The Conduct and Character of Count Nicholas Serini

The Conduct and Character of Count Nicholas Serini
Protestant Generalissimo of the Auxiliaries in Hungary,
The most Prudent and resolved Champion of Christendom.
With his Parallels Scanderberg & Tamberlain
Interwoven with the principal Passages of the Christians and Turks
Discipline and Success, since the infidels first Invasion of Europe, in the year 1313.

London, Printed for Sam Speed, at the Rainbow in Fleet Stree, 1664
Source



To all the Admirers of Count Nicholas Serini, The Great Champion of Christendom


It being as convenient to divert a discontented people in dangerous curiosity with Foreign discourses, as it is necessary to spend their unquiet idleness upon Foreign employments; there is nothing of more remark to offer the Speculative and the discursive in this Juncture of Affairs, than the grand concerns of Christendom, in reference to the general invasion made upon it by the Infidels, and the unanimous defence managed for it by Believers; among whom the Excellent Count Serini seems to be the Hero, upon whom Providence hath devolved the Fate of Europe, whose Character and Portraiture, though taken with the considerable disadvantages of distance, common Fame, and various prepossessions and apprehensions, yet upon the review of the entire piece resulting from these twenty years partial Relations, seems to promise the Ingenious and Inquisitive peruser, these nine particulars, viz.

1. A Brief Summary of the Turkish affairs, since their first appearance in the world, anno 1092 to this time.

2. An exact account of their several attempts upon Christendom.

3. A satisfactory recapitulation of their several successes against ours, and ours against them, for three hundred years together.

4. A very seasonable Discourse of the Heroic Persons, who in every Age were raised to check their insolence; together with the ways and methods (?) they aid it for these four Ages and Generations.

5. The particular services of the Famous Serini's Ancestors, his Grandfather, and Father, upon the same account.

6. An Historical Narrative of the incomparable Count's own brave undertakings from July 16 1663 when he first set out against the Mahumetans, to this present.

7. Most useful observations of his great Prudence and Conduct in all his exploits.

8. His Temper, Education, and Virtues, eminent in his Actions.

9. His great Parallel Scanderberg.

Now not to flatter this little attempt for the world's satisfaction, in that great person's particular Eminences of Inclination or Action; I shall only resume the aforesaid particulars: And say
1. who would not have always before him a brief Survey of their original, progress, and successes, that manage so great a part of the world?
2. Who would not compare this dreadful invasion with those that have gone before? And,
3. Observe by what sort of persons, by what Policies, by what Counsels, methods and designs, that grand Invader hath now twenty six times since his first assault upon the Christian world, been forced to his own Port?

Moreover, 5, 6, 7.  Seeing Serini is the great name that upholds drooping Christianity (now the abomination is broke in upon it, that makes desolate) who would not what he is, of whom he descended, what his Ancestors have done for the same great cause? What his temper? What his Constitution? What his Religion? What his hopes and virtues? In a word, what manner of Hero he is, upon whose success of overthrow the Western world seems to stand or fall?

Besides that, the curious will here find History to pass away the time; the Gentleman a great example to live by; the Noble man, great Actions to imitate; the Souldier and Statesman, many rules and maxims of Peace and War to observe; the undertakers in tat cause, an incomparable Commander to serve under; and the perplexed Christians a complete Gentleman and a faithful Protestant to depend upon and stick unto.  Here you may see what this great man is, and what all men should be. Here is an exact model of eminent and great Virtues, drawn with as equal design for others instruction, as his Renown; to ennoble those that Read his Actions, as well as celebrate him that performed them; that Christendom may be peopled with Serini's and it's Champions grow with its dangers, which are now as considerable as they have been these hundred years.

The Grand Seignior is straining himself for an universal and complete Conquest this Spring, threatening Europe with no less than three hundred thousand men, making the most dreadful provisions of Ammunition and stores that ever were heard of.  Laying the most dangerous plot and contriving the most terrible confederacy against us that ever was thought of, taking the most unhappy occasions and advantages of divided interests and parties that ever was offered him; and offering the greatest temptation (those of Liberty and Priviledge) that Christendome can now lie under, to revolt and Apostaste: yet for our support, we hear every day that our illustrious Personage goeth on with success, hath taken in the Upper and Lower Zigeth, where his Ancestors laid their Bones; and (though deluded by those of Five-Kirke, to the loss of many brave persons that fell under their walls) laid that place in Ashes, bestowing the infinite Treasure of the Town upon his deserving followers, whose Army now fill with persons of Resolution, that aim at spoil or honor: And indeed upon his late Victories, his friends the Hungarians and Imperialists are so resolved, and his enemies so awakened, that he seeth he must come to an engagement and therefore he hath drawn to the Field to prepare himself accordingly. 

Our Great God, the cause and prayers of Christendom, the Sins and Blasphemies of Infidels, make his success as great as his cause is good.

So prayeth

O.C.