SECT. II. The Mahometans’ foundation overturned, in that they do not examine into religion.

THIS religion, which was plainly calculated for bloodshed, delights much in ceremonies, and would be believed, without 232allowing liberty to enquire into it:⁷⁵⁵⁷⁵⁵   See the Alcoran, Azoara xiii. according to the first Latin edition, which, for the reader’s sake, we here follow. for which reason the vulgar are prohibited reading those books which they account sacred; which is a manifest sign of their iniquity. For those goods may justly be suspected, which are imposed upon us with this condition, that they must not be looked into. It is true, indeed, all men have not like capacities for understanding every thing; many are drawn into error by pride, others by passion, and some by custom; but the Divine Goodness will not allow us to believe, that the way to eternal salvation cannot be known by those who seek it, without any regard to profit or honour; submitting themselves, and all that belong to them, to God and begging assistance from him.⁷⁵⁶⁷⁵⁶   See the answer to the Orthodox, question the fourth, among the works of Justin: “That it is impossible for him not to find the truth, who seeks it with all his heart and power; this our Lord testifies, when he says, He that asks receives, he that seeks shall find, and to him that knocks, it shall be opened.” And Origen in his eighth book against Celsus “He ought to consider that he who sees and hears all things, the common Parent and Maker of the universe, judges according to men’s deserts, of the disposition of every one that seeks Min, and is willing to worship him; and he will render to every one of these the fruit of his piety.” And, indeed, since God has planted in the mind of man a power of judging; no part of truth is more worthy to employ it about, than that which they cannot be ignorant of, without being in danger of missing eternal salvation.