Mysteriorum Pragensium Liber Primus (Prague), part 7 of 8 (25 Sept. – 1 Oct. 1584)

The Copy of the foresaid Letter to the Emperour.

MUltis (O Serenissime Caesar) & permagnis (ferè omnium) Creaturarum Dei, immò […] Dei, & coelestibus haud paucis mysteriis, arcanisque, vestrae Caesareae Majestatis jussu per me (jam, ante quatuordecim dies) fideliter, sincere, & diligenter (quantum sex horarum fieri poterat spacio) declaratis, ac manifestatis: eidem, cui, eadem penes me videnda, audienda, intelligendaque esse voluistis: Inde, nunc, quae sit vestrae Caesareae Majestari, simplex (tanquam ab aequo rerum AEstimatore) facta relatio: vel, quod cum relatione adjunctum Judicium: vel, qualis totius processus excogitata censura: vel, qualis mecum procedendi, vobis persuasa cautio; vel, quale pro Caesarei vestri responsi forma, initum captumque consilium, Non sum tam immodeste curiosus, ut expiscar, Neque aliter, vel alia ratione de sacrae vestrae Majestatis Caesareae prudenti & gratiosa (in praemissis) Resolutione, sum sollicitus, quam, me (fidelem, sincerum, & devotum) Dei Omnipotentis, & (in Deo, propterque Deum) vestrae sacrae Caesareae Majestatis servitorem deceat. Video tamen me (dum nullum adhuc ad praemissa receperim responsum) per tam alci silentii (quasi) stimulum, aliquantulum impelli, ut secundò vestram Caesaream Majestatem admoneam, Ne divinam hane, & divinitus oblatam Misericordiam, tam inexpectatam, tam magnam, tam inauditam, tam admirandam, tam multiplicem, tam statui Imperatorio, Christianaeque Reipublicae necessariam, tam certam, tam paratam, eamque (per Dei Omnipotentis, Caesareaeque Majestatis vestrae, fidelem servitorem) re ipsa, vobis confirmandam, & administrandam: (si sacra vestra Caesarea Majestas voluisset) parvi momenti negotium, vel inventum aliquod humanum, aut fraudem Diabolicam, esse, fuisse, vel fore, ullo modo suspicemini, vel Credatis. Tali enim & tam gravi vestrae Caesareae Majestatis errore, Omnipotentis Dei incendi posse furorem vehementer vereor: & ne hanc Dei misericordiam respuentes, ejusdem indignantem provocetis vindictam, valde metuo. Quapropter, cum videam Caelum ipsum, & caelestia talia mysteria, non tali tantaeque curae, vestrae sacrae Majestati Caesareae adhuc esse, quali, quantaeque optassem equidem: Ego potius quam, ut, vel Deus hujus suae (prius inauditae) Misericordiae ultroque vestrae Caesareae Majestati oblatae, prorsus nullum (penes homines) haberet conspicuum judicium, argumentum, Testimonium vel experimentum: Et potius quam mea (saepe nominata) fidelitas, sinceritas, & Devotio (sive votum) erga Deum & vestram Caesaream Majestatem, omni (apud posteros nostros) careret fide, & veritatis manifestae robore: In Dei Nomine, & ad ejus laudem, honorem, & gloriam: & ut vestrae serenissimae Caesareae Majestatis satisfaciam desiderio Heroico, De lapide illo Benedicto: (Philosophorum vocato lapide) infallibiliter videndo, possidendo & utendo: Assero vestrae sacrae Caesareae Majestati, lapidem eundem me (auxilio favoreque Divino) conficere posse. Et propterea; Si vestra Caesarea Majestas, me velit interim, sibi intime charum habere: Et, si, pro dignitate tanti mysterii, & Beneficii (sibi à me liberalissime & humillime exhibendi) gratiosè me tractare dignabitur (Non tamen alio quidem vel altiori me insigniens Titulo quam qui vestrae Caesareae Majestatis Philosopho & Mathematico conveniat,) Hiis literis ore & corde polliceor, sanctéque coram Deo Omnipotenti voveo: Opus illud philosophicum, Omuibus suis numeris perfectum, in manus vestras Caesareas, (& sine sumptibus vestris ad illud opus perficiendum requirendis) ac brevissimo, quo fieri poterit, tempore (Nutu Dei) me daturum. De aliis praeterea Arcanis, adhuc mihi silendum esse video. Nunc autem sacrae Caesareae Majestaris vestrae gratiosam, liberam, constantemque voluntatem, in praemissis, non aliter, nisi ex vestro proprio gratioso ore vel ex vestris Caesareis literis propriis, intelligere Cupio. Nullum enim jam nosco, dignum & aptum, qui in istis, alissque Naturae & Artis secretis, meus (penes vestram Caesaream Majestatem) fieri deberet Mercurius.

