COunt Serini, who hath promiſed and performed wonders, was born at Serini-mark, Novem. 14. 1612. Son to that great Serini who promoted the thirty years League; and Grandchild to a greater, who maintained as many years War againſt him. Elaborated and pure blood fills thoſe heroick Veins, habituated for noble undertakings, and maturated for glory by a conſtant exerciſe and practice of Proweſs and Valour this 200 years. The buſie Aſtrologer, who ſeeth nothing remarkable on earth, but he expects ſomething correſponding with it in heaven, obſerves, That at his birth, cir • a horam octavam pom. Mars and jupiter were lodged in the ſame quarter; and thence concludes this Noble 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 perſons warlike diſpoſition and ſucceſs, that he was born to ſave an Empire, and enjoy a Kingdom: the firſt prediction (enough to credit a Stargazer) is made as probable by his Conduct and Reſolution, as the other will be rendred ridiculous by his Integrity and Modeſty. His father dying (they ſay) in his minority, left him to a noble Uncles tuition, with his brother Count Peter, who bred him to all ingenious and manlike accompliſhments, improving and poliſhing his great Nature by greater Arts, under the care of Barlini, for Grammar, Rhetorique, and Moral Philoſophy; under Skookius for Natural Philoſophy and Divinity; under Van Skinderlen for Mathematiques, eſpecially the moſt Practical Part, of Fortifications, Encamping, Navigation, wherein he excels; Endowments that furniſh and adorn him, that abate the roughneſs of his ſpirit to an amiable complaiſance, and limit the activeneſs of it to uſeful undertakings. His Retirements did not threaten him more perverſe, then his firſt appearance abroad promiſed him noble and manlike: for as Guſtavus Adolphus privately ſtole abr •• 〈◊〉 •• er other Princes to • it himſelf 〈…〉 own Kingdome; ſo he in Guſtavus his ſervice againſt the Empire injured himſelf to do noble Enterpriſes for it.

This Heroes Temper is as renowned His Diſpoſition. as his Actions, his Conſtitution as high as his Performances; his Underſtanding clear, diſtinct and ſolid; his Memory methodical, tenacious, and ready; his Paſſions ſtirring, but regulated; quickning, but not diſturbing his Soul, raiſing him to the utmoſt of Vertue, but not beyond it. His ſanguine Complexion is allayed with a due temperament of Northern Melancholy, which makes his wary Conduct as eminent as his great Spirit; the firſt temper rendring him reſolved, but not raſh; the ſecond cautious, but not uſeleſs: his ſevere Nature complying rather with the ſtrictneſs of his Vertues, then the freedome and licenſes of his Fortune, would be never tempted to the ſoft di • erſions and enjoyments that youth allied to greatneſs is born to, from the direct courſes of Manhood and Vertue that an hero • ck Nature advanced by honourable imp • ovements inclines to. His ſtature raiſed him to a juſt height • , handſome rather then tall, neither me • g •• nor co • pulent, but every way •• oportionable. His Countenance is rather grave then grim; at once a • ing and pleaſing thoſe that ſpeak with him. His Eye is quick and diſcerning; his Hair brown and lovely; his Geſture and G • te majeſtick, not out of affectation, but Nature. His Body habituated to Labours, and a ſ • ranger to the Effeminate Dalliances of a great Fortune, that ſoften thoſe No • le Souls to Luxury and exceſs, that are born for ſeverer toyls and exerciſes. Indeed, this excellent perſon ſeems to be made for greatneſs, though • e were not born to it; to deſerve a Command, if he had not inherited it: for his Prudence is as great as his His Pru • ence. Power, and his Contrivances as well • aid as they are ſucceſſively executed; his acu • e and happy apprehenſion reaching as for a •• is Au • ho • ity, and he commanding not more different Nations in the field, then • e doth excellent Notions in his cl •• er. None • eeth the d •• k Int • i • ues of States more perſpi • u ••• : none hath weighed the 〈◊〉 of Europe more ſeriouſly; none manageth the different humours of men to an accommodation and temper more happily; invents and diſpoſeth means more advantagiouſly; finds out expe • ients more • appily; aſſ • yls emergent difficulties more p • o • p ••• uſly; looks through the di ••• nces of Actions and Agents unto events • o • e throughly. He keeps twel • e Penſioners in the Turkiſh Court and Camp, and foretold this invaſion a year before the Emperour could believe it. He ſaid at Vienna that there would be no Wars in Italy t • is year; he hath propoſed the proportion of forces the reſpective States and Kingdomes can ſpare, and the Empire admit, together with the moſt ſecure way of their admittance, viz. The Proteſtant aſſiſtance to be diſpoſed among the Papiſts, and the Papiſts among the Proteſtants, to avoid jealouſie, and ſecure the Auſtrian Intereſts. And it was he who had the chief hand in theſe Rix-Conſtitutions following, firſt framed at the Council of War at Vienna, and then confirmed at the Diet of Regenſpurg, Viz.

1. That the Forces appertaining to the Ricks-Conſtitutions, ſhall as well in as out of action ſtand ſubject, and engaged to every reſpective State which levied and raiſed them; being nevertheleſs ſubject to his Imperial Ma • eſty, according to the Copy of Articles.

2. That the Ricks Army ſhall be under the Direction of his Imperial Majeſty, to be ordered and appointed by the Generalſhip, and Council of War.

3. This Ricks-Conſtitution now made againſt the Common Enemy, ſhall continue ſo long, as the S • ates ſhall finde it requiſite, and after that time to revert.

4. To the maintaining of the ſaid Army, every State is to ſee its own forces being levied, and brought into the field, to be provided for in this Expedition, according to the dire •• ion agreed upon.

5. Officers ſhall be appointed for proviſion for man and horſe, and for ſetling other requiſite Injunctions and Orders.

6. For preventing contention among the Officers and Commanders about their competency, proviſional care ſhall be taken according to cuſtome of War, and certain particular agreements to be made.

7. The Artillery, and what belongs to it, ſhall be committed to ſuch as are experimentally skilled therein; and his Imperial Majeſties advice to be deſired thereupon.

8. All care and diligence ſhall be uſed for the 〈◊〉 of a ſtrict and frequent intelligence upon all occaſions of imminent danger; and for the ſpeed • er advance of the Publique Work, all matters ſhall be handled by Deputies, except ſuch as • re of extraordinary import, and th • ſe ſhall be referred to the Higher Colledges, by them to be m • naged according to Juſtice and Equity.

La •• ly, it is reſolved tha • his Imperial Majeſty be ſubma • ly requeſte in the name of the Electoral Princes, and other Princes and States, that the Diſpatches to Forraign Kings, Potentates and Republiques, may with all ſpeed be expedited for aſſiſtance: and to remove all obſtructions to the perfection of the work, it is judged requiſite that every State a •• Circuit take care forthwith to provide all neceſſaries of Men, Moneys, Ammunition, &c. And to this end that Meetings be appointed of the reſpective Circuits, to haſten the buſineſs all that is poſsible; and that the proportion of the impoſed Triple be timely notified to every State and Circuit; and that they bring in their Horſe and Foot, anſwerable to the Rule of the Old Regiſter, to be in the Field at the end of March, if poſsible, or at furtheſt by the middle of April. And in caſe any ſhall be ready to march ſooner, they are at liberty ſo to do, and ſufficient caution is taken, by the direction of the Ri • ks Conſtitution, that • orn, and other neceſſaries ſhall be • ocured, and carried from Country to Country through the reſpective Territories where they march, without paying of Cuſtome. And his Imperial Majeſty is to be farther requeſted, that the heavy Artillery with the Trayn may be with all ſpeed advanced. And it is alſo ordered how every State ſhall contribute to the maintaining of the Generalſhip, and what courſe ſhall be taken concerning Refractories.

There is not a Nook, Corner, Paſs, Bridge, or Avenue of Hungary, Croatia, Sileſia, Auſtria, or Stiria, &c. but he hath obſerved: wherefore there is not a week paſſeth over his head, but the brave Count enſnares ſome Infidels, drawing them who are ſtrangers to the Countries into his toyls and ambuſhes; cuts off their Convoys, attaques their Rear or Front, and makes them weary of their lives. By this means he takes in the little towns that they neglect, and fortifieth them to very great advantages: he layeth waſte their proviſions, cuts off their correſpondence, way-layeth their Intelligences, and with 20000 men holds 250000 in play for ſix months together.

He hath done wonders to accommodate the jealouſies between his Country and his Maſter: he admits few or no Germans to his ſervice, to ſatisfie the Hungarians; he admits no Hungarians without Oath, to ſecure the Empire. None more obſervant of the Emperors commands, none more careful of his Countries intereſt; no Commander obligeth the people more, none jealouſeth the Emperor leſs then the brave Serini, at once a wonder, the peoples darling, and their Princes Favourite; great in their reſpect that are below him, greater in their affection that are above him; none more ſenſible than he of thoſe particulars wherein conſiſts the ſtrength of the Infidels, and the weakneſs of the Chriſtians; as firſt, he hath proved one day at Table with Montecuculi, that the Turk could not have pitched upon a more advantagious ſeaſon for the Invaſion of Chriſtendom, then theſe three years, theſe three hundred years; the greateſt Politicians now extant, as he obſerved, being more imployed in balancing the Intereſt of Europe upon the ſeveral late great alterations, than in raiſing ſuch banks that might ſtop this general inundation upon the face of the Weſtern world; decrepid Spain beſtowing all its cares to ſave it ſelf from France, now rich and potent; France amuzing all the European Princes, that he may ſeize on Spain; England and Denmark having much ado to keep its own peace; the Emperor and all his Dominions being mortally engaged in fears, jealouſies, and ſuſpi • ions; Poland and Muſcovy irreconcileably at enmity, and the Paramount Power of Rome, ſince the laſt Election in Frankford, and there much ingaged by the diſcontents of Italy, the faction of Portugal, and the revenge of France. And after this diſcourſed, he adviſed the accommodation of theſe States, as the firſt expedient againſt the common enemy. He ſaid one day that a total abſtinence from Wine, though looked upon vulgarly as a leſs pertinent peice of P • udence then really it is, is the moſt material inſtance of their Policy, now extant; for as he obſerved, Order preſerves their Diſc • pline among a numberleſs rabble, when the want of it diſ ••• ereth our moſt civil and well-trained Regi • ents: Wine enervates our Bodies, and effe • inates our Sou • s, while the want of it ſtrengthneth and knitteth both theirs; beſides that men are tranſported by it beyond their own natures, to thoſe reſearches and undertakings that endanger a good Government, and will overth • ow a bad one. Wine diſcovers ſecrets, unſetleth reſolutions, diſordereth M • rches, is unſuitable to heats and labors; wherefore it's forbid likewiſe in his Camp.

It eſcaped not his Obſervation one day as he was marching towards Croatia, that the Turks having nothing Hereditary, all honor, profit, and advantage being beſtowed on deſert, and determining with life, without the leaſt partiality ſhewed to Greatneſs of birth, or place, or policy conſiderable, not only for reſtraining the Ambition of the unworthy that aſpire to undeſerved honor and truſt, but for encouraging all men to ſome uſeful imployment, wherein they may advance themſelves and the Publike, and be ready to appear one day in the Field, and the other in the Shop; whereupon he hath ever ſince encouraged Souldiers of Fortune with his own countenance, and the Plunder of his Victories, maintaining an Impartial parity throughout his Army, in relation to every thing but deſert, none appearing higher or lower than the reſt, but by the ſervices they perform, and the places they fill up and diſcharge, guiding his reſolved handful with the two reins of Fear and Hope; Fear reſtraining the careleſs, and Hope quickning the induſtrious; two reins, which whoſoever hath the Art to handle, may guide the world whither he pleaſeth: his Cowards dying with reproach and damnation, while his Valiant followers live and ſee all Offices and Commands in the Van of their brave Actions, and the joys of heaven attending them in the Rear; ſo obliging the Covetous, the Am • itious, and the Superſtitious, where the meaneſt may be deſert attain the higheſt happineſs which the greateſt miſſeth without it.

One day a Kinſman of mine Frederick Van Holden, diſcourſing before him why Eunuchs are choſen Commanders in chief by the Grand Seignio • , he ſaid that that might be thought a defect in that Government, by ſuch as do not watily obſerve that caution and circumſpection are no leſs, if not more neceſſary in a Commander, than a daring and an undaunted reſolution in a Souldier; it being one thing to execute, and another thing to direct; more Armies periſhing by want of Moderation and Prudence in the General, then of Valour in the Souldiers; beſides, as one obſerved ſtanding by, That their unconcernment in reference to Poſterity, which they expect not, is a ſure pledge of their Faithfulneſs, they having no hopes beyond their own life, now famous by great Commands: whence the Noble Count admits few married men to his Camp, that are ſhackled with relations, and as one ſaith, like fond Apes, chained to their own homes and intereſts, but looſe Reformades that fancy each place to • e their own habitation, becauſe no place can afford courſer meat, harder lodging, or worſe uſage than they have at home: in a word, • e hath brought his Voluntiers to this great reſolve, either to live bravely, or to dye honorably.

It was debated once at a Council of War, whether they ſhould give Quarter or no: where Serini was for giving Quarter, and inu • ing the Turks to a Commerce and familia • i • y with more civil and knowing people, who might infect them with ſome ingenuity and humanity; beſides that they were under ſuch daring apprehenſions of fate and death, that they could better diſpenſe with the danger of a ſlaughter than an Impriſonment. And deſpair in one caſe rendred them reſolute, while fear of their own hard uſage in the other, made them faint, and (as one obſerves) he that con • idereth that the Turk is not of ſo poor an allay, as ſome Princes, who are undo • e by a Victory, if it coſt too dear, may ſee his deſign in a great part ſatisfied by the ſlaughter and loſs of his Souldiers; the too great increaſe of ſuch Spirits, being all he hath reaſon to fear.

That g • eat particular the Noble Serini in … upon, is, to give the • nfidel a Battle, who (as he and others have obſerved) having ſuffered the 〈◊〉 check, … eth not on the ſame ground to receive another, but retu • neth home, as unwilling to tempt his Fortune fu • ther that expedition; concluding wiſely (ſays my Author) that it is very unlikely for a diſcontended Army to perform what ſhe could not bring about when the Soldiery was in full plight; and that the cauſe of the overthrow is to be ſearched into before an attempt 〈…〉 a ſecond Battle, though the Commander appear never ſo confident of … ceſs; it ſuiting with their intere • t both in honor and ſafety, to venture all rather then come out of the Field with ſo great a reproach. Con •• deration (ſaith he) below a Supream power, to whom ſecurity ought be more dear then any thing that carrieth the countenance of a greater or leſſer advantage.

The Infidels ſtrength conſiſting in his Cavalry, the vigilant Count cuts off their forrage and Hay in all Quarters; and knowing the fewd between theſe and the Infantry, bred either by Cuſtom, Nature, or Art, for fear of combinations, he increaſeth it (by forcing them to encroach upon each others Quarters) to a tumult very often, particularly upon the Borders of Croati • , where they drew up the one againſt the other for the Litter, which the one claimed for their Horſes accommodation, and the other for their own.

It was one day diſcourſed at his Table, that it was to be feared England could yeild no • uccor in this common diſtreſs of Chriſtendom, becauſe of its diſcontents and diviſions. Where, ſaid a Noble perſon, is there more diſcontent then in Turky? And yet where more numerous ſupplies and levies? For, ſaid he, thoſe who at home breed Sedition and tumults, being ſent abroad, propagate Honor and Dominion: the Pleuriſie of a turbulent State, and the Spirits of Rebellion cannot be better evaporated, then by opening the peoples • eins in ſome Foraign parts. He ſaid, one day to one that related the King of Fra • ce his unconcernedneſs in the preſent diſtreſs of Europe, that if the Grand Seignior once Di • ed at Vienna, he would Sup at Paris; and another time the Pope coming in his way for whom he hath no great kindneſs, he ſaid, That Chriſtianity had long ere this obtained an univerſal Empire, had not the Pope a • pited to one in Chriſtendom; for his Holineſs ſhall with eaſe make a com • ination againſt a Chriſtian Prince that he fears at hand, which all Europe cannot make againſt the Mahumetan, whom he neglects at diſtance.

Although he hath not, as Mithridates His Policy in entertaining ſeveral people into his ſervice▪ and others had, an exact account of each Souldier that ſerved him; yet he obſerved moſt, taking good notice what Countreys they were of; for he entertains ſeveral people, who compoſed of ſeveral ayres, cannot aſſociate with that eaſe as Armies made up of one Language (which like the Swiſſe, do not ſeldom cry out Gelt, Gelt, when they have the Enemy in view) for w • ich reaſon he truſts very • ew with ſtrong Holds, (places he • o •• i •• eth on • ly upon the Frontiers) which may be ſold by a Comm • nder, who can make nothing of a Battle. Yet although the Turk never makes Religion the c • uſe Eng • ging fo • R • l • gion of his War, for fea • of an univerſal Engagement: the pru • ent Coun • unites all his Forces by that obliging name, which awakens the aſſiſtance and ſervice of all that profeſſe it: the pooreſt man, ſaith one, taking himſelf ſo far intereſted in the vindication of his Faith, that if he hath nothing elſe to venture, he will think it ſacriledge to deny himſelf and all; laying aſide the pre • udice and ha •• ed they • ear their neighbours, for this general conce • nment equally comprehending their neighbours and themſelves.

It's looked on in that Countrey as the peculiar opinion of that brave perſon, that there ſhould never be I • m king 〈◊〉 le • gue with the 〈◊〉 , or t • eaty. any league with that barbarous Enemy, who is as devoid of faithfulneſs, as he is of faith; and never tyeth himſelf up ſo ſtreight by promiſe, or o • ligation, but that he hath •• ill a •• uſe to • reep • ut at: and in this ( • aith my friend) he is not a li •• le • eh • l • ing to the manner of his 〈◊〉 , always fuller of hyperbolical civilities, than real aſ •• rances; and to his Miniſters of State, whoſe he • ds muſt compound for his treachery: And • o carry on a p •• p • tual War, the • e • etian But carrying 〈◊〉 • 〈◊〉 War, and ſending the Jeſuites amo • g the T ••• s to divide them, ſhould be aſſiſted, who fights the Turk upon the greateſt advantages imaginable; and the Jeſuites, with other active Prieſts, ſhould turn the tide of their policy (which hath engaged Europe in ſo many Troubles and Controverſies) towards the In •• dels, and weaken them with as many Diviſions as we periſh with, eſpecially conſidering (as the ſmart Satyriſt • aith) that the Muſſelmans profeſſion is grown up to as high an earthly felicity, univerſality, and conſent, as the Papacy. Neither do they want as great antiquity for ſome of their Tenets, the which if they once come to be waſhed over by the varniſh of Learning, the Muſti may, aſſiſted with his Maſters force, turn his Holineſſe out of Rome, as that Biſhop did the Emperour. Much might be done, if a Jeſuite did but perſonate the grand Impo • or, now • i • en from his grave, according to his wor • ; for he might poſſibly work ſo far upon the multitude, as to make them fall ſoul among themſelves; a breach in Religion being found the readieſt way The policy of entertaining the grand Seigniors younger brothers. to let in that Ocean of C • lami • ies we ſee overfloweth the Kingdoms of the Earth: and as much, if the younger brothers who are ſure to be made a ſacrifice to the elder, were ſhewed the way to ſecure themſelves in Europe, whence they might appear with an Army in Aſia, at any time, to let looſe thoſe diſcontents that are kept in onely by force and power, watching The policy of an offenſive War. all opportunities to break out to tumults and rebellion, to which may be added an offenſive War; it having been the great defect of Chriſtandome hitherto, to ſtand upon the defenſive: whereas the great Turk ſeldom troubles himſelf with Embaſſies, treaties, but appears always the firſt in the Field, enjoying this advantage, that he makes other Countries the ſtage of War; and meeting with all humours, divides thoſe at home with certain hopes or fears attending the great alteration he brings along with him, who would be united abroad in their engagements againſt him: Beſides that the Chriſtian Princes ſpend more in watching one another in time of peace, than would carry on a War againſt this Infidel.

The confederates in Hungary have by common advice, wherein our Stopping Printing & Controverſies. Count was not the leaſt concerned, put a ſtop upon Printing and • ice controverſies; this brave Souldier having as little kindneſſe for curious Co • web-ſpinners, as the Heroick Guſtav • s had for ſubtile Metaphy • itians; obſerving, that the Barbarian finding Printing and over-fine learning the chief • omenters of Diviſions in Chriſtendom, hath hitherto excluded them his Territories; and whileſt we looſe our choiſeſt years in uſeleſſe diſquiſitions, theſe rude people appear more adapted to State-employments, and ſooner furniſhed with clear and ſolid reaſon drawn from prudent and leſſe-er • ing experience, and were never yet out-reached by the moſt politick and knowing Princes or States of Chriſtendom; the great Sultan ſuffering none to attain any perfection but what he hath uſe for. Idle valour being the Tool (ſaith my friend) as Learning and Knowledge are the operations of all civil Diſſentions.

