except only to Popery and Prelacy yet certainly it can no ways extend to the toleration or protection of Iews and their Antichristian blasphemies against Christ himself and the Gosple seeing they are so far from professing faith in Iesus Christ that they utterly renounce and professedly decry him to be the true Saviour and Messiah of the world rejecting the whole New Testament and Doctrine of the Gospel and so by consequence are necessarily secluded by this Instrument and Oath for its observation from practising their Jewish worship Ceremomies or erecting any Synagogues in our Nation for that purpose 2ly Though the Kings of England by the Law and their Prerogative may in sundry cases erect New Corporations of their Subjects by their Charters only yet notwithstanding no Corporation or Fraternity of Iews being meer Aliens may can or ought to be erected in England by the Fundamental Lawes and Constitutions of the Realm but only by full consent of the Nation in Parliament by special Acts of Parliamennt it being one of the greatest Intrenchments that can be upon the English Nations Rights Liberties Customs priviledges profit and a violation of all the former Charters Previledges Rights Franchises confirmed to them by the great Charter of England forty times since ratified by new Acts of Parliament This is evident by the Statutes of Magna Charta c. 9.37 34 E. 1. c. 4. 1 E. 3. c. 9. 14 E. 3. c. 1. 1. H. 4. c. 1. 2. H. 4. c. 1. 7. H. 4. c. 1. 9. H. 4. c. 1. 13. H. 4. c. 1. 3. H. 5. c. 1. 2. H. 6. c. 1. compared with 2 E. 3. c. 9. 27. E. 3. c. 1. to 29. 28 E. 3.13.15 39. E. 3. c. 7 19 H. 7. c. 12 and all other Acts for the Staple and Styliard and with 3. E. 4. c. 6. 1. R. 3. c. 9. 14 H. 8. c. 2. 21 H. 8. c. 16. 22 H. 8. c. 8. 32 H. 8. c. 16. touching Artificers Mâ—rchants and Aliens 3ly The preambles of the Statute of Merton 20 H. 3. 3 E. 1. with c. 17.48 6 E. 1. of Quo Warranto and of Glocester 13 E. 1. 12 E. 2. of York 9 10 14 15 25 28 36 37. E. 3.1.3 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 21. R. 2.1 2 4 6. H. 4.1 8 10 12. 36. H. 6. 18 E. 3. c. 1 2 3. R. 2. Rot. Parl. n. 36 40. 6 H. 6. c. 5. and other Acts declare and resolve That the Kings of England by their Oath and Duty and the Lords and Commons in Parliament are all obliged by their trusts and our Laws to advance uphold maintain and defend the welfare wealth safety of the Church Realm Subjects People of England and to prevent redresse suppresse remove by wholesom Laws and Ordinances all Grievances Mischiefs Damages Inconveniences Disinherisons contrary thereunto it being a fundamental Maxime both in our Laws and Law-Books SALUS POPULI SUPREMA LEX which the Army Officers in their Declaration of 16 Novemb. 1648. and Mr. John Pym in his Speech against Strafford 12 April 1641. p. 3. c. printed by the Commons special Order much insist on Moreover it is another Maxime in our Law Summa ratio est quae pro religione faecit Now the admission of the Jews into England as appeareth by the Statute de Judaismo and premised Histories is no way consistent with the welfare profit wealth safety of the Church Realm Subjects People or Religion of England and will be an extraordinary damage mischief grievance inconvenience and disinherison to them all Therefore prohibited enacted against by the general scope of all these Laws and Maxims and no ways to be admitted 4ly The Jews heretofore in England and still in all other parts being most grievous Clippers coyners forgers of money Vsurers Extortioners and the greatest cheators cozeners Impostors in the world in all their Merchandizes and Manufactures whatsoever upon this accompt they are and ought to be still excluded and never re-admitted amongst us by the provisions of all our Laws yet in force prohibiting clippâ—ng coyning usury extortion frauds deceipts in any Merchandizes or Manufactures whatsoever unless we intend to have them now more practised by them and others among us than ever heretofore The rather because they were never admitted free Trading and Habitation in England by any of our Laws touching Alien Merchants and Artificers free Traffick amongst us from the time of their forementioned banishment till this present under the Name and Notion of Jews Foraign Merchants or Artificers And therfore not to be admâ—tted to those new desired priviledges from which all these forecited Laws in my weak Judgement with the former old Parliamentary Judgement and Edict for their perpetual banishment in Law Justice Conscience still debarre them re-admittance til repealed and they if ever readmitted against all these Acts and Statutes must be introduced re-setled by special Acts of Parliament which no English Parliament in probability will ever indulge unto them as the peoples general present declamations in all places against their endeavoured introduction prognostick And thus much I thought meet to inform the Nation touching those Laws and Statutes which in my poor opinion directly or by consequence oppose their re-admission and refute those Lawyers mis-information who confidently averred there is no Law of England at all against it if Mr. Nye did truly inform me 2. For Scriptures these Texts may resolutely engage us against their re-admission 1. Matth. 5.13 Luke 14.34 35. Salt is good but if the salt have lost its savor wâ—erewith shall it be seasoned It is neither fit for the land nor yet for the dunghil but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men This is the condition of the Jews who have loâ—t both their Saviour and their favor too Therefore not fit for our land nor yet for our dunghils but to be kept and cast out from amongst us and trodden under foot of all true Christian men whiles unbeliever s. 2. 1 Cor. 16.22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha That is separated and cast out from all Christian society and communion until the day of Judgement the highest kind of Jewish Excommunication Now the Jews are such who doe not only not love but deny defie and hate our Lord Jesus Christ in the highest degree Therefore to be excommunicated and secluded from our Christian communion and cohabitation amongst us to which they can pretend no right 3. 2 Cor. 6.14 15 c. Be ye not unequally yoaked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness and what concord hath Christ with Belial and what part hath he that believeth with an Infidel and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols c. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch no unclean thing and I will receive you The
Justices Nobles Gentlemen Citizens Merchants Societies Fraternities most private persons both in England Ireland Wales Scotland all the British Isles and other Territories anciently belonging to England All whose particular patents grants evidences though under seaâ— if alleged to be false forged sophiâ—â—ticated must be tryed only by their exemplifications or inrollments on record They likewise comprise all the Judgements Fines Common Recoveries Verdicts Trials Suits Statute Merchants and Staple Recogniâ—anâ—â—s Inrolments yea in any of the private Conveyances Contracts between our Kings and private subjects and one subject another What a universal confusion subversion then disinherison destruction of all Rights Titles Interests Inheritances Priviledges the burning of all our old Records would immediatly bring upon all and every County City Corporation Nobleman Gentleman Inheritor Freeholder of the Realm of England and all the subordinate Dominions thereto annexed let this Short Cutter himself and all Wise men determine who hold or claim any thing by matter of Record their best and surest evidence 3ly All the good old Laws Statutes for the Government Peace safety defence and wellfare of the Nation are originally conteined in our Records by which they must be tryed examined Yea all the perambulations and deafforestations of our forrests All the Limits Bounds Extents Contents Jurisdictions Customs Priviledges Tenures Rents Services of all Counties Cities Burroughs Ports Honors Mannors Parishes Courts of Justice Offices Officers Civil Military Ecclesiastical Marine all the Pedegrees Discents Successions by which all Heirs Successors hold or claim their inheritances are for the most part defined ascertained evidenced proved in and by our Records alone wherein they are enrolled And if they should all be burnt together what a taxies confusions contentions oppressions suits quarrels frauds Disinherisons would thereupon immediatly ensue all wisemen may prognosticke The mighty Nymrods and Grandees of the times wil then soon question al mens Titles devour their lesse potent neighbours estates inheritances adjoyning near to theirs all potent Landlords will exact what services rents customs heriots releifes they please from their poor tenants all superiour inferiour Courts Officers Corporations claim exercise what extravagant Jurisdictions powers they think meet and all legal means of defending mens rights liberties inheritances against malitious potent vexations Adversaries will be utterly abolished by Salt Peters new Firework to burn all our old Records to ashes 4ly Whereas this Ignoramus in ouâ— Records the most whereof he never yet saw and cannot so much as read produceth this only reason for their burning that they are the monuments of Tyranny I would demand of rhis bold blind Bayard who judgeth of coulors he never yet saw how he can make good this notorious untruth The greatest part of our Records are the two great Charters of the Liberties of England and the Forrest or sundry subsequent confirmations of them in several Parliaments the good old Laws Statutes Ordinances made by our wisest Kings Nobles Commons upon long advise and serious debates in our English Parliaments for the Government Peace defence wellfare of the people The proceedings debates Judgements Resolutions of our sagest Parliaments Judges Courts of Justice in all matters cases publike private civil or criminal formerly debated or resolved in them Old Charters Commissions Patents Writs Concords Fines Recoveries Statutes Judgements Extents Indictments Offices Grants of Liberties Lands Franchises Fairs Offices Pardons to particular persons corporations all matters advancing the defence of the Realm by Land and Sea in times of danger war according to the ancient Laws and Customes of the Realm Negotiations Truces Leagues with Embassies Letters to from forain States All particulars concerning Merchants Merchandise Trade Coyn Buâ—lion Measures weights wools Staples Ships and the like Now how all or any of these can be stiled Monuments of Tyranny let this Lindsy-Wolsy great Clerk demonstrate at his best leasure Besides I here averr ex certa scientia against this Imposture That most of our old Records especially in the Tower are so far from being monuments of Tyranny that on the contrary they are the chiefest badges the clearest evidendences of those good old English Liberties which our noble Ancestors claimed purchased and transmitted to us as our richest Birthrights yea the principal Bulworks Fences against all sorts of Tyrannical usurpations encroachments on the Peoples Liberties Rights Properties in any kind whatsoever To put this out of Controversie I shall appeal only to the many excellent old Reeords produced most insisted on by the Commons and others in the several Parliaments of 7 8 21 Jacobi and 3 4 17. Caroli against all Impositions Tunnage Poundage Customs Excises Loans Taxes demanded imposed and exacted from the Subject without common consent and Act of Parliament against imprisoning Subjects by King or Council Table without any legal cause expressed in the warrants and not bailing them in such cases against Shipmoney Court and Conduct money the Bishops late Canons and Oath Commissions for executing martial Law in times of Peace impressing and billiting Souldiers the Commissions of Array with other late Grievances Monopolies and the arbitrary proceedings of Strafford Canterbury the old Council Table Star-chamber and High-commission printed in sundry Treatises in Sir Edw. Cooks 2 4 Institut Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma and in my Legal Historical Vindication and collection of the good old fundamental Liberties c. of England to which I shall refer the Reader and Hugh Peters who if he had St. Augustines ingenuity hath as much cause and more than he to write a book of Retractations especially of this his rash sentence passed against our old Records devoting them to the fire which his and others New-Medles better deserve than they Now that I may the better excite encourage all generous English Spirits especially Lawyers Statesmen Historians Heralds and Divines who have opportunity not only to the diligent preservation but inspection study perusal of our ancient over much neglected sleighted Records so rashly devoted to the fire by Peters I shall in brief acquaint each of them what hidden Treasures and rare precious pearls are locked up in these old Parchment cabinets 1. All grounded Students and Professors of the Law upon diligent search may find in our old Records the several Writs of Summons for our Archbishops Bishops Abbots Priors Dukes Earls Viscounts Barons Citizens Burgesses Merchants and all other Members to our ancient English Parliaments Great Councils of State Synods Convocations with the several prorogations adjournments dissolutions of them for Knights and others wages The Speeches Proceedings Petitions Debates Consultations Orders Ordinances Statutes Judgements Pleas Demands Grants or Refusals of Aides Subsidies with all transactions resolves concerning peace War Government Trade Merchandise Bullion Coyn Weights Measure purviances Customes Tunnage poundage Imposts Fishing Shipping defence of King or Kingdom by Land or Sea Liberties priviledges properties regulation of abuses supplies of defects of Law Justice and all other matters formerly discussed in our English parliaments Which
