attend the issue we will attend it with you whatsoever is in heaven and in earth appertains to God all men shall be assembled before him worship him resign your selves to his Will he knoweth whatsoever the people doth CHAP. XII The Chapter of Joseph containing an hundred and thirteene Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull I am the mercifull God These signes are the signes of the Booke which distinguisheth good from evill We have caused to discend from heaven the Alcoran written in the Arabique tongue peradventure yee will learne it I deliver unto thee in the Alcoran one of the best things that I have inspired into thee Thou were before the comming thereof in the number of the ignorant Remember thou that Joseph said to his father My father I saw in a dreame eleven Stars the Sunne and the Moone I saw them adoring me My sonne said his father discover not thy dreame to thy brothers they will conspire against thee the devill is an open enemy to men thou shalt be elected of the Lord in this world he shall teach thee the explication of Dreams he shall accomplish his grace upon thee and upon the lineage of Jacob as he did accomplish it upon thy fathers Abraham and Isaac the Lord knoweth all things and is most wise The History of Ioseph shall serve for example to posterity remember thou how his brothers said our father loveth our brother Ioseph more then all us together he is in an exceeding great error let us kill Ioseph and cast him into some secret place remote from us his absence will render the face of our father more gentle towards us after his death we will be converted One of them said you shall not doe well to kill him but cast him into the well some passengers will take him and carry him into an unknowne Countrie They said to their Father Father wherefore doest thou not send Ioseph into the Fields with us Wee will bee very carâ—full hee shall sport and recreate himselfe I feare said hee that yee will neglect to pâ—eserve him dost thou feare said they that a wolf should devoure him in our presence and that we want strength to defend him In the morning they led him with them and cast him into a Well We inspired him to prophesie to them what should befall them for the mischief they acted but they wanted knowledge to comprehend it they in the evening returned to their fathers house with eyes full of dissembled teares and said unto him father we sported and ran who should run the best Ioseph remained with our baggage a wolf came that devoured him thou wilt not believe us although we speak the truth then they shewed him his shirt which they had sprinkled with blood it is you that hath done it said he you shall answer it before God he is my protector and was patient without lamenting There past that day * The Levantins well a Caravan a number of persons travelling together a Caravan near to that Well who desiring to draw water to drink let downe a bucket on which Ioseph took hold to get out they gave him cloathes led him away secretly and sold him at a good rate for ready money they would not kill him in which they were honest men He that bought him in Egypt commanded his wife to have care of him that he might one day be usefull for their service and be to them instead of a son Thus did we establish Ioseph in the country of Egypt and taught him the exposition of dreams thy Lord is Omnipotent but few men know him when Ioseph came to the age of manhood we gave him knowledge and prudence thus doe we reward the righteous His Masters wife became amorous of his beauty she one day shut him into her chamber and solicited him with love God defend me said he to betray my Master and be unchaste he was in the number of the righteous and fled to the door his Mistrisse ran after him and to stay him tore his shirt through the back she met her husband behind the door to whom she said what other thing doth he merit who would dishonour thine house then to be imprisoned and severely chastised Lord said Ioseph she sollicited me that infant which is in the cradle and of thy parentage shall be witnesse Then the infant in the cradle said if Iosephs shirt be torne before she hath spoken truth and Ioseph is a lyar if the shirt be rent behind Iosepâ— hath delivered the truth and she a lye then her husband bâ—held Iosephs shirt torne behind and knew that it was extreame malice and said to Ioseph take heed to thy self and beware this act be not divulged doe thou speaking to his wife implore pardon for thy fault thou art truly guilty The women of the City said among themselves that the rich mans wife was amorous of his Slave and that she had sollicited his love and had erred from the right way which she understanding made them an exceeding fair feast and caused Ioseph to enter the Parlour where they sate while they carved their meat they were so surprised and entangled with Iosephs beauty that they instead of carving their meat cut their fingers O God! said they this is not a man but an Angel then said she unto them behold him whom I loved with so much passion she another time importuned him to satisfie her desire and perceiving that he would not condescend to her will menaced him with the prison and to make him miserable O God! said Ioseph I had rather be a prisoner then do what she desireth deliver me from her malice defend me from inclining to her lubricity and from being in the number of the wicked his Lord heard his prayer he understandeth and knoweth all things This woman seeing Iosephs resolution judged it requisite to imprison him for some time he was put prisoner with two men one of which told him that he had dreamed that he prest grapes to make wine the other said that he dream'd that he caried bread upon his head which the birds did eat they demanded of him the interpretation of their dreams because he seemed to them to be a good man he said to them before ye break fast I wil interpret your dreams I wil first tell you what God hath taught me and how I quit abandon the law of Infidels embrace the Law of our fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob we ought not worship many gods such as believe in the unity of God are endued with his grace but few men give him thanks O Prisoners who hath more power Idols or one sole God who is omnipotent The gods which ye adore are but Idols whom ye and your fathers call by such a name as seemeth good to you ye have no reason to worship them God doth not enjoyn you thâ—s he commandeth you to worship him alone this is the right way but the greatest part of the world
the wicked dispute his omnipotency He it is who ought to be implored the prayers of them who implore another God are ineffectuall they are like to such as are very thirsty and stretch forth the hand towards a Fountain to which they cannot reach the prayers of the wicked are impiety Whatsoever is in Heaven and in the Earth the shadow of the morning the obscurity of the evening humble themselves before God through force or affection Say unto them Who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth but God who except God shall protect you your Idols can neither benefit nor hurt you Is the blind like unto him that seeth cleerly is darkness like unto light shall they adore the Creatures in stead of the Creator God hath created all things and is omnipotent he causeth rain to descend from Heaven and Rivers covered with Foam to flow in the Valleys The Gold the Silver and Mettals which ye melt to adorn and enrich your selves are like unto froth Thus doth God teach what is profitable and what unprofitable froth suddenly vanisheth and is of no utility to men So falshood vanisheth before truth Thus doth God speak through a parable to them that obey him and giveth them Paradise All the riches of the Earth and as much again cannot ransom the Infidels they shall be eternally tormented in the fire of Hell Who knoweth that the truth contained in this Book was not sent to thee from God He that doubteth is blind men of Spirit do not doubt They who satisfie what they promise to God who transgress not his Commandements who have his fear before their eyes who apprehend the day of Judgement who are patient in their afflictions for love of his divine Majesty who make their prayers at the time appointed who give alms privately and publikely and blot out their offendes with good works shall be blessed They shall enter into the Garden of Eden with their father their wives and families the Angels shall visit them shall salute them and say Behold the recompence of your perseverance behold eternall grace Such as shall swarve from their promise and disobey the Commandements of God and pollute the Earth shall be accursed of God and severely chastised he giveth and deprived of wealth as seemeth good to him The unbelievers rejoyce in the riches of the earth but those riches are of little value if they consider them of the other world They say If Mahomet doth not make some miracle to appear from God we will not believe him Say unto them God guideth and misleadeth whom it pleaseth him he confirmeth the hearts of them that have faith in his Law the Remembrance of God confirmeth the hearts of True-believers Such as shall do good works shall be happy We have sent thee as we did send other Prophets to them that preceded thee Teach the people what we have inspired into thee When they shall disobey thee say unto them God is my Lord there is but one God alone I am wholly resigned to his divine wil my refuge is in his goodness If the Alcoran should make Mountains to go â—hould it cause the Earth to open and the dead to arise all would proceed from God True-believers ought not to dispair of any thing God shall guide all the world into the right way when it shall please him and unbelievers shall not escape the punishment of their crimes Thou shalt dwell with them until the word of God be fâ—lfilled He swarveth not from what he promiseth they derided the Prophets that came before thee I prolonged the time of their punishment and in the end rigorously chastised them and with what afflâ—ctâ—ons Doth not God behold the actions of every man They have said God hath companions to whom they have given names after their fancy will you instruct God in any thing The wicked take delight in their wickedness and are gone astray from the right way He whom God shall mislead shall find none to guide him he shall be afflâ—cted 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 Arabique 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 they had children Prophets cannot performe miracles wâ—thout the permission of God and the end of every thing is written in his Book he bloâ—â—eth out and leaveth permanent what seemeth good to him he cannot alter I perceive that some of the wicked have a designe to murther thee thou art obliged only to preach to them I will keep an accompt of their sins to punish them See they not that their Countries and possessions diminisheth daily through thy conquests God commandeth what pleaseth him no man can escape his judgements he is most exact in his accâ—unt their predecessors used subtilties as they but God is more subtile then they he wel 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 witnes 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 mercifull I am the mercifull 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 alwayes victorious and glorious Whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth is Gods misery is upon unbelievers they shall undergoe at the end of the world exceeding great torments They who preferre the wealth of this world to that of Heaven who goe 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 misleadeth 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 Commandements of the Law to serve for instruction to such as shall persevere to do well and shall not be ingratefull for the favours they have received Moses spake to his people and said remember the grace of God towards
continuance doe not unbelievers tremble when they consider how many men upon Earth we have destroyed in past Ages Their misery shall serve for example to them that are wise Had not thy Lord said that he will deferre the punishment of the wicked untill the time appointed he had already destroyed them Be patient and endure their discourse praise thy Lord before the Sunne arise before it setteth an hour before night and at the end of day thou shalt doe a thing acceptable to him The life of the world is sweet to tempt you but the riches of thy Lord are better and eternall Command the people to make their prayers at the time appointed and be not impatient towards them I require no riches of thee I will enrich thee and in the end Paradise shall be for the righteous The unbelievers have said if Mahomet sheweth not some racle from God and knoweth not the exposition of the books of our predecessors we will not believe in him We before his comming destroyed many wicked persons who said Lord hadst thou sent us a Prophet we had observed thy Commandements before we became infamous and laden with ignominie Say unto them every one expecteth his end expect ye and ye shall one day know them that follow the right way and have not erred CHAP. XXI The Chapter of the Prophets containing an hundred and twelve Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull The day approacheth wherein the people shall render an accompt of their actions but they consider it not and depart from the Commandements of God if they heare them they laugh they understand them not and keep secret their evill intention Is not Mahomet a man like to you Will ye say that he is a Magician you see the contrary God heareth whatsoever is spoken both in Heaven and Earth and knoweth all things They say certainly Mahomet hath dreamed what he speaketh he hath invented it and is a Poet we will not believe him unless he shew some miracle as did the Prophets that were before him We have layed waste many Cities because their inhabitants were incredulous we sent before thee but men who were inspired of us Enquire of them to whom heretofore was given the knowledge of the written Law if ye know it not they were men that did eat and drink and were mortalâ— we effected what we promised to them we preserved them with such as believed and destroyed the incredulous We have sent you a Book to instruct you will ye understand it How many Infidel Cities have wee made desolate How many new people have we established in their place When they felt our punishment they fled fly not and return to what hath delighted you return into your houses peradventure ye will yet cover the riches of the Earth They said misery is upon us we are too blame Thus did they talke untill they were destroyed We have not created Heaven and Earth and whatsoever is between them to sport with had it been our will that they should have scoffed on Earth they should scoffe likewise in Heaven On the contrary I oppose the truth to falsehood to confound it and in effect it doth confound it Misery shall be upon you because of your blasphemies whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth is Gods the Angels are not ashamed to worship him they prayse him day and night and exalt his glory without blasphemie The Infidels worship Gods made of Earth Have they power to create any thing Were there in Heaven and on Earth another God they would not accord praised be God Lord of the Universe what the Infidels relate is untrue Hee asketh no counsell when he will doe any thing as do men will they worship any other God but him Say unto them produce your arguments behold what we have to speak unto you behold our reasons and those of our predecessors Certainly the greatest part of them are ignorant of the truth and goe astray We inspired into all the Prophets which we sent that there was but one God that ought to be worshipped They said believe ye that the Angels are the sonnes of God Praysed be God on the contrary they are his creatures he loveth them they speak not but after him and obey what he commandeth them he knoweth all their actions past and future they pray for no man but through his permission and feare to displease him Who among them will say I am God instead of God he shall be cast headlong into the fire of Hell thus doe I intreat unbelievers Know they not that the Heavens and the Earth were shut up We opened them and gave life to every thing through the raine which we made to descend will they not believe in my unity We created the Mountains to hinder the Earth to move we made therein wayes large and spacious for our Creatures we covered it with the Heaven and have exempted it from falling neverthelesse they despise our Commandement It is the Lord who created day and night the Moone and the Sunne all things praise and exalt him in Heaven we created no person to dwell for over on Earth all men shall taste of death I will prove you with good and evill and ye shall appeare before me to give accompt of your actions The Infidels scoffe at you when they see you and say behold them that deride our Gods They obey not the Commandements of God he created man of dust and shall shew you the effects of his omnipotency be not impatient to see the punishment of the wicked who say when shall be the day of judgement did they know it they would remove the fire from their backs and visages that day shall surprize them it shall astonish them when they thinke least of it they cannot retard it and shall be deprived of protection Certainly they scorned the Prophets that were sent before thee but they were punished after their demerits Say unto them who but the mercifull God preserveth you day and night neverthelesse yee reject his Commandements Have they any other God but me that is able to save them Their Gods cannot defend themselves I will not protect them yet will I enrich them as I enriched their fathers and will prolong their life to punish them on Earth Know they not that their estates diminish on all sides through thy Conquests Is it so that they are victorious Say unto them I preach to you what God hath inspired into me but the deafe heare not when they are exhorted When they are a little touched with the chastisements of God they say oh misery We are too blame and are unjust I will weigh their workes at the day of Judgement that I may doe injustice to no person of the weight of a grain of mustard-seed and will most exactly accompt We gave to Moses and Aaron the Book that distinguisheth good from evill and commanded them to preach our Commandements to them that had our feare before their eyes
created for men all that is in heaven and earth and conferreth on them his graces in generall and particular There be ignorant persons that dispute of the Diety without reason when it is said unto them do what God hath appointed they answer we will do what we saw don by our fathers They consider not that the devill calleth them their fathers to the pains of Hel he that obeyeth God doth good works fastneth him to the strongest knot will have a care of him at the hour of his end The impiety of the wicked ought not to afflict thee they shal be one day assembled in our presence to be chastised I will shew them all that they have don I know what is in the hearts of men I will prolong a while their punishment upon earth and precipitate them in the other world into the fire of hell Hast thou not damanded of them who created heaven and earth they said it is God say unto them therefore 〈…〉 be God nevertheless the greatest part of them are ignorant Whatsoever is in heaven Earth is Gods he hath no want of the world praise is due unto him in all that he doth if all the Trees of the world were Pens and the Sea Ink they could not comprehend the effect of his Omnipotency he is Omnipotent and knoweth all things He created and shall make you to rise again with one word he understandeth and seeth all things Consider they not that God causeth the night to enter into the day and the day into the night that he created the Sun and the Moon that move in the heaven until the day appointed he knoweth whatsoever ye do because he is truly God they that invoke other then him invoke things vain and unprofitable God alone is most high and most mighty Seest thou not how the ship runneth upon the water for a token of his Omnipotency to such as acknowledg his graces When the Wars arose against the Infidels many called upon God with resolution to follow his Law when he saved them on the Land some persevered to do well and others returned to their impiety none but deceivers and ingratfull persons despise his Commandments O people fear God and the day when the father shall not be able to succour his child neither the child serve his father Gods promises are infallible be not proud of your riches neither that God tolerateth and suffereth you he knoweth the time when ye shall be chastised the hour that the rain shall fall upon the earth he knoweth what is in the wombs of women whether it be male or female none but God knoweth what thou wilt â—o to morrow none but he knoweth the place where thou shalt die he knoweth all he knoweth all CHAP. XXXII The Chapter of Worship containing an hundred and thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am the most wise God Dâ—ubtless this book was sent by the lord of the Vniverse will the wicked say that thou hast invented it On the contrary it is the truth it self which proceedeth from thy Lord to preach to them that heretofore had none to instruct them peradventure they will follow the right way God created heaven and earth and all that is between them in six dayes and sitteth on his Throne who shall protect you who shall hear your prayers but he will you never consider it He disposeth all things in heaven and earth all men shall one day be assembled before him to be judged a thousand years are but one day before his divine Majesty he knoweth what is past present and future he is omnipotent merciful he hath created every thing for his people he formed man of the dirt and dust of the earth he inspired the soul into his body he giveth you hearing sight sense but few men return him thanks for his graces they say what shall we die and return to be a new people Certainly they beleive not in the Resurrection Say unto them the Angel of death shall cause you to dye and ye shall return before God to be judged Thou shalt then see how the Infidel will hang downe the head before their Lord and say Lord we now see the certainty of the Resurrection we this day know the truth of thy words permit us to reurn into the world we will be righteous we now understand what is profitable necessary for us we could have given a guide to every person my word is most true I will fill hell with the wicked Paradise with the righteous thus shal men be rewarded chastised according to their works Tast o ye wicked the pains that ye have deserved in refusing to beleive in this day w ch ye have found we leave you in the miseries du to your incredulity tast the eternall torments that ye have merited through your impiety Such as believe in the mysteries of my Law are humble they worship me alone praise me when they here mention of me they are not proud rebell not against my Commandments they arise from their bed to make their prayers with fear and hope and imploy in pious works some part of the wealth that we have given them No man hath either seen or knoweth what God reserveth to recompence the righteous for their perseverance The believers and unbelievers shall not be alike entreated the believers that have don good works shall enjoy Paradise as the reward of their labours and the unbelievers shall be precipitaâ—ed into the fire of hell the more they shall labour to get out the further shall they enter into it it shall be said to them tast the pains of eternall flames which ye would not believe I will make the wicked to tast of the torments of the world and the pains of hell if they be not converted Who is more unjust then he that knoweth the Commandments of his Lord and disobeyeth them we will be avenged on his impiety we gave a most true Book to Moses to instruct the children of Israel we put into the right way those among them that persevered in their faith and obeyed our Commandments Thy Lord shall judge the difficulties of the Infidels at the day of Judgment see they not how much people we destroyed in times past that reposed confidence in their houses It is a token of our Omnipotency will they never understand it See they not how I thrust forth water in desert and barren lands that I cause herbs to spring forth for the nourishment of men beasts will they never consider it They demand when will the day of Judgement come Say unto them that daâ— shall not bring contentment to Infidels and they shall be without protection Depart thou far from them perseveere and attend they wait an occasion to mischief thee but thou shalt see them chastised CHAP. XXXIII The Chapter of Bands and Troups of Souldiers containing fourscore and seven Verses written at Medina IN the name of