To ſay no more of State-prudence, our great Commanders Field-diſcretion His Field-prudence. is admirable: Not a man of his Souldiers knoweth where they go upon a Deſign or Surprize, until they are upon the very place and enterprize: he hovers like old Fabius upon hills, mountains, and narrow places, His ſurprizes. leſt in place he might be ſwallowed up by the number, or tyred with the Importunities of the Turk, with whom he skirmiſhes, but dares not •• ght; trepans ſometimes into corners, but never engageth in open field. He marcheth alwayes with his men not above • ix deep, that they may all be ſerviceable, and come to His d • ſcipline. play in their Tu • ns; inu • ing them likewiſe to long & hard Expeditions, whereby he out goeth and ſurprizeth the flow and great Body of the Infidels; yet always refreſhing and quickning them with abundant proviſion, and a great example. He imboldneth His marches. & preſerveth his ableſt men, by providing for them a compleat Armour which he weareth himſelf, and ſo makes that which otherwiſe would be a burthen, an honour to his pattern: To this he annexeth another excellent piece of Policy, that he never chargeth the Enemy until they come within Piſtol-ſhot, when he gives order for the effectual diſcharge of that ſhot at hand, which would have been loſt at diſtance, directing his Souldiers always to aim at the leggs.

He hath moreover, as the great Guſtavus before him, reſtored the neglected His encamping. way of encamping; whereby he is ſo ſecure, that being well intrenched, in ſpig • t of his vaſt Enemies, he will fight for no mans pleaſure but his own: No ſeeming ſlight diſorder of the Enemies ſhall deceive him, neither ſhall any violence force him from his hold and reſolution, to take all, and to give no advantage: Neither is he leſſe careful to diſlodge the Enemies, whoſe round and Half-Moon way the provident General often incommodates, by forcing them to narrow and cloſe retirements, or charging in ſeveral places, and amuſing the • with diſtracted fears, and confuſed allarms, whereby the outſide of their circle falls foul upon the inſide, and their firſt guards retreat back upon the ſecond, who can neither aſſiſt them, nor ſave themſelves. Their Scaladoes are as obſervable as His way of ſcaling and aſſaulting. their Entrenchment, wherein it's a queſtion whether he • e more prudent in deſigning, o • his Souldiers prompt in executing; who climb as if they had Ayry bodies, and ſtrike as if they had Iron hands. At his approach before His ſummons. a Town, as that of Sigeth, &c. he hangs out a white Fl • g the firſt day, to intimate f • ir terms upon preſent ſurrendry: he hangs out a green Flag the ſecond, and a black the third, ſignif • ing that they lie at his mercy: and 〈◊〉 • n • er a Running blind he draweth before the place, giving orders immediately for batteries, aſſaults, and ſtorming, deeming di • atory wars of a uſe not ſuitable to his little ſtrength, and leſſe ſuccour, being not without ſome correſpondence His correſpondence. in every place he ſets before; to which I add an excellent invention he hath found to ſecure his Artillery before any place by running ramparts of wall ſet alwayes before them: He never ſate before any place above a week, and never miſſed any he ſate before.

He hath been much diſtreſſed by the Emperours neglect, or the Empires His way of compoſing mutinies. neceſſities, to the danger of Mutinies among his Souldiers, and revolts: but as ſoon as the men of Fortune complain •• , he had a 〈◊〉 deſign upon a • own o • C • n • ey in hand▪ that w • uld make all whole, and ſatisfie all expectations.

Having obſerved many Spies got into his Camp, as they who diſcovered How he prevents Spies. his adventure abroad with the 16 Cavaliers, he took this courſe to diſcover them: He built a houſe upon wheels without the Camp, for all ſtrangers that arrived, who are there lodged, and treated, if they have any buſineſſe to communicate to him, whereby he prevents their ſneaking into his Camp, and diſcove • ing what is done there: Every evening the Watch-word is given, and every man repairs to his Quarters▪ and if any is found out of • is Rank, or gadding out of his Quarters, he dieth without mercy: ſo that there is no ſafety or ſhelter for Spies or Intelligencers about him: And if any ſtrange perſons offer their ſervice, he diſpoſeth of them ſo, that they may neither betray his deſigns, nor hold intelligence with his Enemies; although he hath thoſe Penſioners in the Turkiſh Court that give him copies of all their deſigns, orders, decrees, together with His Cou • t •• fei • i • g the •• z • ers ſeal. an ingen • ou • Counterfeit, that can write his Secretaries hand as exactly as himſelf.

Our wary General obſerving the moſt raſh Commanders of 〈◊〉 Turks, always attempts th •• ; and one time taking notice of a diſtance between his Enemies full of b • ia • s and thorns, he placed his brother Peter there in His ambuſh, ambuſh with a choice B • igade, and then commande • his Croatian Horſe to charge a young Baſhaw; who draws out all his Souldiers in battel-array, and marches through the Thickets ſecurely, untill Count Nicholas charging him in the Van, his B • other ſell upon his Rear and Flank out of the Ambuſh.

One day the noble General was His way of paying his Souldiers. preſſed for money by his Souldiers; when pretending he had loſt a rich Plate, he ſearched all their Tents, and brought out all their money, which was thrice more than they demanded, ſaying, what they had was enough to live upon, and more than they had was too much to looſe: And when it was given out that Abafti would ſpare his Land; to enjealous His diſſembling of treaſon. him and his, the provident Heroe reſigned his whole eſtate into the Emperours hands, to ſtand or fall with his Intereſt. As careful was he not to take, as not to give offence: For there being one day a liſt of Traytors preſented to him by a Renegado, he ſeeing through the Plot to divide him and his chief Officers, burned the liſt, neither reading it himſelf, nor ſuffering others to do ſo; and removed the Informer out of the way, leſt by his fraudulent diſcoveries he might give new occaſion of ſedition.

Count Peter Serini, whom we may • oyn to his Brother, being complained to, as he was in the Council of War, of a Souldier that had taken away 500 Rixdollars from a Countryman; Count Nicholas asked him for his Evidence: he ſaid he would take his oath of it, but he had no witneſſes of it; the Count bids him retire, and ſends for the company wherein that Souldier was, and bids them lay down their Arms, and withdraw, His diſcovery of the •• . for he had a deſign to put them upon, which they did cheerfully; whereupno informing himſelf where his Souldiers Quarters was, he ſent his Muſket to his Landlady, and upon that token required her to ſend him the money, which the woman did; the General chargeth the Souldier with the money, who denyeth it, until the Emperour produceth the bag; whereat the appaled wretch fell at his feet, and begged, and had mercy.

Being brought by the miſtake of His ſtrat • gem. his Guides into a place of great diſadvantage, wherein he was in danger to be beſet by Abafti on the one hand, and the Baſſa of Buda on the other, which cauſed great fear and aſtoniſhment among his Souldiers; he ſtood upon his guard untill night, and then ſetting light matches in the hedges, he ranged his men in Battalia, and cauſed them to march fair and ſoftly (while the young Baſhaw drew towards the hedges, which he thought were drawn up in Battle-ar • ay) bringing them off without the • oſſe of one man.

Having defeated a party of Turks, he clad 200 of his men one day in Turkiſh habits, and gave them order to ſeize Neutra, where they got through all the Guards till they came to the Caſtle, returning with ſpoyl, and Priſoners. To conclude, he hath contrived many ſuſpitious Letters to withdraw Abafti from the Viſier, and the Viſier from him: He hath drawn the Infidels by miſunderſtanding from one part of the Country to another: He hath pretended to treat with them till he finiſhes his deſignes; he hath fortified himſelf before their eyes.

Being advanced in power and command, His diſ • reet modeſty. it may be expected by ſome, that he ſhould no longer retain the modeſty which the ſhades of his privacy had accuſtomed him to, but now appear the great Atlas of the Empire, and the Champion of Chriſtendome: But though all things are changed without him, yet is he not changed within; for he avoids all grandeur to remove the Emperours jealouſies, which may be provoked by his forwardneſs, to his own and the publique ruine, to enjoy the ſafety of privacy, and to witneſſe his prudent modeſty, which enclined to learn the methods of Commanding by the practice of obedience; for being of a well-compoſed temper, he affects not to embroyl the Camp, and thence the Empire in Factions, the products of impotent minds, which he knoweth would overthrow himſelf and the whole State; he chooſeth to expect a ſure, though delayd greatneſſe, rather than by a compendious way of Rivalry to attain a precocious power that groweth up with envy training about it, and ends in ruine.

Finding the Countrey abuſed by Malecontents, with incredible diligence His way of obliging the Countrey. he moves from place to place, and by excellent courage and conduct appears not only worthy of their reſpect and love, but of their lives and fortunes; in all places exciting the fearful by his example, encouraging the faithful with his Countenance, openly owning the good ſervice of the people, and diſſembling their failures. He ſo far prevails upon all that are not wholly debauched to Infidelity, that he hath got an Army that may protect his friend, though it cannot meet the enemy, which is every day encreaſed by ſuch knowing perſons as refuſe to be polluted any longer with the cheats & deluſions of thoſe men that deſign the moſt horrid ſlavery, under the pretence of the largeſt freedom: many Noblemen impove • iſh themſelves to ſupply him; & others more private, break through innumerable dangers to fight under • is Colours: Many great Ladies part with the ornaments of their Sex to relieve him, and with their Huſbands to ſerve him: ſo general is the influence of his great name, his powerful eloquence, his indefatigable induſtry, and his moſt obliging Converſe.

