Mysteriorum Pragensium Liber Primus (Prague), part 5 of 8 (5–15 Sept. 1584)

Wednesday, September 5. NOTE.

Δ. The morning of this Wednesday (before I prepared my self for the former action) I sent Emericus with two Letters to be delivered: the one to the Spanish Ambassadour (giving him thanks for his honourable dealing with the Emperours Majesty in my behalf) and the other to the Noble Octavius Spinola: thanking him likewise, and requiring his instruction, or advise how I might most conveniently proceed in dealing with the Emperours Majesty: The Copy of which Letter I thought good to record here, that the effect thereof consequent, might have the light of the Original cause (Divine and humane) annexed.

Illustri & Magnifico Domino, Domino Octavio Spinolae, sacrae Caesareae Majestatis à stabulis & Cubiculis Domino suo observandissimo.

ILlustris ac Magnifice Domine: Non possum satis condignas vestrae Magnificientiae agere gratias, pro singulari illa, qua me Heri amplexi estis humanitate & benevolentia: hominem quidem vobis incognitum, sed tamen virtutis & veritatis studiosissimum: quique omne reliquum meae vitae curriculum (Deo sic volente) in hoc co sumere decrevi, ut sacra sua Caesarea Majestas clarè percipiat, sibi, incredibiliter (ferè) propitiam fore Dei Omnipotentis tremendam Majestatem. Atquae quamvis videam multiplicibus multarum Regionum negotiis, suam sacram Caesareaem Majestatem occupatissimum sepissime teneri, neque aliis, illisque à me, suae sacrae Caesareae Majestati proponendis causis, commodè vacare, vel posse, vel evidenti aliqua ratione debere: TAMEN, si aliquis excogitari possit modus, pro loci, temporis, & rerum occasione, quo sua sacra Caesarea Majestas, ea penes me videre, vel ex me intelligere dignaretur, […] illi forent grata: Ea in re, vestrae Illustrissimae Magnificentiae libentissimè audirem vel reciperem Informationem atque Judicium. Nam in hoc totus ero, ut tempore debito, appareat, Omnipotentis Dei, & suae sacrae Caesareae Majestatis servitio (Maximè autem, pro Sacrosancta […] Catholicae & Apostolicae fidei Illustratione, ac Reipublicae Christiane defenfione, amplificationeque) Addictissimum, devotissimum, fidelissimumque me esse, ac fore sacrae suae Caesareae Majestatis servitorem.

Opportunitatis flos maturè colligi debet: Cito enim fiet marcidus.

4. Septembris 1584.

Illustrissimae Magnificentiae vestrae Paratissimus

Joannes Dee.

Emericus went and delivered my Letter to the Spanish Ambassadour: But this he brought back again; saying, that the Emperour was ridden very early abroad to Brandeish, or elsewhere: (not certainly being known) and that this Noble Octavius Spinola was gone with his Majesty.

Hereupon I determined with changing the Date, to send unto him at the Emperour his Majesties returning to Prage. Deus bene vertat.

Mr. Doctor Hagek his son was by

At noon this day

I sent Letters to my wife: to my Lord […] and to Mr. Paul Hertoll, by the Messager of Reichenstein, on this side Nesse.

Monday, Septemb. Manè hora 9. † Pragae.

Δ. Precibus finitis; I invited Ga, Za, Vaa, (as being assigned to understand of Rodolph his doings,) that of them I might receive instructions; that my proceedings might be answerable as occasion should be given.

E. K. There appeareth written in great letters upon a right hand (and no body appearing:) the hand being very big.

Cui est habet:
Cui nihil non habebit.

E. K. And so the hand vanished out of sight: The writing was in the palm of it.

Δ. After that appeared the same hand again, with his writing

Face, & factum erit,
Vltra, non habeo.