wife would have made him to murmur Take rods in thy hand strike thy wife and swerve not from what thou hast promised We found him patient and zealous in obedience to our Commandments Remember our servant Abraham Isaac Jacob affectionate and zealous in our Law we saved and chose them among the righteous Such as have my fear before their eyes shall enjoy the delights of the Garden of Eden where they shall repose upon most glorious beds they shall there have all sorts of fruits and delicious drinke and their wives shall not look on any but on them Behold what is promised to them at the day of judgement and these pleasures shall never end The wicâ—ed and Infidels shall be precipitate â— into the fire of Hell they shall drink boiling water in abundance and water extreamly full of all manner of noysom smells they shall be precipitated into the flames and shall say to them that have obeyed them upon Earth May ye be perpetually tormented you have seduced and mis-led uâ— On the contrary may your selves be tormented you have been the cause of our misery Shall we not be able to see them whom we believed on Earth to be Infidels and whom we deâ—ided cannot our eyes see Thus shall the damned quarrel Say to the people I am sent only to preach unto you the Vnity of God the Omnipotent Creator of Heaven earth and of all that is between them Behold the best Sermon that I can make unto you neverthelesse you despise it I know not what happened in Heaven when the Angels quarrelled God hath inspiâ—ed it into me and I am â—ent but to instruct you aâ—d to preach publikly the paines of Hell Remember thou that God said to his Angels I will create man of the mire of the Earth when I have formed him I will breath against him and inspire my Sâ—irit into his body prostrate your selves before him with humiliâ—y The Angels there prostrated themselves except the Devil he was proud and already in the number of the wicked Thy Lord said unto him wherefore dost thou not humble thy self before the work of my hands Thou art in the number of the proud he replied I am better then man thou hast made me of fire and hast created him of the dust of the Earth Then thy Lord said unto him Get thee hence thou shalt be chastised on all sides my curse be upon thee untill the day of Iudgment He answered Lord defer my punishment untill the day of the Resurrection he said I will defer it untill the day appointed He replied through thy permission I will tempt all the world except such as shall be zealous in thy Law and shall obey thy Commandments He said I tell thee true I tell thee true I will fill Hell with thee and those that shall follow thee Say unto the people I require of you to recompence for my instructions I am not importunate Certainly this Book is sent only to instruct men you shal one day know the truth of what it containeth CHAP. XXXIX The Chapter of Troups containing seventy five Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious merciful This book was sent by God the Omnipotent and wise We sent it to thee the contents thereof are most true worship one God alone and obey his Commandments faith proceedeth from him alone Such as worship any other but him worship Idols They have said we would not invoke our Idolls had they not power to draw us neer to God Certainly God shall judge one day the difference that is between the beleivers and unbeleivers he guidetâ— not him that is a lyar and impious If he would have a son he would make choise of one of his creatures that should be pleasing to him praised be God there is but one God alwayes victorious he created the heavens and the earth with proportion he maketh the night to enter into the day the day into the night he created the Sun and the Moon which performe their course in heaven untill the day appointed he is omnipotent and merciful He hath created all of you of one sole man of whom he created his wife he hath given you clean beasts male and female he formed you in the wombs of your mothers form upon from he brought you out of three * The obscurity of the mothers belly her womb and the skin that infolâ— you in the womb obscurities he alone is your God and your Lord the kingdom of the world appertaineth to him there is no God but he How can the Infidel depart from his service If ye will not worship him he hath nothing to do with you he desireth not that his creatures should be impious his Will is that they praise him this is his pleasure and none shall bear the burthen of his neighbour ye al shall be assembled before him he wil shew ye what you have done he knoweth what is in the hearts of men When man is touched with any affliction See Gelaldin he invoketh God and turneth and when he is in prosperity he forgetteth his vows he hath said that God hath a companion equall to him and erreth from the way of his law Say unto him thou shalt be a while tollerated in the end thou shalt be cast headlong into the fire of hell and he that shall pray to God day and night erect prostrate or on the knee with fear of the torments of hell shall enjoy the mercy of his divine Majesty Are such as labour to be compared to them that are idle They that have judgment will understand this discourse Say unto them oh ye people that beleive in your Lord have his fear before your eyes Such as shall do good works in this world shall enjoy abundantly the riches of the earth God will innumerably reward them that persevere in obedience to his Commandments Say unto them I am commanded to worship one God to professe his Vnity to be obedient to him Say unto them I apprehend the day of Iudgment if I disobey God my Lord. Say unto them I will worship but one God worship ye others whom ye will Such as shall despise the Law of God shal lose their souls families at the day of Iudgment These are two great losses most certain they be involved in eternal fire Thus God preacheth to true beleivers O my creatures speak unto them that have my fear before their eyes that they adore not idols and that if they turn to their Lord they shall enjoy the delights of Paradise Proclaim to them that hear my Word and obey my Commandments that they are in the right way and well advised canst thou deliver from the fire of hell him that shall be condemned Certainly such as obey God shal enjoy the pleasures of Paradise wherein flow many rivers there shal they dwel eternaly This is the promise of God he swerveth not from that which he promiseth Seest thou not that God sendeth
the believers in a place of safty they had recourse to the word of force and vertue wherein they did better then the Infidels God knoweth all Assuredly the dream of the Prophet of God was true when he dreamed that ye were in the Temple of Mecca without fear your hair shaven and beards trimed fear nothing God knoweth what you know not in lieu of this dream he hath given you a great victory he it is that hath sent you his Prophet to teach you his Law more salutary then all other Laws of the world It is sufficient that God is witnesse that Mahomet is his Prophet and Apostle it sufficeth that the true believers who are with him bear testimony God encreaseth his mercy towards those Infidels that convert thou shalt see them worship God humble themselves before his divine Majesty and implore his grace thou shalt know them by their aspect they shall have in their countenance the marks of their zeal it is so written in the old Testament and she Gospel they are like a plant that produceth its leaves that grows strong by little and little and becommeth big afterwards it taketh strength upon its roots becometh a great tree and the wood thereof serveth to make war against Infidels God hath promised his mercy and an exceeding great reward to the Infidels that shall be converted that shall believe in his Law and do good works CHAP. XLIX The Chapter of Inclosures containing eighteene Verses written at Medina Exteri intituled This Chapter the Chapter Of Walls IN the name of God gracious and merciful O ye that belevie prefer not what ye have done to what God and his Prophet hath performed and fear God he heareth what soever ye say and seeth all that ye do O ye that beleieve when ye shall speak to the Prophet speak not louder then he cry not as when ye talk among your selves least ye render your good works vain and unprofitable and know it not God hath tryed the vertue of them that speak low in the presence of the Prophet he shall pardon their sinns and give them an exceeding great reward They that call thee behind the Inclosures know not what they do had they attended untill thou hadst been towards them they had done very well God is gracious and merciful O ye that believe if any Infidel desireth to preach to you distinguish the truth from a lye if ye give credit to the ignorant ye shall repent you Know that the Apostle of God is among you ye shall offend God if ye obey unbelievers in many things God willeth that ye embrace his Law it shal rejoyce your hearts and make ye to abhorre disobedience and impiety such as abhorre it are stedfast in their faith through his speciall grace he knoweth them and is most wise Iâ— two Nations or two Provinces of such as believe in God are at odds reconcile them if the one doe injury to the other fight against him that is unjust untill he repaiâ—e what God hath ordained if he make reparation reconcile them with equity be just God loveth them that do justice to his people all those that believe in his LAW are BRETHREN make peace among your brethren and fear God he shall give you his mercy O ye that believe scorn not your neighbour peradventure that he shall one day be of better value then you O ye women scorn not others perhaps they shall one day be more worth then you Vtter no reproaches and give no name to your neighbour that may displease him call him by his name otherwise ye will disobey God such as repent not are exceedingly too blame O ye that believe in God! take heed of evill thoughts these are oftentimes in the number of sins do no displeasure to your neighbour and speak to each other nothing that may displease who among you would eat the flesh of his dead brother ye shall abhor it fear therefore God who is gracious and merciful to such as have his fear before their eyes O people we created you male and female we have caused to issue out of your loyns people and Nations ye koow each other but your greatest honour is to fear God he knoweth you and understandeth all your secrets Some among the Arabians have said we believe say unto them say not we believe but say we are obedient otherwise faith shall not enter into your hearts if ye obey God and his Prophet ye shall be recompenced for your good works God is gracious and merciful to them that obey his Commandments Such as are beloved of God believe in his Vnity and in his Prophet they doub not of his Law and imploy their persons and wealth for the propagation of the faith Say unto them know ye not that your Law proceedeth from God he knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens and earth he knoweth all They think to do thee a pleasure in saving them say unto them believe not that ye pleasure me for it is God that guideth you into the way of salvation ye ought so to believe it God knoweth all that is in the heavens and earth and beholdeth whatsoever ye do CHAP. L The Chapter of the Thing Judged containing fourty five Verses written at Mecca Mahomet hath intituled this Chapter with the letter Kaf of the Arabique Alphabet which signifyeth in this place Kda el mer that is to say the thing judged See Gelaldin and Bedaoi who have entituled this the Chapter of Judgment or the thing judged Many Mahomitans say likewise that Kaf is a mountain that environeth the world and that Mahomet swore by that Mountain IN the name of God gracious merciful I swear by the Alcoran worthy of praise that the Inhabitants of Mecca wonder that a man of their Nation teacheth them the torments of hell they say that he speaketh strange things What say they shall we die shall we be 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 impugne the known truth 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 raine 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 barren earth so shall the dead come out of their sepulchers The peopl of Noahs time those that inhabited neâ—r the wel Temod Pharoah and the fellow Citizens of Lot they that dâ—elt in the Forrest and people of King Teba did heretofore traduce our Prophets Teba was a King of Liemeâ— and felt the punishment denounced against Infidells Was it a trouble to us to create men at first
ought to obey him he is a faithfull observer of what is commanded him he is not possessed of the Devill as ye have imagined he hath seen the Angel clearly and without riddle and is not perplexed for what is to come the words of the Alcoran are not the words of the Devill on whatsoever side ye turne you it is only for the instruction of men and such among you as will follow the right way but ye shall have no inclination to follow it if it please God the Lord of the Universe CHAP. LXXXII The Chapter of the opening of Heaven containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull The souls shall know the good and the evill that they have pone when the heavens shall open the starrs fall the seas be gathered together and the sepulchres be opened O man what maketh thee so proud as to rise against God who hath created thee who hath formed and proportioned thee after what manner he pleased O ye wicked ye will not believe the day of Judgement there are Angells that observe your actions and are obedient to God The just shall go into Paradise and the unjust be precipitated into the fire of hell whence they shall never return I will not tell when the day of Judgement shall be that day none shall be able to succour his neighbour and God alone shall command CHAP. LXXXIII The Chapter of tâ—eâ— that weigh with false weights containing thirty tâ—ree Verses written at Mecca In the name of God gracious and merciful They that weigh with false weighâ—s and measure with false measures believe not to risâ— again at the day when all the world shall appear before God to be judged Certainly the book wherein the sins of the wicked are written is kept in hell Misery shall be upon Inâ—â—â—â—lls at the day of Judgement none doubteth the coming of this day but the wicked when they hear the Commandments of God preached they say that it is but an old fablâ— impiety retaineth them in this error and induceth them to abandon the Law of his divine Majesty but they shall be cast headlong into the flames of hell It shall be said unto them behold the punishment which ye would not believe The book wherein the good works of the righteous are written is reserved in heaven the Angells are witnesses how the just shall enjoy the delights of Paradise they shall see the immense graces of God reposed on delicious beds their countenance shall be covered with joy and content they shall drink of purified wine most savoury that shall have the odour of Musk preserved in bottells that none but themselves shall open and it shall be mixt with the water of the fountain of Paradise where the Cherubins do drink The Infidells deride the true believers that would instruct them neverthelesse when they return to their companions they admire their doctrine and say when they see them behold the seduced but they are not sent to be their tutors The Infidells that shall be converted and believe in the day of Judgement shall go into Paradise they shall enjoy the grace of God they shall behold the grievous torments of the damned that shall be punished after their demerits and shall find in the other world what they have done on earth CHAP. LXXXIV The Chapter of the Cleft containing twenty five Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull The day of Judgment shall appear when the heaven shall cleave asunder and the earth cast men out of their sepulchres by the Commandement of God O man thou goest daily towards death and shalt find in the end the good and evill that thou shalt have done he to whom shall be given the book of accompt of his actions in the right hand shall be blessed he shal go with his companions into Paradise where he shall enjoy eternall felicity He to whom shall be given the accompt of his actions in the left hand shal be damned he shall be cast headlong into the fire of hell because of the unlawfull pleasures that he hath taken in the world and for that he believed not in the Resurrection God beholdeth all that he doth and keepeth accompt I swear by the rednesse that appeareth in the Air when the Sun setteth by the obscurity of the night and the brightnesse of the Moon that you all shall change being and posture and shall revive after your death Wherefore is it that the wicked believe not in God why do they not humble themselves when they hear the Alcoran read they blaspheme against God but he knows all their actions declare to them that they shall be chastised and that such as believe in his Unity and do good works shall receive infinite reward CHAP. LXXXV The Chapter of Signs Celestiall containing twenty Verses written at Mecca Many Mahometane Doctors intitle this the Chapter of Castles IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by heaven adorned with signs and by the day of Judgement by the Angels and men that they who have made pits filled with fire to burn the true-believers shall be witnesse of their own malice and shall avouch that the fire burned themselves to make them know the unity of God and the truth of his Law God is Omnipotent and always victorious he is the King of the heavens and earth he beholdeth all They that torment true-believers and shall not repent shall be damned they shall burn eternally in the fire of hell and such as shall believe in God and do good works shall dwell in pleasant gardens wherein flow many rivers where they shall for ever enjoy supream felicity The wrath of God is strong he maketh his creatures to die and rise again when he pleaseth he is mercifull towards them that repent of their sins and loveth them that serve him He hath created his throne to which praise is due eternally he raiseth up whom he listeth and nothing is to him impossible Hast thou heard the history of the people of Pharaoh and Temod God shall chastise in like manner them that shall not believe in his Law he knoweth them all Certainly the precious Alcoran is written in the book that is reserved in heaven CHAP. LXXXVI The Chapter of the Starr or of the North Star containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by Heaven and the Star that teacheth men the way I will not tell thee by what star by the starr full of brightnesse that every person hath a guardian which observeth the good and the evill that it acteth Doth not man consider of what he is created he is made of a little sprinkled water that issueth out of the body of man and woman God shall make him to rise again at the day of Judgment and none shall be able to protect or defend him from the wrath of his divine Majesty I swear by heaven that returneth the rain by the
from the Truth God pardoneth not them that have embraced his Law and then have forsaken it having believed in his divine Majestie and are returned again to their impietie declare to such men they shall feel heavie torments Such as obey Infidels to be great in this world extreamly delude themselves greatness proceedeth from God It is written in the Book that was sent to you that the Infidels shall mock you when they shall hear the word of God and you shall obey his Commandements Tarry not in their company if they change not their discourse otherwise you will be like to them God will assemble into the fire of Hell all Infidels and wicked persons Some of them that observe your actions said they were of your partie when any felicitie hapned to you and when the Infidels had advantage over you they said they were with them and that they fought against you God at the day of judgement shall judge the difference that is between you and will not give advantage to Infidels over them that observe his Law The wicked thinke to deceive God but God deceiveth them they are negligent to make their prayers they are hypocrites before the world and remember not his divine Majestie except very few of them uncertain whether they should follow the faithfull or the Infidels hee whom God shall cause to goe astray shall not find the right way Oh ye that believe obey not Infidels to the exclusion of true believers will you give God manifest occasion to chastise you for your sinnes The wicked shall be in the lowest place of Hell and shall find no relief except such as shall repent that shall do good works resigne themselves to God and obey his Commandements they shall be with the true believers and receive from God a very great reward He will not send you miserie if you give him thanks for his favours and obey him he accepteth the acknowledgement of his benefits and knoweth all things He willeth not that what evill is committed be published he that publisheth the evill he doth is very much to blame if you manifest the good you do or if you conceale it and abstain from doing evill he will be mercifull to you he is omnipotent Such as blaspheme against God and his Prophets his Apostles such as would make a distinction between the Commandements of his divine Majestie and the precepts of his Prophets such as affirme they believe in some of the Prophets and believe not in all and take a middle way betweene faith and impietie 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 recompenced of God gracious and mercifull They that know the written Law will require thee to cause to dâ—scend from Heaven a Book and written Tables They demanded of Moses greater things and said The Iews Cause us to behold God with our eyes then thunder surprized them by reason of their impiety They adored the Calfe after having had the knowledge of our Commandements neverthelesse we pardoned them and gave to Moses an absolute dominion over them We raised the Mountain over them following our promises anh 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 swarved from what they had promised and we cursed them because of their impietie 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 infidelitie 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 The Christians We have slain the Messiah Jesus the Son of Mary the Prophet and Apostle of God Certainly they flew 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 flew 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 witnesse against them of their actions at the day of Judgement 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 mislead 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 faithfull 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 Tithes and believe in the day of Judgement 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 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 witnesse that the Alcoran was sent to thee with his Commandements the Angels likewise testifie it but it ought to suffice thee that God is witness The Infidels that hindred 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 Majestie Oh 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 Oh ye that understand the written Law Obey the Commandements of God and speak not of his divine Majestie 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 praysed be God he hath no Son what-ever is in Heaven and in Earth obeyeth him it is sufficient that he is witnesse The Messiah esteemeth it 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
in the Book of Light He it is that causeth you to die in the night and knoweth the good and evill that you have committed by day he shall cause you to rise againe at the day nominated you all shall appeare before him he shall give you knowledge of your sins and shall chastise you after your demerits he is alwayes victorious and omnipotent He shall send to observe your actions and when you shall arrive at the hour of death he shall dispatch his messengers who shall not faile to execute his commands the people shall repaire to him as to their Lord he is extreamly exact to keep account Say unto them he shall deliver you from the darknesse of the sea and of the earth when you shall in secret or publikely invoke him if he deliver me I will returne him thanks for his grace Say unto them God can deliver you from darkenesse and all other afflictions yet say you he hath a companion associate with him Say unto them we can send punishments from above and from below he is able to disunite and cause you to tast a thousand miseries which you shall bring upon each other Consider how I shew them the effects of my Omnipotency they will peradventure comprehend my sayings Those of thy Nations have rejected them notwithstanding they are most true say unto them I am not your Tutor every thing hath its time you shall hereafter understand the truth Depart from them that speake of our Law with contempt untill he speak otherwise the devill would induce thee to forget my Commandements and cause thee to sit down with the unjust the true believers shall not regard their discourse neither cease to â—dmonish them peradventure they will be converted Depart thou from such as sport and mock at their Religion the wealth of this world rendreth them haughty declare they shall be severely punished none is able to protect or hear them but God no ransome is able to deliver them they shall find the good and â—vill that they have committed shall drink a liquor extreamly cold and endure grievous torments because of their impiety say unto them shall we worship instead of God what can neither benefit nor hurt us Shall we return on our steps to our sins having been guided by his divine Majesty like unto him whom the devill hath seduced He left him dismaid and astonished in the midst of his voyage having forsaken his companions that shewed him the right way God guideth men to the way of Salvation I will wholly resigne my self to the pleasure of his divine Majesty Make your prayers at the time appointed and pay tithes you all shall appear before God at the day of Judgement 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 Angell to sound the Trumpet to call to universall Judgement the living and the dead He knoweth the future present and past is most â—ise and nothing is hidden from him Remember thou that Abraham said to his father * The Arabianâ— say Azâ—r 〈◊〉 Abrahams â—urna â—e and â—hat his fathâ—r was called Terec Azer Azer wherefore doe you worship Idols instead of God I perceive your family to be in manifest error God shewed to Abraham the Kingdome of heaven and of earth and he was in the number of the blessed Abraham seeing by night a most cleare Star asked in himselfe if it were his God no replyed he to himself my God doth not rise and set seeing the Moone 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 erronious 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 professe 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 feare not your Idols my God doth what pleaseth him and knoweth all things will you not consider it How shall I feare your Idols since you are not afraid to affirme that God hath companions equall 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 goâ—d and exalt whom I please Thy Lord O Abraham seeth and knoweth all things we gave to Abraham Isaac and Jâ—câ—b his sons we before instructed Noah and his lineage in the right way we taught it David Salomon Job Joseph Moses Aaron Zachary St. John Jesus the Sonne of Maâ—y Eliah Ismael Joshua Jonas and Lot we gratified them above the residue of the world we elected their Fathers Brothers and Progenie and guided them in the right way Thus God guideth whom he seeth good Men before adored Idols and believed there were many gods neverthelesse he blotted out their past errors when they were converted If they slander them that have knowledge of the Scriptures and of Prophesies will give power over their persons to men that shall mislead 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 Commandements of God The Jewes 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 Vellam to guide and illuminate the people They have published what pleaseth 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 errors We have sent from heaven that Book full of blessedness it confirmeth the Scriptures that were sent before it to the end thou maist 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 Judgement 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 then he that blasphemeth against God that saith God hath inspired into him what he uttereth notwithstanding he hath received no inspiration from his Divine Majestie Who more unjust then he that saith he will cause to discend from heaven
