Rycaut on 1666 and Nathan’s prophecy for Sabatai Sevi

Anno 1666. Hegeira 1077. We shall begin this Year with the strange rumour and disturbance of the Jews, concerning Sabatai Sevi, their pretended Messiah, which for being most principally acted in Turkey, may properly belong to the History of this time and place; which therefore for delight of the Readers, I shall here insert: for though it may have been elsewhere published, yet being an issue of my Pen, I may lawfully now own it, and annex it to this History, in respect of that near coherence it may have therewith; and that many other particulars have been added thereunto, which succeeded until the Death of this Sabatai. According to the Predictions of several Christian Writers, especially of such who comment upon the Apocalypse or Revelations; this Year of 1666. was to prove a Year of Wonders, of strange revolutions in the World, and particularly, of blessing to the Jews, either in respect of their Conversion to the Christian Faith, or of their Restoration to their Temporal Kingdom. This opinion was so dilated and fixt in the Countries of the Reformed Religion, and in the heads of Fanatical Enthusiasts, who dreamed of Fifth Monarchies; the down-fall of the Pope and Anti-Christ; and the greatness of the Jews, insomuch, that this subtle people judged this Year the time to stir, and to fit their Motion according to the season of the Modern Prophecies. Whereupon strange reports flew from place to place, of the March of multitudes of people from unknown parts into the remote deserts of Arabia, supposed to be the ten Tribes and a half, lost for so many Ages. That a Ship was arrived in the Northern parts of Scotland, with her Sails and Cordage of Silk, navigated by Marriners who spoke nothing but Hebrew, and with this Motto on their Sails, The twelve Tribes of Israel. These reports agreeing thus near to former Predictions, put the wild sort of the World into an expectation of strange accidents this Year should produce in reference to the Jewish Monarchy. In this manner Millions of people were possessed when Sabatai Sevi first appeared at Smyrna, and published himself to the Jews for their Messiah, relating the greatness of their approaching Kingdom, the strong hand whereby God was about to deliver them from Bondage, and gather them from all the parts of the World. It was strange to see, how this fancy took, and how fast the report of Sabatai, and his Doctrine, flew through all parts where Jews inhabited, and so deeply possessed them with a belief of their new Kingdom and riches; and many of them with promotion to Offices of Government, renown and greatness; that in all places from Constantinople to Buda (which it was my fortune that Year to travel) I perceived a strange transport in the Jews, none of them attending to any business, unless to wind up former Negotiations; and to prepare themselves and Families for a Journey to Jerusalem; all their Discourses, their Dreams, and disposal of their affairs, tended to no other design, but a re-establishment in the Land of Promise, to Greatness and Glory, Wisdom and Doctrine of the Messiah, whose Original, Birth and Education is first to be recounted. […] And now the Schism being begun, and many Jews really believing what they so much desired, Nathan took the courage and boldness to prophesie, That one year from the 27th of Kislau, which is the month of July, the Messiah was to appear before the Grand Signior, and to take from him his Crown, and lead him in chains like a Captive: Sabatai also at Gaza preached Repentance to the Jews, and Obedience to himself and Doctrine, for that the Coming of the Messiah was at hand. Which novelties so affected the Jews, Inhabitants of those parts, that they gave up themselves wholly to their Prayers, Alms, and Devotions; and to confirm this belief the more, it happened that at the same time that news hereof with all particulars were dispatched from Gaza, to acquaint the Brethren in foreign parts; the rumour of the Messiah had flown so swift, and gained such reception, that Intelligence came from all Countries, where the Jews sojourn, by Letters to Gaza and Jerusalem, congratulating the happiness of their deliverance, and expiration of their time of servitude by the appearance of the Messiah. To which they adjoyned other Prophecies relating to that Dominion the Messiah was to have over all the World, that for nine months after he was to disappear; during which time the Jews were to suffer, and several of them to undergo Martyrdom; but then returning again mounted on a celestial Lyon, with his Bridle made of Serpents with seven heads, accompanied with his Brethren the Jews, 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 Sacrifices for ever. And here I leave the Reader to consider, how strangely this deceived People was amused, when these confident and vain reports and dreams of Power and Kingdoms had wholly transported them from the ordinary course of their trade and interest.