Of the Temple of Ephesus .

IN the Country called Ionia , there is the noble Citty of Ephesus , which was built in the 32 year of the reign of King David , by Androchus the ●on of Codr●● King of Athens . The Amazons did erect in it in the honor 〈◊〉 Diana a noble Temple , the like whereof was not then in all the world ; and therefore it was accounted amongst the 7 wonders of the world : it was 215 yeares in making , and that of all A●ia , and set in a miry ground , for the avoyding of earth-quakes ; there were 127 pillars in it , made of their kings one by one , which were in height 60 foot ; whereof 36 were carved with marveilous workemanship . The length of the whole Church was 425 feete , and the breadth 220.

All that tooke this Church for Sanctuary , had great immunities and priviledges : there were also so many gifts and monuments given to this Church from all Nations and Citties , that none in 〈…〉 world might bee compare 〈…〉 wealth . St. Paul preached at Ephesus 3 yeeres , and converted many to the faith . St. Iohn also the Evangelist dyed in this Citty .

But this sumptuous Temple was destroyed , and set on fire in the reigne of Galienus the Emperour , by one Erostratus , who doing many notable feats in Warre , and otherwise , when he perceived that he got no reward nor renowne thereby , to leave a continuall remembrance of his flagitious and horrible act , did with great fires and monstrous flames consume this faire Church , and brought it to ashes , thinking thereby to be remembred in perpetuity : and yet he was deceived , for there were generall Edicts and Proclamations made , that no man upon paine of death should presume once to put his name in any writing or Chronicle , to the intent that he might have beene buried with everlasting oblivion .

M. Curius .

THere was in Rome about three hundred yeares before Christs time , a strange and horrible gaping of the earth ; even about the middest of the market place , with so vaste 〈◊〉 depth and infinite hollownesse that it might well have beene compared to the gaping of hell mouth , the spectacle continuing thus for a time , made great terror amongst the people , a● the length the Southsayers by their interpretations , perswaded that this horrible depth might be stopped , if the most precious thing● in the Citty were cast therein ▪ Whereupon divers of the Matrones of Rome , of their owne free will cast in divers goodly Jewels , but all was in vaine . Wherefore M. Curius a Knight of Rome , comming of a noble house , being decked and adorned with his warlike furni●ure and ornaments , rid head●ong into that horrible depth and hollownesse of the earth , and so immediately it closed together againe and was stopped . Some say that he demanded this one thing before he would grant to ride and and leape into that depth , that for a whole yeares space it might bee lawfull for him , every night to lie with what woman hee would chuse , and that then of his owne mind he cast himselfe suddenly down headlong into that denne , and so the earth closed againe .

Of the warres and manners of the Turkes .

THe Turkes have a marvellous celerity in doing , a constancy in dangers , and observation of the Empire . They will swimme over very deepe and dangerous waters , they passe over strange hills , and being commanded , they goe through thicke and thinne headlong , having no regard of their lives , but of the Empire . Most apt and ready to suffer fasting and watching . There is no sedition amongst them , no tumult . They use horrible sounds and not out-cries in War : in their Tents in the night-time , there is ●uch diligent silence , that they ●ad rather suffer their prisoners ●o escape , then to move any tumult .

The Turkes of all kinde of ●eople , are said at these dayes to 〈◊〉 most lawfull fighting , so that 〈◊〉 is no marvel why their Com●on-wealth continueth so long , ●nd encreaseth so much , that ●●eir Nation is almost invin●●ble , except they be destroyed ●y some plague or pestilence , ●r civill discord . The Souldi●rs have an honest kinde of ap●arrell : In their saddles and bri●els there is no curious superflu●y . No man goeth armed but 〈◊〉 the time of War : their wea●ons are brought after them in ●urdens ; they use no banners ●or standerds , but in the tops of ●heir Javelins they have certaine ●hreads of divers colours hanging , where one Captaine known from another .

