A01115:1361
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Volume 1 › Book 6: The sixth Book.Volume 1 › Book 6: The sixt Booke.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Of such as remain for tithe, if they be aged, (of whom very few be kept alive, because little profit comes of them) they be sold to the use of husbandry, and keeping of beasts. If they be young men or women, they be sent to certain places there to be instructed in their languages, and arts, as shall be most profitable for their advantage, and such are called in their tongue Saris. 1And the first care of the Turks is this, to make them deny Christ, and to be circumcised: and after that they are set, and appointed, every man as he seemeth most apt, either to the learning of their laws, or the feats of war. Some are brought up to be placed in the number of the Janissaries,2 who are the Turks Champions. And if any of the young men, or children, shall appear to excel in beauty, him they so cut, that no part of that which Nature giveth, or man, remaineth to be seen in all his body, whereby (during the freshness of his age) he is compelled to serve their abomination: and when age cometh, then they serve in stead of Eunuchs to wait upon Matrons, or to keep horses and mules, or else to be scullians and drudges in their kitchens. Such as be young maidens, and beautiful, are deputed for ⟨p. 400⟩concubines: they which be of mean beauty, serve for to do their drudgery work in their houses, and chambers: or else to spin, or such other labours: but so as it is not lawful for them either to profess Christians religion, or ever to have any liberty: and thus are they used which fall to the Turk by tithe. The other which are bought and sold among private subjects, first are allured with fair words, & promises, to take circumcision: which if they will do, they are more favourably entreated, but all hope is taken away from them, of returning into their country: which if they but attempt, the pain thereof is burning. And if such come at length to liberty, & will marry, they may: but then their children remain bond to the Lord, for him to sell at his pleasure: & therefore few marry, of such as are wise, among them. They ye refuse to be circumcised, are miserably handled among them. Such captives as be expert in any manual art, or occupation, can better shift for themselves: but they which have no handicraft to live upon, are in worse case: