Demurrer to the Jews, Part 2 (5 of 5)

Demurrer to the Jews · Part 2 (5 of 5)

p. 105**Patents 12. E. 1. m. 4. Schedula. De Inquiſitione facienda de bonis & catallis quorundam Judaeorum dampnatorum▪ &c.Rex dilectis & fidelibus ſuis Solomoni de Roff. Magiſt. Hen: de Bray, et Hen: de Waleyes ſalutem. Scratis quod aſſignav…mus vos ad inquirendum per Sacramentum tam Chriſtianorum quam Judaeorum, per quos, &c. de omnibus bonis et catallis quorumcun que Iudeorum dampnatorum nobis concelatis, et modo, et ad quorum manus hujuſmodi bona devenerint. Et etiam de Mercatoribus et Iudaeis invicem venden…ibus, et ementibus, ſeu cambientibus platas argenteas, et falſas platas de ſtagno, et alio metallo conflatas, et exterius deargentatas, et de omnibus aliis circumſtantiis negotium illud qualitercunque contingentibus, prout magis videritis expedire, & ad plenam et celerem Juſtitiam inde faci…ndam. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod ad certos dies et loca quos ad hoc provideritis, praemiſſa faciatis in form… praedicta. Mandamus enim Majori & Ʋicecom: noſtris London quod ad certos dies et loca quos eis ſcire faciatis, venire faciant coram vobis, tam Chriſtianos quam Judaeos, per quos rei veritas in praemiſſis melius ſciri poterit, et inquiri. In cujus, &c. T. Rege apud Ceſtr. 15 die Septemb.

This Inquiſition (as was uſual in the caſe of Jews) was to be made as well by Jews and Chriſtians, and ſo were their trials ordinarily per Medietatem linguarum, as in the caſe of other Foreigners, for the greater indifferency, and prevention of Injuſtice through malice or emulation.

In 14 E. 1. **Patent. 14. E. 1, m, 20.I find a Commiſſion iſſued out for opening and ſearching the Cheſts of the Jews, and inrolling p. 106and certi…ying their Debts, agreeable with thoſe already cited. And likewiſe a Writ to the Treaſurer and Barons of the Kings Exchequer, to diſcharge John de Sto. Dioniſio, Cuſtos Domus Converſorum Regis London, from giving any Account of his Office and Receipts before them; Quia compotus hujuſmodi nunquam in Scaccario hactenus à Predeceſſoribus ſuis cuſtodibus Domus praedictae fieri conſuevit. T. Rege apud Weſtm. 24 die Feb.

This Iohn of St. Denys, Cuſtos Domus converſorum, dying in the 16 year of Edw. 1. the King thereupon granted the Cuſtos Office of this houſe to Robert de **Pat. 16. E. 1. m. 4.Scardeburgh Clerk, Quamdiu Nobis placuerit: and commanded that he ſhould be permitted to dwell in this houſe, and that all the Converts therein ſhould be intendent and obedient to him, as their Governor. His Patent bearing date the 13 of Octob.

This ſame year the Jews ſtill perſevering in their Trade of clipping and counterfeiting the Kings coin, thereupon there iſſued out ſeveral Letters Patents and commiſſions to diverſe Juſtices to make inquiry thereof, and of all concealed goods and chattels of all the Jews forfeited to the King, as this following commiſſion of Aſſociation, to pretermit all others, will reſolve us.

**Pat 16 E. 1. m. 16. De Inquiſitione fac. de platis Argenteis, &c.Rex dilecto & fideli ſuo Hugoni de Creſſingham, ſalutem. Quia dilectus et fidelis noſter Henricus le Waleys, quem nuper cum dilectis et fidelibus noſtris Solomone de Roff. & Magiſtro Henrico de Bray aſſignavimus ad quaſdem Inquiſitiones faciendas de omnibus bonis & catallis quorumcunque Judaeorum dampnatorum Nobis concelatis & forisfactis, & etiam de Mercatoribus & Judaeis invicem vendentibus & ementibus, ſeu cambientibus plateas argenteas, & falſas plateas de ſtagno & alio metallo conflatas, et exterius deargentatas, & de aliis circumſtantiis negotium illud qualitercunque contingentibus, prout in literis noſtris Patentibus, quos eiſdem Solomoni, Henrico & Henrico inde fieri fecimus p. 107plenius continetur, nobiſcum in partibus tranſmarinis pro quibuſdam negotiis noſtris ſpecialibus quibus ibidem intendit moram facit; per quod idem Henricus le Waleys ad praemiſſa una cum prefatis Solomone & Magiſtro Hen. facienda, non poteſt intendere ad praeſens vos loco ipſius H. le Waleyes ad praemiſſa una cum prefatis Magiſt. Henrico ad praedictas Inquiſitiones faciendas juxta tenorem literarum noſtrarum patentium praedictarum. Et ideo vobis mandamusquod ad praemiſſa facienda, una cum praedictis Solomone, & Magiſtro Henrico intendatis in forma praedicta. Mandamus enim eiſdem Solomoni & Magiſtro Henrico, quod vos ad hoc in ſocium admittant, ſicut praedictum eſt. In cujus rei, &c. Teſte Ed. Comite Cornubii Conſil. Regis apud Westm. 26 die Jan.

This year I find a ſtrange caſe, A Jew and his wife complained to the King, that ſome had maliciouſly defamed the Wife, in reporting that ſhe had turned Chriſtiand was baptized, to their great prejudice and grievance, when as it was a malitious ſcandal; Whereupon they procured this Writ from the King to the Juſtices of the Jews to inquire the truth thereof by an Inquiſition of Chriſtians and Jews, and to do them right if ſlandered.

**Clauſ. 16. E. 1. m. 10. Pro Moſſeo de Heref. & Suetecota uxor ejus Judeis London.Rex Juſtic. ſuis ad cuſtodiam Judaeorum aſſignatis ſalutem. Monſtraverint nobis Moſſeus de Hornden & Suetecota uxor ejus Judaei Lond. quod cum ipſa Suetecota chriſtiana non ſit, nec aliquo tempore fuerat baptizata, quidam Emuli eorum malicioſe confingentes ipſam Suetecotam baptizatam fuiſſe inter duo bella de Lewes & Eveſham, eam ſuper hoc defamarunt, in ipſorum Moſſei & Suetecotae dampnum non modicum & gravamen. Et ideo vobis mandamus, quod inquiſita inde plenius veritate per Chriſtianos & Judaeos, ſicut mos eſt; Si inveneritis praedicta Suetecota non fuit baptizata, ſicut ſibi imponitur, tunc eiſdem Moſſeo & Suetecotae, juxta officii veſtri debitum, pacem habere inde faciatis. T, Com.

If the Jews deem it ſo great a ſcandal and grievance to them, for others to report them to have been Chriſtians p. 108and baptized, there is little hopes of their real general converſion to Chriſtianity now.

The Jews were ſuch abſolute ſlaves and villains to our Kings, that they ſometimes granted them with all their goods and chattels to others by their Charters, as they did their other villanies, as this memorable Record of 17 E. 1. will inform us.

**Clauſ. 17 E. 1. m. 6. Pro Aaron fil. Vynes Judaei London.Rex driecto & fideli ſuo, Rado de Berners Conſtabul. Tur. London ſalutem. Cum Dom. H. Rex pater noſter per Cartam ſuam dederit & conceſſerit Edmundo fratri noſtro cariſſimo Aaron fil. Vynes Judeo London, una cum omnibus bonis et catallis ſuis, er omnibus quae ad ipſum patrem noſtrum ratione ipſius Judaei quocunque modo poſſint pertinere; et nos poſtmodum eandem donationem et conceſſionem continuari volentes, ipſam prefato fratri noſtro confirmavimus per noſtras literas Patentes; ac idem Frater noſter manuceperit habere coram nobis eundem Aaron ad voluntatem noſtram adſtandum recto ſuper omnibus quae ipſum Aaron contingunt, quandocunque nos vel alii verſus ipſum in aliquo loqui voluerimus; per quod eidem fratri noſtro per manucaptionem ſuam praedictam conceſſimus, quod omnia negotia ipſum Aaron contingentia, et quae examen judiciale requirunt coram nobis, et eodem fratre noſtro audiantur, et prout juſtum fuerit terminentur. Vobis mandamus, quod de bonis et catallis ipſius Aaron, aut aliquibus ipſum tangentibus vos in nullo intromittatis, contra donationem, conceſſionem, et confirmationem ſupradictas, niſi ex voluntate fratris noſtri praedicti. T. Edmund. apud Westm. 24 die Maii.

Eodem modo mandatum eſt, Iohanni de Breton cuſtodi civitatis London. T. ut ſupra.

