little or much and limit the time wherein payment ought to bee made such writings are just before God give more efficacy to testimonie and are requiâ—â—te â—o avoide your complaints one of another If your merchandize be present you shall take it betweene you at the same time then shall you not sinne in not drawing a writing or contract Call witnesses when you sell or buy neither the witnesses nor the Notary shall receive any dammage If you shall doe that which is forbidden you shall doe very ill Feare God he will teach you his Commandements he knoweth all things If you are in a journey and cannot find a Notary you shall give earnest If one trusteth in the other he that shall be trusted in shall satisfie his promise and feare God his Lord no man shall conceale his testimony he that shall conceale shall sinne in his heart God knoweth all your actions Whatsoever is in Heaven or in Earth belonging unto God whether you conceale or reveale what in your minds he shall require an account of you he pâ—â—doneth and chastiseth whom it pleaseth him he is oâ—nipotent The Prophet believed in all that God sent him as likewise all the true believers Such as believe God the Angels and Scriptures and generally all 〈◊〉 Prophets without exception say We have heard 〈◊〉 obeyed Pardon us oh Lord Thou art our refuge Gâ—â— requireth of no man more then he is able to peeform the good that a man shall doe shall be for himselfe 〈◊〉 the evill that he doth shall be likewise agninst him Lâ—â— excuse us if wee have forgotten thee or sinned Lâ—â— charge us not with any heavy burthen as thou diâ—charge them that were before us charge us not with tâ—â—â— which we are not able to suport blot out our sinnes 〈◊〉 give us thy mercy Thou art our Lord give us victory â—gainst the Infidels CHAP. III. The Chapter of the Lienage of Ioachim containing two hâ—â—dred verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am 〈◊〉 most wise God God! There is but one only God â—â—ving and eternall He hath sent to thee the Book 〈◊〉 containeth truth and confirmeth the Scriptures 〈◊〉 were sent before it He sent the Old Testament and 〈◊〉 Gospell that were heretofore guides to the people 〈◊〉 hath sent the Alcoran that distinguisheth good from â—vill they that believe not in the Law of God shall 〈◊〉 severely chastised He is omnipotent and revengefull Nâ—thing is hid from him in Heaven or in Earth It is 〈◊〉 that formed you in the wombes of your mothers as it plâ—â—sed him there is no God but the omnipotent and 〈◊〉 God He it is that sent to thee the Book whose preceâ—â—â—â— are necessary See Kitab el tenoir they are the originall and foundation the Law like in puritie one to the other and with contradiction Such as in their heart incline to depart from the truth doe often follow their inclination desirous of sedition and to understand the explication of the Alcoran but none understand its explication but God and such as are profound in learning they say we believe in God all things proceed from his divine wisdome neverthelesse none remember â—ut the wise Lord cause not our hearts to erre after thou hast guided us into the right way give us thy mercy thou art most bountifull towards thy creatures Lord thou art hee that shalt assemble the world at the day of Iudgement at which day nothing shall be found doubtfull when thou wilt not goe against thy promises and when wealth and children shall not serve to the wicked but to kindle the fire of Hell The Infidell lineage of Pharoah and those that preceded him blasphemed and abjured the Law of God but he surprized them in their sinne hee is grievous in his chastisements Say to the Infidels they shall be vanquished and shall be gathered together into the fire of Hell that is prepared for them You have an example in the two Troops that fought for the glory of God they beheld with their eyes Infidels become true believers like unto themselves God strengthneth with his aide whom it pleaseth him this shall be for example to such as shall cleerly see The love and desire of women of children of riches abundance of gold and of silver of horses cattell and of tillage are pleasing to men such are the riches of the life of this world but the most assured refuge is in God Say unto them I will declare unto you things much better for them that shall have the feare of God before their eyes they shall dwell eternally in Paradise where flow many rivers with women beautifull and leane and all manner of content God beholdeth them that adore him and that say Lord we believe in thy Law pardon our sinnes and deliver us from the torments of fire The patient the persevering true believers the obedient the good men such as beg pardon of God in the morning the Angels the Learned that love Iustice testifie that there is but one only God The Law of salvation is a Law pleasing to his divine Majestie no man contradicteth this truth among * The Iews and Christians such as know the written Law but through envie He that shall not obey the Commandements of God shall find his divine Majesty very exact to call him to an accompt See Gelaldin If the impious dispute with thee say to them I am wholy resigned to the will of God The Iews and Christians with all such as have followed me Aske of such as know the written Law and them that know it not if they resigne themselves to God if they doe they will follow the right way The Arabians if they goe astray thou hast none other obligation but to preach to them God beholdeth them that adore him See Kitab el tenoir Declare grievous torments to those that conceale his Commandements that kill the Prophets and injure them that instruct the people in Iustice the good works that they doe shall be unprofitable to them on earth and they shall be in the other world dâ—prived of protection Seest thou not a partie of them that know the written Law how they were called to a Lecture of the Book of God to the end they might judge with equitie the differences that are among them but many are returned to their sinne they contemned the Scripture in that they said the fire shall not touch us but for a certain number of dayes They are deceived in their blasphemies what will become of them when we shall assemble them at the day of Iudgement when nothing shall be doubtfull and every one shall be recompensed as he shall have merited No in justice shall be done unto them Say Lord thou possessest the Kingdomes of the world thou givest Royalty to whom thou seest good from thy hand oh Lord proceedeth all good thou art Omnipotent thou causest day to enter the night and night the day thou causest life to come out of death and
death out of life thou enrichest without measure whom thou seest good The believers shall not obey the unbelievers to the exclusion of true believers he that doth this thing â—bserveth not the Law of God but if you feare your enemies God willeth that you feare him also he is the assured refuge of the righteous say to them whether you conceale what is in your heart or whether you manifest it God knoweth all things he knoweth all that is either in Heaven or Earth he is Omnipotent Think on the day wherein every one shall find the good and the evill that he hath done then shall you desire to be cleansed from your sinnes See Gelaldin and that the number of your good works exceed that of your evill God willeth that you feare him he is gracious to them that worship him Say to them If you love God follow me God shall give you life and pardon your sinnes he is gracious and mercifull Say to them obey God and his Prophet If they returne in their sinne God will very severely punish them he loveth not Infidels God elected Adam and Noah the lineage of Abraham and the lineage of Joachim the one proceedeth from the other God knoweth and understandeth all things Remember thou how the wife of Joachim said Lord I vow unto thee the fruit that is in my wombe free See Kitab el tenoir and exempt from all affaires to serve thee in thy Temple Accept him from me who offer him to thee with affection thou understandest and knowest all things When shee was delivered shee said Lord I am delivered of a Daughter thou knowest thou hast given her to me I have named her Mary I will preserve through thine assistance her and her posterity from the malice of the Devill accept her Lord with a pleasing acceptation and cause her to produce good fruits Zachary had the care of the education of this daughter and whensoever hee went into his Oratorie he there found a thousand sorts of different fruits of divers seasons He said one day oh Mary whence doe these good things proceed she answered they proceed from God who enricheth without measure whom he pleaseth Then Zachary prayed to the Lord and said Lord give me a progenie that may bee pleasing to thee and that may observe thy Commandements Lord heare my prayers The Angels called him and said to him I declare to thee from God that thou shalt have a sonne called John See Gelaldin he shall affirme the Messias to be the word of God that he shall be a great person chaste a Prophet and one of the just Lord answered Zachary how shall I have a sonne I am old and my wife is barren The Angell said to him so God doth as pleaseth him Lord said Zachary give me some signe of the conception of my wife The signe that I will give thee answered the Angell shall be that thou shalt not speake in three dayes but by signes Remember thou thy Lord often praise him evening and morning Remember thou how the Angels said Oh Mary God hath chosen and purified thee above all women of the world oh Mary obey thy Lord praise him and worship him with them that worship him I relate to thee how the matter past thou wert not with the Ministers of the Temple when they cast in their pens to draw lots and to see which of them should have the care of the education oâ— Mary Oh Mahomet neither when they entred upon this difficulty Remember thou how the Angels said oh Mary God declareth unto thee a word from which shall proceed the Messias named Iesus the sonne of Mary full of honour in this world and that shall be in the other of the number oâ— Intercessors with his divine Majestie hee shall speakâ— in the cradle as a man betwixt thirty and fifty years and shall be in the number of the just She said Lord how shall I have a child without the touch of a man he answered so God doth as pleaseth him when he createtâ— any thing he saith be thou and it is I will teach him the Scriptures the Mysteries of the Law the Old Testament and the Gospell and he shall be a Prophet sent to the children of Israel Iesus said to the children of Israel I come to you with evident signs of my mission from your Lord I will make unto you of the slime of the earth the figure of a Bird I will blow upon it incontinently it shall be a Bird and by the permission of God shal fly I wil heal them that are borne blind and the leprous I will raise again the dead I wil teach you what you shal eat and what you ought not to eate this shall serve you for instruction if you believe in God I am come to confirme the old Testament and what hath been taught you heretofore Certainly it is lawfull for you to eat things that have been heretofore forbidden I am come to you with signs of my mission that testifie that I am truly sent from your Lord â—â—are God and obey me God is my Lord and your Lord â—orship him this is the right way When Iesus knew â—heir impiety he said who shall sustaine the Law of God 〈◊〉 my absence The Apostles answered him we will sustain â—â—e Law of God we believe in his unity be thou a witâ—esse before God that we resign our selves wholly to the â—leasure of his divine Majestie Lord we believe in what â—hou hast commanded and we have followed the Proâ—het thy Apostle write us in the number of them that â—rofesse thy Law The Iews conspired against Iesus and God caused their conspiracie to turne against them hee â—noweth the designs of Conspirators Remember thou â—ow the Lord said O Iesus I will cause thee to die I â—ill elevate thee to my self and remove thee farre from â—nfidels and preferre those that have obeyed thee to Infidels at the day of Iudgement That day shall assemble you all before me I will judge the differences between you and will punish the impious in this world and in the other none among them shall be of power to protect them I will reward them that shall have believed in my Law and have done good works God loveth not the unjust I relate to thee these mysteries and teach thee the Alcoran Iesus is with God as is Adam God created him of the Earth he said be thou and he was this truth proceedeth from thy Lord be not thou of the number of them that doubt If any one dispute with thee concerning thy Doctrine say to them Come call together your children and ours your wives and ours let us assemble and addresse our prayers to God I will lay the curse of his divine Majesty upon lyars This discourse is most true there is no God but God alone the omnipotent and wise If they depart from his Commandements he shall well observe the unbelievers say
appointed by the Law and enter not the bonds of marriage untill the time set downe in writing be accomplished God knoweth whatever is in your hearts take heed unto your selves he is gentle and gracious to them that feare him It is no sin to repudiate your wives before you have touched them you shall give them some presents and doe good unto them according to the proportion of your wealth or poverty and civilly intreat them as is the custome of honest men If you repudiate them before you have touched them and have bestowed on them any presents of garments moveables and other things they shall have the moity if they release it not to you or if the husband remitting with his owne hand the tie of marriage doth not leave to them the whole of courtesie it is requisite to gratifie them and to forget nothing of the benefits betweene you God beholdeth all your actions stand upon your guard when you make your prayers especially that at noone and be obedient unto God If you feare your enemies and cannot place your selves on your knees neither performe the Ceremonies that are appointed you omit not to say youâ— prayers on foote or on horseback and being freed froâ— feare remember God and how he hath taught you what you know not Such as die shall be good to their wives by their Testament they shall bestow on them wherewitâ— to live during the time they must tarry before they marry again drive them not from your houses If they willingly depart the sin of what they shall do in their own persons shall not be upon you God is omnipotent and just you shall likewise do good to your wives that you have divorced according to your power it is a thing reasonable among such as feare God Thus God teacheth you his Commandements perhaps you will learne them See you not them that departed their houses for the fear they had of death they are thousands in number God hath said to them die after this he raised them again God is the Benefactor of the people but the greatest part return him no thanks for his Favours Fight for his Law and know that he understandeth and knoweth all things Who is he that will afford him a good turne He will augment him with multiplicity of increase he giveth good and taketh it away from whom it pleaseth him you shall all returne before him to bee judged Knowest thou not that a company of the children of Israel after the death of Moses said to their Prophet send us a King we with him will fight for the Law of God He answereth them have you disobeyed the Commandements of God If they enjoyne you to fight you will not doe it They said wee have no greater desire then to fight for the glory of his divine Majestie wee for this Cause have abandoned our houses and those of our parents neverthelesse when they were commanded to fight they all except some few of them retired but God knoweth them that sin against him Their Prophet said to them God hath sent Saul to be your King they answered why shall he be our King we rather deserve the royalty then hee hee is not rich enough he replied God hath chosen him to command you he hat encreased his knowledge and stature he giveth royalty to whom he listeth he is liberall and prudent in all his actions Their Prophet said to them the signe of his reigne shall be that the Arke shall appeare to you from God to confirme your hearts wherein shall be contained the remainder of what the people of Moses and Aaron letâ— and it shall be borne by Angels this shall bee to you the signe of his reigne if you believe in God When Saul went forth with his troops to fight his enemies he said God shall trie you by a river he that shall drink of that river shall not be mine unlesse he drink with his hand they all except some few of them drank at their pleasure and having past that river with the true believers they said wee have â—ot this day strength sufficient to resist Goliah and his troops but such as believed in God and feared his divine Majestie said how often through the permission of God â—ath a small troop defeated a great armie He is with them that are patient when they saw Goliah with his troops appeare they said Lord give us patience confirme our steps â—nd give us victory over the Infidels They through the permission of God vanquished their enemies See Gelaldin David slew Goliah and God gave him the Royalty and knowledge of â—ture things Had not God raised the people one against â—he other the whole earth had been ful of disorders such are â—he miracles of God as I declare to thee with truth thou â—t indeed one of the Prophets of his divine Majestie We â—ave conferred our graces on the Prophets on some more â—hen on others many have spoken to their Lord and some â—ave been more elevated then others We gave knowledge â—o Iesus the Son of Mary and fortified him through the holy Spirit Had it pleased God the Prophets that came â—eretofore had not been slaine after they had taught his Commandements Men were of different opinions some believed in God others were impious had it pleased God â—hey had not been slaine but he doth what pleaseth him O ye that are true believers dispense in alms some part â—f your wealth that we have given you before the day arrive wherein you shall find no ransome alms protection nor prayers that can succour you Certainly Infidels are greatly too blame God! There is but one only God living and eternall thinke not that he slumbreth or sleepeth â—hat ever is in heaven or in earth is his who shall intercede for thee with his divine Majestie unlesse by his permissioâ— He knoweth all the actions of mâ—n and whatever they haâ— done they know nothing but what it hath pleased hiâ— teach them The largenesse of his Throne containeth hâ—ven and earth and the conservation of both is not trouâ—some to him hee is Omnipotent and glorious The â— ought not to be abjured it manifesteth the difference faith and impiety He that believeth not in Tagot or devill and hath faith in God layeth hold on the stronâ— knot that cannot be dissolved broken or cut a sunder â— understandeth and knoweth all things he aideth and sisteth them that believe in his unitie he will cause theâ— come out of darkenesse and will guide them into light wicked shall have Tagot and the devill for their protectâ— he shall cause them to forsake the light and shall lead tâ— into darkenesse such men shall remaine eternally in â— fire of hell Conâ—ider you not his action to whom God 〈◊〉 given the royalty That is Nebrot When he disputed concerning God 〈◊〉 Abraham Abraham said to him My Lord is he that givâ— life See Gelaldin and death He said I even I give life and death 〈◊〉 my subject when
