Mysteriorum Pragensium Liber Primus (Prague), part 4 of 8 (3–5 Sept. 1584)

Δ.

• Ga — Vltimus spiritus vivorum.
• Za — Flagillator […] potestati, voluntati, praecepto Dei.
• Vaa — Transplantator Donorum.

Monday, Septembris 3. Mane. Δ. Nota. Sathanae astutum & violentum Stratagema.

Δ. There was great disquietnesse in E. K. being come home from our Hosts house, where he had lyen all night upon a form: by reason he had been (which he never was the like afore, as he said) with wine overcome suddenly: yet intending with himself to take heed of being overshot in drinking of wine: being requested by the Hostes to give her a quart of wine upon the good bargain he had in a Clock he bought of her for five Suckats: In this company of drinking was Alexander, the Lord Laskie his servant, who came with us to Prage. Unto whom E. K. (when the drink on the sudden had overcome him) said he would cut off his head, and with his walking staffe did touch him fair, and softly on the neck, sitting before him: This Alexander being half drunken himself, by & by took those words in great snuffe, and went to defend himself, and so took his weapon to him, and thereupon they by caused Alexander to go down: It was supper time; and I that night refrained to suppe, and so tarrying at my Lodging, and looking out, saw Alexander sitting on the great stone against our Lodging: I called to him, and told him that they were at supper: And he came over to me, and he had wept much; he complained of E. K. his former words, and the touch of the staffe, how it was against his credit to take that in good part, and spake many Souldiers terms of stout words, not worthy the recording. I, thereupon went to our Hosts house, and would understand the very truth; and there I found E. K. fast on sleep on a form, most soundly: for which I was right sorry: And yet better pleased to perceive the words of E. K. which so moved Alexander (being half drunken) to have been spoken by E. K. when wine, and not wit, bare rule: and so pleaded long time with Alexander, that of words spoken so as they were, no such exact account was to be given to him, &c. And after two hours perswasion caused Alexander to go to bed in our Lodging, where he used to lye, For he would have gone out, to our former Inne, in those raging half drunken pangs, he was in: which I thought not good. This Monday morning E. K. coming home, and seeing Alexander, as he came in; he said, they tell I should have spoken words, which greatly offended thee yesternight, and that I touched thee with my staff, &c. I know nothing of it, and shoke hands friendly with Alexander. Well saith Alexander, Si fuisset alius, &c. E. K. came up to me: I told him how sorry I was for this mischance, and told him of the Watchmen perceiving Alexander his disquiet mind, and hearing his words, they came to me and charged me to have a care of the peace keeping (as they did indeed) And farther said, that Alexander in his rage, said, that rather, or before, he should cut off his head, that he would cut E. K. in pieces. So soon as I had expressed that word of this drunken Alexander likewise, (whom now I saw quiet, and E. K. also quiet) suddenly E. K. fell into such a rage, that he would be revenged of him for so saying, and for railing on him in the street, as he did, &c.

Much a do I, Emericus, and his brother, had to stop or hold him from going to Alexander with his weapon, &c. At length we let him go in his dubblet and hose, without a cap or hat on his head: and into the street he hasted with his brothers Rapier drawn, and challenged Alexander to fight: But Alexander went from him, and said. Nolo […] Kelleie, Nolo. Hereupon E. K. took up a stone, and threw after him, as after a dog, and so came into the house again, in a most furious rage for that he might not fight with Alexander. The rage and fury was so great in words and gestures, as might plainly prove, that the wicked enemy sought either E. K. his own destroying of himself, or of me, or his brother, &c.

This may suffice to notifie the mighty temptation and vehement working of the subtile spiritual enemy Satan, wherewith God suffered E. K. to be tempted, and almost overcome: to my great grief, discomfort, and most great discredit: if it should (as the truth was) have come to the Emperours understanding, except he had known me well, &c. I was in great doubt, how God would take this offence, and devised with my self how I might, with honesty, be aleared from the shame and danger that might arise if these two should fight, &c. At the least it would crosse all good hope here with the Emperour, &c. for a time, till God redressed it.

After I had brought E. K. to some quietnesse, (by yeilding much to his humour, &c. and saying little:) not long after, came my messager from my wise at Cracovia: and Hugh my servant with him, to my great comfort through her letters, and the full satisfying of me by Hugh my servant his knowledge farther than conveniently could be written.

