Purchas his pilgrimage. Or Relations of the vvorld and the religions obserued in all ages and places discouered, from the Creation vnto this present In foure partes. This first containeth a theologicall and geographicall historie of Asia, Africa, and America, with the ilands adiacent. Declaring the ancient religions before the Floud ... With briefe descriptions of the countries, nations, states, discoueries, priuate and publike customes, and the most remarkable rarities of nature, or humane industrie, in the same. By Samuel Purchas, minister at Estwood in Essex.

CHAP. XIIII.

Of their Priests, and Hierarchie.

AFter the discourse of their Regulars (which in estimatlō of deuotiō haue with the Turks, & therefore in this history, the first place) their Secular Priests follow to be considered. These are of differing degrees, which Menauino a 1.1 thus reckoneth: first the Cadilescher, vnder which the Mof∣ti or Mufti; the third the Cadi, and after these (in subordinate orders) the Modecis, Antippi, Imam, Meizini, and besides these the Sophi, A certaine Ragusian, b 1.2 in an Oration before Maximilian the Emperour doth not much disagree: but for Cadilescher, he calleth the first Pescherchadi, whereof (he saith) there

are two, one in Romania, the other in Natolia, chiefe Iudges of the armie, hauing power to reuerse the sentence of the Emperour, if it be against the law of Mahomet. A second Magistrate (saith he) is called Muchti, the chiefe interpreter of the law, from whose sentence is no appeale.

Nic. Nicolai c 1.3 saith the same of their two Cadileschers, and that they are chosen out of their most learned Doctors of their law, and alway follow the Court, and with the consent of the Bassas, constitute and depose the Cadi; hauing for their annuall stipend seuen thousand or eight thousand ducats, besides their ordinarie gaines. They haue ten Secretaries kept at the Grand Seigniors charge, and two Moolorbassis, which are bu∣sied about the horses: they haue also two hundred or three hūdred slaues. They vse few words, but such as are of their law and religiō altogether, with very much shew of gra∣uity. Arinabene d 1.4 (in his preamble to the Italian Alcoran) maketh Cadilescher * 1.5 to be a generall name to all their orders of Priests. Others do place the Mufti in the highest place, and the Cadilescher in the second ranke: and perhaps others gaue the Cadileseher the first place, because their life was more in action and gouernment, as attending on the Court, & on the wars: but the Mufti being highest Interpreter of their law (though without gouernment) must indeed haue preeminēce. And so Menauino e 1.6 seemeth to af∣firme, who, though hee placeth the Cadilescher first, yet saith, that f 1.7 when happily ap∣peale is made from his sentence, they haue recourse to the Mophti. And this opinion is now generall and most current, which ascribeth to the Mufti the chiefe place.

Master Harborn, sometime Embassabor into Turkie for Englands Queen (the worlds wonder, our Westerne Hesperus, that shined so far ouer and beyond all Christendome, into the East; but my words are too base to vsher in that renowned name) ELIZA∣BETH, thus g 1.8 reporteth. The Turkes do hold for head and chiefe of their religion the Mufti (the choice of whom is made by the Great Turke himselfe) such a one as is knowne to be wise and learned, and chiefely of a good life. His authoritie is so estee∣med, that the Emperour will neuer alter a determination made by him. He intermed∣leth in all matters as best him liketh, whether they be ciuill or criminal, yea, or of State. And yet he hath no power to command; but it is in each mans free liberty, when there happeneth any doubt of importance, to make in some few words, by writing, a decla∣ration of his matter in forme of a question: to whom the said Mufti, in a writing like∣wise (called Zetfa) giueth a briefe answere containing his iudgement thereon. This Zetfa, brought to the Iudge, is the rule of his sentence; prouided, that the declarati∣on, made before to the Mufti, contained no vntruth. Also the Grand Seignior, to shew that he is religious and iust, doth serue himselfe of the authoritie of this Mufti, in affaires of warre and peace demanding his iudgement (in manner aforesaid;) by this course, the subiects being inclined to more forward obedience. But yet the Mufti will commonly slatter him, and leane to that part, to which he seeth him incline: as in the time of Selim the second, the Mufti hauing discouered the Emperours intent to warre vpon Cyprus, approued the same in his Zetpha. But after, vpon great offers made to Mehemet the Visier to breake that resolution, the Mufti, by him wonne to fauour the matter, affirmed still, that the warre against Cyprus was good and iust, but that his Maiestie had a greater obligation in conscience, which he was bound to take in hand, namely, to procure the reuolt of the Moores in Spaine, there oppressed by the Christ∣ians, wherein he was so bold with the Emperour, as to tell him to his face, that if he did neglect the cause of those Mahumetans, he might be thereunto by his subiects com∣pelled.

