The life and death of Mahumed, the author of the Turkish religion being an account of his tribe, parents, birth, name, education, marriages, filthiness of life, Alcoran, first proselytes, wars, doctrines, miracles, advancement, &c. / by L. Addison ... author of The present state of the Jews.

CHAP. XVIII. (Book 18)

A Copy of the League Mahumed made with the Christians, whose Origi∣nal was found in a Monastery on Mount Carmel, near Mount Liba∣nus, a days journey from Mecca, and (as some say) was sent to the King's Library in France.

MAhumed, sent from God to teach Man∣kinde, and declare the Divine Com∣mission in truth, wrote these things.

That the Cause of Christian Religion determined by God, might remain in all parts of the East and West, as well amongst the Inhabitants as Strangers, near and re∣mote, known and unknown: To all these people I leave this present Writing, as an inviolable League, as a decision of all far∣ther Controversies, and a Law whereby Ju∣stice is declared, and strict observance enjoy∣ned. Therefore, whosoever of the Musulmin's Faith shall neglect to perform these things, and violate this League, and after the man∣ner of Infidels break it, and transgress what I command herein, he breaks the Compact of

God, resists his agreement, and contemns his Testament, whether he be a King, or any other of the faithful, (that is, Mahumedans.)

By this Agreement, whereby I have ob∣liged my self, and which the Christians have required of me, and in my Name, and in the name of all my Disciples, to enter into a Covenant of God with them, and League and Testament of the Prophets, Apostles, Elect, and faithful Saints, and blessed of times past and to come.

By this Covenant, I say, and Testament of mine (which I will have maintained with as much Religion, as a Prophet Missio∣nary, or as an Angel next to the Divine Majesty is strict in his obedience towards God, and in observance to his Law and Co∣venant) I promise to defend their Judges in my Provinces, with my Horse and Foot, Auxiliaries, and other my faithful Follow∣ers; and to preserve them from their Ene∣mies, whether remote or neer, and secure them both in Peace and War; and protect their Churches, Temples, Oratories, Mo∣nasteries, and places of Pilgrimage, where∣soever scituated, whether in Mountain or Valley, Cavern or House, a Plain, or upon the Sand, or in what sort of edifice soever; also preserve their Religion and their Goods in whatsoever part they are, whether at Land or Sea, East or West, even as I keep

my self and my Scepter, and the faithful believers of my own people.

By this Covenant, I likewise promise to receive them into my protection from all Harm, Vexation, Offence, and Hurt. More∣over, to repel those Enemies which are offen∣sive to them and me, and stoutly to oppose them both in my person, by my Servants, and all others of my People and Nation: For since I am set over them, I ought to preserve and defend them from all adversity, and that no evil touch them before it af∣flict mine, who labour in the same work. I promise farther to free them from those burthens which Confederates suffer, either by Loans of Money, or Impositions; so that they shall be obliged to pay nothing but what they please, and no molestation or injury shall be offered them herein.

A Bishop shall not be removed from his Diocess, or a Christian compelled to re∣nounce his Faith, or a Monk his Profession, or a Pilgrim disturbed in his Pilgrimage, or a religious man in his Cell: Nor shall their Churches be destroyed, or converted into Moschs; for whosoever doth so break this Covenant of God, opposes the Messenger of God, and frustrates the divine Testa∣ment. No Impositions shall be laid upon Friars or Bishops, nor any of them who are not liable to Taxes, unless it be with their own consent.

And as to great Merchants, Fishers of Pearls, Miners of precious stones, Gold and Silver, and all other rich and opulent Chri∣stians, they shall not pay above twelve shil∣lings yearly; and it shall also be from those who are constant Inhabitants of the place, and not from Travellers and men of uncer∣tain abode; for they shall not be subject to Impositions or Contributions, unless they are possessors of Land or Estate; for he which is lawfully subject to pay money to the Emperour, shall pay as much as another and not more, nor more required from him above his faculty and strength. In like manner, he that is taxed for his Land, Hou∣ses, or Revenue, shall not be burthened im∣moderately, nor oppressed with greater Taxes than any others that pay Contribu∣tion.

Nor shall the Confederates be obliged to go to War with the Musulmins against their Enemies, either to fight or discover their Armies, because it is not of duty to a Con∣federate to be employed in Military Affairs; but rather this Compact is made with them, that they may be the less oppressed; but ra∣ther the Musulmin shall watch and ward and defend them. And therefore that they be not compelled to go forth to fight, or encounter the Enemy, or finde Horse or Arms, unless they voluntarily furnish them:

And be who shall thus willingly contri∣bute, shall be recompensed and rewarded. No Musulmin shall infest the Christians, nor contend with them in any thing but in kind∣ness; but treat them with all courtesie, and abstain from all oppression or violence to∣ward them.

