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)

prophetical Function were prompt to his obedience; he thought it altogether as easie to obtain a Kingdom, as he had found it not difficult to attain the title of a Prophet; and to effect this, having before, under pretence of Reformation of Religion gained many followers, while more stood as lookers on, not at all regarding that Decoy; he resolved to yoak to it that other concomitant in popular disturbances, liberty, proclaiming it to be the will of God, that all men should enjoy it, and that the Edict might be first obeyed in his own family, enfranchized his Slave, called Zeidi.

This baite, as it inhaunced his fame, so it added to his retinue; for as multitudes, affecting novelty, and a mutation of condition, daily added themselves to his party; so slaves from all parts of Arabia forsook their Masters, and fled to him as their Redeemer, and embraced his Law, as the means of their Salvation. These though a gound conceit of his piety, ready to sacrifice their lives at his command, he divided into troops, and sent to rob the Caravans of Marchants that travelled through the desarts; and by this means, having added to his treasure by spoil; and his retinue daily increasing by a multitude of Fugitives and Vagabonds, who by reason to this liberty, to act any villanny, resorted to him; he at length took up thoughts of imploying them in the confirmation of his Law, which he knew to be the ready way to his establishment, in that power to which he aspired.

To this purpose, he marcheth with his troups towards Medina (the place of his Birth and Buriall) to preach in a Synagogue of Jews there inhabiting. These les stupid then the Arabians, could not endure his impostures, and insteed, of believing, did handsomely beat him, and drive his