I see good Abraham answered 〈◊〉 causeth the Sun to rise in the East make thou it to ariâ—â— the West then the Infidell was confuted God is nâ—â— guide to unjust persons Hast thou considered the actioâ— him that came into a Village desolate and ruined and â— How is it that God can be able to give life unto this â—lage after its death and re-establish it after so great aâ—ine Then God caused him to die after the space of hundred years raised him againe and said to him How 〈◊〉 hast thou continued here he answered I have sojounâ— here a day and a halfe On the contrary thou hast beâ— here an hundred years consider thy meat and drinke 〈◊〉 they are not altered through length of time and behâ— thine Asse is death see his bones that are white thou 〈◊〉 become an example to all the world and to posterity the bones of thine Asse I will recollect and revest tâ—â— with flesh Seeing this miracle he said I affirme that 〈◊〉 is omnipotent Remember thou that Abraham said 〈◊〉 shew me how thou revivest the dead God said Dâ— â—hou not believe my omnipotencie Hee answered yea Lord but heare my prayer for the repose of my heart God â—aid Take foure birds cut them altogether in pieces and â—arry the pieces upon those mountains this done call them â—hey shall speedily return to thee God knoweth all things â—nd is most prudent in all his works The action of them that dispend their goods for his glory is like unto a grain of Corn â—hat producerh seven ears and every eare an hundred grains God multiplieth the wealth of whom it pleaseth him he is liberall and omniscient Such as dispend their substance for â—is glory without repining and reproach shall be recompenâ—ed by his Divine Majestie and be delivered from feare and â—ffliction at the day of Iudgement Good words and pardon â—re preferred to almes followed with repentance God is most rich and mercifull Oh ye that believe in God! render not your almes unprofitable through repining and reproach â—s do those that give almes with ostentation and hypocrisie they believe neither in God nor the day of Iudgement their good works are like to a Rock whereon was little earth there fell great rain that carried it away and left nothing thereon their labour shall be in vaine and they reap no merit for God loveth neither the hypocrites nor the impious The action of such as do good to please God or to save their soules is like to a grain sown upon an high place whereon fell great and small rain that caused its fruit to multiply God beholdeth all your actions Is there any one among you that desireth to have a garden enriched with palmes and grapes wherein flow many fountains and rivolets and that is filled with all manner of fruits that old age should overtake him with young and infirme children and that an hot winde come and burn up his garden God so teacheth you his mysteries peradventure you will bear them in minde Oh ye that believe dispend in pious works and give almes of the wealth you have acquired and of the fruits of the earth that God hath given you desire not wealth ill gotten or wherewith to give almes such are not received but to your shame And know that God is most rich and worthy of praise The Divell will cause you to feare poverty and will command you filthiness and God promiseth to you his grace and mercie he is munificent and omnâ—â—ent he giveth knowledge to whom it pleaseth him anâ— whom knowledge is given on him is bestowed an exceed great Treasure which none but the wise do value God holdeth your almes and vowes and the wicked shall be prived of protection at the day of Iudgement If you sâ— your almes to appeare it shall not be amisse if you â—ceale them you shall do well that will cover many of yâ— sins God knoweth all your actions You are not obliged lead men into the right way God guideth whom he listeâ— the good and the almes that you performe shall be for yâ— soules give not almes but for the love of God you shall rewarded for the good works that you shall do and no justice shall be done against you Be benefactors to 〈◊〉 poore that are not accommodated for the service of Gâ—â— and that cannot labour The ignorant believe them to rich by reason of their probitie and goodnesse you shâ— know them by their Physiognomie and in that they demaâ—â— nothing with importunitie God will know the good yâ— shall doe towards them They that give almes by day or night secretly or publikely shall be rewarded of Goâ— there needeth be no feare for them they shall be exemâ— from affliction at the day of Iudgement Vsurers shall râ— again like to men possessed with Devils because thâ— have said that traffique is like unto usury God permiteth traffique and prohibiteth Vsurie hee to whom tâ—â— word of God commeth and who hath abandoned usâ—rie what is past is to himselfe God will pardon his fault but he that shall return to exercise usurie having once abandoned it shall be punished in the fire of Hell God abhorreth usurie he loveth them that are almes-givers anâ— hateth Infidels Such as believe in God that doe good works and that make their prayers at the time appointed and pay their tithes shall be rewarded by his Divine Majesty they shall be delivered from feare and affliction at the day of judgement O ye that believe in God! have the feare of him before your eyes and forsake Vsurie if you will obey his Commandements if you doe not this God and his Prophet will make warre upon you if you be converted your principall remaines unto you Do injustice to no man it shall not be done unto you If your debtors be â—nable to pay you and aâ—e in want you shall doe well to stay their conveniency if you give them almes you shall do well feare the day when you shall return before God and that every one shall be payed without injustice of what he shall have gained O ye that believe in God! when you shall charge your selves with a debt cause no act to be drawn the Notarie shall write the Contract between you conformable to Iustice and shall not refuse â—o write it as God hath instructed him but the debtor shall entirely satisfie what he shall owe and shall have the â—eare of his Lord before his eyes If he that â—s a debtor is a foole or sicke and is unable of himselfe to discharge â—t his guardian or he that shall overseâ— his affaires shall give satisfaction for him Call wâ—th you two witnesses if â—ou cannot find two men one with two women shall sufâ—ice whose testimonie you shall accept if the one be â—anting to her duty the other shall cause her to remember these witnesses shall not refuse their testimonie notwithstanding they bee called in a greater number Make no difficultie to write your testimonie whether it concerne
wicked will depart from the obedience which he oweth to God Make your prayers at the time appointed pay Tithes and obey the Prophet God shall give you his mercy Beleive not that the Infidels are more powerfull on Earth than We they shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell O ye that are True-beleivers your slaves and servants of Free-condition shall require leave of you to enter where ye shall be thrice viz. Before the prayer at break of day after noon and after supper they shall not offend in entring without leave where ye shall be at another time they enter there to serve you In this manner doth God teach you his Commandments he knoweth the humor of his Creatures and is most prudent in all that hâ— ordaineth It is ordained to your children when they shall be at age of discretion to demand of you permission to do what they shall desire as did your predâ—cessoâ—s Thus doth God teach you his Commandments he is gracious and mercifull The old and dâ—crâ—pit women shall not offend God to quit their vails and discover their faces provided it be without vanity and design to shew their ornaments If they abstain they shall do well God heaâ—eth whatsoever ye say and knoweth all that is in your heâ—rts The blinde the lame the sick See Kitab el tenior and you also shall not sin to eat in the house of your children at the house of your Father and Mother brothers sisters Vncles Aunts Friends and in the house of your servants ye shall not offend God if ye eat together or apart When ye shall enter into any house salute each other from God with blessing and affection Thus doth God teach you his Commandments peradventure you will learn them When those that believed in God and his Prophet repaired to the Prophet they retired not without his permission Such as required leave to depart believe in God and his Prophet if they require leave of thee for any businesse licence whom shall seem good to thee and pâ—ay to God for them See Kitab el tenoir he is gracious and mercifull Call not the Prophet as ye call one anotheâ— among you God knoweth such as shame ully depart out of the Temple and the French Such as disobey his Commandments ought to take heâ—d least some mischiefe befal them and that they suffer not great tormenâ—s Whatsoever is in the Heavens or on Earth is Gods he knoweth if ye are zealous in your faith See Gelaldin or be hypâ—crites â—e knoweth the day wherein aâ—l thâ— worâ—â— shall be assembled befâ—re him to be jâ—dged â—n thâ—â— dâ—y shall men see what what they have done he knoweth all things CHAP. XXV The Chapter of the Alcoran containing seventy and seven Verses wrinten at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful praised be he that sent the Alcoran to his servant to instruct the world he is King of the Heavens and Earth he hath no Son nor Companion in his rign he created and ordained every thing The Infidels worship Gods that can create nothing and are things created they can neither do them good nor evil they can give neither life nor death neither cause them to rise again They say that the Alcoran is but a fable of thine invention invented with the assistance of some other person but they lye and blaspheme They say that it is but an old Song and a fable of the Ancients that thou writâ—st and that thou studiest morning and evening Say unto them it was sent by him that knoweth all â—hings in Heaven and Earth altâ—gether gracious and mercifull They said whâ— is this Prophet He eateth bread and meat and walketh thâ—ough the streets we will not beleive him unlesse an Angell descend from heaven to preach to us with him unles that Angel enrich him and that he have a Garden full of good and savory fruits he is but a wizard or one possesed of the Devil Consider to what they compare thee certainly they are in error and cannot find the right way Praise and bless him that is able to bestow on thee a greater good when it shall seem good to thee to wit Gardens wherein flow many Rivers and houses of pleasure They have denyed the certainty oâ— Universall Judgment and we have prepared the fire of Hell to punish them wrath shall carry them away with terrible cryes when they shall behold the place of the assembly of judgment when they shall there appear they shall be desperate and shall cry O misery Cry not O misery cry O misâ—ries in the Pluâ—al ask of them which is better and more advantagious that or paradise which is prepared for the recompence of the righteous where they shall dwell eâ—ernâ—lly with al manner of felicity this is it that God hath proÌ„ised that which was impetrated of his divine Majesty for them that have his fear beâ—or their eâ—es I wil one day assâ—mble I dolateâ—s with their iâ—â—ls God shall say unto them you are they who have seducâ—d my creatures from the right way They shall say praised be thy name we ought to have worshipped nonâ— but thy divine Majesty but the wealâ—h that thou gavâ—st to our Magistrates and their life which thou did prolong causâ—d them to foâ—get thy Commandmentâ— they were pernicious men in that they aâ—jured thy Law they cannot this day be exempt from the punishment of our crimâ—s neither protect us against thy wrath The Idolaters shall be rigorously punished The Prophets that we sent befâ—re thee did eat bread and meat and walked through the streets we prove them one after another Persevere God beholdeth them that are patient Those that beleive not in the Râ—surâ—ectâ—on have sâ—id The Angels are nâ—t â—escended from Heaven we have not seene Gâ—d they are become proud and are fallen into an exceeding great error but the wicked shal one day be without comfâ—rt when they see the Angel they shal cry help help We will set before their eyes all the sins that they have commiâ—ted the good works which they shal think to havâ— doâ— shall be like to dust which the Winde carryeth away and the blessed shall enjoy a most certain good they shall hear of nothing but what contenteth them When the Heaven and the aire shall divide themselves and the Angels shall descend then shall the truth appear and the mercifull shall raigne that day shall be tedious to Infidels they shall bite their fingers and saâ— would to God I had fâ—llowed the Prophet and his Apostle Oh misery would to God I had not contracted amity with such an Infidell he seduced me from the right way he hindâ—ed me to beleive in the Aâ—coran which God sent certainly the Devill hath tempted men Then shall the Prophet say Loâ—d such as have followed me have obeâ—ed what is written in the Alcoran and the Infidells have rejected it we have appointed an enemy among the wicked to every Prophet of them that were before thee but it
and know it not When they met with such as believe in God they said we believe as you do And when they returned towards the devils their companions they said We believe as you and mock at those men Certainly God mocketh them and continueth them in their Errors to their confusion They that have purchased Error for the right way have gained nothing in their commerce and are not well directed they are like to such as kindled fire and when it hath enlightened what is about them God hath deprived them of light and left them in darkness deaf dumb blind and they shall never be converted or as a cloud of Heaven full of darkness thunder and lightning they stopt their ears with their fingers by reason of the noise and for fear of death but God seeth the unbelievers he caused lightning to approach that ravished from them their sight they have followed what appeared to them and are detained in darkness But if God had pleased he had deprived them both of hearing and sight for he is omnipotent O People worship your Lord who created you and all that were before you it may be That you will fear him that hath extended the Earth that raised the Heaven and caused Rain to descend that caused the production of Fruits to enrich you Say not that God hath a companion equal to him because you know the conttary If you doubt that I have sent my servant come and bring some Chapters like to the Alcoran and call to witness the Idols that you adore if you are good men if you have not done it or cannot perform it Fear the fire of Hell prepared for Infidâ—ls and Idolaters and declare to true believers who do good works That they shall enjoy the immense pleasures of Paradise wherein flow many Rivers they shall there finde all sorts of faire and savory Fruits which God hath prepared for them they shall consider if they be like to such as they had before in the world They shall there have wives fair and delicate and shal dwel in eternall felicity God is not ashamed to compare a little * The Puny is a stinking worm frequently growing in Beds in hot Countries Puny to an extream Greatness Now so it is that true believers know that it proceedeth from their Lord. The wicked demand what God doth mean by that comparison He by this means mis-leadeth and directeth many men but mis-leadeth none but the disobedient Such as pervert his Testament and his Promises such as retrench his Commandements and defile the Earth are damned Why will you be impious seeing that God hath given you life after death He will cause you to dye he will raise you again and you shall all return before him to be judged He it is that created whatever is upon Earth and ascended to Heaven hath ordained seven Heavens knowing all things Remember to instruct men See Kitab el tenoir that thy Lord said to his Angels I would create a Vicar upon Earth and when they answered Wilt thou there place him that shall defile it and shed blood while we exalt thy Glory and sanctifie thee I know said he what you know not He taught Adâ—â— the names of all things who discovered them to the Angels to whom God said Declare to me the names of all things that I have created if you know them they replyed Praise is due to thy Divine Majesty we know nothing but what thou hast taught us thou alone art knowing and wise He said to Adam Declare to them the names of all things that I have created After he had taught them God said Did I not tell you that I knew what is not neither in Earth nor Heaven and that I understand whatever you make manifest and whatever you keep most secret Remember thou that we said to the Angels Humble your selves before Adam they all humbled themselves except the Devil He was already proud and in the number of the wicked We said unto Adam Dwell thou and thy wife in Paradise and eat there what thou likest but approach not that Tree lest thou be in the number of the unjust The Devil made them to sin and depart from the Grace in which they were then we said to them Descend you enemies one to another you shall have a dwelling upon Earth and goods wherewith to live for a time Adam begged pardon for his fault of his Lord he pardoned him because he is gracious and mercifull and said Descend and go all of you out of Paradise there shall hereafter come to you a guide from me Such as shall follow him shall be delivered from fear and afflâ—ction at the day of Judgement such as shall be impious and conceal my Commandements The Alcoran in the old and new Testament shall burn eternally in the fire of Hell O children of Isâ—aâ—l remember the Grace I have done you I will satisfie my Promises perform yours fear me and believe in what I have sent from Heaven confirming what was before taught you be not the first impious and forsake not my Law at any rate fear me and cover not the Truth with a lye neither willingly conceal it Make your prayers at the time appointed pay Tithes and worship your Lord with them that adore him Will you command people that have no care of their souls to do good Will you meditate upon Scripture without observing it Entreat for succor with patience and with prayers they abound not but in them thâ—t are obedient that believe they shall one day behold their Lord and shall return before him to be judged O children of â—sraâ—l call to mind my favours I have preferred you to all the world fear the day wherein one Soul shall not be chastised for another when prayer shall not be heard neither ransom succors nor protâ—ctâ—on to be found for the wicked Remember that we delivered you from the hands of Pharâ—oh who afflâ—cted you through the violence of torments who murthered your children abused your wives and that your Lord encreased your miseries because of the enormity of your crimes Remember that we divided the Seas to save you and that we drowned Pharaohs men in your view neverthelesse you worshipped the Calf when we detained Moses with us forty nights in which you were extreamly too blame after this we pardoned you it may be that you will give me thanks We gave unto Moses the Book that distinguisheth good from evill perhaps you will be converted Remember that Moses said to his people Gelaldin saith the innocent slay the wicked You were too blame for having adored the Calf repent and be converted to your Creator Slay one another that wil be a thing acceptable to God he will pardon your crime he is gracious and mercifull You said O Moses we will not believe thee for that we see not God then you were smitten with thunder We have pardoned you See Gelaldin you saw your misery with your own eyes
