Mysteriorum Pragensium Liber Primus (Prague), part 6 of 8 (21–24 Sept. 1584)

Note. Fryday, Septemb. 21. Circa horam 10. Ferè, Mane. † Pragae.

Δ. As I and E. K. were together in my Study, earnestly discoursing of Auricular confession, publick confession, and confessing to God alone, and of the Authority of the Church, and the manner of the same Authority using to release, or retain fins, E. K. saw one walk on the Table between him and me: Thereupon I framed me to write, and note what should be shewed, or said, E. K. willed me to set down the shew-stone: So I did, and he looked.

E. K. I see him here with the Scarf over his head and face, untill his waste, but I see his hair yellow behinde on his head, &c.

Mitte lucem tuam, O Deus & varitatem tuam ut ipsae nos ducant ex hac valle miseriae ad montem Sanctum Sion, & ad coelestia tua Tabernacula. Amen.

Uriel...... I am Uriel the servant of the most wise, mighty, and everlasting God: which visit you for two causes.

The first, that I may open unto you true, and perfect light: such as darknesse comprehendeth not, infallible, and true meat, the power and spirit of the everlasting God.

The second, that I may counsel you against the world, and teach you to triumph against her frowardnesse. For, who hath trusted in the Lord, and hath been cast down? or what is he that hath cried aloud, and is not heard? Therefore, I say unto you; Hear my voyce: For I am of truth, and put against darknesse, and in me are published the light, and mysteries of the Trinity from time to time, and in all ages unto those that fear, and obey God.

Trinitatis Lux & mysteria per Vrielem revelantur. Mendacium Obstinatum […].

Two things there are which are the seals and marks of Satan: which bring eternal death and damnation to all such as are noted, or burned with them, that is to say, lying, and froward silence.

Behold the words of Christ, unto the subtile (your father is a lyar from the beginning, and the Devil.)

Hearken unto my voyce: He that [1] teacheth false Doctrine, openeth [2] his mouth against truth, or defiraudeth [3] his brother is a lyar, and shall not be forgiven.

1. For first, he sinneth against his Creator, which created all things in truth.

2. Secondly, he offendeth against the truth, and his Redeemer, which is the son of God, very Christ.

3. Thirdly, he offendeth against the spirit of God, (of the Father, and the Son) the holy Ghost: which shall not be forgiven; And therefore doth he incurre the rigour of Gods justice, his eternall damnation.

But, I say, give ear unto my words: For, I will sift the dust, and finde out the Pearle, that of a long time hath lyen trodden under the feet.

I will come again.

E. K. He is gone.

Δ. We read over the premisses, and so expected the rest.

E. K. He is again here.

Uriel...... Now let us joyn these things together.

All flesh offendeth, and is a lyar. Who, therefore shall be saved, or escape eternal damnation?

He it is (I sa) that when he hath lyed, and spoken against the truth doth not frowardly drown'd, and keep down his sin in silence.

For, lying meriteth the vengeance of the Trinity. But he that is wilfully froward, sealeth up his own damnation: For this cause (my brethre) and to the intent that the mercies of God might alwayes be ready for sinners; hath he provided the light, and comfort of his spirit, left as a continual workman in the Church and spouse of Christ.

I teach you briefly: that, he whosoever, opening his mouth against the spirit of truth; and with wilfull frowardnesse continueth in his lying, without reconciliation to the Church sinneth against the holy Ghost, and shall be damned eternally.

I come again.

E. K. He is gone.

E. K. He is here again.

Uriel...... Be now therefore admonished (I say) be warned: And considering you be sinners, acknowledge your offences, least in the end your sin be against the holy Ghost, and so not to be forgiven. But herein they erre with you that expound the Scriptures, saying, that man sinneth, and cannot be forgiven, because he sinneth against the holy Ghost.

I teach you, my brethren: that there is no sin against God, but it is against the holy Ghost:

If so be, in the end, it be shut up with wilfull silence.

