promote the warre with Portugal and engage the most Noble Commanders in that service especially Don John of Austria 4. A moderation in point of Religion in opposition to the zeal and severity of Spaine that may draw the Protestant Estates Kingdoms to this side of the ballance together with a readinesse to assist them against the Invaders of their Estates and Liberties that may retain them here 5. Spies and Pensioners in all the Courts of Europe especially they that are within the reach of Austria to have before he clearly what passeth among her neighbours and that as occasion serves she strengthen the weak D. Rhoan assure the fearful and stop the engagement of those that fall off and by all means to erosse the intelligence of Spaine 6. To be ready with Men Munition and Aâ—mes an Army and a treasure in France may do wonders in two respects to buy or keep off the English sooting in Flanders to buy or force an interest in Italy and to fit her for an elective Kingdom moreover a Law against expences is a fundamental of France and England 7. To meet Spoine in all treaties especially in Germany and Italy with such flow and provident persons as may keep peace with what hath overcome Christendome by delayes and reaches of many years foresight who are to have a particular eye upon the succession and in the declining age of the King of Spaine to shuffle in some pensions 〈◊〉 his very Couâ—cel table looking backward strictly upon the Princes of the blood in France among whom the King is to appear moll active and careful of places of trust when he knows not how soon he may leave to considents while he is in pursuits of further interest 8. A from league with the Switz for their land service and the Hollanders for their service at sea especially in the Indier against the Spaniards dear wife there To all which adde a reputation and secresie the many designs of France upon Poland Italy Germany Spaine Flanders England must move with invincible springs or else they lose their weight as they are discoverd whereunto a little of Spaines humour of dissembling is absolutely necessary to the open French mans interest 1. In a general peace to settle his Councels and people Spain his Countries wasted with constant warrs to secure his Plantations and furnish his Navy that great security of his Revenue and Treasure 2. Securing the Empire and Italy his great confidence especially from the French for the Frenchmans businesse is to keep those two places open the Spaniards to keep them shu 3. Looking to the Pope and his election in bearing up the reputation of a zealous Champion of the Catholique faith as if upon the support of his Monarch depended the support of the Church by this pretence of Religion 1. He may keep out any Prince from any considerable power in the Catholique Dominions he may sollicit the Pope to put the Catholique King upon his exercising severity upon their Protestant subjects and underhand assist the Protestant Subjects against those Kings who are to be traduced as favourers of Hereâ—icks if they persecute noâ— the Protestants and to be suggested persecutors if they doe to maintain a seminary of Catholiques in those Countries where the Protestant Religion prevailes who shall study Divinity but practice policy to promote Spaines Catholique Monarchy under the pretence of propagating Romes Catholique Religion to keep up animosities between the Catholique and reformed Switz who are now so closely leagued to France to endeavour a division in the Low countries by a long truce and peace 4. In retaining the ablest Jesuits Monks and Friars in all Countries with other the most usefull pentioners and Intelligencers 5. In interposing in the most considerable treaties as Judge or umpire and disposing the several parties to agreement in waies most agreeable to his interest 6. A truce with Portugal which he may corrupt sooner then conquer and buy at a cheaper rate then he can win 7. A watchfull eye over the French especially in Italy and in Poland which may be the French his fetch about into the Monarchy of Spaine upon the death of this Prince who either hath none or very uncertain issue and to that purpose competent forces in Naples Millan and his Mediterarean Provinces especially Navarre together with his old reputation for zeale and power are necessary together with a core of the fort Fuentes and other passages from one part of the divided Monarchy into another to which I may adde a care to exchange his Militia and that no garrisons be kept by their own Natives but they of Milloin may be in Spaine and they of Spaine in Milan and to impoverish the Natives who may once in an age be coaxed with a few unexpected acts of grace 8. Outbidding the French in the Switz market 9. A League with the Pope the Princes of Italy the Emperour of Germany the Pole in behalfe of the Church the onely interest that upholds that Monarchy and will bear up on that side These maxims observed will abate the swelling of France rayse the low condition of Spaine and secure the other Christian Princes with such a counterpoise of affairs as may preserve their present interest The Pope 4. The Pope and the Italian Princes interest lieth 1. In privacy and peace among themselves 2. Because it is the firmest friend the Church hath 3. Because it may be a bridle to restraine France a consideration worthy all their regards especially the Dukes of Savoy to whom I may adde the Switz and the united Provinces who are to take heed of France though they cannot comply with Spaine and to secure the Navigation 5. The interest of Germany Poland Denmarke and Sweden is so to check the growing power of Spaine as not to be surprized by a greater of France to attend the Diets and to have a firm correspondence among themselves to beare up against the Catholique league II. But now cannot all these particular interests be reconciled into one communion against the publique enemy may