph that following before an ungodly trade by keeping a Caback against the order of the countrey and being put off from that trade and spoiled by the Emperours officers of that which he
Chudovodites or their miracle-workers and when they provide them to set up in their Churches in no case they may say that they have bought the image but exchanged money for it 6. For the means of justification they agree with the Papists that it is not by faith onely apprehending Christ but by their works also and that Opus operatum or the work for the work sake must needs please God And therefore they are all in their numbers of prayers fasts vows and offerings to saints alms-deeds crossings and such like and carrie their numbring beads about with them continualy as well the Emperour and his Nobilitie as the common people not onely in the Church but in all other publick places specially at any set or solemn meeting as in their fasts law courts common consultations entertainment of Ambassadours and such like 7. They say with the Papists that no man can be assured of his salvation till the last sentence be passed at the day of judgement 8. They use auricular confession and think that they are purged by the very action from so many sinnes as they confesse by name and in particular to the Priest 9. They hold three Sacraments of Baptisme the Lords supper and the last an oyling or unction Yet concerning their Sacrament of extreme unction they hold it not so necessary to salvation as they do baptisme but think it a great curse and punishment of God if any die without it 10. They think there is a necessitie of baptisme and that all are condemned that die without it 11. They rebaptize as many Christians not being of the Greek church as they convert to their Russe profession because they are divided from the true church which is the Greek as they say 12. They make a difference of meats and drinâ—â— accounting the use of one to be more holy then of another And therefore in their set fasts they forbear to eat flesh and white meats as we call them after the manner of the Popish superstition which they observe so strictly and with such blind devotion as that they will rather die then eat one bit of flesh egges or such like for the health of their bodies in their extreme sicknesse 13. They hold marriage to be unlawfull for all the Clergie men except the priests onely and for them also after the first wife as was said before Neither do they well allow of it in Lay-men after the second marriage Which is a pretence now used against the Emperours onely brother a child of six years old who therefore is not prayed for in their Churches as their manner is otherwise for the Princes bloud because he was born of the sixth marriage and so not legitimate This charge was given to the priests by the Emperour himself by procurement of the Godonoes who make him believe that it is a good pollicie to turn away the liking of the people from the next successour Many other false opinions they have in matter of religion But these are the chief which they hold partly by means of their traditions which they have received from the Greek Church but specially by ignorance of the holy Scriptures Which notwithstanding they have in the Polonian tongue that is all one with theirs some few words excepted yet few of them read them with that godly care which they ought to do neither have they if they would books sufficient of the old and new Testament for the common people but of their Liturgie onely or book of common service whereof there are great numbers All this mischief cometh from the Clergie who being ignorant and godlesse themselves are very wary to keep the people likewise in their ignorance and blindnesse for their living and bellies sake partly also from the manner of government settled among which the Emperours whom it specially behoveth list not to have changed by any innovation but to retain that religion that best agreeth with it Which notwithstanding it is not to be doubted but that having the word of God in some sort though without the ordinary means to attain to a true sense and understanding of it God hath also his number among them As may partly appear by that which a Russe at Mosko said in secret to one of my servants speaking against their images and other superstitions That God had given unto England light to day and might give it to morrow if he pleased to them As for any inquisition or proceeding against men for matter of religion I could hear of none save a few years since against one man and his wife who were kept in a close prison the space of 28. years till they were overgrown into a deformed fashion for their hair nails colour of countenance and such like and in the end were burned at Mosko in a small house set on fire The cause was kept secret but like it was for some part of truth in matter of religion though the people were made to believe by the Priests and Friers that they held some great and damnable heresie CHAP. XXIV Of the manner of solemnizing their Marriages THe manner of making and solemnizing their marriages is different from the manner of other countries The man though he never saw the woman before is not permitted to have any sight of her all the time of his woing which he doth not by himself but by his mother or some other ancient woman of his kinne aswell by the parents as by the parties themselves for without the knowledge and consent of the parents the contract is not lawfull the fathers on both sides or such as are to them in stead of fathers with other chief friends having a meeting and conference about the dowrie which is commonly very large after the abilitie of the parents so that you shall have a market man as they call them give a 1000. rubbels or more with his daughter As for the man it is never required of him nor standeth with their custome to make any joynter in recompence of the dowrie But in case he have a child by his wife she enjoyeth a third deal after his decease If he have two children by her or more she is to have a courtesie more at the discretion of the husband If the husband depart without issue by his wife she is returned home to her friends without any thing at all save onely her dowrie if the husband leave so much behind him in goods When the agreement is made concerning the dowrie they signe bonds one to the other as well for the paiment of the dowrie as the performing of the marriage by a certain day If the woman were never married before her father and friends are bound besides to assure her a maiden Which breedeth many brabbles and quarrels at Law if the man take any conceit concerning the behaviour and honestie of his wife Thus the contract being made the parties begin to send tokens the one to the other the woman first then afterwards the man but yet seâ—