But his prudence is no abatement of his courage and reſolution; which His courage and reſolution. is as much above dangers, as his wiſdom is above ſnares; as he never provokes dangers, ſo he never fears them: and though he cannot come off with conqueſt, yet he terreats with honour: When fortune fails him in ſucceſſe, his own ſoul never fails him in renown and glory; for to attempt a victory againſt an incenſed Enemy that had more companies than he had men, that threatned Chriſtendome, when all men were amazed, is an argument of ſuch courage as would have made that Senate of gallant perſons, who were the moſt competent Judges of valour, and never cenſured vertue by the ſucceſſe, but thanked their imprudent Conſul for not deſpairing of the Common-wealth, when he gathered up thoſe broken legions which his raſhneſſe had obtruded to an overthrow, to have ordered a triumph for Serini's retreats, had his perſon been one of the ornaments of that age, or could thoſe generations have reckoned him for their example. His Chriſtianity inclines him always to Peace, his fortitude may force his Adverſaries to it; he may be betrayed, he can never be overcome. The Empires fate may yield to the Infidel, his fears never; he wants not reſolution when he wants power, his great mind being his conſtitution: that a General ſhould adventure abroad with ſixteen men, in a place thronged with his enemies, was noble; but that he ſhould defeat three hundred enemies, is admirable; being to cut off the Infidels paſſage over the Danow, his men ſhrunk at the attempt, till the renowned Chieftain with a Pike in his hand, taught the ſouldiers that he could equally endure labors and deſpiſe dangers, and by a communication of toiles encouraged them to reſolutions beyond themſelves: for he was the firſt man that came on in that deſign, and the laſt that drew off.

His Spirit was above dangers, and His patience. his patience equal with them; he durſt do great things, but not greater than he could ſuffer; the fate of Chriſtendom affords him difficulties to exerciſe his patience, and the God of Chriſtendom gives him patience to weather out thoſe difficulties in the middeſt of the diſtractions and buſineſs of the Camp; he enjoyeth a calm Serenity, and a ſolid mind full of its own greatneſs; this vertue not uſual with great perſonages, who are above the hardſhips of it, makes him forget, what his own condition alloweth him to enjoy, while he is wholly intent upon what the preſent exigences oblige him to endure: no Trials of vertue greater than his, and none better born; he may loſe his life, but not his patience: he ſtands whole His diligence in viewing his works. days by his Workmen in fortifying either Caſtles or Paſſes; he expects a whole night his ſeveral Intelligencers and Spies; he ſleeps not above four hours in the night, diſpoſing moſt of his time to Counſels, Debates, Expreſſes; & replies ſo unweariedly, that it looks like an Improbability now, and will be a very impoſſibility hereafter—he can have the patience to follow a Country-Fellow afoot five or ſix miles to obſerve a Paſſage, and to return home without it: he hath as much Paſſion as may quicken, but not tranſport his Soul: he acts nothing when provoked, cooling his greateſt paſſion in a private entertainment, apart from all affairs: he never doth that by a ſubſtitute, which he can do himſelf, having obſerved that never was Empire gained but by a mans ſelf, and never loſt but by another; he can ſtill gain skill by a tedious experience, and look on a daring and proud enemy, and yet not ſtir out of his own reſolution, untill he hath tried the ſtrength, and skirmiſhed with a Forlorn of his enemies: he and his C • oates, as Guſtavus and his Swedes, fight beſt when they ſee their own Breath: His Harveſt of Victory, is in a ſharp Snow and Froſt, and hi • followers have moſt life in the dead of Winter; he would do nothing i • revocable in haſte, neither expreſs what he cannot recall, nor attempt what he cannot amend (he ſaith) he will never do in an inſtant, what an age cannot recompence—His Fears were little, his hopes were leſs; he diſpoſed of means, and truſted the end to Providence; and proportioned his deſign, not to his expectation, but his enjoyments; and when his hope breaks, his patience holds.

His mercy and tenderneſs were as eminent as his patience: that Valou • His mercy an • tenderneſs which is in others Leavened to vigor, was in him ſoftened with Clemency; none ever periſhed that he could ſave, he is ſparing even of Infidels blood, and prodigal of none; he gives li • e to the Barbarians ſooner t • an they deſire it; while he engageth them as Enemies, he forgets not they are men: He was never ſo much concerned, as when the poor people who ſubmitted to the Turk, for fear to thoſe that fall off for fear▪ they ſhould be proceeded againſt as Traytors; he admoniſheth often, corrects ſeldom, but never revengeth; none being loſt, that he hath eithe • skill or power to ſave, but always with an eye to the common intereſt, never allowing private Indulgence to increaſe the Publike miſery: i • men are doubtful, he ſatisfieth them; if they waver, he confirmeth them; • f they are falſe, he winketh at them, and attempts all the methods of obliging, before he commenceth that of deſtroying: Fire and Sword are his laſt Arguments. The firſt whereof, like Veſpaſian, the del • ght of mankind, he would quench with his tears, the ſecond peirceth his own breaſt deeper than the bowels of any: His mercy is like that of the moſt High, incircled His mercy. with power, not the weakneſs of a low ſpirit, but the Debonaire of an Heroick one. He never invironeth the enemy to a neceſſity of fighting, if he can give them way to eſcape; a Golden Bridge was judged not too chargeable to be beſtowed upon a flying enemy: when men are obſtinate, none more ſevere; when yeilding, none more compaſſionate: whence thouſands ſurrender themſelves to his mercy, when ten fall not by his Proweſs; and he hath well weighed thoſe Maximes, That they who are forced beyond their intention, fight beyond expectation, whereas he that opens an enemy the way of eſcape, ſhuts that of his courage.

Neither was he more merciful then he was obliging; his command His obliging converts was not more awful then his converſe indearing: as the Prince of Aurange never moved his H • t, but the King of Spain loſt a Subject; ſo Serini never Nods, but the Infidel loſeth a confident: his conduct wins Fortreſſes for his Imperial Majeſty, and his courage gains hearts; although it be the fate of Heroes never to be underſtood, and of great men of a middle merit onely to be feared, this man hath the honor to be equally loved and admired, and though he be a man of that ſolid Virtue, of that real Worth, that he neglects an over-officious compliance with the leſs beneficial humors of the rude multitude, yet as there is not a Nobleman in Hungary but would ſerve him, ſo there is not a Peaſant but would die with him: When he was miſſing but the other day, upon a private enterprize, What general amazement was upon the face of Hungary and Croatia! what moans! what ſuſpicions! what fears! what deſpondencies! as if the Genius of the Empire was withdrawn: what prayers, what wiſhes, what Imprecations on Fates and Stars! But when returned with Victory and Honor attending him, How all met him as the ſupport of Chriſtendom! What Bone-fires lengthen out the day! What acclamations diſturb the reſt of night, to the terror of the amazed Infidel, and the ſpreading joy of the drooping Empire! So much hath he obliged his followers, that every man have taken an Oath to live and dye with him.

1. So prevalent is his fair and condeſcending language to them, being 〈◊〉 wry of reducing the diſcontented. informed that a Noble and Valiant Perſon in his ſervice upon ſome diſcontent, practiſed with his complices to betray him, he gave him no ill words, but called him to him one day in his Pavilion, and ſaid (as Fabius before him to the diſcontented Morſian) Sir, I muſt confeſs there is not that notice taken of you that your ſervice doth deſerve; and hitherto I blame my Officers, who be •• ow my Favours by adventure not deſert: But hereafter it ſhall be your own fault if you do not declare your mind to me, and let me freely underſtand your occaſion and requeſts; ſo ſhaming rather then provoking the male-content humors, he keeps together twenty thouſand men in ſpight of the rich baites and temptations of the Turkiſh Empire, and the neceſſ •• ies of the German.

2. So powerful is his condeſcention to ſhare with the common Soldiers in their wants and in their dangers, in their diſtreſſes, and in their toiles, in the worſt as well as in the beſt fortune, who would not rather periſh with this General, than triumph with others! whoſe bed is as hard, Diet as courſe, Duties as frequent, induſtry as indefatigable, ſleep as ſhort, as the meaneſt Footman; the brave man ſo conſecrating hardſhips, endearing neceſſities, hallowing miſeries, and making men in love with diſtreſſes.

3. So advantageous to his own and the publike ſervice, is his ſtrict obſervation of each mans deſert and ſervice: the Maſters eye makes a fat Horſe, & the General's a good ſoldier: it was thought a competent reward for the Gameſters paines at Olympus: that the Conqueror ſhould have the honor to fight before the Kings face; and it is judged now a competent encouragement for hard ſervices, that the deſerving ſouldier ventures before Serini's countenance, who never diſinherits merit, knowing that neglect deſtroyeth more than the Sword; and where there is one killed by the one, there are hundreds dead by the other. In a word, never was any General more loving to his ſouldiers, never any more beloved by them.

And indeed he hath all the obliging His humility. qualities in the world: for there is not a man more renowned in others eſteem, none more humble in his own; he hath the method of raiſing a Glory out of humility: ſo familiarly would he converſe, that he would command men not to ſpeak to his Excellency, but to himſelf, ſo encouraging them to a freedom of diſcourſe and truth, which great men are ſeldom happy in; he could have patience to hear the meaneſt in any thing wherein he by intelligence might ſerve his Intereſt and deſign, conniving at the great heap of impertinencies, wherein one concerning truth told by a Peaſant lieth. He heard all mens opinions he could conſult with, though he followed his own; willing to hearken to, and reſolved to purſue what is moſt rational: A Countriman of Stiria is his Guide and Companion, with whom he can beſtow a vacant hour with as much ſatisfaction as with any Count in the Empire; proteſting that he is the honeſteſt man he ever met with in the world. Thoſe he finds below, he makes equal to himſelf by converſe and familiarity, not diſdaining to teach his meaneſt followers thoſe things he finds them defective in, honoring and not fearing worth in thoſe that belong to him; he joyns the familiarity of a friend to the port and Parada of a General; ſhewing himſelf civil, but not cheap; condeſcending, but not proſtiſtuted: for it's an obſervation there, that it adds m • ch to the Grand Seigniors power, that he never appears abroad but in ſplendor and majeſty, that improves The Policy of a compet •• t gra • de • and State, the former engaged opinion of the vulgar concerning, to ſomething more then humane; Whereas our leſs Majeſtick Princes become ſo cheap in Germany, by their daily figging up and down the ſtreets after their pleaſures unattended, whilſt this graver Monarch enjoyeth them all under his own Roof, where none are ſuffered but thoſe that are dumb from their births, or are rendered ſo through fear or uſe; no action or word breathed out of the Seraglio to the Emperors diſadvantage, but grows mortal to the divulger; not poſſible to be obſerved among Chriſtians, whoſe meats like Puppet-Plays are made the object of all eyes, and their higheſt diſcourſes (apt then to break out) the ſcorn of ſtrangers that blow them over the four corners of the earth with no ſmall addition, whilſt their own ſubjects calculate a crooked nature from the deformities of their bodies, evil geſtures, or a too luxurious taking in of their meat or Wine; it not being eaſie to ſhew a man at a greater diſadvantage, then whilſt he is taking his repaſt, the moſt certain ſymbol of mortality. He is meek therefore, but reſerved; familiar, but grave; debonaire, yet ſolemn: beſides he ſubmits to Montecuculi, gives place to Hohenlo, layeth his Crown and Victories at his Maſters feet, as more careful to deſerve then to enjoy glory; none ever more magnificent, none more modeſt; none ſhall out-go him in ſervice, all may in honor: his Proweſs may ſhake the Ottoman Empire, his ambition ſhall never endanger the German. Thus as his ſtrength terrifieth all places he marcheth through from revolts, ſo his affability wooeth them to obedience, providing that when nothing but terror poſſeſſeth his Camp, yet there ſhould be ſeen nothing but Love in his words, and Charity in his actions: for where he ſeeth the poor, His civility in his progreſs thorowout the Countrey. he ſcattereth his money; where the guilty, his indulgence; where the deſerving, his incouragement; where the weak and helpleſs, his defence and protection; going about as the Sun, carrying in his looks and actions no leſs Serenity then ſplendor in all about him, anſwering acclamations with bleſſings, ſuffering no diſtaſteful act to be performed by Souldiers, who muſt firſt be maſters of their peoples hearts, before they are poſſeſſed of their enemies Camp: his ſouldiers ſhall not fight with friends and foes too, for he hands all grievances to the people by the mediation of others who have leſs occaſion to make uſe of them; and by ſuch amiable geſtures, with the high price he ſeems in publike to ſet upon the Nations content, ſo great a love is kindled in the hearts of the people, that all the evils that fall upon them are removed from the principal cauſe, and attributed to ſuch as are onely inſtrumental in their promotion; the juſt General always giving a favourable hearing to ſuch as complain of grievances (whereby he ſatisfieth the people, and engageth their perſons and Eſtates) and removes the oppreſſors to ſome diſtant employments, where being further from the Camp and the enemy, ſeverity may be more neceſſary, at leaſt not ſo dangerous as within hearing of the Infidel that promiſeth fairer uſage; and by this even and conſtant procedure, an uninterrupted ſucceſs hath been entailed to his command. Thus by claiming nothing, the brave Count enjoyeth all; and by protecting no injuſtice, he ſecures himſelf and the cauſe he hath undertaken.

