Mysteriorum Pragensium Liber Primus (Prague), part 3 of 8 (21 Aug. – 1 Sept. 1584)

Tuesday, 21 Augusti. † Pragae.

After Dinner as we [E. K. and Δ.] were in my Study, and conferring of my choise, and very sorry that we had made our choise not of the best: E. K. saw Vriel in the stone, which yet stood unput up: and said, he had seen him there ever since we began: So coming to the stone he said as followeth.

Uriel...... Murmur not amongst your selves: But rejoyce and be glad, and sound into the greatnesse of Gods mercies, which beareth all your weaknesse, and leadeth you through the foggy and perilous mists of your daily temptations even by the hand: And now, not onely giveth, but also exhorteth. I speak with you as a man. Yea, let me speak with you as a man: You are opprest with sin, and with the world, and are not yet apt for the visitation of God.

Note our unaptnesse yet to be visited, Ecclesiastes, cap. 1.

My brethren, God hath dealt mercifully with you, hath opened unto you these three wayes desirous

Δ. In malevolam animam non introibit sapientia, nec habitabit in corpore subdito peccatis, Ecclesiastes, cap. 1.

[E. K. He speaketh other language, I understand not.]

..... That one of you might have entred into the highest Gate. And why? Because the workman might be able, and correspondent unto the work, and time (of the Lord) to come. God hath done may great things for you: but you will not see them. Tarry awhile till I come again.

The workman and the work must be correspondent. To Δ. Was said, In fac supra. To E. K. in vide. To A. L. Tu vive.

E. E. He is gone beyond a thing like a Hill.

Δ. After half a quarter of an hour he came again.

E. K. He hath a pair of Tables in his hand, made as of white bone: and therein are many names written orderly, one under another.

E. K. If I thought this to be of God, and this to be Vriel indeed, it were another matter: but their too much familiarity maketh me doubt.

Δ. The old saying is true in you, Nimia familiaritas parit contemptum.

Uriel...... Believe me, by Heaven and Earth, I am true Uriel.

E. K. He hath another Book holden unto him, by one standing by him, who is like a shadow.

Uriel...... Give ear, say and chuse: for after this time, there is no choice.

A new choice, by God his great […] granted. 73 and a half Dee his age.

Dee, thy age and continuance in this world, in flesh, according to the finger, and second proportion, which you call Nature, is 73 years and a half: and here it is [Δ. pointing to the other Book.]

E. K. He that is like a shadow openeth the Book; it seeming to be of yern or steel. In which Book appeareth divers names, as Bamasan, Corsax, Tohomaphala, &c.

[Δ. They seemed to be the names of good Angels proper to peculiar men.]

Uriel...... Thou [E. K.] dost more than thou art commanded. Yet, cease a while.

[Δ. Because he [E. K.] read these names.

E. K. He spreadeth a thing like a Cloud before them.

E. K. Now he appeareth again, and the other with him.

E. K. Sudsamna appeareth in the Book, and against it 46.

Uriel...... So much shalt thou [E. K.] live by nature, and die violently.

E. K. Now he is covered again.

E. K. Now he is here again.

E. K. Aflafben standeth written in that Book, and 73 with a prick over the upper part of the figure 3.

E. K. The Book is very big and full of names, and numbers against them: the leaves are very thin.

E. K. Now Vriel openeth his book himself; And there appeareth against Aflafben, 122. And against Sudsamna appeareth 87.

Aflafben my good argel. Sudsamna E. K. his good Angel. Vita Naturae, Gratiae.

Uriel...... Beyond the which, you cannot: Notwithstanding this life, is alwayes given by God, or at the […] of some one, or mo, of us his Angels. The other is natural: notwithstanding is shortened through the sin of man. I am a witness to my self, that these books and words are true.

E. K. Now he is in his Cloud again.

Δ. After a while, they appeared again, as before.

E. K. They look very gravely on their books.

Uriel...... Behold my brethren, God is ready to open his merciful store-houses and gates of understanding unto you: But he that liveth for himself, and for the end of this shadow, limiteth his wisdom with this number: and shall both have an end at once: But he that turneth him to the wall, and weepeth bitterly, shall enter into this Book: But he must not build his own house, but an house for the Lord; Neither must he be visited by the challenge of promise, but by the meer mercy and good will of God, and at his pleasure and appointment: He that hath understanding let him hear.

Behold, This his pen, is a pen of Steel; But that that I raze withal, is of Gold, and a piercing Instrument. If therefore your visitation shall be after to morrow, and that you covet to build (because you are men) Then give your names unto the yern: But if you will remember the Lord, and adde any thing unto his building, faithfully, Then vow your names unto me, In the name of him which created you. After this time, there is no choice.