They use the Drumme at the Fluite to call and moo●● men to fight . They pray f●● their souldiers in every congr●●gation and solemne meetin● but rather for such as have dye for their Countrey , calling the happy and blessed , that they d●●ed not at home in the lamenta●●●on of their Wives , and Childre● but abroad amongst their en●●mies weapons , and terrible no●ses . They write and describ● the victories of their ancesto● they sing and extoll them bei●● written ; for they thinke the souldiers mindes to bee mu●● encouraged by these meane● They doe so abhorre picture and engraved Images , that up●● such causes they call the Ch●●●stians Idolaters . They have 〈◊〉 Bells , nor yet doe suffer the Christians abiding amongst ●hem to have Bells . They ne●er play for mony , or any other ●●ing , but such as bee found ●laying , be grievously slandred 〈◊〉 every mans mouth . No man ●f what state or degree so ever ●e be , desireth to sit on a bench , ●ut they lye downe and sit on ●●e earth like Children , with a ●ery comely folding of their ●●rments under them .

The table whereon they feed ●●r the most part , is prepared of ●n Oxe hide , or an Harts skinne , ●ndressed and rough with haire ●●ill , having the roundnesse of ●oure or five hand breadthes . No man entreth into any house , Church , or other place where●n they must sit , unlesse his ●hooes be off ; because it is acounted an unhonest , and undecent point , for any man to 〈◊〉 with his shoes on his feete , an● therfore they use a kind of sho●● that may easily be put on & 〈◊〉 The place were they sit , eith●● at home or in the Churches , strewed & covered either wi●● tapestry clothes , or broad clot● or rushes , and sometimes for 〈◊〉 moysture and uncleannesse 〈◊〉 the place , they have bodyes a●● tables .

The garments both of m●● and women , are large and lo●● enough , open in the form part . They have great car● emptying the Belly , and mak● Vrine , that they turne not th● faces towards the South , whi●● way they are alwaies wont looke praying . They take so great heede , lest any 〈◊〉 should see their filthinesse discharging nature . They ●●●taine from Wine , as their lawes doe command them ; because ●t is a provoker of all unclean●esse and vice , and yet may ●hey lawfully eat Grapes . They ●bstaine also from swines blood ●nd flesh , and from all flesh ●hat dyeth of the murraine . All other meates they doe eate .

How the Turkes doe beleeve , and how they worship God .

THe Turks confesse one God , which hath none like or equall to him , whose faithfull Prophet they account Mahomet . Five times a day they pray with their faces turned into the South , and before they doe this , they provide that they have a most perfect cleannesse of body in every part : hands , armes , mouth , eares , nostrills , eye●● haires , washing their feete mo●● decently , after carnall copula●●●on , and naturall evacuation , e●●cept they have beene sicke , 〈◊〉 travailing abroad . If they wa●● water to doe this , which is se●●dome seene , because in eve● Citty they have baths continu●ally flowing , then they wip●● and rub them otherwise .

Every yeare they fast a whol● Moneth and a Weeke mo●● straightly , in the day time nei●ther eating nor drinking any●thing , nor yet having any con●junction with women , but afte● the Sunne-set , untill the Sun-ri●sing the next day , they fill them selves with meat , and drinke , and venerous pleasure : in the end o● this solemne Feast , they celebrate the Feast called the Pas●h● in remembrance of Abraham Ramme , which appeared in●tead of his Sonne at the Sacri●ice , and of a certaine night wherein they suppose the Alco●an was given from Heaven .

Their Priests doe not much ●iffer from the Laity , nor their Churches from common hou●es . It is sufficient to know the ●ooke which is called Alcoran , ●nd such things as appertaine to ●rayer and observance of the ●aw . They lacke not their rea●ings , and studies of Arts and Sciences . They have no care ●f Churches , nor soules depar●ed : they have no Sacraments , ●or observation of reliques , ho●y vessels , nor Altars , but they are attent and diligent in looking to their Children , their Wives , and Family , to tillage of the ground , to merchandize , to hunting , and the like exercises , wherewith life is maintained . They be free from servitude and exactions , these Priests bee honoured of every body , as men that know the Ceremonies of the Lawes , have the government of Churches , and can instruct others . They have many Schooles and places of exercise , wherein such politicke Lawes are taught , as have bin made by their Princes for the administration of the Common-wealth , and defence of the Countrey , wherein they that profit , some of them are made Rulers in Ecclesiasticall matters , and some be secular Magistrates , there be also in that sect many and divers religious sorts , wherof some living in woods , and solitude , utterly refuse the company of men , some keeping hospitality in Cities , do relieve ●he poore strangers with hospi●ality , if they have not to refresh ●hemselves withall ; for they ●hemselves also live of begging ●nd almes , many of them wan●ring about Citties , carry good ●nd alwayes fresh water in cer●aine bottels , of the which they ●ive to every one demanding ●or the same , freely and gladly , ●or the which dutifull good-will ●nd worke of mercy , if any thing ●e given , they take it , they co●et nothing ; they make so great 〈◊〉 shew and ostentation of Reli●ion both in their deeds and say●ngs , and also in their manners ●nd gesture , that they rather ●eeme Angels then men , such is ●●e deceit in mens eyes .

