Hugo Grotius · 108 of 132

SECT. X. There are many absurd things in the Mahometan books.

BUT, on the other hand, it would be tedious to relate bow many things there are in the Mahometan writings that do not agree to the truth of history; and how many that are very ridiculous. Such as the story of a beautiful woman, who learnt a famous song from angels overtaken with wine; by which she used to ascend up into heaven, and to descend from thence; who when she was ascended very high into the heavens, was apprehended by God, and fixed there, and that she is the star Venus. Such another is that of the mouse in Noah’s ark, that sprung out of the dung of an elephant; and, on the contrary, that of a cat bred out of the breath of a lion. And particularly that of death’s being changed into a ram, which was to stand in the middle space betwixt heaven and hell; and that of getting rid of banquets in the other life by sweat; and that of a company of women’s being appointed to every one, for sensual pleasure. Which things are really all of them such, that they are deservedly given over to senselessness who eau give any credit to them, especially when the light of the gospel shines upon them.