in parables Certainly they conspire but God knoweth their conspiracy their policie is to tempt the Prophet to see if he will make the Mountains to move Think not that God will violate what hee hath promised to the Prophets hee is omnipotent and avengefull Consider the day wherein the Earth and Heavens shall change their face and all people shall rise again that day shall one sole God omnipotent command men to come out of their Monuments Thou shalt that day see the wicked bound in their chaines their garments shall be full of pitch and guitran their faces shall be covered with fire that day shall he recompense and chastise every one according to his works he is exact to keep account This Book was sent to instruct the people and teach them that there is but one God the wise will remember CHAP. XV. The Chapter of Hegir containing seventy and seven Verses written at Mecca Hegir is a Valley neer Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am the mercifull God The signes are the signes of the Alcoran which distinguisheth good from evill How may the Infidels hope what the True-believers hope for depart from them See Kitab el tenoir let them eat the substance of the poore let them become rich and content themselves in their hopes they shall see one day what their end shall be We have destroyed no City untill the time destined to its ruine was expired there is no Nation that can advance or retard its destiny The wicked have said oh man who believest that the Alcoran was sent to thee we will affirme that thou art a Sorcerer untill the Angels do assure us that thou are true The Angels shall not descend to the earth unlesse to chastise them and they shall not be able to retard the time of their punishment we certainly have sent the Alcoâ—an upon earth and will preserve it without alteration we heretofore sent prophets one after another the wicked scorned and contemned them thus I imprint impiety in the hearts of the wicked they shall not believe in the Prophet and shall incur the punishment of their predecessors should we open the entrance of heaven and should they behold the Angels go in and goe out at the shadow of the gate they would yet say their eyes were inchanted and that they were bewitched we created signes in heaven and adorned them with Starres to contâ—nt the mindes of them that consider them wee sheltered them from the assaults of the devill but the Butterflie followeth every thing that shineth and believeth it to be a Starre we extended the earth and raised the mountains with proportion we have made it to produce all sorts of fruits to sustain and enrich you we have reserved in our powâ—r the keyes of the treasures thereof to distribute to them by measure what shall be necessary we caused a fresh winde to arise and sent rain to water them it is not you that caused the fruits thereof to spring forth it is we who give life and death and dâ—spose of all things in the world Wee know who they were that did procede you and who they shall be that shall succeed you I will assemble all at the end of the world to be judged we created man of the slime of the earth and before him the devill of fire without smoak Remember thou that God said to his Angels I will create man of the slime of the earth I will breathe upon him to give him life prostrate your selves before him the Angels adored him except the devill God said unto him wherefore dost thou not adore man He replied I will not adore him thou hast created me of fire and him of the mire of the earth He said get thee out of Paradise thou shalt be banished and accursed untill the day of Judgement Lord said the devill lay not thy curse upon me untill the day of Judgement he said thou shalt be accursed untill the day nominated Lord said the devill I will tempt all the creatures because thou hast tempted me I will cause them to disobey thy Commandements except such as shall trust in thee and recommend themselves to thy divine Will God said this is the right way thou hast no power over the righteous who follow my Law but only over the Infidels for whom hell is prepared Hell hath seven gates and every gate hath its particular work the righteous shall dwell in gardens adorned with fair fountains we will free them from all rancour they shall repose upon beds like brethren with respect and affection and shall be in eternall felicity Declare to them that worshâ—p me that I am gracious and â—â—â—ciful and my chastâ—sements are sâ—vâ—re and rigorous Preach unto them the Hâ—story of the guest of Abraham they saâ—â—ted him when they eâ—â—red his house Abraâ—â—m was â—â—â—â—ified at their comming they said to him fear not us we are the Messengers of God we declare to thee that thou shalt have a son who shall be a great personage Do you tell me said he that I shall have a son in mine old age why speak ye in that manner We tell thee the truth despairâ— not of the grace of God none but the wicked despaire O Messengers of God! said Abraham what doe ye require We are sent to destroy the Infidels and to preserve the whole family of Lot except his wife she shall remain wâ—th them that shall be punished When these Messengers came to Lots house he told them he knew them not they said to him we are come to thee to cleare this people of their doubt of Gods Omnipotencie what we speak unto thee is most true cause thy family this night to go out of the City and follow their steps that none among you look behind him and go whither you shall be commanded the wicked shall in the morning be destroyed The Inhabitants of the City came to Lots house to see those strangers Lot said unto them I beseech you defile not your selves with my Guest fear God and dishonour not your selves behold my daughters take them They said we do not hinder thee to lodge thy guests and remained confounded in their drunkenness In the morning thunder surprised them we overthrew the City upside down and caused it to rain stones with fire that utterly destroyed it This shal serve for example to passengers that shal see those ruines and for a mark of the Omnipotency of God to them that shall believe in his divine Majesty They that inhabited the wood neer to Medina were impious but we avenged us on them they served for example to posterity as did the people of the City of Lot They that dwell in the Valley of Heâ—ir have defamed the Prophets we gave them to see our Miracles and taught them our Commandements they contemned them but they reposed in the morning in their houses built upon the mountains and in their fortesses when thunder suprised them their treasures did not save them
be intreated like the godly in their life and death and that they shall not be judged God hath created heaven and earth for a mark of his power he shall judg every one according to their works and shall do injustice to none Consider how they worship what cometh into their fancy God hath seduced them from his certain knowledge he hath rendred them deaf hath hardned their heart blinded them who shal guide if God seduce them Do they not consider it They say our resurrection shal be like the life of this world some dy others are born length of years cause us to die they know not what they say and speak but by opinion When they are preached unto they have no other ' discourse to utter but make our fathers to revive if what we say be true Say unto them God causeth you to live dy shal assemble you at the day of Iudgment there is no doubt in this but the greatest part of the people know it not God is the King of the heavens earth of the day of judgment that day shall he assemble the Infidels thou shalt see all Sects and all Religions assembled before him upon their knees every sect shall see their sins written in a particular book shal be al chastised after their demerits It shall be said unto them behold the book that speaketh against you we have exactly written what you have don God shal give his mercy to the righteous that is supream felicity It shal be said to the wicked have not the Commandments of God bin preached to you Ye became proud and were incredilous when it was told you that the promises of God and the day of Judgment were indubitable ye said that iâ— was but an opinion and that ye believe it not in the end ye shall acknowledge your offence and shall suffer the painâ— that ye despised God shall say unto them at the day of Iudgement I have this day forgotten you as ye forgot thâ— coming of this day the fiâ—e of hell shall be your habitation none shall deliver you because ye derided my Law and waxed proud with the riches of the earth They shall never get out of this Fire neither be able to repent Praise be to God Lord of the heavens and earth glory is due to him in all places he is omnipotent and wise CHAP. XLVI The Chapter of Hecaf containing thirty five Verses written at Mecca Hecaf is a Valley in the Country of Licmen upon the frontiers of Arâ—biâ— See Gelaldin and the Book intituled 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 Vnity 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 Gods companions in the 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 Predecessâ—rs we shall see if ye be true who is more seduced then he that worshipeth 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 acknowledge 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 witnesse between you and me he is gracious and mercifull 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 hel 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 witnesse that it is sent from God and hath believed in his divine Majesty neverthelesse ye are become proud God guideth not the proud The Infidels say to the believers if the Alcoran 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 precedeed us it is in the Arabique tongue he preacheth the pains of hell to unbelievers and declareth the joyes 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 Pardadise for the reward of their good works We have recommended to man to honor 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 moneths she hath care of him until he be in a condition to govern himself 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 mother if I do well thou wilt accept it take care of my posterity I trust in thee desire to obey thy Commandments Their prayer shall be heard their sins shall be pardoned they shall enjoy the joyes of Paradise prepared for the righteous He that shall â—peak to his father and mother in civility shall say unto them in derision will ye bring me yet once more into the world after my death wil ye revive me from my grave many are dead heretofore that are not returned he shall be punished 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 oâ— God is insallible 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 preceâ—e him in impiety as well devills as men they shal be damned they shall be in â—undry degrees of payns he shall chastise them after their demerits and no injustice shall be don to them It shall be said to the wicked that would depart out of hel fire ye expelled your felicity when ye lived in the world your punishment was deferred until
posterity to do the like Certainly they are in a great error Separate thy self far from their company and be not troubled at what they say preach the Alcoran it is profitable to the righteous I did not create the devils and men but to worship me Say unto them I require nothing of unbelievers for instructing them I require not that they nourish me God enricheth whom he pleaseth he is omnipotent the wicked shall be chastised as heretofore have been their predecessors in their malice their time shal come and misery shall befal them at the day of judgment CHAP. LII The Chapter of the Mountain containing thirty nine Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Mountain upon which God spake to Moses by what is contained in the book written in parchment by the first Temple of Mecca by the arches of the heavens and by the sea full of water that God is one sole God and the punishment promised to unbelievers is infallible they shall not be able to escape it in the day when the heaven shal tremble and the mountains shall wâ—â—â—â—â—at day shall be unhappy 〈…〉 â—â—ated in the fire 〈…〉 that ye 〈…〉 paâ—◠〈…〉 our 〈…〉 â—ore 〈…〉 â—od 〈…〉 â—e 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 â—d 〈…〉 works they shall repose upon beds well ordered we will marry them to wives that shall have fair eyes they shall be attended of their family and be largly rewarded for their good works every good action shall be to them a dégree of happiness We will give them such fruits and Vines as they shall desire they shall present to each other the cup to drink they shall not speak an evill word and shall not siâ— they shall have pages about them for their service beautifull as pollished pearls they shall discourse among them concerning what they did before on Earth and say We were in the world we and our families with a great apprehension of the pains of hell but God hath gratified us he hath delivered us from eternall flames They shall say moreover we worshipped in the world but one God most just and most mercifull Remember thou to preach the Alcoran thou art not ingratefull for the grace of God thou art not possessed of the Devill will they say that thou art a Poet a Rimer that nothing must be expected from thee but fables of past Ages Say unto them ye expect the time of my destruction but I with you expect the time of your ruine Do their superiors command them to speak in this manner Will they be obstinate in their errors Will they say that Mahomet hath invented the Alcoran Certainly they are incredulous let them bring any discourse like to this book in Doctrine and Eloquence if what they affirm be true Were they created of any thing have they created any thing have they created themselves have they created the Heavens and the Earth Certainly they are incredulous Have they in their power the treasures of thy Lord are they Gyants Have they a ladder that may raise them to hear what is spoken in Heaven Let them produce some reason of their opinion Believe ye that God hath daughters and that ye have sonnes Will ye require of him a Salary for obeying his Law Is he your debtor The wicked are lyars do they know what shall be do they weite it Desire they to conspire against thee The wicked often conspire against the righteous that worship but one God Praised be God he hath no companion If the Infidels should see a piece of the Heaven to fall they would say it is a cloud driven by the winds leave them in their obstinacy untill they come to the day of their death that day shall their conspiracy be vain and they deprived of protection They likewise shall be punished before their death but the greatest part know it not Have pacience and expect the Judgment of God thou shalt soon see it I will protect thee and thou shalt not want help Praise thy Lord exalt his glory when thou shalt rise praise him in the night and before the Stars disappear CHAP. LIII The Chapter of the Starre containing sixty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful I swear by the Star that disappeareth that your friend Mahomet â—rreth not he speaketh nothing of his own he speaketh but what hath been inspired into him by the omnipotent and most bountifull God The Angell approached him in the highest place of heaven within the length of two bowes somewhat nearer The Turks believe that there is an Apple tree at the right side of throne of God and that none can ascend higher then its branches no not the angels God hath inspired into him what he hath inspired into his servant who altered nothing of what hath been inspired into him He hath spoken what he hath seen and in what form the Angel was Dispute not against him concerning what he saw he another time saw the Angel in Heaven near to the Tree that is at the right side of Gods throne and although that tree was covered with that which covered him his fight was not dazled and he is not in error Certainly he hath seen the great wonders of his Lord Have ye considered Alat Az and Menat those three Idols Will ye sâ—â—are that God hath daughters and that ye have Sonnes ye will make a false Oath and shall be in a manifest error Those Idols have nothing but the names which your Fathers and you have given them See Gelaldin God hath not commanded you to worship them ye follow only your passions remote from the truth God teacheth you the way of Salvation by the mouth of his Prophet doth man obtain from Idols what he required of them God is God in the beginning and the end How many Angels be there in Heaven whose prayers are unprofitable if God doth not accept them They that believe not in the day of Judgment say that Angels are maidens they understand not what they say they speak through opinion and that opinion is not conformed to truth Depart thou farre from them that reject our Law and desire only the goods of the Earth and are ignorant of all other things Thy Lord knoweth them that go a stray from the right way and such as follow the path of Salvation all that is in the Heavens and Earth is Gods he shall chastise the wicked See Gelaldin and reward the just He pardoneth their veniall sinnes who flie sinnes mortall he is exceeding merciful He knoweth that he hath created you of Earth Great and small sins and that he formed you in your mothers womb Extol not your selves he knoweth such as have his fear before their eyes Hast thou seen him that abandoned the faith a little wealth was given him and nothing more doth he know what must befall him hath he knowledg of what is to come will he not learn what is written in the books
we have lost we must beg his grace thus God chastiseth on earth whom he pleaseth but the torments of the other world are much more grievous They that have his fear before their eyes shall dwell in gardens full of delights Shall I intreat the good like the wicked How can ye judge it have ye a book wherein you reade what pleaseth you have we promised to you any content at the day of Judgement Shall you have that day what ye have promised to your selves Ask of them who will be surety for their belief will their Idols and companions be their surety Let them cause them to come if they be true Be thou mindfull of the day when sins shall be detected and the wicked shall be commanded to worship God but they shall not be able to behold him their eyes shall be troubled with fear and their sight covered with shame They are enjoyned in the world to worship his divine Majesty but they refuse to perform it I will punish them by little and little when they shall least think of it I will defer the punishment of their crimes because my wrath is strong Dost thou demand of men any recompence for thy preaching are they charged with any expence Have they in their power the book wherein is the future to write therein what they affirm Attend the Judgement of thy Lord and be not like him that was swallowed of the Whale He invoked his Lord in his affliction if his Lord had not sent him his grace he should never have come upon earth when he repented of his sin his Lord pardoned and placed him in the number of the righteous The unbelievers labour to shake thee through their looks and that through envie they affirm that thou art possessed of the Devill when they hear thee read the Alcoran It was not sent but to instruct the world CHAP. LXIX The Chapter of Verification containing fifty two Verses written at Mecca Ekteri intituleth this the Chapter of Judgement because that day all shall be verified IN the name of God gracious and merciful Verification approacheth Verification approacheth God hath not told thee in what time shall be the day of Verification Temod and Aad would not believe in him that preached to them the day of affliction and sorrow but Temod was destroyed by an extraordinary noise and Aad by an impetuous winde that God sent against them seven nights and eight dayes together they were overthrown strâ—tched out like palms faln upon the earth did any one among them save himself Pharoah and his predecessors with the Inhabitants of the Cities that were overthrown because of their sins disobeyed the Prophets and Apostles of God and were rudely chastised We preserved you in Noahs Ark when the waters swelled to serve for example of our omnipotency to them that saw it and to such as shall hear it mentioned Be thou mindfull of the day when the Angell shall sound the Trumpet when the earth shall lift it selfe up and the mountains tremble then what must come to passe shall come to passe heaven with weakness shall open and the Angel that shall bear the throne of God shall be upon the border of the heaven Then shall eight Angels present the books wherein shall be written the sinnes of men and nothing shall be concealed Such as shall take in the right hand the book of the accompt of their actions shall say wee finde what we believed to be true we know with certain knowledge the comming of this day and the felicity of life is in Paradise It shall be said to them eat and drink of the good things of Paradise at your pleasure They that shall take the book of accompt of their actions in their left hand shall say would to God that this book had been lost I know not what is this accompt would to God that I had been eternally buried in the earth the riches authority and treasures of the world are to me unprofitable It shall be said to the devils take them binde them and throw them headlong into hell put chains seventy cubits long upon their arms and cast them into fire they would not believe in the Unity of God the Omnipotent they have eaten the bread of the poor they are this day without protection and want bread and shall find nothing but the pains of hell prepared for the wicked I swear although ye see and although ye do not see the Alcoran it is the word of the Prophet the Apostle of God it is not the word of a Poet but few persons will believe it It is not the word of one that is wicked but few men remember it it is sent from God Lord of the Universe The Infidels say oh Prophet if thou speak we will not hear thee thy speech shall not enter into our hearts Say unto them there is none among you able to deliver you from the punishment of your crimes the Alcoran instructeth in the way of salvation them that believe in his divine Majesty I know that there are lyars among you whom God shall put into the number of Infidels the Alcoran is truth it self Praised be the name of God Omnipotent and Majestique CHAP. LXX The Chapter of the Ascent containing forty four Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and merciful Some persons have demanded when shal the day of Judgement be and in what time the wicked shall be chastised none but God is able to deliver men from the torments of hell he is Lord of the way that ascendeth to heaven the Angels and Spirits shall ascend towards him at the day of Judgement that day shall seem to the wicked to endure fifty thousand years expect with patience the wicked imagine they are far from that day but thou shalt see it speedily that day shall the heaven resemble dissolved mettall the mountains shall be like to carded wooll which bendeth downwards none shall ask his neighbour who he is and they shall look one upon another the unbelievers shall desire to redeem themselves from these pains through the loss of their children their wives their brethren their companions their neighbours and the loss of all that is on earth The flame of fire shall rise upon them and shall burn the skin of their head they shall call upon those that are behinde them that have like themselves abandoned the Law of God and the covetous that shall have heaped up treasures Man was created timerous he is afraid when evill befalleth him and is arrogant when good hapneth to him except the believers who are stable in their faith that persevere in their prayers that give alms to the poor that beg and those that are bashfull that believe in the day of Judgement feare the punishment of God and know none other women but their own and their slaves they shall be exempt from affliction at the day of Judgement those that shall act the contrary shall be in the number of the unjust They
earth that openeth it self and receiveth it to produce its fruits that the Alcoran distinguisheth good from evill and that it was not sent in vain The unbelievers conspire against the Prophet but God shall turn their conspiracie against them and they shal not know it Be thou patient and a while endure the Infidels CHAP. LXXXVII The Chapter of the High and Mighty containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Exalt the name of thy Lord high and mighty who hath proportioned all that he hath created he ordaineth what he listeth and guideth into the right way then that are pleasing to him he causeth herbs to spring out of the earth createth them green rendreth them dry and altereth them as to him seems good I will read to thee the Alcoran forget nothing of what thou shalt read but that which God shall will thee to forget he knoweth whatsoever is kept secret in the world and whatsoever is made manifest I will instruct thee in his Law preach the Alcoran it shall be profitable to him that shall have the feare of God before his eye such as shall despise it shall be miserable they shall be precipitated into the fire of hell where they shall not be able either to live or die and he that shall embrace the Law of God and shall be mindfull of his name shall be blessed Pray to God at the time appointed Certainly the righteous shall be heirs of the good things of the earth and those of heaven that are exceeding great and eternall this is written in the antient books of Abraham and Moses CHAP. LXXXVIII Chapter of the Covering containing twenty six Verses written at Mecca Gelaldin intituleth this the Chapter of Judgement because that day the damned shall be covered with fire and fear See Exteri IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Hast thou heard mention of the covering That day shal the countenance of the wicked be covered with affliction they shall enter into fire that is extremely hot they shall drink of boiling water they shall eat nothing but bryers and thorns they shall be extremely lean and famine shall not deliver them from an infinite number of other miseries That day shall the good be filled with content they shall be recompensed for their labours in Paradise they shall hear nothing spoken that may displease them they shall see fountains flow lying upon high beds they shal drink in fair glasses fixed on diamonds upon pillows well disposed and upon pallets well adorned will not the wicked consider the miracle of the she Camell how it was created how heaven was elevated how the mountains were disposed how the earth was extended Preach to the wicked the pains of hell thou art sent to preach to them and not to constrain them God will chastise with his great chastisement him that shall abandon his Law and traduce the Alcoran All men shall be one day assembled before his divine Majesty to give accompt of their actions CHAP. LXXXIX The Chapter of the Morning containing thirty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God See Kitabel tenoir Ye shall there see the exposition of this passage gracious and mercifull I swear by the Morning by the tenth night of the moneth by even and odd and by the coming of night that the wicked shall be chastised Is there any thing in consideration of this oath that can move men to fly uncleannesse Considerest thou not how God entreated Aad the Son of Arem that dwelt in pavillions supported by columns so big that there were none like to them in his Countrey Knowest thou not how he used Temod who hewed stones and rocks to inhabit the Valley Knowest thou not how he entreated Pharaoh who pierced with pins the feet and hands of such as he gave up to punishment Knowest thou not how he entreated them that heretofore erred from the right way in their own Countreys and that increased their pollution he poured upon them divers torments he observeth all that men do he giveth store of goods to them that he doth not try and taketh them away from such as he proveth The wicked will not give honour to Orphans they will not abstain from eating the bread of the poor they shall give an accompt they too much affect riches when the earth shall tremble and shall overthrow all the buildings when the Angels shall descend in order by the command of thy Lord then shall hell be open to the wicked they shall call to mind what was preached to them in the world and say why did not I observe the Commandements of God during my life they shall be punished more then ever any hath been and shall be more straitly bound then ever any hath been bound It shall be said to the blessed O thou soul that haft observed with courage and without fear the Commandements of God return to thy Lord with content enter into the soâ—â—ry of the blessed enter into Paradise CHAP. XC The Chapter of the City containing twenty Verses written at Mecca Many have entituled this the Chapter of Night IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Mecca I swear by that City which is permitted thee to conquer I swear by the father and the child that we created man in misery thinketh he that there is none stronger then he He saith that he hath expended great wealth doth he think that none hath seen what he hath done He declaims against Corets See Gelaldin Have we not given him two eyes a tongue two lips Have we not given him to see the way of good and of evill he shall be severely chastised but I will not tell thee with what kind of chastisement Wherefore doth he not deliver slaves Wherefore doth he not give to eat to them that are hungry to Orphans and his kindred that are in necessity and to the poor patience and charity are recommended among true-believers they shall be seated at the right hand and such as impugn the Mysteries of our Law shall be at the left hand they shall be shut up in the fire of hell CHAP. XCI The Chapter of the Sun containing fifteen Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the Sun and his light by the Moon and her splendour by the fire and its elevation by the night and its obscurity by Heaven and the Starres thereof by the earth and its plaines by the creation of the soul by the knowledge of vertue and vice that he that shall be purified from his sins shall be most happy and that he who defileth himself with vice shall be most miserable The people of Temod traduced their Prophet because of their obstinacy but certainly they were chastised The Apostle and Prophet of God said unto them Behold the Camell of God suffer it to drink they derided him and slew that Camel God severely punished them he spared not his chastisement against them CHAP.