not England secure her trade abroad by a strong Navy and her peace at home by sending an army against him being safe from all neighbours who are engaged in that common quarrel is there any thing in the French high way to an universall Monarchy but the usurping Infidell what weakneth the Papal and Austrian interest but the Turkish power what checketh the French the Flemish and the British trade but that great Pyrate what impeacheth the Catholique attempts upon Portugall but those of the Turks upon Germany why droopeth the Patriarchal power at Rome but that the Catholique assistants are diverted to Hungary and there maintain their own Thrones while they should uphold their fathers Chaire as more concerned for their own Crowns then for his Mitre would not a warre with the Turk spend the ill humors of England and Poland secure the Dane exercise the Swede give a truce to Portugal give a respit
fruit of your body and in the fruit of the ground in your bushel and your store when you come in and when you go out where the Lord shall command the blessings upon you and whatsoever you set your hands unto V. But more particularly is Religion become the Interest of every Kingdom 1. Of Spaine whose zeal for the Catholique Religion is the best prop of that Monarchy it s that which obligeth the Pope and Papists in all Kingdoms to promote his greatness against the Protestants and the Princes of Italy to serve his design against France 2. Of the Popa and the Princes that hold of him in Italy in the right of the Church whose patrimony lieth in the same bottom with their Religion and whose estates are entailed upon them by the holding of their Christianity 3. Of France whose power is impowred by indulging Protestants and assisting them against the encroachments of Spaine 4. Of the Low-countries the Hans-towns of Germany and the Princes with Denmark and Swethland whose religion hath propagated the liberty of the four first of these and upheld the Kingdoms of the two last all which had been swallowed up of the Austrian power had not their Religion knit their interest together and they who were otherwise at a great distance in situation and civil concernes become so united in their faith in a word the Lawes the priviledges the constitutions and policies of Europe are so enterwoven with Christian religion that if it be pulled down the government of Europe falleth down with it VI But Religion is not all though it be enough to engage the states and lives of all that professe it for the Christians have many more engagements upon them 1. Namely the Emperour hath his borders to secure and his rebellious people who have taken sanctuary under the Turk to subdue every yeare untill this ill neighbour be removed as hath Poland Sweden and Museovy 2. The English and the Dutch have the Levant and other places to be setled which cannot be expected as long as this absolute Tyrant gives Laws to sea and land 3. The French the Spaniards and other Popish Princes have the yoake the Pope hath set upon their necks to enslave them to him more unworthily then they do the people to themselves to remove which they could never yet attempt but their Ghostly father chastized them with an Invasion of Turks or Moors or deluded them into an holy warre where he had his privy projects beyond the publique designe that aâ— the Sea loseth in one place it gaineth in another the Emperour and the other Princes lost more to his Holinesse in the West then they were like to gain of the Turk in the East Lord Baâ—ons advertisment touching an holy War 4. Besides there is no such undertaking at this day for earthly honour with secular advantage and greatness as a war upon Infidels No fancy this the Spaniards invaded Mexico Peru and other parts of the West Indies and what floods of treasure have flowed into Europe upon that action so that the Rates of Christendom are improved fifteen times more then formerly by a growing treasure of Gold and Silver besides the accesse of Empire and new Territories not to mention the rich Trade of Spices Stones Musk and Drugges opened by our honourable atchievements in Affrica Asia and other parts of the world would it be nothing to make all the kingdoms of the earth become kingdoms of Christ and yours under him And the Sunne would never set in the Christian Kingdome but ever shine upon one part or other of them as the Sun of Righteousnesse ever shines upon the whole 5. How many thousand persons might bâ— employed in a War against the Infidels who do worse at home forreign warres are the breathing of a Kingdoms veine to let out 〈…〉 blood the idleness of Christendom might 〈◊〉 its very sin and shame might cure it 6. The idle being diâ—patched to engage the Infidel abroad the divided would in expâ—â—â—tion of the event of that engagement be uâ—â—â—ed at home A warre with the Turk is the grâ—nd means of the peace of Christendome The war with Carthage was the peace of Rome 7. Besides Palestine was a parcell of the Roman Empire Cyprus a piece of England some parts of Aegypt belong to France not to speake of the Churches right it is not fit for Christian Princes to let goe what is their own to an Infidel and fight among themselves for what is not their own and doth not piety and compassion move you to consider the distressed Christians in Syria were it not worth the time if you neglect your own to maintain Gods title to the holy Land to make Jerusalem once again the joy of the whole earth to restore the chappel of Christs conception at Nazareth his birth at Bethlem his burial on Mount Calvary ascention on Mount Olivet to their primitive piety and devotion what pleasure were it but to see those Theaters of Mysteries of Wonders and Miracles It were pity but the blasphemies of the Turks against Christ and their cruelty against Christians were punished and a way opened by the Sword for Instruction and Catechizing and such other succesfulâ— motives