A True and Exact RELATION OF THE STRANGE FINDING OUT OF MOSES his TOMB, In a Valley near unto Mount NEBO in PALESTINA.  
With divers remarkable occurrences that happened thereupon, and the several judgements of many learned men concerning the same.  
Communicated by a person of quality residing at Constantinople, to a person of Honour here in England, and by him permitted to be published, for the satisfaction of the Ingenious.  
LONDON, Printed by J. G. for Richard Lowndes, at the White Lion in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1657.   

THE STATIONER TO THE READER.  
SOme flying rumours relating to the subject matter of this ensuing discourse may possibly have come to thy ears; for the thing was not done in a corner. But there hath not any perfect narration of it been published, so far as I can learn, in any language. Besides, the quality of the persons from whom I have received it, the particular circumstances of places and persons add very much credit to it, so that it would be absurd to doubt of the truth of it amongst a cloud of witnesses. Thou wilt find such smoothness of language joined with such solidity of judgement in these few pages, that I am confident thou wilt not repent either of thy cost in buying, or thy pains in reading them.  
Farewell.   

A Relation from Constantinople, how the Sepulchre of Moses was lately found out at Mount Nebo, and what was done thereupon.  
IN October 1655. certain Maronite Christians keeping herds of Goats upon Mount Nebo, otherwise called the Mountain Abarim, they often observed divers of their Goats to stray from them, and not to return in two or three days; and when they did return, they would as often go astray again, and carry other Goats with them: they also observed that the hair of these straying Goats did yield a most odoriferous scent; wherewith they were so highly taken, as they resolved diligently to search their go out, thereby to learn the true cause thereof. Whereupon some of them on a day, following these erring goats, they brought them to a stupendious precipice, in the bottom whereof lay a most delicious valley, but of small circumference, which some of these Goatherds had seen before, but never could find any means of entrance thereinto, so steep and unaccessible were the enclosing mountains. But at that instant, whether it were by any earthquake lately happening, very usual in those countries'; or by the decay of the mountains themselves; the rocks on each side had made such shootings into the opening of the valley, as not only the Goats (one of the best climbing creatures) but even the Goatherds themselves used to such difficult untrodden paths, found a descent into this almost bottomless valley. Here they refreshed themselves with the verdure of the grass, the sweetness of the springs, and with such course far as they carried with them in their scrips. About noon when the Sun ceased to be a comforter, they retired themselves under the shadow of a rock, thinking their Goats would have born them company; and wondering what should become of them, towards evening they espied them coming one by one out of the cleft of a rock, which it seemed to them, had been also shaken by an earthquake: for on the top of it they saw huge massy trees overturned, which by their long growth had so fixed their roots in the clefts of the rock, as with their weighty fall, they tore up much of the foundation whereon they grew. Coming to this cave, and first putting in their heads, there issued forth the most odoriferous favour that could possibly be imagined, and putting in their staves to feel the bottom of it, they found it of no great depth, their staves likewise participating of the perfumes. Hereupon they adventured to enter, and first groping about with their hands and with their staves in this dark place, and after recovering their eyesight, by the light which entered at the passage which gave them admittance, they found the cave to be of a circular figure, and not above twelve foot the diameter. The floor, the sides, & the hollow roof, seemed to be more than the work of nature, and yet nothing appeared therein to be the work of man. At their first coming in, hastily crossing over this dark place, they stumbled upon something which lay thwart the middle, & causing their fellows to stand out of the light, they discovered a material which seemed to be a Tombstone, and that it lay upon an other which appeared to be hollow, thicker than the uppermost, but of the same figure every way, and curiously joined or mortised one into the other, without any mortar or cement. It was nine foot in length, and two foot from the ground, being three foot broad, and all plain, saving that at that part which seemed to be the head of it, they felt two knobs, which bunched out in the fashion of horns, and there were letters engraven thereupon, which for want of light, but chief of learning, they could not read.  
