then we, therefore doubtleſs except we repent we ſhall take likewiſe periſh; the remiſſnes of Heraclius Government, his falling into the hereſie of the Monothelites, the contempt of the Goſpel, the flighting of the Paſtors, the wickedneſs of the people, the continual Schiſms, rents, jars, and diviſions of their Churches, were both the cauſes and occaſions of theſe miſeries which have faln upon them; let us take heed then we be not partakers of their ſins, leaſt we alſo partake of their plagues.
10. The reading of the Alcoran will enable us to beat Mahomet with his own weapons, to cut off the head of this Goliah with his own ſword, and to wound this unclean bird with quils pickt out of his own wings, for even unwittingly and unwillingly he is forced to acknowledg many truths of Chriſtian Religion, in affirming there is but one true God the Creator of all things, and though he goeth about to overthrow the doctrine of the Trinity, yet he doth plainly confirme it; when he ſpeaks of God, of the Word and of the Spirit, which three indeed are one in eſſence, though diſtinct in ſubſiſtence; though he laboureth to overthrow the Goſpel yet he confirms it, when he calls it good, full, right, a light, and a guide to ſalvation, for if it be full, good, &c. what need was then of his Alcoran? and though he indeavoreth to overthrow Chriſts Divinity with Arius and Neſtorius, and the Jews his ghoſtly fathers, yet he affirms it, in calling Chriſt the Word; for as the internal word of the minde is coeternal with the minde, ſo is Chriſt the Word of his Father, coeternal with the Father; he eſtabliſheth alſo the Article of Chriſts Conception and Nativity, affirming him to be conceiving by the holy Ghoſt, and born of the Virgin Mary, whom he confeſſeth to have been a pure Virgin, both before and after Chriſts birth: ſo he confirms the Article of Chriſts aſcention into heaven, and divers other points of Chriſtianity, to whom we are more beholding for his reverend eſteem of Chriſt, then the Jews who revile and blaſpheme him.
11. In reading the Alcoran, though we finde much dung, yet in it we ſhall meet with ſome gold, as Virgil did in reading of Ennius his Verſes. Æſops Cock found a precious ſtone in a dunghill; where is much droſs ſome pure mettal will be found: even ſ in the dirt of the Alcoran you ſhall finde ſome jewels of Chriſtian
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