Conversion, which I must speake somewhat to, and those are the _Time_,
and the _Manner_; as for the _time when_, the determining of that is
hard, though not impossible. I beleeve that it is punctually set downe
in Scripture, and God wil be as criticall in looking after times as
things; but all the difficulty of knowing it is from the darknesse, and
defects of our understanding, and not from a supposed uncertainty in the
thing. So that I am equally adverse as to the common practise of the
_Jewes_, who because they are unwilling to owne Gods accomplishments,
doe therefore dis-allow his computations, and expressly hold that man
accursed who busieth himselfe in that study. So to the too common
opinion of those who say, That oft in such computations God puts a
certaine number for an uncertaine. No, there is an infallibility in the
set times of Scripture; only the Well is deep, and the cord to our
Bucket is but short! yet this difficulty should not cause despondency,
but quicken our industry. All that I shall now say to it is this, I
judge the time not farre off; this present age will see those things
fulfilled which we have waited and prayed for. _R. Maimonides_ saith of
Jesus Christ, That since _Moses_ his time none so like to the Messiah as
the Christ of the Christians; so I say, since Christ, no period of time
so like to be that, in which the _Jewes_ shall be called, as this in
which we live. And perhaps it is nearer than we are aware of, being the
more comfortably perswaded of it, by that excellent Treatise called,
_The Revelation revealed_, newly published by a Gentleman of an
indefatigable Spirit for God and publick good, Mr. S. _Hartlib_, in
which Apocalypticall computations are explained the most harmoniously,
and clearly, that I have read in any discourse of that nature. He saith
positively, that at the ending of the last yeare of 1655. the seventh
Trumpet shall sound; whose effect will be as much good to Gods elected
ones, whether _Jewes_, or _Gentiles_, as our hearts can wish for. I
shall adde this, The age in which we live, hath been eyed by many
Generations past, for the time wherein the _Iewes_ shall be received to
mercy; many of their owne Writers, and also of Christian Authors have
pitched upon it; And I beleeve that God will be as gracious to them in
this their last, and greatest restauration, as he was to them in that of
their returne out of _Babylon_; now concerning that there were three
computations and epochaes of the beginning (and consequently of the
ending) of the seventy yeares of captivity; and observe, that those
seventy yeares ended, and the _Iewes_ returned, not at the latest
computation, but with the first, for there were but seventy yeares from
_Jechoniahs_ carrying to _Babylon_, (which was the first Captivity) to
the release by the Proclamation of _Cyrus_. And as God ended that
Captivity with the soonest, so I hope that he will doe this; especially
considering, that speaking of these mercies to them, in _Isa._ 60. in
verse last, he saith, _I the Lord will hasten it in its time_; which he
should not doe, if he should stay the longest calculation, and utmost
period of time. O let us be Gods Remembrancers to put him in minde of
this his promise.
For the _manner_ how, and _meanes_ whereby their conversion shall be
compassed; this also is a depth equall to the former. And as it is in
things Propheticall, the event will best determine it; yet I shall say
something to it, according to what I have attained. That of the ordinary
way of Christianizing a person, or people, seemes to me not of use here;
which hath been by Discourses, written or printed Books, Preachers, or
the will and command of a Conquerour; for all these have had their
efficacy in (at least a seeming and out-side) conversion of many
Nations. But after the application of these to the _Jewes_, for many
ages together, yet we must say as _Gehazi_ did to _Elisha_, when he had
laid his staffe on the _Shunamite_ her Son, thereby to bring him to
life; _The childe is not awaked_. I then conclude, that their conversion
shall be in an extraordinary way, it shall be the worke of our Lord
Jesus, and of his good Spirit. As _Paul_ was turned by the appearing of
Christ to him; so shall they. He will manifest himselfe to them
eminently, powerfully, and graciously, to forme them to be a people to
himselfe. Whether this his presence to them shall be personall, or only
in the Spirit, I will not now say, but leave the Reader to make a
judgement, as he sees most cause, out of the Scriptures which I bring.
Consider that of _Mat._ 23.38, 39. _Behold your house is left unto you
desolate, for I say unto you, ye shall not see me hence-forth, till ye
shall say, Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord._ Here you
have their doome fore-told, _their house shall be desolate_, the Temple
and _Jerusalem shall be destroyed_; also their conversion, in those
words, their saying, _Blessed is he that comes, &c._ the _medium_ to
compasse it, cf. _their seeing Iesus Christ; ye shall not see me_, &c.
