Times being invited into Hungary and the way open'd into Germany by the Malecontents and as the Common Rumor will have it pushed on by Encouragements and Promises from the French Court but more especially by their own Fate the Dice of Fortune were cast and a War determin'd tho' contrary to the Inclinations of the Grand Seignior the Mufti and other Councellors of State. ANNO 1677. But to carry on a War of such weight and consequence preparations were to be first made Money was to be provided which was amass'd and gather'd by such means as we have before related Forces were to be call'd from the most remote parts of the Empire and great stores of all sorts of Provisions and Ammunition were to be lodg'd in Belgrade Buda and the Frontier Garrisons all which requir'd some years to effect And in the mean time as a prelude to this devouring War the Male-contents were to be encourag'd their hopes kept up and the Pashas of Hungary allow'd to succor them as occasion requir'd which they acted with so little regard to the Peace that nothing was heard over all that Kingdom but daily Slaughters Battels Plundrings Firing of Towns and all the other direful effects of War. Accordingly to begin this Year six thousand Turks passed the Raab over the Ice near Furstemberg which gave an alarm to all the Province of Stiria About the same time another party of them belonging to the Garrison of Canisia made a Sally from thence with design to surprize the Island of Serini but being disappointed in that Enterprize they put all the Country of Croatia into a confusion and forc'd Contributions from the People by Military Executions burning and plundring all those Towns and places which refus'd to comply with the payment of such Taxes as they impos'd upon them And likewise another party from Newhawsel made Incursions to the very Gates of Freystadt These ill Successes and the fears of a more dreadful War impending moved the Imperial Councel to thoughts of Accommodation with the Malecontents on any terms whatsoever being almost droven to a necessity of making peace In pursuance of which Resolution General Baragotzi who for his Services was lately made a Count of the Empire and one of the Lieutenant Generals of the Armies was dispatch'd to the Malecontents with new Overtures of Peace the sum of which was this That besides the Act of Oblivion and Pardon formerly offer'd the Emperor was pleas'd farther to condescend that in every County the Protestants should have two Churches allow'd them one for the Lutherans and another for the Calvinists with full Liberty to exercise the Religion they profess'd and that they should be indifferently admitted into all Offices and Places of Trust either Civil or Military together with the Roman Catholicks without any distinction whatsoever unless with respect to the ability and quality of the person This Generous Offer tho' it affected and inclin'd about 1500 of that party to abandon the interest of their Associates yet there were above 10000 others whose Spirits were exasperated and heated above the vertue and power of any lenitive whom nothing could appease nor soften but revenge tho' at the dear price of their Countries ruine and the loss of their own Lives And this Opinion was foster'd and kept up by some ill Men who perswaded the Commonalty that there was no security nor Faith in the Emperor's promises which would no longer continue than until such time as he saw them disarmed and his Enemies at his feet Howsoever not wholly to reject the terms of peace Commissioners were appointed on both sides to meet at Esperies to offer and receive the Propositions which Treaty continu'd during the whole Month of March and at last concluded without any considerable effect only Count Palaffi Imbre became so touch'd with a sense of his Duty that he embrac'd the Pardon and accepted the gracious Offers made him by his Imperial Majesty and afterwards had a Command given him in Hungary under Major General Baragotzi in expectation that by his Example others would be brought to Obedience But in Transilvania the displeasure of that Prince grew higher upon discovery of a Plot against his Life carried on by those who had more Zeal than true Understanding of the Emperor's Interest which caused Apafi not without some reason to declare himself more than formerly in behalf of the Malecontents And so high were the Spirits of both Parties exasperated against each other that the Hussars pursuing a flying party of the Malecontents as far as Rima now a Town belonging to the King of Poland in the Palatinate of Cracovia could not contain their fury against their Enemy with any respect to the Prince or Dominion unto which they were fled but in the heat of their pursuit set fire to the Town Which rash Act was so far resented by the King of Poland that it had caused a War between the two Crowns had not some other Considerations cemented the difference and the common safety united the two Princes against their powerful Enemy as will appear some years after Howsoever in the mean time the King of Poland â—uch'd with a sense of this Disgrace gave License to some of his Troops of whose assistance he had not much farther occasion after the Peace concluded with the Turk to joyn with the Malecontents and serve against the Emperor under the Command of Count Boham These Polanders to the number of 6000 departed from Seratin on the 25 th of September taking their March directly towards Transilvania to which Country this Count Boham had dispatch'd his Major General Frebual before to advise the Prince and Nobility of his coming The which News was so welcom that 500 Horse and 800 Foot were Order'd from a Castle appertaining to Wessellini to meet them on their way and joyn in a Body with them These Troops conducted by Frebual met the Polish Forces at the Village of Nemet on the Banks of the Theysse about four Leagues distant from Mongatz and having pass'd that River they Encamp'd near the Village of Nimelsi about 2 leagues from Zatmar where they attended the coming of Wessellini the Hungarian General with his Forces to joyn with them Whilst they remain'd in this post the parties which they sent abroad had taken several prisoners by whom they were inform'd that Major General Smith was advancing from Zatmar with a considerable Body of the Imperial Army much stronger than that of the Poles and that he march'd with Cannon upon this Intelligence Boham call'd a Council of War at which it was agreed to re-pass the little River Battor and the inclos'd Country adjacent and to post themselves on a Ground of more advantage that they might the sooner joyn with their own Troops not as yet come up and also attend the Attack of the Enemy in a fast and a securer place But before the Camp remov'd from Nimelsi two Polish Gentlemen with a Servant
the 26 th Article of Sopron wherein the same City of Moramoruss is expresly named they had obtain'd the liberty of exercising publickly their Religion and of having Churches Parishes and Schools and have quietly enjoyed the same without giving any offence to the Catholicks until the fatal breaking out of the Wars in the year 1683 and the unexpected Burning of the Town which occasion'd an interruption of the said Exercise of Religion the Ministers and their Parishioners having been forced to disperse themselves up and down yet since the Troubles are appeased they desire in vain to reassume their publick exercise of Religion and to call back their Ministers being hinder'd from the same by the Earl of Hoffkirchen Governour of this Territory who every day growing severer forbids with greater Threats the total Exercise of the Protestant Religion Nay three Months ago the Roman Catholicks did Proclaim with the Beat of Drums that no Protestant should presume to go out of the Territory of Moramoruss to any Neighbouring to perform the Duties of his Religion nor Exercise it in his private House under pain of Imprisonment and of other severe Punishments Therefore they Humbly beg That this their Grievance may be redressed and they re-established in the Privilege granted by the Article It may be added to the foregoing Grievances that one Samuel Bizkey a Protestant Minister of a place of Lower Hungary called Hedes notwithstanding the Protection granted to him by the Council of War has been Plunder'd twice of all the means of Life Clothes Books and Furniture by some Emissaries of the Archbishop of Gran and at last on the 22 d of the last Month of March was taken and carried to Presburg into the Prisons of the Archbishop where he has nothing allowed him but dry Bread and dirty Water Likewise the Protestant Minister of Totâ—falu in Upper Hungary has been taken by a Jesuit called Father Ravasz residing at Naghybania and carried in Fetters into the Prisons of Zatmar where he is still detain'd and most barbarously used The XXI Article of the Diet of Presburg in the year 1687 in the business of Religion the 25th and 26th Articles of the year 1681 are renew'd with the inserted Decleration ALthough they of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg by their protesting against the 25 th and 26 th Articles of the late Diet of Sopron have unworthily abused the same and thereby forfeited ipso facto the benefits granted in them nevertheless since His most Sacred Majesty tending the Union and the general quiet of the Kingdom through his great Favour and Clemency has most Graciously resolved that the said Articles shall yet be in force the States have Order'd That the same shall be lookt upon as renewed and reinforced notwithstanding the opposition of the Catholick Clergy and other secular Persons and that as far as they have hitherto been infringed through Abuses introduced by the one or the other party they shall forthwith be put in Execution To these Agrievances the Emperor returned a very Gracious Answer and made several Proposals tending to a Peace And First He offer'd a General Pardon unto all even to Tekeli himself provided he would personally appear to make his Submission Secondly That every Person should be restor'd to his Lands and Goods confiscated again restor'd Thirdly That free exercise of Religion should be allowed but the manner how and the Regulation thereof should be determined at a General Diet which was judged of absolute necessity for the repose and quiet of Hungary Fourthly That all the vacant Offices Governours and Balliages of that Kingdom should be indifferently conferr'd upon Hungarian Gentlemen who were capable by their Natural parts and Abilities to Merit and Discharge such Preferments And Lastly That his Imperial Majesty would vacate the Office of Vice-King and return to the ancient constitution of a Palatine whose Election should be free according to the usage of former times The Plague which still Raged in Austria and Hungary prevented the proceedings of this Treaty which might have taken effect some time before and answer'd all the Demands of the Malecontents but now so much Blood had been drawn in all Parts and Corners of that unhappy Kingdom that it was past the Art of Man to stanch the Bleeding And besides Tekeli and his Malecontents were so nearly adjoyn'd and engaged in secret Leagues and Alliances with the Turk that it was almost impossible to destricate and disentangle themselves from the invitations they had made and from the Assurances and Pledges they had given to the Turks Howsoever the Emperor not to leave any means unattempted until all was become desperate dispatched Count Esterhasi into Hungary in quality of his Plenipotentiary to put those Overtures into Execution which had been fram'd and debated in the Emperor's Council But whilst these things were in agitation they received another Impediment by a discovery made of a Correspondence which several Principal Officers held with the Maleconts upon which Filek and two other Councellors and Mannagers of the Revenue of Hungary were Arrested and accused of having moved and promoted an Insurrection in divers Counties Towards the end of this year when the Armies were drawn into their Winter quarters new Treaties were set on foot The Baron de Kaunitz the Emperor's Resident at Constantinople labour'd to continue and renew the Truce but the Grand Vizier would not agree thereunto on any other Terms than that it might be allowable for the Grand Seignior to afford aid and assistance to the Malecontents But this was to cure a Soar with a greater Evil and what was inconsistent with Reason to make a Peace and yet to continue a War. When the Emperor believed all Accomodation with the Malecontents impossible at least far distant Behold on a suddain and much unexpected the Counts Tekeli Pestrozzi and Wessellino in despight of their Engagements to the Turks offer'd to make Terms by themselves and to abandon their People and their Cause in case they assented not thereunto The Conditions were to have all their Churches restor'd with their Goods and Estates which had been Confiscated To which the Emperor readily assenting there never appear'd at any time a greater probability and likelyhood of an Agreement than upon this overture But whereas to establish and confirm such an Accomodation it was necessary to convene a Diet which by reason of the present Contagion could not be done a Cessation of Arms was in the mean time concluded But whilst in order thereunto a Conference was held at Tokai Count Caprara unluckily march'd out of his Quarters with a considerable force towards that place upon which the Malecontens were so Allarum'd that they Sallied out of their Winter quarters in great numbers leaving the Treaty imperfect and the Cessation of Arms broken and violated ANNO 1681. Notwithstanding the unlucky Accidents which had happen'd to hinder and disappoint the Progress of the aforesaid Treaties Yet at the beginning of this
recompence this Imperial Royal Favour with all sort of Happines from above Deliver'd to His Sacred Majesty at Aix la Chapelle upon his going to Vienna the 24 th day of April in the year 1689. Your most Sacred Majesty's most Humble and Faithful Subjects the Deputies of the Evangelicks in the Counties Cities Towns and Frontiers of Upper and Lower Hungary about the Business of their distressed Religion The First Article of the Peace of Vienna in the Year 1606. AS to the Business of Religion notwithstanding the former publick Constitutions and the last Article of the Year 1604 which was made without the Diet and the consent of the Subjects and therefore is annulled it is granted That according to his Imperial Majesty's former Resolution to which the Subjects refer themselves in their replying all and each State of the Kingdom of Hungary as well the Peers and Noblemen as the free Cities and the Privileged Towns belonging immediately to the Crown and all the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers shall any where and at any time profess and exercise their Religion without any Disturbance either from His most Sacr'd Majesty or from any Person whatsoever a free exercise of Religion being hereby granted to all the said States of the Kingdom Provided always That the Roman Catholick Religion be not thereby prejudiced That the Roman Catholick Clergy Churches and Chappels remain free and unmolested and that what has been taken from them in these Troubles be restor'd The First Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. concerning Religion COncerning the first Article of the Treaty of Vienna it is resolv'd by the States and Orders of Hungary that the Exercises of Religion shall be left free not only to the Noblemen and to the Inhabitants of the free Cities but also to the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary and to all the Farmers and Peasant that will freely accept the same nor shall any of 'em be disturbed in the free Exercise of Religion but to prevent any effect of hatr'd and dissension between Roman Catholicks and Protestants It is Order'd That each Party shall have a Superior or Surperintendant of his own Profession Although this last first Article of the Year 1608 was renew'd in 77 th Article of the Year 1618 inserted in the General Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second in the Year 1622 restor'd to his Force by the 22 d Article of the Year 1625 by the 33 d Article of the Year 1630 and by the 29 th Article of the Year 1635 confirm'd in the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and 14 th Articles of the new Treaty of Peace made with George Ragoczy Prince of Transilvania in the Year 1648 Ratifyed both in the aforenamed Articles of 1649 and in the 10 th Article of the Year 1649 and in the 18 th Article of the Year 1655 made at Rakocziâ and lastly confirm'd again and inserted in the Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of Leopold the present Emperor in the Year 1659 yet notwithstanding all these the said Article remains without Force and the Exercise of the Protestant Religion is wholly exterminated against the Articles and the publick Constitutions of the Kingdom as well as against the Sacred Imperial Letters Patent And yet all this contributed little towards a Peace for the Results of this Diet concerned none but the good and quiet Men and such as were zealous for the Settlement and Peace of their Country Whilest Tekeli and others of that Spirit whose Minds were possess'd with virulent Malice and Ambition were plotting and contriving the means to set up their own Authority and give themselves into the Hands of the Turks rather than to the Power of their Sovereign Prince of whose natural Clemency thô they were well assur'd yet they suspected and fear'd his Councils which being chiefly influenced and directed by Jesuits and the Spirit of the Clergy could never be reconciled in any tollerable manner to the Protestant profession Thus whilest things were Negotiating in the Diet Tekeli besieg'd Kalo which surrendr'd at discretion with little or no resistance and Prince Apafi joyning with some Parties of the Malecontents laid Seige to Zatmar with an Army composed of Transilvanians Moldavians Turks and Malecontents of Hungary all which acted in four separate Bodies being well provided with Cannon and all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions so soon as Apafi had form'd his Siege he put forth a Manifest or Declaration which he caused to be privately stolen into the Town and there dispers'd signifying that out of Christian piety and compassion to the miserable state of that Kingdom he had left his Country and Dwelling with no other intent than only to cause their Churches to be restor'd to them with a free Liberty of Conscience and Exercise of Religion and that their Estates which had been confiscated for the sake of their Religion and defence of their Rights and Privileges might be again restor'd to them To which he added many Solemn Protestations that he had no other end nor intention than the welfare and happiness of the Kingdom Farther also he said that he had a power sufficient for this Enterprise being well seconded by the Grand Seignior and acted by his Commission and that the Succession to the Principality was promised unto his Son to whom besides the Forces with him he had left a Guard of 20.000 Men. Having made thus much known to the Inhabitants of Zatmar he vigorously proceeded in the Siege having received a Recruit of 8000 Men from the Pasha of Buda being a Detachment from 40.000 which were Encamp'd before the place whereof he was Governour And thô with these Forces the Town of Zatmar was taken yet Serini who Commanded the place retiring into the Castle or Citadel he so well defended the same that Apafi was forc'd to raise the Siege and march away burning several Towns year 1682. and taking a Thousand Prisoners in his Retreat The raising of this Siege was variously interpreted and so ill taken by the Turks that Complaints were made thereof against Apafi at the Port. But it was no time now to make alterations or disturbances in Transilvania Towards the end of this year the Emperor being desirous to Crown the Empress at Oedembourg sent a Convoy of 500 Huâ—sars 100 Heyduks and 500 Cuirassiers to fetch the Crown of St. Stephen from the Castle of Presburg where it is always lodg'd which being brought thither the Empress was Crown'd Queen of Hungary with great Solemnity And that this Ceremony might be performed with the more order and security a Cessation of Arms was agreed with Tekeli for six Moths And to make appear how propitious this day of Coronation was like to be Count Caprara fell on the Rear of Apafi s Forces as they were retiring into their own Country took all their Baggage and entring into Transilvania burn'd five Castles and divers
doing harm especially the Hungarians who were still running out even as far as the Emperours Camp and the new City of Prague Whom for all that the Emperours Souldiers being then twenty thousand strong would not meddle withal being so commanded by the Emperour Howbeit some of these Straglers going too far abroad into the Country were by the Country-men cut off and slain The three and twentieth day of May an Assembly of the States of Bohemia was called at Prague the Emperour himself being there present Adam Waldsteine carrying the drawn Sword before him In which Assembly the Nobility and States of the Country with one consent promised to spend their Goods and Lives in the Emperours quarrel yet in the mean time requesting these things following to be granted and confirmed unto them viz. That Religion according to the confession of Bohemia and Augusta should inviolately be kept and that they which professed the one should not therefore scoff or despise the other That Bohemians only should be preferred to Archbishopricks Abbotships and other spiritual Preferments That the Archbishop should not meddle with Civil and Political Affairs That Ecclesiastical Offices should be permitted unto the Protestant Ministers as in former time the Catholicks in the mean time holding that they had The Pontificial dispensation in causes of Matrimony according to the Decree of the Assembly holden in the Year 1602 should be abrogated and taken away That it should not be lawful for Priests and other Ecclesiastical Persons to buy Lands or Territories without the express consent of all the three States but to hold themselves contented with their Tyths and other their Revenues That it should be lawful for all men in their own Ground and Territories to build Churches for Religion on both sides That Protestants and Patrons of the University of Prague should be joyned to the Consistory as they were in the time of the Emperour Ferdinand That one should be chosen for Burgrave in this Assembly That chief political Offices should not be left void above a Month. That unto these political Offices men of both Religions should be admitted so that if the Burgrave were a Catholick the chief Judge should be a Protestant That every man should enjoy his Right and that no Decree should be published against the same neither that they which were of the Order of Knights should be rashly sued or bound to any arrest That one of the Bohemians should always be chosen into the secret Council and made acquainted with the Bohemian Affairs That every man might have access to the Emperour and not all things to be done by his Counsellors That it should be declared to all Men what was to be understood by the Crime of Treason That a difference should be made betwixt Offences and that no man should for any light Offence together with his Goods lose his Life and Reputation That the Suits of Widows Orphans and others also should with Expedition be dispatched and not from day to day deferred That from henceforth the Father should not be bound to pay the Sons debt which he was run into without his knowledge neither yet the Son himself That in political Offices Men should not be too much grieved with too heavie Exactions That Men sued should not be summoned but in good Terms and that such as were in any Reputation be bound unto any arrest without the hearing of their Cause and much less to be imprisoned That the Sword upon frowardness or madness taken out of the Church of Thine certain years before should be again set in the former place That Lawyers which pleaded mens Causes should be contented with such Fees as were by common Decrees appointed them And last of all to conclude they in any wise requested the Emperour that it would please him to ease the Nobility and States of Bohemia of these Griefs before they were compelled to answer unto such things as were to be propounded unto them on his behalf Who easily granted unto most of these Articles those which concerned Religion only excepted so that the Senators of the old Town of Prague obtained the desired Sword to be again forthwith set in the wonted Place But as for the business of Religion it was altogether put off and deferred unto the next Assembly to be holden at the Feast of St. Michael About the end of May the Arch-duke Matthias's Ambassadors having received saâ—e Conduct from the Emperour and the Nobility of the Kingdom of Bohemia came to Prague and being admitted into the Councel of the Nobility Charles Count Tiseratin to whom that charge was given having in the Archdukes Name first saluted the Nobility caused what he and the rest had in charge to be before them out of a long Writing in the Bohemian Tongue read which done when as the Nobility so requiring they were put aside and almost an hour after were called again they received Answer That the points of the Ambassage by them propounded were greater and of more weight than that sufficient Deliberation could thereof in so short a time be had and that therefore it was by the Nobility thought meet that Commissioners on both sides meeting together in the open Field near unto Debritse should there consult of these Articles and by the Consent of the Emperour and the Arch-duke to do what they might to end the matter Unto which Answer the Arch-dukes Ambassadors consenting the ninth of Iune returned again unto the Camp. The Emperours Ambassadors within two days after with forty Coaches and an hundred Horse following them unto the Place appointed who oftentimes going to and fro at length so wrought the matter on both sides that the Business quietly and friendly ended they were again made Friends The Articles of which Pacification and Agreement betwixt the Emperour and the Arch-duke were the seventeenth day of Iune in the Castle of Prague openly read in the Bohemian Tongue Lichtenstein Kintskie and other Chieftains the Arch-dukes Ambassadours being there present in order thus That the Emperour refused not but that the Crown of Hungary should be delivered into the Arch-duke Matthias's Hands and to yield unto him the Kingdom of Hungary and to remit unto his Subjects the Oath of their Allegeance before given unto him so that the Nobility and States of Hungary should chuse no other King but the Arch-duke That in the next Diet of the Empire he should propound unto the States of the Empire to be considered of what Contribution they ought to make unto the Archduke for the defence of their Frontiers if happily longer War were to be made with the Turk That he should cause the Writings which concerned that Kingdom of Hungary within the space of two Months to be delivered unto the Arch-duke That he should likewise also surrender up the Arch-dukedom of Austria by himself hitherto possessed unto the Arch-duke yet so as that the Arch-duke should take upon himself all the Emperours Debt as well in Hungary as in Austria
remedy unto the present danger and avert the miserable Calamities now hanging over them and even ready to fall upon their heads The Protestant States they said to be content to put the Controversie to be decided and composed by certain grave and wise Mâ—n to be chosen Arbitrators on both parts yet with this Condition That for the space of fourteen days no Hostility should on either side be used that the Inhabitants both above and beneath Amisum should be comprised within this Truce that such as were kept in durance for their Religion should be set at liberty and that all High-ways and Passes should be from all Ambushes and other dangers cleared Unto which their request the King condescending gave leave unto the States of Moravia upon the most equal Conditions they could devise to compose and end all matters who so laboured in this business betwixt the King and the Protestant States of Austria that at length viz. the twelfth of March a Pacification was made betwixt the King and them his Subjects Leopold the Arch-duke Melinus the Popes Nuntio the Bishop of Vienna and other great Men of the contrary Religion and Faction seeking in vain to have letted the same the chief Articles and points of which Pacification were these That the Nobility in their Castles and Towns as also in their Houses in the Cities should for themselves and their People have the free Exercise of their Religion That the free Exercise of Preaching might be used in the three Churches at Iserâ—dore Trihelsuincel and Horne That other Churches shut up might again be opened by three of the Romish and three of the Reformed Religion and the free Exercise of Religion in them used That Counsellers and other publick Officers should from thenceforth indifferently be chosen of men of both Religions but that such Offices as were hereditary should so still remain That the Election of Magistrates and otherpublick Officers in Towns and Cities should from thenceforth be made by the Magistrates and Citizens themselves and not to be nominated from the Court as hitherto they had been That no Church should hereafter be shut against either part but their own Churches to be left unto them both quietly to use That the Towns-men and Citizens in their Towns and Cities should from thenceforth have power to make choice of their Ministers and Preachers and that for them it should be lawful to visit the Sick and to administer unto them the Lords Supper That the Oath of Allegeance should be taken of them of the Reformed Religion in like manner as it had been betaken of them of the Romish but yet not with the same Ceremonies of the Romish Church all union and confederation with them to be had to be taken away that all grudging hatred and quarrel should be on both sides forgiven and for ever forgotten Wolfgang of Hoffkirch Voltsogius and others removed and put from their Offices for not taking the Oath of Allegeance being again received into Favour and restored into their Places That it might be lawful for the Towns and Cities above Amisum to have the free Exercise of the Reformed Religion in their Suburbs and Hospitals It was not long after this Pacification so made but that King Matthias the seventeenth of May going to Lintz with three hundred Horse was there with eight Troops of Horse-men and fifteen Companies of Foot by the States sent forth to meet him most honourably received and by three triumphal Arches brought into the City where he received of the States of the Religion the Oath of their Obedience which with much Joy Triumph and Feasting performed he the seven and twentieth of the same Month again returned to Vienna The aforesaid States of Austria in the mean time with great zeal continuing the free Exercise of their Religion at Horne a great multitude of People daily resorting unto the Sermons there made they of the Romish Religion much grieving and fretting thereat The King himself also being come to Vienna put divers Romish Catholicks out of their Offices and placed those of the Reformed Religion in their rooms to the great discontentment of many About this time the Bassa of Agria notwithstanding the Peace had for the sum of twenty thousand Crowns before hand paid secretly compacted with one Andrew Drake to have the strong Town of Fileck in the upper Hungary delivered unto him Which the Traytor had intended as he himself confessed to have performed by setting of the House wherein he himself dwelt by night on fire unto the quenching whereof the Garrison Souldiers resorting his purpose was in the mean time to have secretly let in the Turks and so to have delivered the Town into their Hands But this his so wicked a purpose in good time discovered and by him confessed he was therefore as he had well deserved alive cut in four pieces a just reward for his foul intended Treason The Bassa of Buda also contrary to the Treaty of Peace about the same time went about to have exacted the Oath of Allegeance of above four hundred Country Villages of the Christians being not comprised within the foresaid Treaty But as the Turks for their part were secretly plotting how to encroach upon the Christians and to do them harm so the Haiducks on the other side in great numbers gathered together in the upper Hungary began here and there to molest and trouble the Turks until they were by their Superiours commanded to desist from so doing for disturbing of the Peace Now about this time also Illishascius the County Palatine of Hungary died at Vienna a man much beloved of the Hungarians his Country-men and now by them no less lamented for whose dead Body was with great Honour afterward conveyed from Vienna unto his own Territory in Hungary and there with all funeral Pomp buried with his Ancestors In whose stead George Turson was afterward by the general consent of an hundred and fifty of the Hungarian Nobility chosen County Palatine of Hungary and so with the universal and solemn Acclamations of the People saluted And now the Troubles for Religion were scarcely well ended in Austria as is aforesaid but that the like or rather worse b%gan forthwith even for the same quarrel to arise in Bohemia the Hussites as they call them most earnestly importuning the Emperour for the free Exercise of their Religion or rather for the taking away of certain grievances done to their Religion and the Roman Catholicks even at the same time leaving nothing unattempted which might serve to bring them of the Religion into hatred with the Emperour and others sitting at the Helm of the Government of the Estate and so to frustrate whatsoever the Emperour had in the general Assembly of the States the last year granted unto them of the Religion for the free Exercise and Advancement thereof The composing of which Controversie tending unto the rending in sunder of the whole Kingdom when as the Emperour had referred unto
big and sour of a barbarous Tyrant and it hath been known that the Ambassador hath been forced to interpose his own Person between the Fury of the Vizier and his Interpreter whose Offence was only the delivery of the words of his Master some of whom have notwithstanding been imprisoned or executed for this Cause as we have partly intimated in the foregoing Chapter The reason of which Tyranny and Presumption in these prime Officers over the Interpreters is because they are most commonly born Subjects of the Grand Signior and therefore ill support the least word mis-placed or savouring of Contest from them not distinguishing between the Sense of the Ambassador and the Explication of the Interpreter and therefore it were very useful to breed up a Seminary of young English Men of sprightly and ingenious Parts to be qualified for that Office who may with less danger to themselves Honour to their Master and Advantage to the Publick express boldly without the usual mincing and submission of other Interpreters whatsoever is commanded and declared by their Master The French Nation hath taken a very good course in breeding up Youths to make their Drugger-men or Interpreters some few Years past twelve were sent to Smyrna where being a while instructed in the Convent of Capuchins and there taught the Turkish and Vulgar Greek they are afterwards dispersed to the several Factories such as were of most pregnant Parts being placed with the Ambassador at Constantinople Such a provision of young Drugger-men at least twelve ought to be allowed for some of them die some grow weary of the Country and are desirous to return Home others not having a sufficiency of Parts nor Health answer not Expectation so that if two or three of such a Number happen to succeed well they are a great help to the Ambassador and the Consul where they serve The English Ambassador had once three Youths sent Aboard on this Design but they are now all three dead and one alone came into Employment It is certainly a good Maxim for an Ambassador in this Country not to be over-studious in prâ—curing a familiar Friendship with Turks a fair comportment towards all in a moderate way is cheap and secure for a Turk is not capable of real Friendship towards a Christian and to have him called only and thought a Friend who is in Power is an Expence without Profit for in great Emergencies and Times of Necessity when their Assistance is most useful he must be bought again and his Friendship renewed with Presents and farther Expectations howsoever this way of Negotiating by Presents and Gratuities is so much in custom amongst the Turks that to speak truly scarce any thing can be obtained without it but is the Wisdom of the Minister to dispose and place them with Honour Decency and Advantage For there are and have been always two or three powerful Persons in this Court which in all Times carry the principal sway and command of all these must necessarily be treated with Respect and often sweetned with Gratuities He that hath Mony may doubtless make Friends when he needs them and with that secure his Capitulation and his Privilege purchase Justice and if his Stock will hold out act any thing that can reasonably be imagined yet it is the most profitable and prudent way to refer something to Friendship and good Correspondence and not all to mere force and strength of Mony. CHAP. XXI How Foreign Princes in particular stand in the Esteem and Opinion of the Turks THE Turks as we have occasionally instanced before are naturally a proud and insolent People confident and conceited of their own Vertue Valour and Forces which proceeds from their ignorance of the strength and constitution of other Countries so that when the Danger which may arise from the Conjunction and Union of Christian Princes to the Mahometan Interest is discoursed of they compare the Grand Signior to the Lion and other Kings to little Dogs which may serve as they say to rouse and discompose the quiet and Majesty of the Lion but can never bite him but with their utmost peril They say farther as by an ingenuous Confession that they are unable to encounter the Christians at Sea to whom God hath given that unstable Element for Dominion and Possession but that the Earth is the Lot and Inheritance of the Turks which is demonstrable by that great Circuit of Empire obedient to the Mahometan Arms. These are the Thoughts and Apprehensions of the Commonalty concerning Christendom in general which I have heard often discoursed amongst them but the Opinion and Esteem whâ—ch knowing Men and Ministers frame of Foreign Kingdoms and States distinctly is for the most part according to these following Particulars Of all the Princes so for remote as England none amongst this People stands in better account than his Majesty of Great Britain not only for the convenience of the Trade which provides the Empire with many necessary Commodities but for the fame of His Shipping and Power at Sea which makes him though divided from all parts of the World yet a Borderer on every Countrey where the Ocean extends And this Esteem and Honour the Sultan bears towards His Majesty hath been evidenced in several Particulars and by none more than by the sâ—curity and freedom his Merchants live in in these Dominions and a readiness always in every reasonable Request to gratify His Majesty's Ambassadors As for the Emperor the Turk knows that his own proper and peculiar Force in it self is inconsiderable but that with the conjunction and assistance of the German Princes they are assured and have proved it to their experience in the Year 1664 that his Strength is equivalent to the Ottoman Power but yet they are not ignorant that the diversity of Religions and Sects in Germany abate much of that vigor and coalition amongst themselves which is requisite to the vigorous opposition of so potent an Enemy And it is evident that the Emperor 's unseasonable Severity against the Protestants in Hungary disobliging his whole Dominion there by depriving them of their Churches and exercising other courses for suppression of the Reformed Religion ripened the Turk's Design of War first laid in the Year 1663 conceiving in that conjuncture holding forth the specious pretence of Liberty in Religion and Conscience the Hungarians would either wholly desert the Emperor or very coldly and faintly apply themselves to his Succour The Effect of which was in the succeeding Wars plainly verified and known that the Hungarians were not only sparing in their Contribution and Supplies of Men in the Service of the Emperor but held secret Juntoes and Councils Whether it were not better to accept the Turk's Soveraignty on the Conditions proposed with Liberty of their Religion rather than to continue in Allegiance to the Emperor who neither afforded them freedom of Conscience which is the Destruction of their Spiritual Estate nor was able to withstand the Turk which argued insufficiency to
the Pacification of Vienna which they called the Foundation of the Kingdom So that this Edict of Lintz was ratify'd and inserted in the Articles of the year 1647 with this Clause Notwithstanding the opposition of the Clergy and other Seculars which shall have no force or vigour for the future Besides the Subscription of the Pacification of Vienna made by all the States both Ecclesiastick and Civil runs thus We underwritten do with common consent in the name of all the States and Orders of the Kingdom of Hungary and the places annex'd to it promise freely and voluntarily c. The third Argument was That if the Lutherans and Calvinists must be tolerated then those only must be tolerated which are of the Confession of Ausbourg and the Confession of the Swisses But both one and the other had abandon'd those Confessions and they instanced in several Articles from which they had deviated But this last seems only a frivolous shift and shews the Resolution the Clergy had taken to oppress the Protestants and indeed this they had always done when they thought themselves the stronger and notwithstanding that this Liberty was often confirm'd as particularly in the Treaties with Botskai Bethlem and Prince Ragotski yet the Roman Catholick Lords and Gentlemen and especially the Arch-Bishops and Bishops persecuted them with Fire and Sword massacr'd them in their Churches and used all manner of Cruelties towards them as far as their Power and Authority could reach so that there remain'd scarce any place of Rest or Security for the Protestants but in the free Cities and those too quickly after were involved in the same misfortune For Nadasti Serini Frangipani and other Catholick Lords taking part with Prince Ragotski against the Emperor in the year 1670. the Austrian Troops entr'd Hungary and carried all before them and with them Troops of Bishops Arch-Bishops and Jesuits whose Actions out-did the Fury of the Soldiers and took this opportunity of dispoiling the Protestants of their Goods Churches Ministers and constrain'd a great part of the People to change their Religion The Protestant Lords were tax'd at immense Sums Soldiers quarter'd upon them and by these means several forc'd to turn Catholicks In short all Upper and Lower Hungary with all the Free Towns fell into the Hands of the Catholicks whose Severities and Cruelties as they found nothing to oppose them so they suffer'd nothing to escape them And this miserable Kingdom labour'd at once under the Licence and Rapine of the German Soldiers and the Rage and Fury of the Jesuitical Converters The Protestants were hang'd up at their Church Gates and several of their Towns burnt One Iohn Backi a Minister was burnt a live at Comarin and the Widow of Laurent le Sur who was of the same Profession had her Head cut off in the same Town And multitudes of both Sexes and all Ages and Conditions were banish'd To Authorize these Cruelties at least to give them a fair gloss they constituted a Chamber of Justices at Poson compos'd of Ecclesiasticks and Seculars all sworn Enemies to the Protâ—stants where it was first order'd That the most considerable Persons should be cited to appear and clear themselves of the Crime of Rebellion laid to their charge They began with those of the Nobility which they thought the easiest to be wrought upon They which made their appearance were thrown into Prison without being judicially heard condemn'd to great Fines and were each minute solicited to change their Religion A Declaration was presented to those whom they found most firm and constant whereby they were required that to satisfy his Imperial Majesty of their Loyalty and Obedience they should no longer protect their Ministers and should promise not to hinder the Priests from saying Mass in their Churches or performing other Ecclesiastical Functions till they were enlightn'd from above saw their Errors and were converted to the Catholick Church But the greatest Storm fell upon the Ministers at whom they chiefly aim'd and that they might get rid of them the better they establish'd three Courts of Judicature One at Tirnavia for those of Poson and two of Poson for the rest of Hungary Nor were they all cited for fear of making too much noise but a few and those of the Ausbourg Confession to try what success they were like to expect from the Prosecution of the rest And because they chiefly design'd to ruin the Protestant Religion under pretence of Rebellion they presented those that appear'd these following Articles to sign 1 st That all the Ministers of both Confessions School-Masters Readers Students c. to escape the Punishments which they had incurred for their Rebellion should promise under their Hands to renounce all their Functions both poublick and private and pass the rest of their Lives peaceably and quietly upon pain of Death if they disobey'd Or 2 ly That they should be banish'd for ever with promise never to return to their Country or to any of the Hereditary Lands or other dependencies on the Empire nor yeâ— to go over to their Enemies Or 3 ly That they should change their Religion which his Majesty chiefly wish'd and design'd and which would be most agreeable both to him and to the Courts of Justice The 25 th of September 1673. Some Ministers to the number of 32 or 33 appear'd and being threatned to be sentenc'd to die if they sign'd not the foregoing Articles some consented others chose to be banish'd and one chang'd his Religion This lucky beginning encourag'd them to proceed and finding fear to be the strongest motive to work upon them they cited all the Ministers Regents School-Masters c. of Hungary to appear before them which caused a strange consternation amongst them and produced very different effects some of them the Nobility would not suffer to appear others fled some again abandoned themselves to the care of Providence made their appearance at Poson to justifie their Innocence from these horrible Calumnies with which they were blackn'd to testifie their obedience and submission to the Magistrate and to satisfie their Churches who earnestly begg'd of them not to forsake them in that calamitous Condition There were 250 Ministers that appear'd and by their Tryals two long to repeat it appears That their Religion was the chief Crime and tho' other things were laid to their Charge yet all was but pretence they used all means to intimidate them and to shake that great constancy which they shew'd for their Religion they sentenced them to death imprisoned them threatned them with the Gallies and employ'd all the pernicious arts of torment and vexation that a persecuting spirit could contrive to shake or surprize the Frailty of Man dragged them into their Churches forced them upon their Knees to adore the Host and their Images let loose the fury of the Soldiery upon them and encouraged them to torment them in the midst of this barbarous usage they would sometimes pretend to shew a glimpse of Pity and endeavour
their Offices and with severe Threats forbid both all the Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Soldiers of the Garison as well as all the Inhabitants and Citizens to continue the Exercise of Religion which had been enjoy'd in the same place from time out of Memory and was confirm'd by the Articles as we have already said till your Majesty's further Resolution were known to the great prejudice of a Spiritual Exercise which suffers no delay and to the diminishing of the Right granted to the Protestants by the Articles and confirm'd by Your Majesty's Favour Therefore they do wholly Rely on the Articles and Your Majesty's Grant and Humbly beg that not only convenient and fit places within the Walls of the said City be appointed to them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes but also that they may have a Free Exercise of Religion together with the common and indifferent use of Bells and Burials according to the aforesaid 26 th Article of Sopron and as they had formerly The Grievances of the Imperial and Free Protestant Cities Veterozolium Breznobania and Libethbania ALL the Protestants of the same Imperial and Free Cities set forth their most lamentable Case in respect of Religion that whereas they should noy be hinder'd to enjoy at least in private the free Exercise of Religion granted by the Articles of Sopron to all and every where in the Kingdom without excepting any part of it and less the fourth State which comprehends all the Imeprial and Free Cities of the Kingdom belonging properly to the Crown through His Imperial Majesty's Favour according to the clear and evident explication of the 1 st Article made before the Coronation in the year 1608. and confirm'd in the 25 th Article of Sopron but rather by virtue of the following 26 th Article of Sopron which speaks in general of the Cities and by way of instance names only two of each sort viz. of the Mountain Cities and of the Free Cities His Majesty's High Commissioners appointed in the year 1688. should also have appointed them commodious and convenient places for the building of new Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes yet they have obtain'd nothing On the contrary the Ministers have been turn'd at and expell'd by the High Commissioners and the Protestants have been most severely forbidden by the same to exercise their Religion in private or to go to any Neighbouring place where their Religion is Exercised Moreover against the express grant of the 11 th and 12 th Article in the year 1647. maugre the Protestants and by force the said High Commissioners have assign'd and appropriated all the Proper Revenues of Schools and Churches to the Catholick Curates which they have brought in and have very few Followers in the Cities of Veterozolium and Breznobania and but one in Libethbania In fine the said High Commissioners did by all means and do still compell without distinction all the Protestant Inhabitants and Citizens especially the Trades and Handy-craft-men to Ceremonies contrary to their Religion therefore the said Protestants humbly beg the same Liberty of Religion as is granted in the Articles and enjoy'd in other Cities since these in no wise deserve a worse case and that there may be assign'd them convenient places for the building of new Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes The Grievances of the Free and Imperial Cities St. George Bazinga Tyrnaw Szakoliza Kussegh and Rust. THese Free and Imperial Cities do also lament and set forth their desolate Case and great Unhappiness in respect of Religion that whereas according to the genuine Sense of the Articles of Sopron made in the behalf of Religion its free Exercise is granted to every one and every where in the Kingdom they should not be hinder'd to enjoy at least in private the said free Exercise of Religion but by Virtue of the 26 th Article of Sopron which speaks in general of the Cities Places should have been appointed them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes yet they have obtain'd none of the premisses but on the contrary have been forbidden to exercise any way their Religion their Ministers have been expell'd and forbidden to come any more into the said Cities it is prohibited under the sorest punishment to frequent the places where there is Exercise of Religion to go thither to have Children Baptiz'd or to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and to send for Protestant Ministers to Sick and Dying Persons in a word the whole Exercise of the Protestant Religion is forbidden against the sense of the aforesaid Articles and the Protestants are compell'd to Ceremonies contrary to their Religion therefore they humbly beg that they may enjoy the same Benefit as is granted in the Articles and have places appointed them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes as well as the other Cities since that Privilege is equally granted to all and therefore the case of some ought not to be worse than that of others The Grievances of the Free and Imperial Cities Trenschin and Modra THese two Free and Imperial Cities complain with a great deal of Sorrow that by Virtue of the 26 th Article of Sopron the Lords Commissioners did indeed assign to them places for the Building of Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes and grant them the free Exercise of their Religion but with such Limitation and Restraint as take away many things essentially requisite and necessary for the said exercise of Religion and are directly contrary to the genuine intention of the Articles as First The Lords Commissioners did lessen the Number of the Protestant Ministers and forbid others to be put in their room after their Death Secondly They did forbid all the Protestants to whom a free Exercise of Religion is granted by Virtue of that General Clause of the 25 th Article to every one and every where in the Kingdom to frequent the Neighbouring Churches and perform in them any duty of Religion Thirdly They did forbid the Ministers to Visit the Estrangers were they never so Sick. Fourthly They did Order that the Handy-craft-men and common sort of People should be compell'd under severe punishment to Ceremonies contrary to their way viz. To walk with the Catholicks in Procession and carry processional Trophies Fifthly They did forbid the Protestant Ministers to go and Administer Baptism or perform other Ceremonies in the Neighbouring Towns. Sixthly They did appoint that there should be no petty Schools but such where Children could Learn only to Read and to Write The Grievances of the Counties of Vpper Hungary Semlin Abavivar Unghwaar Saraz Tornaw c. and of all the Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen living in the Mountain Towns of the Principality of Tokai THe same Protestants are forc'd to Represent to Your Most Sacred Majesty that although in the following words of the 26 th Article of Sopron but in other Counties as in those of Salawar Vesprim Saraz Moramoruss Abavivar Sellia
permitted but the Petty or as the Commissioners term it such where Children learn only to Read and to Write and but in two places mention'd in the Articles all the others are generally shut and prohibited and their Masters turn'd out although the 25 th Article had restor'd both these and the Ministers in their respective Offices It is strictly forbidden that the Divine Service and Exercise of Religion be performed by Protestant Ministers in the Houses and places of Residence of Noblemen or in the Oratories and Chappels belonging to them but with this admirable Limitation That if any Noble-Man will have the Divine Service done in his House he shall employ no other Minister than one of the two left in the County and that only for themselves and their Family All the Payments whatsoever except those which belong to the two Schools appointed in each County are adjudg'd to the Catholick Curates and are generally wrested by the same with the help of the Soldiers The Peasants are absolutely forbidden to Exercise their Religion in the use of Baptism Marriage Confirmation Burials and of the Lord's Supper as also to frequent the places appointed by the Articles for the Divine Service and are compelled with all possible violence to Ceremonies contrary to their way Moreover in many Towns of the County of Turocz as in Bella Zatureza and Pribocz there were Churches Built at the Charges of the Protestants whose Members had not reconciled themselves to the Church of Rome before the Article was made yet without any regard to the Exception contain'd in the beginning of the 26 th Article all those Churches have been seized upon and the use of Bells and Burials is granted no more to the Protestants unless they ask and pay the Catholick Curates for it In the County of Sachsag the Protestants should freely and peaceably have enjoyed all the Churches which were in their Possession when the Article was made and were left for their use by the same Article yet the Illustrious Wolffgang Earl of Kohary Supreme Earl of the said County by Deputation as he has declar'd of the Illustrious George Earl of Erdedy with the assistance of the Vicount of the same County has seized the same Churches except a very small one which stands in a most despicable Village called Drieno and has not been Built by the Protestants Commanding withal all the Protestant Ministers to go out of their respective Parishes and places of abode under pain of Emprisonment and forbidding all Persons of quality to entertain them any way even privately altho' the Protestants of this County had been establish'd and confirm'd in the free use of all the Churches which were in their Possession when the Article was made The most Humble and Lawful Demands of the aforesaid Counties are these SInce His most Sacred Majesty both by the Confirmation of the 25 th and 26 th Articles of the Diet of Sopron made in 21 st Article of the Diet of Presburg in the year 1687 and by the Resolution declar'd to the Deputies of the said Counties in their Audience has engaged his Royal Word not only to observe the aforesaid Articles in all their Points and Clauses but also to cause the others to observe the same therefore the Protestants of the aforesaid Counties Humbly beg that according to the most simple and evident Sense of the same Articles they may be Redressed Re-establish'd Restor'd and by an express Decree confirm'd in the following particulars That according to the intention of the the 25 th Article of the Diet of Sopron all their Ministers and Rectors may live freely among them and perform the Duties of their Prosession without any Limitation since the same Article Grants thus much restoring both the Ministers and School-Masters even those which were Banish'd annulling their Deeds of Reversion That as many Churches and Chappels whose Members are not reconciled to the Church of Rome and have been Built by the Protestants as stand in the said Counties be restor'd to us to Exercise our Religion in them according to the intent of the aforesaid 26 th Article That according to the intention of the so often mention'd 26 th Article the Protestants of the said Counties be discharg'd from paying any thing to the Catholick Curats and oblig'd only to entertain their own Ministers Lastly That any Protestant of whatsoever State and Condition not excluding the Peasants according to these words of the 25 th Article to every one and every where may freely Exercise his Religion without being compelled to contrary Ceremonies and that neither of the Parties perfume to disturb any way the other under the pain mention'd in the said Article Besides the foregoing Demands wherein the County of Sachsag joyns with the other Counties by a particular Right granted in the Articles the same County of Sachsag requires that all the seized Churches be restor'd to the Protestants which were in their Possession when the Article was made The Grievance of the City of Gyongyos THis City complains that whereas according to the express Grant of the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron in these words But in other Counties viz. in those of Salavar Vesprim c. and Geves in which this City stands since the Protetestants are actually in Possession of almost all the Churches there c. Item Finally the Churches which are actually possessed by those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg shall be still for their use c. It should have been left in the actual Possession and use of all the Protestant Churches Parishes and Schools which were quietly possessed by the Protestants before and after the Diet of Sopron to the Date underwritten yet to the great Contempt of His Imperial Majesty's and of the Article's Grant and to the great prejudice of the Protestants Right by Order and Commission of the most Reverend Archbishop of Gran and of the Right Honourable George Earl of Erdody not only the Churches but also the Schools and Parishes with all their Appurtenances consisting in Eleven Vineyards Five Mills One Butcher's Stall and a House which had all been given by Protestants in their Wills or Purchased with the Protestants Money were seized by force on the 21 st of May in the year 1688 last past by the Honourable Iean Almassy of Heves and Francis Setuitter of Pesth Judges of the same Counties moreover the Protestant Ministers and School-masters were Banish'd the Free Exercise of Religion even in private Houses is forbidden as well as the use of Bells and Burials in proper places the Protestants being strictly Commanded to Bury their Dead in remote High-ways and Commons where all the Filth of the Towns is carried Therefore they lawfully Demand a full Restitution of all that has been taken from them and an exact Execution of the aforesaid Article The Grievance of the City of Moramoruss THe Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants together with the Militia of Moramoruss complain that altho' by Vertue of
which the Diet propos'd for Palatine gave a stop to all Proceedings that the Assembly was upon dissolving and Prince Swartzemburg became so tired and wearied with the many unprofitable and fruitless endeavours that he deliver'd up his Commission to Count Capeliers Superintendant of the Council of War to preside in his Place And so restless were the Soldiers and difficult to be restrain'd from breaking out into Acts of Hostility that during the Cessation of Arms a Party of the Malecontents fell upon a Regiment of the Imperialists and cut them in pieces Howsoever the Diet still continued and the Emperor at length with the Advice of his two Favourites pitch'd upon Count Esterhasi to bear the Office of Palatine in Hungary to whom having administer'd the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity he return'd back again to Newstadt The next day following the Diet receiv'd a Letter Signed by Count Tekeli and six others signifying their Resolutions to accept the Pardon and submit to the Emperor Provided that they might have a free exercise of their Religion granted their Churches and Estates which were confiscated restor'd and the Money which they had engaged to pay the Turk supply'd and paid for them by the Emperor And that for performance of the Articles some means and expedients should be found out for a satisfactory Security This Letter was immediately dispatched to the Emperor who with his Council considering thereupon absolutely rejected the new Article relating to the Turks to whom it was resolved to make no payments of Money Of which answer Tekeli being inform'd he dispatch'd a Message immediately unto Count Caprara giving him to understand that he was no longer able to contain his Soldiery within the Rules and Laws of the Truce and so without farther delay seized upon two Passes between Cassovia and Tokai And to put Matters yet more backwards the Deputies who represented the Malecontents at the Diet made a Petition to the Emperor requesting him that he would be graciously pleas'd to remove out of his Councils and Offices of Trusts all such as have had any hand or been instrumental in promoting those Troubles and Civil dissentions which had now near the space of Twenty years infested and oppress'd that unhappy Kingdom But to this Demand the Emperor made no other answer Than that he would consider it By these motions and steps in the Diet towards a Peace the Turks conceiv'd a Jealousy that Tekeli was disposed and inclined to an Accommodation with the Emperor To prevent which a Pasha was order'd to discourse and tamper with him and offer him the Principality of Transilvania after the Death of Apafi And entertaining also frequent Conferences with him and other Leaders of the Malecontents the Pasha so mannaged his Discourse with them by declaring the many advantages they would receive by covering and shrouding themselves under protection of the Grand Seignior that he prevailed upon them to make an offer of Eighty thousand Crowns in case the Grand Seignior would promise to assist them with a Puissant and Royal Army The Emperor upon notice of this private and perfidious Treaty with the Turk was highly incensed and commanded that neither Tekeli nor any of those who were concern'd in this Conference should be admitted as Members into the Diet And giving it now for granted that a War would ensue with the Turk the Marquis of Baden was ordered to Fortify Raab and Count Staremberg to finish the Fortifications of Vienna from the Arsenal of which place great quantities of Granadoes Bombs Powder with Arms and heavy Cannon were transported down the Danube to supply that Important Fortress of Raab Notwithstanding all which the Deputies continued to labour in the Diet and to examin the Aggrievances of the Malecontents and the Palatine Esterhasi made frequent Journies between Oedemburg and Newstadt to render an Account of all Passages and Transactions to the Emperor And that a conclusion might be put to all matters in question the Archbishop of Vienna went to the Diet to agree certain differences arisen between the Clergy and the Laity of Hungary touching the Title to some Lands and Demesnes which was still depending in a Law Suit between them After this Point was agreed the whole Result of the Diet was drawn up in Writing and sent to Tekeli the Substance whereof was this That all the Churches which the Protestants had Built at their own charge and expence should be restor'd with free License to Erect and Build more in any part of the Kidgdom and therein to exercise their Religion and publickly to Preach That a considerable Sum of Mony should be paid to the Turks for once and no more but not by way of Tribute Provided that the Truce made in the year 1664 be again renewed for twenty years longer under the same Articles and Conditions And farther several expedients and means were agreed for raising Monies for payment of the Troops and defraying the charges of the Kingdom during these times of trouble To confirm all which Tekeli was desired to appear at the Diet notwithstanding the late Prohibition and to concur with the other Deputies by Signing these Articles And lest he should make the insecurity of his Person an excuse for his Non-appearance the Son of Count Esterhasi the Palatine was offer'd for a Hostage These Proposals were carried to Tekeli by the Secretary to the Palatine year 1681. who return'd from him in the Month of Iuly unto the Diet still Sitting at Oedemburg with an answer to this effect That Tekeli would not be satisfied with less than an entire restitution of all the Churches That one single Sum of what value soever would not content the Turks who requir'd an Annual Tribute of 40.000 Rix Dollars without which they refused to restore to the Malecontents their Wives and Children which they had given in Hostage And moreover this Messenger gave them to understand that Tekeli absolutely refused to appear at the Diet and that He and his Party were not satisfied with the Election of Esterhasi to be Palatine This answer was the cause of much Debate and Division in the Diet and their Minds and Councils were farther disturbed upon the News that the Forces of the Malecontents being joyn'd with a considerable Body both of Turks and Transilvanians were become 15.000 strong that the Pasha of Waradin kept so close a Correspendence with the Malecontents that it was more than probable that their interest and alliances were so firmly united that neither Party was at liberty to make Terms or Articles of Peace without the Assent or Concurrence of the other The truth of which soon appear'd for Tekeli not long afterwards marched near the Confines of Belgrade where he joyned with a Body of 20.000 Turks and thereby gave evident Demonstrations of his Resolution to maintain the War and that his former proposals and steps towards Peace were all false and feigned with design to Amuse the Minds of the Emperor and
