Mysteries of the Rosie Cross 3

Mysteries of the Rosie Cross 3

Confessio Fraternitatis, Or, The Confession of the laudable Fraternity of the most honourable Order of the Rosie Cross, written to the learned of Europe. Whatsoever there is published, and made known to every one, concerning our Fraternity by the foresaid Fama, let no man esteem lightly of it, nor hold it as an idle or invented thing, and much less receive the same, as though it were only a meer conceit of ours. It is the Lord Jehovah (who seeing the Lord's sabbath is almost at hand, and hastened again, his period or course being finished to his first beginning) doth turn about the course of Nature; and what heretofore hath been sought with great pains and dayly labour, is now manifested unto those who make small account, or scarcely once think upon it; but those which desire it, it is in a manner forced and thrust upon them, that thereby the life of the godly may be eased of all their toyl and labour, and be no more subject to the storms of unconstant Fortune; but the wickedness of the ungodly thereby, with their due and deserved punishment, be augmented and multiplied. Although we cannot be by any suspected of the least Heresie, or of any wicked beginning, or purpose against the worldly government; we do condemn the East and West (meaning the Pope and Mahomet) blasphemers against our Lord Jesus Christ, and offer and present with a good will to the chief head of the Romish Empire, our prayers, secrets, and great treasures of Gold. Yet we have thought good and fit for the learned sakes, to add somewhat more to this, and make a better explanation, if there be any thing too deep, hidden, and set down over dark in the Fama, or for certain reasons were altogether omitted, and left out; hoping herewith the Learned will be more addicted unto us, and be made far more fitter and willing for our purpose. Concerning the alteration and amendment of Philosophy, we have (as much as at present is needful) sufficiently declared, to wit, that the same is altogether weak and faulty; yet we doubt not, although the most part falsely do alledge that she (I know not how) is sound and strong, yet notwithstanding she fetches her last breath and is departing. But as commonly, even in the same place or Country where there breaketh forth a new unaccustomed disease, Nature also there discovereth a medicine against the same; so there doth appear for so manifold infirmities of Philosophy, the right means, and unto our Patria sufficiently offered, whereby she may become sound again, which is now to be renewed and altogether new. No other Philosophy we have, than that which is the head and sum, the foundation and contents of all faculties, sciences and arts, the which (if we will behold our age) containeth much of Theology and medicine, but little of the wisdom of Lawyers, and doth diligently search both heaven and earth: or to speak briefly thereof, which doth manifest and declare sufficiently Man; whereof than all learned who will make themselves known unto us, and come into our brotherhood, shall finde more wonderful secrets by us, than heretofore they did attain unto, and did know, or are able to believe or utter. Wherefore to declare briefly our meaning hereof, we ought to labour carefully that there be not only a wondering at our meeting and adhortation, but that likewise every one may know, that although we do highly esteem and regard such mysteries and secrets, we nevertheless hold it fit, that the knowledge thereof be manifested and revealed to many. For it is to be taught and believed, that this our unhoped willing offer will raise many and divers thoughts in men unto whom (as yet) be unknown Miranda sextæ ætatis, or those which by reason of course of the world, esteem the things to come like unto the present, and are hindered through all manner of importunities of this their time, so that they live no otherwise in the world, than blinde fools, who can, in the clear Sun-shine days, discern and know nothing than only by feeling. Now concerning the first part, we hold this, that the Meditations, knowledge and inventions of our loving Christian Father (of all that, which from the beginning of the world, Man's Wisdom, either through God's revelation, or through the service of the Angels and spirits, or through the sharpness and deepness of understanding, or through long observation, use and experience, hath found out, invented, brought forth, corrected, and till now hath been propagated and transplanted) are so excellent, worthy and great, that if all books should perish, and by God Almighty's sufrance, all writings, and all learning should be lost, yet the posterity will be able only thereby to lay a new foundation, and bring truth to light again; the which perhaps would not be so hard to do as if one should begin to pull down and destroy the old ruinous building, and begin to enlarge the fore Court, afterwards bring the lights in the Lodgings, and then change the doors, staples and other things according to our intention. But to whom would this not be acceptable, for to be manifested to every one rather than to have it kept and spared, as an especial ornament for the appointed time to come. Wherefore should we not with all our hearts rest and remain in the only truth (which men through so many erroneous and crooked ways do seek) if it had only pleased God to lighten unto us the sixth Candelabrum, were it not good that we needed not to care, not to fear hunger, poverty, sickness and age. Were it not a precious thing that you could always live so, as if you had lived from the beginning of the world, and moreover as you should still live to the end therof. Were it not excellent, you dwell in one place, that neither the people which dwell beyond the River Ganges in the Indies could hide anything, nor those which live in Peru might be able to keep secret their counsels from thee. Were it not a precious thing that you could so read in one only