Meric Casaubon’s preface, part 8 of 9

I have done, with what I could think of, upon which objection can be made: The next thing is to make the way clearer to the Reader, by some consideration of the method of the Books, and explanation of some terms and phrases there ufed, at which perchance some may stick at the first: At the very beginning a man may be to seek, it the Title of it, Liber sexti mysteriorum, & sancti parallelus, novalisque. 1583. both as it relates to that which follows, and as it reflects upon somewhat before, by which it may be inferred that the book begins here abruptly and imperfectly: of this I am now ready to give an account to the Reader, and it is very fit it should be done.

First concerning Titles, such as will be found here many more besides this, the whole book, or relation being subdivided into many parts; in general I say, that according to the Doctors genius (we have said before he was very Cabalistical, that is, full of whimsies and crotchets, under the notion of Mysteries, a thing that some very able, otherwise, have been subject unto) and the high opinion he had of these actions and apparitions; they are mostly very concealed, and (to speak the truth) phantastick, which must make them the Obscurer: I could give the Reader a view of them all here put together, but it would be superfluous: There be some fourteen or fifteen Divisions in all now remaining, and so many Titles: There is a Table at the beginning, that doth refer to the beginning of every division, where the Title also will be found: But at the end of the viii. Division, I finde these words, Sequitur liber 24. qui hac die etiam inceptus est, à meridie: horam circiter tertiam, per ipsum Lavanael: But I finde nothing following, (but some vacant sheets, till we come to the ix. Division, Mysteriorum pragensium, &c. And the last Division hath onely some Fables, and before them, some five or six pages of unknown mystical words, which we know not what to make of; but of that more afterwards: The main business to be resolved here (as I take it) is what it is that we have, and what we have not, so far as can be gathered by what remaineth; we shall see what we can say to it. In the year of the Lord, One thousand five hundred eighty four, September the third, (being a Monday) Dr. Dee first appeared (being presented by Honorable persons, and expected) before the Emperor Rodolph. Among other things he then told him, That for these two years and a half Gods holy Angels had used to inform him: Our Book, or first Action here, beginneth 28 May, 1583. According to this reckoning, it must be, that above a year and three Moneths before, began the first Apparition: The account then of fifteen Moneths from the first Apparition, we want: How much (in bulk) that might come to, I cannot tell; neither will I warrant all perfect from this 28 of May, 1583 to the fourth of April 1587. though for the most part the coherence is right enough to that time: But from thence to the twentieth of March, 1607. is a vast chasma or hiatus, of no less then twenty years: How this hath happened, I cannot tell certainly; what I guess, is this, some years after Dr. Dees death () Sir Robert Cotton bought his Library (what then remained of it) with his Magical Table, (of which afterwards) and the Original Manuscript, written With his own hand, whereof this is a Copy: The Book had been buried in the Earth, how long, years or moneths, I know not; but so long, though it was carefully kept since, yet it retained so much of the Earth, that it began to moulder and perish some years ago, which when Sir Thomas C. (before mentioned) observed, he was at the charges to have it written out, before it should be too late: Now full fifty years, or not many wanting, being passed since this Original came to Sir Robert, it is very likely, that had any more in all that time been heard of, Sir Robert, or Sir Thomas, his Son and Heir, would have heard of it, and got it as soon as any body else: And because no more hath been heard of all this while, it is more then probable that no more is extant, not in England, nor I think any where else: Happily the rest might perish, some part, (if not all) even whilest the Doctor lived; and we shall finde in this Relation, That a good part of his holy Books were burned, but (which is more strange) a great part of them, by the help of Spirits, recovered and restored: Or it may be, that since his death, the rest (the place where they lay being unknown) might rot in the earth; now if, as probably no more be extant, we may account this that we have here, in that respect perfect, because here is all that can be had. But if any, (as it is the nature of many, if not most, rather to desire that which cannot be had, then to content themselves with that which may) shall much lament the loss of the rest, and be less pleased with this, because so much (though indeed we know not certainly whether much or little) is wanting; I would desire them to consider with themselves, in case there had been twice or thrice as much more as all this comes too, what should have been done with it? For my part, for so much as is here set out (all we had) I thought it would do best, though somewhat long, yet as a thing very extraordinary, and of great consequence to many good purposes and uses; I thought, I say, it would do best to have it all Printed; Yet we had some consideration about it, and it may be some others would have thought that less might have served the turn: But I hope more will be of my minde, and there be but few actions but afford somewhat that is extraordinary, and for some respect or other observable and useful; Howsoever, I am confident, if all had been extant, (supposing that the rest would have made much more) that none or very few would have thought fit to have […] all; and if it had once come to a contraction or abridgement it may be much less then this must have served: It is free for all men to think as they please; for my part all things considered, I finde no great want of the rest; and if I were put to it, I cannot tell whether I can say, that I wish more were extant: yet it […] great content, (and I hope there is no Blasphemy or Superstition in it, if I […] it to providence) that after that long intermission, or hiatus, we have yet the […] Actions of all, whereby it might appear, after many goodly shews and promises, so much hope and expectation; so many Prayers, so many Thank […] and Humiliations, what the end is of dealing with Divels, and using means that are not lawful, to compass ambirious unwarrantable desires. Besides, be […] more or less that is wanting, yet I am confident we have the chiefest parts here preserved; as part cularly, an exact account of his addresses and dealings with the Emperor, and other great men and Princes, in the vii. and some following Divisions; and that sad story of their promiscuous Copulation, under the perswasion of obedience to God, very particularly related in the twelfth Division; wherein as the cunning and malice of […] Spirits, to lead away from God, when they most pretend to God and godliness; so the danger of affected singularity and […], (the first ground of all this mischief) of Spiritual pride and self conceir, is eminently set out to every mans observation, that is not already far engaged (as in these times too to many) in such Principles.

But yet nevertheless I must acknowledge, that there is one part of the story wanting, which I believe by most will be much desired: For whereas at the very beginning, mention is made of a Stone, and that Stone not onely there ment oned, but afterwards in every action almost, and apparition, throughout the whole Book to the very end, still occurring and commemorated as a principal thing; what it was, and how he came by it yea and what became of it, would be known, if by any means it might: All that we are able to say of it, is this, It was a stone in which, and out of which, by persons that were qualified for it, and admitted to the sight of it; all Shapes and Figures mentioned in every Action were seen, and voices heard: The form of it […] round, as appeareth by some course representations of it in the Margins, as pag. 395. 399. b. 413 b. and it seems to have been of a pretty bigness: It seems it was most like unto Cry al, […] is called sometimes, as pag. 80. Inspecto Chrystallo, and page 177. b. nihil visibile apparuit in Chrystallo Sacrato, praeter ipsius crystalli visibili formam. […] very body knows by common experience, that smooth things are fittest for representations, as Glasses and the like; but ordinarily such things onely are represented, as stand opposite and are visible in their substance. But it is a secret of Magick (which happily may be grounded, in part at least, upon some natural reason, not known unto us) to represent Objects (externally not visible) in smooth things: And Roger Bacon (alias Bacun) in a Manuscriptinscribed, De dictis & factis falsorum Mathematicorum & Daemonum, communicated unto me by my I earned and much esteemed Friend, Dr. Windett, Professor of Physick in London hath an Observation to that purpose, in these words, Hiis Mathematicis in malitia suâ completis apparent Daemones sensibilitur in formâ humanâ & aliis formis variis, & dicunt & faciunt multa eis mirabilia secundum quod Deus permittit. Aliquando apparent imaginarie ut in ung ue pueri virginis carminati; & in pelvibus & ensibus, & in spathula arietis secundum modum eorum consecratis, & in caeteris rebus politic: & Daemones ostendunt eis omnia quae petunt, secundum quod Deus permittit. Vnde pueri sic inspicientes res politas vident imaginariè res furtivè acceptas & ad quem locum deportatae sunt, & quae personae asportaverunt; & sic de aliis, multis, daemones apparentes omnia haec illis ostendunt.

