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. 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 with∣out beginning, and without end, he knoweth all that men make manifest, and whatsoever they keep secret, he knoweth all things. He it is that created the earth and the heavens in six days, and •…•…itteth on his throne, he knoweth whatsoever entreth into the earth, and all that cometh out; he knoweth whatsoever descendeth from hea∣ven, and whatsoever ascendeth; he is with you in whatsoever place ye are, and seeth all your acti∣ons; the Kingdom of the heavens and earth is his, and all things obey him; He maketh the night to

enter the day, and knoweth what is in the heart of men. Believe in God and his Prophet, expend in pious works some part of the wealth that he hath given you, he shall give you more. Do good a∣bundantly to them that believe in his Law; where∣fore will ye not believe in God, and his Apo∣stle, who teacheth you the Commandments of your Lord? Ye have promised him to embrace his Law; he hath inspired his Commandments into his servant, to bring you out of darkness, and guide you into light; he is gracious and mer∣ciful. Who hindreth you to make any expence for his glory? The inheritance of the heavens and earth is his; Such as for his service have expen∣ded any thing before the taking of Mecca, are not equal 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 Maje∣sty; he promiseth Paradise to the righteous, and knoweth all your actions. Who is he that shall lend to him any alms? he shall encrease his sub∣stance, and give a great reward: Be thou mindful of the day when thou shalt see those men and women that have obeyed my Commandments, with a light that shall go before them; it shall be said to them, this day it is declared to you, that you shall enter into, and dwell eternally in Gar∣dens, wherein flow many Rivers, and where ye shall find supreme felicity. Be thou mindful of the day that the wicked shall say to the True be∣lievers, Behold us, cast your eye to our side, that we may partake a little of your light. They shall say unto them, Return upon your steps to de∣mand light. There is a place, betwixt them, that hath a secret gate, full of grace and rep•…•…se for the righteous, and without, environed with mise∣ry for the wicked; they shall call upon the

righteous, and say, Were not we of your Reli∣gion? they shall reply, Yes, but ye betrayed your souls through disobedience, ye doubted of the Law of God; your blasphemies rendred you inso∣lent, until the hour of your death; the Devil made you proud, and moved you to rise against the Commandments of his divine Majesty: this day there is neither ransome, nor favour for you: the fire of hell is the habitation of the wicked. Oh 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 had 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 re∣storeth life to the earth after the death thereof: we have taught you the mysteries of faith, perad∣venture 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 righte∣ous: Martyrs shall be recompenced of God, they shall be covered with light, and the wicked that disobey his Commandments shall be dam∣ned eternally: the life of this world is but vanity, sport, and delusion, it is but pride: the abun∣dance of wealth, and children, is like to the rain; the wicked wonder at the plants that it produ∣ceth; in the end they wither, become yellow, and then are altogether dry; 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 prepa∣red for them that shall believe in his divine

Majesty, and his Prophet, this is an immense grace, which he conferreth on whom he pleaseth. All the evil that ye suffer on earth, in your goods and persons, is written in a Book, before it befal you; it is an easie thing to God; to the end that ye afflict not your selves extraordinarily in your displeasures, and that ye rejoyce not over-much in your contentments; God loveth not the proud, he hath not to do with the covetous, who recommend avarice to the People, and who neglect their duty. Praise is due to him, praise is due to him in all places; certain∣ly we sent our Messengers with our Com∣mandments, we sent with them their Scri∣ptures, and Ballance, that People might weigh with good weights. We gave Iron to men, it causeth great evils, and great good in the World, God knoweth them that fight with zeal for his Law and his Prophet, without seeing him, he is Strong and Omnipotent. We sent Noah and Abraham to instruct the People; we instructed their Progeny in the Scripture; some followed the right way, and many disobeyed our Command∣ments; we sent after them our Prophets and A∣postles; we sent Iesus the Son of Mary, we taught him the Gospel; we put civility, clemency, and chastity into the hearts of them that followed him; we did not command them to keep Virginity, they kept it of their own accord, because of their de∣sire they had to please God; they have not ob∣served their Law as they ought, many have been disobedient, but we have rewarded those among them that believed. O ye that believe in Iesus! fear God, and believe in his Prophet, ye shall have double the reward of God's mercy, he shall par∣don your sins, he is gracious and merciful: I teach you these things, to the end that such as have

heretofore received the written Law, may know, that they have no power over the grace of God, he giveth it to whom he listeth, certainly it is im∣mense.