CHAP. I. Of the Life of Mahomet the Impostor and Founder of this Empire , with the succeeding Calyphs .

LIttle reason hath the world to admire at the impiety of men , how execrable soever , when it shall be fully informed of the most blasphemous designs of this vile and lewd Deceiver , who by his prosperous and thriving delusions and abominations , hath given encouragement to succeeding and very modern times to practice and imitate his wicked example . Such a Miscellany of absurdities in moral and religious concernments could indeed hardly have been imagined to have found any reception among rational creatures ; but such was the force of his bold Atheism , and his boasted familiarity with the Deity , and the pleasing insinuations of his sensual and material Paradise , how incongruously soever confounded in his Institutions , besides the fine novelty thereof to a Pagan people , that without very much ado this Impostor quickly planted his opinions so strong , that they have taken such root and spread so universally , that one whole half of the habitable world to this day adheres to his doctrine .

Mahomets extraction Most Writers accord that Mahomet , which name in the Arabick signifie , Indignation or Fury , was the son of Adalla a Merchant in Mecca , a City in Arabia Faelix ; but Jathrib an obscure Village there , is named for his extraction . His mother Hemina a Jew , and himself in Anno Dom. 571. born Posthumus , though others say he was deprived of both his Parents at two years old , when a poor woman that laboured for her living bred him up ; others say it was his Uncle ; at sixteen years of age he became a Merchants Bond-man , his name Abdalmutalif ; his Master pleased with his wit and dexterity , made him his Factor : He dead , Mahomet being then twenty five years old , married his Mistris , and until the thirty eighth year of his age he industriously followed his trade of merchandize , avoiding no personal travel ( as well in the Kingdoms of Egypt , Syria and Persia , as elsewhere ) where profit might arise . Being then satisfied with wealth , and given to ease , he began to think on higher things , whereof in his travels he had not been negligent , having been curious to understand the Religion of the Jews and Christians ; which compared with the Idolatry wherein he was originally trained thirty years , did work in him assurance that Paganism was the way of ignorance , but to whether of those to incline , he stood doubtful . At last falling in company with two Christian Artificers inhabitants in Mecca , by conversation with them ( who read the Old and New Testament unto him , for himself was unlettered ) he preferred Christianism , and seemed of opinion , that thereby only a man might attain unto salvation , and accordingly he framed his life , which bred admiration in them that knew him , and gave him a greater reputation then he did expect .

But this hasty spring was quickly blasted ; for the Devil taking advantage by this his esteem , enflamed his heart with pride , which wrought in him a desire to be taken for a Prophet , thinking all other attributes of Religion and sanctity to be but vile and base : Mahomet aspires to the name of a P●●phet . To aspire unto that opinion he embraced a solitary life , retiring to a Cave in the Mountains , where he lived free from the ordinary conversation of men ; repaired seldom to his own home , and his speeches ( mixt with gravity and holiness , teaching good life , and beating down Idolatry ) moved , not onely such as saw him to admire , but the rest also ( that heard by other mens ears ) held him to be a Saint . To increase this opinion of sanctimony , of the falling sickness ( wherewith he was afflicted ) he made good use ; Mahomet troubled with the Falling sickness . for he gave it out ( when he fell into his fits incident to that disease ) that he conferred with the Angel Gabriel , by whom the pleasure of God was revealed unto him , and that his trance proceeded through the weakness of his earthly Carcase , that was astonished at the Divine presence of the Heavenly Ambassadour . To pass by the vulgar story of his pedigree .