the Diet. The Turks had not as yet declar'd a War for their Forces and Troops from the remote parts of Asia were not in a readiness nor on their March till which time the Emperor was to be amused with Treaties and the appearance of that great Body of Turks near Belgrade was with pretension only to restore Tekeli to the Possession of his Lands Houses and Estate of which he had been unjustly deprived by the Emperor and his Favourites The Emperor finding it now absolutely necessary to conclude an Accommodation with the Malecontents amongst whom new difficulties daily arose returned in Person from Newstadt to the Diet at Oedemburg where the Malecontents thought it reasonable that the Tribute which they had engaged to pay unto the Turks should be charged and levied on the Estates of those who had been the causes of the Troubles and Confusions in that Kingdom This motion had so little ground and was so unlikely to succeed that it put all things backwards and induced the Emperor to limit the Session of the Diet to the 16 th of August hoping within that time to agree on all Points with such who continued constant in their Loyalty and Allegiance to him and for particular Aggrievances they were to be composed by a Select Committee appointed for that purpose But all this while most of the Protestants refused to come to the Diet by reason that the Points about Religion were post-poned by the endeavours of the Archbishop of Strigonium which they in the first place and before all other Matters desir'd to have decided This Point being laid aside the Diet fell to debate on the Proposition sent by Tekeli relating to a Tribute demanded by the Turks and as an expedient and by way of Equivalent for that it was proposed to resign into the Hands of the Turks three Counties viz. Kalo Zatmar and Liptpow to which the Turks seemed with some reason to claim a Title in regard that no longer than since the year 1660 they had been disjoyn'd from the Principality of Transilvania But an end was soon put to this Controversie for both the Hungarians themselves were unwilling to have a Peace purchased from the Turk at the price of their Country by dismembring three Counties from that Kingdom at the mentioning only of which the People were so enraged that fearing lest the Emperor should privately conclude some Article with the Turk in reference thereunto they would not be satisfied until he had permitted them to joyn one of their Confidents with Caprara the Emperor 's Resident at Constantinople who might be privy to all the Treaties and Negotiations with the Turk nor would the Turks accept thereof in satisfaction for renewing the Truce but raised new and greater Demands as they found the Emperor inclinable to yield and condescend For now the Grand Vizier required to have Leopolstadt demolish'd on pretence that it had been Built and Fortified contrary to the Articles of the late Treaty And declar'd likewise the Grand Seignior's resolution to give aid and assistance to the Malecontents until such time as he had put them into a capacity of paying the Annual Tribute for which they were engaged New difficulties were every day started at the Diet so that the Emperor was desirous to dissolve it so soon as was possible but yet he thought not fit to do it abruptly or to break it up in discontent but that something might be done in matters of Religion on which the Protestants most insisted In order unto which it was agreed to grant them a hundred Churches with Money to build others in places most convenient That all Cities and Towns should enjoy a free exercise of their Religion And that all Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontier Garrisons should do the like That all Churches which since the year 1670 had been in the Possession of either Party should so remain That Lutherans and Calvinists might build Churches in any Town or City where they were wanting and Lords and Gentlemen might build Chappels or Oratories in any of their Houses or Castles That in case any Points of Difference should arise relating to Religion or the Matters preceeding they were not to be decided by the Sword but by the Sentence of the King of Hungary And that all People of what Perswasion soever might live amicably no Person was to Revile the other on account of his or their Religion or to utter injurious or unhansome Terms thereof These particulars with some additional Regulations being at last agreed in the Diet and sign'd by the Emperor The next great work was in what manner the Malecontents might be restor'd to their Estates and to their Goods which had been confiscated And how the German Troops and stranger Soldiers might with safety and ease be removed out of their Garrisons and all parts of Hungary which next to the business of Religion was the greatest concernment of the Diet. The next Aggrievance was the Chamber of the Kingdom which Office contrary to the will and approbation of the Deputies of the States was executed by the Bishop of Newstadt whom they consider'd as the Chief Author and Fomenter of all the Troubles of that Kingdom But herein the Emperor was not willing as yet to gratify the Diet. Nor could the Deputies agree amongst themselves of the manner how to make those things practicable which they in the most erarnest manner desir'd And such were the Divisions amongst them that what the Seculars agreed upon in the Morning was disturbed and undone by the Clergy in the Afternoon which the Emperor well considering and how Men of such different interests perplex all Councils was pleased to dismiss the Archbishop of Strigonium and the Bishop of Newstadt as also the Count Capliers a great stickler for the Rights of the Church from their attendance on the Diet so that the Imperial Commissioners were reduced to three Persons namely the Prince of Swartzemburg the Count of Nostiz and Oker the Chancellour And farther to satisfy the Malecontents in their pretensions the Bishop of Newstadt was put by his Office of Vice-President of the Chamber of Hungary and the same was conferr'd on Count Erdedi a Person much more acceptable to the People This gracious Clemency and Compliance of the Emperor was so satisfactory to the Protestants that they wholly submitted that point about the confiscated Goods to the favour and benign inclinations of his Imperial Majesty who not to abuse that confidence which his Subjects reposed in him did freely and of his own accord give order that the Goods and Estates of the Counts Serini Nadasti and Frangipani with those of several other Lords that had been confiscated for High Treason should be restor'd again to their Children or Heirs And the States on the other side to demonstrate the Gratitude and Duty which they professed unto their Prince did in Testimony thereof make a Present unto the Empress of a Purse of Gold containing 2000 Ducats which her Majesty
Emanuel himself being long before dead yet was he still desirous to have it of some one of the Greek Emperors whosoever he were Unto the Pope and the Italians both he and the Noblemen with him had before promised that the Greek Church should ever acknowledge the Supremacy of the Church of Rome and from thenceforth submit it self thereunto as unto the Soveraign Judge of all the Christian Churches which caused the Pope Innocentius by Letters by Legates by Embassadors and by all other means possible to further the Cause of the young Prince Alexius so combined with his own alledging the diversity of Opinions in matters of Religion betwixt the Greeks and the Latines to have been the chief cause that the Mahometans had not been long ago by their United Forces subdued or utterly rooted out In brief the young Prince spared not to promise most bountiful Rewards in general to all that should take his part against his Uncle the usurping Emperor By this means the devout War taken in hand for the Relief of the poor Christians in Syria was laid aside and the same Forces that should have been therein imploy'd now converted against the Greek Empire to the great weakning of that side of the Christian Common-weal and advantage of the Common Enemy who might then easily have been oppressed had he with the United Forces of the Christians been on this side charged home as he was on the farther by the Tartars The Grecian War thus resolved upon it seemed best unto the great Commanders of the Army to march directly to Constantinople as to the head of the Grecian State and place where the Tyrant whom they sought after was resiant In the mean time it was by them given out through all the Greek Cities which the Emperor had strongly manned and fortified for the staying of their passage that their purpose was not to make War against the Grecians their Friends but only to restore their lawful Emperor unto his former State and Honour And that forasmuch as every City and Town in ancient Greece had appointed Rewards and almost divine Honours unto such as had delivered them from Tyrants they should now more favourably receive and intreat them that came to restore unto every City and to every man in general their former Liberty and Honour And so upon the Resolution for Constantinople imbarking their Army and passing through the Ionian-Sea into the Aegeum and so without let through the Straits of Helespontus into Propontis and entring the Straits of Bosphorus Thracius which divide Europe from Asia they came to an Anchor even in the face of the City In this Fleet were two hundred and forty Sail of tall Ships sixty Gallies seventy Ships for burden and one hundred and twenty Sail of Victuallers which all together made a most brave shew covering that Strait in such sort as that it seemed rather a Wood than a part of the Sea. Thus for a space they lay facing the City attending if happily upon the coming and sight of so great a Fleet and the report of so puissant an Army as the young Prince Alexius had brought with him any Tumult or Sedition might arise in the City But the wary Tyrant had so well provided therefore before hand that the Citizens although they in heart favoured the young Prince and wished him well yet durst they not once move or stir in his Quarrel Whilst the Fleet thus lay Embassadors came from the Isle of Creet in two great Gallies with three banks of Oars yielding unto the young Prince that goodly Island with all the Towns and Cities therein which he forthwith gave unto the Marquess of Mont-Ferrat General of the Army thereby to encourage the other great Commanders of the Army to do the uttermost of their devoir in hope of Recompence and Rewards answerable to their deserts and valour Before the arrival of this Fleet Alexius the Emperor had with a great Chain made fast the entrance of the Haven betwixt Constantinople and Pera and appointed twenty great Gallies well manned for the keeping thereof but a great gale of Wind arising the General sent out the greatest and strongest Ship in the Fleet for her greatness and swiftness called the Eagle which with all her Sails up carried with a full gale of Wind by main force brake the Chain and made a way for the rest of the Fleet to enter which the Greeks in the Gallies seeing for fear fled leaving the Gallies for a spoil unto the Venetians by whom they were all taken but not a man found in them The Haven thus gained Theodorus Lascaris the Emperors Son in law was presently ready upon the shore with a select Company of the bravest Gallants of the City and of the Court to have hindred the Latines from landing who running their Ships aground landed with such chearfulness and courage and with such hast that in one moment you might have seen them leap out of their Ships take land enter into the battel and lay about them like mad men This hot skirmish endured a great while for that they were only Foot-men that sustained this brunt for the Horses could not so soon be landed and the Greeks were bravely mounted All this great fight the Constantinopolitans beheld with doubtful hearts expecting what should be the event thereof There were in the City six thousand of the Flower of Greece which bravely sallying out made the battel much more doubtful yet such was the valour and resolution of the Latines that in fine the Greeks discomfited were glad to retire themselves again into the City but with what loss was not certainly known easie it were to guess that it was right great for that the old Tyrant Alexius discouraged therewith and doubtful of his own estate with Theodorus Lascaris his Son in law and some few others of his trusty Friends hard to be found in so dangerous a case the next night following secretly fled out of the City carrying away with him a wonderful mass of Treasure which he against all such events had caused to be secretly hidden by his Daughter Irene in a Monastery of Nuns within the City whereof she was the Abbess and so saved himself The flight of the Tyrant once bruted the next morning the Constantinopolitans taking the old Emperor Isaac out of Prison saluted him again for their Emperor rejoycing greatly for his deliverance and the safeguard of his life and after that opened the Gates of the City to the Latines calling and saluting them by the names of the Revengers and Saviours of the Liberty of the Greeks as also of the Life and Majesty of their Emperor they requested them that they might see and salute Alexius their young Prince whom they had so long desired and so was the City of Constantinople by the submission of the Citizens for that time saved from saccage and spoil The old Emperor thus delivered and together with his Son Alexius again placed in the Imperial Seat
and was afterward by Othomans commandment most cruelly cut in pieces within the view of his chief Castle which Othoman afterwards subdued with all the Country thereabouts The other Christian Princes and Captains saved themselves by flying into strong Holds farther off The Prince of Bithynia the chief Author of this War fled into the strong City of Prusa which the Turks now call Burusa whither Othoman not long after led his Army in hope to have won the same but finding it not possible to be taken by force began presently at one time to build two great and strong Castles upon the chief passages leading to the City which Castles he with great industry finished in one year and in the one placed as Captain Actemeur his Nephew in the other one Balabanzuck both men of great courage and skilful in feats of War and in this sort having blocked up the City of Prusa so that little or nothing could without great danger be brought into it he subdued the most part of Bithynia and so returned home leaving the two Castles well manned with strong Garrisons under the charge of the Captains before named Othoman returning home to Neapolis honourably rewarded his Souldiers according to their deserts establishing such a quiet and pleasing Government in his Kingdom that People in great number resorted from far into his Dominions there to seat themselves whereby his Kingdom became in few years exceeding populous and he for his politick Government most famous And so living in great quietness certain years being now become aged and much troubled with the Gout his old Souldiers accustomed to live by the Wars abhorring Peace came to him requesting him as it were with one voice to take some honourable War in hand for the inlargement of his Kingdom with great chearfulness offering to spend their lives in his service rather than to grow old in idleness which forwardness of his men of War greatly pleased him and so giving them thanks for that time dismist them promising that he would not be long unmindful of their request But yet thinking it good to make all things safe at home before he took any great Wars in hand abroad thought it expedient to call unto him Michael Cossi the only Christian Captain whom for his great deserts he had at all times suffered to live in quiet with his Possessions as it were in the heart of his Kingdom and by fair means if it might be to perswade him to forsake the Christian Religion and become a follower of Mahomet and so to take away all occasion of mistrust which if he should refuse to do then forgetting all former Friendship to make War upon him as his utter Enemy Whereupon Cossi was sent for being perswaded by the Messenger that Othoman had sent for him because he had occasion to use his wonted faithful Counsel and Service in a great exploit which he had intended as he had oftentimes before Cossi thinking of nothing less than of that which ensued came accompanied with such Souldiers as he thought to use in that service But coming unto Othoman and understanding the very cause why he was sent for and seeing danger eminent on every side kissing Othomans Hand after the manner of the Turks requested him in courteous manner to enter him in the Principles of the Mahometan Religion which he promised ever after to embrace And so saying certain words after Othoman he turned Turk to the great displeasure of God and the contentment of Othoman and his Nobility For which his revolting Othoman presently gave him an Ensign and a rich Robe tokens whereby the Mahometan Sultans assure their Vassals of their Favour and the undoubted possession of such Land and Living as they then hold Oftentimes after this Othoman for the contenting of his Souldiers invaded the Countries bordering upon him took many strong Castles and Forts subdued the most part of Phrygia Misia and Bithynia and other great Regions unto the Euxine Sea and being now very aged and diseased as is aforesaid with the Gout and thereby unable to go into the field in person himself oftentimes sent his Son Orchanes against his Enemies who to the imitation of his Father atchieved many great enterprises Othoman his Father yet living Now happily might the considerate Reader and not without just cause marvel what dead sleep had overwhelmed the Greek Emperors of those times first Michael Paleologus and afterwards his Son Andronicus both men of great Valour and still resiant at Constantinople thus to suffer the Turks not Othoman for he as yet bare no sway but others the sharers of Sultan Aladins Kingdom to take their Cities spoil their Countries kill their Subjects and dayly to incroach upon them in the lesser Asia and especially in Bithynia so near unto them and as it were even under their Noses But let him with me here as in a most convenient place but breath a little and consider the troubled State of that declining Empire now hasting to an end and he shall plainly see the causes of the decay thereof and how like an old diseased body quite overthrown and sick to death it became at length a Prey unto the aspiring Turks Michael Paleologus having by great treachery obtained the Greek Empire and by rare fortune recovered also the City of Constantinople from Baldwin the Emperor as is in the former part of this History declared fearing the power of the Princes of the West but especially of Charles King of Sicilia then a Prince of great Fame and Power whom he knew Baldwin the late Emperor ceased not to solicite for the restitution of him again into his Empire and to have also joyned with him a near bond of Affinity by marrying his Daughter unto Charles his Son to avert this danger and to intangle Charles with troubles near home by his Embassadors offred unto Gregory the Tenth then Bishop of Rome to unite and conform the Greek Church unto the Latine and to acknowledg the Bishops Supremacy in such sort as that it should be lawful for any man to appeal unto the Court of Rome as unto the higher and most excellent Court of which his offer the Pope gladly accepted promising to perform what he had before requested for the keeping of Charles otherwise busied But when it came to the point that this reformation and alteration of Religion in the Greek Church should be made Ioseph the Patriarch to begin withall gave up his place and shortly after forsaking the City retired himself into a Monastery near unto the Straight of Bosphorus where he at quiet devoutly spent the rest of his life The rest of the Clergy also discontented with this innovation in their Sermons openly inveighed against it perswading the People not to receive it crying out That now was come the time of their trial the time of their Martyrdom and the time wherein they were to receive the glorious Crown of their painful sufferings insomuch that great tumults were thereupon raised and
not before the time by him prefixed devour the Reliques of the Greek Empire And it were to be wished that the Christians of our time also by their example warned would at length awake out of their dead sleep who of late hath lost unto the same Enemy not the Castle of Zembenic or the City of Callipolis but whole Kingdoms as Hungary and Cyprus and are still fair in the way I say no more for grief and foreboding of evil fortune But again to our purpose Solyman having made this prosperous entrance into Europe and there got strong footing by speedy Messengers certified his Father what he had done and that it was expedient for him with all speed to send unto him a great supply of men of War as well for the sure defence and keeping of those Castles and Forts by him already gotten as for the further invasion of the Country This message was wonderful welcome unto Orchanes and whereas many Families of the Sarasins at that present were come into the Country of Carasina to possess the Dwellings and Places of them which in hope to better their Estate were before gon over into Europe all these Sarasins he commanded to pass over into Europe likewise which they did accordingly seating themselves for a time in the Country near to Callipolis In the mean time Solyman omitted no opportunity to enter further into the Country winning small Forts and Holds and still peopling the same with his Turks And on the other side they of Carasina passed over into Europe placing themselves as it were in a new World. For which cause and for the great desire they had to extend the Turkish Dominion and Religion they refused no pains of War so that all things at that time prospered with the Turks and went backward with the Christians In the time of these Wars not far from Callipolis was a little Castle called Congere the Captain whereof was by a Greek name called Calo Iohannes a valiant and painful man this Captain continually molested and troubled the Turks which lay on that side of Callipolis under the leading of Ezes-Beg many of whom he slew and took Prisoners as he could find them at any advantage Solyman much angred herewith by crafty and secret Espials learned a certain time when he was gone out of his Castle to do some exploit upon the Turks Whereupon he presently so beset the Castle with Souldiers that he could by no means return thither but he must first fall into their hands and for more assurance placed others also in by-ways lest he should by any ways escape The Captain ignorant of all this prosecuted his enterprise and having taken a Turk Prisoner thinking to return to his Castle was hastily pursued by Fazil-Beg for which cause making the more haste he suddenly fell into the danger of the Turks laid in ambush where his men were all slain and himself taken and brought before his own Castle and had there his head presently struck off whereupon the Castle was forthwith by them that were therein having now lost their Captain surrendred and Chazi Ili-Beg a valiant Captain of the Turks placed therein who from thence never ceased to trouble the Country even to the Walls of Dydimotichum as did Solyman also out of Callipolis Thus in the space of one year the Turks got strong footing in Europe possessing divers Castles and Towns with the Country about them which Solyman gave in reward unto his Captains and Souldiers as appeareth by the Graves and Tombs of Ezes-Beg and Fazil-Beg the two which first came over into Europe which are there yet well known About this time it fortuned that as this Martial Prince Solyman was for his disport hawking in the Fields of Bolayre on Europe side galloping in to his Falcon was with his Horse overthrown in a ditch of which Fall he being sore bruised shortly after died The news of his death being brought to Orchanes his Father gave unto him then being sick just occasion of great sorrow so that within two months after he died also being fourscore years old when he had raigned thereof 31 years and died about the year of our Lord 1359. Some Histories report otherwise both of his death and of the time wherein he lived as that he should be slain in a Battel against the Tartars or as others write with an Arrow at the Siege of Prusa in the year of our Lord 1349. But Ioannes Leunclavius in his History collected out of the Turks own Chronicles whom we follow as most probable reporteth it as before This Orchanes was wise courteous and bountiful more ingenious than his Father in devising warlike Engins He built divers Princely Churches Abbies Colledges and Cells and was in his superstitious Religion very zealous in so much that he appointed Pensions to all such as could in the Church say the Book of Mahomets Law by heart and appointed competent maintenance for all Judges of his Courts because they should not take any thing in reward of his Subjects for the perverting of Justice He greatly inlarged his Kingdom in Asia and not content to be inclosed with the Seas of Euxinum and Hellespontus set fast footing in Europe which some attribute to his Son Amurath He was to the Christians always a most mortal Enemy and so died FINIS Christian Princes of the same time with Orchanes Emperors Of the East Andronicus Paleologus the younger 1325. 29. John Paleologus 1354. 30. Of the West Lewis the Fourth of Bavaria 1314. 32. Charles the Fourth Son to John King of Bohemia 1346. 10 Kings Of England Edward the Third 1327. 50. Of France Philip Valois 1328. 22. John Valois 1350. 14. Of Scotland Robert Bruce 1306 24. David Bruce 1341. Bishops of Rome John the XXII 1317. 18. Benedict the XII 1335. 7. Clement the VI. 1342. 12. Innocent the VI. 1354. 10. †AMVRATHES PRIMVS TERTIVS TVRCARVM REX 1350. Saevus Amurathes animo dum maxima versat Discordes Groecos sternere marte parat Totus et intentus sines extendere Regni Europam penitrans obvia quoeque rapit Attoniti trepidant nimia formidine Thraces In medio quorum Sceptra superba locat Hinc Moesos premit ille feros miserumque Dynasten Cossovi in Campis obruit atque necat Sed non longa fuit sceleris tam dira voluptas A servo coesus condidit ense ferox Sterne Amurath new thoughts resolves upon With armes divided Greece to overrun And wholly bent to enlarge his narrow bounds Europe invades and all he meets confounds The too too timorous Thracians stand amaz'd To find his Scepter in their bowells plac'd The fierce Bulgarians did his fury quell And at his feet their noble Despot fell At last the ponyard of a little Slave Taught him what short liv'd pleasures Tyrants have The LIFE of AMURATH The First of that NAME Third King of the Turks And the great AUGMENTOR of their Kingdom AMurath the younger Son of Orchanes succeeded his Father in the Turkish Kingdom
all hope have with a notable Slaughter overthrown them vanquished them and put them to Flight Neither is there any men in the World whom they more fear and stand in dread of than you whom though in number but few they have by their dayly Slaughter and Losses learned no less to fear than if you were many And noâ— to trie the uttermost of their power they are come with their innumerable Legions but are not for that of you any thing the more to be feared than before seeing that we all bear Arms under the conduct of the most mighty God and are by dayly Victory long Expeâ—ience and approved Valour taught what we are to dare besides that the greatest part of their Army is of common Souldiers Slaves or rude Country Pesants or men by force by them compelled more than the Janizaries are no good Souldiers among them the rest as men enforced serve them for fear and against their Wills and they by their Cowardise brought into that Bondage and Slavery What Greeks Macedonians or Sclavonians soever are sent to their Aid for asmuch as they are not yet revolted from the Christian Faith deem them not to stand for them but for us they long for us the Revengers of their Wrongs and for you as victorious Conquerors in this War they have given unto the Turks their Names but unto us their Hearts and Power and pray heartily for our Victory wherefore you ought so much the more valiantly and couragiously to fight by how much greater you see the Victory the Honour the Prey before your Eyes We are not to fight for other Mens Houses and Altars but for our own so our present necessiâ—y requireth in such sort that if we our selves deliver not our selves and bear our selves upon our wonted hope and valour we shall this day be enforced to endure the greatest misery that men may possibly First the loss of our Goods and Substance the Captivity of â—ur Children the deflowring of our Daughters the ravishing of our Wives the slaughter of our Parents the burning of our Houses and Churches and that which worse is than all this the scorn of our Saviour Christ Iesus and his Saints whose images you shall see in despight broken or dragged in the dirt or moulten and converted into other prophane uses all Religion trodden down and God himself if it were possible with violence and despair driven out of our Hearts if we stand not manfully unto it as becometh worthy Champions God is able with his little Finger if he so will forthwith to destroy all the Turks in the World but seeing he hath committed unto our right Hands the defence of his name he first maketh proof of our Courage and Valour that finding the same faithful and ready he may strengthen and defend it with his own right Hand He never yet forsook any faithful or devout man neither will our Saviour Christ be wanting unto you if you be not wanting to your selves in the power of his Name which is above all Names he shall â—read down his rebellious Enemies and exalt the Righteous that put their trust in him Moreover the causes that they and we combat for are divers and our hopes much stronger They fight for their Prophet a most prophane man Author of all Impiety for Spoil and Prey for the destruction of Nations and Countries for other Mens Kingdoms for the inlarging of their Dominions and Territories for worldly Praise and Glory But we contrariwise bear Arms for the Saviour of the World for our Faith and Religion for the Christian Common-Wealth for our Native Country for our Wives and Children for our Fortune and State than which nothing can be more excellent more commendable or honourable What reward is laid up for them in Heaven which have worthily protected or delivered their Country or laid down their Lives in defence of their Faith and Religion Neither having often proved are we ignorant that God will never forsake them that honour fear and serve him Whereby fâ—llow Souldiers you may plainly perceive how far your hopes are beyond theirs Believe our Saviour promising unto you an eternal reward and shew your Fidelity and Valour unto God and your Country together Wherefore seeing without the power of God we can do nothing before the signal of Battel be given I beseech you Collonels Captains and Lieutenants by your effectual and Christian Exhortations in your Regiments and Companies to encourage your Souldiers valiantly to fight the Lords Battel and for the present every man by taking a little Earth in his Mouth to prepare himself according to the necessity of the time as it were to the receiving of the Lords Supper so having cleansed your Souls embrace you one another plight your mutual Faith with your right Hand and a Kiss and make a perpetual Covenant among your selves none of you to forsake one another in this holy Battel but for your Religion and Country valiantly to fight it out even to the last man. And a little refreshing your selves with a short repast as you stand upon the signal given thrice calling aloud upon the mighty name of Christ Iesus fight with the like Valour and Courage so near as you can that he in the Agonie of Death fought for your Redemption and Liberty which that you will willingly do I request and charge you this for our Saviours sake for the Love of our Country and for the Faith you owe both to God and Man. I also pray and beseech you so to fight as men resolved either to gain a most glorious Victory whereof I doubt not or else if it should otherwise chance this day to purchase unto your selves a blessed life in the Kingdom of Heaven not to sup in Hell with the Turks but with the blessed Wights in Heaven for Christ Iesus our Saviour will be alwaies present with us who believe me and so hope will this day not only deliver us out of the Hands of the Turks but to our immortal Glory lode us with the rich Spoils of our Enemies and so in safety bring all home again with much Ioy and Triumph The Bassa on the other side likewise encouraged his Souldiers putting them in remembrance of their former Victories exhorting them not to degenerate from their worthy Ancestors and themselves by whose great Valor the Glory and Empire of the Turks had been so mightily increased and unto whom their great Prophet Mahomet the Interpreter of the gods had foretold the Empire of the whole World to be by all the gods allotted and had by divine inspiration prophecied that antient and stately Nation in time to become the terror of the World the scourge of the Wicked and Commander of all Nations He farther declared unto them what an increase of Kingdoms they had got in that short time since which they first passed over into Europe and filled them with the hope of a great Spoil promising unto them that should in the Battel valiantly behave themselves not only the
