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170 the assurance that it was the identical spring which had been produced by God to allay the thirst of Hagar and Ismael. The memory of those who had constructed the fiery pits into which were thrown the Christians of Nadjran, was marked with detestation, but the recent glory of his tribe was sanctified by divine revelation, and it was declared that God himself, by his miraculous interposition, had punished the impiety of Abrahah, who had dared to violate the sanctity of a place which had been made holy by the presence of the patriarchs. The new religion was suited to the inclinations of those for whom it was made, for it allowed and even encouraged their predatory habits, and flattered their lusts.