TO HIS HIGHNESSE THE LORD PROTECTOR OF THE _COMMON-WEALTH OF_ England, Scotland, _and_ Ireland. THE HUMBLE ADDRESSES OF MENASSEH Ben Israel, _a Divine, and Doctor of PHYSICK, in behalfe of the Jewish Nation_. [Illustration] _The Humble Addresses of_ Menasseh Ben Israel, _a Divine and Doctor of Physick, in behalf of the Iewish Nation_. Give me leave, at such a juncture of time, to speak to your Highnesse, in a style and manner fitting to us _Jewes_ and our condition. It is a thing most certaine, that the great God of _Israel_, Creator of Heaven and Earth, doth give and take away Dominions and Empires, according to his owne pleasure; exalting some, and overthrowing others: who, seeing he hath the hearts of Kings in his hand, he easily moves them whithersoever himselfe pleaseth, to put in execution his Divine Commands. This, my Lord, appeares most evidently out of those words of _Daniel_, where he, rendring thanks unto God, for revealing unto him that prodigious Dreame of _Nebuchadnezar_, doth say: _Thou that removest Kings, and sets up Kings_. And else-where, _To the end the living might know, that the Highest hath dominion in Mans Kingdome, and giveth the same to whom he please_. Of the very same-minde are the _Thalmudists_ likewise, affirming that a good Government, or Governor, is a Heavenly Gift, and that there is no Governor, but is first called by God unto that dignity: and this they prove from that passage of _Exodus_: _Behold I have called Bazale’l by name_, &c. all things being governed by Divine Providence, God dispensing rewards unto Vertues, and punishment unto Vices, according to his owne good Will. This the Examples of great Monarchs make good; especially of such, who have afflicted the people of _Israel_: For none hath ever afflicted them, who hath not been by some ominous _Exit_, most heavily punished of God Almighty; as is manifest from the Histories of those Kings, _Pharaoh_, _Nebuchadnezar_, _Antiochus_, _Epiphanius_, _Pompey_, and others. And on the contrary, none ever was a Benefactor to that people, and cherished them in their Countries, who thereupon hath not presently begun very much to flourish. In so much that the Oracle to _Abraham_ (_I will blesse them that blesse thee, and curse them that curse thee_) seemeth yet daily to have its accomplishment. Hence I, one of the least among the _Hebrews_, since by experience I have found, that through Gods great bounty toward us, many considerable and eminent persons both for Piety and Power, are moved with sincere and inward pitty and compassion towards us, and do comfort