THE ALCORAN OF MAHOMET Translated out of Arabique into French BY THE Sieur Du Ryer Lord of Malezair and Resident for the King of France at ALEXANDRIA And newly Englished for the satisfaction of all that desire to look into the Turkish vanities LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1649. THE TRANSLATOR TO THE CHRISTIAN READER THere being so many Sects and Heresies banded together against the Truth finding that of Mahomet wanting to the Muster I thought good to bring it to their Colours that so viewing thine enemies in their full body thou mayst the better prepare to encounter and I hope overcome them It may hapily startle thee to find him so to speak English as if he had made some Conquest on the Nation but thou wilt soon reject that feare if thou consider that this his Alcoran the Ground-work of the Turkish Religion hath been already translated into almost all Languages in Christendome at least the most generall as the Latin Italian French c. yet never gained any Proselyte where the Sword its most forcible and strongest argument hath not prevailed And indeed the greatest Doctors of their Religion have never alledged any thing for the truth thereof but the successe of their wars and greatnesse of their Empire then which nothing is more fallacious for that which both in former and these latter Ages hath been common to the bad with the good cannot be a certain evidence of the justice of a Cause or the truth of Religion Thou shalt find it of so rude and incongruous â— composure so faâ—ced with contradictions obscene speeches and ridiculous fables that some modest and more rationall Mahometans have thus excused it that their Prophet wrote an hundred and twenty thousand sayings whereof three thousand only are good the residue as the impossibility of the Moons falling into his sleeve the Conversion and Salvation of the Devils and the like are false and ridiculous Yet is the whole esteemed so sacred that upon the Cover thereof is inscribed Let none touch it but he who is clean Nor are the vulgar permitted to read it but live and die in an implicite faith of what their Priests deliver which indeed as faith the learned Grotius is a manifest argument of its iniquity Grotius de ver Reâ— Christ. For that merchandise may justly be suspected which will not be sold unlesse unseen and though all men are not alike perspicacious in the knowledge and discerâ—nig of things some by arrogancy and vain coâ—ceit of themselves others by affection Some by custome being drawn into error yet should we belive that the way to eternall life cannot not be understood by them who without any respect of profit or preferment seek it submitting themselves withall they have to God imploring his assistance we should sin against his infinite goodnesse Therefore Christian Reader though some conscious of their own instability in Religion and of theirs too like Turks in this whose prosperity and opinions they follow were unwilling this should see the Presse yet am I confident if thou hast been so true a votary to orthodox Religion as to keep thy self untainted of their follies this shall not hurt thee And as for those of that Batch having once abandoned the Sun of the Gospel I believe they will wander as far into utter darkenesse by following strange lights as by this Ignis Fatuus of the Alcoran Such as it is I present â—o thee having taken the pains only to translate it â—ut of French not doubting though it hath been a â—oyson that hath infected a very great but most unsound part of the universe it may prove an Antidote to confirme in thee the health of Christianity THE FRENCH EPISTLE TO THE READER THe Book is a long conference of God the Angels and Mahomet which that false Prophet very grosly invented sometimes he introduceth God who speaketh to him and teacheth him his Law then an Angell anon the Prophets and frequently maketh God to speak in the plurall in a stile that is not ordinary He declaimeth against such as worship Idols particularly against the Inhabitants of the City of Mecca and against the * The Coreis were a powerfull family in Arabia in Mahomets time Coreis who were enemies to his designe He intituled this book the Alcoran as one would say the Collection oâ— Precepts He likewise termed it El Forcan that is that distinguisheth good from evill He divided iâ— into many Chapters to which he gave what inscription he thought good he most commonly intituleth them with words that are in their first line without regard to the matter they treat of anâ— speaketh little of their Inscription He divided in to many signs or Verses that contain his ordinances and fables without observation either of thâ— consequence or connexion of the discourse whicâ— is the cause that thou shalt find in this Book a multitude of incongruous pieces and divers repetitions of the same things It hath been expounded by many Mahometan Doctors their exposition being as ridiculous as the Text They affirme the originall of the Alcoran to be written upon a Table kept in Heaven that the Angel Gabriel brought this Copy to Mahomet who could neither write nor read and stile him Prophet or Apostle in honor Thou shalt find at beginning of some Chapters letters of the Arabique Alphabet which some men will not expound They feare to utter things that may displease their false Prophet Most of their Doctors affirm those Letters to be the first letters of the Names of God Thou shalt find the exposition in this version Thou wilt wonder that such absurdities have infected the best part of the world and wilt a vouch that the knowledge of what is contained in this Book will render that Law contemptible A Summary of the Religion of the TURKS THe Turks believe one sole God in one sole Person Creator of heaven and earth the rewarder of the good and punisher of the wicked who hath created Paradise for the recompense of the righteous and Hell for the last punishment of crimes They believe that Mahomet was a very great Prophet whom God sent into the world to teach men the way of salvation and call themselves Musulmaâ—s that is to say recommended to God or saved They believe the Decalogue of Moses and are obliged to observe it they celebrate Friday as the Christians Sunday that day they assemble in Temples at noon to pray They are obliged to pray five times a day viz. in the morning at noon at the evening when the Sun setteth and an hour within night They fast the month or moon which they call Ramazan during this month they neither drink nor eat all the day untill the Sun be set but in the night drink and eat according to their appetites flesh and fish 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
little or much and limit the time wherein payment ought to bee made such writings are just before God give more efficacy to testimonie and are requiâ—â—te â—o avoide your complaints one of another If your merchandize be present you shall take it betweene you at the same time then shall you not sinne in not drawing a writing or contract Call witnesses when you sell or buy neither the witnesses nor the Notary shall receive any dammage If you shall doe that which is forbidden you shall doe very ill Feare God he will teach you his Commandements he knoweth all things If you are in a journey and cannot find a Notary you shall give earnest If one trusteth in the other he that shall be trusted in shall satisfie his promise and feare God his Lord no man shall conceale his testimony he that shall conceale shall sinne in his heart God knoweth all your actions Whatsoever is in Heaven or in Earth belonging unto God whether you conceale or reveale what in your minds he shall require an account of you he pâ—â—doneth and chastiseth whom it pleaseth him he is oâ—nipotent The Prophet believed in all that God sent him as likewise all the true believers Such as believe God the Angels and Scriptures and generally all 〈◊〉 Prophets without exception say We have heard 〈◊〉 obeyed Pardon us oh Lord Thou art our refuge Gâ—â— requireth of no man more then he is able to peeform the good that a man shall doe shall be for himselfe 〈◊〉 the evill that he doth shall be likewise agninst him Lâ—â— excuse us if wee have forgotten thee or sinned Lâ—â— charge us not with any heavy burthen as thou diâ—charge them that were before us charge us not with tâ—â—â— which we are not able to suport blot out our sinnes 〈◊〉 give us thy mercy Thou art our Lord give us victory â—gainst the Infidels CHAP. III. The Chapter of the Lienage of Ioachim containing two hâ—â—dred verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am 〈◊〉 most wise God God! There is but one only God â—â—ving and eternall He hath sent to thee the Book 〈◊〉 containeth truth and confirmeth the Scriptures 〈◊〉 were sent before it He sent the Old Testament and 〈◊〉 Gospell that were heretofore guides to the people 〈◊〉 hath sent the Alcoran that distinguisheth good from â—vill they that believe not in the Law of God shall 〈◊〉 severely chastised He is omnipotent and revengefull Nâ—thing is hid from him in Heaven or in Earth It is 〈◊〉 that formed you in the wombes of your mothers as it plâ—â—sed him there is no God but the omnipotent and 〈◊〉 God He it is that sent to thee the Book whose preceâ—â—â—â— are necessary See Kitab el tenoir they are the originall and foundation the Law like in puritie one to the other and with contradiction Such as in their heart incline to depart from the truth doe often follow their inclination desirous of sedition and to understand the explication of the Alcoran but none understand its explication but God and such as are profound in learning they say we believe in God all things proceed from his divine wisdome neverthelesse none remember â—ut the wise Lord cause not our hearts to erre after thou hast guided us into the right way give us thy mercy thou art most bountifull towards thy creatures Lord thou art hee that shalt assemble the world at the day of Iudgement at which day nothing shall be found doubtfull when thou wilt not goe against thy promises and when wealth and children shall not serve to the wicked but to kindle the fire of Hell The Infidell lineage of Pharoah and those that preceded him blasphemed and abjured the Law of God but he surprized them in their sinne hee is grievous in his chastisements Say to the Infidels they shall be vanquished and shall be gathered together into the fire of Hell that is prepared for them You have an example in the two Troops that fought for the glory of God they beheld with their eyes Infidels become true believers like unto themselves God strengthneth with his aide whom it pleaseth him this shall be for example to such as shall cleerly see The love and desire of women of children of riches abundance of gold and of silver of horses cattell and of tillage are pleasing to men such are the riches of the life of this world but the most assured refuge is in God Say unto them I will declare unto you things much better for them that shall have the feare of God before their eyes they shall dwell eternally in Paradise where flow many rivers with women beautifull and leane and all manner of content God beholdeth them that adore him and that say Lord we believe in thy Law pardon our sinnes and deliver us from the torments of fire The patient the persevering true believers the obedient the good men such as beg pardon of God in the morning the Angels the Learned that love Iustice testifie that there is but one only God The Law of salvation is a Law pleasing to his divine Majestie no man contradicteth this truth among * The Iews and Christians such as know the written Law but through envie He that shall not obey the Commandements of God shall find his divine Majesty very exact to call him to an accompt See Gelaldin If the impious dispute with thee say to them I am wholy resigned to the will of God The Iews and Christians with all such as have followed me Aske of such as know the written Law and them that know it not if they resigne themselves to God if they doe they will follow the right way The Arabians if they goe astray thou hast none other obligation but to preach to them God beholdeth them that adore him See Kitab el tenoir Declare grievous torments to those that conceale his Commandements that kill the Prophets and injure them that instruct the people in Iustice the good works that they doe shall be unprofitable to them on earth and they shall be in the other world dâ—prived of protection Seest thou not a partie of them that know the written Law how they were called to a Lecture of the Book of God to the end they might judge with equitie the differences that are among them but many are returned to their sinne they contemned the Scripture in that they said the fire shall not touch us but for a certain number of dayes They are deceived in their blasphemies what will become of them when we shall assemble them at the day of Iudgement when nothing shall be doubtfull and every one shall be recompensed as he shall have merited No in justice shall be done unto them Say Lord thou possessest the Kingdomes of the world thou givest Royalty to whom thou seest good from thy hand oh Lord proceedeth all good thou art Omnipotent thou causest day to enter the night and night the day thou
rest in the other world where they shall be severely chastâ—sed I increase the wealth of Infidels to augment their pain they shall in the â—nd feele grievous torments God will not leave the faithfull in the state that you are in he will one day separate â—he good from the evill he doth not teach you what is to â—ome he for that effect chuseth among the Prophets whom he seeth good Believe therefore in God and his Prophets if you believe in God fear to offend him you shall be rewarded Believe that such as are too sparing â—nd avaritious of the wealth that God hath given them do well on the contrary they do very ill what they spare without reason shall strangle them at the day of Iudgement The inheritance of heaven and earth is Gods he knoweth all things Certainly God heard the speech of them that said God is poor and we are rich hee hath said I will write what they have spoken and keep an exâ—ct account of the murther they have unjustly committed on the persons of the Prophets I will say to them at the day of Iudgement taste of the torments of hell fire which you have deserved God doth not lead into darknesse them that worship him There be that say God hath commanded us not to believe the Prophets untill 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 bely 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 Iudgement he that shall depart from the fire of hell and enter into Paradise shal be happy The wealth of this world is but matter of Pride that you may be tried in your riches and persons Hearken not to the Iews and Christians that have known the written Law before you neither to them that belieâ— in many gods they offend God through their blasphemie if you have patience and fear God you shall make a verâ— good resolution God hath accepted the speech of the that know his written Law when they promised him 〈◊〉 preach to the people his Commandements and not coâ—ceal them neverthelesse they have contemned them aâ— changed them for profit of little value and have gainâ— nothing but misery think not that such as rejoyce of thâ— evill they have done and affect to be commended 〈◊〉 what they have not done have escaped the punishmeâ— of their crimes they shall certainly suffer great torment The kingdome of heaven and of earth is Gods he is Oâ—nipotent the Creation of heaven and earth the diffâ—rence of day and night are evident signs of his Omnipâ—tencie to such as have judgement Such as have remember God standing sitting or lying down and considerâ— the creation of Heaven and Earth have said Lord the hast not created these things in vain blessed be thâ— Name deliver us from the torments of hell fire thou wâ— render miserable him that thou shalt thither precipitatâ— and the wicked shall be deprived of protection at the daâ— of Iudgement Lord we have heard them that say believe in your Lord we believe in thy unity pardon oâ— faults blot out our sins and give us grace to die in thâ— number of the just bestow on us what thou hast proâ—â—sed by the Prophets and suffer us not to be miserable aâ— the day of Iudgement thou dost not contradict whâ— thou dost promâ—se The Lord heard them and said 〈◊〉 them I will not suffer your works to be lost as well 〈◊〉 men as of women I will blot out the sins of them thaâ— went out of Mecca to separate themselves from the wiâ—ked I will cover the offenses of them that forsook theiâ— houses that assembled to fight for the Faith and weâ— flain I will open to them the gate of Paradise wherein flow many rivers to recompence their good woorks There is with God great reward envie not the Infidels whoâ— thou shalt see posiesse a little wealth in the earth hell is prepared to be their habitation and such as fear Goâ— shall dwell eternally in gardens wherein run many rivers with all manner of content God is a great rewarder of the iust 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 doe well fight for the Faith feare 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 mercifull Kitab el tenoir O ye people feare your Lord that created you of one sole person and created his wife of his rib of whom issued many men and women Feare God by whom you sweare and say the belly * The ancient Arabians swore by by the name of God and the belly of their wives because they feared their sterility of your wives God exactly observeth your actions Give unto orphans what appertaineth to them and render not evill for good devoure not their substance it is a very great sin If you feare to doe injury to Orphans feare also to doe wrong to women marry those that please you two three or foure if you apprehend you shall not be able to entertaine 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 subsistance assist Orphans give to them the garments that shall be necessary for them and entertaine them honestly instruct them untill they have attained to years of discretion and are capable of marriage if you believe they demeane themselves wisely restore to them their faculties and devoure them not unjustly before they be of age He that shall be rich shall abstain from their goods and he that is poore shall take with honesty according to the pains he shall undergoe for them when you make to them restitution of their goods take witnesse 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 limitted When they divide their goods the kindred shall have care of the poore and Orphans doe good to them and honestly entertaine them Such as feare to leave after them a weak progeny of little children ought to feare to wrong Orphans they
not surprise you they are your declared Enemies when thou shalt be neare them and shalt appoint the true believers to make their prayers keep about thee a partie of them for a guard while the residue make their prayers having finished their Orisons they shall doe as the first take armes and keep a guard during the time their companions shall make their prayers the Infidels desire that you quit your armes to surprize you you shall not doe amisse to quit them if raine trouble you or you be sick but continue alwayes upon your guard God hath prepared for Infidels ignominious torments Having finished your prayers Remember God standing sitting or lying downe and pray when you shall be in a place of safety prayer is commanded the faithfull in a prefixed and appointed time Bee not negligent to pursue the Infidels if you suffer they shall suffer 〈◊〉 you but you hope for that which they must not hope for God knoweth all their actions hee is most prudent 〈◊〉 all his works We have sent to thee the most true Book the end thou mayst iudge the differences that are amoâ—â— the people as thy Lord hath instructed thee Contend 〈◊〉 with Traitors and aske pardon of God he is gracious aâ—â— mercifull Dispute not with those that betray their soulâ— God loveth not treacherous sinners they conceale theâ—selves from the world he is with them when they hide their hearts such things as are displeasing to him 〈◊〉 knoweth all their actions O yee you dispute for the in this world who shall dispute for them against God 〈◊〉 the day of Iudgement who shall that day be their prâ—tector He that shall implore pardon of God have offended him shall finde him gracious and merciful who doth evill shall find evill God is Omniscient aâ—â— most wise Gelaldin saith a great and little sin He that committeth a venial or a mortal sin aâ—â— would excuse himself committeth evidently a mortall sin Many of them had endeavoured to seduce thee hadst thâ—â— not been directed by the grace and mercy of God Bâ—â— they seduce only their own souls and shall do thee 〈◊〉 harme God hath sent to thee the Book that containeâ— his Commandements he hath taught thee what thou diâ— not understand and his grace is eminently upon thee there is no good in the multiplicity of their secrets or diâ—course except in such as command alms honesty aâ—â— peace among the people with desire to please God theâ— shall recive from his divine Maiesty a great reward 〈◊〉 that shall contradict the Prophet having had knowledâ—â— of the right way and shall follow other paths then that 〈◊〉 the true believers shall relapse into his impiety I wiâ—â— cause him to burn in the fire of hell where is the habitatioâ— of the wicked God pardoneth not them that say he haâ— companions except this he pardons all things as he seeâ— good he that affirmeth that God hath a companioâ— greatly erreth and is estranged from the truth If they invoke other then God they invoke Idols the devill obstinate and cursed of God when he said to him thou wiâ—â— not give me power over them that worship thee but I will seduce them from the right way I will prolong their wicked life to retard their conversion I will cause them to cut off the * The ancient Arabians cut off the ear of any beast and gave him liberty through their country for expiation of their sins ears of beasts they shall disobey thy commendements and they shall envie thy creatures He that demandeth succours of the devill is in manifest perdition he will promise to men long life and retard their repentance but he promiseth them but a vain glory hell is the dwelling place of such men out of which they shall find no issue Such as shall believe in God and do good works shall dwell eternally in Paradise where flow many rivers God is most true in what he promiseth who is more then God in his words Your lies and the lies of them that know the written Law do him no harm See Gelaldin be that shall do ill shall be punished and shall find no protector he that shall do well See Kitab el tenoir and shall believe in the Law of God shall enter into Paradise and shall have no iniustice done to him what better law is there then to resigne thy self to God and to be an honest man Follow the Law of Abraham God chose Abraham to love him whatsoever is in heaven and in earth belongeth to his divine Maiesty he knoweth all things They will question thee concerning women say to them God teacheth you in that what you were taught in the Scripture touching Orphans and women give to them what is appointed by the Law and desire not to espouse them only to possess their wealth God teacheth you likewise to give to Orphans what appertaineth to them and not to iniure them he will understand your good actions If a woman fear to be illentreated by her husband and that he will divorce her they shall do well mutually to accord for peace is exceeding good If you be too obstinate and cannot agree together if you do good to your wives in divorcing them and feare to wrong them God will take notice of your actions If you believe you cannot keep equality and iustice among your wives although you apply your selves to it Incline not altogether to your own appetites and leave not your wife as a thing left in toleration If you live in a good accord and fear to injure them God will be mercifull to you If they separate themselves conformably to the precepts of the Law God will enrich them with his protection he is bountifull and wise and whatever is in Heaven and Earth obeyeth him We have recommended to you the fear of God as we have heretofore to them that had knowledge of the written Law If you be impious know that whatever is in Heaven and Earth is Gods he hath no need of his creatures must be exalted it sufficeth thee he is thy protector If he will he can cause you to perish and put other creatures in your place for he is Omnipotent He that loveth the good things of the Earth shall find in God all the wealth of this world and of the other he understandeth and seeth all things Oh you that believe be true in your testimonies notwithstanding it be against your selves against your Father and Mother and against your kindred and consider the rich no more then the poore God is the protector of the one and the other follow not your appetites to favour the rich more then the poore pervert not the Truth be not scâ—â—pulous to testifie what you know God knoweth all your actions Oh ye that believe in God! and his Prophet and the Book that was sent before him know he that blasphemeth against his divine Majestie against his Angels the Scripture the Prophets and life eternall greatly erreth and departeth
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 Commandements 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 moneths 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 and such as learn his Commandements He it is that created you of one sole person that gave you the earth to inhabit and preserveth you in the world hee hath conferred his grace on such as have obeyed his Commandements hath made raine 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 Palme 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 devill 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 created 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 benigne 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 shall be blinde shall continue his miserie 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 confesse that thou hast taught my Commandements to such as inclined to learn them Act what thy Lord hath inspired into thee there is no God but he separate thy selfe from the societie of unbelievers Had it pleased God they had not disobeyed his Commandements thou art not their Tutor injure not them that worship Idols they injure God through malice and ignorancâ— every man esteemeth what he hath done and pleaseth himself in his opinion Certainly they shall all be assembled at the day of Judgement and be chastised after their demerits They have sworn by the name of God to fight for the faith if some miracle appeare to instruct them miracles proceed from God they know not the time wherein he will make them to appeare although they should see miracles they will not be converted I will overturne their hearts blind their sight and they shall never be converted I will leave them in their errors and disobedience with contempt and confusion If we should send to them Angels should the dead come and speake 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 Devill 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 then God who hath sent to you the Book that distinguisheth good from evill 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 commeth to passe no man can hinder its effects God understandetâ— 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 erre 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 unlesse constrained through necessity Many erre from the right way and pursue their own appetites and ignorance God beholdeth them that offend him flie publike and secret sinne sinners shall be severely chastised eat not of what is not let-bloud in pronouncing the name of God lest you disobey his Commandements 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 sinnes I converted them and gave them a light to illuminate them in the darknesse 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 signe of the truth of the Prophet appeare they said they will not believe in him unlesse he were accompanied with the vertues and merits of other Prophets God maketh choyce of them on whom he conferreth the grace of prophecie 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 impietie God rejoyceth the hearts of them that he inclineth to lead into the way of Salvation and punisheth them that digresse 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 Oh ye bands of Devils wherefore are you risen against men The chiefe 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 See Gelaldin Oh Lord teach us the prefixed time that thou hast appointed to
