The present state of the Ottoman Empire containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline ... : illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks, in three books / by Paul Rycaut Esq. ...

CHAP. XVIII. Of the Edhemi.

[illustration]

A Religious man of the order of Edhemi

THe original Founder of this Order was one Ibrahim Edhem, con∣cerning whom the Disciples themselves, or Followers recount things very obscurely, and tell us Stories that his Father was a Slave and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Nation, and went one day under the Fort Horanan to discourse with Ibnimelik King of Cairo, that he was a man very come∣ly, facetious and sober in his carriage, alwayes desiring to please God, continued in the Moschs reading the Alchoran, and in prayer day and night with his face prostrate on the ground, and often repeating these words;

O God, thou hast given me so much wisdom, as that I know clearly that I am in thy direction; and therefore scorning all power and do∣minion, I resign my self to the speculation of Philosophy and a holy life.

His Servants seeing this his devout way of living, applyed themselves to the imitation of his Austerity, and abandoning all greatness and va∣nities

of the world, applyed themselves to solitude and mortification; their superfluous garments they bestowed on the Poor, giving to those whose necessities required them.

Their food is Bread made of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Pray frequently with Fast∣ing, and their Priors apply themselves much to a faculty in Preach∣ing.

Their principal Covents are in Cities of Persia, especially Cho∣rasan.

Their Cloathing is of a course thick Cloth, upon their heads they wear a Cap of Wool, with a Turbant round it, and about their necks a white Linnen Cloth striped with red. In the Deserts they converse with Lions and Tigers, salute them and make them tame, and by the miraculous power of divine assistance entertain discourse with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Wilderness; This and many other wild discourses they make of this Edhem, but because their are but few of this Order in Constanti∣nople, being most appropriated to Persia; I could not receive so par∣ticular an occount of their Rule and Institutions, as I have done of others.