Seest thou not how he assembleth the clouds how he placeth them one upon another Considerest thou not how the rain falleth through their pores and that God causeth fresh water to descend from the mountains He hath given it to whom seemeth good to him he causeth the brightness of lightning to approach men which blindeth their sight and over whelmeth the day with night These things are signs of his omnipotency to them that consider them He created of a little water all sorts of living Creatures some creep upon the Earth others walk upon two feet and others upon four he created what pleased him he is omnipotent Certainly he hath senâ—… a Law clear and intelligible to conduct into the right way whom it shall seem good to him The Infidels say We believe in God and his Prophet nevertheless a party among them abandon his Law and believe not in his divine Majesty When they are called before God and before the Prophet to judge their differences many among them refuse to come if they come it is with contempt They are greatly afflicted at heart do they fear that God and his Prophet will do them injustice On the contrary they themselves are unjust When the True believers are called before God and the Prophet to be judged they say We have heard and obeyed they are not ignorant Those that shall obey God and his Prophet shall be blessed Many swear to fight gallantly for the Faith when they shall be commanded to march against the enemy say unto them Swear not your obedience to the Prophet shall be preferred to your oaths God knoweth whatsoever ye do say unto them Obey God and his Prophet if they be disobedient they shall bear their burden and ye shall bear your own if ye obey ye shall follow the right way The Prophet is obliged onely to preach intelligibly God promiseth to the True believers that shall do good works that they shall live long upon Earth as he promised to them that were before them that they might establish the Law that he gave them he shall change their fear into assurance he shall deliver them from terror that they may adore him alone without Companion He that is 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 Believe not that the Infidels are more powerful on Earth than we they shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell. O ye that are True believers your Slaves and your 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 he 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 Predecessors Thus doth God teach you his Commandments he is gracious and merciful The old and decrepit 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 heareth whatsoever ye say and knoweth all that is in your hearts The Blind the Lame the Sick and you also shall not sin to eat in the House of your Children at the House of your Father and Mother Brothers Sisters Uncles 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 business licence whom shall seem good to thee and pray to God for them he is gracious and merciful Call not the Prophet as ye call one another among you God knoweth such as shamefully depart out of the Temple and the Trench Such as disobey his Commandments ought to take heed lest some mischief befal them and that they suffer not great torments Whatsoever is in the Heavens or on Earth is Gods he knoweth if ye are zealous in your faith or be hypocrites he knoweth the Day wherein all the World shall be assembled before him to be judged In that day shall men see what they have done he knoweth all things CHAP. XXV The Chapter of the Alcoran containing Seventy and seven Verses written 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 Reign 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 writest and that thou studiest Morning and Evening Say unto them It was sent by him that knoweth all things in Heaven and Earth altogether gracious and merciful They said Who is this Prophet He eateth Bread and Meat and walketh through the streets we will not believe him unless that an Angel descend from Heaven to preach to us with him unless that Angel enrich him and that he have a Garden full of good and savory fruits he is but a Wizard or one possessed 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 of Universal Judgment and we have prepared the Fire of Hell to punish them wrath shall carry them away with terrible crys 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 miseries in the Plural Ask of them which is better and more advantageous that or Paradise which is prepared for the recompence of the righteous where they shall dwell eternally with all manner of felicity this is it that God hath promised and that which was impetrated of
Food which thou desirest and whosoever shall be â—…mpious shall be punished with torments that no man yet hath suffered He shall say at the Day of Judgment O Jesus Son of Mary didst thou enjoyn the people to worship thee and thy Mother as two Gods Jesus shall answer praised be thy name I will take heed of speaking what is not thou knowest if I have said it thou art Omniscient thou knowest what is in my Soul and I have no knowledge of what is in thee I delivered nothing but what thou didst command me to speak to wit Worship God your Lord and mine I am Witness from the time that I was in the World until thou didst cause me to dye thou didst observe the Deportments of the people thou feest all if thou chastisest Men they are thy Creatures if thou dost pardon them thou art Omnipotent and Wise. Then shall God say this day shall good works be profitable to the righteous they shall enter into Paradise wherein flow many Rivers there shall they dwell eternally with my grace in exceeding great felicity the Kingdom of heaven of Earth is Gods he is Omnipotent CHAP. VI. The Chapter of Gratifications containing an hundred sixty and fifteen Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful Praise be to God the Creator of Heaven of Earth of darkness and of light such as believe not in their Lord are in error He it is that created you of the dust of the Earth and appointed a prefixed time for your death and resurrection nevertheless you doubt he is God in Heaven and in Earth he understandeth the secrets of your hearts and whatsoever you make manifest he knoweth the good and evil that you commit that his Commandments have been taught the Inhabitants of Mecca and that they have abjured them they opposed the revealed Truth but shall be chastised for their contempt They consider not how much People we have destroyed in past ages we gave them places to dwell in more strong and spacious than those which you inhabit sent them about of rain caused Fountains flow in the places of their habitation after this did we extirpate them by reason of their sins and established in their place a new People We have sent to thee the Scripture written in Vellum the unbelievers have handled it with their hands yet say it is evident sorcery and inchantment that they will not believe therein unless they see an Angel descend to confirm it Should we have sent an Angel they had perished by his presence unless we had sent him under the figure of a Man like unto them and cloathed as they are They derided the Prophets and Apostles thy Predecessors derision is fallen upon such as contemned them Say to them go through the World and consider the end of them that abjure the Law of God say to them to whom appertaineth whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth it is Gods. He will imploy his mercy to save you doubtless he will assemble all of you at the Day of Judgment Nevertheless Infidels believe not in his Unity they consider not that whatsoever moveth by night and by day and whatsoever is in the World belongeth to his Divine Majesty who understandeth and knoweth all things Say to them require you other protection than that of God the Omnipotent Creator of Heaven and Earth who nourisheth all things is nourished by none Say to them I have received a command to embrace the Law of Salvation Be not ye in number of unbelievers I fear to disobey my Lord and fear the torments prepared for the wicked at the day of Judgment he that shall deliver himself shall enjoy the grace of God which is supream felicity If God will punish you none shall deliver you from his punishment if his Will is to do good to you he is Omnipotent always victorious and hath all power over his Creatures he is most wise and Omniscient Say to them What better testimony is there in the World than that of God Say to them He shall testifie between you and me to whom he hath inspired the Alcoran to instruct you Will any among you that shall learn it say there is any other God but God I will not say so there is but one God and I am innocent from the sin you commit in associating him with a companion equal to him many of them that understand the written Law have knowledge of the truth of the Alcoran their Children also know it but such as forsake their own Souls will not believe in God. Who more unjust than he that blasphemeth against God and his Commandments Certainly the wicked shall be miserable I will assemble all of them and say Where are the gods which you did associate with God They shall have none other excuse but to say by God Lord we were of the number of Idolaters Consider how they will lie and disavow their blasphemies some there be among them that hearken to thee we have hardened their hearts they will not learn the Alcoran because their ears are stopped When they shall hear related all the miracles of the World and shall see them with their eyes they will not believe until they have disputed against thee The wicked say the Alcoran is but a lie and â—…able of Antiquity they forbid the People to believe it and contemn it certainly they destroy their Souls and know it not thou shalt see when they shall be detained in the fire of Hell they will say Would to God I might return into the World I would obey the Commandments of his Divine Majesty and be in the number of true believers They knew the truth but concealed it should they return into the World they would return to their impiety they are liars They affirm there is none other life than that of the World neither any resurrection when they shall be before God they shall acknowledge their errors he shall cause them to feel the chastisements due to their blasphemies Such as believe not in the Resurrection are wretched Men they shall be afflicted for their sins at the hour when ever death shall surprize them they shall bear on their back the burthen of their crimes and avouch the life of this world to be but deceit and vanity and the life of the other to be full of felicity for the righteous nevertheless the wicked are not converted I know thou wilt be incensed against such as shall say they desire to obey thee and shall renounce thy Doctrine they that contemn the Commandments of God are impious they have belied the Prophets thy Predecessors the Prophets endured their lies and were patient until we destroyed them God declineth not what he hath promised Thou knowest what the Prophets foretold if Men abandon thee canst thou coveâ—… to continue on earth to instruct them and to be in Heaven at the same time to cause prodigies appear testimonies of thy mission Had it so pleased God he had
him the right way God guideth Men to the way of Salvation I will wholly resign my self to the pleasure of his Divine Majesty Make your prayers at the time appointed and pay Tythes you all shall appear before God at the Day of Judgment to give account of your actions He it is that created Heaven and Earth Remember thou the Day wherein he said Be thou and every thing was he shall reign and at that day command an Angel to sound the Trumpet to call to universal Judgment the living and the dead He knoweth the future present and past is most Wise and nothing is hidden from him Remember thou that Abraham said to his Father Azer wherefore do you worship Idols instead of God I perceive your Family to be in manifest errour God shewed to Abraham the Kingdom of Heaven and of Earth and he was in the number of the Blessed Abraham seeing by night a most clear Star asked in himself if it were his God no replyed he to himself my God doth not rise and set seeing the Moon to arise he demanded if that were his God no said he to himself certainly God will not guide me to be of them that are erroneous when he beheld the Sun rising he likewise asked if that were his God and when he saw it set he said to his people I am innocent of the sin which you commit in adoring many Gods I wholly commend my self to his Will who created Heaven and Earth and profess his Unity His people would dispute against him he said to them will you dispute against me concerning the Unity of God who hath instructed me in the right way I fear not your Idols my God doth what pleaseth him and knoweth all things will you not consider it How shall I fear your Idols since you are not afraid to affirm that God hath Companions equal to him which you have no reason to adore If you understand the truth who is more true you or I Such as believe in God and shall not cover the truth with a lie shall be delivered from the torments of Hell and conducted into the way of Salvation We instructed Abraham with reasons to dispute against his people I give knowledge to whom I see good and exalt whom I please Thy Lord O Abraham seeth and knoweth all things we gave to Abraham Isaac and Iacob his Sons we before instructed Noah and his Lineage in the right way we taught it David Solomon Iob Ioseph Moses Aaron Zachary St. Iohn Iesus the Son of Mary Eliah Ismael Ioshua Ionas and Lot we gratified them above the residue of the World we elected their Fathers Brothers and Progeny and guided them in the right way Thus God guideth whom he seeth good Men before adored Idols and believeth there were many Gods nevertheless he blotted out their past Errours when they were converted If they slander them that have knowledge of the Scriptures and of Prophecies will give power over their Persons to Men that shall mis-lead them with the Infidels Those whom God guideth believe in the Unity of his Divine Majesty Say unto them I require no reward for having preached to you the Alcoran he teacheth to all the World the Commandments of God. The Iews have not honoured him as was their Duty they understood not his Graces when they said he hath instructed the people in nothing that is profitable Say unto them who gave the Tables unto Moses who instructed him in the Scripture which they have written in Vellum to guide and illuminate the people They have published what pleased them and have concealed much they shall learn in the Alcoran what they know not and what their Fathers understood not Say to them God after that left them obstinate and amazed in their Errours We have sent from Heaven that Book full of Blessedness it confirmeth the Scriptures that were sent before it to the end thou mayst instruct the people of Mecca them that inhabit about that City and the rest of the World. Such as shall believe in the Day of Judgment believe in what is written in this Book and shall pray to God to deliver them from the torments of Hell Who is more unjust than he that blasphemeth against God that saith God hath inspired into him what he uttereth notwithstanding he hath received no inspiration from his Divine Majesty Who more unjust than he that saith he will cause to descend from Heaven things like to those which God inspired into his Prophets When thou shalt see the wicked at the point of death and the Angels stretching forth their hands to take their Souls say unto them This day the torments of Hell shall be the punishment of the blasphemies that ye have vomited against God and your disobedience to his Commandments God shall say to them you are come before us without Riches and Children naked as you were created and have cast behind your Backs the instructions which we gave you I see not with you the Idols you adored you are separated from each other and have forsaken them that you esteemed on Earth should have been your Protectors God separateth the good from the wicked as the Corn from the Ear and the stone from the Date He causeth the Living to spring from the dead and the dead from the living behold the works of God why will you depart from his Law He divideth the Morning from darkness hath established Night for the repose of Men and the Sun and Moon to compute Ages Years Months and Seasons such are the effects of Gods power he is Omnipotent and knoweth all things He it is that created the Stars to give you light and guide you in the obscurity of the Earth and Sea he gratifieth with his Grace such as learn his Commandments He it is that created you of one sole Person that gave you the Earth to inhabit and preserveth you in the World he hath conferred his Grace on such as have obeyed his Commandments hath made Rain to descend from Heaven and caused the Earth to produce divers sorts of Herbs Green things and Corn he hath caused the Date to spring forth and the Palm Tree with Gardens enriched with Grapes Olives Pomgranets and many Fruits alike and different Consider how Fruits encrease and multiply this serveth for instruction of Gods Unity to them that have his fear before their eyes the Infidels have adored the Devil with God who created them and said that God hath Sons and Daughters such is their ignorance praised be God he created Heaven and Earth how shall he have a Son who hath no Wives He createth and knoweth all things he is your God and your Lord there is none other God but he worship him he conserveth all things he is seen of no Man and beholdeth all things he is benign and nothing is concealed from him O people there is come to you a light from your Lord to conduct you he that seeth clearly shall receive advantage and he that
God shall mis-lead shall find none to guide him he shall be afflicted in this World and yet more in the other None shall be able to save him but God Paradise is promised to them that have his fear before their eyes they shall enjoy eternally all manner of content such is the end of the righteous and Hell is prepared for Infidels They to whom we have given the knowledge of Scriptures rejoyce in the Doctrine which we have sent thee there be that abjure one part say unto them I recommend unto you only the worship of one sole God who is the assured refuge of the righteous We have sent the Alcoran in the Arabick tongue to the end the Arabians may comprehend it If thou dost follow the will of unbelievers having had the knowledge of the unity of God who shall be able to save or protect thee We sent Prophets before thee commanded them to marry and they had Children Prophets cannot perform miracles without the permission of God and the end of every thing is written in his Book he blotteth out and leaveth permanent what seemeth good to him he cannot alter I perceive that some of the wicked have a design to murther thee thou art obliged only to preach to them I will keep an account of their sins to punish them See they not that their Countries and possessions diminish daily through thy Conquests God commandeth what pleaseth him no Man can escape his judgments he is most exact in his account their predecessors used subtilties as they but God is more subtile than they he well knoweth the good and evil which every one doth they shall one day understand who must have Paradise They say thou art no Prophet say unto them It is sufficient that God is witness of the truth between you and me who is he that knoweth what is written in the Book of his Divine Majesty CHAP. XIV The Chapter of Abraham containing fifty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I am the merciful God. That Book We have sent it to thee to bring the People out of darkness to guide them to the light and the way of thy Lord always victorious and glorious Whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth is Gods misery is upon unbelievers they shall undergo at the end of the World exceeding great torments They who prefer the wealth of this World to that of Heaven who go astray from the way of the Law and would pervert it are in a great error far from truth The Prophets spake the language of them to whom they were sent to instruct them God guideth and mis-leadeth whom to him seemeth good he is Omnipotent and prudent We sent Moses with prodigies to bring the Children of Israel out of darkness and to conduct them to light he taught them the Commandments of the Law to serve for instruction to such as shall persevere to do well and shall not be ingrateful for the favours they have received Moses spake to his people and said Remember the grace of God towards you he delivered you from the Men of Pharaoh who caused you to suffer great afflictions who murthered your Children abused your Wives and laid upon you great evils sent from God because of your sins The Lord hath said if ye be not ingrateful I will augment my graces upon you if ye be impious you shall be afflicted Moses said to his people if you and all Men be impious know that God will be always glorious and hath no need of you Know ye not what befel before you the people of Noah Aad Temod and their Posterity that none had knowledge of but God because of their great number He sent them his Commandments by his Prophets they bit their fingers for anger and said unto them we renounce and condemn your Doctrine The Prophets said unto them is there any doubt in the belief of the unity of God Creator of Heaven and Earth he calleth you to remit your sins and deferreth your punishment until the day appointed They answered Ye are Men like unto us will you hinder us to adore the Gods of our Fathers Produce arguments of strength sufficient to prove what you preach the Prophet replyed We are Men as you are but God giveth his grace to whom seemeth good to him we are come to you through his permission the true believers ought to trust in him wherefore should we not be resigned to the will of God who hath guided us into the right way we will continue in well-doing the righteous trust in his Divine Majesty Then said the Infidels unto them we will banish you from our Country if you be not of our Religion but God inspired into them that the Infidels should perish and that they should inhabit the Land after them that he would protect such as should have his fear before their eyes and fear the pains that are prepared for the wicked The Prophets were protected of God and the obstinate wicked were destroyed they shall be precipitated into Hell and drink of Water full of Corruption Urine and Blood Death shall appear on all sides before their eyes before they have swallowed that Drink they shall not dye in that misery they shall suffer yet greater pains The good works which the wicked have done are like to Dust carried away by an impetuous Wind they shall be unprofitable to them and they shall be extirpated because they depart from the truth See they not that God hath created Heaven and Earth that he can destroy them and create in their place a new people if it seem good to him This is not difficult to God all things are known to him The more impotent of them that have followed the wicked shall say at the Day of Judgment we obeyed you will you this day deliver us from the punishment of God They shall answer had God guided us into the right way we had conducted you thither we are alike miserable with you we cry and lament in our misery but find neither refuge nor protection The Devil shall say unto them what God hath promised to you is infallible I foretold it to you I caused you to transgress his Commandments through my temptations I had none other power over you but to tempt you you did me no harm when ye hearkened to me you drew mischief on your selves I am not your Tutor neither are you mine I was impious when heretofore I suffered you to adore me Hell is prepared for you and for all unbelievers there shall they endure great torments and the righteous shall enter into Paradise wherein flow many Rivers where they shall dwell eternally with all manner of blessedness and content Seest thou not how God speaketh by a Parable A good word is like to a good Tree that hath taken Root in the Earth and hath raised its Branches to Heaven and produceth its Fruit in due time through the permission of his Divine Majesty he teacheth the people
