the duty of a prophet, and the example of Abraham, who reprobated his
own father as an enemy of God. Yet Abraham (he adds, c. 9, v. 116.
Maracci, tom. ii. p. 317) fuit sane pius, mitis.]

[Footnote 110: For the day of judgment, hell, paradise, &c., consult
the Koran, (c. 2, v. 25, c. 56, 78, &c.;) with Maracci's virulent, but
learned, refutation, (in his notes, and in the Prodromus, part iv. p.
78, 120, 122, &c.;) D'Herbelot, (Bibliotheque Orientale, p. 368, 375;)
Reland, (p. 47-61;) and Sale, (p. 76-103.) The original ideas of the
Magi are darkly and doubtfully explored by their apologist, Dr. Hyde,
(Hist. Religionis Persarum, c. 33, p. 402-412, Oxon. 1760.) In the
article of Mahomet, Bayle has shown how indifferently wit and philosophy
supply the absence of genuine information.]

The first and most arduous conquests of Mahomet [111] were those of his
wife, his servant, his pupil, and his friend; [112] since he presented
himself as a prophet to those who were most conversant with his
infirmities as a man. Yet Cadijah believed the words, and cherished the
glory, of her husband; the obsequious and affectionate Zeid was tempted
by the prospect of freedom; the illustrious Ali, the son of Abu Taleb,
embraced the sentiments of his cousin with the spirit of a youthful
hero; and the wealth, the moderation, the veracity of Abubeker confirmed
the religion of the prophet whom he was destined to succeed. By
his persuasion, ten of the most respectable citizens of Mecca were
introduced to the private lessons of Islam; they yielded to the voice
of reason and enthusiasm; they repeated the fundamental creed, "There is
but one God, and Mahomet is the apostle of God;" and their faith, even
in this life, was rewarded with riches and honors, with the command
of armies and the government of kingdoms. Three years were silently
employed in the conversion of fourteen proselytes, the first-fruits of
his mission; but in the fourth year he assumed the prophetic office, and
resolving to impart to his family the light of divine truth, he
prepared a banquet, a lamb, as it is said, and a bowl of milk, for
the entertainment of forty guests of the race of Hashem. "Friends and
kinsmen," said Mahomet to the assembly, "I offer you, and I alone can
offer, the most precious of gifts, the treasures of this world and of
the world to come. God has commanded me to call you to his service. Who
among you will support my burden? Who among you will be my companion