Having satisfied themselves herewith sufficiently, they returned back to their fellows, who much longed for their coming, and acquainted them with the whole circumstance of their success, wherewith they were infinitely pleased, especially with the most delicious scent of their apparel. And thinking it a business of more value than to be kept secret, they agreed that one of those who had been an eye-witness of the premises, should acquaint therewith Mataxat, the Patriarch of the Maronites, whose residence is in a valley of Mount Libanus, called [Kanobeen Kadischa Mirjam] or the Monastery of S. Mary, who being throughly informed of what had happened, and admiring the sweet scent which came from the poor men's garments, otherwise sordid and nasty, he conceived this to be the monument of some person more than humane, and therefore had a longing desire to have gone thither himself; but his great age and the difficulty of the way obstructing his resolution, he gave the charge thereof unto two Priests, who were his Chaplains, men in learning and understanding (especially one of them named Aben-useph, or father Joseph) sufficiently qualified. Who coming to the place by conduct of the Goat-herds, found every thing exactly true, as they had caused it to be related to the Patriarch. And moreover taking lights with them into the cave, they found those knobs which the Goat-herds spoke of, and which stood as it were upon the head of the Monument, to be the similitude of two horns, not much unlike those of a Bull. But that which satisfied their curiosity even to astonishment, was, that seriously viewing the Inscription, which was in the Hebrew character, and Hebrew language, they found it to be in effect [MOSES THE SERVANT OF GOD] with these joyful tidings carrying with them the transcript of the Inscription, they returned to the Patriarch; who seeing this Inscription, and hearing the relation, was ravished therewith above measure. But the odoriferous scent which proceeded from their garments (which gave a sweeter favorthan all the spices of India, or gums of Arabia could do) made these persons almost venerable in the opinion of men of all Religions, whereof there is store in the Turks dominions. Who hereupon, with amazement, began to take notice of this miraculous Invention, far exceeding in their judgement that of the Holy Cross, and some of every sort of them, having first viewed the place, did earnestly endeavour how they might convert it most to their own profit.  
And in the first place the Maronites, as the first inventors, petitioned Morat the Bashaw of Damascus, under whose jurisdiction it lies, that they might have the keeping of this holy place. But they being poor, although they had justice on their sides, yet being not able to bribe, the Christians the Greek & Armenian Churches stepped in & offered great present sums and yearly salaries to Morat Bashaw for the keeping of it; especially the latter exceeded, who engaged morever to build a Monastery there, which they would fortify as a Castle, to secure themselves and Pilgrims from the assaults of the wild Arabs, who do grievously infest all those quarters. The Friar's Minors of the order of S. Francis, who reside at Jerusalem, for the entertainment of the Western Pilgrims, offered very largely, that they might have it, and that by the means of the French Ambassador residing at Constantinople. But the Jews (who are very rich, and generally customers and treasurers to the Grand Signior in most of his dominions) struck in with the Mufty and Visier Bashaw, offering great sums of money for the possession of this Sepulchre, alleging, that of right it belonged unto them, Moses being their Lawgiver and countryman, whose laws the Christians did unworthily pervert, abstaining from marriage, being eaters of swine's flesh, and the most detestable Idolaters in the world. That it would add much unto the Grand Signiors honour, and might be an addition unto his title, that he was Lord of the three famous Sepulchers of the three famous Prophets, viz. of the Prophet Mahomet at Medina, of Jesus Christ at Jerusalem, and lastly of Moses at Mount Nebo. That they did concur with the Musselmans, not only holding Marriage honourable, but own plurality of Wives and Concubines to be necessary; that they did besides abstain from swine's flesh, & were so far from worshipping of any Image, as they held it not lawful to make any at all. These reasons of the Jews, but chief their large bribes did so prevail, as in all probability they were likely to carry it. When suddenly and unlooked for the French Jesuits (who have their College at Constantinople) interposed, first by taking off the Grecian and Armenian Christians, by telling them how displeasing this would be to Almighty God, who upon design had hid and buried the body of Moses in such a secret place, to the end that the Jews should never find his Sepulchre, lest otherwise they might commit Idolatry thereto, and worship it. That this Sepulchre being thus found out in this last and worst age of the world, wherein Idolatry rageth, in despite of God's Commandments, who hath more often and more bitterly expressed his detestation thereof, than against any other sin whatsoever, wherefore they meekly advised them to desist in their suit, offering to take off the Latin Church from persisting in their petitions, for the Guardianship of the Sepulchre, as also the Maronites, beseeching them with tears that they would not resist the will of God, nor be the means of disclosing his secrets. Hereto they answered, that they thought themselves as fit to keep the Sepulchre as any other whatsoever; but if the other Christians would desist, and that the Jews might be taken off, they would acquiesce. The credit of the Jesuits took off the Latin Church, and the Maronites being poor, and now in a sort members of the Roman or Latin Church, gave over their suit. The Jews were easily denied their request, not only because the Turks do detestably hate them, but moreover the Jesuits had cunningly intimated to the Visier Bashaw, how dangerous it might prove to that State, to suffer the Jews (who pretend right to the holy Land by inheritance, and look every day for a call to be restored to their ancient patrimony) to have any command therein: and the fortifying of that place against the insolences of the Arabs, without which they could not live in safety, and the multitude of Jews, who would come to visit the Sepulchre, would very much encourage them to act something not convenient for the Ottoman Empire to permit: but their best argument was good round bribes which they gave him. So in conclusion, Morat Bashaw of Damascus had express order brought him by a Chiaus, from the Port of the Grand Signior, to see that the cave of the Sepulchre should be stopped up, & that none upon pain of death should approach within certain miles thereof. In pursuance of which order, Morat Bashaw commanded forthwith the Sanzjacks of Jerusalem and of Saphetta, being the nearest Sanzjackries which confine upon the place, to see it performed with diligence, who in obedience to the Firman sent by the Grand Signior, did execute it accordingly.  

How the Jesuits practised to steal away the body of MOSES, and to carry it into France, and how they were prevented.  
IF the Jesuits had been as great enemies to Idolatry, and as careful to observe the will of God, as they pretended, it had been a greater miracle than the discovering of this Sepulchre: but their aim was quite contrary; for no sooner was the nine days wonder over, and the business began to be hushed, but they began to put that in practice, which was from the beginning their determination; which in effect was to steal away the body of Moses, and shipping it for France, to place it in their College of le Fleche, whereby they propounded to themselves the gaining of infinite reputation in holiness, besides the accumulation of wealth by indulgences. To effect this (by the means of the French Ambassador, now wholly Jesuited) letters were directed to the French Consuls residing at S. John de Acre, and at Rama in the Holy Land, whose chief trading there is for Cottons, and who being placed and displaced by the Ambassador, were close and diligent in executing of his commands; which letters were to this effect, That they should diligently inquire amongst the Emirs and Shecks of the Arabs (who are petty Princes in those parts, and who in despite of the Grand Signior possess most part of that country) if for a good reward in Dutch Dollars any of them would undertake to assist the Jesuits in conveying of the body either to Acre or to Joppa, and there to put it aboard a French vessel, which should attend them to that purpose, where they should deliver the body with one hand, and receive their moneys with the other. To this the Consuls answered, that upon making a trial hereof, they found the Arabs averse hereunto, not only for fear of too much provoking the Turk against them, but because of the high esteem they have of Moses, whom they call in their language [Moo●a Carym Alla] that is, Moses the righteous of God, yet the Consuls did assure them that there were another sort of people inhabiting those now wild parts; the remainder of those Frenchmen brought in by Godfrey of Boulogne, who are called Druses, and who have ever since defended themselves in the Mountains against the Turks and Saracens. But they have now lost their Christian Religion, and yet are not good Mahometans neither; retaining the eating of Swine's flesh, which makes them odious to the Turks, who thereupon call them Rafties, that is, Infidels, yet they wear a white Turban, and neither fearing God, nor obeying man, they conceived them fit for any detestable villainy. To these they had imparted the business, and were assured to get a considerable number of them, for a good sum of Dollars, part to be paid in hand, the rest when they had finished their work. The Jesuits conceived their business as half done when they heard these tidings. And thereupon with divers French Gentlemen and Merchants, who desired to participate of the honour, they embarked at Constantinople in a French vessel bound for S. John de Acre, formerly called Ptolomais, pretending tovisit the holy Sepulchre, and the renowned places for sanctity in and near Jerusalem. The wind favoured them so much, as they overshot their Port, and forced them to Joppa, much nearer their Rendezvous than Acre, it being not above forty Italian miles from Jerusalem. At Rama, now called Ramula, they were kindly received by the French Consul, who gave them great assurance of the Druses, and brought them on their way towards Jerusalem, where they were lodged in the Convent of Franciscans. They came thither about Mid-lent, as they designed, having time enough betwixt that and Palm-sunday, to work the Father Guardian, and the other Friars to be assistant to their design, and to compact with the Druses both for their reward, and for the time and place of their meeting. For it is to be observed, that the Tuesday after Palm-sunday, the Father Guardian with many of his Friars and all Pilgrims that will go, make a journey to wash themselves in Jordan, carrying Soldiers with them for their convoy; and this is once every year and no oftener, unless upon very extraordinary occasion. The business being broken to the Father Guardian, called Padre Gregorio, an Italian by Nation, as were most of the Convent, he did no ways approve