Liber Resurrectionis (Prague and Trebona), part 2 of 9

Invictissimae Potentissimeque sacrae suae Caesareae Majestati Hungariae, Bohemiae, &c. Regi, &c. &c.

PEr aliquot jam hebdomadas, Invictissime & Gratiosissime Caesar, aures nostras circumsonabant rumores varii, quasdam contra me, & socium meum, praeparari accusationes graves & exitiosas: Vestraeque Sacrae Caesareae Majestati offerendas fore vel jam oblatas esse: Et praeterea Sacram Vestram Caesaream Majestatem, quorundam persuasionibus, poene eo perductam esse, ut aliquam malam, & nobis periculosam, de nobis conciperet opinionem. Vestrae igitur Sacrae Caesareae Majestati humillime supplicamus ut (Authoritate sua Caesarea, interposita (illius, cujuscunque contra nos exhibiti libelli, copiam, accurate & verbatim exscribi, nobisque tradi, mandare, gratiose dignaretur, Sic enim nostris responsis ad accusationis contra nos confictae collatis articulos, citissime & clarissime intelliget sua Sacra Majestas Caesarea, quid in praemissis, cum Justitia, ad Dei honorem & Reipublicae Christianae utilitatem, arbitrari, vel statuere possit aut debeat. Et de hoc certissimi nos sumus, favente Deo, (quod adhuc, et nimis diu, aliquorum negligentia, et contra nostram voluntatem, Vestram Sacram Caesarem latet Majestatem.) Nos cum Vestrae Sacrae Caesareae Majestatis personae, tum Reipublicae Christianae, per vos longe utiliores, gratioresque esse posse, quam omnes, et quotcunque hic nostri praesentes adversarii: veluti ipsa docebit veritas si poenes Vestrae Caesareae Majestatis aures proprias, eum possit habere favorem, ut gratiose audiri queat Deus Opt. Max. Sacram Vestram Caesaream Majestatem sua Divina abundantissime illustret gratia abrachioque suo extento, contra, Christi atrocissimos hostes Imperatorem reddat triumuphantissimum

Amen.

Maii 28, 1586 Sacrae Vestrae Majestatis Caesareae Humilis & fidelis Servitor, ad Dei promovendam gloriam Joannes Dee.

Invictissimae potentissimeque Sacrae suae Caesareae Majestate Hungariae, Bohemiae, &c. Regi, &c. &c. Domino meo Clementissimo & Patrono incomparabili ad manus proprias expeditissime

EDlor gostronger lirbor bortrauter fraundt, Disestumdoist mir dasz brusflain Ju komon, Darauszichunt sondon frondron Gotte […] behorzt ganuottvornoman, In summa crasz David fraibt ist waar, Mirabilis Deus in sanctis suis Deus Israel, ipse dabit virtutem & fortitudinem plebi suae, Benedictus Deus.

Diso Varfolgung wirds Inon, (obgottcoill) In Iror wolfart gorrichon und don Lonidon In Irom spot.

Dentibus suis frement, & contabescent desiderium peccatorum peribit.

Dom gutton Jungon Gorrn Civillor got soinrm horrn vndsicssolbst orkonam.) kan afu soelvnd Crib goholffonwordon. Dasz Vborig crollen coir cunuadtlich brld Vorrichton, Interim, So brotts Ich, sic bon moiu & angon, Jum fernundtlichston Jubo gruosson, vadarim trouots graucott Ina, Juosforiron, Darbinbegott shimt vnsz Von Nanasa In arigkail.

Datum in Eyle Raudmitz don 28 Maii, Anno 1586. Des sorru trruoer fraundt Wilsclm Moimaigne handtz Horrn Laspar von Schonburg auff Voplitz Moinom Vartranotra gutton froundo In solbsthandog. Cito Cito Cito Cito Cito