Therefore, consider; for, never before, (but once) was this mystery, and mercy of God opened unto man.

E. K. Now he hath drawn the Cloud to him.

Δ. I am not able (O Lord) to give thee condigne thanks for these mercies: But thy will be done: Not as we will, nor as we have rashly and blindly (before) chosen: But this is our choice, to be thy servants all the dayes of our life; and we desire not long life so much, as the favour which addeth those dayes, wherein our faith may be fruitful through thy graces abounding in us. I renounce my former choice, I challenge no promise: But require thee, O God, of thy fatherly goodnesse to be my light, director, staff, strength, defence, and comfort, now and ever, Amen.

Uriel...... Alwayes call unto me for the Testimony and witnesse of the promise of God, and the remembrance of this day.

E. K. He hath written after the numbers in his own Book, Est, Est.

Δ. Ad laudem, gloriam, & honorem Dei, Esto, Esto.

Uriel...... Now deai with Rodolph. and be not slack: for until thou have talked with him, I appear no more.

Thy haste, shall prevent the slander of wicked tongues, whom Satan hath already stirred up against thee.

Δ. I understand of none.

Uriel...... It is best thou understand it not at all.

E. K. He putteth a Cloud over all the Stone, like a white wrink'ed Curtain: and so disappeareth.

Δ. But though you appear not, yet of Madimi I may require answer, to know when my wife and children are to be sent for, &c.

E. K. There is no answer given.

Δ. Fiat voluntas Dei, juxta illius beneplacitum: cui omnis laus gloria & gratiarum Actio, nunc & in omne aevum. Amen.

Δ. I received letters from my wife, that she and her children are well. God have the praise and thanks therefore.

Amen.

Friday, Augusti, 24. à Meridie. Pragae.

Being willed to deal with Rodolphus, first by letter, and then by speech: I thought good to send the Letter before written, for the Emperour; by the Noble Don […] de St. Clemente, the King of Spain his Praefectus Negotiorum with this Emperour: and thereupon by Emericus […], the Lord Laskie his Secretary, I wrote this to the aforesaid Don Clemente, and sent it this Bartholomew Day.

EA est hominum in terris conditio (Nobilissime vir) ut sibi soli nullus natus esse videatur: Immò neque sibi ullus omnia sponce nascenria, vel ultro ab aliis oblata, quae sibi maximè sunt necessaria recipiat. Mucuae inde hominum emerserunt societates, mutuae amicitiae, mutuae operae, Mutua dona, Rerum commutatio, & emptionis, rerumque venditionis contractus: Aliique diversi hominum existunt status, unde hominum inter homines, & cum hominibus multiplicia procurantur officia, commerciaque. Neque omnium istorum, sola est utilitas vel (quae […]) voluptas, scopus ille, vel finis, quem attingere conantur & student: Sed aliud aliquibus, est propositum quod Divinius quidem est, quod virtutem vel Honestatem nominare possumus; quae caelitus […], hominum informet mentes & orner, sibique coaptet: Adeo ut sedibus illas reddat celestibus dignas. Illud, illud, ergo est Illustrissime vir quod excellentiam vestram tam mihi pridie reddid […], benignam & perhumanam; Illud est quod vestram refricabit memoriam, & vestrum insigniter acuet ingenium, in Causa mea, suae Caesareae Majesti tam proponenda, quam commendanda: eoque tractanda modo, quo illa tractari Arcana debeant, quae a paucis credantur, & a paucioribus intelligantur: verissima licet sint, & ex sese utilissima. Quo citiùs Caesarea sua Majestas, mirabilent hanc & maximam Dei, non Providentiam solum sed bonitatem etiam amplexus fuerit, eo cit us & abundantiùs, meae ad illum legationis constabit sinceritas, bonitas & utilitas. Voluissem equidem hunc inclusum libellum, […] inclusas vestrae […], ipsemet atrulisse. Sed (cum venia sit dictum) ex digiti pedis mei, offensa cuticula, non cam […] ho lie pedes venire. Proinde amico meo hoc onus imposui, ut (cum vestrae Excellentiae manuum deosculatione) omnia mea vobis orferat servitia: hocque, quicquid est, pro sua Caesarea Majestate, traderet munusculi.

Prage 24. Augusti 1584. Joannes Dee.

The Superscription of this Letter was thus,

Illustrissimo Domino, Domino Don Gulielmo de Sancto Clemente serenissimi atque Catholici Hispaniarum Regis Negotiorum apud sacram Caesaream Majestatem, &c. Praefecto, Domino meo Observandissimo.