book, and withal by reading understand and remember all that, which in all other books (which heretofore have been, and are now and hereafter shall come out) hath been, is, and shall be learned, and found out of them. How pleasant were it that you could so sing, that instead of stony rocks you could draw to thee pearls and precious stones, instead of wilde beasts, spirits, and instead of hellish Pluto, move the mighty Princes of the world. O ye people, God's counsel is far otherwise, who hath concluded now to increase and enlarge the number of our Fraternity, the which we with such joy have undertaken as we have heretofore obtained this great treasure without our merits, yea without any our hopes and thoughts, and purpose with the like fidelity to put the same in practice, that neither the compassion nor pity of our own children (which some of us in the Fraternity have) shall draw us from it, because we know that these unhoped for goods cannot be inherited, nor by chance be obtained. If there be somebody now which on the other side will complain of our discretion, that we offer our Treasures so freely, and without any difference to all men, and do not rather regard and respect more the godly, learned, wise, or princely persons than the common people; those we do not contradict, seeing it is not a slight and easie matter; but without we signify so much, that our Arcana or Secrets will no ways be common, and generally made known. Although the Fama be set forth in five languages, and is manifested to every one, yet we do partly very well know that, the unlearned and gross wits will not receive nor regard the same; as also the worthiness of those who shall be accepted into our Fraternity are not esteemed and known of us by Man's carefulness, but by the Rule of our Revelation and Manifestation. Wherefore if the unworthy cry and call a thousand times, or if they offer and present themselves to us a thousand times, yet God hath commanded our ears, that they should hear none of them: yea, God hath so compassed us about with his Clouds, that unto us his servants, no violence or force can be done or committed; wherefore we neither can be seen or known by any body, except he had the eyes of an Eagle. It hath been necessary the Fama should be set forth in every ones Mother Tongue, because those should not be defrauded of the knowledge thereof, whom (although they be unlearned) God hath not excluded from the happiness of this Fraternity, the which shall be divided and parted with certain degrees; as those which dwell in the city Damcar in Arabia, who have a far different politick order from the other Arabians. For there they do govern only wise men, who by the King's permission make particular Laws; according unto which example, also the Government shall be instituted in Europe (whereof we have a description set down by our Christianly Father) when first is done and come to pass that which is to precede. And thenceforth our Trumpet shall publiquely sound with a loud sound, and great noise, when namely the same (which at this present is showed by few, and is secretly, as a thing to come, declared in Figures and Pictures) shall be free and publiquely proclaimed, and the whole world be filled withall. Even in such manner as heretofore, many godly people have secretly and altogether desperately pusht at the Pope's Tyranny, which afterwards, with great earnest, and especial zeal in Germany, was thrown from his seat and trodden under foot, whose final fall is delayed, and kept for our times, when he also shall be scratched in pieces with nails, and an end be made of his Asses cry, by a new voyce: the which we know is already reasurably manifest and known to many learned men in Germany, as their writings and secret congratulations do sufficiently witness the same. We could here relate and declare what all the time from the year of our Lord, 1378 (in which year our Christian Father was born) till now, hath happened, where we might rehearse what alterations he hath seen in the world these one hundred and six years of his life, which he hath left to our Brethren and us after his decease to peruse. But brevity, which we do observe, will not permit at this present to make rehearsal of it, till a more fit time; at this time it is enough for those which do not despise our declaration, having therefore briefly touched it, thereby to prepare the way for their acquaintance and friendship with us. Yea, to whom it is permitted, that he may, and for his instruction use those great Letters and Characters which the Lord God hath written and imprinted in Heaven and Earth's Edifice, through the alteration of Government, which hath been from time to time altered and renewed; the same is already (although as yet unknown to himself) ours: and as we know he will not despise our inviting and calling, so, none shall fear any deceit, for we promise and openly say, that no man's uprightness and hopes shall deceive him, whosoever shall make himself known unto us under the Seal of Secrecy, and desire our Fraternity. But to the false Hypocrites, and to those that seek other things than Wisdom, we say and witness by these presents publickly, we cannot be made known and be betrayed unto them, and much less they shall be able to hurt us any manner of way without the Will of God; but they shall certainly be partakers of all the punishment spoken of in our Fama; so their wicked counsels shall light upon themselves, and our Treasures shall remain untouched, until the Lion doth come, who will ask them for his use, and employ them for the Confirmation and Establishment of his kingdom. We ought therefore here to observe well, and make it known unto every one, that God hath certainly and most assuredly concluded to send and grant to the world before her end, which presently thereupon shall ensue, such a Truth, Light, Life, and Glory, as the first Adam had, which he lost in Paradise, after the which his successors were put, and driven with him to misery, wherefore there shall cease all servitude, falsehood, lyes, and darkness, which by little and little with the great World's Revolution, was crept into all Arts, Works and Governments of Men, and have darkened the most part of them. For from thence are proceeded an innumerable sort of all manner of false opinions and heresies, that scarce the wisest of all was able to know whose Doctrine and Opinion he should follow and embrace, and could not well and easily be discerned, seeing on the one part they were detained, hindered, and brought into Errors through the respect of the Philosophers and learned men, and on the other part through true experience. All the which when it shall once be abolished and removed, and instead thereof a right and true Rule instituted, then there will remain thanks unto them which have taken pains therein, but the Work itself shall be attributed to the Blessedness of our Age. As we now willingly confess, that many principal men by their Writings will be a great furtherance unto this Reformation which is to come; so we desire not to have this honour ascribed to us, as if such work were only commanded and imposed upon us; but we confess, and witness openly with the Lord Jesus Christ, that it shall first happen that the stones shall arise, and offer their service before there shall be any want of Executors and Accomplishers of God's Counsel: yea, the Lord God hath already sent before certain Messengers, which should testifie his Will, to wit, some new Stars, which do appear and are seen in the Firmament in Serpentario and Cygno, which signifie and give themselves known to every one that they are powerful Signacula of great mighty matters. So then, the secret hid Writings and Characters are most necessary for all such things which are found out by men, although that great Book of Nature stand open to all men, yet there are but few that can read and understand the same. For as there is given to man two instruments to hear, likewise two to see, and two to smell, but only one to speak, and it were but vain to expect speech from the ears, or hearing from the eyes: so there hath been Ages or Times which have seen, there have also been Ages that have heard, smelt and tasted: now there remains that which in short time, honour shall be likewise given to the Tongue, and by the same, what before times hath been seen, heard, and smelt, now finally shall be spoken, and uttered forth, viz., when the World shall awake out of her heavy and drowsie sleep, and with an open heart, bare-head and bare-foot, shall merrily and joyfully meet the now arising Sun. These Characters and Letters, as God hath here and there incorporated them in the holy Scripture and the Bible, so hath he imprinted them most apparently into the wonderful Creation of Heaven and Earth, yea, in all Beasts. So that like as the Mathematician or Astronomer can long before see and know the Eclipses which are to come, so we may verily foreknow and foresee the darkness of Obscurations of the Church, and how long they shall last, from the which characters or letters we have borrowed our Magick writing, and have found out, and made a new language for ourselves, in the which withall is expressed and declared the nature of all things, so that is no wonder that we are not so eloquent in other languages, the which we know that they are altogether disagreeing to the languages of our forefathers, Adam and Enoch, and were through the Babylonical Confusion wholly hidden. But we must also let you understand, that there are yet some Eagle's Feathers in our way, the which do hinder our purpose. Wherefore we do admonish every one for to read diligently and continually the holy Bible; for he that taketh all his pleasures therein, he shall know that he prepared for himself an excellent way to come into our Fraternity; for as this is the whole sum and content of our Rule, that every letter or character which is in the world ought to be learned and regarded well; so those are like unto us, and are very near allied unto us, who do make the holy Bible a Rule of their life, and an aim and end of all their studies; yea, to let it be a compendium and content of the whole world, and not only to have it continually in the mouth, but to know how to apply and direct the true understanding of it to all times and ages of the world. Also it is not our custom to prostitute and make so common the holy Scriptures, for there are innumerable expounders of the same, some alledging and wresting it to serve for their opinion, some to scandal it, and most wickedly do liken it to a Nose of Wax which alike should serve the Divines, Philosophers, Physicians and Mathematicians, against all the which we do openly witness and acknowledge, that from the beginning of the World there hath not been given unto men a more worthy, a more excellent, and a more admirable and wholesome Book than the holy Bible. Blessed is he that hath the same, yea, more blessed is he who reads it diligently, but most blessed of all is he that truly understandeth the same, for he is most like to God, and doth come most near to Him. But whatsoever hath been said in the Fama concerning the Deceivers against the transmutation of Metals, and the highest Medicine in the world, the same is thus to be understood, that this so great gift of God we do in no manner set at naught or despise it. But because she bringeth not with her always the knowledge of Nature, but this bringeth forth not only Medicine, but also maketh manifest and open unto us innumerable secrets and wonders; therefore it is requisite that we be earnest to attain to the understanding and knowledge of Philosophy. And moreover, excellent Wits ought not to be drawn to the Tincture of Metals, before they be exercised well in the knowledge of Nature. He must needs be an unsatiable Creature, who is come so far that neither poverty nor sickness can hurt him; yea, who is exalted above other men, and hath Rule over