SOwder Rumeschenn Kayserlichen auch Ju Hungern unds Behom Koninhchon Mapt vnsors allor guadigston horrn cropen Doctori Joanni de Dee Engellandorn, ansormoldon, Dasz Iro Mapt jausz jondorn vrgeblichen, bodencklichon vndt billichen vrsachonjont schlosson som snovndt dio somigon In Joror Mapt, tumg Ruch Bohem so woll als andorn dorosolbron Pomp Ranchon, burstant gumbombon vndt Landon longer nicht Induldon nach julugivn Hiorauff so sun nun Jorar Mapt Endlichor orille vndt truster beurhlich Dasz chrsichsambt soinom Worbe tindorn, vmdallon don soyinpen, so woll als soinem Consorten vndt Jugethanen boy vormedanp Iron Mapt trusten vnnachlvszlichenn straffland and vnguad, Innerhali dru Negt nachoniandor volpomdon sechs Zagen, alhie or heve, vnd sichalszbalet daranff vrn hinnon, aussorhalbgedachtor Jorar Mapt Koningraich Behannb vms andoror Joror Mapt Koningraich, Curstanthumbay vndt Cainder begebo diseilben Durchausz Jun Kunfftigmedr Nuchsus sorror Darumen, weyternicht besunden nach betresten lasse Damit ausz den lasll lassalba vn Imo odar den seympen auch doupy Jme Jupethaury, vngrhorsamblicsay vborganpen crourdo Irr Mapt Inn truston einschon vndt Straff, sosie lirber vormitton schonvrolton nicet Vernrsacht wordoun, Wolton In Mapt, Ime Juondtlicher Nachrichtung, nicht porgen. Esz boszfese auch Hieran Iror Mapt sorustor Willey vndt mainug. Decretum in Consilio Imperatoriae Majestatis secretiori.

Prage xxix Maii, Anno Lxxxvi. E. Waldtnons Sayleldt. Mynssnik. Decret Doctor Johann de Dee Iror Mapt Koniglich Bohomb so woll als andors Iror Mapt Lander sureamboy. Doctori Joanni Dee offerendum

I received this the 30 day of May, Anno 1586, Mane hora nona, By one of the Chancery Clerks.

The Copie of the Emperour his Decree, of our Banishment out of his Kingdomes, Dukedoms, &c. with onely six dayes warning.

Anno 1586 18 Junii in Erphurdia Thuringiae, quo, Illustrissimus Dominus Rosenbergius, miserat Joannem Carpionem ad nos, cum literis suis, & maxime ut de uxore futura, Dei intelligeret voluntatem, & de aliis rebus, &c. Ego verò jam Cassellae eram in Hessia, & Erphurdiae erat D. Eduardo Keleus. Qui super […] & petitionibus Illustrissimi jussus erat divinitus Chartam mundam super Altare, ante Sacerdotem Missam celebrantem ponere, quod & fecit, anne & die supra scriptis, manè in Monasterio Minoris Ordinis S. Francisci, inter horam 6 & 7 Monacho Seniore Missam Celebrante. Et finita Missa, haec quae sequitur in Charta inveniebantur pulchrè scripta. Sed die sequente, postquam exscripta erant pro Illustrissimo Principe statim evanuere omnes lineae & literae, nihilque in illa Charta, post visible perneansit, &c.

Nations teriae omnes vocatae in Judicium, coram Tribunal stabunt. Populus enim rebellis, nimiúmque hujus mundi deditus voluptati, mei jamdudum ira furoris irrititus tabescit: Ita quod, neque ad sinistram neque ad dextram sed ad voluntatem meam perinplendam, declinandum est. Beatus ille qui mihi mandatisque patris mei obediens est & perseverantia decoratus.

Maledictus autem, qui mendax operibus, perdicas verbum meum: quia scandalo multis erit, & ignominiae pacis Evangelii mei.

Egote Gulielme (quia manus adjunxisti mihi) Davidem ad Goliatha jugulandum constitui & constituendo invexi.

Mundo igitur ad gloriam meam utere, & corpus tuum erige in me, ad justitiam meam in sede debita collocandam, & superbiam iniquissimam turpissimámque (illorum qui posuerunt sedem meam, in scabellum pedem blasphemiae & abominationis) ad penitus tum conculcandum, tum eradicandam.

Beatus enim eris in fortitudine manus & spiritus mei, quia audite preces tuas. Noli igitur tempus visitationis tuae negligere: sed freme zelo & indignatione acerima, & conjunctam tuis parietibus, virginem in uxorem accipe, paratam lumbis & senectuti tuae illámque amando […], & diligendo fove, ut mea in te & in illa benedictio pollicita manifesta fiat.