Tuesday, Septembris 25. Pragae.

Note: I went to Diner to the Spanish Embassadour: and carryed with me the Stone brought me by an Angel; and the fourth Book, wherein the manner of the bringing of it is expressed. And also I carried with me Librum Sextum Sanctum Mysticum.

After Diner, when I had shewed him these things: his final answer was, that verily he took the doing to be by good Angel: marry, the matters to be too great: Therefore (said I) they are for the service of God, and not onely man. He said he was a sinner, and not worthy to be privy, much lesse to be a doer in them: Notwithstanding whatsoever he can do therein acceptable to God, he would be most obedient thereto. He desired a Copy of the Emperour his foresaid letters, that he might consider circumspectly of the Contents before he should deliver them; whereunto I consented. Renderiug his honour thanks I departed.

After my return home, I found E. K. resolved to go from hence to morrow, for his wife, and so straightway into England: which was to me a grief: But what can I do, but refer all to the mercies of God, whom I have called upon for wisdom to serve him withal? I have […] my trust in the Lord, I have not murmured at any such pangs and tentations hitherto.

E K […] to go in o England as he pretended.

The mercies of the Highest be upon me, as I have put my trust in him.

Amen.

Now were we (all) brought to great penury: not able without the Lord Laskies, or some heavenly help, to sustain our state any longer.

Besides this, I understood of the Queens displeasure for my departure, and of the Bishop of London his intent to have begun to have accused me of Conjuration, and so to have had the secret assistance of you know whom.

Tu es Deus fortitudo mea, refugium meum Susceptor meus, & liberator meus.

Amen.

Wedensday, Septembris 26. Ante Meridiem. Pragae.

About 10 and a half of the clock, Dr. Curtz sent with Mr. Simon Hageck his servant to know my lodging: He had passed not far off in a lane on horseback his self going into the Town, and so met Mr. Simon Hageck at the lanes end, &c.

Thursday, Septembris 27. † Pragae.

[…]: About 7. of the clock came Dr. Curtz his servant from his Master to tell me, that his Master would come unto me at 9 of the clock.

At 9 of the clock came Dr. Curtz on horseback to me, to my lodging (at Doctor Hageck his house by Bethleem) my wife he saluted, and little Katharine, my daughter. Mr. Kelly had gotten him into his chamber, not willing to be seen.

After he was come up into my little Study, and there set, in Mr. Kelly his usual place, and I in mine; I began to complain of the great injury done unto me here; for I came as a sincere and faithful servitour of the Emperour his Majesty, intending all goodnesse and honour unto him: no hindrance, losse or hurt; neither came I propter divitias Caesaris mihi […], as I said expressely unto his Majesty. I was, before I came hither, of good name and fame, both in this Court, and all Europe over, As you your self Mr. Doctor (quoth I) can bear me witnesse: and other in this Court divers: And that here my name and fame should suffer shipwrack, where I thought I had been in, a sure Haven of my principal Patrone: My thinketh that great in jury is done unto me: I know no means how to help it, but to give you warning of the envious malitious back biters that also are about this Court, that as you find occasion, you might encounter with this evil, and foul monster, in so mighty a Princes Cause intruding it self.

The Doctor seemed not to know what I meant. I told him, that at a Noble-mans Table, There was, of great account, who said, that there was an English man, come to the Emperours, A bankrupt […], a Conjurer, and Necromantist: who had sold his own goods, and given the Lord Laskie the money: and that he had beguiled him: and that now he would fain get some of the Emperour his money from him, &c. The Doctor seemed greatly to mislike these slanderous words, and said, that he never heard of any such; with some few words more, of the wicked manner of back biters.

After this, as […] the report making to the Emperour, of that I had shewed unto him, at his house, (as before is noted) he said that he had made a plain and sincere report. Whereunto the Emperours Majesty, had (as yet) given no answer. And to be plain with you (said he) his Majesty thinketh them almost either incredible, or impossible: and would have some leasure to […] of them: and is desirous to have the sight of those Latine Actions you shewed me, or a Copy of them, and especially, of that, which containeth a paraphrasis of the Apostolical Creed. I answered, that my Books I would not deliver out of my hands: And as for a Copy of them, I would (at leasure) write it, that his Majesty might have it. And then I told him farther, that because it was so long before I heard any word of him, I had letters ready to send to the Emperours Majesty, to have farther declared my mind unto him, and I declared unto him the tenor of them: and he told me that about three of the clock after noon, his man should go to the Court, and if then I would send them, his man should carry them. I answered that I would expect a day or two for the Emperours return hither. After this we talked of some Mathematical matters: And I shewed him the little Book de superficierum divisionibus, set forth by me and Commandinus, printed at Pezaro in Italy. He said that he never saw it before: I bad him then take it with him to peruse: and that if I had another Copy, I would give it him; but I had none other but that. I shewed him also the Propaedeamata Aphoristica de praestantioribus quibusdam Naturae virtutibus, which he had never seen before. After this, with mutual curtesies offered on both parts (after the manner of the world) he took his horse, and returned homeward.

Friday, Septembris, 28. Pragae.

Intending to send the Emperours letter (here before written) to his Majesty, by my good friend, the Spanish Embassadour, I wrote this letter to send to the Embassadour in that behalf, and as concerning the credit of these Actions.

Illustrissimo Domino, Domino Don Gulielmo de Sancto Clemente, serenissimi atque Catholici Hispaniarum Regis apud sacram Caesaream Majestatem, &c. Legato, Domino suo observandissimo.

Illustris & Magnifice Heros: Multis hoc probari potest testimoniis & exemplis, quod illa, quae (preter vulgarium artium & scientiarum decreta) Nova, & supra vulgaritèr Studiosorum expectationem, hominibus (licet piis & candidis quidem) Divinitùs revelantur mysteria, cum summa difficultate vel intelliguntur à paucissimis, vel vix sine suspitione admittuntur, aut creduntur à […]: Ast qualis, in nostris, (si rectae piéque informatae rostris adhibeatur judicium) esse potest suspitio? Nam à Deo Omnipotente, per multos jam annos, fideliter, ardenter, & constanter per preces requisita sapientia: Una (scilicet quae penes nos quidem) videtur esse radix & occasio tanti istius Doni obtinendi. Ast in coelesti suo Palatio, ante conditum mundum, determinata, & assignata erga nos Misericordia & gratia Omnipotentis Dei, praecipuum, solidum, immobileque hujus tanti mysterii est censendum fundamentum: In quo mysterio, talis relucet, per potentes fidelesque Angelos Isagogica Informatio, De Arcanis Dei consiliis, tam in mundi creatione Creaturarumque naturis, & vero usu, quam in mundi praesentis moxque […] statu: Et preterea, de unius Catholicae Ecclesiae (charissimae Jesu Christi […], nostraeque piae matris) sanctitate, dignitate, & Authoritate (veluti in qua etiam est Sanctorum Communio, & Peccatorum remissio) & de multis nondum per nos revelandis Dei Arcanis Magnalibus & Determinationibus: Quòd tantum abest, ut aliquis (sanae mentis) Christianus, Actiones Nostras Mysticas, Diabolicas esse fraudes, contendere, immo ne suspicari quidem conetur aut possit: ut potius, tale Arcanum Dei propositum, incredibiliter admirari, rationem humanam, in eisdem examinandis, subjugare, & Dei erga Electos suos admirandam misericordiam in istis esse manifestam, humillimè, & cum summo tremore fateri velit: Ego quidem, hactenus, in istis, aliud (ferè) nihil, me esse invenio, nisi Calamum scribae, velociter per me scribentis. Nam visa auditaque (in mea praesentia) fidelissimè, de litera interdum ad literam, interdum, verbatim, interdum pluribus simul receptis verbis (ipso eodem temporis momento, quo traduntur) annotare sum solitus. Ast jam in quam multa excrevit Noster talis labor volumina? Ex quibus omnibns illum fructum, successumque expectamus, qualem praefixit ille, cujus nutui cuncta obediunt. Istas autem ad suam sacrem Caesaream Majestatem literas meas: Cum vestra magnificentia opportunitatem inveniet primam, si meo nomine: humillimè eidem exhibere dignabitur, Tum magno mihi (Divinitus) injuncto, levatus ero onere: Tum magno, à vestra magnificentia affectus beneficio: Interim verò, Dum suae sacrae Majestatis Caesareae ad istas responsum dabitur, (nimirum si ad 14. vel 16. dies prius expectandum esset) vel, statim post acceptum responsum (si tam expeditè illud recipere possum, quàm quod recepi ultimo) ad iter me accingere debeo, propter familiam, libros, & aliquam meam suppellectilem, huc (ante hyemis asperitatem) transferendam. Ubi, cum Caesareae Majestatis gratioso favore, & sub ipsius Protectione Imperatoria, voluntatem Omnipotentis Dei implere, pro viribus, & suae sacrae Caesareae Majestati inservire (tanquam ejusdem Philosophus & Mathematicus) fidelissime, de tempore in tempus, paratus esse potero.

