_ 374 _ The Moors challenged me in the same way, saying: As Mohammed forbade discussion of his religion so that it should be defended by arms, they begged me that I and a man whom they would give me to represent their religion, a great philosopher[!], medical doctor and astrologer, should meet in the mountains of Persia, and whoever went longer without eating and drinking belonged to the better religion. [120r] To these I answered that this was sufficient proof of the falsity of their religion. However, because of the conviction I had of our pure and reliable truth, it would not take much for me to do what they asked, if I were not prevented by holy obedience from leaving this island within a period of three years(A). However, for this there was learning to eliminate doubtful and vague elements from all truth; but, so as not to tempt God without necessity, if this should fail in our dispute, then there remained in reserve what they requested of me. Not many days remained before Our Lord showed His great power, so that our holy faith should be manifest. The wife and daughter, of this same philosopher, with whom they had attacked me, seeing her husband’s weakness, (A) See Ex II 98, 34.
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