Sec. 115.  Now Salaman (Asal’s Friend, who we told you chose Conversation, rather than Solitude and Retirement, which he judg’d unlawful) was Prince and Sovereign of this Island.  So Hai Ebn Yokdhan began to teach them, and explain the Mysteries of Wisdom to them; but so soon as e’er he began to raise his Discourse above External Things a little, and to inculcate that, the contrary whereof had been settled, and deeply rooted in their Minds; they began to withdraw themselves from him, and their Minds had an Abhorrence for what he spake.  And though they carried themselves civilly to him, both because he was a Stranger, and out of the Observance which they thought due to their Friend Asal, yet they were angry with him inwardly in their Hearts.  However, he continu’d reasoning with them mildly Night and Day, and teaching them the TRUTH, both in Private and Publick, which only increas’d their Hatred towards him, and made them avoid his Company, though otherwise they were Lovers of Goodness, and desirous of Truth.  However, through the Defect of their Nature, they did not search for it after the right manner, nor apprehend it as they should do; but sought the Knowledge of it after the common way, like the rest of the World.  So that he despaired of doing any Good upon them, and all his Hopes of amending them were defeated, because they were not willing to receive what he taught them.

Sec. 116.  And afterwards, taking a View of the several Ranks and Orders of Men, he perceiv’d that every sort of them plac’d their Delight in those Things which they possess’d at present, and that their Appetites were their God, and that they lost themselves in gathering up the little Things of this World; and that the Desire of getting more, kept them employ’d till they came to their Graves; and that all good Counsel was lost upon them; and that disputing with them had only this Effect, that it made them the more obstinate.  And as for Wisdom, there was no way for them to attain it, neither had they any Share in it. For Folly has over-whelmed them, and, what they have sought after, has covered their Hearts like Raft; God has sealed up their Hearts and their Ears, and their Eyes are dim, and they shall have sore Punishment.[30]

Sec. 117.  When therefore he saw them compass’d about with the Curtains of Punishment, and cover’d with the Darkness of the Veil; and that all of them (a few only excepted) minded their Religion no otherwise, but with regard to this present World; and cast the Observance of religious Performances behind their Backs, notwithstanding the Easiness of them, and sold them for a small Price; and that their Merchandize and Trading diverted them from thinking upon God, so that they had no fear of that Day in which both their Hearts and Eyes shall be turn’d round[31]; he was fully satisfied, that it was to no purpose to speak to them plainly, neither that it was expedient any Works should be enjoin’d them beyond this