that, the which doth anguish, trouble and pain others, yet will give himself again to idle things, as to build houses, make wars, and use all manner of pride, because he hath of Gold and Silver infinite store. God is far otherwise pleased, for he exalteth the lowly, and putteth down the proud with disdain; to those which are of few words he sendeth his holy Angel to speak with them, but the unclean Babblers he driveth in the wilderness and solitary places; the which is the right Reward of the Romish Seducers, who have vomitted forth their blasphemies against Christ, and as yet do not abstain from their lies in this clear Shining Light: in Germany all their abominations and detestable Tricks have been disclosed, that thereby he may fully fulfil the measure of sin, and draw near to the end of his punishment. Therefore one day it will come to pass that the mouth of those Vipers will be stopped, and the three double horns will be brought to nought, as thereof at our Meeting shall more plain and at large be discoursed. In Conclusion of our Confession, we must earnestly admonish you, that you put away, if not all, yet the most books, written by false Alchemists, who do think it but a jest or a pastime, when they either misuse the holy Trinity, when they do apply it to vain things, or deceive the people with most strange figures and dark sentences and speeches, and cozen the simpliest of their money; as there are now-a-days too many such books set forth, which the enemy of Man's Welfare doth daily, and will to the end, mingle among the good seed, thereby to make the Truth more difficult to be believed, which in herself is simple, easie and naked; but certainly falsehood is proud, haughty, and coloured with a kind of lustre of seeming godly and of humane wisdom. Ye that are wise, eschew such books, and turn unto us, who seek not your moneys but offer unto you most willingly our great Treasures. We hunt not after your Goods with invented lying Tinctures, but desire to make you Partakers of our Goods: we speak unto you by Parables, but would willingly bring you to the right, simple, easie, and ingenuous Exposition, Understanding, Declaration and Knowledge, of all Secrets. We desire not to be received of you, but invite you unto our more than Kingly Houses and Palaces, and that verily not by our own proper motion, but (that you likewise may know it) as forced unto it, by the Instigation of the Spirit of God, by his Admonition, and by the Occasion of this present time. What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you now understand and know, that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict ourselves to the true Philosophy, lead a Christian life, and dayly call, intreat, and invite many more unto our Fraternity, unto whom the same Light of God likewise appeareth. Consider you not at length how you might begin with us, not only by pondering the Gifts which are in you, and by experience which you have in the Word of God beside the careful Consideration of the Imperfection of all Arts, and many other unfitting things, to seek for an amendment therein; to appease God, and to accommodate you for the time wherein you live. Certainly if you will perform the same, this profit will follow, that all the Goods which Nature hath in all parts of the World wonderfully dispersed, shall at one time altogether be given unto you, and shall easily disburden you of all that which obscureth the understanding of Man, and hindereth the working thereof, like unto the vain Epicides, and Excentrick Astronomical Circles. But those Pragmatical and busieheaded men, who either are blinded with the glistering of Gold, or (to say more truly) who are now honest, but by thinking such great Riches should never fail, might easily be corrupted, and brought to Idleness, and to riotous proud living; those we do desire that they would not trouble us with their idle and vain crying. But let them think, that although there be a Medicine to be had which might fully cure all Diseases, nevertheless those whom God hath destinated to plague with diseases, and to keep them under the Rod of Correction, such shall never obtain any such Medicine. Even in such manner, although we might enrich the whole World, and endue them with Learning, and might release it from innumerable miseries, yet shall we never be manifested and made known unto any man, without the especial pleasure of God; yea, it shall be so far from him whosoever thinks to get the benefit, and be Partaker of our Riches and Knowledge, without and against the Will of God, that he shall sooner lose his life in seeking and searching for us, than to find us, and attain to come to the wished Happiness of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross. CHAPTER V. _John Heydon and the Rosicrucians._ As we have frequently to mention works of that "extraordinary Royalist, mystic and geomancer," John Heydon, who wrote so much respecting the Rosie Crucian Mysteries, and so loudly extolled the praises of the disciples, it will be advisable to present a sketch of his life as made by one Frederick Talbot, in the years 1662 and 1663, and attached to "Elhavareuna," or the "English Physitian's Tutor." He says John Heydon is not basely, but nobly descended. The Antiquaries derive them (his parents) from Julius Heydon the King of Hungary and Westphalia, that were descended from that Noble family of Cæsar Heydon in Rome; and since in this Royal Race the line run down to the Honourable Sir Christopher Heydon, and Sir William Heydon, his brother of Heydon, neer Norwich; who married into Devonshire. Here the family flourished divers waies, to Sir John Heydon, late Lord Lieutenant of the King's Tower of London. And this Sir William Heydon had one sonne christened also William, and had two sons William and Francis, both born in Devon, at Poltimore House; Francis married one of the Noble Chandlers in Worcestershire of the Mother's side, which line spread by Marriage into