is with such as are patienâ—â— Say not that those that are slain for the defence of thâ— Law are dead contrariwise they are alive but you knâ—â— it not I will try you and afflict you through the losse â— your goods and disease of your persons Paradise shall â— for them that shall be patient and shall say in their afâ—â—ction We are given up unto God and shall returne befâ—â—â— him to be judged his Grace shall be upon them and thâ— shall not erre * Safa and Meâ—oa are mountains neer Mecca Safa and Moroa are tokens of his poweâ— He that shall goe on Pilgrimage to Mecca shall not doâ—â— misse to visit those two places he that obeyeth shall 〈◊〉 well God rewardeth them that doe good works and knâ—â—eth all things I will lay my curse upon such as concealeâ— Commandements they shall be accursed above whateâ— is in this world except them that shall be converted tâ— shall doe good works and bring to light what they conâ—â—â—led I will give them my Grace I am gracious and merciâ— The wicked that died in their impiety shall be eternâ—â— accursed of God of Angels and of all the World â—â— shall never be eased in their torments and shall be wâ—â—â—out end deprived of protection Your God is one â— God there is none other God but God gracious and â—â—â—cifull The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth difference of the day and the night the Ship that saiâ— on the Sea for the advantage of commerce the Rain that falleth from Heaven to give life to the Earth after its death the diversity of Winds and the Clouds that move between Heaven and Earth are signes of the unity of God to those that can understand it There be that adore Idols and love them The True-believers love but one sole God When thou shalt see the wicked know they shall one day see the punishment of other crimes All strength and vertue proceedeth from God most severe in his chastisements When that a part of them that had embraced the true Law separated themselves from the company of True believers and that any mischief befell them they could not reunite themselves Then they said in their affliction If we another time meet our companions we will separate our selves from them as they have separated themselves from us Thus shall God give them to understand their error See Kitab â—l tenoir with exceeding sorrow and they shall be eternally confined in the fire of Hell O ye people eat what is good and savory in the Earth and follow not the steps of the Divell he is your open enemy he will command you that which is evill and filthy and to speak of God what you know not When it was said to the Infidels obey the Commandements of God they said We will follow the steps of our Fathers we will observe what they observed surely their Fathers were unwise and misâ—led they are like to him that cryeth and understandeth nothing of what is spoken but the voyce they are deaf dumb blind and without judgement O ye that believe in God eat the good things that hee hath given you and give him thanks if it bee him that you worship Hee forbiddeth you to eate Carrion Blood Swines flesh and whatever is not killed in pronouncing the name of his Divine Majesty except it bee in extreame necessity and in this case it shall not bee reputed disobedience nor sin God is benigne and mercifull what they eata that conceale the Word of God for any profit or advantage shall be nothing but matter of fire in their bowels God shall not speak to them at the day of judgement but with fury he will not purifie them and they shall suffer rigorous torments They that have purchased error foâ— the right way and punishment for pardon shall burn â—â— the fire of Hell for that God hath sent the most true Booâ— that containeth his Commandements they that impugnâ— what is contained in that Book are in an exceeding greaâ— error far from the truth It is not justification to turn the face making your prayers towards the East or West hâ— shall be justified that shall believe in God the day oâ— judgement the Angels the Scriptures and the Prophets and that in charity shall impart some part of his goods teâ— his parents to orphans to the poore to pilgrims and tâ— slaves Such as believe in God and have his feare beforâ— their eyes persevere in their prayers pay Tithes they satisfie their promises and are patient in their adversities Oâ— ye that believe the Talio is coâ—manded you in murther the free for the free the slave for the slave the woman foâ— the woman But if any one pardon the blood of his brother he shall prosecute the malefactor according to whaâ— he shall see â—ost advantagious through damages and interests It is a facility whâ—ch God hath given you through his mercy He that shall doe injury to the malefactor having received satisfaction of him shall suffer grievous torments at the day of judgement you shall find life in the Talio The Talio is a pain equall to the offence O you that are wâ—se it may be you will feare God He commandeth you to make your Testament when you approach unto death give legacies of your substance to youâ— Father and Mother your neer Kâ—nâ—ed and bestow Alms on the poore If any man alter your Testament the sin shall be upon him and upon all them that shall alter it God understandeth and knoweth all things If any one feâ—reth that there is an error in the Testament that opposeth Reason he shall doe well to reconcile the parties wâ—th affection God is gracious and bountifull O ye that belâ—eve Fasting is commanded you as it was them that were before you you shall feare God and Fast particularly a certaine number of days but if any one among you is sick or in travell at the time of Fasting he shall count the days that he fasted not and shall fulfill them at another time Such as are not of strength to Fast shall â—â—tisfie for Fasting through Alms he that shall obey shall doe well If you Fast you shall doe well Fast the month of * Ramazan is their Faster which continueth 30 daies during which the Fast. Ramazan in which the Alcoran descended from Heaven to guide men into the right way it containeth preâ—epts of Divine Right and distinguish good from evill all â—hose that live to this month ought to Fast. He that is â—ick or in a voyage shall accomplish the days that he faâ—ted not another time at his conveniency God willeth â—hat his Law should be light unto you and not a burthen â—is will is that you observe the dayes of fasting and that â—ou returne him thanks for that he hath guided you in the â—ight way perhaps you will give him thanks I will be near â—nto my servants when they shall enquire of thee concerning the mysteries of my Law I will heare
that God knowâ—th not them that fought gallantly He knoweth them that were patient in adversity and persevered in obedienâ— his Commandements You expected death before yoâ— it At the battell of Beder you saw it with your eyes and were victorious â—â—â—tainly Mahomet is the Prophet and Apostle of God were many Prophets before him when they died on slain you returned upon your steps to impiety Theâ— return upon their steps do no harm to God he wâ— ward onely such as acknowledge his favors and meâ— not die without his permission and that in a time pâ— bed and predestinate I will give the good things 〈◊〉 world to whom it pleaseth me and will abundantly â—â—pence them that praise me How many Prophets anâ— with them that were not dejected through their aâ—ons that befell them in fighting for the Law of 〈◊〉 They were not weakned neither humbled to the Iâ— God affecteth them that are patient in their adverâ— and such as persevere in his Law They said in theiâ—â—ctions Lord pardon our sins confirm our steps anâ—â—â—â—tect us against the Infidels God giveth them the 〈◊〉 of the Earth and the Treasures of Heaven he 〈◊〉 them that do good O ye that believe in God if yâ—â—bey the wicked they will cause you to return upon steps you shall return to the number of the daâ— truly God is your Lord he is the best protector I wâ— fear into the hearts of Infidels because they have wâ— reason adored many Gods and the fire of Hell shâ— their habitation God hath made the truth of his â—â—ses to appear to you when by his permission you fleâ— Infidels untill you were weary of fighting neâ— lesse you contradicted what the Prophet ordained disobeyed him after he had caused you to see who desired with affection There be among you that 〈◊〉 the goods of this world and others that love the 〈◊〉 things of heaven God hath withdrawn you from tâ—â—â—fidels to trie you he hath pardoned your sins he is â—â—tifull to them that observe his Commandements 〈◊〉 you retreated from the Combat and yeilded withoâ—â— son the Prophet recalled you and gave you to knoâ— errour with a thousand paines afflict not your 〈◊〉 with the losse of the spoyle that escaped you at the day of â—ictory neither with the mischief that befeil you when â—ou were vanquished God knoweth all your actions Afâ—er your labour he sent you great repose part of you slept 〈◊〉 all safety and the residue suffered themselves to be â—rried away at their pleasures they had thoughts of God â—â—ntrary to the truth Think on the ignorant that say â—ave we seen any of the succour that God hath promiâ—â—d Say to them all things proceed from God They â—â—nceale in their souls what they publish not and say had â—e been free of our own wills we had not been slain say 〈◊〉 them although you had stayed in your houses and in our beds death would have taken away them that were â—rived at the houre of their destinie God approveth â—hat is in your hearts and knoweth what you have in our soules Certainly the Devill seduced them that fled â—hen the two Armies were in battell and that because of â—me sinne they had committed neverthelesse God parâ—oned them he is gracious and mercifull to his people Oh â—ee that believe be not like the Infidels that said speaâ—ing of their breathren that were slain in the Armie â—hat had they continued in their houses they had not â—â—ed God putteth this sorrow in their heart because of â—heir impietie he giveth life and death and beholdeth all â—our actions if you be slain for his Law or die in his faâ—our it shall be more advantagious to you then all the â—â—easures of the world and if you die or be slain fightâ—â—g for the Faith you shall appeare before his divine Maâ—estie to be rewarded Through the grace of God thou â—ast rendred them docile although thou bee severe 〈◊〉 them they will not depart from thee pardon them â—ray for them Take their advise in occasions offered See Gelaldin â—nd being resolved to do any thing trust thou in God â—e loveth them that trust in him he protecteth you none â—hall obtain victory over you if he abandon you who â—hall protect you All the faithfull ought to resign themâ—elves to the will of his divine Mejestie It is not lawfull â—or the Prophet to deceive he that shall be a deceiâ—er shall appeare at the day of Iudgement with his deceipt to be judged then shall men be payed with 〈◊〉 they have gained no injustice shall be done to them 〈◊〉 shall have loved God and Hell shall be the Habitation them that through deceit shal return in the displeasurâ— his divine Majestie They shall not be all equally entâ—ted God shall appoint them their ranke and place he holdeth all their actions he assuredly rewarded the 〈◊〉 believers when he sent them a Prophet of their own â—â—tion to preach to them his Commandements and instâ— them in the Alcoran they before his comming were 〈◊〉 manifest errour When any mischief befell you it 〈◊〉 befell the Infidels you have demanded When doth 〈◊〉 mischief come it proceedeth from your selves certaâ— God is Omnipotent What befell you when the 〈◊〉 Camps encountred hapned through the permission God to distinguish the true believers that dispense thâ— goods with affection for the glory of his divine Majestâ— from them that abandoned the fight when it was said them Come fight for the Faith and answered had 〈◊〉 thought of fighting we had not followed you then we they neerer to impietie then to the Faith neverthelesâ— they had not all of them that in their heart that was 〈◊〉 their mouth God knoweth what they keep secret Thâ— be of them that said to their brethren Stay and go 〈◊〉 to the Combat your Companions had not been slain hiâ— they obeyed us say to them Deliver your selves froâ— death if you can avoid it continuing in your houses Believe not that those that were slain for the Faith are deaâ— on the contrary they are alive with God they rejoyâ— for that such as â—an to hinder them to fight did not meeâ— them fear not for them they shall rejoyce eternally 〈◊〉 the favour of God he wâ—ll abundantly reward them thaâ— fight for his Law Those that obeyed God and the Prophet after being overcome that did good works and feared his divine Majestie shall receive great rewards When it was told them the people have conspired against you take heed to your selves this discourse increased theâ— faith and they said it sufficeth that God is our protector they were filled with the grace of God no more evill befell them and they observed the Commandements of his â—ivine Majestie He is gracious to them that obey him The Devill will cause in you a fear of the Infidels fear â—hem not but if you be good men fear me Afflict not â—our selves to see the wicked run to impietie they hurt not God he will not give them
must feare God and courteously entertaine them Those that unjustly devoure their substance swallow fire into their bowels and shall burne in a great fire God recommendeth to you your children the son shall have as much as two daughters if there be more then two daughters they shall have two thirds of the succession of the dead if there be but one See Bedaci she shall have the moity and her kindred a sixth part of what shall be left by the dead if there be no children and the kindred be heires the mother of the dead shall have a third if there be brethren the mother shall have a sixth after satisfaction of the legacies contained in the Testament and of debts You understand not to whom it is most requisite to doe good to your children or to your father and mother give them their portion ordained of God The moity of what their wives shall leave belongeth to you if they have no children if they have you shall have the fourth part of what they shall leave after payment of the legacies and debts they shall have the fourth of your succession if you have no children if you have they shall have the eighth portion If a man of woman be the heires of each other and have neither father nor mother nor children and have a brother or sister each of them shall have a sixth part of the succession if they be more they shall share the third after payment of legacies and debts without fraud following what God hath ordained he knoweth all your actions and is prudent in what he ordaineth it is so ordained by his divine Maiesty He that shall obey him and his Prophet shall enter into Paradise where many rivers flow and shall dwell in eternall felicity he that shall disobey God and his Prophet shall be cast head-long nto the fire of hell where he shall suffer ignominious torments If your wives commit adultery take four witnesses of their fault that be of your Religion if they bear witness keep them prisoners in your houses untill death or untill God shall otherwise ordaine punish whoremongers concubines and adulterers if they repent of their fault doe them no harme God is gracious and mercifull to them that repent Conversion dependeth on God he is mercifull to them that commit sin ignorantly and speedily repent he is Omniscient and most wise Paâ—don is not for them that doe wickedly to the very houre of their death we have prepared great torments for them that shall die impious O ye that believe in God! it is not lawfull for you to inherit what is your wives by force take not violently away what you have given them unlesse they be surprized in manifest adultery see them with civility if you have an avertion from them it may chance that you hate a thing wherein God hath placed much good but if you desire to repudiate your wives to take others and that you have given them any thing take not any thing that appertaineth to them Wil you take their wealth with a lie and a manifest sin How shall you take it since you have approached each other and that you have promised to use them civilly Marry not the wives of your fathers what is past was incest abomination and a wicked way Your Mothers are forbidden you your Daughters Sisters Aunts Neices your Nurses and your foster-sisters the mothers of your wives the daughters that your wives have had by other husbands of whom you shall have a particular care The daughters of women that you shall have knowne are also forbidden you if you have not knowne them it will be no sin the wives of your sons are likewise prohibited and two sisters for what is past God is gracious and mercifull Married wives are likewise forbidden you except the women slaves that you shall have acquired God hath so commanded you except what is above forbidden it is lawfull for you to marry at your pleasure If you desire women for money and neither commit concubinage nor adultery give them their salary for which you shall agree so you shall not offend God he is omniscient and most wise He that shall not be able to espouse women of free-condition shall marry such women or maids that are slaves as shall please him God knoweth the faith of the one and other Marry your wives with the permission of their parents and give them their dowry with honesty If women of free-condition that have committed neither concubinage nor adultery secretly nor publikely flie into second nuptials and come to commit adultery they shall be doubly punished more then the daughters of Love See Gelaldin The marriage of slaves is for them that fear whordom If you abstain from marrying them you shall not do amiss God is gracious and mercifull he is willing to teach you his Law and direct you in the way of them that preceded you he is gracious and mercifull to his people Such as follow the appetite of the wicked decline extreamly from the Truth God willeth that his Law be Light unto you for that man was created weak O you that believe in God devour not your substance among you with ufury but if you traffique be peaceable in your affairs slay not one another God is mercifull to them that obey him He that disobeyeth through malice and iniustice shall burn in the fire of Hell it is an easie thing to God to punish them If you depart from mortal sins I will cover your faults and cause you to enter into Paradise covet not through envie what God hath given to your neighbor men and women shall have the wealth they have gained beg Grace of God he knoweth all things Give to your associates what appertaineth to them We have ordained a portion prefixt to the one and the other in the succession of your Father Mother and Kindred God seeth all The men shall have authority over the women they shall have them in their keeping they shall have in their power the wealth that God shall give them and shall have care of what shall be convenient to be expended for them Discreet and obedient wives observe in the absence of their husbands the Commandements of God make remonstrances to them that shall be disobedient and remove them from your Bed chastise them If they obey you seek not occasion to abuse them uniustly God is most high and most mighty If you fear there may happen some difference between a man and his wife send to them some of their Kindred to put an end to their quarrel and reconcile them God wil give his peace to them he is omniscient Worship God and say not that he hath a companion equall to him do good to your Father and Mother your Kindred Orphans the Poor your Neighbors Pilgrims your Friends and your Slaves God loveth not the proud We have prepared rigorous torments for them that are avaricious that recommend avarice to the people that conceal the Graces that