pleased him he could have deprived you of the knowledge he hath given you you shall find nothing that is able to protect you but his mercy Say unto them If the devils and men were all assembled against me they should not be able to compose a Book like the Alcoran We have taught in the Alcoran whatsoever is necessary for the salvation of men nevertheless the greatest part of the people depart from the Truth and say We will not believe thee unless thou cause fountains to spring out of the Earth and make in this place a garden beautified with Date Trees and Vines with rivers flowing in the midst or unless we see descend from Heaven a part of the pains which thou preachest we will not believe thee unless God and the Angels come to thy assistance unless thy house be of fine gold and that we see the Book of Truth sent from heaven we will not believe in thy Parchment unless we see descend from heaven a Book which we may be able to read Say unto them Praised be my Lord am I any thing but a man sent from him what hindereth men to believe since there hath been sent to them a Pilot to conduct them into the way of salvation They say that thou art a man and not an Angel Say unto them should the Angels have inhabited the earth God would have sent an Angel to instruct them it sufficeth that he is the witness of mine actions between you and me he knoweth and seeth all things he whom God guideth is well guided and such as God shall cause to err shall find none to put them into the right way he will assemble all of them at the day of Judgment they shall be infamous deaf mute and blind and condemned to the flames of hell because they are wicked and have said through derision that they are bones and flesh and that they shall rise again as new creatures see they not that God hath created heaven and earth that he can create yet more and hath established a destiny indubitabe and infallible The unbelievers are exceedingly too blame Say unto them should you possess all the treasures of the world yet would ye fear to make expence for the service of God man is too avaricious We gave to Moses nine marks of our Omnipotency known to the children of Israel Pharaoh told him that he was a Magician Assuredly said Moses the signs and miracles that thou seest proceed from God Lord of heaven and earth I believe O Pharaoh that thou forsakest the truth Then would Pharaoh have driven him out of Egypt but we drowned all those that were with him and commanded the children of Israel to inhabit the land we will assemble them at the end of the world to reward them after their works We have indeed sent thee the Alcoran from heaven to proclaim the joys of Paradise and to preach the torments of hell we have sent it to the end thou maist teach it to the people we have sent it clear and intelligible that it may be understood according to occurrences Say unto them Believe or believe it not when those that have knowledge in the written Law heard it read they prostrated themselves on the ground with humility and said Praised be God what be promiseth is infallible and incontinently is his command executed they wept prostrating the face towards the earth and the reading of the Alcoran augmented their devotion Say unto them Implore God call God merciful all his Attributes are most glorious Make it not appear to the world how often thou shalt pray neither how often thou shalt read the Alcoran and fear not to pray to God and to read the Alcoran follow in this the middle path and say Praised be God he hath no Son he hath no companion neither protector to preserve him from contempt his greatness is perfect and compleat CHAP. XVIII The Chapter of the Cave containing an hundred and ten Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful Praise be to God who hath sent the Alcoran to his servant There is no contradiction in this Book it teacheth the right way it preacheth to the wicked that they shall suffer great torments and proclaimeth to the righteous that they shall enjoy an eternal felicity he preacheth the torments of Hell principally to such as affirm That God hath a Son they are ignorant like to their predecessors they are ignorant in their discourse and utter nothing but blasphemies Wilt thou destroy thy self in following their footsteps If they believe not in the Alcoran they shall one day have sorrow and shall repent it We adorned the Earth with whatsoever is upon it for the advantage of men One part thereof is happy and plentiful and the other unfruitful and desart Do ye not believe that the sleepers that entred the Cave and the Paper wherein their names were written be our miracles When those men entred the Cave they said Lord give us thy mercy and guide us into the right way Then did we cause them to sleep for the space of some years and awaked them having continued some time in that Cave to make it appear which of the two Religions was the most just I will relate to thee their History with truth they were young men who had the fear of their Lord before their eyes we strengthned them and encreased their faith when they were with the Infidels they said Our God is Lord of heaven and Earth we will never worship but one God otherwise we shall separate our selves from the truth This people have adored Idols without reason who is more unjust than he who blasphemeth against God When they deserted the Infidels they worshipped one God alone Enter into the Cave God shall make his mercy towards you to appear and shall guide you through a path smooth and pleasant When the Sun arose he cast his rayes on the right side of their Cave and on the left at his going down they in the mean time were in the most spacious place of this Cave This is one of Gods miracles he whom he guideth is well guided and whom he misleadeth shall find none to give him succor or to guide him Believe ye that they should be awake Assuredly they slept and turned themselves sometimes to one side sometimes to another Consider how their Dog extended his feet before that old habitation of stone if any one had entred towards them he would have caused them to fly and had affrighted them In the end we awaked them and they mutually enquired of each other in what place they were and how long they had there continued one of them replyed That they had been there a day or two then they all said God knoweth the time that we have abode here send one of us to the City with money to buy bread and meat let him not be fearful neither make himself known to any if we be known they will murther or constrain us
up the Mountains upon the Earth to fasten and hinder it to move he hath thereon dispersed many Beasts and sent Rain from Heaven which causeth Plants to spring forth and Herbs of divers sorts Behold here what God hath created shew me what your Idols have created assuredly Idolaters are manifestly seduced from the right way We inspired knowledg into Locman and spake unto him to give God thanks he that returneth thanks to God for his Graces doth good for his Soul. God rejecteth the ingrateful and praise is due to him in all places Remember thou that Locman said unto his Son O my Son believe not thou that God hath a companion it is an exceeding great Sin We have commanded man to honour his Father and Mother his Mother beareth him with grief upon grief and weaneth him at the age of Two years be thou not ingrateful for God's benefits honour Father and Mother thou shalt be one day before God to be judged If thy Parents press thee to believe that God hath companions obey them not follow the way of them that obey him all men shall be one day assembled before him to be rewarded according to their works O my Son if thou dost evil of the weight of a Grâ—…n of Mustardseed or of the weight of a Rock or of the greatness of Heaven and Earth God will know it and put it in account he is exact and Omniscient O my Son make thy prayers at the time appointed do what is honest and civil fly what is not approved and be patient in thy adversities regard not the World disordered through pride converse not with the proud God detesteth the haughty observe thy steps walk with modesty speak gently they be persons that bray like Asses when they speak seest thou not that God hath created for men all that is in Heaven and Earth and conferreth on them his Graces in general and particular There be ignorant persons that dispute of the Deity without reason when it is said unto them Do what God hath appointed they answer We will do what we saw done by our Fathers They consider not that the Devil calleth them and their Fathers to the pains of Hell. He that obeyeth God and doth good works fastneth him to the strongest Knot and will have a care of him at the Hour of his end The impiety of the wicked ought not to afflict thee they shall be one day assembled in our presence to be chastised I will shew them all that they have done I know what is in the hearts of men I will prolong awhile their punishment upon Earth and precipitate them in the other World into the Fire of Hell. Hast thou not demanded of them who created Heaven and Earth They said It is God say unto them therefore praised be God nevertheless the greatest part of them are ignorant Whatsoever is in Heaven and 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 than 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 ingrateful 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 God's 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 do 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 merciful I am the most Wise God. Doubtless this Book was sent by the Lord of the Universe 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 days 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 and 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 and 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 believe not in the Resurrection Say unto them The Angel of Death shall cause you to die and ye shall return before God to be judged Thou shalt then see how the Infidel will hang down 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 return into the World we will be Righteous we now understand what is profitable and necessary for us we could have given a guide to every Person my word is most true I will fill Hell with the wicked and Paradise with the Righteous thus shall men be rewarded and chastised according to their works Taste O ye wicked the pains that ye have deserved in refusing to believe in this day which ye have found we leave you in the miseries due to your incredulity taste the eternal torments that ye have merited through your impiety Such as believe in the mysteries of my Law are humble they worship me alone and praise me when they hear mention of me they are not proud rebel 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
〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 they shall say Lord we 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Superiors they seduced us 〈◊〉 the right way Lord chastise them douâ—… and give them thy curse O ye that believe be not like them that displeased Moses he was innnocent of the crimes that they laid upon him he was inspired of God fear God and speak with civility your works shall be acceptable to him and he shall pardon your sins he that shall obey God and his Apostle shall be happy fidelity and obedience are pleasing to him in Heaven and in Earth and upon the Mountains Such as depart far from him as did Adam do injury to themselves and are ignorant he shall chastise those men and women that shall be disobedient and impious he will give his grace to those men and women that shall believe in his Law he is gracious and merciful to them that obey him CHAP. XXXIV The Chapter of †Saba containing Fifty four Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful Praised be God whatsoever is in Heaven and in the Earth appertaineth to him praise is due unto him he is most Wise and Omniscient he knoweth whatsoever entreth into the Earth and cometh out of it whatsoever ascendeth to Heaven and descendeth he is gracious and merciful to his creatures The wicked demand if they shall see the Day of Judgment say unto them yes and that thy Lord knoweth the time he knoweth what 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 less and what is yet greater than an Atome is written in a Book that discovereth every thing he shall reward the True believers that have done good works he shall give them his Mercy and enrich them with precious treasures Such as have endeavoured to suppress 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 believe a man who affirmeth that after your death ye shall rise again and be new creatures He lyeth impudently he is possessed of the Devil Certainly they that believe not in the Resurrection are in an exceeding great error and shall suffer most grievous 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 piece of the Heaven to fall upon them for a sign of my Omnipotency We gave our grace to David and spake to the Mountains Birds and Metals with him to praise me we commanded him to make Cuirasses and Iron was soft in his hand as Wax O Lineage of David be not ingrateful I see whatsoever ye do We made the Winds subject to Solomon he commanded them Evening and Morning from the East to the West we gave him a Fountain and a Brook of dissolved Brass the Devils through our permission wrought it to his mind and we punished in the Fire of Hell such as refused to obey him They built for him lofty Palaces and spacious houses they formed Basons for Water Channels and Pools We said unto him O Lineage of David be not ingrateful for my graces for that few persons do acknowledge them When he dyed through our Commandment nothing discovered his death to the Devils but the worms that had eaten the end of his staff whereon he leaned when the Devils saw him fall they perceived that had they known the future and what was hid from them they should not have laboured so long a time in his Service The Inhabitants of Saba have a mark of my Omnipotency in their Countrey viz. two Gardens the one on the North side and the other towards the South it 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 nevertheless they are ingrateful and impious we sent the River of Arem that overflowed their Gardens we changed them into two Gardens of Thorns of Cyprus and a little Tamarinde thus did we punish them because of their impiety We established a way with many Cities for facility of commerce among them and the City which we blessed and spake unto the People to follow that way Night and Day with safety and withou 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 Devil 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 Judgment none shall intercede for them without the permission of his Divine Majesty if they receive any relaxation in their â—…ear they enquire of each other what God spaâ—…e and anâ—…wer that he spake 〈◊〉 truth that he is most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 judg our differences with equity he is an exceeding great Judg say unto them Let us see the Idols that ye have worshipped certainly there is but One God Omnipotent and Wise. We have not sent thee but to declare to men the joys of Paradise and to preach to them the pains of Hell but the greatest part knoweth it not they ask 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 believe 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 Poor shall say unto the 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 ingrateful for the graces of God and to induce us to believe that he hath
knowledg of the truth are without reason their arguments shall be vain with God they shall be the object of his wrath and shall suffer exceeding great pains God hath sent the Alcoran with truth and ballance he will not instruct thee when the day of Judgment shall be Such as have no faith in him ask when it shall come and they that believe him fear the coming thereof and know it to be infallible such as doubt are erroneous from the right way God is merciful to his people and enricheth whom he pleaseth he is strong and omnipotent he increaseth the graces of him that desireth the riches of Heaven he giveth the wealth of the Earth to them that affect it and depriveth them of the riches of Heaven Are there wicked ones among men that teach them a false Religion prohibited of God God hath not revealed it to them had he not deferred their punishment until the day of Judgment he had already destroyed them they shall in the end feel grievous torments ye shall see them fear their own deportments ye shall see them chastised after their demerits and the believers that do good works shall enjoy the delights of Paradise where they shall find whatsoever they shall desire this is the great grace of God this is that which he hath proclaimed to the faithful that believed and have done good works Say unto them I require none other recompence for the pains that I take in preaching to you than to love my kindred he that shall do any good work shall be rewarded God is merciful and good works are pleasing to him Will they say that thou hast blasphemed against God If it please God he shall hinder thee to hear this discourse or will imprint patience in thine heart he abolisheth lyes and confirmeth the truth through his words he knoweth whatsoever is in the hearts of men he accepteth the conversion of his Creatures he pardoneth their sins and knoweth all their actions he heareth the prayers of the faithful that do good works and augmenteth his grace upon them but Infidels shall undergo the rigors of eternal pains Had God equally enriched all his Creatures they had been in confusion upon earth he enricheth whom he pleaseth he seeth and knoweth all he sendeth rain when men despair of his grace he is the Protector of believers and praise is due to him eternally the Creation of the Heavens and of the Earth and of all that moveth between them is a sign of thine Omnipotency If evil befal you believe that ye have deserved it nevertheless he pardoneth you many things ye cannot escape his punishment on earth and none is able to protect you against him the vessel that runneth upon the water big as a mountain is a token of his Omnipotency to them that persevere in his Law and acknowledg his graces He shall reprove the wicked for their sins and shall pardon many They that dispute against his Commandments cannot escape their punishment the riches that we possess are the riches of the earth the riches that God bestoweth on them that trust in him are eternal They that depart from mortal sins that repent to have committed them that beg of God to be heard and persevere in their supplications they that take counsel and consult among them what they ought to do that employ in good works part of the wealth that God hath given them that implore his help in their afflictions such as do good and such as commit evil shall be recompensed and punished according to their works God abhorreth Infidels ye have no power over them that implore his assistance in their affliction and repent your power extendeth over them that do injustice to the people and disobey on earth the Commandments of his divine Majesty they shall suffer great torments Such as persevere in well-doing and pardon their neighbour do what God hath Commanded He whom God shall mislead shall find none to guide him Thou shalt see that the Infidels shall ask if they may return into the world when they shall behold the fire of hell thou shalt see them flie with extream fear of external ignominy they shall look awry upon hell and the believers shall see that the wicked that have lost their souls that have mislead their family and all the impious shall be eternally damned none shall be able to save them and he that God shall mislead shall not find the right way Say unto them beg pardon of God before the day come that ye shall find no way to return into the world nor excuse for your sins If they disobey thee we have not sent thee to be their Tutor thou art sent only to preach unto them When we give to man any prosperity he rejoyceth and when affliction befalleth him he is ingrateful for the graâ—…e of his Lord King of the heavens and 〈◊〉 God giveth children sons and daughrers to whom he pleaseth he knoweth all things and is omnipotent he speaketh not to man but by inspiration and parable without being seen he sendeth his Prophets and Apostles into whom he inspireth what pleaseth him he knoweth all things and is omnipotent Thus have we sent thee our spirit to teach thee our Commandments thou knowest not before what was written in the Alcoran neither thy mysteries of faith we have sent it to thee to be a light to the world I will guide into the way of Salvation whom I please I will guide him into the way of the Lord to whom belongeth all that is in Heaven and Earth and who disposeth of all things CHAP. XLIII The Chapter of Ornament containng Eighty and nine Verses written at Mecca Exteri intituled this Chapter The Chapter of Gold. IN the name of God gracious and merciful God is prudent and wise I swear by the Book that teacheth to do well that we have sent it in the Arabique tongue peradventure ye shall understand the Alcoran it is written in our original Book majestique and mysterious Shall I conceal from you the Book of Salvation if ye be wicked How many Prophets and Apostles have we sent in past Ages whom unbelievers have despised We destroyed the most powerful among them and all have incurred the pain of their predecessors If thou ask of them who created Heaven and Earth they will say that it is the Omnipotent who knoweth all things Who hath extended the Earth under you Who established the wayes to guide you It is God he causeth the rain to descend from Heaven in your necessity he maketh the dead dry and barren fields to revive in like manner shall the dead come out of their Sepulchers He it is that created whatsoever is in the world of divers kinds and species and created the Ships and beast to carry you Remember the grace of your Lord say praised be he that created for us these things we had not the power to create them They also shall return before the Lord to be judged The Infidels have divided God
Earth and return into the World Behold a very strong return we know assuredly what the Earth will do with us we have a Book wherein all is written they impugn the known truth and are in a great confusion See they not Heaven above them how we have built it how we have adorned it and how there is no defect We have extended the Earth raised the Mountains and caused all sorts of fruits to spring forth for a sign of our Omnipotency We have sent the blessed Rain from Heaven made Gardens to produce Grain pleasing to the Reapers and Date-trees exceeding each other in height to enrich our creatures We have given life to the dead dry and barren Earth so shall the dead come out of their sepulchres The People of Noah's time those that inhabited near the Well Temod Pharaoh the fellow-citizens of Lot they that dwelt in the Forest and People of King Teba did heretofore traduce our Prophets and felt the punishment denounced against Infidels Was it a trouble to us to create men at first Nevertheless they are in doubt if they shall rise again We created man without difficulty we know the motions of his Soul and penetrate into his heart as the blood into the veins of his Body O man think upon the day that thou shalt see thy good and evil Angel 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 eyes 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 Infidels Behold the day of which ye would have no thoughts we have now opened your eyes ye shall see this day more hard than Iron their guardian Angels shall say unto them Behold here before your eyes all that ye have done cast into Hell those obstinate Infidels that have hindred their Neighbour to do good that have offended in doubting of God's Law and have affirmed there was another God with God cast them into the most grievous torments Then shall the Devil 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 the Righteous who shall have the fear of God before their eyes it is promised to them that shall be converted that shall obey the Commandments of his Divine Majesty and persevere in their obedience It shall be said to them Enter ye into Paradise exempt from all evil behold the eternal 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 Countries places of retreat and escaped not the puishment 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 days without difficulty the Heaven and Earth and all that is betweem them Persevere be not impatient for the words of unbelievers exalt the glory of thy Lord before the Sun go down and 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 general Judgment that day shall all the World hear the Trumpet the people shall come out of their sepulchres 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 assembly is easie for me to accomplish I know what the wicked say thou shalt 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 written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Winds that disperse the dust by the 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 blaspheme and such as believe 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 before their eyes shall be in Gardens adorned with Fountains they shall enjoy the pleasures prepared for them by God because they are Righteous they sleep very little by Night implore pardon of God at the dawning of the Day and give alms to the poor that beg and the poor that are bashful God manifesteth on the Earth and in your persons the signs of his Omnipotency 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 will ye not confess him Did the Angels convey to thee the books of Abraham When they entred into his House they saluted him he likewise saluted them made signs to his servants 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 and 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 cause all the Righteous to depart from among them if we find there but one Family of Righteous we will there leave an example to Posterity for them that fear the torments of Hell. Moses is a sign of our omnipotency we sent him to Pharaoh 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