of the business, alleging many reasons against it, but principally that their Convent at Jerusalem would thereby be dissolved, and all the Western Christians for ever debarred from worshipping or visiting the holy Sepulchre hereafter. Some thought it was partly out of envy, that the Jesuits should enjoy so great a treasure, who are an order that these Franciscans do not greatly reverence. Howsoever he agreed to hold his accustomed journey, and to keep secret their plot, the Jesuits assuring him, that the Druses should not touch a hair of his head, nor of any his Convent. Now the plot was thus laid, That the Jesuits under colour of carrying victuals and provisions for their journey to Jordan, in which they always lie out some nights, being to visit other places in their return, secretly carried a coffin, fine linen, and other things, wherein to wrap the body, and good mules for themselves and companions in the plot to ride upon, which they meant should serve them in their flight to the seaside, where the vessel which brought them being a Polacre of Marcelles attended their design, under colour of taking in Cottons. And lest Joppa should prove no safe port for their retreat, they ordered the Patron or Master of the Polacre, to take them in some few miles to the Northward thereof, at the Castle of Pilgrims, a desolate port at this time, & therefore the fit for their purpose. They had likewise ordered the Druses to meet them well armed and horsed near to Jericho, the most confining place to Jordan they knew of; which they so punctually performed, as the pilgrims were no sooner arrived on the bank of Jordan, and ready to ship themselves to enter the river, but these Druses fell upon them with great outcries in the Arabic tongue, the better to delude the Turkish Soldiers, who commonly are yearly assaulted by the wild Arabs, in that very place, and these Druses differing little from the Arabs in habit and feature, the Soldiers took them to be no other, never suspecting the plot, but looked only to defend themselves, while in the mean time the Druses seized upon the Jesuits and their company, their mules, baggage, and whatsoever they had, not touching the Father Guardian, nor any of his Convent, two only excepted, namely, Friar Cyprian and Friar Juniper, who being lay-brethrens, Frenchmen, and of the plot, they took with them, leaving the Pilgrims half stripped of their clothes. And being advantaged by the benefit of the night which then approached, they forded Jordan (which is easy to do in most places without a miracle, being a River not navigable any where) and by midnight they arrived at the cave of the Sepulchre, being at the foot of Mount Nebo, the top whereof being called Pisgath, which is over against Jerice, from whence God shown unto Moses all the Land of Promise.  
The Jesuits conceived, that before the Pilgrims and father Guardian could return to Jerusalem, to give notice of what had passed, which could not be till the night following, and that the Sanziack not knowing who had committed this insolency, nor much caring, it being but upon a company of gower's or misbelievers, as they call Christians, they made no doubt, but that they might be shipped out of their reach, before they could be met with; wherefore letting their Mules and horses of the Druses to graze upon the fragrant herbs of that little valley, they betook themselves to pluck down the entrance into the Sepulchre which was easier to be pulled down, then to be made up. But see how their Ship did sink, even in the entrance of the harbour. For the Jesuits had brought with them from Constantinople an old Janizarie called Ibrahim, who had served them many years faithfully; without the company of one of which there is no travailing in Turkey. This man they had sounded a far off, to try if they could make him of their plot. But he not willing in his old age to leave his Country, religion, wife and children, they desisted. This and daily the words which he heard from the mouths of those French Gentlemen and Merchants who being in the plot, were too lavish of their tongues before him, who by reason of his long conversation amongst the French, understood more of their language, than they were ware of. This with other matters of the like nature, made him strongly to suspect the design. And thereupon acquainted the Sanziack of Jerusalem therewith, feigning himself also ill at ease, to the end he might not be invited to that journey. The Sanziack perceiving that Ibrahim was not able to make it out, and yet doubting the worst, being of a more subtle brain than Turks ordinarily are (he being in truth a Renegado Christian, a notable knave, and a Scottish-man borne; his right name being Sande Murrey, but upon his circumcision he called himself Ramdam) he gave notice of his fears to Nazuffe the Sanziack of Saphetta, who was also a Renegado of Hungary, and as cunning a knave as himself: advising him, that he should give notice hereof to certain troops of Spahees who lay grazing of their horses on the other side of Jordane until they recevied orders from Morat, Bashaw of Damascus, to go against the son of Ipsheer Bashaw, the rebel Bashaw of Aleppo. The Captain of these Spahees called Jaffer-Aga, a good soludier, and the cunningest knave of all three, forthwith possessed himself by his scouts, of all the fords over jordan, lying between the lake of Genazaret and the Dead sea. And having got notice of the Jesuits passage (though unknown to them) he leisurely followed with three hundred Spahees well armed with lances, swords, shields, bows, arrows, and pistols, being besides incomparably mounted upon Arabian horses, knowing the passages of the country, and most assured that they could not escape him.  