us to believe in the miracles that wee see neither to obey the Commandements of his divine Majesty Lord give us patience and to dye in the number of True-believers Then said Pharaoh's Doctors dismisse Moses and his people that they may goe whither they see good to pollute the Earth that they may leave thee in quiet with thy Gods He said I will cause their Childeren to be slain their wives to be abused and I will inflict upon them a thousand torments Moses said to his people Implore succors of God with patience and prayers the whole Earth is Gods he giveth it to inherit to whom he seeth good the other world is for the righteous They said Oh Moses We before thy coming desired the death of our enemies he replyed God will not destroy your enemies to leave you alone upon the Earth he shall behold your actions We afflicted Pharaoh and his Subjects with famine perhaps unbelievers will consider it When any happinesse befell them they said they well deserved it and when they fell into misery they affirmed Moses and his people to be the cause of it It is God that punished them but of this most of them were ignorant They said unto Moses cease to shew us thy miracles to inchant us we will not obey thee We sent upon them a Deluge Grasse-hoppers Lice Frogs and Bloud one after another neverthelesse they were proud and in the number of the wicked When our wrath fell upon them they said oh Moses call upon thy Lord that hee give us what to thee he promised remove his displeasure from us we will believe thee and will dismisse with thee the Children of Israel When we delivered them from affliction they sharpened their tongues murmured and violated their promises we avenged our selves upon them and drowned them in the Sea for that they contemned our miracles and we gave the West and East to the Children of Israel who were humble before us we gave them our blessing our word was accomplished upon them because of their perseverance and we destroyed the Armies of Pharoah The Children of Israel having past the Sea met with men that adored Idols and said oh Moses make unto us Gods like to the Gods of this people he answered ye are ignorant these men are wretched what they doe is but ignorance and vanity shall I desire that you worship other Gods then God that preferred you to all the world We have delivered you from Pharoah's people who caused you to endure great torments they murther'd your children abused your wives and you suffered heavy afflictions for the punishment of your sins We detained Moses on the Mountaine thirty nights and ten other nights which is in all forty nights when he went up he said to his brother Aaron be thou my Lieutenant command this people in mine absence and follow not the path of the wicked When Moses at the time appointed arrived at the top of the Mountaine and that his Lord spake to him he said Lord permit me to see thee he said thou shalt not see me behold this Mountaine if it continue firme in this place thou shalt be able to see me when the Lord appeared upon the Mountaine with his light it was reduced to ashes and Moses amazed fell on the ground as dead When he rose againe he said blessed be the name of God I desire to obey him and believe that no man living is able to behold him He said to Moses I have chosen and preferred thee to all the world I have made thee a Prophet thou hast talked with me receive the grace which I have bestowed on thee and be not ingratefull We gave to him the Tables whereon was written what was necessary for the salvation of men and we said to him receive with affection what I give thee and command thy people to observe the contents of those Tables I will precipitate into Hell such as transgresse my Commandements I will deprive the proud of my graces they will not believe in my Law although they see all the miracles in the world if they see the right way they will not follow it they see the way of error and pursue it because they have abjured my Commandements and rejected my grace the good works of them that disobey me and that believe not in the Resurrection are unprofitable they shall be chastised after their demerits The people of Moses after his departure adored the Calfe a bellowing God saw they not that it spake not to them neither could conduct them into the right way Neverthelesse they adored it for which they were greatly too blame When this Calfe fell to the ground and they found their errour they said if God have not pity on us we shall be miserable When Moses returned he said to them whom did ye obey after my departure You were too hasty to worship that Idol he in displeasure cast against the ground the Tables that God had given him took his brother by the head and dragging him to him said Son of my mother how hast thou governed this people I wanted power replyed he and could not divert them from their evill It wanted little but they had slain me do me no harme rejoyce not my enemies with my misery and account me not with those that adored Idols Moses said Lord pardon me and my brother give us thy mercy thou art the mercifull of the mercifull The wrath of God and the infamy of the world shall fall upon them that worshiped the Calf and blasphemed against God he will be pitifull to such as shall repent and believe in his divine Majesty The displeasure of Moses being allayed he againe tooke the Tables whereon was written the way of salvation for such as have the feare of their Lord before their eyes he caused to be separated from his people at a time appointed threescore and ten persons who were surprized with an earth-quake and with thunder and said Lord thou couldst have destroyed them before they adored the Calf wilt thou destroy us all because of the sin of the ignorant that are amongst us Thou hast desired to prove this people thou guidest and causest to erre whom thou pleasest thou art our Protector pardon our sins for thou art altogether mercifull give us thy grace in this world and guide us to the day of Judgement neer to thy divine Majestie He said I will punish as I see good my mercy embraceth the whole world it is for such as have my feare before their eyes that pay Tithes obey my Commandements follow the right way believe in the Prophet * This is Mahomet who can neither write nor read and what is written in the Old Testament and the Gospell See Kitab el tenoir he shall command them things honest he shall prohibit things uncivill he shall teach them what meats are clean and forbid them to eat what is unclean he shall deliver them from Ceremonies weighty and trublesome and from the
The righteous are not obliged to do but what is in their power God shall be to them gracious and mercifull Such as repaired to thee to fight Benou Mocâ—en and whom thou didst dismiss for want of occasion did not offend God they returned to their houses with tears in their eyes with discontent to have wanted means to employ in the Service of his divine Majesty the war is appointed to such as intreat thee to exempt them that are rich and have wealth to subsist they require leave to remain with their wives and children God hath hardned their hearts and they know it not they shall come to excuse themselves when thou shalt meet them Say unto them excuse not your selves I do not believe you God hath given us to understand your news he and his Prophet likewise hath rendred your good works vain and unprofitable ye shall one day appear before him that knoweth what is past present and future he shall cause you to remember whatsoever you have done and shall punish you according to your demerits They shall conjure you by the name of God when you approach them to depart from them depart from them they are full of uncleanness hell shall be their habitation wheâ—e they shall be tormented for their crimes They shall beseech you to love them if you love them know that God abhorreth them that disobey him The Arabians who observe not the precepts which God hath sent to his Prophet are ye more impious and ingratefull God knoweth all things and is most prudent There be persons among the Arabians who account it lost money that they expend for the Service of God and protract their departure to retard yours and make you to attend the wheel of misery is upon them God understandeth what ever they say and knoweth all their actions there be among them who believe in God and the day of Judgement they esteem that their expence for the Service of God draweth them nigh to his divine Majesty and they invite the Prophet to pray for them God shall give them his mercy he is gracious and mercifull to them that obey him They that first arrived at Medina the first of them that went out of Mecca to depart from the wicked such as were at the battell of Beder and such as imitated them in well doing shall injoy the grace of God he hath prepared for them gardens wherein flow many rivers with supreme felicitie There be Arabians about you and in Medina they affect impietie you know them not but I know them all I will chastise them twice on earth to wit through ignominie and death and they shall feele in the other world exceeding great torments Others there bee that confesse their sinnes and who doe good and evill works peradventure God will pardon them hee is altogether gracious and mercifull take of their substance for almes thou shalt render them righteous and shalt purifie them pray for them thy prayers shall procure them the mercy of God he understandeth and knoweth all things Know they not that God accepteth the conversion of his Creatures that their almes are pleasing to him and that he is gracious and mercifull Say unto them doe what shall please you God his Prophet and the True-believers shall see what you do you shall one day appear before him who knoweth the present past and future he shall make you to know whatsoever ye have done and shall chastise you after your demerits There be others that attend the pleasure of God either his grace or his wrath his punishment or his mercy God understandeth what is in their soules and is most wise They that esteemed that the Temple built by unbelievers to seduce the righteous to distinguish the wicked from the good and to observe such as had before fought against God and against his Prophet is the Temple of his divine Majestie sweare that they desire to do well and that their intention is most honest but they are lyars and God shall be witnesse of their falshood make not thy prayers in that Temple make the prayers in the Temple founded on the fear of God that is reasonable there be persons in that Temple who desire to be purified God loveth such as have a clean soul Who is he that buildeth best he that foundeth his bullding upon the fear of God or he who layeth the foundation of his building upon the brink of a ditch of sand which falleth and ruineth it self They who esteem the Temple built by unbelievers to seduce the people to be the Temple of God shall be with that Temple and with the Infidels that built it burnt in the fire of Hell God guideth not the unjust their building shall serve only to torment them God knoweth their designe and is most wise he purchaseth of True-believers their souls and goods and giveth them Paradise if they be slain or if they slay when they shall fight for the faith they shall have what he hath promised to them in the Old Testament the Gospel and in the Alcoran Who better satisfieth what hee hath promised then God Declare to them that they have made a good purchase they have gained the height of felicity Such as are firme in their faith who pray honour and worship God who observe his Commandements and all True-believers shall enjoy the delights of Paradise with all manner of content The Prophet and True-believers ought not to ask pardon of God for Infidels notwithstanding they be their parents having had knowledge that they are damned because of their infidelity Abraham prayed not for his father untill he had promised him to adore one God alone when hee knew his father to be an enemie to God he declared himselfe an enemy to his sin he ceased praying for him although he was exceeding charitable and patient in his afflictions God misleadeth not them that he hath put into the right way he giveth them to understand what they ought to doe he knoweth them that deserve to be seduced and such as merit to be guided through the right way The Kingdome of heaven and Earth is Gods he giveth life and death to whom he seeth good Who except God shall protect you he hath given his grace to the Prophet and to such as followed him in his affliction although it wanted but a little that the hearts of many of them inclined not to the party of the unbelievers but he pardoned them he hath been gracious and mercifull to three persons who deserted the Prophet and were sorry for their error they knew there was no sure refuge but in God he pardoned them when they were converted Kiab bin Malik hâ—lal bin Aâ—ihe Mesrarhe bin â—abin he is gracious and mercifull to such as repent Oh ye that believe feare God be righteous the Inhabitants of Medina and the Arabians that dwell about that City ought not to contradict the will of the Prophet of God neither dislike what he approveth because they have endured neither
and they were all destroyâ—d We created the heavens and the earth to be signes of the Truth and of our Unity The hour of Judgment approacheth absent thy self from thy self from thy people with mildnesse That is the Preface of the Alcoran containing seven versâ—s thy Lord who created all things knoweth all We taught thee seven signs and the most precious Alcoâ—an Tarry not to consider the divers sorts of riches which the wicked possessâ— afflâ—ct not thy self if they persist in their impiety Say unto them I preach none other thing but the word of God and the pains of hell We will chastise the wickâ—d as we chastised them that divided the Alcoran who approved one part and rejected the other I am thy Lord I will require of them an account of their actions preach what hath been commanded thee and depart from Infidels we will preserve thee from them that shall scorn thee as likewise from such as adore Idols I know that thou wilt be grieved at their discourse but praise and adore the Lord untill death CHAP. XVI The Chapter of the Bee containing an hundred and eight Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull See Gelaldin The chastisement of God is not far remote desire it not before its time praised be God he hath no companion he causeth the Angels to descend and sendeth his inspirations to whom it pleaseth him preach his power and the pains of Hell to unbelievers there is no God but he fear him he created the earth and the heavens he is more powerfull then your Idols and created man of the mire of the earth neverthelesse he is obstinate in his pride he created cleane beasts for your use you draw from them great emolument and advantage to cloth and nourish your selves yee see their beauty when they feed and and when they lead them to pasture they beare the burthen and whatsoever ye will send into Cities what ye cannot carry without them but with exceeding great travell God is gracious and mercifull towards you he created horses and mules and asses to beare you he created many glorious things of which you have not knowledge He teacheth them the right way who observe his Commandements had it pleased him he had guided all into the way of his Law He sâ—ndeth you water from Heaven to take away thirst and causeth plants to bring forth and trees that nourish your flocks he maketh the Olive trees to produce the Date trees Vines and all sorts of fruits These things are arguments of his Unity to such as consider them he created the night the day the Sun the Moone and the Stars that move at his pleasure these things are signs of his Omnipotency to them that are wise He created whatsoever is on Earth of divers colours kind and species he created the sea which affordeth you fish pearles and other precious stones to adorne you thou seest how the ships saile upon the waters and divide the waves for the advantage of commerce peradventure you will give God thanks for his favours He raised the mountaines to make firm the Earth and to hinder it to move he created the rivers and established wayâ—s to guide you he made the Stars to conduct you by night upon the sea and the mountains to direct you in your way by day who but he could have creatâ—d what he hath made will you never consider it It is not in your power to keep account of his mercies he is altogether gracious and mercifull and knoweth the secret of your souls the Idolls that ye adore can create nothing but are things dead without motion and know not in what time the world shall rise again your God is one sole God such as believe not the end of the world such as deny his Unity and boast of their false beliefe are abhorred of his divine Majesty when they are interrogated concerning what God hath inspired into Mahomet they answered that he preacheth Fables of antiquity but they shall bear their burthen at the day of Judgement who have seduced them from the right way and have not known it They that were before them were deceivers God overthrew their habitations the ruines fell upon them and he chastised them when they least thought of it he shâ—ll make them ashamed at the day of Judgement and shall demand of them where be the Idols for which they disputed against true-believers Such as have knowledge of Gods Commandements assure that shame shall be upon the foreheads of Infidels and that the Angels shall cause them to die because of the enormity of their sins They will say at the houre of death that they believe in God and are penitent for their faults God knoweth what they have done he shall command them to enter into hell where is the abode of the proud He shall command them who have his feare before their eyes to enter the house of Eternity and the gardens Eden wherein flow many rivers there shall they dwell eternally with the height of their desire Shall the wicked continue in their sin untill the Angels cause them to die or untill the day of Judgement Thus did their predecessors God was not unjust towards them they drew mischief on themselves through their iniquity they were chastised and felt the punishment which they had despised they have said had it so pleased God our fathers and we had adored him alone so spake their predecessors The Prophets are not obliged but to preach and instruct the people We sent a Prophet to every Nation to instruct it and to command the worship of one sole God and to quit the adoration of Tagot and of Idols God guided some into the right way and others were seduced consider what is the end of the wicked if thou indeavourest to put them into the right path thou shalt lose thy time God guideth not them that desire to erre they shall be deprived of protection at the day of Judgement they have sworne by their faith that God will not make the dead to rise againe but he shall cause them to rise againe to chastise them according to his promises but the greatest part of men doe not know it did they know it they would acknowledge their errors and the impious would acknowledge their blasphemies When we willed any thing we said be thou and it was They that depart from the wicked for the love of their Lord and shall convert themselves shall be rewarded in this world and yet more in the other had they knowledge to understand it Such as patiently endure the injuries of unbelievers and trust in their Lord shall be recompensed when they least think of it We heretofore sent but men to preach our Law ask of them that have knowledge of the written Law The Jewes and Christians if it be not true We have sent to them the Alcoran to the end thou maist instruct men in our Commandements peradventure they will consider it
continuance doe not unbelievers tremble when they consider how many men upon Earth we have destroyed in past Ages Their misery shall serve for example to them that are wise Had not thy Lord said that he will deferre the punishment of the wicked untill the time appointed he had already destroyed them Be patient and endure their discourse praise thy Lord before the Sunne arise before it setteth an hour before night and at the end of day thou shalt doe a thing acceptable to him The life of the world is sweet to tempt you but the riches of thy Lord are better and eternall Command the people to make their prayers at the time appointed and be not impatient towards them I require no riches of thee I will enrich thee and in the end Paradise shall be for the righteous The unbelievers have said if Mahomet sheweth not some racle from God and knoweth not the exposition of the books of our predecessors we will not believe in him We before his comming destroyed many wicked persons who said Lord hadst thou sent us a Prophet we had observed thy Commandements before we became infamous and laden with ignominie Say unto them every one expecteth his end expect ye and ye shall one day know them that follow the right way and have not erred CHAP. XXI The Chapter of the Prophets containing an hundred and twelve Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull The day approacheth wherein the people shall render an accompt of their actions but they consider it not and depart from the Commandements of God if they heare them they laugh they understand them not and keep secret their evill intention Is not Mahomet a man like to you Will ye say that he is a Magician you see the contrary God heareth whatsoever is spoken both in Heaven and Earth and knoweth all things They say certainly Mahomet hath dreamed what he speaketh he hath invented it and is a Poet we will not believe him unless he shew some miracle as did the Prophets that were before him We have layed waste many Cities because their inhabitants were incredulous we sent before thee but men who were inspired of us Enquire of them to whom heretofore was given the knowledge of the written Law if ye know it not they were men that did eat and drink and were mortalâ— we effected what we promised to them we preserved them with such as believed and destroyed the incredulous We have sent you a Book to instruct you will ye understand it How many Infidel Cities have wee made desolate How many new people have we established in their place When they felt our punishment they fled fly not and return to what hath delighted you return into your houses peradventure ye will yet cover the riches of the Earth They said misery is upon us we are too blame Thus did they talke untill they were destroyed We have not created Heaven and Earth and whatsoever is between them to sport with had it been our will that they should have scoffed on Earth they should scoffe likewise in Heaven On the contrary I oppose the truth to falsehood to confound it and in effect it doth confound it Misery shall be upon you because of your blasphemies whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth is Gods the Angels are not ashamed to worship him they prayse him day and night and exalt his glory without blasphemie The Infidels worship Gods made of Earth Have they power to create any thing Were there in Heaven and on Earth another God they would not accord praised be God Lord of the Universe what the Infidels relate is untrue Hee asketh no counsell when he will doe any thing as do men will they worship any other God but him Say unto them produce your arguments behold what we have to speak unto you behold our reasons and those of our predecessors Certainly the greatest part of them are ignorant of the truth and goe astray We inspired into all the Prophets which we sent that there was but one God that ought to be worshipped They said believe ye that the Angels are the sonnes of God Praysed be God on the contrary they are his creatures he loveth them they speak not but after him and obey what he commandeth them he knoweth all their actions past and future they pray for no man but through his permission and feare to displease him Who among them will say I am God instead of God he shall be cast headlong into the fire of Hell thus doe I intreat unbelievers Know they not that the Heavens and the Earth were shut up We opened them and gave life to every thing through the raine which we made to descend will they not believe in my unity We created the Mountains to hinder the Earth to move we made therein wayes large and spacious for our Creatures we covered it with the Heaven and have exempted it from falling neverthelesse they despise our Commandement It is the Lord who created day and night the Moone and the Sunne all things praise and exalt him in Heaven we created no person to dwell for over on Earth all men shall taste of death I will prove you with good and evill and ye shall appeare before me to give accompt of your actions The Infidels scoffe at you when they see you and say behold them that deride our Gods They obey not the Commandements of God he created man of dust and shall shew you the effects of his omnipotency be not impatient to see the punishment of the wicked who say when shall be the day of judgement did they know it they would remove the fire from their backs and visages that day shall surprize them it shall astonish them when they thinke least of it they cannot retard it and shall be deprived of protection Certainly they scorned the Prophets that were sent before thee but they were punished after their demerits Say unto them who but the mercifull God preserveth you day and night neverthelesse yee reject his Commandements Have they any other God but me that is able to save them Their Gods cannot defend themselves I will not protect them yet will I enrich them as I enriched their fathers and will prolong their life to punish them on Earth Know they not that their estates diminish on all sides through thy Conquests Is it so that they are victorious Say unto them I preach to you what God hath inspired into me but the deafe heare not when they are exhorted When they are a little touched with the chastisements of God they say oh misery We are too blame and are unjust I will weigh their workes at the day of Judgement that I may doe injustice to no person of the weight of a grain of mustard-seed and will most exactly accompt We gave to Moses and Aaron the Book that distinguisheth good from evill and commanded them to preach our Commandements to them that had our feare before their eyes
sufficeth thee that God guideth and protecteth thee The Infidels have demaâ—ded it the Alcoran was sent all at once I have so done to confirme the truth in thy heart I have sent it piece by piece they shall not shew thee any thing like unto it I have instructed thee in the truth clear and intelligible the incredulous shall be confined in the fire of Hell and be most miserable Certainly We gave to Moses the book of the Law we sent with him hiâ— brother Aaron to assist him and said unto them Goe boâ—h of you pâ—each unto Infidells we will destroy them unless they be converted When the people of Noah despised our Commandment we drowned them and made them sure for example to posterity and prepared great torments for the impious Remember Aad Tâ—mod and those that dwelt nigh unto the well a long time afâ—er them we spake to them in parables and destroyed them Oh ye wicked consider the misery of tâ—e City upon which fell that mischievous rain that destroyed them because the Inhabitants believed not in the Resurrection When the Infidels saw thee appear they dâ—â—ided thee and said This Prophet would seduce us and make us to abandon our God We had patience and deferred our punishment they shall know at the day of Judgement them that have bin seduced Hast thou considered the action of him that spake of his God after his fantasie Wert thou his Tutor to hinder him to speak Dost thou believe that the greatest part of the wicked heare and understand what thou speakest to them They are like beasts and worse Seest thou how thy Lord sheddeth the Rose were it his will it should be permanent the Sun hath caused it to melt and attracteth it gently to himself He it is that created the night for repose and the day for labour He it is that sendeth the winds by his special grace he maketh rain to descend from Heaven to refresh the Earth to give it life to water the beasts and for the contentment of men we have divided it among them that they may be mindful of our grace nevertheless the greatest part of them are ungratefull Had we so pleased we had sent to every City a Preacher to preach unto the Inhabitants the torments of hell obey not Infidels preach to them frequently what is written in the Alcoran It is God that hath sweetned the water of Euphrates that joyned the two Seas that made them faâ—t and put between them a separation to hinder them to mix He created man and woman of a little water to increase multiply together thy Lord can do whatsoever him pleaseth yet do the Infidels adore what can neither henâ— fit nor hurt them and assist the Devil their master to tempt the world We sent thee only to prâ—ach the torments of hel to proclaime the joyes of Paradise Say unto them I require not of you a reward for my preaching he that shall be acceptable to God will follow the way of his Law Praise and exalt thy Lord trust in him he knoweth all the sins of men he created the heavens and the earth in six days and sitteth on his Throne learn this of him that knoweth it When it wâ—s sâ—id to the Infidels worship the merciful God they sâ—id what merciful shal we worshipp what ye appoint us and they added to their impiety Blessed be he that created the signs of heaven that created the Sun and the Moon ful of brightnesse light and hath made the days to succeed each other to returne him thanks for his graces The servants of the mercifull that walk with humility that salute the ignorant when they speak to them Such as pray to worship God day and night such as say Lord deliver us from the torment of hell those that fear God that are not prodigall nor covetous that folow the middle way betwixt prodigality and avarice those that worship one God that kill no man but with reason and following the Commandments of God and that are not luxurious shall injoy eternally the grace of God such as do the contrary shal be chastised their punishment shall be augmented at the day of Iudgment and they shall be damned for ever except him that shal be converted and shall have don good works God shal give him pardon of his sins he is gratious and mercifull They who do good works and repent who make no false Oâ—th who are humble and are not wilfully deaf dumbe when they heare the Alcoran read and say Lord give us and our posterity children that may be the light of our eyes and be obedient to thee work in us a fear to disobey thy Commandements such persons shall enjoy eternally the delights of Paradise for reward of their perseverance they shal there find salutations and benedictions with immense graces Say unto the wicked God will not enlighten you neither hearken to your prayers because yee have traduced his Prophet the time of the punishment of your câ—imes shall suddenly arrive CHAP. XXVI The Chapter of Poets containing an hundred and twenty seven Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull God is most pure he understandeth all things he is most wise These signs are the signs of the book that distinguisheth truth from falshood wilt thou destroy thy self because men are impious If I will I can cause my judgments to discend upon them that shall humble them they dispise my Commandments they scoffe but shall be rigorusly punished see they not how many fruits we have made to spring out of the earth It is a token of our omnipotencie nevertheless the greatest part of them believe not that thy Lord is the omnipotent the merciful Instruct them how thy Lord said unto Moses thou shalt be my Messenger to the Infidels and the people of Pharoah that they may have my fear before their eyes Moses slew an Egyptian Moses said Lord I fear they may traduce me and that my tongue cannot be loosed send with me my brother Aaâ—on they know the fault I have committed and will put me to death The Lord said to him they shall not put thee to death go both whither I command you I wil be with you will hear what they say say to Pharoah that ye are the Mâ—ssengers of the Lord of the world and let him dismiss with you the children of Israel Pharaoh said unto Moses have I not seen thee within this house a little childe Didst thou not dwell with us many years Didst thou not kill a man thou art impious Moses said I did what I did I was in the number of the seduced I fled when I feared you since that time God hath given me knowledg and placed me in the number of his Prophets and Apostles he hath sent me his grace to set before thee the evill that thou dost commit in causing thy selfe to be adored of the children of Israel Pharoah said unto him who is that God of the
