Ptōchomuseion [sic]. = The poore mans librarie Rapsodiæ G.A. Bishop of Exceter vpon the first epistle of saint Peter, red publiquely in the cathedrall church of saint Paule, within the citye of London. 1560. Here are adioyned at the end of euery special treatie, certaine fruitful annotacions which may properly be called miscellanea, bicause they do entreate of diuerse and sundry matters, marked with the nombre and figures of Augrime. 2.

Mahometes functions.

First he was a keper of Camels, afterwardes when he had maryed a riche widow, he became a marchaunt, and at the length a Prophet, and by the helpe and meanes of Sergius the Moncke, he was a sectarie. He fayned that he receyued the lawe of God of Gabriell the Archangell in the forty yeare of his age.

At the last, (whē he was made a captaine in the warres) within xviij. moneth after he fained him selfe to haue lerned his misteries in Ierusalē, being translated frō thence and taken vp into heauen, of Gabriel the Ar∣changell, and after he had discended from heauē, tooke to his felowes Eu∣bogaram, Ali and Zaid. And when he came to Athaif, he openly taught that he was a Prophet, and this he did by the space of ten yeares running vp and down from place to place. And at length hauing gotten a bande of men, he compelled by menacinges those men to consent vnto hym whiche he could not by phantasticall and suttle reasons bring to the forme of re∣ligion and lawes that he had prescribed.

He had two heauenly counsailours, Michaell and Gabriel, and two earthly counsailours Eubocara and Aomarus.

In the proclayming of his lawes a doue made by arte did flie vnto him, and ••••tting vpon his shoulders did gather corne out of his care.

VVherby certain mad men foolishly thought that the holy ghost gaue lawes vnto him.

Doubtfull matters were referred to his determination.

He was sēt to be a punisher of y^e Gentils, y^t they might worship one God.* 1.1

Some things he commaunded to be done, and some things to be vndone. He ordained some meates that were good and sauorie to be lawfull to be eaten, and other some to be vnlawfull. He doth explane Alcoran, and ex∣tolleth it aboue all other lawes. He expoundeth the contrarieties therin, and maketh plaine the right way

He sayd also he was enioyned to worship onely the Lord of the Citie Haram, and to beleue in him which ruled all things, and to read Alcoran plainly, and by it to geue correction.

He affirmed also him self to be an arbitrer and iudge of dissention in religion, and did arrogate vnto himselfe the authoritie to dispense and to dissolue wedlocke.

Furthermore,* 1.2 he declared that he did folow the law of Abraham by the commaundement of God, and sayd that he was a Prophet sent of God to geue saluation, & that he might temper and mitigate lawes which was to rigorous and seuere for the Iewes and Christians, by geuing forth more gentle and easie preceptes.

In the kingdome of the Sarazens he did constitute foure chief rulers whiche were called Ammirei,* 1.3 and he hym selfe was called Ammiras or Proto Simbolus.

His warres are described in the Chronicles of the Sarazens.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Azoara. 9. Ibidem. 38.56
• * 1.2

  Vincentius Lib. 23.
• * 1.3

  Sigibertus et Paulus diaco∣nus. lib. 18.