TO The Nobly minded and worthily disposed Gentleman IOHN TREFERY Esquire.

SIR, the perticular fa­uours I haue often tasted as Arguments of a grea­ter loue, then any seruice of mine can deserue; Chalenge from me a larger debt of du­ty and acknowledgement, then any en­deuours of mine can by possibility ac­quite: yet to instance a gratitude som­what aboue my fortunes or ability; I haue aduentured to tender an humble [Page] thankfulnesse, in presenting to your iu­dicious view a Nouelty, which I pre­sume will be as acceptable to your per­ticular knowledge, as it is to the Chri­stian world ingenerall: being the Con­uersion and Baptisme of a lew, written formerly in sundry Languages, lately in French, and now by me Translated into English, which taske falling with­in the compasse of my ablenesse to dis­charge, I haue made bold vnder your protection to expose to the publique view, and in all humblenesse offer to your Patronage: that it may be some liuing (though sleight) testimonie, of that loue & duty which hath, and euer shall publish me to the world as I am in heart:

Your Seruant, and louer of your vertues, THOMAS DREWE.

Daniel Ben Alexander, heretofore a Iew by Religion, but now a Disciple of IESVS CHRIST.

To the dispierced IEWES.

The Grace of God the Father, the Peace of Iesus Christ his Sonne, and the Charity of the holy Spirit, be amongst you all, now and euermore. AMEN.

MY deere Father, Mother, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, and Allies, of the seede of Israel, according to the flesh: I professe truly vnto you, and that without dissimulation, my conscience and soule beareth witnesse with me, that I could say with the Apostle Saint Paul, I suf­fer for you so much affliction in soule, that I could al­most desire to bee seperated from Christ for you my Brethren: for you I say, that are of the seed of Israel, you to whom hath beene sent and Prophesied, the glad ty­dings of the Blessed Messias, promised to our Fore-fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, as also vnto holy Da­uid, You Brethren of whom according to the flesh, is [Page] borne Iesus Christ, which is God eternally blessed. Amen. Rom. 9.5.

I doubt not but this my conuersion to the Christian Faith, doth much astonish and afflict you: But my deare Brethren, that you may vnderstand I haue done nothing lightly or without premeditation: But with carefull heede, constant faith, and assurednesse in soule, hauing built my foundation vpon Gods eternall word, which cannot faile; I haue this day manifested to you and the world, my confession of Faith, which if you shall please to reade, though you finde it briefe in re­gard of my scarsity of time, yet grounded vpon the proofe of the Prophets and Old Testament, verified in the History of the New. God assist you and mee, and may he be so pleased to hasten my returne amongst you my Brethren, that I there may manifest his great mer­cie and grace to me, and that I may likewise be a light and guide vnto you, to leade you out of that darknesse wherein you are; insomuch that you know not the right hand from the left.

First, I would entreate you vnderstand, that though I haue vtterly abandoned the Iewish Religion, yet am not become enemie to their persons, nor to the name of Israel, which is now so much the more auaileable into mee, in regard I can call my selfe of the house of Israel, not onely according to the flesh, but principally according to the Spirit.

Therefore dearely beloued, I thought it fit to giue you some testimony of my charity, thereby to make you partakers of that grace which God hath bestowed on me, plucking mee forth of darknesse and errour, to the light of his holy word, out of the way of death [Page] and destruction, into the way of eternall saluation.

I know for these things I shall be hated of you, and if it be in your power, persecuted; yet being in your blinde zeale transported, as the Apostle Saint Paul, be­fore he was called to the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ, who persecuted those that beleeued in his name. But when that shall happen, may it please God so to strengthen me, that I may as a Christian appeare like one of his, and so suffer for him that suffered and was crucified for me, which I shall account exceeding great gaine.

And thus farre vnderstand, that all worldly respect whatsoeuer, I cast beneath my feete, and doe vtterly re­nounce and disobey all Iniunctions which shall be con­trary to his seruice, that hath made me of a Saul a Paul; of a Persecuter and Blasphemer of his name, a man rea­die (by his grace) couragiously to confesse him and his name; that of an enemie hath adopted me a child; for which I cannot sufficiently render thankes: And I be­seech him to make you partakers of the same grace and mercie.

