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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A37412	A true & faithful relation of what passed for many yeers between Dr. John Dee ... and some spirits tending ... to a general alteration of most states and kingdomes in the world : his private conferences with Rodolphe, Emperor of Germany, Stephen, K. of Poland, and divers other princes about it ... : as also the letters of sundry great men and princes ... to the said D. Dee / out of the original copy written with Dr. Dees own hand, kept in the library of Sir Tho. Cotton, Kt. Baronet ; with a preface confirming the reality (as to the point of spirits) of this relation ... by Meric Casaubon ...	Dee, John, 1527-1608.; Casaubon, Meric, 1599-1671.; Kelly, Edward, 1555-1595.	1659 (1659)	Wing D811; ESTC R11048	632,551	486

what I have found in my F. his Ephemeris or Daily account of his life tending to this purpose Anno Dom. 603. Kal Junii Quem memsem et reliquos omnes velis ô Deus c. 〈◊〉 q. hetum egimus cum matre uxore affine et viro nobili Dom. de Couns et nobili item matrona D de St. Pons qui omnes in re pietatis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ecclesiam hujus loci assiduè celebravimus Inter alios Sermones quos habui cum D. de St. Pons de ministro provinciae Vivaretii sumus locuti cui nomen Mercero Regit ille in eo tractu plutes parvas Ecclesias habitat a. in loco qui dicitur Chasteau-double Acceperam de eo ex valgi rumoribus quod vim Daemonas ejiciendi haberet quaefivi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de D. de St Pons quid rei esset Illa seriò affirmavit plures Daemoniacos decem aut circiter in Ecclesiam auductos eo concionante primùm dein orante 〈◊〉 et Confesstone omnium fuisse sanatos Quosdam Demonas it a eum certis signis 〈◊〉 ut res apud omnes fieret testatissima Porró autem omnes qui sanati sunt 〈◊〉 Catholicam Romanam ante semper professos Mercerum verò impatientissum ferre si qnis inter loquendum ut fit diceret Mercerum Diabolos ejicere non 〈◊〉 se 〈◊〉 Ecclesiam Dei esse nominandam cujus precibus ardentissimis Dei aures 〈◊〉 Dom et illi et universo gregi suorum benedicat Amen In English for their sakes that understand no Latine and that it be not required alwayes for it would be very tedious this is the effect At such a time in such a place he had the opportunity to meet with a grave whether Lady or Gentlewoman Matron one he had a very good opinion of her name M. de St. Pons and having often heard by common report of a certain Protestant Minister that was said to cast out Divels he did accurately inform himself by her she living it seems very near if not in the same parish of all particulars concerning that businesse who did averre it to be most true and that ten or thereabonts Demomoniacks or possessed men all making profession of the Roman Catholick Religion had been brought to the Church at several times as I take it and that publickly and by the generall confession of all then present and by some notable signes sometimes at the going out of the Devils they were upon his Praying after Sermon all delivered But that he took it very hainously if any said that he had cast out Devils For not I said he but the earnest Prayers of the Church have prevailed with Almighty God to work this wonderful thing As for Oracles It is true Heathens themselves acknowledg that some were the jugglings of men Sometimes Princes sometimes private men as now of Religion of Preaching and Praying and Fasting of Masses and Processions most Princes and States in all places made good use of them to their owne ends and made them speak what themselves had prompted But a man might as probably argue because some have been so freely acknowledged to have been by compact and subornation it is the more likely that those of which never any suspicion was should be true We read of many in Herodotus of one which was contrived by fraud but there we read also that when it came to be known though care had been taken that it might not the chief Contriver a great man was banished or prevented worse by a voluntary Exile and the Sacred Virgin or Prophetesse deposed But not to insist upon particulars which would be long it is most certain and it will cleerly appear unto them that are well read in anciedest Authors and Histories That all Heathens generally the wisest and learnedest of them those especially that lived when Oracles were most frequent did really believe them to be which they pretended unto and that they were so indeed for the most part taking it for granted that their Gods were Divels or Evil Spirits by many circumstances of Stories and by other good proofs may be made as evident neither was it ever doubted or denyed alwayes granted and presupposed that as in all worldly things much imposture did in tervene and intermingle by ancient Christians acknowledged I am sure by most if not all But I have spoken of them elsewhere already and therefore will be the shorter here Our last Objection was If there be Devils and Spirits Why do they not appear unto them who do what they can as by continual curses so by profane curiosity to invite them First We say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 When we have good ground for the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to stick at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because we do not understand the reason is as much as to say that we think we should be as wise as God Aristotle did not meddle with things that he could give no reason of yet he did not deny them as we have shewed and it is one thing to require a reason of things meerly natural and another of those that happen by a meer secret Providence But this will give them no great satisfaction who perchance believe a God some as much as they believe a Devil Secondly Therefore we say There may be some natural reason too upon Aristotles grounds Aristotle as hath been shewed elsewhere compares the effects of Melancholy from whence he deriveth all kind of Enthusiasm to the known effects of Wine What is the reason that some men with little wine will quickly be drunk and become other Creatures being deprived for the time of the use of reason Others though they drink never so much will sooner burst then reel or speak idly as some in their excess grow merry others sad some calm and better natured others furious some talkative others stupid The Devil knowes what tempers are best for his turn and by some in whom he was deceived he hath got no credit and wished he had never meddled with them Some men come into the world with Cabalistical Brains their heads are full of mysteries they see nothing they read nothing but their brain is on work to pick somewhat out of it that is not ordinary and out of the very ABC that children are taught rather then fail they will fetch all the Secrets of Gods Wisdom tell you how the world was created how governed and what will be the end of all things Reason and Sense that other men go by they think the acorns that the old world fed upon fools and children may be content with them but they see into things by another Light They commonly give good respect unto the Scriptures till they come to profest Anabaptists because they believe them the Word of God and not of men but they reserve unto themselves the Interpretation and so under the title of Divine Scripture worship what their own phansie prompts or the devil puts into

by Apparitions His affairs in England Sir Henry Sidney falsly reported dead by spirits Alb. Lasky conspired against Cracovia promised to Doctor Dee a place of rest and again p. 70. XXXVIII p. 69 Doctor Dee's questions not answered XXXIX ibid. The questions again Mystical and Cabalistical elusions Some things obscurely answered XL p. 71. Alb. Lasky in part rejected as unworthy yet to be King of Moldavia ¶ Their coming to Cracovia XLI p. 73. These Visions and Actions magnified as incomparable mercies and favours The Trinity acknowledged Cabalistical mysteries XLII p. 76. Great mysteries promised 49 Tables 49 Calls c. Their virtue XLIII p. 77. An illusion A further progresse in the Cabale of Tables and Calls with shew in the spirits of marvellous reverence XLIV p. 78. The first Table Mystical numbers and letters c. XLV p. 80. Ed. Kelley a Magician and for it reproved Further proceeding in the promised Cabale Great opposition of wicked spirits in shew whilest this wonderful Cabale is delivered XLVI p. 82. A Prayer in words zealous used by the spirits prescribed to Doctor Dee c. Proceedings in the Cabale More opposition in shew of wicked spirits Bodily reverences and prayers often used The first Call ended The use and vertue of it XVII p. 88. More opposition in shew of wicked spirits XLVIII p. 89 The Sabbath or Sunday to be kept XLIX ib. More opposition yet the work proceedeth L p. 91. Nothing appeareth Ed. Kelley upon good grounds very confident that they were Devils all that had appeared hitherto and their pretended mysteries very fopperies c. LI ib. Kelley of that mind still and resolved to brain Doctor Dee Doctor Dee's great confidence but upon little grounds whereof see in the Preface of the contrary LII ib. Kelley reproved The mysterie of Numbers The Creation Fall of Adam The language he spake c. ¶ Ed. Kelley reconciled LIII p. 93. Somewhat heard by Doctor Dee also to his wondering Sermon-like stuff of Predestination Election c. delivered by spirits The Keyes Their use and vertue Move not c. often repeated explained The worke goes on LIV p. 199. The work goes on but not without as is conceived opposition LV p. 102. Mystical Apparitions explained and applyed to Doctor Dee c. The holy Book to be written by God himself according to promise LVI p. 104. A prayer the work goes on LVII p. 111. Mystical Apparitions explained New instructions for future Actions The Dayes the dresse of the place LVIII p. 115. A parable against Ed. Kelley who contesteth with the spirits about the lawfulnesse of his Magick yeildeth neverthelesse to bury in the ground his Magical Books and Characters which is accepted so one of 27 be burned An Apparition shewing as it proved the present estate of A. L. LIX p. 118. Kelley's obedience The work goes on The former ceremonies used LIX .... Ed. Kelley at last very well satisfied that all is from God and very devout LX p. 138. Gods power He not tyed to time The Incarnation of Christ acknowledged Warnings to Al. L. and promises LXI p. 139. Calls Aires What and how to be used Divisions and Governments