History of Zionism, 1600-1918, Vol. 2 (of 2)

Chapter XLIXD (10)

Text size

There is a duke of _Barsalda_, and he is the conducter of xiii. thousand footmen, which are all Harquebushers, & carry no fire matches, but strike it with a stone: they are apparrelled & armed with such a hard kind of leather, and so enchaunted, that no yron weapon in the world is able to perse it thorow. They bee also very swift and light: their Ensigne or armes, is a dry tree in a blew field, and their deuise thus, _I hope to spread, and be greene againe_.

7. _Of the Armie of the Duke Passill._

There is a duke of _Passill_ called _Abia_, he hath under his conduct a thousand footmen, very cruell, hauing all kind of weapons to push or pricke far off, and to strike nigh, but farre different from ours, they are very expert in artificiall fire, and make the greatest and most dreadfull thinges withall yᵗ a man can imagin: they do it either by arte or enchauntment, so that it seemeth that it raigneth fire upon their enemies, and yet notwithstanding hurteth not themselves at all, by reason they are apparalled with a certaine Serpents skin which preserueth them. Their Ensigne is a Cat holding a Rat in her paw in a blacke fielde, and theyr posie thus, _Euen so hapneth it to him that is not gouerned_.

8. _Of the Army conducted by the Earle of Albary._

There is an Erle of _Albary_ called _Orut_, which hath under his gouernaunce a thousand horse-men with Crosse-bowes, some of them weare certaine light armour of a kind of hard mettall, with Rapyers and daggers after theyr manner, they fight alwayes running and their horses are so swift that it is wonderfull. This man also hath xx. thousand horses barbed with very fine leather. Some carry pikes & Partisans, & such like weapons. Their Ensigne or armes is a man in chaines, in a field parted halfe with greene and purple, and this deuise withall, _My chaines shall bind another man_.

9. _Of the Marquesse of Vorio._

There is a Marques of _Vorio_ called _Manasses_, who hath under his conduct xvii. thousand footemen, armed with a very hard & strong leather, which men beleeue to be enchaunted, because that no weapon nor harquebush is able to perse it thorowe, yet it is as light as Linnen cloth, and a thing very fayre to see to. These now haue all sorts of weapons that an Armie may haue: and they are deuided and set in a very faire, comely, and decent order: their Ensigne is an old man in a chariot, in a blacke field, saying thus, _After a long iourney, I shall be happy_.

_Caleb Shilock_ his prophesie, for the yeere, _1607_.

Be it knowne unto all men, that in the yeere _1607_, when as the Moone is in the watrie signe, the world is like to bee in great danger: for a learned Jew, named _Caleb Shilock_, doth write, that in the foresaid yeere, the Sun shall be couered with the Dragon in the morning, from fiue of the clocke untill nine, and will appeare like fire: therefore it is not good that any man doe behold the same, for by beholding thereof he may lose his sight.

Secondly, there shall come in the same yeere a meruailous great flood of water, to the great terror and amasement of many people.

Thirdly, there shall arise a meruailous great wind, and for feare thereof many people shall be consumed, or distraughted of their wits.

Fourthlie the same yeere, about the month of May, will arise another wonderfull great flood, and so great as no man hath seene since _Noyes_ flood, which wil continue three daies and three nights, whereby many Citties and Townes which standeth uppon sandie ground will be in great danger.

Fiftly, Infidels and Hereticks, through great feare and dread, will flie, and gather together, and asmuch as in them lies, make war against Christian princes.

Sixtlie, in the same yeere after the great waters be past, about the end of the yeere will be very great and fearefull Sicknesses: so that many people are like to die by the infection of strange diseases.

Seauenthly, there will be throughout the Worlde great trouble and contention about matters of Religion, and wonderfull strange newes unto all people, as concerning the same.

Eightly, the Turke with his God Mahomet shall be in danger to lose his Septer, through the great change and alteration in his Regiment, by reason of famine and warres, so that the most part of his people will rather seeke reliefe from the Christian, then from him.

Ninthlie, there will also arise great Earth=quakes, whereby diuers goodly buildings & high houses, are like to be ouerthrowne and ruinated.

Lastlie, there will be great remoouings of the earth in diuers places, so that for feare thereof, many people will be in a strange amazement and terror.

These punishments are prognosticated by this learned Jew, to fall uppon the whole world by reason of sinne, wherefore it behooueth all Christian to amend their euill liues, and to pray earnestly unto God to with=hold these calamities from us, and to conuart our harts wholy to him, whereby we may find fauour in our time of neede, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FINIS.

COLLATION

A‒B in fours; Black letter, with the exception of title-page and introductory leaf: Lowndes, p. 2749 notes “Valesco, S. Jewes Prophecy, &c. Halliwell, May, 1856, imprint cut into £10‒5‒0: No other copy known.” This is now in the British Museum, the fore edge of which is badly cropped, the name “_Shilocke_” on the title-page being cut down to “_Shilo_.” As in this copy, the imprint is cut off after “Pater,” but there is just visible the top edge of the next line, which may be “noster rowe at the signe of the Sunne,” but no indication of a date. These are the only two copies known of this remarkable tract. To students of Shakespeare, it is of considerable interest. James Orchard Halliwell-Phillips, _formerly_ Halliwell (1820‒1889), the great Shakespearean scholar, in his introduction to the Merchant of Venice (Halliwell’s Shakespeare, vol. v., p. 277: London, 1853) maintains that the name of the predominant character of the play suggested itself to the author, from this tract. [Notes and Queries, 10s. ix. 269. April 4, 1908.]