is in this fire and whatsoever is about it is blessed praise is due to God Lord of the Vniverse I am God omnipotent and eternall Cast thy staffe on the ground When Moses beheld his staffe to move as it had been alive He went back very sorrowfull and returned no more Feare not that staffe my messenger and my Prophets have no fear in my presence he that shall be converted shall finde me gracious and mercifull Put thine hand into thy pocket it shal come forth white without harm it shal be one of the nine marks of my omnipotency Pharoah and his Ministers were altogether erroneous when they saw my Miracles they said that thâ—y were but sorcery they disposed them and increased their impiety Consider what is the end of the wicked and how they have been destroyed we gave knowledg to David to Solomon they said God who hath gratifyed us above many of his servants that have beleivd in his omnipotency Solomon was Davids heire and said to the people we understand the Language of birds we know whatsoever can be known it is an exceeding great grace Solomons Army being one day assembled before him composed of men Devils and birds he lead them to the valley of Pismires a Pismire their Queen cryed out oh Pismires enter into your houses least Solomon and his troups trample you under foot without knowledge of it Solomon hearing these words remained sometime without speaking and in the end began to laugh saying Lord assist me that I may give thee thanks for the benefits and graces which thou didst conferr upon my Father If I do well thou wilt accept it place me through thy mercy in the number of them that exalt thy glory He called for the †A Bird so called Whoope and said wherefore see I not the Whoope is she in the number of the absent I will punish and put her to death if she have not a lâ—â—â—â—ll excuse not long after she humbled her selfe before Solomon who asked her whence she came she answered I come from seeing what thou seest not I come from the Kingdom of Saba whence I bring certain tidings I have found a woman their Queen who hath whatsoever is necessary for a King she hath a great and magnificent Thron I have found that she with her Subjects adore the Sun the Devill caused them to delight in this their Action he hath seduced them from the right way and they shall be in Error untill they worship one God who sendeth rain from Heaven maketh the earth to produce plants and fruits who knoweth whatsoever is in the hearts of men and what they utter God! There is but one God Lord of the Vniverse Solomon said I shall soon see if thou speak truth or whither thou be in the number of the lyars goe bear to her this letter and obsâ—rve what she and her people shall answer At her arivall the Queen said to her Ministers Oh ye that are raised to dignity in my dominions a Letter is given me from Solomon of this tenour In the name of God gracious and mercifull rise not up against me and obey me Give me counsell what I ought to do I will do nothing without your advice and what you see not with your eyes They answered Our welfare and misery depend on thee command whatsoever shall seem good to thee and we will obey thee She said When Kings enter a City they introduce many disorders they abase and humble the chiefe of the Inhabitants and the most eminent if Solomon his people come hither they will use us in the like maner I think it requisit to send to him an Ambassador with some presents perhaps he will take a resolution to return When the Ambassador arrived in Solomons presence he said unto him Do ye bring me presents God hath bestowed on me more riches then on you presents rejoyce you because ye love them Return to them that sent you I will go visit them with forces so great that they shall not be able to resist I will drive them out of their dominions and they shall be miserable if they obey me not Then he said to his people Sits who will bring to me the Royall Seat of that woman before she and her subjects obey me One of the Devils said unto him I I will bring it before thou arise from thy place I am strong enough to bear it I will carry it carefully One of them that attended Sâ—lomon Gelaldin saith he knew the name of God who knew the Scriptures said I will bring it to thee in the twinkling of an eye When Solomon beheld this Throne before him he said Behold here a favor of God to try if â— would acknowledg his benefits He that returneâ—h thanks to God for his graces performeth his duty he rejecteth him that is ingratful I will try if she followeth the right way or whether she be in the number of the seduced They changed something in her Royall seat to try if she would know it when she arrived in Solomons presence At her arrival they shewed it her and asked if it resembled her own she replyed It resembleth it This Quee was called Balkis as if it were the same She had knowledge of the right way but that which the people and she adored instead of God had seduced them from the obedience of his divine Majesty They spake to her to enter into a gallery See Gelaldin when she beheld the pavement she believed it to be water and in lifting up her robe fearing to wet it discovered her Legg Solomon told her that the pavemenâ— was of pollished glass and exhorted her to embrace the Law of God Then she said Lord I am too blame in having offended thee I am obedient with Solomon to the Commandments of the God of the Universe We sent Salhe to Temod his people to exhort them to worship one God he said unto them O people flye to the mercy of God if ye implore pardon of him ye shal be pardoned They said wouldst thou draw us into thine error into the erroâ— of them that are with theâ— He said God shall chastise you ye are seditious They were nine persons in the City that defâ—led the earth and did no good they said among them Let us this night kill the Prophet and his adherents we will say to them that seeke him That we saw him not neither them that slew him and will swear that we speak truth They were cunning but we were more subtle then they and they knew it not Consider what was the Issue of their stratagems we destroyed them with their followers and their houses are become desart because of their impiety This shall serve for example to them that have knowledge of Our omnipotency We served the Prophâ—t and all the True-beleivers that were with him Remember then the History of Lot who said to his Citizens Will ye alway defile your selvs in uncleannesse in
created for men all that is in heaven and earth and conferreth on them his graces in generall and particular There be ignorant persons that dispute of the Diety without reason when it is said unto them do what God hath appointed they answer we will do what we saw don by our fathers They consider not that the devill calleth them their fathers to the pains of Hel he that obeyeth God doth good works fastneth him to the strongest knot will have a care of him at the hour of his end The impiety of the wicked ought not to afflict thee they shal be one day assembled in our presence to be chastised I will shew them all that they have don I know what is in the hearts of men I will prolong a while their punishment upon earth and precipitate them in the other world into the fire of hell Hast thou not damanded of them who created heaven and earth they said it is God say unto them therefore 〈…〉 be God nevertheless the greatest part of them are ignorant Whatsoever is in heaven Earth is Gods he hath no want of the world praise is due unto him in all that he doth if all the Trees of the world were Pens and the Sea Ink they could not comprehend the effect of his Omnipotency he is Omnipotent and knoweth all things He created and shall make you to rise again with one word he understandeth and seeth all things Consider they not that God causeth the night to enter into the day and the day into the night that he created the Sun and the Moon that move in the heaven until the day appointed he knoweth whatsoever ye do because he is truly God they that invoke other then him invoke things vain and unprofitable God alone is most high and most mighty Seest thou not how the ship runneth upon the water for a token of his Omnipotency to such as acknowledg his graces When the Wars arose against the Infidels many called upon God with resolution to follow his Law when he saved them on the Land some persevered to do well and others returned to their impiety none but deceivers and ingratfull persons despise his Commandments O people fear God and the day when the father shall not be able to succour his child neither the child serve his father Gods promises are infallible be not proud of your riches neither that God tolerateth and suffereth you he knoweth the time when ye shall be chastised the hour that the rain shall fall upon the earth he knoweth what is in the wombs of women whether it be male or female none but God knoweth what thou wilt â—o to morrow none but he knoweth the place where thou shalt die he knoweth all he knoweth all CHAP. XXXII The Chapter of Worship containing an hundred and thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am the most wise God Dâ—ubtless this book was sent by the lord of the Vniverse will the wicked say that thou hast invented it On the contrary it is the truth it self which proceedeth from thy Lord to preach to them that heretofore had none to instruct them peradventure they will follow the right way God created heaven and earth and all that is between them in six dayes and sitteth on his Throne who shall protect you who shall hear your prayers but he will you never consider it He disposeth all things in heaven and earth all men shall one day be assembled before him to be judged a thousand years are but one day before his divine Majesty he knoweth what is past present and future he is omnipotent merciful he hath created every thing for his people he formed man of the dirt and dust of the earth he inspired the soul into his body he giveth you hearing sight sense but few men return him thanks for his graces they say what shall we die and return to be a new people Certainly they beleive not in the Resurrection Say unto them the Angel of death shall cause you to dye and ye shall return before God to be judged Thou shalt then see how the Infidel will hang downe the head before their Lord and say Lord we now see the certainty of the Resurrection we this day know the truth of thy words permit us to reurn into the world we will be righteous we now understand what is profitable necessary for us we could have given a guide to every person my word is most true I will fill hell with the wicked Paradise with the righteous thus shal men be rewarded chastised according to their works Tast o ye wicked the pains that ye have deserved in refusing to beleive in this day w ch ye have found we leave you in the miseries du to your incredulity tast the eternall torments that ye have merited through your impiety Such as believe in the mysteries of my Law are humble they worship me alone praise me when they here mention of me they are not proud rebell not against my Commandments they arise from their bed to make their prayers with fear and hope and imploy in pious works some part of the wealth that we have given them No man hath either seen or knoweth what God reserveth to recompence the righteous for their perseverance The believers and unbelievers shall not be alike entreated the believers that have don good works shall enjoy Paradise as the reward of their labours and the unbelievers shall be precipitaâ—ed into the fire of hell the more they shall labour to get out the further shall they enter into it it shall be said to them tast the pains of eternall flames which ye would not believe I will make the wicked to tast of the torments of the world and the pains of hell if they be not converted Who is more unjust then he that knoweth the Commandments of his Lord and disobeyeth them we will be avenged on his impiety we gave a most true Book to Moses to instruct the children of Israel we put into the right way those among them that persevered in their faith and obeyed our Commandments Thy Lord shall judge the difficulties of the Infidels at the day of Judgment see they not how much people we destroyed in times past that reposed confidence in their houses It is a token of our Omnipotency will they never understand it See they not how I thrust forth water in desert and barren lands that I cause herbs to spring forth for the nourishment of men beasts will they never consider it They demand when will the day of Judgement come Say unto them that daâ— shall not bring contentment to Infidels and they shall be without protection Depart thou far from them perseveere and attend they wait an occasion to mischief thee but thou shalt see them chastised CHAP. XXXIII The Chapter of Bands and Troups of Souldiers containing fourscore and seven Verses written at Medina IN the name of
is past present and future and all that is in heaven and in the earth even to the weight of an Atome what is yet lesse and what is yet greater then an Atome is written in a book that discovereth every thing he shall reward the true-beleivers that have don good works he shall give them his mercy and enrich them with precious treasures such as have endeavoured to suppresse his Law shall feel the effects of his indignation They that understand the Scripture know that God hath taught thee the very truth to guide the people into the right way into the path of honour and vertue but the wicked said among them will ye beleive a man who affirmeth that after your death ye shall rise again and be new creatures he lyeth impudently he is possessed of the devill Certainly they that beleive not in the Resurrection are in an exceeding great error and shall suffer most greivous pains see they not what is above and what is below them Consider they not the heaven and the earth If I will I can render it barren and cause a peice of the heaven to fall upon them for a signe of my Omnipotency We gave our grace to David and spake to the mountains birds and mettals with him to praise me we commanded him to make cuirasses Iron was soft in his hand as wax O lineage of David I be not ingrateful I see whatsoever ye do we made the winds subject to Solomon he commanded them evening morning from the East to the West we gave him a fountain and brook of dissolved brass the devils through our permission wrought it to his minde and we punished in the fire oâ— hell such as refused to obey him They built for him lost palaces and * Depein piâ—d spacious houses they formed basons foâ— water chanels and pools we said unto him O lineage oâ— David be not ingrateful for my graces for that few persons do acknowledg them When he dyed through ouâ— Commandment nothing discovered his death to the devils buâ— the wormes that had eaten the end of his staffâ— whereon he leaned when the devils saw him fall they perceived that had they known the future and what was hâ— from them they should not have laboured so long a timâ— in his service The Inhabitants of Saba have a mark of mâ— Omnipotency in their Countrey viz. two gardens the one on the North side and the other towards the South iâ— was said unto them eat of the good things that your Lord hath given you and return him thanks their Country is delicious God hath been merciful towards them neverthelesse they are ingrateful and impious we sent the river oâ— Arem that overflowed their gardens we changed them into two gardens of thorns of Cyprus and a little * An Judian Date Tamarinde thus did we punish them because of their impiety We established a way with many cities for facility of commerce among them See Gelaldin and the City which we blessed and spake unto the people to follow that way night and day with safety and without fear They said God destroyeth us through the length of this way they returned to their impiety and we dispersed them upon the earth to serve for example to posterity and instruction to such as persevere in my Law and acknowledg my graces The devill caused them to believe his opinion they followed him except some of the true believers that were among them he had no power over them but to know them that believed in the Resurrection and such as doubt Thy Lord observeth and regardeth all Say unto them invoke your Idols they have not power of the bigness of an Atome neither in heaven nor earth God hath no companion they shall find none to protect them at the day of Iudgment none shall intercede for them without the permission of his divine Majesty if they receive any relaxation in their fear they enquire of each other what God spake answer that he spake the truth that he is most high and most mighty Say unto them who enricheth you with the good things of heaven and earth they will say that it is God Say unto them who of you or of us followeth the right way Or who of you or of us is seduced Enquire not after our sins we are not curious to know what ye do God shall assemble us at the day of Judgment and shall judge our differences with equity he iâ— an exceeding great Judge say unto them let us see the Idols that ye have worshiped certainly there is but one God omnipotent and wise We have not sent thee but to declare to men the joyes of Paradise and to preach to them the pains of hell but the greatest part knoweth it not they aske in what time they shall see the punishment that is preached to them and if thou speakest the truth say unto them when the time thereof is come ye shall not be able to retard or advance an hour they have said that they will not beleive in the Alcoran but thou shalt see them one day assembled in the presence of thy Lord thou shalt see that they shall accuse one another the poorâ— shall say unto â—he rich you have hindred us to obey the Commandments of God they shall answer have we seduced you from the way that was taught you On the contrary you were wicked and malicious they shall say on the contrary you employed night and day your Artifices to render us ingratfull for the graces of God and to induce us to believe that he hath companions equal to him they shall repent of their sins when they shall see their punishment we will lay chains upon their necks and they shall be chastised after their demerits The chief Inhabitants of the Cities said to the Prophets that we sent to them to preach the torments of hell that they believe not their words We have said they more riches and more children then those that believe in their discourse we shall not be damned as they affirm Say unto them my Lord giveth and taketh away riches as seemeth good to him but the greatest part of the people know it not your wealth and your children shall not give you accesse to God such as shall performe good works shall be rewarded and shall live eternally in the delights of Paradise they that sâ—all endeavour to suppress our Law shall be cast headlong into the fire of Hell Say unto them my Lord giveth and taketh away wealth as to him seemeth good he maketh vain the alms which ye shall give if ye observe not his Law he is the rich of the rich Be thou mindfull of the day when I shall assemble the Idolaters and shall say to the Angels behold them who have adored you they shall say praised be God thou alone art our Master and protector they adored not us they worshipped the devill the greatest part of them beleived in his word this day they are