Cave porrò, ne quos tibi in auxilium paravi, servos […], vel negligentia vel timiditate tua, aliorum sic patiaris ex manibus tuis vel tanquam oves ab ovili tuo, malis artibus & iniquitate, eripi. Quis enim istud surripiet quod datum est à me?

Cogita igitur & vigilando cura, quod hactenus lesum est.

Fringam namque fraenum Satanae & inimicis vestris.

Benedictio Patris & Spiritus mei, & consolatio à me (cui subjecta est omnis potestas) sit tecum & supra te.

A peccatis denique monitus cessa ut cum mecum loqueris, vita tua sit lumine & gratia mea suffulta.

MEMORANDUM.

Be remembred that Mr. Francis Pucci Florentine, whom at my going to Leipsich I left in our house at Prage, in the meane space had been at Frankford upon Mene, and went from Prage about the same day that the Bishop of Placenza Nuncius Apostolicus did exhibit to the Emperour a libel against us of most horrible untruths, &c. At his going from Prage he had that Nuncius blessing, &c. In the meane space, and after his return to Prage again it happened so, that the 30 of May last, I received the Emperours commandment, I, my Companion, and all mine to depart within six dayes out of Prage aud consequently out of all his Kingdomes, Dukedomes and Lands. Which we did, and were come to Erphurd in Thuringa, and sometimes to Cassel whether we had removed our goods and family by reason the Senators of Erphurd would give as no leave to hire any house there as both by the Lord Schonberg in the name of the Lord Rosenberg, I was assayed, with repulse received, and also again by me and E. K. proved, July 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. And on Tuesday (the 15th day of Jun) Doctor Curtz brought upward from the Senat that they would not grant our Request, yet notwithstanding, if the Lord Rosenberg would again send unto them in the matter, they would think better upon the matter, &c.

Now remember that Francis Pucci came to Erphurd on Thursday after our supper, July 10 (stilo novo) on horse-back on a horse which he had bought at Mawnberg-faire, &c.

July the 11th he discoursed with E. K. and me, that he thought we might obtain favour to return to Prage again if we would.

That he had found this Nuncius Apostolicus more courteous then Malaspina, of whom he reported also, that is was credibly informed that he was sore offended that we gave him no more honourable title in our speeches to him, then Reverendissima Vestra Paternitas.

This Pucci framed the discourse of his talk to perswade us to think well of this Episcopus Placentius that he was charitable towards us, and sorrow that we were so uucourteously used, that he meant nothing else in his sute to the Emperour against us, but that we might be examined, and thou being found faulty, we should be sent to Rome, but after that he had begun to move against us, that he found the Emperour more eagerly bent against us, than he himself was.

NOTE.

The Lord Rosenberg told us that when he did (in our behalf) advise the Emperour of his error committed in our extermination, that the Emperour answered that this Nuncius from his first Audience did urge so vchemently against us, and also the Pope had […] commandment by Letter to him to deliver us and send us to Rome, that he was forced in manner to do as he did. But if the commandement or his Decree were to be made again, that it should not passe, or if this Nuncius […] had not sent this Decree away to Rome, that he should not send it, &c. This I note in respect of the contrariety in the Nuncius assertion, and the Emperours, of our so hard usage.

The foresaid eleventh day of July, the foresaid Fr. Pucci to prove this his intended perswasion of the Nuncius good meaning toward us, and to make us beleeve that great benefit would ensue our going to Rome, did bring forth unto us a writing of his own hand which he read unto us, and at the hearing of it we mused much for many causes I asked him then why the Nuncius had not subscribed this writing. It is all one said he for that; Hath he heard this read (quoth I,) yea, that he hath heard me read this three several times, arise unto him (said he;) And if you like of it saith he, wherein his power serveth him not to performe as much as is specified in the writing, he will make and use meanes to have it from his Holinesse; well, said I, take a copy hereof Mr. Kelly, for I was riding toward Salfeild about a house getting; Thereupon said he, contented, but I think it meeter to save and keep the original it self said E. K. Well, said Pucci, and so the original was delivered to E. K.

NOTE.

After 10 of the clock the same Friday, being the eleventh day of this moneth, after break-fast I rid toward Salfeild about the house of the Earl Albert of Swartzenberg, &c.

