Part 2

_Sabatai Sevi_ was Son of _Mordechai Sevi_, an Inhabitant, and Natural of _Smyrna_, who gained his Livelihood by being _Broaker_ to an _English_ Marchant in that place; a person, who before his death was very decrepit in his Body, and full of the Goute, and other Infirmities, but his Son _Sabatai Sevi_ addicting himself to Study, became a notable Proficient in the _Hebrew_ and _Metaphysicks_; and arrived to that point of _Sophistry_ in _Divinity_ and _Metaphysicks_, that he vented a New Doctrine in their Law, drawing to the Profession of it so many Disciples, as raised one day a Tumult in the _Synagogue_; for which afterwards he was by a Censure of the _Chochams_ (who are Expounders of the Law) banished the City.

During the time of his Exile, he Travelled to _Thessalonica_, now called _Salonica_, where he Marryed a very handsome Woman; but either not having that part of Oeconomy as to govern a Wife, or being Impotent towards Women, as was pretended, or that she found not favour in his Eyes, she was divorced from him: Again, he took a second Wife, more beautiful then the former, but the same causes of discontent raising a difference between them, he obtained another Divorce from this Wife also. And being now free from the Incumbrances of a Family, his wandring Head mov'd him to Travel through the _Morea_, thence to _Tripoli_ in _Syria_, _Gaza_, and _Jerusalem_; and by the way picked up a _Ligornese_ Lady, whom he made his third Wife, the Daughter of some _Polonian_ or _German_, her Original and Parentage not being very well known. And being now at _Jerusalem_ he began to Reforme the _Law_ of the _Jewes_, and Abolish the _Fast_ of _Tamuz_ (which they keep in the Moneth of _June_) and there meeting with a certain _Jew_ called _Nathan_, a proper Instrument to promote his Design; he communicated to him his Condition, his Course of Life, and Intentions, to Proclaime himself _Messiah_ of the World, so long expected and desired by the _Jewes_. This Design took wonderfully with _Nathan_; and because it was thought necessary according to _Scripture_, and Antient _Prophesies_, that _Elias_ was to precede the _Messiah_, as St. _John Baptist_ was the fore-runner of _Christ_: _Nathan_ thought no man so proper to Act the Part of the _Prophet_ as himself; and so no sooner had _Sabatai_ declared himself the _Messiah_, but _Nathan_ discovers himself to be his Prophet, forbiding all the Fasts of the _Jewes_ in _Jerusalem_; and declaring, that the Bridegroom being come, nothing but Joy, and Triumph ought to dwell in their Habitations; Writing to all the Assemblies of the _Jewes_, to perswade them to the same beliefe.

And now the Schisme being begun, and many _Jewes_ really believing what they so much desired, _Nathan_ took the courage and boldness to Prophesie, That one Year from the 27th of _Kislev_, (which is the moneth of _June_) the _Messiah_ shall appear before the _Grand Signor_, & take from him his Crown and lead him in Chaines like a Captive.

_Sabatai_ also at _Gaza_ Preached Repentance to the _Jewes_, and Obedience to Himself and Doctrine, for that the coming of the _Messiah_ was at hand: which Novelties so Affected the _Jewish_ Inhabitants of those partes, that they gave up themselves wholly to their Prayers, Almes, and Devotions; and to confirme this beliefe the more, it hapned, that at the same time that Newes hereof, with all perticulars were dispatched from _Gaza_, to acquaint the Brethren in Forrain Partes: The Rumour of the _Messiah_ hath flown so swift, and gained such reception, that Intelligence came from all Partes and Countreys where the _Jewes_ inhabit, by Letters to _Gaza_, and _Jerusalem_, Congratulating the happiness of their Deliverance, and expiration of the time of their Servitude, by the Appearance of the _Messiah_. To which they adjoyned other Prophesies, relating to that Dominion the _Messiah_ was to have over all the World: that for Nine Moneths after he was to disappeare; during which time the _Jewes_ were to suffer, and many of them to undergoe Martyrdom: but then returning again Mounted on a Coelestial _Lyon_, with his Bridle made of _Serpents_ with seven heads, accompanyed with his Brethren the _Jewes_, who Inhabited on the other side of the River _Sabation_, he should be acknowledged for the Sole Monarch of the Universe; and then the _Holy Temple_ should descend from Heaven already built, framed, and beautified, wherein they should offer Sacrifice for ever.

