The Late Proceeds at White Hall Concerning the Jews

TO THE READER.

BEcause many good people in divers parts of this Nation, who have often prayed heartily for the Jews Conversion, have heard a Rumor of a late Debate at White-hall about the JEWS having a liberty to return into England, and are very desirous to know the Truth of things in those Proceeds, and what is the issue of those Debates; And bence, from several parts Letters have been writ, ten up to their Friends in London, desiring more fully to be certified herein: For their satisfaction, and for help to others that would send the Narrative to their Christian Friends, this Collection thereof by one that was present at all the Debates, is yielded to be Published.

A NARRATIVE Of the late Proceeds at White-hall about the JEWS, whether to be suffered to come and Trade, &c. in England.

BY Letters from Ol. the Lord Protector, several Doctors, and other Preachers, godly men, and some Merchants and Lawyers convened with him, and others of the Council, [ The fourth of Decemb. last 1655. and so on 2. or 3. days weekly, to the 18] to consider of Proposals in behalf of the JEWES, by Rabbi Manasseh Ben Israel, an Agent come to London in behalf of many of them, to live and Trade here, and desiring to have free use of their Synagogues, &c.

The things being spoken unto Pro, and Contra, at several meetings, some more private, and some more public at White-Hall, and else where;

The most did fear, that if they should come, many would be seduced and cheated by them, and little good would be unto them. Hence divers of the Preachers judged, that though never such cautions to prevent those evils were prescribed, yet they would not be observed; and therefore they could not consent to their coming.

2. The Major part judged that there might be such pledges or sureties, &c. to keep due cautions [viz. against their Blaspheming Christ, and Christian Religion, and against seducing, and cheating &c.] as they may be observed; and then they may come.

3. Some judged that due cautions warranted by holy Scriptures being observed, it is a duty to yield to their request of coming hither; considering

1. It is God's will there be dealing courteously with st angers, and persons in affliction, Exod: 23.8.

2. Especially respect is to be had to the Jews, Isa. 14.3, 4.1 Because their debtors we are, Rom. 15.27. as the Gentiles, Macedouians, and other Gentiles, were in the Apostles days; (which was, not because those believing Jews at Jerusalem administered spiritual things to those believing Gentiles; which they did not; ) but because we partake of the Messias, and promises, and salvation, that was to the Jews, as natural branches of the Olive-tree, Rom: 9.4, 5. Eph. 3, 8. Rom: 11.17.24.

2ly. Because their Brethren we are; of the same Father Abraham; they naturally after the flesh, we believers after the Spirit.

3ly. Because we believe those natural branches shall return; and it shall be great riches and glory to the Gentiles, especially to such where they are, and who deal kindly with them, Rom. 11, 12, 18, 25, 26. and we hope the time is near.

Because many Jews are now in very great streighs in many places; multitudes in Polonia, Lituania, and Prussia, by the late wars by the Swedish, Cossacks, and others, being driven away from thence: Hence their yearly Alms to the poor Jews (of the Germane Synagogue) at Jerusalem hath ceased; and of 700 Widows, and poor Jews there, about four hundred have been famished, as a Letter from Jerusalem to their friends relates.

Also the Jews in France, Spain, Portugal, & in the Indies, under the Spanish &c. if they are professed Jews, must wear a badge of it; & are exposed to many violencies, mocks, & cruelties; which to avoid, many dissemble themfelves to be Roman-Catholics; and then if in anything they appear Jewish, they forfeit goods, if not life also. Now some of these entreated Rabbi Manasseh to be their Agent, to entreat this favor for their coming to England, to live and Trade here, &c.

And it seems to some that it would be very acceptable to the Lord, if favor be shown them, so far as is lawful herein. As it was very displeasing to the Lord, when for their sin he cast them out of Canaan, that others added to, or heaped on their affliction, Zach. 1.15, 16.

And that Edom looked on; and was as one of their enemies, Obad. v. 12, 14. and did not hide, and entertain his outcasts, as he charged Moab to do, Isa: 16.3, 4. Now England hath as much cause as any Nation (if not more) to favor and relieve the Jews in this their suit; considering,

1. The Jews that dwelt in England under Rich. 1. and King John. Hen: 3. and Edward 1. suffered very great injuries, and cruelties, and murders, by Kings, by the Barons, by Londoners, Yorkers, people of Norwich, Stamford, &c. as our own Chronicles show, especially Stows Survey of London, & Annals.

