and (a) dainking Wine, is forbidden; which is the great Gift of God, for the Good of the Mind and Body, if taken moderately. And indeed it is no Wonder, that Childish Rudiments should precede the most perfect Law, such as that of Christ is; but it is very preposterous, after the Publication thereof, to return to Figures. Nor can any Reason be given, why any other Religion ought to be published, after the Christian Religion, which is far the Best.

SECT. IX.

A Solution of the Mahometans' Objection concerning the Son of God.

THE Mahometans say, they are offended, because we ascribe a Son to God, who makes no Use of a Wife; as if the Word Son, as it refers to God, could not have a more divine Signification. But Mahomet himself ascribes many Things to God, no less unworthy of him, than if it were said he had a Wife; for instance, (b) that he has a cold Hand, and that himself experienced it by a Touch; (c) that he is carried about in a Chair, and the like. Now we, when we call Jesus the Son of God, mean the same Thing that he did, (d) when he calls him the Word of God; for the Word is in a peculiar

(a) And drinking Wine, &c.] See Enthymius, and others, who have wrote of the Affairs of the Saracens.

(b) That he has a cold Hand, &c.] See the Place in Richardus against the Mahometans, Ch. 1. and 14. and in Cantacuzenus, in the Second Oration against Mahomet, Sect. XXVIII. and in the Fourth Oration, not far from the Beginning.

(c) That he is carried about in a Chair, &c.] In the same Place.

(d) When he calls him the Word of God, &c.] See above.

Manner (a) produced from the Mind: To which we may add, that he was born of a Virgin, by the Help of God alone, who supplied the Power of a Father; that he was taken up into Heaven by the Power of God; which Things, and those that Mahomet confesses, shew, (b) that Jesus may, and ought to be called the Son of God, by a peculiar right.

SECT. X.

There are many absurd Things in the Mahometan Books.

BUT on the other Hand, it would be tedious to relate how many Things there are in the Mahometan Writings, (c) that do not agree to the Truth of History; and how many that are very ridiculous. Such as (d) the Story of a beautiful Woman, who learnt a famous Song from Angels oyertaken with Wine; by which she used to ascend up into Heaven, and to descend from thence; who when she was ascended very high into the Heavens, was

(a) Produced from the Mind, &c.] See Plato in his Banquet, and Aburbanel in his Dialogue, which is commonly called that of Leo Hebræus. See Enthymius concerning this Matter, in the forementioned Dispute, where he says, "In like Manner 66 as our Word proceeds from the Mind, &c." And Cardinal Cusan, Book I. Chap. 13. &c. against the Mahometans; and Richardus, Chap. 9 and 15.

(b) That Jesus may and ought to be called, &c.] Lake i. 35. John x. 56. Acts iii. 13, 14, 15. xiii. 33. Heb. i. 3. v. 5. in the forementioned Book of the Doctrine of Mahomet, Jesus is brought in, calling God his Father

(c) That do not agree to the Truth of History, &c.] As that of Alexander the Great, who came to a Fountain where the Sun stood still. Azoara XXVIII. concerning Solomon, XXXVII.

(d) The Story of a beautiful Woman, &c.] This Fable is in the Book of the Doctrine of Mahomet, taken out of the Book of Enarrations. See also Cantacuzenus, in his Second Oration against Mahomet, Chap. 15.

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apprehended by God, and fixed there, and that she is the Star Venus. Such another (a) is that of the Mouse in Noah's Ark, that sprung out of the Dung of an Elephant; and on the contrary, (b) that of a Cat bred out of the Breath of a Lion. And particularly, (c) that of Death's being changed into a Ram, which was to stand in the middle Space betwixt Heaven and Hell; and (d) that of getting rid of Banquets in the other Life by Sweat; and (e) that of a Company of Women's being appointed to every one, for sensual Pleasure. Which Things are really all of them such, that they are deservedly given over to Senselessness, who can give any Credit to them, especially when the Light of the Gospel shines upon them.

SECT. XI..

The Conclusion to the Christians; who are admonished of their Duty upon Occasion of the foregoing Things.

HAVING finished this last Dispute, I come now to the Conclusion, which regards not Strangers, but Christians of all Sorts and Conditions; briefly shewing the Use of those Things which have been hitherto said; that those which are right, may be done, and those which are wrong may be avoided.

(a) Is that of the Mouse, &c.] This is in the forementioned Book of the Doctrine of Mahomet.