to Christianity in order to that universall profession of Religion which is to blesse the world with happy times the last thousand years of duration 8 Though umbrages and fond jelousies the fume of love and weak fancies are not competent foundations to build a warre upon yet to prevent a mischief whereof we have but too just a fear is the result of right reason and the constant practice of all wise men and Nations its folly like a clown to ward a blow onely when it is past to play an aftergame is rather a shift then a policy especially considering that warre is a Tragedy that ever destroyes the Stage whereon it is acted now that the Turks are now justly to be feared cannot be denied Asia is over-run Greece is subdued Transilvania is made tributary the Hereditary countries of Austria are made desolate Hungary is revolted some Islands in the Mediteranian sea are lost there is but the Alps between them and France and Italy but a River between them and Poland but the Pyrenean mountains between them and Spaine they give Law to the Midland sea Let us make therefore the warre with the Turk the sewer of Christendome and drive all discords out of it Europe now is surfeited with people and many of them active spirits and stirring natures employing themselves in mutual jars and dissentions which this warre will close up uniting all the malice and power of Europe against the common foe of Christianity Object But is it Lawful to make a War for Religion to inforce that which should be perswaded to make our Christian Saviour an Heathen Idol in sacrificing the blood of men to him and whilst we would let the world see we are Christians to forget the rest of the world are men Answ We allow not War
world all men that professed any such Religion should go into Paradise the Jews under the Banner of Moses the Christians under the Banner of Christ and the Saracens under the Banner of Mahomet They compel no man therefore to abjure the faith in which he was born but commend and approve secretly such as they find zealous and constant in their own Religion yet hold it an especial honour to have daily new Proselytes they incite them by hope of freedom and preferment which with many are motiveâ— too much prevailing The opinions which they hold concerning the end of the world are very ridiculous aâ— that at the winding of a horn Their absurd conceit of dooms-day not all flesh only but the Angels themselves shall die that the earth with an Earth-quake shall be kneeded together like a lump of Dough that a second blast of the same horn shall after forty dayes restore all again that Cain shall be Captain or Ring-leader of the damned who shall have the countenance of Dogs and swine that they shall pass over the bridge of Justice laden with their sins in satchels that the great sinners shall fall into Hell the lesser into Purgatory onely with a thousand of the like fopperies which it is needless to add here considering that the Alcoran it self is now extent in English and every one that lists may read it I need not engage further in an account of his Doctrine and pretended successors But having shown you the Original and Author of this Dominion and how gained and by what art enlarged into that bulk and by force wrested from other Princes Mahomet pretending for his injâ—rious invasions the directions of God who seeing his Law delivered by Moses and Christ to have been despised because of the weak assertion thereof would have them planted now by the Sword we will next see by what means they are yet kept and maintained and are like to be increased namely by power and the same military Maximes Imperium iisdem Artibus facile retinetur quibus acquiritur CHAP. II. The Successors of Mahomet from the Nation of the Turks continued to this present in the Ottoman Family HAving partly touched before some of the preceeding Caliphs whose Catalogue hath been most imperfectly delivered we come now to those his successors in this Nation of the Turks whose better and invincible fortune hath preserved their memory and given the world a dreadful series of those Mahumetan Potentates who although they be not Caliphs nomine the Mufti executing the sacerdotal part of that dignity yet are they so great by their Imperial power and the subordination of the Preistly to his arbitrary commands and alone pleasure The world heard not of this Slip and branch of that Miscreant Religion till the fury of the Eastern Tartars had dispossessed them of their worthless habitations in Turcomania and at such time also as the Persians had recovered themselves from the oppressing Arms of Tangrolipix and their Cousin Turks a remainder of whom under Sultan Aladin yet maintained a kind of vagrant Regality about Iconium and those parts of Asia the less whilst those accessional vagabonds under their Captain Solyman the Chief of their Tribe arrived and obtained quarters from their Countrymen to repose their wearied and wretched Familes who finding themselves pent up in the narrowness of that precarious Territory for the Christians of the Greek Empire in Asia had stood with their arms in their hands to defend invasions some good while before their Captain Solyman disigned an enlargement over the River Euphrates in which attempting to pass to the other shore and disdaining to return to his former seat he was carried away by the violence of the stream and drowned therein to the great loss and greif of his followers He left behind him three Sons but the Turks not then so nicely observant of Primogeniture passing by the eldest preferred Ertogrul of whose courage and martial disposition they had early experience He by his own enterprises and assistance given to the said Sultan Aladin so confirmed himself in that parcel of Land given and augmented to him that he was dignified and known by the name of Ertogrul Beg or Lord Ertogrul which Title very aged he left to his Son Osman or Ottoman his