except the Flesh of Swine and Wine that is at all times forbidden them after this fast they have the feast of great Bairan as the Christians Easter after Lent. They are great founders of Temples and Hospitals and are obliged to give to the poor the first day of the year the tith of what they have gained during the preceding year They believe that after being well washt saying some prayer appropriate to that Ceremony they have also the Soul purified from all Filthiness and Sin which is the cause that they wash and bath often especially before they pray They have no Sacrament but Circumcision they cause their Children to be circumcised at the age of seven or eight years and when they can pronounce these words La ilha illa allha Mehemet rasoul allha that is There is but one God Mahomet is his Prophet and Apostle this is their profession of faith nevertheless there is no mention of Circumcision in all the Alcoran they say they observe it in imitation of Abraham whose Law is recommended to them by Mahomet they believe that the Alcoran was brought to him at several times by the Angel Gabriel in the City of Mecca and that of Medina because the Jews and Christians had altered the Holy Scriptures and the Law of God. They are permitted to have four Wives married at the same time and as many Concubines as they are able to maintain They can put away their Wives when they think fit paying them what they promised them in contract of marriage and marry again at their pleasure but the Women are bound to tarry until they are assured that they are not with Child before they marry again and their Husbands are obliged to keep and take the care of the Children The Children which they have by their slaves are indifferently esteemed with those of their Wives and are all held as legitimate They have Temples Colleges and Hospitals well revenued they have covents of Religious that live exemplarily obey their Superiours without contradiction and dance after the sound of Flutes and other instruments when they make their prayers They have moreover another sort of Religious Vagabonds through the World clothed like fools of that Country they often go naked and cut their skin in many places are held to be holy persons and live by alms which are never refused them both the one and the other sort of Religious are called Dervis they are known by their habit and can retire and marry when they please They deny Jesus Christ to be God or the Son of God neither believe they in the Holy Trinity they say that Jesus Christ was a great Prophet born of the Virgin Mary a Virgin both before and after her delivery that he was conceived by divine inspiration or by a divine breath without a father as Adam was created without a Mother that he was not crucified that God took him into Heaven and that he shall come again on earth at the end of the World to confirm the Law of Mahomet they likewise affirm that the Jews thinking to crucifie Jesus Christ crucified a man among them that resembled him They pray to God for the Dead they invoke their Saints of whom they have a large Legend nevertheless they believe not Purgatory and many among them imagine that the Soul and body remain together in the grave until the day of Judgment They have Mecca and Medina that are two Cities of Arabia in great veneration because Mahomet was born at Mecca and buried at Medina they make thither great pilgrimages and believe that Land to be Holy They bear likewise singular respect to the City of Ierusalem for that it hath been the Birth-place and habitation of many Prophets They use no Clocks at the hour of their prayers their Priests ascend the highest part of a Tower that is in a corner of the Temple and with a loud voice call the people to prayer singing prayers composed for that purpose WE the Consuls Governors Protectors and Defenders of the Priviledges Freedoms and Liberties of the City of Marseillis do certifie and attest to all to whom it shall appertain that Mr. Andrew du Ryer Lord of Malezair Gentleman in Ordinary of the King's Chamber and heretofore Consul to his Majesty in Egypt hath executed the charge for the said Consulship like a Man of honesty and honour no complaint having been made at any time or his administration or deportment during the time of his abode there and that he exercised that office Neither was any complaint ever made of the said Mr. du Ryer during the time he sojourned at Constantinople for the service of his Majesty but all the Captains and Officers of Merchant Vessels and of others that negotiated in the same parts received of him all favour as in matters that concerned them as in affairs that did relate to the service of his Majesty and the advantage of his Subjects traffick in testimony of which We have drawn and signed these Presents and have put and affixed to them the Seal and accustomed Arms of this City At Marseillis the 12. day of Feb. 1633. De Bourgongne Consul I. Savornin Consul Meinardet Consul By the said Consuls Boet. To Mr. du Ryer Lord of Malezair Gentleman in Ordinary of the Kings Chamber at Constantinople SIR HAving heard by the report of many Merchants of this City the good offices that you have daily performed towards them of our Nation and particularly our fellow Citizens who all unanimously much commend your affection and singular care to protect and defend them We thought our duty to return you by these lines a thousand thanks and that the more affection for that your courtesie and not their merits carried you to all those good offices of which they and we shall ever keep a perpetual memory to render you any acknowledgment when occasion shall be offered and give you a testimony by our services that you have not cast your Seed upon barren Ground In the mean time Sir we beseech you be pleased to continue to us the honour of your friendship and effects of your favour as we shall desire in all emergent occasion to testifie that we are really Sir Your most affectionate Servants the Consuls Governors of the City of Marseillis Monthouliau Francis Nappollon Du Pont. From Marseillis this 24. of August 1632. A Translation of the Command of the Grand Seignior concerning Mr. Malezair ILlustrious and Excellent Commanders refuge of the great Triumphant Eminent Glorious and Honourable Lords endued with the special Graces of God Bashaws or Vice-Roys Beys or Governors that are upon the Roads of our most August Port to the Realm of France God. perpetuate your glory just Iudges of the Musulmans Minerals of Vertue and Knowledge that are upon the Road of our most August Port to the Realm of France God increase your Vertues Honourable and trusty Governors Captains of Frontiers and Castles Captains and Patrons of Gallies and Vessels Customers that are
is God that hath cursed them by reason of their impiety and few of them will believe the Commandments of his Divine Majesty When God hath sent them any Book confirming the Scriptures which they before approved viz. the Old Testament and the Gospel they demanded succours when they met with the wicked and being succoured they either understood it not or would not receive it â—… The curse of God is upon Infidels especially upon them that have sold their Souls and through Envy disobeyed his Commandments He bestoweth his grace on whom he pleaseth they are returned in the displeasure of his Divine Majesty who hath prepared for them grievous torments because of the Enormity of their Crimes When it was said to them Believe in the Commandments of God they said Do we not believe in what hath been commanded us Nevertheless they have no faith in the truth which God hath sent confirming the Prophecies and the Precepts that they before approved Say unto them had you heretofore slain the Prophets if you had believed in his Law Moses certainly had caused you to see Miracles but ye adored the Calf after his departure wherefore you were greatly to blame We received your Promise to observe the Commandments of the Law and raised a Mountain over you Understand with affection what we teach you and hearken to what is commanded you they answered we have heard and disobeyed and inclined their heart to the adoration of the Calf because of their impiety Say to them doth your faith command you to do it if you believe in God and life eternal Think upon death if you be righteous They regard not their past errours but God knoweth the unjust Thou shalt find them with diligence and desire to live a long time The wicked hope to live a thousand years but they shall be exempt from the Punishment to live long God beholdeth all their Actions Say to them who is an Enemy to Gabriel He by the permission of God hath inspired into thee the Alcoran that confirmeth the ancient Scriptures and guideth the good in the way of their Salvation and declareth to them the joys of Paradise He that is an Enemy to God the Angels his Prophet to Gabriel and Michael shall be rigorously chastised God is an Enemy to Infidels We have sent thee Precepts clear and intelligible none will abjure them but the wicked Some of them have acted against their own Promises and the greatest part is incredulous Many of them that have knowledge in the written Law have forsaken it even when God sent them any Prophet to confirm the Scriptures that they had before received and approved They cast the Book of God behind their Backs as if they knew it not and adhered to what the Devils taught in the Reign of Solomon yet Solomon sinned not but the Devils only that instructed the People in Magick and what was taught by the two Angels Arot and Marot in Babylon Before they taught the people they said We are not sedition neither be you impious The people learned of them what concerneth the Separation of the Man and the Woman and what breedeth hatred betwixt them They did not harm to any by their Magick but through the permission of God the people learned of them what might hurt and not be profitable to them they instructed in Magick them that sold their part in Paradise at the loss of their Souls although they knew their errour that they had before believed in God and feared his Divine Majesty Repentance inspired by God is exceeding profitable if they understood to know it O you that fear God say not honour us say regard us and hearken to what is commanded you To Infidels are prepared dolorous torments the Iews and Christians desired not that God should send you good but God very liberal gratifieth with his mercy whom he pleaseth he will not alter his Commandments neither forget them he will moreover teach others more profitable or of the like nature know you not that God is Omnipotent understand you not that to God appertains the Kingdom of Heaven and of Earth who except God will be your Protector Will you question your Prophet as Moses was heretofore questioned He that shall change faithinto impiety shall forsake the good way Many that have knowledge in the Scripture endeavoured to mislead you through impiety and Envy notwithstanding they are not ignorant of the Truth forgive them and beware of them untill God hath otherwise disposed he is Omnipotent Make your Prayers at the time appointed and pay your Tithes you shall find before God the good that you do for your Souls he beholdeth all your Actions They have said that none but the Iews and Christians shall enter into Paradise it is their false invention say unto them if you be good Men bring your Reasons on the contrary he that resigneth himself to God and is a just Man shall be recompensed by his Divine Majesty there needeth not be any fear for him he shall not be tormented in the fire of Hell. The Iews say the Christians are void of reason and the Christians affirm the Iews to be without reason nevertheless they study the Scripture so speak the ignorant God will determine their difference at the day of the Resurrection Who is more unjust than he that hindred that God be remembred in Temples and that studieth nought but their destruction Such men cannot enter therein but with fear and terrour they shall have on Earth shame upon the Forehead and in the other World shall suffer exceeding great torments The East and West are Gods whithersoever men turn themselves the Face of God doth there meet them his Divinity extendeth through the whole Earth They said believe you that God hath a Son Praised be God on the contrary whatever is either in Earth or Heaven appertaineth to his Divine Majesty and all things obey him he hath created Heaven and Earth and when he willeth any thing he saith Be thou and it is The unbelievers said if God speak not to us or if thou performest no Miracles we will not believe thee their Predecessors have said as much and their words have been like unto their hearts we have caused Miracles to appear to the righteous and have sent thee to preach and instruct the people inquire not why those that shall descend into Hell will not believe thee the Iews and Christians will not be satisfied of thee until thou follow their opinion say unto them there is no better guide in the World than God take heed lest thou follow their Appetites after that thou hast comprehended the knowledge which we inspired into thee who except God will be thy defender They whom we have taught the Scripture that study and read it with truth believe the contents of it and they that do not believe are damned O Children of Israel call to mind the favour that I did you I preferred you before all the World
not cease to fight you until they have if they can accomplish it misâ—…led you from your Religion His good works among you that shall quit his Law and die an Infidel shall be vain in this World and himself be confined in the fire of Hell Such as believe in God that separate themselves from the impious that abandon their Houses for the service of his Divine Majesty and that fight for the Faith hope for his Mercy he is gracious and merciful They will enquire of thee concerning Wine and Games of hazard say unto them that it is in them a very great sin and yet of Utility to Men but the evil that they cause is much greater than the profit they reap They will demand what they ought to expend in good works say unto them what shall remain to you your own Affairs being done So God teacheth you his Commandments peradventure you will call to mind the things of Earth and Heaven They will enquire concerning Orphans say unto them if their substance be intermingled with your own do them no wrong they are your Brethren in God he knoweth them that do good and those that do Evil if it had pleased him he had detained much more from you for he is Omnipotent and just Marry not women that believe in many Gods until they believe in one sole God a Slave that is a true Believer is of more value than a free Infidel notwithstanding she is beautiful Infidels shall be summoned to Hell fire and God calleth men to Paradise and to his mercy through his meer good Pleasure and declareth to them his Commandments perhaps they will remember them They will enquire of thee concerning the Monthly terms of Women answer that they are unclean separate your selves from your Wives when they are menstruous and come not nigh them until they be purified when they shall be clean approach them according to what God hath commanded he loveth them that repent of their Errours that are clean and purified your Wives are your Tillage go to your Tillage at your Pleasure and do good for your Souls you shall one day find it fear God and preach his Commandments to the true Believers Your Religion doth not permit you to swear by God in vain and oftentimes to justifie your selves God understandeth and knoweth all things he will not regard what you shall speak at Random that shall not be hurtful to any but he will see what it shall be in your heart He will be gracious and merciful to such as shall swear not to touch their Wives for the space of four Months if they return to them he is gracious and merciful but if they desire to repudiate them he understandeth and knoweth all things Women divorced shall tarry until their Terms be past four times before they Marry again it is not permitted them to conceal what God hath created in their Womb if they believe in his divine Majesty and the Day of Judgment if they flie from their Husbands they shall be brought again to them which is a thing reasonable They ought to honour them and their Husbands likewise ought to honour them but the Husbands have a degree of advantage above them God is Omnipotent and most wise in what he ordaineth Divorce the first and second time ought to be performed with mildness courtesie and good deeds it is not lawful for you to take any thing from your Wives of what you have given them if you both fear a disability of not satisfying the Commandments of God but if you both fear to transgress the bounds prescribed by God you shall do well to accord together such are the commandments of his Divine Majesty transgress them not such as transgress them are exceedingly to blame He that shall have repudiated his Wife thrice shall not resume her until she hath been married to another that hath divorced her then they may return to each other and marry again without Sin if they think themselves able to continue within the limits prescribed by God which he manifesteth to the wise and prudent When you shall repudiate your Wives appoint them the time they must tarry before they again marry take them with civility and modesty and in the like manner dismiss them give them presents according to your abilities and take them not to abuse nor torment them they that do this offend their own Souls Mock not at the Commandments of God Remember his favours and how he hath taught you Scripture Knowledge and the mysteries of his Law Fear God and know that he understandeth all your actions When you repudiate your Wives appoint them they ought to tarry before they marry again and hinder them not to marry according to the Commandments of God. These things are preached to them among you that believe in God and in the Day of Judgment it is requisite so to make use of them God knoweth what you know not The Women shall give suck to their Children two years entire if they desire to accomplish the time appointed to suckle them the Father shall nourish and cloath the Wife and his Children according to his faculties expend not but according to the measure of your goods the Father and Mother shall not necessitate themselves for their Children the heir shall perform what is above ordained he shall entertain his Father and Mother according to his abilities if the Parents desire to wean their Children before two years be expired they may do it without offending God if they both agree to it If you cause your Children to be nursed by other Women than your own Wives God will not be offended in giving them their sallary according to reason and honesty fear God and know that he seeth what ever you do Widows shall tarry four months and ten nights after the death of their Husbands before they marry again this time being accomplished they shall do what shall seem good to them according to reason and honesty God knoweth all your actions You will not offend God in speaking a word in secret to Women that you research in marriage although you conceal in your mind your design to espouse them he understandeth what ever you think of them know them not secretly until you have pronounced the words appointed by the Law and enter not the bonds of marriage until the time set down in writing be accomplished God knoweth whatever is in your hearts take heed unto your selves he is gentle and gracious to them that fear him It is no sin to repudiate your Wives before you have touched them you shall give them some presents and do good unto them according to the proportion of your wealth or poverty and civilly intreat them as is the custom 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 own
Hell fire which you have deserved God doth not lead into darkness them that worship him There be that say God hath commanded us not to believe the Prophets until their Sacrifice be consumed by fire Say to them there came to you Prophets heretofore with Miracles that you demanded you had not slain them had you been righteous if they belye thee know they belyed the Prophets that were before thee that came with Miracles the Psalter and the Book of Light. Every man shall taste of death and your reward shall be payed at the Day of Judgment he that shall depart from the fire of Hell and enter into Paradise shall be happy The wealth of this World is but matter of Pride that you may be tryed in your Riches and Persons Hearken not to the Iews and Christians that have known the written Law before you neither to them that believe in many Gods they offend God through their blasphemies if you have patience and fear God you shall make a very good resolution God hath accepted the Speech of them that know his written Law when they promised him to preach to the people his Commandments and not conceal them nevertheless they have contemned them and changed them for profit of little value and have gained nothing but misery think not that such as rejoyce of the evil they have done and affect to be commended for what they have not done have escaped the punishment of their Crimes they shall certainly suffer great torments The Kingdom of Heaven and of the Earth is Gods he is Omnipotent the Creation of Heaven and Earth the difference of day and night are evident signs of his Omnipotency to such as have judgment Such as have remember God standing sitting or lying down and considered the Creation of Heaven and Earth have said Lord thou hast not created these things in vain blessed be thy Name deliver us from the torments of Hell fire thou wilt render miserable him that thou shalt thither precipitate and the wicked shall be deprived of protection at the Day of Judgment Lord we have heard them that say Believe in your Lord we believe in thy unity pardon our faults blot out our sins and give us grace to die in the number of the just bestow on us what thou hast promised by the Prophets and suffer us not to be miserable at the Day of Judgment thou dost not contradict what thou dost promise The Lord heard them and said to them I will not suffer your works to be lost as well of Men as of Women I will blot out the sins of them that went out of Mecca to separate themselves from the wicked I will cover the offences of them that forsook their Houses that assembled to fight for the Faith and were slain I will open to them the Gate of Paradise wherein flow many Rivers to recompence their good works There is with God great reward envy not the Infidels whom thou shalt see possess a little wealth in the Earth Hell is prepared to be their habitation and such as fear God shall dwell eternally in Gardens wherein run many Rivers with all manner of content God is a great rewarder of the just Among them that know the written Law there be that believe in God in what was afore time taught you and in what was preached to them surely they obey God and forsake not his Law They shall receive a great reward from God he is exact in his account O ye that are true believers be patient in your adversities persevere to do well fight for the Faith fear God and you shall be happy CHAP. IV. The Chapter of Women containing one hundred and seventy Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful O ye People fear your Lord that created you of one sole person and created his Wife of his Rib of whom issued many Men and Women Fear God by whom you swear and say the Belly of your Wives God exactly observeth your actions Give unto Orphans what appertaineth to them and render not evil for good devour not their substance it is a very great sin If you fear to do injury to Orphans fear also to do wrong to Women marry those that please you two three or four if you apprehend you shall not be able to entertain them equally marry but one or the slaves that you shall have acquired this is most necessary to the end you offend not God. Give to Women their Dowry with a good will if they give to you any thing that is pleasing to you receive it with affection and civility Bestow not on fools the wealth that God hath given you for subsistence assist Orphans give to them the Garments that shall be necessary for them and entertain them honestly instruct them until they have attained to years of discretion and are capable of marriage if you believe they demean themselves wisely restore to them their faculties and devour them not unjustly before they be of age He that shall be rich shall abstain from their goods and he that is poor shall take with honesty according to the pains he shall undergo for them when you make to them restitution of their goods take witness of your action God loveth good accounts The Children shall have a good part of what their Father and Mother and Parents left after their decease of little or of much there appertaineth to them a portion prefixed and limited When they divide their goods the kindred shall have care of the poor and Orphans do good to them and honestly entertain them Such as fear to leave after them a weak progeny of little Children ought to fear to wrong Orphans they must fear God and courteously entertain them Those that unjustly devour their substance swallow fire into their Bowels and shall burn in a great fire God recommendeth to you your Children the Son shall have as much as two Daughters if there be more than two Daughters they shall have two thirds of the succession of the Dead if there be but one 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 heirs 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 do 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 eight portion If a Man or Woman be the heirs of each other and have neither Father nor Mother