Joach. Camerarius (that worthy man before spoken of) in his Proemium to Plutarch, De Oraeulis, &c. hath a strange Story upon the credit of a friend of his whom he much respected (as himself professeth) for his Piety and Wisdom. A Gentleman of Norimberg had a Crystal (how he came by it is there to be read) which had this vertue: Si qua de re certior fieri vellet, &c. if he desired to know any thing past or future, that concerned him, yea, or any other (in most things) let a young Boy (Castum, one that was not yet of Age, &c.) look into it, be should first see a man in it, so and so apparelled and afterwards what he desired. No other but a Boy, so qualified, could see any thing in it. This Crystal became very famous in those parts; yea some learned men came to it to be satisfied in doubtful points, and had their questions resolved: Yet at last, (as well it deserved) it was broken in pieces by Camerarius his Friend. Many such […] are to be found of Magical Stones and Crystals: And though Fernelius, De abditis rerum causis; and after him (as I remember) one, in worth and esteem of all men, not inferior to Fernelius, Dr. Harvey, lately deceased, turns the relation of a strange stone brought to one of the late Kings of France, into an Allegory, or Physical explication of the power and proprieties of the Element of Fire; yet I am not satisfied, but that the relation might be literally true: For so it is, (as I remember here also, for I have none of those Books by me at this time) related by Thuanus, and so by some others, very learned, understood.

Now for the maner how he came by it, the particulars of the story cannot be had by this here preserved, but onely this in general, That it was brought unto him by some, whom he thought to be Angels: So we finde him telling the Emperor, That the Angels of God had brought to him a Stone of that value, that no earthly Kingdom is of that worthiness, as to be compared to the vertue or dignity thereof. Page 272. in his conference with Dr. Curts, appointed by the Emperor to treat with him; and also let him see the stone brought me by Angelical Ministery: And we finde this Note recorded, [Prague, Tuesday 25 Septembris, I went to Dinner to the Spanish Ambassador, and carried with me the Stone brought me by an Angel, and the fourth Book, wherein the maner of the bringing of it is expressed.] And for the use of the Stone, besides what hath been said, this is observable: Some Spirits being in sight of E. K. out of the Stone, Dr. Dee would have the Stone brought forth, but E. K. said, He had rather see them thus, out of the Stone; to which the Doctor replies, That in the Stone they had warrant that no wicked Spirits should enter; but without the Stone illuders might deal with them, unless God prevented it, &c. From which passage also we may learn, as from divers others in the Book that although the stone (as we said before) was the place, in which, and out of which, ordinarily, most Apparitions were framed, yet it was not so always: For we shall meet with divers things in that kinde that were seen and heard, without any reference to the Stone: From the same place also we may learn, that the said Stone was the same he also called the Shew-stone; as in many places besides. However, it is certain enough that he had more Stones then one, which he accounted sacred; observe Principal Stone, and this other Stone; & first Sanctified Stone, usual Shew-stone, and Holy-stone, may be thought opposed and different; but I understand it otherwise: This is the account we can give of this principal Holy-Stone. And to supply the defect of the maner how it was brought to him, the Reader, if he please, may finde some satisfaction, if he read the maner how it was taken away, and restored, very particularly set down, as before (upon another occasion) was observed.

Besides this Stone or Stones there are divers other sacred things mentioned, that belonged to this personated Sanctuary, but nothing more frequently mentioned then Curtains; a Curtain or Vail, as it is sometimes called. A man would think at first, perchance, that it was somewhat outward, but it will be found otherwise; it was seen in the Stone, and appeared of different forms and colours, as they that read will quickly finde.

