us concerning the approaching deliverance of _Israel_, could not but for my self, and in the behalf of my Countrey men, make this my humble addresse to your Highness, and beseech you for Gods sake, that ye would, according to that Piety and Power wherein you are eminent beyond others, vouchsafe to grant, that the Great and Glorious Name of the Lord our God may be extolled, and solemnly worshiped and praised by us through all the bounds of this Common-wealth; and to grant us place in your Countrey, that we may have our Synagogues, and free exercise of our Religion. I nothing doubting, but that your Clemency will easily grant this most equitable Petition of ours. Pagans have of old, out of reverence to the God of _Israel_; & the esteem they had to his people, granted most willingly free liberty, even to apostated _Jewes_; as _Onias_ the High Priest, to build another Temple in their Countrey, like unto that at _Jerusalem_: how much more then may we, that are not Apostate or runagate _Iewes_, hope it from your Highnesse and your Christian Councill, since you have so great knowledge of, and adore the same one onely God of _Israel_, together with us. Besides, it increases our confidence of your bounty towards us, in that so soon as ever the rumour of that most wished-for liberty, that ye were a thinking to grant us, was made known unto our Countrey-men; I, in the name of my Nation, the _Iewes_, that live in _Holland_, did congratulate and entertaine their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of _England_; who were received in our Synagogue with as great pomp and applause, Hymns and cheerfulnesse of minde, as ever any Soveraigne Prince was. For our people did in their owne mindes presage, that the Kingly Government being now changed into that of a Common-wealth, the antient hatred towards them, would also be changed into good-will: that those rigorous Laws (if any there be yet extant, made under the Kings) against so innocent a people, would happily be repealed. So that we hope now for better from your gentleness, & goodness, since, from the beginning of your Government of this Common-wealth, your Highnesse hath professed much respect, and favour towards us. Wherefore I humbly entreat your Highnesse, that you would with a gracious eye have regard unto us, and our Petition, and grant unto us, as you have done unto others, free exercise of our Religion, that we may have our Synagogues, and keep our own publick worship, as our brethren doe in _Italy_, _Germany_, _Poland_, and many other places, and we shall pray for the happinesse and Peace of this your much renowned and puissant Common-wealth. [Illustration] A DECLARATION TO THE Common-wealth of England, BY _Rabbi Menasseh Ben_ ISRAEL, shewing the Motives of his coming into England.