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)

conversion, or preversion rather, of Christians to their irreligious Religion, they pray heartily, and every day in their Temples, that Christians may imbarce the Alcoran, and become their Prosolytes, in effecting of which they leave no means unassaied by fear and flattery, bu punishments and rewards; now, is it fitting that they in charity and zeal should exceed us? We are bound to pray, and indeavor heartily for their conversion, from darkness to light from error to truth; but how shall we do this, if we know not the dangerous and damnable estate they are in, which we cannot know but by reading their Alcoran?

15. In reading the Alcoran we shall see what is the force of superstition, and with what violence men are carried headlong in the defence and maintenance even of the most abused, and impious opinions; what Hecuba is more deformed then the Alcoran? yet how do the Turks fight and struggle, toil and care, hazard life and liberty, estates and all for it, as if it were the most beautiful Helena in the World! these men cannot endure the Image of Christ, or of a Saint in their Temples, calling this Idolatry, and yet they are the greatest Idolaters in the world themselves, for never was there such an Idol as the Alcoran, no man must touch it, till first he be washed, and that being done, he must not touch it with his naked hands, but with a clean linen cloth; the Priest must kiss it, and bow to it; he must when he reads in it hold it up on high, for it is a sin to hold it lower then his girdle; Every piece of paper that a Turk findes he must use reverently, because the Alcoran is written in paper, the Mule that carries it to Mecca is held in great veneration, so that he or she is sanctified all the year after that can but touch him, and that handkerchief which wipeth off his sweat is a holy relique: thus do they strain at a gnat and swallow a Camel.

16. In reading the Alcoran & Turkish Story, We shall see who were Gog and Magog that made war against the Saints, even the