XXVI.

“THE WORLD’S GREAT RESTAURATION,” BY SIR HENRY FINCH

Published by _William Gouge_, B. of D. and | _Preacher of Gods Word in Black-fryers. London._ |

(_4to._ 7 _ll._ + 234 _pp._ + 1 _l._) [I. S.]

This work has a second title page:――

Published by _William Gouge_, B. of D. and | _Preacher of Gods word in Blackefryers. London._ |

¹ The Hebrew epistle referred to is a translation by the author
of a section of this title page. It is printed by itself on
one of the preliminary leaves in somewhat archaic characters,
and reads as follows:――

מזרה ישראל
ᵃיקבצנו׃

* * * * *

ᴮמנחה היא
ליהודה ולבני ישראל חבריו וליוסף
אשר ביד אפרים וכל בית ישראל
וישבו ᵈ׃ ימציאם אלהים חן ᶜהבריו
ובקשו את יהוה אלהיהם ואת
דויד מלכם באחרית
ᵉהימים

ᶠעמוס חּ גּ אדני יהוה
דבר מי לא ינבא

ᵃ Jeremiah xxxi. 10.
ᵇ Genesis xxxii. 19.
ᶜ Ezekiel xxxvii. 16.
ᵈ Proverbs iii. 4.
ᵉ Hosea iii. 5.
ᶠ Amos iii. 8.

The British Museum, and the Mocatta Library, in University
College, have copies, without the first title page (The
Worlds Great Restauration) and Gouge’s preliminary leaf
“To the Reader.” Probably issued in this state after the
incarceration of Finch and Gouge.

XXVII.

“THE WORLD’S GREAT RESTAURATION” (_continued_).

Contemporary reference to the book is to be found in letters from the Rev. Joseph Mead (Mede) (1586‒1638), the eminent biblical scholar, to Sir Martin Stuteville.

(B. M. _Add._ 4176: 121, 123‒6.)

_Christ’s College Cambr. March 31. 1621._

_Sr._

“_... Sʳ Henry Finch was last week examined before the High
Commission about the book I wrote of, but wonderful privately.
He gave up his answer in writing, ᶜʰ⁄w was sent to the King, &
expected from him what should be his censure...._”

_Christ’s College, Apr. 7 [1621]_

_Sr_

_... I have seen Sʳ Henry Finch’s =The World’s Great
restauration, or Calling of the Jews=, & with them of all the
Nations of the Earth, to the Faith of Xᵗ. I cannot see but for
the main of the discourse I might assent unto him. God forgive
me, if it be a sin; but I have thought so many a day. But the
thing, which troubles His Majesty, is this point, which I will
write out for you =verbatim=; “The Jews & all Israel shall
return to their land & antient Seats, conquer their =foes=,
have their Soil more fruitfull than ever. They shall erect a
glorious Church in the Land of Judah it self & bear rule far
and near.” ... We need not be afraid to aver and maintain,
that one day they shall come to Jerusalem again; be Kings
& chief Monarchs of the Earth; sway & govern all, for the
glory of Xᵗ; that shall shine amongst them. And that is it
Lactantius saith Lib. 7. Cap. 15. =“The Romans name I will
speak it, because it must one day be shall be taken from the
Earth, & the Empire shall return to Asia. And again shall the
East bear dominion & the West be in subjection.”= In another
place Ashur & Egypt, all these large & vast Countries, the
whole tract of the East & South, shall be converted to Christ;
the chief Sway & sovreignty remaining with the Jews. All
nations shall honour them._

_Some say, the King says, he shall be a pure King, & he is so
auld that he cannot tell how to do his homage at Jerusalem._

_This with my best respect,_
_Yours ever,_
_JOSEPH MEAD._¹

¹ This letter has been transcribed, somewhat inaccurately
in “The Court and Times of James the First;” ... [Robert
Folkestone Williams.] ... London: ... 1848. Vol. ii., _pp._
250‒251. It is also to be found in (Notes & Queries, 2nd S.
xi. 127., Feb. 16, 1861) “Modern Apocryphal Apocalypse,” by
Moses Margoliouth, LL.D., PH.D.

Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, James I. 1619‒1623.... Edited by Mary Anne Everett Green.... London ... 1851.

_p._ 247 April 18? (1621).

96. Petition of Sir Hen. Finch to the King. Disclaims the opinion which
His Majesty thinks is asserted in his book; is sorry for having
written so unadvisedly; begs liberty and restoration to favour.

_p._ 248 April 18, 1621 London:
Chamberlain [to Carleton.]

97. ... Serjeant Finch is committed for his book on the conversion of
the Jews.

XXVIII.

PHILIP FERDINANDUS

THE Jew referred to was Philip Ferdinandus (1555?‒1598), a native of Poland. He was converted to Roman Catholicism, but afterwards became a Protestant. He taught Hebrew at Oxford, and subsequently at Cambridge (D.N.B.).

