There are many men among the Mahometans called Dervises, who relinquish the world, and spend their days in solitude, expecting a recompence in a better life.  The strict and severe penances these men voluntarily endure, far exceed all those so much boasted of by the Romanist monks.  Some of these live alone on the tops of hills, remote from all society, spending their lives in contemplation, and will rather die of famine than move from their cells, being relieved from devotion by those who dwell nearest them.  Some again impose long fasts upon themselves, till nature be almost exhausted.  Many of those whom they call religious men, wear no garments beyond a mere clout to cover their shame, and beg for all their provisions, like the mendicant friars of Europe.  These men usually dwell about the outskirts of the cities and towns, like the man mentioned by our blessed Saviour at the city of the Gadarens, who had devils, and wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but dwelt among the tombs.  They make little fires during the day, sleeping at night among the warm ashes, with which they besmear their bodies.  These men never suffer a razor to come upon their heads, and some of them let their nails grow like to bird’s claws, as it is written of Nebuchadnezzar, when driven out from among the society of men.  There is also a sort of men among them called mendee, who often cut and slash their flesh with knives, like the priests of Baal.  I have seen others, who, from supposed devotion, put such massy fetters of iron on their legs, that they are hardly able to move, yet walk in that manner many miles upon pilgrimages, barefooted, upon the parching ground, to visit the sepulchres of their deluding saints; thus, tantum religio potuit suadere malorum, taking more pains to go to hell than any Christian that I know does to attain heaven.  These do not marry.  Such Mahometans as choose to marry, are allowed four wives by the law of Mahomet, but they keep as many concubines as they can maintain.  The priests content themselves with one wife.

Notwithstanding their polygamy, such is the violent jealousy of these lustful Mahometans, that they will scarcely allow even the fathers and brothers of their beloved wives or concubines to converse with them, except in their own presence.  Owing to this restraint, it has become odious for such women as have the reputation of virtue, to be seen at any time by strangers.  If any of them dishonour their husbands beds, or, being unmarried, are found incontinent, even their own brothers will put them to death rather than they should escape punishment; and for such unnatural actions they shall be commended, rather than called in question.  Yet is there full toleration for harlots, who are as little ashamed of receiving visits as the men are of frequenting their houses.  The women of any fashion are waited upon by eunuchs instead of women-servants; and these eunuchs are deprived in their youth of every