[De communione et conversatione Iudaeorum et Christianorum]

A Treatise on the Communion and Conversation of Jews and Christians: And the Innovation of Constitutions Regarding This Matter.

The Jews, whose perfidy frequently returns to the vomit a biblical reference to Proverbs 26:11 and 2 Peter 2:22, indicating a return to sin, if they wish to come to Catholic laws, should by no means be compelled, but rather they should be freely encouraged toward the way of salvation by kindness, reasoning, examples, and good admonitions. Regarding the conversation of Christians with Jews, no one doubts that the decrees of the holy fathers and the decretals of the supreme pontiffs must be observed, so that our Catholics might not be subverted by their cunning astuteness. Wherefore, many warnings regarding this conversation are provided by holy fathers for Christians, which should be frequently announced and pondered by the rectors of churches where Jews reside.

First, that neophytes those newly converted to the faith or simple, unlearned persons should not converse with them, nor should they discuss secrets that belong to our Faith, lest they be subverted by their cunning or participation. The Fourth Council of Toledo states, as found in the canon (27, q. 1, c. "Saepe"): "The association of the wicked often corrupts even good morals; how much more so those who are prone to vice? Therefore, let there be no communion for those Hebrews who have converted to the Christian faith with those who still persist in the old rite, lest they be subverted by their participation." Therefore, whoever among those who have been baptized does not avoid the company of infidels, namely Jews, and if these baptized ones are given to Christians, and those Jews are relegated to public buildings, so that Christians can be excluded from them, and the Jews punished by physical penalty or by the temporary judgment of a bishop or prince—concerning this, there is the text (17, q. 4, c. "Constituit"). It often happens that while the imperfect wish to gain others, they betray themselves. Thus, in Exodus 22, it is commanded that the Jews should not converse with sinful nations, nor dwell in their land, lest they make them sin. Thus, in Exodus 33, it is said: "Beware that you never join friendships with the inhabitants of that land, which will be your ruin." And Paul, testifying to the same, says: "We charge you that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly," that is, from every infidel.