deliver him altogether from this Body of his, which detain’d him from that State; that he might have nothing to do but to give himself up wholly to his Delight, and be freed from all that Torment with which he was afflicted, as often as he was forc’d to avert his Mind from that State, by attending on the Necessities of Nature.  And thus he continu’d, till he was past the seventh Septenary of his Age; that is, till he was about fifty Years of Age, and then he happen’d to be acquainted with Asal.  The Narrative of which meeting of theirs, we shall now (God willing) relate.

Sec. 98.  They say that there was an Island not far from that where Hai Ebn Yokdhan was born (no matter according to which of those two different Accounts they give of his Birth) into which one of those good Sects, which had some one of the ancient Prophets (of pious Memory) for its Author, had retir’d.  A Sect which us’d to discourse of all things in Nature, by way of Parable and Similitude, and by that means represent the Images of them to the Imagination, and fix the Impressions of them in Men’s Minds, as is customary in such Discourses as are made to the Vulgar.  This Sect so spread it self in this Island, and prevail’d and grew so eminent, that at last the King not only embrac’d it himself, but oblig’d his Subjects to do so too.

Sec. 99.  Now there were born in this Island, two Men of extraordinary Endowments, and Lovers of that which is Good; the Name of the one was Asal, and the other Salaman, who meeting with this Sect, embrac’d it heartily, and oblig’d themselves to the punctual Observance of all its Ordinances, and the daily Exercise of what was practis’d in it; and to this end they enter’d into a League of Friendship with each other.  Now among other Passages contain’d in the Law of that Sect, they sometimes made enquiry into these Words, wherein it treats of the Description of the most High and Glorious God, and. his Angels, and the Resurrection, and the Rewards and Punishments of a future State.  Now Asal us’d to make a deeper Search into the inside of Things, and was more inclin’d to study Mystical Meanings and Interpretations.  But as for his Friend Salaman, he kept close to the literal Sense, and never troubled himself with such Interpretations, but refrain’d from such curious Examination and Speculation of things.  However, notwithstanding this Difference, they both were constant in performing those Ceremonies requir’d, and in calling themselves to an account, and in opposing their Affections.

Sec. 100.  Now there were in this Law some Passages which seem’d to exhort Men to Retirement and a solitary Life, intimating that Happiness and Salvation were to be attain’d by it; and others which seem’d to encourage Men to Conversation, and the embracing Human Society. Asal gave himself up wholly to Retirement, and those Expressions which favour’d it were of most weight with him, because he was naturally