A Short DEMURRER To the JEWES Long discontinued barred Remitter into ENGLAND Comprising An exact Chronological Relation of their first Admission into their ill Deportment Misdemeanors Condition Sufferings Oppressions Slaughters Plunders by popular Insurrections and regal Exactions in and their total final Banishment by Iudgment and Edict of Parliament out of England never to return again collected out of the best Historians and Records With a Brief Collection of such English Laws Scriptures Reasons as seem strongly to plead and conclude against their Readmission into England especially at this season and against the General calling of the Jewish Nation With an Answer to the chief Allegations for their Introduction The second Edition enlarged By William Prynne Esq a Bencher of Lincolnes-Inne 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. Prov. 6.27 Can a man take coals in his bosome and his cloaths not be burnt Concil Toleta 4. cap. 57. Surius Concil Tom. 2. p 734. Tanta est quorundam â—isâ—uâ—â— aâ— ut quidam eam appetentes etiam a fide erraverint multi quippe hucusque ex Sacerdotibus atque Laicis accipientes a Judaeis munerà perfidiam eoâ—um suo patrocinio fovent qui non immerito ex corpore Antichristi esse noscuntur quia contra Christum faciunt Quicunque ergo deinceps Episcopus sive clericus sive Secularis illis contra fidem Christianam suffragium vel munere vel favore praestiterit vere ut prophanus Sacrilegus anathema effectus ab Ecclesia Catholica Regno Dei habeatur extraneus quia dignus est ut a corpore Christi separetur qui inimicis Christi PATRONUS efficitur Printed at London for EDWARD THOMAS dwelling in Green Arbor 1656. To the Christian Reader THat I may not justly suffer so much as in thy Thought as a busie body in other men's matters for publishing my Opinion in a publick Case wherein I conceive my self some wayes interessed both as a Christian and English Free-man I shall inform thee of the true original cause of this my sudden unpremeditated undertaking Being much affected with God's late admirable Providence in causing the sixth day of this instant December to be set apart for a Day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation for the late Rebukes we have received the Tares of Division that have been sown by the envious one and the growth they have had through his subtilty the abominable Blasphemies Apostacies and abuse of Liberty by many professing Religion and the continual Series of Difficulties we have been exercised under and inviting all the People of God in these three Nations on that day to joyn in solemn and earnest Supplications to the Throne of Grace That the Lord will be pleased truely to humble our present Governours and the Nation under his Righteous Hand that we may be every one searching out the Plague of his own Heart and turn unfeignedly from the evil of our wayes This being the very day of the Month whereon this time seven yeers December 6. 1648. Colonel Pride with other Officers of the ARMY besetting the Parliament-House with their armed Forces raised to Defend its PRIVILEDGES and MEMBERS against their Trusts Duties forcibly seised secured my self with above forty Parliament-Members more as we were going into the Commons-House to discharge our duties translating us that day from the Queens Court where they first impresoned us to Hell in Westminster and there lodging us upon the bare boards without Beds all that miserable Cold Night like so many Turkish Gally-slaves rather than Parliament-Members seconded with other succeeding Restraints and high unparallel'd Violations both of our Parliamentary Priviledges and Hereditary Laws and Liberties Which transcendent Exorbitancies as we may justly fear are the Plague of the Heart and Evil of their Wayes who were the chief Contrivers or Actors of them if not the greatest Rebukes the English Parliament or Nation ever received the most dangerous Tares of Division that have ever been sowen by the envious one in our Realm which have since extraordinarily grown and spread amongst us through his subtilty the saddest Apostacy and abuse of Liberty by men professing Religion ever heard of amongst Christians and the very Fountain of all that continued series of difficulties we have since been exercised under For which the principal Architects Executioners and whole English Nation had never publickly been humbled nor seriously lamented repented them in seven whole yeers space It pleased God by his over-ruling Providence beyond the Intentions or Thoughts of Men so at last to bring it about that this very forgotten sad day whereon this was publickly acted should be now by a printed Declaration specially devoted for A Day of solemn Fasting Humiliation throughout this Commonwealth to lament and bewail these former enormous Actions on it as well as other Crimes Having informed divers thereof both before and on this Fast-day who were much taken with it On the seventh of December the day after the Fast on which the secured Members that time seven yeers were carried from Hell to White-Hall and there kept fasting till past seven a clock at night to attend the Army-Officers who pretended a desired conference with them and at last without vouchsafing to see them sent them PRISONERS through the dirt with Musqueteers at each of their backs other Guards of Horse by their sides to the King's Head and Swan where they long remained I walked down to Westminster to visit some of my then Fellow-Prisoners and Members to acquaint them with this memorable Providence in my passage thither in Martin's-Lane I unexpectedly met with Sir John Clotworthy who was one of them leading his Lady on foot towards Wallingford-house the place whither the Officers promised to carry and there to confer with us when they thrust us into Hell who taking notice of and saluting me I informed him of the foresaid adorable Providence in appointing the former dayes Fast on that day seven yeers whereon we were seised who professing he had forgotten it and that it came not within his thoughts but in truth it was very miraculous and worthy special observation We thereupon walked on discoursing of it till we came to Wallingford-house-gate where Colonel Pride who then seised met us full but and I not perfectâ—y knowing him Sir John told me here is Colonel Pride and then gave him this seasonable Memento Fellow Pride Remember this Time seven yeers So we parting company I went visited some others of my then Fellow Prisoners in Westminster discoursing with them of these Providences wherewith they were much affected as having not observed them before and of our Fast at White-Hall this day seven yeers In my return homewards that day by the Garden-wall at White-Hall Mr. Nye the Minister going very fast there overtook and saluting me by name presently demanded this unexpected Question of me Whether there were any Law of England against bringing
which agrees with that in Holinshed he being thrust out and meeting his Father standing before the door expecting the event being animated against him said O Son of death and fewel of eternal perdition is not thine own damnation sufficient for thee unless thou also cast me headlong into it together with thee But God forbid that I to whom Christ is now revealed should ever acknowledge thee henceforth for a Father because the devil is thy father I have omitted in this second enlarged Edition of my Demurrer no passage to my knowledge in any of our Historians relating to our former English Iews reciting them all in a Chronological Order in the Historians own words quoted in the Margin only I finde sundry Records concerning them which I shall supply by a subsequent Appendix by themselves to gratifie those who bought the first Edition whom their insertion into this might have injur'd Herein I have only briefly touched not handled the great Question of the general calling conversion of the Iewish Nation to the Faith of Christ towards the end of the world for which I cannot finde any satisfactory grounds in Scripture That Text of Levit. 26.41 to 46. on which some build their general call having these two clauses in it that seem strongly to oppose or make it very dubious v. 41. IF THEN their uncircumcised heart be humbled and that they accept of the punishment of their iniquity c. v. 46. I will not cast them away neither will I abhor them to DESTROY THEM UTTERLY And that other Text of Rom. 11. whereon others most rely having this conditional passage express clauses against it v. 23. And they also IF they abide not still in unbelief shall be grafted in for God is able he saith not resolved to graffe them in again And v. 3 to 8. I have reserved to my self 7000 men c. Even so then at this present time there is a Remnant according to the election of grace c. But the Election hath obtained it and the rest were hardned or blinded Which compared with Rom. 9.27 29. Isaiah also saith concerning Israel Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the Sea yet a REMNANT of them only shall be saved Except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us A SEED A VERY SMALL REMNANT so Isaiah calls it we had been as Sodom c. will necessarily evince that Rom. 11.26 And so all Israel shall be saved c. on which they ground this general call must be intended onely of all this small elect remnant of the Israel of God and seed of Abraham according to the faith not flesh Rom. 4 11 12 13 14 15 16. Gal. 3.7 8 9 14 16. Ga. 6.16 of all such who are Jews inwardly and have the Circumcision of the heart Rom 2.28 29. not of the whole Jewish Nation whose servants I fear weâ—e as few under the Gospel as the Gentiles Converts and Proselytes under the Law And those who will strain that Text further must necessarily aver not only an Universal Calling but likewise Salvation and taking away the ungodliness and sins of the whole Nation then by Christ of which that Text only speaks not only contrary to these forecited Scriptures and Gods dealing with all other Churches Nations but to Jer. 3.14 I will take you one of a City and two of a Tribe and I will bring you to Sion Mat. 21.16 Many are called but few chosen few saved Mat. 7.14 Luke 13.23 Therefore for any to call in the Jews among us upon this surmise of their general approaching Conversion is a strange Solecism both in State-Policy and Christianity especially in this age wherein that Speech of Waltramus Bishop of Naumburge is most truely verified Diabolus videns Idola derelicta per nimium credentium populum sedes suas ac templa deserta excogâ—itavit novam fraudem ut sub ipso Christiani nominis titulo fallat incautos haeresesque invenit schismata quibus subverteret fidem corrumperet veritatem Exinde divisa est Ecclesia divisa sunt Ecclesiae Sacerdotia atque omnia scandalorum orta sunt genera Exinde crevit grave diuturrum bellum non solum civile bellum sed plusquam civile bellum factae sunt absque divino pariter humano respectu vastationes Ecclesiarum caedes hominum Exinde etiam corruptae sunt divinae pariter humanae leges sine quibus non subsistit vel Dei Ecclesia vel Imperii Respublica ex inde violata est fides publica Catholica exinde etiam illa crevit injustitia ut pro veritate falsa testimonia pro fide Catholica abundent perjuria ut post quam Leges bello silvere coactae impleaturiam ista Domini sententia per Osee Prophetam Non est veritas non est misericordia non scientia Dei in terra maledictum mendacium homicidium furtum adulterium inundaverunt sanguis sanguinem tetigit Ipse Diabolus videtur nunc de carcere suo solutus esse Hinc publicae civium contra Cives congressiones aliis pro pastoribus legitimis aliis vero contra pastores dimicantes as he and Gerhobus Richerspergensis writ of Pope Hildebrands dayes If any man chance to censure me as overharsh or earnest in my expressions against the Jews I hope that speech of their royal Prophet a man after Gods own heart Ps 139.20 21 22. Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee and am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee I hate them with a perfect hatred I count them mine enemies for they speak against thee wickedly depart from me therefore ye bloody men will apologize for me especially seeing their Proposals are Not only to be admitted and received into our Commonwealth under the protection and safeguard of our Governours AS THE NATIVES THEMSELVES and that all the Heads and Generals of Arms may take an Oath to defend them upon all occasions that they may be permitted to traffick freely in all sorts of Merchandize as others but to be judged by their Judges in differences between themselves according to the Mosaick Law And to be allowed PUBLICK SYNAGOGUES not onely in ENGLAND but also IN ALL OTHER PLACES under our power and TO OBSERVE IN ALL THINGS THEIR RELIGION AS THEY OUGHT That in case there have been any Laws against their Jewish Nation they may IN THE FIRST PLACE and BEFORE ALL THINGS BE REVOKED A clear evidence of an intended design in them only to set up their Synagogues of Satan Judaism Jewish Ceremonies in the highest degree amongst us as lawful in direct opposition and subversion of our only Lord Saviour Redeemer Mediator Jesus Christ his Person Offices Kingdom Gospel and Christianity it self without any thoughts of turning Christians themselves As Manasseh Ben Israel his printed Addresses most fully discovers In which case