(b) Of a Cat, &c.] In the same Book.

(c) Of Death's being changed into a Ram, &c.] In the End of the forementioned Book of the Doctrine of Mahomet.

(d) Of getting rid of Banquets, &c.] In the forecited Book of the Doctrine of Mahomet.

(e) Of a Company of Women's, &c.] See what was above alledged on the second Book.

First, (a) that they lift up undefiled Hands to that God (b) who made all Things, visible and invisible, out of nothing; (c) with a firm Persuasion that he takes Care of Mankind, (d) since not a Sparrow falls to the Ground without his Leave: (e) And that they do not fear them, who can only hurt the Body before him who hath an equal Power over both Body and Soul; (f) That they should trust not only on God the Father, but also on Jesus, since there is (g) none other Name on Earth, by which we can be saved; (h) which they will rightly perform, if they consider that not they, who call one by the Name of Father, and the other by the Name of the Lord, shall live eternally; but they who conform their Lives to his Will. They are moreover exhorted, carefully to preserve (i) the Holy Doctrine of Christ, as a most valuable Treasure;

(a) That they lift undefiled Hands, &c.] 1 Tim. ii. James iv. 8. Tertullian in his Apology: "Thither the Christians "direct their Eyes, with Hands extended, because innocent; "with Head uncovered, because they are not ashamed; with"out any Instructor, because from our Heart we pray for all cr Emperors, that they may enjoy a long Life, a secure Go"vernment, a safe House, courageous Armies, a faithful "Senate, an honest People, and a peaceful Land."

(b) Who made all Things, &c.] Colos. i. 16. Heb. xi. 3, Acts iv. 24. 2 Mac. vii. 28.

(c) With a firm Persuasion, &e.] 1 Pet. iii. 11. v. 7.

(d) Since not a Sparrow, &c.] Matt. x. 29.

(e) And that they do not fear them, &c.] Matt. x. 28. Luke xii. 4.

(f) That they should trust, &c.] John xiv. 2. Heb. xiv. 15, 16. Ephes. iii. 12, and 17.

(g) None other Name on Earth, &c.] Acts iv. 12.

(h) Which they will rightly perform, &c.] following. Matt. vii. 21. John xv. 14. (i) The holy Doctrine of Christ, &c.] 1 Cor. iv, 7. - 1 Tim. vi. 20. 2 Tim. i. 14.

John viii. 43, and 1 John ii. 3, 4. Matt. xiii. 44, 45,

and

and to that End, (a) often to read the sacred Writings; by which no one can possibly be deceived, who has not first deceived himself. (b) For the Authors of them were more faithful, and more full of the Divine Influence, than either willingly to deceive us in any necessary Truth, or to hide it in Obscurity; but we must bring (c) a Mind prepared to obey, which if we do, (d) none of those Things will escape us, which we are to believe, hope, or do; and by this Means, (e) that Spirit will be cherished and excited in us, which is given us as (f) a Pledge of future Happiness. Further, they are to be deterred from imitating the Heathen: First, (g) in the Worship of false Gods, (h) which are nothing but empty Names; (i) which

(a) Often to read the sacred Writings, &c.] Colos. iii. 16. 1 Thes. v. 37. Rev. i. 3.

(b) For the Authors of them were more faithful, &c.] Tertullian speaks thus concerning the Heretics in his Prescription: They were wont to say, that the Apostles did not "know all Things; being actuated by the same Madness, by "which they again change, and say that the Apostles did in"deed know all Things, but did not deliver all Things to "all Men; in both of which they make Christ subject to Re"proach; who sent Apostles either not well instructed, or "not very honest." See what there follows, which is very useful.

(c) A Mind prepared to obey, &c.] John vii. 17. v. 44. Matt. xi. 25. Philip. iii. 15. 2 Pet. iii. 16. Hosea xiv. 10.

(d) None of those Things will escape us, &c.] 2 Tim. ii. 15, 16. John xx. 31. 1 Pet. i. 23.

(e) That Spirit will be cherished, &c.] 2 Tim. vi. 1 Thes. V. 19.

(f) A Pledge of future Happiness, &c.] Ephes. i. 14. 2 Cor. i. 22. v. 3.

(g) In the Worship of false Gods, &c.] 1 Cor. viii. 5, 6. (h) Which are nothing but empty Names, &c.] In the same, v. 4. x. 19.

(i) Which evil Angels make use of, &c.] 2 Cor. x. 20. Rev. ix. 2.