But after I was out of Erffurd until my return again, I was so sore vexed in mind to think of Pucci his return to our company, as well for his unquiet nature in disputations, as for his blabbing of our secrets without our leave, or well liking, or any good doing thereby; either in God his service, or our credit, but rather the contrary, ensuing albeit not of his intent, but by either his undiscreet handling of it, or of his undue hearers of him, &c. And also for his Houshold behaviour, not acceptable to our wives and family, and also because we were warned that he should be cut off from our company, &c. And chiefly, now to consider that he had laid such a bait for us with our mortal enemy, to entrap us by fair fawning words, which by no meanes the Emperour would consent to do before by his authority, but rather to put us out of his Kingdomes, &c. And imagining that he was a mighty Explorator upon us, for this Nuncius Apostolicus, and his adherents, that now he might perceive what we had done hitherto, what we were doing, and what we intended to do, and considering that he urged at our hands in answer to the former writing, wherein also lay a trap for either in not answering it, or refusing to grant some points of it, or in our consenting to the whole, this Nuneius would put matter against us to our great disadvantage. Thus being tormented in mind in my absence, how we might be rid of this Fr. Pucci, by quiet and honest meanes, I devised to write to this Nuncius to know if this writing were of his contriving onely, or of Pucci his contriving onely, or joyntly, or if at the least the writing were according to his will, and offer unto us, and so to send him away; wherein he could make no refusal, I intending not to make him privy of the content of my Letter; And in the mean space of his absence I hoped that some good way and better meanes would appear or fall out, whereunto we might trust, &c. Thus I note my imaginations and discourses in the time of mv absence.

I returned to Erphurd July 13. hora 5. à meridie.

I found Fr. Pucci desirous to have answer to the foresaid writing, and very much perswading this Roman voyage, using arguments out of our actions, as that God said we should go to Rome, in a certain moneths space; That we ought to obey the Roman Bishop, and to love him, &c. I replyed and said, that he was not to urge God upon any his sayings to us, but to referre all to his most free disposition, his will was to be done and not ours, God was not bound to us, &c. He answered very vehemently, and often, that Deus est nobis obligatissimus, & Deus dixit nos itur os Romam, & […] credi & credam, & aliter non credam nisi mihi Deus dixerit non nobis, &c. Well, (quod we) God hath del vered unto us his meaning in that phrase, which we also devise you of, that it is not meant ([…] the […]) that we shall corporally goe to Rome, and so I brake off that his reasoning; And told him that we […] that he should […] this Roman Voiage so violently and eagerly more then we; It appertained unto us as much as to him, &c. The same day I told him that he had […] offended God with his […] in our affaires otherwise then appertained unto his calling, and he may well remember his repentance therein, and his forgivenesse obteined. But that now he had offended much more in curiosity, and half in conspiracy against us with our mortal enemy this Nuncius Apostolicus, upon whom he did fawn, in whose favour he is, who joyneth, counsaileth with him in our affaires, who dare prescribe us what we have to do in so weighty affaires as our Journey to Rome, who hath framed a bill, accusing us coufusedly of Heresie, and wicked Magick, both falsely in one part, and dangerous to life, and infamous at the least in the other, and hereto requireth, urgeth, and in manner in God his name argueth by our actions past, obedience. And therefore he hath separated himself from us, and hath set himself against us, &c.

With great vehemency he said, He intended nothing, but well to us, and was Explorator with this Nuncius for our behalf; We require none (said I) neither we need any, for God seeth all, and doth all, for our benefit, if we will constantly love and serve him; so be brief, he would seem to be worthy to be thought well of for his zealous good will and fidelity to us ward, in all his doings and sayings; The truth whereof God knoweth, to whom we commit the cause between him and us.

The Copy of the writing before specified.

