silencehimquickly，lesthekindletumultanddiscordinthecity。Ifhepersevere，weshalldrawourswordsagainsthimandhisadherents，andthouwiltberesponsibleforthebloodofthyfellow—citizens。"TheweightandmoderationofAbuTalebeludedtheviolenceofreligiousfaction；themosthelplessortimidofthedisciplesretiredtoAethiopia，andtheprophetwithdrewhimselftovariousplacesofstrengthinthetownandcountry。
Ashewasstillsupportedbyhisfamily，therestofthetribeofKoreishengagedthemselvestorenounceallintercoursewiththechildrenofHashem，neithertobuynorsell，neithertomarrynottogiveinmarriage，buttopursuethemwithimplacableenmity，tilltheyshoulddeliverthepersonofMahomettothejusticeofthegods。ThedecreewassuspendedintheCaababeforetheeyesofthenation；themessengersoftheKoreishpursuedtheMussulmanexilesintheheartofAfrica:theybesiegedtheprophetandhismostfaithfulfollowers，interceptedtheirwater，andinflamedtheirmutualanimositybytheretaliationofinjuriesandinsults。AdoubtfultrucerestoredtheappearancesofconcordtillthedeathofAbuTalebabandonedMahomettothepowerofhisenemies，atthemomentwhenhewasdeprivedofhisdomesticcomfortsbythelossofhisfaithfulandgenerousCadijah。AbuSophian，thechiefofthebranchofOmmiyah，succeededtotheprincipalityoftherepublicofMecca。A
zealousvotaryoftheidols，amortalfoeofthelineofHashem，heconvenedanassemblyoftheKoreishitesandtheirallies，todecidethefateoftheapostle。Hisimprisonmentmightprovokethedespairofhisenthusiasm；andtheexileofaneloquentandpopularfanaticwoulddiffusethemischiefthroughtheprovincesofArabia。Hisdeathwasresolved；andtheyagreedthataswordfromeachtribeshouldbeburiedinhisheart，todividetheguiltofhisblood，andbafflethevengeanceoftheHashemites。
Anangeloraspyrevealedtheirconspiracy；andflightwastheonlyresourceofMahomet。^117Atthedeadofnight，accompaniedbyhisfriendAbubeker，hesilentlyescapedfromhishouse:theassassinswatchedatthedoor；buttheyweredeceivedbythefigureofAli，whoreposedonthebed，andwascoveredwiththegreenvestmentoftheapostle。TheKoreishrespectedthepietyoftheheroicyouth；butsomeversesofAli，whicharestillextant，exhibitaninterestingpictureofhisanxiety，histenderness，andhisreligiousconfidence。ThreedaysMahometandhiscompanionwereconcealedinthecaveofThor，atthedistanceofaleaguefromMecca；andinthecloseofeachevening，theyreceivedfromthesonanddaughterofAbubekerasecretsupplyofintelligenceandfood。ThediligenceoftheKoreishexploredeveryhauntintheneighborhoodofthecity:theyarrivedattheentranceofthecavern；buttheprovidentialdeceitofaspider'swebandapigeon'snestissupposedtoconvincethemthattheplacewassolitaryandinviolate。"Weareonlytwo，"saidthetremblingAbubeker。"Thereisathird，"repliedtheprophet；"itisGodhimself。"Nosoonerwasthepursuitabatedthanthetwofugitivesissuedfromtherock，andmountedtheircamels:ontheroadtoMedina，theywereovertakenbytheemissariesoftheKoreish；theyredeemedthemselveswithprayersandpromisesfromtheirhands。Inthiseventfulmoment，thelanceofanArabmighthavechangedthehistoryoftheworld。TheflightoftheprophetfromMeccatoMedinahasfixedthememorableaeraoftheHegira，^118which，attheendoftwelvecenturies，stilldiscriminatesthelunaryearsoftheMahometannations。^119
[Footnote116:InthetimeofJob，thecrimeofimpietywaspunishedbytheArabianmagistrate，c。21，v。26，27，28。I
blushforarespectableprelatedePoesiHebraeorum，p。650，651，edit。Michaelis；andletterofalateprofessorintheuniversityofOxford，p。15—53，whojustifiesandapplaudsthispatriarchalinquisition。]
[Footnote117:D'Herbelot，Bibliot。Orient。p。445。HequotesaparticularhistoryoftheflightofMahomet。]
[Footnote118:TheHegirawasinstitutedbyOmar，thesecondcaliph，inimitationoftheaeraofthemartyrsoftheChristians，D'Herbelot，p。444；andproperlycommencedsixty—eightdaysbeforetheflightofMahomet，withthefirstofMoharren，orfirstdayofthatArabianyearwhichcoincideswithFriday，July16th，A。D。622，Abulfeda，VitMoham，c。22，23，p。
45—50；andGreaves'seditionofUllugBeg'sEpochaeArabum，&c。，c。1，p。8，10，&c。
Note:Chronologistsdisputebetweenthe15thand16thofJuly。St。Martininclinestothe8th，ch。xi。p。70。—M。]
[Footnote119:Mahomet'slife，fromhismissiontotheHegira，maybefoundinAbulfedap。14—45andGagnier，tom。i。p。
134—251，342—383。Thelegendfromp。187—234isvouchedbyAlJannabi，anddisdainedbyAbulfeda。]
ThereligionoftheKoranmighthaveperishedinitscradle，hadnotMedinaembracedwithfaithandreverencetheholyoutcastsofMecca。Medina，orthecity，knownunderthenameofYathreb，beforeitwassanctifiedbythethroneoftheprophet，wasdividedbetweenthetribesoftheCharegitesandtheAwsites，whosehereditaryfeudwasrekindledbytheslightestprovocations:twocoloniesofJews，whoboastedasacerdotalrace，weretheirhumbleallies，andwithoutconvertingtheArabs，theyintroducedthetasteofscienceandreligion，whichdistinguishedMedinaasthecityoftheBook。Someofhernoblestcitizens，inapilgrimagetotheCanaba，wereconvertedbythepreachingofMahomet；ontheirreturn，theydiffusedthebeliefofGodandhisprophet，andthenewalliancewasratifiedbytheirdeputiesintwosecretandnocturnalinterviewsonahillinthesuburbsofMecca。Inthefirst，tenCharegitesandtwoAwsitesunitedinfaithandlove，protested，inthenameoftheirwives，theirchildren，andtheirabsentbrethren，thattheywouldforeverprofessthecreed，andobservetheprecepts，oftheKoran。Thesecondwasapoliticalassociation，thefirstvitalsparkoftheempireoftheSaracens。^120Seventy—threemenandtwowomenofMedinaheldasolemnconferencewithMahomet，hiskinsman，andhisdisciples；andpledgedthemselvestoeachotherbyamutualoathoffidelity。Theypromised，inthenameofthecity，thatifheshouldbebanished，theywouldreceivehimasaconfederate，obeyhimasaleader，anddefendhimtothelastextremity，liketheirwivesandchildren。"Butifyouarerecalledbyyourcountry，"theyaskedwithaflatteringanxiety，"willyounotabandonyournewallies?""Allthings，"repliedMahometwithasmile，"arenowcommonbetweenusyourbloodisasmyblood，yourruinasmyruin。Weareboundtoeachotherbythetiesofhonorandinterest。Iamyourfriend，andtheenemyofyourfoes。""Butifwearekilledinyourservice，what，"
exclaimedthedeputiesofMedina，"willbeourreward?"
"Paradise，"repliedtheprophet。"Stretchforththyhand。"Hestretcheditforth，andtheyreiteratedtheoathofallegianceandfidelity。Theirtreatywasratifiedbythepeople，whounanimouslyembracedtheprofessionofIslam；theyrejoicedintheexileoftheapostle，buttheytrembledforhissafety，andimpatientlyexpectedhisarrival。Afteraperilousandrapidjourneyalongthesea—coast，hehaltedatKoba，twomilesfromthecity，andmadehispublicentryintoMedina，sixteendaysafterhisflightfromMecca。Fivehundredofthecitizensadvancedtomeethim；hewashailedwithacclamationsofloyaltyanddevotion；Mahometwasmountedonashe—camel，anumbrellashadedhishead，andaturbanwasunfurledbeforehimtosupplythedeficiencyofastandard。Hisbravestdisciples，whohadbeenscatteredbythestorm，assembledroundhisperson；andtheequal，thoughvarious，meritoftheMoslemswasdistinguishedbythenamesofMohageriansandAnsars，thefugitivesofMecca，andtheauxiliariesofMedina。Toeradicatetheseedsofjealousy，Mahometjudiciouslycoupledhisprincipalfollowerswiththerightsandobligationsofbrethren；andwhenAlifoundhimselfwithoutapeer，theprophettenderlydeclared，thathewouldbethecompanionandbrotherofthenobleyouth。Theexpedientwascrownedwithsuccess；theholyfraternitywasrespectedinpeaceandwar，andthetwopartiesviedwitheachotherinagenerousemulationofcourageandfidelity。Onceonlytheconcordwasslightlyruffledbyanaccidentalquarrel:apatriotofMedinaarraignedtheinsolenceofthestrangers，butthehintoftheirexpulsionwasheardwithabhorrence；andhisownsonmosteagerlyofferedtolayattheapostle'sfeettheheadofhisfather。
[Footnote120:ThetripleinaugurationofMahometisdescribedbyAbulfedap。30，33，40，86andGagnier，tom。i。p。342，&c。，349，&c。，tom。ii。p。223&c。]
FromhisestablishmentatMedina，Mahometassumedtheexerciseoftheregalandsacerdotaloffice；anditwasimpioustoappealfromajudgewhosedecreeswereinspiredbythedivinewisdom。Asmallportionofground，thepatrimonyoftwoorphans，wasacquiredbygiftorpurchase；^121onthatchosenspothebuiltahouseandamosch，morevenerableintheirrudesimplicitythanthepalacesandtemplesoftheAssyriancaliphs。
Hissealofgold，orsilver，wasinscribedwiththeapostolictitle；whenheprayedandpreachedintheweeklyassembly，heleanedagainstthetrunkofapalm—tree；anditwaslongbeforeheindulgedhimselfintheuseofachairorpulpitofroughtimber。^122Afterareignofsixyears，fifteenhundredMoslems，inarmsandinthefield，renewedtheiroathofallegiance；andtheirchiefrepeatedtheassuranceofprotectiontillthedeathofthelastmember，orthefinaldissolutionoftheparty。ItwasinthesamecampthatthedeputyofMeccawasastonishedbytheattentionofthefaithfultothewordsandlooksoftheprophet，bytheeagernesswithwhichtheycollectedhisspittle，ahairthatdroppedontheground，therefusewaterofhislustrations，asiftheyparticipatedinsomedegreeofthepropheticvirtue。"Ihaveseen，"saidhe，"theChosroesofPersiaandtheCaesarofRome，butneverdidIbeholdakingamonghissubjectslikeMahometamonghiscompanions。"Thedevoutfervorofenthusiasmactswithmoreenergyandtruththanthecoldandformalservilityofcourts。
[Footnote121:PrideauxLifeofMahomet，p。44revilesthewickednessoftheimpostor，whodespoiledtwopoororphans，thesonsofacarpenter；areproachwhichhedrewfromtheDisputatiocontraSaracenos，composedinArabicbeforetheyear1130；butthehonestGagnieradAbulfed。p。53hasshownthattheyweredeceivedbythewordAlNagjar，whichsignifies，inthisplace，notanobscuretrade，butanobletribeofArabs。ThedesolatestateofthegroundisdescribedbyAbulfeda；andhisworthyinterpreterhasproved，fromAlBochari，theofferofaprice；
fromAlJannabi，thefairpurchase；andfromAhmeqBenJoseph，thepaymentofthemoneybythegenerousAbubekerOnthesegroundstheprophetmustbehonorablyacquitted。]
[Footnote122:AlJannabiapudGagnier，tom。ii。p。246，324
describesthesealandpulpit，astwovenerablerelicsoftheapostleofGod；andtheportraitofhiscourtistakenfromAbulfeda，c。44，p。85。]
Inthestateofnature，everymanhasarighttodefend，byforceofarms，hispersonandhispossessions；torepel，oreventoprevent，theviolenceofhisenemies，andtoextendhishostilitiestoareasonablemeasureofsatisfactionandretaliation。InthefreesocietyoftheArabs，thedutiesofsubjectandcitizenimposedafeeblerestraint；andMahomet，intheexerciseofapeacefulandbenevolentmission，hadbeendespoiledandbanishedbytheinjusticeofhiscountrymen。ThechoiceofanindependentpeoplehadexaltedthefugitiveofMeccatotherankofasovereign；andhewasinvestedwiththejustprerogativeofformingalliances，andofwagingoffensiveordefensivewar。Theimperfectionofhumanrightswassuppliedandarmedbytheplenitudeofdivinepower:theprophetofMedinaassumed，inhisnewrevelations，afiercerandmoresanguinarytone，whichprovesthathisformermoderationwastheeffectofweakness:^123themeansofpersuasionhadbeentried，theseasonofforbearancewaselapsed，andhewasnowcommandedtopropagatehisreligionbythesword，todestroythemonumentsofidolatry，and，withoutregardingthesanctityofdaysormonths，topursuetheunbelievingnationsoftheearth。Thesamebloodyprecepts，sorepeatedlyinculcatedintheKoran，areascribedbytheauthortothePentateuchandtheGospel。Butthemildtenoroftheevangelicstylemayexplainanambiguoustext，thatJesusdidnotbringpeaceontheearth，butasword:hispatientandhumblevirtuesshouldnotbeconfoundedwiththeintolerantzealofprincesandbishops，whohavedisgracedthenameofhisdisciples。Intheprosecutionofreligiouswar，MahometmightappealwithmoreproprietytotheexampleofMoses，oftheJudges，andthekingsofIsrael。ThemilitarylawsoftheHebrewsarestillmorerigidthanthoseoftheArabianlegislator。^124TheLordofhostsmarchedinpersonbeforetheJews:ifacityresistedtheirsummons，themales，withoutdistinction，wereputtothesword:thesevennationsofCanaanweredevotedtodestruction；andneitherrepentancenorconversion，couldshieldthemfromtheinevitabledoom，thatnocreaturewithintheirprecinctsshouldbeleftalive。Thefairoptionoffriendship，orsubmission，orbattle，wasproposedtotheenemiesofMahomet。IftheyprofessedthecreedofIslam，theywereadmittedtoallthetemporalandspiritualbenefitsofhisprimitivedisciples，andmarchedunderthesamebannertoextendthereligionwhichtheyhadembraced。Theclemencyoftheprophetwasdecidedbyhisinterest:yetheseldomtrampledonaprostrateenemy；andheseemstopromise，thatonthepaymentofatribute，theleastguiltyofhisunbelievingsubjectsmightbeindulgedintheirworship，oratleastintheirimperfectfaith。
Inthefirstmonthsofhisreignhepractisedthelessonsofholywarfare，anddisplayedhiswhitebannerbeforethegatesofMedina:themartialapostlefoughtinpersonatninebattlesorsieges；^125andfiftyenterprisesofwarwereachievedintenyearsbyhimselforhislieutenants。TheArabcontinuedtounitetheprofessionsofamerchantandarobber；andhispettyexcursionsforthedefenceortheattackofacaravaninsensiblypreparedhistroopsfortheconquestofArabia。Thedistributionofthespoilwasregulatedbyadivinelaw:^126thewholewasfaithfullycollectedinonecommonmass:afifthofthegoldandsilver，theprisonersandcattle，themovablesandimmovables，wasreservedbytheprophetforpiousandcharitableuses；theremainderwassharedinadequateportionsbythesoldierswhohadobtainedthevictoryorguardedthecamp:therewardsoftheslaindevolvedtotheirwidowsandorphans；andtheincreaseofcavalrywasencouragedbytheallotmentofadoublesharetothehorseandtotheman。FromallsidestherovingArabswerealluredtothestandardofreligionandplunder:theapostlesanctifiedthelicenseofembracingthefemalecaptivesastheirwivesorconcubines，andtheenjoymentofwealthandbeautywasafeebletypeofthejoysofparadisepreparedforthevaliantmartyrsofthefaith。"Thesword，"saysMahomet，"isthekeyofheavenandofhell；adropofbloodshedinthecauseofGod，anightspentinarms，isofmoreavailthantwomonthsoffastingorprayer:whosoeverfallsinbattle，hissinsareforgiven:atthedayofjudgmenthiswoundsshallberesplendentasvermilion，andodoriferousasmusk；andthelossofhislimbsshallbesuppliedbythewingsofangelsandcherubim。"TheintrepidsoulsoftheArabswerefiredwithenthusiasm:thepictureoftheinvisibleworldwasstronglypaintedontheirimagination；andthedeathwhichtheyhadalwaysdespisedbecameanobjectofhopeanddesire。TheKoraninculcates，inthemostabsolutesense，thetenetsoffateandpredestination，whichwouldextinguishbothindustryandvirtue，iftheactionsofmanweregovernedbyhisspeculativebelief。YettheirinfluenceineveryagehasexaltedthecourageoftheSaracensandTurks。ThefirstcompanionsofMahometadvancedtobattlewithafearlessconfidence:thereisnodangerwherethereisnochance:theywereordainedtoperishintheirbeds；ortheyweresafeandinvulnerableamidstthedartsoftheenemy。^127
[Footnote123:TheviiithandixthchaptersoftheKoranaretheloudestandmostvehement；andMaracciProdromus，partiv。p。59
—64hasinveighedwithmorejusticethandiscretionagainstthedoubledealingoftheimpostor。]
[Footnote124:ThexthandxxthchaptersofDeuteronomy，withthepracticalcommentsofJoshua，David，&c。，arereadwithmoreawethansatisfactionbythepiousChristiansofthepresentage。
Butthebishops，aswellastherabbisofformertimes，havebeatthedrum—ecclesiasticwithpleasureandsuccess。Sale'sPreliminaryDiscourse，p。142，143。]
[Footnote*:Theeditor'sopinionsonthissubjectmaybereadintheHistoryoftheJewsvol。i。p。137。—M]
[Footnote125:Abulfeda，inVit。Moham。p。156。Theprivatearsenaloftheapostleconsistedofnineswords，threelances，sevenpikesorhalf—pikes，aquiverandthreebows，sevencuirasses，threeshields，andtwohelmets，Gagnier，tom。iii。p。
328—334，withalargewhitestandard，ablackbanner，p。
335，twentyhorses，p。322，&c。Twoofhismartialsayingsarerecordedbytradition，Gagnier，tom。ii。p。88，334。]
[Footnote126:ThewholesubjectdejurebelliMohammedanorumisexhaustedinaseparatedissertationbythelearnedReland，DissertationesMiscellaneae，tom。iii。Dissertat。x。p。3—
53。]
[Footnote127:Thedoctrineofabsolutepredestination，onwhichfewreligionscanreproacheachother，issternlyexposedintheKoran，c。3，p。52，53，c。4，p。70，&c。，withthenotesofSale，andc。17，p。413，withthoseofMaracci。RelanddeRelig。Moham。p。61—64andSalePrelim。Discourse，p。103
representtheopinionsofthedoctors，andourmoderntravellerstheconfidence，thefadingconfidence，oftheTurks]
PerhapstheKoreishwouldhavebeencontentwiththedightofMahomet，hadtheynotbeenprovokedandalarmedbythevengeanceofanenemy，whocouldintercepttheirSyriantradeasitpassedandrepassedthroughtheterritoryofMedina。AbuSophianhimself，withonlythirtyorfortyfollowers，conductedawealthycaravanofathousandcamels；thefortuneordexterityofhismarchescapedthevigilanceofMahomet；butthechiefoftheKoreishwasinformedthattheholyrobberswereplacedinambushtoawaithisreturn。HedespatchedamessengertohisbrethrenofMecca，andtheywereroused，bythefearoflosingtheirmerchandiseandtheirprovisions，unlesstheyhastenedtohisreliefwiththemilitaryforceofthecity。ThesacredbandofMahometwasformedofthreehundredandthirteenMoslems，ofwhomseventy—sevenwerefugitives，andtherestauxiliaries；theymountedbyturnsatrainofseventycamels，thecamelsofYathrebwereformidableinwar；butsuchwasthepovertyofhisfirstdisciples，thatonlytwocouldappearonhorsebackinthefield。^128InthefertileandfamousvaleofBeder，^129threestationsfromMedina，hewasinformedbyhisscoutsofthecaravanthatapproachedononeside；oftheKoreish，onehundredhorse，eighthundredandfiftyfoot，whoadvancedontheother。
Afterashortdebate，hesacrificedtheprospectofwealthtothepursuitofgloryandrevenge，andaslightintrenchmentwasformed，tocoverhistroops，andastreamoffreshwater，thatglidedthroughthevalley。"OGod，"heexclaimed，asthenumbersoftheKoreishdescendedfromthehills，"OGod，ifthesearedestroyed，bywhomwiltthoubeworshippedontheearth?—
Courage，mychildren；closeyourranks；dischargeyourarrows，andthedayisyourown。"Atthesewordsheplacedhimself，withAbubeker，onathroneorpulpit，^130andinstantlydemandedthesuccorofGabrielandthreethousandangels。Hiseyewasfixedonthefieldofbattle:theMussulmansfaintedandwerepressed:
inthatdecisivemomenttheprophetstartedfromhisthrone，mountedhishorse，andcastahandfulofsandintotheair:"Lettheirfacesbecoveredwithconfusion。"Botharmiesheardthethunderofhisvoice:theirfancybeheldtheangelicwarriors:
^131theKoreishtrembledandfled:seventyofthebravestwereslain；andseventycaptivesadornedthefirstvictoryofthefaithful。ThedeadbodiesoftheKoreishweredespoiledandinsulted:twoofthemostobnoxiousprisonerswerepunishedwithdeath；andtheransomoftheothers，fourthousanddramsofsilver，compensatedinsomedegreetheescapeofthecaravan。