Mensis Mysticus Sabbaticus (Cracow), part 5 of 5 (25–30 Apr. 1584)

Lo, thus it is; the cause why I have made those mighty banks, and have drawn my people from the lower places and the Seas, is for that, I fear a Whale: which, if he land in my Kingdomes, will be my destruction, and they told him what the Prophet had said, and he began to rage, and was puffed up with anger, and he opened his books THE SECOND TIME; and his eyes were opened, and he vnderstood that the […] had ascended unto the top of the mountain, and had taken with him a naked man, and a child: and he said to […] Ministers, Ascend, and bring me the child, for I will examine him, and know the Prophets meaning, and he apparelled him richly, and gave him much, but he prevailed not. And he said within himself, Ascend again they shall, and bring down that man.

And the servants ascended, and they found a Marble stone, and they were angry among themselves, saying, Is this a man? And lo they came unto the King, and said, Thou sendest us forth, but we found a mighty stone not able to be moved. Where is it therefore that thou wilt have us seek, that man; But he said within himself, I will overcome the child, and he took him by the hand, and led him into his Orchard, where he opened unto him the secrets of his books, so that he became skilful. But, lo, the Prophet arose, and, as he walked towards the Hill, to comfort them whom he accounted his friends, he espied the child apparalled strangely, and in company with strangers: and he opened his mouth, and began to prophesie, saying.

The King hath risen up against himself, for he hath CHOSEN THE CHOSEN, and hath opened the secrets of his own Kingdom to his destruction, and he stretched forth his hand, and said unto the child, Come with me: and he was unwilling, for his pleasures were great. And he lifted up his voyce and said: and he SWARE, And, lo, he came with him even unto the mountain: and the Prophet said unto him, When thou wast a child, I led thee, but now thou art become a man. stretch forth thy leggs, and labour, and he was unwilling.

Thus, whilst they were talking, they that waited upon him were at his feet armed, saying, come with us, for we are strong enough to deliver thee.

But the Prophet said unto them, GOE back and tell your King, that I found him on the way, and a stranger, and I had pity on him, and I took him for my own. Therefore strive not, for justice must prevail. And they began to stagger as drunkards, for they knew it was true. And the Prophet said, Now come with me, I will yet lead thee: and they ascended. The Prophet held up his hands, and SAID, I SEE, and behold, he that was naked arose: and said, I SEE ALSO.

And the Seas arose, and a great tempest, and broke down the banks: and entred on the earth, doing much harm to the people of that Kingdom: And, lo, there arose a wind the SECOND: and there were four beasts, such as are in the world, and were never known. And they came swimming, and so landed on the Hill. And the Prophet said, Arise, draw out your swords and kill them, and so they did.

Behold, the blood of them vanished into aire, and the flesh became earth: The entrals of them wasted away with the waters: and their bones burned with a […] fire. The second wind arose, and there were five Crowns: in the midst of them sate the Father of life, with a golden head: whose Feet bathed themselves in due and sweet Manna: and the […], Put forth your hands: and they did so: But lo they were afraid, for he that stood in the […] of the Crowns, was full of beauty.

And the Prophet said, Fear not, come with me; and he opened […] them the secrets of the Crown, for in every one of them was a golden sentence. And the secrets of the Hill began to shake, and there was a great Earthquake.

The third wind arose: and the twelve Cedar trees that were never corrupted, came and planted themselves in twelve places of the Hill, and they brought forth strange fruits, not as Cedar trees do.

The Prophet said, Gather, for I know you hunger, that you may be refreshed. While they thus talked, the fourth wind arose, and, behold, all the mountain was a flaming fire, and there were five Earthquakes, such as were not since the beginning of the world.

The Prophet took them up, for they were become as dead. And suddenly The Firmament and the waters were joyned together, and the Whale CAME, like unto a legion of stormes: or as the bottomless Cave of the North when it is opened: and she was full of eyes of every side.

The Prophet said, Stand still, but they trembled. The waters sank, and fell suddenly away, so that the Whale lay upon the Hill, roaring like a Cave of Lions, and the Prophet took them by the hands, and led them to the Whales mouth, saying, Go in, but they trembled vehemently; He said unto them the second time, Go in: and they durst not. And he sware unto them, and they entred in, and he lifted up his voyce, and cried mightily, Come away, and, […]. they stood before him richer then an Emperour: Throne, for unto him that was naked, were elothes given: unto him that was a child and a man, were 12 gates opened. And the Prophet cried mightily, and said, This Whale cannot die; and lifted up his voyce again and said: Within this Whale are many Chambers, and secret dwelling places, which I will divide betwixt you on the right side (unto the which was a child, and now a man) there are twelve opened, but unto thee that hast provided strange Garments for thy self, and not such as men use to wear, I will give thee head, hart, and left side, whose places are 46. You shall enter, and be possessed this day together: And behold, the son shall return again 21 times, and in one year, but not all, at one time. You shalt depart hence into a dwelling that shall be all one: where there is no end, the place of comfort and inspeakable glorie.

