OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

On these occasions, thecadhi respectfully placeson his head the holy volume, and substitutes adexterous interpretation more apposite to theprinciples of equity, and the manners and poli-cy of the times.

His beneficial or pernicious influence on thepublic happiness is the last consideration in thecharacter of Mahomet. The most bitter ormost bigotted of his Christian or Jewish foes,will surely allow that he assumed a false com-mission to inculcate a salutary doctrine, lessperfect only than their own. He piously sup-posed, as the basis of his religion, the truth andsanctity of their prior revelations, the virtuesand miracles of their founders. The idols ofArabia were broken before the throne of God ;the blood of human victims was expiated byprayer, and fasting, and alms, the laudable orinnocent arts of devotion ; and his rewards andpunishments of a future life were painted bythe images most congenial to an ignorant andcarnal generation. Mahomet was perhaps in-capable of dictating a moral and political sy-stem for the use of his countrymen: but hebreathed among the faithful a spirit of charityand friendship, recommended the practice ofthe social virtues, and checked, by his laws andprecepts, the thirst of revenge and the oppres-sion of widows and orphans. The hostile tribeswere united in faith and obedience, and the va-lour which had been idly spent in domesticquarrels, was vigorously directed against a fo-reign enemy. Hadthe impulsebeenlesspower-

voi.. ix. a a

.153

CHAP.

L.

Hi» merittowardshis coun-try.