the only God with them and us how christian-like let themselves determine 3ly God himself who saith Behold I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbour by oppression other unlawfull means will certainly smite his hand at this gain by the Iews re-admission And therefore let us give that resolute answer to the Iewish Agents if they proffer to purchase an indenization amongst us by their gold as St. Peter once did to Simon Magus in another case Thy money perish with thee Thou hast neither part nor lot in this businesse for thy heart is not upright with God 4ly None ever gain'd by the Iews introduction or continuance in any Christian State but the King and some of his bribed Officers and that by oppressing squeezing fleecing taxing excoriating eviscerating crucifying pillaging plundering the poor Iews in such an unchristian inhuman illegal unrighteous manner against the express commands of God as made both Christians and Christianity most detestable to them brought a secret curse of God upon all those unrighteous gaines as also upon their very persons and Government witnesse King Iohn and Henry the 3d. and encouraged them to oppresse fleece and pillage their Native Subjects by illegal Taxes and Projects and to use them rather like Iews than Christians enforcing them thereby to take up arms against them for their Laws Liberties and Properties just defence as those Kings reigns and others sufficiently evidence 5ly The introduction of the Iews into England and other Nations never advanced the publike wealth of the Natives and Republike but much impaired it by their Vsuries and Deceits clipping and falsifying monies ingrossing all sorts of commodities into their hands usurping the Natives trades and becomming such intolerrable grievances to them that they were never quiet till they were banished as their greatest Annoyance and purchased their Exiles even with publick Subsidies granted to their Kings to be quit of them as the premises abundantly evidence 6ly The Trade of this Nation flourished more after their banishment hence then ever it did before and their introduction now will but supplant undoe our English Merchants and other Natives to enrich them and some few other Grandees who shall share with them in their spoils and unrighteous gains as they utterly supplanted impoverished ruined the City of Norlingen in Germany where they intruded themselves in great numbers by the Emperours priviledges whereupon the Citizens Anno Dom. 1290. being reduced to extreem poverty by them rose up in arms and slew a geeat number of them without destinction of age or sex for with the Citizens were put to so great fines by the Emperour Rodolfus and so oppressed by the Nobility and others obliged to the Jews by morgages and moneys lent them though the Jews instigation that the natives were inforced to leave both their Studies Trades aend the City it self reduced thereby to extreem penury for above 59 years space as Sebastian Muâ—ster at large records which together with the premises sufficiently disproves Meuasseth Ben Israels Suggestion of the profit the Natives of England may receive by their readmission 7ly The taking off all long continued uncessant new illegal Taxes Excises Imposts imposed without common consent in Parliament on the Nation ingrossing anticipating most of the current Monies of the Land which are the nerves and wheels of Trade eating up all the Merchants Peoples gains and labors and overclogging all or most Commodities imported or exported The disbanding of all unnecessary mercenary Forces and Garriâ—ons who have devoured most of the publike and private wealth of our three Kingdoms and extraordinarily impoverished them only to enrich and advance themselves and setting up the old unmercinary Trained Bands and Legal Militia of the Realm in their steads The encouraging of Merchants to bring in gold and silver Bullion to set the Mint on work which hath lain for the most part idle near 15 years the suppressing of the superfluous making wearing use of gold and silver lace wyre gilding which consume many thousand pounds of current coyne every year The inhibiting of the excessive use of that late intoxicating smoke of Tobacco causing such a prodigal expence of money time and hindring more necessary usefull staple merchandizes and plantations The regulating of the gross abuses of Letters of Mart now little better than commissioned open pyracies occasioning the ruine of Trade and Merchandize by way of Reprisal The ordering according to Law Iustice Conscience that all prizes taken from any foraign Enemy or other who pillage or damage the English by the States Ships and men of War set out by the Merchants Customs Tonnage Poundage Imposts and therewith maintained for their defence shall be equally distributed to our English Merchants that are damnified or undone by them towards the reparation of their losses who maintain them to enable and encourage them in their trading especially when much impoverished or undone by their losses and not at all converted or rather perverted to the use of that some stile the Admiralty State or Mariners who take them at whose cost they are not maintained The binding of all Captains of all States men of war to make good all the English Merchants and their Allies losses susteined by their default or negligence The resuming of all the late alienated ancient Lands rents revenues of the Crown got into private hands which ought to defray the constant expence of the Government now extorted for the most part by arbitrary new devices out of the exhausted peoples purses The speedy preventing of the late unparalleld wasts in all places of English Timber fit for shipping of which there is like to be such scarcity ere long as will both destroy our Navy shipping Trade All these and every of them will far more advance the Trade and Traffique of the Nation and the publike wealth and give all the people far better content and satisfaction ten thousand fold then this New distastefull pernicious project of bringing in the Iews against which I shall only discharge this ancient Canon of the 4th Council of Toledo in Spain under their most religious King Sysenandus in the year of our Lord 681. which thus batters all ecclesiastical and temporal promoters of this allegation for filthy Lucres sake with this direfull thunderbolt recited and confirmed in consil Meldenses c. 58. Surius Tom. 3. p. 465. So great is certain mens lucre of money that some coveting after it according to the Apostles saying have erred from the faith For many hitherto of the Priests Laity receiving gifts from the Iews foster their perfidiousnesse or infidelity by their patronage who not undeservedly are known to be of the body of Antichrist because they act against Christ Therefore whatsoever Bishop or Clergy man or secular person shall from henceforth give his suffrage to them against the Christian faith Either For reward or favour being as prophane sacrilegious
not to be passionately zealous not to contend earnestly for the Faith against these ungodly men turning the Grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ is in a great measure to deny and betray them together with our Church Nation at once unto these their inveterate enemies For whose Conversion not National but of the very small elect Remnant of them as I shall pray so I cannot but pray and write against their Re-admission amongst us on these or any other terms for the Reasons here humbly presented to thy view and Christian Consideration by Thy Christian Brother and Companion in tribulation and in the Kingdom Patience of Jesus Christ William Prynne Lincolnes-Inne 14 December 1655. A Short Demurrer to the Jews long discontinued Remitter into ENGLAND HOw the Nation of the Jews once Gods own beloved special chosen People after their malitious crucifying of our Saviour Jesus Christ and imprecation That his Bloud might be on them and their children were for this their crying sin especially made the saddest spectacles of divine Justice and humane Misery of all other Nations in the World being quite extirpated out of their owne Land almost totally deleted by the sword pestilence famine carried away Captives and dispersed like so many Vagabonds over the face of the whole Earth as the very off-scowring of the World and execration derision of all other people having no place City form of Government or Republike of their own in any corner of the Universe according to Gods Comminations against them Levit. 26.14 to 46. Deut. 28.15 to 68. Jer. 9.10 c. 13.24 Ezech. 5.2 to the end c. 12.15 c. 22.15 Mich. 1.21 Mat. 24. Or what banishments punishments oppositions restraints by penal Lawes suppressions of their Synagogues Ceremonies they have received in all ages from Christian Kings Princes Republikes in Forein parts for their implacable malice blasphemie against our Saviour Jesus Christ Christians Christian Religion and other Crimes and Misdemeanors to which they are most addicted is not the subject of my intended Brief Discourse and so fully related by Josephus Egesippus Eusebius Nicephorus Zonaras Paulus Diaconus Paul Eber the Magdeburgian Centuriators out of them and other Historians in their 2. to their 13 Centuries chap. 14 and 15. in Baronius his Annals and Heylins Microcosm p. 568 569 570. where all may peruse them that I shall not spend time to recite them but wholly confine my self to a Brief Relation of their first admission into their ill deportment misdemeanors sufferings popular insurrections against them in and their final banishment by Judgement and Edict of Parliament out of England never to return again collected out of the best Historians to which I shall subjoyn a taste only of such Laws Scriptures and Reasons as seem strongly to plead against their readmission into our Island especially at this season When the Jews came first into England appears not certainly by any Historians there being no mention of their being here in any of our British or Saxon Kings reigns to my remembrance Antoninus in his Chronicles Tit. 16. c. 5. records That William the Conqueror King of England translated the Jews from Rhoan to London and the Magdeburg Centuries out of him Cent. 11. cap. 14. col 686. adde thereto that it was OB NUMERATUM PRECIUM for a sum of money given to him by them which I find not in Antoninus Both these Authors intimate That this was their first arival in England yet in what year of this King they are silent With them concurs Raphael Holinshed Vol. 3. p. 15. where thus he writes Among other grievances which the English sustained by the hard dealings of the Conqueror this is to be remembred That he brought Jews into the Land from Rouen appointed them a place to inhabit and occupy reputing their very first introduction a Grievance to the English and hard dealing Which Iohn Stow in his Annals of England p. 103. and Survey of London printed 1633. p. 288. thus seconds King William FIRST brought the Iews from Rhoan here to inhabit in England and Sir Richard Baker in his Chronicle of the Kings of England London 1653. p. 39. This King was the FIRST that brought the Iews to inhabit here in England But this Law concerning the Jews inserted amongst the Laws in the Confessors time seems to prove their arival and settlement in England to be before this Normans reign unless mis-placed in point of time amongst his Laws by Hoveden being rather in my opinion a Declaration of the Jews servile condition under King William and Richard the first when Hoveden writ then any Law in King Edwards reign or before amongst whose Laws or the Conquerors it is not to be found in Abbot Ingulphus his Original copy published by Mr. Selden in his Notae Spicilegium ad Eadmerum p. 172 c. as the words themselves import De Judaeis in Regno consticutis SCiendum est quoque quod omnes Judaei ubicunque in Regno sunt sub tutela defensione Domini Regis sunt nec quilibet eorum alicui diviti se potest subdere sine Regis licentia Judaei omnia sua Regis sunt Quod si quispiam detinuerit eis pecuniam suam perquirat Rex tanquam suum proprium or detinuerit eos vel pecuniam eorum perquirat Rex si vult tanquam suum proprium as Sir Henry Spelman renders it This Law or Declaration being the first record making mention of their being and condition in England proves That as all the Jews when they came first into England were under the Kings protection and patronage where ever they resided so they were all under him only as his meer Vassals their persons and goods being his alone and that they could dispose of neither of them without his license Into which slavish condition they doubtless then put themselves being banished out of other Nations for their villanies only to avoid the fury of the common people to whom they were most detestable who else would have quickly murdered or ston'd them to death and stript them of all their wealth as the sequel will declare The next Passage in Historians concerning the Jews being and condition in England is that of William of Malmsbury in William Rufus his reign The Jews writes he in his time gave a testimony of their insolency Once at Rhoan endeavouring by gifts to perswade and revoke certain men to Judaism who had deserted their error Another time at London being animated to enter into a combate or dispute against our Bishops because the King in merriment as I believe had said That if they should overcome the Christians and confute them by open arguments he would then revolt to them and become one of their Sect Whereupon it was managed with great fear of the Bishops and Clergy and with pious solicitude of such who were afraid of the Christian Faiths miscarriage And from this