E. K. It vanished away, by and by, hand, writing, and all.

Δ. I take this (O Lord) in this sence: That I am to proceed, and to do as I intended, in either writing to Rudolph himself, or to the Spanish Ambassadour, or to Octavius Spinola for the Emperour to give me audience, time, and place to hear, and see the Records and Monuments, which I have to shew him: And that when I had done as was commanded me, that, Then the purpose of God shall also be done.

Δ. Deus, in adjutorium nostrum intende tuaque nos dirigat sapientia, ad illud Faciendum, quod tibi maxime erit gratum.

Amen.

Tuesday, Septemb. 11. Hora 9. ferè.

Misi per Dominom Emericum Sontagium Secretarium Domini Palatini Siradiensis literas illas ad Dominum Octavium Spinolam: quas superiùs descripsi; sed ubi in illis scripseram qua me heri amplexi estis. Nunc, scripsi, qua me ante paucos dies amplexi estis, & pro, quique omne reliquum, nunc scripsi quique reliquum, &c. & pro incredibiliter (ferè) propitiam, &c. scripsi, nunc, Incredibiliter (ferè) & modo […], propitiam fore, &c. Et reliqua omnia scripsi ut supra annotavi: sed datae erant hae, 11. Die. Septembris. Illae autem priores, 4. Septembris.

Tradidit istas literas (Emericus) Magnifico Domino Spinolae; jam statim post prandium Caesareae Majestatis, & crastina die (post missam) pro responso, venire jussit.

Wednesday, Septembris 12. Manè.

Δ. This morning, when Emericus Sontag went up to the Castle for answer from the Emperour: By the Noble Octavius Spinola, he received the effect of this answer, which I required the same Emericus to write down with his own hand (for sundry respects;) which his own hand writing I have annexed ad majorem rei […]. And because his writing is not easie to be read, I have written it plainer somewhat, as followeth:

Responsum Imperatoris, per Dominum Spinolam.

Sacra Caesarea Majestas benignè intellexit quae Dominus Joannes Dee, per suae Majestis Cubicularium, Dominum Octavium Spinolam, proponi curavit: Ad quae, sua Majestas gratiosè sic se resolvit: Quòd quandoquidem Latinum Sermonem non omni ex parte exactè calleat: praeterea etiam variis & multiplicibus negociis occupata, non semper ad audientiam vacare possit, videri suae Majestati ut idem Dominus Dee, cum Magnifico Domino Doctore Kurtzio (qui & suae Majestati ab arcanis est consiliis, satisque fidus, eruditione quoque insigni pollet) tractare, & negotia sua concredere velit. […] quod, sua Majestas praelibato Domino Consiliario suo, Kurtzio, renunciari curabit. Sin verò, secus Domino Johanni Dee videbitur, suam Majestatem quomodocunque tandem per occupationes facere poterit, desiderio Domini Dee satisfacturam.

1584. xii. Septembris.

Emerieus Sontagius manu propria.

Pragae.

Δ. Which answer, both by word of month, and thus by writing being received by me: and the said Emericus being (by the Noble Spinola) willed at Evensong time, to bring my answer herein; which I gave him of my great good liking the same, and most humble thanks to his Majesty, for so wise and gratious his consideration had of the cause. I required the same Emericus to understand; when, and how soon Doctor Curtzius should be made privy of his Majesties pleasure herein: and so, after my dispatching of Emericus, I endeavoured my self to render thanks unto God for his mercies, graces, and truth, in these his affairs: beseeching him to frame my heart, tongue, and hand in such sort, as to his Divine Majesty, my dutifull service, doing, may be acceptable: as chiefly of me intended to his honour and glory: And secondly to the comfort of the godly and elect: And thirdly to the confusion of the proud, arrogant, scornfull enemies of truth and vertue.

Amen.

Thursday, Septembris 13. Manè, hora 7. † Pragae.

