Liber Septimus Apertorius Cracoviensis (pars quarta), part 2 of 8 (4–8 June 1584)

Saturday, Cracoviae. 2 Mane circa 7. Post preces aliquot & […] meas: statim ferè apparuit.

E. K. I see him, that we call Gabriel, sitting in his Chair alone.

Gabr...... God is a spirit essential and in himself: Essential and working by himself: Essential in all works, and dignifying them by himself: So that the beginning and ending of all things, that are already, or are in him already, and to come, is placed in the fountain, and well-spring of all life, comfort, and encrease: Whereby we see, that the heavens and the mighty powers therein from the highest unto the lowest, things that shall have an end, and the earth with all that she bringeth forth; yea, the lower parts (though after another manner, and by another course) do all hang, and are established, in and upon the unspeakable […] in the providence of him. How, therefore can the Heavens run awry? Or the earth, (for the […] sake) want a comforter? Or the lower places look for comfort? If it be so (therefore) that the heavens cannot erre: Or if the power of God be so mighty, and so full of prevailing; If in the house of light there be no darknesse, or from the Heavens can descend no wickednesse. (And why? because they are dignified in the power of God.) What is he that should live, and distrust the Lord? But […], The power and quality of the Devil is not onely manifest, but also still contendeth against the power and will of God: stirring up, and provoking man to fast at full Bankets, to study for good and evil. To rise up against the Lord, and against his power. And to vex the Lord himself: which cannot be vexed at the wickednesse of the Devil. Even for this cause, sayeth the Lord unto you: How long will you wallow in wickednesse? How long will you be drunken with folly? How long will you rise up against the Lord and against me? * Saying, And if this be the power of God, Are these the Messagers of the highest? Is this the will of God? Or can it be, that he hath care of the earth? But these are the blasphemies of your mouth. But I see, I must differre my self for a time, and must raise up a Table where there shall eat more worthy. Consider what it is to deal with Devils: Is it not to take part with Rebels? Is it not to be Traitors against the annointed in his own Kingdom? Is it not a greater sin then the sin of the Devil? For why, The Devil sinneth in himself, and therefore had his fall. But your sin is in your selves and by the Devil, and therefore it is the greater. But, as it is said before, Where is there a moniment upon the earth that the people have raised up, in the remembrance of wickednesse? Many there be that say, Lo, there is Hierusalem. Lo, there was the Lord buried. Lo, there the flouds divided themselves with all the rest; in remembrance of the Lord: But none there is that say, Lo, in this place the wicked have risen up and prevailed. Therefore to cleave unto the Lord is good, and to follow a sensible Doctrine, which bringeth with it self the loathsomnesse of wickednesse, and the study to do well, that the wicked may be confounded. Alas! let the whole earth rise up, [thrusting up his hand] even this hand, can gather them all together: what therefore can the Lord do when he frowneth? O unreasonable Creatures, and worse then beasts, more ignorant then the beasts that grase in the Mountains: Are you not afraid of the power of God, when it becometh a skourge? For, doubt you not, to deal with those that are wicked? (you of no faith) wherefore hath the Lord made the earth, but to be glorified in the creatures thereof? And what is he that glorifieth God on earth but man? Think you [not] (therefore) that the Lord bath not care of his people? Think you that there is a Seat upon earth, wherein he hath not hidden the might of his free power? Doth Satan get a Soul that he is not privy of? Believe, O you of little Faith, for it is the power of God, it is the Key of the whole world, which is the Key of mans conscience: If he lock not the door, but depart and leave it open: Wo be to that Soul, for the Prince of darknesse entreth, and is possessed to the eternal wo of his dwelling place. If, therefore the earth be a Cave unto him that made it, (as appeareth by his Prophets, and by the Son of God.) What are you? Or how empty are you? When you think it is in vain, that the Lord hath appeared unto you.

Δ. […] praevalescentem: Haec enim […] nominis ejus est. Blasphemies. A punishment of further and longer time yet of God his most mercifull visiting of us. Dealing with Devils. I he Devils […].

Faith. Faith is the Key of mans conscience. The Devil is the picklock. E. K. Very vehemently spoken. A figure of the time to come. Vide lib. 19. Praga, 27. Aug. Vnum ovile, 950. years. Vide […]. cap. 20. Paradise. Paradise was first made, and last to be enjoyed. Regnum Dei mille annorum de quo, cap. 20. Apocalyps. Δ. Antichristus. Dies novissimi isti sunt. The last Prophesie. Bella & […]. Necessity of things, vide […]. Election. The twofold manner of this Doctrine. The shyle for God his Barn.

But in you two is figured the time to come: For many shall cleave unto the Lord, even at the first call: And many shall doubt of the Lord, and not believe him for a season. But as you two shall dwell in one Center, (if you (yet) do look forward, and step right) So shall the face of the whole earth be, for 800. one hundred and fifty years.

(For, the fruit of Paradise shall appear, that nothing may be on earth without comfort.

For, lo, the first shall be last,) and it shall be a Kingdom without corruption.

Now, now, hath the Serpent wallowed his fill.

Now, Now, are all things in the pride of their wickednesse.

Now, now, is the Heir ready, most like his father. But wo unto the earth through his government.

For, his Kingdom shall have an end with misery. And these are the latter dayes. And this is the last Prophesie of the World.

Now, now, shall one King rise up against another: And there shall be bloud shed throughout all the World: fighting between the Devil his Kingdom, and the Kingdome of light.

Contentions and quarrels on the earth between man and man, father and son, wife and husband,

Kingdom and Kingdom; yea, even in the very beasts of the field shall there be hatred. And into

them shall the spirits of Contention enter.

For, now cometh the necessity of things.

E. K. He now kneeleth down.

Gab...... As for you, thus sayeth the Lord.

I have chosen you, to enter into my barns: And have commanded you to open the Corn, that the scattered may appear, and that which remaineth in the sheaf may stand. And have entered into the first, and so into the seventh. And have delivered unto you the Testimony of my spirit to come.

For, my Barn hath been long without Threshers. And I have kept my flayles for a long time hid in unknown places: Which flayle is the Doctrine that I deliver unto you: Which is the Instrument of thrashing, wherewith you shall beat the sheafs, that the Corn which is scattered, and the rest may be all one.

(But a word in the mean season.)

If I be Master of the Barn, owner of the Corn, and deliverer of my flayle: If all be heaven.

(And unto you, there is nothing: for you are hirelings, whose reward is heaven.)

Then see, that you neither thresh, nor unbinde, untill I bid you, let it be sufficient unto you: that you know my house, that you know the labour I will put you to: That I favour you so much as to entertain you the labourers within my Barn: For within it thresheth none without my consent.

For, in you shall many people be blessed, and in you shall there be no division: For Esau and Jacob shall be joyned together; and their Kingdom shall be all one: For as the Sacrifice is, so must the Priests be.

E. K. Now he kneeleth down again. Me thinketh, I hear them say, What shall become of Laskie?

E. K. And so the people say.

[Ask me no Questions: but hear, what I have to say.]

As those that desire to make a speedy Dinner, and to entertain their guests, go suddenly out, and gather the dryest wood in the wood-pile: Not because it is more wood than the other; but because it is dry, and most apt for the speediness of the kitchen. So, it is with me, saith the Lord.

A. L. A. L. The aptest in the world for some purposes of God. […]

For, I respect him not in that he is a man, but in respect of the manner of his minde and inward man, which I find in respect of my purpose, aptest in the world: because be naturally hateth the wicked, Therefore naturally I love him, of whom I say I swear, If he follow me (saith the Lord) I will be with him, as I was with my Warrier at Hiericho: And I will be mighty with him in this world, and a lover of him for ever. But me thinketh he will be proud. If you find me weak: know you, that I am not weak, of my self; but your own weakness may be your confusion. For I am a fire, and take hold of such matter as I find apt.

E. K. He kneeleth again.

1. I have now told you (my Brethren) of, and of the manner of the power of God.

2. Of the nature of Hell, and of her wickednesse.

3. Of the course of the World, and of the necessity of things.

4. Of your election, and of the end thereof.

5. Of Laskie, and why he is elected.

6. Now I am lastly to perswade you, by the power of God, that you make your selves apt and meet matter: and that you may stand before the Lord as acceptable: which you shall perform if you intend your former Lessons. The ground whereof is Humility and Perseverance, which because they have been often spoken of, I passe with referring you to the consideration thereof.

Note. Apt and meet matter. Humility. Perseverance. A great Caveat.