Wherefore (beloued) wash your selues in cleane water, that ye may be cleane, and turne yet from your euils. Alas! how long will ye vexe God? stay for no other Messias then hee that is come, and shall againe vndoubtedly with glory come to iudge both the quick and the dead. Then those eyes shall see him that haue pierced him, and those that cried, Deliuer the Thiefe, and crucifie the iust: Then shall they cry to the hills to fall vpon them, and the mountaines to couer them, but it shall no whit auaile them.

[Page]But howsoeuer you haue persecuted the Prince of life; and spilt his innocent blood; yet notwithstanding hee prayed for you, that it would please his Father to pardon you, in regard you knew not what you did: you may be yet restored by him, prouided you will ac­knowledge him, and leaue to blaspheme his name, and flye from misbeliefe: for God hath not forsaken his people whom hee formerly knew. Beare in minde the calling of the Gentiles, towards whom the Messias turned, being by you reiected, of whom he was borne, and to whom he was promised and sent: Woe be vn­to you that are wise in your owne conceites, seeing many things, and taking heede to none; hearing much, and vnderstanding nothing.

Thinke not (brethren) that I reproachfully write this vnto you, but in charity, and for it is the truth which I will alwayes witnesse vnto you as to my belo­ued brethren, and better it were that I reprooue you, then God should reproach you with this saying, The Oxe knowes his Owner, the Asse the Manger of his Master, but Israel hath no knowledge, my people hath no vnderstanding. Behold heere the eternall which knocketh at your doore, it is the voyce of the beloued that knockes, saying, Open my sister, my deare, my Doue: Seeke the eternall now when he may be found, call vp­on him whilst he is neere: kisse the Sonne left he be an­gry, and ye perish in the way.

Thinke with your selues, the dayes are fewe and euill: Redeeme the time, the day of the Lord is at hand, you know not at what houre hee will come, then shall wee not be able to open our mouthes against our Ma­ster, [Page] the worke shall not dispute against him that made it.

Wherefore (deere Brethren) search diligently the Scriptures, take in hand the key of the Kingdome of heauen, the Lord in his mercy will shew you the doore.

Receiue this in good part and briefely, because of the shortnesse of time that I haue to soiourne here: but if it please God to graunt me the grace, to returne in­to this Country amongst my brother Christians, after hauing trauailed into mine owne Country, to see those of mine owne Nation, I shall (God assist me) take paines to doe something more amply for your benefit, and the aduancement of your soules health.

You my Father and Mother, whom I loue equally with mine owne soule: I humbly beseech you in the bowels of Gods mercy, thinke with your selues that you must once come to iudgement, and render an ac­count of all your proceedings, before the King of Kings, holy and blessed, stop not your eares, and be not voide of vnderstanding.

God which is the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, be pleased to open the eyes of your vnderstanding, and to manifest vnto you the knowledge of the Messia [...] which hath suffered for our sinnes, and is risen againe for our iustification, and hauing giuen you this grace as vnto me, hee hath strengthened vs together in the same by his holy Spirit, to the end wee may perseuer constantly in the confession of his holy name in this life, and dying in his loue; we may be receiued into his peace, and made pertakers of euerlasting life which [Page] hath beene deerely bought for vs, by the precious blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and to the holy Spirit, one onely God eternally blessed, be all glory and praise throughout all worlds. Amen.

Your Sonne Daniel Ben Alexander, heretofore a Iew by Religion, but now a Disciple of Iesus Christ.

In the Name of the Father, of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost, one onely GOD Eternally Blessed, AMEN.

