Friday 1 Novemb. 1588. Mane At Breame.

True & Faithful Relation: Liber Peregrinationis excerpts

LIBER PEREGRINATIONIS

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D. Albeit we were willed (O Lord) to Cease: yet understanding the same warning to have been meant for Enquiring of thy Mysteries and secret Determinations, wherein we intend now not to deal, but in matters before and last moved, and wherein we were not fully satisfied; that now we may more expressly be certified, and that is of three things. First for Vincent Seve. Secondly for Edmond Hilton, gone with the Ship toward Dansk. And Thirdly, as concerning help for money for the Lord Alb. Laskie. And herein we crave either the ministery of Jubanlaech, or of Il, or whom soever else it shall please thy Majesty to send. E.K. A man with a black Gown appeareth with a Cap, falling in his neck, with a big Book under his arme. D. It should seem to be Aphlasben, my good Angel. E.K. He hath a white Robe under the black Gown, which goeth all [p. 44] under his Gown, trailing behind him; but, the white Robe traileth not; his Gown hangeth on him, as though it were falling off his shoulders behind. D. In the Name of Jesus, the King of Glory, are not you Aphlafben my good Angel, by the mercy and power of God, so assigned? E.K. He looketh very anciently....... Impire, Most high Glory, and thanks, throughout all Creatures, be unto thee (O eternal God) first... Secondly redeeming, and Thirdly sanctifying the World in his Creation, Now, and for ever: And as long as it shall be said Osanna in the Quire of the High God.... Amen. D...... Amen...... Amen...... Amen...... Manifold are the Mercies of God towards man, whose basenesse deserveth no such grace and most unspeakable blessing: But such is God; what he justifieth himself, in the strength of his mercy, and heveth his honour with his own holinesse. For what is man, that can justifie himself? or that hath any thing, wherein his bowels can rejoyce? Wherein can he determine happinesse to himself? Or how can he compare himself with the trees that are fruitful? If the life of man be sin, then it is hateful. But who is he that hateth it? But even he which is above, and is farthest from iniquity. Great, therefore (O man) are thy miseries, when naturally thou art, and lovest to be hated of God, whose service is Justice, and whose delight Peace. Consider therefore the Mercies of God, through his loving kindnesse towards thy weaknesse: And acknowledge his Power which maketh those strong which have no force of themselves. Gather not up your own inventions; But be faithful servants, performing the will of him which sanctifieth you with obedience: for of dust you are become flesh, and of flesh the servants of sin; that at length you might be made free, through your own consents in the mercies of him which hath entred into your weaknesse, and weighed out his blood for your Redemption: Even he which hath payed the uttermost penny of your Ransome. And why? Not to the intent you should brag of your selves. But hath charged in condition you should maintain justice into the works of Righteousnesse. Unto whom is Heaven a seat? but unto such as are faithful servants: Wherein the Dignity of your Master is known, of whom it is said, Blessed are those that serve the God of Hosts. If any thing, now, happen unto you, that is the riches of your Master, Be thankful for it, and consider his liberalitie: And how much the more he openeth his Treasures to you, Be so much the more thankful; For unto such belongeth the ownership of more, and the reward of such as are ten times faithful. Happy are those to whom it is said, Thou good servant. Be no Gadders, for there is no house to the house of your Master. Take heed also, least you minister his bread, to such as are his enemies, and so, unworthy: for unto both these belongeth the reward of unfaithfulnesse. Be not high-minded, when you borrow your riches, lest the moths enter in and corrupt your garments: for Pride is the depth of sin.... Cease not to rebuke the dishonourers * as, o.... Neither maintain the honour of any other: For he that entertaineth you, hath sealed you for others, And hath strengthened you with Authority, the Rod of his Justice. Generally these things have been spoken unto you, and these Lessons are not yet to learn: But happy are those whom God sanctifieth; being unholy, And ten times blessed are the Temples wherein his Holinesse dwelleth. True it is as thou sayest: Generally men are sanctified, the people of the Earth through all Nations, mystically: through the mercies of God: But where the sanctification agreeth not with the thing sanctified, there entreth wickednesse. The Spirit of God is not sanctified in Hell, Neither is his holy Temple beautified with the feet of the unrighteous. It is written, Dogs honour not bread, neither defiled places things that are holy: For as Hell dishonoureth Heaven, in respect of unrighteousnesse: So, those that are wicked dishonour the vertuous, and such as are truely holy, by society: and they stink of their wickednesse. For it is written, And Satan went from the presence of the Lord, leaving a stink behind him. The light of the Sun is taken from the Earth, by the congealed cloud. The sins of the people, and filthinesse of places, are put between vertue and the things Sacramental. Therefore, it is not true, that thou mayest lawfully call upon the Name of God in unhallowed places. D. I crave pardon for my ignorance, and errour herein: But I required not to know of the heavenly Mysteries; Onely such things I demanded information of, which not onely were above humane power to answer, (and so might seem worldly mysteries:) but also the true good news of them, might, many ways, be comfort unto us and ours...... Behold in Israel, the rough stones are acceptable Altars, And the stinking Caves have been known unto the Lord. And why? Because the place was holy, neither this filthinesse here, nor of any thing else created, hindreth: But the filthinesse of the place and Country wherein they are defiled; for in pure places, the defiled are blessed. David sanctified Saul, with the presence of his Annointing, and his Harp spake out the wonders of the Lord. We come unto you here, because the will of God in you shineth: But the filthinesse of this Country obscureth the beauty of our message. Not that