Israel redux, or, The restauration of Israel, exhibited in two short treatises the first contains an essay upon some probable grounds, that the present Tartars near the Caspian Sea, are the posterity of the ten tribes of Israel / by Giles Fletcher ; the second, a dissertation concerning their ancient and successive state, with some Scripture evidences of their future conversion, and establishment in their own land / by S.L.

THE TARTARS OR, Ten Tribes.

By Giles Fletcher. LL. D.

That the Tartars are the Ten Tribes, who were carried Captives, and transplanted by the ASSYRIANS.

WHAT is become of those Ten Tribes, who were subdu∣ed and carried Captives by the Assyrians; and whe∣ther they live and hold together as a People apart, or by themselves, or are confused with other Nati∣ons, and where they are, is often questioned by Divines, but not re∣solved

solved, for ought I know, with a∣ny reasonable probability. That they have lost their name, and the distinction of their Tribes, is more then probable; for that no Nation of the World are called Israel, and so divided by their Tribes at this day, as anciently they were called. Neither was there cause why the distinction of their Tribes should be continued, seeing that the end for which this people are dispers∣ed by God himself, is fully passed, and accomplished long a goe.

For that men might know where to look for that blessed Seed, it pleased God to Elect one Nation of all the World, and out of that Nation one tribe or kindred, and out of that Tribe, one house or family, whereof the Messias should be born, teaching in the Flesh; who being now come, there is no cause why the distinction of their Tribes should still continue. One∣ly the Jews or Tribe of Judah re∣tain their name, but are so com∣mixed with that of Benjamin, as that they are, and long have been

ed by one name; so that neither the Benjamites, nor the Jews can tell of whether Tribe they came.* 1.1 But that these Israelitish ten Tribes are some∣where extant, and by Gods Provi∣dence, as a People kept intirely and inconfused with other Nations, is plain by this.

For that they were not quite de∣stroyed, no, nor dispeopled, but onely captived and transplanted by the Assyrians; and because all Israel (whereby is meant the whole Nati∣on) shall be called to the acknow∣ledgment of Jesus Christ to be the Messias, so long expected, and yet refused by that People when he came.

Which General Calling cannot be true, except those Tribes be still continuing and somewhere extant in the World, to be conjoyned and re-united into one Nation, as once they were.

As for those other 2 Tribes, to wit, of Judah and the other of Ben∣jamin, which for their notable in∣fidelity and contempt of Gods Son, are made a spectacle to the World,

and plagued by God with this so horrible a desolation and dispersion through the World, It is well known both where they are, and how they live, not distinguisht by their Tribes, nor yet united into one Polity or Community amongst themselves, but diffused (though not confused) and dispersed in small numbers here and there, de∣prived of all, save their name, which they retain, and that rather for a reproach, than for an honor, and estimation in those places where they live, that they may be known by other Nations to be that Peo∣ple, whom God hath punisht and rejected for that sin, in so reject∣ing the Son of God, but will re∣ceive and call again, for his own mercy and promise sake. A thing exemplary to the World, as well of the rigour and severity of Gods Justice,* 1.2 which he would have ob∣served and marked by all, but es∣pecially by the Christian States wherein they live, least for the like infidelity and contempt, they pro∣cure unto themselves the like Judg∣ment;

and also of that his infinite mercy in preserving that People from commixture, and confusion with other Natious; that the truth and certainty of his Word may so be known, when they shall be call∣ed to the publick knowledge and profession of Jesus Christ, as by his Apostle he hath foretold, and will perform in due time.

But these other Tribes, where∣of we speak, which were not massa∣cred nor extirped, but transplant∣ed by the Assyrians, where now they are; and how they have liv∣ed ever since, and whether they be a several People, or else commix∣ed with other Nations, is no where mentioned either in Heathen or Sa∣cred Story, for ought I know; yet is it not hard to find them out, if we enquire and seek for them, where it is likely that they are to be found, and truly the likeliest place to find them in, is it not in, or near those Colonies, where they were planted at the first?

