Ashmole’s annotations and discourses upon the preceding work, part 4 of 5

Notwithstanding, all these Wonders are not wrought but by the Cooperation of second Causes dispositing of the Corporall Matter, God (the first cause of all things) having variously distributed these vertues to every one as he pleaseth, who by his Command and appointment are necessitated to produce their Effects.) which Matter (by reason of its Purity or Inequality may cause the Celestiall vertues to erre in their Actings, (for certainly Influences may be hindred, and prove ineffectuall through the indisposition or insufficiency of the Matter.) And therefore it is no ordinary Speculation to awaken the sleeping Spirit which lyes bound up in the straight Prison of the Body; to invite and allure that propitious Spirit to descend from Heaven, and unite it selfe with that which is Internall; and there withall to convey a Vniculum thereinto, that is of power to hold fast and fix the Celestiall Influencs, from recoyling back into their united Centers.

This is the Series and Order of Nature conjoyn'd with Art: and this, and all this must be effected, before one true Magicall Operation can be performed.

Pag. 194. Liber patris Sapientie.

THough I cannot yet satisfie the Reader who was the Authour hereof, and therefore must Register it, (together with Experience and Philosophy, the hermets Cale) amongst the Anonymi: yet I can assure him He gives exceeding good advice to the Student in this Science, where he bids him be Secret in the Carriage on of his Studies and Operations, and not to let any one know of his Undertakings, but his good Angel and Himselfe: and such a close and retyred Brest had Norton's Master, who

When Men disputed of Colours of the Rose,
He would not speake but keepe himselfe full close.

Privacy will (questionlesse) prove an unimaginable benefit to him, whereas on the contrary Apertnesse exposeth a true Philosopher to a multitude of Misfortunes. Witnesse Sir Ed. Kelley, whose immoderate Ambition of spreading his Name, lifted him up even to a Madnesse of publique Carriage; which not correcting in Time, he most miserably fell, through the fatall Virtego of imprudent Glory. To such therefore I shall only adde Chaucers Councell which may prove of no litle advantage if they remember it.

Make […]privy to your dealing as few as you maie,
For three may keepe Councell if twaine be awaie.

THe Figure cut in Brasse and placed in Page 210. is an Hierogliphicall device of Cremer somtime Abbot of Westminster, and Scholler (in this Science) to Raymond Lully, which he caused to be painted upon an Arched Wall in Westminster Abbey, where now the Statues of our Kings and Queenes are set in their respective Habits.

I met with it Limned in a very Ancient Manuscript, before the old Verses that follow, which there seemed to serve as a Preface to that Worke which beares the Tytle of Hermes Bird. In it is conteyn'd the Grand Misteries of the Philosophers Stone, and not more Popish or Superstitious then Flamell's Hierogliphicks portraid upon an Arch in St. Innocents Church-yard in Paris; Notwithstanding it has pleased some, to wash the Originall over with a Plasterer's whited Brush. As also (of late) to breake in Pieces the Glasse Window behinde the Pulpit in St. Margarets Church at Westminster, wherein was fairely Painted (but unhappily mistaken for a Popish Story) the whole Processe of the Worke, in this manner.

The Window is divided into three Parts: In the Outermost whereof upon the right hand was drawne a Man holding a Boy in his hand, and a Woman with a Girle in hers, all standing in upright, naked postures, upon a greene foliate earth: The Man and Woman had Fetters, wherewith their Feet seemed to be chained to the ground, which Fetters were presented as falling from off their Legs. Over the heads of these persons were the Sun and Moone placed, and painted of a sad darke red Colour.

Within the Left side of the Window was a Beautifull Young man, clad in a Garment of various Colours, bearing a Yellow Crosse upon his Shoulders, his Body Encircled with a Bright Glory, which sent forth Beames of divers Colours, He stood upon an Earth intimating Oculus Piscium.

At the Foote of the Midle Part of the Window was a faire large Red Rose full spread, which issued Rayes upward, and in the Middle an exeeding bright Yellow Glory. Above the Rose was the Figure of a Man rising with Beames of Light spread about his Head (somwhat like the Posture used to expresse Christ's rising from his Sep[…]l[…]hre) He had a Garment of a Reddish Colour, deepned with Red and heightned with Yellow; In his left Hand, a White Stone, which he held towards the Persons arising in that pa[…]t of the Window on the Right Hand; and in his Right Hand he held forth a Red Stone towards Him, whose Garments was of various Colours.

In the uppermost part of this VVindow over the Figures was Transversely written as followeth:

In the first part of the Left Hand, Omnes gentes adepti plaudite quia dominus frater vester. In the Middle Part.

S.... at mittens spiritum suum, ecee nova facio omnia celum & t...

In the Third on the Right Hand.

Factus quasi unus ex......ia....angelio tibi—

Under these Figures in the Left side of the VVindow were the Stawels and the Martyns Coates of Armes quartered; And at the bottome of the Right side thereof, was this Coate of Arms placed, (viz.) Argent, a Chevorok Embattelled, Gules, & Vert; which for the rarenesse of Bcaring I thought fit to Blazon; and withall (because upon very diligent search among the Records of English Coats of Armes it is not to be found) in hope it may come to the view of such, who (if not at home) may from abroad produce the Bearer, and consequently bring to light the Person that design'd these Hierogliphicks, and caused them thus to be Painted.

Pag. 213. Hermes Bird.

VVHich Piece (as 'tis thought) was written Originally by Raymund Lully (or at least made English by the afore mentioned Cremer) and that upon this Occasion.

Cremer travelling into Itally fell into the acquaintance of Lully, and so exceedingly wrought upon him by his perswasions that he brought him over into England, where within two yeares (but after thirty yeares erronious Experiments) he obteyned the Secret from him. And afterwards bringing Lully to the sight and knowledge of Edward the third, upon some deepe Ingagements and Promises that the King entred into to prosecute a VVarre against the Turkes in person, to bestow somwhat on the House of God, but nothing in Pride or VVarring against Christians,) he was content permissione Divina Regem sua Arte divitem facere. Which when the King had obtained, he brake his Promise, turned his Designc against France (the first Expedition being Anno 1337.) and finding that Lully (after he had seene him violate his faith in destroying Christians in stead of Mahumetans) refused to further his Ambition with new supply of Gold, He clapt him up in the Tower, where he lay a long time, and seeing no possibility of Release, begun to study his Freedom, and to that end made himselfe a L[…]aper, by which meanes he gained more Liberty, and at length an Advantage of escaping into France, where in all probability he pen'd this Piece.

The whole Work is Parabolicall, and Allusive; yet truly Philosophicall: and the Bird (that intitles it) the Mercury of the Philosophers, (whose vertues and properties are therein largely described,) By the word Chorle, is meant the Covetous and Iguorant Artist, the Garden is the Vessell or Glasse, and the Hedge the Furnace.

Pag. 233. The Tale of the Chanon's Yeoman.

ONe Reason why I selected out of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, that of the Chanon's Teoman was, to let the VVorld see what notorious Cheating there has beene ever used, under pretence of this true (though Injur'd) Science; Another is, to shew that Chaucer himselfe was a Master therein.

For, in this Tale Chaucer sets forth the deceipts in Alchimy to the life, and notably declaimes against all such villanous Pretenders, who being wholly ignorant of Art, have notwithstanding learnt the Cunning, to abuse the World; And this paines he tooke (as himselfe professeth) meerly

To the intent that men maie beware thereby,
And for no other cause truly.

Herein following the President of all sincere and conscientious Philosophers, then whom, the Injur'd world cannot more condemne the abuses of these Impostors that disgrace the Art, in that they are continually advising to shun them as spreading Infection; and setting out Lights and Directions, that may serve as so many Land marks, (if we will but take notice of them) to make us avoyd the Rocks of their Fraud and Deceipt, which will otherwise split us.

The famous Art of Physiek is not more abused, with Quacking Mountebanks; nor that other of Astrology more injur'd by some nibling Sciolists and ignorant Iuglers: then this Divine Science hath suffered by the Legerdemaine of some Pretenders. What though some Moderne Chemists rove beyond the Latitude of their Profession, (being hurried on by a Covetous thirst, to obteyne this Arcanum Dei, this Thesaurus incomparabilis;) and by operating in strange Matters, & torturing of various Bodies, bring Disparagement upon this worthy Science; yet we ought not therefore to confound praise-worthy Arts, with the Abuses which Imposters shuffle into them; or for the falsenesse or corruption of the bad, condemne the pure and good: If so, Religion it selfe (as well as other Learning, and Professions) would scarce be exempt from the like blemishes, and wounds, if not destroyed and buried in scornfull Ignorance.