About 2 of the clock after Noon, came this letter to me, of the Emperour his sending for me.

Nobilis, Praeclarissiméque Domine, Domine observandissime.

CAEsar, jam jam significavit Domino Legato Hispaniarum, Hero meo, ut Dominationem vestram ad se evocaret, ad horam secundam; qua eam audire cuperet: Dominatio vestra si ad dictam horam venire poterit: accedet statim Dominum Octavium Spinolam, qui est Majestati suae Caesareae à Stabulis & Cubiculis. Is enim eam, ad Majestatem suam introducet. Quod reliquum est, me D. vestrae quam officiosissimè etiam atque […],

Dominationis vestrae […]

Arnoldus Vander Boxe.

Hereupon, I went straight up to the Castle: and in the Ritter-Stove or Guard-Chamber I stayed a little; in the mean space I sent Emericus to see what was of the clock: and the Chamberlain, (Octavius Spinola) spied him out of the Emperours Chamber window, and called him, who came up to me, and by that time was the Chamberlain come out to me; and by Emericus he understood that I was the man the Emperour waited for. He came to me very curteously: told me of the Emperours desire to see me, and to speak with me. So he returned to the Emperour into the privy Chamber, and came out again for me, and led me by the skirt of the Gown through the Dining-Chamber, and the Privy Chamber, where the Emperour sat at a Table, with a great Chest and Standish of Silver, before him, my Monas and Letters by him, &c. I came toward him with due reverence of three cursies, who shewed me a gracious and chearful countenance.

Note the Original letter it self is in this Book.

Octavius Spinola Chamberlain and Stall-Master in the absence of the Officer who is sent into Spain.

Then I craved pardon at his Majesties hand, for my boldnesse to send his Majesty a Letter and the Monas Hieroglyphica (dedicated to his father.) But I did it of sincere and entire good will I bare to his father Maximilian, and also unto his Majesty: and that the rather, because I had good proof of the favour which Almighty God beareth unto his Majesty. He then thanked me for his fathers Book, and did affirm, that he believed me, that I was affectionate unto his Highnesse: And of my estemation with the learned of the world, he had heard by the Spanish Embassadour; and also of my zealous mind towards his grace. And commended the Book […], but said, that it was too hard for his Majesties capcity; and added, that the Spanish Embassadour told him, that I had somewhat to say unto him, Quod esset pro sua utilitate. I answered, So I have, and withal looking back whether any man were in the Chamber or no, I found that we were alone: Hereupon I began to declare that All my life time I had spent in learning: but for this sorty years continually, in sundry manners, and in divers Countries, with great pain, care, and cost, I had from degree to degree, sought to […] the best knowledge that man might attain unto in the world: And I found (at lengh) that neither any man living, nor any Book I could yet meet withal, was able to teach me those truths I desired, and longed for: And therefore I concluded with my self, to make intercession and prayer to the giver of wisdom and all good things, to send me such wisdom, as I might know the natures of his creatures; and also enjoy means to use them to his honour and glory. And in this purpose made divers assayes: and at length it pleased God to send me his [] […], whereby I am assured of his merciful hearing of my long, fervent, constant, and […] prayer, in the cause before specified: And that, His holy Angels, for these two years and a half, have used to inform me: and have finished such works in my hands, to be seen, as no mans heart could have wished for so much; yea they have brought me a Stone of that value, that no earthly Kingdom is of that worthinesse as to be compared to the vertue or dignity thereof, &c. And that these things be true, I protested, and took to witnesse the God of Heaven and Earth, by whose Commandment I am now before your Majesty, (said I) and have a message from him to say unto you; and that is this:

The Angel of the Lord hath appeared to me, and rebuketh you for your […]. If you will hear me, and believe me, you shall Triumph: If you will not hear me, The Lord, the God that made Heaven and Earth, (under whom you breath, and have your spirit) putteth his foot against your breast, and will throw you headlong down from your seat.

Moreover, the Lord hath made this Covenant with me (by oath) that he will do and perform. If you will forsake your wickednesse, and turn unto him, your Seat shall be the greatest that ever was: and the Devil shall become your prisoner: Which Devil, I did conjecture, to be the Great Turk, (said I) This my Commission, is from God: I feigne nothing, neither am I an Hypocrite, an Ambitious man, or doting, or dreaming in this Cause. If I speak otherwise then I have just cause, I forsake my salvation, said I.

