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
because at a certain time of the year they send a sweet perfume unto them a Purse full of Gold and Silver and in consideration of this yearly tribute they suffer them to exact cheat and rob the poor Travellers and Merchants We advanced far into the Country many days journey before we came to the Turks Army they were upon their return from pillaging the Christians they were laden with spoils and slaves They made as much haste as they could in their march for the Precious John had gathered his Army together and was in the pursuit of them from Suez we came first into the Country called by the Inhabitants Ganfila next to Dafroha and so through Barnagasso Lacca and part of Dangali we arrived at last upon the borders The body of the Turks Army when we met it was near a large lake full of excellent fish The people of this Country are ignorant of all kind of Arts they have not the address of fishing with Bows and Arrows they kill Birds and Beasts upon which they feed and live they own the Turks for their Masters against their will This lake is in the Kingdom of Bamagasso which was lately conquered and taken from the Great Neguz the people retain some Reliques of Christianity but with that ignorance that one can scarce distinguish them from the Heathens unless it be by the name up and down the Country some sorry houses are erected fitter for wild beasts than men The walls are of mud and stones the roofs of a sort of slender Cane and Reeds which grow near the water side and in low places the middle of it is supported by a Pillar of wood that stands in the huts and keeps the whole Fabrick from falling to the ground for this miserable people are not acquainted with the Art of Architecture The Towns are composed of this sort of dwellings there are not many of them but those that are have chosen the best Land for their scituations near some fresh waters or lakes for unless it be in these places the ground is parched up all the year long but during the time of the Rains In Egypt they never fall but in Aethiopia they are very extraordinary about the month of January and February Such violent showers do pour down that no creature is able to abide without a shelter several parties of the Turks Army were stragling up and down but the main body was at the lake Gueresh When we came up to them they were composed of Horse and Foot about six thousand not able to abide a a combat with the Abyssins therefore they thought upon nothing else than a safe retreat They had plundred the Country people that were yet subject to Prester John and had carryed men women and children into captivity A sad sight it was unto us that were Christians to behold our brethren and our Christian name so miserably abused by the enemy of Christ our Abuna could not refrain from tears he laboured to relieve some of them and to comfort them in their affliction but for fear of discovering himself he was not willing to express too much grief or kindness to them The Embassadours credit saved us from all affronts we lodged two nights with them for during that time they expected the coming up of some Troups that were sent to pillage It is the custom of the people that border upon the Abyssins once a year to visit their Territories for they meet with a considerable deal of plunder with little or no hazard The Abyssins are more superstitious than warlike they have been renowned for Valour but at present they are Cowards they suffer every petty Nation that is daring to destroy their borders which is the fault chiefly of their Governors for having so much Riches as they have so many Mines of Gold and other considerable Commodities they might allow a part to some war-like people to fight under their banners and assist them against their troublesome Neighbours At present they have little communication with people of their Religion which if they had it would be a mighty support to them and their interest When the Portugueses were sent with an unconsiderable party into those Dominions the Abyssin Emperour felt the benefit of forrein succours for the enemy was beaten in two battels and forc'd to yield to the Christian Valour Amongst the Prisoners several Noblemens children were seen who by their Meen and Garb were distinguishable from the ordinary sort These poor creatures were led to be sold in Turky and other places as beasts and the worst is they were to be forced to renounce their Religion What a grief was it to their Christian Parents to suffer such a loss to have their Sons and Daughters amongst the Infidels This inconveniency might be prevented did these In-land Christians keep a strong Guard upon their confines or with a stout resolution labour to drive these Robbers far from their habitations or labour to revenge themselves by carrying the War into their own Land or by seizing on the Sea coast and the passages of the mountains that limit their Country where they might place such strong Castles and numerous Guards as might keep the Turks and Moors from all such attempts But when we have fully taken a view of Abassia or Aethiopia Superiour and of the Emperour and Government we may be better able to see the cause of these disorders that happen almost every year in some corner of the Land Having therefore spent some days in the view of our Christian brethren that were led into Captivity we took