The manner of holding their Par∣liaments.
The 8. Chapter.
THeir highest Court of pub∣like consultation for matter of State,* is called the Zabore, that is, the Publike Assembly. The states & degrees of per∣sons that are present at their Parliaments, are these in order. 1. The Em∣perour himselfe. 2. Some of his Nobilitie a∣bout the number of twentie being all of his Councel. 3. Certain of the cleargy men, &c. Page [unnumbered] about the same number. As for Burghers or other to represent the cōmunaltie, they haue no place there: the people being of no better account with them then as seruants or bond slaues that are to obey, not to make lawes, nor to knowe any thing of publike matters before they are concluded.
The Court of Parliament (called Zabore) is held in this manner.* The Emperour cau∣seth to be summoned such of his Nobilitie as himselfe thinketh meete, being (as was said) all of his Councell: together with the Patri∣arch, who calleth his Cleargie, to wit, the two Metropolites, the two Archbishops, with such Bishops, Abbots, and Friers as are of best account and reputation among thē. When they are all assembled at the Empe∣rours court, the day is intimated when the session shal begin. Which commonly is vpon some friday, for the religion of that day.
When the day is come, the cleargie men assemble before at the time & place appoin∣ted, which is called the Stollie. And when the Emperour commeth attended by his Nobi∣litie, they arise all, and meete him in an out roome, following their Patriarch, who bles∣seth the Emperor with his two forefingers, laying them on his forehead, and the sides of his face, and then kisseth him on the right side of his brest. So they passe on into their Page 23 Parliament house, where they sit in this or∣der. The Emperor is enthronized on the one side of the chamber. In the next place not far from him at a smal square table (that giueth roome to twelue persons or thereabouts) sitteth the Patriarche with the Metropo∣lites and Bishops, and certeine of the prin∣cipall Nobilitie of the Emperours Councel, together with two Diacks or Secretaries (cal∣led Dumnoy dyakey) that enact that which passeth. The rest place themselues on ben∣ches round about the roome, euery man in his ranck after his degree. Then is there pro∣pounded by one of the Secretaries (who re∣presenteth the speaker) the cause of their as∣semblie, and the principall matters that they are to consider of. For to propund bils what euery man thinketh good for the publike be∣nefite (as the maner is in England) the Russe Parliament alloweth no such custome, nor libertie to subiects.
The poynts being opened,* the Patriarch with his Cleargie men haue the prerogatiue to be first asked their vote, or opinion, what they thinke of the poyntes propounded by the Secretarie. Whereto they answere in or∣der, according to their degrees, but al in one forme without any discourse: as hauing lear∣ned their lesson before, that serueth their turnes at all Parliaments alike, whatsoeuer is Page [unnumbered] propounded. Commonly it is to this effect. That the Emperour and his Councell are of great wisedome, and experience, touching the pollicies and publike affaires of the Realme, and farre bet∣ter able to iudge what is profitable for the com∣mon wealth, then they are, which attend vpon the seruice of God onlie, and matters of religion. And therefore it may please them to proceede. That insteede of their aduise, they will aide them with their prayers, as their dueties and vocations doe require, &c. To this or like effect hauing made their answeres euery man in his course, vp standeth some Abbot or Frier more bold then the rest (yet appointed before hand as a matter of forme) and desireth the Empe∣rour it would please his Maiestie, to com∣maund to be deliuered vnto them what his Maiesties owne iudgement, and determinate pleasure is, as touching those matters pro∣pounded by his Deiake.
Whereto is replied by the saide Secreta∣rie in the Emperours name. That his High∣nesse with those of his noble Councell, vpon good and sound aduise haue found the matters propo∣sed to be verie good and necessarie for the com∣mon wealth of his Realme. Notwithstanding, for asmuch as they as religious men, & know what is right, his Maiestie requireth their godiie o∣pinions, yea and their censures too, for the appro∣uing or correcting of the saide propositions. And Page 24 therefore desireth them againe to speake their mindes freely. And if they shal like to giue their consents, that then the matters may passe to a full conclusion.
Hereunto when the Cleargie men haue giuen their consents (which they vse to do without any great pausing) they take their leaues with blessing of the Emperour: who bringeth the Patriarch on his way so farre as the next roome, and so returneth to his seat, till all be made readie for his returne home∣ward. The actes that thus are passed by the Zabore or Parliament, the Deiakeis or Secre∣taries draw into a forme of proclamation, which they send abroad into euery Prouince, and head towne of the Realme, to be publi∣shed there by the Dukes and Diakeis, or Se∣cretaries of those places. The session of Parliament being fully ended, the Empe∣rour inuiteth the Cleargie men to a solemne dinner. And so they de∣part euery man to his home.