SI D. Johannes Dee, D. Eduardus Kelleus, & Fr. Puccius, volent irae Romam, ut conferant cum tanquam Pontifice de suis Revelationibus, venerantes eum tanquam Sancti Petri Successorem & Christi in terris Vicarium Illust & Reverend. Episcopus Placentinus Apostolicus Nuncins apnd Caesaream Majestatem, dabit illis Literas commendationis, ut per totum iter, & Romae, humanissime summaque charitate tractentur, & in suis necessitatibus juventur: Ac praeterea authoritate Apostolica absolvet eos & liberaebit ab omni culpa & poena, quam meriti essent in vita ante acta, ob artes Magicas exercitatas, […], falsasque opiniones ab eis sparsas, ant fictas, verbis aut scriptis, aut aliis rationibus; ob libros prohibitos lectos aut scriptos, sive ob aliuà quodvis crimen, cujus accusari aut argui possent in foro sancto Inquisitionis, aut in foro quod Contentiosum vocant; aut in quovis alio foro Pontificiae ditionis: Ne quis ob ullum peccatum aut scelus quantumvis atrox, quod illi admiserint ante hoc iter susceptum, eis unquam facessere negotium, aut molestus esse possit, aut ullo modo inquirere, aut ipsos accusare presumat.

For the better ground of any manner of answer making hereunto I asked the same Fr. Pucci, after supper, on Tuesday the 15 of July, (forasmuch as I had framed a Letter for answer to the pith of the Letter or writing here recorded) whether this Letter were written and sent to us by the consent of this Nuncius Apostolicus, to know our answer in, or no. He seemed to be unwilling now directly to affirm the Nuncius consent. We replyed that he had already told us that he had read it thrice over to the said Nuncius, and that he liked well of it, and did mervail that now he would make strange to affirm the same again, seeing I had now, (according to his purpose) written a plain and perfect humble answer to the same Letter, and much more matter, true and needful for this Nuncius to know. Well, said he, Eatenus ex ejus consensu est, si velitis ire Romam, ea praestare conabitur, quae in eisdem literis continentur, &c. Well, said I, (in Latin alwayes you must understand my talk with him in the same sence here in English recorded, if he mean well unto us, and in charity unfeigned; he will not be offended with my answer; The Copy whereof doth ensue.

Illustissimo Reverendissimoque Domino, Domino Episcopo Placentino apud Potentissimum & Invictissimum Romanorum Imperatorem Rodulphum, ejus nominis secundum, Apostolico Nuncio, Domino mihi (in Christo) Colendissimo.

Illustrissime & Reverendissime Domine, mihi Colendissime.

IN Nomine, Sanctae Beatae & Individuae Trinitatis, vestram Illustratissimam Reverendissimamque Dominationem, ea qua virum Christianum decet animi affectione & humilitate saluto, non presumptione aliqua, vestris manibns oculisve istas meas obtrudens literas, sed ex istius Nuncii vestri verbis admonitus, non gratas solum, sed ([…]) expectatat fore: hasce aliquot, haud invitus, exaravi lineolas. Quibus cum non potero, 40 annorum continuum & ardentissimum vitae me cursum in limatioris quam vulgaris veritatis Philosophicae in dagatione transactum, describere; (vel adumbrare […]) satis presenti nostro esse […] instituto, si praesenti rerum metamorphosi, & admirandae negotiorum nostrorum actioni, itidumque circuitioni multiplici, aliquid exprimam quod maxime quadret.

Remember Fr. Pueci his own hand writing hereof is kept in a lether bag by it self, to be the more safe and ready to be shewed without shewing of this Book.