shall lay hand upon the Sand and wipe your Face and Hands God is gracious and merciful to his Creatures Seest thou not how those that know the written Law purchase Errour how they desire to mis-lead you through their Riches and divert you from the right way God knoweth your Enemies it is enough that he is your defender and Protector Such as Iudaize alter the word of God and say to the Prophet we have heard and disobeyed thee they heard without hearing they say preserve us have care of us nevertheless do they pervert the word of God in reading it and alter his Commandments they should do better to say Lord we have heard and obeyed hearken only to us and regard us But God hath cursed them and few of them will believe in his Divine Majesty O you that have knowledge of the Scriptures believe in the Alcoran that confirmeth the Old and New Testament before that I deface your Visages and cause them to turn behind your Backs I will curse Infidels as I have cursed them of the Sabbath the Commandment of God is incontinently executed he pardoneth not them that associate him with Companions equal to him except this he forgiveth sins to whom it pleaseth him He that saith God hath Companions blasphemeth and mortally sinneth Consider not such as affirm themselves to be good Men contrariwise God maketh those good Men that please him no injustice shall befal them at the Day of Judgment Consider how they blaspheme it is sufficient that God manifestly beholdeth their sin Seest thou not them that have knowledge of the written Law that believe in Habot and Tagot Idols that say to the Infidels Behold the way of them that believe in God Certainly God hath cursed them he whom he curseth shall find none to protect him Shall they alone have part in the Kingdom of Heaven without giving Alms They will envy their Neighbour for the favours God hath conferred on him Certainly we gave to the posterity of Abraham the knowledge of the Scriptures and Prophecies we bestowed on them great abundance of wealth There were of them that believed in the Scripture and others that contemned it but they shall be punished in the fire of Hell. I will cause them to burn and change their burned skin into a new skin that they may suffer the more God is Omnipotent and prudent in what he ordaineth I will cause those that have believed in God and have performed good works to enter into Gardens wherein flow many Rivers where they shall dwell eternally with most beautiful Women I will give them to enter the shade of Paradise God recommendeth to you Fidelity among your selves to render faithfully what hath been intrusted to you and when you shall judge differences that shall happen among the people judge with Equity It is a good work that he commandeth you he beholdeth and knoweth all things O ye that believe obey God and the Prophets and such as command over you if you be in Controversie concerning any point refer it to God and his Prophet to understand the Exposition if you believe in God and the Day of Judgment you shall do well this will be the best Interpretation that you can attain to Seest thou not that they who think to believe in what hath been inspired into thee and what hath been inspired into thy Predecessors incline to dispute before Tagot Nevertheless they have commanded not to believe in that Idol the Devil laboureth to seduce and withdraw them from the Truth When it was said to them Obey the Commandment of God and his Prophet they departed from thee What will they do when there shall happen to them any punishment of their past sins They will return to thee and swear by the name of God That they desire Peace and to do good Works but God knoweth what is in their hearts and hath abandoned them Cease not to preach to them and to declare to them the Word of God the Prophets and Apostles were not sent but to preach and to be heard through the permission of his Divine goodness If when they have hurt their Souls they come to thee and demand pardon of God thou shalt beg pardon for them they shall find God gracious and merciful They will not believe in his Divine Majesty until they have disputed the difference with thee that is among them and when they shall no more doubt of what thou shalt have done they will without contradiction obey thee We have ordained them to kill each other and to forsake their Houses they have not done it except very few of them and although they did it they did it not to obey what should have been to them a great benefit and exceeding merit we had given them very great reward and guided them to the right way He that shall obey God and his Prophet shall be with them whom God hath endued with his Grace He that knoweth it resigneth himself to his Divine Majesty O you that are true Believers be upon your Guard assembled to fight stoutly for the Law of God. There be among you that be Cowardly when any discomfiture hath befaln you they have said God protected me that I was not with them And when God gave you Victory they spake as if there had been no understanding between them and you Would to God I had been with them I should have acquired exceeding great merit Fight for the glory of God against them that prefer the life of this World to that of Heaven I will give an exceeding great reward to such as shall fight that shall be Victorious and to them that shall be slain fighting for the Faith. Wherefore fight you not for the Law of God for the liberty of Women and Children weak and afflicted that cry Lord deliver us out of this place the people thereof are unjust give us a Protector give us an assured refuge They that believe in God fight for his Law and Infidels fight for the Devil Fight against them that serve the Devil his Policies are weak Consider those to whom it was said Cease to imbrue your hands in the Blood of Infidels persevere in your Prayers and pay Tithes When they were commanded to fight part of them were afraid of the multitude as of God yea more afraid of the multitude than of God and said Lord thou hast not enjoyned us to fight unless thou hast differed us to a near end Say to them The wealth of the Earth is but a small thing there be great Riches in the other World for him that shall have the fear of God before his eyes No injustice shall be done to you wheresoever you are death will meet you notwithstanding you may be in strong Citadels If good happen to the Infidels they say it proceedeth from God if evil befal them they say that cometh from thee Say to them All proceedeth from God what then is the Will of those Men they cannot comprehend this
be with the true believers and receive from God a very great reward He will not send you misery if you give him thanks for his favours and obey him he accepteth the acknowledgment of his benefits and knoweth all things He willeth not that what evil is committed be published he that publisheth the evil he doth is very much to blame if you manifest the good you do or if you conceal it and abstain from doing evil he will be merciful to you he is Omnipotent Such as blaspheme against God and his Prophets his Apostles such as would make a distinction between the Commandments of his Divine Majesty and the precepts of his Prophets such as affirm ' they believe in some of the Prophets and believe not in all and take a middle way between faith and impiety are indeed impious we have prepared for them ignominious torments but they who believe in God and generally in all his Prophets and Apostles shall be recompensed of God gracious and merciful They that know the written Law will require thee to cause to descend from Heaven a Book and written Tables They demanded of Moses greater things and said Cause us to behold God with our eyes then thunder surprized them by reason of their impiety They adored the Calf after having had the knowledge of our Commandments nevertheless we pardoned them and gave to Moses an absolute dominion over them We raised the Mountain over them following our promises and said to them Enter the Gate of the Temple with adoration and humility and no longer transgress the observation of the day of Rest We for this matter received from them a strong promise but they swerved from what they had promised and we cursed them because of their impiety by reason of the Murther they committed without reason on the persons of the Prophets and of the words they uttered viz. Our heart is hardned Contrariwise God imprinted infidelity in their hearts they shall never believe in his Law except very few of them because of their malice and the blasphemies they vomited against Mary they said We have slain the Messiah Jesus the Son of Mary the Prophet and Apostle of God Certainly they slew him not neither crucified him they crucified one among them that resembled him such as doubt it are in a manifest error and speak not but through opinion Certainly they slew him not on the contrary God took him up to himself he is Omnipotent and prudent in all his actions Such as have the knowledge of Scripture ought to believe in Jesus before his death he shall be a witness against them of their actions at the Day of Judgment We have prohibited them that Judaize by reason of their sin things that were permitted them We have prepared for them great torment because they mis-lead the World from the right way because they take Use that is forbidden them and unjustly eat the substance of their neighbour Such of them as are profound in Learning and all the faithful believe in the Scriptures both ancient and modern I will give great rewards to them that shall make their prayers at the time appointed that shall pay Tyths and believe in the Day of Judgment We have sent thee our inspirations as we sent them to Noah and the Prophets after him as we heretofore sent them to Abraham Ismael Isaac Iacob the Tribes to Jesus Iob Ionas Aaron and to Solomon and gave the Psalter to David We have told thee who were the Prophets that preceded thee but we have not spoken to thee concerning the merits of all of them Moses spake to God as his Prophet and Apostle all declared his mercy and preached the torments of Hell to the end Men might have no cause of excuse God is Omnipotent and prudent in all his actions He shall be witness that the Alcoran was sent to thee with his Commandments the Angels likewise shall testifie it but it ought to suffice thee that God is witness The Infidels that hinder the People to follow the Law of God were exceedingly erroneous God will not pardon them he will lead them into the path of Hell where they shall remain eternally it is a thing easie to his Divine Majesty O People A Prophet is come to you who preacheth to you the Truth from the Lord believe him you shall do well if you believe him not know that whatever is in Earth and in Heaven is Gods and that God knoweth whatsoever you do O ye that understand the written Law Obey the Commandments of God and speak not of his Divine Majesty but with truth the Messiah Jesus the Son of Mary is a Prophet and an Apostle of God his Word and his Spirit which he sent to Mary believe therefore in God and in his Prophets and say not there be three Gods put an end to that discourse you shall do well For there is but one God praised be God he hath no Son whatever is in Heaven and in Earth obeyeth him it is sufficient that he is witness The Messiah esteemeth in no dishonour to be the servant of God neither the Angel nor the Cherubins He that holdeth it a dishonour to be at his service is too proud he shall assemble all the World at the Day of Judgment and every one shall receive the recompence that he shall have merited he shall augment his favours upon them that shall have believed in his Divine Majesty and have done good works he shall chastise them that shall have held it a dishonour to be his servants and have been proud upon the Earth they shall find no safe refuge but in his mercy O People God hath sent you a Protector a most strong argument and a most clear light they that shall trust in God shall enjoy his grace and he shall guide them into the right way They will enquire of thee concerning successions say to them God teacheth you touching successions as followeth if a Man decease without issue and hath a Sister she shall have the moity of what he shall leave and shall inherit it if she have no Children If they be two Sisters they shall have two thirds of what the deceased left if they be many Brothers and many Sisters the Son shall have as much as two Daughters God teacheth you his Commandments depart not from the right way he is Omniscient CHAP. V. The Chapter of the Table containing an hundred and twenty Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful O ye that believe in God! Satisfie what you have promised it is permitted you to eat of the Beasts that be in the World except of what shall be hereafter declared Hunting is forbidden you during the time that you shall go on Pilgrimage to Mecca God ordaineth what he will O ye that believe say not That it is permitted to do what God hath prohibited perform what is commanded you during the Month of Pilgrimage give no impediment to such as carry presents
shall be blind shall continue his Misery I am your Tutor neither observe I what you do Thus do I declare the Mysteries of my Law the wicked shall in the end confess that thou hast taught my Commandments to such as inclined to learn them Act what thy Lord hath inspired into thee there is no God but he separate thy self from the Society of unbelievers Had it pleased God they had not disobeyed his Commandments thou art not their Tutor injure not them that worship Idols they injure God through Malice and Ignorance every Man esteemeth what he hath done and pleaseth himself in his opinion Certainly they shall all be assembled at the Judgment and be chastised after their Demerits They have sworn by the name of God to fight for the Faith if some Miracle appear to instruct them Miracles proceed from God they know not the time wherein he will make them to appear although they should see Miracles they will not be converted I will overturn their hearts blind their sight and they shall never be converted I will leave them in their Errours and disobedience with contempt and confusion If we should send to them Angels should the dead come and speak to them and should we bring about them all the Witnesses of the World they shall not believe if it so please God most of them are ignorant we have allotted an Enemy to each Prophet as the Devil is an Enemy to Men he tempteth them with the Ornament of his Discourses to render them proud If it had pleased thy Lord they had wanted that power depart thou from unbelievers and their blasphemies and incline not to their will they shall find no advantage in their impiety Do you desire another Judge than God who hath sent to you the Book that distinguisheth good from evil Such as know the Scripture are not ignorant that this Book was sent from God and containeth the Truth Be not thou in the number of them that doubt the word of God exactly cometh to pass no Man can hinder its effects God understandeth and knoweth all things If thou incline to the will of most Men they will seduce thee they believe but their own opinions and are lyars Thy Lord knoweth them that err and such as follow the right way Eat what shall be slain in pronouncing the name of God they taught you what was forbidden eat not unless constrained through necessity Many err from the right way and pursue their own appetites and ignorance God beholdeth them that offend him flie publick and secret sin sinners shall be severely chastised eat not of what is not let Blood in pronouncing the name of God lest you disobey his Commandments The Devils will tempt them that serve them they will perswade unbelievers to dispute against you if you incline to them you shall be Infidels as they are I raised again many of them that were dead through their sins I converted them and gave them a light to illuminate them in the darkness wherein Infidels shall dwell for ever because they delight in their disobedience Thus will I place in every City leaders that shall seduce the wicked and themselves but shall not understand it When they beheld any sign of the truth of the Prophet appear they said they will not believe in him unless he were accompanied with the vertues and merits of other Prophets God maketh choice of them on whom he conferreth the grace of prophecy he shall chastise such as discourse in that manner with ignominie in this World and they shall feel in the other great torments by reason of their impiety God rejoyceth the hearts of them that he inclineth to lead into the way of Salvation and punisheth them that digress from the right path his wrath fell upon the Infidels so soon as he ascended into Heaven The way thou followest is the right way we have recompensed such as have understanding to profit they shall be happy God shall be their protector because of their good works Remember thou the day wherein we shall assemble the People and when it shall be said to the Devils O ye bands of Devils wherefore are you risen against Men The chief of those Men that shall have obeyed them shall answer Lord suffer us to be revenged on each other and let each command in his turn O Lord teach us the prefixed time that thou hast appointed to our miseries The Angels shall answer Hell shall be your habitation you shall there remain eternally and so long as it shall please God Your Lord is most wise and Omniscient the wicked shall obey the wicked because of their sins O ye Bands of Men and Devils have you not seen my Prophets and Apostles of your own Nation who have given you to see Miracles Who have preached my Commandments and the Day of Judgment They shall answer they have seen the Prophets and Apostles but that the life of the World rendered them proud and shall confess themselves to have been wicked God shall not destroy Mecca for the unjustice therein committed until he hath sent an Apostle to the Inhabitants to teach them his Commandments every one shall be punished according to his works thy Lord knoweth whatsoever is done in the World. He hath no need of his People he is altogether merciful he can destroy you if it please him and establish in your place another People as he hath established you in the place of your predecessors If you be not converted you shall not escape the torments of Hell Say unto them do as you understand him I will comport my self as I shall apprehend him you shall in the end understand who shall have the good part in the other World. None shall give succour to Idolaters they offer to their Idols of the fruits that God hath created and say following their thoughts behold our God! Such sacrifices ascend not to God their Idolatry hath induced many of them to sacrifice their own Children to their false Gods they have destroyed them and were ensnared in their Religion which they had not done had it so pleased God Separate thy self from them and their blasphemies they have said that the fruits of the Earth and the benefits of God were unclean and would not eat of them God giveth food but to those whom he is pleased to gratifie They have prohibited to ride on some beasts that God gave them and slew them for food without pronouncing the name of his Divine Majesty which is a great sin but they shall be punished according to their demerits They have said it is lawful for Men to eat what is in the Bellies of Beasts and that it is unlawful for their Wives and when they had slain them they did eat for company but God shall chastise them for their discourse he is most wise and Omniscient Such as slay their Children are wretched Men Fools and ignorant they have forbidden to eat the good things that God hath given them to blaspheme
am innocent of what ye do There be persons among them that have inclination to hear thee but art thou able to cause the deaf to hear Should they not be deaf they would learn nothing Others there be who look toward thee but art thou able to guide the blind should they see clearly they would not follow the right way God doth no injustice to Men they do injury to themselves through the enormity of their offences I will cause them to rise again at the Day of Judgment as if they had remained but one hour of a day in the Grave they shall know each other and the wicked who have not believed in the Resurrection shall be damned I will shew thee many of them whom I will chastise I will cause thee to die before they be chastised and they all shall appear before me to be judged God is witness of their actions he shall punish them according to their demerits every Nation of the World hath had a Prophet sent from God who hath judged with reason and without injustice the differences that were among them touching Religion They have said at what time shall the wrath of God appear Say unto them I of my self can neither procure good nor evil if God doth not permit it every one hath his destiny when the time of their destiny arriveth they can neither retard or advance it one hour Have ye considered the punishment which God heretofore sent by day and by night against the wicked When ye felt it ye believed it and fell into it headlong It shall be said to the wicked at the Day of Judgment taste eternal torments shall you not be punished according to your demerits They will ask of thee if the pains denounced against the wicked and if the Resurrection be matters of Truth Say unto them yes my Lord is most exact in his words and all the Treasures of the World shall not be able to redeem one Soul. They shall repent of their sins when they shall feel the punishment of their offences but shall be condemned without injustice whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth appertaineth to God he is exact in his Promise yet the greatest part of the World do not know him He it is who causeth to die and giveth life and shall assemble Men at the Day of Judgment O People God hath sent you instructions and remedies for your infirmities he hath sent a guide to conduct true believers into the way of his mercy it shall be to them of more advantage than the treasures that they accumulate Have ye considered the good things which he hath created for you Ye have appointed one part to be eaten and have prohibited to eat of another Hath God permitted you to blaspheme against him The opinion of such as blaspheme against God shall be but misery at the Day of Judgment God is full of goodness for the people but most of them are ingrateful In whatsoever place thou art whether thou teach what is contained in the Alcoran or whether thou labour I am always present nothing is concealed from thy Lord of whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth be it great or little all is written in the intelligible Book that explaineth all things There needeth no fear for such as recommend themselves to God they shall be exempt from the pains of Hell. The true believers who have his fear before their eyes shall suffer no torments in the other World it is declared to them on Earth that they shall have all content the word of God admits of no alteration they shall enjoy perfection of felicity in Paradise Afflict not thy self for the words of the impious vertue proceedeth from God he understandeth and knoweth all things whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth appertaineth to him They who worship Idols follow but their opinion and are lyars God hath created the night for repose and the day for labour such as hear his Word find therein marks of his Omnipotency They have said Do ye believe that God hath a Son Praised be God he is most rich and hath no need of any person he possesseth whatsoeever is in Heaven and Earth you have no reason in what ye alledge will you speak of God what ye know not God doth not aid in this World them that blaspheme against him he shall cause them to feel after their death great torments because of their impiety Instruct them in the History of Noah how he spâ—…ke to his People and said O People if my abode with you and the preaching of the Commandments of God be irksom to you know that all my support is in God assemble your Doctors with your Idols and conceal not what ye do go whither you will ye shall find none to protect you if ye contemn my instructions I require not of you a reward for my pains I desire to receive of none other than God the Omnipotent and recommend my self to the will of his Divine Majesty They slandered Noah then did we save him in the Ark and them that were with him we prolonged their posterity on Earth and drowned the wicked consider the end of such as heard the Word of God and contemned it We sent to them other Prophets after Noah they made them to see Miracles and gave them most salutary instructions but they did not believe in what they had no will before to believe Thus I harden the heart of the wicked We after them sent Moses to Pharaoh and his Subjects with our miracles they arose against our Commandments when the truth was preached to them and said it was but Magick and Enchantment Moses said to them Will you say that the Truth is Sorcery God doth not assist Magicians and Sorcerers they said Art thou with thy Brother come to divert us from the Religion of our Fathers and to be esteemed on Earth We will believe in thy words Then Pharaoh commanded to summon the most skilful of his Magicians they being assembled Moses said to them cast down what ye have a will to cast down on the ground having cast down their Cords and Staves Moses said to them know ye none other thing but Magick God shall render it vain and unprofitable he abhoreth such as defile the Earth he confirmeth the Truth through his Word although it be against the will of the wicked Few Men believed in Moses because of their fear to displease Pharaoh and his Ministers Pharaoh was powerful on Earth and in the number of the wicked Moses said O People if ye believe in God resign your selves to his will they answered All our confidence is in God Lord do not thou abandon us to the malice of the unjust deliver us through thy mercy from the hands of Infidels We inspired Moses and his Brother to dwell some time in Egypt with their people and to make Oratories in their Houses therein to make their prayers and preach to true believers Lord said Moses thou hast enriched Pharaoh and