The Emperour said, he did believe me, and said, that he thought I loved him unfaignedly, and said, that I should not need so earnest protestations: and would not willingly have had me to kneel, so often as I did.

Farther I said, His Majesty was to see and understand nakedly, from the beginning, the whole course of this Angelical leading, instructing, and comforting of me: for so I was commanded, that I should from the beginning, nakedly open unto Rodolph, the manner of God his visitation, and shew unto him the holy Vision: Which my charge I am ready to do. The Emperour said, at another time, he would hear and understand more. I spake yet somewhat more in the purposes before, to the intent they might get some root, or better stick in his minde. To be short, he thanked me, and said he would henceforward, take me to his recommendation and cāre, and some such words (of favour promised) he used, which I heard not well, he spake so low. In the end perceiving that his will was to end for this […], I did my duty with cursie; and at the door going out, I turned back, and made […], and so came into the next Chamber, where the Noble Octavius Spinola came to me again, and with curteous words, offered me great friendship. I took my leave of him, and so came through the Ritters Stove or Guard Chamber, and so down, and home. I had a large hour audience of his Majesty.

All the course of our Actions and Visions, nakedly to be shewed to the Emperour.

Deus bene vertat: ad sui nominis Laudem, Honorem, & Gloriam.

Amen.

Wedensday, Septembris, 5. 1584. Mane circiter horam 8. † Pragae.

[…] finitis, &c. Repetivi ter hanc Sententiam Mitte lucem tuam (O Deus̄) & veritatem tuam quae nos ducat & perducat ad montem Sanctum Sion & Tabernacula coelestis Hierusalem.

Δ. I have to the best of my ability, both written and spoken unto Rodolph, as I was willed: how it worketh or taketh place in his heart, is known to thee O God, &c.

Now I am to receive farther instructions, what is to be done in this cause, or else whatsoever shall please the Highest, &c.

E. K. Now here is Vriel, and a black thing like a Sarcent of silke before his face, and over his head behind: by the rest of his garments it seemeth to be Vriel.

Δ. Note, Vriel his face now not seen of the eye which had highly offended God.

God make all things white, and make us whiter than Snow: What that black Scarf importeth I know not; but I suspect.

Uriel...... Such as defile the seat of the Soul, and are suffocated with drunkennesse enter not into the Kingdom of Heaven, neither can behold the ornaments of the Lord his beauty.

E. K. Had on Sunday last been mervallously drunk, &c. Satan.

See, how Satan, how he runneth headlong about and through you. See, how he maketh his dwelling place within you: of whom the Lord gave you warning, saying: Satan seeketh to sift you.

Lo, he hath done wickednesse against the Lord, and against you; for he hath blemished the eyes of your understanding.

[E. K. He speaketh other words between, which I understand not.]

Uriel...... Is not Jesus, God, and the High Priest of the Lord, placed on the right hand of his Father?

Δ. He is: we believe it.

Uriel...... Is not Satan (as the Prophet sait) suffered to stand and triumph on the right hand of the Lord of Hosts and Justice, as the open enemy of the Lord, and of his annointed.

True it is: and he hath almost given you the overthrow.

Δ. Assist us O God, and be our strength against this most subtile and mighty enemy.

Uriel...... But because he is subtile, and hath power given unto him for a time, and hath striven against you, not for your own sakes, (but because you are of the Spirit of the Highes) and against his testimony: Therefore doth not God, in his Justice impute the sins of the eye, unto the body.

[Δ. Lord thy mercies are infinte, praised be thy name for ever.]

Uriel...... But commandeth the [Δ] eye to be reconciled, as the spirit of Truth hath taught.

Δ. By the eye is understood E.K. the […] this action, and by the body is understood John Dee Δ.

E. K. He is gone.

Δ. Glorified be God for his most loving kindnesse and infinite mercies towards us fraile, and sinful creatures: and we beseech thee to shew us the light of thy countenance, to our comfort and direction.

Amen.

Vide Septemb. 13. of Reconciliation.

Δ. As I was putting up all, Vriel appeared again, with his black Scarf, as he did before: but paused a while before he spake any thing.