And what I pray you, if we should seek them among the Tartars, who

are esteemed to be the most vile and barbarous Nation of all the World? you will say, perhaps, a thing unworthy and unbeseeming that great mercy of God, which he vouchsafed to that People, when they were yet his own peculiar; an holy Nation elected by God, out of all the Nations in the World; as if it could not stand with that most holy and perfect Justice, so to abase a wicked People, and so rebellious against their God, as were these Israelites, though he cast them down from the highest Heaven, to the lowest Center of dishonour, even ad Tartaros, where∣by you know, in the Poets phrase, is meant the place of the damned souls, and Hell it self, in resem∣blance, as may be thought, of like disorder and confusion of both the places.

As for the conjecture of some Divines, that they are the People called Alani, it is not only an im∣probable, but a very absurd and gross Opinion. These Alani, as all men know, being a People not of

Asia, but of Europe, by their o∣ther name called Triballi, and this passage and expedition through one Country into another, which was to be made through so many great Nations, both of the upper and lower Asia, being impossible, at least unlikely to be passed over by all Stories, which since have writ∣ten in every Age. Onely I hear the same affirmed by that Learn∣ed French-man, Philip Morney Lord of Plessey, whom I name for ho∣nour's sake, as for his Learning, and Nobilitie, thrice Renowned; but not confirmed by any reason, save that which he draws from the Notation of the word; for that [Tartar] in the Syrian Tongue signifies [Remnants] or [Remain∣ders.]

But that the Tartars are the Israelites,* 1.3 who were transported into Media, and the other 2 ad∣joyning Countries, you shall hear such reasons as I observed, when I remained among the Russes, their next Neighbours, some years ago, which if they be not demonstra∣tive,

yet to me seem so probable, as that I my self am now perswa∣ded, and fully settled in that Opi∣nion, that they are the natural and true Off-spring and Posterity of those Israelites.

My First Reason is,* 1.4 From the Place; the place whither they were transported by the Assyrians, and there planted; as is the man∣ner of great Conquerors, when they aspire unto a great Monarchy, to abate the spirits of such a People as may be dangerous to their States, and likely otherwise to make re∣volt, as were the Israelites, who could not endure a firm Prince to break their strength by dividing them into many parts.* 1.5

The Place, I say, where they were transplanted, were the Cities and Parts of Media, then a Pro∣vince, and in subjection to the As∣syrians, where they placed the greatest number, (as by the Story may be gathered) the rest in Ha∣rak, and by the River Haborus, whereof the one is part of Chal∣daran, The other a River of Me∣sopotamia,

with a Town adjoyning of the same name. The Country of Media (as it is described by Cos∣mographers,* 1.6 but more especially by our Merchants and other Tra∣vellers, who have been there) ly∣eth about the Caspian Seas, which the Russe calls the Bachualensky, and (by taking away the first syl∣lable for shortness sake, wherewith the Sclavone and the Russe tongues are much delighted) Chualensky-More. All which Country lying upon the North-east, or Northern fide of the Caspian, and Chualensky to the Hibernian and Northern Sea, which contains in it a large Ter∣ritory by the description of Cosmo∣graphers, and the report of such as have been there, is now possessed and inhabited by the Tartars; and by the consent of all Stories, which since have written of the Assyrian and Persian Monarchy, have so continued since Cyrus's time; who after he had obtained the Monarchy, did first invade those Schythian Shepherds, or Tartar people, 200 years or thereabouts,

ter the Israeelites deportation, who were grown by that time into a great and mighty people.

