The second volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XV.

To the Venerable Mufti, Successor of the Prophets, and Messengers of God.

THY last Letter, has confirmed the Ef∣fects of the former; and given me a fresh Testimony, of thy Paternal Affection and Friendship: It is an evident Sign, that thou takest Care of poor Mahmut, when with an Authority full of Tenderness, thou reprovest his Faults, without leaving him Occasion to despair. Such Reprehensions, are a Sovereign Balm to a wounded Spirit; and, I hope, af∣ter an Application sweetned with so much Clemency, I shall never do any Thing which may merit or need the Discipline requisite to a Gangrene.

If I was negligent in performing the Pe∣nance thou before enjoynedst me, I will now endeavour to make Reparation. If the Ac∣count I gave thee, of the Religion of these Western Parts, was too Superficial and Brief; I will now enlarge, and present thee with the Chief Observations and Remarks I have made during my Residence here, and my Captivity in Palermo.

I need not acquaint thee, with that which causes the Greatest Rupture between the Ro∣man and Greek Churches; Cyril the Patriarch,

has said enough to thee on that Subject. Thou knowest, that the Grand Quarrel between them is about the Supremacy, which the Ro∣man Prelate claims over all the Churches in the World, by a Divine Right. But, neither Cyril, nor the Friars of Jerusalem with whom he contested, would inform thee, that this Supremacy where ever it resides, is onely founded in Right of the Empire. They would make thee believe, That the Christian Bi∣shops were, from the Beginning, Sovereigns, Established by God, Princes Independent of the Imperial Sceptre; concealing, that the First Founders of their pretended Monarchy, were poor Fishermen, who never dream'd of such a Grandeur, as their Successors were after∣wards invested with, by the Liberality of the Roman and Grecian Emperours. It would be a Reproach to themselves, if they should let thee know, how Holy and Harmless were the First Patriarchs of Byzantium and Rome, who refused the Honours and Dignities of the World, and were only Ambitious of Excel∣ling one another in Vertue and a Pious Life. Their very Addresses to thee, are a Contradi∣ction to the Examples of their Predecessors, each Party offering Treasures of Gold, think∣ing to bribe the Incorruptible Judge with the glittering Dirt. Assuredly, the Seeds of an Irreconcilable Discord are sown in these Infi∣dels; they are setled upon the Lees of Error, till the Day of Judgment.

As to the State of Controversie between them, it is certain, that while Rome was the

Capital Seat of the Empire, the Roman Bi∣shops had the Superiority granted them; but, when the Imperial Residence was translated from thence to Byzantium, by Constantine the Great (from whom it derives the Name it now bears of Constantinople) then the Ec∣clesiastical Supremacy was also transferr'd to the Patriarch of that City; who enjoys it to this Day, through the Favour of our Mu∣nificent Sultans, who succeed the Ancient Emperours of Greece. This Superlative Pow∣er, the Popes of Rome would not recognize in any other but themselves, being loath to part with the Authority they once possess'd; whence proceeded the Schism between the Two Chur∣ches of the East and West. And, while the Patriarchs of the Grecians, shelter'd their new acquir'd Honour, under the Protection of the Emperours; the Popes, partly by Artifice and partly by Force, made themselves Lords of Rome and the Adjacent Territories, taking Advantage of the Absence of the Emperours, the Pusillanimity of the Senators, and Discord of the Citizens. Supported with this Princely Estate, they Excommunicate all the Churches which did not submit to them, as the Sove∣reign Prelates of the Christian World; pub∣lishing severe Edicts against the Greek Church, and doing every Thing that might confirm the World, in the Belief of their Authority and Grandeur. The Potentates of Europe, frightned with the Thunder which the Ro∣man Pontifs used, and induced by other Rea∣sons, did Homage to them, acknowledging

their Sovereign Jurisdiction in the West. In this State they have continued ever since, without yielding in any Thing to the Patriarchs of Constantinople.

There have been great Endeavours used on both Sides, to gain their respective Ends; and, several General Councils were called, that is, an Assembly of the Chief Bishops and Doctors of both Churches, to examine and decide the Difference. And, sometimes the Fathers of the Greek Church, have subscribed a Submis∣sion to the Pope; but, as soon as they return'd home, they have Recanted, and the Breach render'd as wide as ever. They accuse the Ro∣mans of Partiality, and say, That the Coun∣cils were pack'd; yet, both Parties seem to give an extraordinary Deference to these Gene∣ral Councils, believing, That the Holy Ghost is there present, and guides them into all Truth. The Councils which they esteem In∣fallible, have contradicted each other: This Re∣pealing what That had Decreed, and a Third Disannulling that Repeal. The Councils be∣lieve themselves above the Pope, and the Pope exalts himself above the Councils. Sometimes they have Two or Three Popes together, all claiming that, which can be the Right but of One. In fine, they have involved them∣selves in such a Labyrinth of Disputes and Cavils, and are entangl'd in such a Circle of Absurdities, that the soberer part of Christi∣ans, begin to question the Authority both of Popes and Councils: Insomuch, as it being ge∣nerally known, that the last Assembly of

this Kind, was manifestly over-ruled by the Agents of the Court of Rome, people spar'd not to pass this Jest on it, and say, That the Holy Ghost was sent from Rome to the Council of Trent in a Cloak-bag; intimating thereby, the many Instructions and Advices which were continually transmitted from Rome by the Post, to the Fathers sitting in that Council, whereby all things were determined according to the Pope's Pleasure, and to the Advantage of the Roman Court.