Grown now famous , he thought it necessary to divulge into the world some works in writing , whereby his name might encrease ; His best help was a Jew Scribe , whom for want of a better Scholar he entertained ; but shortly after , his Master the Devil ( the Church of Christ then labouring with the sickness of many Heresies ) procured the acquaintance of a Christian called Sergius born in Alexandria , by profession a Monk , and by infection a Nestorian , witty , eloquent and learned , who ( having mist of some Ecclesiastical preferment which in his opinion he had deserved ) full of despight and revenge , The Monk Sergius his Coadjutor in a devillish discontent , ( having fled out of Syria into the house of Mahomets Master ) sought as well to raise a scandal upon the Christian Religion , as upon the professors thereof ; the readiest way to kindle this fire , he found to be Mahomet ; who ( as is already said ) had won some extraordinary opinion of sanctity . After some conference between them , the Jew for insufficiency was discharged . Sergius being fully informed how Mahomet had hitherto proceeded , made him to understand how weakly and grosly he had erred in fundamental points necessary for the advancement of a new Religion ; His damnable advice . and cunningly shewed him , not only the means how to smooth his past errors without scandal , but to compose a new Treatise , collected out of the Old and New Testament , united into some common principles with devised additions of his own , to bring Christians , Jews , and Gentiles under one profession , that should give credit to his Doctrine , and humour the hearers ; which being divulged amongst the Idolatrous people ( who were easily caught ) spread the poyson it contained over all the Arabies ; but the wiser sort fearing ( as they had cause ) that the setling of a new Religion , might also draw with it a new form of Government , opposed themselves against it , calling Mahomet an Impostor , reproving his hypocrisie , and taxing his sensuality and drunkenness ( of both which he was guilty ) and sent to apprehend him ; whereof Mahomet from some of his friends in Mecca having notice , left his Cave and fled to the Desarts ; Sergius in the mean time sounding in the ears of the people his parts and piety ( the sixteenth of July 622. from which flight the Turks begin their computation of Hegyrathi ) unto whom divers Novelists resorted ; The Hegyra . as also such as the Estates had banished for approving his late coyned trash : This swarm of Wasps being stirred , nothing but revenge could ease their hearts ; Mahomet willingly taking the advantage there offered , enlarged his thoughts , holding it now , less difficil for him to gain a Kingdom , then the title of a Prophet , which he had obtained .

To make a smooth way to his enterprize , by under-hand means , he exasperated the heady Novelists ( whereof there were many of wealth and estimation ) to be sensible of their banishment , and to repair their wrongs by force ; himself accounted unto them Revelations , which assured him that God was displeased with the Meccans , for the rigorous prosecuting him and his Sectaries ; that God willed to chastise their Tyranny : of victory he was assured : and whosoever of them dyed in that holy War , his soul should presently ascend to Heaven : with these and such like motives , the giddy people encouraged and seduced , elected Mahomet to be their chief , who ( ordaining Officers and Captains , and receiving an Oath of fidelity as well from them as from their troops ) marched to the City of Medina , Mahomet takes Medina . and though repulsed at first , ( yet after a field fight with the said enemy , at a place called Bedez , often mentioned in the Alcoran , where he had the Victory ) took it by force , the cause of his quarrel being pretended against the Jews Synagogue , which he converted into a Temple for his own abominations : This first good fortune wrought the effect he desired ; for instantly by his Army he was saluted Calipha , which interpreted , is King ; and because his creation happened upon a Friday , that day was ordained by him to be their Sabboth .

Takes Mecca . His next conquest was the City of Mecca , where he triumphed in the blood of his Neighbour Citizens , which was not spared ; and proclaimed death to all those that did not embrace his Doctrine .

The Princes and great men in Arabia ( opposite unto him ) assembled all their forces ; Opposed by the Nobles o● Arabia . Mahomet being too weak , was overthrown , wounded , and fled to Mecca ; yet in the end ( the war continuing ) he prevailed , and reduced the three Arabies under his subjection . Grown great and glorious with his Victories , ( at that time the Emperor of Constantinople , and King of Persia being men of weak and tame Spirits , ) and assisted with the Saracens , who had been deceived and abused of their pay by Heraclius the Emperor , as also by Julian the Apostate , ( for Mahomets appearance was signalized with the contemporary raign of that miscreant ) he invaded their Dominions , and with a conquering sword triumphed over Syria , the City of Jerusalem , His conquests . the Kingdom of Mesopotamia and Persia , the great City of Babylon , with other Eastern Provinces ; of all which , as of the Arabies , he stiled himself King . Being now grown elder by his inordinate life , in the state of his body then in years , which exceeded not sixty seven , full of glory , as well in regard of his large Empire , as in opinion of sanctity in being esteemed a Prophet , And retirement . and weary with war , with a fained holiness , he retired to Mecca , the Metropolis of his new Empire ( under which mask he intended to take his ease ) sequestred himself from publique affairs , committing the Government of his estate to the Lieutenants , and within three years following , which was in Anno Dom. 631. the sixtieth year of his Age , and the tenth of his reign he died ; but others say in the seventieth of his age , and the twenty third of his impostures , and that he died frantick : Mahomet dies . Upon his death-bed he commended unto his principal Commanders , the care and use of his fantastical Law , assuring them that it was agreeable to the Will of God , and that so long as they and their posterity should hold and maintain it , they should flourish . His dead body being kept four dayes in expectation of a resurrection , which he promised to perform in three , grown full of stench and putrefaction , was carried by his successors , who pretended to be his Caliphs or Vicar Generals , to Medina , where it yet continues , but not drawn up to the roof of the Chappel by a Load-stone , as is vulgarly fabled .