who is more impious than they that blaspheme against God Such Men shall not see his face the Angels shall say at the Day of Judgment behold them that have been impious a curse is upon them and upon the unjust that have mis-led the people from the right way they were indeed Infidels Such Men shall not escape the punishment of their crimes on Earth they shall find none that is able to protect them but God he shall augment their pains because they would not abandon their wickedness neither receive the light of faith Such are miserable Men their Idols shall not afford them succors they doubtless shall be eternally damned and such as shall believe in God do good works and be converted shall dwell for ever in Paradise The wicked are as deaf and blind and the True Believers are like those who have good sight and perfect hearing shall they be in parallel to each other will ye never consider it We sent Noah to reprove Men for their sins he said to them worship but one God alone otherwise I fear ye shall be chastised at the Day of Judgment The Doctors of the Infidels answered him we see thee to be a Man like us and that such as follow thee are Poor People blind and without counsel we perceive not that thou hast any grace that ought to prefer thee to us contrariwise we believe thee to be a lyar he said O people know ye not that God hath taught me what I preach to you that he hath given me the grace of Prophecy and deprived you of it Shall I exhort you to acknowledge his grace seeing you abhor him O People I require no recompence of you for my pains God will reward me largely I desire not to banish True Believers from my company they shall one day appear before their Lord but I perceive that ye are ignorant O People who shall hinder God to punish me if I abuse True Believers Will ye not consider it I say not that I possess the treasures of God I know not what shall be I say not that I am an Angel I say not to them whom you contemn that God shall enrich them God knoweth what is in their Souls should I maintain such discourse I should have great blame They said O Noah we have a long time disputed together if thou art sincere let us see the pains which thou preachest to us God said he when it shall please him shall cause you to see them you shall not escape them my instructions shall be to you unprofitable if God will prove you he is your Lord and you shall one day be assembled before him to be judged Will the unbelievers say that thou hast forged the Alcoran and that it is of thine invention Say unto them if I have invented it sin will be upon me and I am innocent of your blasphemies God inspired into Noah that none should believe in his words but such as had already believed in him He said unto him Build an Ark conformable to the inspiration that we have sent thee but speak no more to me of the unjust they shall be drowned the passengers derided him and his Ark he said to them ye scoff at me I will laugh at you and we shall see them that shall best understand he whom God shall chastise shall be covered with shame and perpetually tormented When our will was to destroy that People and the light of the morning appeared and the Water boyled in Noah's Pot we commanded him to charge his Ark with two Beasts of every kind and Species all creatures were destroyed except those of which we before made mention as well such as believed as them that did not believe and that but a few Noah said unto them ascend the Ark in the name of God who shall cause it to swim and to Anchor the Lord is gracious and merciful towards us When the Ark began to float like to a Mountain Noah called to one of his Sons who stayed on the Earth and said my Son come up into the Ark with us and remain not with the Infidels he answered I will ascend an high Mountain that shall save me from the Waters Noah said to him none is able this day to deliver thee from the punishment of God if it be not through his mercy The Waters being risen he was in the number of them that were drowned God commanded the Earth to drink its Water and the Heavens to pour down no more Rain the Water diminished upon the Earth after the People were drowned and the Ark rested upon the Mountain called Gioudy thus were the unjust extirpated Noah prayed to his Lord and said Lord my Son that remained in the Waters was of my Lineage thou didst promise me to save my Family thou dost exactly perform thy promise thou art true in thy words and most just in thine actions O Noah answered God that Son is not of thy Linage he hath offended me and disobeyed my Commandments do not enquire of me concerning that which thou oughtest not to know otherwise thou shalt be in the number of the ignorant Lord said Noah I will take heed through thine assistance to enquire of thee what I ought not to know if thou hast not pity on me I shall be in the number of the miserable God said O Noah descend from the Ark with Salvation and blessing upon thee and upon a part of them that are with thee I will enrich the other part with the wealth of this World to punish them most severely at the day of Judgment I teach what shall be what neither thou nor thy people have not yet known be patient in thine afflictions Paradise is for them that have my fear before their eyes We sent Hod to the People of Aad his Brother ye said unto them O People adore but one God alone otherwise ye shall be in the number of Infidels I require of you no recompence for the pains I take in preaching to you he that created me shall reward me will ye never be wise implore pardon of God be converted and obey his Divine will he shall send you Rain from Heaven and shall encrease your strength and riches be not in the number of the wicked they answered O Hod thou shewest us no reasons to prove thy sayings thy words shall not make us to quit our Gods we give no credit to thy discourse and tell thee that some one of our Gods shall severely chastise thee He said take God and your selves to witness that I am innocent of the sin that you commit in adoring Idols if you conspire against me none shall be able to protect you at the Day of Judgment I recommend my self to the will of God mine and your Lord he conserveth all the creatures of the Earth and loveth them that follow the right way I have discharged my duty and commission I have taught you what God commanded me if you go astray he shall establish
Money at the bottoms of their Sacks and said our Father what shall we desire more our money is restored to us and we have Bread for our Family permit that our Brother go with us we shall have better measure that is a small thing to the King of Egypt I will not send him with you unless ye all swear before God to bring him back again if there be no great impediment They swore to fulfil his Will then said he I take God to be witness of your Oath O my Sons enter not all together into the City but go in at several Gates to the end the people may not be jealous of you God commandeth what to him seemeth good I relye on him all true Believers ought to resign themselves to his Divine Will they entred the City as their Father enjoyned them to content him being arrived before Ioseph he took his little Brother by the hand and said to him trouble not thy self for what shall become of thy Brethren having filled their Sacks he caused a Cup adorned with precious stones to be put into the Sack of his little Brother caused it to be given out that they of the Caravan had stoln the Kings Cup and sent Men after them to search those strangers protested they saw it not and that they came not into Egypt to steal that they were Sureties for each other and that he who had stoln it deserved punishment The Cup was found in the Sack of his young Brother he caused him to be apprehended and accused them all of Theft Lord said they his Father is old he will be extreamly afflicted for his absence take one of us in his place thou shalt in the end find us to be honest Men God forbid said he that I should detain other than him who was found guilty of Theft that would be injustice finding themselves out of hope to free their Brother they saved themselves in a secret place remote from the City where the eldest said to his Brethren you know the Oath we took at our departure and how heretofore we intreated Ioseph I will not go out of Egypt without my Fathers permission God is most just he shall dispose of me and my Brother as shall please him return to your Father and say unto him thy Son was taken in Theft we saw him and endeavoured to our power to deliver him they of the Caravan shall be Witnesses Iacob said at their return they were the cause of that accident that did not displease you and he took patience saying God perhaps will favour my Sons to return in health he knoweth in what condition I am he is most prudent in what he ordaineth He retired from among his Sons extreamly afflicted and bewailed the loss of his Son Ioseph had his eyes continually covered with tears and he bore in his heart great sorrow His Sons said unto him Dost thou yet remember Ioseph to add to thy grief and hasten thine end I am said he extreamly desolate I leave all to the Will of God he hath taught me what ye know not My Sons return into Egypt and enquire tidings of your two Brethren despair not of the Spirit of God none despair of Gods Spirit but the wicked When they came unto Ioseph they said unto him The Famine that is in our Countrey hath extreamly afflicted us it hath often constrained us to come to buy Corn thou of thy favour hast made us good measure thou hast caused our Money to be restored for Alms God will reward thee he recompenceth such as are Alms-givers He said unto them Ye remember what ye did unto your Brother Ioseph They replyed Certainly thou art not Ioseph I am Ioseph said he and behold my Brother Benjamin God hath given us his Grace he rewardeth him that hath his fear before his eyes and is patient in his afflictions he depriveth not the righteous of recompence God said they hath poured his favours upon us in saving thee whom we have exceedingly offended Be not said he ashamed God this day pardoneth you that sin he is gracious and merciful return to your Father and bear to him this Shirt cast it upon his face he shall recover sight and return hither with him and with your whole Family The Caravan was then half way upon return when Iacob said to them that attended him I smell the odour of my Son Ioseph you deride me but what I speak is most true They told him that he was still in his old Errour some days following one of his Sons arrived with tidings of Ioseph and cast the Shirt that he had given him upon him and incontinently he recovered his sight and said Did I not always tell you that I knew what ye knew not they said Our Father pardon us and ask the forgiveness of God for us who have exceedingly offended him He answered I will beg pardon of God for you he is gracious and merciful When they arrived before Ioseph he took his Father by the hand saying Enter without fear into Egypt caused him to sit down and his Brethren fell prostrate before him My Father said he behold there the interpretation of mine old Dream God hath rendred it true he hath favoured me in delivering me from Prison and conducting you hither he hath put an end to the jealousie wich the Devil had procured between me and my Brethren The Lord is liberal to whom seemeth good to him he knoweth what is necessary for his people and is most prudent in what he ordaineth Lord thou hast given me wealth and knowledge to interpret Dreams Creator of Heaven and Earth thou art my Protector give me the Grace to die in thy Law and place me in the number of the righteous This History of Ioseph is an ancient History which I relate to thee Thou wert not with his Brethren when they conspired against him nevertheless the greatest part of the people are incredulous Demand no reward of them for having preached the Alcoran it instructeth only the wise How many signs be there in Heaven and Earth of the Unity of God yet the people believe not therein and most of them adore Idols assuredly God shall punish them at an unexpected hour and in a time which they know not Say unto them Behold the right way I call to the way of Salvation and Light such as follow me I return thanks to God for that I am not in the number of Unbelievers We sent aforetime none but Men to instruct the people will not Men consider what hath been the end of the wicked that were before them Paradise is for them that are righteous will ye not be converted They caused the Prophets to lose all hopes of their Conversion and believed them to be Lyars but we protected them and delivered from their Malice such as seemed good to us Nothing shall exempt the wicked from the punishment of their pains they shall serve for example to Men of Spirit The Alcoran containeth no blasphemies
have seduced them from the right way and have not known it They that were before them were deceivers God overthrew their Habitations the Ruins fell upon them and he chastised them when they least thought of it he shall make them ashamed at the Day of Judgment and shall demand of them where be the Idols for which they disputed against true Believers Such as have knowledge of Gods Commandments 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 hour 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 fear before their eyes to enter the house of Eternity and the Gardens of Eden wherein flow many Rivers there shall they dwell eternally with the height of their desire Shall the wicked continue in their sin until the Angels cause them to die or until the Day of Judgment Thus did their Predecessours 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 Predecessours 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 endeavourest 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 Judgment they have sworn by their Faith that God will not make the dead to rise again but he shall cause them to rise again to chastise them according to his Promises but the greatest part of Men do not know it did they know it they would acknowledge their Errours 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 recompenced 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 if it be not true We have sent to them the Alcoran to the end thou mayst instruct Men in our Commandments peradventure they will consider it The Earth shall produce nothing to them that shall conspire against the Prophet they shall be chastised when they least think of it God shall afflict them in their commerce they shall not escape his punishment and their substance shall diminish by little and little before their eyes God is gracious and merciful to them only that honour him See they not the shadow of that which God hath created sometimes at the right hand sometimes at the left to adore his Divine Majesty they certainly are contemptible whatsoever is on the Earth and in the Heavens Beast and Angels worship God with Humility fear their Lord and obey his Commandments God hath commanded them to worship and to fear one God alone to whom obedience is due eternally whom will ye fear but God who but God shall protect you when evil befalleth you you have recourse to his Divine goodness being delivered some of you give him thanks and yet believe not in his Law You seek only the riches of the Earth but you shall see what shall be your end they say that their wealth proceedeth from their Idols by God! an account of their blasphemies shall be required of them they affirm that God hath Daughters assuredly they deceive themselves and are not well satisfied when it is said to them that a Daughter is born to them they fly such as declare to them the punishment of their sins God shall leave them in ignominy and they shall be contemned as the Earth which they trample under their Feet because they believe not in the Day of Judgment misery shall perpetually pursue them God shall command for ever and be eternally powerful and Victorious Should God chastise Men when they offend he should leave no living Creature upon the Earth he deferreth their punishment until the time appointed they can neither advance nor retard it they affirm God to have that which themselves are not satisfied to have they lye when they say that Paradise is for them doubtless they are erroneous and shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell. By God! we have sent heretofore Prophets to the people the Devil seduced Men and was Master of the wicked in this World but in the other they shall resent great torments We have sent thee the Alcoran to clear to Men the doubts touching Religion and to guide true Believers into the right way God sendeth rain from Heaven to refresh the Earth this is an evident sign of his Omnipotency to them that hear his word ye have yet a token of his Omnipotency in the Beasts that give you Milk to nourish you and another mark in the Fruits of the Earth in the Fruits of Date Trees and the Vines from which you extract Wine and receive profit These things are signs of his Omnipotency to such as comprehend them The Lord inspired the Bee to dwell in the Fields to lodge in Trees in Hives and to eat of all sorts of Fruits it produceth Honey of divers colours that serveth for a remedy to the diseases of Men these things are signs of Gods Omnipotency to them that consider them God hath created you and shall cause you to dye There be Persons among you that shall be full of ignominy in their life to the end they may understand that God is Omnipotent conferreth benefits on some more than on others Slaves have no part in the faculties of their Masters neither are they associate with them nevertheless they associate to God another God equal to him and blaspheme against his Grace God hath created you Men and Women and hath given you Children and Children to your Children he hath enriched you with the riches of the Earth Will you after this Grace believe in your Idols which are things inanimate vain and unprofitable Will ye be ingrateful for the benefits of God Will ye worship what can neither benefit nor hurt you Believe not that there is another God Companion and associate with God He knoweth what ye know not he teacheth you a Parable A Slave that is poor cannot give Alms and he who is rich giveth
Alms secretly and publickly as he seeth good are they both alike Ought they to be put in Parallel Praise be to God Certainly the greatest part of Men know not his Graces he teacheth you a Parable Behold two Men the one was born deaf and dumb and given in charge to his Guardian he knoweth not how to imploy him he is capable neither of doing nor speaking well is he like to him that speaketh that understandeth teacheth Men Justice and followeth the right way Whatsoever is in Heaven or on Earth appertaineth to God when he commandeth any thing it is performed in the twinkling of an eye yea sooner he is Omnipotent He it is that causeth you to come out of the Womb of your Mother that giveth you hearing sight and sense perhaps ye will return him thanks See ye not the Birds that fly in the Air who sustaineth them but God It is an evident sign of his Omnipotency for the true Believers he hath given you Houses to inhabit and the Skins and Furrs of Beasts to cover you he hath given you their Hair and Wooll to furnish your Houses and enrich you he created Trees and Clouds to oveâ—…shadow you made the Mountains and Caves to cover you from rain created Garments to defend you from the heat of the Sun and the rigour of Cold he hath accomplished his Grace upon you peradventure you will resign your selves to the Will of his Divine Majesty and possess his Unity If the Unbelievers depart from the way of the Law thou art obliged only to preach to them intelligibly they know the Grace of God and contemn it for that the greatest part of them are impious preach unto them the Day wherein I will raise again all the Nations of the World and the Prophets and Apostles who have preached to them my Commandments there shall be no excuse for Infidels neither shall they find protection or relaxation of their Miseries When they shall behold their Idols they shall confess that they were mis-led they shall understand the Unity of thy Lord and that their Idols are not able to intercede for them God hath added to the punishment of Infidels hath sent them evil upon evil because they hinder the World to follow his Law Preach unto them the Day wherein I will cause to rise again all the Nations of the World with the Prophet who pâ—…hed to them to be Witness of their Actions I will be Witness against them of thy Nation I have sent thee the Book that unfoldeth the Mysteries of my Law to guide the people into the right way and to declare the Joys of Paradise to such as profess my Unity God commandeth you to do only that which is reasonable he commandeth you to give Alms and to do good to your Parents he forbiddeth Whoredom disobedience and injustice enjoyneth you to do good perhaps you will consider it Perform what ye have Promised to God break not promised Faith ye call God to be Witness of your Promises he knoweth all your Actions Do not like the Woman who spun a Thread folded it and afterwards entangled and spoyled it believe not that there is deceit and errour in your Law If the Unbelievers be more in number than you God permitteth it to prove you he shall clear to you at the Day of Judgment the doubts that be among you had it so pleased him you all had observed one and the same Law he guideth mis-leadeth whom it pleaseth him and will exactly require of you an account of your Actions Believe not that there is deceit in your Law take heed of stumbling having once confirmed your steps ye shall be severely chastised if ye seduce the people from the right way do not violate what ye have promised to God for any price his Grace is of more advantage to you than the wealth of the Earth had ye knowledge to understand it your wealth is perishable and the riches of Heaven are eternal he shall recompence them that persevere in well-doing and whosoever shall do good works shall be blessed in this World and in the other When thou shalt read the Alcoran implore God to deliver thee from the Malice of the Devil abominable to all the Creatures he hath no power over them that trust in his Divine Majesty his power extendeth over such as go astray who obey not him and adore many Gods. When we alter any Precepts God well knoweth what he ordaineth they say thou art a Lyar but the greatest part of them are ignorant Say unto them that assuredly the Holy Ghost hath taught it from thy Lord to confirm Believers in their Faith and to guide into the right way them that profess his Unity and to announce to them the Joys of Paradise I know that they will say that a Man hath taught him the Alcoran He whom they presume to have taught him is a Persian by Nation and speaketh the Language of the Persians and the Alcoran is in the Arabick Tongue full of instruction and eloquence They who will not believe in God shall suffer great torments such as renounce his Commandments blaspheme against his Divine Majesty those that reject his Law after having professed it shall feel the effect of his wrath and be punished for preferring the wealth of the Earth to the riches of Heaven God guideth not unbelievers They in whose hearts he hath imprinted disobedience those whom he hath deprived of hearing and sight are ignorant they doubtless shall be at the end of the World in the number of the damned he is merciful to them that convert and repent to have mislead the People from the right way and persevere in obedience to his Commandments Be thou mindful of the day wherein man shall dispute against himself and every one shall be rewarded according to his works without injustice God teacheth you a Parable behold a free and priviledged City on the which God poureth his graces on all sides with abundance and is ingrateful for his benefits but he sent upon it misery famine and fear because of its ingratitude God hath sent to the Inhabitants thereof a Prophet of their Nation they have standered him and were chastised because of their sin Eat of what God hath given you and give him thanks for his grace if it be he whom ye worship he forbideth you to eat of Carrion of Bloud and Swines-flesh and whatsoever is not slain in pronouncing the Name of God he will be gracious and merciful to them who shall eat through necessity without design to offend him Lie not in saying Behold that which is permitted to be eaten blaspheme not against God such as blaspheme against him shall not prosper in this World and in the other shall suffer grievous torments We did heretofore prohibit the Iews to eat of what we have recounted to thee we did to them no injustice they drew mischief on themselves through their sin thy Lord is gracious and merciful to them that ignorantly offend him who
