A seasonable discourse written by Mr. Iohn Dury upon the earnest requests of many, briefly shewing these particulars 1. What the grounds and method of our reformation ought to be in religion and learning. 2. How even in these times of distraction, the worke may be advanced. By the knowledge of Orientall tongues and Jewish mysteries. By an agency for advancement of universall learning. Published by Samuel Hartlib. Aprill 24. 1649. Imprimatur Joseph Caryl.

Of the Orientall Languages. The Mysteries of Jewish Learning.

COncerning the Orientall Languages, and the writings of Jewish Mysteries, which are found therein; this is their prerogative be∣fore all other Tongues and Writings of the World. That the first Oracles of God were uttered therein; that the fundamentall Prin∣ciples of all true Worship and Religion towards God, were first made known, by them to the world, that the rules of Justice, Judge∣ment, and Prudency in occonomicall and civill Government amongst men, were first expressed in them, and that the History of the origi∣nall of all Nations, was never truly recorded but only by them; for it is unquestionably true, that at first all these things have been pecu∣liar to the Jewes, and from them by degrees were propagated unto

the rest of the Nations. Therefore no doubt much respect is justly due unto those Languages; and if their hidden treasures were o∣pened, it is most certain, that a great addition of Wisdom would thereby redound unto the rest of the world. For although there were no more to be expected from thence, but a more distinct knowledge of the ancient wayes of God towards the first Inhabi∣tants of the world, and a more perfect insight in those Religious and Judiciall Statutes which he gave unto his own people, (of which we are much in the dark) and for which the other Nations did judge the Izralites a wise and understanding people,) yet that alone should be a sufficient motive to cause us earnestly to affect this study, be∣cause that which Christ doth use as an Argument to quicken his Dis∣ciples attention and diligence, to understand the hidden. Wisdom of his Parables, should in this case be a motive to cause us to desire the knowledge of that which hath been of old. He saith, that he who is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven, should be as a man who is a House-holder, who bringeth out of his Treasures things new and old.

Although then we have the best and the new things of God, (wherein we that were last, are become first) yet we are not rightly fitted for his Kingdom, till we get into our Treasures, the old also which we want. It is true indeed, that the new alone may fit us suf∣ficiently for salvation in things privately for our selves necessary; but yet we are then but half instructed for the advancement of the King∣dom to the world, if we have not the old also.

Therefore although the intrinsicall worth, and due esteeme of the originall knowledge of ancient and hidden Truths, which with∣out those Languages cannot be attained, should suffice to encourage us unto this endeavour: yet this other inducement which con∣cernes the Kingdom of God, should have a stronger influence upon us, and will no doubt inforce this to the full, if it be rightly appre∣hended; for we shall find upon due consideration, that the new store of the Kingdom, which we have in our Treasury, is to be coun∣ted but an imperfect provision, so long as the old is not brought in also, and that the imperfection thereof (as to the building up of Christs Kingdom) is herein, viz. 1. That it is defective in vertue by it self alone, to propagate the knowledge of the Messias unto the apprehension of those Nations, who are accustomed unto that which hath been of old.

2. That the full confirmation of the Testimony of Jesus, even to our selves that are Gentiles, shall not be compleated in a publick and Church way uncontrolably to the conviction of all, till both the Old and the New be brought forth together, to evidence the same truth in all ages of the world; if therfore either the propagation of the Gospel effectually unto others, or the full confirmation of it to our selves (which are the great concernments that Christians have upon earth) should have any influence upon our desires, then it will follow that we ought to endeavour the propagation of the know∣ledge of those tongues; which will discover unto us the writings which containe the old Provision and Store of the House of God, which are the true ancient Mysteries of the Jewish Learning, and whereby we shall be inabled, to discover unto them the writings which containe the New Provision, and Store of the House of God, which God hath betrusted us withall in latter times to dispence unto others.

For first, how is it possible to have communication with those Na∣tions in any thing without the knowledge of their Languages. And Secondly, How can their be any effectuall or rationall dealing with the Jews more especially in matter of Religion, except we have a true and full in-sight in their ancient, and they in our moderne Learning? Now that we are really oblieged, faithfully to endeavour, to have some communication & dealings with them in matters of Religion, will evidently appear, if we reflect conscionably upon the glory of God, which cannot otherwise be savingly manifested, but in the face of Jesus Christ upon the state of their poor souls, who are our elder brethren in the Faith, as concerning the election for the Fathers sake: and upon the discharge of our duty whereunto God hath called us in the holy profession; which is to hold forth unto the world the word of life, to declare the testimony of Jesus unto all creatures, and to publish even to the end of the earth, the destruction of the spiri∣tuall Babylon as well as of the temporall, and Redemption of all Israel from their captivity. Rom. 11.26. and 15.11. If (I say) we reflect con∣scionably upon these Motives, and consider the opportunities which God doth put into our hands, to advance this endeavour, we shall find our selves highly obliged, to have some dealings with the Ea∣sterne Nations, and cheefly with the Jewes that are amongst men for the advancement of Christianity; because it is manifest to all, that