the Island of the Rhodes For why it grieved him that so small an Island should lie so nigh his great Dominions in Asia holden by a few Christians to the great trouble of his Merchants trading in the Mediterranean beside many other harms dayly from thence received and to have no feeling of his greatness But for as much as the winning of that place was thought to be a matter of great difficulty and in former times unfortunately attempted by some of the Mahometan Princes he purposed now with good advice to take this enterprise in hand Wherefore calling together his grave Counsellors and most expert Men of War after he had declared unto them the manifold injuries received from them of the Rhodes he propounded the matter Whether it were best to attempt the winning of that Island or not Some forward men perswaded him to revenge the injuries done by those Christians and to subdue that Island which for the nearness unto Cariâ— might of right be accounted as part of his Dominion and not to forbear that enterprise for fear of repulse forasmuch as he was able to bring more Men to assail it than were Stones in the Wall about it Others better advised declared the Strength of the Island with the Valor of the Defendants Men alwaies brought up in Arms as it were chosen out of all parts of Christendom so that it was as they said like to prove a matter of more difficulty than was by some supposed whereof some of the Mahometan Princes had to their no small dishonour already made sufficient trial alledging farther that that small Island which scarcely appeared in the Sea was not of that worth as that he should thereon engage his honour with the lives of so many good men and most valiant Souldiers as might serve for the conquest of a Kingdom For all that Mahomet prickt forward with the Spurs of Ambition and continual solicitation of Anthonius Meligalus a fugitive Knight of the Rhodes resolved to follow the counsel of them which perswaded the War. This Meligalus was a Knight of the Order which when he had prodigally consumed his substance which was great with two others Demetrius and Sophonius men of his own quality and disposition fled unto the Turkish Emperor presenting unto him a perfect plot of the City with all the strength both of it and the Isle wherein it stood and which way he might with most ease win it In which service they frankly offered to spend their lives but hoping indeed by such foul Treachery to repair their broken Estate All things being now in readiness Mahomet appointed Mesithes Paleologus one of his chief Bassas the near Kinsman of Constantinus Paleologus the last Emperor of Constantinople General for that expedition committing to his charge the whole managing of that so great an action Mesithes embarking his Army in number eighty thousand and throughly furnished with all things necessary for the Siege set forward from Constantinople and with a pleasant gale of Wind sailed along the coast of Asia the less towards the Rhodes where by the way he called unto him Demetrius one of the fugitive Knights to learn of him the best means for the safe landing of his Army As for the Arch Traitor Meligalus and chief Author of this War he was fallen sick upon the way and in the extremity of his sickness growing both troublesome and loathsome unto the Turks that were with him in the same Gally was by the Mariners thrown over board alive crying out in vain for help no man vouchsafing to have any compassion upon him and so swallowed up of the Sea received amidst the Waves the just guerdon of his Treachery At this time Peter Damboise a Frenchman an Avergnoies a man of singular Government was Great Master of the Rhodes whose vigilancy was such that commonly once in eight days he had certain intelligence what great matters passed in the Turks Court and therewith of such deep judgment that he was seldome or never overtaken or deceived with any false advertisements This careful Grand Master was not ignorant of all these great preparations neither of the coming of the Bassa and therefore had before strongly fortified the City and so stored the same with all things needful as might well have served for many years siege especially with such Shot and Powder that it was deemed as indeed it was an especial means whereby the City was afterward preserved At the same time many noble and valiant Gentlemen hearing of the Turks designs repaired thither out of Italy France Spain Germany and other places of Christendom chearfully to adventure their lives in defence both of the place and of the Christian Religion against the common Enemy of Christianity The Great Master taking a general view of all the Forces he had to oppose against so puissant an Enemy found that he had in the City sixteen thousand able men in which number were reckoned many Jews and other men of servile condition who in the Siege following did right good service The great Bassa conducted by the false Traitor Demetrius safely landed both his Army and Artillery in the Island the two and twentieth day of Iune not far from the City At which time the Great Master considering that the safety of the City consisted more in the lively valour of the Defendants than in the Strength of the dead Walls or other warlike provision thought it requisite as a part of his duty by chearful perswasions to encourage them valiantly to withstand the force of their Enemies And therefore calling them all together spake unto them as followeth At length valiant Souldiers and Fellows at Arms we see the Turks our mortal Enemies as we were before advertised as well by Letters from our friends as by common fame breathing after our destruction in readiness to destroy our Churches our Oratories our Altars our Religion and whatsoever else we account sacred or religious seeking the ruin of this noble City and the cruel death of us all gaping at once to devour our lives our wealth our hope with all our former honour And truly as I cannot deny but that the chance of War is doubtful and the event thereof uncertain So when I consider your valiant Courage and Chearfulness of Mind I presently conceive a most assured hope of Victory They have entred into Arms against us not so much for any desert of ours or upon any other quarrel as for the unsatiable desire of Rule and the great despight they bear against us and the Christian Religion But to withstand their Fury and to frustrate their Designs we want neither Weapons nor Artillery nor Provision for many years we have a most strong Garrison of Frenchmen Spaniards Germans English and others the very Chivalry of Christendom and that which more is Christ Iesus our Captain and General by whose power we shall no doubt easily repulse the vain force of our most wicked and graceless Enemies The care we have for the
City secretly by night a Ship loaded with Wines out of Crete and in her Alphonsus a Spaniard chief Pilot of the Rhodian Gallies and with him 100 voluntary Souldiers all Latins all which went out of Crete without the knowledge of the Venetian Senate for at that time the Venetians were in League with Solyman The Turks justly offended with the breach of the Truce and the taking in of new Supplies which they supposed to have been far greater than in truth they were without command of any Captain or Ensign displayed in great numbers thrust in through the ruins of the Breaches into the City as far as the Rampiers and Barricadoes new made and furiously assailed the Defendants In which Conflict many were slain and wounded on both sides But after the Turks had to their cost again made proof of the courage of their Enemies as without commandment they began that Skirmish so of themselves they brake it off and retired After the Truce was thus broken the Captain of the Turks Fencers a bloody cruel Fellow having taken three Christians Prisoners cut off their Hands Ears and Noses and sent them so dismembred into the City with Letters to the Great Master charging him with the unjust breach of the Truce barbarously threatning within three or four days to make like example of him to all posterity Amongst others none was more troubled with this suddain and unexpected breach of the Truce than Robertus Perusinus Raymundus Marchet and Raymundus Lupus three Knights of the Order Men of singular Wisdom and Gravity Embassadors at that time in the Turks Camp whom the barbarous People in their fury had undoubtedly slain or put to torture if they had not feared the like measure to have been shewed to their Hostages in the City But after that Nicholaus Vergotus and Georgius Sandriticus two of the Burgesses of the City were come into the Camp with Articles containing the conditions whereupon the Rhodians were contented to deliver up the City all their fury and rage was quickly appeased Solyman for his greater Majesty and the more terror of these Messengers beset round about with his great Army and guarded about with his Janizaries in their richest Attire and glistering Armor gave them audience who admitted to his presence with great humility offered unto him in writing the conditions whereupon the Rhodians would yield up unto him the City The chief points whereof were That the Churches should remain unto the Christians inviolated That no Children should be taken from their Parents That no Christian should be inforced to forsake his Religion and turn Turk That such Christians as would tarry still in the City might so do at liberty without paying any Tribute for the space of five Years That all they which would depart might go with Bag and Baggage furnished with convenient Shipping and Provision as far as Crete and to carry with them so much great Ordnance as they pleased and that the Christians should appoint a reasonable day for the time of their departure All which Articles Solyman condescended unto and solemnly swore faithfully to perform the same But how they were indeed performed the Writers of that age do much vary It should seem they were neither altogether kept nor broken but so performed as pleased the Conqueror certain it is that many great outrages were through military Insolency committed by the proud Turks upon the poor Christians contrary to the mind of Solyman Iacâ—bus Fontanus a Civilian and at that time one of the Judges of the City out of whose writings this History is for most part collected reporteth That the Turks not expecting the departure of the Christians brake into the City upon Christenmas Day by the Gate called Cosquinium polluted the Temples shamefully abused the Christians and made havock of all things and that he himself falling into their hands after he had with such Mony as he had redeemed himself having not sufficient to content all their greedy desires was by them hardly entreated and grievously beaten The Great Master by the counsel of Achimetes putting on such simple Attire as best beseemed a vanquished Man that was to humble himself before the Conqueror went out of the City into the Camp attended upon with a few Knights of the Order where after he had waited in the Rain most part of the day before Solymans Tent at last he had a rich Gown cast upon him and so brought into the proud Tyrants presence Where after they had a while at the first with piercing Eies one earnestly beholden the other the Great Master humbling himself before him was in token of Grace admitted to Kiss his Hand and welcomed by Solyman in this sort Although said he I might worthily and justly infringe the Articles I have prescribed concerning the yielding of the City with thy most wicked crossed Compiers the People of the Rhodes and thee especially such a Captial Enemy from whose deserved punishment neither Faith nor Oath ought to stay a most just Conqueror yet I have determined to be not only gracious and merciful unto thee so great an Offender deserving exemplary Punishment but also liberal and bountiful who if thou wilt by weldoing amend the grievous Transgressions of thy former Life I promise unto thee most honourable Entertainment great Preferment and the highest Places in my Empire in my Army in time of War and in Counsel in time of Peace Not to refuse this mine offer both thy present estate perswadeth thee and the Christians whose quarrel thou tookest upon thee to defend against me with better beginning than success deserve at thy hands no better for what should let thee forsaken of all thy Friends a Man as it were betraied and vanquished to cast thy self into the perpetual faith and protection of a most mighty and merciful Conqueror of himself offering thee this undeserved Grace and Favour Whereunto the Great Master presently answered Most Mighty and Gracious Emperor your offered Favours before your other worthy Captains I deserve not neither is my present estate and desert towards you such as that I dare or ought to refel the same yet I will speak freely in the midst of your Victorious Army a Man vanquished in presence of the Conqueror whose great Mercy I never despaired of and whose Faith I never doubted I had rather now I have lost my Sovereignty forthwith to lose my private and unfortunate Life or else for ever hereafter to live in Obscurity than of my People to be accounted a Fugitive rather than a vanquished Man For to be vanquished is but chance â—f War and of so great a Conqueror no shame to him that is Conquered but afterwards to forsake his own People and to turn to the Enemy I account it shameful Cowardise and Treachery Solyman marvelling at the Courage and Majesty of the Hoary old Prince in his so great extremity dismissed him and sent him again into the City guarded with his own Guard until he was come into
changed and the Venetians glad to endure the proud looks of the Turks their disdainful ears their despightful speeches their long and insolent attendance with many other shameful indignities Yea the Bassa was so shameless as proudly to ask them How they durst be so bold as to impugn the great Emperor Selymus his Fleet at Sea. Whereunto the Embassador answered That the Venetians had always honoured the Majesty of the Turkish Emperors neither had at any time taken up Arms against him but in their own reasonable defence when force was by force to be repulsed a thing lawful even for the wild Beast in the wild Wilderness to do At the first entreaty of the Peace the Bassa seemed to put the Venetian Embassador in good hope that the Venetians according to his request should enjoy their Territories in Dalmatia in as ample manner as in former times and bounded with the same bounds whereof they had in these Wars lost some part about Iadena But when the matter should have come to the shutting up the Turk began to shrink from that he had before promised refusing not only the restitution of the Territory they had indeed by Treason got but by cautelous expositions of his meaning framing the conclusion of the present Peace unto the form of their former Leagues required That as the Turks had now yielded unto them Malvasia and Nauplus so now they should redeliver unto them two other places of like worth and importance As for not restoring the Territory they had taken about Iadera to colour their deceit they pretended that they might not by their Law restore unto the Christians any Town or place wherein were any Church or Temple dedicated or converted unto the Mahometan Religion as was there and further That the same Territory was already given by Selymus in reward unto his Souldiers Men of desert from whom without great injury it might not be again taken Hereupon the French Embassador complained That promises were not performed and the Venetians so fretted that they were even about to have returned as Men shamefully deluded without concluding of any thing Yet when no better could be obtained the Turks still standing upon such hard terms the Embassadors by the appointment of the Senate concluded a Peace with the Turk whereof these were the chief Capitulations first That the Venetians should give unto Selâ—mus three hundred thousand Ducats one hundred to be presently payed and the other two hundred by equal portions in two years next following then That the Merchants Goods should be indifferently on both sides restored and lastly That such places of the Venetians as the Turk was already possessed of should still remain unto the Turks but that such Towns or places as the Venetians had taken in the Turks Dominion should be again forthwith restored For the first payment of the Mony the Turk was earnest thereby as by a fine for an offence committed to make this League unto him more honourable This Peace at Constantinople concluded the eleventh day of February in the year 1574 year 1574. was by the Decree of the Senate confirmed and afterwards the 13 of April following solemnly proclaimed in Venice to the great wonder of the other Confederates For the better satisfying of whom the Popes Nuntio with the Embassador of Spain were sent for into the Senate House And although there were many things that grieved the Venetians yet did they forbear all hard speeches and of that their moderation received so much the more honour as it is more difficult for an angry Man to overcome himself than others The Duke with calm and temperate Speech framed to the purpose declared unto them That Anger and Hope two evil Counsellors being set apart he had concluded a Peace with the Turk not for that he was desirous of the Turks friendship which what account it was to be made of he right well knew but for the love he bare to the State which was not only with loss but even with death it self to be maintained How he had been spoiled of the Kingdom of Cyprus he further declared and that the Venetian State grew every day weaker and weaker by the continual War and that therefore before it were by loss upon loss come to the uttermost of extremity they not able to maintain so heavy a War were to take some better course for the preservation of that which wasyet left of their Seigniory for that the safety of the Venetian State should at all times be a sure fortress and defence of the Christian Common-weal against all the furious attempts of the Enemy and uncertain events of time The Fame of this suddain and unexpected Peace was for the just and common hatred of the Christians against the Turks generally evil taken and the Venetians for the concluding thereof hardly spoken of as if they had betrayed the whole Christian Common-weal or at leastwise their Confederates For Men were for the most part of opinion that the Turks Peace would be but feigned and deceitful and that having gained time to set things in order according to his desire he would for the natural grudge he bare unto the Christians come to his old course and as he had always done break the League and take up Arms. Some said That the Venetians forsaken of their Friends and Confederates would in their own devices perish yet so as that their destruction would turn to the general harm of all Christendom and these Men were of opinion That in that case and against that Enemy a dangerous War was to be preferred before an uncertain and dishonourable Peace Nevertheless the Venetians besides that they for the present eased themselves of many an heavy burthen so have they thereby enjoyed the fruits of a long and happy Peace and found the same unto their State both wholsome and profitable until this day It was thought by the sequel of matters That Selymus was the more willing to have Peace with the Venetians that he might the better recover the Kingdom of Tunes and the strong Castle of Guletta from the Spaniards who with the Knights of Malta now gaped more after Tripolis and the other Port-towns holden by the Turks upon the Coast of Barbary than how to defend the Venetians their Confederates Thus with the loss of Cyprus and some part of the Venetian Territory in Dalmatia ended the mortal and bloody War betwixt Selymus and the Venetians In the Course whereof is well to be seen what great matters the united Forces of the Christian Princes were able to do against this most mighty Enemy if all discord and contention set apart they would in the quarrel of the Christian Religion joyn with heart and hand against him and fight the Battel of Christ Jesus Selymus now at Peace with them who before most troubled him to keep his Men of War busied shortly after converted his Forces against Iohn Vayvod of Valachia and so at length joyned all that Province to his Empire This
the midst of their Enemies and as for Belgiosa himself he strangely escaped out of the Battel and saved himself by flying to Veradin The victorious Rebel after the Battel instead of praising God sacrificed to the Devil by sending a great part of the Ensigns by him gained unto the Visier Bassa with a thousand Praises of his Glory for supporting of him in his Rebellion and vaunting much of this his Victory gave him withal to understand That he had slain above six thousand of his Enemies This Victory gotten together with the humble Submission of Botscay obtained of the Great Sultan That from thenceforth he should be stiled by the Name of the Prince of Transilvania with a farther Charge from him to do the uttermost of his endeavour for the subduing unto his Obeisance the rest of Transilvania promising plentifully to supply his Wants both with Men and Money and out of hand to send him three thousand Tartars to his Aid And indeed this was a very great and bloody Battel fought from the first break of the Day until eleven a clock at Noon but whether so many were slain there or no it cannot certainly be told for that divers of them who were said to be slain and so accounted among the dead had hid themselves in the Wood there by and some others of them by some other means escaped Death also Petsie himself had with him when he was taken two Monks whom the Souldiers in despight cut into many pieces and carried him fast bound in Chains to Derritza to be there cured of the dangerous Wounds by him in the Battel received But as for Pallas Lippa who being wounded was taken Prisoner with Petsie he was afterwards by Botscay appointed his Lieutenant General and so by his Commandment was publickly proclaimed as he which was desirous to take upon him the defence of the reformed Religion and of such as were willing to profess the same who forthwith made a general Proclamation That all they which were desirous of the liberty of Conscience and to live free from the Superstitions of the Roman Church should repair unto him as unto their Head and Chieftain ready to entertain them and to allow to every one of them five Dollars a Month for their Pay. Upon which Proclamation made a great Multitude of Men upon the sudden resorted unto him so that in a short time he had following of him ten thousand Haiducks beside a number of other of the common rascal People yea almost all the Gentlemen of the Country repairing unto him bound themselves by Oath to him and one of them to another That as they would not take up Arms to fight against the Christian Emperour so they would not submit themselves unto the Turk but only stand upon the defence of their Religion and the liberty of Conscience The Rebel Botscay thus wonderfully increased in Strength and Number beset almost all the Passages of the Country and with the Sword of Rebellion in his hand and his Souldiers following him commanded the Cities still as he went to yield unto him but hearing that Belgiosa was after the late Overthrow gone from Veradin to Cassovia where his Wife lay and being come thither to have been by the Citizens rejected who would not only not receive him into their City but turned his Wife also out of the City unto him he with a great Army coming thither took the City without resistanâ—â— the Citizens for the most part enclining unto him of which City being possessed he forthwith changed both the Religion and Civil Government thereof slew part of such as were of the Romish Religion and thrust the rest out of the City with all the Church-men took the Bishop and the Emperour's Treasurer Prisoners and so changed the whole Government of the Town up-side down The only man he stood in fear of was Belgiosa for whom he laid wait by all means he could to have taken him with a purpose to have used him most hardly if he had fallen into his hands These things thus done in Transilvania and in Hungary the Visier Bassa being about to return to Constantinople to grace that little which he had done this Year in Hungary and to avoid the suspicion of his evil Success in that Province borrowed of Botscay the rest of the Ensigns together with Petsie and other the noble Christian Captives which he had taken in the late Battel with Belgiosa which Ensigns and Prisoners he confidently afterwards caused to be presented unto the Great Sultan Achmat as taken by himself and in recompence thereof left three thousand Turks and Tartars with the Rebel to aid him in his Wars both in Transilvania and Hungary Basta the Emperour's Lieutenant in Hungary and Governour of Transilvania hearing of the Stirs and Troubles of late raised in both those Countries by Botscay and his rebellious Followers and having as he thought best set all things in order again at Strigonium marched thence with his Army being fourteen thousand strong towards Cassovia with a purpose to have suppressed the Rebellion in the upper Hungary before it should have spread farther to the endangering of the whole State of both those Countries as afterward it did Howbeit before he could come thither the Rebels after the taking of Cassovia being wonderfully increased both in Strength and Number had taken in most of the strong Towns and Places in the upper Hungary the People almost generally now favouring their Quarrel carrying with it the Face of Religion with the suppressing of the German Government both things unto them much pleasing And now hearing that Belgiosa a man of them most hated being as we said shut out of Cassovia was fled into the Castle of Zipze they by Letters required of Turson Captain of the Castle to have him delivered unto them to be according to his Deserts punished promising withal to do Turson himself no harm so that he would take part with them in the defence of their Religion and of the liberty of Conscience which if he should refuse to do yet that they would give him free liberty to depart whither he would out of his Castle and in safety to conduct him thither so that he would forthwith resolve what course he would take but if he should of this his Offer mislike also then they threatned to spoil his Country to kill his People to raze his Castle and to make himself an Example unto others Wherewith for all that he nothing moved refused to deliver unto them Belgiosa the Man whom they so much desired or yet to accept of any of their other Offers Whereupon the Rebels with great labour repairing the broken way betwixt Cassovia and the Castle and bringing certain Pieces of great Ordnance from Cassovia in great number came and straitly besieged the Castle With whose Attempts the valiant Captain nothing moved with his thundring Shot out of the Castle so welcomed them that having thereby received great harm they thought it
by performing all the parts both of a good Captain and valiant Souldier he by true Valour enforced them at length to retire back again into the Woods from whence they came having in this Conflict slain fourteen of them with his own hand About this time was a Spy taken in the Imperial Camp one of Botscay's chief men discovered by one coming from Cassâ—via to Eperia which knew him who by Basta's Commandment apprehended and upon torture examined and confessing what he had done was for his good service hanged and afterward quartered to the Terrour of others attempting the like The Turks this year were not much fortunate in their Wars Hassan the Visier Bassa and their General against the Christians in Hungary having in vain as is before declared besieged Strigonium and with all his Forces done nothing worth the remembrance and Cicala Bassa their other General against the Persians in the East being with all his great Power by the Persian King overthrown and put to flight and the City of Babylon now called Bagdat taken and was first at Prague the two and twentieth of October reported by the Secretary of the Vayvod of Valachia sent thither in Ambassage from his Master unto the Emperour and afterward confirmed by an Ambassador sent from the Persian King himself unto the Emperour who having audience told his Majesty how that the King his Master was not ignorant of the great and difficult War by him now for many years maintained against the Turkish Sultan with whom although he for his part might have lived in Peace and Amity yet that moved with the Zeal which one Prince ought to have to the relief of another he had taken up Arms against him so to avert some part of that heavy War from his Majesty even upon himself and that he had already obtained many great and notable Victories and Conquests against him and recovered a great Territory wrongfully before taken from the Persian Kings his Predecessors by the Turkish Sultans and that now he was of nothing more desirous than to joyn in a perpetual League and Amity with his Majesty that so in a most strong Confederation combined together they might never afterward be dissevered or ever make Peace with the Sultan without one anothers Knowledge and Consent And further That for his part he was minded never to give over the War so happily by him begun until he had driven him even into his Imperial City of Constantinople so that his Majesty would on his part do the like by continuing of his present Wars it being not possible for the Turks to hold out against them both and the only means to abate his greatness and to assure them in their Estates requesting him withal to send back with him some grave man his Ambassadour with sufficient Authority and Instructions to conferr about these Matters with him that so knowing and understanding one anothers Mind the League and Confederation betwixt them might the more easily and commodiously be made and concluded Neither were the Turks busied with these forreign Wars only against these so great and mighty Princes in Places so remote and far off but unto these were joyned their own intestine and civil Wars and Troubles also the Rebels being yet up in the lesser Asia and the Bassaes of Aleppo and Damasco two of the most famous Cities in Syria and both of them men of great Place and Command of late up in Arms one of them against the other insomuch that they had brought the matter to be tryed by the Sword in the plain Field where the Bassa of Aleppo in a great and bloody Battel overcome and flying unto his own City was by the Bassa of Damasco pursued thither and so straitly by him besieged with an Army of thirty thousand men that in fine he was glad to reconcile himself unto him and to make his Peace by yielding unto whatsoever the other Bassa his Enemy pleased to demand of him as being thereunto driven by the Extremity of Famine which then reigned in the City as also for that he had lost a great number of his Men whom he had sent secretly out of the City to seek for Victuals being all slain by the Bassa of Damasco's Souldiers With which so great matters the Bassaes of the Court who had the managing of the State under the young Sultan were much troubled he himself as was fittest for his years in the mean time dilighting himself with the Pleasures of the Court and much rejoycing at the Birth of his first begotten Son who was born about that time The Revolution of time had now thus brought this year to an end year 1605 the Troubles of Hungary and Transilvania yet still more and more so increasing as if that those most miserable Countries had by the just and heavy Judgments of God been now appointed unto their last and utter Ruine and Destruction the Causes of their so great Miseries proceeding not so much from the Turks their Enemies as from the natural Inhabitants themselves who in Minds divided both in Religion and Affection some of them continuing in their Allegiance unto the Emperour and othersome following the Ensigns of the Rebel Botscay did both unto themselves and to their Country more harme in a little time than had the Turks in many years before Of which so dangerous a Dissention and of the harms thereof insuing Belioiosa left by Basta as his Lieutenant was reported to have been the first and chief Authour For whereas the year before the Bishops and other Clergy-men in an assembly of them at Possonium had without the Knowledge of the Nobility and States of Hungary published a decree by them there made for the burning or perpetual banishing of all such as were of the reformed Religion in Hungary and that the States of that Kingdom understanding thereof and solemnly protesting against the same under the Seal of the Lord Palatine had publickly affirmed with just Arms to defend themselves if they should for their Religion be called into question or troubled and had again repeated the same their Protestation at Galset Yet Belioiosa nevertheless in the mean time by cunning seising upon the reformed Churches at Cassovia would not suffer the Citizens of the reformed Religion there to have any Sermons in their own private Houses or so much as to read on the holy Bible Neither any whit moved with the former Protestations of the Nobility and States had taken unto himself all the Lands and Goods of them of their Religion in Cassovia not suffering them to bury the Bodies of their dead within the City near unto the Monasteries And requesting to have borrowed of Botscay certain thousands of Crowns and thereof by him denied caused his Souldiâ—â—s to ransack two of his Castles and â—o â—poil hiâ— of all the Wealth and Treasure he â—ad theâ—ein For which Indignities and Injuries 〈…〉 caused open Proclamation to be 〈…〉 he would give unto every Haiduck
certain of his chief Counsellors and they altogether favouring the Roman Catholicks would give them of the Religion no certain Answer whereon to rest they therewith much discontented as our of hope to be by them relieved and in gâ—â—aâ— fear to be by their Adversaries as Enemies â—nto â—he State oppressed layd their heads together and after good Deliberation taken what were best for them to do both for the safety of themselves their Wives Children and Religion they by a general consent of themselves appointed the fourth of May to hold a general meeting of them of the Religion in the new Court at Prague there to consult of all matters concerning the bâ—siness of Religion And yet in the mean time openly in Parliament protesting by the Mouth of Wentceslaus Bodouiisius a Baron of Bohemia Them to have appointed this Assembly for the Emperors good and for the common quiet of the whole Realm as also for the better informing of the Emperour of all Matters and to provide that the Emperour and the Kingdom might not through the means and perswasions of those his evil Counsellors be brought into extream Peril and Danger Immediately after the States of the Religion with all speed dispatched their Ambassadors unto King Matthias the Elector Palatine the Duke of Saxony and the Duke of Brunswick to request them by their intercession to become Mediators for them unto the Emperour for the obtaining of the free Exercise of their Religion which in all points agreed with the Confession of Augusta and which long before was exhibited unto Maximilian the Emperour and by him allowed Now in the mean time these the States of the Religion were by some for these their proceedings commended but by other some not only blamed but also accused of Rebellion against the Emperour and the State. But the matter being declared unto the Emperor he complaining unto himself of the inconsiderateness of his Counsellors to maintain his Authority caused the Parliament then in hand to be prorogued and to seem of himself to grant that which he could not well withstand commanded by a Decree that same very day to be appointed for the concluding of that Article of Religion on which the States themselves had before appointed for their Assembly to be holden in the new Court at Prague Notwithstanding which Decree many troublesome Spirits publickly set forth other their Conceits in Writing to far other purpose grievously therein reprehending the States of the Religion for that of themselves they had appointed a day for their Assembly into the new Court at Prague Which as they said was nothing else but in a rebellious manner to rise against the Laws of the Kingdom and the Authority of their lawful Prince and therefore advised them to forbear from making any such Assembly as was by them appointed Hereof arose great troubles even under the Emperours nose in Prague the chief City of Bohemia they of the Religion not daring to trust the Roman Catholicks neither they them being still ready upon every false report or vain â—urmise to go together by the ears until that the Emperour for the staying of these Troubles and the avoiding of farther danger was glad to cause it to be openly proclaimed in the new Court at Prague That his Imperial Majesty having received and understood the Apology of the States now did abrogate that his Edict published against them but a few days before and now by this his new Edict did account all the States of the Religion for his faithful and well beloved Subjects and as of them unto whom the right of the Kingdom and the King's Oath belonged as well as to all other States of the Kingdom And that he also had those the same States excused in that they for the good of his Majesty and of the whole Kingdom had appointed their Assembly in the new Court at Prague and that therefore he denounced them in so doing not in any thing to have done any thing contrary unto his Majesty And that he appointed the five and twentieth day of May for the general Assembly of Parliament to be holden in the Castle of Prague for the ending of the Article concerning Religion and the reforming of other the publick Grievances of the Common-weal yet with this proviso That the said States should safely and quietly come unto the said Parliament without entertaining of any foreign Souldiers as that his Majesty should also not by himself nor any other for pay entertain any or suffer any foreign Souldiers to come into the Kingdom Which the Emperours Edict being proclaimed the States of the Religion having made their publick Prayers and sung certain Hymns and Psalms unto the Glory of God for the good success of their business left the new Court at Prague and returned every man home to their own Houses to make themselves ready to come unto the Parliament to be holden at the appointed day But the day appointed for the Parliament being come and the Emperour still delaying the matter the States of the Religion weary of such long delays and in doubt to be therewith deluded as having not received from the Emperour any such answer as whereon to rest the third of Iune offered unto the Emperour a short writing concerning their Grief and farther purpose to this effect They had as they said expected and well hoped that regard being had not only of so many requests of so great and most noble Princes made in their behalf but even of the Emperour's promise also made unto them both in the general Assembly of the States the last year and in the late Precept of the Emperour 's also they should at length have received such answer unto their Petition concerning the free Exercise of their Religion as whereon they might have safely rested Which for that it had not been yet done they referred the doing thereof unto God and future time imputing the blame thereof not unto his Imperial Majesty but unto the unquiet and troublesome Natures of some as well the Ecclesiastical as Temporal Magistrates and Persons But forasmuch as they meant not longer to be deluded by their Enemies and much less to be defrauded of his Majesties Royal Promise which was now unto the World known they had thought good to offer and present unto his Majesty a Writing conceived in the Bohemian Tongue according unto which they desired to be secured concerning the free Exercise of their Religion most humbly requesting his Majesty to accept of the same and at length to satisfie their requests Which if it might not be granted the Emperour's Majesty having more respect unto the troublesome Clergy-men and some other his evil affected Counsellors than to the faithful States and Subjects of his Kingdom that then they would rest themselves upon the Decree made in the Assembly holden in the year 1608 and upon the last Edict of his Majesty yet with this solemn Protestation That seeing they had by certain Information understood much Warlike Preparation
but especially in Bavaria to be made and divers Consultations in many Places to be holden against the States of the Religion his Imperial Majesty and the other his faithful Counsellors thereof not knowing which might tend unto the Ruine and Destruction both of his Majesty and of the whole Kingdom they themselves would take upon them the defence thereof and do their endeavour that furnished with Men and Arms they might to the uttermost of their power defend him their Sovereign together with themselves and the whole Kingdom against the Force and Invasion of their foreign Enemies In the mean time while these things were thus in doing an Ambassador came from the Duke of Saxony to Prague to intreat the Emperour for the States and for the granting of them the free Exercise of their Religion the Ambassadors of the States of Silesia forthwith following of them also who in like manner requesting also of the Emperour to have the liberty for the free Exercise of their Religion by him confirmed unto them promised their most ready help and aid unto the States of Bohemia if need should so require But the States of Bohemia having from day to day in vain expected answer from the Emperour turning themselves unto their former Resolution for the defence of themselves and of their Religion forthwith raised a great number both of Horse and Foot whom with their well-known Captains and Commanders they brought even unto the City of Prague Howbeit at length viz. the eleventh of Iuly the Saxon Ambassador earnestly solliciting their Cause and urging their request they according to their desire received answer from the Emperour by Letters from his Majesty written to this effect He gave all Men as he said to understand and by these his Letter witnessed to eternal Memory That after that all the free States of his Kingdom of Bohemia which in the receiving of the Lord Supper participate the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under both kinds his faithful Subjects had in the Assembly holden in the Castle at Prague in the year 1608 in all humility requested That it might be lawful for them to hold and freely to Exercise their Religion according to the Confession of Augusta as some call it exhibited unto his Father Maximilian the Emperour of most happy Memory and by him unto the said States allowed and that he then and at that time by reason of other most weighty business for which that Assembly was then called and such as could suffer no Procrastination or delay had thought it good to deferr the allowing and ratifying of this their Petition unto this present Assembly of Parliament and that the same States now again assembled incessantly renewing this their former Petition and having thereunto joyned also the request and Intercession of certain Noble Personages had requested to be therein satisfied and that he with his Counsellors would consult how Provision might be made for his Subjects in the Kingdom of Bohemia as well Commucating under both kinds as under one now at length to have effected the same Wherefore seeing that his Will and Desire was that both in these and future times Peace and Quietness might for the increasing of the Kingdom be preserved and kept amongst his Subjects of all the three Estates of the Kingdom of Bohemia communicating as well under the one as under both kinds that both parties might freely and without any impediment or let have the free Exercise of their Religion whereby they were both in hope to obtain everlasting Salvation And to the intent that Accomplishment and Satisfaction might in all points be made as well according unto the breaking up of the Assembly of Parliament in the year 1608 as to the performance of his own Precept of late published whereby he hath acknowledged and even yet acknowledgeth those same Estates communicating under both kinds and subscribing to this Confession for his faithful and loyal Subjects unto whom the Rights and Immunities of the Kingdom of Bohemia belonged He by the common consent of the Counsellors and other Magistrates of the Kingdom did determine That his Subjects communicating both under one and both kinds should friendly and peaceably live together without wronging or reviling of one another and that upon the Pain and Penalty in the Law set down to be inflicted upon them that should otherwise do And moreover seeing that they which communicated but under one kind enjoyed the free Exercise of their Religion in all points throughout the Kingdom of Bohemia that he gave leave and commanded that they also which communicated under both kinds viz. all the States of the Religion with all such as embraced the Confession of Bohemia sometime exhibited to Maximilian the Emperour his Father in the Parliament holden in the year 1575 and now again to himself presented should every where and in all places of the Kingdom have the free Exercise of their Religion without the let or interruption of any to retain the same until a general Union of Religion and an ending of all Dissention and Controversies might be made Moreover That He did grant unto the States of the Religion this Favour That they should have the lower Consistory at Prague with Power to conform the same according to their own Confession That they might lawfully make their Priests as well in the Bohemian as German Tongue and set them over their Churches without any let of the Arch-bishop of Prague That he did also restore unto them the University of Prague which for many years ago belonged unto the States of the Religion under both kinds giving them Power again to open the same to furnish it with grave and learned Men of their own Confession to beautifie it with good Laws and to appoint certain of their own Company and Profession for Governours and Defenders as well of the Consistory as of the University whom so by the States appointed and chosen he without any stay or delay or other instruction or information than they should from the States receive would confirm in that their Office and pronounce them for the lawful Defenders yet so as that if he being letted by other greater business cannot perform the same within the space of fourteen days they shall nevertheless continue Defenders and as well enjoy the charge of the Office committed unto them as if they had been therein by him confirmed and that one or other of their number being dead it shall be lawful for the States to chuse others in their Places And if that beside the Churches which they now hold they would build other more or erect more Schools for the instructing of the Youth it shall be lawful for them freely and without any let so to do as well in the Cities as in the Country Towns and Villages And forasmuch as in some of the Cities of the Kingdom of Bohemia Men of both Religions dwelt together he therefore did will and command That for the preservation of Peace and Quietness
either part freely exercising their Religion and obeying their Priests should by no means either hurt or trouble them on the other part and much less to hinder them to bury their dead in their Churches or Church-yards with the ringing or tolling of the Bells or go about to turn any Man from his Religion of what state or condition soever he be whether he dwell in the City or in the Country Town or Village or by force to draw them to their Opinion or to take their part For that he only respected that Peace and Quietness might be kept and that mutual Love might still grow amongst all the three States Unto which end and purpose that He for himself and his Heirs and the Kings of Bohemia his Successors in the Faith and Word of a King did grant and promise unto the States of the Religion unto whom this common Peace of Religion as they call it belongeth as to a principal member of the Empire all these things to be for ever inviolably kept the Ecclesiastical and Temporal Persons whosoever in vain resisting so that no contrary Precept or Edict should either by himself or any other his Heirs or Successors be published against the States of the Religion or being published by any should be accounted effectual and strong especially seeing that he by these his Letters pronounceth all the Edicts hitherto published against these the States of the Religion to be void frustrate and of none effect Neither would that any thing of those which were done by the States of the Religion whilst they sought for the Confirmation of this Article concerning Religion should for ever be layd to their charge or by any man by way of reproach objected unto them And that therefore he straightly charged and commanded all Magistrates and such as bare rule in Bohemia to the uttermost of their Power to protect and defend all the three States together with them of the Religion and neither themselves to trouble them nor suffer them to be by any others for the Exercise of their Religion molested or troubled For that he and other the Kings of Bohemia his Successors would most severely chastise all such as should offend against these his Majesties Letters which to be for ever remembred he would cause the same to be enrolled in the publick Records of Parliament whether such Offenders were Ecclesiastical or Temporal Men to be sharply punished as the Troublers of the Common Peace This was the sum of his Majesties Letters which he caused to be publickly set up in the Castle of Prague the thirteenth of Iuly that it might be to all men known this Article of Religion which was the first of the Articles in this Parliament propounded to be concluded and agreed upon according to the Mind of the States of the Religion and so their Requests to be in all points satisfied Who forthwith thereupon the fifteenth day of Iuly caused the first publick Sermon according to the Confession of Augusta to be preached in the German Tongue in a Church of them of the Religion which had for a long time before been shut up At which time they also sent unto the Elector of Saxony to send unto them certain learned men for the setting up of the University and the governing of the Consistory at Prague And yet for all this the Ambassadors for the States of Silesia still earnestly labouring with the Emperour for the Liberty of Religion to be granted to the said States and the rest of the Inhabitants of the Province the States of Bohemia refused in any wise to dismiss their Souldiers whom they had mustered near unto Roggenson until the Silesians were of their request in that point satisfied offering also unto the Emperour a large Libel of the Griefs of them the said States Now it may be that some having read so much as is before written concerning these late Troubles about the free Exercise of the Refoâ—med Religion but especially in Bohemia Austria Moravia and Silesia may deem the same both tedious and beside our purpose unto whom indeed it is not written but rather unto such as who together with my self the Wars betwixt the Christians and the Turks ended and the Peace concluded as is aforesaid desire yet to know in what state those frontier Countries stand which being the greatest Bulwarks on that side of Christendom and the chief Territories of the House of Austria are the peace being either expired or otherwise broken off most subject unto the Fury of the puissant Enemy as nearest unto him and so like soonest to feel of his great Force and Power prefixing unto it self neither bounds nor measure so long as there is any thing farther Against whom the Christian Emperour had no other Forces of his own to oppose more than such as he could raise out of the Reliques of Hungary and the aforesaid Frontier Countries All together but weak helps against so puissant an Enemy as never cometh into the field but with a world of Men following of him but yet much weaker being as now of late they were every one of them apart divided in themselves about matters of Religion the incurable malady of the Christian Estates and Common-weals the heavy and lamentable effect whereof too much of late appeared in the loss of Strigonium won by the Turks with a far less Army than ever the Grand Seigniors Lieutenant General was wont to come into Hungary withal and yet the Christian Emperour by reason of the revolt of the Hungarians upon a discontentment about the Exercise of their Religion not able of himself to relieve the distressed City of Strigonium or yet to put an Army of any strength into the Field for the defence of the rest of his Cities or Territories So weak are even the greatest Princes their Subjects being among themselves in Minds divided But not to stray farther the Turks Ambassador in the mean time with a notable train of an hundred and fifty Turks coming from Vienna the one and twentieth of September and there having saluted and with great Gifts presented the King set forward toward Prague where he was by the Citizens and certain Noblemen of the Emperours Council the twelfth of October honourably received and the nineteenth of the same Month admitted unto the Emperours Presence first presented unto him from the Great Sultan his Master a rich Tent of divers colours most curiously wrought with fair Orient Pearl of great value and then four couragious Horses all furnished with most rich and sumptuous furniture He presented unto him also certain Turkish Weapons set and garnished with pretious Stones and a Princely Turks robe such as they use at their Marriages glistering with Gold and precious Stones with divers other rare things of less value together with which he delivered unto him the Great Sultans Letters and withal desired the Confirmation of the Peace before made for twenty years to be now again renewed Unto which Ambassadour Letters were afterward delivered from the
shall be sufficient for me to declare here in brief terms how this Kingdom became the Patrimony or Possession of Venice In the Year 1204 a Sale thereof was made to this Republick by the Marquess Bonifaccio of Montferratto by an Instrument sealed the 12 th of August at Adrianople and signed and delivered in the presence of Marco Sanudo and Ravano du Verona Ambassadours in the time of Enrigo Dandola Doge but the People of this Island not consenting unto the sale opposed themselves against it until the Venetians by force of Arms procured their Obedience and confirmed their purchase by a double Title Hereupon such noble Citizens as adventured their Lives in this acquisition obtained the Estates of the Rebellious Greeks being obliged in proportion to the Lands they held to maintain Men and Horse at their own Charge and are therefore called the Feudatary Cavalry So that the whole Country is divided into three parts viz. the noble Venetians or Cavalry secondly the noble Candiots or Colony which were Infantry that came to inhabit from Venice and thirdly the Greeks or Natives of the Country which never rebelled but took part with the Venetian State the first two speak Italian and are of the Roman Church the others speak Greek and conserve the Right of that Religion The Ottoman Fleet now touching the Shoar at Gogna took Livery and Seizin quietly of that flourishing Isle of Candia where they Encamped a while to refresh their Forces and prepare all things in order to their Conquest In the mean time the news hereof alarmed all Venice and not only hastened them in the expedition of their Fleet but warmed their applications to all Christian Princes from whom they craved help in the general defence of Christendom which some at first imagined would have been granted as it was once in the time of the Holy War or that those whom the Declaration of a common Crusada or Devotion or sense of Religion could not move yet at least the consideration of their Countries Defence or the maintenance of a Bulwark of Christendom might perswade to wage Arms against the Turk as a Common Enemy but what cold Apprehensions the Christian Princes entertained hereof both the faint Supplies and Assistances they administred and their bloody and vigorous Wars one against another have abundantly testified to the fatal loss and ruin of that Country And though in the beginning there were better hopes by means of the Pope's earnest intercession with all the Princes of Italy to whom he shewed a fair Example by uniting his own Gallies with the Venetian Fleet and amongst the rest prevailed also with the Republick of Genoua to employ their Gallies in this Noble Enterprize which tended to the Glory of God and the common Safety and Preservation of Italy yet that Leaven of vain Punctilio's which hath so often betrayed the Christian Cause to the advantage of the Turk gave a stop for some time to these Proceedings For before they would enter into Arms they desired the Genoeses that the right of bearing the Flag should first be determined in favour of their Admiral before that of Toscany or Malta And though the Pope to take away this occasion of dispute proposed to have no other Flag worn besides his own under which all Italian Princes without impeachment of their Honour as Auxiliaries and Military Adventurers might promiscuously wage War yet this could not appear satisfactory to the Genoeses who not only took this occasion to demand the precedency before Toscany and Malta to which the G. Duke who was not inferiour in State and superiour in Title and the Malteses who time out of mind and by Decree of Charles the Fifth claimed Precedency on the Seas before them would never assent but also thought fit to avail themselves in this Conjuncture to obtain from the Pope the Grant of a Royal Court and that Treatment which is given to Kings or Crowned Heads But because these Demands seemed to contain those Difficulties in them which could not be granted without the manifest displeasure of other Princes the Pope resolved to afford what assistance he could from himself and therefore granted a Levy of a thousand Foot out of his own Dominions with free liberty to buy what Ammunition and Provisions were to be found in the Ecclesiastical State with imposition of a double Tithe or Tenth on the Goods and Dominions of the Clergy so that these Succours of the Pope and the Auxiliary Forces of Naples Toscany and Malta under the Command of Priâ—â—e Ludovisio General of the Church being united to â—he Venetian Fleet did speedily compose a most puissant and formidabâ—e Force however by â—eason of Dissentions amongst the Commandâ—rs and other Misfortunes derived from thence to the Christian Arms nothing succeeded forâ—unately this Year For the Turks having gâ—iâ—ed their landing at first without opposition overthrew the Christians in several small Skirmishes and afterwards forced Canea the second City of that Island which they took with much blood and slaughter of the Christians The Turks having made so successful a progress this first Year year 1646. as to possess themselves of one of the most considerable Cities took Courage to proceed in their Conquests in which they had the fortune to make themselves Masters in the next place of Retimo in defence of which the General Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musket shot Nor more successful were the Venetians this Year at Sea for what with Quarrels among the Commanders and with their coldness and negligence in their Business they suffered the Turkish Vessels to pass freely without giving them that interruption which was very facil to Men resolute and concerned Nor was the opportunity which presented to ruine the Turkish Fleet made use of then lying half disarmed and ill provided at the Isle of St. Theodoro which is a Rock opposite to Canea where at that time it is believed they might all have been burned had the occasion been improved agreeable to that Advantage which then offered so that towards the latter end of the Year the General Molino returning Home either by reason of some distemper or by revocation from the Senate which seemed to be ill satisfied with his ill Fortune or his ill Management of the Publick Affairs he was dismissed from his high Charge And Gio. Capello Procurator of St. Mark was constituted in his place This Year was remarkable for the ruinous Differences between Sir Sackvile Crow Baronet our King's Ambassador then residing at Constantinople and the Turky Company The Original of which seemed to arise from the Civil Dissentions at Home for so unhappy were those Times and so ill affected were English Minds with Rancour and Malice against each other that this Leaven of Discord could not be confined within the Banks of Great Britain and Ireland but seemed to disfuse it self over the Seas and as a Contagion infected the Minds Goods and Interests of the English to what Quarter or Climate soever they were transported In
deliver this poor Carcass of mine from under the covering of this accursed Roof For Answer whereunto I did not stand to expostulate the Reasons with him well knowing the cause of his discontent but that I would communicate his desires to my Lord Ambassador and speedily return with my Answer to him Accordingly I departed from him and quickly brought from my Lord a Promise to endeavour his utmost to comply with his request at which he seemed to be much satisfied and commanded his Servants then present especially one called Sig. Tomaso Gobbato his great confident to be Witnesses thereof The next day he expired his last Breath and the day following his Body being embalmed his bowels were buried and the Funeral Rites performed with such order and decency as was seemly in a Country where he lived rather like a Prisoner than an Ambassador All things being thus prepared the Earl of Winchelsea according to the Will of the Deceased sent for his Body already embalmed which was immediately without opposition or scruple sent to his house where it remained for some months in expectation of a conveyance for Venice At length a Dutch ship being bound from Constantinople thither it was designed that the Body should be thereon imbarked but I know not for what reason the Customer refused to suffer it to pass though it may well and rationally be conjectured That Ballarino who was sensibly touched to have the care of the Body of his Master his Countryman and Colleague taken from him did with Presents prevail with the Customer to put difficulties in the way which he supposed might vex those who were thought worthy of this employment This opposition being made and not to be overcome without much Money it was contrived that the Ship departing should attend the Corps at Tenedos which was without the command of the Castles and the Body being divided from the Legs was packed up in a But ofCavear and so sent down by a boat with Licence of the Customer as a parcel of Goods and Merchandice and so safely arriving aboard the Corps were separated from their adjuncts and being laid decently in a Coffin covered with a Pall of black Velvet with Scutcheons and other ornaments appertaining to the Funerals of such great Personages it arrived safely at Venice where it was interred with the usual ceremonies in the Tomb of the Ancestors of that Ancient Family But the heads and thoughts of these Governours were not so employed in their preparations of War but that the Vizier could lend an ear to the suggestions of some malicious Pharisees who under pretence of Religion informed him That the Christian Churches burnt down in Constantinople and Galata by those dreadful Fires in the year 1660 were again re-edified against his command and the Law of the Turks which allows the reparation of Churches and continuance of such which were found standing when Mohometanism was introduced but not to erect new or rebuild what are either by time fire or other accidents fallen to ruine And being farther informed that though those Churches were restored under the notion of Dwellings or Ware-houses yet secretly served for Celebration of Divine Service and thereby his Decrees and Edicts were frustrated and disappointed Wherefore furiously transported with a Mahometan Zeal commanded immediately that the Authors of those Buildings should be imprisoned the Churches themselves levelled to the Foundation and the ground whereon they stood confiscated to the Grand Signior This action though naturally agreeable to the disposition of the Vizier who was a perfect Turk zealous in execution of all points of the Mahometan Law being educated after the severest sort of Professors and one of those whom they called Soâ—taes yet he was chiefly prompted unto this and to a greater abhorrency of Christianity by one Vanni Effendi a Shegh or Preacher one who was as inveterate and malicious to the Christian Religion as any Enthusiast or Fanatick is to the Rites of our Church and Religion And thus we may see how troublesom Hypocrisie and Puritanism are in all places where they gain a Superiority for this Preacher not contented only to ruine the Christian Churches but perswaded the Vizier that the terrible Fires in Constantinople and Galata in the year 1660 and the last years unparallel'd Pestilence and the inconsiderable advance of the Turks on the Christians for some years were so many parts of Divine Judgments thrown on the Mussulmen or Believers in vengeance of their too much Licence given to the Christian Religion permitting Wine to be sold within the Walls of Constantinople which polluted the Imperial City ensnared the faithful by temptation to what was unlawful Wherefore a command was issued That no Wine should be henceforth sold within the Walls of the City And it was farther intended that Greeks Armenians all other Christians who had Dwellings or Possessions within the Walls of the City should within Forty days sell those habitations and depart which otherwise should be confiscated to the Grand Signior but God who supports the Faithful in â—ryals of Persecution moderated this Decree and reserved still â—his Church in the midst of Infidels not suffering this City to lose the Name nor Religion of that holy Emperor who both erected and christned it as also to preserve most of the Churches which though again uncovered yet were redeemed for Money from the possession of the Turks Nor was the Mohometan Zeal satisfied in Demolishment of the Churches themselves unless it vented part of its fury against the poor Workmen which for their hire and days Wages erected them such as Greek Labourers Masons and Carpenters who were all beaten and imprisoned But it happening at that time that the Queen Mother building a sumptuous Mosch and having occasion of many Labourers and Artists to forward so vast a Work sent to the Maimarbashee who is the Master work-man or Cape over all such who are employed in Building to supply such a number of Carpenters Masons and others as were convenient to carry on that Fabrick with expedition who readily replyed That he would provide all that was possible but could not promise a sufficient number unless those Greeks were set at liberty who were imprisoned by the Grand Vizier for building the Christian Churches which answer being reported again to the Queen Mother she interceded with the Vizier in their behalf who being glad of any occasion to gratifie so great a Lady immediately released them without any fine or reward which he designed to obtain for their liberty Howsoever the Vizier not well brooking such an indignity as he supposed put upon him by so mean a Slave as the Maimarbashee dealt with some of the imprisoned Labourers to accuse him as the Author and Licenser of building the Christian Churches The Greeks easily enough perswaded to please so great a Personage accused him accordingly whose Evidence though nor passable against a Turk by the Mahometan Law yet served the Viziers revenge for the present who
out of design to slacken the warlike Preparations of the Christians and to discover the inclinations of the Emperor to Peace desired a Treaty that if possible matters might be reduced to terms of accommodation The Resident of Germany was then in the Army but he not being impowered singly for any such Treaty the Baron of Goez then with Ali Pasha at Temeswar was sent for and being arrived were both called into the Viziers Tent at Bâ—lgrade to whom it was proposed That in Case the Emperor desired a Peace he should resign into the hands and possession of the Sultan Zâ—â—kelhyd Zatmar Clausenburg alias Colosvar with the late built Fort of Count Serini without which no Sacrifice could appease the anger and give a stop to the progress of the Ottomon Arms. Whilst these Propositions by Post were dispatched to Vienna the Vizâ—er proceeded in his Journey to Strigâ—nium now called Gran to which place after sixteen Days time the Messenger returned with an Answer from the Emperor which showed aâ— inclination towards an acceptance of Peace on the terms proposed but with instructions to his Ministers to moderate by their dâ—screet management what was possible the rigour of the demâ—nds For by reason of the disaffection of the Hungarians whom the Emperor had lately disgusted by demolishing several of their Churches and discountenancing the Protestant Religion which they professed and by reason of the Phlegm of the Princes of Germany whom different interests made slow and unactive in their preparations against the common Enemy the Emperor was wholly unprovided to oppose the violence of this over-flowing Torrent and becâ—me an unequal match for the Ottoman Force The Tuâ—ks perceiving that the Germans began to condescend and yield to any conditions which might purchase their quiet started a farther demand of Fâ—fty thousand Florins of Yearly Tribute and two Mâ—llions of Crowns for expence of the War to be paid by the Emperor to the Sultan These proud and unexâ—ed Proposals startled not a little the Baron of Goez who readily made answer that he clearly perceived now that there were no intentions to a Peace since the Vizier was pleased to make the matter so difficult and imâ—ossibâ—e for that it were as easy to bring Heaven and Earth to meet as his Master to meet the G Signior in the Concession of this particular These exâ—ravagant demands awakened the Imperial Court who now observing the Turks without their Vizard to march hastily to surprize them vigorously roused themselves to make that convenient provision and defence by War which the straitness of time permitted them So that in the first place they Assembled a Diet at Ratisbonne where it was resolved to raise four Armies the first for the Guard and defence of Moravia and Silesia under the Command of Count Susa a Native of Râ—chel The second under the Command of Count Raimond Monteculi for safety of Raab Newhausel and Komorra and the Frontiers of Hungary The third under Command of Count Nicholas Serini for defence of Croatia The fourth composed solely of Hungarians commanded by the Palatine of that Country which they reported to consist of Thirty thousand fighting men Fifâ—hly It was ordered that all Garisons should be well provided of Victuals and Ammunition and that the Inhabitants of Vienna should take into every House a provision for a years maintenance and such as were not able at their own Cost were to abandon their Dwellings And in the mean time the Villages round about were demolished to the great amazement and confusion of the People The Turks now bearing in their thoughts nothing but War began to design and chalk out the best order and method for its prosecution The principal places then in eye of the Vizier were Raab and Kâ—morra Fortresses of considerable strength maintained and defended by Souldiers of known prowess and conduct and provided equally with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions agreeable to such considerable Bulwarks and Walls not only of the German Empire but I may say of all Christendom Raab called by the Italians Iavarin and by the Turks Yanick is scituated in a plain level and Champion Country the Town it self very regular and compact the Fortifications most exact according to the new Model and much improved in its strength since the recovery of it from the hands of the Turk by whom it was once taken in the year 1594. it hath its name from the River Rab on which it is seated just on the meeting of the Danube Kâ—morra is a stronger Fortress erected in an Island of the River Danube called after the same name which hath often been attempted by the Turks but with ill success at both which places I have personally been and viewed them with much delight Wherefore the Vizier considering the strength and difficulty of these places resolved to take due and mature consideration before he engaged himself in any enterprize and to that end assembled together in Consultation with him the most ancient and grave men that were Natives of the Country some of these being such who had lived in Rab been Slaves â—here and had well marked and observed the strength of that Fortress both as to Nature and Art assured the Vizier That the Work was immense difficult and dangerous and not to be accomplished in the space of one Summer and that the Winters in that Countrey were very cold and rigid and ill agreeing with the temperament of the Asiatick Souldiery The Vizier though he farther considered that his Souldiers were as yet young and unexperienced and that a foyl encountred at the first Enterprize might be a discouragement from following the continued Tract and Course of this War which must be sustained with labour and patience and that to withdraw his Forces in the Winter would be a dishonour to the Ottoman Arms a blemish in the beginning to his own Reputation and an encouragement of the Enemy Howsoever having a violent Ambition and Desire to become Master of Rab he could not rest satisfied in this Counsel before he had consulted with Ali Pasha and other Pashaws of the Frontier Countries who duly considering the matter as it stood concurred in the same judgment that was formerly made of the difficulty of thâ—s design and herein they were the more strongly confirmed by the report of certain Hungarians whom some parties of Horse under the Command of Ali Pasha roving and sallying out near the Walls of Rab had surprized and taken who being brought bound before the Vizier related That the Town was well provided with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions and the Garison reinforced by Count Montecuculi with supply of four Thousand men and in this manner reported the Work as difficult as the Turkâ— of the Countrey had formerly signified This relation confirmed by so many hands diverted the Vizâ—er from this Design â—or before that time imagining it a place which might easily be subdued he proposed to himself without any interruption a clear
