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we know not. — The young man of Nain was on his bier, and men were carrying him to the grave, when Jesus restored him to his mother; — from him also we know nothing of what Death appeared to him. — Lazarus had been in the sepulchre four days, when a voice from heaven bade him come forth; — yet that voice gave no command that he should reveal aught that had befallen him in the tomb. Neither did the Lord, who told us all that we know of a life beyond the grave, explain when the Judgment should be, and what is the state of the dead till that hour.
To Mohammed was it given to tell these things, said Havilah[1]. And he has left us not only the tradition which he commanded should not be forgotten, but certain words in the Book by which we know how to look for the Dread Ones in the grave. It is merciful in God thus to have given warning by his Prophet; for it would be a more fearful thing than the spirit could bear, to meet the angels without being prepared. And as for the anguish of the serpents, — who could endure it but they who knew that it must come because their sins were great?
- ↑ Prelim. Dissert. page 77.