For his Juſtice is not the leaſt Virtue His Juſti • e. that poſſeſſeth his great ſoul; ſuch a habit, that he will ſuffer the greateſt miſery before he will do the leaſt wrong; and when he is perſwaded to take the liberty of the Field, and not tie himſelf to the ſtrictneſs of a Court, Let me, ſaith he, ſtand or fall, to mine own Conſcience: the Laws are the meaſures of his War and Peace; the Juſtice of his Army is as exact as that of his own breaſt; the people fear his ſouldiers, and they the Law; he alloweth his followers equity, but not indulgence; freedom, but not licentiouſneſs; His ſevere Diſcipline. ſecurity againſt an enemy, but not againſt right: an Egge ſtollen is as fatall to his Myrmidons as a Turk, a Chicken kills as ſure as a Mahumetan; he can contentedly ſacrifice a man for the leaſt injury to gain a Country, which fills his Army as faſt as his ſevere Diſcipline exhauſts it; no follies follow him, no periſhing families curſe him, no raviſhed Virgins meditate revenge on him, no children ſtarved for the bread he took out of their mouth; as buſie as he is, he ſets five hours in the week to redreſs grievances, at once to indear his Diſciplined Army to the people, and make odious the rude Rabble of the Turke, whoſe Barbarouſneſs is as intollerable as their cauſe unjuſt, who provoke the people to oppoſe them, if not to ſave Empire, yet to ſecure themſelves: his puniſhments are more ſevere than common, and more private than ſevere: it is his uſual ſaying, Adviſe me not onely what is ſafe, but what is Juſt; not onely what is expedient, but what is lawful.

He is as Faithful as he is Juſt: Leave His faithfulneſs. me, ſaith he to them who perſwade him to ſecure himſelf, to my Honor and Juſtice, though I fall by them: he is as true to his Superiors as he would have his inferiors to him; he will never leave his Maſter untill he leaves himſelf. A Meſſenger once came to him from the Grand Viſier with an overture of an accommodation, and the Archdukedom of Auſtria to boot; he hangs up the Meſſenger, ſaying, If he had come to threaten me as an enemy he had been ſafe, but coming to ſollicite me to be a Traytor, he hath his own reward.

To Abfti's Meſſage about the Grand Seigniors eſteem for him, the His repli • s to thoſe that would debauch him. honeſt man replied, That he had rather be a Page under the Chriſtian Emperor, then a Prince under the Barbarous Uſurper; and that if it pleaſed God the Grand Seignior, who was now ſo prodigal of others, ſhould within a twelve moneth begg his own Dominion; although the Emperor doth not ſupply him as he may expect, although Hungary deſerts him, although Abafti jugleth with him, although the Papiſts envy him, although the jealouſies in his Army diſtract him, although others are ſet above him, although the Germans are baffled, and France threatneth, the Turk is generally ſubmitted to, and the people as generally indifferent; although he always wants Money, and ſometimes Proviſion, and the Infidel beſtoweth Crowns upon his Favorites; yet the faithful Count is reſolved to weather out all the difficulties in purſuance of bare duty and Allegiance, and to make Germany either his Triumph or his Grave; being the firſt that undertook the hard ſervice of decaying Germany, he will • e the laſt that leaves it; if he cannot live a Count of the Empire, he will dye a Martyr of it.

Neither is he leſs careful of others fealty and ſerviceableneſs than his His care whom he employeth. own, employing none but ſuch as honor his judgement, and acquit themſelves to the world, as men of publike and great ſpirits, who with himſelf had an uniform and conſtant care of the common intereſt; he beſtoweth not places on relations or parties, but merit, knowing no kinſman but what is allied to him in Vertue as well as Birth, owning no purchaſe of truſt, but that by great dangers and noble ſervices; he beſtows his Titles of honor, where God had beſtowed the Vertues; enduring not that Command and Authority ſhould be tainted in the baſe and unworthy: he loved to ſee a man by a great ſpirit filling a great place; his choice pitched there where the perſonage was ſtrong and comely, the ſpeech Maſculine (for he ſaid, No man did Wonders that could not ſpeak well) the converſe unblemiſhed, advice bold, performance quick, courſe ſteady, undertakings noble, patience obſervable, and experience conſiderable; ſuch as being fixed in their duty to the Emperor, and ſettled in their ſentiments of Religion, may reſtore Chriſtendom, and enlarge it as wide as the world.

His temperance and ſob • iety is a great ornament to himſelf, and an His temperance. happy example to his followers; his Diet is as hard as his employment, his meals for health, not exceſs; his conſtitution bears a larger diet then his Virtue, and his hard ſervice larger then his conſtitution, yet he eats but one meal a day, and that as courſe and plain as can be: for he prevents his ſouldiers Surfets, and inures them to be contented with the leaſt Proviſion, and not to exceed with the greateſt. He is more ſparing of his drink then meat, drinking very moderately at meals, and ſeldom between; and more temperate in his pleaſures then either; as ſeverely doth he forbid himſelf all looſeneſs, as he His ſtrictneſs. puniſheth it in others: a woman is not ſeen in his Camp, nor dallied with in his Chambers; his diſcourſes are grave, chaſte, and maſculine, and his very Idleneſs uſeful; not an hour of his was without its benefit, or deſerved not its commendation: His expences were moderate, ſuited more to the occaſions and neceſſities of his preſent condition, than the magnificence and grandeur of his former ſtate. Theſe are trivival particulars, but that there can be nothing ordinary that hath relation to this extraordinary perſon: the very ſhavings of Gold are precious, and the moſt minute paſſages are conſiderable that concern this Great Man.

The laſt and moſt conſiderable obſervable His Religion. in him, and that which much imports the State of Chriſtendom, is his Religion, which he uſeth not as an Artifice of power, but as the Ornament and comfort of his own Soul; not affecting a gaudy and magnifick Piety, or a pompous ſhew of Devotion, but exerciſing a real and ſolid Vertue as eminent as his Fortune: Religion is his not onely by Education but by choice; the iſſue of his own Reaſon, rather then the cuſtome of his Fathers; he endeavors that they where he marcheth ſhould underſtand Religion before they fight for it, finding that a multitude that own no vaſter underſtandings than might render them pliable to labor and diſcipline, are the readieſt to yeild all awful obedience to ſuch Worſhip and Religious obſervances, as the Infidel is pleaſed to impreſs upon their yet unſuborned imaginations, not ſo ea •• ly obtained (ſaith my Author) from knowing people, who have any skill to determine the truth or fal • ehood of that which the Mahumetan Fire and Sword enjoyns for an unqueſtionable Creed, eſpecially conſidering that the Turks offer a law confirmed by Angels, Extaſies and Miracles, ſo ſuitable to the higheſt taſte of humane ſenſuality, and obvious to a carnal apprehenſion.

He deplores much the u • e of Images in the Chriſtian Churches, not The advantages the Turke takes againſt us in point of Religion, obſerved. onely as a great ſtumbling-block to the Jews and Turks, but upon a ſerious conſideration, that if a people once attain but an univerſal Prudence, the deceit and weakneſs of ſuch a carnal adoration muſt needs grow loathſome and lye obvious to their obſervation and contempt, That ſhall (upon the opportunity offered by this invaſion) make it their full imployment to find fault, and fo • ent a change, by diſcourſing to the people the abſurdities in their worſhip, which is better prevented in one directed (as the Turkes is) to the onely inviſible and omnipotent Creator, whoſe Nature and power is ſo far remote from the weak apprehenſion of men, as the ſharpeſt reaſon is not able to batter a faith built ſolely upon it. Moreover, the Turk doth ſo pleaſe t • e Chriſtian with his honor to Chriſt, as he doth the Jew by his reſpect to M • ſes; that his complying errors in the mean time go down glib through the wide ſwallow of that ignorance that part of the world doth now gape withall.

He promotes the obſervation of the Lords day as ſtrictly as he obſerves the Turkes, injoyning that of their Friday for the eaſe of poor people and ſervants, whom he hath his eye upon as the ſupporters of t • e Empire, for the honor of Chriſtian Religion, for the advancement of love and confidence, by converſe with neighbors; for thoſe weekly meetings do much civilize a Nation, ſatisfying no leſs the mindes of the zealous, then they moderate the factious and diſobedient, by the great • liay received from the ſolemn devotions, the humble proſtrations and Ceremonies, that ſuch are terrified into an obedience to the Law, out of a future fear, that could not el • e be reſtrained by a preſent ſecular danger, or after-hope; imagining a number of Poſſibilities to hide that from men, which nothing can cover from the ſight of God.

And therefore he hath a peculia • reſpect for a • ober and prudent Clergy (looking upon a contempt of them as the preface to the • uine of Religion) whoſe Auſterity and Reverence in external Worſhip, makes way for Religion to enter through the eye to the heart; wiſhing they were more at leiſure for the temporal concerns of Chri • tendom, to intend thoſe more ſpiritual in that Country, the ſame Councils are obſerved neceſſary for Princes in relation to Religion, and the guiders of it, as Phaeton had in the conduct of the Suns Horſe; the Church being of that nature, that if it ſoar too high, it choaks Vertue and Piety in the ſuperfluous Ceremonies, which like too much Paint in Rome, adulterate the face of Truth; but if ſhe be kept too low, then it wants Decency and Order, allays without which we can have no Uniformity in a Religious Commerce. Since the myſteries of our Salvation cannot be preſented to us, but in Earthen Veſſels, from whence if they did not retain ſome Tincture, we could not ſo naturally own them in reference to us: Nay (ſaith my friend) Some Policies that concerne Religion in reference to the Turk. an indiſcreet zeal doth ſo far participate of the qualities of the Air over-heated, that it hatcheth the plague of Rebellion, where ever it is found, pretending their Prince negligent in Reigion, or too Exorbitant in his affection to court Minions, or an in fringer of Law, or obſtr • cter of • uſtice; weapons of Sedition eaſily forged, if not f • und to lye ready before the Gates of the beſt of Kings, which ſubtile men ſnatch up, and put into the hands of ſuch as they have formerly intoxicated with a deſire of Reformation, who ſeldom give over till they meet their own ruine or the States.

It is not the leaſt remarakble particular, in reference to Religion, that it were to be wiſhed, that, As the Turkiſh Alcoran is expounded or read by none but Prieſts, ſo the Chriſtian Bible were read and explained with more Caution, Care, and Reverence; and that Prayers to God were more frequent amongſt us as amongſt them, then Sermons or exhortations to the people, • cauſe by the firſt they are humbled through the conſtant repetitions of their ſins and wants, and by the other puffed up with oſtentation of their good parts; and men may take occaſions, as the Orators and Demagogues of old, to hint out of the Pulpit in Gods name, ſuch ſeeds of Sedition and Rebellion, as may inflame Kingdoms; or if the Chriſtian Miniſters will take pains and Preach, it were to be wiſhed that the whole ſcope of their Sermons, as that of the Turkiſh diſcourſes, were Practical Piety, conſiſting of the honor due to God, obedience to Princes, Juſtice, mutual Love, reſolution and Patience; together with whatſoever things are g • od, whatſoever things are honeſt, whatſoever things are pure, whatſoever things are of good report, eſpecially patience under all diſpenſations of Providence, whereby men might be fixed againſt all temptations to Sedition, and kept in a cheerful compliance with the ſevereſt Government; referring all things below to Providence, as the Tu • ks do to Fate; and looking on nothing worth ſt • iving for or againſt, but the happineſs and miſery of the other world. He hath enjoyned as great an awfulneſs of the name of God, as that of the Mahumetans, which is ſo great, that they dare not employ the Paper they find it in to any baſe office, but leave it in a hole to the further diſpoſure of the owners providence: and therefore poſſibly not ſo likely as Chriſtians (who obſerve no ſuch decency) to call it to witneſſe an untruth; much to the advantage of Governours there, as it might be here, did Law or Cuſtom skrew the peoples minds up to as high an eſteem of it.

It's uſually diſcourſed in thoſe parts, that all the evils that ever happened to Germany, flowed from a defect in thei • Eccleſiaſtical policy, in that the Miniſters do not preſſe Religion with that ſtrictneſſe it's capable of upon the people, ſo that it may lay hold upon their Conſciences, and bear them up by ſerious apprehenſions of the other world, againſt all the contingencies and emergencies of this; although they might remit thoſe auſterities and ſeverities to the bodies of men (the fond inventions of the melancholy, and the reſerved part of the world) now the Turk is at hand with all the complacencies and And it is not convement to force nature too much in ſmal things, leſt it break out in greater; for the Turks being allowed leſſer vanities, are not at leaſure for greater. delights, with the greateſt freedom humane nature is capable of, where men have an uninterrupted licenſe to attain the fartheſt extent of their • eſires, ſo as they apprehend no felicity beyond the liberty to enjoy •• is.

We • ight learn from the Turk to be more conſtant to the principles of our Religion than we are, and give 〈◊〉 way to a refining by the agitation of experiences drawn from a con •• uence of different events; it being an obſervation with him, that the 〈◊〉 allowance in things of that nature, opens a gap to infinite pretentions that can never be ſatisfied until government be overthrown.

The Turkiſh Emperour is thought ſo much happier than the Germane, becauſe the Mufti his circumciſed Pope, and Meca his Infidel of Rome are both in his power: The Mufti, though 〈◊〉 with M • homets • ind • e • s co • our • hi • h is g •• en, and • everen •• d 〈…〉 very much 〈…〉 yet is concluded by reaſon of State, and muſt comply with the government otherwiſe; though he is not publickly puniſhed, he may be privately tranſlated to another world, Of religious influence upon mens ſpirits. and his faults and he buried in a grave; for it hath been long obſervable in this Empire, that neither friends, money, ſanctity, love of people, former deſerts, or any preſent need of the peoples accurate parts, were ever found Antidotes ſufficient to expel the poyſon of the Emperours jealouſie, who eſteems no number of lives equivalent with his own ſafety, or the Nations.

Count Hohenlo uſually ſaith, that it is one defect in his Religion, that it was preſented with ſo much terrour as did amuſe and deſpirit men; whereas the Turks was contrived with ſuch hopes & encouragements as raiſe them in valour and undertakings beyond the ordinary pitch of men. Whereupon Serini takes him up, and undertakes to demonſtrate to him, That no Religion in the world ennobleth and raiſeth mens ſpirits to an higher pitch than the Chriſtian; fortifying them againſt the greateſt dangers, and exerciſing them with the ſevereſt diſcipline,

Goes the German Embaſſador coucheth the offences that lie in the Turks way to our Religion in four particulars (as he received them from the Grand Seignior himſelf:) The firſt, That we eate our God in the Enchariſt. 2. That we make our God in the Church. 3. That we divide our God in the Trinity: And 4. That we deny him in our lives. The firſt two whereof (ſaith young Kecherman the brave Count's Chaplain) muſt be removed by a recantation: The third muſt be aſſoiled by cautious, clear and wary expreſſions: The laſt muſt be reformed by doing nothing unlawfully, by ſpeaking nothing improperly, and by wearing nothing undecently. There being but two wayes to keep up the honour of Religion; either to keep over curious men from p • ying and queſtioning the parts, and reſtraining reaſon within it's own bounds; or to clear up the grounds out of it ſo as might ſatisfie any rational man. He wiſheth there were a clear account extant of the grounds of Chriſtian Religion; for which purpoſe there was printed in Presburgh Ludovicus Vives his Dialogue of the Truth of Chriſtian Religion, Hugo Grotius, and Du-Pleſſ • s, all tranſlated into ſeveral Languages.

Theſe are ſome of this excellent perſonage his ſentiments of Religion, with reference to the preſent exigent; but his opinions are not ſo • evere as his practice; neither is he ſo 〈◊〉 in that matter to others as he is to himſelf. In • eed his piety is as • p • ea • ing as his command; and there is no man within the one, but mu •• p ••• ake of the other: Yet his own • epo •• ment His own • emper. is moſt rema •• a • le; all his • nterp •• zes begin with Prayer, and ſome of them with Pſalms, which a • once inſpire his Souldiers, and bl • ſſe his undertakings. He would gain the love of heaven, before he would • epell the forces of hell: (Never any man did nobly that converſed not with the gods) B • fore the laſt City he took, as he was obſerving the ſituation of the place, and his advantages, a Commander asked what he int • n • ed to do. To take the place ( • aith he) within four hou • s, but we muſt go to prayers firſt: and now (ſaid • e afterwards) We have a good Cauſe, God and good mens prayers aſſiſt us. He is not more careful of his Chriſtian •• ties, than of his Chriſtian 〈◊〉 to all thoſe perſons and things th • t 〈…〉 relation to God; make • wa • , that ſp •• e • nothing in its con •• ſed fury, and • n •• ſtinguiſ • ing ••• olation, re ••• ence all ſacred perſons and places, whe • eof he is as tender as he hopes their God is of him and his great and good Cauſe.

This is that gallant man, that noble Gentleman, that zealous Chriſtian, that ſ • out Souldier, that able Sateſ-man, that excellent perſonage upon whom are the eyes of Europe, as upon the great Champion of Chriſtedome. This is he who fills the wo • ld wi • h his Name, and Annals with his Actions; that ſhews the moſt humble devotion enamelled in Heroick gallantry; the moſt generous ſoul in a wel-proportioned body; that ſupports the drooping glory of Germany, and checks the growing power of Turkey; that dares do more than all the Kings of the Earth; that was born to relieve diſtreſſed Princes, to reſtore tottering Empires, and hold up falling Crowns. This is he that tramples upon offered Kingdoms, and looks on Scepters beneath him; that thinks it more Imperial to preſerve Monarchies, than to govern them; to die a faithful Subject, than to live a feared King. This is he who put the Grand Seignior to a cold ſweat, and the Prime Viſier to a fit of an Ague; That ſhakes the Seraglio to the demureneſs of a Mufti, and the Alcoran out of the Mufti's hand; that turns the Turkiſh Moon to blood, and the heaven of their power to blackneſſe and darkneſſe; that threatneth Mahumetaniſ • to a ſwound, like that of the Author of it. This is he who hath ſet bounds to the fears of Europe, and the hopes of Aſ •• ; Who coops that ambition in a Province, that aims at a World: Who fils up the Gap of Chriſtendome with his great ſelf, and ſingly undertakes the deſpondencies of the Weſt behind him, and the threatnings of the Eaſt before him. This is he who doth wonders, and is one whoſe actions ſtrein the belief of the preſent age, and will be impoſſible among Poſterity; whom all admire, and the generous may imitate, as he doth Scanderbeg, if he imitates any, or be not rather his own great • ule, his own great example being ſuffi • ient to himſelf.

TO raiſe the drooping thoughts of Chriſtendom, with ſeaſonable diſcourſes of thoſe ſeveral Champions who have in every age checkt the growing power of the Turk, though as threatning & terrible as at this time, we have at large expreſſed the admired Carriage and Conduct of Count Serini, and in brief recounted the known actions of Scanderbeg: and to make the number compleat, added here the exact account of great Tamberlain, who weakned the Grand Seignior as much Eaſtward, as thoſe brave perſons have done Northward: a Triumviri theſe, that are not to be parallel'd, three Heroes that have out gone Antiquity, and out-reached Poſ • erity. The firſt an Heathen born, to puniſh Infidelity; the ſecond a papiſt, born to vindicate Chriſtianity; The third a Proteſtant, born as ſome think to reform the World. The firſt informs us how Turkie may be perplexed by Diviſions and Invaſions: The other two have taught us how it may be leſſened by reſolved Defeats and Oppoſitions. Here we may ſee what may be done in Aſia; there what may be done in Europe. Serini hath inſtructed the world what reſolution and prudence; Scanderbeg, what correſpondences and activity; and Tamberlain, what number and cruelty may be exerciſed againſt that overflowing power and people. Concerning which Tamberlain, whether we conſider the commencements which gave life to the Soveraign Empire of this ſame furious rage of Tamberlain; or whether we delight our ſelves by obſerving the means whereby he ſ • rued himſelf up unto the height of Glory; We muſt needs confeſſe, (although we were never ſo void of reaſon and judgement) that it is ſcarce poſſible, leſſe credible, that ſo deſpicable a veſſel ſhould contain ſo great a ſtock of admirable Actions, and that thence a branch ſhould have ſprung, which did ſubvert the Turkiſh Monarchy, and ſeveral other Potentates, as the ſequel of this preſent diſcourſe will manifeſt. As to his off-ſpring, Hiſtoriographers do much vary about the truth of it. Some ſay Tamberlains original where. he came from the midſt of the Parthians, a people very much redoubted in the Romanes times, though but ſ • enderly famous. Others ſay he was a Turke, a S • ythian, a Zagatean, a Tartarian, becauſe it is apparent he was born at Samercand, which is adjacent unto the River Taxartes hard by the Country of Zagatai. And as there is ſome difference concerning the place of his off-ſpring; ſo we ſhall meet with a far greater concerning his qualities and extraction. Some deriving his deſcent from Cixges Cham, and make him to be Zain Cham, the third Emperour, who uſually is called Bachti. Others ſuppoſe him to have been an inconſiderate perſon, of a baſe extraction, but who afterwards cauſed himſelf to be reputed to be the greateſt and moſt powerful Prince of all the Eaſt, in ſo Tamb. appellation of himſ • lf. high a degree, as that he termed himſelf to be the wrath of God, and not a man; in regard whereof, ſome do compare him to Hannibal, taking it for granted, that the earth never bore a more fierce, o • ſtinate, and ſelf-willed man, than this ſame Tamberlain; and that none ever puniſhed thefts and plunders in ſuch a manner as he did, although himſelf was the greateſt thief and robber, and the What Tamberl. was as to his actions and intellects. moſt deteſtableſt (as to his Actions) which ever any Hiſtory did ſet forth or could produce. And on the contrary, he was again ſo excellent a perſonage (as to his Intellects) that by his audacity and aſſurance, he facilitated thoſe things which all others judged to be impoſſible. Morover he was ſo highly be friended by Fortune, that he never at tempted any thing, but he came off with credit: Nor did he ever wage War, but he remained Conquerour. However ſome do ſcruple the meanneſs of his birth, not judging it poſſible that ſo inconſiderable a man, as he is ſaid to have been, ſhould attain to ſuch a pitch of greatneſſe, as to ſhake the Turkiſh Empire which was ſo long a ſetling. But ſince I finde, that the generality is of that opinion, it will not be unbeſeeming my joyning with them therein; and to ſay that he was the Son of one called Sangali, a man Tamb. Father & offſpring. who was none of the wealthieſt in the world, inſomuch as that Tamberlain was conſtrained (in relation to his Fathers profeſſion) to keep Cattel and Herds in the Fields: but he had not long followed that Vocation, when as entring into a certain Treaty Tamberl. from a ſhepherd becom • a King. and League with the reſt of the ſhepherds of that Countrey, they choſe him to be their King, and did in • oll and liſt themſelves under his command. Finally, ſome others do conceive him to have been a poor Souldier, but a ſubtle and circumſpect m • n, who wanted no wit, being of a lively and quick ſpirit. To which they add, that being got up on the top of a Stable-wall, whence he had a minde to have ſtolen ſome horſes, and perceiving that the owner had diſcovered him, he flung himſelf down the wall, and in the fall hurt his thigh, by reaſon whereof he ever ſince remained lame. However he performed gallant Actions; and he was mightily praiſed for the equity, policy, and good diſcipline wherewith he maintained his Army. So that had he not a little too much ſlackned the reines of his Cruelty and Ambition, he doubtleſſe had excelled all the Warriors that ever were in the world; for no Chieftain had ever attained to the practical part of ranging and diſciplining an Army ſo exquiſitely as he Tamberlin ranged and diſciplined his Army very well. did. And ſhould I relate the ſeveral good orders which he cauſed his ſouldiery to obſerve, it would be an endleſs work; I ſhall onely tell you in what manner he prevented the coming No ſpies could ge • i •• o Tamberl Camp undiſcovered. of any Spies into his Camp, and how they were preſently diſcovered; for which cauſe he • uilt a houſe without his Camp for all ſtrangers that arrived, who were there lodged and treated, having any buſineſs to communicate unto him: whereby he prevented their ſneaking into his Camp, and their prying into, and diſcovering what was done there. Every evening the Watch-word was diſtributed, and each man was to repair to his Quarters: And if any one was found out of his Rank, or gadding abroad out of his Quarters, he died without mercy; ſo that there was no ſhelter or ſafety for Spies.

I ſhall omit the ſeveral manners of repartitions of his Quarters, & under what penalties he cauſed his Military orders to be obſerved, ſince the reader may be better ſatisfied therein by ſeveral other Pens who have moſt amply written concerning this famous Captains deeds, and ſhall proceed more particularly to deſcribe his life. Now by his robbings and thieveries he had ſo well thrived on all ſides, that at laſt he was not a little troubled, how to preſerve that which he had unjuſtly acquired. And therefore he took two Puiſſant men among the Maſſagethians to be his Tamberl. aſſociates. Aſſociates, viz. Chaidaren & Mirxeus, who being gained by the preſents which he gave them, came unto his relief with their Forces, and with this ſupport, he fell upon the Tartars, overcame them, and defeated Tamberlin defeats the Tartars. their Cavalry, which gained him ſuch a repu • e, as that the inhabitants of Samercand furniſhed him with Gold and Silver, and Forces to go through with his undertakings. So likewiſe the King of the Maſſagethans made Tamberlain General of all his Tamberlin General of the Maſſagetans. Forces to his own ruine; for at the taking of Pogdatus a City in Tartary, Tamberlain (on purpoſe to uſurp his Kingdom) did cauſe a Fig to be given him, and after his death married his widow. And immediately after made himſelf King of Samercand, and of the Maſſagets; Harbouring a deſign at that very time to conquer the Empire of Aſia; whereunto he was much ſollicited and egged on by Chaidarus, who brought Myrxeus in diſgrace with Tamberlain, to whom he had reported ſome words which Myrxeus had too freely and unadviſedly ſpoken Mirxeus diſgraced and his death. of Tamberlain, whilſt he was only General of the Maſſagets, which coſt Myrxeus his life. Afterwards he began a War againſt the Hircanians The Hircanians and Caducians conquered by Tamb. as alſo the Arabians. and Caducians, whom he conquered. And becauſe the Arabians did ravage the neighbouring parts, and gave relief unto the Caducians, he thereupon took an occaſion to invade all the Nations which were ſubject to the Sultan of Perſia, of Baldacia, Damatia, and of Egypt. However, though he could not conquer them, after he had well-nigh tyred them out, he agreed a Peace with them, conditionally, that they ſhould furniſh him with Forces to ſerve him in his wars, and to pay him an Annual Tribute as a ſign of their ſubmiſſion.

But whileſt he was buſied thus, tormenting ſome, and undermining others, flattering himſelf with the vain hopes of the great Conqueſt he ſhould make, he was called home again by the troubles which were ariſen in his own Countrey. For the great King of Catay, who is one of The King of Catay wars upon Tamberl. the nine Indian Hordes, and the Soveraign of all the Tartars, had made a pretty ſpoil through all Tamberlain's Countrey, who in the beginning thought to have thundered him out again: but finding with whom he had to deal, apprehen • ing leſt if he ſhould exaſperate the great Cham of Catay too much, it might endanger his poſſeſſions, was conſtrained to come to a Treaty, and to demand a Peace, which was granted him, conditionally that Tamberlain ſhould do him homage, and ſhould pay a Tamberl. makes a peace with the King of Ca • ay. yearly Tribute for the Meſſagetes Country which he held. N • r need we to doubt but that Tamberlain might have withſtood the great Tartar, but that he was loth to diminiſh his Forces, with which he was reſolved to wage War againſt the Ottoman Family; being ſpurred on there unto by the great Ambition he had always to undertake ſome conſiderable expedition or other againſt his Neighbours. Wherefore being entred Cappadocia, he beſieged the City of Sebaſta, and fought againſt it with ſo much dexterity, as that the Turks being Tamberl. wars againſt the Tu • ks, t • kes Sebaſta. diſcouraged, and having loſt all hopes of being relieved, had not the heart to defend themſelves againſt the Scythians, Perſia •• •• d B • ctrians; who having t • ken the Town, put all to the ſword 〈◊〉 they found in the place, • o that it is ſ • i • there dyed that day above 120 • 00 ſouls, beſides ſome perſons of qu • lity which were taken, and among •• the reſt the ſon of Bajazet, the firſt of that Name, who by his Father had been put in the City of Sebaſta, the better to provide for Bajazet's Soa • taken in Sebaſta, and put to death. the defence of it; but he had not long kept it, before Tamberlain made him paſs under the mercileſs cruelty of his moſt impious rage. After which he ſent Ambaſſadors unto Bajazet, commanding him to render unto all thoſe whom he had diſpoſſeſſed, whatſoever he moſt unjuſtly detained from them (which was but a meer pretence in Tamberlain to pick a quarrel with Tamberl. pretence to war upon Bajazet. Bajazet) as alſo to pay unto him vaſt and exceſſive Tributes. Nor will I here venture to conteſt whether Tamberlain had juſt cauſe to war againſt Bajazet, as being a Tyrant; for all the world knows this Tartar made uſe onely of • his cloak or pretence the better to colour and diſguiſe his deſign againſt this poor Turke; who Arrogant titles appropriated to Tamberl. and Bajazets names. although he was called Temis Cuthlu, which in the Tartarian Language ſignifies a Fortunate Iron, becauſe he was not onely happy in his enterpriſes, but as vali • nt as his Sword; inſomuch as that he made a great part of the world to tremble: So on the other part Bajazet was • irnamed Lelapa, which ſignifies a Furious Wave, and Hiidin, which ſignifies Boiſterous & Impetuous. Notwithſtanding Tamberlain did make him know, that his Fortunate ſword did not apprehend the being ſhaken or b • oken by the Turkiſh Waves and Thunder bolts; but that to the contrary his name Lelapa was rather to be ſtiled a Whirl-winde, not by reaſon of Bajazet's vertue and A great def • ct in Bajazet. valour, but becauſe of his paſſion and haſtineſs, whereby thoſe fortunate enterpriſes were diſſipated an confounded, which he might have carried on gloriouſly, had he ſuffered reaſon to have been his guide. And it even fell out ſo; for Bajazet returned a very ſmart anſwer unto Tamberlain, and unadviſedly tainted the Tartars wives honour; which words coſt him Tamberl. c •• aſperated againſt Bajazets anſwer by his wife. dear. For as Tamberlain did not ear any good will to Bajazet at all, ſo his Wife being en • aged at the indignities which were put upon her by the Turk, did • o highly incenſe her Hu • b • nd, as that he was not to expect any Peace with his Wife, unle • s he purſued the Turk wi • h Fire & Sword.

Wherefore Tamberlain aſſembled A war between Tamberl. and Bajazet. a formidable Army of Tartarians, Seythia • s, Perſians, Armenians, and Bactrians, amoun • ing unto the number of 800000 fighting men, and paſſed through the Provinces of Lydia and Phrygia, which ca • ſed Bajazet to raiſe the ſiege of Conſtantinople, and to march unto Aſia, to hinder the M • ſſagetan from coming into his Country; reſolving before Tamberlain ſhould have time to proceed, he would encounter him, and fight him in Armenia, or upon the banks of Euphrates, and although they • ought each other, yet they could not meet a long while, Bajazets Council in the interim were of opinion, that he ſhould do well to treat with Tamberlain, ſeeing he was not ſtrong enough to reſiſt him, and would not diſpend his T • eaſury to raiſe new Forces. After which the Turk having intelligence that Tamberlain marched into Bithynia, to beſiege Pruſe (heretofore called Bruſe) Tam • erl fights Bajazer, and kils a great •• mber of the Turks. the chief City of the Country, and the Royal Seat, he reſolved to fight him in that place. And both Armies joyned Battle in the Mount Stella (where Pompey fought wi • h Mithridates in the year one thouſand three hundred ninety and ſeven) and the Turk chancing to be worried, there were above two hundred thouſand of them ſlain in the place, and an infinite number taken. Now Bajazet perceiving the day was loſt, began to acknowledge his errour, when it was too late; wherefore he reſolved to repair the faults the beſt he could, and ſave himſelf by flight, be • ng mounted on a Mare, which was as ſwift as the wind. But the misfortune of his diſaſter following him, he was pu • ſued by the Tamberlaniſts, who overtook him, by the fault which Bajazeth committed in letting his Bajazeth taken priſoner. Mare drink, who thereby became ſo heavy and repleniſhed, as that ſhe could not make ſo much way as ſhe did before; beſides all which, this poor King was troubled with the Gout, which had diſabled his hands and his feet.

The Tamberlainiſts having ſeazed on ſo rich a booty, as alſo on all the Baſha's, Beglerbegs, Aga's, and Sangea's of the King of Turkie; he was brought unto Tamberlain, who taking him by the ſhoulders, ſaid theſe words, Thou diſloyal Coward, thou art now my Slave, and thou ſhalt receive the reward of thy deſerts. Bajazet being full of amazement, anſwered him, I pray you Sir, kill me: but the Conqueror replied, Lets go, lets go, there is no man can ſave thee. Whenas this miſerable captive forgetting the miſerable eſtate wherein he was, returned harſh language unto his Conqueror, and with injurious Bajazeths indiſcretion in reproaching of • Tamberlain. terms began to inveigh againſt Tamberlain, reproaching him with his baſe extraction, and with his former profeſſion of theevery. So that it was a wonder this Zagathean did not cauſe him immediately to be ſlain; for on a leſs occaſion he cauſed his great friend Mirxe to be put to death, becauſe he onely had adventured to ſay that the principality of Samercand was too well ſettled, to fall into the hands of ſo inferior a fellow, and ſo inconſiderate a robber as Tamberlain was; although theſe words were not ſpoken in his preſence, nor after he had attained to that dignity. But it ſeems he reſerved the venting of his choller upon Bajazet, becauſe he would not put him to death before he had obſerved all the formalities of Juſtice. And truely the Captive King had little reaſon to rail at him, for immediately he cauſed him to be ſet upon a M • le, and in a way of deriſion to be led through all the enemies Camp, and afterwards cauſed him to tyed in Golden Chains, and to • e put in a Cage, carry • ng him up The indigniti • s and miſ • ries of Bajazet. and down whereſoever he went; and when he got upon Ho • ſeback, he cauſed him to kneel down, ſetting his feet upon his neck and ſhoulders, making him his footſtool (as formerly Sophorus the King of the Perſians did • nto Valerinus the Emperor of Rome) and fed him onely with crums of bread and broken morſels, which he fl • ng unto him juſt as if he had been a Dog. However Bajazets courage could not hereby be abaſhed, as it appeared when Tamberlain cauſed that Sultaneſs which the Turk loved The Sultaneſs Bajazeths wife ſerveth Tamberlain at table. beſt (and who was taken with the Kings children and all Bajazets Concubines in the Seraglio of Pruſe or Bruſe) and made her ſerve him at table. At which ſight, the miſerable Captive flew out into howlings and roarings, reproaching the Conquerors baſeneſs and p • ide, in making ſo lit • le eſteem of the Kingly race, for t • is Lady was the d • ughter of Eleazor King of Servia. Moreover theſe conqueſts ſo pu • fed u • this Tartars heart, as being not able to contain himſelf within any compaſs, Tamberlains deſigns to conquer Europe, prevented by his death. he had deſigned to paſs into Europe to Conquer it; but his death put a period to all his ambitious enterpriſes, in the year of our Lord fourteen hundred and three.

He died as he lived, with thoughts full of Conqueſts and victories; his ambition is as wide as Europe, while his body is confined to a Grave-pit; his ſucceſs was great, and his mind greater; he attained much, he aimed at more; he was born a beggar, but with a King in his belly; his temper was as rude as his Country, his education as little as his hopes, and his Manners rough and unhewn as his Calling. He was the moſt ambitious man that ever was heard of, and who would by no means be rendred civil nor familiar. Whereof a certain Genua Gentleman, who was one of his great favorites can give a teſtimony, who eſſaying to break him of his rudeneſs and inhumanity wherewithall he treated thoſe which he had overcome, he anſwered him, How now thou Dog? doſt thou think I am a man? I am the wrath of God, and the Tamberlains ſence of himſelf. ruine of mankinde; nor have • ca • ce any exceeded him in cruelty. Two examples whereof I ſhall ſet before you: The firſt was when he cauſed The inhumane •• u • lty of • amb •• lain. that moſt barbarous inhumanity to be exe • ciſed at Damas on the maidens and young children, who came ou • of the ſaid City to meet him, clad in white, and bearing Oli • e-branches in their hands for a token of Peace and ſubmiſſion; this unworthy and cruel Tyrant ſet his Cavalry to Maſſacre and trample underfoot all that flower of youth, and taking the City, he put all the inhabitants thereof to the ſwo •• . The ſecond was the impiety which he committed againſt the Spittle of Lepers which was joyning unto the City of Sebaſta; where by reaſon of their not communicating with the reſt of the people, and ſo conſequently were not in a capacity to prejudice the Tartar, and whereby Tamberlains impiety againſt the ſpittle of Lepers. they might have promiſed themſelves a priviledge of ſecurity, yet he cauſed them to be inhumanely Maſſacred, alledging, That they infected the Air. But for all this I muſt not rob him of that honor which he acquired for his ſtrict obſervance of Juſtice, even againſt his own Souldiers, Tamberlain a great obſerver of Juſtice. who as ſoon as they were taken in any offence, were moſt ſeverely puniſhed; which we may obſerve by the ſentence which he cauſed to be inflicted upon one of his Captains, who walking on the Coaſt of the Caſpian Sea, three leagues from Tamberlains Camp, and eſpying a very fair Maiden who went to draw water, he raviſhed her, whereupon the ſaid Maiden, together with her Father, complaining to Tamberlain that ſhe had been violated as ſhe was going to fetch water, by a diſloyal and perfidious Tartar, and deſiring him to do her Juſtice; he returned her a moſt Kingly and gracious anſwer, that he would moſt ſeverely puniſh him: and ſo he did, for as the Tartarian Hiſtories relate, he cauſed him to be impaled, or ſpitted on a ſtake alive. Finally leſt the Reader might be miſtaken, and might conceive, that in my deſcription of this Tartarian Emperors life, I was ignorant that he was called by another name beſides Tamberlain; I would therefore deſire him to take notice, that I have called him Tamberlains right name. ſo, to follow the general denomination of him in this manner, that ſo all men might know, of whom we do write theſe p • aiſes. For according to the Tartarian appellation, he was called the great Tamirrham, although others baptize him Timir Langue; and theſe latter, as far as I can conjecture (by the ſeveral compariſons which I have obſerved) do come the neareſt to the Truth; at leaſt do approach very nigh to the definition of the con • ition and qualities of the ſaid Tartar, whoſe true name was doubtleſs Tamir; and by reaſon he was lame, they added the quality of Langue thereunto, which in the Tartarian language ſignifies no other thing ſave a lameneſs; and ſo called him Tamir Langue.

Lame he was in his body, and crooked in his mind; weak in his Limbs, but ſtrong in his Spirit: Limping as he was he would have over- • un Europe, if he had lived one year longer. The Turke was not a greater ſcourge to Chriſte • dom, then he was to the Turk, whom when he had whipped ſufficiently, Go • dealt with as he will wi •• all the Inſtruments of his wrath, When the Child mends, burn the Rod.