I have said.

Δ. As you have delivered us a parable, aenigma, or prophesie, so I beseech you, for the setting forth of God his honour and glory, to expound what is meant by the Whale, the naked man, the Childe, &c.

Gab..... Nal..... The Prophet is in his name.

The naked man is Dee,
The Childe is Kelly,
The Prince is the Devil,
The Hill is the World,
The waters are the bosome of God,
The 4 beasts are the 4 Elements,
The 12 Trees are the 12 parts of the Heavens,
The Whale is the spirit of God,
The Chambers are the degrees of wisdome,
The Thunders and windes are the ends of God his Will and Judgements.

The rest are not to be spoken:

This I take to notifie to us the judgement and arbitrement of God between us, in respect of our Petition to his Divine Majesty now made, whereby we may be assured what to judge of the Creatures which do deal with us in this action, and of the impugners, or diswaders of the credit of it. This I take to be sent and delivered unto us, of the meer mercy and providence Divine regarding his own glory, and the sincerity of my hope and confidence, which I put wholly in him, and alwayes will.

...... You are happy, for you believe, E. K. what am I. Δ. as happy if you believe likewise.

Δ. Are you not to deliver us our lessons orderly, as we have begun to receive?

...... Understand that, by the Prophet delivering Pen, Ink, and Paper.

Δ. As concerning the book writing by the highest, what shall I expect thereof?

...... There is no point of faith.

Δ. I believe verily that it shall be written by the power of the highest.

Nal...... The power of the highest confirmeth me, but not my power, the highest.

Δ. Be it as the will of God is.

E. K. The white Curtain is drawn.

Δ. Gloria Patri, & Filio, & spiritui sancto; sicut erat in principio, & nunc, & semper, & in secula seculorum.

E. K.

Amen.

Saturday, 28. Aprilis, Mane hora 8. Cracoviae. Oratione praemissa statim apparebant.

E. K. They are here.

Gab...... Move not, for the place is holy.

Δ. Holy, holy, holy, is he, who sanctifieth all things that are sanctified.

E. K. He maketh Crosses with his Rod toward the four parts of the world, and then kneeleth down a while.

Gab...... Happy is he that hath his skirts tied up, and is prepared for a Journey, for the way shall be open unto him, and in his joynts shall there dwell no wearinesse: his meat shall be as the tender […], as the sweetnesse of a bullocks Cud. For unto them that have, shall be given, and from them that have not, shall be taken away: For why, the bur cleaveth to the willow stem, but on the sands it is tossed as a feather without dwelling. Happy are they that cleave unto the Lord, for they shall be brought unto the store-house: and be accounted, and accepted as the Ornaments of his beauty: But pray with me.

O thou eternal foundation and strength of all things, mortal and immortal, which delight in thy face and in the glorie of thy name,

Consider the foundation of our fragility, and enter into the weaknesse of our inward parts: for we are become empty; whose salt is not, nor hath any savour: Fortifie, and make us strong in thee, and in thy strength; Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us, Have mercy upon us; that in this world our strength may be in patience, and after this life, that we may ascend unto thee.

Nal...... Amen.

Δ. We prayed the same prayer.

E. K. Now Nalvage standeth up upon his Table of Letters.

Nal...... It is a side-long Letter.

E. K. Now he kisseth the Table.

Now he kisseth the Table, and maketh most humble and low Cursies, having first laid down his Rod.

E. K Now Gabriel shaketh his Dart terribly.

E. K Why shake you your dart so?

Gab...... Scholers ought to give ear to their School-masters.

Now he useth his accustomed Cursie.

Now he kneeleth.

Now he falleth suddenly on his knees.

Now he kneeleth.

Now he lifted up his hands.

E. K. Now he goeth off the Table, and kneeleth Down.

Now he lifteth.

E. K. The Table turneth continually to his Rod end, and the Letter seemeth to stand on his Rods end distinctly. That is it. This is this Call.

