TO The Nobly minded and worthily disposed Gentleman JOHN TREFERY Esquire. SIR, the particular favours I have often tasted as Arguments of a greater love, than any service of mine can deserve; Challenge from me a larger debt of duty and acknowledgement, than any endeavours of mine can by possibility acquit: yet to instance a gratitude somewhat above my fortunes or ability; I have adventured to tender an humble thankfulness, in presenting to your judicious view a Novelty, which I presume will be as acceptable to your particular knowledge, as it is to the Christian world in general: being the Conversion and Baptism of a lieu, written formerly in sundry Languages, lately in French, and now by me Translated into English, which task falling within the compass of my ableness to discharge, I have made bold under your protection to expose to the public view, and in all humbleness offer to your Patronage: that it may be some living (though sleight) testimony, of that love & duty which hath, and ever shall publish me to the world as I am in heart: Your Servant, and lover of your virtues, THOMAS DREWE. Daniel Ben Alexander, heretofore a jew by Religion, but now a Disciple of JESUS CHRIST. To the dispersed JEWS. The Grace of God the Father, the Peace of jesus Christ his Son, and the Charity of the holy Spirit, be amongst you all, now and evermore. AMEN. MY dear Father, Mother, Brothers, Sisters, Friends, and Allies, of the seed of Israel, according to the flesh: I profess truly unto you, and that without dissimulation, my conscience and soul beareth witness with me, that I could say with the Apostle Saint Paul, I suffer for you so much affliction in soul, that I could almost desire to be separated from Christ for you my Brethren: for you I say, that are of the seed of Israel, you to whom hath been sent and Prophesied, the glad tidings of the Blessed Messias, promised to our Forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, as also unto holy David, You Brethren of whom according to the flesh, is borne jesus Christ, which is God eternally blessed. Amen. Rom. 9.5. I doubt not but this my conversion to the Christian Faith, doth much astonish and afflict you: But my dear Brethren, that you may understand I have done nothing lightly or without premeditation: But with careful heed, constant faith, and assuredness in soul, having built my foundation upon God's eternal word, which cannot fail; I have this day manifested to you and the world, my confession of Faith, which if you shall please to read, though you find it brief in regard of my scarcity of time, yet grounded upon the proof of the Prophets and Old Testament, verified in the History of the New. God assist you and me, and may he be so pleased to hasten my return amongst you my Brethren, that I there may manifest his great mercy and grace to me, and that I may likewise be a light and guide unto you, to lead you out of that darkness wherein you are; insomuch that you know not the right hand from the left. First, I would entreat you understand, that though I have utterly abandoned the jewish Religion, yet am not become enemy to their persons, nor to the name of Israel, which is now so much the more available into me, in regard I can call myself of the house of Israel, not only according to the flesh, but principally according to the Spirit. Therefore dear beloved, I thought it fit to give you some testimony of my charity, thereby to make you partakers of that grace which God hath bestowed on me, plucking me forth of darkness and error, to the light of his holy word, out of the way of death and destruction, into the way of eternal salvation. I know for these things I shall be hated of you, and if it be in your power, persecuted; yet being in your blind zeal transported, as the Apostle Saint Paul, before he was called to the knowledge of our Lord jesus Christ, who persecuted those that believed in his name. But when that shall happen, may it please God so to strengthen me, that I may as a Christian appear like one of his, and so suffer for him that suffered and was crucified for me, which I shall account exceeding great gain. And thus far understand, that all worldly respect whatsoever, I cast beneath my feet, and do utterly renounce and disobey all Injunctions which shall be contrary to his service, that hath made me of a Saul a Paul; of a Persecuter and Blasphemer of his name, a man ready (by his grace) courageously to confess him and his name; that of an enemy hath adopted me a child; for which I cannot sufficiently render thanks: And I beseech him to make you partakers of the same grace and mercy. Wherefore (beloved) wash yourselves in clean water, that ye may be clean, and turn yet from your evils. Alas! how long will ye vex God? stay for no other Messias than he that is come, and shall again undoubtedly with glory come to judge both the quick and the dead. Then those eyes shall see him that have pierced him, and those that cried, Deliver the Thief, and crucify the just: Then shall they cry to the hills to fall upon them, and the mountains to cover them, but it shall no whit avail them. But howsoever you have persecuted the Prince of life; and spilt his innocent blood; yet notwithstanding he 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, provided you will acknowledge