Illustri vestrae Magnificentiae Addictissimus

Joannes Dee.

I annexed hereunto a Post-script, which followeth:

Post-scriptum.

MEarum esse partium, & consultum esse duxi vestrae Magnificentiae paucissimis verbis significare, quod heri, manè, hora nona, vir egregius, & suae Majestis Caesareae fidus Confiliarius D. Doctor Curtzius, me humanissimè invisebat in meo ergastulo, & hypocaustato, juxta Bethlehem, ubi videre poterat Bibliothecam presentem meam, nullam (ferè) aliam esse, praeter Sancta Dei Evangelia & Biblia sacra ipsosque nostrorum mysteriorum libros: Ego autem quodam humili modo (inter caeteras querelas meas) de tam longa interposita mora conquerebar, inter ejusdem (de meis rebus) factam relationem, & Caesareum de eisdem recipiendum responsum. Ille verò se simplicissimè Caesareae Majesti visa auditaque (penes me) retulisse asseruit, nullo suo, de eisdem, adhibito judicio. Verum, Caesari (dixit) quasi impossibilia vel incredibilia fuisse visa. Et de responso mihi (in hac parte) dando, secum, adhuc, suam deliberare velle Majestatem Caesaream. Unde ego de literis meis istis, suae Majesti mittendis, mentionem feci & summatim earundem tenorem, eidem enarravi. Ille easdem statim habere voluit, ipsi Caesareae Majestati à Meridie mittendas: Ego quidem Caesaris me velle ad pauculos dies expectare ad ventum dixi. Deinde de rebus Mathematicis brevissime inter nos habito sermone, illique (ad pervidendum) dato libello quodam Geometrico (per me & Federicum Commandinum Vrbinatem) in lucem olim dato, & mutuis, post, utrinque promissis officiis humanitatis & benevolentiae, abiit.

1584. Sept. 28.

Saturday, Septemb. 29. Die Sancti Michaelis.

The foresaid Letter to the Emperours Majesty, with this Letter to the Ambassadour, and this Post-script: And moreover, (according to the Ambassadour his request) the Copy of the Emperours Letter, all in one uttermore paper closed (Letter like) sealed, and with superscription to the foresaid Ambassadour; I sent to his honour on Michaelmas day at dinner time, by Emericus Sontag: Who delivered the same to the Secretary of the Ambassadour, and he to the Lord Ambassadour, as he sat at dinner.

Deus bene vertat, ad laudem nominis sui.

Amen.

September 29.

Remember that this day (after-noon) I sent Hugh on foot with my Letters to Cracovia to Edmond, that my folk should not be out of quiet, or afeard to see Mistresse Kelly, sent for, and no Letters to come from me, &c. I writ to the Lord […] of our want of money, &c.

Monday, Octobris 1. à Meridie circa 3. horam. Pragae. Oratione dominica finita, &c. Valde cito est facta apparitio.

E. K. Here be two, one his face is covered, and the other is not: And he, whose face is uncovered seemeth to be Gabriel.

Δ. Sit benedictus Deus Pater, Deus filius, & Deus Spiritus Sanctus nunc & Semper. Amen.