Monday, Augusti 27. Mane circa 9. † Pragae.

Precibus finitis, I propounded to God, of Madimi four things.

First, what was the cause of the errour recorded, Febr. 18. this Anno 1584. at Lasko of Sir Henry Sidney his death?

Secondly, In what sense is this to be understood, which Madimi willed me to say to Rodolphus, An Angel of the Lord hath appeared unto me?

Thirdly, Madimi said as concerning the time of my wife and children and houshold to be moved hither, Let that be my charge to answer thee?

Fourthly, Madimi willed me to write to Rodulphus: And I have done, and caused it to be delivered to Don Wilhelmo de Sancto Clemente, the Spanish Embassadour, to deliver it to the Emperour. God prosper it. Amen.

E. K. Here she is.

Δ. The eternal roots of verity bring forth fruit, to the comfort of such as delight in the pure verity for the service of God, &c. And you Madimi, as a Minister of the Highest in verity, are unto me welcome.

Mad...... Even as mans fingers [or a thing,] touching, moving, or forcing an instrument musical, is the cause, without the which it cannot sound, or drink up the air; which again seeking issue, and feeling a stay, is the [objectum] cause of concord or dissonancy, according to the inward spirit and imagination of the thing that moveth, or of the finger moving; So the earthly part of man, which hath no motion of it self, (radicall) moveth by touch or finger (whatsoeve) spiritual, and sendeth out sounds; not according to her self, but according to the fiery, yea invisible, and spiritual power, wherewithal it is moved.

Hereby we learn, that mans body, and his organical motions, hath three manner of movers; centraliter, by the property and perfection of the Soul, a superiore, and by descension, from the Angels or participants of understanding: E contrario, and ascending, spirits wicked, and tempters, all moving.

But here you must note, That as the Sun depriveth the Moon in respect of her end, which is to give light, but not of her self; So do the Angels and higher powers drown and overshadow the soul in man when they are present: working from God and in themselves, (as from abov) and not by the soul as any root, or first cause of the motion.

But when the Devil entreth, and ascendeth, he worketh not by force, but by enticement, and so allureth the soul, to grant of his possession: whereby he entreth and becometh strong.

Note the manner of the […] in, or by man.

Those that have ears let them hear; for my words are wisdom, and the grounds of many Sciences.

Then, by a similitude, is the world wax: Mans body wax: and the natural motions of things, naturally extended, wax also: But our purpose is of man; which at one instant receiveth three impressions: Missive, Natural, and Offensive.

Whereby you may perceive, That man greatly needeth to pray against temptation: For the last Seal, is sign of him that oweth the wax, Happy are those, that can watch and pray: for such they are that grant not any room or interest, to the wicked ascender.

Δ. Per quae homo […] per cadem punitur: qui dixit Ascendam, &c. Jam ex Infernali statu, semper ascendendo tentat.

I answer you: If you be but as a string, Challenge but your own duty: But take heed, you be in tune.

E. K. She speaketh, but I cannot expresse it.

Δ. I pray you let nothing of your words, that you utter to us, or before us, be unrecorded.

Mad...... You are not worthy to write it: for it is the harmony of the heavens. Stay a while; for I would open that unto you, which I perceive I may not: but I come again.

[Δ. We read over the premises, and weighed them as instructions of the three divers movers of mans senses internally, &c. And so after a quarter of an hour

E. K. Here she is again.

Mad...... For he that purifieth his house, and straweth rushes, and beautifieth the chambers with Garlands, is worthy to receive (because of his aptnesse) such as are messagers of understanding and light. My friends and brethren, marvellous is the God of Wisdom in all his doings and works, and full of variety are the works of his hands.

E. K. Now she speaketh again; I understand it not.

..... But to the Answer: The end of my purpose, Satan, perceiving you [E. K.] as well to be moved by him because of your own grant, as by the motion wherewithal you were moved and illumenated: and being the father of suttlety, and a froward understanding […], even in this one sentence; yea, with this one lye, to overturn, or at least to Hemish the worthinesse of our message, and of your receiving: because he saw the course of nature, and the doings of man, and that this man Mr. Simon Hagek, young Hagek, would first visit thee. [] therefore he thrust in a shingle of his own cutting and nature: Not to the intent it should be credited, but to the intent it should be a stumbling block to the action in time to come, which is now.

Satan about this time was very busie with E. K. and declared his name to be Satan at […].

My brethren, he is a marvellous work-man: and one that striketh now the most strings, in a manner, all. But he hath his reward: Therefore do I deny it to be spoken by me, or of me.