This is the Misery, (and tis not ultra Caduceum for me to speake it) that there are a Generation of People that rush headlong into the acquaintance of such Men, there's nor staving them off, much like the doting Idiotts which so eagerly courted Chaucer's Chanon, after whom

—Men riden and gone full many a Myle
Him for to se[…]ke and have acquaintance,
Not knowing of his false governanc[…].

Let Philosophers say what they can, and wise men give never so good Counsell, no warning will serve, they must be Couzened, nay they have a greedy appetite thereunto; but it has beene ever so, and we are told of old, that

Many Artificers have byne over swift,
With hasty Credence to fume away their thrift,

so strong and powerfull a misleader is Covetousnesse.

Norton describes these Cheats exactly, and give as ful an account of their Subtilties as he dare, for feare of incouraging such as bend their VVitts that way. Ripley dissects them to the Bone, and scourgeth them naked to the view of all; the like doth many other Philosophers: Bloomefield gives us a Catalogue of the cheife of this Tribe in his time, and I may safely tell the Reader he shall gaine much benefit by this Worke, if he pick but out what is said concerning them, and study that First.

In some darke Passages tis as greate a Curtesie to be taught to know Blocks, as to be directed which way to avoyd and get beyond them, and being soe thanke Ripley for this his following Cautionary advice.

Beware therefore for Ihesus sake,
And medyll with nothing of greate Cost,
For and then doe, yt is but lost.

As also Norton,

Cease Laymen cease, be not in lewdnesse ever,
Lewdnesse to leave is better late then never.

I wish I could say this Age, this Nation, the World, were not alured and infected with the Cyrene notes of some grand, and notable Impostors, or that the too too Credulous had not met with the same misfortune which Story tells us others have undergone, even to Ruine. Yet to those that have been Decoy'd into the s[…]are, and would gladly for the future pursue a more hopefull Course, let them heare Richard Carpenter.

Avyse the well ere thow begin,
Or else lytel schalt thow wynne.

And with him Chaucer,

If that your Eyne cannot seene right,
Loketh that your Minde lack not his sight.

And againe,

Let no man busie him this Arie to seche,
But he that the entention and Speeche
Of the Philosophers understand can,
And if he doe he is a lewde man.
For this Scyence and Connyng quod he,
Is of the Secre of Secrees parde.

Let me tell them they may become happier and expect a Blessing in what they seeke; If with Job they can thus throughly purge themselves and say, If I have made Gold my Hope, or fine Gold my Confidence, &c. that is, if they can study this Science and not pursue it for Transmutation of Metals sake onely,

For Covetous men that findeth never
Though they seke it once and ever,

and certainly the lucre of that will fix a Curse upon their Endeavours, and plunge them headlong into an unfathom'd depth of Misfortune.

If what hath been delivered be not of force to make men watch over their undertakings, and heedfully avoid the Springs and Ginns that are ordinarily laid to intrap them into Ruine; but that on the contrary they carelesly slide into a Venture upon any Tearms, Ile leave them with this incouragement,

o) Who soe that lysteth to utter his folly,
Let him come forth and learne to Multiplie;
And every man that hath ought in his Cofer,
Let him appeare and wexe a Philosopher.

Now as Concerning Chaucer (the Author of this Tale) he is ranked amongst the Hermetick Philosophers, and his Master in this Science was Sir Jobn Gower, whose familiar and neere acquaintance began at the Inner Temple upon Chaucer's returne into England; for the Troubles of the Times towards the latter end of Rieh: the second's Raign had caused him to retire out of their Danger into Holland, Zeland, and France.

He is cited by Norton for an Authentique Author, in these words;

And Chaucer rehearseth how Tytans is the same.

Besides he that Reads the latter part of the Chanon's Yeoman's Tale, wil easily perceive him to be a Iudicious Philosopher, and one that fully knew the Mistery.

Master Speght (in that commendable Account he gives of Chaucer's life,) is perswaded he was borne in London, from something intimated in his Testament of love. But Bale saith, He was Nobili loco natus, and that neere unto Oxford, for (saith he) Leland had Arguments which made him believe he was borne either in Oxford-shire or Bark-shire. But what those Arguments were we now know not, yet may believe them to be of considerable weight, because they were doubtlesse such as he gathered in his 6. yeares laborious search into the Libraries of our English Monasteries and Colleges, being furthered by the liberall Encouragement and Commission of Hen. 8. And had it not been for his indefatigable paines, All that was notable in this Nation had in all likelyhood beene perpetually obscured, or at best, but lightly remembred, as uncertaine shaddowes. Neverthelesse the fruits of this famous Antiquaries labours, are no where now intirely to be seene, unlesse dispersed through the workes of some other men, who have most arrogantly and unworthily made them their owne: amongst the rest I perceive Polid. Virgil stole much Tymber from this worthy Structure, with part whereof he built up his Worke, the rest be enviously burnt, for thus I finde Lelands Ghost Complaining.

Am I deceiv'd? or doth not Lelands Spirit,
Complaine with Ghosts of English Notaries;
Whom Polidore Virgill robb'd of merit,
Bereft of Name, and sackt of Histories,
While (wretch) he ravisht English Libraries.
Ah wicked Booke-theefe whosoever did it:
Should one burne all, to gett one single Creditt.

Am I deceiv'd? or doth not Lelands Spirit
Make Hue and Cry, for some Booke Tresure stelth;
Rifling his Workes, and razing Name and Merit;
Whereby are smothered a Prince-given Wealth,
A learned Writers Travaile, wits, and Health:
All these he spent to doe his Country pleasure,
Oh save his Name, the World may know […]is Treasure.

But begging Pardon for this Digression, (being on the behalf of so deserving a Schollar) I return to Chaucer. Pitts Positively saies he was born in Woodstock, of noble Parents, and that Patrē babuit Equestris Ordinis Virū, his Father was a Knigbt. And this may not be unlikely if we Consider, that not onely the Name is as Auncient as William the Conqueror's time, but that some of the Family have beene both of large fortunes and good quality. For we finde that Edw the 1. heard the Complaint of Iohn Chaucer in the Damage of 1000 l. And also, that there was in the Raigne of H. 3. and Ed. 1. one Elias Chaucer, of whom —Edwardus dei gratia, &c. liberate de Thesauro nostro Eliae Cbausecir' decem Solid: With which Cbaracters our Geffr[…]y Chaucer is written in the Records of Ed. 3. and Rich. tbe second.

But wheresoever he was Borne, his Education was chiefly in the University of Oxford in Canterbury-Colledge, (suppressed by H. 8. and now joyned to Christchurch) though for some time he studied at Cambridge.

Of Cambridge Clarke.—

He quickly became a Witty Logitian, a sweet Rhetoritian, a pleasant Poet, a grave Philosopber, a holy Divine, a skilful Mathematitian, his Tutors therein were Frere Iohn Son, and Frere N. Lenne, (Friers Carmelites of Lynne remembred with honour in his Treatise of the Astrolabe) and moreover (I may safely adde) an able Astrologian, for almost in every Worke he inter-weaves most sound and perfect Astrologie. In Brief, he was Universally learned, and so affirmes his Scholar Tbo. Occlev[…].

O Vniversall Fadre of Science.

Pitts stiles him Vir Belli Pacis q; Artibus mi[…]è Florens. A Man that excelled in Arts both of Warre and Peace, and a little after, Nam jam antequam virilem […]tatem attigisset, erat Poeta Elegans, Et qui Poesim Anglicam ita illustravit, ut Anglicus Homerus merito haberetur: For ere he came to Mans Estate, he was an Elegant Poet, and one, who illustrated English Poesy, that he might have beene deservedly accounted the English Homer. Lidgate the Monke of Bury calls him the Load star of our Language, and tells us that it was he, that

Made first to distill and Raine
The Gold dew dropps of Speech and Eloquener,
Into our Tongue through his Excellence.
And founde the Floures first of Rhetoricke,
Our rude speeche o[…]ely to inlumine,
That in our Tonge was never non him like.

For indeed in his time all good Letters were laid asleep in most parts of the World, and in England our Tongue was exceeding wild and rude, yet (through his refining and polishing) it became more sweet and pleasant, in which regard he is stiled

The first finder of our feire language.

He spent many of his yeares in Fran[…]e and Flanders: severall Preferments he had at Cours, for he was Armiger Regis to Ed. 3. (a place of very good Reputation) Val[…]otus Hospitii, viz. Groome of the Pallace, and after in R. 2. time Con[…]rouler of the Custome-house London; With these he had severall Annuall pensions during his Life granted from R. 2. and H. 4. His Abilities for Forraigne Imployments were so farre taken notice of, that he was twice or thrice sent abroad into other Countries, and thought fit to be one of the Embassadors into France to move a Marriage betweene Richard the second (while Prince of VVales) and the Lady Mary, Daughter to the French King. His Revenue was 1000l. per annum. a very plentifull Estate, the times considered.

He dyed at London 25. Octob. Ann. 1400. as appeares by the Inscription upon his Tombe at Saint Peters in VVestminster Abby, in an Isle on the South side of the Church.

Mr. Nicholas Brigham built this Marble Monument to his Memory, the true Pourtraicture whereof I have caused to be exactly graved in Brasse, and placed in page 226. There was formerly round the ledge of the Tombe these following Verses, but now no remainder of them left.

Si rogites quis eram, forsan te fama d[…]cebit:
Quod si fama negat, mundi quia gloria transit,
Haee monumenta lege.

The Picture of Chaucer is now somwhat decay'd, but the Graver has recovered it after a Principall left to posterity by his worthy Schollar Tho. Occleve, who hath also these Verses upon it.

And though his life be queinte the resemblaunce,
Of him hath in me so fresshe liffnesse,
That to putte other men in remembraunce
Of his persone, I have here the liknesse
Do make, to this ende in soth fastnesse,
That thei that have of hem lost thoute and mynde,
By this Peinture, may ageine him fynde.

Before Mr. Brigham built the aforesaid Monument it seemes Chaucer had a Stone layd over his Grave upon which was ingraved this following Epitaph.

Galfridus Chaucer Vates & fama Poesis,
Materna hac sacra sum tumulatus humo.

Pag 257. Dastin's Dreame.

I Am perswaded this VVorke called by the Name of Dastin's Dreame; has beene turned into English Verse by some later Philosopher; for in his dayes we meete with no such refined English, and in Latin we have his Vision with which (in effect) this agrees.

The Time he liv'd in is not certainely knowne; I finde none that mention it; but tis beleeved it was long since. Our Country-man Bale speaks of him yet throwes at him and this Science some uncomely abuses: Neverthelesse he calls him Alcumisticae artis aetate sua primus & in Anglia Magister unicus; the Prime Alchymist of his Age, and the only Master thereof in England; A Producer and Foret[…]ller of things which (it seemes in his apprehension) he could not attaine to by Nature; He made a diligent search into all things that might possibly be found out in Chemistry, insomuch that he boldly wrote and published severall Experiments.

And though Pitts renders him a very Poore man, and layes the blame upon his owne Artifice; (being so much addicted to Alchymie,) yet questionlesse (if he were Master of such learning as they confesse him to be, and his Poverty were not voluntary;) he might have advanced himselfe to riches when he pleased. He wrote these following Bookes,

• 1. Super Arte Alcumistica.
• 2. Visiones ad huc alias.
• 3. Secreta Secretorum.
• 4. Speculum Philosophorum.
• 5. Sapientum Aurinum.

Maierus saith he left behind him a considerable Chemicall Tract, which Janus Lacinius hath put in his Collestions. Not unlike but this may be in Lacinius his Pretiosa Margarita novella de Thesauro, ac preciofissimo Philosophorū lapide; hut the Booke I have not yet seene, and therefore cannot tell whether what is there published of Dastin's, be any of the before mentioned Workes.

Pag. 269. Take Erth of Erth, Erths Moder.

LUdovicus Combachius in his late Collections of some of Ripley's Workes, put this of Pearce the Black Monk's among them under the Title of Terra Terra Philosophicae; and publishes it as Ripley's: and withall that Tytle [Terra Terrarum] which Pitts also gives to one of his Workes may seeme to insinuate this; But I conceive all are not Ripley's which walk under his Name, for questionlesse, many Pieces are (of late Tymes) fathered on him which he never wrote; Bale has not this at all among the Catalogue he delivers of what was Ripley's. And I have met with it in so old a Manuscript under the tytle of Pearce the Black Monke, that the Hand (as I Judge) speakes it to be antienter then Ripley's Time.

Pag. 275.

Of Titan Magnesia take the cleere light,
The Redd Gumme that is so bright:

Some Anclent Copies have it also thus,

Of Spaine take the cleere light,
The Red Lion that is so bright.

VVHo to pitch upon for the Author, I was a long time ignorant of, yet at length I happily met with an old Manuscript (and it was the ancientest Hand-writing I ever saw this Piece written in) to which was affixt the Name of Richard Carpenter; and thereupon I have Intitled it, Carpenter's Worke.