And here I leave you to consider, how strangely this Deceived People was Amused, when these Confident, and vain Reports, and Dreams of Power, and Kingdomes, had wholly transported them from the ordinary course of their Trade, and Interest.

This noise and rumour of the _Messiah_, having begun to fill all places, _Sabatai Sevi_ resolved to Travel towards _Smyrna_, the Country of his Nativity; and thence to _Constantinople_ the Capital City, where the principal Work of Preaching was to have been performed: _Nathan_ thought it not fit to be long after him, and therefore Travels by the way of _Damascus_, where resolving to continue some time for better Propagation of this New Doctrine; in the meane while Writes this Letter to _Sabatai Sevi_, as followeth.

22. _Kesvan_ of this YEAR.

T_o the_ King, _our_ King, Lord _of our_ Lords, _who gathers the Dispersed of_ Israel, _who Redeems our_ Captivity, _the Man elevated to the height of all sublimity, the_ Messiah _of the_ God _of_ Jacob, _the true_ Messiah, _the_ Coelestial Lyon, Sabatai Sevi, _whose Honour be exalted, and his Dominion raised in a short time, and for ever_, Amen. _After having kissed your hands, and swept the Dust from your Feet, as my Duty is to the_ King _of_ Kings, _whose Majesty be exalted, and his Empire enlarged. These are to make known to the Supreme Excellency of that Place, which is adorned with the Beauty of your Sanctity, that the Word of the_ King, _and of his Law, hath enlightned our Faces: that day hath been a solemn day unto_ Israel, _and a day of light unto our Rulers, for immediately we applyed our selves to performe your Commands, as our duty is. And though we have heard of many strange things,_ _yet we are couragious, and our heart is as the heart of a Lyon; nor ought we to enquire a reason of your Doings, for your Workes are Marvellous, and past finding out: And we are Confirmed in our Fidelity without all exception, resigning up our very Souls for the holiness of your Name: And now we are come as far as_ Damascus, _intending shortly to proceed in our Journey to_ Scanderone, _according as you have commanded us; that so we may ascend, and see the Face of God in light, as the light of the Face of the King of Life: And we, servants of your servants shall cleanse the dust from your Feet, beseeching the Majesty of your Excellency and Glory to vouchsafe from your habitation to have a care of us, and help us with the Force of your Right Hand of Strength, and shorten our way which is before us: And we have our Eyes towards_ Jah, Jah, _who will make hast to help us, and save us, that the Children of Iniquity shall not hurt us; and towards whom our hearts pant, and are consumed within us: who shall give us Tallons of Iron to be worthy to stand under the shadow of your_ Asse. _These are the Words of the Servant of your servants, who prostrates himself to be trod on by the soles of your feet,_

Nathan Benjamine.

And that he might Publish this Doctrine of himself, and the _Messiah_ more plainly, he Wrote from _Damascus_ this following Letter, to the _Jewes_ at _Aleppo_, and parts thereabouts.

To the Residue or Remnant of the _Israelites_, Peace without end.

[Sidenote: Sabatai _Wrote a Letter to Elect one Man out of every Tribe_.]