And if after Saul's death the Lord plagued Israel year after year, til some satisfaction was given to the surviving Gibeonites, for Saul's slaying many Gibeonites in his zeal for God; it's feared, it may offend the Lord, if we yield not to the Jews this courtesy which they desire; and it may be accounted some kind of satisfaction to them.

2 In no Nation hath there be en more faithsul, frequent, and fervent prayers for the Jews, then in England.

3 None are more likely to convince them by scripture, and by holy life, then many in England: And Gentiles (being called a foolish Nation) must provoke Jews to jealoune, or emulation; and happy is England, if it be instrumental in so blessed a work.

The person that spake to that effect, had written thus.

Many of the Jews in Jerusalem being now very cruelly dealt withal, and persecuted by the Turks, (as their Letters thence desiring relief from other Jews in Germany, and Holland, &c: sent thither by the hand of R. Nathan Stephira their Messenger do manifest:) Other Jews in several Nations persecuted by Papists, unless they will turn Papists: many of these desiring by their Letters to R. Manasseh Ben Israel (as he said be had shown to the Lord Protector) that he would entreat favor of our State,

1 That Jews might have leave to come into England, to live and Trade here: And

2 That here they wight have their Synagogues, &c. Provided that due care be had in respect of these, as much as is, or ought to be, in respect of our own, and other Nations, to prevent

• Blashpheming the Lord Jesus Christ;
• Adoring the Law; Seducing others;
• All unrighteousness, &c.

1 That it is not sinful or unlawful, to suffer their coming hither, their living and Trading here; and Worshipping the true God here, and hearing his holy Law, and his Prophets read unto them every week, publicly.

Reas 1.

• Because this is against no LAW neither of the Land [as the Lawyers here affirmed,] nor of GOD; as not being forbid in the Old or New Testament.
• And therefore it is no sin, nor Transgression: For where there is no Law there is no Transgression, Rom: 4.15.

2 That it is so far from being a sin, that it is a duty, in such case, to receive and harbor them.

This may appear thus.

Reas. 1. it's a Duty commanded, and commended of God, in general, to be kind to strangers, harbouring them, &c. Exod. 22:21. and 23.8. Levite. 19.34. Deut. 10.19. Gen: 18.1, 2, 3. Gen. 19.1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 5.10. Heb. 13.2. Such savor we permit and grant to other strangers.

2 The Lord requires this duty as well (or more) towards Jews (even when for their sins the Lord had cast them out) as to any other strangers; for concerning these, he thus gives a charge in Isa. 16.3, 4. Hide my banished ones, bewray not him that wand reth. Let my Outcasts dwell (or sojourn) with thee Moab: be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler.

3 Yea, even after their rejecting Jesus Christ, and the Lord's rejecting them, yet the Apostle saith of them, That they are beloved for their Fathers sakes, Rom. 11.28. And for the Lord's Covenant sake with their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, feer this sin and scattering, the Lord will restore them, as he saith, Levite. 26.41, 44, 45. Mica: 7.19, 20.

4 When for their sins the Lord was displeased with the Jews, yet he hath a special eye to them; observing all the unkind carriage of others towards them, land is sore displeased against all such as help on their affliction, Zach. 1.15. By speaking proudly against them or looking on as one of the afflictors, or that deliver them up to such, &c. Obad. ver. 11, 12, 14.

3 That the Lord may require and expect this kindness towards distressed JEWS, as much of this Nation, as (or more then) of any other Nation. Considering

1 That the Lord hath exalted England in spiritual, and in temporal mercies and deliverances, as much as, (or more then ) any other Nation under Heaven: and all this only for the sake of our Lord Jesus, who concerning the flesh, came of the Jews, Rom. 9.5. and by whom the Covenants and promises made to the Jews, are made over to us that are faithful, Rom. 11.16, 18, 24. Ep. 3.6. Ep. 2.12, 13, 19

2 In our Nation the good people generally have more believed the promises touching the calling of the Jews, and the great riches and glory that shall follow to Jews, and us Gentiles; and have (and do still) more often, and earnestly pray for it, then any other Nation that we have heard of.

3 Many of the good people here, being persecuted in Queen Mary's days, and under the Prelates since, have been kindly harboured as strangers in others Lands; and therefore should the more pity and harbor persecuted strangers, especially the persecutedJews, Exod. 23.8.