not that God hath children We made mention in the Alcoran of whatsoever is necessary to be preached to the people say unto them If there be a God with God as ye affirm invoke him that hath his Throne in Heaven praised be God he hath no Companion he is most high and great The seven Heavens praise him and all that is on Earth glorifie him but ye comprehend it not he is gracious and merciful We will separate thee from the wicked we will harden their hearts and stop their ears When thou shalt read the Alcoran and say There is but one God they will turn the back â—…d deride thee I know what they desire to hear they would have the people to hearken to the words of the unjust who say That thou art a Sorcerer and a Magician consider to whom they compare thee they certainly are in error and are not able to find the right way What! we are say they bones and flesh shall we rise again and become new Creatures who shall cause us to rise again Say unto them Although ye be stone iron bones and flesh he who first created you shall raise you again They shall shake the head at thee and ask of thee In what time they shall rise again say unto them Peradventure it shall be suddenly When ye shall be called out of the graves by the Commandment of God ye will believe that ye have remained but very little time in the world then shall the Infidels confess that the Devil hath deceived them and that he is their open enemy Your Lord knoweth you all he will pardon or chastise you as seemeth good to him We have not sent thee to be their guardian thy Lord knoweth whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth Certainly we gave graces to some Prophets which we gave not to others and we gave the Psalter to David Say unto the Infidels invoke the Idols which ye adore and see if they are of power to deliver you from affliction They that implore God desire to be nigh unto him who are they that shall nearest approach his divine Majesty they who hope in his mercy or such as fear his punishment Certainly his punishment ought most to be feared We will destroy all the Cities of the world before the day of Judgment and chastise the wicked with rigorous torments this is written upon the Tables kept in heaven nothing hath hindred us to manifest the miracles which the inhabitants of Mecca desire to see but the contempt shewed by their predecessors Temod saw the miracles of the Camel and contemned it I will no more shew miracles but to make the people to apprehend the torments of hell Remember thou that we have said to thee that thy Lord knoweth all that the world doth that which we gave thee to see in the voyage by night is to prove the people as the cursed tree which is spoken of in the Alcoran there be persons that will believe it others that will not believe but I will try them to augment their confusion Remember thou that we commanded the Angels to humble themselves before Adam and that they did humble themselves except the devil who said Shall I adore him whom thou hast created of the earth who is he whom thou hast preferred to me Certainly if thou tarry until the day of Judgment I will destroy his race except that small number that shall be under thy protection Thy Lord said unto him Get thee hence hell shall be thy punishment and the punishment of them that shall follow thee deceive by thy speeches them whom thou shalt be able to deceive seduce whom thou canst seduce with the wealth of the earth cause them to exercise Usury and commit the sin of whoredom tell them there is neither Resurrection nor Judgment whatsoever thou shalt promise them shall be but vanity and falshood thou shalt have no power over them that shall worship me I will protect them against thee It is your Lord who causeth the ship to travel upon the waters for the advantage of traffique when the tempest chargeth you your Idols forsake you he alone is able to protect you nevertheless when he hath caused you to arrive at the Port you deny his Unity and follow your impiety believe ye that he will another time make the sea calm to you and he will send you a favourable wind if ye do not acknowledg him your protector Believe you to return again to the sea He shall send you an impetuous wind that shall overwhelm you with your impiety and ye shall find none to protect you against him We have conferred on men many favours we have conducted them on the earth and sea enriched with all sorts of riches and gratified them above all creatures of the earth preach to them the day wherein I will assemble before me all the Nations of the World with the Prophet that shall have preached to them He to whom shall be given the Book of the Accompt of his works in his right hand shall read his accompt entirely no injustice shall be done to him and he shall be happy He that shall be blind in this world shall be so in the other and shall not see the right way They would divert thee from performing what we have inspired into thee to induce thee to blaspheme against me If thou do it thou shalt be of their friends were it not for the strength that we have given thee they would make thee to incline to their impiety hadst thou done it we had given thee to taste of great afflictions in this world and in the other thou hadst found none to protect thee against us it wanted not much but they had affrighted thee at Medina to cause thee to go out of it had they driven thee thence they had not continued there long after thee We heretofore sent our Prophets to instruct the people in our Law thou shalt find therein nothing to change make thy prayers when the Sun shall set at the beginning and at the end of the night and at the dawning of day the Angels shall be witnesses of thine orisons spend one part of the night in prayer this shall be an augmentation of merit thy Lord shall establish thee in the place of his glory Say Lord into whatsoever place I go make me to enter and go forth with truth give me thy protection Say that truth is come aâ—…d that vanity is vanished this Book shall heal the people of their error it shall bring them into the way of mercy and encreaâ—…e the misery of unbelievers We have exhorted men to abandon their impiety they have not done it and despaired when they were touched with affliction Say unto them Each of us doth after his will and God knoweth him that followeth the right way they shall demand of thee concerning the Soul Say unto them the soul is an effect of God he hath given you very little knowledge assuredly had it so
a better way than their Neighbour how many have we destroyed before them in past Ages more Rich than they and Hypocrites like unto them Say unto them God prolongeth the life of the erroneous that they may know their errors and learn the knowledge of the pains prepared for them they shall understand who shall be the most miserable And who shall have been most weak in their Faith and least affectionate to the Service of his Divine Majesty God shall encrease their Faith who shall follow the right way and such as be obedient to him shall enjoy his grace Hast thou considered the action of the wicked They demand if they shall have Riches and Children after their Resurrection Would you know what shall be would you capitulate with the merciful I will not do it I will write all that they say and will add to their miseries I will give to them in this World what they require and they shall rise again naked without Treasure and Children They adored Idols to have their protection Certainly they erred in that adoration they shall renounce them and be their enemies at the Day of Judgment Seest thou not how we have sent the Devils against unbelievers to seduce them Be not impatient to see them punished they shall be judged at the day appointed â—…e thou mindful of the day when I shall assemble all the Righteous in the presence of God and precipitate all the wicked into Hell their prayer shall not be heard except such as have accomplished their promises made to the merciful They have said Do ye believe that God hath a Son You utter a strange thing it wanteth not much but that Heaven and Earth open themselves and that the Mountains fall with their utter destruction They call God God the Son God hath not to do with a Son whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth adore him he knoweth the account and number of all things of the World Men shall appear before him at the Day of Judgment and the True believers that shall do good works shall be beloved of his Divine Majesty We have sent thee the Alcoran written in thine own Language that thou maist proclaim the delights of Paradise to them that fear me and preach the Torments of Hell to such as dispute with obstinacy against the Faith. How many of the wicked have we destroyed in past Ages Hast thou heard speak of them Hast thou heard mention of their Memory CHAP. XX. The Chapter of Beatitude and of Hell containing an hundred and thirty Verses written at Mecca Reader the Mahometans have entituled this Chapter Tthe which is two letters of the Arabique Alphabet to wit Tt and He where in this place Tt signifieth Thouba that is to say Beatitude and He Haoihe that is to say Hell. See the gloss and interpretation of Gelaldin and Bedaoi they have intituled this The Chapter of Beatitude and of Hell. IN the name of God gracious and merciful We have not given thee the Alcoran to torment thee but to instruct therein the righteous It was sent thee by him that created the Heavens and the Earth the merciful sitteth on his Throne whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth whatsoever is between them and beneath the Earth appertaineth to him He knoweth thy thoughts he understandeth what thou keepest secret and what thou makest manifest God! there is but one God all the glorious names of the world are due unto him Knowest thou the History of Moses When he beheld the fire he said to his family Stay ye here I see a great fire I will bring to you a spark and you shall find in it the right way When he approached it was said unto him O Moses I am thy Lord put off thy shooes thou art in the holy Valley of Toi I have elected thee among my people hear my word and receive mine inspirations I am God there is none other God but I worship me alone and make thy prayers as it is ordained The hour unknown to the world approacheth wherein I will recompence and chastise every one after his works Take heed lest the wicked seduce thee from the right way if thou follow their appetite thou shalt be destroyed Is it not what thou hast sworn to me he answered Lord I will apply my self unto thee and will lean upon my staff I will beat the fruits of the Trees to make them fall upon my flocks I have yet another manner to nourish my sheep with this staff I will make use of it to defend and preserve them from mischief God said unto him O Moses cast that staff to the ground behold a Serpent it creepeth take it and be not afraid I will cause it to return to its former condition draw back thine hand and put it under thy arm it shall become white and shining without harm and pain it shall be a most certain sign of my Unity I will give thee to see the miracles of my Omnipotency Go to Pharoab he is in an exceeding great error and seduced from the right way Moses said Lord rejoyce my heart and facilitate my commission unloose the knot of my tongue that they may understand my speech give me Aaron to assist me in this business that I may praise thee and highly exalt thy glory thou only art our protector God said Thy prayer is heard we were favourable to thee another time when we inspired thy mother to put thee into a coffer and expose thee to the river of Nile the water drove thee to the shore whence Pharoah took thee I caused thee to be beloved of him to have care of my people when thy sister sought tidings of what was become of thee she said Who will guide us where he is who will conduct us to him that keepeth him we sent thee back to thy mother to stop her tears and put an end to her affliction Thou slewest a man we have deliver'd thee from the hands of thine enemies and have approved thy perseverance thou hast continued some time with the inhabitants of Madian after this we sent thee to preach our Commandments I have made choice of thee go with thy brother to Pharoah and lie not in speaking of me he is gone astray from the right way speak to him both of you with mildness peradventure he will hearken to you and will fear the fire of hell they answered Lord We fear that he may torment and rise up against us he said Fear nothing I will be with you hear what he will say consider his actions address your selves to him and say We are the Messengers of the Omnipotent God dismiss with us the children of Israel and no more torment them we are come hither by the Commandment of God thy Lord. Salvation is for such as follow the right way damnation for them that blaspheme against his Law and depart from his Commandments Pharoah said unto them Who is your God Moses said My God is he that created the world and
ye do your Law is one Law and I alone am your Lord take heed to your selves follow not the Law of the Infidels every one liketh what he doth depart from the wicked and leave them in their errors an account shall be required of them of the riches and of the Children that we have given them but they know it not Such as fear the punishment of their Lord that obey his Commandments profess his Unity give Alms of the substance that he hath given them and fear in their Heart that they are not acceptable to them shall appear in his presence such as shall obey him shall enjoy his grace he requireth not of any man what he is unable to perform We have a Book that declareth the truth no injustice shall be done to him that shall do what he is able certainly the Infidels are in ignorance of the Alcoran they act what is quite contrary to that which is commanded True believers but we have punished the chief among them in their prosperity Be not this Day resolute ye shall not be protected of us Our Commandments are taught you nevertheless ye are returned upon your steps and are risen against the Faith and in discoursing by Night withdrew your selves from the Righteous Consider they not the words of the Alcoran Doth it contain any thing that hath not been ordained to their Predecessors Know they not the Prophet that God hath sent to them Wherefore will they not acknowledg him Will they say that he is possessed of the Devil On the contrary he teacheth them the truth nevertheless the greatest part of them detest him if their will had place Heaven and Earth and whatsoever is betwixt them should be confounded we have instructed them in the Law which they ought to observe but they have renounced it Dost thou require of them any recompence for thy instructions Thy Lord shall reward thee there is none that is of power to recompence thee better than He. Call them to the right way such as shall not believe the Resurrection shall err If we pardon and deliver them from affliction they will still continue in their errors to their confusion we heretofore chastised them nevertheless they humble not themselves neither implored their Lord and when we opened upon them the gate of our Judgments they became desperate God hath given you sight hearing and sense but few among you return him thanks he it is that hath created you of earth ye shall one day be assembled before him to be judged he it is that giveth life and death and maketh the difference of day and night will you not honor him neither consider On the contrary they have said as did their predecessors wherefore shall we die our bones shall be dust and shall we rise again This was heretofore promised to our fathers and to us certainly it is but an old song Say unto them to whom appertaineth the earth and whatsoever is in the earth if ye know its Creator and King They will say it is God's Say unto them know ye not then that he that created you can raise you again Who is Lord of the seven heavens who possesseth the throne of heaven They will say it is God say unto them will ye not fear then to worship any other God but him Say unto them who is King of all things who sustaineth them and is sustained of none They will say that it is God Say unto them why then do ye deceive your selves we have taught them the truth but they have rejected it and said that God had a son were there another God with God the one would undo what the other hath done and they would rise the one against the other Praised be God what they affirm is not true God knoweth that is past the present and the future he hath no companion Say Lord give me to see the effect of all that thou hast promised to them and put me not among the unjust deliver us from evil and do good to us I know their impiety Lord deliver me from the temptations of the devil deliver me from their malice when any one among them dieth he saith Lord permit me to return into the world I will do better than I have done there is no return it is to speak in vain there is an obstacle behind them that detaineth them until the day of Judgment when the Trumpet shall sound nothing shall retard them they shall not glory nor discourse with each other the ballance of the blessed shall be heavy with good works and the ballance of the cursed shall be light of good works Have not my Commandments been preached unto you wherefore did ye contemn them They shall say Lord our misery prevailed over us we are mislead Lord deliver us from this misery the contrary was promised to us truly we are exceedingly too blame It shall be said unto them depart into the fire and never speak to come out Many of them that worship me say Lord we believe in thee pardon our sins thou art merciful Ye have derided them O ye wicked and have despised my Commandments but I will reward them for their perseverance and they shall be blessed It shall be said to those that rise again how many years have ye remained in the earth they shall answer we have been there a day or some days ask of the Angels appointed to keep the account ye have been there but a litte time did ye know it do ye believe that I have created and assembled you before me in vain Praise and exalt God King of Truth there is no God but he he is King of heaven he is void of reason that invoketh another god with Him he shall give account of his actions and the Infidels shall be miserable Say Lord pardon the sins of the righteous thou art the great merciful CHAP. XXIV The Chapter of Light containing Seventy and four Verses written at MEDINA IN the name of God gracious and merciful We have sent this Chapter containing our Commandments clear and intelligible peradventure ye will learn them The Catamite and the Concubine shall be whipt with an hundred stripes take heed left clemency cause you to forget the precepts of the Law of God believe in his divine Majesty and the day of Judgment Some of the True believers shall be witnesses of their punishment The Catamite lying with a Concubine or an Infidel the Concubine lying with a Catamite or Infidel these things are forbidden the True believers He that shall accuse an honest woman of adultery shall be whipt with twenty four stripes unless he prove his accusation by four witnesses and shall never be credited in testimony They that do such things are without the obedience of God except those that repent and satisfie what they owe God shall be to them gracious and merciful They that shall accuse their wives of adultery and have no witnesses shall swear four times that they speak the truth and
it they are remote from the Angels and cannot hear their speech say not there is another God with God if thou say it thou shalt be chastised preach the torments of Hell to them that shall follow thee be humble and civil to True believers if they disobey thee say unto them I am innocent of what ye do and am resigned to the Will of God 〈◊〉 potent and merciful He beholdeth thee when thou dost pray and worship him he heareth and knoweth all things Shall I tell ye to whom the Devils address themselves They apply themselves to Lyars they tell to them what they have heard spoken but they all lye The erronous imitate the Poets they are confuted in their Discourse and say they have done what they have not except those that believe in God that do good works who often think of his Divine Majesty and that have been protected against the injustice of Infidels the unjust shall know that they shall one day rise again CHAP. XXVII The Chapter of the Pismire containing Fourscore and thirteen Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God Gracious and Merciful God is most pure he understandeth all These mysteries are the mysteries of the Alcoran which distinguisheth the Truth from a Lye it conducteth men into the right way and proclaimeth the Joys of Paradise to such as believe in the Law of God who make their prayers at the time appointed pay Tithes and have knowledg of their end They that believe not in the Day of Judgment like well of what they do and are in confusion they shall in the end be in the number of the damned The Alcoran was conveyed to thee from the most prudent that knoweth all things Remember thou that Moses said to his Family I see a Fire I go to it I will bring you tidings I will bring you a spark peradventure you shall be warmed when he drew near to the Fire he heard a voice that said to him oh Moses that which is in this Fire and whatsoever is about it is blessed praise is due to God Lord of the Universe I am God Omnipotent and Eternal Cast thy staff on the ground When Moses beheld his staff to move as it had been alive he went back very sorrowful and returned no more Fear not that staff my Messenger and my Prophets have no fear in my presence he that shall be converted shall find me gracious and merciful Put thine Hand into thy Pocket it shall come forth white without harm it shall be one of the Nine marks of my Omnipotency Pharoah and his Ministers were altogether erroneous when they saw my Miracles they said that they were but Sorcery they despised them and encreased their impiety Consider what is the end of the wicked and how they have been destroyed We gave knowledg to David and to Solomon they said God hath gratified us above many of his Servants that have believed in his Omnipotency Solomon was David's Hâ—…ir and and said to the People we understand the Language of Birds we know whatsoever can be known it is an exceeding great Grace Solomon's Army being one day assembled before him composed of Men Devils and Birds â—…e lead them to the Valleâ—… of Pismires a 〈◊〉 their Queen cryed out Oh Pismires â—… enter into your Houses leâ—…t Solomon and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 trample you under foot withâ—… knowledg 〈◊〉 it Solomon hearing these words 〈◊〉 some time without speaking and 〈◊〉 end began to laugh saying Lord assist me that I may give thee thanks for the benefits and graces which thou didst confer upon my Father if I do well thou wilt accept it place me through thy Mercy in number of them that exalt thy glory he called for the Whoop and said Wherefore see I not the Whoop Is she in the number of the absent I will punish and put her to death if she have not a lawful excuse not long after she humbled her self 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 Throne I have found that she with her Subjects adore the Sun the Devil caused them to delight in this their action he hath seduced them from the right way and they shall be in error until they worship one God who sendeth Rain from Heaven and 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 Universe Solomon said I shall soon see if thou speak truth or whether thou be in the number of the Lyars Go bear to her this Letter and observe what she and her People shall answer at her arrival 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 merciful rise not up against me and obey me Give me counsel 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 chief of the Inhabitants and the most eminent if Solomon and his People come hither they will use us in the like manner I think it requisite to send to him an Ambassador with some presents perhaps he will take a resolution to return When the Ambassador arrived in Solomon's 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 Sirs who will bring to me the Royal 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 Solomon 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 favour of God to try if I would acknowledg his benefits He that returneth thanks to God for his graces performeth his duty he rejecteth him that is ungrateful I will try if she followeth the right way or whether she be in the number of the seduced They changed something in her Royal seat to try if she would know it when she arrived in Solomon's presence