Devonshire, among the Collins, Ducks, Drues and Bears, he had one Sister named Anne Heydon, who died two years since, his Father and Mother being yet living. He was born at his Father's house in Green-Arbour, London (his father having bestowed £1,500 upon those houses) and was baptised at St. Sepulchre's, and so was his Sister, and both in the fifth and seventh year of the Reign of King Charles the First; he was educated in Warwickshire among his mother's friends, and so careful were they to keep him and his sister from danger, and to their books, that he had one continually to wait upon him, both to school and at home, and so had his sister. He was commended by Mr. John Dennis, his Tutor in Tardebick, to Mr. George Linacre, Priest of Coughton, where he learned the Latin and Greek Tongues; the war at this time began to molest the Universities of this Nation, he was articled to Mr. Mic. Petley, an Attorney of Clifford Inne, with eighty pounds, that at five years' end he should be sworn an Attorney; now being very young he applied his mind to learning, and by his happy wit attained great knowledge in all arts and sciences, afterwards also he followed the Armies of the King, and for his valour commanded in the troops, when he was by these means famous for learning and arms, he travelled into Spain, Italy, Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, etc., and gave his mind to writing, and composed about seventeen years since, the Temple of Wisdom in three Books, The Holy Guide in six Books, Elhavareuna in one Book, Ocia Imperialia in one Book, the Idea of the Law, the Idea of Government, the Idea of Tyranny in three parts, the Fundamental Elements of Moral Philosophy, Policy, Government and War, etc. These Books were written near seventeen years since, and preserved by the good hand of God in the custody of Mr. Thomas Heydon, Sir John Hanner, Sir Ralph Freman, and Sir Richard Temple; during the tyrant's time first one had the Books, then another, etc. And at last at the desire of these Noble, Learned and valiant Knights, and in honour of his Highness the Duke of Buckingham, they were printed. He wrote many excellent things, and performed many rare experiments in the Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, etc., but especially eighty one, the first upon the King's death, predicted in Arabia by him to his friends, the second upon the losses of the King at Worcester, predicted at Thauris in Persia. Thirdly he predicted the death of Oliver Cromwell in Lambeth House to many persons of honour mentioned in his books. Fourthly he wrote of the overthrow of Lambert, and of the Duke of Albymarle, his bringing again of the King to his happy countries, and gave it to Major Christopher Berkenhead, a Goldsmith at the Anchor by Fetter Lane end in Holborn; the fifth precaution or prediction he gave to his highness the Duke of Buckingham, two months before the evil was practised, and his enemy Abraham Goodman lies now in the Tower for attempting the death of the noble Prince. The sixth for Count Gramont when he was banished into England by the King of France, and he predicted by the Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, the King's receiving again into favour, and of his marriage to the Lady Hamilton. The seventh for Duke Minulaus, a peer of Germany, that the Emperor sent to him, when the Turk, had an army against him, and of the death of the Pope; the rest are in his books, and therefore by these monuments the name of Heydon for his variety of learning was famous not only in England, but also in many other nations into which his books are translated. This John Heydon, fears none, contemneth none, is ignorant of none, rejoyceth in none, grieves at none, laughs at none, is angry with none, but being himself a Philosopher, he hath taught the way to happiness, the way to long life, the way to health, the way to wane young being old, and the way to resolve all manner of Questions, Present and to Come, by the Rules of Astromancy and Geomancy, and how to raise the Dead. There be many John Heydons, one John Heydon the divine and priest of Jesus Christ, this is a Philosopher and Lawyer, stiled a Servant of God and Secretary of Nature, and to this the Princes and Peers not only of England, but of Spain, Italy, France and Germany send dayly to him, and upon every occasion he sheweth strong parts and a vigorous brain; his wishes and aimes, and what he pointeth at, speaketh him owner of a noble and generous heart; this gentleman's excellent books are admired by the world of lettered men, as the prodigy of these latter times (indeed his works before mentioned, if I am able to judge anything) are full of the profoundest learning I ever met withall: and I believe, who hath well-read and digested them will perswade himself, there is no truth too abstruse, nor hitherto conceived out of our reach, and if any should question my judgement, they may read the commendations of both the Universities, Oxford and Cambridge, besides the learned Thomas White and Thomas Revell, Esq., both famous in Rome and other parts beyond sea, that have highly honoured this gentleman in their books; yet he hath suffered many misfortunes, his fathered was sequestered, imprisoned, and lost two thousand pounds by Cromwell. This Oliver imprisoned this son also two year and half, or thereabout, in Lambeth House, for he and his father's family were always for the King, and endeavoured to the utmost his restoration; and indeed the tyrant was cruel to him, but John Thurloe, his Secretary, was kind to him and pittied his curious youth. And the messenger kept him (at his request) at his own house, and gave him leave to go abroad, but yet being zealous and active for the King, he was again taken and clapt up in Lambeth House; in these misfortunes it cost him a £1,000 and upwards; after this some envious villains forged actions of debt against him, and put him in prison. It seems at the beginning of these misfortunes, a