Alexander Ross, 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. (1649)
CHAP. XVIII.
The Chapter of the Cave, containing an hundred and ten Verses, written at Mecca.
IN the Name of God, gracious and merciful. Praise be to God, who hath sent the Alcoran to his servant. There is no contradiction in this Book; it teacheth the right way; it preacheth to the wicked, that they shall suffer great torments, and proclaimeth to the righteous, that they shall enjoy an eternal felicity; he preacheth the torments of Hell, principally to such as affirm, That God hath a Son; they are ignorant, like to their predecessors; they are arrogant in their discourse, and utter nothing but blasphemies, Wilt thou destroy thy self in following their footsteps? If they believe not in the Alcoran, they shall one day have sorrow, and shall repent it. We adorned the Earth, with whatsoever is upon it, for the advantage of men. One part thereof is happy and plentiful, and the other unfruitful, and desart. Do ye not believe that the sleepers that entred the Cave, and the Paper wherein their names were written, be our miracles? When those men entred the Cave, they said, Lord, give us thy mercy, and guide us into the right way: Then did we cause them to sleep for the space of some years, and awaked them, having continued some time in that Cave, to make it appear which of the two Religions was the most just. I will relate to thee their History with truth; they were young men, who had the fear of their Lord before their eyes; we strengthned them, and encreased their faith; when they were with the Infidels, they said, Our God is Lord of heaven and Earth, we will never worship but one God, otherwise we shall separate our selves from the truth: This people have adored Idols without reason: who is more unjust than he, who blasphemeth against God? When they deserted the Infidels, they worshipped one God alone. Enter into the Cave, God shall make his mercy towards you to appear, and shall guide you through a path, smooth and pleasant.