Δ. So by God his Grace, I did conceive, and undoubtedly think, and of many other things, besides that, I have occasion of reforming the Records: that the heavens may agree, as the phrase was used.

Mad...... Many there are not: But such as are, gather them together, let me sift them.

Δ. I thank God for that his mercy.

Δ. Now I beseech you to the second my present request before propounded, it may please you to give answer.

Mad...... When the King sendeth a Present to a Noble man, or unto any one that he favoureth, he loveth, or delighteth in: The Messager carrieth it, delivereth it within his house.

E. K. She seemeth to smile.

..... He to whom it is sent enjoyeth it, he useth it; yea, peradventure (being a dainty dish) eateth of it.

Afterward the King sendeth to him by the same messager, saluteth his houshold, and commandeth him to say: Thus sayeth the King; Go to such a man and salute him: Tell him that I will visit him, and that I say so.

Behold, he sitteth still, and […] not, neither doth he the Commandment of his Superiour. For lo, sayeth he: The King commanded me not; his messager came, and would so. But whether the King will so, or no, I know not.

But hearest thou: Thou wicked man, hast thou not eaten of his meat, and enjoyed the benefit of his present before? Yes, A threefold benefit, which shall continue untill the * seventh Angel, and untill the third woe.

Man begetteth a Son, and lo, his wife is with Childe, and she […] for the time of her deliverance: If the question be moved unto him, (his wife not yet delivered,) whether he have issue, or fruit of his body, say thou unto me, what shall he answer?

Δ. As it shall please God.

Mad...... That is no answer.

Δ. Then he may say, He is in hope to have the issue his wife goeth great withall, may this seem an answer, […] beseech you?

Mad...... Though the Childe be not yet born, he hath issue Deliverance, is, by reason of the issue, and not called issue of the deliverance: for he is a son as well unborn as born.

So is it of you: Thou hast prayed unto God, and he hath heard thee.

And lo, the issue, which he giveth thee is Wisdom. But […], the Mother of it is not yet delivered.

For, If woman know her times and seasons of deliverance: Much more doth he, which is the Mother of all things. But thou mayest rejoyce that there is a time of deliverance, and that thy gift is compared to a woman with childe.

For, as the one is, and shall be visible: so is wisdom granted, and shall appear: yea, a lively, and most perfect Creature.

[…] sit Deus noster, qui respicit gemitus Pauperum. E. K Not taster of that he seeth, or heareth.

Behold, the Angels of the Lord have been sent down from God, unto him [E. K.] here is sight, which is of this houshold in God: He hath brought unto thee that which he tasteth not himself: And yet thou doubtest, saying, How shall I say the Angel of the Lord hath appeared unto me?

Unto thee, [Δ] we are we have appeared: for unto thee,.] sent. And because his eye hath seen, therefore we have joyned him vnto thee, that in the time of darknesse thou mightest see.

Note. Δ How the Angels of the Lord have appeared to. Δ which may seem more certain (almost) then as the phrase is […] of the Angels appearing to Joseph, in somnis, vide Matthaei, cap. 2.

Δ. It is to be made perfect before the time of his visitation.

And before the time of thy visitation thou must be made perfect.

And because it is of thee and not of him: Therefore doth not God impute unto him his offences, but placeth in you the figure of time to come.

Supra lib. 15. 1584. Junii 2.

For some there be that naturally shall draw in the […] of the Lord. And other some there be, that must have their times and seasons.

For thy houshold affairs, I say nothing yet, neither for thy Letter sent, or Messenger. Nam Deus agit in […], sicut vult.

I have nothing else to say unto thee: but blessed be those that believe in the Lord, for they have their reward.

E. K. She goeth away, divided into a great many pieces of fire.

Deo Nostro Omnipotenti, eterno & sapienti: sit omnis honor, Laus & Gloria.

Note. At noon, this day I received Letters from the Lord Laskie, from my wife, and from my brother Nicolas Fromonds in England: how Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Sled, Mr. Andreas Firmorshem, my Book-seller, used me very ill in divers sorts.

The Dates of the Letters from England were of the 15. and 16th. day of April 1584. My wife is in great sorrow for my brother Nicholas.

At night after Sun set, Emerich Sontag brought me word from the Spanish Ambassadour, that he had delivered to the Emperour this day my Letters and Book: and that he took them graciously and thankfully, and said that within three, or four dayes he would let the Spanish Ambassadour understand, when he would give me audience.

Deus bene vertat: & ad sui nomiuis honorem & Laudem.

Amen.

Saturday, Septembris 1. Ante Meridiem Circa 10. † Pragae.

