SECT. X. There are many absurd things in the Mahometan books.

BUT, on the other hand, it would be tedious to relate bow many things there are in the Mahometan writings that do not agree to the truth of history;⁷⁹³⁷⁹³   As that of Alexander the great, who came to a fountain where the sun stood still, Azoara xxviii. Concerning Solomon, Azoara xxxvii. and how many that are very ridiculous. Such as the story of a beautiful woman,⁷⁹⁴⁷⁹⁴   This fable is in the book of the doctrine of Mahomet, taken out of the book of Enarrations. See also Cantacuzenus, in his second oration against Mahomet, chap. 15. who learnt a famous song from angels overtaken with wine; by which she used to ascend up into heaven, and to descend from thence; who when she was ascended very high into the heavens, was apprehended by God, and fixed there, and that she is the star Venus. Such another is that of the mouse in Noah’s ark, that sprung out of the dung of an elephant;⁷⁹⁵⁷⁹⁵   This is in the fore-mentioned book of the doctrine of Mahomet. and, on the contrary, that of a cat bred out of the breath of a lion.⁷⁹⁶⁷⁹⁶   In the same book. And particularly that of death’s being changed into a ram,⁷⁹⁷⁷⁹⁷   In the end of the fore-mentioned book of the doctrine of Mahomet. which was to stand in the middle space betwixt heaven and hell; and that of getting rid of banquets in the other life by sweat;⁷⁹⁸⁷⁹⁸   In the fore-cited book of the doctrine of Mahomet. and that of a company of women’s being appointed to every one, for sensual pleasure.⁷⁹⁹⁷⁹⁹   See what was above alleged on the second book. Which things are really all of them such, that 241they are deservedly given over to senselessness who eau give any credit to them, especially when the light of the gospel shines upon them.