can find no syllable in any Domestick or foreign Historians or Writers whatsoever nor yet that they inhabited here or were here in the Briton Saxon or Danish Kings Reigns which if they had some of our Historians Synods Decrees and Laws in those ages would have mentioned it as well as the Gothish Spanish Histories Laws Councils and Constitutions where they resided in which there is not one syllable of them but only in the forecited Law foisted in amongst the Confessors to which doubtless it was puny but in William the Conquerours reign Together with their ill deportments misdemeanors sufferings massacres servile condition and manifold popular tumults against them during all the time of their residence in England and final banishment out of it never to my knowledge collected into one intire History before The serious consideration whereof will in my weake judgement sufficiently satisfie convince the whole English Nation that they have just grounds and reasons in point of piety of policy never to re-admit them more into our Island and likewise resolve the very Jewes themselves that they have little cause or reason at all to desire to re-plant themselves in England where their ancestors in times past susteined so many miseries massacres affronts oppressions fleecings upon all occasions themselves can expect little better usage for the future To this principal part of my undertaking for fuller satisfaction I shall hereunto subjoyn a Tast of such Laws Scriptures Reasons as seem strongly to plead yea conclude against their re-admission into England at least in that latitude and freedom as formerly they there enjoyed and now petition for As 1. To erect new Synagogues Temples amongst us or turn any of our Churches Chappels into Synagogues for the free publique exercise of their Judaism Jewish Worship Customs Religion diametrically contrary to the Gospel Person Kingdom Priesthood Offices Mediation Redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ which they thereby professedly deny renounce as false and fabulous 2ly To set up a Jewish Corporation or Fraternity amongst us in our Cities and Corporations distinct and separate from the English subject to their own immediate peculiar Officers and Judges as heretofore 3ly To purchase Houses Habitations Rents Lands exercise Merchandizes and all sorts of Trades and Manufactures amongst us as free Denizens or Merchants upon such terms and qualifications as shall be indulged to them 1. For our Laws and Statutes these following make directly or obliquely by way of necessary consequence against their re-admission 1. For their Jewish Synagogues Worship Sacraments Religion these ancient pious Laws of our Saxon and Danish Kings made in their great Parliaments and Councils before the Jews first coming into England strongly oppose their admission now As namely the Laws of King Alfred and Guthern Lex 1.2 of King Ethelred in the Council of Aenham c. 1.3.27 29 30. of Habam c. 1. with the Laws of King Knute the Dane Lex 1.27 28. All which enact That the only true God and our Lord be loved worshipped in all ages by all the people with all their might the one Christian holy Catholick faith orthodoxly kept and the Churches of God to be diligently frequented throughout the Realm That all Paganisme and false Religions be renounced both in words and deeds That who ever wickedly resisteth the Laws of Christ shall be grievously fined and put to death and that all men should diligently seek out by all means Ut recta Christi relâ—gio maximè provehatur That the right religion of Christ might be most of all advanced obtesting all Ecclesiastical and secular persons again and again most earnestly to keep the sincere faith unanimously in the true God and the right Christian faith in a right manner diligently to hear the Teachers of Gods word studiously to follow their Doctrine and Precepts to maintain peace and tranquility in the Church of God and there diligently to pour forth their prayers All which particulars exclude all Jewish Synagogues and Judaisme and are of perpetual force being grounded on the very Law of God Moreover King Cnute his Ecclesiastical Lawes made by the advise of his wise men to be observed throughout all England prohibited That no Christian should be sold or sent out of the Realm or banished amongst those who had not as yet embraced the faith in Christ lest per adventure those Souls should perish at any time which our Lord Jesus Christ had redeemed with his own blood and life If Christians for this cause ought not to be sent sold or banished amongst Jews and Infidels much more then ought not Infidel Jews with their Jewish Synagogues Religion Ceremonies to be now introduced amongst us Christians to the hazard of many Christian Souls redeemed by Christs blood 2. All the Statutes concerning Uniformity of Common Seâ—vice and administration of the Sacraments as 1 Ed. 6. c. 1 2. 2 Ed. 6. c. 1. 6 Ed. 6. c. 1.1 Eliz. c. 2.23 Eliz. c. 1.35 Eliz. c. 1.2 most of them still in force being never legally repealed do fully and directly oppugne the introduction of any Jâ—wish Synagogues Service Sacraments Worship Ceremonies with the use of them in any place within our Realm 3. The Statutes of 3. E. 6. c. 10.13 Eliz. c. 2.23 Eliz. c. 1.28 Eliz. c. 2.6 35 Eliz. c. 1.3 Jac. c. â— against Popish Recusants Seminary Priests Jesuites Friers Masse-Books Agnus Dei's Popish Books Superstitions for eventing the withdrawing of the Subjects of this Realm from the publique Ordinances Sacraments and Religion here established and for speedy banishing all Seminary Priests and Jesuites and keeping them perpetually out of the Realm upon this account amongst others though professing Christ Christian Religion and agreeing with us in all Articles of the Creed and most fundamental points of Christianity Must in Substance Law Reason in this regard much more perpetually exclude abolish all Jews Jewish Priests Rabbies Synagogues worship Ceremonies Superstitions out of our Dominions being far more dishonourable to Christ opposite to our Christian Religion and destructive to the peoples souls if once admitted then any Jesuites Seminary Priests Friers Popish Recusants or any Romish Masses Superstitions whatsoever And if the Jewish Priests Judaism and Jewish Ceremonies may be now set up and practised publiquely amongst us notwithstanding all these Statutes then much more Masse-Priests Masses Popery and Prelacy by the self-fame reason justice equity To these I might annex all the late Ordinances for the Directory The solemn League and Covenant and for Suppressing punishing of Heresy and Blasphemy therefore of Judaism which is both Heresy and Blasphemy and Jewish assemblies the very Synagogues of Sâ—tan and Jews great blaspemers by Christs own resolution Rev. 2.9 c. 3.9 Acts 18.6 Rom. 2.21 With the late printed Instrument of Government which although it allows not only toleration but protection to all Sects and Religions professing faith in God through Jesus Christ though differing from the Doctrine and Discipline publickly held forth in the Nation
no Covenant with them nor shew mercy to them Neither shalt thou make marriages with them Thy Daughter thou shalt not give unto his Son nor his Daughter shalt thou take unto thy Son for they will turn away thy Sons from following me that they may serve other Gods so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against thee and destroy thee suddenly If ye doe in any wise go back and cleave unto the remnant of these Nations and go in unto them and they to you know for a certain that the Lord will no more drive out any of these Nations before you but they shall be snares and traps unto you and scourges in your sides and thorns in your eyes until you perish from the good Land which the Lord your God giveth you But thus ye shall deal with them ye shall destroy their Altars and break down their Images and cut down their groves c. for thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God Now the not driving out of these Nations by the Israelites from amongst them according to theâ—e command oâ— God is charged 〈◊〉 special sin upon them by God entâ—ceâ— them to Idolatry and brought his severe wrath upon them â—udges 1.27 to 36. c. 2.2 3 12 13 19 20 21 22 2â— and is thus expressed by the Psalmist Psal 106.14 to 43. They did not destroy the Nâ—tions concernâ—ng â—â—â—m tâ—â— Lâ—â—d commanded them but were mingled amongst the heathen and learned their works and they served their â—â—olâ— which were a snare unto them yea they sacrificed their Sons and Daughters unto Devils and shed innocent blood even the blood of their Sons and Daughters whom they sacrâ—ficed unto the Idols of Canaan and their Land was defiled with bâ—ood Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his peoâ—le insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance and he gave them into the hands of the Heathen and they that hated them were Lords over them their enemies also oppressed them they were brought unto subjection under their hands The morality ground and equity of which precepts as they justifie our Ancestors expulsion of the Jews out of England with their adulterous worship Ceremonies Synagogues heretofore So I conceive they strongly oblige all English Christians especially after our late solemn League and Covenant to seclude and keep them out from re-entring coming in mingling and dwelling among us now for fear they draw the self-same sad effects and bring down the same or like heavy judgements of God upon us as these Scriptures threatned and God himself inflicted on the Israelites for transgressing them In brief the Parables of the Vineyard and Husbandmen the King going into foraign parts and Marriage-Supper Mat. 21.33 to 46. c. 22.2 to 11. c. 23.21 to the end Mar. 12.1 c. Luk. 19.12 to 28. c. 20.9 c. particularly applyed to the Jews and notably setting out their desperate malice against our Saviours person Kingdom Government Ordinances Ministers Gospel and his rejection of them for it Together with Rom. 16 17 18.31.32 1 Cor. 5.4 c. Phil. 3.2.3 Mat. 7. 15. c. 16.7.11.12.17 Col. 2.8 2 Pet. 3.17 c. 2.1 c. 7 8.20 21 22. 2 Tim. 3.1 to 10. c. 2.16 17 Titus 3.10.11 Rev. 2.9.14 Heb. 6.4 to 9. c. 16.26 to 32. Ph. 4.2 3. Gal. 4.29.30 will all furnish us with sundry arguments against their re-admission amongst us as likewise Prov. 9.27.28 Amos 3.3 Psal 101.3 4 5 6 7 8. Psal 119.104 Psal 139.21 22. Numb 8.13 Numb 16.26 27. Psal 6.8 Psal 119.115 Psal 139.16 which every good Christian may peruse at leasure and apply as he sees cause 3. For Reasons against their re-admission into England they are divers Theological Political and mixt of boâ—h 1. God himself by his Prophets Son Apostles before their rejection while they were his special peculiar chosen people treasure above all other Nations of the world most frequently complains of them and the generality of the Nation That they were a most rebellious disobedient gainsaying stiff-necked impenitent incorrigible adulterous whorish impudent froward shamelesse perverse treacherous revolting back-sliding idolatrous wicked sinfall stubborn untoward hard-hearted hypocritical foolish sottish brutish stupid ungratefull Covenant breaking Nation House People a seed of evil doers a generation of Vipers doing evil greedily with both hands according to all the Nations that were round about them as bad nay worse than Sodom or Gomorrha casting all Gods Laws Ordinances behind their backs trampling â—em under their feet rejecting forsaking despising God himself provoking him continually to his face grieving him to the heart forgetting him days without number alwayes erring in their hearts and disobeying his voice and the like And dare can we then harbour such a Nation as this and bring them in amongst us now they are worse in all these resects than ever 2. God himselfe hath denounced against and inflicted upon the Iewes greater severer Woes Iudgments Calamities Dispersions Devastations Captivities Desolations Curses Plagues of all kinds for their sins rebellions impenitencies and to on their Nation Kingdom Countrie Cities than to or on any other Nations Kingdoms People and that more frequently than against any other Swearing against them in his wrath that they should never enter into his rest Psal 95.11 Hebr. 3.10 11 18. stiling them the generation of his wrath Jer. 7.29 and averting of them that wrath is come upon them to the utermost 1 Thess 2.15.16 And can or shall we then receive such a Nation as this into our bosoms now without entertaining and pulling upon us that wrath and these curses of God which are denounced against and do now pursue and accompany them in all places 3. The Jews were alwaies heretofore a very murmuring mutinous discontented rebellious seditious people for the most part not only against God but their lawfull Governors Kings Priests Prophets oft tumulâ—uously rebelling against disobeying revolting from deposing murdering their Kings and Soveraâ—gns and contemning disobeying slaying killing stoning the Prophets Messengers whom God sent unto them Whence God himself gives us this black Character of them 2 Chron. 36.15 16. And the Lord God of their Fathers sent unto them by his Messengers rising up betimes and sending c. But they mocked the Messengers of God and despised his words and misused his Prophets until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people till there was no remidy c. And our Saviour Christ a worse Lu. 13.33 34. It is impossible or cannot be that a Prophet perish out of Jerusalem Mat. 23.27 O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the prophets and stonest those that are sent unto thee Which St. Stephen thus seconds Acts 7.51.52 Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwaies resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye Wâ—â—ch of the Prophets have not your Fathers persecuted and they have slain them which have shewed them before of the coming of the Just One of whom ye have been now the betrayers