works the life of the world is like to the rain which we cause to descend from Heaven it causeth with mixture all sorts of herbage to spring forth for the nourishment of men and beasts When the Earth is adorned with flowers and enriched with its fruits the Inhabitants oftentimes believe they have the power to cause their production then send we our chastisements day and night upon the Earth and render it as mown and as if the day before it had brought no fruit Thus do I discover mysteries to such as have knowledge to comprehend them They beg their salvation of God he saveth and putteth in the way of salvation whom it pleaseth him He shall not cover the visage of them that have done good works they shall appear without shame and dwell in Paradise where they shall remain eternally and such as shall have done evill shall be punished after their demerits they shall be covered with shame and none shall be able to protect them they shall be as if a great part of the obscurity of the night had covered their countenance they shall be condemned to the fire of hell where they shall dwell eternally Think on the day wherein we will assemble all the world and will say to the Infidels hell shall be your habitation where be the Idols you adored we have separated you from each other Their Idols shall say to them you have not worshipped us God is witness was there any thing between us and you that rendred us ignorant of your adorations That day shall every one see what he hath done and know that God is Truth it self their Idols shall be separated farre from them and they shall understand their blasphemies Say unto them who enricheth you with the wealth of heaven and earth Who causeth life to come out of death and death out of life Who disposeth all things in the world They shall answer it is God Say unto them why have you not therefore his fear before your eyes God is indeed your Lord what is there after the Truth but falshood How will you depart from his Law his Word shal be accomplished against Infidels Say unto them Have your Idols the power to cause men to die and to rise again how shall they be able to blaspheme after these reasons Say unto them Are your Idols able to conduct you into the right way God guideth the people into the way of Salvation who ought rather to be followed he that guideth the people into the right way or he that misleadeth them What reason have ye to follow the evill way The greatest part of them follow but their own opinion but their opinion is not conformable to the Truth God knoweth all their actions there is no falshood in the Alcoran it confirmeth the ancient Scriptures and perspicuously explaineth them there is no doubt but it proceedeth from the Lord of the Universe They say Mahomet hath invented this Book say unto them come and bring any thing that resembleth it in Doctrine and Eloquence and call the Idols which ye adore we shall see if you are sincere on the contrary they have blasphemed and have talked of what they understood not when they heard the exposition of the Alcoran Thus did their Predecessours but consider what is the end of the unjust There be among them who will believe in this Book and others that will not believe Thy Lord knoweth them that defile the earth if they slander thee say unto them I will answer with my actions and yee shall answer with yours yee are innocent of what I act and I am innocent of what yee doe There be persons among them that have inclination to heare thee but art thou able to cause the deafe to heare Should they not be deafe they would learn nothing Others there be who look towards 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 doe injury to themselves through the enormity of their offences I will cause them to rise again at the day of Judgement as if they had remained but one houre of a day in the grave they shall know each other and the wâ—cked 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 selfe can neither procure good nor evill 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 Judgement tast eternall 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 shal repent of their sins when they shall feel the punishment of their offences but shal 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 Judgement 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 then 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 eate 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 Judgement God is full of goodnesse for the people but most of them are ingratefull In whatsoever place thou art whether thou teach what is contained in the Alcoran or whether thou labour I am alwayes present nothing is concealed from thy Lord of whatsoever is in heaven and earth be it great or litle all is written in the intelligible Booke that explaineth all things There needeth no feare for such as recommend themselves to God they shall be exempt from the pains of hell The true-believers who have his feare
no better Judge then he CHAP. XI The Chapter of Hod containing an hundred twenty and three Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I am the mercifull God The signs contained in this Booke are most true they proceed from the most wise who knoweth all things Worship ye but one God alone I preach to you from him the torments of Hell and declare the joyes of Paradise that ye may implore pardon of his divine Majesty and be converted he shall give you an happy life in the world untill the time appointed and shall reward every one according to his works I feare lest you should be chastised at the day of Judgement if you forsake the right way you all shall be assembled before God to be judged The heart of the impious inclined to hatred of the Prophet and they would have concealed themselves for some time from God they are covered with their garments that they may not be knowne but God knoweth what is in their soules he understandeth whatsoever they conceale and whatsoever they make manifest All the Creatures of the world live of his grace he knoweth the place of their repaire and the place where they must dye all is written in an intelligible booke that explaineth all things He it is that created Heaven and Earth in six days See Kitab el tenoir his Throne was before upon the waters the Alcoran exhorteth you to wel-doing If thou saist to the wicked that they shall rise againe after their death they will say it is but witchcraft and sorcery if retard some time to chastise them they say there is no punishment for their crimes but they shall not avoid it in the day when it shall appeare and they shall feel the rigour of the paines which they contemne If we conferre riches and health on the impious and deprive them of them they dispaire in their impiety if we give them good after their evill they say misery hath forsaken them they rejoyce and become arrogant Such as are humble and patient in their afflictions and doe good works shall obtaine pardon of their sinnes and a very great reward Perhaps thou wilt forget to teach something of what I have inspired into thee and be afflicted because they say that what thou speakest shall bring thee no profit Certainly thou art sent only to reprove them of their sin thy Lord is omnipotent and shall chastise them after their demerits Assuredly they will say thou hast * Controve supra forged the Alcoran and that it is of thy invention Say unto them come and bring with you ten Chapters of your invention like to the Alcoran in instruction and Eloquence and call to your aid the Idols that ye adore if you be righteous if they hear not your prayers neither afford you succors know then that the Alcoran descended from Heaven through Gods permission that there is but one sole God wil yet not trust in him I wil bestow the riches and honours of the Earth on many persons that affect them and in the end they shall be confined in the fire of Hell and the good works that they shall doe in this world shall be unprofitable in the other They who observe what God hath ordained study the Alcoran and believe that it proceedeth from his divine Majesty to teach the right way and to obtain his mercy as before it was the book of Moses Such as shall believe in the Alcoran shall be happy doubtlesse the fire of Hell is prepared for the Infidels who will not believe therein but the greatest part of the world is incredulous who is more impious then they that blaspheme against God Such men shall not see his face the Angels shall say at the day of Judgement behold them that have been impious a curse is upon them and upon the unjust that have mislead 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 paines because they would not abandon their wickednesse neither receive the light of faith Such are miserable men their Idols shall not afford them succors they doubtlesse shall be eternally damned and such as shall believe in God doe 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 paralell to each other will ye never consider it We sent Noah to reprove men for their sinnes he said to them worship but one God alone otherwise I feare ye shall be chastised at the day of Judgement The Doctors of the Infidels answered him we see thee to be a man like us and that such as follow thee are poore people blind and without counsell we perceive not that thou hast any grace that ought to preferre thee to us contrariwise we believe thee to be a lyar he said oh people know ye not that God hath taught me what I preach to you that he hath given me the grace of Prophecie and deprived you of it shall I exhort you to acknowledge his grace seeing ye abhorre him Oh people I require no recompense of you for my paines God will reward me largely I desire not to banish True-believers from my company they shall one day appeare before their Lord but I perceive that ye are ignorant Oh people who shall hinder God to punish me if I abuse True-believers Will ye not consider it I say not that I possesse the treasures of God I know not what shall be I say not that I am an Angell I say not to them whom you contemne that God shall enrich them God knoweth what is in their souls should I maintaine such discourse I should have great blame They said oh Noah we have a long time disputed together if thou art sincere let us see the paines 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 sinne 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 Arke 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 Arke he said to them ye scoffe 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
and powerfull then he and entred into his gardens being an Infidell and an Idolater and said I doe not think these shall ever have an end they shall endure a long time without withering His companion said to him If thou dost not ackowledge this to proceed from God and if thou be ingratefull towards him that created thee of dust and made thee a man thou shalt soon finde thy gardens ruined this commeth from God my Lord who hath no companion all strength and truth proceedeth from his divine Magesty If I have lesse of substance then thou God can give me fruits more faire then those of thy gardens or send thunder that shall destroy them he shall fill them with water of rain that shall encompasse them and hinder thee to approach them In the morning this Infidell found his gardens destroyed to the very roots he was extreamly perplexed by reason of the expence he had made to plant them eavenly and he said would to God I had not adored Idols He shall find none that is able to protect him at the day of Judgement but God all protection and grace issueth from his divine bounty and the end of the righteous shall be happy Speak unto them this parable the life of the world is like unto rain fallen from Heaven that refreshed and revived the herbs of the Earth and in the morning were drie as chaste carried away by the winde God is omnipotent Riches and children are the ornaments of this life but good works are eternall they are acceptable to God and give us hope of his grace Be thou mindfull of the day when the mountains shall walk and thou shalt see the Earth to be plain that day we assemble the good and the wicked and will not faile of my word to any person that day shall the Infidels beseech the Lord to save them he shall say unto them you came unto us naked as when we at first created you and ye believed on Earth that there was no resurrection Then shall he give to every one the Book wherein shall be written the accompt of their sinnes Thou shalt see the wicked trembling with fear saying behold here our destruction What is there in this Book It containeth their veniall and mortall sinnes and detecteth their offences they shall find the number of their crimes before their eyes Thy Lord is unjust to none Remember thou that we commanded the Angels to prostrate themselves before Adam and that they humbled themselves except the Devill who was in the number of Angels he disobeyed his Lord neverthelesse Adam and his posterity have obeyed him although he is their open enemy and particularly of the Infidels Consider ye not that God created Heaven and Earth that he made you and hath no need to be aided of you Be thou mindfull of the day when it shall be said to Idolaters call upon your Idols that ye have worshipped for remission of your sinnes they shall implore them but none shall hear their prayers we have ruined them the wicked shall behold the fire into which they shall fall and finde none to save them We taught men in the Alcoran many parables yet do the wicked abound in questions and dispute too much What hindreth men to believe since there is come to them a guide to conduct them into the right way If they beg not pardon of God what hapned to their predecessors and at Beder shall befall them they shall be visibly punished I send Prophets only to anounce the joyes of Paradise and to preach the torments of Hell the unbelievers dispute vainly to obscure the truth they deride my Commandements and the fire of Hell who is more unjust then hee who knoweth the Commandements of his Lord and disobeyeth him and forgetteth his past sinnes We have hardned their hearts they shall not understand the Scripture we have stopped their eares they shall heare nothing if thou callest them to the right way they shall not follow thee thy Lord is gracious and mercifull should he chastise them after their demerits he should forthwith destroy them he tarrieth untill the time that he hath promised to punish them and they shall finde none of power to protect them Wee have destroyed Cities when their Inhabitants have offended and we prefixed the day of their ruine Remember thou that Moses said to his servant I will travell incessantly untill I see a place where two seas meet although I travell an Age. When he came to that place hee and his servant forgot their fish he had taken his way through the Sea Having continued their voyage some time Moses was an hungry and demanded somewhat to eat of his servant who said to him Sawest thou what hapned at the Rock I have forgotten our fish the Devill made me to forget it he miraculously took his way through the Sea that Rock is the place which we seek they both returned on their stops discoursing together untill they came to that Rock where they found one of our servants on whom we had conferred our graces and inspired knowledge Moses said unto him permit me to follow thee that thou maist teach me knowledge and instruct me He replyed thou wilt not be able to abide patiently with me how wilt thou patiently endure to hear a thing which none in the world eveâ— knew Moses said thou shalt find me exceeding patient and I will not disobey thee He answered if thou follow me enquire nothing of me and hear only what I shall say to thee They went together and they being in a boat he brake a planck Moses said to him thou hast broken this vessell to drown us it is a strange thing He answered Did not I tell thee that thou wilt not be able patiently to abide with me Moses replied excuse me and afflict me not I had forgotten what thou didst enjoyne me They went on together untill they met with a child whom he slew Moses said to him thou hast slain an innocent that hath not slain any one thou hast done a thing without reason and that ought not to be approved He answered did I not say thou wilt not be able patiently to abide with me Moses said to him excuse me this time also if I demand ought else of thee abandon me They coninued their way unto a Village where the Inhabitants refused them bread at that time they found a wall ruined which he raised again Moses said unto him thou shouldst have been payed for repairing this wall if thou wouldest He answered now behold the place of our separation nevertheless I will explain to thee what thou weâ—t impatient to learn That boat belongeth to two poor men who labour on the sea to gain their subsistance I would have pierced it to preserve it to those poor men because there was an Infidell Prince who by force seized on the good vessels for his service That infant which I flew was an Idolater the son of a true believer a righteous man we
That Booke is blessed and was sent from us neverthelesse unbelievers reject and condemne it We heretofore instructed Abraham in the right way and knew that he was a righteous man Remember thou that he said to his father and his people what Idols doe ye adore They said wee find that our Fathers adoreâ— them he said unto them your fathers and you were exceedingly erroneous they said dost thou speak the truth or dost thou jeast He said Certainely your Lord is the Lord of Heaven and Earth I sweare to you that he created them Having convinced those Idolaâ—erâ— he said by God I will make Warne upon your Idolâ— he broke them with an hatchet in their absence except the grâ—atest Idoll on which he hung his hatchet and said peradventure they will accuse him to have broken the other Seeing at their returne their Idols broken they said who hath in this mannner handled our Gods He is impious we heard it is a young man named Abraham who derideth them bring him before the eyes of the people perhaps they shall find witnesses of his Action They said unto him oh Abraham it is thou that hast so abused our Gods he said on the contrary it is that great Idol They enquired of each other if those Idols spake and if they had motion afterwards they returned to themselves and said to the people ye are too blame to adore those Idols he threw them headlong against the ground and they said oh Abram thou well knewest that they spake not at all he answered why therefore doe ye worship what can neither benefit nor hurt you You defile your selves in adoring them instead of God doe ye not know him Then they said burne Abraham and let us defend our Gods if ye are righteous men but we commanded the fire to lose its heat to preserve Abraham They would have tormented him and we destroyed them we saved him as we preserved Lot we conducted him into the Land of blessing gave him Isaac and Jacob and the Children of their Children righteous men and True-believers to instruct the people in the way of Salvation wee inspired them to doe good workes to pray at the time appointed to pay Tithes and to worship us Wee gave to Lot prudence and knowledge and delivered him from the Inhabitants of the City who were the most vicious upon Earth we were gracious to him because he was righteous Remember Noah and that hee heretofore invoked us wee heard his prayer and delivered him from great danger and all that were with him in the Arke we delivered him from the hand of the wicked whom wee drowned Remember David and Salomon who rendred Justice in the field whereinto the flocks of the village entred by night without Shepheards wee are witnesse of their Judgements wee instructed Salomon in Justice we gave his prudence and knowledge the Mountaines adored us with David and with him the Birds praised us we were with them when they praised us We taught you the manner of sowing seed to preserve you from necessity peradventure ye will be thankfull to me We commanded the winds to obey Solomon and know all that he did The devils obeyed him they dived into the sea to fisâ—i for Gems for him and travelled also in other matters and we hindered them to act mischief against men Remember Job who prayed to his Lord and said I am in exceeding great affliction thou art the merciful of the merciful we heard him delivered him from his affliction gave to him our grace to his family to them that were with him who had patience and trusted in me Remember Ismael Enoch * Delcafel is Ely Delcafel Zachary they persevered in wel doing we gave them our grace because they were righteous Remember Jonas See the book composed by Abdelâ—aâ—y who forsooke his people in displeasure he beleived I could doe nothing against him but he cryed in the dark and said There is no God besides thee praised be thy name I am too blame for having offended thee We heard him and delivered him from his disaster Thus do I protect true-beleivers when they invoke me Remember Zachary who made his prayerâ— and said Lord I know there is no better heir in the world then thy self yet let me not dy without issue We heard his request gave him a son named Jon and rendred his wife fruitfull All these Prophets went on with alacrity to do well and invoked us with humility with desire to obtain our grace with fear of the torments of hel Remember Mary whose womb I blessed we inspired into her our Spirit gave her a Son a miracle in the world Your law is on onely law and I am one only God worship me be not impious ye all shal appear before me to be judged I will protect the true believers that shall have done good works wil write what they shall do for their reward Mâ—sery is upon the Cities that we have ruined their inhabitants shall not return into the world untill the passage be opened to Jagog and Magog and they come running from the eminent places of the earth then shall the day of Iudgment approach the promised Truth shall not be far off it shall trouble the sight of the wicked Who shall say O misery We are miserable we did not foresee this disaster we have been excedingly too blame for having offended God It shall be said unto them ye worshipped instead of God the firebrands of Hell into which ye shall be cast headlong Had your Idols been Gods as ye beleived they should not have entred Hell they and those that have adored them shal be eternally damned they shall groan complain and shal not be heard Such as shall be in paradise shall be far remote from them they shall not hear their howlings and shall enjoy eternally what they shall desire the cryes of the damned shall not afflict them the Angels shall meet them when they come out of their graves and shall say Behold now the day that was foretold you in the world a day wherein wee will open the heavens and the book of the accompt of all men as we promised to your predecessors We exactly perform what we promise we have written in the Old Testament and afterwards in the Alcoran That the righteous shall inherit the Earth This Book shall teach the way to Paradise to them that shall worship mee We had not sent thee but in favour of men say unto them God hath alwayes inspired into me that your God is one God will ye not obey him If they go astray I have taught you how they must be intreated Say unto them I know not whether the punishment denounced to you shall be speedy or tardy God knoweth what is known and unknowne in the world I know not whether he will try you or defer his punishment untill the time appointed He is a most just judg and most mercifull he is not such as ye speak him
to them that fight for the law of God neverthelesse they do it not to them and flie them desire they not that God should pardon them He is neither gentle nor pitifull but towards True-belivers They that accuse of immodesty women chast innocent and faithfull shall be accursed in this world and shall suffer great torments at the day when their tongues their hands and their feet shall testifie ageinst them at the same time shall God pay to them what shall be due unto them without injustice and they shall know that God is truth it selfe The wicked women shall speak as the wicked men and the wicked men as the wicked women The good women shall speak as the good men and the good men as the good women the good are innocent of the imposture of the wicked they shall injoy the grace of God and the treasures of Paradse Oh ye that are True-beleivers enter not into anothers house without permission if ye salute them that dwell there ye shâ—ll do well peradventure ye wil be mindfull if ye find none of the house enter not without permission if they speak to you to returne ye shall return it is better then to stay at the door God beholdeth all that ye do ye shal not offend God to enter into houses inhabited if ye have affairs there God knoweth all your intentions Speak unto the true-believers that they contain their sight that they be chast that they do good and that God knowes all their action Speak unto the True-beleiving women that they retain their fight and that they be chast that they suffer nothing of their beauty to be seen but what ought to be seen that they cover their bosome and their vissage that they permit them not to be seene but by their husbands their Children the Children of their husbands their brothers their nephewâ— their sisters their women their daughters maid-servants and slaves by their domestiques that are not capable of marriage by children that regard not the beauty of Women and that they move not their feete to shew they are well shod Implore pardon of God peradventure ye shall be happy many maidens of your owne Religion the daughters of the righteous or your slaves if they be poor God shall enrich them with his grace he is most liberall and omniscient Such as have not means to marry shall live chastly untill God hath given them means Such as have desire to marry their slaves shall have power to passe a contract of marriage if they know them to be wise and shall give them part of the wealth that God hath bestowed on them despise not your wives that are chast to commit whoredom if ye desire good in this world if yee contemne them God shall be to them propitious and mercifull we have sent to you these precepts clear and intelligible like to them that were taught your Predeâ—essours to be preached to the righteous God illuminateth the heaven and the Earth as the Lamp that is in the Lanthorn of of Chrystall fed with oyl of the blessed Olive It seemeth to be a Star full of light which goeth neither to the West nor the East and yeildeth brightness upon brightness God guideth by his light whom it pleaseth him he teacheth his people parables and is omniscient â—e permitteth you to praise him in your houses there to be mindfull of his name and to exalt him evening and morning Oh ye men your affairs ought not to hinder your remembrance of his divine Majesty to make your prayers at the time appointed neither to pay Tithes Fear the day when the hearts of men shall be perplexed and their fight troubled when God shall reward and chastise every one after his works and shall augment his grace upon the good he enricheth with his innumerable benefits whom to him seemeth good The good works of the wicked are like to mists in a spacious plâ—in they seem to be water when afar off and being appreacheâ— nothing is to be there found They shall finde before God the book wherein is written whatsoever they have don he shall punish them according to their demâ—rits he is exact to keep accompt Their actions are moreover like to the darkness that is in the bottom of the sea that is covered with wave upon wave obscurity and darknesse upon one another he that is in this darknesse cannot see his hand he that shall not be illuminated by God shaâ—l not see a jot Seest thou not that whatsoever is in Heaven and Earth exalteth the glory of God The Birds extend their wings before him to praise him he heareth the prayers of all his creatures and understandeth the prayses that they give him he knoweth all that they do he is King of Heaven and Earth the refuge of all the world Soest thou not how he assembleth the clouds how he placâ—th 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 brightnes of lightning to approach men which blindeth their sight overwhelmeth the day with night These things are signes 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 others upon four he created what pleased hiâ— he is omnipotent Certainly he hath sent a law clear intelligible to conduct into the right way whom it shall seeme good to him The Infidels say We beleive in God his Prophet nevertheles 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-beleivers are called before God and the Prophet to be judged they sâ—â— We have heard obeyyed they are not ignorant Thâ—se that shall obey God and his Prophet shall be blessâ—d 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 shal be prefâ—rred 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 ye shall bear your own if ye obey ye shall follow the right way The Prophet is obliged only to preach intelligibly God promised to the True beleivers that shal do good works that they shall live long up-upon eâ—rth 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 shal deliver them from terror that they may adore him alone without companion He that is