in their Sin. This sort of People become really Turks and some through Custom and their own Lusts are really perswaded of the truth of this Profession and have proved more inveterate and fatal Enemies to Christianity than the natural Turks which will appear if we consider that all the Successes they have had and Exploits they have done at Sea have been performed by such who have denied the Christian Faith as namely Chigal Ogli and others It was the custom formerly amongst the Turks every five Years to take away the Christians Children and Educate them in the Mahometan Superstition by which means they encreased their own People and diminished and enfeebled the Force of the Christians but now that custom in a great part is grown out of use through the abundance of Greeks Armenians Iews and all Nations where the Iron Rod of the Turks Tyranny extends who flock in to enjoy the imaginary Honour and Priviledge of a Turk And indeed it is no wonder to humane Reason that considers the Oppression and Contempt that poor Christians are exposed to and the Ignorance in their Churches occasioned through Poverty in the Clergy that many should be found who retreat from the Faith but it is rather a Miracle and a true verification of those words of Christ That the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail against his Church that there is conserved still amidst so much Opposition and in despight of all Tyranny and Arts contrived against it an open and publick Profession of the Christian Faith which next to God's Providence considering the stupid Ignorance of the Greek and Armenan Churches their conservation of their Faith is not to be attributed to any instance more than to the strict observation of the Feasts and Fasts of their Churches for having rarely the helps of Catechisms or Sermons they learn yet from these outward Ceremonies some confused Notions and Precepts of Religion and exercise with severity and rigour this sort of Devotion when through Custom Confusion and scarcity of knowing Guides all other service is become obsolete and forgotten amongst them The Turks have another extraordinary supply of People from the Black Sea sent them in by the Tartars who with their light Bodies of Horse make incursions into the Territories of the neighbouring Christians and carry with them a Booty of whole Cities and Countries of People most of which they send to Constantinople to be sold and is the chief Trade and Commodity of their Country as we have already discoursed It is sad to see what numbers of Saykes or Turkish Vessels come sailing through the Bosphorus fraighted with poor Christian Captives of both Sexes and all Ages carrying on the Main-top a Flag either as a Note of Triumph or else as a Mark of the Ware and Merchandise they carry The number of the Slaves brought yearly to Constantinople is uncertain for sometimes it is more and sometimes less according to the Wars and Successes of the Tartars but as it is apparent in the Registers of the Customs at Constantinople only one Year with another at the least 20000 are yearly imported amongst which the greatest part being Women and Children with easie Persuasions and fair Promises become Turks the Men being ignorant and generally of the Russian or Moscovite Nation who are reported not to be over-devout or of famed constancy and perseverance in Religion partly by Menaces and Fear partly by good words and allurements of Reward despairing of Liberty and return to their own Country renounce all Interest in the Christian Faith. Of this sort of Metal most of the Turks are in these days composed and by the â—ecundity of this Generation the Dominions of this Empire flow for the Turks of themselves though they have the liberty of Polygamy and freer use of divers Women allowed them by their Law than the severity of Christian Religion doth permit are yet observed to be less fruitful in Children than those who confine themselves to the chast embraces of one Wife It is true we have heard how in former Times there have been particular Men amongst the Turks that have severally been Fathers to an hundred Sons but now through that abominable Vice of Sodomy which the Turks pretend to have learned from the Italians and is now the common and professed shame of that People few fecundioâ—s Families are found amongst them especially amongst the Persons of the greater Quality who have Means and Time to act and contrive their filthiness with the most deformity And in this manner the natural use of the Women being neglected amongst them as St. Paul saith Men burning in lust one towards another so little is Mankind propagated that many think were it not for the abundant supplies of Slaves which daily come from the Black Sea as before we have declared considering the Summer-slaughters of the Plague and destructions of War the Turk would have little cause to boast of the vast Numbers of his People and that a principal Means to begin the ruine of this Empire were to prevent the taking of so many Captives or intercept those numbers of Slaves which are daily transported to nourish and feed the Body of this great Babylon by which means in time they would not only find a want of Servants but a decay and scarcity of Masters since as it is before-mentioned these Slaves becoming Turkâ— are capable of all Priviledges and being commonly Manumised by their Patrons through the help of Fortune arrive equally to Preferments with those who are of the ancient Mahometan Race This is the true Reason the Turk can spend so many People in his Wars and values not the lives of Ten thousand Men to win him but a span of Ground and yet almost without any sensible diminution of his People and on the contrary the invention of an Inquisition and the distinction between Christianos vieios and Nuevos in Spain and Portugal have caused that decay and scarcity of People in those Countries as hath laid the best part of those fruitful Soils desolate and forced them both to a necessity of entetaining a mercenary Soldiery It is no small inducement to the vulgar People who is most commonly won with outward Allurements to become Turks that when they are so by a white Turbant or such a particular Note of Honour they shall be distinguished from other-like Sects all People amongst the Turks being known by their Heads of what Religion or Quality they are and so may the better be directed where they may have a priviledge to domineer and injure with the most impunity If we consider how delightful the Mode is in England and France especially to those who are of a vain and gay Humour and that nothing seems handsome or comely but what is dressed in the Fashion and Air of the Times we shall not wonder if the ignorant and vain amongst Christians born and educated in those Countries should be catched and entrapt with the fancy and enticement of the Turkish Mode
a strict Life to out-shine Christianity or by a loosness and indulgence to corrupt Manners to pervert Men dedicated to God's Service or by Cruelty or Menaces to gain those who accounted Martyrdom their greatest Glory and were now also defended by the Power of their own Princes judges it beâ—t policy to make profâ—ers of Truce and Peace between the Christiâ—n and its own Profession and therefore in all places where its Arms were prevalent and prosperous proclaimed a free Toleration to all Religions but especially in outward appearance courted and favoured the Christiaâ— drawing its Tenents and Doctrines in some conformity to that Rule confessing Christ to be a Prophet and greater than Moses that he was born of a Virgin that Mary conceived by the smell of a Rose that the blessed Virgin was free from Original Sin and the Temptations of the Devil that Christ was the Word of God and is so styled in the Alchoran and cured Diseases raised the Dead and worked many Miracles and by his Power his Disciples did the like and I have heard some speak of him with much reverence and with heat to deny Christ's Pashion saying it were an impiety to believe that God who loved and had conferred so much Power and so many Grace on Christ should so far dishonour him as to deliver him into the Hands of the Iews who were the worst and most scorned of Men or to the Death of the Cross which was the most infamous and vile of all Punishments In this manner they seemed to make a League with Christianity to be Charitable Modest and well-wiâ—hers to its Professours and Mahomet himself says in his Alchoran thus O Infidels I do not adore what you adore and you adore not what I worship observe you your Law and I will observe mine And for a farther assurance of his Toleration of Christianity and evidence to the World that his Intention was neither to persecute nor extirpate their Religion he made this following Compact the Original of which was found in the Monastery of Fryars on Mount Carmel and as it is said was transported to the King's Library in France which because it is Ancient and of Curiosity it will not be impertinent to be inserted here Mahomet sent from God to teach Mankind and declare the Divine Commission in Truth wrote these things That the Cause of Christian Religion determined by God might remain in all parts of the East and of the West as well amongst the Inhabitants as Strangers near and remote known and unknown to all these People I leave this present Writing as an inviolable League as a decision of all farther Controversies and a Law whereby Justice is declared and strict observance enjoined Therefore whosoever of the Mosselman's Faith shall neglect to perform these Things and violate this League and after the manner of Infidels break it and transgress what I command herein he breaks the Compact of God resists his Agreement and contemns his Testament whether he be a King or any other of the Faithful By this Agreement whereby I have obliged my self and which the Christians have required of me and in my Name and in the Name of all my Disciples to enter into a Covenant of God with them and League and Testament of the Prophets Apostles Elect and Faithful Saints and blessed of Times past and to come By this Covenant I say and Testament of mine which I will have maintained with as much Religion as a Prophet Missionary or as an Angel next to the Divine Majesty is strict in his Obedience towards God and in observance to his Law and Covenant I promise to defend their Judges in my Provinces with my Horse and Foot Auxiliaries and other my faithful Followers and to preserve them from their Enemies whether remote or near and secure them both in Peace and War and to protect their Churches Temples Oratories Monasteries and Places of Pilgrimage wheresoever situated whether Mountain or Valley Cavern or House a Plain or upon the Sand or in what sort of Edifice soever also to preserve their Religion and their Goods in what part soever they are whether at Land or Sea East or West even as I keep my self and my Sceptre and the faithful Believers of my own People Likewise to receive them into my Protection from all Harm Vexation Offence and Hurt Moreover to repel those Enemies which are offensive to them and me and stoutly to oppose them both in my own Person by my Servants and all others of my People and Nation For since I am set over them I ought to preserve and defend them from all Adversity and that no Evil touch them before it first afflict mine who labour in the same Work. I promise farther to free them from those Burthens which Confederates suffer either by Lones of Mony or Impositions so that they shall be obliged to pay nothing but what they please and no molestation or injury shall be offered them herein A Bishop shall not be removed from his Diocess or a Christian compelled to renounce his Faith or a Monk his Profession or a Pilgrim disturbed in his Pilgrimage or a Religious Man in his Cell Nor shall their Churches be destroyed or converted into Mosques for whosoever doth so break this Covenant of God opposes the Messenger of God and frustrates the Divine Testament No Impositions shall be laid upon Fryars or Bishops nor any of them who are not liable to Taxes unless it be with their own consent And the Tax which shall be required from Rich Merchants and from Fisher-men of their Pearl from Miners of their Pretious Stones Gold and Silver and all other rich and opulent Christians shall not exceed above twelve shillings yearly and it shall also be from them who are constant Inhabitants of the place and not from Travellers and Men of an uncertain Abode for they shall not be subject to Impositions or Contributions unless they are Possessours of Inheritance of Land or Estate for he which is lawfully subject to pay Mony to the Emperor shall pay as much as another and not more nor more required from him above his faculty and strength In like manner he that is taxed for his Land Houses or Revenue shall not be burthened immoderately nor oppressed with greater Taxes than any others that pay Contribution Nor shall the Confederates be obliged to go to the War with the Mosselmans against their Enemies either to fight or discover their Armies because it is not of duty to a Confederate to be employed in Military Affairs but rather this compact is made with them that they may be the less oppressed but rather the Mosselmans shall Watch and Ward and defend them And therefore that they be not compelled to go forth to fight or encounter the Enemy or find Horse or Arms unless they voluntarily furnish them and he who shall thus willingly contribute shall be recompensed and rewarded No Mosselman shall infest the Christians noâ— contend with them in any thing
but in kindness but treat them with all courtesie and abstain from all oppression or violence towards them If any Christian commit a crime or fault it shall be the part of the Mosselman to assist him intercede and give caution for him and compound for his miscarriage liberty shall also be given to redeem his life nor shall he be forsaken nor be destitute of help because of the Divine Covenant which is with them that they shall enjoy what the Mosselmans enjoy and suffer what they suffer and on the other side that the Mosselmans enjoy what they enjoy and suffer what they suffer And according to this Covenant which is by the Christians just request and according to that endeavour which is so required for confirmation of its Authority you are obliged to protect them from all calamity and perform all offices of good-will towards them so that the Mosselmans may be sharers with them in prosperity and adversity Moreover all care ought to be had that no violence be offered to them as to matters relating to Marriage viz. That they compell not their Parents to match their Daughters with Mosselmans Nor shall they be molested for refusal either to give a Bridegroom or a Bride for this is an act wholly voluntary depending on their free-will and pleasure But if it happen that a Christian Woman shall join with a Mosselman he is obliged to give her liberty of Conscience in her Religion that she may obey her Ghostly Father and be instructed in the Doctrines of her Faith without impediment therefore he shall not disquiet her either by threatning divorce or by solicitations to forsake her Faith but if he shall be contrary hereunto and molest her herein he despises the Covenant of God rebels against the Compact of the Messenger of God and is entred into the number of Lyars Moreover when Christians would repair their Churches or Convents or any thing else appertaining unto their Worship and have need of the liberality and assistence of the Mosselmans hereunto they ought to contribute and freely to bestow according to their ability not with intention to receive it again but gratis and as a good-will towards their Faith and to fulfill the Covenant of the Messenger of God considering the obligation they have to perform the Covenant of God and the Compact of the Messenger of God. Nor shall they oppress any of them living amongst the Mosselmans nor hate them nor compell them to carry Letters or shew the way or any other manner force them for he which exercises any manner of this Tyranny against them is an Oppressour and an Adversary to the Messenger of God and refractary to his Precepts These are the Covenants agreed between Mahomet the Messenger of God and Christians But theconditions on which I bind these Covenants on their Consciences are these That no Christian give any entertainment to a Soldier enemy to the Mosselmans or receive him in his house publickly or privately that they receive none of the enemies of the Mosselmans as sojourners into their Houses Churches or Religious Convents nor underhand furnish the Camp of their Enemies with Arms Horse Men or maintain any intercourse or correspondence with them by contracts or writing but betaking themselves to some certain place of abode shall attend to the preservation of themselves and to the defence of their Religion To any Mosselman and his Beasts they shall give three days entertainment with variety of Meat and moreover shall endeavour to defend them from all misfortune and trouble so that if any Mosselman shall be desirous or be compelled to conceal himself in any of their houses or habitations they shall friendly hide him and deliver him from the danger he is in and not betray him to his Enemy and in this manner the Christians performing Faith on their side whosoever violates any of these conditions and doth contrarily shall be deprived of the benefits contained in the Covenant of God and his Messenger nor shall he deserve to enjoy these privileges indulged to Bishops and Christian Monks and to the Believers of the contents of the Alchoran Wherefore I conjure my people by God and his Prophet to maintain these things faithfully and fulfill them in what part soever of the World they are And the Messenger of God shall recompence them for the same the perpetual observation of which he seriously recommends to them until the day of Judgment and Dissolution of the World. Of these conditions which Mahomet the Messenger of God hath agreed with the Christians and hath enjoyed the witnesses were Abu Bacre Assadiqu O mar ben-alcharab Ithman ben Afaw Atiben abi taleb with a number of others the Secretary was Moavia ben abi Sofian a Soldier of the Messenger of God the last day of the Moon of the fourth Month the fourth year of Hegira in Medina May God renumerate who are witnesses to this writing Praise be to God the Lord of all Creatures This Covenant or Articles with Christians howsoever denied by the Turks to have been the act and agreement of Mahomet is yet by very good Authours taken for real and to have been at that time confirmed when his Kingdom was weak and in its infancy and when he warred with the Arabians and fearing likewise the enmity of the Christians not to be assaulted by two Enemies at once secured himself by this Religious League made in the Monastry of Fryars in Mount Carmel from whence that strict Order have their denomination But mark how well Mahomet in the sequel observed this Law As soon as his Government increased and that by Arms and bad Arts he had secured his Kingdom he writes this Chapter of the Sword called so perhaps because the first words are often engraved on the Turks Cymeters made at Damascus and other their Bucklers and other sort of Arms And another Chapter in the Alchoran called the Chapter of Battel which is always read by the Turks before they go to fight and therein his modest words If you adore not what I adore let your Religion be to you and mine to me and other promises of toleration and indulgence to the Christian Religion were changed to a harsher note and his Edicts were then for bloud and ruin and enslavement of Christians When you meet with Infidels saith he cut off their heads kill them take them Prisoners bind them untill either you think fit to give them liberty or pay their ransome and forbear not to persecute them untill they have laid down their arms and submitted And this is that sort of Toleration the Turks give to the Christian Religion they know they cannot force Mens Wills nor captivate their Consciences as well as their Bodies but what means may be used to render them contemptible to make them poor their lives uncomfortable and the interest of their Religion weak and despicable are practised with divers Arts and Tyranny that their toleration of Christianity is rather to afflict and persecute it than
any grant of savour or dispensation The Mahometan Religion tolerates Christian Churches and Houses of Devotion in places where they have been anciently founded but admits not of holy Buiâ—dings on new foundations they may repair the old Coverings and Roofs but cannot lay a Stone in a new place Consecrated to Divine Service nor if Fire or any accident destroy the Superstructure may a new strength be added to the foundation wherewith to underprop for another Building so that at last the Christian Churches in those Dominions must necessarily come to ruin as many already have submitted to the common fate of time And as it happened in the great and notable Fires of Galata first and then of Constantinople in the year 1660 that many of the Christian Churches and Chapels were brought to Ashes and afterwards by the Piety and Zeal of Christians scarce re-edified before by publick order they were thrown down again into their former heaps being judged contrary to the Turkish Law to permit Churches again to be restored of which no more remained than the meer foundation CHAP. III. The Arts wherewith the Turkish Religion is propagated THE Turks though they offer the specious outside of the foregoing toleration yet by their Law are authorized to enforce Mens Consciences to the profession of their Faith and that is done by various arts and niceties of Religion For if a man turn Turk his Children under the age of 14 years though educated with other Principles must be forced to the same persuasion Men that speak against the Mahometan Law that have rashly promised at a time of distraction or drunkenness to become Turks or have had a carnal knowledge of a Turkish Woman must either become Martyrs or Apostates besides many other subtilties they have to entrap the Souls of Christians within the entanglements of their Law. It is another Policy wherewith the Mahometan Sect hath been encreased the accounting it a Principle of Religion not to deliver a City or Fortress by consent or voluntary surrender where Mosques have been once built and Mahometanism professed And therefore the Turk no sooner enters a Town by Conquest but immediately lays foundation for his Temples thereby imposing an obligation of an obstinate and constant resolution on the conscience of the defendants which many times hath been found to have been more forcible and prevalent on the spirits of men than all the terrours and miseries of Famine Sword or other calamities It is well enough known upon what different interests Christianity and Mahometanism were introduced into the World the first had no other enforcements than the persuasions and Sermons of a few poor Fishermen verified with Miracles Signs and Inspiration of the Holy Ghost carrying before it the promises of another life and considerations of a glorified spirituality in a state of separation but the way to it was obstructed with the opposition of Emperours and Kings with scorn and contempt with persecution and death and this was all the encouragement proposed to Mankind to embrace this Faith but Mahometanism made its way with the Sword what knots of Argument he could not untie he cut and made his spiritual power as large as his temporal made his precepts easie and pleasant and acceptable to the fancy and appetite as well as to the capacity of the vulgar representing Heaven to them not in a spiritual manner or with delights unexpressible and ravishments known onely in part of illuminated Souls but with gross conceptions of the beauty of Women with great Eyes of the duration of one act of Carnal copulation for the space of sixty years and of the beastly satisfaction of a gluttonous Palate things absurd and ridiculous to wise and knowing Men but yet capable to draw multudes of its professours and carnal defenders of its verity And this Doctrine being irrational to the better sort of judgments causes the Lawyers who are men of the subtilest capacities amongst the Turks to mistrust much of the truth of the Doctrine of Mahomet especially the assertions relating to the condition of the other life For the representation of the delights of the next World in a corporeal and sensual manner being inconsistent with their reason leads them to doubt the truth of that point and so wavering with one scruple proceed to a mistrust of the whole System of the Mahometan Faith. One would think that in such men a way were prepared for the entertainment of a Religion erected on more solid principles and foundations and that the Jews might gain such Proselytes to their Law from which a great part of the Mahometan superstition was borrowed or that the Christians might take advantage in so well disposed subjects to produce something of the Mystery of Godliness But the first are a people so obnoxious to scorn and contempt esteemed by the Turks to be the scum of the World and the worst of men that it is not probable their Doctrine can gain a reputation with those to whom their very persons and bloud are vile and detestable nor is it likely the Christians will ever be received by them with greater Authority and more favourable inclination untill they acquit themselves of the scandal of Idolatry which the Images and Pictures in their Churches seem to accuse them of in the eyes and judgment of the Turks who are not versed in the subtile distinctions of Schoolmen in the limitations and restrictions of that Worship and the evasions of their Doctours matters not onely sufficient to puzzle and distract the gross heads of Turks but to strain the wits of learned Christians to clear them from that imputation But to return to our purpose The propagation of the Mahometan Faith having been promoted wholly by the Sword that persuasion and principle in their Catechism that the Souls of those who die in the Wars against the Christians without the help of previous acts of performance of their Law or other Works are immediately transported to Paradise must necessarily whet the Swords and raise the Spirits of the Soldiers which is the reason that such Multitudes of them as we read in History run evidently to their own Slaughter esteeming their Lives and Bodies at no greater price than the value of Stones and Rubbish to fill Rivulets and Ditches that they may but erect a Bridge or Passage for their fellows to assault their Enemieâ— The success of the Mahometan Arms produced another argument for the confirmation of their Faith and made it a Principle That whatsoever prospers hath God for the Authour and by how much more successfull have been their Wars by so much the more hath God been an owner of their Cause and Religion And the same argument if I am not mistaken in the times of the late Rebellion in England was made use of by many to intitle God to their Cause and make him the Authour of their thriving Sin because their wickedness prospered and could trample on all holy and humane Rights with impunity And I have known that
Melechsares the Aegyptian Sultan determining to root out all the Christians in Syria and the Land of Palestine is by sudden death taken away 86 a. Melechsala Sultan of Damasco by the Treason of his Nobility dispossessed of his Kingdom 41 b. Mesites Bassa sent by Amurath to invade Transilvania 182 a. he with 20000 Turks more slain by Huniades 183 a. Meysberg's Regiment in mutiny 841 b. Michna's Souldiers defeated by Prince Alexanders Troops 935 a. flieth ib. a. sends an Ambassador to Prince Alexander ib. b. proclaimed Prince of Moldavia 936 b. Michael Ducas the Greek Emperour by Nicephorus Botoniates deposed of his Empire after he had reigned six years and six months 8. b. Michael Palaeologus flieth to the Sultan of Iconium 76 b. called home again by the Emperour Theodorus and made Great Constable 77 a. aspireth and by common consent made Tutor unto the young Emperour 78 b. himself proclaimed Emperour and crowned ib. b. by Alexius Caesar his Lieutenant surpriseth Constantinople 81 a. repaireth the decayed City ib. b. causeth the young Emperours Eyes to be put out 82 a. his Army ovâ—rthrown by the Turks in Paphlagonia ib. b. submitteth the Greek Church unto the Latine and for what cause 100 b. perswadeth his Subjects to accept of the alteration of their Religion and Ceremonies 101 a. raiseth Persecution in the Greek Church ib. a. hindered by domestical trouble hath no leisure to attend unto the danger arising from the Turks in Asia ib. a b. obscurely buried ib. b. Michael Cossi by Othoman taken Prisoner by him again set at Liberty 95 a. Father of the honourable Family of the Michael-Oglies among the Turks ib. a. discovereth unto Osman the Treason intended against him 98 a. enforced rather than perswaded by Othoman turneth Turk 100 a. Michael the young Emperour overthrown by the Catalonians and Turks in danger to have been taken 106 a. again overthrown by the Turks at Chersonesus 108 b. Michael Horwat by Amurath created Vayvod of Valachia 738 a. perswaded by the Transilvanian Prince revolteth from the Turks and killeth all the Turks and Iews in his Country 739 a. killeth one of the Turks proud Emirs with all his followers ib. b. doth the Turks great harm ib. b. suffereth the Turks Ambassadors unto the King of Polonia by his Subjects to be slain 744 a. spoileth the Turks Frontiers ib. a. yieldeth his obeysance again vnto the Turks yet refuseth to aid him against the Christians 669 a. weary of the Turk submitteth himself with his People to the Emperours protection 770 a. sacketh Nicopolis 774 b. with a great Army entereth into Transilvania 778 a. in a great battel overthroweth the Cardinal Bathor ib. b. sendeth his head for a Present to the Emperour ib. b. hath the Government of Transilvania by the Emperour confirmed unto him 783 a. receiveth Presents from the Turk ib. b. in a great battel overthroweth Sigismund the late Transilvanian Prince with the Vayvod of Moldavia 784 b. tyranniseth in Transilvania 785 a. enforced by the Transilvanians to fly craveth Aid of George Basta the Emperours Lieutenant in the upper Hungary ib. a. by Basta and the Transilvanians in a great battel overthrown at Mirislo 787 a. reconcileth himself to Basta ib. b. for fear of being betrayed unto the Polonians taketh his flight into the Mountains 788 a. by Zamoschie the Great Chancellor driven out of Valachia and another Vayvod there placed in his stead ib. b. submitteth himself unto the Emperour 796 a. returning into Valachia giveth Aid unto Basta against Sigismund the Transilvanian 796 b. having with Basâ—a driven the Prince out of Transilvania with great insolency useth his Victory ib. b. his presumptuous speech to Basta 797 a. suddenly slain in his own Tent ib. a. The Mingrelians manner of feasting 925 b. The Misery of the Captive Constantinopolitans 236 b. Mitylene yielded unto the Turk 248 a. Modon taken by the Turks 313 a. Moldavia invaded by the Turks and Tartars 908 b. Monsieur Laual a valiant Gentleman slain 867 b. Morat who then reigned by the Visier attempted to be made Sultan and Mustapha again deposed 974 a. Moravia spoiled by the rebellious Haiducks 863 a. The Morisques chase the Iews out of Pera 917 a. practise against the Christians ib. a. Moyses the Transilvanian Rebel overthrown by Basta flies with his Wife and all his Family to the Turks 815 b. entereth Transilvania with an Army 817 a. besiegeth the Town of Wisceburg and taketh it ib. b. winneth Claudinople 818 a. deceived by the Turks ib. b. putteth to flight the Valachians 818 b. by them overthrown and slain 819 a. Moyses Golemus corrupted revolteth unto the Turk 253 b. with an Army of the Turks by Mahomet sent into Epyrus against Scanderbeg 254 a. overcome and put to flight by Scanderbeg 255 a. contemned of the Turks flieth from Constantinople and again submitteth himself to Scanderbeg ib. b. he with divers others of Scanderbegs best Captains by Balabanus taken Prisoners and by Mahomet slain quick 270 b. Muhamat and Partau two of the Visier Bassa's by the insolent Ianizaries foulely intreated 559 b. Muhamet for fear of them for a time refraineth to come into the Divano 559 b. dissuadeth Selymus from the invading of Cyprus 567 b. as a secret Friend unto the Venetians putteth them in hope of Peace 580 a. cunningly dissuadeth Selymus from the massacring of the Christians by filling his Head with more necessary considerations â—00 b. strangely murthered 670 b. Muleasses King of Tunes cruel and unthankful 433 a. for fear of Barbarussa flieth out of Tunes ib. b. sumptuous in his fane 504 a. cometh to Charles the Emperour 445 a. his speech unto the Emperour ib. b. his behaviour ib. b. his Opinion concerning the present War 446 a. three things by him especially lamented in the spoil made by the Christians in the Castle of Tunes 450 a. fearing the coming of Barbarussa departeth from Tunes into Italy to crave aid of Charles the Emperour 503 b. shut out of his Kingdom in the mean time by his Son Amida 504 a. returneth into Africk to Guletta ib. a. going to Tunes is by the way overthrown taken Prisoner and hath his Eyes put out by his own unnatural Son 505 a. at the request of Touares is sent to Guletta 506 a. by Charles the Emperour seâ—t into Sicily there to be kept of the common charge ib. b. refuseth to kiss the Popes Foot ib. b. Murzufle by the tumultuous People created Emperour attempteth to burn the Venetian Fleet 57 a. with his own hands strangleth the young Prince Alexis ib. b. encourageth his Soldiers ib. b. being in despair flyeth 58 a. Musa Son to Bajazet the First his speech unto his Brother Mahomet 165 b. marrieth the Prince of Valachia's Daughter 166 a. in the absence of his Brother Solyman received at Hadrianople as King ib. a. goeth against his Brother Solyman ib. a. fighteth with his Brother Mahomet 167 b. his chief Captains revolt to Mahomet 169 a. taken and strangled ib. a. Musachius a