In the order of causes, Christs discovering himselfe to them shall be
first, and shall produce their relenting towards him. And for a further
proofe, let those two places be joyned together, as bearing the same
sence; that of _Mat._ 24.30, 31. and of _Apoc._ 1.7. both which are
taken out of _Zechar._ 12.10. And all three not to be understood of
Christs appearing to Judgement; for here, saving repentance is the
effect of his appearance; but repentance will be then too late when the
Judge is come; that shall be a night to all sinners, in which no worke
can be done. Againe, there are but three grand periods mentioned in
_Mat._ 24. namely, the destruction of _Jerusalem_, Christs comming
(when, and whereby the _Jewes_ shall be converted, who though they have
resisted him, when he came in the flesh, yet they shall not, they
cannot, when he comes in the Spirit) and the end of the World. Now the
signes of the first of these are in vers. 14, 15.21, 22. Of the second
in vers. 29, 30, 31, &c. And of the last, in vers. 36, &c. So that this
of ver. 30, 31. must concerne some other thing than the end of the
World. And that the three fore-named Scriptures are properly to be
understood of the _Jews_, the texts doe show; for that of _Zechariah_,
(from whence the other two places are taken) expresly saith, _I will
poure upon the house of_ David, _and the inhabitants of_ Jerusalem,
_&c._ and other passages to the same purpose in vers. 11, 12, 13. of
_Zechar._ 12. And in the two places of _Mat._ 24. and _Apoc._ 1. it is
expresly applyed to the _Jewes_; for in _Mat._ it is, _All the Tribes of
the earth shall mourn, and see him_; that is, All the twelve Tribes
scattered upon the face of the whole earth, and these shall be gathered
by the Angels from the foure winds. And that of _Apoc._ 1.7. is clearly
to be applyed also to them, for it is said, _They that pierced him,
shall see him_; that is, the _Jewes_; and _All the Tribes_ (for so the
word φυλαὶ ought to be rendred) _of the earth shall waile_; that is, the
twelve Tribes scattered throughout all places. Now the _meane_ whereby
these _Jewes_ shall be converted, is, _And they shall see him_; that is,
Jesus Christ, for those words are in all the three Scriptures. It shall
be such a sight, as the _Israelites_ had of the Brazen Serpent in the
Wildernesse, it was healing to them. Such a sight as _Paul_ had of
Christ in Heaven, upon which he saith, that he had seene the Lord. For
particularities about this sight. I shall leave them, knowing that
_secret things doe belong to God_.
And because after that I had published in _English_, about last Autumne,
the Booke of _Menasseh Ben Israel_, called, _The Hope of Israel_, I
received a Letter from an Honourable Person, concerning that Booke, to
which I wrote an Answer, and both containe some further discourse about
the Jewes, and their Conversion; therefore I thought good to give you
them, and they are these which follow.
[Illustration]
To the Translator of _Menasseh_; _Ben Israels spes Israelis_.
SIR:
_I Desire to be acquainted with you, because we have both fallen upon
one Booke, with the same intentions to convert the_ Jewes, _though we
take not one way; I desire therefore to conferre with you, to see who
taketh the rightest way. You by your Translation seeme to me to prize
the learned_ Jewes _writing too much, which will beget pride, and not
humility in him, without which he will not turne, repent, and be saved.
Therefore for his good, and also for the Christians, and for the credit
of us who are Parliamentarians, I would not see them too much yeelded
unto. You justly perstringe him in his thirtieth Section, wherein he
talkes so wildly of his goodly Martyrs, and truly if you marke him in
his Discourse upon the Sabatticall River, which where it is he knownes
not, you will finde him as faulty and dangerous, if we have any of the
race of the_ Thraskytes _left among us; but Sir, in that you thinke that
the_ Jewes _shall now be called as a Nation, and not only by
particulars, and would have them have an earthly Kingdome againe; you
doe more for the ten Tribes then he would have himselfe_, Sect. 25. p.
79. 80. _and for the other two, of_ Judah, and Benjamin, _it is not so
likely they should have a second Call, seeing that Christ and his
Apostles preached to them, and all that were of the Election were then
converted, as you may see by many texts, and after their rejection of
the Gospell, their Country-men_, Paul, _and_ Peter _turned to the
Gentiles. Therefore those two Tribes who Crucified our Lord, and
persecuted his Apostles, are not so likely to be called againe as the
ten Tribes who did neither, except some few who returned into the holy
Land; neither did many of them so much as heare of it, you might see
your owne sentence fulfilled then. First, the Jew was called, and then
the Gentile. But now looke not for it, but for their single conversions,
though numbers may be called upon one day, one Sermon as they were
heretofore; but they must not exalt themselves as a Nation, for they
must be ingrafted againe upon that branch, or Vine, Christ Jesus, and we
must have one Shepheard, and be one flock._ _See_ Rom. 11. ver. 31.
_which you cite_. Through your mercy they may also obtain mercy; _I had
writ it_ (shall) _but it is only_ (may:) _see the place to which this
relates_, Isa. 59. v. 19, 20, 21. _where you shall finde that all their
hope is in eternalls, not in temporalls_; _and looke upon_ Rom. 11.24.
_concerning the engrafting, and clearly, (unlesse you be a Millenarian)
you will finde no such Nationall glory of the_ Jewes; _therefore I pray
you take heed you fall not into the same snare wherein the_ Jewes _are,
to looke for a temporall reigne, which you seeme to intimate, and too
many were, and are of that opinion. Assure your selfe that Christ will
come to such as a theife in the night, though his comming will be very
glorious, yet it will be suddaine; the learned_ Jew _can finde no text
punctuall in all his Booke, but whatsoever he citeth, the same Chapter
makes against him, and speakes not of temporallity, but of eternity, and
the new Jerusalem. I rest, desirous of your friendship_.
Octob. 5. 1650. E. S.
Postscript.
_I Have it from a good hand, that Master_ Jo. Dury _is the Translator of
that Booke, and I have some Arguments to beleeve it to be so, because he
seemes to be of the same minde in his Epistolicall Discourse before Mr._
Thorowgoods _pious Booke, which I have gained since I wrote this Letter.
But truly if it be so, I must move Mr._ Dury _both to amend his
Translation from grosse faults, and to make some retractions upon that
Epistle, which upon conference I shall most plainely shew him, and in
the meane time I desire him, that he will read a Booke of a most
reverend and pious man, called_, The Revelation unrevealed; _and thereby
I beleeve he will be convinced, and not looke for a fifth generall
Monarchy upon earth; for Christ reignes now, and hath so done ever since
his Ascension, and so shall to the end of the World, untill he deliver
the Kingdome to the Father_.
Octob. 25. 1650.
_SIR_: _The answer to the Letter._
I Received a Letter directed, _To the Translator of Spes Israelis_,
which worke thus corrected, as I here-with present to you, I confesse
mine. I left it with a friend to see it printed, my selfe going into the
Country; but his occasions called him from the City also, when it should
have been reviewed; which is the reason that though there be many
_Errata’s_ in the Booke, that they are not gathered up at the end. At my
owne reading of it, I found many, and mended those I found; and now I
know that it hath farre fewer then it had, and may passe tollerably;
though neither I, nor what I doe, can be said faultlesse. Concerning
your desire of converting the _Jewes_, it is truly Christian, and a
worke that shall not loose its reward. But you say, We disagree about
the way, that is very possible, for apprehensions are various, and men
must thinke, not as others doe, but as themselves can, taking what is
truth to them, to be their guide. But the _quære_ is, Who lights on the
best way. For my part, I pretend not to any way to convert them, for I
verily thinke that when it shall be done, it will be Gods worke, and not
mans; as much as Pauls conversion was wholly of God; which himselfe
makes the type, or patterne of the conversion of his Country-men; as Mr.
_Mede_ saith upon 1 _Tim._ 1.16. in his _Fragmenta sacra_, which I know
not whether they be in print, or no. You say, I prize the learned
_Iewes_ writing too much, and that it will beget pride in them (Sir,
pardon me, if I doe not recant till I see my errour; but then I shall
freely doe it. I confesse, I doe prize the Learned, whether _Iew_, or
_Gentile_, for though I am not σοφὸς, yet I am φιλόσοφος and I doe
beleeve the Author of _Spes Israelis_ to be a very learned man; and I
have it from those who are acquainted with him, that he is a very
ingenuous and civill man; and others there are, and have been among
them, not wanting a name for good learning. As for the fomenting their
pride) truly that vice is of evill, that I would not cherish it, neither
in myself, nor in others. But Sir, whether is a more likely way to gaine
upon men, to use them civilly, and with the spirit of meeknesse, or to
be supercilious and tart towards them? What got _Austine_ the Monke by
using the Brittaines of _Bangor_ so Lordly as he did? and (to come to
latter dayes) did Mr. _Broughton_ gaine upon a learned Rabbi, in a
Conference at _Dort_, where Mr. _Forbes_ was Moderator, by his high and
peremptory language? This he reaped, to set the _Iew_ at a greater
distance from Christianisme, and an abating of his owne esteeme, in the
judgement of wise men. As for _Menasseh’s_ Sabbaticall river, I know
many Authors have said it, but whether true, or false, that is nothing
to the Translator; and I am as farre from beleeving that story, as I am
from the wilde opinions of Mr. _Thrask_. But these are of lesse
concernment; you fall upon the maine of your judgement which relates to
them, and pardon me if I deale as roundly in my answer; for I desire to
have respect to Truth, and not to man. I doe firmly beleeve, and feare
not to professe it; That the _Jewes_ shall be called as a Nation, both
_Judah_ and _Israel_, and shall returne to their owne Land, and have an
earthly Kingdome againe. For the proofe of which, I could say much, but
shall now but little; and if possibly I cite any thing which _Menasseh
Ben Israel_ brings for himselfe, beleeve me that I have it not from him,
but from my owne observations out of Scripture, some yeares since. There
is weight in that place of _Mic._ 4.8. _The first dominion, the Kingdome
shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem_; and this is spoken of times
after Christs incarnation, and not yet performed. See that of _Zech._
10.6, 7, 8, 9, 10. there is _Judah_ and _Ephraim_ fore-told to be
brought to _Gilead_, and _Lebanon_, and they shall so encrease, that
they shall want room. Say not this was done in the returne of those now
from the Captivity of _Babylon_; for those of the ten Tribes that then
returned, were but some gleanings of them; and of _Judah_ it selfe,
there returned but about one halfe: now God doth not promise Mountaines,
and performe but Mole-hils; yea in vers. 6. _God will save and
strengthen the house of_ Judah, _and of_ Joseph, _and they shall be as
though I had not cast them off_. Which, if since that Prophesie, it hath
been made good of _Judah_, yet be sure not of _Joseph_. And in v. 7.
_They of_ Ephraim _shall be like a mighty man_, but since the captivity
of _Salmanassar_ to this day, what might hath _Ephraim_ shown? yea is he
not poore, weak, scattered, and unknowne? And in ver. 8. _I will gather
them, and they shall encrease as they have encreased_; hath this been
fulfilled of _Ephraim_? Where is his fruitfulnesse, which his name
imports? much lesse hath there been a time since their great captivity,
in which they have encreased to their numbers and strength, mentioned in
the dayes of _Moses_, _Joshua_, _David_, _Solomon_, and under their owne
Kings, after the defection from the house of _David_. See that noted
place of _Ezek._ 37.16, 17. 22.24, 25. Sir, in good earnest, hath this
Scripture been fulfilled? hath _Judah_ and _Ephraim_ been _but one stick
in Gods hand, but one Nation, so that they shall be no more two
Nations_, as in ver. 22. Surely to this day they have been from their
last dispersion not only two, but many Nations. Neither will it be an
answer to say, That now they are no Nation, therefore they are not two;
yes, Historians report them many Nations; though perhaps scarce after
the just rules of Nations. And that phrase hath not a negative, but a
positive sence, not that they should be nothing, but that they should be
one Nation. More-over, in ver. 24. _Judah_ and _Ephraim_ were so to be
one Nation, that _David_ (that is Jesus Christ) was to be King over
them: And when did _Judah_ and _Israel_ ever to this day, as a Nation
acknowledge the Soveraignty of Jesus Christ? and he to be their Prince
for ever, as in ver. 25. But I must not too much enlarge. I shall only
adde this; That as many places of the Old, so many in the New Testament
agree thereto, as _Rom._ 11. ver. 12. 15. 25, 26. 28. Though this of the
_Romans_, chiefly proves one point, _sc._ their generall or Nationall
conversion. Give me leave briefly to answer your objections. You say,
The call of _Judah_ and _Benjamin_ is not so likely, because Christ and
the Apostles preached to them already. I answer; that by their
preaching, all of those living, who were elected, were converted; but
after-ages have a new race, and God hath his number among them too; yea
the words run high, then _All Israel shall be saved_. You say, those two
Tribes who crucified Christ, not so likely to be converted. I answer, by
how much their sin is greater, by so much the greater will Gods mercy
be; _Et Dei novissima erunt optima, & maxima_. You say, Their conversion
shall be single, that is answered already; but I adde, that _Isaiah_ is
contrary to it, in _Isa._ 66.7, 8. which Chapter I doubt not but it
points to times after our Saviour. As for their being engraffed upon the
Vine Christ, or being brought to one sheep-fold, what doth that hinder
but that they may be a Nation of Converts brought to their owne Land?
You object that of _Rom._ 11.31. _That through your mercy they may
obtaine mercy._ I answer, that I beleeve the maine of their conversion
will be from Heaven, and extraordinary; though the _Gentiles_ by
provoking them to emulation, and also by their gifts and graces, may
some way be auxiliary to them. After this you are pleased to put the
term _Millenarian_ upon me; which, though for what I have writ, I need
not owne, yet I will not disclaime; they are not Names that affright me,
but reall falsities. The term _Chiliast_, as it congregates the many
odde, and false opinions of them of old, I explode; though to beleeve
those thousand yeares in _Apoc._ 20. to be yet unfulfilled, that, I
willingly owne. To put that sense upon them, as that they imply the
thousand yeares of eternity, I can thinke little lesse of it then to be
a contradiction. Againe, if the thousand yeares be the eternity in
Heaven, what meanes that in ver. 3. _Till the thousand yeares be
fulfilled, and after that he must be loosed for a little season_; I
pray, what little season is that that is after eternity? neither doth
Christs _comming suddenly in the night as a theife_, hinder, but that
when he doth come, he may stay a thousand yeares. But whether that time
be _ante_, _in_, or _post diem judicii_, is not my taske to determine,
or maintaine. As for what you adde in the Post-script, not to looke for
a fifth Monarchy, because Christ reignes now. I answer, that though he
reignes _de jure_, yet not _de facto_; for expresly in Scripture the
Devill is called κοσμοκράτωρ he is the grand Tyrant, and great Usurper,
and the whole world κεῖται ἐν πὁ πονηρῶ yet I am farre from denying to
Christ a Kingdome now in being, _sc._ Spirituall, and Invisible, but I
looke for a visible one to come. In the close (as also at the beginning)
you are pleased to desire my acquaintance; but Sir, I look not upon my
self as a Star of so considerable a magnitude, as to present my selfe to
your eyes; but if I might be so happy as to be capable to serve you
really, none should be more desirous of it (both as you are a Gentleman
of Learning, by which you have obliged the publick; and also a Member of
that House which I so much honour) than Sir,
Novemb. 5. 1650.
_Your most humble Servant_
M. W.
SIR:
_I doe now very highly esteeme of my interest in your conversation, and
thanke you very much for your kinde visitations, which I shal endeavour
to repay, and desire by these you will tell me where, if you be in town;
I shall continue in town till monday noone be passed, and will meet you
at the Stationers, or any where else you shall appoint; very necessary,
and too urgent occasions hindred my comming to —— untill last night. I
have somewhat thought with my self of the faire proposition of
re-printing what concernes_ Ben Israel, _the conversion and generall
call of the Jewish Nation, to which I now more perceive our serious
endeavours and hopes doe encline. But I must needs say, that_ Ben
Israels _Booke gives very small hopes of his conversion; Of which
notwithstanding neither you nor my selfe ought to despaire, for_ Saul
_the learned_ Jew _from a severe Persecutor became a_ Paul, _a holy and
remarkable Saint; I shall not at present enlarge my selfe unto you,
least I should prove troublesome, or impertinent till things be ripened
between us by a conference, but if it be necessary you should print
againe before I see you, I only desire this Letter of mine should be
printed. For I embrace your candor and ingenuity as much as you doe
mine, and I hope love and knowledge will still encrease between us, and
I shall say with the Psalmist_, Let the righteous smite me friendly, and
reprove me, but let not their precious balme breake my head; _I have no
desire to gaine applause of those who are without, or hazard their
censure in that which more learned men, but not so loving, may say, that
I write slight things, but I had rather first shew them that I can write
serious things as well as slight, by translation of some part of_ Peter
Galatine & Reuchlin, _which is now my travaile, as I in part shewed you;
I remaine_,
Febr. 21. 1650. Your friend in the truest interest of Christian love.
* * * * *
FINIS.
* * * * *
_Errata maximi momenti._
In the second Epist. p. 2. l. 8. dele happy, in the 3 Epist. p. 1.
l. 28. r. invironed, p. 2. l. 3. r. Carthagena, p. 3. l. 12. dele
so, p. 6, l. 21. r. thy, p. 18. l. 19. r. hating, p. 19. l. 16. r.
away Hoshea, p. 22. l. 23. r. Hunni, p. 23. l. 10. r. there, p. 26.
l. 3. r. were, p. 40. l. 27. r. honoured _Abraham Kolorni_, with p.
44. l. 24. r. for these, p. 46. l. 16. dele the, p. 49. l. 34. & he
saith, those must be nulled before.
TO
HIS HIGHNESSE
THE
LORD PROTECTOR
OF THE
_COMMON-WEALTH OF_
England, Scotland, _and_ Ireland.
THE
HUMBLE ADDRESSES
OF
MENASSEH Ben Israel, _a Divine, and Doctor of PHYSICK, in behalfe of the
Jewish Nation_.
[Illustration]
_The Humble Addresses of_ Menasseh Ben Israel, _a Divine and Doctor of
Physick, in behalf of the Iewish Nation_.