LECTURE IV. My lecture this evening commences with the history of the Jews in this country, during the reign of King John-the reign of one who has acquired an unenviable notoriety in the political history of this country-one who is well known as a disobedient son, an unnatural brother, and a savage monarchone who disregarded the rights of all menone, in short, who trampled under foot all laws, both Divine and human. What could the Jews expect from such a character? The natural effect of the cruelties to which they had been subjected during the last reign, under Richard Cœur deLion-who, though generous, was yet rash and romantic, which was the cause of their 176 THE JEWS ALLURED BY JOHN very great sufferings-I say, the natural effect would have been to deter them from attempting to accumulate any more wealth in this country; and it was to be apprehended that on the accession of such an unprincipled man to the throne, and the semibarbarian state of the then people of England, who were continually quarrelling with each other, and were ready at all times to plunge the sword or the lance into the breasts of each other: the Jews, under such circumstances, instead of resorting to England, as holding out to them inducements for the acquirement of riches, might have been expected to have quitted this island altogether. It was well put into the mouth of a Jewish maiden of that age," Such is no safe abode for the children of Israel. Ephraim is an heartless dove-Issachar an over-laboured drudge, which stoops between two burdens. Not in a land of war and blood, surrounded by hostile neighbours, and distracted by internal factions, can Israel hope to rest during her wanderings." It was to TO REMAIN IN ENGLAND. 177 be apprehended that they would have betaken themselves to Spain, where their brethren were just then highly honoured, and enjoyed great favour at the Spanish courts.* But John was an artful man as well as a wicked one. The law which his brother Richard enacted, relative to the Exchequer of the Jews, permitted the king to exercise unlimited power over the properties of the Jews. This circumstance afforded him great facilities for obtaining supplies to a large amount, upon any emergency. John wanted money continually in consequence of his incessant disagreements with his people. He saw it necessary, therefore, to devise some measure which would have the effect of allaying the fears of the Jews; and therefore began his reign with pretended kindness towards them, holding out to their view the expectation of greater security in future. Accordingly, King John, in the first year *See Appendix A. |