This false Prophet and usurping Prince , pretended paternally to discend from the Patriarch Abraham by his eldest Son Ismael , Mahomet pretends discent from Abraham . and to avoid the infamy of an unlawful bed , he affirmed that Ismael was the Son of Sara , not of the Bond-woman Agar , whereupon the Arabians ( which is the undoubted name of that people ) are by some writers ( of Ismael ) called Ismaelites , and by others ( of Agar ) Agarens ; And ( of Sara ) Sarazens , but in this latter time they are distinguished by the name of Arabians , Moors , and Mahometans ; the first is proper only to those which inhabit in Arabia : the Moors are the Progeny of such Arabians as after their Conquests seated themselves in that part of Africa : the Mahometans is the general name of all Nations that profess Mahomet , as Turks , Tartars , Persians , &c.

Of the successors of Mahomet until the year of our Lord 673. the writers vary in opinion , both in name and number of the Caliphs , and in the years of their reigns : the reason that begat their errors proceeded from the dissention that happened ( about the succession ) amongst Mahomets Kins-men , evermore Anti-Caliphs starting up with pretending Titles in opposition to him that had the Diadem ; whereof some were murthered and others deposed , so as the writers either out of ignorance ( not able to discern the truth , or wilfully partial ) have erred . Notwithstanding their civil tumults they kept Mahomets Dominions , and inherited his fortunes , for every of them added somewhat to his Monarchy , whereby they became fearful to the world , and potent in Asia , Africa , and Europe .

The fourth Caliph ( agreed upon by Historiographers ) was called Aozman or Azman , Husband to Mahomets Daughter , who perceiving ( that in this upstart Religion ) Schisms and diversities of opinions began to rise , by the help of his Wifes Mother recovered Mahomets papers wherein his Law was written , which with some additions of his own he caused to be digested into one volume , containing four books , divided into 124. Chapters , and called it the Al●oran ; that is to say , the Collection of Precepts : the Original whereof they feign to be written in a Table which is kept in heaven , and the Copy of it brought to Mahomet by the Angel Gabriel , by his mistake , say the Persians , but for Mahomets vertue , approved by God .

A Book so highly reverenced by the Mahometans , that they write upon the Cover of it , The esteem of the Alcoran . Let none touch this but he that is clean ; Commanding expresly upon pain of death , that that book , and that only , should be received as Canonical , through his Dominions . The whole body of it is but an Exposition and gloss on these eight Commandements .

1. Every one ought to believe that God is a great God , and one only God , and Mahomet is his Prophet . They hold Abraham to be the Friend of God ; Their opinion concerning Christ . Moses the Messenger of God ; and Christ the Breath of God , whom they deny to be conceived by the Holy Ghost , affirming that the Virgin Mary grew with child of him by smelling to a Rose , and was delivered of him at her breasts . They deny the mystery of the Trinity , but punish such as speak against Christ ; whose Religion was not ( say they ) taken away , but mended by Mahomet . And he who in his pilgrimage to Mecca , doth not coming or going , visit the Sepulchre of Christ , is reputed not to have merited , or bettered himself any thing by his journey .

2. Every man must marry to increase the Sectaries of Mahomet . Four Wives he allowed to every man , and as many Concubines as he will , between whom the Husband setteth no difference , either in affection or apparel , but that his Wives only can enjoy his Sabbaths benevolence . The women are not admitted in the time of their lives to come into their Churches ; nor after death to Paradise .