youngest of three whom the Tribe substituted in his Fathers place from the same considerations with the former about the year 1300. This OTTOMAN who is taken for the Founder of this Empire was the first of the Turks that quarrelled with the Christians for which reason it may be supposed that Original glory is attributed to him by seizing several of the Neighbour Castles as namely that of Cara Ciasar and afterwards others as well by force as fraud until those frequent exploits had rendred him rightly suspect to the Greek Emperours whose Innovations in Religion and persecutions thereupon divisions and unnatural feuds the Grand-Father Father and Sons supplanted one another to the renversment of that once Mighty State opened a way to the mean and despicable Armes of this rude Shepherd even into the heart of the Empire For besides other lesser Skirmishes with the Christians and the Turks of Nice neer to which at Neapoly he erected the seat of his new Kingdom having gained the most part of Phrygia the greater Misia and Bythinia and caused himself to be called Sultan after the death of Aladin of Iconium in whom failed the Zelzuccian line and whom he acknowledged as supreme he besieged Prusa and there fought a great battel with the Confederate Christian Princes in the confines of Phrygia and Bythinia and after a long fight obtained of them a bloody Victory and so curbed that City by building Castles to keep them in and block up the passages that a while before he died in the year 1327. It was rendred to his Son Orchanes and made the Royal Seat of the Ottoman Kings where in 1328. he dyed of the Gout aged sixty nine years and was buried a Monument of him remaining to this day ORCHANES his Son succeeded him who had one onely Brother named Aladin the peaceable enjoyer of a private life for until the time of Bajazet the first it was not the custome to murder their brethren this Orchanes had managed the Kingdom two years before his Fathers death and therefore was the more expert in those Arts by which his Father had enlarged his Dominions He encountred with the Greek Emperour Andronicus at Philochrene where it was a drawn Battel thereafter he surprized Nice regayned from him by the Greeks by strong hand he carried Nicomedia as his Captains took in the Castle of Abydos in the Sreights of the Hellespent whence they had a fair and easie prospect into Europe as he did Callipolis upon the other same shore now one of the Arsenals and chiefest Ports in those Seas and which gave him firm footing in Europe which Orchanes at the advice of Solyman his Son who conquered it peopled with Sarazens out of the County
gross absurdities did he publish to catch the credulous inconsiderate multitude but his devices are so ridiculous that a wise man cannot chuse but smile at his conceits in pleasure this indeed hath made many of the most serious of them to mislike his inventions and sensual delights amongst the rest hear Avicena one of his own Sect Mahomet saith he hath given as a Law which sheweth the perfection of felicity to consist in those things which concern the body whereas the wise and sages of old had a greater desire to express the felicity of the soul then of the body as for the bodily felicity though it were granted them yet they regarded it not nor esteemed it in comparison of the felicity which the soul requireth Nor were his ridiculous fopperies of Hell less then the other namely that it was in the navel of the world compassed with a large high wall of attractive Adamant having seven gates of flaming brass to enter in at that it was divided into several Cells or Dungeons whereof some were more loathsom and fuller of torments then others which are prepared for those souls who have highest transgressed Some of these Caves saith he are so deep that a milstone in a thousand years cannot attain to the bottom and other places are without bottom In the descent of these deep Caves or Dungeons are placed sharp pikes and swords to wound and torment the souls that move there These Dungeons are full of flaming oyle and brimstone which striketh such a terror that the very Devils themselves do howl scrich and rage there beyond measure other Dungeons be full of serpents toads and all manner of venemous and noison creatures that can be imagined Here shall the wicked eat of the fruit of the Tree Zacon which being in their guts shall flame like sulphur they shall drink boyling water and every day have alteration of new torments Some Rivers saith he be full of Crocodiles others so cold as makes them gnash and chatter others boyl with violence of heat yet saith the Alcoran shall not these pains endure for ever for after so many thousand years when each soul hath suffered according to the demerits of the sins which he hath committed then shall they be delivered by Mahomet yea his charity is so great that he will deliver the Devils also first changing their affrighting shapes into others more tolerable and then by washing them in a River flowing out of Paradise called Alcanzar they shall become whiter then the driven snow and from thence forward sing Lala hillulaes unto Mahomet His doctrine of Angels was that they were either good or bad yet both subject to death the good as consisting of flame because Lucifer an Angel by ambition was cast out of Paradise the bad Angels are imprisoned in Dogs Swine Toads Wolves Bears Tygers c. After the Judgement day they must be tormented in Hell some millions of years and afterwards be delivered by Mahomet As absurd and ridiculous were his opinions concerning our Saviour Christ as that the Virgin Mary conceived him by smelling to a Rose presented to her by the Angel Gabriel and that he was born out of her breasts also that he was not crucified but Judas or some other wicked thief in his stead Christ being separated from them by a cloud that covered him which came from Heaven that at the last day the Righteous