In the mean time the Jesuits with the help of their company, had laboured so effectually in the opening of the cave, as even tired and dropping with sweat they faintingly entered; being instantly revived and strengthened again by the odoriferous scent which they found therein, being far above all the perfumes, that ever any of them had before scented, finding the cave and monument to be every way answerable to the report. They began with strong wedges and levers, (which they brought purposely with them) to attempt the lifting up of the upper stone. Wherein Friar Juniper and Friar Cyprian more acquainted with such labour, then with saying of Mass, or preaching, wrought with great effect. Inso much as having tried both ends, and one of the sides to no purpose, they putting their strength to the other side, it opened so easily, as if it had been done by its own accord. The reason of this they found after to be, that the coffin, the cover and the hinges which fastened them together, were all of one entire stone, unseparated from the rock which made the cave, without any supplement whatsoever. Then the Jesuits and their company, as men pleased and overjoyed, not only with the more than Aromatic perfumes which issued out of it, but also with the desire of seeing so sacred a spectacle, falling upon their knees with great devotion, with all the eyes and light they had, began to pry and spy into this sacred monument. But after they had looked it over and over ten times for failing, and put in their hands to search more nearly the bottom, they found in it just nothing; nay it was as clear as if it had been swept, washed, and rubbed, not an hour before their coming. The Jesuits and their company being much in their dumps for the loss of their labour, their money, their time, and indeed their reputation, began to think of a way, since they could not carry the body, which was not to be found, yet how they might convey the tomb into France, & so into their College. But when they had considered that it was not only fixed to the natural rock, or rather of one individual substance with it, and that besides they had brought no engine capable to carry over Jordan and the mountains of Judea so weighty a burden, they thought of breaking it in pieces, and of conveying it piecemeal that way. Whilst they were thus contriving of their business, they heard from without a hideous noise of horses and arms, intermixed with the voices of men, reiterating often these words [Alla-hemderlo] which is as much in the Turkish language, as the Lord be praised, which was the Spahees acclamations, when they found they had so happily surprised their prey. Hereat the Jesuits (as they had reason) conceived great fear, so did all their company; and friar Juniper, for all his name and the odoriferousnesse of the place, was not yet so sweet as he should be. In the midst of their fears two bold Spahees entered the cave, with their lances in the one hand, and bright Semiters in the other, with the butt-end of their lances they beat them all out of the cave, and as they issued out, they were stripped by the other Spahees to the very skin every man, being sound beaten besides, and so brought to Joffer-Aga the Captain. In the mean time the Druses (having first lost their horses, and themselves not able to escape) submitted to mercy, & so being all bound two & two together, with their arms behind them, they were sent under conduct towards Saphetta, which is near the lake of Genezaret, as well because that way lay the Spahees quarters, as for that it being near to Damascus, they might the better receive orders from Morat Bashaw how to dispose of them. In the mean time, Jaffer-Aga, with two only entering the cave, with great reverence worshipped at the Sepulchre, thanking Almighty God that he had made him an instrument (though most unworthy) to serve him. And having closed again the Sepulchre, by softly letting the lid or cover of it to fall into the place where it seemed to be jointed, and causing divers great stones to be rolled against the entrance of the cave, he with the remainder of his horse followed his company. By noon the next day he overtook them, having gotten as far as Jordan, where giving to every one of the prisoners a loaf of bread, he bade them drink of the river until it was dry. And so departing to his tents with the greater number of his Spahees, carrying with him all the spoils of the Jesuits, he commanded the rest to convey them carefully unto the Sanzjacks of Saphetta; which they speedily put in execution: the case in less than 24. hours being much altered with the Jesuits, who the evening before did ride trumphantly over Jordan upon their mules, bravely guarded by their Druses; now they and their● guards in bonds were forced to wade the flood, which yet passed not much their middle. And so they washed themselves per force in Jordan, which yet Friar Juniper had no more than need of.  
