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THE Sixth Book, which is op∣posed to the Mahumetans, in stead of a Preface, dedu∣ces the Judgments of GOD against Christians, unto the very beginning and rise of Mahometisme: showing, that is, how that sincere and simple piety (which flourished among Christians, even when they were most grievously vexed and oppressed)
began by little and little to wax cold; from the time that by the favour of Constantine, and the following Emperors, that profession was become not only safe, but also honour∣able: the World being, as it were, thrust into the Church.
For first of all, Christian Princes would needs continue fighting, and make no end of their Wars: even then, when they might have enjoyed peace and quietness.
Among the Bishops also, there were most sharp Contentions about the Chiefest Sees. And as at the beginning the greatest mischiefs insued, upon the preferring of the Tree of knowledge, before the Tree of Life; even so then also was curious Learning more regard∣ed than a godly Life, and Religion turned in∣to an Art. The consequent of which was, that, after the example of those, who built the Tower of Babel, a rash affectation of things out of their reach, bred jarring and confusion in their Language; together with discord one with another. Which the common People observing, and not knowing oft-times which way to turn themselves, they threw the blame upon the holy Scriptures; and began to avoid them, as hurtful and dangerous.
Religion also began every where to be pla∣ced not in purity of mind, but, as if Judaism was brought back into the World, in Rites and Ceremonies: and in such things as con∣tain
rather an exercise of the body, than any amendment of the mind: and in an eager zeal for that Party and side, which they had once chosen. Till at length it came to pass, that there were every where many Christians in Name; but very few in Deed.
GOD did not wink at these Vices of his People, but, out of the innermost parts of Scythia and Germany, poured forth, like a Deluge, immense swarms of Barbarous Peo∣ple into the Christian World. And when the vast slaughters, which they made, proved not sufficient to correct and amend the lives of those that survived; Mahomet, by God's just permission, sowed a new Religion in A∣rabia: and that directly opposite to the Chri∣stian Religion; but which in words expressed, in a manner, the life of the greatest part of Christians.
This Religion was first entertained by the Saracens; who had revolted from Heraclius the Emperour: and by their Arms subdued, in a short space, Arabia, Syria, Palestine, E∣gypt, Persia; and afterward possessed them∣selves of Africa, and, beyond the Sea, of Spain also. But the power of the Saracens was abated, as by others, so chiefly by the Turks; a Nation also very Warlike: which, after long combates with the Saracens, being invited to Peace, easily embraced a Religion suited to their manners; and transferred the
Majesty of the Empire to themselves. The Cities of Asia and Greece were taken, and, by the growing success of their Arms, they came into Hungary, and the Borders of Ger∣many.