The Turkes cease from all la●our on the Friday , and keepe 〈◊〉 with as much Religion and de●●otion as wee doe the Sunday . But the Jewes do marvailously observe the Satturday . In every City there is one principall Church , wherein they meete together after noone every body , and after their prayers solemnly done , they have a Sermon . They have large and sumptuous Temples , which are called in their tongue Me●chit , where in they have no Images at all , but it is foun● written every where : There 〈◊〉 no God but one ; and Mahomet hi● Prophet . One Creator , and the Prophets equal . And also There is none so strong as God .

There bee in their Churche● a great number of burni●● lampes with oyle . All th● Church is white , the pavemen● is layd with mats and othe● things , and above many clothe● of tapestry , and arras be han●●ed . There is a great turret a●out the Church , on the top ●hereof , their Minister when ●●rvice time is , standeth , and ●utting his fingers in his eares , ●ith an high voyce in his owne ●ongue hee repeateth these ●ords thrice : One true God . When this cry is heard , the ●obles and the meaner sort ●ommeth to the Temple , onely ●ntent to deuotion , and the Mi●ister prayeth with them , and ●hat he ought to doe foure times ●etweene day and night by his office , and they which come ●o the Prayers , ought to wash ●heir hands , and feete , and secret parts . They must put off their ●hooes , and leave them before ●he Church gate , and thus , some enter barefoot into the Church , and some with very cleane and faire shooes . The women sit together in a secret place fro● the men , so that the men 〈◊〉 neither see them nor hea● them , albeit they come not 〈◊〉 often to the Church . In the prayers they cruciate and afflic● their bodies marvellously wi●● continuall agitations and vo●●●erations , so that often tim● they sowne and faint in min● and strength . They thinke it a horrible thing and most wicke● that a Christian man should be present at their ceremonies an● Sacrifices ; having this opinio● that their Temples are conta●minate and defiled of unclean● and unwashed men , their M●●nister getteth him into the P●●●pit , and there about two hour● he preacheth , and when 〈◊〉 sermon is done , two childre● ascend thither , which sing the●● prayers sweetly , after this thei● ●●ister beginneth with all the ●●ple to sing in a low voyce , 〈◊〉 his body on every side ; 〈◊〉 his words are nothing but 〈◊〉 : There is but one God . They 〈◊〉 thursday also as a festi●●● day , albeit the Fryday is 〈◊〉 devoutly , and most religi●●●ly hollowed of them , be●●●se they have an opinion a●●ngst them , that Mahomet , 〈◊〉 borne upon the Friday .

The Opinion of the Turkes upon the World to come .

●HE Turkes attribute so 〈◊〉 much to Mahomet and his 〈◊〉 , that they assuredly 〈◊〉 everlasting happinesse 〈◊〉 such as keepe their Lawes , 〈◊〉 is to say , a Paradise of plea●●●● , a Garden having most pleasant & sweet waters , set in a pu●● and temperate ayre , where●● they should have whatsoev●●● they would , as all kinde 〈◊〉 dainty dishes for satiety , sil● and purple apparrell , yong an● beautifull maides at their own will and pleasure , with Go●● and Silver plate , and Ange●● serving and ministring un●● them like Butlers , bringi●● milke in goulden plates , a●● red wine aboundantly in Silv●● cups , Contrary wise to tho●● that breake these Lawes , the● threaten the danger of 〈◊〉 and everlasting destructio●● This also they beleeve , th●● how great offences soever a man hath committed , if he will beleeve onely in God a●● Mahomet , when he dyeth 〈◊〉 shall be safe and happy .

Some of their Religion ha● ●is opinion , that the Law pro●eth nothing ; but the Grace of ●od whereby a man must be sa●ed , which without merit or ●aw is sufficient to get salvati●n . There be some as it were ●ccessours of the Prophets and ●athers , alledging and affirming ●●e traditions of the Elders , ●hich teach , that men by merit ●ay be saved without the Law ●nd Gods grace , so that they ●e earnest in prayers , in watch●●g and meditations . There be others againe that affirme every ●an to be saved in the Law that ●s given of God , because those ●awes are equally good to those ●hat keepe them , and one ought ●ot to be preferred before ano●her . So you may see where Christ is not , how inconstant ●indes waver in divers errours , ●he which thing also may appeare amongst some Christian● as such as seeke for salvation o● any other then of the Saviou● onely .

Of the miseries that Hierusalem suffered during the siege thereof by Vespasianus and Titus .

THe Roman Eagle displayed it selfe before the Towne , with all other Engines and war-like instruments , Titus himselfe being then in person , to take view aswell of his own souldiers valour , as of the ground , about the Citty to entrench in , as also to try the courage of the Enemies : Hee set before it with his Army in the yeare of the world 4034 , being after the Death of Christ 72 : and when upon his first approaches he was repulsed by the Cittizens , yet taking ●ourage , with the diligence of ●is old Souldiers , he had made a firme wall in three dayes space ●ound about the Towne , of 39 Furlongs compasse , besides 13 Forts , every one of them being ●lmost 2 miles in compasse , so ●hat in the space of one yeare ●nd lesse , this populous City by Fire , Sword , Sedition , and Famine , was stripped of 11 hundred thousand people : It hath ●eene taken , besieged , and burnt ●7 times , as you may read in the ●escription of Canaan .

Hierusalem taken and fired .

THis place so remarkeable for strength and multitudes of people , supposed to bee im●regnable , was by the just hand ●f God , and the valour of the Romans , taken in the yeare of the World 4034 , and after Christ 72 , being the eighth of September , by Titus , after chosen Emperour : in which Action many fearefull passages may be viewed , as the dayly slaughters , rapines , and cruelties , but especially the burning of the whole Citty , the Temple , in which alone perished 60 thousand of the Jewes , also the burning of the Councell-house , in which were consumed all the Rolles and ancient Records of that Nation and not lesse then 30 thousand o● men , women , and children . But especially lamentable was the burning of the Temple , which in greatnesse , beauty , workemanship , costlinesse , and plenty of all delights , farre exceeded all workes that ever the World had , nay , it strucke pitty and remorse even in the heart of the Roman Generall who striv'd to hinder it , and desired to have ●eene it in its beauty , nay , hee admired that part which he beheld before the fire had taken it , and confessed he never saw the like : And to adde to the miseries of the Iewes , the Ray of the fire was not greater , nor more terrible to behold , then was the cryings of the people of all ages slaughtered there , fearefull to heare . But most remarkeable is it , that upon the just revolution of such a prefixed time , upon the same day of the same Moneth , that the Chaldaeans spoyled it before , I say , upon the same day was this latter Temple , which Haggaeus rebuilded , utterly burnt downe by the Romans , so just is God in sending deserved punishments upon a people in his due and determined time : to shut up this with this one Observation , that though it was not builded without the helpe of thousands of Labourers , and great expences both of monies and time , yet it was destroyed in a moment of time by one fire-brand , cast out by the hand of one Souldier , ( as some have related ) whose name was Pisolus , of the fifth Roman Legion . No place nor person , though never so great or beautifull , can be priviledged from punishment , if they be full of sinne and impiety .

Of the Fasting and meats of the Turkes

THe Turkes are wont to fast one moneth and one weeke every yeare , but they doe not allwaies keepe one prefixed time ; for if this yeare they fast in Ianuary , the next yeare they will doe it in February , the third in March , and so orderly of the rest , and when they doe fast , they taste and eate nothing all the whole day , not so much as bread or water , but when stars appeare , it is lawfull for them to eate all things , saving things which are suffocate , and Swines flesh .