our leave of them and of the Turks Army and marched on our journey towards a large Town of the Kingdom of Tigremahon called Bashaw it lies beyond a large River that runs through Africa it receives the tribute from other small Rivers and then it runs through many Countreys until it discharges it self into Nilus the people of the Country call it in their language Togassi and others Guekrahock Were it not for this River it were not possible to subsist in this In-land Country but it divides it self into so many branches and waters so large a Territory that no part of the Emperours Country is without some benefit that it brings unto it The Country round about did hear the Marches of the enemies rage and fury the Towns were burnt to the ground the people either fled or carryed into captivity the land and trees were not spared in some places for they had cut down a great quantity to facilitate their passages over some Rivers Here we came into a Country far more fruitful than any other I had seen in Africa it was capable of more improvement did the Inhabitants skill and industry answer the goodness of the soil I do not find but this part might bear as excellent Fruits as any other place of the world The heat of the climate quickens nature in the production of all Vegetatives so that it is blessed with two Springs every year or at
least with two Crops of every thing that is sown or planted unless it be in those places that want the benefit of water we met here with some flying parts of the Turks Army riding apace after the main body for they were pursued by several troops of the Abyssins Those thieves had adventured almost near the Imperial Tents without resistance not without considerable plunder able to reward them for their labours we proceeded on our way about two leagues before we came to meet with the inhabitants of the Country the first were a party of horse-men very well mounted pursuing their enemies they complained unto the Embassadour of the Turks violences we were afraid that they would have violated the Law of Nations upon him they received us with that rage the presence of the Abuna hindred them from offering injury to his Person Him they received with all expressions of honour and kindness and suffered some of them to return back to guard him the rest continued on their way They overtook the Turks at the ford of a little River very busie to get over their Captives and Goods we heard that they fell upon them with a wonderful fury and recovered much of the spoils killing great numbers of them They returned afterwards in triumph with much honour having so successefully encountred with their enemies In the mean whiles we proceeded in our journey towards the Emperour of Abassia who hearing of the Abuna's arrival sent some of his Court to Complement him and bid him welcome where ever he passed the Clergy people came to receive him with more signs of kindness than pomp the processions of the people came to meet us at the entrance of the towns and when we came within sight of the Emperours tents he sent all the Court to receive the Abuna I did carefully observe all the ceremonies of Reception and Instalment The Abuna as soon as he came within the tents went to kiss the Emperours Girdle He was standing in a stately tent erected in the middle of the rest about it was a large place much like to a Market where the Courtiers are accustomed to walk at the right hand is another very beautiful where the Emperours Wives and Concubines dwell at the top of the Princes tent is a Golden Cross with an Angel holding it in his left hand with a drawn Cymeter in the right The Abuna went to change his habit and put on another according to the Abyssin custom It is a very singular one none but the High-Priest hath the liberty to wear it for it is the badge or character by which he is distinguished from the other Papa's or Bishops of that Country and from the rest of the Clergy he was conducted next to pay his respects to the Emperour he was in the Kingdom of Beleguaze near a town very well peopled and scituated in a pleasant plain called Ikroah about six leagues distant from the River Tagassi I had the satisfaction to accompany the Abuna for he was a man of a very mild and kind spirit very pleasant in company yet grave and serious he was led by the Master of the Ceremonies into the Inner room where the Emperour lay upon a curious Bed of White Cotton Bed with a large fringe of Gold behind him stood his naked Sword and round about were the Lords of his Privy Councel above was a Canopy of cloath of Gold with green silk interwoven the room it self was hung with the same stuffe assoon as the Abuna enter'd the room he kneel'd three times on the ground and then ascended the steps to the Bed to perform his respects In the mean whiles the Emperour rose from his couch and half up embraced the Abuna wishing him much felicity in his Empire they discoursed some time together and then he was dismist with all honour and civility the Emperour was pleased to take notice of his retinue and particularly of my self I was also admitted to the honour of kissing his Girdle a ceremony only due to the Prince I followed the Abuna who received me into his own lodgings and would not suffer me whiles I was in that Country to be obliged to any other place for my retreat Now I have brought my Reader into the Imperial tents of Abassia it