it is obscured in us, but hindered through wick...... from you. Therefore flee the company of Drunkards, and such as we...... their own understanding. [E.K. He holdeth up his face and hands to heaven-ward...... Drunkards and such as defile themselves are apt to know things worldly; not as wise men [p. 45] do: but that the World may be a plague to their iniquity. Thou desirest pardon, and calledst th... businesse a worldly mystery. But the mysteries of this world are put under the feet of the faithful: which (overseen through God) are generally comforted and directed. Then, therefore what care remaineth either of the Seas, or of the slimy Earth? where, on the one side, thou regardest the Ship, and on the other side Money. I say unto thee, God correcteth this world and the casualties thereof, lest those that are of thee, should blaspheme his name. D. Blessed be his holy Name, and his Power magnified for ever...... Thy goods are safe, And the Earth shall provide for you. Be not you careful; for unto the just, yea even the hairs of his head are numbred. I am silent for the World; for it is not my propriety: But notwithstanding ask, and thou shalt not be denyed. D. As concerning Vincent Seve, his state and being, we are very desirous to be informed. E.K. Vincent Seve appeareth here, going down by Charing Crosse. There is a tall fellow with a cut berd with him in a skie-coloured cloak. Vincent hath a great ruff: This man waiteth on him with a Sword. He is going down into Westminster Ward: He is now talking with a Gentleman on horseback, who hath five men following him, with Cape-cloaks short, and mustaches; And he on horse back is a 1ean viraged man with a short Cloak and a gilt Rapier; his horse hath a Velvet foot-cloth. E.K. In Vincent his forehead is written; Where power wanteth, rigor weakneth. E.K. Vincent laugheth heartily; and sheweth two broad teeth before. He holdeth a little stick within his fingers crooking. On his left hand he hath a skar of a cut, on the nether side of his hand. Vincent hath a pair of bootes on, which come straight on his legs, and very close. A great many boats appear at White-Hall. One is graffing in the Garden there. Many people are now coming out of Westminster Church. The Gentleman on horseback alighteth now, and goeth down toward the Court before Westminster Hall. He goeth now up a pair of stairs; and there standeth a fellow with a white staff. Vincent is gone in with him; The servant walketh without. The servant goeth to a Waterman there. The Waterman asketh him, whether that be he; that is the Poland Bishop? The servant asketh him, what hath he to do? Now the servant goeth from the Waterman. Now cometh one down the stairs, and saith to the Serving-man, that his Master shall be dispatched to morrow. The servant saith, He is glad of it; Now all that Shew is vanished away. Now come there two handsome men, they have Cloaks on their shoulders, and they have hats on like Tankard Crowns. One of these said, A...... I understand by the King, that he beareth him great favour. The other said, B...... But Kings when they become rich, wax Covetous. But do you think he will come this way? A...... Yea mary, if he be wise; for he shall find no better friendship than in Denmark. Here is the fellow, he hath brought a bag of Amber. E.K. He taketh the fellow by the shoulder, and saith; Come away. He hath been an old doer. E.K. Now they are gone, and that Shew. E.K. Now is the first man in the black Gown come again...... Thus you see, the World answereth for the World. Be merciful. Flee privy leakes; for the Devil is ready at every corner. Be Humble and Obedient. That receiving the reward of true servants, you may rejoyce as Enheritors of everlasting freedom; The reward of such as are faithful to the end. God grant you may so be. Amen. E.K. Now cometh the Vail again which all this while was gone behind the Stone. D. Deo nostro Omnipotenti, misericordi, & justo sit omnis honor, laus, & gratiarum actio, nunc & in secula seculorum. Amen. D. While we were at Bream, among; many other things told and delivered to E.K. as he was by himself, by a spiritual Creature, I know not who, nor of how good estate, or what estate he was of: This parcel among them he held in writing, and imparted to me; And I thought my pains not ill bestowed, to keep the same in record here. Ganilus that, in house most fiery fairer than the Sun, Hath honour great, faith, give place, your former course is run; Therefore first framed clouds unknown draw near with mighty storms, Wherein such bodies lie obscur'd, or take ten thousand forms. Your bellies strowting long disclose, and on the harlot earth, Seem fair to man, as when the waves as Midwife help... r birth. Twice shall the Sun put on the heavens, and once look quarter way, And working uncouth worlds, build up a City, where men say The Holiest stood: And Beares bring in usurping fire at hand, And people spread return, whose new built altars flaming stand. Whilst such as strangers were Catesy cry, and bloody knife, With privy shame defil'd bekyes, a thing n... sometime rise. From midnight unto noon, two parts and more shall slaughter feel, And all the World from South, caste all, down force, of fire and steel. Small wonder through the earth at shadows fighting nothing grieve, When mighty Seas shall dry, and heavens lie, who can live? That mortal eyes shall see a Temple built with precious Stones, Or Creatures strange made new in sight, of old and long dri'd bones. Or Angels dwell on earth: but I whose firy fingers can Unloose thrice sealed Books, and utter worlds unknown to man. I see these cursed wights, whose borders lead thy journey on, Shall with the thirtieth moneth, be bought, or sold, or fully gone. And England perish first with Moths long harbour in her skirts, The Spaniard lose their King, and France rebel and fall by spirts. And holy man ten dayes besieged at home, with these dayes whelps, Till he at length made free by sudden force of vertues helps. The Polish King hath played, and friendly man shall then bear sway Amongst earthly friends, and such as hope of former faith decay. At last wear highest Crown, if fall from vertue makes no losse, And midst this toil to come in space of new come laysor tosse. Then lo, Come other times most Holy, and a Kingdom shall, From Heaven come, and things forthwith again to Order call.