At her arrival they shewed it her and asked if it resembled her own she replyed It resembleth it as if it were the same She had knowledg of the right way but that which the People and the 〈◊〉 instead of God had seduced them from the obedience of his divine Majesty They spake to her to enter into a gallery when she beheld the pavement she believed it to be Water and in lifting up her Robe fearing to wet it discovered her Leg. Solomon told her that the pavement 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 and his People to exhort them to worship one God He said unto them O People flie to the Mercy of God if ye implore pardon of him ye shall be pardoned They said Wouldst thou draw us into thine error And into the error of them that are with thee He said God shall chastise you ye are Seditious They were Nine persons in the City that defiled 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 seek 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 subtil than 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 knowledg of our Omnipotency We served the Prophet and all the True believers that were with him Remember thou the History of Lot who said to his Citizens Will ye alway defile your selves in uncleanness in each others view Will ye love men more than women Ye are ignorant They replyed Let us drive Lot and his Family out of our City they defile not themselves like us We preserved him with all his Family except his Wife she remained among them that were chastised We caused it to Rain upon them a Rain that gave them to know the severity of our chastisements Say unto them Praised be God that destroyeth the wicked and Salvation to all those who he hath chosen are they not more happy than such as believe there are many Gods Who created the Heavens and the Earth Who caused Rain to fall from Heaven Who hath made many delicious Gardens to bring forth You have not the power to cause the plants to spring forth without the assistance of God. Certainly unbelievers do err from the right way Who hath established the Earth and made the Rivers to flow Who hath made heavy the Mountains Who but God hath put separation that is between Seas The greatest part of the World know it not Who rendreth men miserable Who delivereth them from affliction when they invoke him Who hath caused you to multiply and leave your Posterity on Earth but God Nevertheless few men give him thanks Who guideth in the darkness of the Earth and Sea Who but God sendeth the Winds the forerunners of Rain He is most high and most powerful but the wicked will not consider the effects of his Omnipotency Who formeth men Who maketh them to live die and rise again Who enricheth them with the Wealth of Heaven and of Earth but God Say unto them produce your reasons bring your arguments if what ye alledg be true say unto them None but God knoweth what is in Heaven and Earth no man knoweth the future present and past do men know the day of the Resurrection Contrariwise they doubt and are blind The wicked have said What we shall be dust as are our Fathers and shall come forth out of our Graves This was heretofore promised to our Fathers and to us this is but a Fable of old men Tell them that they consider not what was heretofore the end of the wicked afflict not thy self for that they conspire against thee and that they demand at what time they shall see the punishment that is foretold them Say unto them it is not far from you ye throw your selves headlong into it but God is pitiful towards his People nevertheless the greatest part give him no thanks for his Grace thy Lord knoweth what is in their Heart and whatsoever they speak there is nothing in Heaven or Earth that is not written in a most intelligible Book the Alcoran explaineth to the Children of Israel the greatest part of their difficulties it will guide them in the right way and deliver from Hell them that shall believe thee thy Lord shall judge them at the day of Judgment he is Omnipotent and wise trust thou in God thou art in the way of truth the Dead and Deaf shall not hear thee and unbelievers shall depart from thee pensive and astonished thou oughtest not to guide the blind neither to make the deaf to hear except such as shall believe in the Alcoran and be obedient when the time of the punishment that is denounced against them shall be come we will cause a Beast to come from under the Earth that shall speak unto them and shall say The People believe not in the Law of God they know not his wondrous works Be thou mindful of the Day when I will assemble a Multitude of all Nations that have disobeyed my Commandments to give account of their actions I will say unto them Ye have traduced my Prophets ye know â—…ot what ye said What have ye done Then shall they be punished for their sins and be inexcusable they shall not speak a word Do not Infidels see that we have created the Night for rest and the Day for travel This is a sign of my Omnipotency be thou mindful of the Day wherein the Angel shall sound the Trumpet and whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth shall tremble with fear except such as shall be in the favour of God that Day shalt thou see the Mountains suspended to move like the Clouds this shall be a work of God who created all things and knoweth their end he that shall have done good works shall be rewarded he shall be without fear and they that had done evil shall remain in the Fire of Hell it shall be said unto them Are ye not chastised according to your demerits Say unto the People I command you to worship the Lord of this priviledged City all things appertain to him I command you to believe in the Unity of his Divinâ—… Majesty and to study the Alcoran who so doth good shall find good Say unto them that shall be seduced I am sent only to preach the Torments of Hell say to True believers Praised be God that hath given you to see his Miracles and hath given you knowledg of the right way thy Lord is not ignorant of what they do CHAP. XXVIII The Chapter of
one God fear the day of Judgment and defile not the Earth They impudently traduced him but were surprized by an Earthquake and remained dead in their houses as carkasses We destroyed Aad and Temod their ruine is yet apparent in the places of their habitations the Devil tempted and seduced them from the right way notwithstanding they knew their error We destroyed Caron Pbaroah and Haman Moses preached to them my Commandments they contemned them and became proâ—…d in the Earth but escaped not the punishment of their crimes We chastised some by an impetuous wind and others were surprized by thunder we deprived them of their riches and they were drowned God was not unjust towards them they drew mischief on themselves through their impiety They that worship Idols are like to the Spider she buildeth her house of her â—…ob-web that cannot defend from heat or cold They would not adore Idols did they understand what they do God seeth what they worship he is omnipotent and wise I teach the people these parables and none but the wise understand them Truly God created Heaven and Earth it is a sign of his Omnipotency to True believers Instruct them in the book that is inspired into thee make thy prayers at the time appointed prayers divert men from sin to be mindful of God is the best work thou canst perform he knoweth all the actions of men Dispute with mildness against them that have knowledg of the written Law except against the wicked that are among them Say unto them We believe in what hath been taught you and in what hath been taught us Your God and our God is one God we are resigned to his divine will. We have sent thee the Alcoran as we sent to them the Old Testament Such as understand the Old Testament believe in the Truth of the Alcoran Thou hast not written it with thine own hand hadst thou written it thou hadst caused them to doubt who desire to make it void Certainly it containeth and teacheth intelligibly the Commandments of the Law none but Infidels reject it They have said We will not believe in this Book unless God work in it some miracle Say unto them Miracles proceed from God I am sent only to preach the torments of Hell. Is it not sufficient that we have sent thee the Alcoran to instruct them It containeth the effects of my mercy and precepts necessary for their salvation Say unto them it sufficeth that God is witness of mine actions betwixt you and me he knoweth whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth They that believe in Idols and have not faith in God are damned They urge thee to make them see the punishment of their crimes if the time were come they should soon feel it they shall rescent it when they least think of it but they know it not they shall press thee to make them see it Say unto them Hell is prepared for Infidels When they shall be plunged in torments over their heads and under their feet it shall be said unto them Taste the punishment which ye have deserved O ye people that believe The Earth is sufficiently large and spacious for you to separate your selves from the wicked worship me alone all Creatures shall die and be assembled before me to be judged The True believers that shall have done good works shall inhabit Paradise wherein flow many rivers wherein is the reward of the righteous of them that persevere to do good and are patient in their affliction and trust in their Lord. How many beasts be there that have not wherewith to live God nourisheth them and you also he understandeth and knoweth all things If thou ask of the Infidels who created Heaven and Earth the Sun and the Moon they will say It is God. Wherefore then do they deny his Unity God enricheth and impoverisheth whom â—… leaseth him he is omniscient If thou demand of them who causeth the rain to fall from Heaven to give life to the Earth after the death thereof they will say It is God. Say unto them Praised be God that ye avouch it nevertheless the greatest part of men understand it not The life of this world is but sport and vanity life is in Paradise had they knowledge to comprehend it When they enter into a ship and see the tempest they call upon God and protest to profess his Law And when he hath preserved them on the Land they are ingrateful for his grace and return to their Idolatry they shall too late understand their error Know they not that we have established in Mecca all safety and freedom and that men are taken away by violence to be slain and made slaves believe they in things unprofitable shall they be ingrateful for the graces of God who is more impious than he that blasphemeth against God and impugneth the known Truth is there no place in Hell for the wicked I will guide into the right way them that shall fight for the Faith God is with them that do good CHAP. XXX The Chapter of the Grecians containing sixty Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful I am the most wise God. The Grecians were vanquished upon the frontier of the Persians but shall be victorious before the end of seven years God disposeth all things from the beginning to the end When they shall be victorious the True believers shall rejoyce in the victory that God shall give them he protecteth whom to him seemeth good he is omnipotent and merciful He hath promised them victory and departeth not from his promises of which the greatest part of men are ignorant they affect the life of this world and consider not their end Will they not consider that God hath created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them and hath appointed to every thing a limited and prefixed time Certainly the greatest part of the people believe not in the Resurrection Will they not consider the end of their predecessors who were more powerful and wealthy than they God hath sent to all an Apostle to teach them his Law he hath done to them no injustice they have drawn mischief on themselves through their iniquity the end of the wicked shall be like to their works they despise the Commandments of God and deride them but God shall cause them to die and rise again and all shall be assembled before him at the day of Judgment that day shall they be desperate their Idols shall not intercede for them they shall forsake them and they shall be separated from the true believers Such as believe in God and do good works shall enjoy the delights of Paradise and the wicked shall be chastised according to their demerits Praise God pray unto him evening and morning praise is due to him in heaven and earth pray unto him before the Sun set and at the hour of noon he maketh the dead to come out of the living and the living out of the dead he
their sins there was none of power to save them for that they despised the Prophets of his Divine Majesty they contemned his Law and were impious but he severely chastised them he is Omnipotent and most severe We sent Moses with Miracles with Reasons clear and intelligible to Pharaoh to Haman and Caron they said that Moses was a Sorcerer and a lyar and when he preached to them the truth on our behalf they said kill him with all those that believe him and make their wives infamous but their conspiracy was but impiety Pharaoh said hinder me not to kill Moses let him invoke his God to save him I fear that he may alter your Law and introduce some disorder in the Land Moses said God mine and your Lord shall defend me from the malice of the proud that believe not the Day of Judgment Then a man of the domestiques of Pharaoh that secretly professed the true Law said will ye slay a man that declareth that God is his Lord And that hath made you to see Miracles If he be a Lyar his lye shall be against him but if he speak the truth something of what he hath preached shall befal you God guideth neither the wicked nor lyars Oh People you this day command on Earth with splendor who shall defend us from the wrath of God if it fall upon us Pharaoh said I speak nothing to you but what I have told you heretofore and I will guide you all into the right way he of his Domestiques that secretly professed the true Law said Oh people I fear lest ye be chastised as have been your predecessors as were the people of Noah Aad Temod and those that were after them God will not do injustice to men I fear for you the Day of Judgment a day when ye shall rise again with terror to render account of your actions he whom God shall seduce shall find none to guide him Certainly Ioseph came heretofore with instructions clear and intelligible Nevertheless ye doubted even until his death and said that after him God shall not send a Prophet like unto him thus doth God seduce the wicked that doubt of his Law he hateth such as dispute without reason they are abhorred of them that believe in his Divine Majesty thus God hardneth the heart of the proud and Tyrants Pharaoh said to * Haman build me an high Palace peradventure I shall arrive at the Heavens and as high as the God of Moses I believe him to be a Lyar. Thus Pharaoh delighted in his wicked actions he erred from the right way and his conspiracy was but his destruction He of his Family that was a True believer said Oh people follow me I will guide you into the right way the riches of the Earth pass away lightly and the riches of Heaven are Eternal he that doth evil shall find evil who doth good man or woman believing in God shall enter into Paradise where he shall be enriched innumerably with all manner of riches Wherefore invite you me to precipitate my self into the Fire of Hell since I exhort you to your Salvation Ye invite me to be wicked and to believe that God hath companions and I know it is not so I call you to the Omnipotent and merciful God doubtless I will not worship your Idols they cannot hear you either in this World or in the other we all shall be one day assembled before God who will condemn Infidels to the Fire of Hell consider hereafter what to you I have preached I am resigned to the will of God he beholdeth all the actions of his creatures he shall chastise them for the evil that they shall commit and for their wicked designs He sent his punishment upon the Lineage of Pharaoh they deserved to be precipitated into the Fire of Hell they shall burn Evening and Morning It shall be said to them at the Day of Judgment oh People of Pharaoh go enter into the Fire of Hell. The Infidels shall quarrel in Hell the poor shall say unto the rich We followed you are ye able this day to deliver us from Eternal flames They shall answer we all are damned with you God is a most just Judg. The damned shall say to the Ministers of Hell Pray to your Lord that he may asswage these torments for one day they shall answer had ye not on Earth the Prophets and Apostles of God to instruct you They shall say Yes pray therefore to God your selves the wicked love nothing but impiety I will protect on Earth my Prophets and them that observe my Law and particularly at the Day of Judgment that day the wicked shall have no excuse that shall advantage them my curse shall fall upon them and they all shall be damned We taught Moses the way of Salvation and made the Children of Israel heirs of his instructions to instruct them that shall understand them Persevere and be patient the promise of God is infallible implore pardon of thy sins and exalt the praise of thy Lord Evening and Morning They that dispute against the Commandments of God are without reason and have nought in their Souls but pride and ignorance Implore succor of God he understandeth and seeth all things the Creation of the Heavens and of the Earth is greater than the Creation of men but the greatest part of men know it not the Blind is not like to him that seeth clearly he that doth good is not like to him that doth evil neither is obscurity such as the light but few men consider it Doubtless the Day of Judgment shall come nevertheless the greatest part of men will not believe it Your Lord hath said Call upon me I will hear you such as shall resist my Law shall go into Hell and be Eternally seduced God hath created the Night for repose and the day for travel he is bountiful towards his creatures but the greatest part of the people are ingrateful God is your Lord Creator of all things there is no God but he How can the wicked Blaspheme So do they blaspheme that are ingrateful for the graces of God he hath established you on Earth he hath covered you with the Heavens he hath formed you enriched you he is your God your Lord blessed be God Lord of the Universe he it is that giveth and depriveth you of life there is no God but he be obedient to him and observe his Law praised be God Lord of the Universe who hath created you of mire Say unto the Infidels I am forbidden to worship the Idols that ye adore God hath taught me his unity I have received command to worship none but the Lord of the Universe he created you of dust and mire and congealed Blood he causeth you to be born little Infants he maketh you to arrive to the age of discretion to virility and old age many die before that age and all attain to the time of their destiny peradventure ye shall understand his Unity he it
in the Law of Salvation that they pardon those that have not the fear of God before their eyes God shall chastise them after their demerits Whosoever shall do good shall find good and ye shall be assembled before his dâ—…vine Majesty to be judged Certainly we instructed the children of Israel in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Commandments we taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…nd gave them the grace of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them with all sorts of riches anâ—… 〈◊〉 them to all the world We taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 none disputed against our Commandments but sucâ—… as had knowledg and that through the envy thaâ—… arose among them but thy Lord shall judge 〈◊〉 differences at the day of Judgment We havâ—… sent thee our Law observe it and follow not thâ—… appetites of the ignorant they shall not be able 〈◊〉 deliver thee from eternal pains The Infidels 〈◊〉 each other and the true believers obey Goâ—… This book is the light of the world it guideth iâ—… to the way of salvation and the mercy of Goâ—… them that believe in his divine Majesty Do 〈◊〉 wicked imagine they shall be entreated like the 〈◊〉 ly in their life and death and that they shall not 〈◊〉 judged God hath created heaven and earth 〈◊〉 a mark of his power he shall judge every oâ—… according to their works and shall do injustice 〈◊〉 none Consider how they worship what comeâ—… into their fancy God hath seduced them from hâ—… certain knowledg he hath rendred them 〈◊〉 hath hardned their heart and blinded them whâ—… shall guide if God seduce them Do they 〈◊〉 consider it They say our Resurrection shall 〈◊〉 like the life of this world some die others 〈◊〉 born length of years cause us to die they knoâ—… not what they say and speak but by opinioâ—… When they are preached unto they have no 〈◊〉 discourse to utter But make our fathers to revive what ye say be true Say unto them God causeâ—… you to live and die and shall assemble you at thâ—… day of Judgment there is no doubt in this bâ—… the greatest part of the people know it not Goâ—… is the King 〈◊〉 the heavens and earth and of thâ—… day of 〈◊〉 that day shall he assemble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 see all Sects and all Religioâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon their knees eveâ—… Sect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their sins written in a particular booâ—… and 〈◊〉 all â—…hastifed after their demeriâ—… â—…t shall be said unto them Behold the Book that speaketh against you we have exactly written what you have done God shall give his mercy to the Righteous that is Supream felicity It shall be said to the wicked have not the Commandments of God been preached to you Ye became proud and were incredulous when it was â—…old you that the promises of God and the Day of Judgment were indubitable ye said that it was but an opinion and that ye believe it not in the end ye shall acknowledg your offence and shall suffer the pains that ye despised God shall say unto them at the Day of Judgment I have this day forgotten you as ye forgot the coming of this day the â—…ire of Hell shall be your Habitation none shall deâ—…iver you because ye derided my Law and waxed â—…roud with the Riches of the Earth They shall neâ—…er get out of this Fire neither be able to repent â—…raise be to God Lord of the Heavens and Earth â—…lory is due to him in all places he is Omnipoâ—…ent and wise CHAP. XLVI The Chapter of Hecaf containing Thirty five Verses written at Mecca Hecaf is a Valley in the Countrey of Licmen â—…pon the frontiers of Arabia See Gelaldin and â—…he Book entituled Kitab el Tenoir IN the Name of God gracious and merciful God is most Prudent and Wise. This Book was sent by the Omnipotent and Wise. We created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is between them for a sign of our Omnipotency and Unity and appointed to every thing a prefixed and limited time If the Infidels depart from that which hath been preached to them say unto them Have ye considered the Idols that ye adore Shew me what they have created on earth are they God's companions in â—…he Creation of the Heavens Bring me a Book sent from Heaven before the Alcoran that containeth like it what remained of the Doctrine of our Predecessors we shall see if ye be true Who is more seduced than he that worshippeth things that can neither hear his prayers nor protect him at the Day of Judgment That day shall the Infidels be enemies to each other and the Idols shall not acknowledg them that have worshipped them When they heard the Alcoran read they affirmed it to contain the truth and when they were commanded to observe it they said That it is but Magick Will they say That thou hast invented it Say unto them If I have invented it ye cannot deliver me from the punishment of God he knoweth all that is in this Book it is sufficient that he is witness between you and me he is gracious and merciful Say unto them I am not the first Prophet nor the first Apostle that God hath sent I know not what God shall determine of you and me I do but what he hath inspired into me and am sent to preach the torments of Hell have ye considered in what condition ye shall be if the Alcoran be sent from God Ye have renounced it but one of the Children of Israel is witness that it is sent from God and hath believed in his Divine Majesty 〈◊〉 ye are become proud God guideth nor 〈◊〉 â—…roud The Infidels say to the Belieâ—…ers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were any good thing you should not exceed us in observing it it guideth not into the way of Salvation it is but an old Fable the Book of Moses that came before it teacheth the right way and the Will of God Say unto them the Alcoran confirmeth the Scriptures sent heretofore to them that preceded us it is in the Arabique Tongue he preacheth the pains of Hell to unbelievers and declareth the joys of Paradise to the Righteous Such as shall believe that God is their Lord and shall obey him ought to fear nothing they shall suffer none affliction at the Day of Judgment they shall enjoy Paradise for the reward of their good works We have recommended to man to honour Father and Mother and to do good to them his Mother beareth him with pain she bringeth forth with dolour she giveth him suck and weaneth him at the end of Thirty months she hath care of him until he be in a condition to govern himself and hath attained to Age of discretion Then he saith Lord inspire me to be grateful for the grace that thou hast given to my Father and Mother if I do well thou wilt accept it take care of my Posterity I trust in thee and desire to obey thy Commandments Their prayer shall be heard their sins shall be pardoned and they shall enjoy the
