Page:History of Mahomet, the great imposter.pdf/16

 a protection, he boldly went on to preach to the peoplopeople [sic] in all public places of the city where they used to assemble, and published unto them more chapters of his Alcoran, in the order as he pretended, they were brought him by the angel Gabriel. The chief subject of which, was to press upon them the observance of some moral duties, the belief of the unity of God, and the dignity of his own pretended apostleship ; in which, besides some Heathenish and Jewish rites which he retained, consisted the whole of his new religion.

The main arguments which he made use of to delude men into this imposture, were his promises and his threats, as being those which easiest work on the affections of the vulgar. His promises were chiefly of Paradise, which he so cunningly framed to the gust of the Arabians, and to make it totally consist in those pleasures which they were most delighted with; for they being within the torrid zone, were, through the nature of the clime, as well as the excessive corruption of their manners, exceedingly given to the love of women; and the scorching heat and dryness of the country making rivers of waters, cooling drinks, shaded gardens, and pleasant fruits, most refreshing and delightful to them, they were from thence apt to place their highest enjoyment in things of this nature. And therefore, to answer the height of their carnal desires, he made the joys of heaven, which he proposed for a reward to all thosothose [sic] that should believe in him, to consist totally in these particulars. For he tells them in many places in his Alcoran, that they shall enter into pleasant gardens, where many rivers flow, and many curious fountains continually send forth most pleasing streams, nigh which they will repose themselves on most delicate beds,