_These my words are, to give you notice, how that I am Arrived in Peace at_ Damascus, _and behold I go to meet the Face of our Lord, whose Majesty be exalted, for he is the Soveraign of the King of Kings, whose Empire be enlarged. According as he hath Commanded us and the_ 12 Tribes _to elect unto Him_ 12 _Men, so have we done: And we now go to_ Scanderone _by his command, to shew our faces together, with part of the principal of those particular Friends to whom he hath given Licence to assemble in that same place. And now I come to make known unto you, that though you have heard strange things of our Lord, yet let not your hearts faint, or fear, but rather fortifie your selves in your Faith, because all his Actions are Miraculous, and Secret, which Humane understanding cannot comprehend, and who can penetrate into the depth of them. In a short time all things shall be Manifested to you clearly in their Purity: and you shall know, and consider, and be instructed by the Inventor himself; Blessed is he who can expect, and arrive to the Salvation of the true_ Messiah, _who will speedily publish his Authority and Empire over us now, and for ever._

_Nathan._

And now all the _Cities_ of _Turky_ where the _Jewes_ Inhabited were full of the expectation of the _Messiah_; no Trade, nor course of Gaine was followed: every one imagin'd that dayly Provisions, Riches, Honours, and Government, were to descend upon them by some unknown and Miraculous manner: an example of which is most observable in the _Jewes_ at _Thessalonica_, who now full of Assurance that the Restoration of their Kingdome, and the Accomplishment of the time for the coming of the _Messiah_ was at hand, judged themselves obliged to double their Devotions, and Purifie their Consciences from all Sins and Enormities which might be obvious to the scrutiny of him who was now come to Penetrate into the very Thoughts and Imaginations of Mankinde. In which Work certain _Chochams_ were appointed to direct the People how to Regulate their Prayers, Fasts, and other Acts of Devotion. But so forward was every one now in his Acts of Penance, that they stay'd not for the Sentence of the _Chocham_, or prescription of any Rules, but apply'd themselves immediately to Fasting: And some in that manner beyond the abilities of Nature, that having for the space of seven dayes taken no sustenance, were famished to death. Others buryed themselves in their Gardens, covering their naked Bodies with Earth, their heads onely excepted, remained in their Beds of dirt until their Bodies were stifned with the cold and moisture: others would indure to have melted Wax dropt upon their shoulders, others to rowle themselves in Snow, and throw their Bodies in the Coldest season of Winter Into the Sea, or Frozen Waters. But the most common way of Mortification was first to prick their Backs and Sides with Thornes, and then to give themselves thirty nine Lashes. All Business was laid aside, none Worked, or opened Shop, unless to clear his Warehouse of Merchandize at any Price: who had superfluity in Houshold-stuffe, sold it for what he could; but yet not to _Iewes_, for they were Interdicted from Bargaines or Sales, on the pain of Excommunication, Pecuniary Mulcts, or Corporal Punishments; for all Business and Imployment was esteemed the Test, and Touchstone of their Faith. It being the general Tenent, that in the dayes that the _Messiah_ appeares, the _Iewes_ shall become Masters of the Estates and Inheritance of _Infidels_; until when they are to content themselves with Matters onely necessary to maintain and support Life. But because every one was not Master of so much Fortune and Provision, as to live without dayly Labour, therefore to quiet the Clamours of the Poor, and prevent the Enormous lives of some, who upon these occasions would become Vagabonds, and desert their _Cities_, due order was taken to make Collections, which were so liberally bestow'd, that in _Thessalonica_ onely 400 Poore were supported by the meer charity of the Richer. And as they indeavour'd to purge their _Consciences_ of Sin, and to apply themselves to good Workes, that the _Messiah_ might find the City prepared for his Reception; so, least he should accuse them of any omission in the Law, and particularly in their neglect of that Antient Precept of Increase and Multiply; they marryed together Children of ten yeares of age, and some under, without respect to Riches, or Poverty, Condition or Quality: But, being promiscuously joyned, to the number of 6 or 700 Couple, upon better and cooler thoughts, after the deceipt of the false _Messiah_ was discover'd, or the expectation of his Coming grew cold, were Divorced, or by Consent separated from each other.

