DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4646#0053
I
53
objuration of the doctrine of impiety was nothing else than hyprocri-
cy and deeply designed policy, in order to re-establish the credit of
the order, which had been exposed to the anathemas of priests and
the ban of princes by the inconsiderate publication of their doctrines,
and to gain for himself the title of prince, instead of the dignity of
grand master. Thus the Jesuits, when they were threatened with ex-
pulsion by the Parliament, and with a Bull of Excommunication from
the Vatican, when, on all sides, the voices of cabinets and countries,
rose against the principles of their morals and policy—denied their
doctrine of lawful rebellion and regicide, which had been imprudently
hinted at, by some of their casuists, and openly condemned the
maxims which they, nevertheless, secretly observed as the true rules
of the order,
" This assertion of a purer moral system, and genuine Christianity,
availed little in re-instating in the possession of their former greatness
and power, the once unmasked and exposed order of the Jesivists ;
and equally small success had the Assassins, in regaining their preced-
ing influence and authority by this system of proselytism, which was
preached from every pulpit."
You here see, my Lord, in every line, the expression of prejudice,
and the want of critical power. Mohammed repealed the ceremonial
law j he was a criminal ; Jelaleddin restored it; he was a hypocrite.
Whatever the facts, the Assassin Chief must be a villain.
The Judge: There is the expression used there, of "grand
masters" ]
Mr. Howard : Yes that is one of Von Hammer's crotchets. He
wished to connect the Assassins with the Templars and the Egyptians.
To show how different a view is taken of these old Mohammadan sects
hy modern scholars, since the creation of criticism, I will mention that
Sale following his Suni guides, reserved the severest reprobation
for the Motazalites. No words were bad enough for them, but Weil,
who is probably the first of modern critics in Mahommadan history,
regards them as the most respectable thinkers of the Moslem world.
They were, he says, the Rationalists of Islam. This may be a warning
to us in forming a hasty opinion about the " Assassins." Now in the
hrst place, this word creates a false impression. They did not know,
.or use it themselves. They called themselves " Bateni" and Ismai-
lies." They were strict Mussulmans, mid thought themselves saints
53
objuration of the doctrine of impiety was nothing else than hyprocri-
cy and deeply designed policy, in order to re-establish the credit of
the order, which had been exposed to the anathemas of priests and
the ban of princes by the inconsiderate publication of their doctrines,
and to gain for himself the title of prince, instead of the dignity of
grand master. Thus the Jesuits, when they were threatened with ex-
pulsion by the Parliament, and with a Bull of Excommunication from
the Vatican, when, on all sides, the voices of cabinets and countries,
rose against the principles of their morals and policy—denied their
doctrine of lawful rebellion and regicide, which had been imprudently
hinted at, by some of their casuists, and openly condemned the
maxims which they, nevertheless, secretly observed as the true rules
of the order,
" This assertion of a purer moral system, and genuine Christianity,
availed little in re-instating in the possession of their former greatness
and power, the once unmasked and exposed order of the Jesivists ;
and equally small success had the Assassins, in regaining their preced-
ing influence and authority by this system of proselytism, which was
preached from every pulpit."
You here see, my Lord, in every line, the expression of prejudice,
and the want of critical power. Mohammed repealed the ceremonial
law j he was a criminal ; Jelaleddin restored it; he was a hypocrite.
Whatever the facts, the Assassin Chief must be a villain.
The Judge: There is the expression used there, of "grand
masters" ]
Mr. Howard : Yes that is one of Von Hammer's crotchets. He
wished to connect the Assassins with the Templars and the Egyptians.
To show how different a view is taken of these old Mohammadan sects
hy modern scholars, since the creation of criticism, I will mention that
Sale following his Suni guides, reserved the severest reprobation
for the Motazalites. No words were bad enough for them, but Weil,
who is probably the first of modern critics in Mahommadan history,
regards them as the most respectable thinkers of the Moslem world.
They were, he says, the Rationalists of Islam. This may be a warning
to us in forming a hasty opinion about the " Assassins." Now in the
hrst place, this word creates a false impression. They did not know,
.or use it themselves. They called themselves " Bateni" and Ismai-
lies." They were strict Mussulmans, mid thought themselves saints