• 1 — I have set
• 2 — my feet
• 3 — in the south,
• 4 — and
• 5 — have looked
• 6 — about me,
• 7 — saying,
• 8 — are not
• 9 — The Thunders of encrease
• 10 — numbred?
• 11 — Thirty three
• 12 — which raign
• 13 — in the second Angel;
• 14 — under whom
• 15 — I have placed
• 16 — 9639.
• 17 — whom
• 18 — None
• 19 — hath yet numbred
• 20 — but one
• 21 — in whom
• 22 — the second beginning of things
• 23 — are,
• 24 — and wax strong
• 25 — which also:
• 26 — successively, [or by succession]
• 27 — are
• 28 — the number of time,
• 29 and
• 30 — their powers
• 31 — are
• 32 — as the first
• 33 — 456.
• 34 — Arise
• 35 — you sons of pleasure,
• 36 — and
• 37 — visit the earth;
• 38 — for
• 39 — I am the Lord your God
• 40 — which is
• 41 — and liveth.
• 42 — In the name
• 43 — of the Creator
• 44 — Move
• 45 — And shew you selves [or appear]
• 46 — as pleasant deliverers,
• 47 — that you may praise him
• 48 — amongst
• 49 — the sons of men.
• 50 —

E. K. He hath now plucked the Curtain to.

Δ. Note.

Δ. Thanks be to God, now, and ever. Amen.

Δ. Remember to request information of such a word, as (saith the Lord) is not here to be understood, some where.

Note, the second Angel.

Monday Cracoviae, Aprilis 30. Mane hora 6½

Oratione Dominica finita, & precatiuncula pro prospero successu A. L. (jam apud Keismark, queritantis & petentis jus suum hereditarium, & aliis brevissimis ejaculationibus, pro prospero successu in hac actione tandem post semi horam apparuerunt.

E. K. Now they are here: and Gabriel is all full of glory, he seemeth to light all places.

Δ. O the mercies of God encreased, though his determination be all one

E. K. Now he is as he was before: and in the time of this his glorious apparition, Nalvage kneeled down, somewhat regarding towards Gabriel.

Gab...... Give unto him that hath his basket open: But from him that is not ready, depart.

E. K. There appear here, 7 other like Priests, all in white, having long hair hanging down behind: their white garments traile after them: having many pleits in them. Me think that I have seen one of them before, and upon that creature appeareth a B upon his cloathes, an L in another place, an R upon his other shoulder, another A upon his other shoulder. There is an H upon his breast; there is an I upon his head, and a C upon his side on his garment; and an A under his wast behind: The Letters seem to go up and down enterchangeably in places. There seemeth an V on him, also an N, a D.

Now cometh a tall man by, all in white, and a great white thing rowled about his neck, and coming down before like a tippet. They all in the Stone (being 9) kneel down unto him.

The tall man said...... Take this Key, and power: ascend and fill thy vessel, for the River is not pure, and made clean.

E. K. Now he is gone (that said this) in form of a great Millstone of fire.

E. K. Now they go up a Hill, with a great Tankard, as it were, of Bone transparent; Now he openeth one door, he, I mean, that had the Letters on his back.

1. There appeareth a Partridge, but it hath one leg like a Kite: This Partridge seemeth to sit on a green place under the gate, one leg is much longer than the other, being like a Kites leg. This Partridge seemeth to halt.

He biddeth one of his Company take it up. There goeth a bridge to the top of that Hill, all upon arches, and under it goeth a River.

He taketh the Partridge and pulleth all his feathers, and they fall into the River: He cutteth off the longer leg just to the length of the other. They about him cry, O just judgement.

Now he turneth him off over the Bridge, and he flyeth away, for the feathers of his wings were not pulled.

2. He goeth on, and cometh to another gate; and there the third man unlocketh it, as the second next him unlocked the first Gate; he himself having the Key first delivered him, as above is noted. There appeareth a thing like a Kite, all white, very great, it hath a fowl great head, he seemeth to be in a very pleasant Garden, and flyeth from place to place of it, and beateth down the Rose trees and other fruit trees. The Garden seemeth very delicate and pleasant. They go all into the Garden: and he saith, Thou art of the Wildernesse, thy feathers and carkase are not worthy the spoil of the Garden.

Now the Kite scratcheth and gaspeth at this man; but he taketh the Kite and cutteth her carkase in two equal parts, from the crown of his head, and throweth one half over one side of the Bridge, and the other half over the other side, and said, Fowles must be devoured of Fowles. The rest say, O justitia divina, clapping their hands over their heads.