I Daniell Sonne of Alexander, borne a IEW, and made Partaker of the Circumcision in the Flesh according to the same. Doe ren­der thankes to GOD, which is the Father of our Lord IESVS CHRIST, that of his Mercy and Grace hee hath brought me to the know­ledge, that heretofore I was in the way of Perdition and euerlasting Death, in not hauing knowne the Sa­uiour of the world IESVS CHRIST the Eternall Sonne of GOD; and now hauing reuealed vnto me by the ver­tue of his holy Spirit in the reading of his holy Word, that I could not attaine to euerlasting life, vnlesse I were made a Member of his Body, I beleeued that I ought in his Name, and for the health of mine owne soule, to receiue according to his Institution in his holy Church the holy Sacrament of Baptsime, of which, and of the Graces that doe accompany it; hath in di­uers places of the Olde Testament beene Prophesied by significant Figures & spoken of in the New Testament in cleare and manifest termes: for Example, God spea­king by Ezechiel in the 36. Chap. 25. Vers. saith: Then­will I poure cleane water vpon you, and you shall bee cleane: yea from all your filthines and from all your Idols will I cleanse you.

[Page]This figure of Baptisme, likewise is manifested in the 7.th of Genesis, alleadged by St. Peter, chap. 2. vers. 20.21. Which were in time passed, Disobedient, when the long suffering of God wayted in the dayes of Not, while the Arke was preparing, wherein fewe, that is, Eight-soules were saued in the water.

Vers. 21. Whereof the Baptisme that now is, answe­ring that Figure (which is not a putting away of the filth of the Flesh, but the answer of a good Conscience toward God) saueth vs now also, by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ.

This very Figure in many other places is presented vnto vs, as Exod. 13.21. and the 14.22. of which the A­postle St. Paul makes mention in the 1. Cor. 10.2. And were all Baptized vnto Moses, in that Cloude, and in that Sea.

Zacharie, in the Name of th' Eternall hath Prophesi­ed of the graces of Baptisme, in the 13. Vers. 1. In that Day there shall bee a Fountaine opened to the house of Dauid, and to the Inhabitants of Ierusalem, for sinne and for vncleannesse.

And this Fountaine was figured in the 1. of King. 7.3. By the Sea or great Caldron, which Salomon placed in the Temple of God in Ierusalem, which was borne vp­on twelue Oxen, figuring the twelue Apostles, which should Preach the Baptisme of Repentance, of which they receiued the Commandement by our Lord IESVS CHRIST, which speakes to them in the 28.th of St. Mathew: Goe therefore, and teach all Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost.

The vertue of which Baptisme I verily beleeue to be [Page] powerfull to Saluation, since our Sauiour CHRIST himselfe saith, 16. of St. Marke. Hee that shall beleeue and bee Baptized shall be saued, but hee that shall not beleeue, shall be damned.

And in St. Iohn, Chap. 3. Iesus answered, Verily, verily I say vnto thee, except that a man bee borne of Water and of the Spirit, hee cannot enter into the Kingdome of God.

By these wordes it appeareth cleare, that the Figures in the Olde Testament, are fully accomplished in the New by the searching of Iesus Christ which is the true Lambe of God without any spot, that taketh away the Sinnes of the world. Being also the true promised Messias and Sonne of Dauid, of whom nothing hath beene spoken in the New Testament, which hath not formerly beene Prophesied by Moses and the Prophets. Neither ought wee to looke for any other then he that is ascended into Heauen, euen Iesus Christ, which shall come to Iudge the quicke and the Dead.

And further examining the particulers of the Messi­as, touching his Person, Office, Natiuity, Doctrine, Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, and Ascenton, I haue found them all to belong and appertaine to Iesus Christ onely, who is the vndoubted Messias and Sonne of the Eternall God, as appeareth Psal. 22. Vers. 7. Thou art my Sonne this day haue I begotten thee. And it is of him also that is spoken in the 3. of Mathew, This is my beloued Son in whome I am well pleased.

Touching the time of his Birth, and entrance into the world, it is Prophesied in the 49. Chap. of Genesis: The Scepter shall not depart from Iuda, nor a Law-giuer be­tweene his feete, vntill Shilo come, and the People shall bee gathered vnto him.

[Page]And in the 24. of Nom. There shall come a Starre out of Iacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israell.

Christ is the Sonne of Dauid according to the Flesh, he is the seed of the Woman, as is Prophesied in the 3. of Gen. The seede of the Woman shall bruise the head of the Sespent.

The Messias ought to bee borne of a Virgin, Isaiah, 7. Behold a Virgin shall conceiue and beare a Sonne, and shee shall call his name Emanuell.