4 Many cruel and inhuamen injuries have formerly been done in our Nation against the JEWS, (that intruded not into England, but had been called, and invited to come and dwell here:) cruelties by several Kings, by Lord's; and by occasion of the Merchants urging their banishment, multitudes of them were drowned in Thames, or in the Sea.

Cruelties by Londoners, especially at Rich. 1. his Coronations; and soon after by Yorkers, by people of Norwich, Stamford, &c. as Stows Survey of London, and his Annals, and Hollingshead, and other English Chronicles sully show.

For such gross injuries, the Lord may be very sore displeased with England, as sometimes he was with Israel in general for the injuries that had formerly been done by Saul their King, in his zeal against the hiGibeonites;} unti such satisfaction was made: as the surviving Gibeonites desired of David, 2 Sam: 21.1, 2. And then, (and not til then) the Lord was entreated for the Land, ver. 14.

Now if the favor of harbouring the afflicted Jews, which now they entreat, be granted to the surviving JEWS, it may be accounted as some kind of satisfaction. But if this be denied them, it's feared the Lord may show his displeasure to be great against England, That by this denial may also occasion the more hardship unto them, by others that shall hear thereof.

Another of the Preachers said to this effect. Though the Jews are now in hardness of heart, and worthy of punishments; yet we had need beware lest we be occasionsof hardening them, or instruments of punishing them. it's very remarkable what worthy Beza saith, in his Notes on Ro. 11.18. on those words, Glory not against the Branches: he saith thus. To glory in the Lord, (that is, for God's benefits to rejoice, ) we ought: but not so that we despise the Jews, whom rather we should excite to that excellent emulation: and for the neglect of this duty, without doubt, they are and shall be punished that at this day call themselves Christians, and moved only by wickedness, and perverseness of mind, do by all means vex; and proposing examples of so most filthy: Idolemanie, do more and more harden them. But as for me, willingly every day I pray for the Jews, thus.

This is Beza's prayer, that he expresseth in his Notes; its a remarkable Digression, that he would not have this left out. There is not the like in all his Notes, showing his great affection for the Jews conversion.

Some others, though desiring heartily the Jews conversion, yet feared greatly, it would prove the subversion of many here, if Jews were suffered to return hither, because so many here are soon carried aside to new Opinions.

Some answered, That now persons are carried away under notion of further light, or of new discoveries of Christ, or the Gospel: But are not like to be taken with the Jewish Religion, that deny Christ, and deny the Gospel; and have nothing in their solemn Worship that is so taking, but rather much that is very ridiculous. Therefore they are not so like to seduce others.

To this it was replied, That the offering children to Moloch, and other Idolatry, might seem not to be taking: Yet how it took with the Jews. And the opinions of the Quakers, and of the Ranters, are not so taking to some, yet many are carried away by them.

One humbly proposed this, as a Medium, that seeing if the Jews coming hither be denied, we seem to deal more hardly with Jews, then with Turks, whose coming hither to trade and converse, we deny not: And if they do come upon terms, and agreements, there may be inconveniences, and offending of many: That because the Lawyers say, there is no Law against their coming, there may only be a connivance and permission of them; and if afterwards there be inconvenience, there may be proceeds against them, and no just cause of exceptions.

Some questioned whether the Jews conversion shall be of the Nation; or but here and there one, as of French, &c. or not until Christ appear unto them; as in Converting Paul. And though we should show mercy to Jews, yet begin at home, and not so infect ourselves, or wrong our Merchants. The Merchants said; such an in-let would be to enrich Foreigners, and impoverish English Merchants. [Merchants especially had caused the Jews departure from England, whereby some thousands of Jews perished in Thames by the cruelty of a ship-master that was to transport them; partly otherwise.

Some judged, seeing the Jews deal chiefly in way of Merchandize, and not in Husbandry, nor buying houses, nor in Manufactures; that the Jews coming and so trading might tend to the bringing lower the prizes of all sorts of commodities imported; and to the furtherance of all that have commodities vendible to be exported; and to the benefit of most of our Manufactures (where they shall live) by their buying of them. And thus, though the Merchants gains were somewhat abated, it might tend to the benefit of very many in our Nation, even in outward things, besides the hopes of their conversion; which time (it's hoped) is now at hand, even at the door. [This last was spoken of at a more private meeting.] One of the Lawyers rehearsed from Records the History of the Jews in England, and many of their sufferings here in the time of Constantine the Great, and of some Kings before the Conquest, and then of William the Conquerors calling them to England, and their sufferings, and other proceeds since that time, until Edward the Firsts Reign, when many thousands of them were urged to leave England, and a great part of them were drowned in Thames, or in the deep waters. And now that they are gone, they wished not their return hither again. Also the Lawyers said, That there is no Law that forbids the Jews return into England.