Concerning the Mufti, and other steppes of their Hierarchie, Master * 1.9 Knolles wri∣teth, That the Turkes haue certaine Colledges called Medressae, at Constantinople, Andrinople, Bursia, and other places, in which they liue, and studie their prophane Diuinitie and Law, and haue among them nine seuerall steps or degrees vnto the high∣est dignitie.

The first is called Softi, which are yong studēts. The 2.are Calfi, who are readers vnto the first. The 3.Hogi, writers of books (for they wil suffer no printing) The 4. are Naipi, or yong Doctors, which may supply the place of Iugdes, in their absence. The 5. Caddi.

Iudges of their law, and Iustices to punish offenders; of which there is one at least in euery Citie through the Turkish dominion: and are knowne from other men by their huge Turbants, two yards in compasse. The sixth are Muderisi, which ouersee the Caddies doings, and are as Suffragans to their Bishops; who are the seuenth sort, and are called Mulli, which place and displace Church-men at their pleasure. The eighth, Cadilescari, who are but two great and principall Iudges or Cardinals, the one of Grae∣cia, the other of Natolia: and these two sit euery day in the Diuano among the Bassas and are in great reputation. The ninth is the Muftee, who is among the Turkes, as the Pope among the Roman Catholikes. When the Bassas punish any offence against their law, they send to him. He may not abase himselfe to sit in the Diuano, neither when he comes into the presence of the Grand Seignior, will he vouchsafe to kisse his hand, or to giue any more reuerence, then he receiueth. The great Sultan ariseth to honor him, when he comes vnto him, and then they both sit downe face to face, and so talke and conferre together. No man can ascend to this place, but by the dignities aforesaid.

Mahomet h 1.10 the third, forced by a tumult of the Ianizaries to present himselfe vnto them, came accompanied with the Mufti, and some few others of the reuerend Do∣ctors of their law, who were by the Sultan commanded to sit downe, whiles the great Baslas abode standing. Such respect is had to these men. Thus much Knolles.

In the booke i 1.11 of the Policie of the Turkish Empire, it is said, that the Mufti's authoritie is like to that of the Iewish high Priest, or Roman Pope. I rather esteeme it like to that of the twelue Patriarkes, as binding not all Mahumetans, but the Turkes only: whereas the one had, the other challengeth a subiection of all, which professe their religion. That Author also affirmeth, that whensoeuer the Mufti goeth abroad forth of his owne house (which he vseth to doe very seldome) his vse and custome is, first to goe and visite the Emperour: who as soone as he seeth him comming to salute him, and to doe him reuerence, presently ariseth out of his seat, and embracing him with great kindnesse, entertaineth him very friendly and louingly, causing him to sit downe by him, and giuing him the honor of the place.

His authority, saith * 1.12 Soranzo, is so great, that none will openly contradict the Mufties sentence: but yet if the Emperour be setled in a resolution, the Mufti with feare or flattery inclines vnto him.

Next to the Mufti is the Cadile scher, * 1.13 who being also chosen by the Emperour, may be compared to those, whom the Christians cal Patriarches, or else to the Primates and Metropolitans of a Kingdome. Of these there are now in this encreased greatnesse of the Turkish Empire, three: whereas it seemeth that they had in the time of Baiazet but one, and long after (as before is said) but two. To one of these is assigned Europe, namely, so much thereof as is subiect to the Turke, for his Prouince: To the second, Natolia or Turkie: to the third, Syria and Egypt, with the parts adioyning. There were but two Cadileschers, till Selim wanne Syria and Egypt, and erected a third. But * 1.14 So∣ranzo saith, that this third of Cairo is not rightly called Cadilescher, but should rather be called the great Cadi. Out of all which Prouinces, whatsoeuer causes come to be determined, by appeale or otherwise, they are brought to be decided before the Ca∣dilescher of the same Prouince whence they arise: notwithstanding that the abode of each of them be continually, or for the most part, at Constantinople, or elsewhere, wheresoeuer the Emperour holdeth his Court. The honor done to them, is little lesse then to the Mufti, for that their authoritie is ouer Priest and people, temporall and spi∣rituall: they are also learned in their law, aged and experienced. Of the Muderisi and Mulli, I can say no more then I haue done.