should enter into Heaven the Jews under the banner of Moses the Christians under the banner of Christ and the Saracens under his banner Having with these and the like odd whimzies patched up his Alcoran to give it the better credit that the people might imagine it to come from Heaven he devised this cuning way He secretly caused a wild Ass to be taken and bound his Alcoran being fairly written about his neck then as he preached unto the people he pretended a sudden rapture of some extraordinary thing that was revealed to him from above and with a loud voice spake to the people Ye have desired a Law behold God hath sent you a Law from Heaven go to such a Desart there shall ye find an Ass and a Book tyed about his neck which will direct you in the wayes which God hath commanded Thereupon the people ran in great hast and as they could do no other found it according as he had said so with great pomp they bring back the Ass with the book about his neck suitable to the bearer and now as thoroughly convinced they give great honour to this their new Prophet Thus were these silly souls deluded by this cunning Impostor who worse then Herostratus purchased to himself a lasting name by by the grandest wickedness that could be committed We shall conclude this Chapter with a brief Epitomy or Summary of their Religion such as it is wherein all those that are not wholly given over to sensuality and brutishness may see the ridiculous machine whereon the great fabrick of their faith is grounded A Summary of the Religion of the TURKS THe Turks believe one sole God in one sole Person Creator of heaven and earth the rewarder of the good and punisher of the wicked who hath created Paradise for the recompence of the righteous and Hell for the last punishment of crimes They believe that Mahomet was a very great Prophet whom God sent in the world to teach men the way of salvation and call themselves Musulmans that is to say recommended to God or saved They believe the Decalogue of Moses and are obliged to observe it they celebrate Friday as the Christians Sunday that day they assemble in Temples at noon to pray They are obliged to pray five times a day viz. in the morning at noon at the evening when the Sun setteth and an hour within night They fast the month or moon which they call Ramazan during this month they neither drink nor ear all the day until the Sun be set but in the night drink and eat according to their appetites flesh and fish except the flesh of swine and wine that is all times forbidden them after this fast they have the feast of great Bairan as the Christians Easter after Lent In this Bayran or Byram lasting 3 days they are very jolly and give Presents like our New years gifts especially the Grand Seignior gives and receives much They are great founders of Temples and Hospitals and are obliged to give to the poor the first day of the year the Tyth of what they have gained during the preceding year They believe that after being well washt saying some prayer appropriate to that Ceremony they have also the soul purified from all filthiness of sin which is the cause that they wash and bath often especially before they pray They have no Sacrament but Circumcision they cause their children to be circumcised at the age of seven or eight years and when they can pronounce these words La ilha ilha allha Mehemet rasoul allha that is There is
not sufficient to mantain the number of their Children they otherwise supply themselves by Handicrafts Trades or what else befits a free-man as teaching Schools transcribing Books c. I ne'er could see amongst them any Printers but Paper is there very well made Some make profit one way some an other as Taylors Shooe-makers c. Of their Monks They have likewise Monks of several Orders but chiefly of these three the first have no propriety in any thing they go almost wholly naked saving their privities covered with a Sheeps skin and in cold weather they use the like to cover their backs their sides their feet and hands are never covered They beg alms as well of Christians as Turks and For God's sake These Monks having eaten an Herb called Maslach are possest with a kind of fury and madness they cut and wound their breasts cross and overthwart and so their arms dissembling all trouble or pain then clap on their heads hands and breasts the spunge or mushrooms of old Trees light burning and not remove them till they are reduced to ashes Another Order I have seen who go with their privy part bor'd thorow and a Ring included therein of the weight of three pound and this to preserve chastity The third Order is rarely seen abroad but remain both day and night in Churches where within some little Angles they have small Cabins no shooes vestments or coverings of the had wearing nothing but one shirt their exercise is fasting and prayers that God would reveal things future to them With this sort of Monks the King of Turks usually consults when he intends a motion on expedition to War They give so much respect to Mahomets Traditions and Statutes Their reverence to Mahomets traditions that not onely they never blaspheme God or his Prophet which amongst us sometimes happens but if they find the least leaf or scrowl thereof lying on the ground they take it up and often kiss it and place it on some shelves or chinks of walls affirming it a sin to suffer that wherein the Name of God and Laws of Mahomet are written to be trodden under foot And no man dares to sell the Alcoran and other writings of their Law to any Christian or any other differing in Religion or Faith with them lest they should be trodden on or touched with unclean hands and whosoever should so do is severely punished And in this regard they may be stiled far more reverent then Christians They have places for Instruction and Teachers both of Men and Women Of their Schools in several Towns Men the Boys and Women the Girls some teach