For we may not think, neither is it likely, that the Assyrians, who were the Monarchs of all the East, would place a conquered and cap∣tive People in the fairest Cities of all Media, and pleasantest places of that Country, which lye on the South and South-west part of the Bachualensky, or Caspian Sea, which by the report of all stories, and Travellers who have been there, is one of the sweetest and fertilest Countrys of all the World, and best replenished with all things ne∣cessary, and delightful, but in the remote and barren places of that Country, which were beyond the Caspian Sea, upon the North and North-East Parts, where these Tar∣tar People have had their dwell∣ing and habitations ever since. As for those other 2 Colonies of the Israelites, which were placed in Harak and Habore, they bordered both upon the Medians. So that all these Tribes might easily meet

and joyn together, when oppor∣tunity serves their turns, which happened unto them not long after, when all these Provinces of Me∣dia, Chaldaran, and Mesopotamia, with their Governous, Merodack Baladan and Dejoces, by a deser∣tion fell away from the Assyrians in the 10th year of Esar-haddon. And, that these Tribes did (not long after reunite themselves, and joyn together in one Nation, as they were before, being induced partly by their own desires, as disdaining ever to live commixt with other people, and partly forced by the violence of the Medians, who ex∣pelled them thence, being but strangers, and thrust upon them by the Assyrians, shall appear plainly by that which followeth.

A Second Reason is,* 1.7 From the names and appellations of their Ci∣ties and greater Towns, which are scituated upon the East and North-East side of the Bachualensky, or Caspian Sea.

These Tartar Cities which yet are extant, have many of them

the same names, as had those an∣cient Towns and Cities, which were inhabited by the Israelites, while they enjoyed their own Country. Their Metropolis or chief City (though now deformed with ma∣ny Ruins) is Samarchian, which hath many Monuments of that Na∣tion (as they report who have been there) where the great Tamerlain, who led about in a Golden Chain the Turkish Emperor called Ba∣jazet, had his Seat and place of re∣sidence. And how little differing is Samarchian from Samaria, the chief City of these Israelites, and their Seat, and Chamber of their Kings? onely differing in termi∣nation, a thing usual in proper names of Men or Citys, when they are pronounced in divers lan∣guages. For what differs the name of Londres, as it is termined by the French, from this of London; or the Town of Antwerp, from that of Anverse; or Edenborough, from Edenburgum? The same difference may be observed in the proper names of men and women, both

in the front and first sylable, and termination of the name, For what consonance hath Maria, or Ma∣riamne with that Miriam of the Hebrews? or the English James, with the Scottish Jamy, with the French Jaimes, or the Latine Ja∣cob? and yet these names are all one. They have besides, the Mount Tabor, a great Town and well fenced with a strong Fort, scituate upon a high Hill, nothing differ∣ing in sorm or name from the Mount Tabor of the Israelites, so often mentioned in the Scriptures. They have a City called Jericho, seated upon the River Ardoce, near the Caspian, upon the North and North-East. They have Corazen the great and the less, whereof the less was surprised not long agoe, and taken from them, upon whose Country the Tartar People sometimes en∣croach, and he on theirs. This u∣nivocation of Tartar Cities with those of Israel, concurring with the former reason, from the Place or Country, whither they were sometime transplanted by the As∣syrians,

syrians, doth plainly shew, that the Israelitish People have been there, and given the names unto these Cities, as the manner is in all places, for the remembrance of their Countrys and dwelling places from whence they came, or of the Planters, or first Founders of the Colonies; as of Galatia by the Gaules, and the Tyre of Africk, from that of Phanice; the like is used in New Colonies, as Nova Francia, Nova Hispanica, Nova Britannica, St. Domingo, Carthage∣na, and other like.

These Tartar Cities are inhabi∣ted by so many as are sufficient to defend them from the Hostility of the Persians,* 1.8 and other Borderers. But the greater part which are commonly called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or Scythian Shepherds, do seldome come within any City, or standing houses, unless it be in Winter-time, but abde in Tents, or walking hou∣ses, which the Latine writers call Veij, which are built and carried upon wheels, like Carts and Wag∣gons.