The conclusion of all was for the present, that Morat Bashaw ordered the prisoners to be sent to the galleys at Tripoli, in which as slaves at the oar they were to be conveyed to Constantinople, there to receive such further punishment as the Grand Signior should appoint. The two Sanzjaks, Ramdam of Jerusalem, and Zanzuffe of Saphetta, the first was preferred sub-Bashaw of Noha at the mouth of the red sea; the second, sub-Bashaw of Sues, at the bottom thereof; they never trusting a Christian Renegado in any part of Europe. Ibrahim the Janisary was sent for to Constantinople, to be recompensed. And Joffer-Aga Captain of the Spahees, advanced in military preferment, with promise to be made a Bashaw.   

How the Jesuits were used at Constantinople, and of the great question that did arise there by men of all Religions, what was become of the body of Moses.  
WHen news came of these transactions to the port of the Grand Signior, the Jesuits were much condemned by all sorts of Religions. But the Jews took occasion hereupon to inveigh bitterly against the Christians above all measure, affirming they were the most treacherous thiefs that ever lived in the world. Having whilst the Soldiers slept stolen out of the Sepulchre the body of Christ, and thereby made the second error worse than the first. That Alonso de Albuquerque viceroy of Goa, had a design to have defaced the Sepulchre of Mahomet at Medina Talnabi, and to have thrown his body into the red Sea, but was prevented by death. The like design had Ferdinando the Great, Duke of Tuscanie, to have forced the Sepulchre of Christ from Jerusalem, and to have placed it in his Chapel of Saint Lorenzo at Florence; but he died ere he could effect it. And now this late plot of the Jesuits in attempting to steal away the body of Moses, howsoever miraculously prevented, yet it argued the Christians to be a people, not fit to be admitted into the Turkish Empire. The vulgar being much incensed by these and the like clamours, the French Ambassador was necessitated to obscure himself for divers days in the house of the Emperor's Ambassador. The French Consul of Rama shipped himself in the Bolane, appointed to attend the design, and sailed to Marselles his Native country. The Padre Guardiano at Jerusalem and his convent were in great trouble by Ramdam the Sanzjacke, until Ibrahim the janissary had cleared them by the oath of a Muselman, that they had no hand in the business. The Druses were condemned to the Galleys for 120. years. The Gentlemen and Merchants for great sums of money, obtained so much favour as to be perpetually banished the Turks dominions. The Jesuits were sent to the seven Towers, there to be put to some cruel death, their college to be razed, and their order never to return into Turkey again.  