In the 18 year of King Edward the 1. I find this grant of his on the 12 day of Iune of all his Deodands to the Houſe of the Converts, for the better maintenance and ſupport of the Converts, Chapel and edifices thereof, during his pleaſure only.

p. 109**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 25. Pro Converſis domus London de Deodandis.Rex Iuſtieiariis & omnibus aliis Ballivis et fideli… ſuis, &c. ſalutem. Cum nos dudum conceſſimus Converſis Domus noſtrae London, ad ſuſtentationem ipſorum, Deodanda, quae nobis accidere, & coram quibuſcunque Iuſticiariis noſtris adjudicari contingent, ad certum terminum jam tranſactum: Nos conceſſionem illam intuitu Dei pradictis converſis & convertendis coutinuare volentes; conceſſimus eiſdem converſis et convertend…s, ad ſuſtentationem ipſorum, et fabricam Capellae ſuae et aediſiciorum ſuorum perficiendam, omnia Deodanda quae Nobis ubicunque in Regno nostro Angliae accidere, et coram quibuſcunque Iusticiari…s ſeu Ministris noſtris, adjudicari contingent. Habenda & percipienda quamdin Nobis piacuerit. T. Rege apud Weſtm. 12 die Iunii.

On the 17 day of the ſame month and year, I find this ſpecial grant made by the King to Auntlera a Jeweſſe, to ſell the inheritance of a Garden in London to any Jew and his heirs, and for them to purchaſe it of her without being queſtioned or moleſted for it, by any of his Officers, which without ſuch licenſe ſhe could not ſell, nor he purchaſe of her without ſeiſure or forfeiture.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 23. Pro Antlera quae fuit vynes uxor, &c. Judaei London.Rex omnibus, &c. Sciatis quod de gratia noſtra ſpeciali Licentiam dedimus Auntlerae quae fuit uxor Vynes fil. Magiſtri Moſſei Judaei London, quod quoddam Gardinum ſuum quod habet in Civitate noſtra London, in parochia ſancti Laurentii in Catteſtreet, vendere poſſit cuicunque Judaeo Gardinum illud emere volenti, habendum et tenendum eidem Judaeo & haeredibus ſuis in perpetuum: & eidem Judaeo quod praedictum Gardinum ab eadem Auntlera recipere poſſit, tenore praeſentium ſimiliter licentiam concedimus ſpecialem. Nolentes quod eadem Auntlera vel haeredes ſui, ant praedictus Iudaeus aut haeredes ſui, ratione venditionis ſeu receptionis Gardini praedicti, per nos vel haeredes noſtros, Juſticiarios Ballivos aut alios Ministros noſtros occaſionentur, gravantur in aliquo, ſeu molestantur. In cu…us, &c, T. R, apud West. 17 die Junii.

p. 110The …ike Patent …nd to Aaron the Kings Brothers Jew forementioned, to ſell his houſe and rents in fee to any Chriſtian who …hould purchaſe them by his Lords licenſe, even after the Edict paſt, and Letters of ſafe conduct granted for the Jews baniſhment and departure hence, as appears by comparing their dates.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 1.4 Pro Aaron fil. Vynes Judaeo fratris Regis, Licentia vendendi demos, &c.Rex omnibus, &c. ſalutem, Sciatis quod conceſſimus & licentiam dedimus Aaron fil. Vynes Judaeo Edmundi f…atris noſtri cariſſimi, quod ipſe domos et redditus ſuos tam infra Civitatem nostram London, quam infra Regnum noſtrum, de licentia & voluntate praedicti fratris noſtri Domini ſ…i vendere poſsit (upon his baniſhment hence:) quibuſcunque Chriſtiaenis voluerit, abſque impedimento noſtri, vel aliorum noſtro…um quorumcunque, & eiſdem Chriſtianis quod domos illas & redditus ab eodem Iudeo emere valeant, ſimiliter licentiam concedimus ſpecialem, iure cujuſlibet in omnibus ſ…mper ſalvo, In cujus, &c, T. R. apud Langeleye 28 die Julii. (After the date is the Letters for the Jews ſafe conduct out of Enlgand to the Sheriffs.)

It is very obſervable, that theſe three laſt Patents were made but a very little before, and the laſt of them clearly after the Jews univerſal baniſhment voted, reſolved both by the King and Parliament. For when as the King, his Juſtices and Parliament by all their Inquiſitions, Commiſſions, Care, Providence, and Execution of ſo many Jews in all parts, could no ways ſuppreſſe their …lipping and falſifying of the Money of the Realme nor yet reforme the manifold other wickedneſſes and miſdemeanors of the Engliſh Jewes, nor all the induſtry and pains of the Friers Preachers, nor all that liberal proviſions and grants of the King forecit…d to the Houſe of Converts for their comfortable …p…ort, maintenance and confirmation in the Chriſtian faith, ſo far operate upon their obſtinate, obdurate hearts, as to convert any conſiderable number, or any perſons of note amongſt them to the Chriſtian faith, from which many Converts apoſtatized, nor yet ſuppreſſe p. 111their continual blaſphemies againſt our crucified Saviour, the Chriſtian faith, Sacraments of the Church and bleſſed Virgin; Thereupon the King, at the earneſt frequent ſolicitation, of the Commons aſſembled this year in Parliament, after the Feaſt of St. Hilary, enacte & publiſhed an Edict or Decree in Parliament for the total, univerſal, and final baniſhment of all theſe wicked, blaſphemous, unbeleeving Jews out of England, then generally execrable, deteſtable to all the people, who were ſo deſirous to be for ever quit of their company, that they granted the King the 15 part of all their goods and moveables for their baniſhment and expulſion out of England, as I have formerly proved at large by a full grand Jury of Hiſtorians, and ſeveral Records in my former **Edit. 2. p. 44 to 63.Demurrer, againſt Sir Edward Cooks groſſe aſſertion, that they only voluntarily baniſhed themſelves, becauſe their uſury was this year ſuppreſ…ed by the Stat. de Iudaiſmo; which I have proved was made full 15 years before, & to be no cauſe at all of their exile now. In purſuance of this Parliamentary Edict & Decree, now no where extant on Record (all the Parliament Rolls before 5 Ed. 2. being who…ly loſt, and many ſince, by the careleſſeneſſe or iniquity of the times, except only an old Parchment Book of ſome Pleas in Parliam. in E. 1. & one Statute Roll of K. Ed. the 1. Ed. 2. and Ed. 3. wherein the Statute De Iudaiſmo, with many other printed Acts, are not to be found, no more than this Edict for the Jews baniſhment, though mentioned in many Hiſtories and Records) the King in this very mon…th of Iuly ſent ſeveral Writs, Letters and Patents to the Sheriffs of Counties, Mayors of Towns, Bayliffs and Barons of the Cinqueports, and likwiſe to Mariners, reciting, that he had preſcrib'd a certain time, term, day to all and every of the Iews within the Realm, for their departure out of it into forraign parts: commanding them, not to doe nor ſuffer any injury, moleſtation, grievance, to be done to them by any in their paſſage beyond the Seas, for which he had given them ſafe conduct, but to grant them p. 112their wives and children a ſafe and ſpeedy paſſage, within the time prefixed them, at the Jews own coſts, paying reaſonable rates for their freights and paſſage, without immoderate exactions especially on the poorer ſort of them, leſt their paſſage ſhould be hindred by ſuch immoderate and unreaſonable exactions. I ſhall tranſcribe theſe Writs and Letters at large out of the Records themſelves, as moſt pertinent to my intended Theame, beginning with thoſe to Sheriffs.

**Clauſ. 18 E. E. 1. m. 6. De Judaeis Regno Angliae exeuntibus.Rex Ʋic. Glouceſtrie, &c Cum Iudaeis Regni noſtri univerſis certum tempus praefixerimus a Regno illo Transfretandi; Nolentes quod ipſi per Miniſtros noſtros, aut alios quoſcunque, aliter quam fieri conſuevit, indebite pertrectentur; Tibi praecipimus, quod per totam Ballivam tuam publice proclamari, et firmiter inhiberi facias, ne quis eis intra terminum praedictum, injuriam, moleſtiam, dampnum inferat, ſeu gravamen. Et cum contingat ipſos cum catallis ſuis, quae eis conceſſimus, verſus partes London, cauſa Tranſfretrationis ſuae, dirigere greſſus ſuos, ſalvum & ſecurum conductum eis habere facias ſumptibus eorum. Proviſo, quod Iudaei praedicti ante receſſum ſuum, vadia Chriſtia…o…um quae penes ſe habent illis quorum fuerint, ſi ea acquietare voluerint, reſtituant, ut tenentur. Teste Rege apud Weſtm. 18 die Iulii. Anno 18. E. 1.

Conſimites Literae diriguntur Ʋicecomitibus Eſſex, Ebor. Northampt. Lincoln. Teſte ut ſupra. Item Vicecomitibus Hereford, Suthampt.