Jews may do well to transplant themselves if they be weary of their former habitation 10. The forecited Christian Authors Historians old and new much applaud and magnifie those Christian Emperors Kings Magistrates States who have most opposed restrained suppressed by severest Laws Edicts the Jewish Synagogues Ceremonies Superstitions Rites Abuses and banished these Antichristian Blasphemers and Enemies of Christ Jesus out of their Kingdoms and Territories especially for their Infidelity and censured those who favoured them And Matheus Flacius Illericus Johannis Wigandus Andreas Corvinus Thomas Holthuter 4 famous learned Protestant Historians and Divines in their laborious learned Ecclesiastical centuries as they every where do the like So in their 12 Cent. cap. 7. col 1078 1079. they pass this sharp censure against the Decrees of Pope Alexander the 3. and Clement the 3. prohibiting the Jews to build any new Synagogues where were none before yet tollerating them only to repair old ones where they were fallen down and defaced to use their rites in But withall forbidding all christians under pain of Excommunication any communion with them for fear of being seâ—ucâ—d to their Superstitions â— Denique ut extremamâ—â—omanorum â—â—omanorum Paparum impadentiam et stupendam impletatem videas non pige â—iâ—â—orum Decreta pro blasphema in deum gente Iudaeorum lata adscribere â—â—ough some Popish Schoolmen as Alexander Alensis Summa Theologiae pars 2. qu. 61 Aquinas 2.2 quest 10. Art 9 10 11 12. Scotus in l. 4. Sent. dist 4. qu. 9. are not ashamed to justifie Quod ne deterius quid contingat aliquo modo bonum eliceatur tollerandi sunt Judaei ritus suos servare to graâ—â—fie their Popes herein which they likewise affirm of the iâ—olatrous Gentiles rites and worship as well as of the Jews And Peter Heylin in his Microcosme p. 569 570. writing That the Jews having been put to divers fines and ransoms they are at last even thrust quite out of Europe also They were banished out of England by Edward the 1. Anno 1290. Out of France Spain Portugal Naples and Sicil by the Kings forecited subjoyns by way of censure Yet are they found in great numbers in the Romish part oâ— Germany and Poland in most Cities of Italy especially Rome where there are no lesse than 15000 or 20000 of them and also in the Popes country of Avignion The reason why they are permitted to live thus under our holy â—athers Nose is forsooth an expectation of their conversion which is a meer pretence the reason being indeed the benefit hence arising to his Holinesse coffers but the hopes of their converâ—ion is small and the means lesse c. And therefore we cannot now re-admit them into England upon the self-same pretence and ground of gain without incurring the like censures from Protestants and Papists too and bringing intollerable Scandal Dishonour Reproach both on our Nation and Religion in these times of pretended highest Reformation they being the professed Enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ who will not have him to rule over them Luk. 19.27 and so odious to the very Turks themselves for crucifying Christ that they oft use to say in detestation of a thing I would I might die a Jew Neither will they permit a Jew to turn Turk unless he be first baptized 11. Many of the wisest Heathen Law-givers Politicians States have specially prohibited the introduction and habitation of foraigners amongst them Hence Lycurgus the famous Legislator and the Spartans by his Law and advice expelled all foraigners out of their city and country lest by insinuating themselves amongst them they should teach their Citizens some ill introduce foraign manners an ill disordered kind of life upon which ground they also prohibited their Citizens to travel into foraign countries Upon these grounds the Thebans Apoloniatae in imitation of the Spartans banished all foraigners out of their City as Aelian Var. Hist l. 13. c 16. Alexander ab Alex. l. 4. c. 10 record Plato the Philosopher Dialogo 12. de Legumlatione though he permits foraigners by way of study trade travel and embassie to come into his city and Republike under certain Laws and Rules yet he totally secludes them from inhabiting therein or to trade without strict Laws to prevent their danger upon this ground Solet enim civitatum in commerciis permixtio varios mores civitatibus ammiscere dum externi externis vicissim novationes inducunt quae res civitatibus per rectas leges benè institutis maximum deirimentum affert Aristotle observes That the bringing in of foraigners is the principal cause of seditions tumults Qui inquilinas aut advenas recipiunt in civitatem Hi fere omnes aut certe plurimi seditionibus conflictantur Dr. Jo. Case gives the reason of it Nam ut nihil citius corpus humanum inficit quam pestilentium vaporum malis humoribus copulatio ita nihil velocius corrumpit Civitatem quam peregrinorum admissio in qua contagio venenum latet And hereupon he raiseth this question from Aristotles Text Utrum periculosa sit in Rempublicam peregrinorum admissio And thus resolves it It is perillous to take Snakes into the bosom and Foraigners into the Commonweal for as they being refreshed with heat do bite and sting So these being enfranchised destroy the Republike To prove this by arguments we may consider that every Nation hath its proper ceremonies which they bring along with them and do not change with the climat when they come into another Countrey Wherefore there is great danger lest by receiving strangers the ancient manners and Laws should be changed into new and foraign Now what sooner begets sedition than alteration of Laws and Customes as we may see even in sundry Scripture examples which he remembers not and of the Jews especially Acts 14.2 to 7.16 c. 16.19 to 25. c. 18.5 6 7.17 18 19. c. 17.12 to 18. c. 19.24 to 41. c. 21.27 to 40. c. 22.22 c. c. 23 24 25. What therefore is more perillous than the admission of Foraigners into our Commonwealth Moreover wherefore hath Nature instructed like to associate together with like if it should draw men of strange and different manners into a Republike Nature will not that sheep should be associâ—ted with wolves neither wills Prudence that Natives should be coupled with Foraigners For Philosophy perswades this that contraries cannot dwell in the same place but strangâ—rs for the most part are Enemies to the Citizens with whom they converse Adde to this that as Locusis are to the Corn so are Foraigners to the Republike for as they doe wast and consume the grain of Corn so these devour the fruit of the Commonwealth for although they are branches of the same plant yet they suck not wholsom juyce but poyson from the root wherewith at length the whoâ—e plant being infected perisheth This he proves by several examples out of Aristotle himself by the Trezenii Zanclei
peace and plenty and enjoy their Merchandizes and other franchiâ—es together with their Schools and Synagogues as Benjamin the Sonne of Ionas a Jew records at large in his Peregrination together with Mr. Samuel Purchas in his Pilgrims l. 9. c. 5. And Menasseh Ben-Israel him self confesseth in his Epistle Dedicatory and Addresses where thus he writes Our Nation at the present is spread all about and hath its seat and dwelling in the most flourishing parts of all the Kingdoms and Countries of the world as well in America as in the other three parts which he prosecutes more at large p. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. boasting of their extraordinary wealth Offices Power and Priviledges in other places And therefore this only remains in my judgement Before the Messia come and Restore our Nation that first we must have our seat here â—â—kewise therefore having so much Elbow-room already throughout the world their reception here will be no act of piety or charity in us neither do they presse it as such but an act of the highest impiety they now insisting on it as a necessary preparative to the coming of thâ—ir long expected false Messia to restore them to their temporal Kingdom again and Fathers inheritance as he expresly writes These general Reasons against the Jews readmission premised which I hope will satisfie most men I shall conclude with some particular Reasons drawn from late published Declarations of our Grandees which I conceive will best satisfie them of any other and for this end I hope without any just offence or Scandalum magnatum I shall crave leave to presse them home in this common cause for the defence of the Glory Honor Scepter Gospel Kingdome of our Lord Jesus Christ the only Potentate the Prince of the Kings of the Earth the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the head of all principality and power and God over all blessed for ever before whose feet all other subordinate Kings and Potentates whatsoever ought to prostrate not only their persons but Crowns and most peremptory Royall Wills and Edicts too for whose pleasure honor and glory alone all things and powers likewise both are and were created in whose cause we must be moâ—t bold and zealous not fearing the faces of any Mortals My 1. Reason shall be drawn from the very words of the Declaration of 21. Novemb. 1655. inviting the people of this commonwealth to a day of solemn Fasting and Humâ—liation on the 6. of December last a day of trouble and of rebuke of blasphemy provocation in respect of the violence acted on it that time seven years when the children were come to the birth and there was no strength to bring forth but only to obstruct and pull out the Members to prevent out peace and settlement The principal cause whereof they Declare to be The abominable Blasphemies vented and spreading of late through the Apostacy of and the abuse of Liberty by many professing Religion And to joyn with them in solemn and earnest supplications to the throne of Grace That the Lord will disappoint the designs of those that labour to lift themselves up against the interest of Christ and his people That he will rebuke the foresaid Evils and give his people to know the things that belong to their Peace that so we may with one heart and shoulder serve the Lord both theirs and ours The Jews of all other Nations in the world are the greatest venters spreaders of abominable Blasphemies against our Saviour and the Gospel the greatest Apostates from God and abusers of Liberty of any professing Religion The greatest designers plotters and lifters up of themselves against the interest of Christ and his people as the Premises undeniably evidence And their introduction amongst us at this season when the generality of the people and professors of Religion likewise are so bent to Apostacy and all kind of Errors of Novelties in Religion will no ways allay but most certainly increase the venting and spreading of abominable Blasphemies amongst us multiply the Apostacies of and abuse of liberty by the professors of Religion and make thousands in probability turn Apostate Jews instead of converting any of the Jews to Christianity It will not disappoint but most of all advance the designes of those that labour to lift up themselves against the interest of Jesus Christ and his people this being as some justly fear the Jews very end and plot in pressing now to be received amongst us to seduce us unto Judaism to which many are now inclined and to deny our Saviour Christ in words as too many have denied him in their works and some in their opinions of late years It will not rebuke but foment the foresaid Evils obstruct Gods people both from knowing and pursuing the things that concern their peace and instead of enabling them with one hâ—art and shoulder to serve the Lord divide them into more Sects and Schisms than formerly and set up Judaism to affront Christianity with open face as 2 Pet. 2.1 Jude 3.4 c. Tit. 1.10.11 1 Joh. 4.3 2 Joh. 7 resolâ—â— so multiply the late Rebukes and Judgements of God upon the Nation Therfore their re-admission into England after such a Solâ—mn Declaration and Day of Humiliation as this and some others formerly prescribed observed through the Nation for the late monstrous growth and spreading of Errors and Blasphemies amongst us if resolved and effected wilâ— be reputed by God and Men A most palpable violation yea contradiction of this Declaration and Humilation a moâ—t hypocritical Atheistical mocking of God himself to his face a most prophane abuse and perâ—ersion of this Solemn Fast and Humiliation a frustration of all the prayers hopes of most religious people thereon who observed it for far other prescribed ends and an high Provocation of Gods severest wrath against the perverters of it to this very end to introduce the long-since banished Jews the debate whereof was proposed immediately before and began the very next day after it My 2. Reason shall be deduced from the Declaration of the 24 Novemb. 1655. in order to the securing of the peace of the Commonwealth Declaring it necessary to use all good means to secure the Peace of the Nation and prevent future troubles within the same The bringing in of the Jews at this season when the people are â—o generally divided discontented and declare for ought I can learn their highest unanimous dislike and detestation of it is the most probable means to disturb the peace of the Nation and to engender future new troubles Tumults within it the generality of the people in England and in other Countries having in former ages frequently riâ—en up in armes against them massacred burnt â—nd deâ—â—royed them notwithstanding their Kings and Magiâ—â—râ—te Proclamations and Edicts to the contrary And the Jews themselves in all ages having been principle firebrands of sedition both in their own Land and all places where they