is convenient that we should take a view as from a high place of all the inferiour orders of men and of all particulars which his curiosity may be inquisitive And first Of the Emperour THe Emperour of the Abyssins is a Prince highly honored of his subjects because they fancy him to be lineally descended from that noble and Religious King that first planted the Christian Religion amongst them and as they are extreamly devoted to it so much that they appear almost extravagant in many of their practises they have no small respect to his Posterity who first brought them the advantage of the Christian Faith None hath access to him of his subjects unless it be upon solemn occasions but the chief Officers of his Crown when he rides or is carryed abroad in a Royal Throne all his people fall upon their knees and adore him this throne is a kind of Sedan but far more stately with steps ascending to it made of wood gilt over covered with Gold it is carryed upon mens shoulders or between four Horses the Emperour appears in it with much state and with more glory than in any other thing that I have seen He never stirs out of his tents but 600 men do follow him at his heels they are his daily guard they wear a Livery and a Habit distinct from all other people on their head a Scarlet bonnet with three white plumes fastned behind with a blew cross on their shoulders they have a very convenient Coat that comes down to their middle with a Girdle or Sash over it a Roman Mantle hangs more proper for State than action the colour is green it is not very long nor troublesome when they are obliged to make use of their hands sometimes they ride sometimes they go afoot as the Emperours occasion requires for that purpose he hath always ready in his Stables great numbers of Horses The Emperours Person is whiter than any of his Kingdom for the Abyssins are tawny a colour drawing near to black I never saw any others of his Relations or kindred but I hear they are all of the same colour The people interpret this to his advantage that God by this distinction hath singled out that Family that is to Reign amongst them out of which they always chuse their Emperour their custom is that he should never marry until he be crowned then with the consent of his Nobles he chuseth two Wives out of his Kingdom he entertains besides as many Concubines as he pleaseth They are always with him in his tents with all their Attendants The first Male-child usually succeeds the Father in his Kingdom Assoon as the children are named they are carryed to a very delicious place
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
Eunuch of Queen Candaces was Baptised by pure water so do they dip or sprinkle with the same element free from mixture all that are baptised they either dip or sprinkle them that is left to the pleasure and choice of the Minister as he sees convenient or as the condition of the child requires he accordingly deals with it And when the child is but besprinkled with water he is lookt upon as well baptized as if he had been washed in the main Ocean over head and ears for they think not that the quantity of water does bring any advantage to the soul nor that an entire washing is essential to the Sacrament of baptism but rather so much only as may suffice to signifie the inward washing and clensing of the mind from all filthy inclination Their circumcision as we have said they will not leave but they do not esteem themselves for it nor do they dis-esteem other Christians for wanting it for they are sensible that the ceremony doth not render them more acceptable to Almighty God nor doth it give them a pre-eminence above others It were to be wished that Christians over all the world were of their disposition they would not then curse and damn their brethren for trifles nor send them to hell because they do not jump with them into the same opinions and follow the same frivolous customs invented by themselves A Christian condescention becomes us we should not rack and send to the flames men of the same profession because only they do not joyn with us in indifferent performances but my design is not to shew the unjustice of the Court of Inquisition nor the cruelty of our Prelates against the dissenting persons that are scattered all over Italy and Spain but to declare the practice of the Aethioplan Church and their moderation They have not that uncharitable opinion of unbaptized Infants as we have they do not judge them in hell or any other place out of Paradise because they have not had the happiness to receive the Seal of the Covenant but they name them half Christians here and think that heaven is prepared for them as well as for the rest of mankind hereafter because that they are born of Christian Parents sanctified from the womb and in the womb by drawing some nourishment from the Sacrament of the Eucharist when their Mothers do receive it the least part of that being sufficient to sanctifie them They often make use of Confession not as we do but in a manner that commends their moderation their wisdom and modesty The persons that are to confess do meet the Priest at certain days in the Church before prayers do begin where they privately confess unto him in general all those sins of which they are guilty they name them not unless they be heavy upon their consciences then they consult him about the remedies proper to satisfie themselves and about the means to avoid such miscarriages for the future I could never learn that they were tyed to this by any other Law but that which is derived from their own necessity and good they are not tyed to particularize their crimes unless they see it convenient for their comfort and reformation The Priest assists them in this occasion assures them of the mercy of God of the pardon of their sins if they continue in that repentant sorrow and if it can produce the amendment of their lives He prayes for them and then sends them away with a blessing The woman that is near the time of her travel is wont to seek this comfort from her Ghostly Father The man that is to undertake some long or perillous journey unloads and discharges his conscience thus to render himself more ready to undergo the hazard Those that march out with the armies take with them some word of exhortation and comfort from their Priests they esteem this custom necessary to them for the maintenance of Christian Religion and stir up from time to time mens drowsie and sottish spirits in the duties of Religion By this means also the Priests do creep into the favour of every one and become necessary in their Generation We are naturally prone to contempt and sloathfulness in devotion this practice is most proper to remove and rid us of those vices Their confessions are more modest more beneficial and Christian-like than ours are The Priest doth not by any power granted unto him pretend to absolve them but he shews them the gracious promises of God in his word and tells them how pleased he is at repentance what hopes there are of his mercy he also warns them to forbear from ill company and other temptations that do endanger our estate after confession they receive the Eucharist They acknowledge the Old and New Testament without any addition to them 46 of the old 35 of the new are the number of the books unto these they think it not lawful to make any addition but they observe many other things that are not contained in these books Their Menda and Abetil directs them in the manner of Discipline and Order that is to be observed in those Countryes besides they obey the constitutions and degrees of their Abuna and his Clergy who commonly assemble once in two years at the Imperial Court to consult about the publick business and give such orders as may prevent the mischiefs that the Mahumetans and Gentiles do daily plot against them for their Priests and Religious men do labour to incroach upon the simplicity of the Abyssins and to abuse their good nature by making it a means to increase the Professors of their Religion they disguise themselves into Merchants and other necessary persons that they might have the liberty to convey with less difficultie their venemous Doctrines to the sillypeople whom they Court with all manner of civility To prevent therefore their designs and to give order to all the contingencies that do happen in a large Empire very often This great assembly meets in the presence of their Emperour to consult about the preservation of themselves and of Religion the Abuna sits in the Chair unless when the Emperour appears amongst them himself then the Abuna sits at his feet and a Throne is erected a purpose for the Neguz the Clergy Bishops and other persons called from all the Kingdoms are round about in a Ring in several ranks when any is to speak he riseth from his place and goes forth into the middle and after an humble obeisance to the Abuna or Emperour he declares his judgment the plurality of voices determines the business in hand The affirmative part do lift up their fore-finger and profess at the same time their consent and if the plurality be on their side above two or three persons their judgment is good and lawful otherwise the business is debated untill that number be found in either side Their decrees are confirmed by the Emperour and his Privy Counsel and nothing is lawful without his consent He is
the only Prince that governs in his dominions none dares but by force of Arms pretend any jurisdiction over his subjects but himself therefore he suffers nothing either in Church or State to be obeyed or imposed without his cognizance The Bishops and Clergy have a power to execute their office teach the people their duty and see to their several charges but they dare not innovate or command the least new thing although it be very necessary without the Emperors leave He commonly declares his pleasure by granting a writing unto which his Picture is annexed as a Seal with a great Cross in his left hand and a sword in his right This Proclamation is conveyed into those parts that it concerns where the people do in a most humble manner receive it When P. Clem. sollicited him to submit to the See of Rome he would never do it but commanded the Embassadour that had made that proposition to depart out of his dominions where he had created a great disturbance by divulging Doctrines that were not known in those parts before Thus the Emperour is sole Lord of both Spiritual and Temporal and will not give an account of his actions to any one upon earth He is respected according to his Authority or Power none dares oppose or contradict his commands but they all yield a blind obedience unto them professing their willingness to submit by kissing on their knees the writing that is brought unto them They make little