raine from heaven and maketh the rivers to run upon the earth he causeth plants to spring forth and herbs of divers colours thou seest them become yellow and then altogether drie this is a sign of his omnipotency Hath not he to whom GOD hath given the light of Faith received a great grace from his divine Majesty Misery is upon them that have a heart hardned forget his law they are manifestly seduced he hath sent an excellent book for the instruction of men his precepts are alike in purity and without contradiction They that fear God tremble when they hear mention of this book and finde their rest in the word of his divine Majesty This book is the guide of the righteous God by it guideth whom pleaseth him He whom God shall seduce shall finde none to guid him he shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell at the day of Judgement it shall be said that day to the wicked tast the torments that ye have merited their predecessors defamed the Prophets and were punished when they least thought of it God rendred them ignâ—miniâ—us in this world and they shall feel in the other tormenâ—s much more greivous and they know it not We have taught in this book what is necessary for the salvation of the people peradventure they will learn it it is in the Arabique tongue without falshod and contradiction perhaps the people will fly from impiety God teacheth you a parable Two men are associates in their traffique the one is wicked the other an honest man are they alike Praise is due to one sole God the greatest part of the Infidels understand it not Thou shalt die all men shall die and ye shall be assembled at the day of Iudgement when ye shall dispute together Who is more unjust then he that blasphemeth against God and against the known truth Shall not the wicked be damned Such as shall believe the Prophet and fly impiety shall obtaine from God what they desire such is the recompence of the righteous God shall pardon their sins and reward them for their good works doth not he protect his servant They will terrifie thee wiâ—h the Idols which they adore but he whom God shall mislead shall finde none able to guide him and none shall be able to seduce him whom he shall guide is not he the omnipotent and revenging If thou ask of the Infidels who created heaven and earth they will say it is God Say unto them have ye therefore considered the Idols which ye adore can they exempt you from the wrath of God when it shall be his pleasure to chastise you Shall they be able to hinder his grace when it shall be his will to pardon you Say unto them my refuge is God I am resigned to his Will the wise trust in his divine Majesty Say unto them oh people do as you understand him I will do as I understand him ye shall know in the end that whosoever shall be condemned shall be ashamed and be precipitated into eternall torments We have sent unto thee the most true book to instruct the people He that shal follow the right way shal meet with nothing but good and he that shall go astray shall meet with nothing but evill thou art not the guardian of the wicked God causeth men to dye when the hour of their death is arrived he deferreth the death of many during their sleep remitteth that of others to the time appointed this is a sign of his omnipotency to such as consider it Will ye worship any but God Say unto them how shall your Idols be able to intercede for you since they want power know you not this Say unto them we ought to invoke one God alone King of the heaven and earth you all shall one day assemble before him to be judged The Infidels tremble with fear wheÌ„ they hear mention of one sole God rejoyce when they hear speak of their Idols Say unto them God is Creator of the heavens and the earth he knoweth the past present and future Lord thou shalt one day judge the differences of thy creatures Should the Infidels possess al the riches of the earth and yet as much more they would not be able to escape the fire of Hel at the day of Iudgment they shall be punished more greivously then they imagine their sins shall be set before them and they shall feel the rigors of the torments which they despise man calleth upon us when he is in affliction and we give him our grace he saith he meriteth it on the contrary this is to prove him but most of them are ignorant of it their predecessors spake as they the good that they have done hath profitted them nothing and the misery that they have merited is faln upon them they shall not escape the punishment of their crimes Know they not that God giveth and taketh away wealth from whom pleaseth him This is a signs of his omnipotency for the righteous Say unto them oh people they who have offâ—nded God ought not to despair of his grace he is gracious and mercifull be ye Converted and recommend your selves to his will before ye be condemned otherwise ye shall remain without protection follow the instruction that God hath sent to you before ye be chastised the punishment of your crimes shall surprise you ye know not the time the wicked shall be afflicted for that they have not obeyed Gods Commandments they shall know their damnation and the sin that they have committed in scorning the trve-believers They shall say had God guided me into the right-way I had had his fear before my eyes When they shall see hell they shal say could I return into the world I would be in the number of the righteous on the contrary my Commandments were taught you but ye became proud and dispised them Thou shalt sâ—e that day how the visages of Infidels shall be blackned Is there not a place in hell prepared for the proud God loveth and putteth into a place of felicity them that fear him they shall not be touched either with displeasure or affliction God hath created all things and disposeth all at his pleasure he hath in his power the keyes of heaven and earth such as disobey him are damned Say unto them oh ignorant men will ye enjoyn me to worship another god besides God It hath been preached to you and your predecessors that all your good works shall be unprofitable if ye adore many gods and that you shall be in the number of the damned there is but one God worship him and be mindfull of his graces The Infidels have not praised God as he ought to be praised they have no knowledge of his power he shall make earth to tremble and gather together the heavens by the strength of his right hand at the day of Iudgment praised be God he hath no companion When the Trumpet shall sound the first time he shal cause to dis whom
neverthelesse they ere in doubt if they shall rise again See â—edaoi We created man without difficulty we know the moâ—ions of his soul penetrate into his heart as the bloud in to the veins of his body O man think upon the day that thou shalt see thy good and evill Angell near thee at the right hand and on thy left they have observed and written all that thou hast done represent to thy self death before thine eies it is inevitable Think on the Angel that shall sound the Trumpet at the day of the Resurrection that day shall the wicked behold what was promised them and all men shall come before God to be judged Their guardian Angels shall conduct them and be the witnesses of their deportments It shall be said to the Infidells behold the day of which ye would have no thoughts we have now opened your eyes you shal see this day more hard then iron their guardian Angells shall say unto them behold here bâ—fore your eyes all that ye have done cast into Hell those obstinate Infidels that have hindrd their neighbour to do good that have offended in doubting of Gods Law and have affirmed there was another god with God cast them into the most grievous torments Then shall the Devill say to them Lord I did not seduce them they seduced themselves God shall say dispute not before me what was heretofore promised you is infallible my Word admitteth no alteration and I will do injustice to none God shall ask at the day of judgment if hell be full it shall answer is there any more Paradise is prepared for theÌ„ righteous who shal have the fear of God before their eyes it is promised to theÌ„ that shall be converted that shall obey the Commendments of his divine Majesty and persevere in their obendience It shall be said to them enter ye into Paradise exempt from all evill behold the eternall day ye shall have all that ye shall desire and more How rich and powerful Cities have we in times past destroyed their inhabitants sought in their Countryes places of retreat and escaped not the punishment of their crimes this ought to serve for example to them that comprehend it to them that hear it and to such that saw it Certainly we created in six dayes without difficulty the heaven earth all that is between them Persevere be not impatient for the words of unbelievers exalt the glory of thy Lord before the Sun go down anâ— before it rise pray to thy Lord at the entrance of the night the last of all shall be worship Hearken when the Angel shall call thee to generall Judgment that day shall all the world hear the Trumpet the people shall come out of their sepulchers and earth shall open before the eyes of men I give life and death and all the world shall be assembled before me to be judged This assemble is easie for me to accomplish I know what the wicked say thou shalâ— not cause them by force to embrace my Law teach it those that fear the torments prepared for Infidels CHAP. LI. The Chapter of Things dispersed containing sixty Verses Gelaldin Falkredin intitle this the Capter of things that disperse writen at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the winds that disperse the dust by â—he clouds charged with rain by the ship that runneth upon the waters and by them that divide the wealth of the earth that what hath been promised to you is true and that the day of Judgment is infallible I swear by heaven and the stars thereof that ye are in an exceeding great error God expelleth lyars far from him he curseth them that blasphem and such as beleive not in the Resurrection They ask when shall be the day of Judgment That day shall they be punished in the fire of hell It shall be said unto them taste the torments that ye have with impatience demanded They who had the fear of God befoâ—e their eyes shall be in gardens adorned with fountains they shall enjoy the pleasures prepared for them by God because they are righteous â—hey sleep very little by night implore pardon of God at the dawning of the day and give almes to the poor that beg and the poor that are bashfull God manifesteth on the earth and in your persons the signs of his omnipotencâ— consider ye not that what is promised to you is written in heaven God is Lord of heaven and earth he is truth it self wil ye not confess him â—â—d the Angels conveigh to thâ—e the books of Abraham Whâ—n they â—ntred into his house they saluted him he likewise saluted them made signs to his â—ervants to bring a fat calf roasted which he presented to them he said unto them wherefore do ye not eat and was afraid in his mind of their coming They said fear not we are the Messengers of God they declared to him that he should have a son that should be a great personage Then his wife drew near crying with a loud voice smiting her face said one that is barren beareth no child they said the thing shall come to pass as we have spoken thy Lord ordaineth what pleaseth him and knoweth all Abraham said unto them O ye Messengers of God! what is your design they replied we are sent from God to destroy the Cities inhabited by the wicked and cast upon them stones of fire whereon are inscribed the names of them that they shall strike we will cauâ—e all the righteous to depart from among them if we finde there but one family of righteous we will there leave an example to posterity for them that fear the tormenâ—s of hel Moses is a sign of our omnipotency we sent him to Pharoah with reasons clear and intelligible he despised my Commandments and said that Moses was a Magician and possessed of the devil but we surprised him and drowned his people to his great displeasure Aad is an example of our omnipotency we sent an impetuous winde against those wicked people that destroyed them Temod is an example of our omnipotency with his Nation they waxed prouâ— and resisted the Commandments of their Lord when it was said to them that the punishment of the wicked was deferâ—ed to another time but thunder surprised thâ—m they saw it they had not the power to stand on their feet and were deprived of protection The people of Noahs time are an example of our omnipotency we pâ—stroyed them because they were impiâ—us we built heaven with strength and vertue I am he that giveth power strength we extended the earth created of every thing male female perhaps ye will consider it Say unto them turn ye to God I am sent from him to preach to you the pains of hell believe not that God hath another God with him the wicked said heretofore that the Prophets and Apostles whom he sent were Magicians and possessed of the Devil have they recommended to their
posterity to do the like Certainly they are in a great error Separate thy self far from their company and be not troubled at what they say preach the Alcoran it is profitable to the righteous I did not create the devils and men but to worship me Say unto them I require nothing of unbelievers for instructing them I require not that they nourish me God enricheth whom he pleaseth he is omnipotent the wicked shall be chastised as heretofore have been their predecessors in their malice their time shal come and misery shall befal them at the day of judgment CHAP. LII The Chapter of the Mountain containing thirty nine Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Mountain upon which God spake to Moses by what is contained in the book written in parchment by the first Temple of Mecca by the arches of the heavens and by the sea full of water that God is one sole God and the punishment promised to unbelievers is infallible they shall not be able to escape it in the day when the heaven shal tremble and the mountains shall wâ—â—â—â—â—at day shall be unhappy 〈…〉 â—â—ated in the fire 〈…〉 that ye 〈…〉 paâ—◠〈…〉 our 〈…〉 â—ore 〈…〉 â—od 〈…〉 â—e 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 works they shall repose upon beds well ordered we will marry them to wives that shall have fair eyes they shall be attended of their family and be largly rewarded for their good works every good action shall be to them a dégree of happiness We will give them such fruits and Vines as they shall desire they shall present to each other the cup to drink they shall not speak an evill word and shall not siâ— they shall have pages about them for their service beautifull as pollished pearls they shall discourse among them concerning what they did before on Earth and say We were in the world we and our families with a great apprehension of the pains of hell but God hath gratified us he hath delivered us from eternall flames They shall say moreover we worshipped in the world but one God most just and most mercifull Remember thou to preach the Alcoran thou art not ingratefull for the grace of God thou art not possessed of the Devill will they say that thou art a Poet a Rimer that nothing must be expected from thee but fables of past Ages Say unto them ye expect the time of my destruction but I with you expect the time of your ruine Do their superiors command them to speak in this manner Will they be obstinate in their errors Will they say that Mahomet hath invented the Alcoran Certainly they are incredulous let them bring any discourse like to this book in Doctrine and Eloquence if what they affirm be true Were they created of any thing have they created any thing have they created themselves have they created the Heavens and the Earth Certainly they are incredulous Have they in their power the treasures of thy Lord are they Gyants Have they a ladder that may raise them to hear what is spoken in Heaven Let them produce some reason of their opinion Believe ye that God hath daughters and that ye have sonnes Will ye require of him a Salary for obeying his Law Is he your debtor The wicked are lyars do they know what shall be do they weite it Desire they to conspire against thee The wicked often conspire against the righteous that worship but one God Praised be God he hath no companion If the Infidels should see a piece of the Heaven to fall they would say it is a cloud driven by the winds leave them in their obstinacy untill they come to the day of their death that day shall their conspiracy be vain and they deprived of protection They likewise shall be punished before their death but the greatest part know it not Have pacience and expect the Judgment of God thou shalt soon see it I will protect thee and thou shalt not want help Praise thy Lord exalt his glory when thou shalt rise praise him in the night and before the Stars disappear CHAP. LIII The Chapter of the Starre containing sixty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Star that disappeareth that your friend Mahomet â—rreth not he speaketh nothing of his own he speaketh but what hath been inspired into him by the omnipotent and most bountifull God The Angell approached him in the highest place of heaven within the length of two bowes somewhat nearer The Turks believe that there is an Apple tree at the right side of throne of God and that none can ascend higher then its branches no not the angels God hath inspired into him what he hath inspired into his servant who altered nothing of what hath been inspired into him He hath spoken what he hath seen and in what form the Angel was Dispute not against him concerning what he saw he another time saw the Angel in Heaven near to the Tree that is at the right side of Gods throne and although that tree was covered with that which covered him his fight was not dazled and he is not in error Certainly he hath seen the great wonders of his Lord Have ye considered Alat Az and Menat those three Idols Will ye sâ—â—are that God hath daughters and that ye have Sonnes ye will make a false Oath and shall be in a manifest error Those Idols have nothing but the names which your Fathers and you have given them See Gelaldin God hath not commanded you to worship them ye follow only your passions remote from the truth God teacheth you the way of Salvation by the mouth of his Prophet doth man obtain from Idols what he required of them God is God in the beginning and the end How many Angels be there in Heaven whose prayers are unprofitable if God doth not accept them They that believe not in the day of Judgment say that Angels are maidens they understand not what they say they speak through opinion and that opinion is not conformed to truth Depart thou farre from them that reject our Law and desire only the goods of the Earth and are ignorant of all other things Thy Lord knoweth them that go a stray from the right way and such as follow the path of Salvation all that is in the Heavens and Earth is Gods he shall chastise the wicked See Gelaldin and reward the just He pardoneth their veniall sinnes who flie sinnes mortall he is exceeding merciful He knoweth that he hath created you of Earth Great and small sins and that he formed you in your mothers womb Extol not your selves he knoweth such as have his fear before their eyes Hast thou seen him that abandoned the faith a little wealth was given him and nothing more doth he know what must befall him hath he knowledg of what is to come will he not learn what is written in the books