Divinitus ante aliquot annos informati, & deinde ex Anglia evocati, non solum fortissima Dei Omnipotentis manu, & miraculosè, ex multis magnisque evasimus maris periculis: sed etiam ex vatiis hominum fraudulentis & truculentis contra nos, & vitam nostram consiliis & conatibus, liberati hactenus, eidem Deo nostro gratias laudesque canimus merre grata, mente laeta, mente profecto Christianae, Catholicae, Apostoliceque Religionis amantissima, & (Dei nos confirmante gratia) tenacissima futura. Ast ecce, tamen, qui ejusdem nostrae pie matris (Sanctae Ecclesiae Catholicae) legitimi etiam censentur esse filii, nos, fratres suos, in omni modestia, quiete, pace, & civili Justitia, inter illos, & coram illis, Pragae conversantes, subito, in exilium quoddam, sive exterminium, Caesareo emitti mandato procurabant nulla, […], nulla proisus, neque privatim, neque publicè declarata tam violenti mandati, causa sed vulgari solum, & aulica relatione nobis facta intelliximus ex libello quodam, per vos, sacrae Caesareae Majestati exhibito, conflatam contra nos fuisse maximam Caesaris indignationem, & quasi excandescentiam: unde ex Cancellaria Bohemica, acerbissimum ad nos (sacrae suae Caesareae Majestatis nomine) missum sit mandatum (nulla in eodem expressa, ejusdem mandati causa, vel ratione legitima) ut infra tunc sex proximos sequentes dies, Ego, consors meus, uxores nostrae, liberi mei omnes, immò & ipse infans noster Michael (Pragensis natus, & baptizatus) atque ad matris adhuc pendens mamillas, famuli etiam mei, & ancillae, mei denique omnes, & domestici, ex ipsa Praga, atque ita consequenter, ex universo regno Bohemiae, & aliis quibuscunque sacrae Caesareae Majestatis Regnis; Ducatibus, & terris, migraremus, nunquam easdem reversuri, sub terribilis infligendae poenae periculo. Nos autem, nulla interposita mora, huc mandato Caesareo fideliter & humiliter obedire nosmet accinximus: Bonaque nostra mobilia, à peregrinationis nostrae suppellectilem, tam librariam quam domesticam, in duos magnos currus conici curavimus: Reliquorum nostrorum bonorum, partem unam, amicis dedimus, & pauperibus dispersimus & distribuimus: Partem autem, de facie terrae, (propter causas Deo non ingratas) pridie, ante exitum istum nostrum, per nos deletam esse sciatis: Ast optimum partem, Divino jussu, decima die Aprilis (quando etiam, de tota hac afflictione, & persecutione nostra, & aliis adhuc futuris eramus divinitus praemoniti.) Ignis luculentissimis flammis commisimus: quanao illa, ejusdem optimae partis, quae nullus unquam naturalis vulgarisque ignis poterat laedere vel consumere, visibili angelici ministerio, ex ipsis summis flammis in Divinam, Angelicamve invisibilem recipiebantur Custodiam. Ast librorum Divinorum Thesaurus maximus, tunc, & ibidem (duorum adhuc viventium testium diligenti opera,) ab ipsis flammis in cineres favillamque conversus est totus: renovationem, restaurationem, & quasi regenerationem vel resurrectionem quandam, per Divinam manum, opportuno recepturus tempore Sacellum; Denique cum altari quod omnipotenti Trinitati consecrandum fore cupiebamus, (media ex parte absolutum) intactum relinquimus. Ego vero, cum consorte meo, uxoribus nostris, liberis meis, & reliquis exulibus, sive exterminatis nostris Rhedis, tribus avecti, transmigrationem hanc, nobis injunctam, die praefinita ingressi sumus. Atque nondum ex Imperii Romani finibus egressi, ita gressus nostros disponimus, &, de caetero (Deo favente & gubernante) disponemus: ut toti orbi Christiano claro apparere poterit, patienter nos haec (qualiacunque) tolerare posse, aut saltem velle: & paratissimos esse nos, Reddere Deo quae Dei sunt, & Caesari, quae sunt Caesaris. Obedientissimos etiam nos esse, & humillimos sacro sanctae Catholicae Ecclesiae filios, & summi Pontificis Romani, & aliorum Ecclesiasticorum Praesulum Catholicorum; in Christo & propter Christum tam esse observantes & fore, quam ipse qui Judex futurus est vivorum & mortuorum, varriis nos esse modis haud raro admonuit. Vestrae vero Illustrissime, Reverendissimeque Dominationi, hoc à Deo optamus bonum, ut per secundas vestras (de tota causa nostra) meditationes, nostrae Innocentiae, sinceritatis, & fidelis (coram Deo & hominibus) in illa Republica Bohemica conversationis nostrae, justa habeatur ratio: Meaeque honestae famae, existimationisque (sine qua, ne vivere quidem cupio) ea fiat in integrum restitutio: ut talis posthac esse indicetur indubitatè, qualis (ante vestrum Caesareae Majestati exhibitum contra nos libellum,) per 30 annos, (& plures) in omnibus (poene) Christiani orbis tam Academiis, quam Regnis & Provinciis (ex Dei immensa Bonitate, gratia abundantissima & singulari providentia) extitisse, haud obscuris confirmari possit testimoniis. Ex hiis igitur paucis, Historiae ipsius veritatis seintillis, Vestrae Illustrissimae Reverendissimeque Dominationis prudentia, magnum sibi lumen alicere sive accendere potuit: ad nos, nostrorum animorum affectiones, nostrorum ita mirabilium & adhuc incredibilium negotiorum progressum & statum dijudicandum, & denique de ipso futuro horum omnium exitu, haud leves sibi contexendas conjecturas: Cum nos, ex solo Deo Omnipotente, & vero & vivo, in omnibus nostris pendeamus, & ab ipso dirigamur & protegamur. Cui soli, nosipsos, nostraque omnia, Animae, corporis & Fortunae nuncupata Bona, tanquam Holocaustum, quotidianis nostris humillimis & spontaneis offerimus precibus. Cui denique soli sit omnis laus, honor, gloria, & gratiarum Actio, nunc & semper. Amen.