They have Vineyards , the fruit and commodity whereof they use diversly . The Christians make Wine , and the Turkes doe so prepare Hony and Raysons , that they appeare alwaies fresh , both in taste and sight ; they have three manner of drinkes , the first of Sugar or Hony mixt with water . The second of raysons sod in water , the stones cast away , and then Rose-water is added unto them , and a little of the best Hony . The third is made of Wine well sodden , and representeth a kinde of hony both in taste and sight , this is tempered with water , and given to servants to drinke . When they should eate any thing , they strew their floores and grounds with mats and other things , then they lay Carpets and Tapestry worke or cushens , and some sit downe upon the naked earth ; their table is of some skinne , ( as I said before ) it is drawne at large , and shut together againe as a purse , they sit not downe after our manner , nor yet as the people of old were wont to doe , leaning on their elbows , but with their feet folded together in the forms of this letter X. like to the manner of botchers ; & before they take any meat they have their prayers or thanks-giving . They eate greedily and hastily with great silence ; but all their Wives keepe themselves in secret . Those which are captive women never goe abroad , nor can get licence , but with othe Turkish women , when they goe to wash in Bathes , or in any other place out of the Citty for recreation sake , into Gardens or Vineyards , but alwaies keepe home at their worke , and it is not lawfull for other women to bee conversant with their captives .

Of the Circumcision of the Turkes .

THe Turkes use Circumcision not in the eight day after the manner of of the Iewes , but as soone as the child is past seven or eight years , and can speake the tongue well , the which thing is a mystery with them , for the words of confession which are required before Circumcision , and the child for this is not brought into the Temple , but is Circumcised at home in his parents house . There bee assembled at this notable feast all their friends , and commonly amongst the richer sort , they kill an Oxe , and therein they include and put in a Sheep exenterate and ready dressed , in the which sheep there is a Hen , in the which Hen there is an egge , which are all rosted together for the solemnity of that day ; then at supper time in their banquet the childe which must bee Circumcised is brought in , whose yeard and privy member the Physitian openeth , and apprehendeth the folded skinne with a fine paire of pinsons , then to take all feare away from the childe , he saith that hee will make the Circumcision the next day , and whilst he useth those words , he suddenly cutteth the prepuce , which is the skin that covereth the head of the yeard , laying a little salt on the wound . They do not give names to their children in the day of circumcision , but in the day of their nativity : after 3 daies space he that is circumcised , is led with great pompe unto the Bath , when hee commeth home againe , he is led throughout all the gests , which offer unto him their prepared gifts , some give silke garments , some silver cups , ohers present him mony or Horses . If any Christian man of his owne accord confessing Mahomet , will suffer himselfe to be Circumcised , which thing chanceth very often times , for the grievous exaction and burthen of tribute , such one is led throughout all the Streets and Lanes of the Citty , with great honour and triumph of the people , for joy playing on the Drums , and to him many gifts are presented , and afterward hee is made free from their payment and tribute . Yet the Turkes compell no man to the deniall of his religion , although they bee commanded in ●he booke of Alcoran , to ex●ulse the adversaries and gaine●ayers : whereof it commeth to passe , that so many and divers ●ects of people are found amongst the Turkes , all which doe reverence and honour God after their peculiar rites and customes . Their Priests doe little differ from the Laity , and there is no great Learning to bee required in them , it is enough if they can reade the booke of Alcoran , but those that can interprete the same Booke according to the text , are esteemed as most cunning , because Mahomet gave his precepts not in the vulgar Turkish tongue , but in the Arabicall tongue ; and they thinke it a wicked and unlawfull thing to have them interpreted or set forth in the vulgar tongue : these Ministers have their stipend and reward o● the Prince for their paines , they have wives and apparrell eve● as secular men : if the stipend b● not sufficient for the multitude and ●umber of their children then may they practise and use all manner of Arts , crafts , and Trades that other men doe , but yet they are free from exactions and other impositions , and are greatly esteemed of the common sort . They have divers livings solitary like unto Monkes , which under the colour of Religion , inhabite the Woods and desert places , utterly renouncing mens company : and some of them have nothing of their owne , but they goe almost naked , saving that their privy parts bee covered with Sheepe-skinnes : they travaile and wander throughout Countries , asking almes as well of the Christians , as of the Turkes . Some of them goe seldome abroad , but continue in Temples , having in the corners of Churches little cottages , their heads uncovered , their feete without shoes , their bodies without garments , bearing about them nothing but one shirt : they fast many dayes , and pray that God would reveale unto them things to come , and the Prince of the Turkes is wont to aske counsell of them whensoever hee goeth about any Warres .