Δ. In thy name (O Jesu) we attend thy words by thy messager to be uttered.

Uriel...... Give ear unto my voice.

E. K. Now he is become like a great wheele of fire, like a waggon wheel: He thrust out his hands on the sudden, and so became like a wheel full of mens eyes: it turneth round, it is full in all places of those eyes, like living and seeing eyes.

Now cometh fire out of it in 4 places.

Now there is a great Eagle, which is come, and standeth upon it: It is a white Eagle: The wheel turneth still, notwithstanding that she standeth on it.

E. K. She hath in her beake, like a scrol of parchment. She hath two monstrous eyes: one like fire red; her right eye as big as my fist, and the left eye, is Chrystal-like. She standeth hovering with her wings spread, and her stern or taile spread.

Under the wheel is a great valley, and in it a great City, and a Hill on the East part of it. And all toward the South are Hills.

The City is as as big as six of Cracovia: and many ruins of houses in it there appear.

There is one place in it covered, square like a little Chappel: It hath a little round pinacle in the end of it; and over it in the air, hanging a little fire bright.

There be many like unto fowles, like Ravens, and their heads like unto bright fire: They flie into a Country a great way off from this City.

Now Vriel standeth beside the wheel, and the wheel is as it was before: and he as before with the Scarf.

The Eagle cryeth and skriketh as a Gull, or the Sea fowles do.

Vriel seemeth to descend from the air above, and to come to the side of the Shew-stone.

Uriel...... The Lord hath chosen you to be Witnesses, through his mercy and sufferance, not in the office of […], but in the offices and dignities of the Prophets: which is alwayes beautified with the wings of the Cherubims, with the voices that cry a thousand thousand times in a moment before the Lord, and before the Majesty of his eternal Seat: wherein you do exceed the Temples of the earth: wherein you are become separated from the world, and whereby you are lifted up, as of the houshold of the Blessed, even by the very hand and finger of the Highest.

Δ. and E. K, we are Prophers through God his mercy and sufferance.

Δ. Blessed, blessed, blessed, is the Lord to whom Cherubim and Seraphim incessantly sing, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Zebaoth. Amen.

Uriel...... But that it may appear, that he it is, that revealeth, which gathereth the Clouds together, and is the breath of all things that live: Because I say it may appear that the Lord visiteth, and is of power, and that the imaginations of man, flie before themselves, as the dust of the earth doth before him that moveth it: 1 open unto you a Seal, yet secret and not known.

[Δ. Zach. 13. — Et erit dies una, quae nota est Domino, &c.]

Behold, now cometh that day, that is known unto the Lord himself, wherein the Kingdoms of the earth shall begin to fall: that they may perceive how they have run astray: and how weak they are in the triumph of their pompe.

And now out of Hierusalem, out of the Church of God, and of his Son Christ, shall passe out and flow the water of life: That the sayings of the Angels and Spirit of the Lord, may be verified upon the face of the earth, spoken by his annointed Zachary.

Now shall those dayes open themselves, which are the dayes of vengeance.

Now, Now shall these woes, that have been spoken of and sealed, burst out, to the confusion of the wicked, and the establishment of his Kingdom, which is annointed.

Behold, I teach thee.

Those that inhabit the holy City, and usurp the authority of the Highest, are called in remembrance before the Lord, and they shall be scattered like unto the mighty hail, that the spirits of the North have gathered against the day of revenge.

They are become proud, and think there is no God. They are stiff-necked; for they are the […] of wickedness. Lo, in the dayes of Rodolph, shall this come to passe, of whom the Lord hath said, If he hear me, and believe my words, I will place Thee [Δ] unto him, as a mighty rock: I will open unto thee [Δ] (for his instructions, and safeguard to come) my determinations in hand, and lo, to come. And when he hath wiped away his darknesse, and offence of his soul, I will appear unto him, to the terrour of all Nations.

For I rejoyce, when I exalt such as are weak: And when I help the comfortlesse, am I magnified.

Δ. Thanks, honour, and glory, is due to thee, O our God.

Uriel...... And behold, the day of this visitation, and of the execution of my judgements, is at hand: And lo I open unto you another Seal (Because I have said unto you, I am true, and just.)

An other Seal opened. An. 1588. or which 88 else?

In the year eighty eight, shall you see the Sun move contrary to his course.