we have dealings with them in other things, even a free Commerce and Trade for worldly Commodities amongst them all: and if we can make our addresses unto all of them in worldly things, how unan∣swerable will it be before God, if we should not intend at all to make any application towards any of them in spirituall things, which things both they may receive from us and we from them, with in∣estimable profit unto both, through the manifestation of Christ his glory in his Kingdom. For the benefit of the Trade will be recipro∣call, at least very much for our advantage, by the confirmation of that Truth whereof God hath made us partakers above them; and according to the promises made of old unto them, seeing not only a clearer understanding of the things delivered by the spirit in the old Testament, will be granted by this meanes; but also many of the Mysteries of the new Testament, and cheifly that of the desire of all Nations, the Messias, will be opened more fully to us by them, and by us unto them: because it is evidently found of late by some that have traded, with their most ancient Rabbinicall writers, (men with them of unquestionable credit) that they speake plainly from the words of Moses and the Prophets, the same Truths which are revealed unto us by the Apostles and Evangelists; where∣by they do give, not only unto us a manuduction to understand (for the strengthning of our Faith) the harmony of the Old and New Testament more fully; but they also lay a ground of conviction for those of their own Nation, to be dealt withall by us more effectual∣ly, for the Demonstration of the Truth, when we shall be able to back it with the Authority of their own Teachers, whom they dare nor contradict.

There be some who have already gained much by this Trade, and if some reall course were taken to settle it amongst us, by bring∣ing their Authors to be Printed, and translated, and in Publick view this truth would be made out unto all; that the Christian Religi∣on doth teach nothing, but that Truth nakedly, which of old was darkly spoken of, and beleived by the cheif Doctors of the Jewes themselves, and from the beginning by Moses and the Prophets.

This usefulnes of the Orientall languages, and of the Jewish Ra∣binicall writings, hath moved many in the reformed Churches a∣broad, to apply themselves of late unto the study thereof, with much diligence and industry; the example therefore of others, together

with the like inclination in any here, raised upon the fore-named considerations, doth give us an encouragement to hope well of the successe of this desire. If then the countenance of Authority may be obtained, with maintenance to carry on the design, which by private Contribution hath been set up at London house, according to the Pe∣tition signed by the hands of many Ministers, and others of the City well-affected, to the advancement of Learning and Piety: we would humbly move, that the settlement which shall be made, may be so considerable as to deserve the name of a Colledge, for the propaga∣ting of Orientiall Languages and Learning; that is, that out of the reserve which is kept for the advancement of Religion and Learning, such an allowance may be made, as will maintaine some Professors, and Students whose employment should be,

• 1. To uphold Publickly a constant weekly Lecture in these Lan∣guages.
• 2. To attend the private instructions also, of such as shall desire the same.
• 3. To publish (a Printing Presse being erected which they should set a work and over-see) and translate such Manuscripts as shall be found most usefull, for the propagating of the Truth amongst those Nations, and acquainting us with their Learning.
• 4. To advance the Printing of the new Testament into those Lan∣guages at easie rates, to be made Common amongst the Orientals and chiefly the Jewes.
• 5. To endeavour to facilitate the learning of those Tongues, by the abridgment of Grammaticall intricasies, and the naturall harmo∣ny which is found between them.
• 6. To translate also some of our Treatises into these Languages, to be imparted unto them for their conversion to the Truth.

Towards these employments, if the State would be pleased to al∣low but one thousand pounds a year, and appoint Fee-offies in trust, who should be over-seers of the Colledge, and have power to re∣ceive the voluntary Contributions, as shall be given towards the ad∣vancement of these designes from time to time, (to maintaine the charges of Printing, to buy in Manuscripts, and procure a Library of Orientall Bookes and to send Agents abroad, that they may trade in a Religious way with them) If (I say) such an allowance were made for such enployments and Fee-offies appointed; it is very evi∣dent

that the glory of God thereby be very much advanced, the honour of this Nation greatly upheld, and the reall intentions of Parliament, to propagate Religion, and Learning manifested to their praise, in this and after Ages.

If such a foundation were laid, and by the Countenance of Autho∣rity the work owned; then all those that have been hitherto so for∣ward, and well wishers to this designe here would be encouraged to enlarge themselves, when they should see that the enterprize would come to some perfection. Others from abroad will be drawn to a concurrence and communication in those endeavours; the work might be carried on by a Correspondencie; and the Honour of the whole successe would be due to those that shall lay the Foundation, whereupon others may add to the building. The diligence and zeale of the Romish Condare in their Colledge de Propaganda Fidem should stirre us up to emulation, to doe our dutie in a better cause: for their Colledge is contrived only to maintain and educate Semina∣ries, to disturb the peace of the reformed Churches, and propagate their own Superstition; but this should be to advance unto all, the meanes of Pietie and Learning which are concealed; and to uphold the fundamentalls of Christianity, which are to be set up above hu∣mane Interests and particular Controversies; wherein the designe will be so much the more subservient unto Piety, by how much it will aime onely at the propagation and confirmation of things Ne∣cessarie, and indifferently profitable unto all, which in the passio∣nate fits of particular disputes, are for the most part laid aside and disregarded, to the great prejudice of the truth of Christianity; and the overthrow of Common edification. Therefore if by the prosecu∣tion of those things which may convict the Jewes of the truth of Christianity; Christians themselves might get occasion to consider their common Interest, and therein be drawn to professe a nearer Union then hitherto they have thought upon, this would be a col∣laterall happinesse, which may possibly flow from this undertaking additionally. And we may promise to our selves some such acciden∣tall successe because in good workes of a publique nature, which have an universall influence upon the whole substance of Religion; all the advantages cannot be overseen at once: They are like the trees of Paradice, which beare twelve manner of fruits, and yeeld their fruit differently every moneth.

Notes

• Deut. 4.6
• Mat. 13.52.
• Phil. 2. Marke 16.15. Isa. 48. Jer. 56.2 Rev. 18.
• Revel. 22.2.