Δ. Our chief cause (at this instant) why we resort to this shew-stone, is for to understand (according to the grounds of God his promise) the state of my wife her grievous disease, and means to cure her, wherein if it please the Lord to be mercifull unto her and me, it shall be the occasion whereby she will all her life time praise the name of God for his mercies, and be of a quietter minde, and not so testy and fretting as she is.

..... Who are you, or from whence come you, that you'require science; which seek to be more wise and expert, then such as are the Children and Doctors of this World? whose judgements are rash, and understanding naked: and in whose lips dwelleth no truth. Who (I say) are you, that you should deserve the majestral benefit of so great and sanctified grace? as to understand the determination of God, the power of his Angels, or the brightnesse, or obscurity of mans Soul, and understanding: You desperate sinners, and partakers with the wicked, how can you seek bread at your fathers hands: when you seek to steal into his barnes? Yea, into his house, and dining Tables: and more then that; yea, even into his privy Chambers: not to spoyl him of his houshold stuffe, of his Gold, or precious stones, but of the diademe, and Crown of his everlasting Majesty and honour: you are thieves and robbers; and through the Dignity of your spirit you shall think to exalt your selves, and to live in Majesty with the world.

True it is, you may live so: But you live with an Harlot, and shall possesse the reward of Fornicators and […].

Therefore seek not to feed of such food, as the holy, and blessed messengers, and Ministers of the God of Hosts and glory do taste of: and are comforted; for they are the spirits of truth and understanding: such as cleave unto their God, and fight against the abominations, and horrible blasphemies of the world and her adherents: which (because you set your selves against the) shall keep, and close up the brightnesse, and obscurity of each Soul from you, that […] ignorance may be greater; and your darknesse […], and that you may return without light: to the Barathrum of ignorance, where pride, self-love, and the Children of vanity have their hubitation.

Then (peradventure) will you say within your selves: There be other doors, there be other woods; yea, there be other wayes, let us therefore seek out them.

But behold, I will shut up from you all Elemental Vigor: So that the Fountains of coagulation shall be dried when you seek them, and the natural nourishment and food of parts that dwell in one proportion shall hide themselves, and be asleep when you seck them; yea, in the lowest I will place a threefold door-bar, stronger then a Rock of yearn, which shall stand between your eyes and knowledge, and you shall not see: for peradventure you may say in your selves.

Behold, there is a science known; yea, there is a conjunction of [Δ] equal qualities, opening unto us the […] of comfort in infirmities, that is not so. O you foolish: for neither here, nor there, shall you finde the Lord, if you follow the steps, and defiled wayes that the world teacheth you.

For I said of you: Lo, I will place you against the world, that my name may be magnified, and the world shall hate you for my sake.

Nos mundi Inimici esse debemus, & mundus nos odio prosequitur propter Deum.

Δ. O Lord, be mercifull unto us: Deal, O Lord, with us, as I have put my trust in thee: Turn away thy wrath (O God) and visit us in mercy: O God, O Lord, what grievous sayings are these?

Gabriel...... Trouble [Δ] thou not thy heart, but hear the voyce of me, Gabriel, the man of God. I am the true medecine of such as put their trust in the God of Hosts, and in his son Christ; which is the Lamb of life, and the comfort of his father, which give unto those that thirst, the true medecine of comfort and consolation; neither shall God forsake thee, neither shall thy Soul be deceived.

But it behoveth these things to be spoken, that sin might be corrected, and the name of him that sent us, magnified.

Δ. In nomine Dei loquitur, qui per omnes Angelos loquitur: licet enim Vriel dixerit vel alius, tamen Deus semper loquitur.

Gabriel. Hear my voice: as I said unto thee, so will I place thee here. And from hence thou shalt have science and understanding, and thou shalt be favourable in the eyes of him, that I favour not: that my glorie might be exalted in him, and against his childishnesse. Yet, I will be mercifull to him; yet if he hear me. E. L.

..... Vnto thee [E. K.] I say, (O thou that art a worldling) I will stir up friends amongst you, and I will fill thy hands with that thou desirest: But that thou receivest in the one, I will pluck back in the other, that when thou wouldest be wise, thou shalt not, and when thou wouldest see, thou shalt not.

A voyce from an uncertain place. There were some wicked […] vexing E. K. from […] quietly. E. K.