him, and leave to blaspheme his name, and fly from misbelief: for God hath not forsaken his people whom he formerly knew. Bear in mind the calling of the Gentiles, towards whom the Messias turned, being by you rejected, of whom he was borne, and to whom he was promised and sent: Woe be unto you that are wise in your own conceits, seeing many things, and taking heed to none; hearing much, and understanding nothing. Think not (brethren) that I reproachfully write this unto you, but in charity, and for it is the truth which I will always witness unto you as to my beloved brethren, and better it were that I reprove you, than God should reproach you with this saying, The Ox knows his Owner, the Ass the Manger of his Master, but Israel hath no knowledge, my people hath no understanding. Behold here the eternal which knocketh at your door, it is the voice of the beloved that knocks, saying, Open my sister, my dear, my Dove: Seek the eternal now when he may be found, call upon him whilst he is near: kiss the Son left he be angry, and ye perish in the way. Think with yourselves, the days are few and evil: Redeem the time, the day of the Lord is at hand, you know not at what hour he will come, then shall we not be able to open our mouths against our Master, the work shall not dispute against him that made it. Wherefore (dear Brethren) search diligently the Scriptures, take in hand the key of the Kingdom of heaven, the Lord in his mercy will show you the door. Receive this in good part and briefly, because of the shortness of time that I have to sojourn here: but if it please God to grant me the grace, to return into this Country amongst my brother Christians, after having travailed into mine own Country, to see those of mine own Nation, I shall (God assist me) take pains to do something more amply for your benefit, and the advancement of your soul's health. You my Father and Mother, whom I love equally with mine own soul: I humbly beseech you in the bowels of God's mercy, think with yourselves that you must once come to judgement, and render an account of all your proceedings, before the King of Kings, holy and blessed, stop not your ears, and be not void of understanding. God which is the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, be pleased to open the eyes of your understanding, and to manifest unto you the knowledge of the Messia● which hath suffered for our sins, and is risen again for our justification, and having given you this grace as unto me, he hath strengthened us together in the same by his holy Spirit, to the end we may persever constantly in the confession of his holy name in this life, and dying in his love; we may be received into his peace, and made partakers of everlasting life which hath been dearly bought for us, by the precious blood of our Saviour jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and to the holy Spirit, one only God eternally blessed, be all glory and praise throughout all worlds. Amen. Your Son Daniel Ben Alexander, heretofore a jew by Religion, but now a Disciple of jesus Christ. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, one only GOD Eternally Blessed, AMEN. I Daniel Son of Alexander, borne a JEW, and made Partaker of the Circumcision in the Flesh according to the same. Do render thanks to GOD, which is the Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, that of his Mercy and Grace he hath brought me to the knowledge, that heretofore I was in the way of Perdition and everlasting Death, in not having known the Saviour of the world JESUS CHRIST the Eternal Son of GOD; and now having revealed unto me by the virtue of his holy Spirit in the reading of his holy Word, that I could not attain to everlasting life, unless I were made a Member of his Body, I believed that I ought in his Name, and for the health of mine own soul, to receive according to his Institution in his holy Church the holy Sacrament of Baptsime, of which, and of the Graces that do accompany it; hath in diverse places of the Old Testament been Prophesied by significant Figures & spoken of in the New Testament in clear and manifest terms: for Example, God speaking by Ezechiel in the 36. Chap. 25. Vers. saith: Thenwill I pour clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: yea from all your filthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you. This figure of Baptism, likewise is manifested in the 7. th' of Genesis, alleged by St. Peter, chap. 2. vers. 20.21. Which were in time passed, Disobedient, when the long suffering of God waited in the days of Not, while the Ark was preparing, wherein few, that is, Eight-soules were saved in the water. Vers. 21. Whereof the Baptism 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) saveth us now also, by the Resurrection of jesus Christ. This very Figure in many other places is presented unto us, 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 Baptised unto Moses, in that Cloud, and in that Sea. Zacharie, in the Name of th' Eternal hath Prophesied of the graces of Baptism, in the 13. Vers. 1. In that Day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David, and to the Inhabitants of jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. And this Fountain was figured in the 1. of King. 7.3. By the Sea or great Cauldron, which Solomon placed in the Temple of God in jerusalem, which was borne upon twelve Oxen, figuring the twelve Apostles, which should Preach the Baptism of Repentance, of which they received the Commandment by our Lord JESUS CHRIST, which speaks to them in the 28. th' of St. Matthew: Go therefore, and teach all Nations, Baptising them in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The virtue of which Baptism I verily believe to be powerful to Salvation, since our Saviour CHRIST himself saith, 16. of St. Mark. He that shall believe and be Baptised shall be saved, but he that shall not believe, shall be damned. And in St. john, Chap. 3. jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except that a man be borne of Water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. By these words it appeareth clear, that the Figures in the Old Testament, are fully accomplished in the New by the searching of jesus Christ which is the true Lamb of God without any spot, that taketh away the Sins of the world. Being also the true promised Messias and Son of David, of whom nothing hath been spoken in the New Testament, which hath not formerly been Prophesied by Moses and the Prophets. Neither ought we to look for any other than he that is ascended into Heaven, even jesus Christ, which shall come to judge the quick and the Dead. And further examining the particulars of the Messias, touching his Person, Office, Nativity, Doctrine, Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, and Ascenton, I have found them all to belong and appertain to jesus Christ only, who is the undoubted Messias and Son of the Eternal God, as appeareth Psal. 22. Vers. 7. Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee. And it is of him also that is spoken in the 3. of Matthew, This is my beloved Son in whom 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 Sceptre shall not depart from juda, nor a Lawgiver between his feet, until Shilo come, and the People shall be gathered unto him. And in the 24. of Nom. There shall come a Star out of jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. Christ is the Son of David according to the Flesh, he is the seed of the Woman, as is Prophesied in the 3. of Gen. The seed of the Woman shall bruise the head of the Sespent. The Messias ought to be borne of a Virgin, Isaiah, 7. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and she shall call his name Emanuel. Christ was borne of this Virgin, to whom the Angel speaking (that she should be Mother to the Saviour of the world) said, his Name shall be JESUS. And the Evangelist St. Matthew saith, All this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet Isaih. This Messias is true Man, and so likewise true GOD, and beareth Name jehovah th' Eternal. jeremiah 23. and the 5. Behold, the days come, (saith the Lord) that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in the Earth. This could have relation to none but our Saviour Christ, who is sprung from David of the Tribe of juda, as it hath been Prophesied. So than that the Messias ought to have come from the Tribe of juda, and that at this present no jew can distinguish the Tribes of Israel one from the other, since they were Captives in Babylon, which is above 2. Thousand years, how can they now have knowledge of the house of David, and consequently their Messias which they look for? This persuadeth me verily to believe, that he that was borne of the Virgin Mary, proceeded from the royal house of David, as teacheth the holy history, the true Messias of the Tribe of juda. The Messias ought to have been borne in Bethelem, as foretold Micah: in the 5. Chap. 2. Vers. And thou Bethlem Ephrathah, art little to be among the Thousands of juda, yet out of thee shall come forth unto me, he that shall be the ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from the Beginning and from Everlasting. Now Bethelem is long since destroyed, and no mark or memory of it remaining; So than it follows, that he that was borne in Bethelem, to wit, jesus Christ must be the true Messias, according to the Prophets. The Messias ought to come to jerusalem in the time of the Second Temple, as spoke Agge. 2.8. Zach. 9.9. Mala. 3.1. jesus Christ came in the time of the second Temple, as the Gospel maketh mention, which assuredly persuadeth me, to believe him to be the true Messias to us promised. And now seeing that jerusalem is destroyed, and the Temple likewise destroyed, so that no Stone remaineth upon another. It is mere folly for the jews to look for any other Messias above 1500. after the Destruction, than he that came at the time Prophesied and appointed, and which shall come again to judge the quick and the Dead, as it hath been taught by the Apostles of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. Item the Messias ought to have taught a Doctrine of Grace and Mercy, whereas Moses gave the Law, and denounced a Curse against the transgressors thereof, this is that which Esa, Prophesied in the ●●. Chap. He hath sent me to Preach good tidings unto the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to Preach Liberty to the Captives, etc. The Messias, aught to be that great Prophet promised in the 18. th' of Deut: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, etc. The Messias ought to work Miracles, as saith Isa: Chap. 35. Then shall the eyes of the Blind be lightened, and the ears of the Deaf be opened, then shall the Lame man leap as an Hart. and the Dumb man's tongue shall sing. The Messias ought to be a high Priest, Psal. 110. vers. 4. The Lord swore and will not repent, thou art a Priest for ever, after the ●●der of Melchizedeck. And the Apostle St. Paul applies that, to our Saviour jesus Christ, in his Epistle to the Hebrews. The Messias ought to suffer and Dye, as the Prophet Daniel teacheth us in the 4. Chap. of his Prophecy, the 26. Vers. And after Three score and two weeks shall Messiah be slain, etc. He ought then to have Died but not for his sin, for he was without sin, and called by Daniel, the holy of holyes, he hath done wrong to no man, nor hath any deceit been found in his mouth. The manner of his Death hath been foretold by David, Psal. 22. They have pierced my hands and my feet. And Zacha. 12.10. And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall lament for him as one mourneth for his only Son, and be sorry for him as one is sorry for his first borne. And speaking of the Person of jesus Christ in the Apocalypses, it is said of him; That when he shall come in the Clouds all eyes shall see him. Namely those that have pierced him. The Messias ought to suffer for our Sins, to take upon him our infirmities and miseries, by his sickness to give us health, and to endure himself all reproach and disquiet to bring us peace. As saith Isa. in the 53. Chap. very amply. Which is likewise aleadged by the Evangelists in diverse other places. The Messias ought to be our high Priest, not that he offered the Blood of Beefs and Rams, but himself for the Sins of the people, as saith Isa. in the 53. Chap. He shall make his soul an Offehing for Sinne. And St. Paul to the Hebrews the 9. th' Chap. saith. Neither by the blood of Goats and Calves, but by his own Blood, entered he once into the Holy place, and obtained Eternal redemption for us. The Messias ought to be an Intercessor for Sinners and transgressors, Isa. 53.12. So did our Saviour jesus Christ do in the 23. of St. Luke, he saith; (praying for his persecutors) Father pardon them they know not what they do. The Messias after his Suffering ought not to remain amongst the Dead, but to rise again, David fore-speaking of him, saith in the 16. Psal. For thou wilt not leave my soul in the Grave, Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption: The time of his Resurrection was figured by jonas, and our Saviour doth apply it to himself, in St. Matthew, 12.40. For as jonas was three days and three nights in the Whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth. The Messias was not promised to be a King or temporal Prince, or to have an earthly Dominion, as the jews imagine, that think he should come accompanied with an Earthly glory. But his Kingdom was foretold to be Spiritual, and his coming into this world full of humility, ignominy, and contempt. His eternal and spiritual Kingdom was foretold by Daniel, his Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom, and in the second of Daniel and the 44. And in the days of these Kings. shall the God of heaven set up a Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and this Kingdom shall not be given to another people, but it shall break and destroy all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. And the Angel Gabriel speaking to the holy Virgin Mother of our Saviour jesus Christ, saith, That he shall reign over the house of jacob eternally, and there shall be no end of his reign. Then this jesus which is come in the fullness of time, is the Messias, which now reigns over a spiritual not temporal Kingdom, and there shines in glory, who chose in the earthly Kingdom was contemptible. First, he was reputed borne from Parents of mean condition, folded in clouts, laid in a Manger, in a loathsome Stable, Luk. 2.7. For his familiar company poor Fishermen, knew no place where to lay his head, he was mocked, injured, persecuted strucken, they have strucken the King of Israel upon the cheek with a Rod, than wished they him to prophesy, Matthew 26.68. Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that smote thee. His defection was such that Isaiah saith of him, chap. 53. he hath neither form nor beauty, when we shall see him there shall be no form that we should desire him: and David in the 22. Psalm, calleth him a worm and not a man, the shame of men, and the contempt of the people: And verse the 7. All they that see me have me in derision, they make a mow and nod the head, which is likewise verified in the Gospel. Our Saviour speaking of himself, saith, His Kingdom is not of this world, which though it be to them a scandal yet it might suffice, the jews that hoped and yet do vainly hope for a reestablishment of the temporal Kingdom of Israel: and which believe 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, upon the mountains of Israel, and one King shall be King to them all, and they shall be no more two peoples, neither be divided henceforth any more into two Kingdoms. And our Saviour Christ in Saint john Chap. 10. calls them one Shepherd and one flock. And the Apostle to the Ephe. 2. who saith, Christ jesus hath made both one, and hath broken down the partition wall. Now Christ having finished and suffered all things, that we have understood to have been foretold to be done by the Messias: we assuredly believe, that he is the true Messias, which not only came in the flesh, and in that suffered death, but hath triumphed over death, and the pains and punishments due to our sins, and after his resurrection ascended into heaven, there to be a Mediator for us, Rom. 8.33. Heb. 9.24. And Saint john saith, If any man have sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, namely jesus Christ the just 〈◊〉 he that made the propitiation for our sins, and also of all the world. Applying myself then in the search 〈◊〉 reading of the Old Testament, I know that the 〈◊〉 must be come long since, seeing that the Sceptre hath been taken from juda many hundred years past, as it was foretold in 49. Gen. seeing the 〈◊〉 over and ten wee●● of Daniel, which make four hundred, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 years, be long since passed three times and better, seeing the predictions of Messias do jump with the time of our Saviour Christ in the Gospel. I am bound to confess from the bottom of my soul, as my conscience doth bear me witness, that jesus the Son of the blessed Virgin Mary, is the true Messias promised to the Patriarches, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob, that he is come in the flesh, that he is the true Son of God, true God, and true man, who died for our sins, and rose again for our justification, and that there is no salvation but through him. I receive the Writings of the Evangelists and Apostles, and them, believe to be the true word of God, as are also those of Moses 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 Kingdom bought and purchased by jesus Christ, in whom he that believes, shall be saved, as he himself teacheth in the 6. of Saint john, He that believes in me shall have everlasting life: Now, for as much as the Christian Church is blemished with many Schisms and Heresies. I render hearty thanks to God, that of his mercy he hath brought me to the resolution to demand my Baptism, and join me to the confession of the faith & doctrine of the Catholic, Apostolic, & reformed Church, which I believe only to be of the Jerusalem, which is above, which is mother of us all, Gal. 4.26. And in this place I think myself bound to manifest unto you, the admirable means, though weak in appearance, by which it pleased God to draw me out of the servitude of judaism. The manner how he came to be converted. SOme four years since, or there about, being at Prague (the capital City of the Kingdom of Bohemia) where there are many jews inhabitants, Walking up and down the City; a very poor Scholar altogether unknown to me, makes up towards me, and being met, with an earnest look fixed in my face, he demanded of me some small charitable alms: at the first I refused to give him any thing (and I now freely confess) my reason was because he was a Christian, nor did only deny him, but for that cause inwardly reviled him. He looking upon me, and shaking his head, said, Master revile me not, but if your charity be cold, lintreate of you to buy this book of me: at which time other Christians gathering about us, and hearing me so churlish to him, began likewise to talk, for fear of whom I threw him some small 〈◊〉, and took his book with an evil will, for I then said, I take no delight in any of the Christians Books; which he hearing, said, Courteously, Sir I pray you read it, and if you carefully read it, it may show you the way to your salvation: at which I smiling went joy way, and coming home, as carelessly threw it into a Chest, not thinking further of it. But some twelve month after searching for something that was in that Chest, this Book presents itself to my view, which at first I had utterly forgot, nor could I call to mind whence or where I had it, but suddenly opening of it, and looking into it, (with no religious intent as then) I espied 〈…〉 Prophet's drove me into a curiosity and desire to read. Then proceeding, I found it to be a New Testament, when comparing some places of it to others of the Old Testament, I was on the sudden so sensibly touched in soul, that I resolved to read it through: and after a while reading, God I humbly thank him by little and little opened the eyes of my understanding, so that I began to doubt that I and those of my Nation were in some error: of which to be resolved, I addressed myself to some of the most learned amongst us in Prague, desiring of them to expound unto me some of those places which I had read in the Prophets, still concealing that I had a New Testament: which had they known, I might have been rudely handled by them: Their answers gave me no satisfaction, but on the contrary bred in me more difficulties, and if I pressed them to any material point, they then answered me, Sthouma: that is, they are things concealed; but being desirous to know those things which were concealed to them and myself also, I departed from Prague, and took my way into Poland, hoping from those Rabbis there to have had more instructions; but their answers were all one: And moreover, I was by them enjoined to silence. Then continuing my reading, and conferring the New and Old Testament together, neglecting the Talmud, wherein before I spent my time in vain, I became resolved, utterly to forsake the jewish Religion, and to become Christian: for which cause I retired myself to Damsik, where jews are prohibited to live, and from thence I embarked for Amsterdam, and so was resolved to go for Rome, which City I had heard to be the Mother Church of Christendom, and that there the Pope caused Sermons to be made weekly for the conversion of jews. Thus to bring my soul to rest, I travailed my body, and passing on, intending to take my course through France and so to Rome: My journey was by accident stayed, God in his pity not suffering me to fall from one evil into a worse: for by the way having a desire to converse with some religious man that could speak the high Dutch or low, and hoping by that means to get some letters of commendations, wherewith I might have presumed of a welcome in Rome, and meeting with one by chance after Communication, and that I had directly made known what I was, as also what I desired to be, he forthwith gave me counsel to be Baptised, which I with some time of pausing refused: but he desiring to know my reason, I gave him this, that I would know my foundation ere I began to build, and likewise have more sound knowledge in Christianity, ere I altogether forsook that faith that I was bred in. He willing to do me courtesy, conferred with me touching many and main points of his Religion, which I could by no means believe: whereupon demanding of him, if the Church of Rome taught the same Doctrine: he answered me, yes, it doth, I finding it disagreeing both to the New and Old Testament, could not imagine that to be the true Church which taught such false Doctrine. I then more troubled in mind, intended to find out some Minister of the Reformed Church, whom having sought, I found (Gods name be blessed for it) the heavenly food, the spiritual Manna, of which he that feedeth, shall never more hunger. And here (beloved) give me leave according to promise, to give you my reasons for forsaking the Church of Rome. First, for that contrary to the express will of God in the second Commandment, Exod. 20. They make to themselves graven Images, they prostrate themselves before them, and worship them, giving them the glory belonging to God only, who saith: I am the eternal, that is my name, I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to graven Images. 2. Because they do adore and worship others than God, contrary to the saying of our Lord jesus Christ, Math. 4.10. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 3. For that they believe that they may be saved by the name of other creatures, contrary to that, Acts 4. so spoken by Saint Peter, touching our Saviour Christ. Neither is there salvation in any other: for among men there is given none other name under heaven, whereby we must be saved. 4. Because they take from the Merits of our Saviour in his Death and Passion, and teach that men are justified by their own works. Gal. 2, 21. For if righteousness be by the Law, than Christ died without cause. And in the 16. Know that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the Faith of jesus Christ. And Ephas. 2.9. Not of works, lest any man should boast himself. 5. Because in the Church of Rome, the men of the Church as they say, have power to forgive Sins, But God speaks, Isa. 43. I even I am he, that putteth away thine iniquitias for mine own sake, and will not remember thy Sins. 6. Because the Church of Rome confesseth, with the Christian reformed Church, That our Saviour took Flesh only of the Virgin, and yet make they to themselves out of Bread, a jesus Christ of Flesh as they say, to be their daily Sacrifice. 7. Because the Church of Rome offendeth, in saying that they Sacrifice the Son of God for the sins of the Living and the Dead, against that which St. Paul saith to the Heb. 9.14. which through the Eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God. ' And 10.14. For with one offering hath he consecrated for ever, them that are Sanctified. 8. Because in the Romish Church, they have taken from the Sacrament of Baptism, which is for the remission of Sins in jesus Christ, and teach in the same Church a remission of Sins, by Fast, Pilgrimages, and the like, which I neither believe nor find warranted by any place of Scripture. 9 Because in the Church of Rome, they hold some Meats (created good by God) for some certain times polluted and unclean, against the saying of St. Paul 1. Tim. 4.4. For every Creature of God is good, and nothing aught to be refused, if it be received with Thanksgiving. 