AND ITS FOUNDER. sn 



he seems chiefly to blame the imprudence of mixed' assemblies, in his stric- 

 tures on the subject. 



Ba'yezid having now matured his plans, exhibited to his disciples a 

 took which he had composed, entitled Kheir al Bian (The excellence of 

 explanation) vv^hich he pretended to have received by inspiration, like 

 another Koran. He also composed, from time to time, a variety of 

 Resdlehs or treatises, concerning the fundamental principles and doctrines 

 of his sect. One of the crafty devices which he practised in these treatises 

 was to introduce many sententious maxims, and brilliant passages, which 

 had no obvious heterodox tendency; but which, by their force and beauty 

 produced a deep impression on the simple reader; while none but those 

 who were deeply versed in theological science, could discover their real 

 drift. Thus, in one of his latter Resdlehs he asserts, that whatever 

 exists in form, is the mirror of divinity; whatever is heard or seen, is 

 God, who alone exists; while the material world is nothing but thought 

 or idea. The Lord preserve the faithful, says Akku'n Derwe'zeh, from 

 such an infidel as this ! Ba'yezid was fond of introducing into his composi- 

 tions, philosophical ideas, and principles maintained by the S'llfi sect. He 

 asserts, in one passage, that nothing exists, except God, and that besides 

 the being of God, there is no other being in existence. God, says he, re- 

 mains concealed in the human nature, like salt in water, or grain in the 

 plant; and he is the same in all his creatures, and the soul of all.* He 

 that is a true believer, will not be the death of the meanest insect, for the 

 giver of life is its fosterer, and thou art not answerable for its subsistence. 



* Mdrifat according to Bayezid, coiisis(ecl in believing living souls to be G!od ; the 

 soul, said lie, is essence, and body is qualii y, and thus lie reckoned the breatii of lite, 

 Goo. Now let the faithful be assured, thiit this is only the opinion of Malhcds, CafirSj and 

 Yogis, says A k ii u n De u wk z e a . 



