HOMET IS HIS PROPHET. Under these two propositions are comprehended six distinct branches : viz. belief in God; in his angels ; in his scriptures; in his pro phets; in the resurrection and judgment ; and in God's absolute decrees, or pre destination. They reckon five points re lating to practice : viz, prayer with wash ings, &c. ; alms ; fasting ; pilgrimage to Mecca ; and circumcision. Mahomet ad mitted the divine mission of both Moses and of Jesus Christ. Dr. Jortin says, that Mahometism is a borrowed system, made up for the most part of Judaism and Christianity ; and it' it be considered, the the Caine writer observes, in the most favourable point of view, might possibly be accounted a sort of Christian heresy. Aclimet Benabdalla, in his letter to Mau rice, Prince of Orange, says, " The Lord Jesus Christ is held by us (Mahometans) to be a prophet, and the messenger of God, and our lady, the virgin Mary, his mother, to be blessed of God, holy, who brought him forth, and conceived him miraculously by the almighty power of God." The Mahometans are a superstitious people, and hence in their religion we find a prodigious number of rites, ceremo nies, and observances; the principal of which are : circumcision, ablutions, fast ings, pilgrimage, polygamy, marriage rites, mourning for the dead, funeral rites, and the observance of Friday as a Sabbath.
In all these observances, &c. there is a mixture of Heathenism, Judaism, and Christianity. After the death of their prophet, the 'Mahometans were divided, like the Christians, into an incredible number of sects and parties, all of them, however, professing to adhere to the Koran as the rule and guide of their faith and practice, yet differing widely from each other in particular points of belief, relative to doctrine, practice, and eccle siastical discipline. Those who wish to see the history and character of this ex tensive sect more particularly detailed, will do well to consult the following au thors ! Fahricius's "Delectus et Syllabus argument. pro veritate relig. Christiame;" Boulainvillier's, Gagnier's and Prideaux's Lives of Malt omet ; Sale's English Trans lation of the Koran; to which may be added, Professor White's Sermons at the Hamp ton Lectures, and Millar's account of Mahomet in his "Propagation of Chris tianity," vol. i. c. 1.