your sins and make you to enter into Gardens wherein flow many rivers the light of faith shall goe before the Prophet and them that have followed him When God shall recompense them they shall say Lord give us thy light pardon our sins thou art omnipotent Oh Prophet fight against the Infidels and the wicked fortifie thy self against them hell shall be their habitation God teacheth unbelievers a parable and saith the wives of Noah and the wives of Lot were under the power of my two servants righteous men they betrayed them but did not escape the punishment of their sin It was said unto them enter into the fire of hell with them that goe into it God teacheth them a parable that follow his Law Take example by the wife of Pharoah she prayed to God and said Lord build me an house in Paradise deliver me from Pharoah from his works and unjust men Mary the daughter of Josaphat preserved her virginity we inspired into her our Spirit she believed the words of her Lord and the Scriptures shee was in the number of them that obey CHAP. LXVII The Chapter of Empire containing thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Praised be he to whom belongeth the Empire of the world who is omnipotent and hath created life and death to let you know which is the better he is omnipotent and mercifull He hath created seven heavens one upon another thou seest nothing of what he hath created that is not proportioned raise yet thy sight to heaven thou shalt not there see any thing defective behold it twice or more often thou shalt not perceive therein any thing vain or imperfect We have adorned the heaven and the world with Stars we expelled thence the Devils we prepared for them a great fire and the torments of hell for unbelievers They shall hear horrible and terrible voyces that proceed from despair and wrath when they shall be cast thither headlong when they shall enter into hell by troups the Overseer of the torments shall say unto them had you none on earth that preached to you the pains of hell yes shall they reply they were preached to us but we traduced our preachers we said that God did not command to do what they declared that they were lyars and seduced from the right way Had we heard them and had we been wise we should not this day have been in the number of the damned they shall confess their sins in the bottome of hell Such as fear God without seeing him shall receive pardon of their offences and an exceeding great reward Speak secretly or publiquely God knoweth whatsoever ye have in your hearts since the time of your creation he is blessed and omniscient He hath established wayes upon the earth goe on all sides and live of his good things ye all shall revive and be one day assembled before him to be judged Believe ye that he who is in heaven cannot render the earth drie and barren and cause it to tremble Believe ye that hee who is in heaven is not able to send against you an impetuous winde to destroy you Ye shall hereafter feel what are the torments of hell Your predecessors would not believe them and were chastised for their incredulity Consider ye not the birds that flie over your heads how they extend and shut their wings nothing supporteth them but that mercy that beholdeth all things Who but God shall protect you in your miseries The Infidels are proud Who shall enrich you if God restraineth his grace neverthelesse ye persevere in your sinnes and flie the truth Is he that creepeth on his face like to him that goeth on his feet in the right way Say unto them God hath created you hee hath given you sight hearing and sense but few among you return him thanks for his graces Say unto them he created you of earth and ye shall one day be assembled before him to render accompt of your actions The wicked dmaned when the day of Judgement shall be Say unto them God knowes I am sent only to preach to you the pains of hell Their visages shall become black when they shall see the punishment of their sinnes approach It shall be said to them behold that which ye have demanded with so much impatience Say unto them did you see that God destroyed me and them that were with me No he gave us his grace Who shall deliver the Infidels from the torments of hell Say unto them God is mercifull we believe in him and we are resigned to the will of his divine Majesty ye shall know hereafter them that shall be seduced If the water that watereth your flocks enter under the earth who shall give you other water or another Fountain to supply you CHAP. LXVIII The Chapter of the Pen containing fifty two Verses written at Mecca Bedaoi entituleth this the Chapter of the Letter Noun n and saith that it is as much as to say whale or great Fish Some other Doctors say that Noun n is the name of the Ink or Table on which the Angels write the Commandements of God Others affirm it to signifie the Ink-horn but many of the Mahometan Doctors intitle this the Chapter of the Pen. IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the Pen and by all that is written that thou art not possessed of the Devill through the grace of thy Lord thou shalt have an infinite reward God hath created thee with a creation high and most illustrious Thou shalt hereafter know and the Infidels likewise shall know one day them among you that are ignorant Certainly thy Lord knoweth them that are seduced and them that follow the right way Obey not the wicked they desire thee to be more indulgent towards them and themselves more milde towards thee Obey not those infamous lyars those bablers sinners seducers and wicked persons full of treasures and children When the Mysteries of faith are related to them they say that they are but fables of antiquitie we will put upon their noses a mark of shame and ignominy we have tryed them as Gardeners when they have resolved in the evening to cut off the morning following some fruits of their garden for their refection and have not said if it please God By night which they slept God sent fier into their gardens that consumed them in the morning they called each other and said come to put order to your garden if ye desire to gather the fruits they believed the poore would enter they ran to drive them away and found their fruits black and their gardens blasted Then they said we are seduced we are sinners one of them said that it was requisite to praise God Then they said praised be God we are great sinners they approached each other and complained among themselves They said misery is upon us we were in a great error peradventure God will give us hereafter more then the value of what
fearful and not oh Prophet as he was wâ—nt See Gelaldin IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull O thou Fearfull Arise by night pray to God at midnight untill two thrid parts of the night and more Read the Alcoran and meditate thereon observe what it contains although it be tendious to thee thou wilt best comprehend it after thy first sleep because thou in the day hast affairs that divert thee Remember thou the name of God forsake the world to worship him he is Lord of the West and East there is no god but God take him for thy protector be not impatient at what the wicked say separate thy self from their society without fear leave me to punish them is there any one that is able to defend them their punishment is deferred but I have chains of iron bread full of thorns and great torments to inflict on them at the day when the earth shall tremble and the mountains shall be dissolved into dust O ye people we have sent to you a Prophet our Apostle to instruct you as we did to Pharoah he was disobedient and obstinate and we severely chastised him How will ye secure your selves from the torments of hell if ye be in the number of the wicked What will ye do at the day when Infants shall be men and heaven shall be opened What God promiseth is infallible these things are for the instruction of them that desire to follow the way of salvation Thy Lord knoweth that thou wilt arise about the third part of the night or at midnight as likewise a part of those that are with thee he reckoneth the hours and the minuts of night and day he knoweth that thou canst not reckon them exactly he pardoneth thee if thou risest a litle sooner or a litle later read during this time what thou shalt be able to read of the Alcoran God knoweth that there will be persons among you that will be sickly others that will be in travels for their affairs and some that will fight for the faith these persons shall be excused Read what ye shall be able of the Alcoran lift up your prayers to God pay tithes lend to God some benefit ye shall one day find the good that you shall have done and a very good reward beg pardon of God he is gracious and mercifull CHAP. LXXIV The Chapter of the Wrapped containing fifty seven Verses Mahomet was wrapt in his garments when the Angel brought him this Chapter written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull O thou wrapped Arise and preach to the people the torments of hell thy Lord is more powerful then the Idols make clean thy garments be thou mindfull of the pains prepared for unbelievers separate thy self from their company lend nothing to Usury the day that the Trumpet shall sound shall be extreamly irksome to the wicked that day let me chastise him whom I created and to whom I gave riches and children and whom I placed in plenty neverthelesse he demandeth more and is obstinate to disobey my Commandements I will adde to his pains because he blasphemeth against the Alcoran wherefore doth he blasphem he maketh his countenace sorrowful covered with hypocrisie when he beholdeth the people with his eyes melancholique and estranged from the way of salvation he is proud scorneth to follow the Prophet saith that the Alcoran is but Magick and but the word of Man he shall be precipitated into the bottom of hell nothing remains to him but to be burned ninteen Spirits shall be appointed to torment the wicked they that punish the damned are Spirits We have mentioned this number of nineteen to seduce the Infidels and confirm the truth and the True-believers in their faith They whom God instructeth in the Scripture and who believe in his Law are not in doubt of these Spirits but such as have evill in the heart who doubt of his Law and the wicked say that he by this number meaneth God Thus God seduceth and guideth whom he pleaseth no person knoweth the number of his Angels but God I swear by the entrance of the night and the morning that hell is an exceeding great punishment prepared for the impious The believers and unbelievers the good and the bad shall answer for their actions and such as shall have their book of accompt in the right hand shall goe into Paradise they shall enquire of the damned and say to them who did cast you into hell They shall answer we did not pray to God at the time appointed we gave not to the poor to eat we believed there was neither Resurrection nor Judgement untill death surprized us the prayers of them that pray for them shall be in vain Wherefore is it that unbelievers depart from the Law of God They are like to the wilde Asse which flyeth as far as he can when he seeth the Lion approach him every one of them would particularly see a book to instruct them and apprehendeth not the day of Judgement Certainly the Alcoran teacheth them the Law of God that reade it none shall understand it but he that shall be pleasing to God who shall have his fear before his eyes and shall implore pardon of his sins of his divine Majesty CHAP. LXXV The Chapter of the Resuâ—rection containing fourty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear that it is most true that men shall rise againe I swear that the wicked shall render an accompt of their actions think they that I cannot recollect their bones I will recollect all of them after they shall be corrupted I am able to recollect their fingers as they had them in their youth Certainly man is prone to blaspheme before the coming of the day of Judgement and enquireth when that day will be When his sight shall be troubled and the Sun and Moon gathered together then shall he say whether shall I flye It shall be said to him thou shalt have none other refuge but in God he shall be surprized and all his offences shall be commemorated to him and he shall witnesse against himself Speak not then in a word if he will excuse himself be not thou impatient I know all that is in his heart I know what thou hast taught him I did read with him that read to thee the Alcoran and made thee to understand it Man presseth himself to goe to his dishonor and considereth not his end he shall raise the head with a countenance content to see God but at the same instant shall have the face covered with affliction and shall know that he is in the height of all miseries His soul shall be conducted towards God when it shall be separate from his body If it renounce the Law of God it shall goe towards the damned towards them that extend their armes through dispaire It shall be said to him God alone whom thou wouldst not obey was thy Lord and protector Doth man think to
propositions my opinion yet with submission to wiser judgements 1. Though it may be dangerous to such as like reeds are shaken and like empty clouds carried about with every wind of doctrin yet to staid solid Christians the reading of Mahomets Heresies wil be no more dangerous then the reading of those errors which are recorded in Scripture for in them are mentioned many damnable errors and abominations of the Egyptians Cananites Hittites Sidonians and other Gentiles and of the Hebrews themselves of the Sadduces who denied Spirits Angells and the Resurrection 2. Is there more in reading the Alcoran then in reaing the Errors of ancient and modern Heretikes surely Tertullian Irenaus Epiphanius Austin and other Fathers were not of this opinion who have left upon record to posterity the damnable heresies of Arians Eutychians Nestorians Macedonians and others and in the Alcoran there are not such dangerous errors as among the Tetratheites Angelites and Theodosians who held there were four Gods or the Tritheites who affirmed there were three or the Gnosticks Manicheans Cerdonians Marcionites who maintained there were two contrary Gods the one good the other bad whereas the Alcoran sets down there is but one true God and although it denieth with Arius the Divinity of Christ yet it holds him a great Prophet nor doth it speak so blasphemously of Christ as the Simonians who held Simon Magus or the Ophites and Manicheans who said the Serpent was Christ or Menander who affirmed himself to be Christ and the Saviour of the world Besides are not the damnable Heresies of the modern Familists who deny Christs Divinity making as many Christs as there be illuminated Elders in their Congregations are not also the Heresies of the Socinians Antitrinitarians Adamites Serâ—etians Antisabbatarians and many others exposed to the view of all that will read them why then may not the Alcoran Besides are men debarred from reading the Greek and Latine Poets nay are not many of them translated into our English tongue as also the modern Histories of the East and West Indies wherein are more damnable tenets then any in the Alcoran and they who have read the Jewish Talmud and Cabala will find them as ridiculous pieces as the Alcoran 3. If there were any lovelinesse beauty excellency or any thing else in the Alcoran that might win the mind and draw the affection after it I should hold the reading of it dangerous but whereas it is such a mishapen and deformed piece I think the reading of it will confirm us in the truth and cause us love the Scripture so much the more for as a beautifull body is never more lovely then when she is placed neer a Black-moore neither is truth more amiable then when it is beset with Errors Opposita juxta se posita clariùs elucescunt the Gem receives lustre from the foile the starrs from the night and fire is most scorching in Frost even so by an Antiperistasis truth is fortified by error Who can think that the sight of a Hob-Goblin or deformed vizard should draw the child from the Nurse or brest of the Mother to embrace it whereas the sight thereof will rather cause the child hold faster by the mother The wise Spartans oft-times brought drunkards into the room where their sons were not that they should be induced thereby to love but to abhorr drunkkenness which they could not have done had they not seen the unseemly and rude carriage the undecent behaviour and uncomposed gestures of the drunkard When Zisca had destroyed the Adamits of Bohemia he preserved two alive that they might reveal to the world the wicked errors of that Sect Who is so mad as to prefer the embracements of a filthy Baboon to his beautifull Mistresse or the braying of an Asse to a consort of Musick he deserves the ears of Midas that will prefer the Cuckoes song to the â—weet notes of the Nightingale 4. Though the Alcoran be received among many Naâ—ions yet this reception proceeds not from any love they bear to it or any lovelinesse they find in it but partly out of fear being forced by the Sword partly out of a preposterous desire of liberty and preferment and partly out of ignorance as not being suffered to read the Scriptures nor to hear Philosophy by which the errors thereof may be detected nor to enquire into the absurdities thereof or to dispute and question any thing in it for which cause also it is not suffered to be Printed nor are Christians permitted to enter into Mecca least their absurdities and impieties of their Religion should be manifested and thus are those silly souls kept in blindnesse and ignorance and therefore I never read that any Nation did voluntarily receive the Alcoran except the theevish Saracens of Arabia because it was a friend both to their theevery and lechery as permitting multiplicity of Wives and Concubines and a reward for those that shall murther and rob 5. The Alcoran is translated into French and other vulgar Tongues and the chief heads thereof by Purchas in his Pilgrimage by Heilin in his Geography by others into our own tongue without scruple or exception and I pray you why is the Arabick tongue the language of that false Prophet and in which he writ his Alcoran so much learned and taught in Schools and Christian Universities but that by it we may come to the knowledge of Mahomets Laâ— and Religion and how should we know this little hoâ—n in Daniel that spake high and proud things against the Almighty if we read not his life and doctrine 6. There is a kind of necessity we should know evill as well as good falshood as well as truth that we may avoid the one and so much more love the other he that hath smelled a stinking weed will smell with more delight the sweet Rose he that reads the Alcoran will find it smell worse then Mahomets carkasse did which after his death lay putrifying upon the ground which his disciples permitted for many daies together hoping he would have been as good as his word who made them a promise that he would rise again the third day but at last finding he had forgot himself and that his body smelling not so sweet as Alexanders did after his death they were forced to bury it or otherwaies the dogs who were beginning to bury him in their guts had saved them a labour though Sugar be sweet in it self yet it is much more sweet to him that hath tasted Aloes and though Italy in it self be a delicious Countrey and garden of the world yet it is much more delightfull pleasant and beautifull to him who hath passed over the mountanous craggy and rugged Alps Did not the Prodigall love the bread of his fathers house evermore the better after he had been fed on husks with swine doubtlesse we shall find that after we have fed a while upon the course husks of the Alcoran with the Arabian swine we shall with much more eagernesse covet