CHAP. V.
Other Mahumeticall speculations, and explanations of their Law, collected out of their owne Commentaries, of that Argument.
OF such writings as haue come to our hands touching Mahomets do∣ctrine and Religion, that seemeth most fully to lay them open, which is called by a 1.1 some, Scala; a booke containing the exposition of the Alcoran, in forme of a Dialogue, translated into Latine by Herman∣nus Dalmata, and made the twelfth Chapter of the first booke of the Alcoran in Italian. I haue therefore presumed on the Readers patience, to those former collections out of the Alcoran it selfe to adde these ensuing, as a further explanation of their opinions. The Messenger of GOD (so beginneth that booke) was sitting amongst his fellowes (the prayer and saluation of GOD be vpon him) in his City Iesrab; and the Angell Gabriel descending on him, said, GOD salu∣teth thee, O Mahomet, &c. There come foure wise-men, Masters in Israel, to proue thee; the chiefe of whom is Abdia-ben-Salon. Mahomet therefore sent his cousin Hali to salute them; and they being come to Mahomet, after mutuall salutations, Abdia tel∣leth him, that he and his fellowes were sent by the people of the Iewes to learne the vnderstanding of some obscurer places of their law. Mahomet asketh, if he come to enquire, or to tempt. Abdia saith, to enquire. Then Mahomet giuing him full leaue, he beginneth; hauing before gathered out of the whole bodie of their Law an hun∣dred most exquisite questions. The principall dregges you shall heere haue.
Abdia. Tell vs (O Mahomet) whether thou be a Prophet or a Messenger? Ma∣homet. GOD hath appointed me both a Prophet and a Messenger. Ab. Doest thou preaoh the Law of GOD, or thine owne Law? Mah. The Law of GOD: this Law is faith, and this faith is, that there are not Gods, but one God, without partaker. Ab. How many lawes of God are there? Mah. One, the law, and faith of the Prophets, which went before vs, was one; the rites were different. Ab. Shall we enter Para∣dise for faith or workes? Mah. Both are necessarie; but if a Gentile, Iew, or Christi∣an, become a Saracen, and preuent his good workes, Faith onely shall suffice: But if Gentile, Iew, or Christian, doe good workes, not in the loue of God, the fire shall consume both him and his worke. Ab. How doth the mercie of God preuent his anger? Mah. When before other creatures Adam rose vp, he sneesed and said, God be thanked: and the Angels hearing it, said The Pitie of God be vpon thee, Adam, who answered Amen: Then said the Lord, I haue receiued your prayer. Ab. What be the foure things which God wrought with his owne hands? Mah. He made Paradise, planted the tree of the trumpet, formed Adam, and did write the Tables of Mo∣ses. Ab. Who told thee this? Mah. Gabriel from the Lord of the world. Ab. In what forme? Mah. Of a man standing vpright, neuer sleeping, nor eating, nor drinking, but the praise of God. Ab. Tell me in order what is one, what is two, what three, foure, fiue, sixe, &c. to a hundreth. Mah. One is God without Sonne, par∣taker