on of Christianity, was so far from being penal, that under pretence of the Christians being useful for the Arts and Sciences, the Trade and Plenty they brought with them wherever they came, they were even respected and regarded, provided they were not natural Turks or converted Renegadoes. Nor was this Work less subtilly carried on by the free Trade for all forts of Wines, thro' the Dominions of the Grand Seignior; the Drinking of which was so universally conniv'd at, that in the open Taverns in every Village, the Turks would be seen all Day carousing and fuddling in defiance of their Alcoran. Nay, some of them have been heard in the Freedom of their Cups, to speak contemptuously of the stupid Prophet, who thought, (they said) by the blind Hopes of an imaginary Paradise above, to deprive them of the only Heaven Men could enjoy below, a cheerful Bottle, and an open-hearted Friend.
But what help'd to introduce the Christian Religion still further, was the Custom he establish'd during his Ministry (almost as long as the two great Kuperlies in the 17th Century joined together) and which has been kept up ever since, of sending Ambassadors to all the Courts of Europe; these were accom-panied