3. Every one must give of his wealth ' to the poor . Hence you shall have some buy slaves , and then manumit them ; buy birds and then let them flie . They use commonly to free Prisoners , release Bond-slaves , build caves or lodgings in the wayes for the relief of Passengers , repair bridges , and men High-ways .

4. Every one must make his prayers five times a day . When they pray they turn their bodies toward Mecca , but their faces sometimes one way , sometimes another way , believing that Mahomet shall come behind them , being at their devotions . And those which cannot come , must when they hear the voice of the Cryars , fall down in the place where they are , do their devotions , and kiss the ground thrice .

5. Every man must keep a Lent one month in a year . This Lent is called Ramazan , in which they suppose the Alcoran was given unto Mahomet by the Angel Gabriel . This fast is onely intended in the day time , the law giving leave to frolick it in the night , as they best please , so they abstain from Wine and Swines flesh .

Turks unnatural to their parents . 6. Be obedient to thy Parents . Which Law is the most neglected of any in all the Alcoran : never any children being so unnatural as the Turkish .

7. Thou shall not kill . And this they keep inviolated among themselves , but the poor Christians are sure to feel the smart of their fury . And as if by this law the actual shedding of blood onely were prohibited , they have invented punishment for their offenders , worse then death it self .

8. Do unto others , as thou would be done unto thy self . To those that keep these Laws he promiseth Paradise , The Turks Paradise . a place of all delights , adorned with flowery fields , watered with Chrystalline Rivers , beautified with trees of Gold ; under whose cool shade they shall spend their time with amorous Virgins , whose mansion shall not be far distant . The men shall never exceed the age of thirty , nor the women of fifteen ; and those to have their virginities renewed as fast as lost . he taught too , that at the end of the world , all men that professed any such Religion , should go into Paradise ; the Jews under the Banner of Moses ; the Christians under the Banner of Christ ; and the Saracens under the Banner of Mahomet . They compel no man therefore to abjure the faith in which he was born , but commend and approve secretly such as they find zealous and constant in their own Religion ; yet hold it an especial honour to have daily new Proselytes , they incite them by hope of freedom and preferment , which with many are motive● too much prevailing .

The opinions which they hold concerning the end of the world , are very ridiculous ; a● that at the winding of a horn , Their absurd conceit of dooms-day . not all flesh only , but the Angels themselves shall die , that the earth with an Earth-quake shall be kneeded together like a lump of Dough ; that a second blast of the same horn shall after forty dayes restore all again ; that Cain shall be Captain or Ring-leader of the damned , who shall have the countenance of Dogs and swine ; that they shall pass over the bridge of Justice , laden with their sins in satchels ; that the great sinners shall fall into Hell , the lesser into Purgatory onely ; with a thousand of the like fopperies , which it is needless to add here , considering that the Alcoran it self is now extent in English , and every one that lists may read it .

I need not engage further in an account of his Doctrine , and pretended successors . But having shown you the Original and Author of this Dominion , and how gained , and by what art enlarged into that bulk , and by force wrested from other Princes , ( Mahomet pretending for his inj●rious invasions , the directions of God , who seeing his Law delivered by Moses and Christ to have been despised , because of the weak assertion thereof , would have them planted now by the Sword ) we will next see by what means they are yet kept and maintained , and are like to be increased , namely by power , and the same military Maximes . Imperium iisdem Artibus facile retinetur quibus acquiritur .

CHAP. II. The Successors of Mahomet , from the Nation of the Turks , continued to this present in the Ottoman Family .

HAving partly touched before some of the preceeding Caliphs , whose Catalogue hath been most imperfectly delivered , we come now to those his successors in this Nation of the Turks , whose better and invincible fortune hath preserved their memory , and given the world a dreadful series of those Mahumetan Potentates , who although they be not Caliphs , nomine , the Mufti executing the sacerdotal part of that dignity ; yet are they so great by their Imperial power , and the subordination of the Preistly to his arbitrary commands , and alone pleasure .