each others veiw will yee love men more then women ye are ignorant They replyed Let us drive Lot and his family out of our City they defile not themselvs like us we preserved him with all his family except his wifâ— 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 then such as beleive there are many Gods who created the Heavens the earth who caused rain to fal from heaven who hath made many delicious gardens to bring forâ—h you have not the power to cause the plants to spring forth without the assistance of God certainly unbeleivers do erre froÌ„ the right way Who hath established the earth made the rivers to flow who hath made heavy the mountains who but God hath put separation that is between the 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 Neverthelesse few men give him thanks Who guideth in the darknesse of the Earth and Sea who but God sendeth the windes the forerunners of raine he is most high and mâ—st powerfull but the wicked will not consider the effects of his omnipotency Who formeth men who maketh them to live dye 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 alleadg 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 Contrarywise 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 selfe 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 farre from you â—e throw your selves headlong into it but God is pitifull towards his people neverthelesse 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 intelâ—igible Book the Aâ—coran explaineth to the children of Israel the greatest part of their difficulties it will guide them into the right way deliver from Hell them that shall believe thee thâ— Lord shâ—ll 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 deafe shall not heare thee and unbelievers shall depart from tâ—ee pensive and astonished thou oughtest not to guide the blinde neither to make the deaf to hâ—ar 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 wil cause a Beast to com from under the earth that shal speak unto them and shall say The people beleive not in the Law of Gâ—d they know not his wondrous works Be thou mindfull of the day when I will assemble a multitude of all Nations that have disobeyed my Commandments to give accompt of their actions I wil say unto them ye have traduced my prophets ye know not what ye said what hove 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 mindfull of the day wherein the Angell shall sound the Trumpet and whatsoever is in Heaven or 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 don evil shall remain in the fire of Hel It shall be said unto them are ye no chastised according to your demerits Say unto the people I command you to worship the Lord of this priviledged * Mecca See Gelaldin City al things appertain to him I command you to believe in the unity of his divine Maj. and to study the Alcoran who so doth good shal find good Say unto them that shall be seduced I am sent only to preach the torments of Hel. Say to true-believers praysed be God that hath given you to see his Miracles and hath given you knowledge of the right way thy Lord is not ignorant of what they do CHAP. XXVIII The Chapter of History containing foure score and eight Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful God is most pure he understandeth all things and is most wise These mysteries are the mysteries of the Book that distinguisheth the truth from a lye I relate to thee the history of Moses and of Pharoah with truth for the contentment of True-beleivers Pharoah was powerfull on Earth he entreated his Subjects as seemed good to him he tormented ted one party and murthered their Children he abused their wives and was of them that defiled the Earth I gave my grace to theÌ„ that were afflicted on earth I made them successors of Pharoahs Kingdom I established them in his Dominions I made Pharoah Haman and their Army to see what they most feared we said to the mother of Moses give suck to thy Child if thou fearest that they will mischief him cast him upon Nile fear not neither afflict thy self I will restore him to thee between thine arms and place him in the number of Prophets The domestiques of Pharoah found him upon the water saved him to be one day their enemy to tormenâ— them because Pharoah Haman and their people were Infidels Pharoahs wife said unto him I entreat thee not to suffer this Infant to be slain mine eyes rejoyce to see him he shall one day be proffitable for our service as our Son but they were ignorant of what should befall them the heart of his mother was freed from fear when she beheld him in the hands of Pharoah's wife and scarce could she refrain to let them know that she was his mother we caused her to have patience and she had faith in our promises She spaâ—e to his sister to follow him step by step she followed afar off without intimation that she was his sister or that she regarded him We
neither like to them that are at present in the number or Heretiques were before as ye are every Sect is pleased in its opinions when any evill bâ—falleth them that call upon God and are converted neverthelesse some of them return to their Idolatry after the reception of his grace they are ingratefull they shall awhile be tolerated and in the end they shall too late understand their error Have we taught them reasons and arguments that prove that I have a companion The peoplâ— rejoyced when we enlarged to them our graces and became desperate when evill befell them see they not that I give and take away wealth as to me seemeth good This is a tâ—ken of my Vnity to such as obey my Commandments Give to your neighbour what appertaineth to him and particularly to the poor and true beleivers if ye desire to see the face of God such as shall do it shall be blessed The money which ye put to Vsury encreaseth in the hands of men God shal not suffer it to prosper the almes which ye give shal make you to see the face of his divine Maj. and shall be doubly restored to you God hath created you he enricheth you causeth you to die rise again can your Idols do as much Praised be God he hath no companion disorder appeared in the eâ—rth and in tâ—e sea because of the iniquities of men peradventure they will be converted when they shall feel the punishment of their crimes Say unto them go throughout the earth and consider the end of your predecessor the greatest part of them were Idolaters embrace the true Law before the day cometh when none shall be heard that day shall the wicked be separated from the good the impious shall give an accompt of their impiety and such as shaâ—l have lived well shall enjoy the joyes of Paradise the grace of God shall be their recompense God abhorreth Infidels It is a sign of his Omnipotency to send the winds to bring you rain and make you to taste the fruits of his grace the ship runneth upon the water through his permission for the advantage of your commerce will ye not be thankfull to him for his benefits We sent to every Nation Prophets and Apostles before thee they came with most intelligible precepts and with many miracles we chastisâ—d those that slandred them and protected the faithful God sendeth the winds that elevate the clouds and extendeth them in the aire in many pieces at his pleasure he causeth the rain to fall where he listeth and rejoyceth whom to him seemeth good of them that expect it with impatience consider the effects of his bounty he causeth the dry and barren earth to flourish again and restoreth the dead to life he iâ— Omnipotenâ— We sent the winds to assemble the clouds that covered men with their shaddow nevertheless they are returned to their impiety the dead shall not understand thee neither likewise the dumbe thou art not obliged to lead the blind none shall hearken to thee but such as shall believe in my Law and be obedient Say unto them God created you impotent he hath given you strength and after having reduced you to the weakness of old age doth what to him seemeth good he knoweth mens secrets and doth what pleaseth him â—he wicked shal swear at the day of judgment that they have remained but an hour in their sepulchers they lye in like manner when they deny the Resurrection the true believers that know the truth shal say unto theÌ„ ye have remained there the time apointed in the book of God to wâ—t untill the day of Resurrection behold the day of resurrection ye knew not at what time it should arrive this day excuses shall be unprofitable to Infidels they shall be â—eprived of protection We have taught in the Alcoran all that is profitable for the salvation of men if thou teachest them my Commandments unbeleivers will say thou bringest nothing but disorder thus God hardneth the hearts of the ignorant Be patient and persevere what God promiseth is infallible beware lest unbeleivers shake thy perseverance CHAP. XXXI The Chapter of Locman containing thirty four Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious merciful I am the most wise God The Turks say that Locman was a great Doctor in Davids time These precepts are the precepts of the book filled with doctrine it guideth into the way of salvation the righteous who make their prayers at the time appointed that pay tithes and beleive in the day of Judgment they are guided by their Lord and shall be blessed There be who deride this book they ignorantly depaâ—t from the law of God and have despised it but shall one day be severely punished when they are taught the comandments of God they turn the back with disdain they will not hear have ears stopped Say unto them you shall in the end suffer infinit pains Such as beleive in the Law of God and do good works shal eternally enjoy the delights of Paradise what God promiseth is infallible he is Omnipotent and altogether wise he created the heaven and sustaineth it without a pillar appearing to your eyes he lifted up the mountains upon the earâ—h 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 al places Remember thou that Locman said unto his son O my son beleive 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 greif upon grief weaneth him at the age of two years be thou not ingrateful for Gods benefits honor father mother thou shalt be one day before God to be Judged If thy parents press thee to beleive 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 grain of Mustardseed or of the weight of a rock or of the greatnesse of heaven and earth God wil know it and put it in accompt he is exact and omniscient O my son make thy prayers at the time appointed do what is honest and civill fly what is not approved and be patient in thy adversities regard not the world disordred 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
raine from heaven and maketh the rivers to run upon the earth he causeth plants to spring forth and herbs of divers colours thou seest them become yellow and then altogether drie this is a sign of his omnipotency Hath not he to whom GOD hath given the light of Faith received a great grace from his divine Majesty Misery is upon them that have a heart hardned forget his law they are manifestly seduced he hath sent an excellent book for the instruction of men his precepts are alike in purity and without contradiction They that fear God tremble when they hear mention of this book and finde their rest in the word of his divine Majesty This book is the guide of the righteous God by it guideth whom pleaseth him He whom God shall seduce shall finde none to guid him he shall be precipitated into the fire of Hell at the day of Judgement it shall be said that day to the wicked tast the torments that ye have merited their predecessors defamed the Prophets and were punished when they least thought of it God rendred them ignâ—miniâ—us in this world and they shall feel in the other tormenâ—s much more greivous and they know it not We have taught in this book what is necessary for the salvation of the people peradventure they will learn it it is in the Arabique tongue without falshod and contradiction perhaps the people will fly from impiety God teacheth you a parable Two men are associates in their traffique the one is wicked the other an honest man are they alike Praise is due to one sole God the greatest part of the Infidels understand it not Thou shalt die all men shall die and ye shall be assembled at the day of Iudgement when ye shall dispute together Who is more unjust then he that blasphemeth against God and against the known truth Shall not the wicked be damned Such as shall believe the Prophet and fly impiety shall obtaine from God what they desire such is the recompence of the righteous God shall pardon their sins and reward them for their good works doth not he protect his servant They will terrifie thee wiâ—h the Idols which they adore but he whom God shall mislead shall finde none able to guide him and none shall be able to seduce him whom he shall guide is not he the omnipotent and revenging If thou ask of the Infidels who created heaven and earth they will say it is God Say unto them have ye therefore considered the Idols which ye adore can they exempt you from the wrath of God when it shall be his pleasure to chastise you Shall they be able to hinder his grace when it shall be his will to pardon you Say unto them my refuge is God I am resigned to his Will the wise trust in his divine Majesty Say unto them oh people do as you understand him I will do as I understand him ye shall know in the end that whosoever shall be condemned shall be ashamed and be precipitated into eternall torments We have sent unto thee the most true book to instruct the people He that shal follow the right way shal meet with nothing but good and he that shall go astray shall meet with nothing but evill thou art not the guardian of the wicked God causeth men to dye when the hour of their death is arrived he deferreth the death of many during their sleep remitteth that of others to the time appointed this is a sign of his omnipotency to such as consider it Will ye worship any but God Say unto them how shall your Idols be able to intercede for you since they want power know you not this Say unto them we ought to invoke one God alone King of the heaven and earth you all shall one day assemble before him to be judged The Infidels tremble with fear wheÌ„ they hear mention of one sole God rejoyce when they hear speak of their Idols Say unto them God is Creator of the heavens and the earth he knoweth the past present and future Lord thou shalt one day judge the differences of thy creatures Should the Infidels possess al the riches of the earth and yet as much more they would not be able to escape the fire of Hel at the day of Iudgment they shall be punished more greivously then they imagine their sins shall be set before them and they shall feel the rigors of the torments which they despise man calleth upon us when he is in affliction and we give him our grace he saith he meriteth it on the contrary this is to prove him but most of them are ignorant of it their predecessors spake as they the good that they have done hath profitted them nothing and the misery that they have merited is faln upon them they shall not escape the punishment of their crimes Know they not that God giveth and taketh away wealth from whom pleaseth him This is a signs of his omnipotency for the righteous Say unto them oh people they who have offâ—nded God ought not to despair of his grace he is gracious and mercifull be ye Converted and recommend your selves to his will before ye be condemned otherwise ye shall remain without protection follow the instruction that God hath sent to you before ye be chastised the punishment of your crimes shall surprise you ye know not the time the wicked shall be afflicted for that they have not obeyed Gods Commandments they shall know their damnation and the sin that they have committed in scorning the trve-believers They shall say had God guided me into the right-way I had had his fear before my eyes When they shall see hell they shal say could I return into the world I would be in the number of the righteous on the contrary my Commandments were taught you but ye became proud and dispised them Thou shalt sâ—e that day how the visages of Infidels shall be blackned Is there not a place in hell prepared for the proud God loveth and putteth into a place of felicity them that fear him they shall not be touched either with displeasure or affliction God hath created all things and disposeth all at his pleasure he hath in his power the keyes of heaven and earth such as disobey him are damned Say unto them oh ignorant men will ye enjoyn me to worship another god besides God It hath been preached to you and your predecessors that all your good works shall be unprofitable if ye adore many gods and that you shall be in the number of the damned there is but one God worship him and be mindfull of his graces The Infidels have not praised God as he ought to be praised they have no knowledge of his power he shall make earth to tremble and gather together the heavens by the strength of his right hand at the day of Iudgment praised be God he hath no companion When the Trumpet shall sound the first time he shal cause to dis whom
he will have to die in the heavens and earth the second time all the world shall rise again and attend his commandments the earth shall be full of the light of the Lord thereof he shall bring his book where in shal be written what the Prophets Martyrs have taught he shal judg the world with equity shall not do injustice to any every one shal be rewarded chastised for his works he knoweth all that they have don he shal send the Infidels into the fire of hel in troops â—hen they shal be arrived at the gate it shal open before their eyes it shall be said unto them behold Hell which ye have merited were there not Prophets and Apostles to teach you the Commandments of God and to preach unto you on Earth the coming of this rigorous day They shall say yes but the word of God shall be accomplished against the wicked It shall be said unto them goe enter into Hell ye shall abide there eternally it is the habitation of the proud Such as shall have the fear of God before their eyes shall be conducted in troups to the gate of Paradise the gate shall open before their eyes it shall be said unto them behold what ye have gained the peace of God is with you ye have not been ignorant enter into Paradise ye shall dwel therein eternally They shall say praised be God for that we believed in his Law and because we are heirs of his grace we will goe into Paradise into what place shall seeme good to us God giveth his blessing to the righteous Thou shalt see the Angels about the throne of thy Lord who shall praise and exalt his glory they shall say God hath judged his creatures with equity praise is due to the Lord of the Vniverse CHAP. XL. The Chapter of the True-believer containing eighty five Verses written at Mecca Reader Gelaldin entituleth this Chapter Of the Pitifull IN the name of God gracious and mercifull God is prudent and wise This Book is sent by the omnipotent who knoweth all things who pardoneth sinnes and accepteth the conversion of his Creatures he is severe in his chastisements and indulgent to his people there is no God but he and all the world shall one day be assembled before his divine Majesty to be judged No man disputeth against the precepts of the Alcoran but the wicked be not thou discontented if they live on earth with some felicity the people of Noahs time contemned his instructions their posterity did like them and every Nation hath conspired the death of them whom God sent to instruct them thy disputed to obscure the truth through their lies but they were punished and after what manner So is the word of God accomplished against the wicked they all shall be damned The Angells that are about the Throne of God and those that bear him praise and exalt his divine Majesty they beleive in his unity and beg pardon of him for the True-believers Lord Lord thy mercy extendeth through the whole world nothing is hid from thee either in Heaven or Earth pardon their sins that convert and embrace thy holy Law deliver them from the fire of Hell open to them the gate of the gardens of Eden which thou hast prepared for them their Fathers wives and children and them of their lineage that shal do good works thou art omnipotent and wise Depart from sin he that shall depart from it shall resent the effects of Gods mercy at the day of Iudgment and shall enjoy eternall felicity the Infidels shall be hated of God his hatred is far more dangerous then yours wil ye be Indels after being called to the observation of the Law of Salvation They said Lord wilt thou cause us to dye twice and shall we twice rise againe But they shall say at the the day of Judgment Lord we confesse we have offended thee we acknowledge our sinne in having renounced the belief of thine unity Shall we never go out of Hell to observe thy Law and follow the way of salvation No ye shal suffer in the fire of Hell because that ye have believd them that adored Idols and because ye have said that God hath companions equall to him All things obey one sole God omnipotent he it is that made you to see his Miracles and sendeth you the riches of Heaven and Earth none consider it but such as are converted Pray to God and observe his LAW although it be against the will of the wicked he elevateth his Creatures to what degree he listeth he hath created his Throne and sent his inspirations to whom he seeth good to preach the day of Judgement that day shall the people come out of their Monuments none shal be able to hide himselfe from his divine Majesty Who shall command that day It shall be God alone victorious that day shall he recompense every one after his works without injustice he is exact to make accompt If thou preach to the wicked the day of Judgement their heart will lift them up and they shall be full of affliction their prayers shall not be heard and none shall intereede for them God knoweth them that have eyes of treachery and seeth all that is in the hearts of men he judgeth of every thing with truth the Idols which they worship are without power God alone understandeth all things and is omnipotent Consider they not what was the end of their predecessors who were more powerfull and more wealthy then they God surprized them in their sinnes 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 Wee sent Moses with miracles with reasons cleare and intelligible to Pharoah to Haman and Caron they said that Moses was A Sorcerer and a Lyar and when hee preached to them the truth on our behalfe they said kill him with all those that believe him and make their wives infamous but their conspiracy was but impiety Pharoah 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 judgement Then a man of the domestiques of Pharoah that secretly professe 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 shal be against him but if he speak the truth something of what he hath preached shall befal you God guideth nether the wicked nor lyars Oh people you this day command on Earâ—h with splendor who shall defend us from the wrath of God if it fall upon us Pharoah said I speak nothing to you but what I have told you heretofore and I will guid you
have done good works say unto them I require none other recompense for the pains that I take in preaching to you then to love my kindred he that shall do any good work shall be rewarded God is mercifull 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 lies 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 faithfull that do good works and augmenteth his grace upon them but Infidels shall undergo the rigours of eternall pains Had God equally enriched all his creatures they had bin 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 betweene them is a sign of thine omnipotency If evil befal you believe that ye have deserved it neverthelesse he pardoneth you many things ye cannot escape his punishment on earth none is able to protect you against him The Vesâ—el 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 punishent the riches that ye possesse are the riches of the earth the riches that God bestoweth on them that trust in him are eternal They that depart from mortall sins that repent to have committed them that beg of God to be heard and persevere in their supplications they that take councel 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 doin justice to the people and dâ—sobey on earth the Commandments of his divine Majesty they shall suffer great torments Such as persevere in well-dâ—iâ—g and pardon their Neighbour do what God hath Commanded He whom God shall mâ—slâ—ad shall finde 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 Hâ—l thou shalt see them flie with exâ—ream fear of eternal ignominy they shall look awry upon hell and the believers shall see that the wicked that have lost heâ—r Souls that have misled 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 finde the right way Say unto them beg pardon of God before the â—ay come that ye shall finde 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 pâ—osperity be rejoyceth and when affliction befalleth him â—e is ingratâ—ful for the grace of his Lord King of the heavens and earth God giveth children sons and daughters â—o 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 the misteries 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 wil giude 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 containing eighty and nine Verses written at Mecca Exteri intituled This Chapter the Chapter of Gold IN the name of God gracious and mercifull 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 in our originall Booke 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 unbeleivers 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 omnipoten who knoweth all things Who hath extendeth 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 drie 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 â—or us these things we had not the power to create them They all shall return before the Lord to be judged The Infidels have divided God into many parts Certainly he that saith that there are many Gods is impious hath he appointed you to say that the Angels which he hath created are his daughters seeing that he giveth you sonnes When it is declared to some Infidels that a Daughter is born to him he is not satisfied he desireth to have a son will they say that God adorneth himselfe and taketh ornaments to beautifie him like their Idols It is a manifest error they say that the Angels that worship God are the daughters of his divine Majesty I will write what they say and will râ—quire of them aâ— accompt of their discourse at the day of Iudgement They have said had it pleased God we had not adored the Angels They know not what they say and ignorantly blaspheme do they observe any Scripture that hath been taught them heretofore On the contrary they say that their fathers lived in like manner and that they follow their steps they have said as much to all the Prophets that were sent unto them When thou spakest to them to observe â—hat is contained in the Alcoran and to abandon the Idols which their fathers worshipped they answered that they believed neither in thee nor in thy mission but we avenged our selves upon them Consider what is the end of blasphemeâ—s Remember thou that Abraham said to his