Actions 971 a. Othoman of greater Courage and Spirit than his other Brethren the. Sons of old Ertogrul 90 a. amorous of Malhatun a Countrey of Muid 94 b. in danger for his Love 95 a. by general consent chosen Governour of the Oguzian Turks ib. b. surpriseth the Castle of Calce 96 a. fighteth a battel with the Christians at Opsicium 96 b. winneth the Castle of Cara-Chisar and killeth the Captain ib. b. setteth in order his little Common-wealth 97 a. killeth the Captain of Cupri-Chisar ib. a. his death contrived by the Captain of Bilezuga 97 b. turneth the treachery devised against him upon the head of the Captain that devised it whom he killeth and surpriseth his Castle 98 b. surpriseth the Castle of Jar-Chisar ib. b. taketh the Castle of Einegiol and cruelly executeth the Captain ib. b. by the good administration of Iustice strengthneth his Government 99 a. taketh the City of Nice ib. a. taketh upon him the Honour of a King or Sultan ib. b. maketh Neapolis his Regal Seat ib. b. in a great battel overthroweth the Christians 99 b. besiegeth Prusa 100 a. whilst the Greeks are at discord among themselves layeth the foundation of the Great Othoman Empire that now is 113 a. 116 a. dieth and lieth buried at Prusa 123 b. the Wealth he left unto his Sons Orchanes and Aladin 125 a. Orchanes his Father Othoman yet living manageth the Turks Kingdom 125 b. surpriseth the Castle of Tzupri-Chisar 125 b. fighteth a doubtful battel with Andronicus the Greek Emperour at Phylocrene 126 a. surpriseth Nice 126 b. hath Nicomedia yielded unto him 127 b. committeth the Government thereof unto his Son Solyman 128 a. first of the Turks that built Monasteries ib. a. subdueth the Country of Carasina ib. b. dieth 130 b. Orchanes and Mahometes two of Bajazet's Nephews overthrown by Chelife and Techellis the Rebels 321 a. Osman Bassa by Mustapha made Governour of Siruan taketh Sumachia 662 b. hath Derbent yielded unto him ib. b. by the Persian Prince driven out of Sumachia flieth to Derbent 665 a. kills Sahamal his Wives Father 666 a. is by Amurath sent for into Siruan 687 a. laid in wait for by Mahomet the Tartar King ib. b. overcometh the Tartars lying in wait for him ib. b. by Amurath made chief Visier and General of his Wars against the Persians 688 a. raiseth a great Army 697 a. wisely appeaseth his mutinous Souldiers unwilling to go for Tauris ib. b. cometh to Tauris 698 a. taketh the City ib. b. in thirty days buildeth there a strong Castle 699 a. giveth the City to be spoiled by his Souldiers ib. a. leaveth Giaffer the Eunuch Bassa of Tripolis with a Garrison of 12000 Souldiers Governour of Tauris 700 a. dieth 701 a. much lamented for at Constantinople ib. b. P. PAleapolis by Sultan Aladin given to Othoman 96 a. Palotta yielded to the Turks 721 a. Pallas Lippa beheaded by Botscay his Master 860 a. Pantogles with the Turks fleet cometh to the siege of Constantinople 233 a. displaced 234 a. Paphlagonia and Pontus with a great part of Cappadocia won by Mahomet the Great 245 b. Partau the Visier Bassa sent by Solyman against the supposed Mustapha brought him to Constantinople 520 a. sent by Solyman to have brought Bajazet to Amasia is by him with good words sent back again 522 b. standeth indifferent for giving or not giving of battel unto the Christians at Lepanto 593 a. encourageth his Souldiers ib. a. flieth himself out of the battel 595 b. Paradiser executed for yielding up of Canisia unto the Turks 792 a. The Patriarch of Graece â—layed alive 904 b. Peace concluded betwixt King Uladislaus and Amurath the Second 197 a. by the perswasion of Julian the Cardinal unfortunately broken by Uladislaus 198. a. Peace concluded betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg 263 b. betwixt Bajazet and Caytbeius 306 b. betwixt Bajazet and the Venetians 315 a. betwixt the Venetians and Solyman 468 b. betwixt the Venetians and Selymus the Second 613 a. betwixt Amurath the Third and Mahomet the Persian King 707 b. Peace concluded betwixt the Emperour and his discontented Subjects in the upper Hungary 876 b. between him and the Turks 878 a. betwixt the Georgians and Turks 925 a. between the Turks and Persians 950 a. Peloponesus described 240 b. made tributary to the Turk 241 a. subdued by the Turks 242 a. Pera yielded unto the Turks 237 b. Perenus the noble Hungarian upon the suspition of aspiring apprehended 494 b. matters surmised against him 495 a. He Valentinus and Maylat three of the chief of the Hungarian Nobility unworthily kept in perpetual Prison 496 a. Persecution in the Greek Church for matters of Religion 101 a. Persians better Horsemen than the Turks 351 b. The Persian King's Success 845 a. he enters into the Province of Babylon 897 a. his cruelty against the Armenians ib. b. Pesth distressed for want of Victuals 806 b. victualled 820 a. again victualled ib. b. shamefully abandoned by the Christians 849 a. taken by the Turks ib. b. Pesth taken by Cason Admiral of the Turks fleet upon the Danubius 478 b. besieged by the Marquis of Brandenburg 493 a. in vain assaulted 494 a. the siege given over ib. b. taken by the Christians 802 a. Peter a French Hermit going on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem observeth the miseries of the Christians under the Turks and Sarazens 9 a. in the Council of Claremont delivereth his message in the behalf of the poor distressed Christians 10 a. he with Gualter Sensavier the first that set forward in the great Expedition of the Christians into the Holy Land ib. b. loseth greatest part of his Army 11 a. discouraged about to have stoln home brought back and inforced to take a new Oath for his fidelity and perseverance in that War 13 b. Peter Damboyse Grand Master of the Rhodes a careful Governour 291 b. his chearful speech unto the rest of his Knights and Souldiers 292 a. Peter Emus for his barbarous Cruelty beheaded at Venice 689 b. Petralba yielded to Scanderbeg 194 b. Petrella yielded ib. b. Petrinia taken by the Christians 753 a. Petrinia in danger to have been betrayed to the Turks 848 a. Philaretas the Greek Emperours Lieutenant put to flight by the Turks 6 b. Philadelphia taken by Bajazet 140 b. Philes a devout man but no Soldier undertaketh the defence of the Greek Empire against the Turks 109 a. in plain battel overthroweth them 109 b. 110 a. Philip the Second of that Name the French King in going towards the Holy Land suffereth Shipwreck upon the Coast of Sicilia 48 a. arriveth at Ptolemais 48 b. his speech unto Richard King of England and the other Christian Princes in his sickness ib. b. he sweareth unto King Richard not to invade his Territories in France and so returneth home 49 b. Phocas by killing of Mauritius the Emperour with his Children possesseth himself of the Greek Empire 15 b. slain afterwards by them of his own Guard 16 a. Pial Bassa Solyman's Admiral sent to
Enemies Country and by such Actions as these both Nations were ready to break forth into an open Rupture With these hopes and encouragements the Malecontents betook themselves again to their Arms under the Command of Erdedi Petrozzi Succhai Kende Zepeti and several other Lords and Persons of power and interest in their Country The time appear'd favourable and advantageous to their enterprise for the Walls of most of the Towns weâ—e then beaten down and the old Works slighted with design to Rebuild and make them stronger according to the new way and manner of Fortifications Provisions were also wanting in most of the Garrisons and the German as well as the Hungarian Troops were in Mutiny for want of pay And this was the time which the Malecontents chose to put themselves in Arms and renew the War. At the beginning whereof being 12000 strong they gain'd the Passage of Teyllas year 1673. and advanced as far as Cassovia which they blocked up and Defeated five Troops of Dragoons under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel de Soyer and by the advantage of a dark and a rainy Night cut them to pieces the Lieutenant Colonel only with some few of his Soldiers making an escape into Cassovia After this Success they proceeded to Esperies and took it without much loss by the Cowardice of the Officer which Commanded it and in divers other Skirmishes worsted the Imperialists The Emperor having received advices of this new Insurrection immediately dis-speed-General Kops with an Army of 10.000 Men into Hungary to which were 4 or 5000 Men more joyned under the Command of Count Esterhasi and Valentine Balassi composed almost all of Horse and of Men true and loyal to the Emperor's interest Such an Army as this could not remain long without Action both Parties desiring to come to an Engagement which soon afterwards happened at the Passage of Branitza where Colonel Smith and Count Palfi who led the Van-guard charged the Malecontents who defended some narrow Passes with so much valour that they killed a 1000 of them on the place besides many others who were wounded and taken Prisoners with the loss only of 15 or 16 Soldiers After this Defeat the Malecontents marched by the way of Serentz year 1673. about two Leagues distant from Tokai and invested Zatmar but a Sally being made out of the Town by Lieutenant Colonel Staremberg who Commanded there in Chief they were forced to raise their Siege with the loss of several Colours and many Prisoners Likewise General Kops and Spankau pursued them so closely at the Heels that with great loss and difficulty they were enforced to pass the Theyss Divers places at the same time surrender'd as the Castle of Meges and the Town of Nagibania the which places were dismantled and their Walls thrown down And as the Imperialists were towards the end of the year returning to their Winter quarters they met a party of 500 Horse belonging to the Malecontented party of which they killed 300 on the place and took divers Prisoners one of which was the Son of Succhai one of the Chief Leaders of the Rebel party Thus whil'st it went ill in all places with the Malecontents the Popish Clergy took courage to assert their right to divers Churches and Chapels which they pretended to belong unto them and to those of their Religion and by force of Arms took possession of them which they held until such time year 1673. as that the Protestant party became strong enough to eject them and executed this design without much opposition in all the Countries of Nitria Trenschin Turoz Stranian Lippovia and in several Towns and Villages of the Mountains where they set up and exercised the Popish Religion with all the Rites and Ceremonies to the great Scandal and Displeasure of the Hungarians Particularly in the Month of Iune at a Town called Senetz the Curate of the Parish was zealous to celebrate in a publick and solemn manner the Festival of Corpus Christi and to carry the Sacrament in Procession Which Feast happening to be on a day when a Fair was held at that Town which brought a great concourse of People thither the Priest fearing some affront from the Multitude desired the Governour of Branitz to afford him a Serjeant and 12 Soldiers to accompany the Sacrament and defend it from the violence and prophaneness of the Hereticks Which being granted as the Priest was carrying the Sacrament in Procession he was assaulted by the People and killed by them together with the 12 Soldiers which were sent for his Guard. So soon as Count Staremberg had news of this Sacrilegious Murder he marched to the Town with his own Regiment and several Troops of German Horse for punishment of the Authors of this abominable wickedness which he executed with all the Rigour and Severity imaginable for the pillaged and burned their Houses and put every one to the Sword excepting those who saved their Lives by escaping into the Woods After all these Defeats and many others given to the Malecontents and this vast effusion of Blood it might well be imagin'd that an end would have been put to this War which had neither a setled Council nor a Fund of Money nor an Interest of great Men to support it Howsoever such was the force and power which the Preachers used in their Sermons to the People inciting them to a Defence of their Religion the Exercise of which the Emperor as they said had determined to take from them that they resolved to die in the maintenance thereof being perswaded that their Friends and Companions who had already sacrificed their Lives in that Cause were real Martyrs and had obtained the Crown which was laid up in Heaven for them Nor were the Protestants only in the mind to Wage a War but even the Roman Catholicks also who being moved by another Principle of defending the Privileges and Freedom of their People thought it their Duty to rise up and assert the Cause of their native Country and Nation For tho' they owned all Duty and Obedience to the Emperor yet being but an Elective King and one to whom the People had sworn Allegiance on Condition that he should maintain them in the ancient Rights and Prileges of that Kingdom they held themselves no longer obliged thereunto after he had violated all their Laws and absolutely subverted the ancient Fabrick of their Government which he had apparently done in three instances First In quartering German Soldiers in the Country and Towns with intent to over-awe and govern them by an absolute and an arbitrary Power Secondly By imposing a Vice-King upon them constituted solely by the Imperial Commission in lieu and place of a Palatine who according to the ancient Constitutions was to be elected by a Diet composed of the several Estates of that Kingdom And Thirdly Instead of such a Diet the Emperor was pleased to erect a Sovereign Council consisting of such Members as
of whatsoever State and Condition or in whatever part of the Kingdom excepted according to the 1st Article in the year 1608. published before the Coronation a free Exercise of their Religion in general is granted and also that none of the said Inhabitants shall any wise be disturbed for the future in the free Exercise of their Religion on the severe punishment that is expresly set down in the 26th Article of the Diet of Sopron Notwithstanding which when the said Protestants of Cassovia and Epperies would have freely us'd and enjoy'd their Right Establish'd by His Majesty s Warrant and continu'd their way of Worship as also the Instruction of their Youth within the said Cities and their Walls as places provided by the above-mention'd Articles and formerly us'd and allow'd they were not only not admitted but severely prohibited and hindred by the Magistrates and Clergy of these Cities nay sent away and Banish'd till this time to the fore-specified places in no wise convenient for them as if they were Strangers and wholly incapable of the Common Liberties of the Kingdom Wherefore in this Point also Relying on the Gracious Resolution of His most Sacred Majesty and the Articles he has been pleased to make with us We do most Humbly implore a lawful Restitution and firm Establishment of the free exercise of our Religion in its former State according to the said Article 1 st Anno 1608 viz. within the Walls of the said Cities We also submissively beg that till we have a convenient opportunity of Building and Erecting new Churches Schools and Parishes which by reason of our great Poverty and the vast Taxes and Contributions to the present War we are not able now to perform it be graciously granted to us that we may anew freely enjoy the said exercise of Religion in certain private and convenient places and have Schools for the Instruction of Youth Thirdly Though the indifferent and common use of Bells and Burials was every where permitted as well to the Protestants as Catholicks by these express words of the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron The free use of Bells and Burials is left to the Catholicks of those places as well as to those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg Which nevertheless the Catholick Magistracy and Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies have fully deny'd and do still deny the said free use of Bells and Burials to the Protestant Inhabitants of the said Cities forbidding them with most severe Threats to perform the usual Ceremonies of Burials within the Walls of the said Cities notwithstanding the gracious resolution of His most Sacred Majesty made to the illustrious States of the Kingdom in the Diet of Sopron December the 10 th Anno 1681. So that we earnestly desire the common use of Bells and Burials for the Protestants as well within as without the City Walls free from any molestation or disturbance conformable to the Pious Grant of His most Sacred Majesty Fourthly It is evident also that by Vertue of the general clause inserted in the end of the so often mention'd 26 th Article in these words Provided always That the Laws of the Kingdom confirm'd by the Royal Charter be not hereby prejudiced The standing Laws of the Kingdom concerning the Ecclesiastical Revenues of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg were left in force and consequently any Arbitrary proceedings forbidden especially such as against the instinct of Nature tend to the enriching of some Persons to the Damage and Wrong of othes Nevertheless the Roman Catholick Magistrate and the Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies by their own Authority and by Force have taken and appropriated to themselves all the pious Legacies and Gifts left by Will through the pious zeal of the Protestants for the use of Protestant Churches and Schools viz. in Cassovia four Houses standing within the Wall of the said City one of which the Magistrate has sold and alienated to the illustrious Michael Domeczki a Garden and certain Plow Lands lying in the Territory of the same City as also a Vineyard formerly called Varghaszóló lying in the Territory of Tokai And in Epperies certain Vineyards likewise lying in several Territories of Upper Hungary together with their Revenues actually retaining the same for their own use and for the most part turning them into prophane uses against the 11 th and 14 th Articles of the year 1647 to the great injury and damage of the Protestants Wherefore in this Case also the Protestants appealing to the aforesaid Laws and Constitution of the Kingdom do lawfully require that all the pious Legacies and Church Lands violently taken away and retain'd from them who are the right Owners be restor'd together with their Revenues according to that Rule of Common Justice Render to every one his own Fifthly It is certain likewise that for the paying of the Protestant Ministers and of the Catholick Curates it was evidently enough provided not only by the often mentioned 26 th Article in these words Nevertheless the Catholicks shall not be obliged to pay any thing to the Ministers of the Protestants nor the Protestants to the Curates of the Catholicks But also by the 11 th Article of the year 1647 in these words Let no Protestant be obliged to pay any thing to the Catholick Curates nor the Catholick to the Protestant Ministers Nay in the following 12 th Article of the said year 1647 are contained these words Concerning any use whatever of the Ministerial Functions but where the Protestants have no Parishes let them pay the Ministers that they employ as the Catholicks are to pay their Catholick Curates and where hitherto the Protestants did pay nothing to the Catholick Curates they shall not be obliged hereafter to pay any under any pretence whatsoever nor the Catholicks to the Protestant Ministers Which words together with these of the same 12 th Article concerning the Revenues of Schools but in any place whatsoever the Catholick Curates and the Protestant Ministers shall receive the Revenues of Schools from their respective Followers only Establish this positive Law and Constitution that the Protestants pay the Protestants and the Catholicks the Catholicks Notwithstanding this the Protestants are forced maugre themselves to pay the Catholick Curates whilst not only a Weekly allowance together with other perquisites is constantly paid to the Catholick Curates by the Magistrate out of the publick Purse wherein the Protestants put most being three for one Catholick but also the Revenues of Schools are adjudged and paid to the same Catholick Curates and with the greatest injustice deny'd to the Protestant Ministers and School-Masters Therefore they demand with all Submission and Justice that the Protestant Ministers and School-masters be allow'd out of the publick Purse a Salary equal with that of the Catholick Curates or that neither of the Parties be paid out of that Fond but each by their respective Followers according to the intention of the before mention'd Articles
Sixthly Every body knows that by Vertue of the 25 th Article not only a free return and stay in the Kingdom is granted to the Banisht Ministers and School-masters but also a free exercise of their Religion and Profession and by Vertue of the following 26 th Article it is Order'd That amongst the imperial and free Cities of Upper Hungary Cassovia and Epperies shall be appointed and establish'd places for the publick and free exercise of the Protestant Religion and that hereafter no Subject shall be disturb'd in the free exercise of his Religion under the pain expressed in the 8 th Article of the 6 th Decree of Uladislaus Nevertheless the Magistrate of Epperies on the very Festival Day of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in the Year 1688 last past dar'd deprice the Protestant Church of Epperies establish'd by the Articles of their Ministers and with great dishonour expel all the Protestant Ministers of the three Nations out of the said City and its Territory without letting them know any cause of so injust an usage or shewing them any Warrant of His most Sacred Majesty for it pretending only an unheard of Title of Lord of the Manor which cannot be admitted among Civilians since they enjoy equaly with the Magistrate the common civil Liberty nor amongst Clergy Men who enjoy a special Liberty nor can it in any wise be taken by Magistrate whose Office is but for a year to the great diminishing of His most Sacred Majesty's Authority and the Contempt of the before mentioned Articles Wherefore they humbly beg that the innocent and unjustly Banish'd Protestant Ministers of Epperies be restor'd and may perform as before their Ecclesiastical Duties and that both the Protestant Ministers of Cassovia and those of Epperies employ'd either in Preaching or in Teaching Schools present or to come being always presented by the right Patrons may live quietly and safely in their own or hir'd dwelling places which they have or shall have within the Walls of the said Cities Seventhly No body that knows the Law will deny but in the beginning of the aforesaid 41 st Article of the Diet of Sopron where the Common Liberties and Privileges of the imperial and free Cities are confirm'd and besides the there mention'd Laws and Articles of the Kingdom made in several places are renewed it is expresly ordain'd That the same Laws and Articles be strictly observed both by the Chambers and the Officers of the Army and by any other person whatsoever so that they viz. the same imperial and free Cities be no way disturbed by any one in their free right to chuse a Civil Magistrate nor in any other Privilege Nevertheless the modern Magistrate of the said Cities against the Prohibition contain'd in the 83 th Article of the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium in the year 1647 out of meer private hatred against our Religion was pleased to take upon him such a Power as to degrade and turn out of their publick Dignities and Civil Employments all the Senators of Cassovia and Epperies and several other Protestant Officers well deserving and qualified for publick Offices and Civil Dignities against the evident Constitution of the aforesaid Article and of those that are cited in it but especially of the 13 th before the Coronation in the year 1608 of the 44 th in the year 1609 and of the 12 th in the year 1649 to the most evident prejudice of the Common Liberties and Civil Privileges and to the considerable oppression of the Protestant Citizens and in the room of the said Senators and Protestant Officers the said Magistrate has put Catholick Citizens either less fit or wholly unacquainted with the Affairs of the said Cities and more minding their private concerns to the damnifying and even undoing of the said Cities Wherefore we require with the deepest Humility First That the free right of chusing the Civil Magistrate and other Officers which hitherto has been so disturbed and wholly taken away from the Protestants against the positive Laws of the Kingdom made in the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium belonging properly and only to the Sworn Citizens of the same Cities and as well to the Protestants as to the Catholicks be restor'd and maintain'd in its former State and in no wise any more disturbed by any one under the pain mention'd in the renewed and aforesaid Articles Secondly That in order to maintain a Civil mutual Union and put out any Fewel of Division and Hatred a free Election be made of the same Magistrate and other Officers out of the well deserving and well qualified Sworn Citizens without any difference of the Catholick and Protestant Religion and that the Employments and any Civil Dignities whatsoever be indifferently and equally conferr'd and bestowed so that the Catholicks and Protestants promote mutually one another to publick civil Honours according to the intention of the aforesaid 13 th Article of the year 1608 before the Coronation and of the 44 th of the year 1609. Thirdly That in order to observe a just equality of Turns and procure the publick good of the Cities it be graciously granted that the Offices of Judged and Tribune be by Turns and promiscuously exercised for a year according to the intention of the aforesaid Articles and of the 12 th in the year 1649. All the Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants of the three Nations of the Free and Imperial Cities Cassovia and Epperies The Grievance of the Protestants of the Free and Imperial City of Carpona IT is not without a great deal of Grief that all the Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Auxiliary Forces and hired Soldiers of both sorts and all the Protestant Inhabitants and Citizens of Carpona think it their Duty to Represent to Your most Sacred Majesty that altho' according to Your most Sacred Majesty's Resolution inserted in the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron Anno 1681. Among the places of the Kingdom which were to be appointed for the Building of new Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes for the conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg the same City of Carpona is particularly named and established to be one of the places where the free exercise of Religion should entirely and quietly be enjoyed as it may be seen in these words In the Division before the Mountains at Leva Carpona and Tulekin Nevertheless Your Majesty's High Commissioners appointed in the year 1688 last past in the Mountain Cities being come to that of Carpona whereas according to the intention of the aforesaid Article and of Your Majesty's Gracious Resolution and Declaration contain'd in it instead of the convenient Churches and Schools and Parishes which were from the Protestants of the Confession of Ausbourg they should have appointed other convenient and fit places and left the Protestants in the quiet Possession of them according to the intention of the 19 th Article in the year 1647 did on the contrary turn the Protestant Ministers and School-masters out of
year new overtures were made to the Malecontents by the Bishop Sebestini And tho' some of the most considerable Persons of the Hungarian party refused to hearken to any Offers which the Emperor should make them yet Tekeli and others formerly the most averse to all Accommodation did now at least in a seeming manner favour the Methods which tended towards Peace and in order thereunto did not only dispatch Deputies as far as to Lintz to Treat thereupon with the Imperial Ministers but likewise entertain'd a personal Conference with Count Caprara and agreed with him to continue a Truce until the resultof a Diet should be known which was to convene in the Month of Febuary That which in all appearance was most probable to administer the greatest difficulty and cause of dispute when a Diet should assemble was the restitution of the Churches Schools and other Foundations which the Malecontents challenged as their own and upon the Right and Title of having Erected and Built them at their own charge and expence They were also very positive to have their ancient Government by a Palatine restor'd and all the German Garrisons withdrawn out of Hungary at least that the Officers placed over the German Forces should be Hungarians the better to keep the Souldiers within some Terms of Moderation and Good Behaviour towards the People of the Country The time appointed for the Diet to meet being come the Emperor remov'd to Newstadt to be nearer to the place of Treaty But it being the Fate of that poor Kingdom to be unhappy something or other still intervened to prevent and disappoint the Endeavours of Peace for whilst some labour'd in that good Work others made it their business to impede and divert it And so it was at present for whilst Tekeli was delighting himself at a House of Pleasure a Plot was laid to surprize and take him during the Truce of which Tekeli having notice he countermined the Plot by an Ambuscade which being opportunely disposed in the way where they were to pass the Party which came to seize him was totally defeated This and other Artifices of the like nature fomented jealousies and diffidences between the Parties that nothing was acted clearly and with a free Spirit but with such Caution and reserves as easily presaged the little hopes of an accommodation by way of Treaty Howsoever some Zealous Men such as Esterhasi and Forgatz who were passionate for the peace of their Country travel'd from County to County exhorting the People to lay aside all Animosities and return again unto that Allegiance and Duty which they ow'd unto their Prince upon assurance that the Emperor would restore the State of Hungary to the same Condition in which it was in the year 1662. and grant almost all the other Propositions which the Malecontents did demand provided that the States of that Kingdom would declare the Arch-Duke Ioseph Son to the Emperor King of Hungary To this Proposal the Malecontents were ready also to condescend on Condition that at the same time the Kingdom were declar'd Elective and some Acts repeal'd which in the year 1664 had made it Hereditary Notwithstanding this difficulty and divers others which were daily started displeasing to the Emperor the Meeting of a Diet at Oedemburg was so warmly press'd that the Emperor's Commissioners and fourteen Deputies from the Malecontents Assembled in the Month of February as was agreed tho' Tekeli refus'd to be there present alledging that the late Treacherous Design against his Person was a sufficient and a just Excuse for his Absence This and some Dispute about the place of Meeting which the Imperialists desired might be at Presburg occasion'd a Prorogation of the Diet until April next following In the mean time the Malecontents held their Consultations in Transilvania concerning the Measures and Methods they were to take in the next Campaign and made use of the cessation of Arms to fortifie their Garrisons and supply them with Provisions The Clergy of Hungary finding in the Emperor a Spirit so inclin'd unto Peace that he was ready to condescend unto all the Demands of the Malecontents and with the rest to grant and yield unto them all the Churches of which they had been depriv'd they being touch'd with a sense of the mischief which might accrue to themselves thereby sent their Deputies to Vienna before the Convention of the Diet to represent unto the Emperor the great prejudice damage and scandal he would cause to the Catholick Religion by delivering up the Churches which were already Consecrated and Hallowed to the Service of God to be prophaned by Impious and Heretical Worships This and such like Speeches serv'd to trouble and distract the Mind of the good Emperor with a thousand new Scruples Howsoever being desirous to appease the Troubles in Hungary and not disappoint that August Assembly His Imperial Majesty a full Month before the Convention remov'd to Newstadt to be near and on all Occasions to be assistant to the Diet which notwithstanding the former Disputes to the contrary was to be held at Oedemburg But whereas the Emperor was attended with three Regiments for his Guard the Appearance seem'd so extraordinary on such an Occasion that the Malecontents refus'd to send their Deputies fearing to be over-aw'd in their Debates and Votes by a Military power unless the Arch-bishop of Strigonium and other German Lords were first deliver'd into their hands for Hostages and Security of fair and faithful Dealings But to remove this difficulty the Emperor discharged his Regiments and with a Guard only of six hundred Hungarians made his Entry on the two and twentieth of May into Oedemburg where he was receiv'd between the double Files of Hungarian and German Soldiers and Conducted to the Lodgings prepar'd for him by the Commissioners and Deputies there present The Diet over which Count Swartzemburg presided in the Name of the Emperor had sat several days before his Majesty's Arrival And on the first day of the Session before they would enter upon any other Business the Election of a Palatine was propos'd and three Persons were Nominated thereunto viz. Esterhasi Palfi and Erdedi and accordingly were offer'd to the Emperor to make choice of the Person which he thought most worthy and agreeable to that high Employment and Office of Trust. But whereas this Prince was entirely in the hands and possess'd by Father Emeric lately made Arch-bishop of Vienna and Abelé the Secretary he refus'd to determine the Choice until such time as he had consulted with these two Confidents thereupon By this Retardment all other Matters mov'd slowly tho' the Diet sate eight hours every day The least point Administer'd matter of Dispute and what at the first appearance seem'd easie and of little importance was render'd difficult and intricate by reason of the Spirit of Dissention and Bitterness with which that whole Assembly was possess'd And moreover Father Emeric excepting against every Person
the taking of our Churches XIII Hereafter no Churches Schools and Parishes shall be seized nor Exercise hinder'd on either side under the pain expressed in the 8 th Article of the 6 th Decree of Uladislaus Proceedings of the King's Commissioners contrary in every particular to the Articles of Sopron AGainst the opposite first Article The King 's high Commissioners or other private Persons employ'd by them have forbidden such a free exercise of Religion as could consist in the Service of God through Preaching Singing Praying Administring the Sacraments blessing Marriages making Burials and using other wonted Ceremonies which were perform'd by Ecclesiastical Ministers in many free Royal Cities and Mountain Towns namely in St. George Bazinium Tyrnaw Zakoliza Schemnizium Veterozolium Carpen Libeten Breznow Bakaw Bela Vibania Kusseghin and Rust whereby it appears That in those places the said Commissioners have supprest the whole exercise of Religion against the opposite Article for where there is no Liberty for the above mention'd Acts of Religion there can be no exercise of Religion at all They have likewise depriv'd the Inhabitants of all the Towns and Villages in the Counties of the free exercise of their Religion by Virtue of that Clause inserted for the destroying of our Religion and of the Gospel too provided that the Privileges of the Lords of Manors be not hereby prejudiced against the Confirmation of the Article made in the Year 1608. Against the II. The said Commissioners have Licensed but two Ministers in each County and but one or two in some Free Cities all over the Kingdom Banishing all the rest out of the Counties some within a Fortnight and others within Three days as in the Counties of Lypeze of Orowa of Owar of Sachsag of Zolnock and in others or requiring strict Deeds of Reversion from the same if they would continue in the said Counties They have also appointed that there should be no petty Schools but such where Children could learn only to Read and to Write But what kind of Liberty it is that hath been granted to our Ministers to profess their Religion appears 1st By the Recorded Banishment of a great many of them out of the Counties 2ly By the Case of the Ministers in Eperies that have been turn'd out by a Roman Catholick Magistrate under pretence that it was Your Majesty's Pleasure and Command altho' that Town be particularly named in the Articles 3ly By the violence that the Official has done to the Ministers and School-masters that liv'd but miserably in the Dominion of Tokai in Upper Hungary intimating to them under pain of Death and the Forfeiture of all their Goods to go out of the said County or by most strict Deeds of Reversion to renounce for ever under the same penalty to perform any Ecclesiastical Duty in the said County 4ly By the Confinement of several Ministers who are kept Prisoners in the Fort of Ledniche by Order of his Eminence the Cardinal of Kolocza and can obtain their Liberty on no other Condition but that of subscribing pernicious Deeds of Reversion Against the III. Here our Sighs interrupt our Complaints nor can we find words to express how variously and miserably our Ministers and we have been and are still disturbed every where either by the said Commissioners or by other private Persons As for instance in short not to repeat the abovemention'd Counties and many Towns of the County of Semlyn in the aforesaid Dominion of Tokai and their Ministers the above-mention'd City of Epperies in Upper Hungary and in the Lower all the Cities besides Presburg Sopron Modra Cremnicz and Neozolium with their Evangelical Ministers As also the Minister of Hodossia in the Isle of Shut who had all the means of Life Clothes Books and Furniture taken from him by the Secretary of the Archbishop of Gran and by the Soldiers which he brought along with him which is the Fate of a great many others that lead a most miserable Life in perpetual Changes owing their Liberty to a Special Providence of God or having obtain'd it after they had paid great Fines or made pernicious Deeds of Reversion Against the IV. The said Commissioners have Order'd that the Evangelicks should be made to bring their Processional Trophies and to Walk in Processions that the Evangelick Peasant should every where be forc'd to frequent Catholick Churches and that in all the Free Cities where there is no publick exercise of our Religion the Evangelick should be obliged to Ministerial Offices contrary to their way Against the V. The said Commissioners having no regard to the Assignation appointed in the opposite Article have seiz'd upon all the Churches and Chappels in the Counties of Lypcze of Arva of Turocz of Zolnock and and of Sachsag although the Churches of Pribocz Bella and Zathuriza in the County of Turocz have been Built by the Evangelick who were never reconciled to the Catholick Church there are likewise Chappels in Kiratilehota Potornia Vicbicz c. in the County of Lypcze that were Built by the Evangelicks and the Lords of those Manors nevertheless they are severely forbidden to make any use of them either Ecclesiastical or Civil being sent to two very remote inconvenient and dangerous places where they have only liberty to Build such Churches as cannot contain the Congregation by several Thousands Against the VI. No Convenient places for Churches Parishes and Chappels have been assign'd in any free Royal Town of Upper Hungary but here the Commissioners there the Officials of the Chamber and elsewhere private Persons as in Cassovia and Epperies have appointed places for Churches Parishes and Schools which are at a great distance in the Fields out of Desert and Desolate Suburbs and which are for any Common use of the Three Nations which rendreth them so inconvenient and nasty that to dedicate Churches to the most Holy God in such places were a most detestable Crime for any sort of Christians Against the VII In many Counties as also in that of Sachsag which is one of the aforenam'd the Kings Commissioners have caused all the Churches to be taken from the Evangelicks and their Ministers to be turn'd out by the Vicount of that County the Officials have done the like in the Counties of Abavivivar of Semlyn of Ugoza and in all the Towns of the Dominion of Tokai as we have already mention'd and some private Persons have presum'd to seize upon the Church belonging to those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg in the Town of Gyongyos which Gyongyos maketh the most considerable part of the County of Hewecz to put out their Ministers and even forbid the Evangelicks to exercise any way their Religion in that place The like has been done in the Town of Jaszbreny and the Frontiers of Legrad although the abovemention'd Counties be named in the Article whereby the Evangelicks are left in the Possession of all those Churches which they had in the said Counties when the Article was made Against the
VIII In the Town of Maromaruss and in the places round about it private Men have forbidden the whole exercise of Religion charging with Beat of Drums all the Evangelicks to go and exercise their Religion out of that Frontier under pain of Imprisonment and other severe Punishments After the same manner the King's Commissioners in Carpen and the Deputies in Tokai have forbidden the exercise of Religion and seiz'd upon the Churches although both these places be particularly named in the Articles Against the IX The said Commissioners or their Deputies have appointed places for Churches Schools and Parishes out of Trenschin Modra Cremnicz and Novizolium and none at all in the rest of the Towns of Lower Hungary now why should the Case of some be worse than that of others since all have the same Priviledge of Liberty in Upper Hungary They have likewise appointed some places for Churches Schools and Parishes not in but out of the Cities against the true meaning of the opposite part of the Article which most evidently declareth that those places must be appointed within and not without the Walls of the Cities or else they could not be such as are appointed Fig. 6. i.e. convenient and fit to be consecrated for the publiek service of God. Against the X. In many Counties and particularly in that of Sachsag and the Town of Gyongyos the King's Commissioners have taken such Churches together with their Appendages as were possessed by the Evangelicks when the Article was made which we have hinted in the foregoing fifth Grievance Moreover in the aforesaid Town of Gyongyos many private Persons have taken all the Ecclesiastical Revenues and Pious Legacies from the Evangelicks forbidding them withal to Bury their Dead in the usual places which has made many keep Corps in Cellars a long time rather than Bury them in Carfax and Cross-ways as they were appointed The Commissioners have also deprived the Evangelicks of the use of the Bells almost every where the Officials have done the like in the County of Semlin and particularly in these Towns of the aforesaid Dominion of Tokai Thalia Mod Zantho Kerethur Tarezal Liszka Benny Tolezva Patak Veyelly Borzi and Tokai seizing upon all the Churches Schools and Parishes which at the time of and after the Treaty were possessed by the Evangelicks and left to the same by the said Article together with the Revenues that have been given to them by the Evangelicks forbidding with most severe threatnings the free exercise of our Religion even in private Houses and hindering the Evangelicks from the common use of Burials and Bells though made at their own care and charge Likewise the Magistrates and Clergy Men of the Town of Cassovia and Epperies have taken by force all the pious Legacies left to our Churches and forbidden absolutely the common use of Bells and Burials Threatning with the most severe Punishments those that would make publick Burials within the Walls with the usual Singing and decent Ceremonies Against the XI Every where in the Counties the Commissioners have adjudged all the Payments to the Catholick Curates and Ordered in the Cities that they should be paid out of the common Purse wherein the Chatholicks could contribute but little they being but few in number in comparison of the Evangelicks thus they have forced us maugre our selves to be at extraordinary Charges out of our own States for the maintaining of our Ministers and School-masters not only against the right intention of the aforesaid Articles but also against the plain Sense of the Holy Scripture which allows a Salary for such as Labour and even nothing to Eat for such as Labour not After the like manner the Official of the abovementioned Dominion of Tokai in Upper Hungary do all their endeavours to make both Noble and Ignoble Evangelicks pay without distinction the Chatholick Curates Against the XII In many Counties viz. in that of Lypcz of Turocz of Zolnock of Arva c. the said Commissioners have suppressed and forbidden under pain of Military Execution the exercise of Religion which is granted to Noblemen in their places of Residence and which they had enjoy'd long since the Churches were seized accordingly in the County of Lypcze the Clergy Men have caused some such Noblemen's Houses to be assaulted and plunder'd by the Garrison of Likavia and in the County of Trenschin the Noble Family of Nosdrovisky which did keep a Minister for the Exercise of Religion in its place of Residence has been much damnified also by the Soldiers of Mersia's Regiment and the Ministers put into the Prison of the Fort of Ledniche where he is kept to this day likewise the Noblemen of Hodossia of the places round about in the Isle of Shut have been deprived of the free exercise of Religion in their places of Residence and the Ministers that lived there then have been Plunder'd of all their Goods which Injustice the Evangelick Noblemen of Lower Hungary do also complain of Would to God that this Conclusion were observed and the Punishment hinted in the Article inflicted upon the Opposers thereof then we might promise our selves to enjoy quietly and undisturbedly the free exercise of our Religion and then the fewel of Divisions would be extinguished and taken away for fear of being Punish'd which that it may be done is our Hearty Prayer and Desire Now having lay'd before Your Sacred Majesty the Articles of Sopron and the Abuses committed in the executing of them it is as clear as the Sun that we require nothing but what is granted in them We humbly beseech Your most Sacr'd Majesty through Christ's Precious Death and Glorious Resurrection that having known and laid up in Your Royal Heart our lawful Requests Your Sacred Majesty suffer no longer the same to be hinder'd by any Person whatsoever but rather since after so long time they have been Reported before Your most Sacred Majesty and before Your Privy Council together with some Treatises of the appointed Commission Nay being inform'd that a certain Point of the said Treatises that doth not concern us has been examin'd by the Lords of the Privy Council it makes us fear lest something else be taken into consideration whereby an Answer to our Requests may be occasion'd and we yet longer detain'd here under the inconveniency of Doubt of Delay and of continuance of the vast Charges we have already been at according to Your most Sacred Majesty's Gracious Consent given to the most High Prince President of the Court and intimated to us by his Highness to dispatch first the Business of Religion that Your Sacred Majesty be graciously pleased to appoint and commit our Requests which so narrowly concern the Salvation of our Souls to be consider'd again and determin'd by the Lords of â—he Privy Council so to Establish us in the Liberty of Religion to the Immortal Fame of Your Royal Government after the Example of Your Glorious Predecessors that being reliev'd We may speedily Return to our Principals and God will
to them in the World since that their Country lying open and without defence would thereby be exposed to all the Hostilities which the most barbarous and cruel Enemy in the World could execute The Duke of Loraine finding that the Commission of these Deputies extended no farther than what they had declared returned them back again with Count Scherffemberg and Baron Falkenhem who were orordered to let Prince Apafi know that since he had refused to assign him Winter-quarters on fair Terms he himself should be constrained to point them out unto his Troops and continue his March into the Bowels of his Country The States of the Principality perceiving the Duke of Loraine to be in earnest and resolved to obtain his Demands were contented to grant him Quarters for a certain number but that not suffising he continued his March towards Clausembourg or Claudiopolis the chief City of that Country and the place where the States of Transilvania did usually Assemble It is situate in a very fuitful Plain upon the little River of Samos it is encompassed with very thick Walls and the Houses are very well Built it is defended by an ancient Fortress the Suburbs are so large and well peopled that it seems to be another Town the Inhabitants are both Hungarians and Saxons who live in so good unity and correspondence together that both are equally capable of Offices and Places of Trust in the Government The Duke of Loraine so soon as he appeared before the Place sent to the Governour to provide Quarters in the Town for some of his Troops but he excusing it and saying that he could not do it without Orders from Prince Apafi immediately Count Caprara was sent to let him know that his Answer was not satisfactory and that Orders were given to the Infantry to prepare all things necessary for making an Attack on the Town Whereupon the Governour considering better of the matter enter'd into a Treaty with the Duke of Loraine who condescended to grant unto the Inhabitants these following Conditions That the Inhabitants should enjoy a free Exercise of their Religion That the Magistrates and Citizens should be maintained in their Liberties and Priviledges and not be forced to pay any extraordinary Contributions That every Officer or Magistrate of the City should be exempt from giving Quarters to any Soldier in his own House That what Forage and Subsistence should be necessary for the Soldiery should be furnished in Specie and no Money exacted in lieu of the same And that the Soldiers be forbidden under severe Penalties to commit any Disorders or Abuse the People That those Citizens who were unwilling to continue their Aboad in the City but were desirous to depart might have Liberty so to do and carry with them all their Goods and Moveables According to these Conditions the Garrison of Apafi marched out at one Gate whilst Three thousand of the Imperialists enter'd in at the other with Drums beating and Colours flying and the Command of the Town was given to Count Guy de Staremberg whith a strict Charge to punish most severely all Insolences of the Soldiers the which was carefully observed not only in that City but also in all parts of Transilvania since their entrance into it The Duke of Loraine having for one day refreshed the rest of his Army in places without the Town marched towards Turtembourg which is another important Pass in that Country in which having left a Garrison he proceeded to Weissembourg otherwise called Alba Iulia so named from the Empress Iulia Mother of Marcus Aurelius and entred into it without any resistance The place is situate on the side of a Hill from whence a vast Plain discovers it self it is reported to have been the ultimate Limit of the Roman Conquests on that side Prince Ragotzki erected an University there which was very flourishing and famous considering the Country Hermanstadt alias Zeben followed the Example of the aforesaid places It is the Metropolis of the whole Province of Savons situate in a Plain full of Boggs and Marshes and no Hills near to command it the Walls are very thick and flanked with very great Bastions Bestrissa and all the other considerable Towns opened in like manner their Gates so that now the whole Army being conveniently Quartered the Duke of Loraine entred into a Treaty with Prince Apafi and the States of Transilvania and concluded on these following Articles I. That the Prince of Transilvania his Children and all persons of his Houshold as also all the Nobles and in General all the People of Transilvania may have liberty according to their Will and Pleasure to go out of Hermanstadt or any other City or Town and return again as shall be most agreeable and expedient to or for their Affairs II. That the Prince and Michael Apafi his Eldest Son who is declared Successor to his Father shall both retain the same Power and Dignity with which the Sultan had invested them and that the Principality should be governed by them and the Estates according to the known Laws and Customs of that Country III. That the Four Religions allowed in Transilvania that is to say the Roman Catholicks the Lutherans the Calvinists and the Unitarians or Socinians shall be permitted to exercise the Rites of their respective Religions and to have Liberty of Conscience equally indulged to them IV. That it shall not be permitted on any pretence whatsoever to molest the Priests or the Ministers of any of the aforesaid Religions in the due exercise of their respective Rites and Ceremonies nor disturb their Schools or Colleges the which with all freedom and liberty shall be allowed and permitted and defended by the Authority and Power of the Emperor V. That the Transilvanians shall be supported and maintained in their Civil Privileges and Franchises VI. In case any Foreign Power shall invade and attack the Country of Transilvania the Imperialists shall use all their power to drive them thence and defend the Country And the Transilvanians shall to that end enter into a defensive alliance with them the which shall by both Parties be confirmed upon Oath VII The Imperial Troops which have their Winter-Quarters in Cities Towns or Villages shall remain no longer therein than until the Spring when they shall be obliged to draw out of those Quarters into the Field that so they may be no longer a charge unto the several Cities and Countries VIII That in case the Weather and Season should be such or some other cause intervene that the Imperialists cannot conveniently draw out into the Field at the beginning of the Spring there shall be an Article expresly formed for this case that so an amicable understanding may be continued between the Emperor and Prince Apafi IX That a General Act of Amnesty or Oblivion shall pass of all Outrages and Hostilities which have been committed on one side or the other wherein all Strangers and Deserters shall be included X.
of this New Sultan with Success and Victory The Fight between the Poles and the Tartars in the Suburbs of Leopolis happened on the 11th of February of this Year being Extracted out of a Letter of the Great General Written to the Envoy Cavalier Proski of the 16th of February from Leopolis An Extract of the Great General 's Letter Written to the Envoy Cavalier Proski WE have not only in the Season of the last Spring but during the whole Summer and Autumn lived in continual Alarms and Skirmishes with our Enemies but even in this very Winter been engaged with them in divers Bloody Fights And particularly on the 11th of this Month of February a Battle was made between 3000 of our Soldiers against 70000 Tartars within the Suburbs and under the Walls of Leopolis The Particulars of which are these Sultan Zabas Gerei Son of the Tartar-Han who in the Month of October last gave up to our Hands all the Provisions belonging to the Turks which he had taken into his Care and Conduct to be Convoyed to Kaminieck of which Disgrace and Dishonour his Father being very sensible urged the Son to repair his Credit by some great Action worthy the Fame of his Valour and his Prowess in War Accordingly being assisted by all the Power of the Tartars as well those of Budziac Bialogrod and Dobrucz as those of Crim who the last Year had joyned with the Turks under Peter Waradin came on the 10th of this Month of February and Encamped themselves in the Plains of that Town which is called the Cracovian Leopolis with intention to fix his Camp there and from thence to send out his Parties to all Places where they could Burn and Spoil make Slaves and put all to Fire and Sword and so they Ravaged every where for the space of eight Days until at length all the Countries round being alarm'd hereat I raised all the Forces that I was able and brought them together from their respective Quarters which alas was a most inconsiderable Power against so Mighty an Enemy for all that we could gather and unite did not amount to more than 3000 fighting Men. The Day following about Eight of the Clock in the Morning the Sultan Tartar drew out his Men into form of Battle and I also having my Confidence in God drew out that Handful of Men which I had with me and made a Sally out of the City to covert the Sâ—burbs The Enemy staid not long to look on us but seeing some Polish Companies to march boldly against them they Detached a Party of Tartars to meet and engage them and to force the Outworks which were only fortified with Hedges and a kind of Wall made up with Mats and Rushes well woven together This Command was executed with such Vigour that doubtless the Place had been carried at the first Attack had not the danger wherein they were of losing their Lives and Estates and all they had made them desperate and forced them to make all the resistance that they were able and in effect they fought like Lyons receiving the Enemy so bravely that in a short time all the Fields were covered with the Dead Bodies of the Slain The Tartars made Thirteen Attacks to try their Fortune and were as often repulsed by the Christians without any great loss on their side This Fight continued four Hours until at length the Enemy observing that all their Assaults prevailed little but were very Bloody and of great loss they resolved That at the same time when they engaged us in the Front with one Party they should break in upon the Hedge with another and whatever loss or Blood it should cost to carry it by main force as it immediately proved for the Enemy having by this means got between us and the City we remained without any hopes imaginable of relief howsoever with a Courage full of resolution to overcome or die like Brave Men turning our Faces upon them to whom we had but newly turned our Backs we did not only overcome them but cut a great Number of them in pieces and after another Engagement which lasted about two Hours more drove them out of the Suburbs of the City tho' in the time of this Fight the Tartars having set Fire thereunto the Wind and Smoak and Dust did so incommode our People that they were in a manner Blinded and knew not which course to take howsoever their Invincible Courage was such as that the Enemy was put to Flight This Fight continued until Three a Clock in the Afternoon by which time they had been so beaten that they were forced to withdraw before the Evening about a League and a half from the City and the next Day proceeded on their March and the third Day passed the Neister on their way homewards The Number of the Slain on the Christian side did not exceed above 100 and about 160 Wounded what the Enemy lost is not to be known But such Matters as these at so far a distance and between Tartars and Poles did not much affect or trouble the Ottoman Court but such as were nearer hand as Naval Fights and the Taking and Recovering of the Island of Scio being near the Royal Cities made great noise both in Europe and Asia and raised the hopes of the People to great and high Expectations of the future Fortune of this New Sultan as if he had been born to be Restorer of the decaying Condition of the Ottoman Empire We have related already the ill Success which the Venetians had had in two several Fights at Sea against the Turks which being unusual and of many Years not known made it matter of Wonder to all the World. For after the Turks had beaten the Venetian Fleet all things were put into great Consternation at Scio so that the Venetian Commanders most shamefully abandoned the Place stealing away in the Night without giving time for some of their Troops which were abroad to guard the Island to Embark with them which gave cause to some of their Officers who thereby became Slaves to the Turks to vent out Thousands of Imprecations and Curses upon them and indeed their Cafe was sad but Necessity had no Law for the Venetians had now been beaten twice at Sea by the Turks who had they followed their Blow might have utterly destroyed the Venetian Fleet but the Turks being contented with this unusual Success a thing not known to them for more than a hundred Years past were contented with the Flight of the Enemy and therewith a Cession to them of the whole Island and the Turks entered triumphant thereupon without any Opposition The first Act of the Turkish Clemency was to Hang up four Men of the Latine Rite who were of the Romish Church and of the Italian Race namely Signior Pietro Giustiniani di Antonio Signior Domenico Stella who were Deputies ordained to protect that Religion Signior Francesco Draco and Giovanni Castelli di Brecci Signior Sofiati who
Prusa besieged by Othoman Michael Cossi turneth Turk Alteration of Religion in the Greek Church Persecution in the Greek Church for matters of Religion Andronicus spariâ—g to maintain his Navy weakneth his Empire Immoderate bounty in great men dangerous Alexius Philanthropenus aspireth Libadarius opposeth himself against the proceedings of Philanthropenus Andronicus the Greek Emperor reposing more trust in foreign aid than in his own Subjects greatly hurteth his State. Ronzerius what he was Ronzerâ—us for want of pay spoileth the Emperors Subjects Ronzerius slain The Turks first called into Europe by the Catalonians The Turcopuli The unfortunate battel of Michael the Emperor against the Catalonians and Turks Cassandria The Catalonians shut out of Macedonia A notable stratagem of the Catalonians The Turks divided into two Factions The unfortunate battel of the Emperor Michael Paleologus with the Turks in Chersoneâ—us Thracia spoiled by the Turks Philes Paleologus requesteth of the Emperor that he might go against the Turks The Battel betwixt Philes and the Turks The Turks overthrown The causâ—s of the decay of the Greek Empire Syrgiannes his craâ—ty Seditious Speech unto young Andronicus Young Andronicus cometh secretly armed to his Grandfather Thracia revolteth unto Andronicus Articles of agreement betwixt the old Emperor and his Nephew The Greek Empire in Europe divided whilst the Grecians are at discord amongst themselves Othoman layeth the foundation of the Turks Empire and the other other Turks incroach upon them also The Island of the Rhodes was by the Knights Hospitalers recovered from the Turks in the year 1308. Andronicus the old Emperor seeketh for Counsel of the Psalter as of an heavenly Oracle and so seeketh to make peace with his Nephew Psal. 68. vers 14. A treacherous meeting The young Emperor sendeth Embassadors unto his Grandfather The Speech of the young Emperor to his Grandfathers Embassadors The Speech of the old Emperor unto the Patriarch and the rest of the Bishops and Nobility concerning the young Emperor his Nephew The Patriarch with divers of the Bishops conspire against the Emperor Thessalonica yielded unto the young Emperor Constantinople bâ—â—râ—yed unto the young Emperor The pitiful Supplication of the old Emperor to his Nephew Niphon incenseth the young Emperor against his Grandfather The old Emperor becometh blind Andronicus the old Emperor against his will made a Monk and called Anthony The notable answer of the old Emperor to the catching question of the proud Patriarch The death of the old Emperor The Turks Kingdom founded by Othoman in Asia at such time as the Greek Emperors were at variance betwixt themselves in Europe Prusa yielded unto the Turks The death of Othoman Othoman buâ—ied at Prâ—sa The wealth that Oâ—homan leâ—t unto his two Sons Orchanes and Aladin when that barbarous manner of murthering their Brethren first began among the Turkish Sultans The City of Nice with divers other Castlâ—s recovered from the Turks after the death of Othoman The Emperor wounded The City of Nice surprised by the Turks Abydus besieged by the Turks Nicomedia yielded unto Orchanes Orchanes remoueth his Court to Nice Orchanes invadeth the Country of Carasina The Country of Carasina yielded unto Orchanes The Castle of Maditus tâ—â—en by the Tâ—rks The death of Solyman Bassa Orchanes his eldest Son. The death of Orchanes Amurath succeedeth his Father Orchanes in the Turkish Kingdom Didymotichum yielded unto the Turks Hadrianople yielded unto the Turks Rhodestum surprised by the Turks Hadrianople thâ— Royal Seat of the Tâ—rkish Kings in Europe Boga taken by Amurath and recovered again and rased by the Christians Boga new built by the Turks Amurath invadeth Servia Nissa taken by the Turks Appolonia won 〈◊〉 the Turks Amurath and Aladiâ— prepare themselves for War. The death of Chairadin Bassa The great battel in the plains of Caramania betwixt Amurath and Aladin Aladin flieth to Iconium Iconium besieged by Amurath Lazarus the Despot by his Embassador craveth aid of the King of Bosna Amurath marrieth the Emperor of Constantinoples daughter The Castle of Sarkive with the City jâ—yning unto it taken by thâ— Christians and rased Lazarus slain Amurath slain Amurath buried at Prusa Bajazet invadeth Servia Servia the second time invaded by Bajazet Thessalia invaded by Bajazet Constantinople eight years besieged by Bajazet Constantinople the second time besieged by Bajazet Bajazet marrieth Despina the fair Daughter of Lazarus the Despot Temurtases Bâ—jazet his great Lieutenanâ— in Asia taken Prisoner by Aladin the younâ— King of Caramania Amasia yielded unto Bajazet Sebastia delivered to Bajazet Bajazet invadeth Isfendiar Prince of Castamona The Mahometan Princes of Asia oppressed by Bajazet disguised flie unto Tamerlane for aid Tamerlâ—ne his opinion concerning the diversity of Religions The base opinion some have concerning the Birth and Rising of Tamerlane Tamerlane honourably descended The cause why some have reported him to have been a Shepherd or Herdsman Tamerlane marrieth the Daughter and Heir of the great Cham of Tartary Prince Axalla in great credit with Tamerlane The number of Tamerlanes great Army Sebastia besieged by Tamerlane Sebastia yielded to Tamerlane A Shepherd more happy than Bajazet The Prince of Ciarcan dealeth politickly with the Forerunners of the Turks Army The great and mortal Battle betwixt Bajazet and Tamerlane The Prince of Ciarcaâ— slain The Turks overthrown Bajazet and his Son Musa taken Prisoners Bajazet 〈◊〉 bâ—sâ—e Tamerlane with his Pride Bajazet like a Beast shut up in an Iron Caâ—e Solyman set up in his Fathers steaâ— Prusa taken by â—â—â—lle Tamerlane goeth to Constantinople Tamerlane much delighted with the pleasures of Constantinople A great Battel fought betwixt the Sultan of Egypt and Tamerlane Damasco won by Tamerlane Tamerlane cometh to Jerusalem Damiata taken by Axalla Tamerlane marcheth towards Caâ—er Caier besieged by Tamerlane Caier assaulted by Tamerlane The Sultan flieth from Alexandria Tamerlane desirous to return into his Country The miserable death of Bajazet A comparison betwixt Bajazet and Tamerlane Bajazet in his Posterity more fortunate than Tammerlane Divers opinions concerning the Successors of Bajazet The true Posterity of Bajazet Mahomet Gâ—vernor of Amasia Mahomet â—â—ndâ—â—h Spies into Tamerlane his Camp. Cara Dulet slain Mahomet his 〈◊〉 to Inaâ—l Ogli the Tartar Prince Inall Ogli his answer to Mahomet Inall Ogli overthrown by Mahomet Mahomet his Speech to Tamerlanes Embassador The great power Tamerlane continâ—ally kâ—pt The death of Tamerlane The description of Tamerlane Mahomet goeth against his Brother The answer of Isa to Mahomet his Offers The body of Bajazet honourably buried at Prusa Good counsel Isa with a great army sent by his Brother Solyman into Asia against Mahomet Prusa burnt by Isa. Isa flieth into Caramanâ—a and there dieth in obscurity The Castle of Prusa besieged by Solyman Musa marrieth the Prince of Valachia his daughter Musa in the absence of Solyman received at Hadrianople as King. Musa goeth against Solyman Solyman flieth Solyman strangled by his Brother Musa This Solyman is that same whom some call Celebinus and other some Calepinus and reckon