_These my words are, to give you notice, how that I am Arrived in Peace at_ Damascus, _and behold I go to meet the Face of our Lord, whose Majesty be exalted, for he is the Soveraign of the King of Kings, whose Empire be enlarged. According as he hath Commanded us and the_ 12 Tribes _to elect unto Him_ 12 _Men, so have we done: And we now go to_ Scanderone _by his command, to shew our faces together, with part of the principal of those particular Friends to whom he hath given Licence to assemble in that same place. And now I come to make known unto you, that though you have heard strange things of our Lord, yet let not your hearts faint, or fear, but rather fortifie your selves in your Faith, because all his Actions are Miraculous, and Secret, which Humane understanding cannot comprehend, and who can penetrate into the depth of them. In a short time all things shall be Manifested to you clearly in their Purity: and you shall know, and consider, and be instructed by the Inventor himself; Blessed is he who can expect, and arrive to the Salvation of the true_ Messiah, _who will speedily publish his Authority and Empire over us now, and for ever._ _Nathan._ And now all the _Cities_ of _Turky_ where the _Jewes_ Inhabited were full of the expectation of the _Messiah_; no Trade, nor course of Gaine was followed: every one imagin'd that dayly Provisions, Riches, Honours, and Government, were to descend upon them by some unknown and Miraculous manner: an example of which is most observable in the _Jewes_ at _Thessalonica_, who now full of Assurance that the Restoration of their Kingdome, and the Accomplishment of the time for the coming of the _Messiah_ was at hand, judged themselves obliged to double their Devotions, and Purifie their Consciences from all Sins and Enormities which might be obvious to the scrutiny of him who was now come to Penetrate into the very Thoughts and Imaginations of Mankinde. In which Work certain _Chochams_ were appointed to direct the People how to Regulate their Prayers, Fasts, and other Acts of Devotion. But so forward was every one now in his Acts of Penance, that they stay'd not for the Sentence of the _Chocham_, or prescription of any Rules, but apply'd themselves immediately to Fasting: And some in that manner beyond the abilities of Nature, that having for the space of seven dayes taken no sustenance, were famished to death. Others buryed themselves in their Gardens, covering their naked Bodies with Earth, their heads onely excepted, remained in their Beds of dirt until their Bodies were stifned with the cold and moisture: others would indure to have melted Wax dropt upon their shoulders, others to rowle themselves in Snow, and throw their Bodies in the Coldest season of Winter Into the Sea, or Frozen Waters. But the most common way of Mortification was first to prick their Backs and Sides with Thornes, and then to give