have been dâ—spersed as the Texts and Authors in the 3. and 7. premised reasons with the foregoing Relations out of our English Historians attest Therefore their re-admission into England especially in this unquiet season must needs be diametrically contrary to the scope of this Declaration and neither in policy nor prudence to be resolved on but utterly rejected My 3d. reason shall be grounded on this clause of that Declaration That no person who hath or shall be sequestred or eâ—ected for Delinquency or being in actual arms for the late King against the thâ—n Parliament or for Charis Stuart his Son c. out of any Benefice School or Colledge shall from and after the 1. day of December be kept as a Chaplain or School-master in any sâ—questred persons house Nor after the 1. day of January keep any School publike or private Nor preach in any publike place or private meetâ—ng of any other persons than those of his own family Noâ— shall admâ—nister Baptism or the Lords Supper or Marry c. upon pain that every person so offending in any of the premisses shâ—l be proceeded against as by Orders therin mentioned is provided prescribing 3 months imprisonment for the 1.6 months for the 2 d and banishmâ—nt for the 3 d Offence as I am informâ—d If native freeborn Engâ—ishmen formerly ejected out of any Benefice Colledge or School only for their old delinquency in adhering to the lâ—te King and Prince though according to their Oaths duties and dictate of their consciences after some years publike liberty to preach Articles of Agreement confirmed by the Army and both Houses and that which some call An Act of Oblivion and future indempnity though orthodox in Doctrine unblamable in conâ—ersation and eminent in learning without any particular impeachment hearing conviction of any new Delinquency or miâ—demeanors whatsoever must not have so much liberty as to keep any School or preach Gods Word in publike or private or to be entertained in formerly sequestred Englishmens hâ—uses under the foresaid penalties at this season only in Order to the Nations peace Then much lesse ought Jâ—ws meer aliens who always have been and still are â—â—ofessed Enemies in arms against the Person Kingdom Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which the late Parliamenâ— by their solemn Protestation Vow and Covenant engâ—ged by all good means to dâ—fend and advance to be entâ—rtained by any Engliâ—h Christians or publikely or privaâ—ely to teach preach spread propagate their Jewish Doctrines Errors and aboâ—ished Ceremonies in our Island but to be banished for ever from amongst us if any oâ— them should pubâ—ikely or privately attempt to creep in amongst us Else not onâ—y all sequestred Delinquents but the whole Engâ—ish Nation and world too will cry out and say the faithfull loyal Chaplains Sâ—rvants followers Friends of the late K. and Pr. though English Nativs Freemen ye our felow brethren Members in Christ are more execrable to more injuriously unchristianly uncharitably dealt with by their Fellow English Christians in present power only for their loyalty and conscientious adhering to their late temporal King and Prince than the very alien Jews who both denied rejected crucified the Lord Jesus Christ their own temâ—oral Soveraign who was born King of the Iews and had this very title inscribed on his Crosse and their our only spiritual King and Saviour whose Honour Power Kingdom Gospel we avowedly profess to adâ—ance that they enjoy lesse Christian or civil liberty for themselves their wives and families necessarie subsistance for whom they must provide unless worse than Infidels now in their Native country then the Jews where they must neithâ—r teach nor preach Christ Jesus to any in publique or private though Gods word and their function condition enâ—oyn necessitate them to do both when as these admitted Jews may and all other kind of Sectaries do both teach and preach against him too in publick and privat Which restraints on these English Royalists on the one hand and indulged liberty to the alien Jew Antichrâ—sts on the other if now put in execution I humbly refâ—rre it to the saddest confiderations and conscientious meditations of all in power to resolve themselves how scandaâ—ous and odious it will prove both to God and all good men how much it will resemble the proceedings not only of the malicious Jews themselves against the Apostles Ministers of Christ recorded Acts 4.1 to 24. c. 5.24 to 32.1 Thess 2.14 15 16. of beheaded Canterbury againâ—t Mr. Workman of Glocester whom he first prohibited from preaching then from teaching School and practising Physick to suâ—port himself and his family whereby he was reduced to great extremity But likewise of that detestable Apostat Emperour Julian who out of his desperate malice to Christ to undermine and extiâ—pate Christian Religâ—on without shedding the bloud of Christians first shewed himself a most zealous Christian professor reducing the Oâ—thodox Bishops Ministers christians whom the persecuting Arian Emperour Constantius had exiled and restoring them to their confiscated Bishopricks to ingratiate himself with the people but not long after turning Apostat he took away all the priviledges honours revenues of the Clergy setled on them by Constantine with the Laws for their establishment shut up the Churches and Schools of the Christians prohibiting them to preach or teach in publike or private or to set their Children to School unless they would renounce their former Religion and turn Pagans impoverished oppressed the Christians with extraordinary doubled Taxes from which the Pagans were exempted and cast many of them into prison But on the contrary at the same time he shewed extraordinary favour and affection towards the Iews sent for the chiefest of them to his Court where he dicoursed with them writing a special Letter to them wherein the desired their prayers for him granted them free exercise of their Jewish ceremonies and sacrifices long discontinuâ—d encouraged and assisted them with monies out of his publike Treasury to re-edifie the Temple at Jerusalem to revive set up all their Jewish Sacrifices and customes there formerly used whereupon they began to build it till miraculously interrupted therein and all to vex and undermine the Christians By which indulged Liberty the Jews then grew so insolent against the Christians that they greivously persecuted divers of them destroyed and burne down some of their Churches and threatned to persecute them worse than the Pagan Romans had done as the Marginall Historians record more at large The imitation of whose proceedings now in any degree in these particulars what harsh consâ—ructions and sad events they may produce I refer to all wise Christian States-men seriously to ponder for their own and our Religions honor and Security My 4. argument is this The Orders for securing the peace of the Nation which the Declaration relates to contrary to all the Statutes Acts Resolutions of our Parliaments and Law-books forecited upon another occasion authorize the Major
Generals and Commissioners named in them To banish and send into Foraign parts and Plantations all persons of the royal party formerly in arms of no estate and living loosly and all persons whatsoever that shall appear by their words or actions to adhere to the party of the late King or his Son to be dangerous Enemies to the peace of the Commonwealth even without and before any Legal indictment tryal conviction of any particular crime for which a Sentence of Banishment is prescribed by our Laws or any Judgement or Act of Parliament inflicting this heavy Punishment upon them far worse to many than death it self Now I shall earnestly intreat in the name and fear of God all those whom it most concernes to consider and determine in their own retired thoughts how unjust un-righteous unreasonable unchristian and more then brutish it will seem to all Freeborn English men and conscientious christians both at home and abroad and what great scandals it may bring both upon our Nation Government and Religion it self in this manner and on this old account alone to banish these christian English Freemen out of their Native country both from their Wives children Kinred and Gods own publike Ordinances and at the self-same time to call in foraign Infidel Jews greatest Enemies to Christ himself and Christians and in that respect more dangerous to the peace and welfare of the Nation than thoâ—e thus to be banished to supply their places even against an express old Judgement and Edict of the whole Kingdom in Parliament for their perpetual exile What a sad pernicious president it may prove in future ages especially to the Authors of it and their posterities by divine retalliation as the Athenian Ostracisme did to Clisthenes who invented it was the first exiled by it upon eâ—ery new revolution to banish all English freemen of a contrary party and call in Forraigners in their rooms Whether it will not revive that ancient complaint of Petrus Cluntacensis Lex nam vetusta sed verè diabolâ—ca ab ipsis Christianis Principibus processit c. Manet inultum scelus detestabile in Judaeo quod exilio vel horrenda morte suspendit punitur in Christiano Pinguescit inde deliciis affluâ—t Iudaeus unde laqueo suspendâ—tur Christianus And whether upon consideration of this and the precedent reasons deduced from these Declarations and all the premises they ought not peremptorily to conclude against the Jews present and future re-admission into England I shall close up all with an Answer to the two principal Allegations for their reception into our Realm 1. The main and onâ—y consciencious Argument for their introduction is this That it may be a very probable hopefull means of the general calling and conversion of the Iewish Nation to the Christ an Faith which hath been so long prayed for and expected by Christians and seems now approaching which their seclusion from us may much obstruct Not to enter into any large debate of this conversion of the Iews wherein learned Orthodox Divines and Writers are much divided I say 1. That I could never yet be satisfied that there shall be such a general call and conversion of the whole or major part of the Nation of the Jews as some expect but only of every smal electremnant of them The forecited Texts with Is 30.8 9 10 11. Now go write it before them in a Table and note it in a book that it may be for the time to come FOR EVER and EVER That this is a rebellious people children that will not hear the Law of the Lord which say to the Seers see not and to the Prophets prophesie not unto us right things c. cause the holy one of Israel to depart from before us Luk. 20.16 17 18. Mat. 21.41 42 43 44 45 John 1.11.12 Rom. 9.27.26.33 c. 11.2 5 7 8. contradicting such a general conversion of them that of Rom. 11.26.27 28. And so all Israel shall be saved being meant only of the Elect and true Israel of God both Jews and Gentiles as many judicious Expositors and Rom. 2 26 27 28 29. c. 9.6 7 8. c. 11.1 to 8. Gal. 3.7 9 14 16 22 28 29 c 6.16 seem to expound it not of the whole Jewish Nations calling and salvation at the last 2ly It is agreed by most who expect such a general calling and conversion of the Iews That it shall not be till the fullnesse of the Gentiles become in as Rom 11 24 25. resolves And whether this fullnesse be yet come in there being so many Gentile Nations yet unconverted especially in Asia Africa and America and those infinitely exceeding the Gentiles yet converted to the Gospel let those consider who now expect the Iews conversion 3ly If this fullnesse of the Gentiles conversion to Christ must preceed the general calling of the Iews as a necessary preparative and introduction thereunto then we ought by this allegation in the first place to call the Turks Tartars Persians Chinoys Indians all other unconverted Gentile Nations with their Religions into England first convert them to the Christian faith before we bring in the Iews whose conversion is to succeed theirs the Gentiles fullness And then we shall have Religions enough in England to please all Novellists and a thousand aliens to each English Native 4ly There are farre more expresse direct promises texts grounds both in the Old and New Testament for the calling conversion of all Gentiles and yet unconverted Heathen Nations to the faith of Christ then of the Iewish Nation not one Nation of them for ought we read being so far rejected broken off and given up to an obduration of heart and blindness of mind by Gods judiciall decree as we read the Jews to be Isa 6.9 10 11 c. 8 14.15 16. c. 29.9 10 11 12. Mat. 13.14 15. Mar. 4.11 12. Lu 8.10 Iohn 12.37 38 39 40. Act 28.25 26 27 28. Rom. 11.7 8 9 10. Therefore our prayers and endeavours ought first to be for the conversion of all Gentiles yet unconverted to the faith being more hopefull more successfull in all probability than our prayers endeavors for the Iews conversion at least till the Gentiles fullnesse be come in 5ly Admit either a general or special calling and conversion of the Iews in the latter end of the world yet the calling of them into England to cohabit with us in such a manner as they now desire is no ways necessary for that end For 1. it is no where declared in Gods word that they must be called in England or by English men 2ly If they were principally to be converted by English Divines or Laicks we may with more ease lesse danger and prejudice to our Nation and Religion send English Divines and Laicks into other forraign parts where they now reside to instruct teach convert them to the faith than call them into England to convert them now in this giddy unsetled