do ye blaspheme but your own Lord Al things shall have end and the majestique and glorious face of thy Lord shal be permanent what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord Whatsoever is in Heaven and in Earth imploreth his grace he is ever himself what Lord do ye blasphemâ—e but your own Lord Oh ye men and Devils I will require an account of your actions what Lord will ye blaspheme but your own Lord Oh ye men and Devills passe the extremities of Heaven and Earth go beyond them if ye can ye have not the power what Lord do ye blaspheme but your owne Lord If he send against you flames without smoak and smoake without fire ye cannot defend your selves what Lord do ye blaspheme but your owne Lord When the heaven openeth it resembleth a rose or a crimson coloured skin what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord The time will come when â—n accompt shall be required from men and Devils of their sinnes what Lord do ye blaspheme but your Lord The wicked shall be known by their countenance an accompt shall be required of their readinesse and negligence what Lord do ye plaspheme but your own Lord Behold hell which the wicked would not believe they shall turn round about and round about in boyling water of which they shaâ—â— drink what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord Such as have had the fear of God before their eyes shal enter inro Gardens where the trees are covered with branches and leaves adorned with Rivers and Fountains with abundance of all sorts of fruits what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord They shall repose upon fair beds lined with Crimson what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord They shall gather thâ— fruits of this garden to their contentment what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord They shall there have wives who shall not cast a look but upon them and whom no person man or Angel shall touch before them what Lord do ye blaspheme but your Lord They shall resemble Corrall and Rubies what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord good deedes are recompensed with good deeds what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord There be yet other gardens wherein are herbs exceeding green Rivers Dates Pomegranets and all sorts of fruits what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord There be in these gardens women who have eyes exceeding black and bodies exceeding white they are covered with pavillions none either men or angels shall touch them before their husbands what Lord do ye blaspeme but your own Lord They shal repose upon green Carpets near rivolets bordered with flowers what Lord do ye blaspheme but your own Lord Praised be the name of God thy Lord honour and glory are due to him eternally CHAP. LVI The Chapter of Judgment containing fourscore and nineteen Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and merciful The day of Iudgment will come none can deny it That day shall many be afflicted and humbled and many shal be elated rejoyced the Earth shall tremble the Mountain open and be dispersed like dust carryed away by the wind ye shal be present at that day in a threefold manner * These are the Blessed Some shall have in their right hand the book wherein shall be written all their actions * These are the Damned Others shall have it in their left hand and * The propâ—eâ—s such as preceeded them in wel-doing shal be the nearest to his divine Majesty and the higher in Paradise there shal be a great number of the first ages and few of the latter they shall repose upon beds adorned with gold and precious stones they shall look upon each other young boyes shall go about them with vessels Cups and Goblets full of delicious drink that shall not offend â—he head neither intoxicate them they shall have all the fruits that they can covet and such vyâ—nds as they shall desire they shaâ— have wâ—mâ—n with black eyes and who shall be white as polished pearls for recompense of their good works they shall not hear an evill word spoken they shall not sin and shall hear perpetually the voyce of them that bless them They that shall hold their book in their right hand shall be near an Apple-tree fresh and without throne and near the tree of * Muse is a fruit common in Egypt Muse under a pleasant shaddow by flowing water with store of fruits of all seasons they shall use them with freedom lying on delicious beds We have created the daughters of Paradise Virgins and affectionate to their husbands for the content of them that shall have in their right hands the book of the accompt of their actions of many of those that were in the first Ages and of many of such as shall be in the latter Those that shall have their book of accompt in the left hand shall be tormented with an exceeding hot winde they shall drink boyling water they shall be in a black hot and salt smoak for that they were Luxurious in the world for that they were negligent to observe the Commandments of God and continued in the enormity of their sins The Infidels say what after death we shall be earth and dust and shall we rise again with our fathers and predecessors Say unto them you your Predecessors and posterity shall all be assembled before God to be judged Then oh wicked Imposters shall ye eat of the fruit of the Tree * Zacon is the tree of Hel. Zacon ye shall fill your belly ye shall drink boyling water and be daily altered behold your condition at the day of Iudgment We created all of you if ye believe it not See Gelaldin consider the wealth ye possesse did you your selves create it We have appointed that ye shall dye we can if we please put other creatures like unto you in your place and metamorphize you into another forme which ye know not we caused the soule 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 neverthelesse are ye proud Ye say what shall cut grain that we have sown be lost No we will preserve it Consider the water that ye drink have ye made it to fal 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 Wee 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 shal handle it that is not clean and purifyed it is sent from God Lord of the Vniverse 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 then 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 lipps when a righteous man dyeth he shall finde rest and all manner of concentment in the delights of Paradise if he be of them that hold the book of the accompt of their work in the right hand and shall be free from eternall pains If he be in the number of Infidels and seduced he shall be precipitated into hell this is 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 without end he knoweth al that meÌ„ make manifest whatsoever they keep secret he knoweth all things He it is that created the earth the heavens in 6 days fitteth on his throne he knoweth whatsoever â—reth into the earth and all that cometh out he knoweth â—â—atsoever descendeth from heaven and whatsoever ascenâ—h he is with you in whatsoever place ye are and seeth 〈◊〉 your actions the Kingdom of the heavens and earth â— his and all things obey him He maketh the night to â—ter the day and knoweth what is in the heart of men â—elieve in God and his Prophet expend in pious works â—â—me part of the wealth that he hath given you he shal â—ive you more Do good abundantly to them that believe 〈◊〉 his Law wherefore will ye not believe in God and his Apostle who teacheth you the Commandments of your word Ye have promised him to embrace his Law he hath â—nspired his Commandments into his servant to bring â—ou out of darknesse and guide you into light he is graciâ—us and mercifull Who hindreth you to make any exâ—ence 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 equall 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 â—â—oweth 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 mindfull of the day when thou â—halt see those men and women that have obeyed my Commandments with a light that shall goe before them it shall be said to them this day it is declared to you that you â—hall enter into and dwell eternally in Gardens wherein â—â—ow many Rivers and where ye shall finde 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 â—hem return upon your steps to demand light There is a place betwixt them that hath a secret gate full of grace and repose 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 soules through disobedience ye dâ—ubtâ—d of the LAW Law of God your blasphemie rendred you insolent 〈◊〉 the hour of your death the Devill made you proud moved you to rise against the Commandments of his divâ—â—â— Majesty this day there is neither ransome nor favour fâ—â— you the fire of Hell is the habitation of the wicked Oâ— 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 haâ— 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 misteries 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 recompensed 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 drie 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 thâ—s is an immense grace which he conferreth on whom he pleaseth All the evill that ye suffer on earth in your goods and persons is written in a Book before iâ— befall you it is an easie thing to God to the end thâ—t ye afflâ—ct noâ— your selves extraordinarâ—ly in your disâ—leasures that ye rejoyce not overmuch in your contentmeâ—ts God loveth not the proud he hath not to do with the covetous who recommend avarice to the peopl who neglect their duty Praise is due to him praise is due to him in all places Certainly we sent our Messengers with our Commandments we sent with them their Scriptures and â—lance that the people might weigh with good weights 〈◊〉 gave iron to men it causeth great evils and great good 〈◊〉 the world God knowath them that fight with zeal for 〈◊〉 Law and his Prophet without seeing him he is strong 〈◊〉 omnipotent We sent Noah and Abraham to instruct 〈◊〉 people we instructed their progeny in the Scripture 〈◊〉 followed the right way and many disobeyed our comâ—â—ndments We sent after them our Prophets and Apostls 〈◊〉 sent Iesus the son of Mary we taught him the Gâ—spel 〈◊〉 put civility clemency and chastity into the hearts of â—â—m that followed him we did not command them to â—p virginity they kept it of their own accord because of â—is desire they had to please God they have not obserâ—ed their Law as they ought many have been disobedient â—we have rewarded those among them that believed O 〈◊〉 that believe in Iesus fear God and believe
fearful and not oh Prophet as he was wâ—nt See Gelaldin IN the Name of God gracious and mercifull O thou Fearfull Arise by night pray to God at midnight untill two thrid parts of the night and more Read the Alcoran and meditate thereon observe what it contains although it be tendious to thee thou wilt best comprehend it after thy first sleep because thou in the day hast affairs that divert thee Remember thou the name of God forsake the world to worship him he is Lord of the West and East there is no god but God take him for thy protector be not impatient at what the wicked say separate thy self from their society without fear leave me to punish them is there any one that is able to defend them their punishment is deferred but I have chains of iron bread full of thorns and great torments to inflict on them at the day when the earth shall tremble and the mountains shall be dissolved into dust O ye people we have sent to you a Prophet our Apostle to instruct you as we did to Pharoah he was disobedient and obstinate and we severely chastised him How will ye secure your selves from the torments of hell if ye be in the number of the wicked What will ye do at the day when Infants shall be men and heaven shall be opened What God promiseth is infallible these things are for the instruction of them that desire to follow the way of salvation Thy Lord knoweth that thou wilt arise about the third part of the night or at midnight as likewise a part of those that are with thee he reckoneth the hours and the minuts of night and day he knoweth that thou canst not reckon them exactly he pardoneth thee if thou risest a litle sooner or a litle later read during this time what thou shalt be able to read of the Alcoran God knoweth that there will be persons among you that will be sickly others that will be in travels for their affairs and some that will fight for the faith these persons shall be excused Read what ye shall be able of the Alcoran lift up your prayers to God pay tithes lend to God some benefit ye shall one day find the good that you shall have done and a very good reward beg pardon of God he is gracious and mercifull CHAP. LXXIV The Chapter of the Wrapped containing fifty seven Verses Mahomet was wrapt in his garments when the Angel brought him this Chapter written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull O thou wrapped Arise and preach to the people the torments of hell thy Lord is more powerful then the Idols make clean thy garments be thou mindfull of the pains prepared for unbelievers separate thy self from their company lend nothing to Usury the day that the Trumpet shall sound shall be extreamly irksome to the wicked that day let me chastise him whom I created and to whom I gave riches and children and whom I placed in plenty neverthelesse he demandeth more and is obstinate to disobey my Commandements I will adde to his pains because he blasphemeth against the Alcoran wherefore doth he blasphem he maketh his countenace sorrowful covered with hypocrisie when he beholdeth the people with his eyes melancholique and estranged from the way of salvation he is proud scorneth to follow the Prophet saith that the Alcoran is but Magick and but the word of Man he shall be precipitated into the bottom of hell nothing remains to him but to be burned ninteen Spirits shall be appointed to torment the wicked they that punish the damned are Spirits We have mentioned this number of nineteen to seduce the Infidels and confirm the truth and the True-believers in their faith They whom God instructeth in the Scripture and who believe in his Law are not in doubt of these Spirits but such as have evill in the heart who doubt of his Law and the wicked say that he by this number meaneth God Thus God seduceth and guideth whom he pleaseth no person knoweth the number of his Angels but God I swear by the entrance of the night and the morning that hell is an exceeding great punishment prepared for the impious The believers and unbelievers the good and the bad shall answer for their actions and such as shall have their book of accompt in the right hand shall goe into Paradise they shall enquire of the damned and say to them who did cast you into hell They shall answer we did not pray to God at the time appointed we gave not to the poor to eat we believed there was neither Resurrection nor Judgement untill death surprized us the prayers of them that pray for them shall be in vain Wherefore is it that unbelievers depart from the Law of God They are like to the wilde Asse which flyeth as far as he can when he seeth the Lion approach him every one of them would particularly see a book to instruct them and apprehendeth not the day of Judgement Certainly the Alcoran teacheth them the Law of God that reade it none shall understand it but he that shall be pleasing to God who shall have his fear before his eyes and shall implore pardon of his sins of his divine Majesty CHAP. LXXV The Chapter of the Resuâ—rection containing fourty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear that it is most true that men shall rise againe I swear that the wicked shall render an accompt of their actions think they that I cannot recollect their bones I will recollect all of them after they shall be corrupted I am able to recollect their fingers as they had them in their youth Certainly man is prone to blaspheme before the coming of the day of Judgement and enquireth when that day will be When his sight shall be troubled and the Sun and Moon gathered together then shall he say whether shall I flye It shall be said to him thou shalt have none other refuge but in God he shall be surprized and all his offences shall be commemorated to him and he shall witnesse against himself Speak not then in a word if he will excuse himself be not thou impatient I know all that is in his heart I know what thou hast taught him I did read with him that read to thee the Alcoran and made thee to understand it Man presseth himself to goe to his dishonor and considereth not his end he shall raise the head with a countenance content to see God but at the same instant shall have the face covered with affliction and shall know that he is in the height of all miseries His soul shall be conducted towards God when it shall be separate from his body If it renounce the Law of God it shall goe towards the damned towards them that extend their armes through dispaire It shall be said to him God alone whom thou wouldst not obey was thy Lord and protector Doth man think to
XCII The Chapter of Night containing twenty Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the obscurity of Night by the brightnesse of Day by the creation of man and woman that your actions are very different He that shall yeild to God the obedience that is due to him and believeth in his Unity shall go into Paradise and whosoever shall not praise his divine Majesty and will not be converted shall go into hell his riches shall not save him and he shall be cast headlong into eternall flames It is we that guide the people we dispose the beginning and end of every thing I preach to you the torments of hell none shall enter there but the wretches that have blasphemed and departed far from the way of salvation he that hath the fear of God before his eyes and giveth almes shall be delivered from the fire of hell every one shall be recompensed for what he hath done for the love of God he shall be satisfied and contented CHAP. XCIII The Chapter of the Sun rising containing ten Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I sweare by the brightnesse of the rising of the Sun and by the darknesse of night that thy Lord hath not forsaken thee He doth not hate thee his delay shall be to thee advantage and in the end thou shalt be content Did he not well lodge thee when thou wert an Orphan Did he not well guide thee when thou wert seduced Did not he inrich thee when thou wert poore Do no injury to Orphans devoure not the poor and recount the graces that God hath conferred on thee CHAP. XCIV The Chapter of Joy containing eight Verses written at Mecca Mahomet complains to the Angel Gabriel because he so long had refrained to visit him IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Have not I rejoyced thine heart have not we delivered thee from the burden that was heavy on thy shoulders we have raised thy name and reputation affliction is followed of content when thou shalt have finished thy prayers labour and love thy Lord. CHAP. XCV The Chapter of the Figge containing eight Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I swear by the Figs and Olives by Mount Sinai and by the safety and freedome that is in this City of Mecca that we created man with proportion afterwards we rendred him contemptible except the true believers that do good works they shall receive an infinite reward After this ô wicked man what maketh thee to blaspheme against the Faith is not God the Judge of Judges CHAP. XCVI The Chapter of Blood congealed containing seventeen Verses written at Mecca Beddaoi and Gelaldin call this the Chapter of Reading IN the name of God gracious and mercifull Read the Alcoran and begin through the name of God who created all who made man of a little congealed blood Read the Alcoran and exalt the glory of thy Lord who hath instructed man in the Scriptures who taught him what he knew not neverthelesse he is in a great error he will not consider that he shall returne before God Hast thou considered him that would have hindred one of the servants of God to make his prayers hast thou understood if he were in the way of salvation hast thou seen if he blasphemed if he hath abandoned the faith knoweth he not that God forsaketh him If he desist not he shall be dragged by the hair into the fire of hell with the wicked he shall quit the place where they assemble to dispute against the faith and the devills shall cast them head-long into flames eternall Disobey not the commandements of God persevere in thy prayers worship God alwaies obedience to his commandements shall draw thee neer to his divine Majesty CHAP. XCVII The Chapter of Glory or Power containing five Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull We sent the Alcoran in the night of Glory and Power I have not taught thee the graces of this night of glory and vertue the prayers and good works that are done that night have more of merit and efficacy then those that have been performed in a thousand months The Angels descended that night to the earth thorow the permission of their Lord and salute the true believers untill the dawning of the day CHAP. XCVIII The Chapter of Instruction containing eight Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull They that understand the Scripture and believe in many gods will not relinquish their Idolatry untill they have heard the instruction of the Prophet of God he shal read unto them a book clean and pure wherein are written the Precepts of the right way They that know the Scripture are not divided untill they have learned this instruction It commandeth to worship one only God to make their prayers at the time appointed and to pay tirbes this is the right way The unbelievers that know the Scriptures and adore many gods shall remain eternally in the fire of hell and shal be most miserable They that believe in one God and perform good works shal be most happy they shall be recompensed of their Lord in the garden of Eden wherein flow many rivers where they shall dwell eternally God shall be satisfied with their obedience and shall give them his blessing prepared for them that feare him CHAP. XCIX The Chapter of the Earth-quake containing eight Verses written at Medina IN the name of God gracious and mercifull When the earth shall tremble and shall cast bodies out of their sepulchres man shall demand what it will do they shall tell him news to wit that God hath commanded it to do so That day shall men come out of sepulchres from divers places and shall see the good and the evill that they have done he that hath committed evill of the weight of an atome shall be chastised and he that shall have done good of the weight of an atome shall be rewarded CHAP. C. The Chapter of Horses containing eleven Verses written at Mecca and Medina Some Arabians have called this the Chapter of Return or of them that return IN the name of God gracious and mercifull I sweare by the Horses and the noise they make with their feet when they return to war and by the fire which they make to arise when they strike their feet against stones that run lightly through jealousie and raise the dust in the midst of enemies that man is ingratefull for the graces of his Lord he himself is witnesse of his ingratitude and too much affecteth the riches of the earth knoweth he not â—â—â—t God will make all the world to revive that he will â—â—ing to light whatsoever is most secret in the hearts of â—en and that he knoweth all that they have done CHAP. CI. The Chapter of affliction containing eleven Verses written at Mecca IN the name of God gracious and mercifull When the extreme
after the plenty of our Fathers house exhibited to us in his Word where we shall find the hidden Manna the bread of Life that came down from heaven 7. Books of Palmistry Phisiognomy judiciall Astrology Necromancy and other superstitious and impious Arts have been permitted to come abroad that men might see the vanity of those Arts the knavery and wickednesse of the Artists the foolishnesse of credulous people who suffer themselves to be deluded by them and the malice of Satan the arch-enemy of mankind whose delight is to abuse delude and destroy men why then may not the Alcoran be read that men may see the vanity impiety and foolishnesse of it by which the world hath been so many yeare cheated and abused 8. They that learn Arts and Sciences desire the knowledge not only of the good things but of the evill things also and the abuse of them to the end they may avoid them there Logick speaks as well of sophisticall and fallacious syllogismes as of demonstrative and topicall Ethicks treats of vices as well as of vertues Naturall Philosophy handleth the natures not only of usefull and beneficiall creatures but also of hurtfull and venomous as of Serpents Physick speaks of poysons as well as of cures Historians describe both the vertuous and vicious actions of Princes in Divinity we learn not only what God and good Angells are but also what Sathan is and his wicked Angells in Navigation we must know not only what places are Navigable but also what are not how shall we avoid Rocks Quick-sands and Shelves if we know them not even so Christian Religion permits not only the reading of Scripture but also of hereticall and heathenish books as is said that we may know what to embrace what to shun therefore if you would know what be the damnable errors to be avoided by Christians read the Alcoran and you shall find in it the sink of all or most part of ancient heresies 9. In reading of the Alcoran though it be as Cato said of the three Romane Embassadors that were to go to Antiochus headlesse heartlesse and footlesse the one being maimed in his head the second a fool and the third lame in his feet I say though it be without head or tail as we use to speak being immethodicall and confused contradictory in many things written in a rude Language the Author himself being no Linguist or Scholler nay not able to read or write though also it consist of lies and senselesse follies yet this benefit we may reap I say in reading of it that we shall be forced to admire and praise the goodnesse of God towards us Christians who having suffered a great part of the world to sit in the valley of the shadow of death to be oppressed with Cimmerian yea more then palpable Egyptian darknesse hath placed us in the Temple where we have the golden Candlestick of his Word and a clearer and more durable Lamp then that of Salomons Temple yea even the Sun of righteousnesse shining upon us in the Land of Goshen whilst a great part of the world doth follow the Antichristian beast we follow the Lamb upon mount Sion while they hear the voice of Satyres Ostrages and Schrich Owls we hear the voice of the Turtle and the Songs of Sion in our own Land whilst they feed on husks with swine drink the corrupted puddles of Mahomets inventions we are fed with Angels food and eat coelestiall Manna and drinke of the pure river of life cleare as Crystall Againe we may tremble at the reading of this Alcoran when we consider the severity of Gods judgements and the fiercenesse of his anger who for the contempt of his Gospell in those Countreyes where Mahomet is worshipped hath suffered so many millions of people to be deluded blinded abused and inslaved by that false Prophet to believe his lies and by loathing the sweet Evangelicall Manna to deâ—oure greedily the poisonable guailes of his doctrine and with it the wrath of God which hath falne on them whilst the flesh is between their teeth so that they must needs perish everlastingly Who would have thought that those Countreyes which were honoured by Gods owne presence by the Oracles of the Prophets by the presence miracles and preaching of Christ by the planting of the Apostles by the blood of so many Martyrs should be thus besotted and inslaved by the tyranny of this grand Impostor When we thinke on those things let us work out our salvation with feare and â—rembling and let him who thinks he standeth take neeâ—â—easâ— he fall they were not greater sinners then we therefore doubtlesse except we repent we shall all likewise peâ—â—snâ— the â—eâ—issneâ—s of Heraclius Government his faâ—â—ing into the heresie of the Monoâ—â—ciites the contempt of the Gospell the â—â—ighting of the Pastors the wickedâ—esse of the people the continuall Schismes rents â—â—tres and divisions of their Châ—rches were both the causes and occasions of these miseries which have falne upon them le◠〈◊〉 take â—eed â—aeâ— weâ—â—â—ot partakers of their sins least we also partake of their plagues 10. The râ—ading of the Alcâ—â—an will inâ—oâ—e us to beat Mahomet with his own weapons to 〈◊〉 of the head of the 〈◊〉 with his own sword and to wounâ— this unclea◠〈◊〉 with câ—â— pikt out of his own â—ings for even unwitâ—â—â— and unwillingly 〈◊〉 is forced to acknowledge maâ—◠〈◊〉 o◠〈…〉 â—â—â—rming 〈…〉 one true God the Creator of all things and though he goeth about to overthrow the doctrine of the Trinity yet he doth plainly confirm it when he speaks of God of the Word and of the Spirit which three indeed are one 〈◊〉 offence though distinct in subsistence though he laboureâ—â— to overthrow the Gospeâ— yet he confirms it when he calls it good fulâ— right a light and a guide to salvation for if it be full good c. what need was there of his Alcoran and though he indeavoureth to overthrow Christs Divinity with Arius and Nestorius and the Jews his ghostly fathers yet he affirms it in calling Christ the Word for as the internall word of the mind is coeternall with the mind so is Christ the Word of his Father coeternal with the Father he establisheth also the Article of Christs Conception and Nativity affirming hâ—rs to be conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary whom he confesseth to have been a pure Virgin both before and after Christs birth so he confirms the Article of Christs ascention into heaven and divers other points of Christianity to whom we are more beholding for his reverend esteem of Christ then the Jews who revise blaspheme â—â—m 11. In reading the Alcoran though we find much â—ung yet in it we shall meet with some gold as Virgil did in reading of Ennius his Verses Aesoâ—s Cock found a pâ—ecious stone in a â—â—mghill where is much drosse some pure mettall will be found even so in the dirt of the Alcoran you shall find some Jewells of
