To the Reader.
treat of, and ſpeaketh little of their Inſcription; He divided into many ſignes, or Verſes, that contain his ordinances and fables, without obſervation either of the conſequence, or connexion of the diſcourſe, which is the cauſe that thou ſhalt finde in this Book, a multitude of incongruous pieces, and divers repetitions of the ſame things. It hath been expounded by many Mahometan Doctors, their expoſition being as ridiculous as the Text; They affirm the originall of the Alcoran to be, written upon a Table, kept in Heaven, that the Angel Gabriel brought this Copie to Mahomet, who could neither write nor reade, and ſtile him Prophet, or Apoſtle, in honor. Thou ſhalt finde at beginning of ſome Chapters letters of the Arabique Alphabet, which ſome men will not expound; They fear to utter things that may diſpleaſe their falſe Prophet: Moſt of their Doctors affirm thoſe Letters to be the firſt letters of the Names of God. Thou ſhalt finde the expoſition in this verſion; Thou wilt wonder that ſuch abſurdities have infected the beſt part of the world, and wilt avouch, that the knowledg of what is contained in this Book, will render that Law contemptible.