Δ. As I, and E. K. sat in my little Study: after our talk of divers matters, and of my expecting audience at the Emperour his hand, &c. E. K. saw three little Creatures walk up and down in the Sun-shine, about an handfull from the pavyment: and the Creatures themselves very small, not an hundfull long, like little shadows, or smokes, and the path wherein they walked seemed yellow. They walked a good while to and fro, till at length I suspected that they were sent to us; and so prepared the shew-stone: But E. K. said, he had rather see them thus out of the stone. I said that in the stone we have warrant that no wicked thing shall enter: but without the stone, Illuders might deal with us, unlesse God prevented it, &c. E. K. said again, he had rather deal thus.

..... His meaning is above thy sight.

One of the 3. spiritual creatures said. He in the middle of the Thre.....

E. K. Now two of them seem to kneel down in the Sun beams.

..... Blessed be God the Father, God the Son, and God the holy Ghost, the most holy and blessed Trinity: One, true, mighty, perfect everlasting and incomprehensible God.

[Δ. Amen, Amen, Amen.]

..... Which will be comprehended with those that live in the Heavens (the true Church of God) of such as measure him by faith, and not reason: which hath sent us to do his will; Both in that he will turn his heart: And in that he doth vouchsafe to make you witnesses of his secret purposes, and determinations in hand.

Δ. Rod. his heart is to be turned by God, but I know not the meaning. Δ. Sunt duae literae ultimae in linea Spiritus Sancti in Tertia Tabula.

The [1] middlemost said — I am the midst of the third, and the last [Δ] of the spirit of life: Vnderstood in this temporal controversie, and conflict of mans Soul: but not according to his eternal and immensurable proportion.

The [2] on the right side said — I am the second of the third, which dwell in the spirit, and power of God in earth: I have power to scourge them that resist the power, will, and commandment of God: and I am one of those that stand, and is perpetual.

For even as the father, son, and holy spirit are one, but of themselves and being dilated, is full of power, and many. So are we one particularly in power, but separated; notwithstanding, spiritually, of, and amongst others, and dilated in the will of God, and into the branches of his determinations: but particularly living, and joyntly praising God.

E. K. Now [3] the other (the third) on the otherside standeth up, and sayeth.

3..... The Kingdom of God, and of his son Christ: (which is true God, and the substance of his father, True God of true God) is contrary to the Kingdom of this world.

Δ. The Confession and belief of the Catholick Church: not to be talked of now.

E. K. What is that, God of God?

E. K. They are disappeared: but their path appeareth in the aire, in sun-beams still.

Δ. Half a quarter of an hour they had disappeared.

E. K. They are here again.

..... Happy are those that are of his Kingdom, for it hath no end; yea, happy are those that are the sons of saith, and not of the world: which is called Reason. Which is blinde, and is scaled with the mark of destruction. Because she prosecuted, and put to death the Son of God, the God of righteousnesse, and light of all that live.

I am the last, of the first, of the fourth, and I have power to gather up the blessings of God, and to set them (if they be disdained) in a better soyl.

Δ. His name is the last 3. letters of the 1. line of the fourth Table.

Ejus officium est transplantatio Donorum Dei.

3. For thus sayeth the God of Hoasts.

If he dream and will not hear me Gather up that he hath, and that which should be given him: that his life may be short, and his house without comfort: that he may passe away nakedly, as a shadow.

As lo, behold, we go, and we will dwell there; yea, even in the skirts of their Garments will we take up our habitation. And why?

Behold, this hath God said: In the morning watch them, and see how they rise. In the day time give ear unto them, and listen unto their counsels. Stand over them in the night, and note their filthinesse. And when it exceedeth the number, strike.

We are they that must direct your practises.

..... Behold, let us give Testimony of our names.

My name is — Ga — E. K. He in the middle.

My name is — Za Δ. The three names make one name of 7. Letters, Gazavaa.

My name is — Vaa

So we are called by position.

Thou shalt finde us amongst the mercifull Tables delivered unto Enoch: and so unto you.

• 1. The middlemost I am of the third Table, and am extream.
• 2. I am of the third, but of the humanity, and the second.
• 3. And I am the fourth, but Angular, and extream, Linear of the uppermost.

Δ. Note the third Table here meant, is that of the South, as East, West, South, and North, their placing is others.

Δ. The three last Letters in the uppermost line of the fourth Table.

..... We are gone.

E. K. They are out of sight.

A voyce. Follow that which is commanded thee.

Δ. AEterno, Omnipotenti; Trino & uni Deo, sit omnis honor Laus & Gloria.