Christ was borne of this Virgin, to whome the An­gell speaking (that shee should bee Mother to the Saui­our of the world) said, his Name shall be IESVS. And the Euangelist St. Mathew saith, All this was done that it might bee fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet Isaih.

This Messias is true Man, and so likewise true GOD, and beareth Name Iehouah th' Eternall. Ieremiah 23. and the 5. Behold, the dayes come, (saith the Lord) that I will raise vnto Dauid a righteous branch, and a King shall raigne and prosper, and shall execute Iudgement and Iustice in the Earth.

This could haue relation to none but our Sauiour Christ, who is sprung from Dauid of the Tribe of Iuda, as it hath beene Prophesied.

So then that the Messias ought to haue come from the Tribe of Iuda, and that at this present no Iew can distinguish the Tribes of Israel one from the other, since they were Captiues in Babilon, which is aboue 2. Thou­sand yeares, how can they now haue knowledge of the house of Dauid, and consequently their Messias which they looke for?

This perswadeth mee verily to beleeue, that he that [Page] was borne of the Virgin Mary, proceeded from the roy­all house of Dauid, as teacheth the holy history, the true Messias of the Tribe of Iuda.

The Messias ought to haue beene borne in Bethelem, as foretold Micah: in the 5. Chap. 2. Vers. And thou Beth­lem Ephrathah, art little to bee among the Thousands of Iuda, yet out of thee shall come forth vnto me, hee that shall be the ruler in Israel, whose goings forth haue beene from the Beginning and from Euerlasting.

Now Bethelem is long since destroyed, and no marke or memory of it remaining; So then it followes, that hee that was borne in Bethelem, to wit, Iesus Christ must bee the true Messias, according to the Prophets.

The Messias ought to come to Ierusalem in the time of the Second Temple, as spake Agge. 2.8. Zach. 9.9. Mala. 3.1. Iesus Christ came in the time of the second Temple, as the Gospell maketh mention, which assu­redly perswadeth me, to beleeue him to bee the true Messias to vs promised.

And now seeing that Ierusalem is destroyed, and the Temple likewise destroyed, so that no Stone remaineth vpon another.

It is meere folly for the Iewes to looke for any other Messias aboue 1500. after the Destruction, then he that came at the time Prophesied and appointed, and which shall come againe to Iudge the quicke and the Dead, as it hath beene taught by the Apostles of our Lord IESVS CHRIST.

Item the Messias ought to haue taught a Doctrine of Grace and Mercy, whereas Moses gaue the Law, and denounced a Curse against the transgressors thereof, this is that which Esa, Prophesied in the [...]. Chap. Hee [Page] hath sent mee to Preach good tidings vnto the poore, to binde vp the broken hearted, to Preach Liberty to the Captiues, &c.

The Messias, ought to bee that great Prophet promi­sed in the 18.th of Deut: I will raise them vp a Prophet from among their brethren like vnto thee, &c.

The Messias ought to worke Miracles, as saith Isa: Chap. 35. Then shall the eyes of the Blinde bee lightned, and the eares of the Deafe bee opened, then shall the Lame man leape as an Hart. and the Dumbe mans tongue shall sing.

The Messias ought to bee a high Priest, Psal. 110. vers. 4. The Lord sware and will not repent, thou art a Priest for euer, after the [...]der of Melchizedeck. And the Apostle St. Paul applies that, to our Sauiour Iesus Christ, in his Epistle to the Hebrewes.

The Messias ought to suffer and Dye, as the Prophet Daniel teacheth vs in the 4. Chap. of his Prophesie, the 26. Vers. And after Three score and two weekes shall Messi­ah be slaine, &c. He ought then to haue Dyed but not for his sinne, for he was without sinne, and called by Daniel, the holy of holyes, he hath done wrong to no man, nor hath any deceit beene found in his mouth.

The manner of his Death hath beene foretolde by Dauid, Psal. 22. They haue pierced my hands and my feete.

And Zacha. 12.10. And they shall looke vpon mee whome they haue pierced, and they shall lament for him as one mour­neth for his onely Sonne, and bee sory for him as one is sory for his first borne.

And speaking of the Person of Iesus Christ in the A­pocalips, it is said of him; That when hee shall come in the Clouds all eyes shall see him. Namely those that haue pier­ced him.

