The present state of the Jews (more particularly relating to those in Barbary) wherein is contained an exact account of their customs, secular and religious : to which is annexed a summary discourse of the Misna, Talmud, and Gemara / by L. Addison ...

THE CONCLUSION:

Wherein is considered The present OBSTRUCTIONS OF THE JEWS CONVERSION.

HAving (through the Divine assistance) finished this Succinct Account of the present State of the Jews, I deem'd it would not be unwelcome to the Reader, by way of Epilogue to recollect some of the visible Im∣pediments of their Conversion. Of which, some respect the Jewish Nation in general, and others relate to the Jews of a particular Resi∣dence.

Among the fatal Impediments respecting the Jews Conversion in general, their own in∣grafted Perversness, and obstinate adherence to the Doctrines of their Fore-Fathers, may be reckoned for the chief; and indeed, the root of all the rest. As to the former, the Jews are Notorious therein above all other people; though the latter be a thing common to the Hebrew with other Nations. For not onely

Cotta in Cicero, but most men of any parts or Education, have thought themselves under no small obligation to keep close to the Traditions of their Fathers; although no rational Evi∣dence could be produced for the matter of the Tradition. Ʋnum mihi satis est Majores no∣stros ita Tradidisse (which was Cotta's) is the ultimate Resolution of the Jews Religion. And not to speak of the obstinacie of Educa∣tion in this particular, we finde even the re∣nowned Propagators of Christianity com∣plaining of a Prioribus Credere, as the most knotty and stubborn objection they met with. And when the Jews (such I mean as are considerate and ingenious) do freely acknow∣ledge the Religion of Christians to be very conformable to the Law of Nature, which they account the Principal; yet lest they should seem to think themselves Wiser than their Ancestors, and so incur the imputation of being Proud, or upon the change of their Faith to be branded for Inconstancy; they re∣solutely retain the Religion in which their Forefathers lived and died, and thought them∣selves happy and secure. And this is spoken not upon Trust, but Experience: For upon a fair occasion pressing a Spanish Jew with the evi∣dent danger he was in, if after means of Convi∣ction he should obstinately die in his Judaism; he made no other Reply, but that he de∣sired to be in no better State, nor to be ac∣counted

wiser than the Sabies or Wise men of his Nation. And that if he was Damn'd, so would Rabbi Ben Maimon, Rabbi Salomon Jar∣chi (and so run over a large Catalogue of their Rabbins) placing great consolation to have such good company in Perdition.

But beside all this, they esteem it so scanda∣lous a thing for any man to forsake his Native Religion, that even those who turn Jews are still under a very jealous aspect, according to their own old Proverb: Beware of Proselytes to the tenth Generation. Which is also the Genius of the Moors: for albeit that with a seeming Triumph they receive a Renegado for a Musul∣man; yet they never repose in him any con∣siderable Trust, nor look upon him as a per∣son of any worth or Gallantry.

As to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which some reckon among the Internal Obstacles of the Jews Conversion, if thereby be meant their ignorance, either in their own Rites, or in evading the Arguments brought against them; those that shall practise them herein, will finde they have arrived to no contemptible knowledge in both; there being no Rite of their Religion whereof they have not been taught (according to their Princi∣ples) a probable Rationale; nor any objection brought by Christians against the present Ju∣daism, for which they are not furnished with an Evasion. For the Jewish Masters take an especial care, and use an utmost diligence, to

see the Youth be so profoundly instructed in the Elements of their Religion, that it may be no easie task to efface the Characters of their first Catechism, or to pull down the Fortress of E∣ducation. And above all, it is in this point highly considerable, that the common sort of Jews are bound to acquiesce in the Judge∣ment of their Rabbins, to whom they make their last appeal, when pressed with Argu∣ments too difficult for their own Solution. Of which I could produce a numerous Cita∣tion; but I shall content my self with the single instance of one Jacob Israel Belgara, who from Hag. 2.7. being clearly confuted that the time of Messias's Advent was already past, eluded the whole Argument, by referring himself to the Sentiments of their Masters.

The next thing which may be reckon'd a∣mong the grand impediments of the Jews Con∣version, are the Christians uncharitable Dis∣sentions and Divisions, which they suppose proceedeth from a want of the Ʋnity of Truth in the Foundation: And which they can no way make agreeable to that mutual peace and affection foretold to flourish among the Professors of the true Messias, and to be the signals of his Kingdom, Isaiah 11.6, 7, &c. This I alwaies found a string continually harp'd upon by the Jews; & one scoffingly told me, that if he should turn Christian, he knew not what Sect to be of: reflecting upon the manifold di∣visions

that are wofully hapned under the general denomination of Christian. In the body, a wound is worse than corruption; the former being a Solution of Continuity, the later but a disorder of some Humour. In Chri∣stians, evil manners are wholly contradictions of the Purity of their Religion, but Schism brings its Truth into question; and is of that wretch∣ed consequence, that it keeps those out that are without, and drives those out that are within. For our speaking with different tongues, will make the Atheist, as well as Infidel, say that we are mad.

But were the scandal of our Divisions re∣moved, yet the Naughtiness of our lives would become a new hinderance of the Jews conver∣sion; who are very greatly scandalized with the open, and even professed, transgression of the third Commandment, so apparent in those Blasphemies which hellish mouthes dart up a∣gainst God, and those horrid Oaths which are become, with some, meer Interjections of Speech, and with others, Phrases of Gallantry. And that those sins which the Jews severely punish, should become the Christians Physick and Recreations: and that we should live in so palpable a contradiction to our Vow and Pro∣mise of a cleer contrary Carriage. And it was this Licentiousness of Conversation that made a leud Jew (in Spain turn'd to Popery) magnifie the happiness of his change, because

he had light on a Religion, wherein at once he could enjoy Both his Beads and his Whore. Reflecting upon that old Spanish Proverb, Las quentas en la Máno, y el Diáblo en el Capillo: Good words, and wicked works.

And if this obstacle were also taken away, and Christians would take care to be as regu∣lar as their Religion doth oblige them; yet there wants proper means for the Jews Con∣version, as being vouchsafed neither compe∣tent conversation, nor Books for that purpose. As to the first, none I think will deny it high∣ly requisite in this affair, unless such as would make the Gospel (like weapon-Salve) to work at a distance. Now we know that in our own Nation there is no such competent familiarity or civil Society held with the Jews, as in any degree of probability may in ordina∣ry course be sufficient for their Conversion. For since their Expulsion out of England by King Edward the First, about the year 1290, the greatest conversation with them has been managed by Tradesmen upon the account of Trafick, and secular purposes: as is evident at this day. And we have been so far from en∣deavouring their conversion to Christianity, that that which might greatly have encouraged it, is quite taken away. I mean, the House of Converts erected by our Henry the Third, (which he piously indowed for the mainte∣nance of poor Jews converted to Christianity,

where every one during their lives was allow∣ed two pence a day) and appointed by Ed∣ward the Third for Records to be kept there∣in, now called the Rowles.

Nor hath it fared any better with the Jews in other Nations than in our own: for since from France they were banished by Philippus Pulcher, Anno 1307: From Spain by Ferdi∣nand, Anno 1492: From Portugal by Emanuel, Anno 1497: Out of the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily by Charles the Fifth, Anno 1539. they have in these Kingdoms been so far from any enjoyment of that Society requisite to make them converts, that they dare not set a foot within their Borders without running ve∣ry great adventures: as is known to all, ac∣quainted with the Regiment of those Coun∣tries. 'Tis true, in the Jurisdiction of Avig∣non, (the Popes State) the Jews are admit∣ted: And they are very numerous in Rome, Venice, Legorn, &c. (not to speak of their Toleration in Germany, Bohemia, Polonia, Li∣tuania, Russia,) yet they are so little invited to Christianity, that they meet with no small motives to the contrary. For in the Papal Dominions no Jew can be admitted to Baptism till he has renounced the World; that is, till he confess all the Estate gotten in Judaism was ill gotten, and that he doth and ought to re∣nounce it, and leave it to the Church. And it is but cold comfort to a Jew, so notoriously

devoted to the world, to take a final farewel of his beloved Mammon, and to devest him∣self and Family of all maintenance, at his ini∣tiation into Christianity; without any con∣venient provision for his future subsistence, unless he will betake himself to a Cloyster; a kinde of life very unpleasing to the Jews, as contrary to the designe of Nature, which in∣tended man for Society, and each to be helpful to other in civil duties. Besides that Monke∣ry is a trade which they never finde commend∣ed or injoyn'd by God; never practised or counselled by their renowned Ancestors, who received continual instruction and inspiration from above; which none of their Patriarchs or Prophets have given Example of; only in three or four thousand years, Elias and some one or other have been found upon very ex∣traordinary cause to have taken also an extraor∣dinary course of life, though of other nature, and to other purpose, then the Votaries of the Roman Church. 'Tis true, the Pope has power to dispense in this particular, and to grant the Jew Baptism without confiscation of his E∣state; yet this is so seldom and uncertain, that few Jews are found so hardy as to trie the Ex∣periment.

In the next place, as to Books tending to further the Jews conversion, it must be grant∣ed that there is no small impediment arising from this particular. For notwithstanding

that many learned Treatises have been com∣piled upon this Theme; yet they have either been pen'd in Languages unknown to most of this antient people, or in a Method exceeding the generality of their capacities, or, no means have been used to bring such Books to their perusal. And what is herein not the least con∣siderable, Tracts against Judaism, or rather for Christianity, have been composed by Bookish and Retired persons, who undertook the con∣futation of such Jewish Tenets, as the course of their Studies best inabled them to encounter. And others have spent much oyl and time in demolishing a fortress which most of the Modern Jews never undertook to defend. An instance whereof, I found in a learned Discourse con∣cerning Christ's Resurrection, in which the Au∣thor excellently confuting that Calumny of the Disciples stealing away their Master while the Guard slept: The Jews, with whom I dis∣coursed this Article, professed a deep silence therein, and that they medled no further with our Messias, than to bring him to the Cross; not being at all concern'd for what hapned af∣terward. So that all the Arguments brought to vindicate Christs Resurrection from the Jews belying the Disciples in conveying away secretly the Body of their Blessed Master, was answered by denying the supposition.

Several Volumes (as I have seen) are writ∣ten both in Spanish and Portuguez upon the

same subject; but so far from any likelihood to confute the obstinacie of the Jews, that there is a greater probability they may add to its confirmation. For the Books (I speak of) are stuffed with such ridiculous and irrational Miracles, that in reading of them the Jews take no small contentment, as being so subser∣vient to their purposes of speaking evil of the Christian Faith, which they hope cannot long stand, while they imagine it is supported by such frail and chimerical buttresses. And be∣sides all this, the Jews have ever been as dili∣gent to detect, as the Fryars to contrive their fictitious Miracles. And what is herein truely deplorable, Christianity has the hard fate to be weighed in these Scales, and all its Sacred Truths to be rejected for a few Monkish trum∣peries. For I have heard some maligning Jews urging the brainless conceits of the Spa∣nish Fryars (who of all others seem herein the most Hypocondricaal) for the principles of Christianity; which they are the more ready to believe, as finding it advantageous to their designe; and that the Books wherein they oc∣cur are of no surreptitious Edition, but Permis∣su Superiorum, and allowed of by that Church, which calls her self the Catholick.

What I now speak of, respects the Obstacles of the conversion of those Jews who converse with the Romanists, and live even in Rome it self: Where more Monks turn Jews, than Jews

Monks; as all Ages have observed. And in∣deed, through all the Papal Countries there is but little probability to make the Jews have a∣ny good will for Christianity, if we consider the manifold offences apparently arising from the whole Oeconomy of their Publick Wor∣ship and Doctrine, of which I shall for brevity sake give instances onely in the Vows and Pray∣ers made to Saints and Angels, which the Jews in all Ages have esteem'd a duty peculiar unto God. And they observe too, that more De∣votions are made to the Virgin, whom all Christians acknowledge to be but a Creature, than to Christ, who by all Orthodox Christians is believed to be God. But that which of all other yields greatest matter of Scandal to the Jews, is the worshiping of Images, for which both the Hebrew and Mahumedan lay Idolatrie to their charge; from which nought is left to defend, them but an unintelligible distinction of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and of a final and Instrumental intention in Worship. At which the Jew has no small occasion to be Scandalized, when they consider that yet the Sun never rose upon a Nation that was so blockish, as to make a Stock or a Stone the Final Object of their Worship; but looked upon their Simulachra as the representations of some absent Divinity, or things wherein the Divine Power did some∣times inhabit, and by his vertue work Miracles, even as the Papists opine the B. Lady in infi∣nite

places of Christendom, doth in her Ima∣ges. And whatever apprehensions and di∣stinctions these venturous Votaries of the Ro∣man Church may be furnished with, to save them from Idolatry, when they fall down be∣fore their Images; yet seeing they use therein all the circumstances appointed and fitting to wait upon the immediate Addresses which are made unto God, the Jews can perceive no∣thing visibly fit to vindicate the Service from being thought Idolatrous. For, as to the mental affection, so much spoken of, it lies altogether hid to the Beholder, and no less perhaps to the blunt and undistinguishing Wits of the Vulgar, who therein are concern'd. It would be a mat∣ter of no great difficulty to enlarge the in∣stance to many particulars of the Roman Do∣ctrine, whereat the Jews (in no mean degree) are daily Scandalized, as may be exemplified in their Transubstantiation, where the Jews are told Messias to be comprehended under the appear∣ances of a Wafer; which is a thing to them so egregiously offensive, that they spit at its men∣tioning. Those that have met with the Roman Catechism, observe the second Commandment to be wanting, and the tenth to be cloven into two, to keep up the Decalogue. Now all these things, and many more, are of so much the greater Scandal and indignity, as being believ∣ed by the Jews to be the Universal Tenets of Christians; and that Christs (pretended)

Vicar doth herein follow the Footsteps of his Master.

Discoursing once with an Italian Jew con∣cerning the Conditions of Rome, (where he had long dwelt) he began with great assu∣rance to tell me, That at Rome great wonders were to be seen, as, a Man that could make his God, make and unmake Sins at his pleasure: and so run inveighing against the filthy and un∣hallowed Conversations of the principal Ro∣man Clergy; closing up his Discourse with a deep protestation, That if he were a Christian, the vices and Doctrines of Italy would strong∣ly tempt him to disown that Name.

And what in the last place is not the least considerable, even at those Sermons in Italy, to which the Jews are bound to resort, little or nothing is to be heard directly tending to the subversion of those points, wherein they place their strongest Sanctuary: But obiter, and by the by, the Preacher Sallies out into a numerous invective against their obstinate in∣fidelity, without laying down such plain Argu∣ments as may rationally move them to forsake it. And if herein there were no fault, yet as long as the Jews (coming to the Christian Ser∣mons) shall see the Preacher begin his Dis∣course with an Ave Maria, (which is a gene∣ral custom with the Papists) and frequently to direct his Speech and Prayer to the B. Vir∣gin, and the little (Wooden) Crucifix which

stands on the Pulpit by him; to call that I∣mage his Lord and Saviour, to Kneel down to it, to Embrace and Kiss it, to Weep over it, and after all perhaps to cast it to the Ground, (to let the people see they meant not there to terminate their Worship) the very sight hereof doth as much induce the Jews to hate Christianity, as any reason can be alledged to perswade them to love and Embrace it.

These are the Terms, in which the Jews (with whom I have conversed) do stand, who above all that has been said, derive the greatest obstruction of their Conversion from their own obstinacy; being not more scandalized, than stifneckt; nor less untractable within, than offended without: And as proud of their opinions, as they are despised for them. Glorying in their Ancestors and Founders; in Gods Temple, and Oracles, peculiar promises, and Prerogatives, long continuance in Ho∣nour and Prosperity; and indefatigable in their Expectation of being Triumphantly recolle∣cted, and Victoriously to Reign over the Edo∣mites, when the promise of their Messias shall be perform'd, which has (as they say) so long beyond the appointed time been protra∣cted, by reason of their own Ʋnworthiness.