His only publication is entitled:――

_Hæc sunt verba Dei, etc._ |

Praecepta In Monte Sinai | data Iudæis sunt 613, quorum 365 negativa, & 248 af-|firmativa, collecta per Pharisæum Magistrum Abraha-|mum filium Kattani, & impressa in Bibliis Bomber-|giensibus, anno à mundo creato 5288 Vene-|tiis, ab Authore VOX DEI appellata: |

translata in linguam Latinam per _Phi-|lippum Ferdinandum Polonum_. |

_His accesserunt nonnulla quæ sequens pa-|gina indicabit._ |

_Lex Dei integra est, Psal. 19._ |

_Aperi oculos meos, vt videam mirabilia legis tuæ._ |

_Vocem audivistis, et similtudinem non vidistis, | præter vocem._ Deut. 4. 12. |

Vox Dei semel data est per Mosem in monte Sinai. |

Sed similitudinem videre. i. arcana, singulis diebus da-|tur. _Ex Hazoar._ |

Cum licentia omnium primariorum virorum in in-|clyta & celeberrima Cantabrigiensi Academia.

Cantabrigiae, | Ex officina Iohannis Legat. 1597. |

(_4to._ 3 _ll._ + A‒H. in fours.) [B. M.]

XXIX.

PETITION OF THE JEWES
JOHANNA & EBENEZER CART[EN][W]RIGHT

Presented to his Excellency and the | generall Councell of Officers on | Fryday Jan. 5. 1648. | _With their favourable acceptance thereof._ |

_London_, Printed for _George Roberts_, 1649. |

(_4to._ 1 _l._ + 6 _pp._) [I. S.]

_sig._ A.2. “To the Right Honourable, Thomas _Lord_ Fairfax, (His
Excellency) Englanes (_sic_) Generall, And The Honourable Councel
of Warre, Conveaned for Gods Glory, _Izraells_ Freedom, Peace,
and Safety, _The humble Petition of_ Johanna Cartenright, _Widdow,
and_ Ebenezer Cartwright _her Son, freeborn_ of England, _and now
Inhabitants of the City of_ Amsterdam.”

_sig._ A.3. “_This Petition was presented to the generall Councell
of the Officers of the Army, under the Command of his Excellency,
Thomas Lord Fairfax, at Whitehall on Ian. 5. And favourably
received with a promise to take it into speedy consideration, when
the present more publike affaires are dispatched._”¹

¹ American Elements in the Re-settlement. By Lucien Wolf.
(Transactions of the Jewish Historical Society of England,
vol. iii. 1896‒8.... London, ... 1899.... _p._ 87.)

XXX.

“THE MESSIAH ALREADY COME,” BY JOHN HARRISON

THE | Messiah | Already Come. | ...

Written in Barbarie, in the yeare 1610, and for that cause directed | to the dispersed Iewes of that Countrie, and in them to all others now groaning under the heauy | yoake of this their long and intollerable captivitie, which yet one day shall have an end:...

Amsterdam, | Imprinted by Giles Thorp. Anno M.DC.XIX. |

(_4to._ 5 _ll._ + 68 _pp._) [B. M.]

_sig._ A3.――To The High And Mighty Prince Frederick King of Bohemia, &c.... _This Treatise was published seven yeares agoe and Printed in the Low Countries...._ Your Maᵗᶦᵉˢ most humble devoted seruant Iohn Harrison.¹

¹ It appeared again under the following title:――
A Vindication Of The Holy Scriptures....
By that Learned, and late Eminent Divine John Harrison.
London ... 1656.
(_12mo._ 11 _ll._ + 150 _pp._ + 1 _l._) [I. S.]

XXXI.

“DISCOURSE OF MR. JOHN DURY TO MR. THOROWGOOD――JEWES IN
AMERICA,” BY THO. THOROWGOOD――“AMERICANS NO JEWS,” BY
HAMON L’ESTRANGE

AN Epistolicall Discourse Of Mr. Iohn Dury, To Mr. Thorowgood. Concerning his conjecture that the Americans are descended from the Israelites. With the History of a Portugall Iew, _Antonie Monterinos_, (_sic_) attested by _Manasseh Ben Israel_, to the same effect.... _Your faithfull friend and fellow-labourer in the Gospel of Christ._ J. Dury, St. Iames, _this_ 27 Ian. 1649/50.

(_sig._ D‒E, in fours.)

This will be found in the preliminary leaves of:――

“The Epistle to the Reader” is dated _Mar. 30. 1651._

_London_, Printed by W. H. for _Tho. Slater_, and are to be sold | at his shop at the signe of the Angel in Duck lane, 1650. |

(_4to._ 22 _ll._ + 139 _pp._) [I. S.]

The Imprimatur signed _Iohn Downame_ is dated _Septem. 4. 1649._

_pp._ 129‒(139) contain “_The Relation of Master_ Antonie Monterinos, (_sic_) _translated out of the French Copie sent by_ Manasseh Ben Israel.... J. Dvry Received this at _London_, 27 of _Novem._ 1649.”

This was the affidavit of Montezinos, superscribed by Manasseh Ben Israel, sent to John Dury at his particular request.

XXXII.

“WHETHER IT BE LAWFUL TO ADMIT JEWS INTO A CHRISTIAN
COMMONWEALTH,” BY JOHN DURY

Resolved By | Mʳ John Dury: | Written To | _Samuel Hartlib_, Esquire. |

London, | Printed for _Richard Wodenothe_, in Leaden-Hall street, | next to the Golden Heart, 1656. |

(_4to._ 1 _l._ + 9 _pp._) [I. S.]

_p._ 9: “... Sir! _Your most affectionate and faithful servant_ ...
John Dury. _Cassell_, in haste, Januarie 8 1656.”¹

¹ John Dury and the English Jewry. By the Rev. S. Levy, M.A.
(Transactions of the Jewish Historical Society of England,
vol. iv. 1899‒1901.... London.... 1903.... _pp._ 76‒82.)

XXXIII.

“LIFE AND DEATH OF HENRY JESSEY”

With an Elegy upon the Death of Mr. | William Bridg. | ... _Anno Domini_ 1671. |

(8º. 4 _ll._ + 108 _pp._) [B. M.]

The author is unknown, but page 97 bears the initials “E. W.”

_p._ 67: “Towards the Jews his Charity was famous beyond President and
many ways exprest,...”

_p._ 69: “3. His Charity was most eminently shewn to them in the
great Collections, which through his importunity was made for the
poor _Jews_ at _Jerusalem_, who were reduced to extream poverty
and misery; having lost, by reason of the _Swedish_ Navies Wars,
15000000 of Rix Dollers; which their brethren of _Hungary_,
_Poland_, _Lithuania_, and Prussia, were wont to send them yearly,
for the maintenance of learned _Rabbies_ and Students, and for the
relief of antient Widows and decripid men, and other necessitous
people, with which the _Holy-Land_ doth abound; who (as we said)
by cutting off their subsistance were brought (in 1657) into great
extremity, not only of Famine and nakednesse (that of 700 Widows,
400 were famished out-right) but also by the imprisonment and
scourgings of their Elders and Rabbyes, by their cruell Creditors,
being the principal men of the Land to whom the _Jews_ were
indebted 20000 Rialls of Eight, which if the Ryall be 4_s._ 8_d._
a piece, it is 4666_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ for the liberty of dwelling
there, etc. which they extorted with great rigor and exaction,
resolving to sell them all for slaves, in case payment was not
speedily made.”

_p._ 70: “This befel the onely then _Germane Jews_ at _Jerusalem_, for
the Congregation of _Portugal Jews_ were relieved by the Alms of
their Rich Brethren in _Portugal_.”

_p._ 70: “4. The only Anchor the miserable Wretched and distressed
Persons had, was to Implore succour from their Brethren in other
parts, to which end they sent Letters to _Venice_, _Amsterdam_,
and by _Rabbie Nathan Levita_, an Elder, and Cabalist: But all
they got from them served only for payment of Interest of Debts:
so that they had still perished, if the bowels of Christians in
_Holland_, had not compassionated their State, who sent them 500.
Rix Dollars, and by Letters did earnestly press Mr. H. J. to
further a Collection in _England_.

“To which he made some demurs till he obtained full satisfaction of the truth of the Relation, and certainty of safe conveyance of the money that Charity might not be abused; for the first, the Messengers from _Jerusalem_ brought Commissions signed by their Elders, which Commissions were sent to the _Synagogues_ in _Germany_, and in the _Netherlands_ to be examined; who assured that they knew the hands, and that those men would not subscribe to an untruth, and that they themselves had contributed upon the same Information.

“And as for Conveyance, two Noted Merchants of _Francford_, would return the mony, and give Bond for so much; till they procure a Receipt from the Elders of _Jerusalem_, as they had done for the above named summe of 500. Rix Dollars; and had a Letter returned from _Jerusalem_ to the Charitable Christians of _Amsterdam_, both in way of Receipt and Gratitude with Original _Hebrew_ Letter with the Messengers, Commissioners, and other necessary Instructions being sent to Mr. _Jessey_, removed all scruples, so that immediatly informed divers _London_ Ministers, by whose assistance, together with his own private Friends and Interest, the some of 300_l._ Sterling was in short time gathered and sent, and a Bill of Receipt, with thankfulness returned: some of it being also sent to distressed _Iews at Vilna_ and other places in _Poland_.”

_p._ 67: “When their liberty of returning and trading in _England_ (as
they did in _Germany, Poland, Russia, Portugal, Netherlands etc._)
was moved, disputed and debated for and against; He laboured that
it might be granted, with such limitations, (as our Merchants
yielded unto, _viz_) that they should be seated in some decayed
Port Towns, and pay Custome for Goods, thence transported into
other parts of the Nation, besides what they should pay there for
exporting _English_, and importing forreign Commodities: such a
tollerating of their trade might not onely be beneficial several
ways to our selves, but be some satisfaction for the unhandsome
dealings of our Nation against that people in the days of King
_Rich._ I. King _John_ and _Edward_ the first, for the space of
100 years till their final Banishment, _An. Dom._ 1290. with those
circumstances of cruelty, that our own Histories do not seem to
approve of;...”

XXXIV.

“THE GLORY OF JEHUDAH AND ISRAEL――DE HEERLICHKEYDT ...
VAN JEHUDA EN ISRAEL,” BY HENRY JESSE.

THE Glory of Jehudah and Israel is referred to in the concluding paragraph of “The Humble Addresses.”

Manasseh Ben Israel writes:――

“... Now, having prooved the two former Points, I could adde a third, viz. of the Nobility of the Iewes: but because that Point is enough known amongst all Christians, as lately yet it hath bene most worthily and excellently shewed and described in a certain Booke, called, _The Glory of Iehudah and Israel_, dedicated to our Nation by that worthy Christian Minister Mr. Henry Iessey, (1653. in Dutch) where this matter is set out at large:...”

“The Life and Death Of Mʳ Henry Jessey,” page 79: “... Mr. H. J. seconded his Almes with divers Consolatory Letters to the dispersed seed of _Jacob_, having before in 1650. wrote a compleat Treatise yet extant, and called (the glory & Salvation of _Jehudah_, and _Israel_) tending towards the reconciliation of _Jews_ and _Christians_,...”

J. C. Wolf, in his _Bibliothecæ Hebræae_, 1733, vol. iv., _p._ 901, in his biography of Manasseh Ben Israel, incidentally refers to “De Heerlickheid en heyl van Jehuda en Israel” written in Flemish (Belgice) by Henr. Jesse.

It is apparently very rare, the only copy that has been traced is mentioned in “Catalogue De La Bibliothèque de literature hebraique et orientale et d’Auteurs hebreux De Feu Mʳ Leon V. Saraval Trieste ... 1853.”¹ [I. S.]

Nᵒ. 619 “JESSE HENRY de Heerlichkeydt en Heyl van Jehuda en Israel (en langue flamande, traduit de l’anglais.) Amst. 1653 in 8º ... tres-rare....”

¹ In 1853 the Saraval library was purchased for the Breslau
Jewish Theological seminary.

XXXV.

OF THE LATE PROCEEDS AT WHITE-HALL, CONCERNING THE JEWS
[HENRY JESSE]

(_4to._ 1 _l._ + 14 _pp._)¹ [I. S.]

¹ A translation appeared in:――
Neue Schwarmgeister=Brut Oder Historische Erzehlung....
IV. Die Wieder=Einnehmung der Juden in Engeland
V. Die Bekehrung der Indianer in New=Engeland ...
Gedrukkt im Jahr 1661. pp. 189‒223.
(8º. 24 _ll._ + 223 _pp._ + 1 _l._) [I. S.]

_p._ 11: “_Here followeth part of a Letter written at_ Ligorn, 1652.
_and sent by the Preacher in the_ Phœnix _Frigot, to a friend in
London_.

_Ligorn, aboard the_ Phœnix, 19 _of the_ 1, 1652.

_Dear Brethren_:...”

_p._ 12: A Postscript, To fill up the following Pages, that else had
been vacant: Containing,

1 _The Proposals of_ R. Manasses 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._

A translation appeared in:――

Neue Schwarmgeister=Brut Oder Historische Erzehlung....

IV. Die Wieder=Einnehmung der Juden in Engeland

V. Die Bekehrung der Indianer in New-Engeland ...

Gedrukkt im Jahr 1661. pp. 189‒223.

(8º. 24 _ll._ + 223 _pp._ + 1 _l._) [I. S.]

XXXVI.

BISHOP THOMAS NEWTON AND THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

“THE preservation of the Jews is really one of the most signal and illustrious acts of divine Providence. They are dispersed among all nations, and yet they are not confounded with any. The drops of rain which fall, nay the great rivers which flow into the ocean, are soon mingled and lost in that immense body of waters: and the same in all human probability would have been the fate of the Jews, they would have been mingled and lost in the common mass of mankind; but, on the contrary they flow into all parts of the world, mix with all nations, and yet keep separate from all. They still live as a distinct people, and yet they no where live according to their own laws, no where elect their own magistrates, no where enjoy the full exercise of their religion.... No people have continued unmixed so long as they have done, not only of those who have sent forth colonies into foreign countries, but even of those who have abided in their own country. The northern nations have come in swarms into the more southern parts of Europe; but where are they now to be discerned and distinguished? The Gauls went forth in great bodies to seek their fortune in foreign parts; but what traces or footsteps of them are now remaining any where? In France who can separate the race of the ancient Gauls from the various other people, who from time to time have settled there? In Spain who can distinguish exactly between the first possessors the Spaniards, and the Goths, and the Moors, who conquered and kept possession of the country for some ages? In England who can pretend to say with certainty which families are derived from the ancient Britons, and which from the Romans, or Saxons, or Danes, or Normans? The most ancient and honorable pedigrees can be traced up only to a certain period, and beyond that there is nothing but conjecture and uncertainty, obscurity and ignorance: but the Jews can go up higher than any other nation, they can even deduce their pedigree from the beginning of the world. They may not know from what particular tribe or family they are descended, but they know certainly that they all sprung from the stock of Abraham. And yet the contempt with which they have been treated, and the hardships which they have undergone in almost all countries, should one would think, have made them desirous to forget or renounce their original; but they profess it, they glory in it: and after so many wars, massacres, and persecutions, they still subsist, they still are very numerous: and what but a supernatural power could have preserved them in such a manner as none other nation upon earth hath been preserved?

“Nor is the providence of God less remarkable in the destruction of their enemies, than in their preservation. For from the beginning who have been the great enemies and oppressors of the Jewish Nation, removed them from their own land, and compelled them into captivity and slavery? The Egyptians afflicted them much, and detained them in bondage several years. The Assyrians carried away captive the ten tribes of Israel, and the Babylonians afterwards the two remaining tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The Syro-Macedonians, especially Antiochus Epiphanes, cruelly persecuted them: and the Romans utterly dissolved the Jewish state, and dispersed the people so as they have never been able to recover their city and country again. And where are now these great and famous monarchies, which in their turns subdued and oppressed the people of God? Are they not vanished as a dream, and not only their power, but their very names, lost in the earth? The Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, were overthrown, and entirely subjugated by the Persians; and the Persians (it is remarkable) were the restorers of the Jews, as well as the destroyers of their enemies. The Syro-Macedonians were swallowed up by the Romans: and the Roman empire, great and powerful as it was, was broken in pieces by the incursions of the northern nations; while the Jews are subsisting as a distinct people to this day.”¹

¹ Dissertations on the Prophecies ... By Thomas Newton, D.D.,
... vol. i., London ... MDCCLIV. _pp._ 216‒219.

XXXVII.

“A CALL TO THE CHRISTIANS AND THE HEBREWS”

“YOU are at length to be restored to the land of your forefathers, where, after ages of dispersion and suffering, you will find rest and enjoyment; and will restore, surpass and enjoy, for ever, all that you have ever known, or conceived of happiness and glory. ... Ye have sown in tears, _ye shall reap_ in joy.” (Psalm cxxvi, 5.)

“They who deny that you will be restored and re-established in your ancient inheritance, may better deny that you are dispersed; for as certainly as the prophecies of your dispersion and preservation have been verified, so shall the numerous prophecies of your _restoration_ be realized and fulfilled.”

“Will the British who preside over the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Indian Seas assume the glorious enterprise, and conduct the Hebrews from Tarshish and the various coasts of their dispersion?

“This island has given birth to the Bible Society, through whose labours the glorious work has been undertaken and sustained of circulating the sacred scriptures, among the various nations of the earth in the respective languages.

“From this isle of ancient fame, the Hindoos and the lone isles of the Pacific and Atlantic Seas, again receive their Vedas and sacred scrolls.

“The uplifted shell sounded from this Arctic isle, will gain the ear of the wakeful Spirits of peace within it, and upon either Continent; of those watchers of the world, who listen to gather and transmit to all kindred and nations, the grateful sounds fraught with good tidings, which ascend ever and anon, as the all-presiding God calls them forth from some one of his train on Earth.”¹

¹ A Call to the Christians and the Hebrews. By Theaetetus....
London MDCCCXIX. 8º. 1 _l._ + 35 _pp._ [B. M.] _pp._ 16‒17,
33‒34.

XXXVIII.

THE CENTENARY OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY

THOSE who wish to read the full record of the Society’s work can do so in the two delightful volumes of Mr. William Canton. In his _History of the British and Foreign Bible Society_ (London, Murray, 1904) he tells, in fine style, the story of the first half-century of the Society’s career. When the Society began its work, that is to say at the beginning of the nineteenth century, “all the Bibles in the world in all languages and in every land, printed or in MSS., did not greatly exceed 4,000,000 copies, and of the forty or fifty languages into which the Scriptures have been translated, several, like the Anglo-Saxon of Bede and the Mæso-Gothic of Ulfilas, were extinct tongues.” But now how stands the matter? “Under its auspices and mainly at its charges, scholars have been employed in translating the Scriptures into over 300 languages, including all the great vernaculars of the world. Neither expense nor labour has been spared in making these versions as perfect as possible; and when completed they have been printed, and thus placed within the reach of the poorest of those for whom they were intended. In 100 years over 180,000,000 copies of the scriptures, complete or in part, have been issued by the Society; and at the present time more than 6,000,000 copies per annum are being put into circulation.”

The well-known scholar, Dr. Israel Abrahams, after quoting this passage in the _Jewish Chronicle_, March 4th, 1904, rightly remarks: “... the Society is doing a noble work, with much of which Jews must completely sympathise. With some of its work we do not sympathise; but this reservation does not prevent us from offering cordial congratulations to the Society on its centenary,...” This is our point of view with regard to non-Jewish activities on behalf of Zionism, as well as on behalf of the Bible.

XXXIX.

LORD KITCHENER AND THE PALESTINE EXPLORATION FUND

DR. SAMUEL DAICHES read a paper on the 7th February, 1915, to the Jews’ College Union Society about Lord Kitchener’s work in Palestine. Sir Edward Pears, who is a member of the Council of the Palestine Exploration Fund, presided. Dr. Daiches pointed out that there was an early period in Lord Kitchener’s life which provided him with work in which he developed his great capacities――the period of his work in Palestine――nearly forty years ago, when he was engaged for four years (from 1874 to 1878) in exploration work in the Holy Land. He first took up the work (at the age of twenty-four) as second-in-command under Lieutenant Conder, and later, owing to the ill-health of Conder, took command of the survey party of the Palestine Exploration Fund. The lecturer made it clear that the real underlying motive which induced Lord Kitchener to take up this work was a love for the Bible and the land of the Bible. Kitchener left for Palestine in command of the Survey in January, 1877. By the beginning of July the survey of Galilee was completed, 1000 square miles having been added to the map. Four weeks later he went with a reduced party to the south country and surveyed 340 square miles in the desert around Beer Sheba. The survey of the whole of Western Palestine was thus completed. Then the revision work was done. In January, 1878, Kitchener was back in England, and after a short leave he joined Conder at the South Kensington Museum, and arranged and wrote the Memoirs for the sheets of the map executed by himself. In September he formally handed over to the Committee the whole of the Maps and Memoirs complete. As a result of the work of Conder and Kitchener we now have the large map of Western Palestine in twenty-six sheets, three volumes of Memoirs on the topography, orthography, hydrography and archæology, and the volume of Arabic and English name lists. A volume of _Special Papers_ (vol. v. of the series) contains contributions from Conder and Kitchener. Kitchener’s contributions concerning the ancient Synagogues in Galilee are very valuable, and his reports show a sympathetic understanding of Jewish traditions in Palestine.¹

¹ Lord Kitchener and his work in Palestine. By Dr. Samuel
Daiches. London ... 1915. (8º. 88 _pp._)

XL.

BONAPARTE’S CALL TO THE JEWS (1799)

Gazette Nationale ou Le Moniteur Universel.

_No. 243. Tridi, 3 prairial an 7 de la république française une et indivisible._

[_Page_] 987. Politique. Turquie. _Constantinople, le 28 germinal._

“Bonaparte a fait publier une proclamation, dans laquelle il invite tous les juifs de l’Asie et de l’Afrique à venir se ranger sous ses drapeaux pour rétablir l’ancienne Jérusalem. Il en a déjà armé un grand nombre, et leurs bataillons menacent Alep.”

_No. 279. Nonidi, 9 messidor_ etc.

[_Pages_] 1136‒1137. _De la conquête probable de-l’empire ottoman par Bonaparte._

“... Attendons la confirmation de ces heureuses nouvelles. Si elles sont prématurées, nous aimons à croire qu’elles se réaliseront un jour. Ce n’est pas seulement pour rendre aux juifs leur Jérusalem que Bonaparte a conquis la Syrie;...” (David.)

XLI.

[A ZIONIST] LETTER, ADDRESSED BY A [FRENCH] JEW
TO HIS CO-RELIGIONISTS IN 1798

“_Brothers_,

“You who have groaned for so many ages under the weight of the cruelest persecutions, do you not wish to burst from the state of degrading humiliation in which intolerant and barbarous religions have placed you? Contempt accompanies us everywhere. Our sufferings are unpitied and despised. The unshaken constancy with which we have preserved the faith of our ancestors, far from procuring for us the admiration due to such a conduct, has only increased the unjust hatred which all nations bear towards us. It is only by affecting the exterior of baseness and misery, that we are enabled to secure our property and preserve our unhappy existence. It is at least time to shake off this insupportable yoke――it is time to resume our rank among the other nations of the universe. Vile robbers possess that sacred land which our ancestors were compelled to yield to the Romans. They profane the holy City which we defended with so much courage. Posterity has preserved a dreadful remembrance of the struggle――we, surely, have not forgotten it. That courage has only slumbered: the hour to awaken it is arrived. O my brethren! let us rebuild the temple of Jerusalem!

“An invincible nation, which now fills the world with her glory, has shewn us what the love of country can perform. Let us implore her generosity――request her assistance; and we may be assured that the philosophy which guides the chiefs of that nation, will induce them to give our demand a favourable reception.

“We are more than six millions of people scattered over the face of the earth; we possess immense riches: let us employ the means that are in our power to restore us to our country. The moment is propitious, and to profit by it, is our duty. The following are the means best suited for carrying this holy enterprize into execution:――There shall be established a Council, the members of which shall be elected by the Jews, who are spread over Europe, Asia, and Africa.”

[Here the writer divides the Jews into the 15 following tribes, viz. The Italian, Helvetic, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Northern, British, Spanish, Gallic, Dutch, Prussian, German, Turkish, Asiatic, and African. These the author proposes shall each form a body of electors in the capitals of the respective districts; and then he proceeds.]

“The fifteen deputies of these tribes shall form the Council, which shall hold its sittings at Paris. When they shall have assembled to the number of nine, they may begin to deliberate on the object of their mission. Their decisions will have with all the Jews the force of laws; they shall be obliged to submit to them. The Council shall appoint an agent, to communicate to the Executive Directory of France the propositions which it may think proper to make to the French government.”

“The country we propose to occupy shall include (liable to such arrangements as shall be agreeable to France) Lower Egypt, with the addition of a district of country, which shall have for its limits a line running from Ptomelais or Saint John D’Acre, to the Asphaltic Lake, or Dead Sea, and from the South point of that Lake to the Red Sea. This position, which is the most advantageous in the world, will render us, by the navigation of the Red Sea, masters of the commerce of India, Arabia and the South and East of Africa; Abyssinia, and Ethiopia, those rich countries which furnished Solomon with so much gold and ivory and so many precious stones, will trade the more willingly with us, that the greater part of their inhabitants still practise the law of Moses. The neighbourhood of Aleppo and Damascus will facilitate our commerce with Persia; and by the Mediterranean we may communicate with Spain, France, Italy, and the rest of Europe. Placed in the centre of the world, our country will become the _entrepôt_ of all the rich and precious productions of the earth.

“The Council shall offer to the French government, if it will give us the assistance necessary to enable us to return to our country, and to maintain ourselves in the possession of it,

“1. Every pecuniary indemnification.

2. To share the commerce of India, &c. with the merchants of France
_only_.

“The other arrangements, and the propositions to be made to the Ottoman Porte, cannot yet be rendered public: we must, in these matters, repose on the wisdom of the Council, and the good faith of the French nation. Let us choose upright and enlightened deputies, and we may have confidence in the success of this undertaking.

“O! my brethren! what sacrifices ought we not to make to obtain this object? We shall return to our country――we shall live under our own laws――we shall behold those sacred places which our ancestors illustrated with their courage and their virtues. I already see you all animated with a holy zeal. _Israelites_! the term of your misfortunes is at hand. The opportunity is favourable――take care you do not allow it to escape.”¹

¹ The Restoration of the Jews the Crisis of all Nations;...

Second Edition. By J. Bicheno, M.A. London:... 1807....
(8º. 2 _ll._ + 235 _pp._ [I. S.]) _pp._ 60‒62.

See _Appendices_ XLIII.‒XLVI.

This appeal――a prototype of Pinsker’s _Autoemancipation_ and of Herzl’s _Judenstaat_――produced a deep impression, but since the whole expedition proved a failure, Jewish opinion――not on the principle, but on the opportunity and the means――was divided.

XLII.

“TRANSACTIONS OF THE PARISIAN SANHEDRIM,”
BY DIOGENE TAMA

TRANSACTIONS Of The Parisian Sanhedrim,

Or Acts Of The Assembly Of Israelitish Deputies of France and Italy, Convoked At Paris By An Imperial And Royal Decree, Dated May 30, 1806.

Translated From The Original Published By M. Diogene Tama,

With A Preface And Illustrative Notes By F. D. Kirwan, Esq.

London;... Published by Charles Taylor, Hatton Street. 1807.

(8º. xvi. + 334 _pp._) [I. S.]

XLIII.

“SIGNS OF THE TIMES”――“A WORD IN SEASON”――“COMMOTIONS SINCE
FRENCH REVOLUTION”――“HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY”――“THE GERMAN
EMPIRE”――“FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY,” BY REV. JAMES BICHENO

THE Signs of the Times:... By J. Bicheno ...

London: Printed For The Author; And Sold by Parsons, Paternoster-Row; Wayland, Holborn, London; and James and Cottle, Bristol.

Price 1S. 6D.[1793]

Of whom may be had the Author’s Friendly Address to the Jews, and a Letter to Mr. D. Levi. Price 1s. 6d.

(8º. 4 _ll._ + 67 _pp._) [B. M.]

A Word in Season:... To Stand Prepared For The Consequences Of The Present War ...

By J. Bicheno,... London ... 1795.

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 53 _pp._) [B. M.]

The Probable Progress And Issue Of The Commotions Which Have Agitated Europe Since The French Revolution,...

By J. Bicheno ... London ... MDCCXCVII.

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 94 _pp._) [B. M.]

A Glance At The History of Christianity,...

By James Bicheno, M.A., Newbury ... MDCCXCVIII....

(8º. 28 _pp._) [B. M.]

The Destiny Of The German Empire;...

By J. Bicheno, M.A.... London:... 1801....

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 96 _pp._) [B. M.]

The Fulfilment of Prophecy Farther Illustrated By The Signs Of The Times;...

By J. Bicheno, M.A. London ... 1817.

(8º. xvii. + 254 _pp._) [B. M.]

XLIV.

“RESTORATION OF THE JEWS”――“FRIENDLY ADDRESS TO THE JEWS,” BY
REV. JAMES BICHENO――“LETTER TO MR. BICHENO,” BY DAVID LEVI

THE Restoration of the Jews, The Crisis Of All Nations;

Or, An Arrangement Of The Scripture Prophecies, Which Relate To The Restoration Of The Jews, And To Some Of The Most Interesting Circumstances Which Are To Accompany And Distinguish That Important Event;

With Illustrations And Remarks Drawn From The Present Situation And Apparent Tendencies Of Things, Both In Christian And Mahomedan Countries.

By J. Bicheno, M.A.... London ... 1800. [Price Two Shillings And Sixpence.]

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 115 _pp._) [B. M.]

The Restoration Of The Jews The Crisis Of All Nations;

To Which Is Now Prefixed, A Brief History Of The Jews, From Their First Dispersion, To The Calling Of Their Grand Sanhedrim At Paris, October 6th, 1806.

And An Address On The Present State Of Affairs, In Europe In General, And In This Country In Particular.

Second Edition.

By J. Bicheno, M.A.

London:... 1807. (_Price_ 5s.――_Entered at Stationer’s-Hall._)

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 235 _pp._) [I. S.]

He also wrote:――

A Friendly Address To The Jews....

To Which Is Added, A Letter To Mr. D. Levi; Containing Remarks On His Answer To Dr. Priestley’s Letter To The Jews; Shewing, That however his Arguments may affect the Opinions of Dr. Priestley, they form no Objection against the Christian Religion.

By J. Bicheno, Newbury. London:...

(8º. vi. _pp._ + 1 _l._ + 88 _pp._) [I. S.]

Which occasioned the following reply:――

A Letter To Mr. Bicheno, Occasioned By His Friendly Address to the Jews, And A Letter To Mr. David Levi, Containing Remarks On Mr. Levi’s Answer To Dr. Priestley’s First Letters To The Jews.

By David Levi, Author Of Lingua Sacra, The Ceremonies Of The Jews, etc....

See _pp._ 127‒134 in “Letters To Dr. Priestley, In Answer To His Letters To The Jews, Part II.” Occasioned By Mr. David Levi’s Reply to the Former Part. Also Letters 1. To Dr. Cooper, ... 2. To Mr. Bicheno, 3. To Dr. Krauter, 4. To Mr. Swain, And 5. To Anti-Socinus, _alias_ Anselm Bayly. Occasioned By Their Remarks On Mr. David Levi’s Answer To Dr. Priestley’s First Letters To The Jews. By David Levi, ... London: ... M,DCC,LXXXIX.

(8º. 2 _ll._ + 159 _pp._) [I. S.]

XLV.

“ATTEMPT TO REMOVE PREJUDICES CONCERNING THE JEWISH NATION,”
BY THOMAS WITHERBY

AN Attempt To Remove Prejudices Concerning The Jewish Nation. By Way Of Dialogue.

By Thomas Witherby.

Previous Next

Comments

History of Zionism, 1600-1918, Vol. 2 (of 2)Chapter XLIXD (10)

0%31 min left in chapter