The Messias ought to suffer for our Sinnes, to take [Page] vpon him our infirmities and miseries, by his sicknesse to giue vs health, and to indure himselfe all reproach and disquiet to bring vs peace. As saith Isa. in the 53. Chap. very amply. Which is likewise aleadged by the Euangelists in diuers other places.

The Messias ought to bee our high Priest, not that hee offered the Blood of Beeues and Rammes, but him­selfe for the Sinnes of the people, as saith Isa. in the 53. Chap. Hee shall make his soule an Offehing for Sinne. And St. Paul to the Hebrews the 9.th Chap. saith. Neither by the blood of Goates and Calues, but by his owne Blood, entred hee once into the Holy place, and obtained Eternall redemption for vs.

The Messias ought to bee an Intercessor for Sinners and transgressors, Isa. 53.12. So did our Sauiour Iesus Christ doe in the 23. of St. Luke, hee saith; (praying for his persecutors) Father pardon them they knowe not what they doe.

The Messias after his Suffering ought not to remaine amongst the Dead, but to rise againe, Dauid fore-spea­king of him, saith in the 16. Psal. For thou wilt not leaue my soule in the Graue, Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption: The time of his Resurrection was fi­gured by Ionas, and our Sauiour doth apply it to him­selfe, in St. Mathew, 12.40. For as Ionas was three dayes and three nights in the Whales belly; so shall the Sonne of man bee three dayes and three nights in the heart of the Earth.

The Messias was not promised to bee a King or tem­porall Prince, or to haue an earthly Dominion, as the Iewes imagine, that thinke hee should come accompa­nyed with an Earthly glory. But his Kingdome was foretolde to bee Spirituall, and his comming into this [Page] world full of humility, ignominy, and contempt.

His eternall and spirituall Kingdome was foretold by Daniel, his Kingdome is an eternall Kingdome, and in the second of Daniel and the 44. And in the dayes of these Kings. shall the God of heauen set vp a Kingdome, which shall neuer be destroyed, and this Kingdome shall not be giuen to another people, but it shall breake and destroy all these Kingdomes, and it shall stand for euer. And the Angell Gabriell speaking to the holy Virgin Mother of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, saith, That hee shall raigne ouer the house of Iacob eternally, and there shall be no end of his raigne. Then this Iesus which is come in the fulnesse of time, is the Messias, which now raignes ouer a spiri­tuall not temporall Kingdome, and there shines in glo­rie, who contrariwise in the earthly Kingdome was contemptible. First, hee was reputed borne from Pa­rents of meane condition, foulded in cloutes, laid in a Manger, in a loathsome Stable, Luk. 2.7. For his familiar company poore Fishermen, knew no place where to lay his head, he was mock'd, iniur'd, persecuted struc­ken, they haue strucken the King of Israel vpon the cheeke with a Rod, then wisht they him to prophesie, Mathew 26.68. Prophesie vnto vs, O Christ, who is hee that smote thee. His defection was such that Isaiah saith of him, chap. 53. he hath neither forme nor beauty, when we shall see him there shall be no forme that we should desire him: and Dauid in the 22. Psalme, calleth him a worme and not a man, the shame of men, and the contempt of the people: And verse the 7. All they that see me haue mee in derision, they make a mowe and nod the head, which is like­wise verified in the Gospell. Our Sauiour speaking of himselfe, saith, His Kingdome is not of this world, [Page] which though it be to them a scandall yet it might suf­fice, the Iewes that hoped and yet doe vainely hope for a reestablishment of the temporall Kingdome of Israel: and which beleeue that the Messias should come for them only, and not for the Gentiles, altogether against that which Ezekiel speaketh, Chap. 37.22. I will make them one people in the land, vpon the mountaines of Israel, and one King shall be King to them all, and they shall be no more two peoples, neither be deuided henceforth any more into two Kingdomes. And our Sauiour Christ in Saint Iohn Chap. 10. calles them one Shepheard and one flocke. And the Apo­stle to the Ephe. 2. who saith, Christ Iesus hath made both one, and hath broken downe the pertition wall.