Datae Erphurdiae, Anno 1586, die 16 Julii. Fidelis (in Christo, & propter Christum) servulus. Joannes Dee.

This Letter being written, and read unto E. K. and of him well liked for the quiet and modest course therein kept, otherwise (as he said to Fr. Pucci) then he could have used: or had used in a Letter which now he had also written: but now would not send, thinking that my foresaid Letter might suffice for our case, he talked with Fr. Pucci of this Letter, which Fr, Pucci said he would gladly see and read, which E. K. told him that I was minded not to let him read it: Then said he, that he would not carry it: Hereupon in talk with Fr. Pucci, speaking of this Letter, I told him that I had written a Letter with sufficient answer in general to the Nuncius request and offer by him in writing brought to us, and in summe told him the chief contents of the Letter. Then said he, whereas you write of the Books burnt, why write you not unto him of the recovery of them, as I now perceive by you both, that they are restored? And it shall be a disgrace to you if the Nuncius shall understand more by other, then by your self. Thereof have I no care, Quod scripsi, scripsi, and I know the truth of my writing: And they are not all restored that I know of: And whatsoever he hath at my hands he may be assured is true: whatsoever he shall otherwise hear, the Record thereof cannot be so good, unlesse, our Record consent thereto; Then said he, why write you of those Books burning, being done before your comming away: It is as if you wrote backward. Have you no care Mr. Pucci, for the method of my Letters said I, and I said farther, it is told me that unlesse you see my Letters you will not carry them, you shall pardon me for seeing of them, the content I have sufficiently told you: and if you will not deliver them, I can get them delivered divers wayes, or I may omit the sending of them, and write such a Letter to the Nuncius that I had written answer to his requests, and offer sent by Fr. Pucci; But he would not bring the said my Letter, […] he might have a sight of it himself. At the length by farther discourse with E. K. he became resolved to goe with the letter, and (by E. K. his order) he was to receive 50 Dollors of John Carpio, that he should not be destitute of money at Prage.

NOTE.

This day, Francis Pucci said to us both, how can you doubt of my fidelity toward you (whom I love as my own life,) and against this Monster of Rome, whom my chief desire is, and long hath been, that he may be overthrown, &c. Again, consider, what fidelity, obedience, and reverence he hath promised to the Pope, and this Nuncius, as the writing brought by him, and so sore and many wayes urged by him, for us to accept of, can specifie.

Therefore Fr. is false to the Pope, or us, or both, or rash, foolish, blind, &c. And (as our spiritual Schoolmaster, divers times termeth him) leprous: Therefore I commit this his doings to the judgment of God: But also it is greatly to be remembred and noted that he now also discoursed again with E. K. as concerning the Birth of Christ, that it could not be proved by the Scriptures, that Christ came of the line of David, unlesse he were begotten of the actual copulation of Joseph, with Mary, and said that, because it was the gift of the Holy Ghost, that at Joseph his first and onely carnal copulation with Mary, Christ was conecived; Therefore she was accounted (in manner) a Virgin according to the Jews doctrine: which his heresie when I heard, I trembled for the horrour of so manifest an heresie against evident Scripture, virgo concipiet & virgo pariet, &c. & against many other most plain and sufficient Authorities both of Scriptures, and also Histories of our Lady her examination made by Women, and that she was found a Virgin, &c. And at her conception her answer to the Angel; Quia virum non cognovi, &c. & antequam convenirent, juventa est in utero habens de spiritu sancto, &c.

Videlicet, that is miraculous that Virgo in primo cum viro congressu conciperet.