The great question than was amongst the learned of all Religions at Constantinople, what was become of the body of Moses. Some Dry-vines said it was there where it pleased God, which satisfied the question as little as if they had said nothing. Some Arabs Philosophers said it was evapored in fumo; but the Greeks argued out of Aristotle, that it was impossible in nature to reduce the whole earthy part of any man's body to nothing; nay they went so fare, as though they acknowledged that God had created all things of nothing, yet whether he could reduce all things to nothing again, they humbly submitted to better judgements. They holding that as Creation was a work of perfection, so destruction a work of imperfection, whereof the Deity was not capable. The Jews laughed at this dispute, and demonstrated out of Rabbi David Kimche, and out of Rabbi Solomon Ben Jack, that some thousands of years ago, the Angels who were placed Guardians of Moses Sepulchre, were furiously assaulted by a Devil named Asmandeus and his wicked Angels, insomuch as Moses body was taken from that place, and carried God knows whither; whereupon being asked by the Christians, which side got the victory? they answered they could not tell. And being farther demanded, why then did they labour so much to be Guardians of the place where his body was supposed to lie? they answered, for the same reasons which moved the Christians to be Guardians of the Sepulchre of Christ, wherein it was against their faith to believe that his body had at the present any residence. Against this the Christians of the Latin Church alleged the nineth verse of St. Jude's Ep. whose words are [Yet Michael the Angel, when contending with the Devil, he disputed with the Devil about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke thee.] Out of which and the twelfth of the Revelation, verse the seventh, [And there was wars in heaven, Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his Angels, and prevailed not.] They did conclude, that the Devil did not carry away the body of Moses, but that the Angels of God had still the tuition thereof, yet where, they did not know. But the Grecian, Armenian, Coptie, Abissine, Jacobin, Georgian, Maronite and Nestorian Christians did wholly oppose this Allegation, with whom joined many Lutherans residing at Constantinople, denying the Epistle of St. Judas to be Canonical, but more especially venting their spleens against the Revelation of S. John, saying that it was none of his, full of obscurity, void of reason, and the title forged; that the Author of it was Cerinthus the Heretic; and neither of them were allowed to be Canonical, until the Council of Carthage, which was wholly subservient to the Papacy three or four hundred years after Christ; being both of them before that time not only disputed against, but wholly gainsaid. These differences did no ways clear, but rather obscure the question, in as much as the Mufty to try all parties, desired to know the opinions of the Protestant Divines. viz. the Dutch, and the English. But the Dutch, whether to save charges, or that they though it needless, and perhaps dangerous, maintained no Divines amongst them; the English excused themselves as a point they had not at all studied, nor ever found in their books, and therefore referred themselves to the Assembly of Divines in England.  
The question rested not so, for Nazuffe coming to Constantinople to be invested in his new government of Sues, brought with him a book written by one Jeconius Ben-Gad, a learned Rabbi, dwelling at Saphetta, which is an University of the Jews, wherein he did maintain, that this Tomb was not the Tomb of Moses, who delivered Israel; but of another Moses very famous for his piety, who lived according to the Jews computation, many hundred years after him. To make good his assertion, he maintained it to be most unbeseeming the wisdom of God to hid the body of Moses, and yet to write his name upon his Sepulchre; besides, the Inscription being witten in Hebrew characters, argued it to be of a fare later date: for it is well known to the learned, that the Jews, Samaritans, and Canaanites, had anciently no other Character but the Phoenician until the Jews used the Hebrew Character, which was invented by Esdras after the Captivity. And for the late miraculous opening of an entrance into this valley, not formerly known, that proceeded from the ignorance of the Goat-herds, and the Maronite Patriarch, who being Christians do little understand the Topography of the Land of Promise. But the learned Jews know this to be an ancient valley, called formerly Hamagiddo, of fare greater extent than at this present, and that not four hundred years past, it was almost wholly devoured by an Earthquake. That there was no body found in the Sepulchre, was no wonder, seeing the Christians upon their conquest of the Holy Land by Godfrey of Boulogne, left no Tomb or Monument of the dead unsearched for treasure, commonly making havoc and Sacrilege of the dead bones, leaving empty Sepulchers. That they had attempted the breaking up of David's Tomb, upon great confidence of finding therein an inestimable treasure; but were miraculously prevented by fire which issued out of it. Nay, their unsatiated covetousness was such, as they would not have spared the holy Sepulchre (as they call it) of their Saviour Christ, had they not conceived, that by reason of his poverty there could nothing of value be buried with him; for the strange fastening of the upper stone to the nether, as hath formerly been expressed, it will appear to be no miracle, when it shall be remembered how usual it was anciently amongst the Jews so to do, and the Sepulchers of the Kings of Judea, yet remaining near Jerusalem to this day testify as much. As for the odoriferousness of the place, it will be no wonder, when the sweet-smelling Gums and Aromatic Spices of wonderful price, wherewith anciently they did entomb their dead, shall be called to mind. Neither could it in the last place savour of any thing but of infinite impiety, to conceive that the arm of the great God of Israel should in these last times be so weakened, as he could not defend the body of his servant from an Earthquake, or keep from vulgar eyes his unscrutable secrets. This book, though written (after the Jewish manner) with much bitterness against the Christians, did give exceeding satisfaction. So it is thought this business hath received its full period.   
FINIS.