The world heard not of this Slip , and branch of that Miscreant Religion , till the fury of the Eastern Tartars had dispossessed them of their worthless habitations in Turcomania , and at such time also as the Persians had recovered themselves from the oppressing Arms of Tangrolipix , and their Cousin Turks , a remainder of whom , under Sultan Aladin , yet maintained a kind of vagrant Regality about Iconium , and those parts of Asia the less ; whilst those accessional vagabonds under their Captain Solyman , the Chief of their Tribe arrived and obtained quarters , from their Countrymen , to repose their wearied and wretched Familes , who finding themselves pent up in the narrowness of that precarious Territory : for the Christians of the Greek Empire in Asia , had stood with their arms in their hands to defend invasions some good while before , their Captain Solyman disigned an enlargement over the River Euphrates , in which attempting to pass to the other shore , and disdaining to return to his former seat , he was carried away by the violence of the stream and drowned therein ; to the great loss and greif of his followers .

He left behind him three Sons , but the Turks not then so nicely observant of Primogeniture , passing by the eldest , preferred Ertogrul , of whose courage and martial disposition they had early experience . He by his own enterprises and assistance given to the said Sultan Aladin , so confirmed himself in that parcel of Land given and augmented to him , that he was dignified and known by the name of Ertogrul Beg , or Lord Ertogrul , which Title very aged , he left to his Son Osman or Ottoman , his youngest of three , whom the Tribe substituted in his Fathers place , from the same considerations with the former , about the year , 1300.

This OTTOMAN , who is taken for the Founder of this Empire , was the first of the Turks , that quarrelled with the Christians , ( for which reason it may be supposed that Original glory is attributed to him ) by seizing several of the Neighbour Castles , as namely that of Cara Ciasar , and afterwards others , as well by force as fraud , until those frequent exploits had rendred him rightly suspect to the Greek Emperours , whose Innovations in Religion , and persecutions thereupon , divisions and unnatural feuds , the Grand-Father , Father and Sons , supplanted one another , to the renversment of that once Mighty State , opened a way to the mean and despicable Armes of this rude Shepherd , even into the heart of the Empire .

For besides other lesser Skirmishes with the Christians and the Turks of Nice , ( neer to which , at Neapoly , he erected the seat of his new Kingdom , having gained the most part of Phrygia , the greater Misia , and Bythinia , and caused himself to be called Sultan , after the death of Aladin of Iconium , in whom failed the Zelzuccian line , and whom he acknowledged as supreme , ) he besieged Prusa , and there fought a great battel with the Confederate Christian Princes , in the confines of Phrygia and Bythinia , and after a long fight , obtained of them a bloody Victory ; and so curbed that City by building Castles to keep them in , and block up the passages , that a while before he died , in the year 1327. It was rendred to his Son Orchanes , and made the Royal Seat of the Ottoman Kings , where in 1328. he dyed of the Gout , aged sixty nine years , and was buried , a Monument of him remaining to this day .

ORCHANES his Son succeeded him , who had one onely Brother named Aladin , the peaceable enjoyer of a private life ( for until the time of Bajazet the first , it was not the custome to murder their brethren ) this Orchanes had managed the Kingdom two years before his Fathers death , and therefore was the more expert in those Arts by which his Father had enlarged his Dominions . He encountred with the Greek Emperour Andronicus at Philochrene , where it was a drawn Battel , thereafter he surprized Nice , regayned from him by the Greeks ; by strong hand he carried Nicomedia , as his Captains took in the Castle of Abydos , in the Sreights of the Hellespent , whence they had a fair and easie prospect into Europe , as he did Callipolis upon the other same shore , now one of the Arsenals and chiefest Ports in those Seas : and which gave him firm footing in Europe , which Orchanes at the advice of Solyman his Son , who conquered it , peopled with Sarazens out of the County of Carasina . In the year 1359. died Orchanes , aged almost eighty years , with grief at the death of his said Son Solyman , who was killed with a fall from his Horse as he was a Hawking , leaving his Son Amurath to extend his new acquests , further into Thracia and Servia .

AMVRATH a very politique and Martial Prince , at the very entrance of his Raign , Surprized Adrianople , and made the Greeks , who regarded not the loss of Calipolis , to bethink themselves of the danger of these encroachments . He was the first that began the order of the Janizaries , by taking Christian Children from their Parents , and trayning them up in the Mahumetan Laws and Manners , makes Leagues and Allyances with the Asian Potentates to secure his designes upon Europe , as to cherish the divisions among the Greeks , he did aid and assist the Emperour Cantacuzenus against John Palaeologus the third , in the year _____ he invaded Servia , and took Nyssa the Metropolis thereof , and imposed a great Tribute upon the Country . Returning thence he carried his victorious arms against Aladin , King of Caramania , his Son in Law , by whom he had been provoked in his absence , and in a great Battel overthrew him , notwithstanding afterwards he restored him to his Kingdom upon conditions of homage . From hence he came back again to Bulgaria , which he over-ran , and in a Mortal Battel slew and overcame Lazarus the Despot of Servia , in the fatal plains of Cossova , where he himself proudly surveying the carriage of the field , was stabed in the belly by a wounded Christian Souldier named Miles Cobbelitz , who staggering to approach him , was by his own command admitted to his person ; since which time no Ambassador is suffered to come before the Grand Seignior , unless his arms be guarded by one on each side . This happened in the year 1390. in the 31. year of his reign . He was interred at Prusa with his Predecessors .

BAJAZET , sirnamed Gilderun or Lightning , for his fierce and sudden violence of nature , having strangled his only brother Jacup Zelebi ( so that he was the introducer of this most inhumane practise ) succeeded his Father Amurath , and vanquished and subdued Mark the Prince of Bulgaria , as he did also Lazarus the new Despot of Servia and spoyled Valachia , making the Vayvod thereof his Tributary . In Asia he tyrannized over the Mahometan Princes , the successors of Aladin , and in arrogance besieged Constantinople twice , but in vain . He subdued Thessaly and Phoci , defeated Sigismond King of Hungary at Nicopolis , assisted by an Army of French and Burgundians with a terrible slaughter ; so that the Turkish Power was first dreadful by his Puiffance . He again vanquished the stubborn Aladin of Caramania with his Kingdom , and the great Cities of Amasia and Sebastia : in fine , uncivilly treating the Ambassadors of Tamerlane , sent in behalf of the poor Princes of Asia , he was by him neer Sebastia , after a most bloody dispute overcome and taken prisoner , and put into an iron Cage , carried about for Tamerlane's Horse-block , until with impatience at his two years slavery , he broke out his brains against the grates , in the year 1399.

This overthrow so blasted the greatness of the Ottoman Family , that it was hudled up in a general confusion betwixt the interests and claims of Bajazet's Sons . Solyman his eldest Son possessed himself of his Conquests in Europe , and seated at Adrianople , Mahomet his younger at Amasia , and defended his Asiatick Provinces against the invasion of the Tartars ; some petty Princes whereof had those assigned to them by Tamerlane . In conclusion , Musa the second brother released out of his Captivity , with his Fathers dead body , by the assistance of Mahomet , destroyed Solyman , and seized himself of his Kingdom ; of which not long after , Mahomet dispossessed Musa and strangled him , and united the whole entire Dominion under himself . He was but 15 years old when he began to reign , yet such was his prudence and prowess , that he restored this collapsed Empire in a few years . He died in 1422. and was buried at Prasa neer his Father Bajazet , who hath a sumptuous Monument in that City .

AMVRATH , now the second , being sent for to Adrianople , was there by the Bashaws , according to the appointment of Mahomet , advanced to the Throne . His first work was the suppression of a counterfeit Mustapha the son of Bajazet , whom he caused to be strangled . He next won Thessalonica , with the greatest part of Atolia and Achaia , and at the same time practised foully upon the King of Epirus , the Father of Scanderbeg by poyson , as tyrannically upon the petty Princes of Asia ; whence he converted his Army against the Despot of Servia , whom he vallalized , but invaded Transylvania with loss ; whereupon by much intreaty he obtained peace of Vliadslaus King of Hungary , who breaking his faith so solemnly given , and invading Amurath , engaged in a prosperous War with the Caraman King in Asia , was by Amurath recalled thus into Europe , most miserably defeated at Varna , and there slain . The remainder of his long reign was spent in vexation at the successes of Scanderbeg , whom with all his power he was not able to reduce , whereupon he retired to a Monastery , and with grief he died , leaving the Government to his Son Mahomet .

