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)

Many for fear of present danger, and apprehension of future bondage, more out of ignorance, embraced his belief, and he enjoyed the vain felicity, to see himselfe Generall of an Army, Lord of a vast Country, and to be esteemed, and reverenced as a Prophet.

About that time Heraclius the Emperor, disposing himself rather to improve the Heresie of the Monothelites, then to defend the Confines of the Empire, not only permitted Majomet to domineere in Arabia, byg gave advantage to Cofroes the Persian King, to invade his dominions: but at length awakened by the alarmes of so puissant an Enemy, levied a strong Army, and summoned the * Saracens (a people so called from their inhabiting the Desart) to his assistance. This Persian vanquished, and the Saracens expecting the salarie of their labors, and with some importunity demanding it, were answered, that the Emperor had not sufficient Treasure to pay the Christian Troops, and therefore those Heathen Dogs must attend the conveniency of their Prince. Incensed by this contempt, they retired, and marched by the way of Affrick, where finding Mahomet busie to enlarge his Power; he aggravated their discontents, affirming it to be the will of God, that all men should enjoy their Liberty, that God was offended at their oppressions, and willed them to oppose the tyranny of the Christians, and that whosoever dyed in that holy Warre, his soul should be instantly transported to Paradise. These motives raised them to a resolution of making defection; so that they elected Mahomet their Generall, who incontinently deprived the Emperor Heraclius his Tribute, and this Officers