certain harlot would have him to marry her, but denying her suit, for he had never spoken to her in his life good or evil until then; she devised now with her confederates abundance of mischief against him. And many courted him to marry, but he denyed. Now there was left (amongt a few old Almanacks and scraps of other men's wit) collected and bequeathed unto the world by Nic. Culpe (as his own admired experience) old Alice Culpeper, his widow. She hearing this gentleman (that he was heir to a great estate after the death of his father, and after the death of his uncle, £1,000 a year, but whether this uncle be of the father's or the mother's side I know not, but the estate is sure his at their death), courts him by letters of love, to no purpose; the next saint in order was she that calls herself the German Princess. But he flies high and scorns such fowl great beasts, the first of these two blessed birds in her life time caused one Heath to arrest him, and another laid actions against him that he never knew nor heard of. In this perplexity was he imprisoned two years, for they did desire nothing but to get money, or destroy him, for fear if ever he got his liberty he might then punish them. He being of a noble nature forgave them all their malice and devices against him, and scorns to revenge himself such upon pittiful things. God indeed hath done him the justice, for this Heath consumes to worse than nothing, and indeed, if I can judge or predict anything his baudy-houses will be pawned, and he will dye a miserable diseased beggar. His mistress, when he was very young and a clerke, desired him to lay with her, but he like Joseph refusing, she hated him all her life. God preserved him from their malice, although one of these three lewd women swore this gentleman practised the art of Magic; she told Oliver Cromwell she saw familiar spirits come and go to him in the shape of Conies, and her maid swore she had often seen them in his chambers when he was abroad, and sometimes walking upon the housetop in moonshine nights, and sometimes to vanish away into a wall or Aire, but when asked she could not tell what manner of man he was. So these stories were not credited, and for all these and many more afflictions and false accusations, I never saw him angry, nor did he even arrest or imprison any man or woman in all his life. He was falsely accused but lately of writing a seditious book and imprisoned in a messenger's custody, but his noble friend the Duke of Buckingham finding him innocent and alwaies for the king, he was then discharged, and indeed this glorious Duke is a very good and just judge and noble, for he forgave Abraham Godman that came to kill him with his sword drawn, the Duke with his plate and napkin (for he was at supper) takes away his sword, saying, I can kill thee, but I scorn it, and a little after he pardoned him. And so mercifull he is that after he had taken the Quakers prisoners in Yorkshire, he used so many wise convincing arguments that they submitted to the King; of which the Duke was glad, and saved all their lives; he studies the way to preserve his king and country in peace, plenty, and prosperity. It is a pity the King hath not many more such brave men as he, a thousand such wise Dukes as this (like marshell'd thunder, back'd with flames of fire) would make all the enemies of the King and Christendome quake, and the Turk fly before such great generals, in all submission; we humbly pray for this great Prince, and leave him to his pleasure and return to our subject. John Heydon is not of that vain and presumptuous nature as the Taylors that despised all Artists, even Appolonius, More, Vaughan, and Smith, etc. And yet they cannot read these, and many other learned authors, they so impudently abuse, rob of their learning, and convert other men's parts to their own profit. He lent one ten pounds gold, he in requital or return speaks ill of him, and pretends to know many admirable rules of Geomancy, and impertinently addes them to Nativities, and applyes them to all manner of questions in Astromancy, but his books being written so long since, viz., seventeen years by himself, their greediness of great matters is discovered, and we now know them to be neither scholars nor gentlemen, these hang up clouts with--here are Nativities calculated, questions resolved, and all the parts of Astrology taught by us.... In threepence, fourpence, sixpence, or higher if you please--thus are young apprentices, old women, and wenches abused, and that they may be found for money, tell us the twelve houses of heaven in the sign of a coat of arms are to be let, when they might indeed set bills upon their brazen foreheads, engraven thus: Here are Rooms to be let unfurnished, but our Author regards not these men; all their scandals, forgeries, and villainous devises they contrive against him, he slights and scorns, and hath purposely forsaken Spittle Fields and his lodging there, to live a private life, free from the concourse of multitudes of people that daily followed after him, but if any desire to be advised, let them by way of letter leave their business at his booksellers, and they shall have answer and counsel without reward, for he is neither envious, nor enemie to any man; what I write is upon my own knowledge. He now writes from Hermenpolis, a place I was never at; it seems by the word to be the city of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange places, among the Rosie Crucians, and at their Castles, Holy Houses, Temples, Sepulchres, Sacrifices. This gentleman hath suffered much by his own discreet silence and solitude. Every Nativity Hawker condemns the Rosie Crucians because they appear not to the world, and concludes there is no such society because he is not a member of it, and Mr. Heydon will not come upon the stage (let his enemies write or speak what they will) when any fool cries enter, neither doth he regard every dog that barks at him. All the world