Giving you one warning, That this Action shall never come to passe, until there be no remembrance of wickednesse, or hell, left amongst you: and yet, after, for a time, you must have patience. For, your offices are above a Kingdom. Hinder not the Lord in his expeditions. Remember he hath commanded you to go to the Emperour. Happy is he, that cometh when he is bid Go. And foolish is he, that goeth not, when he is bidden.]

We must go to the Emperour. The place for which my Angel of Creation is sealed.

There, use thy self: for it shall be a key of thy habitation: And for that place, is the Angel of thy Creation sealed. Love together: Be humble and continue to the end.

Δ. Deo nostro immortali, invisibili, omnipotenti, & Patri misericordiarum, ejusque filio Redemptori nostro, & Deo Spiritui Sancto, sit omnis laus, gloria & gratiarum actio.

Δ. I understand as yet, either the Emperours Court, or Prage, &c.

Amen.

Monday, † Cracoviae † 4. Junii, Mane, hora 8.

Orationem dominicam genibus flexis recitavi, variasque juxta propositam materiam ejaculationes habui, variasque inter nos collationes, considerationesque ultimorum verborum ipsius Gabrielis, &c. After almost an hour after our sitting to the Action, he appeared.

E. K. Gabriel is here again in his Chair, and his dart upright in his hand, his dart is like a flame or staff of fire.

Δ. Blessed be God.

Δ. After his appearing, he stayed almost a quarter of an hour before he began.

Gab...... As God in his essential being, is a Spirit, without demonstration, so are his profound providences, works, and determinations, unable to be measured.

[E. K. He maketh cursie: but nothing appeareth in the Stone.]

Gabr...... Hereby may you find, that the love of God towards you (O wretches and sinners) is more than a love: and more than can be measured, which was the cause, that with his own finger, (delighting in the sons of Jacob,) he sealed this saying; yea with his own finger, this shew and sign of his excellent, and more than, love toward his people.

I am a jealous God; which is as much to say, Lo, I am your friend: nay, rather your father, and more than that, your God: which delighteth in you, rejoyceth in you, and loveth you with that affection [Jealousie] which is more than love: which is as much to say, as my love is such toward you, as I am to my self. But, O ye stiff-necked Jews, O ye Strumpets, you despised the love of God, you committed adultery, and ran into the Temples of Idols: which was the cause, that the same mouth, that praised you before,

[E. K. He maketh cursie often.]

.... Said also of you; It repenteth me that I made this people. Let me raze them out, and make a people of thee. This Idolatry was the cause, from time to time, that you became Captives, and of Inheritours, Runnagates, and without a Master. Vnto you also, thus saith the Lord (unto you my Brethren, I say that are here) More than the love of a father is, is the love of God toward you: For, unto which of the Gentiles, bath the Lord shewed himself? Where dwell they, or where have they dwelled, into whose houses have the Angels of the Lord descended, saying, thus and thus, doth the God of Heaven and earth mean to deale with the World.

To Moses Exod 32 B […]. 9. C The J ws. The unmeasurable love of God toward us A. L. Δ. E K. Exhortation to […] and amendment of life.

Think you not, that this is more than love? Look therefore narrowly into your selves: Vncover the doings of your life, and secret Chambers: Enter into judgement with your selves. Vnto thee I speak [To E. K.] Hast thou not run astray from the Lord, and committed Idolatry?

Δ. He told E. K. of his faults, which E. K. would not expresse to me, and I desired him to listen to them, and to do as it appertaineth to a Christian, &c.

Gab...... But thus saith the Lord, I am a pure Spirit that participateth not with the defiled: neither can I enter in mercy into that house which is defiled. A great saying, my Brethren: For hereby you are monished to make your consciences clean, to open your selves in pureness, to the Lord, that he may enter into you with comfort. For, so long as thou dealest with wicked spirits, will the Lord keep back his hands: and thou keepest back the Lord. For shall it not be said hereafter? Lo, is not this man known to have dealing with the wicked? And (as the foolish voices of the people are) Is not this he that can constrain the wicked? with further arguments, by repetition of thy doings. Well, if thou wilt be the Minister of God; If thou wilt go forward in his works; If thou wilt see the happy times that are to come, thou must abstain from evil, and thou must sweep thy house clean: Thou must put on thy best garments, And must become humble and meek. Let not thy life be a scandal to the will of the Lord, and to the greatnesse of his works: For the power that is within thy soul (in respect of his essential quid,) is of great force and ability to perform those things that proceed with power: which is the cause that the wicked ones obey thee; for they fear themselves, when they see the seal of thy Creation.