The Stars [] encrease their light: and some of them fall from heaven.

Then shall the Rivers run blood:

Then shall the wo be unto women with child.

Then shall the time come to passe, that this Prophesie shall be known.

This Prophesie then to be known, An. 1588. — Δ. Which 88? For I have not yet had (that I remember) the year notified to be 1588. nor yet 1688. &c. Fortè An. 1688. This Prophesie is to be known An. 1588.

For lo, the Lord hath prepared his Prophet, and he shall descend from the Heavens: as it is written by Malachiah the Prophet.

Behold I will send before that day, (not that day I spoke of, but the great day of the Lord) Elias again amongst you.

In the mean season will I be mercifull unto Rodolph, and will bring into his house, such as shall be skilfull: unto whom I will give my spirit, to work Gold, Silver, and the Ornaments of his house. And he shall perceive that I blesse him, In that I have tied him to my Garments.

If, he hear thee not

Behold, I have one in store: Yea, such an one as cleaveth unto Justice. Man is but a Reed that is shaken with every winde. The pride of Kings, is as the beauty of a Peacock: See how they run all astray. See how they tempt the spirits of righteousnesse.

Lo, (as I have said unto thee) I reserve that wicked King, not that I will be mercifull unto him. But that he shall shortly perish with an eternal scourge.

And now hear me what I say unto thee. Hereafter, see thou tempt me not: Neither look for my presence after this order: But for great causes.

CAVE. Uriel onely in great causes is to be looked for The end of teaching, or instructing thus.

For lo, this is the end of Teaching. Now cometh in the time of warning and of counsel.

Δ. Will you give me leave to speak?

Uriel...... Say.

Δ. I trust it shall not offend God at any time, to call for [Uriel] his light in matters dark to us, and above our capacity. Also in Enoch his Tables understanding and enjoying, we are to require help of instruction at Ave: and so of other points and Doctrines already begun, we are to require their help, who have begun with us, &c.

Uriel...... As far as the Lord hath suffered you to enter into his Garden: Even so far (I say) Taste, and eat.

Δ. The entrance yet we have not, but the manner to enter: The perfect practise is the best entrance.

Uriel...... Man speaketh not with thee: wherefore dost thou wrast the Lord? All things that are delivered thee are plain.

Δ. Lord, I do thus speak to be perfectly instructed in what sense your words are to be understood, when you said: This is the end of teaching.

Δ. Vriel, or perhaps in the name of God.

Uriel...... Thou hast called upon me, and I have heard thee.

Thou hast desired comfort, and I have comforted thee.

Thou hast the spirit of choice.

The spirit of choice Vide 13. September. Garden of the Lord.

Be it sufficient unto thee, that the Garden of the Lord is open unto thee: where there is no hunger, nor thirst, but a filling spirit, a comforter.

† What care is it unto me, if the Kings of the earth say: Lo, this is not of me. Lo, this is not of the highest.

Δ. Ex Dei lumine.

Uriel...... Behold, I am the light, and servant of God: Blessed are those which believe, and are made partakers in this Testimony: by the which you are become Prophets, and are sanctified for the coming of the Lord.

But lo, why do I speak unto you, who have defiled your selves? I will take up those things that I have, and will be gone. Lo, blessed is he that giveth ear unto the Lord.

Δ. He putteth us in remembrance of our frailty; and offence committed before noted.

E. K. Now all is vanished away, and he is disappeared: Wheele, Eagle, Citie, and all, &c.

Δ. All laud, thanks, honour and glory be to the eternal, Almighty, most just Judge, and mercifull father our God, the God of Heaven and earth, whom of his infinite goodnesse, we beseech to have mercy upon us, and to purifie our hearts and consciences, granting us humble contrition, and sincere confession of our transgressions and iniquities whatsoever. Amen.

Note. While I was thus requesting God, E. K. made a vow of penance, during his life: (in token of hearty sorrowfulnesse for his fault in that dayes action noted) never to eat his supper, or evening meal on Saturdayes, during his life; wherein I beseech the highest to regard his inward intent, and his continual memory of the Lord his mercies, in sparing him when he most had offended him.

Δ. Deo Nostro vero, vivo, omnipotenti, & eterno sit omnis Honor Laus & Benedictio, nunc & in perpeturm.

Amen.