Their manner is in Summer∣time, when grass is grown and fit for Pasturage, with their herds and flocks to march Northward, and North-West from the South-East parts, where they continue all the Winter, not all together, but in their Hoords, and several Armies, under the conduct and directions of their Morsoyes, and Divoi-Morsoy∣es, which are their Princes and Vicegerents under the great Cham, their Emperor, and graze along by the way as they go, until they come to the next stage or resting place, where they plant their Veij, or Waggon-houses, and so make a form of a great City with many Streets, there continuing till their Cattle have grazed up all. Thus they proceed by small Stages till they arrive at the farthest point to∣wards the North, and then re∣turn towards the South, and South-East parts another way, where their Cattel have fresh Pasturage. And so retiring by short Journeys, by the end of Summer they arrive a∣gain

into the South-East Countrys near the Caspian, in a more mild and temperate Climate, where they continue all the Winter, within their Cities or Cart-houses, set to∣gether in form and fashion of a Town, as before was said.

My Third Reason is from the distinction of their Tribes,* 1.9 (which by the Tartar are called Hoords) which being united in one Govern∣ment, and communicable in all things else, yet may not unite nor mixe together by inter-marriage, but keep apart, and avoid confusion of Kinreds, except it be for de∣fence or publick benefit of the whole, they unite themselves and joyn to∣gether as one People. And this division of the Nation into Tribes, and without commixtion of their Kinreds, which was no where else used by any Nation, save the Israe∣lites, is still observed and contin∣ued among the Tartars most reli∣giously.

A Fourth Reason is from the number of their Tribes,* 1.10 which are 10 in all, neither more nor

less, as were the Israelites.

Their names are these.

1. The Chrime-Tartars, which most infesteth the Russe Borders, for which respect the chief leaders of this Tribe, whom they call Mor∣soyes, or Divoi-Morsoyes receive their pension from the Russe, not to invade or hurt their Country. 2. The Second is the Cheremissim. 3. The Third is the Morduit-Tartar. 4. The Fourth is the Nagay; where∣of the one is the warlikest People, the other is the cruellest, and most laborious of all the rest. The Fifth is the Sebair, whence the Siberes, or Siberians, who dwell by the Ri∣ver Obba, derive their Pedigree, and are therefore reckoned and an∣numbred to this Tribe. 6. The sixth is the Mecrite-Hoord. 7. The se∣venth is the Shalcan. 8. The eighth is the Chercassey; the most civil Tartar of all the rest, of a comely person, and much affected to be like the Lachish or Polonian, in his ha∣bit, gesture, and whole behaviour; by means whereof some number of them have of late received the Chri∣stian

faith. 9. The ninth is the Cassach. 10. The tenth and last is crlled Turkestan, which imports as muck as [Herdman Tartar] by an 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because this Hoord is the greatest Herd-master and Cattle∣breeder above all the rest; from whom the Turks had their begining,* 1.11 as saith the Russe. And that this is true besides the report of the Russe People, and other Borderers, who have best cause to know their Pe∣digree, it is the opinion of all the Historians, who lived about the time, when the Turkish Nation invaded the upper Asia, and began to grow a great and mighty Monarchy. A∣mong the rest, it shall not be idle nor impertinent to report here what Leanicus Chalcocondilos the Atheni∣an briefly writes in the beginning of his Story, touching the Origine of the Turks.* 1.12

It is thought (said he) that the Turkish Nation de∣rive their Pedigree from the Scythi∣ans who are commonly called the Tartarians; very probable because they differ very little in tongue or manners; that the Tartar Peo∣ple have sundry times invaded Asia,

at what time the Parthians held the Monarchy of the East, first the upper, and then the lower; as Phrygia, Lydia, and Cappadocia, it is well known to the inhabitants of those Countries; and truly e∣ven at this day, you may see a number of such people, dispersed abroad here and there through∣out all Asia, who in their diet and whole behaviour resemble the Scythian or Tartar People. And a little after; It is very manifest, that the Tartars who now inha∣bit a part of Europe towards the East (whereby he means the Chrime-Tartars) have a resem∣blance every way with the Tur∣kish Nation, which are of Asia, daily bartering and commercing with them, in diet, habit, and whole behaviour like the Turk; and no marvel is it, because the Scythians or Tartar People were sometimes Lords, both of higher and lower Asia. The name of [Turk] whereby is signified a Herd-man, or one who liveth a wild life among Beasts and Cattel,

doth likewise argue the very same, that the Turkish Nation have their beginning from the Tartars or Scythian Shepherds.