The chief Lesson. The essential Characterisation of E. K. his soul, and so the cause of his election. […]. Of God his finding thee fit in matter, unfit in life.

This is therefore the Cause, that God finding thee (as he passeth by, by his Angel) fit in matter, but, my brother (God knoweth) far unfit in life. O Consider the dignity of thy Creation; Consider that the affection of God toward thee, is more than love. See how he beareth with thy infirmity, from time to time. O, I say, (yet) Enter into judgement with thy self: And consider, that thou art now at a Turning where there lieth two wayes: One shall be to thy comfort, The other to thy perpetual wo. Let not good ground bring forth weeds, lest it choke her self.

Δ. We will call unto God for his mercies, graces, and help, &c.

O, consider, my brother that the appearing and works of the devil are but of necessity. That is to say, that he that is good, by resisting of the devil may manifest and make plain to the powers and spirits of Heaven, the strength of his faith, and assurance of his Hope: and so, necessarily, by the promise of God, inherit everlasting life, to the which he is elected. To the wicked, that because of their disobedience and partaking with them, that are the Angels of darknesse, (even those, that strive against the Lord) they might worthily be damned: according to the necessity of God his judgement. See, therefore they appeare unto thee, either for the greatness of thy wickedness, or else because they suspect thee to be elected. If thou, therefore think thy self elected, despise them; If thou therefore think to be a spirit dignified, and in glory, Then be faithful in the assurance of hope, and resist the devil: that we may testifie thee, before the heavens, and before the God of Justice.

The necessity of the Devils doings. 1 either with good men 2 or with evil men.

E. K. He weepeth.

Δ. E. K. and I also could not hold our teares.

Ah, my brother, great are the joyes of Heaven. Remember what Hell is; for to thee the Fornace was open: Remember the vision thou hadst of hell, and of her powers, at Mortlake. For nothing (my brother) is done without a cause. Remember thou couldst not abide it: No not to see::. Think thyself accursed (therefore) if thou feel it: For, if Sodom had seen it, they would have been converted.

E. K. He prayeth.

1. I have now told you of the Jealousie of God, and of the cause thereof.

2. I have also told you that the house of God must be clean, and without spot.

[E. K. Now there cometh a brightnesse about him.]

3. Lastly, I have told you, of that necessity which causeth the devils to work, and appear: and have exhorted you to the love of God and repentance, which were the things I onely had […] speak of.

Δ. O Lord, seeing we are uniformly desirous that the Action may proceed, and that we crave thy mercy and graces, as well for the pardoning of our wickedness past, as for the confirmation of us in thy service, What shall we look for touching the proceeding, being thus stayed to our great grief?

Gabr...... You have to receive the will of God (but what it is, I know not) those three dayes, you begin your Journey. And you are also, to learn, what the Angel is, and how many Subjects he hath.

Vide Maii, 1 28. 2 3 Hyle. 4 5 6 7

Δ. Which Angel?

Gab...... That governeth Hyleich: which is the matter of the 4 Elements: And which onely is an Element. The Princes and Governours also of the 4 Elements, (and of their Generation, how they receive mixtion, and in what quantity) With their Ministers that are under them.

Δ. I said to E K. These shall be part of your practice and portion.

[Gab...... You are all to joyn joyntly in the Harvest of the Lord] The Angels also of the † 48 angles of the heavens, and their Ministers: For they are these, that have the thunders and the windes at Commandment. These make up the time, and then, cometh the Harvest.

E. K. He is gone.

Δ. Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam. Tu enim Altissimus, Omnipotens, sempiternus, vivus, & verus Deus noster es: unus & Trinus: Cui Angelicus caelestisque chorus decantat perpetuò, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Zebaoth.

Amen.

Friday, Cracoviae, Junii 8. Mane hora 7½.

Post preces, & ejaculationes varias & gratiarum actiones pro magna misericordia Dei, erga nos & propter E K. qui jam patefecit mihi horrenda & multiplicia heresium, & blasphemiarum dogmata, quibus illi hostes Jesu Christi illum imbuerant, & quòd jam (onfessione […]) vellet sacrosanctum mysterium corporis & sanguinis Christi recipere, issisque malis Angelis renunciare, & omnes illorum fraudes detegere, &c.

Conversio E. K. ad Deum, abdicatis omnibus Diabolicis experimentis, &c. Nihil apparuit hodie.

Albeit the like had never happened to us, (that I remember.) but that either Cloud, Vail, or some Voice was perceived by E. K. Yet this doing we not onely took patiently; but E. K. used many good reasons to prove, that servants ought to attend so long, as it pleased their Master to have them await his coming to any place, to them.

And that, about our own affairs we are contented to use patience for a long time, but to await the Lord his coming or message, is a time better spent, than in any humane affairs, &c.

He very plainly, and at large made manifest his conversion to God from the practices with wicked spirits: Yea, that he was ready to burn whatsoever he had of their trash and experiments. That he would write in a book the manifold horrible Doctrine of theirs, whereby they would have perswaded him

..... That Jesus was not God.

..... That no prayer ought to be made to Jesus.

..... That there is no […].

..... That mans […] doth go from one body, to another childes quickening or […].

..... That as many men and women as are now, have alwayes been: That is, so many humane bodies, and humane souls, neither m re nor lesse, as are now, have alwayes been.

..... That the generati n of mankind from Adam and Eve, is not an History, but a writing which hath an other sense.

..... No Holy Ghost they acknowledged.

..... They would not suffer him to pray to Jesus Christ; but would rebuke him, saying, that he robbed God of his honour, &c.

And so. of very many other most blasphemous Articles and Points of Doctrine, whereof more shall be spoken in another place.

This forbearings of our Instructors presence, I did expound or conjecture to be done greatly for the honour of God, many wayes, if the same were recorded somewhat near to the very manner of the thing as it was: for so, should appear to the posterity, how truely it had been said before, that he should be converted to God: How truely God did prepare E. K. his soul to be a vessel cleansed, and so made apt for his visiting of him, in mercy and comfort.

whereby the life of E. K. (now being amended, and his dealing with the wicked clean left off) should not be a scandal to the will of the Lord, and to the greatness of his works: as was noted unto us in the last Action.

Also I said, that not onely his Conversion recorded should be a more evident argument of his so oft repeated Election: But his patient attending this present day, ([Δ] two hours and a half, and taking all things in such sort as became an humble and patient servant,) will be a more sure and evident argument that it was no light pang, such as he hath made outward shew diverse times before, but a very harty and sincere conversion, such as without all doubt, will be found very acceptable to the highest.

Moreover, he declared that about nine, or ten dayes past, he did intend to have gotten away secretly by the help spiritual of those, with whom he had so long dealt: And therefore that till now, he dealt hypocritically.

But, whereas they to fore were ever accustomed to threaten him Beggery, (a thing which he most hated and feared.)

That now he careth not if he should have want; yea, he took it neither to be shame, or sin to beg: and that he now made more account of God his favour and life eternal, then he doth of all transitory wealth and riches, and to be entangled within the danger of these wicked spirits their snares, with all.

Also he now perceived his great errour wherein he was of late, when he would for an assured temporal maintenance have forsaken the dealing with the wicked, and so more willingly would have followed these actions without repining: Saying now, that he is no perfect Christian, who for money must be hired to forsake the Devil and his works, &c.

And as for the issue of these actions he would never either doubt, or mislike, howsoever they fell out; assuring himself: That God would do all things best, and for his honour, &c. Many other his sayings very glodly I omit, thinking these sufficient here.

Δ. O Almighty, eternal, and most mercifull God, we thank, glorifie, and praise thee; O blessed, and most glorious Trinity, we will for ever Magnifie thy unspeakable providence, favour, Election, and Conversion unto thee.

O Blessed Jesu, we will for ever extol thy loving kindnesse, and long suffering toward us, and thy Triumphant proceeding against Satan and his Ministers, for thy Elect sake.

O holy Ghost, the directer into all truth, and comforter of thy Elect, confirm, and establish our hearts with thy gracious, and continual zeal, and love of truth, purity of life, Charitable humility, and constant patience to thy well-pleasing untill the end: That after this life (through the mercy of the father, and Merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thy charitable embracing of us,) we may for ever enjoy the heavenly Kingdom, among the blessed Angels, and all the dignified company of mankind.

Amen. Amen. Amen.