3. Now the next in order openeth another Gate (going up upon the same Bridge still.) The rest of the building from the Gate inward, seemeth very round and bright: yet there appear no windows in it. It is a frame, made as though the 7 Planets moved in it. The Moon seemeth to be New Moon.

There standeth Armour, and this man putteth on, all white Harnesse. He seemeth to kick down the Moon, and her frame or Orb; and seemeth to make powder of all; For there is no mercy here, saith he.

4. Now another of them goeth forward to another Gate, and openeth the Gate, and goeth in; there appear an infinite multitude of men.

There sitteth a man cloathed like a Priest, having a great Crown on his head: here are many preaching in this place. He goeth to that Crowned Priest, and he taketh away divers patches of the Vesture which he had, and the patches seemed to be like Owls, and Apes, and such like.

He saith...... A King is a King, and a Priest is a Priest.

He taketh from the rest their Keyes and Purses, and giveth them a Staff and a Bottle in their hands. He goeth from them. He putteth all that he took from them in a house beside the Gate, and writeth on the door, Cognoscat quisque suum.

Now they proceed to another Gate, and another of them opened that Gate. The Bridge continueth still, ascending upward. Now there appeareth (that Gate being opened) a marvellous great Wildernesse.

There cometh a great number of naked wilde men to him. He shaketh that Gate with his hands, and it falleth in pieces, one falleth on one side into the River, and the other falls on the other side into the River,

........ Let both these places be made one. Let the spoil of the first, be the comfort of the last: For from them that have shall be taken, and unto them that have not shall be given.

6. E. K. Now he goeth, and the last of his Company openeth another Gate; he is longer in opening of that Gate, than any of the rest.

There appeareth a bushy place, and there runneth a great River on the very top of the Hill, and a great Gate standeth beyond the Hill, and a very rich Tower all of precious Stones, as it seemeth.

Here he filleth his Tankard in the River, and holdeth his hands up, and maketh shew as he would return.

He said...... This was my coming, and should be my return.

E. K. Now they appear suddenly before the first Gate, and there the Principal man diggeth the earth, and putteth stones and brambles, and leaves aside. There he taketh out a dead carkase, and bringeth it to a fire, and stroketh it: a very lean carkase it is; it seemeth to be a dead Lion; for it hath a long tail with a bush at the end.

He saith...... Come let us take him up, and comfort him; for it is in him.

Now the Lion seemeth to sit up and lick himself, and to drink of the water, and to shake himself, and to roar. The man taketh of the segs or flags by, and stroketh the Lion as he would make his hair smooth.

Now the Lion is become fair, fat, and beautiful.

He saith...... Tarry you here, till I bring you word again; for I must follow the Lion into the Wildernesse.

E. K. Now all they are gone, except the two our School-masters, Gabriel and Nalvage.

Gab....... This is the Judgement of God this day. Happy is he that hath judgement to understand it.

Δ. Thou O Lord knowest the measure of our judgement: Give therefore light, understanding, and the grace to use thy gifts duely.

Gab........ Listen unto my words, for they are a Commandment from above. Behold (saith he) I have descended to view the Earth, where I will dwell for seven dayes, and twice seven dayes: Therefore let them be dayes of rest to you. But every seventh day, I will visit you, as Now I do.

E. K. He speaketh as if he spake out of a Trunck.

Δ. I understand that this rest is, that every Monday, for three Mondayes else next after other, we shall await for our lessons, as now we receive, and that we may all the rest follow our affairs of study or houshold matters.

Gal....... It is so, for one day shall be as a week: But those dayes you must abstain from all things that live upon the Earth.

Δ. You mean on these three Mondayes, ensueing next.

Gab....... You shall cover this Table with a new linnen cloth.

E. K. Pointing to the Table we sat at.

Δ. Most willingly.

Gab....... Moreover a new Candlesticke, with a Taper burning.

Δ. Obediently (O Lord) it shall be done.

Gab....... And the Candlesticke shall be set on the midst of the Table betwixt you two.

Note...... That a day may become a week, and a week as many years.

Gab....... For I have put on my upper garment, and have prepared to enter, and it is shortly: and not yet.

E. K. Now he hath plucked the Curtain, as if he had pulled it round about the Stone; and it seemeth full of little sparkes like Stars.

Gloria patri & filio & spiritui sancto; sicut erat in principio, & nunc, & semper, & in secula seculorum.

Vide libro........ […] pro saequentibus.