Astronomy Physick and some the Art of Poetry which when they do they speak out with loud voice and moving their hands unto their sides they pronounce their meanings They understand no artificial Musick but frame Verses to certain Rules which consist of eleven syllables The hotness of the Clymate and often sicknesses makes most inclined to Physick wherein they have some small knowledge They learn Astronomy to be thought able to tell fortunes Printing is supplied by a number of writing Priests and perhaps neglected as all learning is to maintain the peoples ignorance and keep them off from search into the gross absurdities of their constrained Religion Their marriages They marry without Vows or Oaths take Wives without portions and for the most part buy them contrary to the Roman custom where the Son in-law was bought with Money to take a Daughter This married Woman carries nothing with her for use or ornament which she is not forced to redeem or purchase from her Parents Evil manners or sterility are causes of Divorces for which there is a peculiar Judge They permit their bond-men or purchased servants to marry but the issue of them are all born slaves The Alcoran perswadeth marriage as pleasing God and Man and it allows plurality of Wives and Concubine as many as a Man pleaseth The Turk amongst his whereof he hath above five hundred in his Seraglio's nameth her for his Wife or Sultana by whom he hath his first-begotten Son All their Wives are used with equality of respect in diet cloaths returns and what concerns them and are most obedient to their Husbands They nurse their own Children and bear them on their Shoulders not in their Arms no men but Eunuchs are suffered to be with them not their own Sons if above twelve years of age they never go abroad but accompanied with onely Women Pilgrims of several Nations travel to visit holy places Of strangers which the Turk possesseth as Mecca and Medinum as Christians Jerusalem where they say Mahomet was buried but this is done as well for gain and profit as for devotion or Religions sake And there having seen a gilded Shoo hanging from the roof of the Church and bought such fine linnen and cloth as they please they return home with great advantage some carrying about the streets water from thence in glases for devotion sake and freely give it to any that are thirsty others do the like for profit And if any one of them happen to die in this Pilgrimage by what occasion soever although he ne're arrive near Mecca yet he hath the estimation and shall be placed in the rank of Pilgrims I know not whether I should call them Miracles or rather Monstrous Toys Miracles done by Mahomet at Mecca which they say he still doth in these times written in their Book called Mehemidine wherein they are perswaded that when Mecca was a building God by the prayers of Mahomet commanded divers mountains to bring their stone to the Fabrick of that Church every Hill his tenth and when divers Mountains had brought their portions and Mecea built and perfectly compleated a certain Hill called Araphat and some other more remote coming thither with their tenths somewhat too late and finding Mecca built and no use of their stones they begun most bitterly to weep which when Mahomet perceived Hills so distressed and understood the cause he said unto them Be of good chear weep not but store your tenths up in a place which I shall shew you and whosoever shall not pray upon your stones his pilgrimage shall be unprofitable and unaccepted And after so doing Mahomet struck the stones with his foot and there issued out Water not useful to drink and imposed a name and called it A Water of Purification whereof every Pilgrim carrieth at his return some portions thereof in vessels and when ever any die the vestures wherewith the body is to be covered are sprinkled with this water for remission of their sins And they further affirm That no man can come to Mecca whose visit is not known to Mahomet who reveals the persons to the Keepers there all Eunuchs and if a Pilgrim come a Ravisher or wicked Man a Christian or any of Religion different from theirs these said Keepers forbid him entrance into Mecca But the body of Mahomet is
miserable enticement to servitude thinking thereby to withdraw their hopes of shifting from them To such as deny Christ and are circumcised knowing they dare not run away no like indulgence offered Escapes of prisoners out of Europe European Slaves may more easily escape then those sold into transmarine Regions they pass Rivers only that may be swimmed over others with great difficulty must pass the Hellespont Such as intend escapes usually attempt it in Harvest season to hide themselves in Fields of Corn and by it live The Night they travel the Day lie close in Corn Woods or Marshes and rather chuse to be devoured by Wolves then brought back to their Tyger-Masters Out of lesser Asia Who flee from thence repair to the Hellespontick Sea between Callipollis and those Towers of Sestos and Abidos now called by the Turks Bogaz Aser that is Castles on the mouth of the Sea where the Waters are straight and narrow hither they come with Saws and Ropes cut Timber-trees and tye them fast together to serve and save themselves for shipping carrying nothing with them but salt If wind and fortune favour in three or four hours they are wafted over if otherwise they perish in the Sea or reforc'd again upon the Coast of Asia if safely pass they then betake themselves to the Mountains and by inspection of the Pole and Star Bootes they tend their way North-ward and sustain themselves with Acorns and Herbs sod in salt If many flie together in society sometimes in Night they set upon the Shepherds and what they find of Victuals take from them sometime they kill and are sometime killed or taken and returned to their old Masters and Drudgeries but the several dangers of travelling consumes more then