Next unto these the Holy Table is chiefly considerable, ordering of it is referred to Dr. Dee, which he durst not take upon himself, until he had warrant from his Spiritual Teachers: This Table, which may well be called Magical, is preserved and to be seen in Sir Thomas Cottons Library (from whence we had the rest) and by his leave is here represented in a brass Cut; mention is made of it, as I take it, where Dr. Dee proposeth to his Teachers, Whether the Table (for the middle cross of uniting the 4 principal parts) be made perfect or no: You may see more of it, it is also called League Table; Table of Covenant, mens a foederis in some places: The Pedestal of it is mentioned in two or three places, and indeed a very curious Frame belonging unto it, yet to be seen in the said Library. But I know not what to make of that, neither Nalu: nor the Table appeareth; and the round Table or Globe appeared not. I believe it must be understood of somewhat that had appeared before in the stone. The Reader that will be so curious, by careful reading may soon finde it out; I was not willing to bestow too much time upon it.

But here remaineth a main business whereof we are to give an account to the Reader: There were many Tables or Schemes at the end of the Book, containing Letters, a. b. c. &c. disposed into little squares, with an Inscription over each Table in that unknown Character (before spoken of) expressed in usual Letters how it should be read. There is one for a Specimen here at the end of the Preface; the rest were omitted, because it was judged needless, except it were to increase the price of the Printed book. For first, Dr. Dee himself, though he took a great deal of pains to understand the Mystery of them, and had great hopes given him from time to time to reap the benefit (himself complains of it in more then one place) of his toilsome work and long patience, yet it never came to any thing: and if he made nothing of them (to benefit himself thereby) what hopes had we? Besides, we may judge of these Tables, and all this mystery of Letters, by what we have seen in others of the same kinde. Johannes Trithemius was a man that was supposed by most to have dealt vvith Spirits a long time, and to have been instructed by them in some of those secrets that he pretends unto by his Books. I know some have thought him innocent, or at least, have attempted to justifie him: Some affect such things to shew […] wit, and think they shall be thought much wiser then other men, if they contradict received […] though their vanity and strong conceit of their own parts, be their chief, if not onely ground. Learned and Judicious […] Vossius, hath shewed himself very willing to think the best of him and his Books; yet he gives it over at last, and rather concludes on the contrary. They that dare defend Apollonius, the greatest upholder of Ethnicism that ever was, and by most […] accounted either a God, or a Magician, need not stick at any thing in this kinde: But say he was, what any man will have of him, (Frithemius we speak of, his Polygraphy, he set out in his life time, dedicated to the then Emperor: He tells the World of the greatest wonders to be done by it, that ever were heard of: All Wisdom and Arts, all Languages, Eloquence, and what not, included in it. But I never heard of any man that could make any thing of it or reaped any benefit in any kinde; […] I think is the reason that his Steganography. […] and prom sed in this first work was so long after his death before it was Printed: It was expected it would have given some light to the first; but neither of that, nor of this latter, could ever any thing, that ever I could hear, bemade by any man. I have good ground for what I say: For besides what others have acknowledged, I finde learned Viginaire, (who in his old age was […] himself very Cabalistical, or it may be had some disposition that way, though very learned otherwise, from his natural temper) as much grounded in that book, as any man before him: He doth plainly profess he could make nothing of it: And truly if he could not, that had bestowed so much time and pains in those unprofitable studies, I see little hopes that any man […] should. It would make a man almost hate Learning, to see what dotage, even the […] learned, are subject unto: I could bless them that know but little, so […] knew it is but little that they know, and were […]: But it […] falls out otherwise, that they that know but little, think that little to be much, and are very proud of it; whereas much knowledge (or to speak properly more knowledge) f well used, hath this advantage, that it […] men […] of their ignorance. The reading of Vigenaires book of Cyphers (which I once thought a rare piece, as many other things of the same Author, which I had read) hath expressed these words from me in this place; and because thath so much affinity with our present Theme, I was the bolder; But to return. Upon this consideration, the Reader I hope, will not be sorry the rest of the Tables (being many in number) were omitted. Though I must adde withal, had I known or thought any use could be made of them, having no better opinion of the Author (him or them) I mean, from whom Dr. Dee had them) I should not have been very forward to have had a hand in their coming abroad.