of Angels Divisions of the Earth Al. Lasky his case Mapsama or Dic nobis under Gabriel Jes s acknowledged Good Instructions Humility c. A good Prayer ill applyed LXII p. 146. An illuder Obedience Faith without which Gods promises not irrevocable Examples in Scripture The Cabale of Calls c. as before LXIII p. 153. Ed. Kelley doubtful again The parts of the Earth revealed unto Ptolemy by an Angel Some Characters and Prophesies of divers places of the World Some mistaken I believe Constantinople The Turk The Arke of Noe. The place of Paradise Eli Enoch John where reserved A contradiction observed by Doctor Dee not answered by the spirits Rome ¶ The spirits upon good grounds suspected and answered by Ed. Kelley for illuders and cozeners who is opposed by Doctor Dee with much confidence and some appearance of reason Some mistakes in the writing from what cause LXIV p. 159. Ed. Kelley very bold and perverse as censured by Doctor Dee with the spirits yet not without good ground of reason all well considered The Book the leaves dimensions and other particulars of it Not to be written but by Angels Al. Lasky yet in favour LXV p. 160. God all in all The Devil in perpetual opposition How dangerous truly spoken though by the Devil to deal with him Infidelity punished Anabaptistical Prophesies and Promises Al. Lasky suspected LXVI p. 162. Ed. K. reproved and exborted to repent earnestly yea with tears in shew Devils and their businesse both with good and bad Some Cabalistical stuff promised ¶ p. 164. Ed. Kelley's Confession of heretical damnable opinions by him held and believed His repentance abjuration of Magical arts and practices conversion unto God believed by Doctor Dee upon great probabilities to be hearty and sincere His thanks to God for it ¶ 165. More of Kelley's conversion No Apparition and why divers conjectures of Dr. Dee LXXVII p. 166. Apparitions to comfort and confirm Al. Lasky LXVIII Visions and Apparitions to Ed. Kelley first alone then in the presence of Doctor Dee The visitation the mercies of God Great promises Exposition by spirits of the Vision ¶ Ed. Kelley tempted and doubtful again LXIX p. 171. A Vision to Ed. Kelley and Al. Lasky with promises out of the Psalms LXX p. 171. Furniture of the Table crosses c. The Table of the Earth Governour Angels c. The Book the title of it Let those c. and doctrine of Enoch revealed unto him by speciall favour counterfeited by D. and Magicians their Characters Mystical Tables Figures Words c. Linea spiritus Sancti a horrible profanation but such are most Cabalistical mysteries mystical crosses c. Solomons knowledge if you will believe them how far it extended ¶ LXXI p. 178. The Cabale goes on The wonderfull extent of it Diseases how to be cured or procured by it Money coined and uncoined given by whom ¶ LXXII p. 181. LXXIII p. 183. The secrets of States so Trithemius too we have his Tables but never was any man the wiser whereof more in the Preface Medicine Christ his earthly Kingdom All things in these Tables Ave suddenly gone Madimi appeareth Doctor Dee wanteth money but can get none A gingling but false Prophesie concerning the Emperour to succeed Rodolph See also p. 243. ¶ Ed. Kelley his rage and reviling much distiked by Dr. Dee repented of by Kelley himself taken notice of his repeutance by the spirits An extraordinary extraordinary so apprebesided by D. Dee storm of Thunder and Rain ¶ LXXIV ibid. More Cabalistical instructions somewhat like Magick as Kelley thought concerning the practice of it Dreadful Prophesies of sudden alterations in the World Al. Lasky in favour The Book to be prepared c. Ed. Kelley a perfect Magician by his own acknowledgement ¶ LXXV p. 185. Patience and Humility commended A

who otherwise might justly take offence to take notice upon what ground it is that I forbear But though I will not use any Scripture for proof yet by way of Application I hope I may be allowed to use some Scripture words which may direct us perchance to a good Method in the examination of this businesse The Apostle saith in a place 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 professing themselves to be wise they became fools I shall not enquire of whom and upon what occasion it was spoken I draw no argument from it only because there is a shew of great Wisdom in this Opinion and yet as I conceive as much of Error and falshood that is Folly as the word is often used as in any other false opinion that is lesse popular I will frame my discourse to this issue first to enquire what it is that makes it so popular and plausible among them especially that pretend to more then ordinary Wisdom and then secondly lay it open as I am able to the view in its right colours that the Folly or falshood of it may be discernable even to ordinary judgments 〈◊〉 then as for them that deny Spirits c. we say The world is full of imposture to know this to observe it in all Trades in all Professions in all ranks and degrees of men is to know the world and that is to be wise Though we call them Juglers yet they deserve to be thought the plainest dealing men of the world that shew their tricks openly in the streets for money for they professe what they are They are the truest Juglers that do their feats and they for