And also adjoyn Psalms and Hymns, invented by that man, for certain days, with Rules and Methods for Prayer, which ought not to be done, and yet they will still remain obstinate therein; and now behold it is known unto you, how many swelling Waters have passed over our Souls, for his sake, for had it not been for the Mercies of God, which are without end, and the merit of our forefathers, which hath assisted us; the foot of Israel had been razed out by their enemies. And yet you continue obstinate in things which do not help, but rather do mischief, which God avert. Turn you therefore, for this is not the true way, but restore the Crown to the antient custom and use of your forefathers, and the law, and from thence do not move; We command you that with your authoritie, under pain of Excommunication, and other penalties, that all those Ordinances and Prayers, as well those delivered by the mouth of that man, as those which he enjoyned by the mouth of others, be all abolished and made void, and to be found no more, and that they never enter more into your hearts, but judge according to the antient commandment of your Forefathers, repeating the same Lessons and Prayers every Sabbath, as hath been accustomary, as also Collects for Kings, Potentates, and anointed, &c. And bless the King, Sultan Mahomet, for in his days hath great Salvation been wrought for Israel, and become not Rebels to his Kingdom, which God forbid. For after all this, which is past, the least motion will be a cause of jealousie, and you will bring ruine upon your own persons, and upon all which is near and dear to you, wherefore abstain from the thoughts of this man, and let not so much as his name proceed out of your mouths. For know, if you will not obey us herein, which will be known, who, and what those men are, who refuse to conform unto us, we are resolved to prosecute them, as our duty is. He that doth hear, and obey us, may the Blessing of God rest upon him. These are the words of those who seek your Peace and Good, having in Constantinople, on Sunday the fifth of the Moneth Sevat, underwrot their names.
Joam Tob son of Chananiah Ben-Jacar.
| Isaac Alnacagna. | Eliezer Castie. |
| Joseph Kazabi. | Eliezer Gherson. |
| Manasseh Barndo. | Joseph Accohen. |
| Kalib son of Samuel. | Eliezer Aluff. |
During the time of all these transactions and passages at Constantinople, Smyrna, Abydos, upon the Helespont, and Adrianople, the Jews leaving their Merchantile course, and advices, what prizes commodities bear and matters of Traffique, stuffed their Letters for Italy and other parts, with nothing but wonders and miracles wrought by their false Messiah. As then when the Grand Signior sent to take him, he caused all the Messengers immediately to die, upon which other Janizaries being again sent, they all fell dead with a word only from his mouth; and being desired to revive them again, he immediately recall'd them to life; but of them onely such who were true Turks, and not those who had denied that faith in which they were born, and had profest. After this they added, that he went voluntarily to prison, and though the gates were barr'd and shut with strong Locks of Iron, yet that Sabatai was seen to walk through the streets with a numerous attendance, and when they laid Shackles on his neck and feet, they not onely fell from him, but were converted into Gold, with which he gratified his true and faithful believers and disciples. Some Miracles also were reported of Nathan, that onely at reading the name of any particular man, or woman, he would immediately recount the Story of his, or her life, their sins or defaults, and accordingly impose just correction and penance for them. These strong reports coming thus confidently into Italy and all parts, the Jews of Casel di Monferrato resolved to send three persons in behalf of their society, in the nature of extraordinary Legates, to Smyrna, to make inquiry after the truth of all these rumors, who accordingly arriving in Smyrna, full of expectation and hopes, intending to present themselves with great Humility and Submission before their Messiah and his Prophet Nathan, were entertain'd with the sad news, that Sabatai was turned Turk, by which information the Character of their Embassy in a manner ceasing, every one of them laying aside the formalitie of his function, endeavoured to lodge himself best to his own convenience. But that they might return to their brethren at home, with the certain particulars of the Success of the affairs, they made a visit to the brother of Sabatai; who still continued to perswade them, that Sabatai was notwithstanding the true Messiah, that it was not he who had taken on him the habit and form of a Turk, but his Angel or Spirit, his body being ascended into Heaven, until God shall again