escape by shipwrack the enemies sword wild beasts and starving hunger The punishment of Fugitives Some are hanged up by the heels and most cruelly scourged and if commit murther the soles of his feet are all slashed into furrows and salt stuffed in Some have great iron chains fastned on their necks and forced to wear them day and night and as long as the Master pleaseth The charity of Greeks Armenians to Captives Death and confiscation of all sorts of Goods is inflicted on those who undertake procure or assist Captives in their flight or running away yet notwithstanding both Greeks and Armenians cease not to entertain them being Christians to hide them and in disguises to conduct them unto shippings of the Venetians or other Christians and freely give them good provisions and all things necessary for their journeys nor do they spare or omit any kind of piety towards them for they confess to have had heard the like experience from Christians charity when as they travelled for conscience sake to Rome or Compostella The Incantation of Turks against Fugitives They have certain kind of charms which they think can draw them off from flying The name of the Slave is written in a Schedule of Paper which is hung up in his Tent or House then with vengeable and horrible curses his head is charged and threatned conceiving this by the devils help the Fugitive will be affrighted with meeting of Lions and Dragons in his Journey or that the Seas or Rivers will swallow him the heavens will grow dark and these astonishments will bring him back again The memory of Christ by degrees lost in former Christian Provinces There is some memory yet left of the expugnation of Constantinople the Kingdoms of Greece Albania Valachia and Servia now reduced to Provinces These for a long time constantly retained the Christian Faith but the children have forgot it and there will come to pass a full oblivion of Christ And likely it is to fall out so in Croatia Hungary and Sclavonia which are now Additaments Adjuncts to the Turkish Empire The condition of the conquered When a Province is subdued taken all sorts of Goods moveable and immoveable are given away for spoil They totally extirpate the whole Nobility but especially the Princely issue And when they took John the Kings Son of Hungary favoured him with life it was on good advice that if Hungary were lost again they might imploy involve him into any new incumbrances and when the Province should be in a quiet and calm condition then to dispatch him for in such respects the Turk regards neither Kindred Father or Brother He spares none And if they do not kill and murther all Church Clergy-men they take yet they expose them to all scorn nakedness and beggery despoyling them of all their Fortunes Goods and Dignities Their Bells their Organs and other Instruments and Ornaments of Churches Chappels and Devotions they raven and tear from the Temples profaning them with consecration to their Mahomet leaving onely the most miserable and wretched Chappels to the Christians wherein they are forbid publick Prayers and may pray seemingly in silence which Chappels when either Earth-quake Fire Tempest or Age destroy they must in no sort re-edifie Preaching or reading parts of the Scripture is utterly forbidden It is a sin to admit a Christian to any publick Office to wear have Arms or habit like a Turk or else to use the recreations of cheerfulness as Pageants Playes or Dancings If they injure Christ or you with bitter or contumacious words you must be silent and endure it If you speak ought against their professed Religion you are forced to Circumcision and but to whisper against Mahomet Fire and Brimstone followeth If a Christian on horse-back pass by a Musselman that is one initiated in the Turkish Faith he must on necessity light from his horse and bowing down his head worship him which if omitted he straight is knocked down with clubs Condition of Priests Fryaâ—â— under Tribute Priests and Fryers are held the worst of Men and are esteemed by Turks the very Sacriledge and Scandal of God and mankind They have no benefit from Churches Upon some festival days a little bread is given them by poor women and not on other dayes They get their livelihood by carrying Wood their custom being to cut down sticks in Woods lade them on Asses and with this Merchandize they cry about the streets Wood to be sold They pay a part of all encrease not only of Corn and Cattel The Tribute of Christians but even Mechanicks pay it out of all their profits And then they pay another Subsidre for every single man through a Family each head a Crown If Parents refuse this Tribute their children are taken from them and made Slaves Others are bound in Chains and beg from door to door to pay this Crown which if they cannot this way procure they are cast into perpetual Prison and when all Duties are performed it is yet lawful for the Turk to chuse the best amongst his Children whom he circumciseth and removes from all approach or sight of Parents and breeds him for his Wars never to return
