The Alcoran of Mahomet, translated out of Arabick into French, by the Sieur Du Ryer, Lord of Malezair, and resident for the French king, at Alexandria. And newly Englished, for the satisfaction of all that desire to look into the Turkish vanities. To which is prefixed, the life of Mahomet, the prophet of the Turks, and author of the Alcoran. With A needful caveat, or admonition, for them who desire to know what use may be made of, or if there be danger in reading the Alcoran.

CHAP. XLVII. The Chapter of the Combat, containing four∣score and eight Verses, written at Mecca.

IN the name of God, gracious and merciful. Good works are vain and unprofitable to the wicked, and to them that hinder their neighbour to follow the Law of God; he pardoneth their sins, who believe in what Mahomet hath preached; it is the very truth that proceedeth from his Di∣vine Majesty, but the Infidels have followed va∣nity, and the believers have embraced the truth sent from their Lord: Thus God speaketh to the people in Parables. When ye shall meet the Infi∣dels in time of war, cut their necks, pursue them until ye take them prisoners, then bind them; after this, ye shall either give them liberty, or put them to ransome, until their party shall lay down arms. If God pleased, he could give you victory without fighting, but his will is to prove you; he guideth into Paradise, them that are slain for the defence of his Law, and giveth them his grace. Oh ye that believe in God! If ye protect the Law of God, God will protect you, he will confirm your steps, and destroy the Infidels, because they have contemned his Commandments, and their good works shall be to them unprofitable; consi∣der

they not what hath been the end of the impi∣ous that were before them, and that God hath destroyed them? He shall destroy them in like manner, because he protecteth the Believers, and Infidels are deprived of his protection; he maketh the righteous to enter into Paradise, into Gardens wherein flow many Rivers. The punishment of the wicked is sometimes deferred in this world, they live like beasts, but the fire of Hell is prepa∣red for their punishment. How many Cities, stron∣ger, and more opulent than that which they cau∣sed thee to abandon, have we destroyed? They found no protection. Are such as embrace the Law of God like to them that follow their own appetites? God hath promised Paradise to them that have his fear before their eyes; there be in Paradise rivers of water, that receiveth no altera∣tion; there be rivers of milk that never corrup∣teth, rivers of wine, savoury and delicious to the taste; rivers of honey, pure and clean; fruits of all sorts, and the grace of God for them that shall obey his Commandments; the wicked shall re∣main eternally in the fire of Hell, where they shall drink a boiling liquor, that shall burn their en∣trails. There be persons among the Insidels, that hear what thou dost preach; when they are gone from thee, their Doctors demand of them what thou hast said concerning the day of Judgment? God hath hardned the hearts of such men, and they shall never follow but their own passions. God encreaseth the graces of them that obey his Commandments, and fortifieth them in their per∣severance: Shall the Infidels tarry until the day of Judgment surprizeth them? The signs of that day hath already appeared, that day shall repen∣tance be in vain: There is no God but God, im∣plore from him parden of thy sin; and for these

men and women, that believe in his Law, he knoweth what they do day and night: If the Chapter of the place where Justice is rendred, had not been sent, and had not made mention of Com∣bats, thou hadst not seen them, that doubt of the Law, look upon thee with eyes troubled, because of their fears of dying. Teach them obedience, and speak to them with civility. Had they believed, and obeyed, when they were appointed to fight, they had performed a good work. Have ye diso∣beyed? Have ye abandoned the Law of God, to defile the Earth? and to deprive your selves of his mercy? God rendreth them whom he curseth, and who comprehend not the truth of the Alcoran, deaf and blind. Have they a firm heart? Such as have returned to their impiety, after having known the right way, were tempted of the De∣vil, and particularly, when they told the Infidels that they would obey them in any thing, God knoweth all their secrets; what will become of them when the Angels shall cause them to die? they shall beat them before and behind, because they have incurred the wrath of God, and despi∣sed his Commandments; their good works shall be unprofitable; think they that God will never make manifest their malice? If thou wilt, I will make it appear, thou shalt know them by their counte∣nance, thou shalt discover them by their voice and speech. Say unto them, God knoweth all your actions; he shall prove you, to discover the belie∣vers, and the unbelievers. The wicked, who hin∣der the people to follow the way of Salvation, that contradict the Prophet, after they have had know∣ledg of the Law of God, hurt not his Divine Ma∣jesty, their actions are vain and unprofitable. Oh ye that believe! obey God, and his Prophet, and render not your good works ineffectual through

disobedience; he pardoneth not the wicked, who seduce the people from the way of Salvation, and die in their impiety: Be not faint-hearted and flothful, ye shall be victorious, God is with you. He will not deprive you of reward; the life of this world is but foolish pastime and delusion; if ye believe in God, and have his fear before your eyes, he will recompence you for your good works, he requireth not an account of your riches; if he do require [it] of you, it is to hinder you to be avaricious, and to banish usury from among them that believe in his Law: Oh people! ye are com∣manded to make some expence for the love of God: He that shall be a niggard, and avaricious in this occurrence, shall be avaricious, and a nig∣gard to himself. God is rich, and ye are poor; if ye despise his Law, he will create in your place other persons, that shall not do like you.

Notes

• Mecca.