'Tis certain, the Christians now-adays, have abated much of that Blind Obedience, which they formerly paid to the Roman Pontifs: they begin to see with their own Eyes, and not with those of their Priests. There was a Time, when many Kings were made to hold their Crowns in Fee of the Roman Prelate, who pretended a Right to dispose of all the King∣doms and Empires of the Earth, as Vicar of God. But, the Kings of England, Suede∣land, and Denmark, with some Princes of the German Empire and the States of Holland, have taught others the Way to stand upon their Guard; so that, though the Emperour of Germany, Kings of France, Spain and Poland, with the Princes of Italy, profess an Obedi∣ence to the Holy Father, yet 'tis rather out of a Maxim of Policy, than any real Perswasion of Religion.

The Spaniards seem the most superstiti∣ously Devoted to the See of Rome; yet, they will not endure the Excommunication, which the Pope pronounces against their King, above

the Space of one Day: It seems, upon some old Difference between them, it is usual for the Holy Father to Excommunicate this So∣vereign once a Year, that is, on the Thurs∣day before Easter, which is the same as our Feast of Beiram. Now, as I am told, the Spanish Ambassador next Day, presents the Pope with a Gennet or Horse, upon which the Censure is taken off. This is an Ecclesi∣astick Juggle; and the Court of Rome use a great deal of such Holy Legerdemain, to keep the Sons of the Church in their Obedi∣ence.

The French Church, though in all Things agreeing and professing an entire Obedience to the Roman, yet claims to her self some Im∣munities and Privileges, which the Court of Rome is very loath to grant. Hence it comes to pass, that there arise frequent Contests be∣tween the Popes and the Kings of France, which are generally accommodated to the Ad∣vantage of the Latter; the Pope not being willing to try the Force, of THE LAST REASON OF KINGS: This is a Mot∣to, engraven on the French King's Cannon, which he has threatned to carry to the Walls of Rome, if the Pope should entrench on the Gallican Rights.

But, though they thus disagree in some Ni∣ceties of State, yet they and all the Rest of the Nations, within the Roman Communion, have but one Form of Divine Service, which they call the Mass, and it is the same with the Grecian Liturgy. On Festival Days, it

is solemnized with Variety of Choice Musick and Singing; with Innumerable Wax-Tapers, burning at Noon-day. I have seen at such a Time, Sixteen Priests before the Altar, all Vested in most costly Silks, embroidered with Gold and Pearls.

They have also many Chappels and Altars in the same Church, and sometimes they Ce∣lebrate Mass on all the Altars together; dif∣fering herein from those of the Greek Commu∣nion, who have but one Altar in a Temple: For which they plead Antiquity, it never ha∣ving been known, that the Primitive Chri∣stians had any more. On the other side, the Romans plead Conveniency, for the Multi∣tude of their Altars, that the Pope has a pow∣er to dispense with the Ancient Rites and Tra∣ditions in such Cases; and, that nothing was more reasonable, than that their Altars should be multiplied, as the Number of their Prose∣lytes and Priests encreas'd.

I will not pretend to decide this Controver∣sie; permit me only to say, that the Faith∣ful Mussulmans, have more reason to require several Preachers at the same time in our Magnificent Mosques, where it is impossible for all the Auditors in so vast an Assembly, to hear and understand the Law Expounded by one Man, though it be performed in the Vul∣gar Tongue: Whereas, their Service is cele∣brated in a Language, whereof the Multitude are utterly ignorant. It matters not much, whether they are near the Priest at the Altar, or afar off, since they understand not a Word

he says; and, the Grecians judge it sufficient, to be present at this their Daily Sacrifice, tho it be at the very Porch of the Temple.

Another Difference there is also between these Two Churches; The Roman allows not a Married Priest, unless in some extraordi∣nary Cases, and then the Pope's Dispensation must be procured. But, Concubinage is con∣nived at, though forbidden by the Cannons of the Church: Whereas thou knowest, that all the Grecian Papa's; marry and get Chil∣dren.

The Spaniards, among all the Nations within the Roman Pale, are reckon'd the Best Catholicks, but the Worst Christians; the French are said to be, the Best Christians, but the Worst Catholicks; and, the Italians, are accounted neither Catholicks nor Christians.

I know not what reason they have to state the Difference so between the Two Former; but, the Character of the Latter, suits in one Respect with the usual Proverb of that Coun∣try; it being common in the Mouths of Ita∣lian Gallants, to say, He that is a Christian is a Fool.

The Devouter sort of Catholicks, pay a great Reverence and Devotion to the Re∣liques of their Saints. I could not reprehend them for this, if I were sure of Two Things, That all those whom they esteem as Saints were really such; and, That all the Reliques they keep with so much Veneration in their Churches, did really appertain to the Persons under whose Names they go: For, then it

would be no more, than what the True Be∣lievers practise throughout the World; and it is well known, That when a piece of the Garment of our Holy Prophet, was dipt in the Water which they cast on the Flames of Con∣stantinople, the Fire immediately ceased, to which before no Stop could be given by all the Industry and Endeavours of Men. Assu∣redly, the Bodies of the Prophets and Mes∣sengers of God, are Holy, and have a Power of Sanctifying whatever they touch, produ∣cing often Miraculous Effects; but, the Ava∣rice of Men may abuse this Truth to their own private Ends; and, the Christians them∣selves will not believe all to be true Reliques of Saints, which their Crafty Priests shew for such.

There be innumerable other Sects of Chri∣stians, which are neither in Communion with the Roman nor the Grecian Churches; but, accusing them of Idolatry, separate themselves from their Society, and form Distinct Con∣gregations. These are not known in France, saving only the Hugonots, otherwise called Protestants: Which last, is a Term compre∣hending all that have Revolted from the Roman Church, and was first assumed by the Lutherans at Ausburgh in Germany.

In England and Holland, there are abun∣dance of these Sects, some of them newly sprung up, others of longer Date. And, all thus far agree with the Mussulmans, that they use not Pictures or Images in their Temples; so, that were they rightly instructed in the

Holy Alcoran, it would not be a Thing alto∣gether impracticable, to perswade them to Circumcision. There is a Sect which they call Socinians, who seem to preach out of the very Book of Glory, denying the Divinity of Jesus, the Son of Mary, the Christians Messias; e∣ven as our Divine Lawgiver does in several Chapters and Versicles of the Alcoran.

The Christian Church, seems to be a state∣ly Building, whereof Prelacy is the Cor∣ner-Stone; if this were removed, all would fall to the Ground. That which they call the Hierarchy, if it could once be dissolv'd or pull'd down, we should soon see all Christen∣dom laid in Ruines. This Hierarchy is a Gra∣dual Subordination of Arch-Bishops, Bishops and Priests; the Inferiour depending on the Superiour, and all deriving their Orders and Dignities from their Chief Patriarchs. These are the Links which compose that Chain, that fastens Christendom together; were this but once broke, the United Interest of Europe would soon fall into pieces. The Way must be, by beginning at the lowermost Link: Could but the Priests be render'd Independent on the Bishops, and on each other, it would be a fair step toward the dismantling of the Out-works, these Priests drawing infinite Numbers of People after them; as it is appa∣rent in Geneva, Holland, Suisserland and o∣ther Places, where they have quite abolish'd the Order and Authority of Bishops: And it is observable, that none of these foremen∣tioned Countries since that Time, have ever

been Instrumental in opposing the Victorious Arms of the Ottoman Empire; As, if, with the Downfal of Episcopacy, the Charm were dissipated, which had for some Ages precipi∣tated these Nations (among others) to a rash and Obstinate Resistance of that Force, which is destin'd by Fate, to Conquer and Reform the World.

Weigh this Thought well, and thou wilt find, that the Order of Bishops, is Essential and Necessary to the Good Estate of Christen∣dom; and, that the onely Way for the Mus∣sulmans to undermine all Europe, will be, to supplant this Order, and Introduce an Eccle∣siastick Independency among the Priests; by which means, every one shall assume to him∣self, not onely his proper Fragment of the torn Dignity, but the whole Fundamental Power of a Bishop; taking upon him to do those Offices, which before it was not accoun∣ted Lawful for any but a Mitred Head to per∣form. Hence, in Time, will follow innume∣rable Inconveniences, Distastes, and Broils; and, perhaps, as many Schisms, as there are particular Priests to head them: Since, every one will be apt to think himself capable of di∣ctating to all the Rest, and judge it below him to receive the Law from any. Thus, will there be a clear Stage, for Ambition, Avarice and Lust, to act their Parts on; and when, by the Craft of designing Men, the Supersti∣tion of Bigots, and the Easiness of the Credu∣lous, the greatest Part shall be so divided, that it will be difficult to find Two Men of the

same Mind in Articles of Faith; It will then be easie, either by the Intelligible Reasons in the Alcoran, or the more Cogent Arguments of the Sword, to plant the True and Ʋndefiled Faith in these Countries. The Creator of all Things hasten his Holy Prophet's Return, that all Nations may embrace his Law, assert his Ʋnity, and be incorporated into the Glorious Empire of the Ozmans.

Paris, 10th. of the 6th. Moon, of the Year 1643.