conscience in the choice of their meats but because it hath been the custom of their fore-fathers to abstain from some sorts of flesh they do imagine that they had some reason to do it which they do not understand therefore they continue the same customs to this day they will not eat of any Beast prohibited by Moses to the Jews nor will they suffer any of them to be killed amongst them unless it be in hunting If any such creature be dead they bury him immediately they will neither eat of flesh torn in pieces nor that hath been hanged stifled or of which some other beast hath been suffered to feed they will not eat any bloud nor flesh where the bloud remains in these particulars they are Religious observers of the Law of Moses not out of conscience but they know not how to leave customs unto which they were bred up from the beginning They have no corporal penalties imposed upon them by their Confessors unless it be in the Covents and Religious Houses In the Country those that commit any sin do suffer for it the reproach of his Neighbour and separation from the Eucharist untill he professes his repentance which commonly is done at the door of the Churches when the people and the Priest go out the Penitent presents himself with ashes upon his Head and a sorrowful countenance confesseth his guilt promiseth an amendment and restitution of the damage if any be received by the Neighbour then the Priest absolves him by declaring that for the time to come he shall have liberty to come to the Lords body Those that are refractory and obstinate they punish by forbidding their Neighbours to converse with them Every one observes this so Religiously that they flee from an excommunicated person as from a Pestilencious body so that he is forc'd unless he will become an Anachoret and run from the conversation of the world to reconcile himself again to the Church by begging the pardon of his offence The power of Excommunication is in the Bishop of every Diocese who is informed by the Priests of every Region or Precinct of the misdemeanors of the people when he is rightly informed not only by the Priest but also by the congregation he dispatches an officer called a Shimcru to give leave to Excommunicate the offending person The Priest in a full assembly informs the people of his commission declares unto them the ill behaviour of the person his wicked life and the scandal that he had given to his Neighbours he makes a long discourse of the means employed to recal him of his obstinacy in despising the Fatherly admonitions that had been made to him and further shews the danger to let him continue in their Communion He concludes with an Excommunication and to render this action more dreadful he gives leave to the infernal spirits to seize upon such a person casting into the Air a fire-brand with some kind of execration ☞ But this kind * The Translator of severity is not often used the offences must be very grievous to oblige the Church to cast upon them her thunderbolts and when she doth it is done with that precaution and with that time that the offender hath leisure to repent and every one is fully satisfied that it neither proceeds from malice nor design When men by their open profaneness and horrid crimes do disgrace the Christian profession when they continue in this manner of life and declare their contempt of God and his power It is then only time to separate such from our Communion who have already separated themselves from Christ and declard their unworthiness to participate with us in the privileges of Christian Religion This was the practice of the Apostles and of the primitive Churches they did shut them out of Heaven who declared they had no desire to come thither and published to the rest the esteem that every one was to have of their persons Amongst them the power of Excommunication was sacred and holy it was only employed at the extremity when no other means neither reprehension nor shame could recal men from their abominable vices It was then esteemed accordingly men were as fearful to fall under it as to be cast into the flames of hell And then it was followed by such effects as did declare the dreadful power of it the evil spirits did take the excommunicated person into their possession and did begin to torment him in the same manner that he shall be in hell so that many times people being sensible of their woful condition did fall upon their knees and beg the pardon of the Church It was also the custom of old Christians never to come near an Excommunicated person all his acquaintance and friends did shun his company so that when he did see himself abandon'd by every one shame grief did work upon him and obliged him to an amendment of life In the time of the Christian Emperours this power of Excommunication began to be horribly abused and profan'd in civil Matters to satisfie hatred and vengeance some Bishops did Excommunicate others at the least displeasure they would send their adversaries to hell and suffer no correspondency to be further entertained between them on earth by this means they did proclaim a publick war one against another and made use of the sacred weapons of Excommunication to make good their quarrel as if God were bound to espouse their particular interests and sins with them against those for whom they had conceived
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