I received the Noble Octavius Spinola his answer by Emericus, as concerning my accepting of the Emperour his gratious former answer of condescending to my request, so much as he conveniently could: which my answer yesterday night, late was delivered to the Noble Spinola. Whereunto he said, that my Answer would be most acceptable unto the Emperour: and that to morrow, meaning this Thursday) the honourable Doctor Curtz should understand the Emperours pleasure herein. Hereupon I willed Emericus to go up to the Castle, and to bring himself in sight of the Noble Spinola, if he could. Thereby to help his memory, for warning and information to be given to the said Doctor Curtz: That so we might come together, so soon, as conveniently might be.

Deo, omnis laus, honor, & gloria.

Amen.

Thursday, Septembris 13. Manè, horam circiter 9. † Pragae.

Δ. Precibus finitis, and the case propounded of the Emperour his Answer, for dealing with Doctor Curtz, a man of his Privy Council, faithful, learned, and wise: upon the considerations alledged, I requested of God, his pleasure to be signified unto me, by some of his faithful and true Messagers: whether I shall openly and frankly deal with this Doctor, so, as the Emperour, by him may understand that which he should have done at my mouth and hands originally: And whether I may, both alone with the Emperour, and before, and with the said Doctor, deal in this Action as occasion shall serve from time to time, at my discretion, informed by his secret grace divine. —

Δ. Nothing appearing, or being heard, in a quarter of an hour space, I suspected some of our misdoings, to be the cause of the Lord his refraining to answer: and thereupon I did fall to prayer for mercy and grace, and deliverance from the assaults and malitious purposes of the Devil against us: And that I did the rather, because as I felt my good Angel ([…] other good friend) in vertue, so I felt Pilosum, sensibly, busie, and as it were to errisie me with my offences past, or to put me out of hope, at this present, from being heard. But I held on to pray divers Psalms, and at length against the wicked tempters purposely. After my prayers and assuring E. K. that the spiritual enemy was here busie, and attended to frustrate this dayes Action: He answered, that against him [E. K.] he could not prevail, or accuse him, for his late notable fault; for he had made a reckoning, and sorrowful bewailing for that his trespass, to the Lord, and that he doubted not of forgiveness; and that he was so reconciled to God, that Satan nor any other wicked accuser, could put him in any doubt of God his mercy, &c. And he spake very well both of repentance, Gods mercies, his justice, and of these Actions.

Mary, he confessed that by reason, he himself was an unmeet person to come before the Emperour, or Princes, &c. and therefore if it would please God to discharge him of further medling, so, by reason he might seem well at ease, &c. At length, after an hour appeared Vriel; but with a Scarf before his face, as he had last.

Δ. God send us the brightnesse of his countenance when it shall please him.

Uriel...... True it is, that in respect of the terrour and force of God his wrath and indignation in [1] Judgement: Reconciliation is made: through that power which is given unto the Lamb, to whom all power is given in Heaven and Earth: But with the [2] congregation, and the members of Christ his body, the number of the faithful, the Church of God, you have not made reconciliation, And therefore, are not sinners worthy to behold the face of true light and understanding: for there is a double Reconciliation: One (and the firs) between the Conscience and the Judge: through the force of faith and repentance: that is to say, Reconciliation against Judgement. Another, (the secon) Reconciliation between the Spirit of Truth, (the Church of Go) and mans Conscience.

Vide supra Septemb. 5. The eye was commanded to be reconciled to the Spirit of Truth.

Behold I teach you a mystery.

1. Those that are at one with God, shall not be judged with the wicked in the last Judgement: Notwithstanding the Justice of God is pure, and undefiled: and suffereth not mans fault unpunished. 2. But he that is at one with the Spirit of God, is made one with him, and without punishment.

For there are many things that God beareth witnesse of, in the soul and secret Chambers of man, that neither the blessed, already dignified, nor to be dignified, do, or can know: which is the cause that the soul of man, (after his body sleepet) being found polluted, is received, and snatched up, of such as are the Messagers of punishment: and so, according to the multitude of their sins, are in horrour, and punishment. Therefore not all, that are punished, shall be damned; Neither is it evident unto the Angels, who shall be saved: I speak generally:

Therefore when you offend, be also reconciled unto the Mother of the house: that you may have place before such as are reproved.