world at the day of Judgement 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 Majestie 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 Oh people God hath sent you a Protector a most strong argument and a most cleare 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 Sonne shall have as much as two daughters God teacheth you his Commandemements 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 mercifull 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 goe on Pilgrimage to Mecca God ordaineth what he will O ye that believe say not That it is permitted to doe what God hath prohibited performe what is commanded you during the month of Pilgrimage give no impediment to such as carry presents to Mecca nâ—ither to them that assume * The old Arabians in devotion pâ—t the leaves and bâ—aâ—â—â—es of Trees upon their necks like collers as the Peasaâ—ts in many places in France do the herbs of Sâ— John Collers neither hinder Pilgrims to repaire thither to demand the Grace of God and his mercies It is lawfull for you to hunt when you shall have finished your pilgrimage beware lest some pesons cause you to sin and hinder your going to Mecca to oblige you to punish them repose your confidence in the justice and feare of God and not in the sin and malice of your neighbour Feare God who is severe in his chastisements It is forbidden you to eat Carrion See Kitab el tenoir Blood Swines flesh and whatsoever is not killed in pronouncâ—ng the name of God you are prohibited to eat Animals strangled choakt knockt down precipitated that are slain striking each other and such as beasts shall have slain if you find them not alive to let out their blood in pronouncing the name of God You shall not eat of beasts sacrificed to Idols Consult not with Southsayers or Lots it is a great sin The day shall come when they that have abandoned your Law See Gelaldin shall be desperate feare not them and feare me The day will come when I shall accomplish your Law and my grace shall be abundantly upon you The Law of Salvation is the Law that I desire to give you If any one be in necessity and eateth of what is prohibited without a will to sin God shall be to him gracious and mercifull They will demand of thee what is permitted them to eat Say to them it is lawfull to eat all sorts of beasts that are not uncleane and whatever hath been taught you from God touching beasts that hath been wounded by Lions or Dogs eat the beast you shall take and remember God in blooding them feare God he is exact to take account This day it is lawfull that you eat what is not uncleane and the meats of them that know the written Law The Jewes and Christians their meats are lawfull for you and yours for them You are permitted to espouse maidens and women of free condition that are of your Religion and maidens and women of free condition that know the written Law giving them their dowry with civility commit neither Concubinage nor Adultery with them neither secretly or publiquely the good works of him that shall renounce your Law shall be unprofitable he shall be at the day of Judgment in the number of the damned O ye that believe in God when you would make your prayers wash your faces your hands to the elbow and passe your hand over your head and over your feet to the ancles If you be polluted purifie your selves if sick or in a journey or about to discharge your belly or have knowne women and find no water to wash you lay hand on the sand passe it over your visage and wipe therewith your hands God enjoyneth you nothing irksome but willeth you be cleane and desireth to accomplish his grace upon you peradventure you will give him thanks O yee that believe in God! call to mind his grace and promise he made to you when you said We heard and obeyed feare him he knoweth all that is in your hearts O ye that believe in God! obey his Commandements and be true in your Testimonies take heed that no man move you to offend God in divertâ—ng you from what is just render justice to all his feare inviteth you to it have it before your eyes hee knoweth all your actions hath promised his grace and great recompenses to the True believers that shall doe good works in this world and hath prepared Hell to punish Infidels O ye that believe in God! remember his favour towards you when some persons would have extended their hands upon you and how he delivered you from their malice Corcis Enemie to Mahomet Feare him all true believers ought to resigne themselves to his will God received the promise of the Children of Israel to observe his Commandemements he established among them twelve Captains and said to them I will be with you when you shall make prayers pay your Tithes believe in the Prophets defend them and shall lend to me any almes I will cover your sinnes and cause you enter Paradise wherein flow many rivers and he among you that shall be an Infidell shall bee entirely erroneous from the right path When they swarved from what they had promised we gave them our curse and hardned their heart they have altered the words of the Scripture and abjured what they had approved Thou shalt not know them that shall bee Traitors except very few of them forgive and depart from them God loveth them that doe good We likewise received the promise of those who call themselves Christians but they have forgotten what they promised they have altered what was taught them and we have cast among them enmitie and hatred even untill the day of Judgement That day God shal cause them to know what ever they had done for their punishment O yee that know the written Law our * Mahomâ—t Prophet is come to bring
to light many things of the Scripture which you conceale and he likewise leaveth in silence many things that it is not time to make manifest God hath sent you a Book full of light to conduct into the way of Salvation them that love him to bring them out of darknesse and by his speciall grace to lead them into the way of Salvation Certainly he that saith that the Messiah the Sonne of Mary is God is impious Say to him who can hinder God to exterminate the Messiah and his Mother with whatsoever is in the Earth when it shall seeme good to him God is King of Heaven and earth he created with them what seemed good to him he is Omnipotent The Jews and Christians have said we are the Children of God his wel-beloved Say to them shall not God chastise you for your sinnes Certainly ye are men He that created you pardoneth and punisheth as it pleaseth him he is the King of all that is in Heaven or Earth and of whatever is betweene them he is the refuge of the righteous O ye that have knowledge in the written Law The Poophet the Apostle of God is come to instruct you in a time that there is none other Prophet but hee on the Earth Will you say that no man preached to you the torments of Hell Certainly the word of God is this day preached to you the torment of Hell and the Omnipotencie of his Divine Majestie Remember thou what Moses said to his people Oh people call to mind the grace of God towards you he hath chosen from among you Prophets and Kings hath conferred on you what he hath given to none in the world Enter into the holy Land as God hath commanded turne not your backs to your enemies lest you be in the number of Reprobates They answered oh Moses there are Gyants and Tyrants in the Holy Land we will not enter into it untill they be gone out of it if they forsake it we will enter into it Then two men of them that were in the grace of God said to them enter at the gate and fight against them you shall be victorious trust in God if you believe in his Law They said oh Moses we will not enter so long as those Tyrants dwell therein goe and fight against them with thy Lord we will here attend Then said Moses Lord I dispose but of mine own and my brothers person separate us from this wicked people the Lord said to him the entrance into the Holy Land is prohibited to this people they shall wander forty years upon the Earth in confusion and amazement afflict not thy selfe with the deportments of the wicked teach them the Historie of the Sonnes of Adam how they offered sacrifices how the sacrifice of the one was accepted that of the other was not he through envie menaced his brother to murther him his brother said to him God receiveth the sacrifices and holocausts of such as have his feare before their eyes assuredly if thou extendest thine hand to slay me I will not stretch forth mine to hurt thee I feare the Lord of the Universe If thou chargest thy selfe with the murther of my person with thy past sinnes thou shalt goe to hell where the unjust shall be punished The murther of his brother seemed easie and advantagious for him he slew him and is in the number of the Damned God sent a Raven that made a pit in the Earth and shewed him the manner to bury the body of his brother Then said he would to God I had been weake and impotent that I were like to this Raven I must bury the body of my brother and he was penitent for his offence by reason of this murther we ordained to the children of Israel that he who shall slay a person innocent shall be punished as if he had slaine the whole world and he that shall give him his life shall be recompensed as if hee had given life to the whole world My Prophets came to the Children of Israel taught them my Commandements and caused them to see Miracles neverthelesse many of them were disobedient the punishment of them that oppose the will of God that of his Prophet and that endeavour to pollute the earth is to be slain hanged to have the right foot and the left hand or right hand and the left foot cut off and to bee extirpated from the earth they shall have in this world shame on the forehead and shall feele in the other great torments except such as shall be converted before their death and shall know that God is gracious and mercifull Oh ye that believe feare God fight for his Law you perhaps shall be happy All the Treasures of the world shall not bee able to redeeme Infidels at the day of Judgement they shall endure exceeding great torments they shall desire to goe out of the fire of Hell but shall dwell there eternally Cut off the hands of those men and women that steale they contract upon themselves the wrath of the world and the punishment that God hath prepared for the wicked He that shall turn and do good works shall be pardoned God is gracious and mercifull to the penitent Knowest thou not that the Kingdome of Heaven and of Earth is Gods that hee chastiseth and pardoneth whom it pleaseth him and that he is Omnipotent Oh Prophet afflict not thy selfe to behold them running to impietie that say with the mouth we believe and have no faith in their hearts neither for them that Judaize and hearken to the lies of their Doctors to relate them to others they pervert the language of the Old Testament and say If you be instructed in those precepts you ought to observe them if they instruct you not in them take heed to your selves Such as make use of the name of God to move the people to sedition are without faith God will not purifie their hearts they shall have in this world shame upon the forehead and feele in the other extreame torments They listen to blasphemies and eat what is prohibited If they repaire to thee and submit themselves to thy judgement judge their controversie with equity converse not with them if thou depart from their company they shall not hurt thee if thou givest judgement between them Judge with equitie God loveth the just How shall they submit to thy judgement seeing they have the Old Testament which containeth the Commandements of God They will not execute thy Judgement neither believe in the Old Testament whereis the guide of the right way and a light to the Prophets to judge the differences arising among true believers among Jews their Doctors and ther Priests who study the Scripture and are witnesses that it containeth the truth feare not the world but dread me sell not neither exchange my commandements for any price Such as judge not conformably to the Law of God are Infidels We have ordained the Talio man for man an eye for an eye a
blasphemeth against God and his Commandements 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 learne the Alcoran because their ears are stopped When they shall heare related all the miracles of the world and shall see them with their eyes they will not believe untill they have disputed against thee The wicked say the Alcoran is but a lie and Fable of Antiquity they forbid the people to believe it and contemne 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 Commandements of his divine Majesty be in the number of true believers They knew the truth but conceal'd it should they return into the world they would return to their impiety they are liars They affirm there is none other life then that of the world neither any resurrection when they shall be before God they shal acknowledge their errors he shall cause them to feele 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 houre 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 O Mahomet neverthelesse 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 contemne the Commandements of God are impious they have belied the Prophets thy Predecessors the Prophets endured their lies and were patient untill we destroyed them God declineth not what he hath promised Thou knowest what the Prophets foretold if men abandon thee canst thou covet to continue on earth to instruct them and to be in heaven at the same time to cause prodogies appear testimonies of thy mission Had it so pleased God See Gelaldin he had brought them all into the right way nor had they been in the number of the ignorant Certainly he heareth the prayers of the righteous that hearken to his word he will gâ—ve resurrection to the dead and assemble them to receive recompence according to their merits They have said we believe not in the Prophet if he shew not to us some miracle from his Lord say unto them God hath shewed you many miracles but most of you doe not understand them the beasts that walk upon the Earth and the birds that flie in the Aire are in the number of hâ—s creâ—tures We have not omitted to write any thing that is writtâ—n â—n the Book kept in heaven all men shall one day appear before God such as shall not have believed in his Law shall be deaf and dumb and inhabit darkenesse God misleadeth whom it pleaseth him and guideth in the right way whom he seeth good Say unto them have you â—â—lt the punishment of God Have you had knowledge of the day of Judgement Will you invoke any but God if you be good men If you implore him he will deliver you fâ—om the evils that you feare and if it please him you shall abandon the Idols which with unbelievers you adore We sent our Prophets to them that were before you when they contemned them we sent afflictions to procure their conversion which had not been done without the miseries that we brought upon them Nevertheles their heart is hardned the devill caused them to find disobedience more advantagious and they forgot what was taught them When we opened the gate of happinesse they exceedingly rejoyced and were ingratefull but when they thought least of it they were chastised became desperate and were extirpated for the great glory of God Lord of the Univers say unto them if God rendred you deaf blind and ignorant what other god then God shall restore your sight hearing O Mahomet and knowledge Consider how I manifest my Unity neverthelesse they will not believe it say unto them have you had a sense of the scourge of God secretly and publikely Hath God condemned any but the wicked He sent not the Prophets and Apostles but to proclaime the felicity of Paradise and preach the torments of Hell He that shall believe and doe good works shall be exempt from feare at the day of Judgement and unbelievers shall be punished because of their disobedience Say unto them I told you not that I had in my power all the treasures of God neither that I had knowledge of the future and past nor doe afirme that I am an Angell I only act what hath been inspired into me is the blind like to him that seeth clearly Consider what I say I preach not the day of Judgement but to such as apprehend it they shall find none other then God to protect them The poore peradventure they will feare his divine Majesty Molest not them that pray unto God evening and morning and that desire to see his face thou shalt not be accomptable for their actions See Gelaldin neither shall they give accompt of what thou dost if thou disturbest them thou shalt be in the number of the unjust We have proved men by one another they have said among them with derision behold those among us to whom God hath given his graces doth God not know them that acknowledge his benefits Salute with affection true believers when they come to visite thee God loveth civility clemency and humanity and will pardon him among you that shall offend him through ignorance that shall repent of his error and doe good works he is benigne and mercifull Thus doe I recount the graces of God and discover the way of sinners Say unto them I am forbidden to worship what you adore lest I should goe astray from the right way I have received from God a light which yee have contemned God is Judge of all things judgeth with truth and is most just in his Judgements I cannot forthwith give you a sight of the torments of hell neither of the chastisement of God which you with so much instance require this dependeth on his divine Majesty had I this power our difference would be soon at a period God knoweth the unjust in his power are the keys of the future none knoweth but he he knoweth whatsoever is in the earth and the sea the number of the leaves that fall from the trees and of the atomes that are in the darknesse of the earth There is nothing dry or greene in the earth that is not written
fear God thou concealest in thy mind a design whiâ—â— God shal discover thou fearest the people but it is thy 〈◊〉 to fear God alone When Zeid did repudiat his wife we â—â—ryed thee to her to the end their might remain no error â—mong the True-belelevers when they shall repudiate thâ— wives they shal observe in repudiating them what God haâ— ordained The Prophet sins not in doing what God haâ— permitted the law of God was in this maner observed by 〈◊〉 predecessors the command of his divine Maj. is execuâ—â—â— without delay Such as preach the word of God his Apostâ—â— and Prophets fear none but his Divine Majesty it suffice them that they are in his protection Mahomet is not yoâ— father He is not the father of Zeid to espouse the wife which he put away he is the Apostle of God and the last of all the Prâ—phets God knoweth all things there shall not come anâ—ther Prophet after him Oh ye that beleive in Goâ— thiâ— frequently on his divine Majesty praise him morning anâ— evening he shall give you his mercy the Angels imploâ— pardon that he may deliver from darkness he is mercifâ—â— to true beleivers the Angels shall salute them on his behaâ—â— at the day of Judgment See Tefsianf Joâ—hir he hath prepared for them an exceeding great reward Oh Prophet we have sent thee to be witnesse of thâ— deportments of the People and as a light to conduct them into the right way proclaim to the True-beleivers thaâ— they shall receive of thy Lord an exceeding great grace obey not Infidels nor the wicked fear not their malice and trust in God thou oughtest to be satisfyed that God protecteth thee O ye that beleive it is not lawfull for you to abuse your Wives if you repudiate them before ye have â—nown them deal well with them and dismisse them with â—ildnesse and civility O Prophet we permit thee to know â—he women to whom thou hast given dowry the women-â—laves which God hath given thee the daughters of thine Vncles and of thine Aunts that have abandoned with â—hee the company of the wicked and the true beleiving wife that shall be given thee if thou wilt marry her that she be not the wife of a true-beleiver We know what wâ— have commanded true beleivers touching their wives and their slaves we have instructed thee therein to the end thou offend not God he is gracious and merciful to such as obey him Thou shalt retain whom of thy wives thou shalt desire to retain and shalt repudiate such as thou shalt desire to repudiate and shalt lye with them that shall please thee it is better that thou repudiate without offending God then to see them male contented and sad they shall be contented with the good that thou shalt do to them in divorcing them God knoweth what is in your hearts he is Omniscient and most merciful Mahomet had nine wives It is not lawfull for thee to know other women then thine own it is not lawful for thee to exchange them although the beaty of others please thee except thy slaves See Gelaldin God regardeth all O yâ—â—hat beleive I enter not into the houses of the prophet withouâ— permission except at the hour of repast that by chance without design if ye are invited enter with freedome when ye shall have taken your repast depart out of the house and tarry not to discourse one with another this molesteth the Prophet he is ashamed to bid you be gone but God is not ashamed to tell you the truth The wives of the prophet shal have the face coverd when ye speak shall unto them this better resented of purity both in them and in you You ought not to importune the Prophet of God neither to know his wives this would be a most enormous sin if ye conceal any design or discover it know that God knoweth all They shall not offend God in suffering themselvs to be seen of their fathers their children their brethren their nephews their maid servants their she-slaves they shall fear God he seeth all God and the angels * Bless thâ— Prophet pray for the Prophet O ye that beleive See Gelaldin pray for the Prophet and obey him He that shall displeâ— God and his Prophet shall be accursed in this world anâ— shall feel rigorous pains in the other such as do injurâ— without reason to those men and women that believe iâ— God commit an exceeding great sin O Prophet speaâ— to thy wives and thy daughters and the wives of true-believers that they cover themselves with vailes they shaâ—â— be more honored and shall receive no displeasure God iâ— gracious and mercifull If the wicked the whoremongers and those of Medina that are weak in their faith quit noâ— their impiety I will give thâ—e absolute power over them few among them will respect thee but take thou them and slay them wheresoever thou shalt meet them God so commanded those that were before thee thou shalt finde no alteration in the Law of God The people will enquire of thee when shall be the day of Iudgment Say unto them that God alone knoweth it and that thou knowest not if it shall bâ— very speedily but that God hath prepared for Infidells an exceeding great fire wherein they shall burn eternally hey shall finde no protection they shall be cast headlong into the fire and shall say would to God we had obeyed his divine Majesty and the Prophet his Apostle they shall say Lord we obeyed our Masters and Superiors they seduced us from the right way Lord chastise them doubly and give them thy curse O ye that believe be not like them that displeased Moses he was innocent 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 mercifull to them that obey him CHAP. XXXIV The Chapter of * Saba is a Province of Liemen Saba containing fifty four Verses written at Mecca IN the Name of God gracious and merciful See Gelaldin Praised be God whatsoever is in heaven 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 descendeth he is gracious and mercifull 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 lesse and what is yet greater then an Atome is written in a book that discovereth every thing he shall reward the true-beleivers that have don good works he shall give them his mercy and enrich them with precious treasures such as have endeavoured to suppresse his Law shall feel the effects of his indignation They that understand the Scripture know that God hath taught thee the very truth to guide the people into the right way into the path of honour and vertue but the wicked said among them will ye beleive a man who affirmeth that after your death ye shall rise again and be new creatures he lyeth impudently he is possessed of the devill Certainly they that beleive not in the Resurrection are in an exceeding great error and shall suffer most greivous pains see they not what is above and what is below them Consider they not the heaven and the earth If I will I can render it barren and cause a peice of the heaven to fall upon them for a signe of my Omnipotency We gave our grace to David and spake to the mountains birds and mettals with him to praise me we commanded him to make cuirasses Iron was soft in his hand as wax O lineage of David I be not ingrateful I see whatsoever ye do we made the winds subject to Solomon he commanded them evening morning from the East to the West we gave him a fountain and brook of dissolved brass the devils through our permission wrought it to his minde and we punished in the fire oâ— hell such as refused to obey him They built for him lost palaces and * Depein piâ—d spacious houses they formed basons foâ— water chanels and pools we said unto him O lineage oâ— David be not ingrateful for my graces for that few persons do acknowledg them When he dyed through ouâ— Commandment nothing discovered his death to the devils buâ— the wormes that had eaten the end of his staffâ— whereon he leaned when the devils saw him fall they perceived that had they known the future and what was hâ— from them they should not have laboured so long a timâ— in his service The Inhabitants of Saba have a mark of mâ— Omnipotency in their Countrey viz. two gardens the one on the North side and the other towards the South iâ— was said unto them eat of the good things that your Lord hath given you and return him thanks their Country is delicious God hath been merciful towards them neverthelesse they are ingrateful and impious we sent the river oâ— Arem that overflowed their gardens we changed them into two gardens of thorns of Cyprus and a little * An Judian Date Tamarinde thus did we punish them because of their impiety We established a way with many cities for facility of commerce among them See Gelaldin and the City which we blessed and spake unto the people to follow that way night and day with safety and without fear They said God destroyeth us through the length of this way they returned to their impiety and we dispersed them upon the earth to serve for example to posterity and instruction to such as persevere in my Law and acknowledg my graces The devill caused them to believe his opinion they followed him except some of the true believers that were among them he had no power over them but to know them that believed in the Resurrection and such as doubt Thy Lord observeth and regardeth all Say unto them invoke your Idols they have not power of the bigness of an Atome neither in heaven nor earth God hath no companion they shall find none to protect them at the day of Iudgment none shall intercede for them without the permission of his divine Majesty if they receive any relaxation in their fear they enquire of each other what God spake answer that he spake the truth that he is most high and most mighty Say unto them who enricheth you with the good things of heaven and earth they will say that it is God Say unto them who of you or of us followeth the right way Or who of you or of us is seduced Enquire not after our sins we are not curious to know what ye do God shall assemble us at the day of Judgment and shall judge our differences with equity he iâ— an exceeding great Judge say unto them let us see the Idols that ye have worshiped certainly there is but one God omnipotent and wise We have not sent thee but to declare to men the joyes of Paradise and to preach to them the pains of hell but the greatest part knoweth it not they aske in what time they shall see the punishment that is preached to them and if thou speakest the truth say unto them when the time thereof is come ye shall not be able to retard or advance an hour they have said that they will not beleive in the Alcoran but thou shalt see them one day assembled in the presence of thy Lord thou shalt see that they shall accuse one another the poorâ— shall say unto â—he rich you have hindred us to obey the Commandments of God they shall answer have we seduced you from the way that was taught you On the contrary you were wicked and malicious they shall say on the contrary you employed night and day your Artifices to render us ingratfull for the graces of God and to induce us to believe that he hath companions equal to him they shall repent of their sins when they shall see their punishment we will lay chains upon their necks and they shall be chastised after their demerits The chief Inhabitants of the Cities said to the Prophets that we sent to them to preach the torments of hell that they believe not their words We have said they more riches and more children then those that believe in their discourse we shall not be damned as they affirm Say unto them my Lord giveth and taketh away riches as seemeth good to him but the greatest part of the people know it not your wealth and your children shall not give you accesse to God such as shall performe good works shall be rewarded and shall live eternally in the delights of Paradise they that sâ—all endeavour to suppress our Law shall be cast headlong into the fire of Hell Say unto them my Lord giveth and taketh away wealth as to him seemeth good he maketh vain the alms which ye shall give if ye observe not his Law he is the rich of the rich Be thou mindfull of the day when I shall assemble the Idolaters and shall say to the Angels behold them who have adored you they shall say praised be God thou alone art our Master and protector they adored not us they worshipped the devill the greatest part of them beleived in his word this day they are