Whensoever, (therefore) you have offended acknowledge, I say, your sins, before God and his Angels: That God may forgive you, and the Angels bear witnesse of your forgivenesse, and shut not up your sins in froward silence.

If thou commit adultry, if thou blaspheme the name of God, if thou be a lyar; yea, if thou speak against the truth: yea, if thou say there is no God (as the foolish do) Despair not; saying, I have sinned against the holy Ghost, because I am a sinner, and a blasphemer of the name of God, because I have spoken, and opened my mouth against the spirit of truth: But go unto the Church, which is governed by the spirit of God, and there with hearty, and open confession disclose, and make plain thy offences, that the holy Ghost may bear witnesse in the spouse, and Church of Christ; That thou hast not sinned against him to eternal death: Because thou art not drowned in froward silence.

Δ. Voluntary […] is contrary to froward lence. Aures Dei, Manus […] Vide de Lazaro, Joh. c. 1

For, although God bear witnesse of repentance. Although he hear, and open his ears, yet consider also he hath hands, and must untye those bonds wherewith you are bound. What are the hands of God, but his spirit, wherewith he maketh and created all things. Therefore when thou hast cried out and art sorry, endeavour thy self also to be lifted up by the hands of God.

Learn a similitude in Christ, which (signifying the power of his Church,) commanded the offender to go and wash himself: and so he was whole. I speak this, for thy [E.K.] instruction: I say also unto thee, [E.K.] Go and wash thy self: For thou art a lyar, thou art a drunkard: And therefore thou art a sinner. And if thou persevere, and shadow thy sins with wilfull silence frowardly, then sealest thou thy self with the second brand, and canst not be forgiven, because thou sinnest against the Ghost.

Ananias fell down at the feet of Peter, not onely for that he lyed: but because after his offence he was wilfully silent.

Here thou mayest consider the greatnesse of God his mysteries, and secrets of his will and of favour, that he stretcheth out unto thee in mercy, for thou art a Childe, and must ascend, and must become a man. The rest after you are refreshed.

Δ. We went to Dinner to our Host his house.

Δ. Thanks, honour, glory, and praise be unto the Almighty Trinity, now and ever. Amen.

Δ. After we had been at Dinner, they read over the premisses, and considered them quietly.

E. K. Here he is.

Δ. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the highest, to whom be all honour and glory. Amen.

Uriel...... Lo, Lo, Lo, (I sa) which of you hath an eye, that seeth not, (no) the world: the vanity, and folly of worldlings: and such as are choked with the mildew of vanity and worldly promotion?

For thus sayeth the Lord; wherein could I shew my self more, either unto this age, or unto this Emperour, then with rebuking him for his sins from Heaven?

Who is able to promise more, or to perform assureder then I, which lighten, and make all things? Yet they believe not,

[…], they rejoyce in their own folly, and despise me: yea, because they despise thee, whom I have sent with my word unto them.

Δ. Is despised of Rud, and Curtz.

E. K.

Well, thus sayeth the Lord, they have despised their own Garlands, and have trodden their food under feet: They have rent their Robes in pieces, and have cast them into the waves. They are become masterlisse Dogs, for I have forsaken them. And lo, Rodolph, I will scatter thy bones, and thy head shall be devided in many pieces. I will bring in thy enemies over all thy Kingdoms, and for thy sake shall many thousands perish. He also that thinketh himself wise, if he dye a natural death; then say, I am not, neither that I live with my people.

But because thou hast done that which I commanded thee, and hast not forgot my name. Lo, I will plant thee my self, and thou shalt grow, and out of thee shall spring a mighty and a terrible sword: whose Hilts shall be as the Carbuncle, and edge like unto the sting of a Dragon, and I will not suffer thee to fall: neither shall thine enemies ride upon thee. Truely, truely, thou shalt know I am with thee.

Δ Fecit quod illi injunctum […]. Pactum misericordiae divinae cum Δ.