Now Christ hauing finished and suffered all things, that we haue vnderstood to haue beene foretold to be done by the Messias: we assuredly beleeue, that hee is the true Messias, which not onely came in the flesh, and in that suffered death, but hath triumphed ouer death, and the paines and punishments due to our sinnes, and after his resurrection ascended into heauen, there to be a Mediator for vs, Rom. 8.33. Heb. 9.24. And Saint Iohn saith, If any man haue sinned, we haue an aduocate with the Father, namely Iesus Christ the iust [...] hee that made the propitiation for our sinnes, and also of all the world.

Applying my selfe then in the search [...] reading of the Old Testament, I know that the [...] must be come long since, seeing that the Scepter hath been taken from Iuda many hundred yeeres past, as it was foretold in 49. Gen. seeing the [...] ore and ten wee [...] of Da­niel, which make foure hundred, [...] yeares, be long since passed three times and better, see­ing [Page] the predictions of Messias doe iumpe with the time of our Sauiour Christ in the Gospell.

I am bound to confesse from the bottome of my soule, as my conscience doth beare me witnesse, that Iesus the Sonne of the blessed Virgin Mary, is the true Messias promised to the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, that he is come in the flesh, that hee is the true Sonne of God, true God, and true man, who died for our sinnes, and rose againe for our iustification, and that there is no saluation but through him.

I receiue the Writings of the Euangelists and Apo­stles, and them, beleeue to be the true word of God, as are also those of Moyses and the Prophets, and that the doctrines of the one and the other, are to instruct men in the true faith, and consequently, to bring them by the grace of God, to the inheritance of the Kingdome bought and purchased by Iesus Christ, in whom hee that beleeues, shall be saued, as he himselfe teacheth in the 6. of Saint Iohn, He that beleeues in me shall haue euer­lasting life: Now, for as much as the Christian Church is blemished with many Schismes and Heresies. I ren­der hearty thankes to God, that of his mercy hee hath brought me to the resolution to demand my Baptisme, and ioyne me to the confession of the faith & doctrine of the Catholique, Apostolique, & reformed Church, which I beleeue onely to be of the Hierusalem, which is aboue, which is mother of vs all, Gal. 4.26.

And in this place I thinke my selfe bound to mani­fest vnto you, the admirable meanes, though weake in appearance, by which it pleased God to draw mee out of the seruitude of Iudaisme.

A Catechisme.

Question. WHAT Demaund you in the Christian Church?

Answer. I demaund the holy Baptisme for re­mission of Sinnes.

Quest. In name of whome will you be Baptized?

Answ. In the Name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the holy Ghost.

Quest. Doe you Beleeue that IESVS CHRIST, is the Eternall Sonne of God, true God, and true Man?

Answ. I doe beleeue he is.

Quest. Beleeue you him to bee the Messias promised in the Olde Testament?

Answ, Yes, I beleeue it.

Quest. Doe you vnderstand the Confession of Faith in the Christian Church?

Answ. Yes.

Quest. Repeat it?

Answ. I Beleeue in God the Father Almighty, &c.

Quest. Doe you promise to remaine constant in this Confession all the Dayes of your life.

Answ. Yes, the grace of God assisting me.

Quest. Doe you renounce the Iewish Religion, their Ceremonies and errours as also all their heresies?

[Page] Answ. I renounce them with all my heart.

Quest. Doe you receiue the new Testament, as a ful­filling of the Olde, and the Doctrine of the Euangelists and Apostles for the worde of God, as also those of the Prophets?

Answ. Yes, so I beleeue.

Quest. Doe you renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill?

Answ. I doe.

God of his Grace make you able to fulfill all this for his Glory, and your owne soules health, Amen.

There is more Ioy in Heauen for one conuerted sinner; then for Ninety and nine, that neuer went astray.

This Confession of Faith, was made in the presence of the Christian reformed Church of Roane, the 12.th day of Aprill. 1621. at Queuilly.

Witnesses hereunto, wee whose Names are hereunder written, in whose presence it was done.

Samuel de Lecherpiere. Iohn Maximilian de Langle. Peeter Erondell. Ministers of the Worde of God in the Reformed Church of Roane.
FINIS.

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