here, it would be very easy to persuade the generality to
Christianity, whose notions are very little different from his. Mr
Whiston would make a very good apostle here. I don't doubt but his
zeal will be much fired, if you communicate this account to him; but
tell him, he must first have the gift of tongues, before he can
possibly be of any use.--Mahometism (sic) is divided into as many
sects as Christianity; and the first institution as much neglected
and obscured by interpretations. I cannot here forbear reflecting on
the natural inclination of mankind, to make mysteries and
novelties.--The Zeidi, Kudi, Jabari, &c. put me in mind of the
Catholics, Lutherans, and Calvinists, and are equally zealous against
one another. But the most prevailing opinion, if you search into the
secret of the effendis, is, plain deism. This is indeed kept from
the people, who are amused with a thousand different notions,
according to the different interest of their preachers.--There are
very few amongst them (Achmet-beg denied there were any) so absurd,
as to set up for wit, by declaring they believe no God at all. And
Sir Paul Rycaut is mistaken (as he commonly is) in calling the sect
_muterin_, (i. e. _the secret with us_) atheists, they being deists,
whose impiety consists in making a jest of their prophet. Achmet-beg
did not own to me that he was of this opinion; but made no scruple of
deviating from some part of Mahomet's law, by drinking wine with the
same freedom we did. When I asked him how he came to allow himself
that liberty? He made answer, that all the creatures of God are
good, and designed for the use of man; however, that the prohibition
of wine was a very wise maxim, and meant for the common people, being
the source of all disorders amongst them; but, that the prophet never
designed to confine those that knew how to use it with moderation;
nevertheless, he said, that scandal ought to be avoided, and that he
never drank it in public. This is the general way of thinking
amongst them, and very few forbear drinking wine that are able to
afford it. He assured me, that if I understood Arabic, I should be
very well pleased with reading the alcoran, which is so far from the
nonsense we charge it with, that it is the purest morality, delivered
in the very best language. I have since heard impartial Christians
speak of it in the same manner; and I don't doubt but that all our
translations are from copies got from the Gr