All having been heard, the Ld. Protector on the 18 of Decemb, and before, professed, that he had no engagement to Jews, but only what the Scripture holds forth; and that

He had hoped by these Preachers to have had some clearing the case, as to conscience. But seeing these agreed not, but were of two or three opinions, it was left the more doubt full to him and the Council. And he hoped to do nothing herein hastily or rashly; and had much need of all their prayers, that the Lord would direct them, so as may be to his glory, and to the geo lof the Nation.

And thus was the dismission of that Assembly.

The Preachers sent unto, that met, were these;

1 Doctor Tuckney of Cambridge; and Dr. Whichcock Mr. Newcomen of Essex, Dr Wilkinson of Oxford, Mr. Row of Westm.

2 Mr. P. Nye, Mr. Carter, Mr. Caryll, Dr. Cud worth, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Ben of Dorchester.

3 Mr. Tho: Goodwin, Mr. Jessey, Mr. Dike near Essex.

Of Merchants, the Lord Major, and the late Lord Major, and the two Sheriffs of London, Alderman Tichburne, Mr. Cresset master of the Charter-house, Mr. Kiffen.

Lawyers, the Lord chief Justice Glyn, and the Lord chiese Baron Steele.

The Protector shown a favorable inclination towards our harbouring the afflicted Jews, (professing he had no engagements out upon scripture grounds) in several Speeches that he made. So did some of his Council, though some inclined not to their coming hither. The Counsel of the Lord it shall stand. What shall be the issue, the most wise God knows; and he will order all for the best.

R. Manasseh ben Israel still remains in London, desiring a favorable Answer to his Proposals. And not receiving it, he hath desired, if it may not be granted, that he may have a favorable dismission, that he may return.

But other great affairs being now in hand, and this being a business of very great concernment, no absolnte Answer is yet returned unto him, unto this presem day of the conclusion hereof, being vulgarly April 1/11 1656, but according to the (Holy Scripture) the 14. or 15th of Abib the first month, ( called also Nisan, Exod. 13.4. Est. 3.7. [ at which time the Jews feast of Passover was to be kept, Numb. 28: 16, 17.

Many Jewish Merchants had come from beyond seas to London, and hoped they might have enjoyed as much privilege here, in respect of Trading, and of their Worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, here, in Synagogues, publicly, as they enjoy in Holland, and did enjoy in Poland, Prussia, and other places. But after the conference and Debate at White-Hall was ended, they heard by some, that the greater part of the Ministers were against this: therefore they removed hence again to beyond the Seas, with much grief of heart, that they were thus disappointed of their hopes. Jews must be planted into their own Olive, & great riches shall y ^t be to the believing Gentiles, Rom. 11.12, 15. Isa. 60.1, 2, 3. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love it, Ps. 122.6.

Here followeth part of a Letter written at Ligorn, 1652. and sent by the Preacher in the Phoenix Frigot, to a friend in London.

WE have great cause to rejoice, that the Lord carrieth on the endeavors of his people to long after the good of the poor blind JEWS. Some of us were desirous to see their Synagogue: and coming, they were at their service. But their Glory we sorbear to mention: their Lamps, their Candlesticks, their Mitres, their Bells, Aaron's bells they say.

We spake to one that could speak a little English, a very grave proper man; and asked him the meaning of such and such things. And we, as we durst, spake of the Messias, and his actings.

But he said, The Messias was not come; moreover. That the Jews are naughty men now, but they shall be good. We asked, when? they answered, It is about ten years first.

They long to hear that England would to lerate them; surely the promises of Jehovah will be performed, and he will give them favor in all Nations. O that ENGLAND may not be slack herein. Shall they be Tolerated by the POPE, and by the Duke of FLORENCE; by the TURKS, and by the BARBARIANS, and others; and shall England still have laws in force against them? when shall they be recalled?

Truly, we are persuaded, the Antichristian State must have a great fall, before their Conversion. O that the poor Jews might have toleration to COME into England OUT OF HER, that they may be succoured in that Terrible day.

A POSTSCRIPT, To fill up the following Pages, that else had been vacant: Containing,

• 1 The Proposals of R. Manasseh ben Israel, more fully.
• 2 Part of his Letter written Anno 1647.
• 3. The late progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England.