joys of Paradise prepared for the Righteous He that shall speak to his Father and Mother in civility and shall say unto them in derision will ye bring me yet once more into the World after my death will ye revive me from my grave Many are dead heretofore that are not return'd He shall be punish'd of God his Father and Mother shall require help of his Divine Majesty and shall say unto him My Son misery is with thee believe in God and in the Resurrection the Word of God is infallible if he reply that it is an old Fable he shall feel the punishment of God the Word of his Divine Majesty shall be accomplished against him as it hath been accomplished against them that did precede him in impiety as well Devils as men they shall be damned they shall be in sundry degrees of pains he shall chastise them after their demerits and no injustice shall be done to them It shall be said to the wicked that would depart out of Hell fire Ye expelled your felicity when ye lived in the World your punishment was deferred until this present ye shall this day be punished in this Fire because of your pride and crimes Remember thou the Brother of Aad who preached the torments of Hell in the Valley of Hecaf his words was heard in his time and are come to Posterity viz. worship but one God alone if you do otherwise I apprehend for you the Day of Judgment They answered him Art thou come to hinder us to adore our gods Let us see the torments that thou preachest to us if thou art true He said God knoweth in what time he will chastise you I preach to you what hath been appointed me to preach but I see that ye are obstinate When they beheld a black cloud appear which approached the place of their habitation they said Behold a Cloud that shall give us Rain on the contrary it is the punishment that ye have demanded it is full of an impetuous wind that shall destroy you through the Commandment of God in the Morning their houses were found empty of inhabitants Thus God chastiseth the wicked ye dwell in the places which they inhabited they had hearts eyes and ears but their hearts eyes and ears were to them unprofitable the evil which they despised befel them when they neglected to observe the Commandments of God. We have destroyed whatsoever is round about Mecca and have made the effects of our Omnipotency to appear peradventure the inhabitants thereof will be converted The Idols that they worshipped and those to whom they sacrificed did not save them on the contrary they forsook them because of their blasphemies Remember thou that we sent to thee Devils that desired to hear a Lecture of the Alcoran when they heard thee they said Hark he begins and when thou madest an end they returned with exceeding great fear and said to their companions We have heard a Lecture of a Book sent from Heaven after the Book of Moses it confirmeth the ancient Scriptures teacheth the truth and guideth the people into the way of salvation O people hear him that calleth you to the Law of God and to the observance of his Commandments believe him God shall pardon your sins and deliver you from the pains of Hell such as shall not hearken to him shall not escape the punishment of their crimes and shall be deprived of protection at the day of Judgment such men are seduced from the way of salvation Consider they not that God who created Heaven and Earth did not labour in creating them that he is able to give life and death and is omnipotent Be thou mindful of the day that the Infidels shall desire to get out of the fire of Hell it shall be said unto them Are not the pains that were preached to you true they shall say yes Lord it shall be said to them Taste then the torments which ye have merited through your impiety Persevere thou as the Prophets thy Predecessors persevered Be not impatient till thou see the punishment of Infidels they shall see it when they shall rise again and shall believe that they have been but an hour in their Sepulchres This is that which God hath commanded to preach he shall destroy those only that disobey his Commandments CHAP. XLVII The Chapter of the Combat containing fourscore and eight Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful Good works are vain and unprofitable to the wicked and to them that hinder their neighbour to follow the Law of God he pardoneth their sins who believe in what Mahomet hath preached it is the very truth that proceedeth from his Divine Majesty but the Infidels have followed vanity and the believers have embraced the truth sent from their Lord Thus God speaketh to the people in Parables When ye shall meet the Infidels in time of war cut their necks pursue them until ye take them prisoners then bind them after this ye shall either give them liberty or put them to ransome until their party shall lay down arms If God pleased he could give you victory without fighting but his will is to prove you he guideth into Paradise them that are slain for the defence of his Law and giveth them his grace Oh ye that believe in God! If ye protect the Law of God God will protect you he will confirm your steps and destroy the Infidels because they have contemned his Commandments and their good works shall be to them unprofitable consider they not what hath been the end of the impious that were before them and that God hath destroyed them He shall destroy them in like manner because he protecteth the Believers and Infidels are deprived of his protection he maketh the righteous to enter into Paradise into Gardens wherein flow many Rivers The punishment of the wicked is sometimes deferred in this world they live like beasts but the fire of Hell is prepared for their punishment How many Cities stronger and more opulent than that which they caused thee to abandon have we destroyed They found no protection Are such as embrace the Law of God like to them that follow their own appetites God hath promised Paradise to them that have his fear before their eyes there be in Paradise rivers of water that receiveth no alteration there be rivers of milk that never corrupteth rivers of wine savoury and delicious to the taste rivers of honey pure and clean fruits of all sorts and the grace of God for them that shall obey his Commandments the wicked shall remain eternally in the fire of Hell where they shall drink a boiling liquor that shall burn their entrails There be persons among the Insidels that hear what thou dost preach when they are gone from thee their Doctors demand of them what thou hast said concerning the day of Judgment God hath hardned the hearts of such men and they shall never follow but their own passions God encreaseth the
impetuous Wind against those wicked people that destroyed them Temod is an example of our Omnipotency with his Nation they waxed proud and resisted the Commandments of their Lord when it was said to them that the punishment of the wicked was deferred to another time but Thunder surprised them they saw it they had not the power to stand on their feet and were deprived of protection The People of Noah's time are an example of our Omnipotency we destroyed them because they were impious We built Heaven with strength and virtue I am he that giveth power and strength we extended the Earth and created of every thing Male and 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 shall 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 shall tremble and the mountains shall walk that day shall be unhappy to the incredulous they shall be precipitated in the fire of hell it shall be said to them behold the flames that ye despised is this Magick See ye it not enter have patience or ye will despair ye shall be chastised after your demerits They that shall have the fear of God before their eyes shall be in delicious gardens which God hath prepared for them and shall be delivered from the pains of hell It shall be said unto them Drink and eat at your pleasure for recompence of your good 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 largely rewarded for their good works every good action shall be to them a degree 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 evil word and shall not sin they shall have Pages about them for their service beautiful as polished 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 eternal flames They shall say moreover we worshipped in the world but one God most just and most merciful Remember thou to preach the Alcoran thou art not ingrateful for the grace of God thou art not possessed of the Devil 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 Giants 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 sons 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 write 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 until 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 patience 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 Star containing sixty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I sweat by the Star that disappeareth that your friend Mahomet erreth not he speaketh nothing of his own he speaketh but what hath been inspired into him by the omnipotent and most bountiful God. The Angel approached him in the highest place of Heaven within the length of two bowes and somewhat nearer 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 sight 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 swear that God hath daughters and that ye have sons 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 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
form which ye know not we caused the soul to enter into the body if ye consider not this think upon your tillage do ye make the earth to bring forth fruits or do I cause them to spring forth If I will I can render your fields drie as straw without grain nevertheless are ye proud Ye say what shall our grain that we have sown be lost No we will preserve it Consider the water that ye drink have ye made it to fall from the Clouds or did we cause it to descend if we please we can render it so salt that ye shall not be able to drink it if ye acknowledg not this grace consider the fire that ye kindle did ye create the wood that burneth We created it to put you in mind of the fire of Hell and for the profit of the people Exalt the name of God most mighty I swear by him that maketh the Stars to fall this is a great oath if ye understand it that the Alcoran is a book worthy of praise all therein is written in good order no person shall handle it that is not clean and purified it is sent from God Lord of the Universe If ye renounce what is written in this book ye shall be in the number of Infidels and shall know the truth when the soul shall forsake your body I know this better than you but ye do not consider it if ye believe not to rise again cause your soul to return into your body when it shall be upon your lips when a righteous man dyeth he shall find rest and all manner of contentment in the delights of Paradise if he be of them that hold the book of the account of their works in the right hand and shall be free from eternal pains If he be in the number of Infidels and seduced he shall be precipitated into hell this is a most certain truth Exalt the name of thy Lord Omnipotent CHAP. LVII The Chapter of Iron containing twenty nine Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful All that is in the heavens and earth exalteth the glory of God he is omnipotent and wise the Kingdom of the Heavens and Earth is his he giveth life and death to whom he pleaseth he is without beginning and without end he knoweth all that men make manifest and whatsoever they keep secret he knoweth all things He it is that created the earth and the heavens in six days and â—…itteth on his throne he knoweth whatsoever entreth into the earth and all that cometh out he knoweth whatsoever descendeth from heaven and whatsoever ascendeth he is with you in whatsoever place ye are and seeth all your actions the Kingdom of the heavens and earth is his and all things obey him He maketh the night to enter the day and knoweth what is in the heart of men Believe in God and his Prophet expend in pious works some part of the wealth that he hath given you he shall give you more Do good abundantly to them that believe in his Law wherefore will ye not believe in God and his Apostle who teacheth you the Commandments of your Lord Ye have promised him to embrace his Law he hath inspired his Commandments into his servant to bring you out of darkness and guide you into light he is gracious and merciful Who hindreth you to make any expence for his glory The inheritance of the heavens and earth is his Such as for his service have expended any thing before the taking of Mecca are not equal in merit to them that fought to conquer that City they are far above them that fought not and shall be protected of his divine Majesty he promiseth Paradise to the righteous and knoweth all your actions Who is he that shall lend to him any alms he shall encrease his substance and give a great reward Be thou mindful of the day when thou shalt see those men and women that have obeyed my Commandments with a light that shall go before them it shall be said to them this day it is declared to you that you shall enter into and dwell eternally in Gardens wherein flow many Rivers and where ye shall find supreme felicity Be thou mindful of the day that the wicked shall say to the True believers Behold us cast your eye to our side that we may partake a little of your light They shall say unto them Return upon your steps to demand light There is a place betwixt them that hath a secret gate full of grace and repâ—…se for the righteous and without environed with misery for the wicked they shall call upon the righteous and say Were not we of your Religion they shall reply Yes but ye betrayed your souls through disobedience ye doubted of the Law of God your blasphemies rendred you insolent until the hour of your death the Devil made you proud and moved you to rise against the Commandments of his divine Majesty this day there is neither ransome nor favour for you the fire of hell is the habitation of the wicked Oh what an habitation Such as believe in God think it no trouble to humble their hearts at the remembrance of the Alcoran and the truth that it containeth they are not like them that heretofore had the knowledg of the written Law they have been a long time without Prophets their hearts are hardned and the greatest part of them have been impious Know that God restoreth life to the earth after the death thereof we have taught you the mysteries of faith peradventure ye will comprehend them God shall multiply the benefits that the righteous shall lend to him and shall return them a great reward Such as believe in God and his Prophet are righteous Martyrs shall be recompenced of God they shall be covered with light and the wicked that disobey his Commandments shall be damned eternally the life of this world is but vanity sport and delusion it is but pride the abundance of wealth and children is like to the rain the wicked wonder at the plants that it produceth in the end they wither become yellow and then are altogether dry the impious shall suffer great torments and the good shall enjoy the mercy of God the life of this world is but matter of pride implore pardon of God Paradise large as heaven and earth is prepared for them that shall believe in his divine Majesty and his Prophet this is an immense grace which he conferreth on whom he pleaseth All the evil that ye suffer on earth in your goods and persons is written in a Book before it befal you it is an easie thing to God to the end that ye afflict not your selves extraordinarily in your displeasures and that ye rejoyce not over-much in your contentments God loveth not the proud he hath not to do with the covetous who recommend avarice to the People and who neglect their duty Praise is due to him praise is due to him in all places certainly
eyes he will not chastise you for what you have spoken at random contrary to your faith without design of offending him but he shall punish you for your Oaths if you observe them not the satisfaction of an Oath not accomplished is to give food to ten poor of your Religion and to cloath them or to enfranchise a Slave that is a true believer he thâ—…t is destitute of means to perform this shall fast three days immediately succeeding such is the satisfaction of a not accomplished Oath keep exactly your faith so doth God teach you his Commandments you will peradventure give him thanks O ye that believe in God! Wine Games of hazard Idols Lots and divinations are abominations and filthy practises of the Devil depart from him perhaps you will be righteous The Devil desireth to sow among you dissention and horror through Wine and Games of hazard to choak your remembrance of God and of praying to him abandon Wine and Games of hazard be obedient to God and the Prophet his Apostle and take heed to your selves If you disobey God know that the Prophet is obliged only to preach publickly the word of his Divine Majesty the true Believers and the righteous have not provoked God in drinking Wine and playing at Games of Hazard before they were prohibited they will abstain for the future and perform good works God loveth them that do good O ye that believe God proveth you by one thing to wit by hunting whether you take the Game with your hands or coursing on Horse-back to discern them among you that fear him and believe in his Law whosoever shall offend him shall be severely punished O ye that believe kill not your Game during the time of your Pilgrimage to Mecca whosoever shall kill of deliberate purpose shall be judged as if he had slain his Neighbours beast he shall be judged by one among you and be condemned to offer a Present at the Temple of Mecca or to give Food to the Poor or to fast or to perform somewhat of like Nature for the expiation of his Errour if he have repentance in his mind God will pardon what is past if he return in his sin God will be avenged on him he is Omnipotent and avengeful It is permitted that you fish and eat of fish during your Pilgrimage but hunting by Land is absolutely forbidden in this Voyage fear God you shall all one day be assembled before him to be judged he hath appointed the month of Pilgrimage he hath established the Temple of Mecca for the Devotion of the people and hath forbidden to give impediment to such as bring thither oblations and those that assume Collers to the end you may learn to understand that he knoweth all things both in Heaven and Earth and that he is Omnipotent Know ye that he is grievous in his Chastisements and gracious and merciful The Prophet is obliged but to preach his Commandments he knoweth all that you conceal in your hearts and whatever you make manifest Evil must not be equal to good notwithstanding it be pleasing to you O ye that are wise have the fear of God before your eyes peradventure you shall be happy O ye Believers desire not the knowledge of all things you will afflict your selves be not curious to know at what time the Alcoran was sent from Heaven God pardoneth your former curiosity your Predecessours were alike curious and in the number of unbelievers God hath commanded nothing touching the she Camel whose ear is slit neither that which is at liberty in the Field neither concerning the Ewe that hath brought forth seven Lambs neither the Camel of whom have issued ten Camels but the wicked invent blasphemies against his Divine Majesty and are unwise When it was said to them come and observe what God hath taught his Prophet they replyed it sufficed them to follow what their Fathers had observed notwithstanding their Fathers were ignorant and erroneous O ye Believers be careful of your selves such as be in errour shall not hurt you if you follow the right way all of you shall one day be assembled before God who shall discover all your works and reward you according to your merits O ye Believers make your Testament when your death approacheth and take two Witnesses of your own Religion that are honest men If you are in a journey and sickness surprize you you shall take two witnesses such as you shall meet with to serve your Testament and having prayed shall deliver to them your Will. If you doubt their integrity cause them to swear to be faithful in their testimonies and not give themselves to be corrupted by your Kindred Conceal not your testimony lest you be in the numof sinners If you discover those two witnesses to have erred in their testimony substitute two other in their place although they partake in your succession and take Oath of them to be more veritable in their dispositions than the two others otherwise they will offend God and be numbred with the unjust It is better to speak Truth than to be in fear lest your fashood be detected fear God and hearken to his Commandments he guideth not them that disobey him He shall one day assemble his Prophets and Apostles and say unto them what did you answer being questioned concerning my unity they shall reply Lord we are ignorant thou alone knowest all things He shall say to Jesus O Jesus Son of Mary remember thou my grace towards thee and thy Mother I strengthned thee with the Holy Ghost Thou spakest in thy Cradle as a Man of forty or fifty years thee did I instruct in Scripture and knowledge the Old Testament and the Gospel Thou didst form of Earth the figure of a Bird didst breath upon it and it did flie thou didst cure the Born blind and the leprous didst revive the Dead I delivered thee from the Iews when thou didst preach to them my Commandments and wroughtest Miracles which the wicked affirmed to be Magick and inchantment Remember how thou didst command thy Apostles to believe in me and obey my Prophet and how they said we believe in one sole God be thou Witness that we entirely resign our selves to the Will of God. Remember thou that the Apostles said O Jesus Son of Mary can thy Lord send us from Heaven a Table covered with meats to satisfie us Jesus answered them Fear God if you believe in his Law they said we have an Appetite and desire to eat of the Food of Heaven for the repose of our hearts and to know if thou speakest the truth of which we shall be Witnesses Then said he O God my Lord cause to descend upon us from Heaven a Table covered with meat this day shall be celebrated by us and them that shall succeed this shall be a sign of thy Omnipotency enrich us with thy grace thou possessest all Treasure God said to him I will cause to descend from Heaven the