Next to these are the Cadi, * 1.15 which are sent abroad and dispersed into euery City and Towne of the Turkish Empire: which besides their k 1.16 Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction (as I may terme it) in forcing men to their religious obseruations, are as it were, Iusticers and gouernours of the places. So neere glued are the Offices and Officers, the religion and politie of the Turkes. There are other which are not sent forth, which are called Choza, that is, Elders. These, with the Talismans, haue the ordering of their parishio∣nall

Churches: the Thalisman calling the people to Prayer, and the Choza executing the Seruice and Preaching; and in absence, each supplying others office. Menavino * 1.17 more distinctly, and in other names, numbreth those Church-officers. The Modecis is a Gouernour of an Hospitall, receiuing & disposing the rents, with the other customes thereof. Their Schoole-degrees are before spoken of, out of Knolles. Some l 1.18 adde to these former, these other Priests, of baser condition. The Antippi are certaine Priests which vpon Friday (called of them Glumaagun, and is obserued as their Sabbath, be∣cause Mahomet was borne on that day) and on other their fasting & feasting-dayes, after they haue vsed diuerse Ceremonies in a certaine place in the middest of the Tem∣ple, about thirtie steppes high, from thence reade vnto the people something concer∣ning the life of Mahomet. After which, two little boyes stand vp and sing certaine Prayers: Which being ended, the Priest and all the people sing a Psalme with a low voice, and then for halfe an houre together they crie Illah illelah, i. there is but one GOD. After all this, one of those Antippi, out of that high place, sheweth forth vnto the people a Launce and Scimitar, with exhortation to vse their swords and launces in defence of their Religion. Of the Imam and Meizin * 1.19 is elsewhere shewed, that the one calls the people to the Mosche or Meschit, the other there celebrateth publike orisons. The Sophi also are certaine Clerkes or Priests, imployed in the singing of Psalmes and Hymnes, after their manner, in their Churches at the times of publike Prayers.

All these inferior orders of Priests are chosen by the people, and haue a certaine sti∣pend allowed them by the Emperour, which yet is so small, that many of them are dri∣uen to vse either writing of Bookes, or Handicrafts and Trades for their liuing, and are clothed like lay-men. They haue m 1.20 no great learning, it is sufficient if they can reade the Alcoran; which being written in Arabian, they are as loth to haue translated into the vulgar, as the Papists are to haue the Scripture. He which can interprete, and make some Exposition of the Text, is of profound learning. Yet are they reuerenced: and if a Turke doe strike or offer outrage to them, he looseth his hand; and if he be a Christi∣an, his life; being sure to be burned. Some say, that now of late some of them are more studious of Astronomie and other Arts. As for those superiour rankes, no doubt may be made of their high account. The Cadelescher is clothed in Chamlet, Satten, Silke, Damaske, or Veluet of seemely colour, as Russet, or Tawnio, and of Purple-coloured Cloth with long sleeues. Their Tulipan on their head is of maruellous greatnes, sharpe in the middest, of Purple or Russet colour, deeper and thicker then others; their beards great. They ride on Geldings, with Purple foot-cloths fringed; and when they goe on foot, they goe slowly, representing a stately and sacred grauitie.

There is another order of sacred persons, which yet are neither regular nor secular, by any vow or ordination, but had in that account for their birth, being supposed to descend of the line of Mahumet. The Turks and Tartarians call them Seiti or Sithi, the Moores Seriffi. These weare greene Tulipans, which colour none else may weare, and that onely on their head. Some Christians, ignorant hereof, haue had their apparrell cut from their backes, for wearing somewhat greene about them. These they call He∣mir. They enioy many priuiledges, especially in giuing testimonie, wherein one of these is as much as two other, which they abuse to iniurie and wrong. The most of them are Moores, which goe tenne or fifteene in a companie, with a banner on a staffe, hauing a Moone on the top; and that which is giuen for GODS sake, they sit and eate in the street, where also they make their prayers, and are poorely clad. Like to these (in pri∣uiledge and prauiledge) are the Chagi or Fagi, which liue on almes like Friers. They attend on the publike Prayers, on the holy Reliques, on the Corpses and Funerals of the dead, and to prey on the liuing by false oathes.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Lib.2.cap.3.
• b 1.2

  Edit. Alcora∣ni Latin.
• c 1.3

  Peregrinati. on. lib.3.c.14.
• d 1.4

  Alcoran.Ital.
• * 1.5

  Kadileskicri ab Arabibus Ca∣siaskeri d••cti, Iu∣dices sunt supre∣mi, &C. L. Soranz. Otto.
• e 1.6

  Lib.2.cap.4.
• f 1.7

  Quando per caso s' appella à sue sententie, si recorre al Mophti
• g 1.8

  Lib.Manu∣script.
• * 1.9

  Knol. p.1302.
• h 1.10

  Pag.1161.
• i 1.11

  Cap.24.
• * 1.12

  L. Soranzo. part.2.cap.61.
• * 1.13

  Cadilescher.
• * 1.14

  Magin.
• * 1.15

  Cadi.
• k 1.16

  Andr.Ariu.
• * 1.17

  Modecis.
• l 1.18

  Policie of the Turkish Empire. Antippi.
• * 1.19

  Imam. Meizin. Sophi.
• m 1.20

  Bar. Geor∣gievi••z.