Thus far Leonicus Chalcocondilos in his story written in Greek, where he begins with the Oguzians the Turkish Em∣perors, afterwards called the Otho∣manides, about the year of Christ 1294. But to return, These Scy∣thian Shepherds now called Tartars, (as by all Stories both Greek and Latine doth appear) have contain∣ed themselves in those Countrys, betwixt the Caspian and Northern Seas, since Cyrus's time, when for their Victory against so great and mighty a Monarch, they began to be first known and famous with o∣ther Nations.

How long before, it is not re∣corded by any Story; but they in∣habited not that Country which is now possessed by the Tartar, till after the Israelites deportation in∣to Media, which was 240 years or thereabouts, before Cyrus his time, as may be collected from the best and ancientest stories.

Fifthly,* 1.13 They affirm as they re∣ceive it by Tradition from their Ancestors, that they had their O∣rigine from the Israelites, who were transplanted near the Caspian or Hircan Sea; by which traditi∣on, as by the stories of those times, it is reported that the great Ta∣merlain would boast himself, that he was descended from the Tribe of Dan.

Sixthly,* 1.14 Though the Tartar lan∣guage be yet unknown, because they live as a savage people, with∣out society or commerce with o∣ther Nations, suffering none to come within them, yet it is reported and conjectured by some words of the Tartar language, which I have heard repeated by the Russes, that they have many Hebrew and Chal∣dee words; whereof also this may be an argument that the Turkish is a dialect little dissering from the Scythian or Tartar tongue; but the Turkish language though it be mingled with much Arabick, and some Greek, hath great conso∣nance

with the Hebrew, as by lear∣ed Travellers is observed.

Seventhly,* 1.15 They are circumcised, as were the Israelitish and Jewish people.

* 1.16 The last reason (which I alledge to give occasion to our Divines to consider better of that place) is ta∣ken out of the 16th Chapter of the Apocalypse, where the Angel of the sixth Vial is commanded to pre∣pare the passage for the Kings of the East, by drying up the River Euphrates, which by all Interpre∣ters of that place is understood of the Jews calling from their dis∣persion among the Gentiles, to their ancient dwelling-place, and Native Country, there to profess the true knowledge of God in Christ. Which (as I take it) cannot be meant of the Tribe of Judah, for the excep∣tions which may be forced from the very place and text it self.

1. Because the Tribe of Judah, and the remainder of that of Benja∣min, which were dispeopled and carried Captive by the Romans, have their being, and are dispersed

not in the East or North-East Coun∣try, from whence the passage to∣wards Syria and Palaestine, lyes o∣ver the River Euphrates, but in these Western and Southern parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, where ever since they have continued in that exiled and servile state; from whence the passage towards Syria or Palaestina lyes not over the Ri∣ver Euphrates, but is far wide and distant from it towards the East and North East.

2. Because the persons there men∣tioned, who are to pass over Eu∣phrates, are called Kings; which being taken for spiritual Kings, as they intend it, is but a forced Ex∣position, the whole number of faith∣ful Christians, in this sence being Kings alike; neither is it agreable with the meaning of that place, which speaks plainly of such Kings as are to lead some great Army over the River Euphrates, but be∣ing literally understood of Kings indeed, can no way suit with the Jewish Tribes, which have no Kings, but are all a poor and servile peo∣ple

to the Towns and Countrys where they dwell. The place therefore is literally understood of these Israelitish 10 Tribes, which we affirm to be the Tartars.

1. Because these 10 Tribes or Hoords of Tartars, from the Isle of Patmos, where John wrote, are an Oriental, or Eastern people on the East and North-East of the Caspian, which cannot be said of the Jewish Tribe, or that of Benjamin, as now they dwell in the higher parts of A∣sia, Africa, and Europe, which lye South and South-West towards Eu∣phrates.

2. From the scituation of the place, for that the Tartars whom we suppose to be the Israelites, can no way pass out of the Coun∣trys where they now dwell, to∣wards Judea and Palaestina, (which lyes South ward from the Caspian or Hircan Sea) but over the River Euphrates, which lyes a cross, and intermiddle betwixt these 2 Coun∣trys.

3. Because the title and name of Kings in the plural number, a∣grees

properly with the Tartars, who have many Kings, to wit, as many as they have Tribes, 10 in all; every Morsoy or Divoi-Mor∣soy. (beside their Emperor the great Cham, whom they esteem above the dignity of a King) being a Prince or Sovereign Lord over all his Tribes. To which purpose the fa∣med Esdras (whom I alledge not as authentick to confirm matters of faith and doctrine, but to illu∣strate as a story, this holy prophe∣cy, which is here more obscurely set down by the Apostle) inferreth the Angel thus expounding his Night-vision of things to come in the latter time.

That which thou sawest,, to wit the man (who is there called the Son of God) to¦gather to him another multitude of more peaceable and quiet peo∣ple, are the ten Tribes who were carried Captives out of their Land in the time of Oseas King of Is∣rael, whom Salmanasser King of Assur carried beyond the River Euphrates, so were they brought to another Land; But they took

this counsel among themselves, that they would leave the mul∣titude of the Heathen, and go into a farther Country, where never man had dwelt before; (whereby it seems that he means the Country which lyes betwixt the Bacualensky, and Northern Seas, which is possessed by the Tartars.) And a little after, (v. 26.) Then dwelt they there till the latter time, but when they shall come forth again, the most High shall hold fast the springs of the River, (to wit, Euphrates) that they may pass through, therefore sawest thou the multitude peaceably.

Where he tells that this return of the ho∣ly people over Euphrates towards their Country, in the latter times is meant of the Israelitish 10 Tribes, who were carried Captive by the Assyrians, who, after the manner of that people, would live alone, not commixed with other Nations, and therefore brake out of the Co∣lonies where they were placed by the Assyrians, and went from thence to a remote and inward

try, (as is Tartaria) from the so∣ciety of other men; which cannot be said of the Jewish Tribes, who notwithstanding by the example of those other Tribes shall be encou∣raged to joyn together, and to march likewise out of the places where now they are, towards the Country of Judea, without any impeachment, or resistance of other Nations. As for the manner of their passing over the said River, whether it shall be actual drying of the River, or a removing of all impediments, which may stop or hinder their speedy passage in this their expedition towards their Country, I will not argue it at this time. That it shall be an a∣ctual exiccation of the River, with no less miracle, then the drying up of the Red Sea, or River Jor∣dan, when they passed towards the Land of Canaan, that so this work of God, which shall be famous in all the World, even the restoring of this people, may be observed by other Nations, with great reason and probability is affirmed by Th.

Brightman, the last interpreter of that Book, whom God endued with special gifts, and great brightness after his name, for the full clear∣ing and exposition of that Prophe∣cy, above all that hitherto have written of it.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The 10 Tribes pre∣served by God uncon¦fused with other Nati¦ons.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 11. 22.
• * 1.3

  The Tar∣tars, the 10 Tribes, or the Israe∣lites.
• * 1.4

  1. From the Place.
• * 1.5

  2. Reg. 17.
• * 1.6

  Ptolo∣meus.
• * 1.7

  From the Appellation of the Tar∣tar Cities.
• * 1.8

  The manner of dwelling and living of the Tar∣tars.
• * 1.9

  3. From the distinction of their Tribes.
• * 1.10

  4. From the number of their Tribes.
• * 1.11

  The Turks a Tribe of the Tartar Nation.
• * 1.12

  Leanicus Chalco∣don. in his Turkish History written in Greek.
• * 1.13

  5. From the testimo∣ny of the Tartars.
• * 1.14

  6. From their lan∣guage.
• * 1.15

  7. From their man∣ner of Cir∣cumcision.
• * 1.16

  8. Rea∣son from all the Scrip∣tures for their return into their Country. The place in the Reve∣lation to be meant of the 10 Tribes.