apostatizing age wherein they are likelier to gain a thousand English Proselytes to their Judaisme than we one Jewish convert to Christianity if introduced with their Synagogues and Jewish ceremonies perhaps their hopes of such a harvest here is the principal motive that they are so pressing to be now admitted again into our English climate without delay 3ly If we admit them with all their Jewish worship Synagogues Ceremonies as they now propose it will be rather a means to harden then convert them a doing of evil that good may come of it a swallowing down of a certain deadly poyson in hope to correct it with a subsequent antidote and to set up a present Synagogue of Satan upon hopes hereafter to convert it into a Church of Christ 4ly God can convert them in any other Countries as well as in England and by any other Christian Nations as well as English as he hath done som few of them in al ages as Hieron a fide and Petrus Alphonsus Lyra Tremel three eminent Divines and Writers amongst others And there being as learned able Protestant Divines in Holland Germany France Denmarke as any in England if they cannot convert them what hopes have we to do it 5ly Conversion of their hearts to the truth of the Gospel and saving Grace is only the work of God not men who can work it when where and by whom he pleaseth and is not tied either to place or persons much lesse to our English climate to effect it And it is Gods and Christs usual prescribed way of converting Nations People to send Apostles Ministers to preach the Gospel to and convert them in the Countries places where they dwell not to call them into another Forraign Land where the Gospel first shined or where it is entertained as he sent his Apostles from Jerusalem into all the world to convert the Gentiles not called them all to Jerusalem or Palestine to be there instructed and converted Mat. 9.38 c. 10.5.6 c. 28.19 20. Mar. 16.15 Isay 2 3 4. Acts 9.15 c. 10.20 c. 22.12 Ephes 3.8 2 Tim. 4.17.3 Iohn 7. Why then we should take this new-found contrary way of calling the Iews in to us to convert them and not rather send out Ministers to them I cannot discern The rather because the Council of Basil An. 143 1. Sessio 19. prescribes this course both for the converting of the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles to the Orthodox Faith That all Diocesans should yearly at appointed times provide certain men well learned in holy Scriptures and in the Tongues to preach and explain the truth of the Catholick Faith IN SVCH PLACES WHERE THE IEWES AND OTHER INFIDELS DID DWELL in such sort that they acknowledging their error might forsake the same To which preaching they should compell all of both Sexes that were at years of discretion to resort by interdicting them commerce with Christians and other fitting penalties Provided the Diocesans and Preachers should behave themselves towards them mercifully and with all charity whereby they might win them to Christ not only by declaring of the truth but also by other Offices of humanity 6. If the observation of learned Paraeus be true that the over flowing of all sorts of wickednesses crimes murders wars oppressions rapines injustice tyranny cruelty extortions usuries the infinite multiplicity contrariety of Sects Schisms Religions and unchristian heathenish atheisticall practises of one Christian towards another be principal obstacles to hinder the Jews conversion especially amongst Protestants as these with idolatrous worship of Images Saints and the Hestia amongst Papists than the calling of them now into England where all these abound more than ever heretofore and more than in other Nations will be a means more to harden them and hinder their conversion then any furtherance thereunto the rather because the desperate Apostacy and atheistical actions of sundry late eminent Professors have caused many English Christians to turn Antiscripturists Seekers Atheists and like the Iews to repute Christ and Christianity meer Fables 7ly Most of the Iews who since their dispersion have been baptized and turned Christians in any age or place have done it either out of fear to save their lives or estates when endangered by poâ—ular tumults or judgments of death denounced against them for their Crimes or for fear of banishment or by coercion of penal Laws not cordially and sincerely they still playing the Jews in private upon every occasion and renouncing their baptism and christianity at last either before or at their deaths as our own forecited Historians Synodus Nicaena 2 Can 8. Surius concil Tom 3. p. 193. the 4th Council of Toledo cap. 58 59 62.63 Iustiniani Codicis l. 1. Tit. 10. de Apâ—states Iâ—oâ— Gregorius Teronersis lib. 6. Bibl. Patrum â—â—m 6. pars 2. p. 467. Leges Wisigethorum lib. 12. Tit. 23 Vincersius Beluacensis Spec. Hist. l. 29. c. 25. Roderiâ—us Telâ—tanus de rebus Hisp l. 2. c. 17. Avertinâ—s Annal. Boiorum l. 5. p. 468 Abbas Uspergensis Chron. p. 227.228 and other authors attest Of which we have this late memorable History recorded by Munster in his Cosmography l. 2. c. 19. f. 72 73. There being no lesse than one hâ—ndred twenty four thousand Jews banished out of Spain Anno 1492. leaving all their gold jewels houses behind them and paying two duckets a poll to the King for their transportation into Portugal some of them there seemingly turned Christians and were baptized but yet secretly practised their Judaical rites being Christians only in shew but not in heart observing the Passeover and eating flesh with the Iewes Upon the discovery hereof there arose a great tumult of the people against them in Lisbon the people complaining thereof to the King Anno 1506. Whereupon the King commanded 16 of them to be imprisoned and at last dismissed them without other punishment Upon this the Citizens conspiring againâ—â— the King and Governour raised a commâ—tion against these Iews and false Christians slaying all those false converted new Iews they could find throughout the City to the number of six hundred whom they likewise burnt which example spreading into the Country there were slain in the City and Country of these false Iewish converts to the number of 1630 which the King hearing of being then absent he was so incersed against the Iews that he imprisoned very many of them whereof some were burned others beheaded others hanged on Gibbets and all the rest spoiled of their goods then expelled and banished the Kingdom A sad judgement on them for their Hypocritical conversion and such converts mostly we are like to find them and none other Whereupon the 2 Council of Nice Canon 3. decreed That no Iews should be admitted suddenly into the Christian Church nor baptized unlesse they publikely certified that they were converted out of a pure sincere faith with all their heart and utterly renounced their judaical rites And the Council of â—gatha Can. 34. decreed That
Remitter into ENGLAND HAving in my late Short Demurrer to the Jews long discontinued barred Remitter into England presented the world with an Exact Chronological History of the English Jews and their affairs from their very first arival in England under King William the Conqueror till their universal final Banishment and Expulsion thence in the 18 year of King Edward the first after about 260 years continuance in our Island collected out of the best printed Historians Law-books and some few Records I conceived it not only expedient but necessary to second amplifie and illustrate it with this new Chronological Collection of such unprinted and generally unknown Records remaining in the Tower of London and Exchequer during the respective reigns of King John King Henry the 3. and Edward the 1. as properly relare to the History State affairs Legal transactions Proceedings Contracts Government of the Iews in England under these three Kings and to their final Banishment hence which for want of time and other causes I could not conveniently insert into my first Demurrer The Reasons inducing me hereunto are 1. The Rarity and Novelty of these Records never formerly published in print I have been informed by persons of Credit that our great learned late deceased Antiquary Mr. Iohn Selden many years since made a particular collection of the Records concerning the English Iews and gave them to Mr. Samuel Purchas to insert into his Pilgrimage who in his 3. Edit thereof Lond. 1617. B. 2. ch 10. Sect. 17. p. 171. published a Section with this Title to it Of the Jewes somtimes living in England collected out of antient Records by Mr. JOHN SELDEN of the Inner-Temple wherin there is such a poor maimed accompt given of them out of Records or Histories and so different from that delivered him that upon the publication thereof Mr. Selden was very much offended with Mr. Purchas for abusing him in such a manner and his Readers likewise there being not above 3 Records and those maimedly cited in that whole Section which defect I thought meet here to supply 2ly The rectifying and refuting of some Mistakes in Sir Edward Cook his 2 Institutes concerning the Statute de Iudaismo and the Jews Banishment out of England which I have more fully refelled in my second Edition and shall here further clear by several Records 3ly The illustration and ratification of some Passages in our Historians touching the slavish condition and frequent Taxes imposed on the Jews by our Kings 4ly The fuller discovery of the manner of their Contracts Stars Legal Proceedings Judicatories transactions and Government whilst in England wherein our Histories and Lawbooks are very defective 5ly The manifestation of the Machiavillian Policy of King Iohn and Henry the 3d to draw the Jews from forraign parts into England by granting them ample Liberties and Protection on purpose afterwards to ensnare oppress vex squeeze prey upon them and their estates with far greater greedinesse and advantage 6ly To publish to the world the zealous pious care of our Ancestors even in grossest times of Popery to prevent all communion of Christians with and seduction by the Jews to suppress their blasphemy convert them by compelling them to resort to the Friers Sermons for their edification providing for their converts by sundry Ordinances not mentioned in any printed English Historians but only in the Records here published 7ly To adde a further Barr to their Re-admission into England they having been invited hither if Menasseh Ben-Israel may be credited by divers EMINENT PERSONS excelling both in Piety and Learning as well as power who from the beginning of their Government of this Commonwealth have professed much respect and favor towards them made known unto them some years since that wished for liberty that they now are about to grant them as he in his late Humble Addresses and Declaration to the Commonwealth of England hath published to the world in print being now inquiring after a convenient Summer-house intending to settle himself at least if not his exiled Nation here among us whereas Pierce Gaveston a Forraigner and the two Spencers great Potent Englishmen have heretofore lost their lives and heads for returning into England without the Parliaments and Nobles license though by the Kings own invitation and license when banished thence by Parliament which this Jewish Rabbi and his banished Countrimen may do well advisely to consider for fear of afterclaps The first Records of our former Kings now extant except some few Charters and Exemplifications of them in Leiger-books Records and Histories are those oâ— King Iohn preserved in the Tower of London and Exchequer Amongst the Charter Rolls of this King Iohn I find a special Charter of his in favour of the Jews made in the first year of his reign dated at Rhoan July 31. Anno Dom. 1199. whereby he grants to James of London a Jewish Priest the Priesthood of all the Jews throughout England to have and hold it during his life freely quietly honorably and intirely without moâ—â—sâ—ation trouble or disturbance by any Jew or English 〈◊〉 in the exerâ—â—se thereof c. Such a Chaâ—teâ— as Mâ—â—â—sseh Bâ—n-Isrâ—el now aspires after for himâ—elf as his Addresses intiâ—â—â—â—â— which because I finde printed by Mr. Samuel Purchas and Sir Edward Cook and I have already published it verbatim in my Short Demurrer Edit 1. p. 44. and Edit 2. p. 50.51 I shall here pretermit with this obâ—ervation that in the close thereof there is mention made of a Charter of King Richard granted to this Jew That he should not be impleaded for any thing appertaining to him but only before the King himself or his chief Justice This is the very first Charter extant on record conning the English Jews What is recorded of them in our Histories before this rime I have elsewhere published at large I find another Charter of Safe-conduct granted by K. John to this Jewish Priest the self-same day and year as the former for his safe and free passage and of all things appertaining to him in all places both on this side and beyond the Sea without any injury molestation impediment or grievance to be done unto him more then to the King himself which being never yet printed I have here transcribed out of the Record it self Johannis Dei gratia c. Omnibus fidelibus suis ad quos Literae praesentes pervenerint tà m ultrà mare quà m citra Mandans vobis praecipiens Quatenus per quascunque Villas loca Jacobus Presbyter Judaeorum dilectus familiaris Noster transierit ipsum salvò liberè cum omnibus ad ipsum pertinentibus transire conduci faciatis nec ipsi aliquod impedâ—mentum molestiam aut gravamen fieri sustineatis plus quam Nobis ipsis Et si quis ei in aliquo forisfacere praesumpserit id ei sine dilatione emendadari faciatis Teste VVillielmo Marisco c. Dat. per manum Hu. Cantuar. Archiepiscopi