The form of the Letters for protection and ſafe conduct to particular Jews and their Families, (which the richer ſort of Jews purchaſed at dear rates) was this.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 14. Pro Bonamico Judaeo Eborum, et familia ſua.Rex Majori et Ballivis Eborum, ſalutem, Quia certum diem praefixerimus Iudaeis noſtris Angliae regnum noſtrum exeundi, et ſe ad partes alias transferendi; Vobis mandamus, quod Bonamico Judaeo Eborum, uxori, pueris, vel familiae ſuae, in perſonis aut rebus interim nullam moleſ…iam inferatis, ſet ipſos quantum in p. 113vobis eſt, manuteneatis, protegatis, et defendatis. Et cum idem Bonamicus cum uxore, pueris et familia ſua, poſt Terminum Proclamationis factae de vadiis Chriſtianorum acquietandis, ad partes maritimas cauſa transfretandi, divertere ſe voluerint, ſibi et ſuis ſalvum conductum, cum ab eo fueritis requiſiti, ſuis ſumptibus habere faciatis; ne eis ſuper bonis, quae ſecum deferre contingerit periculum emineat, pro defectu conductus hujuſmodi faciendi. T. Rege apud Lang. 26 die Julii. Et ſunt Patentes.

By this Patent it appears, Firſt, that the Jewes had a certain day prefixed them by the King to depart out of the Realm of England into Foreign parts, of which they all had general and particular notice. 2ly, That the wealthier Jews thereupon to preſerve their own perſons, wives, children, families from corporal violence, and their goods from plunder, purchaſed particular Letters of Protection and ſafeconduct from the King to Mayors and other Officers. 3ly, That the King publiſhed a general Proclamation upon the Edict of their baniſhment, that all the pawns of Chriſtians to them ſhould be redeemed and diſcharged before their departure, or left behind them when they departed hence.

The next day after this private Letter of Protection and Safeconduct, on the 27 of July, the King ſent theſe Letters to the Bailiffs, Barons and Seamen of the Cinque ports, for the Jews ſafe conduct, paſſage and tranſportation out of England, within the term which he had prefixed to all and every of them, being general for all the Jews.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 14. De Paſſagio & Conductu Judaeorum Angliae.Rex omnibus Baliivis, Baronibus, et Nautis Quinque portuum ſuorum, ſalutem. Cum certum terminum omnibus et ſingulis Iudaeis Regni noſtri praefixerimus idem Regnum exeundi. Nolentes quod ipſi in rebus ſeu perſonis interim aliqualiter injurientur: Vobis mandamus, quod eiſdem Iudaeis cum ipſos ad Portus praedictos, cum uxoribus, pueris, & Catallis ſuis venire contingerit ad tranſfretand. page missing p. 114critical 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 …gatha Can. 34. decreed, That the Iews who deſired to turn Chriſtians ſhould remain for 8 moneths ſpace amongſt the Catechimeni, for trial of the ſincerity of their converſion before they were baptized, upon this ground, becauſe they frequently returned to their infidelity & vomit again Judaei qui eorum per fidia FREQUENTER ad vomitum reddit. Which Alexander Alenſis ſumma Theolog. pars 2. qu. 161. approves. 7ly. If any private Iews out of meer conſcience or ſincere deſires of being converted to the Chriſtian faith, ſhall upon that account alone deſire admiſſion into England, to be inſtructed by our Engliſh Divines, I ſuppoſe no Engliſh Chriſtians will oppoſe, but further their deſires herein, and contribute both their prayers and beſt endeavors for their converſion, and if ther be cauſe, admit them alſo into our Churches Communion upon real teſtimonies of the truth of converſion in, and work of grace upon them; which is as much as they can deſire at our hands; But to admit whole multitudes and Colonies of infidel Iews at once into our Nation, who neither deſire nor pretend converſion to Chriſtianity, (but the quite contrary) together with the free uſe of their Iewiſh Synagogues, Rites, Ceremonies, (which they ſtrongly in-ſiſt upon) to eſtabliſh their Judaiſm, make way for their long expected Meſſia his comming, increaſe their wealth and traffique, and enable them to recover their ancient Country and Kingdome again, the only things they now aim at as Menaſſeh Ben Iſraels printed addreſſes proclaims to all the World, is ſuch an Impious, Unchriſtian, Antichriſtia… dangerous preſident (gloſſed over only with a p. 115poſſibility of their future converſion) as no ſincere Engliſh Chriſtians can approve of, nor the Iews themſelves deſire: For as the Iews by [p][p]Deut. 7.5. Exod. 23.35. c. 34.13, 14.2. Chron. 30.14. c. 31.1 c. 34.3. to 9.33 Levit. 17.12. c. 24.16.22. Nurin. l. 5.16.30, 31. Deut. 31.12. See Mr. Selden. de Jure naturali & Gentium, juxta Diſciplinam Eorum. l. 2 & 3. Judaei non permiſerunt Gentiles ſecummanere qui Gentilitiis ritibus ſemerebant, at eos permiſerunt qui uberum Deum. colebant. Thomas Waldenſes Doctrinales Fidei. l. 3. c. 5. Sect. 1. p. 4.18.Deut 7:5Exod 23:352 Chr 30:14Lev 17:12Deut 31:12Gods own Laws, and their own Iewiſh Rabbies precepts, neither might, nor yet would permit any Heathen Gentiles heretofore to dwell among them, nor to ſet up any Altars, Images, Idols, Groves, or exerciſe any Idolatrous worſhip amongst them, or to blaſpheme, reproach their God or Religion, under pain of death, if they tranſgreſſed therein; There being the ſelfſame Law of God in theſe things both to Gentiles, & Iews: And like as they afterwards would not permit the Apoſtles and Chriſtians in Ieruſalem, or any other Cities, for to preach the Goſpel, and exerciſe the Chriſtian Religion freely, but raiſed up preſent tumults againſt and perſecuted and caſt them out thence, as 1 Theſ. 2.14, 15, 17. the whole Hiſtory of the Acts, and premiſes abundantly teſtifie: So by the very ſelf ſame juſtice and equity, they can neither now demand nor expect that we, or any Chriſtian Realm or State ſhould tollerate or connive at, much leſſe openly countenance and protect them in the publick or private exerciſe of their Iudaiſme, or Iewiſh Rites, and Blaſpemies againſt our crucified Saviour, and his Goſpel: All then that Engliſh Chriſtians can do for them, is to (q)(q)Rom. 10.1. 1. Tim. 1.1. p. 3.Rom 10:11 Tim 1:1deſire, and pray for the converſion of all Gods elect amongst them in his due time, by ſuch means as he ſhall think meeteſt, and to inſtruct them in the faith, by learned Miniſters ſent to them, if they deſire it; but not to admit them (and perchance many diſguiſed Ieſuits, Papiſts and Friars with them) promiſcuouſly into our Nation; to undermine our Church and Religion, and undo many thouſand Souls, it being our duty, **1 Cor. 10.32.1 Cor 10:32as to give no just offence to the Iew, ſo neither to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God, whom their admiſsion amongſt us, eſpecially upon Manaſſeth Ben-Iſraels motives and addreſſes, (tending nothing at all to Piety or their conververſion,) but worldly gains and obſtinate perſeverance in their Jewiſh Antichriſtian Rites and Superſtitions will page missing p. 11610. day of Octob. being the next day after it An. 1290. juſt 21 days before the feaſt of All Saints, by which day they were all to depart out of England under pain of death; and accordingly departed, as I have elſewhere manifeſted; except ſome few poor converted Jews, who remained like Almesmen in the Houſe of the Converts, and were not baniſhed with the reſt, whoſe Infidelity was the chief cauſe of their exile, as our Hiſtorians atteſt.

The King on the 27 day of October (but 17 days after the Jews final departure from London out of England) committed the cuſtody of this Domus Converſorum and the Converts in London to Walter de Agmodiſham during pleaſure, by this his Patent.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 4. De cuſtodia Domus converſorum London Commiſſ.Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. ſalutem. Sciatis quod commiſsimus Waltero de Agmodiſham cuſtodiam Domus noſtrae Converſorum London, & converſorum noſtrorum, (therefore not baniſhed with the reſt) habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit, cum omnibus ad cuſtodiam illam pertinentibus, ſicut Johis de Sancto Dionis. quondam Archidiac. Roff. eam dum vixit habere conſuevit. Ita quod idem Walterus domos illas in quibus idem Archidiaconus morabatur ibidem inhabitet pro voluntate ſua, &c. T. R. apud Kingeſt clipton 27 die Octobris

On the 16 day of December following the King granted the cuſtody of this houſe to Richard de Clunpynges by this Patent, which manifeſts that the converted Jews were not baniſhed with the reſt.

**Pat. 18. E. 1. m. 45. De custodia Domus Converſorum London commiſſa.Rex omnibus et ſingulis Converſis Domus ſuae London ſalutem. Sciatis quod commiſsimus ditecto clerico noſtro Rico. de Clunpynges custodiam Domus praedictae, habendum quamdiu nobis placuerit, cum omnibus ad dictam cuſtodiam pertinentibus, eodem modo quo Johis. de Sancto Dioniſ. quondam Archidiaconus Roffenſis defunctus eam dum vixit habere conſuevit; Ita quod dom. illas in quibus idem Archidiaconus morabatur ibidem pro voluntate ſua inhabitet. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Rico. tanquam custodi veſtro in omnibus que ad cuſtodiam illam per…inent, intend…n es ſitis et reſpondentes, ſicut praedictum eſt. In cujus, &c. T. Rege apud Odyham 16 di… Decembris.

The very next year after the Jews baniſhment within four moneths of their departure hence, I find theſe Letters Patents directed by the King to all his Sheriffs, Bayliffs and Lieges, expreſly mentioning their baniſhment hence, and the Kings deſigning of all the rents and profits of their houſes, from the time of their baniſhment to be collected, and diſpoſed to pious uſes; as Hugh de Kendale Clerk ſhould appoint, ſpecially intruſted with the management of this affair.

**Pa…. 19. E. …. m. 20. De Iudaiſmo.Rex Vicecomitibus, & omnibus aliis Ballivis & fidelibus ſuis ad quos, &c. ſalutem. Cum aſſignavimus totam pecuniam provenientem de Domibus quae fuerunt Judaeorum noſtrorum in Anglia in quoſdam pios uſus convertendam, per quod volumus quod totum commodum perveniens ex Domibus illis a tempore exilii eorundem, ut ex conventione Domorum eatundem, & rebus a…iis, in eoſdem uſus applicetur: Aſſignavimus dilectum Clericum noſtrum, Hugonem de Kendale, ad inquirendum de conductionibus, et omnibus receptis hujuſmodi plenam veritarem, et ad onerandum Vicecomites, Miniſtros, et omnes receptores pecuniae inde provenientis, a tempore exilii praedicti, et ad pecuniam illam in tuto loco reponendam per Vicecomites, vel alio modo prout melius viderit expedire. Et ideo vobis mandamus quod eidem Hugoni intendentes ſitis, credentes & reſpondentes. Teſte Rege apud Aſherugge 22 die Ianuarii.

King Edward preſently after the Jews baniſhment hence, ſeized upon all their Houſes, Lands and Revenues throughout England as eſcheated into his hands by this their ſentence of baniſhment, and pr…ſently within few moneths after made ſale of them to Engliſh men by ſeveral Letters Patents, as appears by a ſpecial Pat. Roll of the ſales of their houſes made in the 19 and 20 years of his reign, thus endorſed. Carta de Judaiſmo. Li…re Paten…s de domibus Iudaeorum conceſſis Poſt eorum Exilium de Anglia; wherein are near one hundred parti…ular Patents o… ſa…es of them to ſeveral perſons, running in the ſelfſame form (mutatis mutandis) all mentioning their Baniſhment hence, & this Kings title to them thereby, by way of Eſcheat; take one in the 19. year for an example of all that enſue that year.

(c)(c)Pat 19. E. 1. Conceſſionibus fectis De Domibus quae fuerunt Judaeorum in Anglia …. 4.Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. ſalutem. Sciatis quod conceſſimus pro Nobis & haeredibus noſtris Iſabellae, quae fuit uxor Ade de Sancto Albano Junior: Domos illas cum pertinentiis in London, quae fuerunt Leonis fil: Creſſey: fil: Magiſtri Eliae Judaei, de parochia Sancti Martini Pomer: in Iſmongerſtane▪ Per Exilium ejuſdem Iudaei a Regno noſtro, tanquam Eſcaeta noſtra in manu noſtra exiſtentes, … ad qu…t… marcas extenduntur: Haben…m & tenendum eidem Iſabellae et haeredibus ſuis de Nobis et haeredibus noſt…is imperpetuum. Reddendo inde Nobis & haeredibus noſtris unum denarium per manum Vicecomitis ejuſdem Civitatis ſingulis annis ad Scaccarium noſtrum Paſche, et facien…o aliis Dominis feodi illius ſervicia inde debita et conſueta. In cujus, &c. Teſte Rege apud Aſhe…igge 27: die Decembris, Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Henrici xix.

This Patent bears date within two Moneths next after the Jews actual departure hence, upon the Decree and Edict for their baniſhment. After which follow near one hundred Patents of their houſes made this year, wherein was the ſame recital of their baniſhment as in this tranſcribed; Then follow many other Patents made of the Jews houſes by the King in the 20 year of his reign, intituled in the Roll and Margin. Patentes de Domibus Judaeorum conceſſis, Poſt eorum Exilium ab Anglia; the firſt whereof in Memb. 2. runs thus.

(d)(d)20 E. 3. m. 2.Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. ſalutem. Sciatis quod conceſſimus pro Nobis et haeredibus nostris Willielmo de Tab…rer de Bedeford, & Katerinae uxori ejus, Domos illas p. 109quae fuerunt Cok: filii Benedicti de Bedeford Per Exilium ejuſdem Iudaei a Regno noſtro, tanquam Eſcaeta noſtra, in manu noſtra exiſtentes, et …u…ae ad ſex ſoudos extenduntur. Habendum et tenendum eiſdem Willielmo & Kater. et haeredibus ſuis, vel cui ilias▪ ſecundum conſuetudinē villae praedictae donare vel aſſignare voluerint de Nobis & haeredibus noſtris imperpetuum. Reddendo inde Nobis & haeredibus noſtris unum denarium per manum Vicecom. noſtri Bedf. ſingulis annis ad Scaccarium noſtrum ad feſtum Sancti Michaelis. Et faciendo aliis dominis feodi illius ſervicia inde debita & conſueta. T. Rege apud Weſtm. 29 die Novemb.

After which follow near 20 patents more of other Jews houſes, made that year in the ſame form.

Therefore by the unanimous irrefragable verdict of all theſe manifold Patents; the Jews were legally and judicially Baniſhed out of England, and by this their Judgment of Baniſhment (both by the King and Parliament) all their houſes and lands actually eſcheated into the Kings hands, who thereupon ſeized and ſold them to others in fee, upon this very Title of Eſcheat by their Exile out of England: which had Sir Edward Cooke known or obſerved, I am confident he would never have aſſerted this untruth, that they voluntarily baniſhed themſelves out of England, only becauſe their Uſury was baniſhed thence.

To theſe Records I might annex the caſe of the Prior of Bridlington, which**2 Inſtit. p. 508.himſelf cites in the Placita Parliamenti poſt Paſcha apud London, 21 E. 1. rot. 4. recited again in alio Rotulo, Anno 22 E. 1. rot. 5. wherein there is this double recital of the Jews exile hence, and of a Debt of 200 l. due to the King thereby, which he had Judgement to recover againſt the Prior. Et quia praedictus Prior cognoſcit, quod praed…cta pecunia praed: Judaeo debebatur, nec ei ſolvebatur, Ante Exilium Iudaeorum; et quicquid remanſit eorum debitis & catallis in Reg… Poſt eorum Exilium Domino Regi fuit: Conſideratum est, quod Dominus Rex recuperet pecuniam praedictam. An p. 124unanſwerable euidence of their judicial, legal, actual Baniſhment hence, here twice together repeated in this Plea in Parliament but three years after their exile.

I have now traced the Hiſtory of the Engliſh Jewes through the obſcure, untrodden, generally unknown, and almoſt forgotten path of our Engliſh Records, yet remaining in the Tower of London, and Exchequer, from the very firſt year of King John, where our yet extant Records begin, to the 22. of King Edward the firſt, full 4 years after their univerſal Baniſhment out of England; which as it then put a period to any further memorial of them in our ſubſequent Records, ſo it now ſets a final concluſion to this my Chronological Collection of ſuch Records as concern the generality of the Engliſh Jews and their affairs. To which I ſhall only annex ſome few Records in ſucceeding times, relating to ſome particular Jewiſh Converts ſince their general baniſhment hence, and to the forementioned houſe of the Iewiſh Converts (now the Rolls in Chancery Lane) which are ſome wayes pertinent (like ſo much gleanings after the Harveſt) to the Jewiſh Hiſtory, and ſo draw toward a concluſion of this my Undertaking.

There being a great want of Jewiſh Converts after the Jews baniſhment hence to receive the Alms, Revenues formerly ſetled on their houſe by the premiſed charters of our Kings, I find King Edw. the 3d in the 18th year of his reign, by ſpecial Patents▪ granted to other poor people who had nothing to live on, both the benefit and eaſment of the Houſes and Gardens of the Houſe of the Converts, together with a penny a day out of the Exchequer, and ſo much beſides as any one Convert there received out of the Rents and profits of the houſe. Parti…ularly he granted to one Alianor, Quae non habet unde …, (e)(e)Pat. 18 E. 7. pars 1. m. 2.3. & pars 2. m. 47.quod habeat tantum in omnibus pro ſustentatione ſua iam de pecunia ad Scaccarium, videlicet per diem 1 d. et pro aiſiamento Domorum & Gardinarum, ſicut una Converſorum habet et capit, ac de Deodandis & al…is proficuis quam de p. 125Redditibus & Tenementis Converſorum Domus London, et alibi infra Regnum Angliae commorant, &c. quantum una Converſa inde percepit.

After this a converted Jew, John Caſtell by name, coming over into England in the 30 year of King Edward the 3d. the King thereupon granted him ſuch admittance into, and ſuſtenance in this houſe of Convertr, as other Converts had in former times received, by this enſuing writ of Privy Seal.

(f)(f)Clauſ. 30. E. 3. m. 13. De Conve…ſo admittando in Domo Converſorum London.Rex dilecto Clerico ſuo Hen: de Ingleby, Cuſtodi Domus noſtra Converſorum in civitate noſtra London, ſalutem. Quia volumus quod Johannes de Chaſtell, à ritu Judaeorum converſus, qui in Regnum noſtrum Angliae nuper venit, habeat talem ſuſtentationem in Domo nostra praedicta de Elemoſina noſtra, qualem alii ejuſdem conditionis in eadem ante hoc tempus habuerunt. Ʋobis mandamus, quod ipſum Johannem in domum noſtram praedictam admittatis, et ei ſuſtentationem hujuſmodi pro uno converſo conſuetum de eadem domo liberari & habere facias. T. Rege apud Weſtm. primo die Iulii.

Per Breve de privato Sigillo.

This Henry de Ingelby afterwards reſigning his Office of Keeper or Gardian of the Houſe of Converts to the King, thereupon King Edward the 3. in the 45 year of his reign granted this Office to William de Burstall Clerk, during his life, by this following Patent.

(g)(g)Pat. 45. E, 3. pars 2. memb. 28.Rex omnibus ad quos &c. Sciatis quod dedimus & conceſſimus dilecto Clerico noſtro Will: de Burſtal cuſtodiam domus noſtrae converſorum London, vacantem per reſignationem Hen. de Ingleby ultimi Cuſtodis domus praedictae, et ad noſtram Donationem ſpectantem: habendum & tenendum cum omnibus ad cuſtodiam illam quoquo modo ſpectantibus ad totam vitam ipſius Willielm. In cujus, &c. T. R. apud Weſtm. 22 die Julii.

Per ipſum Regem.

Et Mandatum eſt Vicecomit. London, quod ipſum Will. in corporalem poſſeſſionem Domus praedictae inducant p. 102vel induci faciant, habendum juxta tenorem Literarum Regis praedictarum. Teſte ut ſupra.

Per ipſum Regem.

This houſe with the Chappel and other Edifices being greatly ruined after the Jews baniſhment, through the negligence of former Guardians, William Burſtal being made keeper thereof, beſtowed much money upon the repairing of it out of his own purſe; which done, upon conſideration thereof, and to keep the ſame in conſtant Repair for the future, upon the ſupplication of the ſaid William, then Keeper likewiſe of the Rolls of the Chancery, he procured King Edward to annex the houſe and Chappel of the Converts to the Cuſtos of the Rolls of the Chancery and his Succeſſors for ever, in the 51 year of King Edward the 3d. by this Patent.

(h)(h)Patent. 51 E. 3. m. 20. De Domo Converſorum in ſuburbio London Officio Cuſtodis Rotulorum Cancellarii Regis anvexanda.Rex omnibus ad quos, &c. ſalutem: Sciatis quod Nos conſiderantes qualiter Domus Converſorum, in Suburbio Civitatis noſtrae London, de Patronatu noſtro existens, et Capella, Edificia & Clauſura ejuſdem tempore quo dilectus Clericus noſter Willielmus de Burſtall cuſtodiam ejuſdem Domus ex collatione nostra primo habuit, per negligentiam et incuriam aliorum, qui antedictum Willielmum cuſtodiam Domus illius habuerunt, et ibidem morari, ſeu inhibitare non curarunt multipliciter debilitata, & quaſi totaliter in ruina extiterunt. Et quod praedict. Willielmus tempore ſuo de bonis ſuis propriis grandes fecit cuſtus et expenſas ſuper reparatione et emendatione Domus, Capellae, Edificiorū & Clauſurarum praedict. At etiam ſuper factura novarum Domorum ibidem. Nos, ut Domus Converſorum, capella, edificia, clauſurae et novae Domus ſupradicta compatentur ſuſtententur, & cuſtodiantur in futur. ad ſupplicationem praedicti Will: (qui Cuſtos Rotulorum Cancellariae noſtrae exiſtit in praeſenti) conceſſimus de gratia noſtra speciali, pro Nobis & haeredibus noſtris, quod poſt mortem ejuſdem Willielm: dicta Domus Converſorum cum ſuis Juribus & pertinentiis quibuſcunque, remaneat et moretur in perpetuum Clerico cuſtodi Rotulorum Cancellariae noſtrae, et haeredum p. 127noſtrorum pro tempore exiſtenti, Et ſit annexa ad idem Officium imperpetuum. Et quod Cancellarius Angliae, vel Cuſtos ſive cuſtodes Magni Sigilli noſtri, et haeredum nostrorum Angliae, pro tempore existentes, poſt mortem ipſius Will. habeat et habeant Poteſtatem ad quamlibet Ʋacationem dicti Officii cuſtodis Rotulorum per mortem, ceſſionem, vel mutationem perſonae, quocunque tempore futuro, inſtituendi ſucceſſive Cuſtodes Rotulorum praedictorum in dicta Domo Converſorum, et Cuſtodes illos ponendi in poſſeſſionem ejuſdem, cum ſuis juribus et pertinentiis quibuſcunque. In cujus, &c. T. Rege apud Shene x. die Aprilis.

Per Breve de privato Sigillo.

Since which by vertue of this Patent, this houſe of the Converts hath continued annexed to the Cuſtos and Maſterſhip ol the Rolls of the Chancery, yet ſtill liable and ſubject to the firſt charitable uſes for habitation and ſuſtentation of ſuch Jewiſh and other Converts, to which it was at firſt deſigned: For which I ſhall now only recite one preſident more already printed by**Survey of London, 1633. p. 435, John Stow out of the Records of 5 R. 2. One William Pierce a Jew that became a Chriſtian, and was baptized, was by this Kings Charter in the 5th of his reign, admitted and received into this ancient Domus Converſorum, and had there 2 d. a day allowed him by the King during his life: And by the ſelf-ſame Equity, if the Jews be now readmitted into England, and any of them ſhall chance to be converted to Chriſtianity and baptized, either upon real, or hypocritical, or politick grounds, they ought to be there received and maintained in the ſelf-ſame manner as they were in former times.

I have now (courteous Reader) preſented thee and the world with the exacteſt Chronicle and History of the Engliſh Iews (from the 1. year of King Iohn, Anno Dom. 1599. till their total and final baniſhment hence in the 18 year of Edward the 1. Anno Dom. 1290, and ſome years after it) hitherto publiſhed in any age, ſincerely collected (with no little diligence, pains, ſearch, and coſt) p. 128out of the moſt excellent Rolls & Records of thoſe times, yet extant in the Tower and Exchequer, all which I diligently peruſed with mine own eys, & faithfully tranſcribed, not taking them upon truſt, as others commonly do, and ſo frequently miſcite or miſtake them: all which Records (being diligently entred very year ſucceſſively under theſe Kings reigns, by publick Clerks and Notaries imployed for that end, and faithfully relating every thing concerning the Jews, and all other tranſactions, publick or private, as they were then really acted) are the trueſt, beſt, moſt unerring guides that poſterity can follow, the infallibleſt evidences they can ſurely rely on, or any Hiſtorians make uſe of in relating the Hiſtory or proceedings of former ages; the ignorance of which Records hath occaſioned many miſtakes both in matters of fact and Law in moſt of our Hiſtorians, Chronicles, and Law Books; Some whereof, (relating to the Engliſh Jews) I have here rectified in the by.

From all the Records here printed in their own words and language, give me leave in brief to obſerve for thy better information, theſe few general heads concerning the Jews, to which they are reducible.

1. That though our Kings by their forementioned Charters, Writs, and Proclamations, granted many large Priviledges, Protections, Immunities to the Jews, eſpecially in the beginning of their reigns, as if they were their only favourites and darlings, above all other of their Subjects; yet theſe their Royal Protectors, and their Juſtices specially appointed for their cuſtody, ſoon after, notwithſtanding all their former Charters, Declarations, and promiſed Liberty, Peace, Protection, proved their moſt unſatiable, mercileſs, perfidious, tyrannical Exactors, Fleecers, Oppreſſors, Taxmaſters, Tormentors, almoſt without any intermiſſion in one kind or other.

2 That the Jews under all theſe Kings reigns, notwithſtanding all their indulged Liberties, were but their moſt abſolute Bondſlaves, and exquiſite Villains, in all p. 129reſpects, as theſe particulars will evidence: Firſt, their names were all inrolled in the Kings Exchequer for the Jews, and they confined to live and abide only in ſuch places as the King and his Juſtices aſſigned for their cuſtody ſhould preſcribe them, from which they might not remove without ſpecial licenſe. 2ly, They were to be there conſtantly reſident, that the Kings Officers might there finde both them and their families upon all occaſions. 3ly, They were tranſlated from place to place at the Kings pleaſure, and permitted to reſide in no place but where they had a common cheſt. 4ly, Their perſons, wives, children, infants, families, were impriſoned, diſtrained, ſent to remote Priſons, Caſtles, baniſhed, executed, tormented, put to fines and ranſoms upon all occaſions, eſpecially for their Taxes and Debts to the King. 5ly. They were both by poll and wholeſale granted and ſold to others like Bondſlaves and Villains in groſſe by the King, and morgaged to thoſe who would purchaſe them, or advance any monies upon their aſſignment. 6ly, They were alwayes to wear a badge and Table on their outmoſt garments, as well females as males, whereever they rod or went, to diſtinguiſh them from Chriſtians, with whom they were to have no intimate communion, (who were prohibited to be ſervants, nurſes to any of the Jews in any kind:) and were all of them to be ſlaves and ſervants to the King in one kinde or other. 7ly, They were all prohibited to depart the Realm, when once entred, without ſpecial licence, which they could not obtain; and impriſoned yea put to fines and ranſoms when they attempted it, to avoid their Taxes. Such was their Vaſſallage in reſpect of their perſons. As for their real and perſonal eſtates, they were wholly at the Kings diſpoſal. Firſt, the King could ſeiſe all their Lands, Houſes, Rents, Annuities, Fees, Morgages, Debts, Goods, Chattels, go…d ſilver, and ſell, grant, releaſe, give them unto whom he pleaſed at his pleaſure. 2ly, All their real and perſonal p. 130eſtates, chattels, debts eſcheated to the King upon their deaths, neither could their children, wives, heirs, executors enjoy them, without making Fines, reliefs, and compoſitions with the King for them, at high rates. 3ly, They could not ſue for any debt, morgage, houſe, fee, duty, nor aſſign, grant, ſell, give, releaſe them unto others, without the Kings ſpecial licenſe, for which they paid ſuch fines as he thought fit to impoſe. 4ly, The King could ſtay their actions, debts, uſury, reſpite them for what time he pleaſed, order them to be paid at other Terms, and by other ſummes than thoſe expreſſed in their charters and obligations: and finally pardon, releaſe them, and deliver up their Charters to their Debtors, when and where he pleaſed. 5ly. The King ſeiſed, ſearched, inrolled, ſealed up all their publick Cheſts, Charters, Writings, Debts, Goods, Chattels, Eſtates, and diſpoſed of them to his own uſe upon all occaſions, notwithſtanding all Grants and Charters to them; and appointed all their Judges, Officers, Cyrographers, Cofferers, Eſcheators, Presbyters, Prieſts and Tallagers at his pleaſure: yea inforced them to tax, diſtrain, impriſon one another, under pain of perpetual impriſonment, baniſhment, confiſcation of all their eſtates, and the ſevereſt penalties, as the premiſed Records aſſure us.

3ly, They alwayes lived under unceſſant, perpetual, arbitrary unſu portable Taxes and Tallages, impoſed on them (without any act of Parliament, or their common aſſents) by our Kings and their griping Officers at what rates ſoever they pleaſed, ſometimes 5000. or 6000. ſomtimes 20000. & 60000 but commonly 8000. & 10000. marks or pounds by the year; levyed with the greateſt rigour, which ſome of the richeſt Jews in all places were commonly engaged to ſee punctually paid in at the terms appointed, and when any of them oppoſed, or neglected to pay or levy them, their perſons, wives, children,, families, infants were all diſtrained, impriſoned, their eſtates, Debts ſeiſed, confiſcated, ſome of them p. 131ſent Priſoners into Ireland, and frequently menaced with perpetual baniſhment hence and loſte of their eſtates, their taxes being levyed by the ſtricteſt menacing warrants, and all rigorous violent ways the King and his inſtruments could poſſibly invent, And are not their Taxes (in caſe they will now return again) like to be more high, frequent, oppreſſive, ſince the very Engliſh themſelves, after all their late conteſts, wars, conſultations, and prodigal expences of their blood, treaſures, eſtates, are now brought under heavy, unceſſant, monthly arbitrary Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, decimations, levyed with the greateſt rigour, and ſuch as dare oppoſe them out of conſcience or defence of publike liberty, though in a legal way, impriſoned, cloſe impriſoned, ruined, yea threatned with perpetual baniſhment, even by ſuch who pretend themſelves the Patrons, Protectors of the Engliſh liberties, franchiſes, Properties from ſuch Aegyptian and Jewiſh Bondage, and greateſt Antagoniſts againſt ſuch arbitrary exorbitant Tyranny?

4. That beſides theſe conſtant annual Taxes, our Kings upon all occaſions enforced them by way of Loans, to lend what ſums they demanded, under pain of impriſonment, confiſcation of their eſtates, ſeiſure of all their Debts, Pawns, Cheſts: And frequently ſeiſed, ſearched, releaſed, granted, ſold all their gold, ſilver, cheſts, debts, houſes, fees, annuities, pawns, and impriſoned their perſons, wives, children, to extort and raiſe monies upon all extraordinary neceſſities.

5. That when they had fleeced them to their very skins, and could expect no more moneys from them, then they morgaged and ſold their perſons, eſtates, and the revenues proceeding from them unto others, to ad…ance preſent moneys before hand, like ſo many Slaves and Villains. And though many of them, notwithſtanding all their endleſſe Taxes, Extortions, Squeezings, fleecings, grew rich again in a ſhort time through aſury, broccage, clipping and falſifying coyn, plate, frauds and p. 132extortions of all kinds, and their baſe parſimony, induſtry, frugality; yet their wives, children, heirs, friends enjoyed little or no benefit at all by it, but the King and his Officers commonly fleeced them of al they gained, by one device or other. So that England was little better …han a ſecond Aegypt, and our Kings and their griping Officers nothing elſe but ſo many new Pharoahs and Aegyptian Tax-matters to them, during all their continuance here, they ha…ing no aſſurance of lives, liberties, e…tates under them by any Charters, Grants, Protection, Engagements, which they made no conſcience to revoke and violate at their pleaſures, as ſome of fate have done, e…en to their own Chriſtian Brethren, in as high a degree as they did to the Jews.

6. That they were ſo exceeding execrable and deteſtable to the people in all places where they reſided, both for their infidelity, blaſphemies, apoſtacies, enmity to Chriſt and Chriſtianity, circumciſing and crucifying Chriſtian Children, clipping of coin, falſifying of Charters, extortion, brokage, uſury, frauds, unconſcionable Jewiſh cut-throat dealing, and diſcrepancy of maners from the Engliſh, that many places and ports oppoſed their coming over, other Towns, (as Newcaſtle, Winchelſe, Wycombe, Newbury, Berkhamſted, Suthampton, & other places) purchaſed exemptions or removals of them. And thoſe Towns where they reſided, frequently roſe up in a tumultuous maner againſt them, burning their houſes, beating, abuſing, kiling their perſons, pillaging their goods, and forcing them to fly to the Kings Caſtles for Sanctuary, notwithſtanding all the Kings Charters, Proclamations, Proviſions of all ſorts for their protection and defence againſt violence, and committing them to the protection of the Sheriffs, Maiors, Chief Officers and Burgeſſes of the places where they reſided. But eſpecially they were above meaſure aſſaulted, beaten, ſlaughtered, pillaged by the Cruce-ſignati and Saint-like Souldiers of that age, who liſted, croſſed themſelves for the Holy-Wars,, p. 133and by the Barons, Souldiers who took up arms againſt their Soveraigns under pretext only of defending the Great Charters, Laws, Liberties of the Church and Realm of England, uſually ſtiling themſelves **See Cart. An. 17. Joh. Reg. dorſ. 27.exercitus Dei et ſanctae Eccleſiae in Anglia. Neither were they free from violence, plunder, nor the common people ſatisfied till their univerſal final baniſhment hence, which they oft ſollicited, their implacable enmity againſt them being ſuch, that the ſymptoms thereof yet continue amongſt us in our proverbiall ſpeeches. I hate thee as I do a Jew. I would not have done ſo to a Jew. None but a Jew would have done ſo, and 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, p. 134Prieſts, 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 prin…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 coun…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. **2 Inſtitutes. p. 506, 507, 508.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 **Ibidem.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 …undry excellent Ordinances againſt p. 135the 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 **Edit. 2. p. 44. to 64.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 Chriſte…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 p. 136(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, with…ut any ſpecial Edict for their exile thence.

What other particulars of leſ…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, **See his Epistle and Title to his Good Work for a Good Magiſtrate.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 Whim…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.

p. 137To which I anſwer… 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 **See Cooks 2 In…tit. p. 70, 71, 72.choiceſt Treaſures, appointing special Treaſu…ies, places to preſerve them in, and Cuſtodes R…tulorum, Treaſurers, Chamberlains, Regiſters, Clerks to keep them ſafe from injury, corrupting and embe…l…ing and enacting many Statutes for this purpoſe, wi…ne…e not only the Chests, Cyrographers, Officers and o…hers forementioned, for keeping the Records and Charte…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 ma…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. **See Co…ke … I…ſtit. p. 70, 71, 72, 73.ſtill in force: O…dai…s, That if any Record or parcel of the ſame, writ, retori…, pa…el, proces, or warrant of Attorney in the Ki…gs Cou…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 reve…ſed; … …al…r taker away, wi…hdr… … and avoider, their Procurers, Counſellors and Abettors, being thereof ina…ted, and by proceſs the…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 hal… of …her, ſhall be judged for Felons, and ſhall incurre the pain of Felons. And that the Iudg…s of the ſai… …our… of the one Bench and of the other, have power to hear and det…rmine ſuch defaults before them, and thereo… to m…ke due puni…hment, p. 138as is aforeſaid. And now Hugh Peters (if I may be thy Counſel…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 Atta…nd…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 en…uing weighty Conſiderations,

Firſt, the…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, p. 139Prerogatives, 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 c…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 **See Tho. Waſingham, Hiſt. Ang. An. 1292, &c. 1302. pag. 18, 49. to 56. Ypodig. Neuſtr, p, 86, to 95. Henry de Knyghton de Eventibus Angliae, l. 3. c. 2.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 o…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 Na…ion, (upon the frantick motion of a Bedlam in this particular) as for a Great landed Nobleman to burre all the p. 140old 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, Nunneri…s, Colledges, Hoſpitals, Free-ſchools, Univerſities, great Officers, Chancellors, Generals, Admirals, Marſhals, 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 ſea… (if alleged to be falſe, forged, ſophi…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, Recogni…an…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 p. 141of 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 ou… 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 p. 142rhis 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, Bu…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 p. 143**See a learned and neceſſary Argument againſt Impoſitions in the Parl. of 7 Iac. printed 1641. Mr. Will. Hakewell his Liberty of the Subject, againſt Impoſitions, London 1641. The confer…nce at the Committee of both Houſes concerning the Rights and Priviledges of the Subject 3 and 4 to Caroli London. 1642. Judge Crooks and Huttons Arguments againſt Shipmony. The Remonſtrances of the Lords and Commons againſt tho Commiſſion of Array. Exact Col. p. 386. &c. 450.890. Ephemeris Parliamentaria London. 1654.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, page missing p. 144Citizens, 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 if faithfully tranſcribed and methodically digeſted into a Parliamentary Chronicle, would for rare uſefull matter, Excellency, certainty far exceed all Hiſtories, Statute-Books, Law-Books, Chronicles ever yet compiled, rectifie many groſſe miſtakes in moſt of them, and make more able, knowing Lawyers, Judges, parlamentmen, Stateſmen, than former ages have produced. Beſides the old Records, in the reſpective Treaſuries of the Tower, Courts at Weſtminſter, and the Rolls, faithfully relate at large the Inſtitutions, Jurisdictions, procedings, Judgements, Writs, Formalities, Debates, commiſſions, Law-caſes, Judges, Officers names, cuſtomes, Fees, of all the great courts of Law. Juſtice, Equity (civil, Eccleſiaſtical, Military, Marine) Juſtices Itinerant, Juſtices of the Forreſt, Juſtices of Aſſize, Oyer and Determiner, & of moſt other inferiour Courts and Commiſſioners bo…h in England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Gaſcoyne, Normandy, Poyters, the Iſles of Man, Gernſy, Ierſy Alderny, Serk, Silly, and other Iſles; the Stanneries in Cornwall, and in moſt Corporations, Counties, Hundreds, Honors, Mannors in them. Record all ſorts of commiſſions, charters, Writs, Warrants, Inſtruments relating p. 141to Law, Iuſtice, Trade, peace, Wa…. The Courts Jurisdictions, priviledges, Mannors, Lands, Fees, Rents, exemptions, Liberties, Royalties, Tenures, Services, cuſtoms, Offices, Succeſſions, pedigrees of the Kings, Princes, Queens, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Deans, Chapters, cities, corporations, Fraternities, Gui…ds, Nobility, Gentry, Fre…holders of England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and all Dominion, Iſles annexed to them, with ſundry other particulars neceſſary for an accompliſhed Lawyer: out of which induſtrious Lawyers, (if countenanced by authority, and encouraged by a a publike Salary) might collect ſuch a rare new Body and Syſteme of the Laws, cuſtoms, courts, and ancient legal proceedings in all the courts of Juſtice throughout our Dominions, as would as far excell all other Abridgements, collections, Reports, Inſtitutes, Regiſters, Law-Books, hitherto publiſhed, for uſe, excellency, as the richeſt Diamond exceeds the baſeſt pibble, and bring more honour, benefit to the Engliſh Nation, than all the Shepheards Calenders, and New-corps or Models of our old Engliſh Laws, attempted by Hugh Peters, Swordmen, and …ome bold illiterate Ignoramuſſes of the Law, who neuer yet peruſed any of our old Records, nor read over half our Engliſh Law-books, and yet will be reformers (or deformers rather) of what they ne…er exactly knew nor underſtood. In brief, the exact knowledge of our Records wi… furniſh induſtrious Lawyers with ſuch rare uſefull materials of all ſorts, for the publike ſervice of their Nati…e country, upon all emergent occaſions, the benefit, information of their clyents, the honour of their profeſſion, and their own reputation, advancement, profit, as will enable them to outſhine all others of their robe unverſed in the Records, as far as the Sun and Moon outſhine the leſſer ſtars, which loſe all their borrowed ſplendor when …hey once ap…ear in place. Witneſſe Mr. Noy, Mr. Seldon, Mr. Littleton, and ſome other Lawyers of late times, whoſe real, and p. 142Sir Edward Cooke, whoſe borrowed ſuperficial inſight in Records, advanced not only their Names, Fames, Arguments, Books, but practiſe and imployments likewiſe (whiles they practiſ…d) above all others of their Profeſſion, and hath immortalized their memories to poſterity. A ſufficient Argument to engage all generous Students, and Practiſers of the Law to ſpend ſome years, or long Vacations at leaſt, in the Study of our almoſt forgotten Records; which, though it may hinder their preſent gains and practiſe for a time, will abundantly increaſe them afterwards; the longeſt Studies in this kind (like Merchants longeſt voyages) being recompenced with the richeſt returns.

2. All perſons of quality deſirous thoroughly to enable themſelves to ſerve their Soveraign or Country in any publick great State-Offices, Imployments, at home or in foreigne parts, may out of our Records furniſh themſelves with all former publike Negotiations, Embaſſies, Treaties, Truces, Leagues, Contracts, Agreements, Tranſactions, Letters, Miſſives, Commiſſions, Inſtructions, Claims, Controverſies, Debates between the Kings, Parliaments, Nobles, Clergy, Merchants, Kingdom, People of England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Dominions thereunto annexed, or any of them; and any other forraigne Kings, Kingdoms, Princes, States, Cities, Embaſſadors, Agents, Legates, Merchants, relating to Peace, Warre, Amity, Trade, Marriages, Alliances, Government, mutual aid, Juriſdictions, Soveraigntie, Regulation of Injuries, Abuſes, Depredations, &c. and likewiſe between themſelves: All Paſſages, Writs, Commiſſions, Debates, reſolves relating to the Parliaments, Judicatories, Laws, Juſtice, Trade, Merchandiſe, Man…factures, Navy, Shipping, Ports, defence, Militia by Land or Sea, Coins, Weights, Meaſures of England, Ireland, and other our Dominions formerly ſpecified: with all other particulars fit for an accompliſhed Stateſman, no where extant but in our Record, wherein p. 143they are faithfully regiſtred for the information and benefit of poſterity.

3. All Heroick Engliſh Spirits deſiring exact knowledg in the Hiſtory and Chronology of England, may find in our old Records all the choiceſt materials relating there un…o faithfully recorded, with all the particular dates, circumſtances of time and place: All Grounds, Occaſions, Commiſſions, Summons of Arrayes, Armies, Navies, Fleets, Ships, Fortifications of Townes, Caſtles, Con…ultations, Articles, Inſtructions, tranſactions relating to our Civil & Foraign wars by Land or Sea, with the Names of the Generals, Officers, Marſhals, Admirals, and perſons of greateſt eminency in them: All Truces, Leagues, Embaſſies, Contracts, Agreements, Letters, paſſages of State, Parliamentary affairs, Coronations, Charters, Patents of our Kings; and what ever may compleat, adorn our Engliſh Hiſtory, exactly regiſtred; which if faithfully tranſcribed and digeſted into order, would make a farre more uſefull, compleat, excellent Engliſh Hiſtory and Chronicle, then any yet publiſhed or compiled. And if all the Charters, Patents, Commiſſions, Records, Writs, Mandates, priviledges, Le…ters granted, ſent, written by our Kings, Parliaments, Counſel, and Officers of State, relating to England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Jerſey, Gernſey, Man, and our other Iſles and Dominions, and to the particular Counties, Hundreds, Cities, Corporations, Ports, Officers, Biſhopricks, Monaſteries, Colleges, Hoſpitals, Free Schooles, Pariſhes, Churches, Noblemen Gentlemen, and particular Mannors, places in them, were judiciouſly collected, digeſted after the moddel of Mr. Cambdens Britannia, I dare affirm, they would as far excel it in uſe and benefit, as it tranſcends all former publications of our Britiſh world and Monarchy.

4. Such Gentlemen as are addicted to Heraldry may find a Rich Magazine of all choice materials belonging to the Office and Study of an Engliſh Herald; relating either p. 144to the Regal, Noble, Gentile families, Great Officers, Pedegrees, Marriages, Succeſſions, Coats, Titles of Honor, Chivalry, &c. of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and other parts of our Engliſh Dominions. The Coronations and Solemnities of our Kings, the creations of our Nobles, Knights, Officers of all ſorts, with their Formalities, Robes, &c. Moſt of our Engliſh Heraulds having been either Keepers of our Records, or Clerks under them, out of which they extracted moſt of their knowledge.

5. All Divines ſtudious of**Newly deceaſed Biſhop Uſhers ſtudy & dilig…nt peruſa… of our ancient Manuſcripts & Records of all ſorts, made him more …mine…tly learned, …, fam…s at home & abroad, …en any other of our Divines: as it did …. John Fox, Matthew Parker, before him, at home; & Gerardus Vo…ius, Salmaſius, Sir…nd … & …. eminency in the Church Hiſtory of England, may read in our Records many excellent Letters, Embaſſies, paſſages, Debates between our Engliſh Kings, Parliaments, Prelates, Clergy, Councils, Synods, and the Popes, Cardinals, Legates, Court of Rome, and forraign Councils, Synods, Princes, Pre…tes▪ concerning the Popes Eccleſiaſtical and Tem…ra… uſurped Juriſdiction, formerly claimed, uſurped in England; his Legates, Bulls, Excommunications, Interdictons, Peter-pence, Tenths, Firſt-fruits, Palls, Proviſions, Letters, Taxes: all Diſputes betweene our Kings, Nobles, Parliaments, Judges, and the Pr…la…es or Clergy of England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales: and betwixt our Prelate… and Clergymen themſelves, concerning their Juriſdictions, Courts, Priviledges, Poſſeſſions, Pr…cedency, Viſita…ions Exemptions, Taxes, Tenths, Firſt-fruits, Elections, conſecrations. Inveſtitures, &c. And all Charters, Priviledg…s Exemptions, Glebes, rents, … …onging to the Biſhopricks, Monaſteries, … clergy of England Ireland▪ …les, Scotland, and the …; which, if …ige…ted into an Hiſtory, would not only …dorn, but exce… all Eccleſiaſtical Histo…ies of Engl…nd hither…o p…bliſh…d, and rectifie ſome miſtakes in …any of them.

Upon all which conſid…rations, I hope **…. 16.22. …. 10.the God of the Spi…s of all fle…h wi…in this ſtupid, ſelfiſh, degenerated age, raiſe up ſome heroick active publike Engliſh Spirits p. 145of all theſe rankes, not only to preſerve our precious antient Records from Hugh Peters deſigned Martyrdom, but likewiſe diligently to ſtudy and extract ſuch uſeful collections out of them, as I have hinted, for the benefit, honor of their Native country, and advantage of ſucceeding ages, of which I have here given them a leading preſident in theſe Hiſtorical, Legal, Chronological collections relating only to our Engliſh Iews; the tranſcendent malice of my former cauſleſſe Enemies, in **See my New Diſcovery of the Prelates Tyranny.debarring me by a ſpecial old Council-Table Order from all acceſſe to the Tower Records, during my 5. years Impriſonment in it, (made the very next day after my commitment thither, to deprive me of their benefit;) ſeconded with above 3. yeares cloſe impriſonment and exile in remotest Caſtles; and the **See my New Diſcovery of of Free-State Tyranny.late ungrateful, deſpiteful, unrighteous Oppreſſions of ſome of their new Whitehall Succeſſors, (though my pretended great Friends) in ſeiſing all my Papers, Writings, Records, they could meet with, both in Lincolns Inne, a…d the Country, …nd keeping me cloſe Priſoner in …, rem…e Caſtles under ſtri…t…ſt armed Guards near full 3. y…ars ſpace, wi…hou… any accuſation, hea…ing, or cauſe expr…ſſed, …ither th…n or ſince; (of purpoſe to hinder me from our R…cords, … …ubliſhing any thing for the common good; as …ome of them have ac…nowledged;) having ſo long deba…ed, ſo much impo…e…iſhed, ſo …far diſabled me from the…e Noble Undertakin…s, (de…er…ing all encouragements e…en …on … common publick pur…e and account) that I muſt recommend the purſuite of th…m to ſome other Gent…emen of l…ſſer years, but far greater abilities and eſtates then my ſelf, who may both demerit, receive in after ages far better rewards for their Labors and Publications herein, then long tedious Impriſonments, cloſe impriſonment, Pillories, Stigmatizing, Fines, Exiles, Degradations, Affronts, Loſſes, diſcouragements of all ſorts; the only Encouragements, Guerdons, Recompences, I ever yet received for all my uſeful publications, my unmercenary faithful Services and Sufferings for the publike, upon all occaſions.

p. 146I ſhall cloſe up all with ſome Scripture-Texts diſcovering the excellent uſe, benefit of old Records, and what high eſteem the wiſeſt Kings in the Old, and Paul himſelf in the New Teſtament had of them.

The firſt Text I ſhall cite, gives us a true character of the Jews ſeditious carriage, then manifeſted by Records.

E…ra 4.14, 15. Now becauſe we are ſalted with the Salt of the Palace, and it was not meet for us to ſee the Kings diſhonour; therefore have we ſent and certified the King, that ſearch may be made in the Books of Records of thy fathers; ſo ſhalt thou find in the Book of the Records, …nd know, that this City is a Rebe…lious City, and hurtfu…l unto Kings and Provinces, and they have moved ſedition within the ſame of old times, for which cauſe was the city deſtroyed: which appeared true upon ſearch made in the Records: verſ. 19.20.

Eſther 6.1. On that ni…ht could not the King ſleep, and he commanded to bring the Book of Records of the Chronicles. and they were r…d be…o…e the King.

Neh. 12.22.23. The …evites in the days of Eliaſhib, Joiada, &c. were recorded chief of the Fathers; alſo the Prieſts to the reign of Daruis the Perſi…: The Sons of Levy the chief of the Fathers were recorded in the Books of Chronicles, &c.

2 Tim. ….1…. When thou comeſt bring with thee the books, bu… eſpecially the Parchments which the Latin Tranſlators, a…end… Membranas, … Parchment Rolls Upon which words …e…o…e…t, Oecum…mus and others thus comment; M…xime Membranas, **Interp. & Enar. in 2 Tim. 4.13.2 Tim 4:13Membranas Latina magis voce, volumina, ſive Chartas volubiles appell…i I… complicatis en…m involutis Chartis habebant olim quae ad divinam ſpectant Scripturam Quemadmodum …tiam ad …re…n…m a…us … p…u…ima habent.

If then a…l our parchment Membran…es, Rolls, Records, muſt be burnt, Hugh Peters and his good Magiſtrate, to accompliſh this good Work muſt firſt burn the old original p. 147parchment Membranaes & Rolls of the Old and New Teſtament (the ancienteſt of all others) which St. Paul was ſo carefull to preſerve, and then thoſe of the Kingdom next; And whether this will be a Good or christian work, for a Good or chriſtian Magiſtrate or Miniſter, let all ſober men reſolve: ſeeing it will totally deprive us of all ſacred, all civil Antiquities and Records, and be matter of greateſt rejoycing, advantage to our common Romiſh Enemies and the Jeſuites, the original projectors of this infernal Jeſuitical deſigne and practice, as Ludovicus Lucius Hiſt. Ieſuiticae l. 1. c. 6. p. 144. manifeſts & records.

What therefore our Saviour himſelf concludes of old Wine, that will all learned, diſcreet, ſage men determine of our good old Engliſh Laws, Liberties, Records compared with Hugh Peters and others New Models, Instruments, papers relating to the publike.

Lu. 5.39. No man having drunk Old Wine ſtreightway deſireth New for he ſaith the Old is better.

FINIS.