To any one who is acquainted with the _Book of Conformities_, which has been justly denominated THESAURUS BLASPHEMIÆ, the propriety and aptness of the title of THE FRANCISCAN KORAN is very obvious. Luther (and there seems no reason to doubt the genuineness of these prefaces), after commenting on the expressions used in this book with reference to our Blessed Lord, and the great exemplar of the "minors" and "minims," observes:
"_Hinc sequitur quod Christus veluti figura Francisci, nihil fit amplius: id_ QUOD TURCI SENTIUNT. _At figuratus ille Franciscus, omnia est in omnibus. Ex quo jam altera hæresis manat, quod Franciscum, ut verum Messiam, Mediatorem, Advocatum ac Patronum invocunt, et vitam æternam ab ipso petunt._"
ALBER, after quoting some of the _Conformities_, adds--
"_Et, ut paucis dicam, Christus nihil fecit quod non item Franciscus fecerit, et longe plura etiam. Itaque et in Alcorano Franciscanorum sæpe reperitur, Franciscum Christo esse_ SIMILEM. _Nam quod sit_ SUPRA CHRISTUM, _perquam vellent quidem dicere, sed diabolis metuit ne nimium se prodat et agnosci possit._"
The mere facts of this monstrous book having been _written_, _approved_ by the highest authority, and for a _century and a half_ receiving universal applause (with the exception perhaps of a few jealous Dominicans), nay, the mere _toleration_ of such a book, would have been amply sufficient to show the corruption of the Western Church, and call loudly for reformation. This--
"_Abominationem_ [says Luther] _quam non ipsi solum exercuerunt ac in summo pretio habuerunt, sed ipse etiam Sanctissimus eam confirmavit, commendavit, privilegiis ornavit, ac omnibus Christe fidelibus pro focis et aris defendendam mandavit._"
"I believe the Franciscans designed to follow the example of the Moslem, and supersede Jesus Christ. At one time they attempted to leave off the vulgar æra, and actually dated from the infliction of the Five Wounds."
In the Romish calendar, the 17th of September is dedicated to "Impressio Stigm. S. Francis." Of the Geneva editions of the Cordelier Alcoran, Brunet (last edition) mentions 1556, 1560, and 1578. In Leslie's Catalogue for 1852, under the heading "_Luther_," the Geneva edition of 1556 occurs; the title is worth giving: