An Information Concerning the Present State of the Jewish Nation in Europe and Judea

p. 1An Information, CONCERNING The present State of the Jewish Nation in Europe and Iudea. Wherein the footsteps of Providence preparing a way for their Conversion to Christ, and for their deliverance from Captivity, are discovered.

SUch as do believe the Promises, that God will be mercifull unto the house of Israel, because he still loveth them for the Fathers sake, [Rom 11.38 29, 30, 31.] and that his Gifts and Calling to them being without Ripentance he will bestow mercy upon them through the Mercy whish is shewed to us Gentiles; and such who also hope when that Mercy shall be shewed unto them, whereby all Israel shall be saved, [Ibid, 12.1 • .] that then their fulness and reception into Grace shall become to all the world abundant riches, yea as life from the dead: I say such as believe and hope for these things, ought to p. 2consider seriously what God is now doing towards the effecting of this great work, that is, what preparations are made at this time towards it: and what the way is by which he will bring them and us together, as one flock in one sheepfold, under Christ Jesus, that we and they by him may glorifie God together. This consideration is necessary to fit us for the work of our Generation, that in our places we may become subservient to his Counsell, and partake of the Comforts which from thence will redound unto his people; for such as mourn for Jerusalem, and expect that she shall be made the glory of the whole earth, shall suck and be satisfied with the breasts of her Consolation, and shall milk out, [Isa. 66.10, 11.] and be delighted with the abundance of her Glory.

To this effect we ought to observe these following Informations concerning their present State, whereby it is evident that God doth begin to appear for them by extraordinary Providences, partly in driving them by great afflictions to look up unto him, partly in moving them to consider the cause of those Afflictions to be the sin of their FORE-FATHERS, in neglecting the day of their salvation; partly in moving both Christians and Turks to have compassion upon them, and by this means opening a dore of hope unto them to find relief; and to us an occasion to impart through love unto them the mysteries of the Gospel: for this design is upon the heart of many of Gods servants, both here and elsewhere, who entertain some acquaintance with them, and endeavour to ratifie their Love unto them by works of Mercy, to make way for better Communication in due time, whereof the following Informations will give some account; that such as are willing to concur with others in Prayers for them, towards God, and in the effects of Charity, to gain them through kindness, to have an open ear in due time for us, may not be wanting to the opportunities which God doth offer to help the advancement of his Counsell, which will be a happiness to all those who are made willing to co-operate therein; and which for their own comfort they are hereby entreated to do.

p. 3First, Then it is to be observed that as the distress of Nations doth increase in the world, so the affliction and misery of the Jews; They being scatered among these Nations: must also needs be encreased; for they having no possessions which they are permitted or willing to own as their inheritance among the Nations, and not being able to return to the Inheritance which they expect as a Nation in the Land of Canaan, [Gen. 13.15.15.18.19, 20, 21, 26, 4. Deut 1.8, 34, 1.2, 3, 4. Dan. 12.1.] there the land being theirs by Gods Promise, their Affliction and Calamity must needs be by so much greater then that of other Nations, by how much they are more unsetled then they: For when the Nations with whom they live, are so unsetled, that they can neither abide among them, nor retire to any other abode, this must needs be to them that time of trouble whereof Daniel speaks, which is said to be such as never was since there was a Nation, even to this same time; and because it is promised, that when their trouble shall come to this height, that then Michael the great Prince shall stand up for them: therefore we must conceive, that the time of their deliverance doth draw near: and the greater the distress and trouble of the Nations will be, the nearer will be their deliverance at hand: For Christ tells us, That Jerusalem must be troden down of the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Now the times of the Gentiles are to be fulfilled, when after the signs in the Sun, Moon and Stars, [Luk. 21.25, 26.] whereof many have been already, there shall be such distress of Nations with such perplexity, as the sea and for the looking after those things which are coming upon the earth, because the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Which things we conceive are now actually begun; and when they end, the times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled, and then the Shulamite will return. This distress of the Nations is now begun in Europe, but is expected to end in Asia and in Africa, and shall be sulfilled when the Prophesie of Isaiah shall come to pass, mentioned, Isa. 19.23, 24, 25. to the end. [Can. 6. the end. 13.] When Israel shall be the third with Aegypt and Assyria, that is, in Africa and Asia, even a blessing in the midst of the Land, whom the Lord of hoasts shall bless, saying, blessed be Aegypt my people, and Assyria the work p. 4of my hands, and Israel mine Inheritance. Seeing then it appears this will be the issue of the troubles now begun, and seeing our Saviour doth promise that for the Elects sake the days of tribulation shall be shortned; [Mat. 24.22.] therefore we may conceive that it will not be long before they shall be restored, and with them the Nations be quieted; for this cause taking more particular notice of their present condition, to observe how Providence doth sit them for their deliverance, and prepare a way to bring to pass, we shall consider, first, in what state they are now at Jerusalem, where their deliverance will be wrought, [1.] and first begun, according to that of Mica 4 8. O Tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Sion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the Kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. [2.] Secondly, How the way is a preparing to bring their deliverance to pass.