see the season, and time to restore it, adding further, that an effect hereof they should see by the prophet Nathan, certified, now every day expected, who having wrought Miracles in many places, would also for their Consolation, reveal hidden secrets unto them, with which they should not onely remain satisfied, but astonished. With this onely hope of Nathan, these Legates were a little comforted, resolving to attend his arrival, in regard they had a Letter to consign into his hands, and according to their instructions, were to demand of him the grounds he had for his Prophesies, and what assurance he had, that he was divinely inspir'd, and how these things were reveal'd unto him, which he had committed to Paper, and dispersed to all parts of the World. At length Nathan arrives near Smyrna, on Friday the third of March, towards the Evening, and on Sunday these Legates made their visit to him: But Nathan, upon news of the success of his beloved Messiah, began to grow sullen and reserved; So that the Legates could scarce procure admittance to him; all that they could do was to inform him, that they had a Letter to him from the brother-hood of Italy, and commission to conferr with him concerning the foundation and authority he had for his prophesies; but Nathan refused to take the Letter, ordering Kain Abolafio a Chocham of the City of Smyrna to receive it; so that the Legates returned ill contented, but yet with hopes at Nathan's arrival at Smyrna to receive better satisfaction.
But whilst Nathan intended to enter into Smyrna, the Chochams of Constantinople, being before advised of his resolution to take a Journey into their parts, not knowing by which way he might come, sent their Letters and Orders to Smyrna, Prussia, and every way round, to hinder his passage, and interrupt his journey; fearing that things beginning now to compose, the Turks appeas'd for the former disorders, and the minds of the Jews in some manner setled, might be moved, and combustions burst out afresh, by the appearance of this new Impostor; And therefore dispatched this Letter as followeth.
To you who are the Shepherds of Israel, and Rulers, who reside for the great God of the whole World, in the Citie of Smyrna, which is Mother in Israel, to her Princes, her Priests, her Judges, and especially to the perfect wise men, and of great experience, may the Lord God cause you to live before him, and delight in the multitude of Peace, Amen, so be the will of the Lord.
These our Letters are dispatched unto you, to let you understand, that in the place of your Holiness, we have heard that the learned man, which was in Gaza, called Nathan, Benjamin, hath published Vaine Doctrines, and made the World Tremble at his Words and Inventions; And that at this time we have receiv'd Advice, that this man some dayes since, departed from Gaza, and took his Journey by the way of Scanderone, intending there to Imbarke for Smyrna, and thence to go to Constantinople, or Adrianople: And though it seem a strange thing unto us, that any Man should have a desire to throw himself into a place of Flames, and Fire, and into the Sparkes of Hell; notwithstanding we ought to fear, and suspect it; For the Feet of Man alwayes guide him to the worst: Wherefore we Under-written do Advertise you, that this Man coming within the compass of your Jurisdiction, you give a stop to his Journey, and not suffer him to proceed farther, but presently to return back. For we would have you know, that at his coming, he will again begin to move those Tumults, which have been caused through the Imaginations of a New Kingdome; And that Miracles are not to be Wrought every day.
God forbid that by his coming the People of God should be destroy'd in all places where they are, of which he will be the first, whose Blood be upon his own Head: For in this Conjuncture, every little Error or Fault is made Capital. You may remember the Danger of the first Combustion: And it is very probable that he will be an occasion of greater, which the Tongue is not able to express with Words. And therefore by Vertue of Ours, and Your own Authority, you are to hinder him from proceeding farther in his Journey, upon paine of all those Excommunications which Our Law can Impose, and to force him to return back again, both he, and his Company. But if he shall in any manner Oppose you, and Rebel against your Word, your Indeavours and Law are sufficient to hinder him, for it will be well for him and all Israel.
For the Love of God, let these Words enter into your Eares, since they are not vain things; for the Lives of all the Jewes, and his also, consist therein. And the Lord God behold from Heaven, and have pitty upon his People Israel, Amen. So be his holy Will: Written by those who seek your Peace.
Joam Tob, Son of Chanania Jacar.