The Late Proceeds at White Hall Concerning the Jews, Postscript
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.
SECT. I.
THe Substance of the late Proposals by R. Manasses ben Israel, was to desire these favours.
1 That the Hebrew Nation may be received here; and be protected from all wrongs, as the English are, or should be.
2 To have publick Synagogues allowed in England, &c. to observe their Religion, as they ought.
3 To have a burying place out of the Town, without being troubled by any about their burials.
4 To Traffick as freely in all sorts of Merchandize, as other strangers.
5 To the end that the Jews that come over may be for the profit of this Nation, and prejudice or offend none; that a person of Quality may be assigned by the L. Protector to receive their Pasports, and their Oath of Fealty to him.
6 To prevent trouble to our Judges and others, that matters of differences amongst Jews, may be accorded and determined by the heads of Synagogues, and others with them, amongst themselves.
7 To repeal any Laws (if any such be) as are against Jews: for their greater security.
This was the substance of the Proposals.
The Protector when the Proposals had been read, said, If more were proposed then it was meet should be granted: It might now be considered, 1 Whether it be lawful at all to receive in the Jews. 2 If it be lawfull, then upon what tearms its meet to receive them.
His further speaking in favour of that Nation, and the expressions of others Pro and Contra, are before related.
SECT. II. Here followeth part of a Letter written by R. Manasses from Amsterdam in September 5407 (or 1647) to one in England, whilst the Sword in our late VVars consumed many Thousands.
Senhor
NO puedo enar. That is, Sir, I cannot express the joy that I have when I read your Letters, ful of desires to see your Country prosperous, which is heavily afflicted with Civil wars, without doubt, by the just Judgment of God. And it should not be in vaine to attribute it to the punishment of your Predecessors faults, committed against ours; when ours being deprived of their liberty under deceitfulness, so many men were slaine, only because they kept close unto the Tents of Moses their Legislator, &c.
SECT. III. Of the proceeds amongst Indians in New-England.
1 In Martins Vineyard, (Southerly from Boston, and from Cape Cod:) the IV Book published by Mr. Whitfield, 1651. The Lord began with one Hiacome, 1643. whom his King did strike on the face, because he spake for the English: Hiacome was patient, & said to one afterward, I had one hand for injuries; and the other laid greater hold on God.
1645, and 1646 Indians observed, that Gods hand by a sickness was far more on them, then on Hiacomes house and friends; and met, and would know things of Religion. He spake of One God, &c. A great Indian said, that had 37 gods, shal I throw away 37 gods for one? Hiacome said, I have done it, and you see I am now preserved. That Indian said, Ile throw away all my gods too, and serve that one God with you.
1647 Sagamor Towan quatick turning from Paganisme was shot by a divellish Indian in the night: the next morning Mr. Mahew (that preacheth to those Indians,) found him praising God, that he was not kild.
1649 Many Indians came to Hiacoms to learn more of God, and were encouraged not to fear their Pawaw Witches.
1650 By Hiacomes means Humamequem turned from paganism.
In V Book, called Strength out of Weakness, Mr. Mahew relates 1651 Three converted from being Pawaws, losing those gains, friends, &c. There is a conference with an Indian.
In VI Book, called, Tears of Repentance, 1653, Mr. Mahew sets down the Covenant to serve JEHOVAH, that those Indians made 1652. that about 30 Indian children were then at School. These praying Indians were shortly to be gathered into one Town.
Mr. Eliot relates the confessions and repencance of about fifteen of Natick Indians, in New-England Bay. Their own words Englished, and the hopeful words of two Indian children under three yeers of age before they dyed; As God, and Jesus Christ help me: God and Jesus Christ bless is, before it would eat. The other, when its bawbles were brought it, being in pain, putting thom away, it said, Ile leave my basket, for I am going to God; Ile leave my spoon and my Tray, for I am going to God.
In the VII, and last Book, called, Alate and further wanifestation of the Gospels progrest among Indians in N. E. Mr. Eliot relates the Examination of the Indians at Rocksbury 13 of a monethmonth, 1654. before an Assenibly of the Eldars in and about the Bay, and others, concerning their know ledge inthe grounds of Christian Religion. The Narration whereof is judged fit to be printed, that God may have Praises for his free Grace wonder fully manisested; as it is attested by
H. Whitfield, Ed. Calamy, Si Ashe, and J. Arthur.
FINIS.
End of the text · Henry Jessey, The Late Proceeds at White Hall Concerning the Jews (1656)