knows this gentleman studys honourable and honest things, and faithfully communicates them to others, yet if any traduce him hereafter, they must not expect his vindication, he hath referred his quarrel to the God of Nature, it is involved in the concernments of his Truths and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience; he hath been misinterpreted in his writing, with studied calumnies, they disparage a person whom they never saw, nor perhaps will see, he is resolved for the future to suffer, for he says God condemns no man for his patience, the world indeed may think the truth overthrown, because she is attended with his peace for in the judgment of most men, there is no victory, this he looks upon as no disadvantage, the estimate of such censures will but lighten the scales, and I don't suppose them very weak brains who conceive the truth sinks because it outweighs them; as for tempestuous outcrys when they want their motives they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath more of the Hurrey-cano than of Christ Jesus, God was not in the wind that rent the rocks in pieces, nor in the earthquake and fire at Horeb. He was in Aura tenui, in the still small voice. His enemies are forced to praise his vertues and his friends are sorry he hath not 10,000 pounds a year, he doth not resent the common spleen, who writs the truth of God hath the same Patron with the truth itself, and when the world shall submit to the general Tribunal, he will find his Advocate where they shall find their Judge, there is mutual testimony between God and his servants, or nature and her Secretary; if the Baptist did bear witness of Christ, Christ did also much for the Baptist; he was a burning and shining light; when I writ this gentleman's life God can bear me witness it was unknown to him, and for no private ends, but I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the Mistery and Majesty of Nature, written by this servant of God and Secretary of Nature; I began his life some years since, and do set it down as I do finde it, if any man oppose this, I shall answer, if you are for peace, peace be with you, if you are for War, I have been so too (Mr. Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King command him). Now let not him that puts on the Armour boast like him that puts it off. 'Gaudet patientia duris' is his Motto, and thus I present myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man.   FREDERICK TALBOT, ESQ.   _March 3, 1662._ What was thought of John Heydon and what he appeared to think of himself may be learned from the somewhat gushing testimonials he appended to several of his books. At the commencement of the Axiomata we have the following:-- "To his most ingeniously accomplish'd friend, Mr. John Heydon, on his Rosie Crucian Infallible Axomata, the excellent and secret use of Numbers."   "Now let the Pope no more pretend to bee,   The Father of Infallibility;   Unless he can great Heyden's Numbers teach,   And nimbly to his Axiomata reach.       One learned Heydon, with his Art-like Pen,   Hath exercised so the Brains of Men;   That how to answer him this very Age   Knows not [I'm sure] with all its Wit and Rage.   Our Author here, as Heir unto his skill,   Hath kept his name up (with a pregnant Quill)   So happily! that Ages yet to come,   Shall sing his fame in this Eulogium;       While Numbers sing the World's glad Harmony,       This worthy work shall teach Philosophy."   J. GADBURY. Again in the same work. "To his much honoured friend the Author Mr. John Heydon upon the Rosie Crucian Infallible Axiomata."   "Pythag'ras redivivus, go thy ways   Into the world: and number out thy praise;   Laconian Lads esteem yourself no more,   Who Numbers rich is, who esteems is poor,   For they esteem themselves, because no more.   Moses in Miracles did exceed 'tis true   By Numbers done; only found out by you   Therefore the greatest Miracle's your due.   Tria sunt omnia shall no more surpass,   Who's but for simple Numbers is an Asse,   Thy compound Numbers shew as clear as Glass.   That the wide world this piece shall so extoll   As swears no soul, if not Harmonic all   For never was piece i' the world so exactly done,   In the time past, or present, what's to come,   Then teeming Soul give thy Pen intermission,   And breathe a while before the next Edition."   JOHN FYGE,   _Minister of the Gospell._ Again:--   "O Comprehensive Magus, praise attends   Thy worthy work, to that each number tends,   Sith to the Holy Cross thou art the Crown;   And that, which Nature did at first set down   In Hieroglyphicks, that she might conceal   From Sons of earth, her Darling doth reveal   Unto the Sons of Art and doth unfold   Those Tomes of Crypicks that before were rold;   Axioms infallible, thou dost us shew,   Would Pyrrho make his doubting Trade forego;   Philosophy may by thy Method be   Courted, and won by men of low degree,   When fancy tells me this cannot be done,   My Reason prompts me to believe a Son,   Inspired by the Rosie Crucian Spirit,   Is Heir to more, to whom I do refer it.   THOMAS FYGE."   "Hayl you (admired Heydon) whose great parts   Shine above envy; and the common Arts,   You kin to Angels, and Superiour Lights,   (A spark of the first fire) whose Eagle flights   Trade not with Earth, and grossness, but do pass   To the pure Heavens, and make your God your Glass,   In whom you see all forms, and so do give   These rare discov'ries, how things move and live,   Proceed to make your great designs compleat,   And let not this rude world our hopes defeat.   Oh let me but by this the dawning light   Which streams upon me through your three pil'd night,   Pass to the East of truth, 'till I may see   Man's first fair state; when sage Simplicity   The Dove and Serpent, Innocent and Wise   Dwell in his brest, and he in Paradise.   These from the Tree of knowledge his best boughs   I'le pluck a Garland from this Author's brows,   Which to succeeding times Fame shall bequeath,   With this most just Applause, Great Heyden's wreath.   