In the heat of all this Talk and Rumor, comes _Sabatai Sevi_ to _Smyrna_, the City of his Nativity, infinitely desir'd there by the common _Iewes_; but by the _Chochams_, or _Doctors_ of their _Law_, who gave little or no credence to what he pretended, was ill receiv'd, not knowing what mischief or ruine this Doctrine and Prophesie of a New Kingdome might produce. Yet _Sabatai_ bringing with him testimonials of his Sanctity, Holy Life, Wisdom, and Gift of Prophesie, so deeply fixed himself in the heart of the Generality, both as being Holy and Wise, that thereupon he took courage and boldness to enter into Dispute with the Grand _Chocham_ (who is the Head, and Chief Expositer of the _Law_ and superintendent of their will and Government) between whom the Arguments grew so high, and Language so hot, that the _Iewes_ who favoured the Doctrine of _Sabatai_, and feared the Authority of the _Chocham_, doubtful what might be the issue of the Contest, appear'd in great numbers before the _Cadi_ of _Smyrna_, in justification of their New Prophet, before so much as any Accusation came against him: The _Cadi_ (according to the Custome of the _Turkes_,) swallows Mony on both sides, and afterwards remits them to the determination of their own Justice. In this manner _Sabatai_ gaines ground dayly; and the Grand _Chocham_ with his Party, losing both the affection and obedience of his People, is displaced from his Office, and another Constituted, more affectionate, and agreeable to the New Prophet, whose power daily increased by those confident Reports. That his Enemies were struck with Phrensies and Madness, until being restor'd to their former temper and wits by him, became his Friends, Admirers, and Disciples. No Invitation was now made in _Smyrna_ by the _Iewes_, nor Marriage, or Circumcision solemnized, where _Sabatai_ was not present, accompanyed with a multitude of his Followers, and the Streets cover'd with Carpits, or fine Cloath for him to tread on; but the Humility of this _Pharisee_ appear'd such, that he would stoop and turne them aside, and so pass. And having thus fixed himself in the Opinion and Admiration of the People, he began to take on himself the Title of _Messiah_, and the _Son_ of _God_; and to make this following Declaration to all the Nation of the _Iewes_, which being wrote Originally in _Hebrew_, was Translated for me faithfully into _Italian_, in this manner.

_L'unico figliolo, e primogenito d' dio_, Sabatai Sevi, _il_ Messiah, _e_ Salvatore _d'_ Israel _eletti di_ dio _pace bessendo che sete fatti degni di veder quel grangiorno della deliberatione e Salvatione d'_ Israel, _e consummatione delle parole di_ dio, _promess per li sua Profeti, e padri notri, per il suo diletto figlio d'_ Israel, _ogni vestra amaritudine si converta in allegrezza, e li vestri diginguiti facino feste, per che non piangerete O miei figliole d'_Israel _havendovi dati_ iddio _la consolatione inenarrabile, festegiate contimpani e musiche, ringratiando quello chi ha adempito il promesso dalli secoli, facendo ogni giorno quelle cose che solete fare nelle callende, e quel giorno dedicato ali' afflictione e mestitia, convertite lo in giorno giocondo per la mia comparsa, e non spaventate niente, per che haverete Dominio sopra, le genti, non solamente di quelle, che si vedodono in terra, ma quelle che sono in fondi del mare, il tutto pro vestra consolatione & allegrezza._

Which Translated into _English_, runs thus;

The Onely, and First-borne Son of _God_, _Sabatai Sevi_, the _Messiah_ and _Saviour_ of _Israel_, to all the Sons of _Israel_, peace. Since that you are made worthy to see that great Day of Deliverance, and Salvation unto _Israel_, and Accomplishment of the Word of God, Promised by his Prophets, and our forefathers, and by his Beloved Son of _Israel_: let your bitter sorrowes be turned into Joy, and your Fasts into festivals, for you shall weep no more, O my sons of _Israel_, for God having given you this unspeakable Comfort, rejoyce with _Drums_, _Organs_, and _Musick_, giving thanks to him for performing his Promise from all Ages; doing that every day, which is usual for you to do upon the _New-Moons_; and, that Day Dedicated to affliction and sorrow convert you into a Day of Mirth for my appearance: and fear you nothing, for you shall have Dominion over the Nations, and not onely over those who are on Earth, but over those Creatures also which are in the depth of the Sea. All which is for your Consolation and Rejoycing.