Δ. E. K. Was very much offended at these sharp words, &c. and would have left off, &c.

Uriel...... Inobediens es, & castigatione dignus.

Gabr...... As for the vertue of the holy spirit (spoken of) the gift of medecine, and healing (which you call Physic) Alas, you know not.

Insani sunt omnes, & fatui: For, Physick is in very deed, the true, and perfect science of the natural combination, and proportion of known parts, answering in graduation real, to one principal and defined; is therefore above the capacity of such as are worldlings, and do hunt after money more then the truth of Gods spirit.

Definitie Medicina, Medicina est vera & perfect a scientia naturalis combinati […], & proportionis partium […] debito […] respendentium in graduatione reali ad […] principale, & desiaitum esse.

Uriel as a witnesse standing by.

But lo, light standeth by me, and my words are medicine: and whatsoever I speak, light beareth witnesse of me: Therefore are my words true.

..... Have patience awhile.

Δ. He disappeared.

Δ. We examined the definition of Physick to be a very apt answering, both to the Anatomical natures of man, or any patient, and also of the Herb, or simple, that is medicinal, &c.

Δ. He came again and proceeded.

Gab..... Which consisteth of two parts, the knowledge of coelestial radiation (the cause of [1] combining) and of Elemental vigor, the stay, and cause of [2] proportion.

The first, and coelestial is threefold, that is to say, from God, from the Angels, from mans Soul.

The second (that is to say Elementa) is the knowledge of the star [1] coagulating; of the [2] pabula of the parts nourished, of the [3] conjunction of like qualities.

(Here is the true Art of Physick)

This second is threefold.

After a while I come again.

Δ. He is come again, and proceeded.

Gab...... Go to.

Δ. In the name of Jesus.

Gab...... Then you are diseased, you are sick: you must have a Physitian: why then, your Physitian must be such as hath this Science, to judge your disease,

Whether (for sin) it come from God: and so by prayer to be cured:

Or from the Angels, as the Ministers of Gods Justice (generally) for desert or for reproof:

Or from the soul of man, as from the chief life of the body, whose infection radically, and by the influence of proportions immediate, (hidden from man, but known unto us,). is called (with us) Mazah: with you, Impietas.

These are the first three, and Magicall Causes: The other three are Elementall.

1. Either by the star, that is cause of coagulation and imbibing of mans sperm in the femine blood, without the which it could not.

2. The other (that is the second) through infection of meates which are divers, wherewith the thing is, [and] continueth, which in their kinds are many.

3. The last, by conjunction or mixture: which is the secret property that draweth infection from man to man.

These if you know (for he is no Physitian if he know them not) how they are and live, and are joyned together in their proportions, and also when they exceed, or are diminished, in that they are you shall be able to bring them to their proper being, wherein they are ratified and rejoyce.

[Δ. He was away a quarter of an hour.]

Gab...... Lo, these are seeds and foundations: and here I have (according to my property) touched the least of my strings for you.

If now you intend to excell the Physitians of the Earth, and to help those that are diseased, sincerely, truly, and through the power and mercy of God;

Then must you attend upon me, and my expositions, for forty dayes, wherein I will open unto you, many and unknown secrets; and will comfort you with this one herb or branch of my Garden, to the intent you may perceive I am true Gabriel.

But as in you that are hearers, due obedience ought to be, so must I keep the Authority and gravity of a Schoolmaster, suffering none to hear my Doctrine, but such as are abstinent and cleansed from their sins.

Consider therefore, what the mercies of God are, the fruit, and value of this Doctrine, and the nakednesse and necessity of the world that requireth it, and then answer me.

For your answer is a vow unto the Lord, of whose help and comfort I bear witnesse.

But as touching thy wife, her disease is in the first Elemental, and very dangerous, and threatneth her child, yea and her self death.

Δ. Lord, therefore I resort unto thee, who art the Curer of all dieases.

Gab...... But to morrow (if thou resort here,)

I will tell thee, what it is, and will define of it.

Lord, I trust, it shall be cured: What is unpossible unto our God?

Gab...... I cease.

Δ. Incessant praise and honour, be unto the Almighty, most bountiful, and wise God, the Lord of Hosts, our God and King.

Amen.

Remember I sent letters to Cracow by the Messager of Prage: