To our most pious and noble lord and master, King Recesvintus: We,
Jews of the city of Toledo, who have hereto attached our signatures,
or seals, call your attention to the fact that formerly we were
compelled to present a memorial to King Chintilanus, of holy memory,
by which we bound ourselves to uphold the Catholic faith, as, in like
manner, we do now. But, whereas the perfidy born of our obstinacy, and
the antipathy resulting from our ancestral errors, influenced us to
such an extent that we did not then truly believe in our Lord Jesus
Christ, and did not sincerely embrace the Catholic faith, therefore,
now, freely and voluntarily, we promise Your Majesty for ourselves,
our wives, and our children, by this our memorial, that henceforth
we will observe no Jewish customs or rites whatever, and will not
associate, or have any intercourse with, any unbaptized Jews. Nor will
we marry any person related to us by blood, within the sixth degree,
which union has been declared to be incestuous and wicked. Nor will
we, or our children, or any of our posterity, at any time hereafter,
contract marriage outside our sect; and both sexes shall hereafter be
united in marriage according to Christian rites. We will not practise
the operation of circumcision. We will not celebrate the Passover,
Sabbath, and other festival days, as enjoined by the Jewish ritual.
We will not make any distinction in food, according to our ancient
usages. We will not observe, in any way, ceremonies prescribed by the
abominable practices and habits of the Hebrews. But, with sincere
faith, grateful hearts, and perfect devotion, we believe that Christ
is the son of the living God, as declared by ecclesiastical and
evangelical tradition; and we hereby acknowledge Him to be such, and
venerate Him accordingly. Moreover, all the ceremonies enjoined by the
Christian religion--whether said ceremonies relate to festivals, or
to marriage and food--we will truly and exactly observe; and we will
maintain the same with sincerity, without any objection or opposition
thereto; and without any subterfuge on our part, by means of which we
might hereafter deny our acts, return to what has been prohibited, or
not completely fulfil all that we have promised. With regard to the
flesh of animals which we consider unclean, if we should be unable to
eat the same on account of our ancient prejudices, nevertheless, when
it is cooked along with other food, we hereby promise to partake of
the latter with no manifestation of disgust or horror. And if, at any
time, we should be found to have transgressed, and to have violated
any of the promises hereinbefore specified; or should presume to act
contrary to the doctrines of the Christian faith; or if we should, in
word or deed, neglect to fulfil the obligations to which we have bound
ourselves, as being acceptable to the Catholic religion; we hereby
swear by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who form one God in the
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