If any Christian commit a crime or fault, it shall be the part of the Musulmin to assist him, intercede, and give caution for him, and compound for his miscarriage; liberty shall also be given him to redeem his life. Nor shall he be forsaken, nor destitute of help, because of the Divine Covenant which is with them, That they should enjoy what the Musulmins enjoy, and suffer what they suffer.

And according to this Covenant, which is by the Christians just request, and ac∣cording to that endeavour which is so re∣quired for confirmation of its Authority, you are obliged to protect them from all calamity, and perform all Offices of good will toward them, so that the Musulmin may be sharers with them in prosperity and adversity.

Moreover, all care ought to be had, that no violence be offered to them, as to mat∣ters relating to Marriage, viz. That they compell not the Parents to match their Daughters with Musulmin: Nor shall they

be molested for refusal either to give a Bridegroom, or a Bride; for this is an act wholly voluntary, depending on their free will and pleasure.

But if it happen that a Christian woman shall joyn with a Musulmin, he is obliged to give her liberty of Conscience in her Re∣ligion, and that she may obey her Ghostly Father, and be instructed in the Doctrines of her Faith without impediment. There∣fore he shall not disquiet her, either by threatning divorce, or by sollicitations to forsake her Faith; but if he shall be con∣trary hereunto, and molest her herein, he despises the Covenant of God, rebels against the Compact of the Messenger of God, and is entred into the number of liars.

Moreover, when Christians would repair their Churches, or Convents, or any thing else appertaining to their Worship, and have need of the liberality and assistance of the Musulmins hereunto, they ought to con∣tribute, and freely to bestow according to their ability; not with intention to receive it again, but gratis; and as a good will toward their Faith, and to fulfil the Cove∣nant of the Messenger of God, considering the obligation they have to perform the Covenant of God, and the Compact of the Messenger of God. Nor shall they oppress any of them living amongst the Musulmin

nor hate them, nor compel them to carry Letters, or shew the way, or any other manner force them: For he who exercises any manner of this Tyranny against them, is an oppressor, and an adversary to the Messenger of God, and refractory to his Precepts.

These are the Covenants agreed between Mahumed the Messenger of God, and Chri∣stians. But the Conditions on which I binde these Covenants on their Conscien∣ces, are these:

That no Christian give any entertainment to a Souldier Enemy to the Musulmin, or receive in his House publickly or privately. That they receive none of the Enemies of the Musulmin as Sojourners into their Houses, Churches, or Religious Convents, nor underhand furnish the Camp of their Enemies with Arms, Horse, Men; or main∣tain any correspondence or intercourse with them by contracts or writing; but betaking themselves to some certain place of abode, shall attend to the preservation of them∣selves, and to the defence of their Reli∣gion.

To any Musulmin and his Beasts they shall give three days entertainment with variety of meat; and moreover shall en∣deavour

to defend them from misfortune and trouble. So that if any Musulmin shall be desirous or be compelled to conceal himself in any of their houses or habitations, they shall friendly hide him, and deliver him from the danger he is in, and not betray him to the Enemy.

And in this manner the Christians per∣forming Faith on their side, whosoever vio∣lates any of these Conditions, and doth contrarily, shall be deprived of the benefits contained in the Covenant of God and his Messenger. Nor shall he deserve to enjoy those Priviledges indulged to Bishops and Christian-Monks, and to the believers of the contents of the Alcoran.

Wherefore I do conjure my people by God and his Prophet, to maintain these things faithfully, and fulfil them in what part soever of the world they are; and the Mes∣senger of God shall recompence them for the same: The perpetual observation whereof he seriously recommends to them, until the day of Judgment and dissolution of the world.

Of these Conditions which Mahumed the Messenger of God hath agreed with the Chri∣stians, and hath enjoy'd, the witnesses were,

• Abu Bacre,
• Oman Ben-Alcherab,
• Ishman Ben-Afaw,
• Ali Ben-Abitaleb.

The Secretary was Moavias ben Abi Sa∣sian, a Souldier of the Messenger of God, the last day of the Moon of the fourth Moneth, the fourth year of Hegira, in Medina. May God remunerate those who are witnesses of this writing. Praised be God the Lord of all Creatures.

This is the Covenant which Mahumed made in favour of the Christians; and though the Turks deny the truth thereof, yet it is by very good Authors taken for real. And if the condition of Mahumeds affairs be considered at the time when this Covenant is said to have been made by him, there will be the less temptation to su∣spect its Authority: For in the fourth of the Hegira he was at war with the Arabians, and his Kingdome in no good posture; but like the infancy of all new-erected Empires, weak and infirm: And to prevent his be∣ing assaulted with two Enemies at once, the Arabian and Christian, he took off the lat∣ter by this politick Compact.