I finde that in Anno 1447. John Carpenter then Bishop of Worcester founded the Colledge at Westbury neere Bristoll, (mentioned before to be Augmented by William Cannings: by pulling downe the old Colledge, and in the new Building inlarged it very much, compassing it about with a strong Wall, Embattaled; adding a faire Gate, with divers Towers, (more like unto a Castle then a Colledge,) and lastly bestowed much good Land for augmenting the Revenue thereof. Besides this he built the Gatehouse at Hartleborough, a Castle neere and belonging to the Bishop of VVorcester; and did severall other VVorkes of Piety and Charity.

This Bishop Carpenter is supposed to be Brother, or neere Kinsman to Richard Carpenter our Author, and accounted an Hermetique Philosopher. He was Contemporary with Norton, and Cannings; and for the most part lived neere unto them, at the aforementioned VVestbury; nay he had so great Affection to that Place (not unlike for the Societies sake of Norton and Cannings or for some speciall Blessing he met with there) that he intended to have it honoured with a part of his Style; and to have taken upon him the Name of Bishop of VVorcester and VVestbury, which though he could not effect, yet chose it for his Buriall place where he lyes Inter'd.

In another old parchment Manuscript (and that a very faire one) I met this VVorke, Prefaced with what followes.

Aske ye of the Clerkes that holden then so wise, what is the Where that most be sowen in the Erth, and whedere it is yorshed forth hot or cold. For if it were i[…] heate, it scholde never rote withput cold and moysture. Allso sey to hen[…] alle, al that ever was comen of […]n, but it is dissevered in thre, as Favere, and Sone, and Holy Ghost, One way there is, and, no moo. Allso loke which is the faver and Modere of alle Metallez, For if thou drawe or take eny other manner thinge than his owne kynde, thou les[…]st all thy werk: For looke whennys he cometh, and in his owne Mod[…]r[…]s bely norshe him forth, and when he is of age norsh him forth with his owne Moders mylke, and gif him is owne Moders mylke.

Pag. 278. The Hunting of the Greene Lyon.

IN the Campe of Philosophy, Bloomefield reckons up a Worke that beares the Title of the Greene Lyon, and amongst other Impostors (of his Tyme) calls the Vicar of Maldon, (but in some Co[…]ies Vicar of W[…]lden) the Author; and consequently esteemes the Worke spurious,

Then brought they in the Vicar of Maldon,
With his Lyon Greene, that most royall Secret;

But what Piece soever that was I know not: I am confident this, that I here present my Reader with under that Tytle, is a perfect Worke, and truly Philosophicall; besides some Copies owne Abraham Andrews for their Author, and is so confirm'd to me by the Testimony of a credible Philosopher.

Pag. 293. l. 20. God save my Masters life—

THomas Charnock (the Author of the Breviary of Naturall Philosophy) had the happinesse to have Two Masters that made him inheritor of this Secret; The first was he, whom here he Mentions, and it seemes

Was a Priest in the Close of Salisburie.

This he further confirmes in his Breviary, thus:

Master I. S. his name is truly,
Nigh to the Cit[…]y of Salisbury his dwelling is,
A Spirituall m[…]n forsooth he is.

It seemes he had some acquaintance with this Priest, and in that time bene his Studies this way, Insomuch that the Priest falling sick (whilst his VVorke was a going) thought Charnock deserving of it; for He

—When hathought to dye,
Gave him his worke and made him his Heire.

This VVorke Charnock continued going, till unhappily it perisheth by Fire upon a Newyeares day at Noone; probably it might be An. 1555. for that fell out in the first and second of Phil. and Mar. and in those yeares of their Raigne (which was parte in the yeare 1554. and parte in 1555.) he received the Secret from the aforesaid Priest, as himselfe Testifies. At which time he was about 30. or 31. yeares of Age (though he intimates he was about 28. yeares old when he first met with the Prior of Bath) for Ann. 1574. he was 50. yeares old, as appeares at the end of his Fragments, which I Coppied from his owne Hand.

Pag. 2. 96line 3. Only a Monke of whom 'Ile speake anon.

THis Monke was Charnocks other Master, into whose Company he accidentally happened, his Name was William Bird, and by his Function, Prior of Bath, at the Dissolution of that Abbey;

This Bird (while Prior) expended much Money by endeavouring what he might to finish the Abby Church of Bath (the foundation of which sumptuous Building was begun by Oliver King, but he dying left it unperfect:) and had brought it to a perfection, when the Dissolution of the Abbey, had once overthrowne what before was set up.

It seemes this Prior had the Elixir upon the Suppression of the Abby: he hid it in a VVall.