The glory of England, or A true description of many excellent prerogatiues and remarkeable blessings, whereby she triumpheth ouer all the nations of the world vvith a iustifiable comparison betweene the eminent kingdomes of the earth, and herselfe: plainely manifesting the defects of them all in regard of her sufficiencie and fulnesse of happinesse. By T.G.

The Story of a Rennegado Bashaw.

IN the raigne of Amurath the third this mans father there was a certaine Rennegado Dutchman aduanced to the dignitie of a Bashaw; for so they call Christians, who ab∣iure their religion at mans estate, and are circumcised ac∣cording to the Law of Mahomet. Where by the way you must consider of that mischieuous position not to dispute of either law, gouernment, or ceremonies of their religion, but absolutely allow of the great Prophet, and the Alca∣ron as infallible verity, wherein the Romane Byshoppes tread the same measures, and interdict any man from cal∣ling their actions in question, not suffering vs to read the Canon of Gods law, nor once dispute in matters of faith, but to confirme the power of the Church as of sufficiency to direct vs in the way of truth: a most diuellish, and re∣pugnant conclusion against God and his word, who com∣maundes vs to search the Scriptures, and try the spirits.

But to our Story. This Bashaw liuing in great pompe to the outward show, seemed yet much excruciated in minde with meditation on the latter iudgement, and the sauing of his soule, whereupon he communed with one of his principall slaues to the same purpose, admitting all free∣dome of speech, and animating him so farre to deliuer his opinion, that at last hee attempted his patience in this sort. Sir you know, or at leastwise should know, that God at the first did chuse vnto himselfe a people called the Iewes, giuing them a law, priesthood, and Prince named * 1.1 Moses, who questionlesse is the Mediator still in heauen for honest Iewes imploring his assistance on earth; but when this wretched people despised the blessings of so great a God, falling to idolatry, and other horrible abuses, they were cast out of fauour, and vanished like smoake, or if you will, resembled, water spilt on the ground neuer to be gathered vp againe. Then did God select another nation called Christians, and admitted of their worthy acknow∣ledgement of Iesus Christ, whom they suppose God and man, and borne of a Virgin, and in whom still the good Christian beleeueth; this caused their increase of wealth, maiesty, and greatnesse, till at last growing wanton with prosperitie, they tooke the same or worse courses with the Iewes, and by degrees became flat Apostates, so that God was weary of them likewise, & gaue a third nation power to thrust them from their firmenesse, and disiointed their established foundation of religion, and happinesse: which was acted by the hands of Turkes, who succeeded them, and had likewise their Prophet Mahomet to instruct and direct them to loue the great God of heauen more religiously than the others, from whose supportation the maiesty you now behold, spreadeth the wings of glory

ouer the imperiall Citties both of Iewes, and Christians, namely, Ierusalem and Constantinople: nay, if you looke into Asia, we haue Tauris and Babilon; and in Egipt pos∣sesse Cairo or Memphis, and Alexandria: so that no doubt we shall multiply blessing vpon blessing, if wee continue confident toward him, and his elected Prophet; other∣wise some strange and barbarous nation shall expell and extirpate vs, as we haue vsurped ouer others. Thus then you see with what successe these three religions haue bin caried in the current of estimation both with God and man; namely the Iewes, who haue Moses to make inter∣cession for them: The Christians, who haue IESVS their Mediator; and Mahumetans, who depend vpon the me∣rits and exaltation of Mahomet. But for you, that are of no religion, nay, haue denied the faith, wherein you were borne and baptised, there is sure no redemption, but the Deuill himselfe to fetch you away. Which answere was so distasting, although as you heard, it went vnder safe conduct, that the tyrannous Lord not onely commaun∣ded him to be broken on a wheele to shiuers, but inflicted many Christian slaues in his house with the like punish∣ment, and thus much for their crueltie amongst them∣selues: now you shall see their behauiour toward Stran∣gers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The doctrin of the Der∣uices or mendicant Priests of Turkie.