10. Because the Church of Rome prohibiteth people to Marry, which God hath not forbidden, and St. Paul calls that a Doctrine of Devils▪ 1● Tim. 4.3. Forbidding to Marry, and commanding to abstain from Meres which God hath Created, etc. 11. Because in the Church of Rome, they teach other Purge then by the Blood of jesus Christ, against that which is spoken, in ●. Heb. 12. By his own Blood entered he once into the Holy plac● and obtained Eternal remission for us. And john. 1.7. The blood of jesus Christ cleaseth us from all Sins. 12. Because I believe a man ought not to worship what he Eateth, nor to eat that he worshippeth, nor that any thing we eat can be God; This appeareth unto me not only impious but horrible in the Church of Rome, which teacheth that a mortal Man eateth his Creator. These reasons with many more hindered my journey to Rome, or to take my Baptism from that Church or Ministers thereof, who teach, things so repugnant to the word of God. Neither would I join myself to the Anabaptists, my reason was; Because they deny the true humane Body of our Saviour jesus Christ, saying, he took no part of the Flesh of the Virgin Mary; But only passed through her Body as water through a conduit, without participating of any of the substance. And so consequently sinning against the Article of our Belief, which saith that he was born of the Virgin Mary, so that taking away his Humanity, they make him not alike unto us in all things, Sin excepted: as the Apostle hath averred him. I therefore utterly renouncing all Impieties, and all Doctrines contrary to the word of God, embrace the holy Christian Faith, to live and dye according to God's holy word, not the traditions of men. For which cause, I know I shall be abandoned of Father, Mother, Brothers, Sisters, and hated of all my Nation for the Blessed name of Christ, who hath Prophesied, that the Father shall be against the Son, and the Mother against the Daughter. But that threatening of his doth astonish me, when he saith; He that shall love Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me, and he that shall deny me before men, I will deny him before my Father which is in Heaven. My soul's desire is for those of my Nation, that it would please God in the bowels of his great mercy, to take from them the vale that hideth the Truth from them, to open their eyes, to change their blind zeal which is without understanding, and to be as merciful to them, as to me he hath been, to the end they be not condemned before the Throne of his Majesty, that they may cease to Blaspheme his holy Name! O redeem them O Lord, that are the lost Sheep of Israel, for thou hast not forsaken thy people for ever; There are amongst them many that have not bended their knees to Baal. Wherefore O Lord convert them, that are to be converted, not looking upon them in thy justice, but in thy great Mercy, for thine own sake, for thine own promise, for thy Covenants sake, to the end thy Name may be everlasting Blessed. Amen. Well-beloved Christians, whom I believe to be the assembly of the Faithful, and of the house of God, I am heartily sorry that I cannot in your own Tongue, make known to you this my Confession, I have writ it in the Siriacke, and it is translated in my name into your Language. I protest, not only before you, but before God, that knows the secrets of all hearts, and hears this my protestation, that his Grace assisting me, I will live and dye a Christian, and so be it unto me in his great day of judgement, as I believe what I confess before his holy Assembly, whom I humbly beseech that in Christian charity they would receive me for a member of them, as one of the Dispersed sheep of the house of Israel, and that my name may be written in your memories, as I verily believe God hath registered it, in his Book of Eternal Life. Amen. ROME 11. Vers. 26.27.28. 26. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, The deliverer shall come of Zion, and shall turn away the ungodliness from jacob. 27. And this is my Covenants to them, when I shall take away their Sins. 28. As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: But as touching the Election, they are beloved for the Father's sakes. This Confession being thus made, the said Daniel was Catechised by the Minister, who answered in his own person, as followeth. A Catechism. Question. WHAT Demand you in the Christian Church? Answer. I demand the holy Baptism for remission of Sins. Quest. In name of whom will you be Baptised? Answ. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost. Quest. Do you Believe that JESUS CHRIST, is the Eternal Son of God, true God, and true Man? Answ. I do believe he is. Quest. Believe you him to be the Messias promised in the Old Testament? Answ, Yes, I believe it. Quest. Do you understand the Confession of Faith in the Christian Church? Answ. Yes. Quest. Repeat it? Answ. I Believe in God the Father Almighty, etc. Quest. Do you promise to remain constant in this Confession all the Days of your life. Answ. Yes, the grace of God assisting me. Quest. Do you renounce the jewish Religion, their Ceremonies and errors as also all their heresies? Answ. I renounce them with all my heart. Quest. Do you receive the new Testament, as a fulfilling of the Old, and the Doctrine of the Evangelists and Apostles for the word of God, as also those of the Prophets? Answ. Yes, so I believe. Quest. Do you renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Devil? Answ. I do. God of his Grace make you able to fulfil all this for his Glory, and your own soul's health, Amen. There is more joy in Heaven for one converted sinner; then for Ninety and nine, that never went astray. This Confession of Faith, was made in the presence of the Christian reformed Church of Roan, the 12. th' day of April. 1621. at Quevilly. Witnesses hereunto, we whose Names are hereunder written, in whose presence it was done. Samuel de Lecherpiere. john Maximilian de Langle. Peter Erondell. Ministers of the word of God in the Reformed Church of Roan. FINIS.