_... I have seen Sʳ Henry Finch’s =The World’s Great restauration, or Calling of the Jews=, & with them of all the Nations of the Earth, to the Faith of Xᵗ. I cannot see but for the main of the discourse I might assent unto him. God forgive me, if it be a sin; but I have thought so many a day. But the thing, which troubles His Majesty, is this point, which I will write out for you =verbatim=; “The Jews & all Israel shall return to their land & antient Seats, conquer their =foes=, have their Soil more fruitfull than ever. They shall erect a glorious Church in the Land of Judah it self & bear rule far and near.” ... We need not be afraid to aver and maintain, that one day they shall come to Jerusalem again; be Kings & chief Monarchs of the Earth; sway & govern all, for the glory of Xᵗ; that shall shine amongst them. And that is it Lactantius saith Lib. 7. Cap. 15. =“The Romans name I will speak it, because it must one day be shall be taken from the Earth, & the Empire shall return to Asia. And again shall the East bear dominion & the West be in subjection.”= In another place Ashur & Egypt, all these large & vast Countries, the whole tract of the East & South, shall be converted to Christ; the chief Sway & sovreignty remaining with the Jews. All nations shall honour them._ _Some say, the King says, he shall be a pure King, & he is so auld that he cannot tell how to do his homage at Jerusalem._ _This with my best respect,_ _Yours ever,_ _JOSEPH MEAD._¹ ¹ This letter has been transcribed, somewhat inaccurately in “The Court and Times of James the First;” ... [Robert Folkestone Williams.] ... London: ... 1848. Vol. ii., _pp._ 250‒251. It is also to be found in (Notes & Queries, 2nd S. xi. 127., Feb. 16, 1861) “Modern Apocryphal Apocalypse,” by Moses Margoliouth, LL.D., PH.D. Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, James I. 1619‒1623.... Edited by Mary Anne Everett Green.... London ... 1851. _p._ 247 April 18? (1621). 96. Petition of Sir Hen. Finch to the King. Disclaims the opinion which His Majesty thinks is asserted in his book; is sorry for having written so unadvisedly; begs liberty and restoration to favour. _p._ 248 April 18, 1621 London: Chamberlain [to Carleton.] 97. ... Serjeant Finch is committed for his book on the conversion of the Jews. XXVIII. PHILIP FERDINANDUS THE Jew referred to was Philip Ferdinandus (1555?‒1598), a native of Poland. He was converted to Roman Catholicism, but afterwards became a Protestant. He taught Hebrew at Oxford, and subsequently at Cambridge (D.N.B.). His only publication is entitled:―― _Hæc sunt verba Dei, etc._ |