The fourth 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 III.

To the Reis Effendi, Principal Secre∣tary of the Ottoman Empire.

THE Devotees among the Franks, talk much of the Jubilee that is to be Cele∣brated this Year at Rome. They enrich their Phancies, with the Hopes of I know not what Spiritual Treasure, which the Roman Mufti or Pontiff, will distribute among the Pilgrims that resort to Rome, during this Ho∣ly Year.

This, as I am told, is Celebrated in Imi∣tation of the Sabbatical Year, formerly ob∣served by the Jews, when they possess'd the Holy Land. The Hebrew Writers, such as Josephus and others, call That also the Year of Jubilee. Their Cabbalists, like the Pythago∣reans, pretended to derive Great Mysteries from certain Numbers: And the Number Se∣ven, was had in particular Veneration by the Hebrews: Therefore they kept every Seventh Day, Week and Year, Holy. In the Seventh Year it was not Lawful to till the Ground, plant Vineyards, or sow any Seed. And when Seven Times Seven Years were expired, the Year of Jubilee was proclaim'd, being always the Fiftieth. They proclaim'd it by Trum∣pets, throughout the whole Country of Pa∣lestine, in the Forty Ninth Year. And the Muezins cry'd in the Gates of their Cities and Synagogues, at the Beginning of the Jubilee:

Let every Man return this Year to his Own Possession and Tribe, whether he be a Slave or Free. He that has sold his Houses or Lands, if he was not before able to redeem them, let him this Year take Possession of his Inheritance. He that is become another Man's Slave, and neither himself nor his Friends can redeem him, let him this Year be dismiss'd, and sent Home to the Family to which he belongs; for, henceforth he is Free, by the Indulgence of the Law. Let no Man sow the Ground, nor gather the Fruits that grow of themselves this Year. But, let the Earth as well as its Inhabitants, enjoy Li∣berty

and Rest; for, this is the Year of Grace and Divine Bounty.

After this Manner was the Hebrew Jubilee Proclaim'd, and Observ'd. And, they say, from hence arose the Custom amongst the Christians, who in many Things may be styl'd the Jews Apes. But others say, that the present Roman Jubilee, is deriv'd from the Secular Games, Celebrated by their Pagan An∣cestors; In Regard, This was renew'd every Hundred Years at first, even as Those Games were. Whence it was, that the Cryer in those Days, at the Indiction of the Secular Games, said, "Come to the Plays which no Man Li∣ving has yet seen, nor shall ever see again. For, Man's Life being Generally so Short, they thought it improbable, that any Mor∣tal should live to see this Solemnity repeated.

The Modern Jubilee, was first Publish'd by Boniface IX. Bishop of Rome, in the Year 1300 of the Christians Hegyra. At which Time, he promis'd Full and Entire Remis∣sion of Sins, to all who should resort in Pil∣grimage to Rome that Year. After him, it was Celebrated every Hundred Year, accor∣ing to his Institution, till the Days of Cle∣ment VI. Who, at the Instance of the Ro∣man Citizens, reduc'd it to every Fiftieth Year. Then Ʋrban VI. another Pope, re∣duc'd it to the Thirty Third Year. And last of all, Paul II. contracted the Interval to Five and Twenty Years. Which Space of Time, has been observ'd by all his Successors to this Day.

If thou wouldst know the Reason, why they have thus alter'd the Periods; It is for Profit. For, in the Year of Jubilee, there is a vast Conflux of People, from all Parts of Eu∣rope: Who bring a far greater Treasure into the Roman Coffers, than they carry away from that City. Though the Pope, 'tis said, is very Liberal of that which they call the Trea∣sure of the Church: Which is a certain Fund of Merits, and Superabundant Graces, left by the Messiah and his Saints, in the Custody of this Prelate, to supply the Defects and Infir∣mities of Sinful Men. And they believe, 'tis only in his Power, to dispose of this Heavenly Wealth to whom he pleases. They talk also of Indulgencies and Pardons, whereby the Holy Father can redeem Men from all Sin, and the Punishments that are due to it. And this Wonderful Prerogative, they say, does not only benefit the Living, but extends even to the Souls Departed; whom the Pope, accord∣ing to their Persuasion, can free from the Torments of Purgatory, and at his Pleasure admit into the Gates of Paradise.

We that are Mussulmans, cannot declaim against the Doctrine of Praying for the Dead, since it is practis'd by all the Faithful. Nei∣ther have we Reason to inveigh against Indul∣gencies, or Releases from Penance. But that the Power of granting and dispensing these Favours, should be only reposited in the Christian Mufti, will not accord with the Faith of a True Believer. We know who swore by the Hoofs of his Swift and Faithful

Elborach, which in One Night carry'd him a Journey of Six Moons, that from thenceforth the Key of Aaraf, or the Place of Prisons, was committed to him. Doubtless, the Om∣nipotent can transfer his Commissions, when and to whom he pleases. If he once gave this Authority, of Remitting Sins, to the Messiah, and Peter his Lieutenant, does it follow, that all Peter's Successors, the Califfs of Rome, have retain'd this Privilege? There have been many Good Men in that Seat, and not a Few Wicked: Some Prophets, and some Magicians: A Catalogue interpers'd with Saints, Mar∣tyrs, Butchers and Devils.

But 'tis evident, they forfeited their Au∣thority, when they declin'd from the Truth, from the unblameable Profession of the Divine Ʋnity, and resisted the Messenger of Heaven, sent to correct their Errors, reform their Vices, and reduce Mankind to One Law of Purity and Light.

I write not Partially, nor am I imbitter'd against the Patriarch of the Romans. He is a Man like others, subject to the Will of De∣stiny. The Babylonian Califfs and those of Egypt, Successively enjoy'd the same Power, transmitted to them from the Prophet, who seal'd up all the Former Dispensations. Yet in Time, through their Sins, they forfeited their Authority, together with their Empire, when the Bright Osmans Conquer'd All Things. Then was the Prophetick Office translated to our Mufti, the Guide of those who possess the Sepulchre of Mahomet. To him all the World

ought to have Recourse for Solution of their Doubts, Direction in their Lives, Absolution from their Sins, and for the Passport of Im∣mortality, the Fefta requir'd of all that enter the Gates of Paradise.

But all Mortals, are Naturally tenacious of whatsoever advances their Honour and Inte∣rest. Kings hug Empty Titles, that yield them no Profit. And the Roman Bishops, are un∣willing to acknowledge themselves divested of the Privileges, which were once annex'd to that Chair of Peter. They shew the Keys, the Symbols of a Power, which they have lost. And the Credulous Nazarenes believe, that Heaven and Hell are Open'd and Shut at their Pleasure. On the Eve of the Messiah's Na∣tivity, the Present Pope Knock'd Three Times with a Golden Hammer, at the Gates of the Principal Mosque in Rome. Which were then Open'd, to signifie the ensuing Year of Jubilee; when the Christians are persuaded, that Hea∣ven is open to all that visit Rome in this Holy Time.

I wish thee a Life of many Jubilee's.

Paris, 9th. of the 3d. Moon, of the Year 1650.