MAHOMET was a perfect Athiest , of no Faith or Religion , murdered his Brethren , subdued Mentesia , and took Constantinople on the 29. of May 1453. and thereby put an end to the Greek Empire , and caused himself to be stiled Emperor . To omit the known story of his Concubine Irene , we must pass with him to the siege of Belgrade in Hungary , whence he was forced to rise with great loss and dishonour , having been himself dangerously wounded , afterwards he practised upon the Princes of Valachia , and brought a horrible devastation on the Country , and designed the like Treachery upon Scanderbeg , but by him worsted before Croja ; nevertheless he gained Sordea from the Venetians after a vain and bloody siege by Treatie and Composition . He attempted and staggered the Persian King also : In vain likewise he besieged Rhodes , and invaded Italy ; as his purposes against the Caramanian King were disappointed by his death , not without suspicion of poyson , 1481. He was buried at Constantinople .

BAJAZET , his Son succeeded him , and first managed a War against his brother Zemes , who flying to Rhodes , and thence sent to Rome was poysoned by Pope Alexander the sixth , bribed thereunto by Bajazet . He prepared for an expedition to Hungary , but durst not prosecute it , the effect speeding it self to his great loss upon Valachia and Transylvania , with more indifferent fortune he combated Caitheius the Sultan of Egypt , but finally vanquished the Caramanian King , and united that Kingdom to his own . He quarrelled the Venetians , and took and lost several places : The end as the beginning of his reign , was disquieted with the unnatural disloyaltie of his Sons , Cocutus , Achomates and Selymus , at whose instance he was at last poysoned by a Jew his Physician , in the year , 1512.

SELTMVS began his reign , not only with the death of his Father , but the murder of his brother Corcutus , and five of his brother Achomet's Sons , makes war against Hysmael the Persian Sophy , with whom he had a signal encounter beyond Euphrates ; but such was the equal fortune of the day , that Selymus content to have coped personally with that renowned and dreadful Potentate , retreated back to Constantinople , whence he threatned Hungary , but the force and fury of his Army fell upon Campson Gaurus and Tomombeus , Sultans of the Mamaluke Empire , whom he overthrew in two fatal battels at Singa , and in the City of Grand Cairo , which with Egypt and Syria were annexed to his Dominions . In his return hence , as he was meditating an useful expedition into Hungary , being seized by a canker in his back , he breathed out his revengeful soul in the year 1520.

SOLYMAN his only Son ( not so strange , considering his Father was a most Martial Prince ) succeeded to the Throne ; in whose reign this great Empire rose to its highest pinnacle and culmination of Glory . He was sirnamed the Magnificent for the nobleness of his Acts : He first conquered the Isle of Rhodes , defeated King Lewis of Hungary , and slew him at Mohaez , and besieged Vienna , but in vain . In fine , this was the potent Monarch that conquered Hungary , took Buda Strigonum , Alba Regalis , in pretence of the right of King John and his Orphant elected by the Hungarian Nobility against the due title of Ferdinand . He likewise threatned Italy with his Fleets , and aided the French King by them against Charles the Fifth , as he likewise combated the Persian Kings , Hysmael and Tamas : He besieged Malta by his General Mustapha , but was there worsted . Towards the latter end of his reign he was enjealoused by his Paramour Recotane against the Noble Prince Mustapha , his eldest Son by another woman , to make way for her children , and Mustapha strangled , as Solyman was upon a pretended Expedition against the Persians . In his seventh and last expedition into Hungary he died , at the siege of Zigerh , 1566. having made Hungary a Province of Turkie . Selymus having met his Fathers Corps about Belgrade ( having been privily advertised of his death by Mahomet Bassa , who had concealed it from the Janizaries , as is usual in that Government , to avoid the mutiny of the Janizaries ) was there saluted Emperor , but not admitted to the Seraglio at his return to Constantinople , till he had given them a large Donative . He was a Prince no way like his Father , but given to excess and debauchery , which made him willing to make peace with the Emperor of Germany and the Persians ; notwithstanding by his Captains he gained Cyprus from the Venetians , as he lost the famous battel of Lepanto to Don John of Austria . Toward the end of his reign he subdued Moldavia and Valachia more absolutely to the Turkish subjection , as he also reduced the Kingdom of Tunis , and the strong Castle of Guletta , taken from Barbarossa by Charles the fifth 42 years before . He died at the 51 year of his age , spent with wine and women , and in the year of the Incarnation 1574.

AMVRATH the third succeeded him , having caused his five Brethren to be strangled in his sight : He was a Prince not vicious as his Father , but given to peace , and addicted to a quiet life , and managed his Arms as his Father had done before him , by Lieutenants , who were famous men in their times , as Sinan , Ferhates Mustapha , and Osnan Bassa the first and last of whom , sorely plagued the Persians , against whom Amurath was provoked by a dream and vision , and took from them the Province of Media , now called Sirvan , a great part of the greater Armenia , and the Regal City of Tauris after two or three dismal encounters ; they confirmed likewise the Crim-Tartar in a surer obedience to the Ottoman Family . The same Sinan waged a fierce War in Hungary , took Raab and other Towns , but they were all recovered again , and he after many grand atchievements shamefully driven to flie out of Hungary , by Sigismund Prince of Transylvania , since which time until this day , the Turks power was never formidable in Europe . Amurath died in the year 1595. having raigned 21. years .

MAHOMET the third , his eldest Son succeeded him , commencing his reign with the bloody Massacre of 18. of his Brethren , and ten of his Fathers Wives and Concubines thought to be impregnate with Posthume issue , that so he might make sure work . He was dreaded before his assumption to the Crown , to have been of a fierce and untractable nature , but he proved a meer swine ; for he was memorable for nothing of military concernment , but his personal appearance in Hungary with 200000 men , where he took Agria , and was present at the battel of Keresture in 1596. the second of his reign , out of which field he run in the beginning of the Fight , and would never endure to hear of an engagement again ; something was done by his Captains in Hungary , but as much was done against them , and things continued there in statu quo to his death , which hapned by his unweildy Fat , under which he could not stand ; in the year 1603.

ACHMAT his Son , a stripling succeeded him , a Prince proud and imperious , yet no way Martial : he had some Piques with the Persian who threatned him hard , and made him glad to urge a peace with Rodolphus the Emperor , being also perplexed with his Rebels in Asia . Like his Predecessors he was engaged in a Valachian and Moldavian War , which he finished with victory , taking the Princes Alexander , Bougdan and Coresky Prisoners , the latter of whom made a great bustle in the Ottoman Court , by his escape out of prison . This Sultan Achmat was much given to women , and with too frequent use of them died young , at the age of 30. years in 1617.

As to his Sons and Successors , having spoken of them in the modern History of the Turks hereto adjoyned , this is their brief Character : Mustapha the Brother German of Achmat appointed by him , because of the minority of his Sons , to the Government , was a bookish Philosophical man , and bred in the fear of death all his dayes . Osman , Achmat's Son , who dethroned him , a Prince of 16. years of age , was a very forward active Prince : he quarrelled with the Poles , and perceiving in that War the sloath and cowardliness of the Janizaries , by which he came off with dishonour , by the advice of Derlavir the grand Visier , an experienced honest man , and a great Captain on the Asian side , intended the extirpation of them , and the erection of a new Militia ; which design being sented , was the cause of both their deaths , Osman being strangled in prison , and the Visier cut in pieces , by the tumultuous mutinies of those Bands .

MVSTAPHA was re-inthroned , but was the same man , and again deposed by the same Janizaries ; and Sultan Morat , the brother of Achmat established . He was as warlike a Prince as his brother or any of his Progenitors , for he recovered Bagdat , taken by the Persians during these changes at Constantinople , and there in prosecution of his Brothers intentions , designed the perdition of those Janizaries , but dying there , they escaped the punishment due to such Rebels as embrue their hands in their Princes blood . Osman was wont to say , That he was no Emperor , but a Pay-master to a company of Droans , meaning those Souldiers . Ibrahim his Brother and Successor , was nothing like him in courage , however he bravadoed the Venetians , and began a War there for one of his Women , a more honourable cause being not like to engage him . And what his Son Mahomet will prove must be lest to his appearance in person this Campania : but if he be like his Visier , as they say he is in most things , he is most justly to be dreaded .