Herein you may understand the retaining of sin; For the [] retaining of sin is a judgement: And therefore it is necessary that God should hold a general day, that those that have trusted in him, and inwardly have been sorry for their offences, may also taste of his mercy. Else how could it be verified, that the Prophet saith? If in Hell, thou art also there.

But, here, there is a Caution; All sins that are forgiven by the Church, passe not the fire: but he that is forgiven in his heart by God, in his Son Christ; and [2] reconciled through the holy Spirit, to the body from whence he is fallen, is safe, as well from the wrath of God to come, as the punishment due unto his offences.

Ignis purgationis. The perfect assurance by Christ and his Church or Spirit.

And therefore is the reconciling of brethren, of great force. Wherefore hath Christ left his body with the Church? Wherefore is he called the bread of Life?

I say unto you, my brethren, that the body of Christ dignified and glorified, is true bread; is true comfort, which cleanseth sinners that are penitent, and wipeth away the punishment of adversity.

Happy are those, that eat of him, and that account not his body, as the shadow of a candle.

Behold, I teach you: Even as the Spirit of God filleth the Congregation of the faithful; so doth the body of Christ now dignifie, fill and cleanse all that receive with sorrow: sorrow I mean for their wickednesse.

But lo: his body is become an offence unto the world. Many there are that say, This is Christ: But behold I teach you. Even as all things were made by him, spiritually: So are all, that are of his Elect, nourished through him, bodily.

Lo, he is become one power, one God; in that he is neither separated from his body; nor separateth his body from his Church.

After a while I come again.

E. K. Now he is gone away.

Δ. We read over the premises to our great comfort, in the mean time, while VRIEL disappeared.

E. K. Now he is here again.

Uriel...... O ye timerous birds, How long run you headlong into the Wildernesse? How long will you be ignorant? How long will you tempt the Lord with the spirit of foolishnesse and errour? Behold thou hast not judged well of me. Behold thou hast placed me in a low room, and hast taken the Garland from my head, and trod it under thy feet: For, what is Rodolph, that is not at leisure for the Lord, the God of righteousnesse, the King of Heaven and Earth?

Δ. Now he answereth to […] request first propounded. Rudolp.

Are they troubled with things that are greater than I? True it is; for with me there is no trouble: for where I enter, I set all things in quiet. Will the Counsellours of the Earth, sit in judgement to sift the Lord? O ye fooles and starvelings of the Earth: O you of little understanding. Think you, that you are able to find light amongst the affairs of the World? true judgement in the imagination of man? or verity amongst the hoords and corruption of covetousnesse and falshood?

If he be not at leisure to hear me: Have not I told thee, that I have another in store? Lo, I see, all flesh is full of folly.

Δ. It is not yet done: and therefore we ask counsel of thee; and I thank thee (O Lord) for rebuking of us, before farther errour committed.

Spiritus Electionis quid sit vide pagina sequente. Rodulp. Spiritus […].

Uriel...... Lo, I gave unto thee, the spirit of choice: and therefore I will regard thy doing, and will wink at thy weakness. I will blesse all that thou takest in hand, and will cover thee with a Robe of Purple; that thou mayst understand that all is mine, and that I raise up whom I list. And I say unto thee again.: Lo, Rodolph hath heard thee, And I will poure my Spirit of truth into thee, and thou shalt be a light unto him.

But, now, If he live righteously, and follow me truly; I will hold up his House with Pillars of Hiacinct, and his Chambers shall be full of Modesty and Comfort. I will bring the East wind over him, as a Lady of Comfort: and she shall sit upon his Castles with Triumph, and he shall sleep with joy.

If. Δ. From the East, Comfort and Triumph. Rodolphi soboles in […] generationem. If. Secresie required.

Moreover I will blesse his loynes: and his House shall stand to the third generation: and to the end; for, now, the World hath hoary hairs, and beginneth to be sick.

If he despise my commandment, I will put the sword against him; and in his dwelling places shall his enemies banket. (But those that deal with thee, let them sow up their mouth: lest being cut with a Razor, they speak not.) For those that neglect my Judgements I will despise them, and their seed shall wither, as corn sown out of season: But he that loveth me, I will multiply him, And he that addeth unto me, I will adde unto him a thousand.

Addere Deo quo modo bonum est: […] infra. Spiritus Electionis supra Sept. 5.

But lo, thou hast the spirit of choice.

Δ. O Lord open my understanding of that saying.

Uriel...... Quos tu eligis, electi sunt: quo autem despicis, despiciuntur etiam.

Δ. Dwell thou in me (O Lord) for I am frail, and (without thee) very blind.

E. K. Now he is gone.

Δ. Thy glorious name (O Lord) be magnified, praised, and extolled for ever. Amen.

Δ. I perceive that I shall not deal with the Doctor Curtz now. Well, I can let him understand that I had rather deal with the Emperour himself, and so shift my self of him.

E. K. He is here again.

Uriel...... Yes, deal with him: and hide nothing from him.

Δ. With Doctor Curtz, O Lord?

Uriel...... I — And therefore I said, He that addeth unto me, I will adde unto him a thousand: But he that playeth with me; lo, I swear, I will blot his name from life:

Δ. Frankly as my term was in my first request, or question this day made.

[Δ] Liberèagas: Deus est enim liber.

E. K. Now he is gone.

Δ. Deo Omnipotenti, Invisibili & misericordi sit omnis honor, laus, gratiarum actio, & Gloria: nunc & in perpetuum.

Amen.

Thursday, Septembris 13. Mane. † Pragae.

Emericus did bring himself in sight of the Chamberlain, the Noble Octavius Spinola: as I willed him: And he called Emericus to him, and told him, that this day Doctor Curtz should understand the Emperour his pleasure, to confer with me, &c.

Emericus about 10 of the clock before Noon being in the Ritters Stove (or Guard-Chamber) saw Doctor Curtz come out from the Emperour.

Friday, Septemb. 14. Mane, circa 10.

I sent Emericus to Doctor Curtz his house in parva parte: with my commendations; and to say that before, I understood of Doctor Hageck Mr. Doctor Curtz his desire to be acquainted with me: whereof I was very glad and desirous: and now I trust that the Emperour his majesty, by his Authority hath taken order with him whereby to begin our acquaintance, and (God willing) our perpetual friendship. The Doctor was at home, and to Emericus (saying the effect of my message before noted) the Doctor declared that Captaverat antea varias occasiones mecum contrahendae amicitiae, &c. and that now he is very joyful of the occasion offered by the Emperours Majesty: and that this day sundry affairs did hinder the opportunity of our meeting, but to morrow at any hour (at my choice) he would be ready to welcome me to his house: and so with the usual phrase of offering all his services to my pleasure, he sent Emericus to me with his said Answer.

Quos Deus conjungit, Homo ne separet. Amen.
Quos autem Deus & Caesar copulat, copulatissimi maneant.

Amen.

Saturday, Septembris, 15. A Meridie hora (ferè) prima. † Pragae.

I came to the foresaid (called Doctor) Curtz: about one of the clock after Noon, who had all the day been ready to have heard me, if I would so have had it: but I sent him word in the morning by Emericus, that after Noon, (as now at this hour) I would come to him. Being come, he entertained me curteously: and two chairs being at the Tables end, he gave me the preeminence (by a friendly kind of earnestnesse) Then he told me, that long since in Germany, he had heard of my fame, and had seen of my writings: and that he was very glad of the opportunity now of my coming to this (ity; and that otherwayes he was desirous of my acquaintance, but chiefly seeing the Emperour his Majesty Ore tenus (for that was his phrase) by word of his own mouth, had willed him to hear what I had to say to his Majesty. I began and declared my long course of study for 40 years, alwayes, by degrees going forward, and desirous of the best, and pure truths in all manner of studies, wherein I had passed, and that I had passed as many as were commonly known, and more than are commonly heard of. But that at length I perceived onely God (and by his good Angels) could satisfie my desire: which was to understand the natures of all his creatures, and the best manner how to use them to his divine honor and glory, and the comfort of the elect, and also to the reproof and confusion of the adversaries of his name and honour. And herein I had dealed sundry wayes: And at length had found the mercies of God such as to send me the instruction of Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Vriel, and divers other his good and faithful Messagers, such as I had here now brought books (about 18) to shew him the manner of their proceeding: And that I thought it good to begin at the last book, which also concerned most this present Emperour Rodolph. And so I did; and so by degrees from book to book lightly, I gave him a taste or sight of the most part, and also let him see the Stone brought me by Angelical ministery, &c.

All things being seen and heard, that in six hours I could shew him: at length he required of me what conclusion, or summary report he should make to the Emperour. I answered, as he had occasion of the things seen and heard; but if he would follow my counsel (somewhat expert in these Divine and Angelical doings.) That his Majesty was to thank God for his great mercies and graces offered: and that by me one, who most sincerely and faithfully gave his Majesty to understand the will of God herein, and that his Majesty was to do, as Mary (the blessed Virgin) did, to lay up all these my informations in his heart, and to say Ecce servus Domini, fiat voluntas tua, and so to attend the manner of the Lord his proceeding, while he framed his life, as it became every Christian to do.

He said, that he would write (for his own memories help) some short note of his observations of my speeches, and things seen and marked: and that he would to morrow (being Sonday) or on Monday, if he conveniently could, make a report to the Emperour, and so with all speed give me to understand further of the Emperour his Majesties will and pleasure. Hereupon courteously he brought me down to the street door of his house; and I came home after seven of the Clock, and an half, in the evening.

The mercies of God be on me, and his name be magnified and extolled in this world, and for ever. Amen.

Note. In the mean space while I was thus occupied with the foresaid Mr. Curtz. E. K. was visited at our Lodging with a wicked Tempter, who denied any Christ to be: and that as the heart received comfort of all the Members of the body: So that he, who is God, of all things received comfort by Angels, and other the Members of the world: and that I was now with one, who would use me like a Serpent, with head and tayl compassing my confusion, &c. he earnestly reviled E. K. in divers manners: he said, that E. K. should be damned, and said: moreover, that of our practises should never come any fruitfull end, &c.

He also said that in the former my Records that I had noted many a ly, and untruth.

Δ. The eternal and Almighty God confound the Adversaries of his truth and glory, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and the Triumphant Conquerour against, Hell, fin, and the Devil.

Amen.

PRAGAE.

On Monday and Tuesday the 17th. and 18th. of September, I sent Emericus up to the Castle, to listen after answer of that Doctor Curtz his report to the Emperour, of that he had perceived by me. (But on Monday Octavius Spinola had sent into the Town for Emericus, and told him that the Emperour had care and desire to understand my doing with the Doctor: And therefore asked Emericus if I had been with the Doctor, and he affirmed that I had. Hereof (said he) the Emperour will be glad: And yet (as I began to note) Emericus coming on Tuesday in the face of the Doctor in the Ritters stove; had not one word spoken to him, that either he had spoken to the Emperour, or he had not. And therefore I suspect that the Doctor dealeth not honestly, faithfully, or wisely in this so weighty a case. And forasmuch as he told me, that the Emperour his Majesty was perswaded, that he was pious, &c. perhaps he would be loath; now, to prefer me to the speech of the Emperour, seeing both he himself, and the rest of his counsel stood perswaded to the contrary of this King. Hereupon this great delay, upon sinister report made to the Emperour might follow, &c.