_Sabatai Sevi._

Notwithstanding the Disciples of _Sabatai Sevi_ were not so numerous, but many opposed his doctrine, publiquely avouching that he was an _Impostor_, and Deceiver of the people, amongst which was one _Samuel Pennia_, a man of a good estate and reputation in _Smyrna_, who arguing in the _Synagogue_, that the present signs of the coming of the _Messiah_ were not apparent, either according to Scripture, or the doctrine of the _Rabbins_, raised such a sedition and tumult amongst the _Jews_, as not onely prevailed against arguments, but had also against his life, had he not timely conveyed himself out of the _Synagogue_, and thereby escaped the hands of the multitude, who now could more easily endure blasphemy against the _Law_ of _Moses_, and the prophanation of the _Sanctuary_, than contradiction, or misbelief of the doctrine of _Sabatai_. But howsoever it fell out, _Pennia_ in short time becomes a convert, and preaches up _Sabatai_ for the _Son_ of _God_, and _deliverer_ of the _Jews_: and not onely he, but his whole family; his daughters prophesie, and fall into strange extasies; and not onely his house, but four hundred men and women prophesie of the growing kingdom of _Sabatai_, and young infants who could yet scarce stammer out a syllable to their mothers, repeat, and pronounce plainly the name of _Sabatai_ the _Messiah_, and Son of God. For thus farr had God permitted the devil to delude this people, that their very children were for a time possessed, and voices heard to sound from their stomacks, and intrails: those of riper years fell first into a trance, foamed at the mouth, and recounted the future prosperitie, and deliverance of the _Israelites_, their visions of the _Lion_ of _Judah_, and the triumphs of _Sabatai_, all which were certainly true, being effects of _Diabolical_ delusions: as the _Jews_ themselves since have confessed unto me.

With these concomitant accidents, and successes, _Sabatai Sevi_ growing more presumptuous, that he might correspond with the Prophesies of greatness, and dominion of the _Messiah_, proceeds to an election of those Princes which were to govern the _Israelites_ in their march towards the _Holy-Land_, and to dispence Judgement and Justice after their Restoration. The names of them were these which follow, men well known at _Smyrna_, who never (God knows) had ambition to aspire to the title of Princes, until a strange spirit of deceit and delusion had moved them, not onely to hope for it as possible, but to expect it as certain.

_Isaac Silvera._ King _David._ _Salomon Lagnado._ was _Salomon._ _Salom Lagnado_ jun. named _Zovah._ _Joseph Cohen._ _Uzziah._ _Moses Galente._ _Josaphat._ _Daniel Pinto._ _Hilkiah._ _Abraham Scandale._ _Jotham._ _Mokiah Gaspar._ _Zedekiah._ _Abraham Leon._ _Achas._ _Ephraim Arditi._ _Joram._ _Salom Carmona._ _Achab._ _Matassia Aschenesi._ _Asa._ _Meir Alcaira._ _Rehoboam._ _Jacob Loxas._ _Ammon._ _Mordecai Jesserun._ _Jehoachim._ _Chaim Inegna._ _Jeroboam._ _Joseph Scavillo._ _Abia._ _Conor Nehemias._ was _Zarobabel._ _Joseph del Caire._ named _Joas._ _Elcukin Schavit._ _Amasia._ _Abraham Rubio._ _Josiah._

_Elias Sevi_ had the title of the _King_ of the _king_ of _kings_. _Elias Azar_ his _Vice-king_, or _Vizier._ _Joseph Sevi_, the _king_ of the _kings_ of _Judah_. _Joseph Inernuch_ his _vice-king_.