FRED. TALBOT, _Esquire_." In the opening pages of the "Holy Guide," we find the following:--   "Renowned Eugenius! Famous above all!   A Prince in Physiques! Most Seraphicall!   The Art's Great Archer! Never shooting wide;   Yet Hitt'st the White best, in thy Holy Guide.   Good God! What Pains have learn'd Physitians   For cleansing Physiques [strange perturbed] Brook?   But as their crooked labours did destroy   Our hopes, Thy Guide directs the Ready Way.   Hippocrates, Great Galen, and Senertus,   Rhenvoleus, Paracelsus, and Albertus,   Grave Gerrard, and Ingenious Parkinson,   Dead Culpeper, and living Thomlinson,   Have all done well. But ah! they miss the Road,   Thou Chalked out, Thou Dear Servant of God;   And therefore 'tis no wonder, if they vary   From thee; Great Nature (High born) Secretary!   'Tis thou alone, hast taught the way to bliss:   'Tis thou alone, that knowest what it is:   'Tis thou hast raked fruitful Egypt o'er   For Medicines; and Italy for more;   And in Arabia thy collecting Braines,   To doe us good, hath taken wondrous Paines   This having done, if Critiques will not bow   To thy Great Learning Petra scandalou,   It shall unto them surely prove: And this   Essay of thy Sublimer Misteryes,   Shall make them sure unto the Wise Minerva   Yet still be ignorant of thy Pantarva.     But hold! Where am I? Sure th' hast set a spell   On me, cause I can't praise thy doings well:   Release me, Good Eugenius! and the Crowne   Shall stand on no browes but thy learned Owne.   Poets, no more lay Claime unto the Bayes!   'Tis Heydon shines alone with splendid Rayes!   Follow his Guide, he teaches you most sure;   Let any make the Wound; 'Tis he must cure.   For he directs the Welgrowne; Old, and Young,   To live Rich, Happy, Healthy, Noble, Strong.   JOHN GADBURY." "To the Reader on the behalf of my much honoured Friend the Author Mr. John Heydon."   "A Labyrinth doth need a clew to find   The passage out, and a Dædalian mind   May doe strange works, beyond the Vulgar's reach,   And in their understandings make a breach.   It's often seene, when men of pregnant parts   Study, Invent, and promulgate rare Arts,   Or unknown secrets, now they puzzle those   That understand them not; their Yea's, their No's,   Are put to Non-plus; Tutors then they lack   To drive them forward, or to bring them back.   How many learned men (in former ages)   In all the sciences were counted Sages?   And yet are scarcely understood by men,   Who daily read them o're and o're again!   Some can recount things past, and present some,   And some would know of things that are to come.   Some study pleasure, some would faine live long;   Some that are old, would faine again be young.   This Man doth toyle, and moile, to purchase wealth,   That man gets sickness studying for his health;   This man would happy bee, that Wisdom have;   All are at loss, and every man doth crave;   None is content, But each man wants a Guide   Them to direct when they do step aside.   Since this is thus, Our Author hath took paine   To lead us in, and bring us out again;   Now who is pleas'd in him for to confide   In these Discoveries, Here's his Holy Guide.   Pray what can more improve the Commonwealth,   Than the discovery of the way to Health?   The Paradox is made a certain truth,   An Ancient man may dye it 'h prime of 's youth.   What wonder is it if he goe aside   The Path, which will not take the Holy Guide!   JOHN BOOKER." "To his Ingenuous Friend Mr. John Heydon, on his Book Intituled The Holy Guide."   "The Antient Magi, Druids, Cabbalists,   The Brachmans, Sybils, and Gymnosophists   With all that Occult Arts haberdash   And make so many mancies, doe but trash   By retaile vend, and may for Pedlars goe:   Your richer merchandise doth make them soe.   The Stagarite must with his Murnival   Of Elements, Galen of Humours call   In all their suit, or your new Art,   Without them, makes their good old cause to smart.   Vulgar Physitians cannot look for more   Patients, then such which doe need hellibore:   When Rosie Crucian Power can revive   The dead, and keep old men in youth alive.   Had you not call'd your work the Holy Guide,   It would have puzzled all the world beside   To have Baptized it with a name so fit   And Adæquate to what's contain'd in it;   Should it be styled the Encyclopædy   Of Curious Arts, or term'd a Mystery   In folio, or be named the Vatican   Reduc'd unto an Enchiridion,   Or all the Hermæ in a Senary,   The Urim and Thummim of Philosophy,   The Art of Hieroglyphicks so revealed   And like the Apocalyps they are conceal'd   Or th' Orthodoxall Parodox, or all   Discover'd, which men still a wonder call;   Or th' Magna Charta of all Sciences,   And he that names it cannot call it less,   The Book and Title might have well agreed;   Yet men have questioned if into their Creed   They should have put your Article, but Now   The name of holy none dare disallow   When so much learning doth in one exist   Heydon, not Hermes, shall be Trismegist.   And if the Right Reverend of Levi's Tribe   Do Hallow it, I cannot but subscribe.   Myself your Friend and Servant,   THOS. FYGE." "Now there are," says John Heydon, "a kind of men as they themselves report, named Rosie Crucians; a divine Fraternity that inhabite the suburbs of Heaven, and these are the Officers of the Generalissimo of the world, that are as the eyes and eares of the great King, seeing and hearing all things; they say these R. C. are seraphically illuminated, as Moses was, according to this Order of the Elements; Earth refyn'd to Water, Water to Air, Air to Fire. So if a man be one of the Heroes, of a Heros, a Damon, or good Genius, if a Genius, a partaker of divine things, and a Companion of the holy Company of unbodied Souls and immortall Angells, and according to their vehicles, a versatile life, turning themselves Proteus-like into any shape.