But be patient: for Satan hunteth hard after thee. Thou shalt have alwayes a * prick even unto thy last grave. But therein shall thy faith be exalted, and thy reward great.

Sathanas. * Ne magnitudo revevelationum extellat me, datus est mi hi stimulus carnis […], &c. Paulus ad Corinthios secunda, cap. 12.

..... I come again.

E. K. He is gone.

E. K. Here he is again.

Uriel...... Lo, for thy labour I will reward thee: And so it shall be. Behold, I had determined to have rooted out the English people, to have made a wildernesse, and desart of it; to have filled it with many strange people, and to have tied the sword to it perpetually.

Δ. This is no contradiction, for thus this wildernesse and filling is to be understood.

But

Δ. The filling of it with strangers should have been for the conquest, and in a manner razing, or defacing of all Cities, Towns, and Castles, and so to have brought it to a wildernesse and desart.

But Lo, I will give thee that land; (onely for thy sake) it shall not be consumed.

God will give me England, that is to say, spare it from distruction for my sake, &c. England. Δ. Our good return into England Δ. Perhaps, spiders flying in the aire, are carried by strings of their own spinning, or making, or else I know not how. Rud. I remained for the most part in Bohemia, and in the Empire, till 1589.

And after certain moneths, I will bring thee home; yea, thou shalt live till thou be able to passe the waves without a ship, and to ascend the Hills, as the Spiders do. Notwithstanding, I will take the Crown from the house, it is in, and I will place it, as I have Prophesied unto thee. Notwithstanding, for a time, thou shalt live with Caesar.

..... I come again.

E. K. He is gone.

Δ. O Lord, what shall become of my good friend the Lord Laskie.

E. K. Here he is again.

Uriel...... Of Lasky thus it is said: Thou [Δ.] hast groaned for him, and hast placed him in thy [Δ.] heart: From henceforth will I reconcile him unto me, and I will cease my anger upon him, and he shall come hither * shortly. But he is a wanton, and very prone to sin.

A.L. A. L. Came to us to Trebon, in Bohemia, An. 1588. post captum Maximilianum à Polonis, &c. Rud. Num. 11. Psal. 77.

But hear what I say unto thee.

[E. K. He seemeth to have talk with one afar off]

Caesar thought thou hadst had the Philosophers stone, and (as yet) he thinketh so.

Even as I choaked the gluttenous Israelites with quayles, so will I choake him with that secret.

Behold, thou shalt write unto him, saying, that he regardeth not heaven: And say unto him, that thou canst make the Philosophers stone, I will perform it unto thee: Thou shalt do it: And I will give unto thee a special vertue in healing: That whensoever thou comest hither: Thou shalt understand the truth. And this I do, because they shall not despise thee.

A Letter to be written unto Casar. Lapis Philosophorum. A special gift in healing by the shew in this stone.

Δ. O Lord, for me to be despised in doing thy commandment, is honour and comfort to me: But as concerning thy honour and glorie; Thou in thy wisdom knowest what is best to be done.

R. Peribit. Benedictio Dei sit super nos. Supra. […] fac.

Uriel...... Notwithstanding, thou shall see him perish before thy face. Lo, from this time, I will blesse thee marvellously, and I will help thee in all thy works.

Do thou alwayes:

And make me thy Buckler.

Δ. What shall I do with Doctor Curtz, as concerning his answer?

Uriel...... Handle him like a man, for he will deceive thee.

E. K. I request you but one thing for all my labour and travel; that is, that this Doctor might this night be bereft of his life, to the terrour of other, &c.

Uriel...... Have patience, God turneth all to his glory, and your commodity. To morrow I have something else to say.

Deus Noster in coelo, omnia quaecunque volrit fecit: Ille solus est Omnipotens, aeternus, sapiens, Bonus, Justus & Misericors: Illi debetur omis Laus, gratiarum actio, honor & gloria.

Amen.

Saturday, 22. Septemb. Manè, Circiter horam 9.

Precibus ad Deum finitis, & variis ad ipsum Ejaculationibus pro […] & veritate Dei, &c. & quibusdam de Rudolphi & Curtzii corruptis Judiciis (qui Dei Misericordias, juxta carnis sensum judicare ausi sunt) [apparuit Vriel facie velata ut ante.]

Uriel...... (For this cause say I unto thee) write unto Rudolph, saying, I can make the Philosophers stone: Because I would place thee with them, according to their hope and imagination: That whilest they think little of me, and of the sweetnesse of my message and testimony, I might burst out amongst them; as the mighty waters do out of Hills, when the earth moveth: For I have said unto thee, I will place thee here; If I sow thee here, what Raven can pluck thee up by the roots. No, I will hide thee, as the Hen doth her Chickens: And I will make thee spring to their destruction. For why, thou shalt overcome that mystery for thy own sake.

Δ. For the glorie of God: his honour and triumph, all good come unto me.

Uriel...... Behold, since they will not tye thee unto them from heaven: Thou shalt tye them unto thee from earth: That thou mayest rejoyce when thou seest their destruction, and be ready cloathed for him that is to come.

It was said unto thee, my mother saith she will chuse an Emperour in ernest: But it is Ernest that shall sit upon his seat. Behold, 'there shall be no seed left in him for his wickednesse. Yea, the blessings that I have offered him shall return again; and I will leave his house naked. But when he seeth and hath Gold (which is the thing he desireth, and those that counsel him, do most desire him, for) Then shall he perish with a most cruel, terrible, and unheard of mischief.

It is a saying of Madimi, Junii 26. 1584. Cracoviae. Ernestus Frater Rudolphi. Δ. Blessings offered are promises with conditions. Gold, ex lapide Philosophorum. […] crudelis, terribilis, inaudita.

But lo, I have written his name within my hand, because I would not forget to punish him. Behold, I could send the windes to devour him, and could open the Caves of the earth to swallow him; which would turn to my honour: But I have a care over you.

Now I am unto you in mercy and wisdom. But I will be with you in terror and miracles. And I will deal with you in a higher degree: And you shall hear my voyce, as men do their brethren.

God in mercy, wisdom, terror, miracles. Vox Domini ut hominis futura nobis audibilis.

Δ. What thou wilt (O Lord) for thy honour and glory: That be.

Uriel...... But those that are his counsellers have commanded him, rather then counselled him, to have no dealing with thee at all.

And he is possessed with a great, and a mighty Devil. And behold Belzagal (which is the fury and Prince of the Turks) doth assist him in his wickednesse, for he knoweth it may come to passe that his Kingdom shall be short. But give ear unto me. Fawn thou upon Caesar as a worldling, that thou mayest draw him with the world, to see the glory of God: but to his destruction. For lo, how much more a mans felicity is in this world, the more shall be the burden of his destruction.

Turkish, or Rudolphus Raether. My books from Poland. A. L.

There be that gape after thy books, and speak vainly of things that are not. Therefore I counsel that they dwell not long with Poland.

Behold, when Lasky cometh, he shall not hastily return into Poland: till I whisper in his ears, He is dead that sought thy life. I have more to say, but they are not (yet) necessary.

Δ. I beseech you to tell me when I shall prepare my self to go for my books, &c.

Uriel...... I speak not, that I know not; but chuse thy own time. Now will I become a Courtier.

E. K. He is gone.

Fiat voluntas Dei, ad ejus laudem, honorem & gloriam.

Amen.

Monday, Septembris, 24. Mane hora 8. † Pragae.

Δ. At the first looking E. K. saw Vriel, but covered with his Scarf, &c. Notwithstanding I said some prayers to God on my knees, and came and said here. Mitte lucem tuam & veritatem […] O […]: ut ipsae nos ducart ad montem Sion, &c.

It is to be remembred that for two causes we repaired to the Shew-stone: the one by reason of the letter which I had written to the Emperour: and was minded to go to shew it to the Spanish Embassadour before I sent it to the Emperour, to have his opinion of it, and also to bear it. Secondly, by reason of foul slanderous words which were spoken of me here at this Embassadour Table: That I was a Conjurer, and a bank rupt alkimist, and came here to get somewhat of the Emperour: and that I had sold my goods, and given to the Lord Laskie the mony, and that he had deceived me. To these untruths the Embassadour did reply in my behalf: for which I meant to thank him, &c.

Uriel...... Even as the accursed, and cast down, most wilfully abhorreth, hateth, and dishonoureth, the God of […], because of his mightiness and power over him: So do all those that suck and hang upon his dugs, that are coveteous and desirous of worldly promotion: that gape and thirst after the glory of this world, abhor, hate, and continually vex and dishonour, such as love Justice, or dwell under the wings of the God of power and Triumph. Herein may you rejoyce, that you are partakers and innocents ([…] at, and despised with the worl) in the fellowship of God, and of his Son Christ. Herein may you be glad, that you are sealed, and dwell with the Fathers, and that you play also upon the Harpe of David: for verily as they are, so shall you be: and as they are made righteous by reason of their election, and crowned toward eternal Joy; So shall your Election establish your righteousnesse, and give you Garlands of eternal comfort. Those that are on the Seas, are fearful of the windes: And why? because of the motion of the place, and of the power of nature: But it is not so, with you: for you dwell in Castles made of marble, wrought out of the middest of a sure rock, a most stable foundation. For why? I am sure that God dwelleth in you, and you in him. Therefore lift up your heads, and rejoyce when you are afflicted, and keep the image of God sincere and perfect in you, that you may alwayes be merciful in the Image of his Son Christ. But when the Lord openeth his mouth, and calleth you together, saying, Venite & audite: Then lay away all mercy; for the God of Justice dwelleth amongst you. Who dwelleth in a house till it be perfectly finished? or what is he that putteth on a garment before it be made? Be you assured, that where the house is finished, and your garments made, you shall both enter, and be clothed with comfort: Comfort of wisdom and power. I am mindful of you, and will be mindful of my promise toward you. And If you remain and dwell [fortè together deest] and be constant in me, you shall passe the Thunders that are to come; you shall be witnesses of my power: and shall enter into the Land of Promise with those that shall be comforted: where these dayes shall have an end. O my brethren, this world exceedeth in wickednesse, and is a terrour to the good Angels: Because of the souls that she devoureth. But when lightnesse is rewarded, and Justice sitteth in place, Then shall she bear no weight, but be made all one with the bottomlesse pit. Despise her, despise her; for she is an […].

Behold I have entred in amongst you; and it is my Spirit that leadeth to the Embassadour from Spain. I will reward him.

A Spiritu Dei sumus ducti ut Domino […] Domino Gulielmo de Sancto Clemente, […] Regis legath heae aperiremus cui mercedem dabit Deus.

Therefore as thou hast opened me unto the wicked, so let also the good bear witnesse of me.

The Lord is become a firebrand in fury, and hath armed himself: and hath taken unto him his great Target, and the Spear of his indignation: Accursed are they that have offended him.

Tum verò aeterni Genii Immortalis [non-Latin script] & * [non-Latin script]. URIEL, Saniel, Azaelque,

Quae mala quisque hominum patraverit ante Scientes

E tetris animas tenebris caliginis omnes.

Judicio sistent ad formidabile patris

Magni, Immortalis solium, &c. Orat. Sibyl. pag. 79.

Ubi sequuntur plura de VRIELE.

And when I separate them in the day of wrath to come, (as one of the fingers and gatherers in of the […] of God) Then they shall know that I am URIEL, which will not forget the wickednesse of their hands, nor their blasphemous mouth, in that day of revenge.

After a certain time cometh Michael unto you, and shall shew unto you his bloody Sword; and you shall stand under his Banner. He shall hold up his hands, and shall fight against the Hills for you: and your enemies shall not be. Vnto which time, receive you Light and Comfort: and be contented with adversity in the Lord.

My brethren, it is better to be poor, with those that are poor in spirit: then to be rich with those that are gluttons, and with the Princes of the Earth

Math. cap. 5. […] ipsorum est regnum coelorum, &c. Δ. Erit cum Caesare. I understand not this, how it is, or shall be verified, or with which Caesar.

Thou shalt be with Caesar, in despite of the Devil.

I have said.

Δ. Gloria patri & filio & Spiritui Sancto: Sicut erat in Principio & nunc & semper, & in secula seculorum. Amen.

Note: As I had finished this Action, and was come to my Study door; Emericus was returned again from the Spanish Embassadour, to whom I had sent him desirous to know his leasure for me: who had now sent me word by Emericus to come to diner, & so he would have leasure, &c. Whereof I was right glad; and went thither to diner: who into his inermost Study (where he himself was writing of letters) caused me to be brought. And after I had complained of injury and violence done unto me, by foul slanders, and that, at his Honours Table: (to which his Honour, in my behalf had replied: and therefore most humbly, and sincerely I did thank him) I said that the Emperous Majesty himself could bear me witnesse, that I used this phrase unto him, that I came not for his riches as, Non veni ad vos O Serenissime Caesar propter divitias vestras, ut inde ego dives fierem, sed à Deo missus, non audeo aliter facere quam ejus ad ve tram Caesaream Majestatem voluntatem declarare, &c. And therefore, How falsly they slandered me, it was evident: and because I perceive that Doctor Curtz hath not dealt neither with due entertainment of me as of a stranger, or a Sudent, or a Mathematitian, or of one whom (to my face) he gave great praise unto, as of one long since of great fame in Germany, and so in his good estimation, &c. And least of all, as of one, who offered so great curtesies to the Emperours Majesty as he was made witnesse of: I thought good to send unto the Emperours Majesty this letter following, and so read it unto him after diner, when I shewed him Librum Pragensem sive Caesareum; and moreover Librum decimum, (whose former title was Libri Sexti Mystici Tertiarius) and there shewed him divers Actions in Latine already translated, because now to translate so to him of the English, did seem to me both tedious, and to him not so readily pleasant. All things on his […] considered, his summary final conclusion was, as well of the last offer in this my letter, as of the great actions and divine purposes. For the first he declared that he was lineally descended out of the consanguinity, of one a Gentleman, but unlettred at the first, who left his wife, children, and family in Maiorca, and ascended an Hill there, and in place solitary remained an […] year, and at the years end, he came down, but so learned and wise, that all who knew him before, wondred at it. And that the same man was called Raymondo Lullio: and that he made that which is called the Philosophers Stone, as in England (said he) I understand is good record of it: Therefore I see, quoth he, that it is a truth and possible: and as he hath granted the knowledge of it to one man, so he may grant it to another, &c. And as for the other higher matters, I perceive that God intendeth some great matter in this world. But I am not able to judge or determine of it: But I am of this mind, wherein I can any way further the service of God, I will be ready and obedient, &c. And as for the Emperours person himself, I find him of a good nature, curteous, and most zealously Catholick: yea ready to shed his blood in the cause, if opportunity required. He understandeth the Latine well, and speaketh sufficiently well: That is true (quoth I) for he spake well in Latine to me divers things. Moreover (said he) as concerning you, I saw him very well affectionated, making great account of your book, &c. Therefore you are not to regard these Dutch mens ill tongues, who hardly can brook any stranger, &c.

Upon farther matter that I had to shew him, I offered my ready repair unto him at all times of his good leasure being called or warned. And he desirous to see the Stone brought to me by an Angel, willed me to come to morrow also, to Diner: I promised him, and so with thanks yielded to his honour, I departed toward my Lodging at Bethelem in old Prage.