the like 7. That notwithstanding all the Injuries Oppressions Indignities cruelties they here sustained both from our Kings their Officers the generality of the people by Gods just curse and vengeance on them fot their sins yea notwithstanding all means used by our Kings Magistates Bishops preaching Friers and others both for their reformation and conversion to the Christian Faith yet the generality of them continued persevered still in their willfull obstinacy infidelity blindnesse enmity malice blasphemies despite against our crucified Saviour and Christianity which they manifested upon all occasions in publike and private by circumcising and crucifying chistian children breaking the Crucifix in Oxford and trampling it under foot in the midst of the Universities soleme Procession and otherwise expressed at large in the forementioned records as likewise in their extorsions clipping and falsifying moneys Charters usuries frauds rapes murders forgeries very few of them turning Christian converts and that either to save their lives or prevent some imminent dangers to their persons families estates and those of the poorer sort for the most part to get a present livelyhood from the Christians who frequently turned Apostates or flagitious malefactors to the scandal of religion 8. That the Jews here had their Synagogues Schools Priests Presbyter and Comptroller of their Exchequer Escheator Cofferers Cyrographers Attornies Bayliffs with their proper Judges and Court of Exchequer wherein only they were to be sued proceeded against and by whom they were Iudged their Prisons Attachers Tax-Masters Record-Keepers ordered in all things according as the King by his Writs and Letters directed All which Offices were appointed by the Kings special Patents Writs whose Names Powers Jurisdictions Salaries together with their legal trials and proceedings of all sorts civil criminal the forms of their Starrs Charters Extents of Lands assignments of Debts Releases Reliefs Fines with the names of the chiefest Jews are registred and most clearly fully related in the forecited Records and in no other prinâ—ed History or Law-book whatsoever 9. That the Jews were exempt from all other Temporal and Ecclesiastical Courts and Jurisdictions but the Justices specially appointed for their custody and the Kings Exchequer for the Jews yea from all publike Taxes imposed on the English and could not be excommunicated by the Masters of their Law without the Kings special license 10. That the Iews usury was no ways counâ—enanced nor approved but generally condemned and frequently released by our Kings long before the Statute de Judaismo which most infallibly appears to be made in 3 Ed. 1. not in 18. as Sir Edward Cook very grosly mistook And that the banishment of their Usury by it was not the cause of their voluntary banishment hence as he most fondly conceited 11. That the Presbyteratus Judeorum totius Angliae was not the High Priests spiritual function as Sir Edward Cook and others affirm but only a temporal office and Comptrolership in the Kings Exchequer of the Jews 12. That our Kings and Auncestors in times of Popery made and published â—undry excellent Ordinances against the blasphemies abuses of the Jews and were very zealous industrious to convert them to Christianity and carefull to maintain support confirm and provide for them when converted in their Domus Conversorum That King Edward the first remitted his right to all the goods of convert Jews by an unchristian usage confiscated formerly to the Crowne by their very conversion allowing all Converts the moity of their estates to maintain them and granting the other moity of their Estates together with his Deodands and all forfeitures and Chevages of the Jews for the support of the Converts and their House Chappel Chaplains Yet very few of them were converted 13. That King Edward the 1 in the 18 year of his reign did by publike Edict of Parliam actually banish all the Jews out of England except the Converts by a set prefixed day beyond all contradiction much against the Jews good wills as I have undeniably proved by sundry Records forecited here and by multitudes of Historians in my first Demurrer against Sir Edw. Cooks grosse error A truth so clear that the very Jews themselves as I am informed by those best versed in their Manuscript Antiquities do make special mention of this their Banishment out of England in their Chronicles in Manasseh Ben-Israels custody taking their later computations of years from thence as a time very remarkable and ominous to their whole Nation And well might they do so seeing learned Mr. Edward Brerewood in his Enquiries touching the diversities of Languages and Religions throughout the chief parts of the world London 1614. c. 13. p. 92. assures us that The first Country of Christeâ—â—om whence the Iews were expelled without hope of Return was our Country of England whence they were Banished Anno 1290. by King Edward the first By which example Not long after they were likewise banished France Anno 1307. by Philippus Pulcher Only of all the Countries of France in the Iurisdiction of Avignon the Popes State some are remaining Out of Spain An. 1492. by Ferdinand and shortly after out of Portugal Anno 1539. by Emanuel Out of the Kingdome of Naples and Sicilie Anno 1539. by Charls the V. as he there writes Out of which Sir Edward Cooke might have as well averred they only voluntarily banished themselves as that they voluntarily banished themselves out of England withâ—ut any special Edict for their exile thence What other particulars of lesâ—er moment concerning the Jews occurre in these Records I have formerly touched in their respective places and shall here omit Having thus compleated my JUDAISMUS ANGLICANUS REDIVIVUS if I may so stile it or Chronological Collections of the Historical and Legal affairs of the English Jews out of the rich unknown Magazine of our generally neglected slighted precious old Records which Hugh Peters the great New-modeller Reformer of our former Lawes Liberties Government Kingdom Republike Church Religion Justice Law Merchandise Navy the Poor and what not but himself out of his rash fiery Zeal and transcendent ignorance would now make all new Martyrs but yet be none himself For which end in his Good Work for a good Magistrate London 1651. after his proposal of A short Model for the Law p. 28. c. he concludes with this advice as a Good Work fit for his good Magistrate p. 33. This being done It is very advisable to burn all the old Records yea even those in the Tower the Monuments of Tyranny that so his New Whimâ—es only might be known and adored for our English Lawes and Monuments in all succeeding ages I shall therefore crave Liberty to inform the World and this Ignoramus of the incomparable Excellency Utility Necessity of preserving these Records which he hath so brutishly devoted to the fire before he either knew their contents or worth which our Ancestors even in all former Wars Revolutions as well as times of peace and settlement preserved with much
care and cost as the richest Pearls Treasures and Jewels of the Nation To which I answerâ— 1. That all our wisest Kings Parliaments Ancestors Statesmen in former ages had ever a special care to record all businesses of publike or private ocncernment and to preserve our ancient Records as the choicest Treasures appointing special Treasuâ—ies places to preserve them in and Custodes Râ—tulorum Treasurers Chamberlains Registers Clerks to keep them safe from injury corrupting and embeâ—â—lâ—ing and enacting many Statutes for this purpose wiâ—neâ—â—e not only the Chests Cyrographers Officers and oâ—hers forementioned for keeping the Records and Charteâ—s of the Jews and their Rolls but also 13 E. 1. c. 25.30 1 E. 3. c. 4. 5 E. 3. c. 12. 9 E. 3. c. 5. 6 R 2. c. 4. 13 H. 4. c. 7. 2 H. 5. c. 8. 4 H. 6. c. 3. 8 H. 6. c. 12.15 10 H. 6. c. 4. 18 H. 6. c. 1.9 27 H. 8. c. 16. 32 H. 8. c. 28. 34 H. 8. c. 22.28 37 H. 8. c. 1. 2 E. 6. c. 10.3 4 E. 6. c. 1.1 2 Phil. Mar. c. 2. 23 Eliz. c. 3. 27 Eliz. c. 9. 31 Eliz. c. 3. 1 Jac. c. 6. with other Acts And must they now after all these Statutes be all maâ—e a burnt-offring unto Vulcan upon the crack-brain'd Motion of an Ignatian Incendiary 2. The Statute of 8 H. 6. c. 12. still in force Oâ—daiâ—s That if any Record or parcel of the same writ retoriâ— paâ—el proces or warrant of Attorney in the Kiâ—gs Couâ—ts of Chancery Eschequer the one Bench or other or in his Treasury be willingly stolen taken away withdrawn or avoided by any Clerk or other Person by cause whereof any judgement be reveâ—sed 〈…〉 â—alâ—r taker away wiâ—hdrâ—â—◠〈◊〉 and avoider their Procurers Counsellors and Abettors being thereof inaâ—â—ted and by process theâ—eupon 〈◊〉 thereof duly convict by their own confession or by enquest to be taken by legal men whereof the one half shall be of the men of some Court of the same Courts and the other halâ— of â—â—her shall be judged for Felons and shall incurre the pain of Felons And that the Iudgâ—s of the saiâ—â—ourâ—â—â— of the one Bench and of the other have power to hear and detâ—rmine such defaults before them and thereoâ— to mâ—ke due puniâ—hment as is aforesaid And now Hugh Peters if I may be thy Counselâ—or in sober sadnesse look to thy neck which as thou hast oft indangered forfeited by thy late Fire-works to blow up Kings Kingdoms Parliaments Lords our old fundamental Lawes Liberties Government as Straffords Canterburies late Impeachments Sentences with Mr. St. Iohns and others Arguments at their Attaâ—ndâ—rs will resolve thee and thy open treasonable advising abetting the seising imprisoning of my self and above 40 more Members of Parliament in Hell on the bare boards Decemb. 6. 1648. whose names thou didst then list with an iron Sword under thy arme instead of the Sword of the Spirit So this thy Iesuitical Project to burn all our old Records whereby all former Judgement Titles Fines Recoveries c. will be nulled reversed which thou publickly abettest counsellest thy Magistrate to effect in Print proclaimes thee by thine own Confession without other evidence a Notorious Felon within this Act in the highest degree The burning avoiding of all our Records in general being a more transcendent Felony yea Treason to the whole Kingdom Nation than the embezelling only of one or two private Records or Writs relating but to one private person And if ever thou be brought to a legal Trial for it before such a Iury and such Iudges as this Act prescribes thou art sure to undergoe a Halter-Martyrdome at Tyburne which all will cry up according to thy Pamphlets Title for A good work of a good Magistrate and a short cut to great quiet for thy devoting all our old Records to a fiery Martyrdom in Smithfield which I trust they shall never undergo And that upon these enâ—uing weighty Considerations First theâ—e old Records which he would have burnt contain in them all the antient Rights Titles Evidences Charters Agreements Leagues Compacts of the Kings Kingdom Nation and people of England to all their pristine and present Dominions Jurisdictions Prerogatives Preheminences Priviledges Hereditaments and enjoyments both at home and abroad by Land and by Sea as they are a Kingdom Nation Republike body Politick in general and that both in relation to themselves and their own intrinsecal affairs at home as they have been owned reputed negotiated treated with upon special occasions as a Kingdom Nation Republike by any forraign Kings Princes Kingdoms States whose ancient undoubted Rights Titles to all or any of our Dominions Territories Jurisdictions Royalties cannot otherwise be legally câ—eared judicially evidenced upon any emergenr occasion or controversie between our Kingdom Nation and other Forraign States and Realms or between our selves at home but by our old Records the only publike evidences of the whole Kingdom and English Nation as necessary to defend maintain justifie their common publick Rights Dominions Possessions Jurisdictions Claims priviledges upon all occasions as any private Noble or Gentlemans ancient Charters Records Writings are to defend manifest his right and Title to his private Inheritance and Injoyments witnesse the famous Letter of the King Parliament and Nobles of England written and sent to the Pope Anno 1302. to clear the subordination of Scotland to the Crown of England and the Homage of the Kings of Scotland made for their kingdom to the Kings of England as their superiour Lords from time to time manifested by the ancient Histories and Records of England beyond all contradiction Mr. Selden his Mare Clausum proving the Dominion and Jurisdiction of the Kings of England oâ—er the Narrow Seas by Records and Sir Robert Cottons Posthuma Therefore it must necessarily be as bad and mad a worke for a bad and mad Magistrate to burn all the publick Evidences and Records of the whole Kingdom and Naâ—ion upon the frantick motion of a Bedlam in this particular as for a Great landed Nobleman to burre all the old Charters Evidences of his Lands and Honors or for a rich Usurer to burn all his Bonds and Morgages which all wise men will repute an act of Frenzy and Hugh Peters too in his right senses 2. They contein in them all the great publike Charters Contracts Agreements Leagues formerly granted or made by the Kings of England to or with the Prelates Earles Barons Freemen Commons of England Ireland Scotland Wales Gernsey Iersy Man and all other Isles and Dominions belonging to the Crown of England in general all Charters Patents Grants Contracts Writs Releases Gifts Pardons Offices Honors Liberties Franchises Customs Priviledges Faires Markets Inheritances Rents Revenues Licences compositions formerly granted by our Kings to the respective Counties Cities Towns Burroughs Villages Hundreds Arch-bishops Bishops Deans Chapters Prebends Abbies Priories Nunneriâ—s Colledges Hospitals Free-schools Universities great Officers Chancellors Generals Admirals Marshals