to plant Religion though we allow Religion to make advantages of war for its Plantation beasts may till the ground though men sow the seed But we say there being some as the Philosopher said Naturâ Domini and some Naturâ Servi some born to Command and some born to Obey That where there is an heap of Inhabitants calling themselves a Kingdom or State that is altogether unable or unworthy to Govern there it is a just cause for another Nation that is Civil to subdue them in order to a better Government amongst them And where the constitution of a State the Fundamental Customs of it are against the Laws of Nature and Nations there a War may be lawful to remove those Customs and Constitutions the light of Reason being that part of the Image of God upon which Government is founded Lo. Bacon They that live in a way contrary to that Reason are immediately uncapable of Government And any Nation ambitious of an enterprise of true glory and merit as the Romans who Marched for the freedom of Greece might divest them of their Government Now the Turks are confessedly a rout and shole of people so ignorant and so barbarous that they are uncapable of government their constitutions are so unnaturall as that of slaves governing freemen that of murder in case of expeding that of commonnesse of women that of prohibiting Learning c. that mankind by a league of nature and the tacit consideration of humanity should rise against them as the reproaches of humane monsters of mankind and the very shame of nature A war being thus commenced by an instinct of nature to reduce beasts to men may be improved by the principles of reason to perswade those men to be Christianâ— Ch. 2. The interest of the Christian Princes among themselves all reconcileable with a common interest against the Turke But because one said that except you bray Christendome in a Morter L. Bacon and mold it into a new past there is no possibillty of an holy warre and was of opinion that the Philosophers stone and an Holy warre were but the Rendezvouz of crack braines that wore their Feathers in their heads instead of their hats and all this in reference we suppose to the divided interests of Christendom Before therefore we unite the European Princes in a common interest against the Infidels we will consider their peculiar interests among themselves and begin we where we are with that of England 1. England being a little world within it self was not much concerned with forreign States any further then by way of commerce and trade Englands inâ—eâ—â—â—â— untill the practices of Spain and France meeting with its own distempers made it more obnoxious then formerly and so branched its interest to these maxims following 1. To maintain a constant warre not onely to discharge ill humore which would otherwise feed upon themselves But first to ballance Europe 2. To train souldiers in the field especially to exercise sea-men who are the best wall of this Kingdome 3. To enrich the noble undertakers with Reprisals or 4. to relieve and ayd a decaying Prince or State 5. To maintain the soveraignâ—y of the Narrow seas 6. To take the thoughts and discourses of the people off from more distastefull affairs at home where all men are never pleased 7. To keep up that reputation abroad which we have gained a main interest in any Estate 2. An inviolated unity secured by Indulgence resolution the one a satisfaction to them who are under the evil of former miscarriage and to secure themselves may fall into more the other a terrour to them who presuming upon that Indulgence attempt further Innovasions a hard and a soft breaks a flint an hard a soft breaks a people 3. No toleration contrary to the established Laws to keep up a perpetual faction The Duke of Rhoan reciteth this as a fundamental maxim of Qu. Eliz viz. to banish from England the exercise of the Roman Religion as the only means to break all the plots of the Spaniards who under this pretexâ— did there foment rebellion deeming saith that Noble person as it is most true thâ—t England is a mighty animal that can never die except it kill it self 4. To be the head of the Protestant Religion to which purpose there should be strict alliances constant and exact intlligence with and a partnership in all the treaties of Protestant Princes especially with the Low countries who open to us the way to France and Spaine alwaies provided that they encroach not either upon our trade or fishing in the last whereof we loose 452000 l. yearly to that people which may be prevented by Lawes and Constitutions in that behalfe provided and engrossed in the treaty However the Netherlands may be divided it s the peculiar interest of England to promote the Protestant Religion with the same measure of zeal the King of Spaine promotes the Catholique 5. National provisions against sloth and luxury two insensible crudities that melt away the English glory It was neither Roman Saxon Dane nor Norman that overcome this Nation but the intemperance of them all all Empires have risen to their greatnesse by sobriety and frugality the mothers of prudence â—nd resolution so by luxury and intemperance whose daughters are softnesse and unmanlinesse they have all declined and come to nothing 6. A well disciplined Militia the Kings of England were alwaies drawn with their swords by their sides All Islands must be well armed for security at home and commerce abroad 7. Very good intelligence An hundred eyes and eares was part of the Kings character they must have this particular from him whom they represent as our Law saith that they have their center every where and their circumference no where and this either by keeping in pay some confidents or maintaining some picklocks or breeding up some youth in foreigne parts at our own or our Embassadours charge and having a watchfull eye over Councellors Embassadours and priviledged persons retinues in England 8. To keep a check mate for France in Flanders or that way France being now as likely to be universal Monarch as Spaine was if they cannot finde a salique Law in Spain as well as France and more dangerous to us by reason of our neighbourhood to it in scituation and distance from its interest and inclination But the French designes are open There Interest is 1. To counterpoise the Empire and Spaine France and therefore the first Card she playes is the embroyling of the Empire which is too great to be attempted untill it be first divided 2. To disturb the Pope who is alwaies by his place and now by Nation an intire friend to his dear house of Austria It was the saying of one Pope at his death to those that wept about him Do not weep for me as long as the Catholique King of Spain is alive And particularly France must much look to her right to envest Church-men 3. To