mony too most of them under the Veil and Reputation of Holinesse Sanctity or Saintship Religion Virtue Justice Friendship fine words to catch men that are of easie Belief and thinks that every thing that glisters must needs be gold Hence it is that men that have had the Reputation of Wise men in the world have commended this unto us as greatest Wisdom NOT EASILY TO BELIEVE 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epicharmus got more credit for this one saying and hath done more good too perchance then many that have been the Authors of vast Volumes Now if those things that are exposed to sense the proper Objects of our Eyes and Eares be lyable to so much Imposture and Deceit that the wisest can scarce know what to believe How much more caution do we need in those things that are so much above Sense and in some respects contrary to Sense and that is Spirits that we be not deceived If we consider the Nature of man his Bodily frame the Affections of his soul the Faculties of his mind we shall have no occasion at all to wonder if most men are apt to believe and to be cheated But as no cause to wonder so as little cause to imitate Felix qui rerum potuit cognoscere causas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a desire of or to strange things that may cause amazement is the proper affection of the vulgar that is of most men which they bring into the world with them it is the observation of the wisest of men that have written concerning the affairs and actions of men and cannot be rid of but by wisdom which is the happinesse of few Errandi non necessitas tantum sed amor Seneca somewhere speaking of the Nature of Man There was a time when the world was much governed by Oracles private men went unto them as unto God Kings and Princes sent unto them to be advised about greatest matters and so much faith was ascribed unto them generally that the very word became a Proverb appliable unto those things whereof no question can be made Yet those very ancient Heathens that tell us of these Oracles tell us of their vanity and though they say not That all were false and counterfeit yet whilest they acknowledg it of some they give us just occasion to suspect that it might have been found as true of the rest also had like care been taken to examine the truth of them also Again there was a time and that time not many hundred years yet past when Miracles were the only discourse and delight of men Ghosts and Spirits were in every house and so prone were men to receive what was delivered unto them in that kind that Miracle-makers were much put to it not to make their stories probable for that was not stood upon but to make them wonderful enough insomuch that some have been forced to complain publickly of the credulity of the people who yet themselves tell us much more I dare say then was ever true As of Miracles so of Exorcismes How many Divels and Spirits have been driven out of men and women supposed to be possessed by solemn Exorcismes to the great wonder of the beholders which afterwards upon further search and examination have been convicted to have been nothing but the artifices and subtil contrivances of men Sentences and Judgments have passed upon such cheats when they have been discovered in most places of Europe which have been published But they have done strange things though some that were thought possessed and things impossible to ordinary sense to be done by Nature It is very true some have But they that know what strange things may be done to the amazement of all not acquainted with such mysteries by long Use and Custome they will not easily wonder so as to make a supernatural thing of it though they see things which to their sight and of most cannot but seem very wonderful and almost impossible As for the bodily temper of man and of his Brain it hath been sufficiently by some late books of that subject Enthufiasme both by reasons from Nature and by sundry examples proved that a very little distemper of the brain scarce discernable unto any but those that are well versed in the study of Natural causes is enough to represent Spirits Angels and Divels 〈◊〉 and Stories of Heaven and Hell to the Fancy by which sober kind of Madnesse and deliration so little understood vulgarly many have been and are daily deceived and from these things through the ignorance of men strange things sometimes have ensued and the peace of Common-weales hath suffered not a little Aristotle in his Meteors tells of one that alwayes saw so he thought at least another man's shape before his eyes and how they happened unto him naturally he gives a reason Hyppocrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a very short Discourse but full of excellent matter sheweth how some both men and women through Natural causes come to fancy to themselves that they see 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Divels and Spirits and to be tormented in their Souls even to the making away of themselves by their own hands The Author of the book De Morbo Sacro very ancient too but not right Hyppocrates as many are of opinion hath excellent matter too to the same purpose but I have not the book

at this time by me Hyppocrates where before sheweth how many in that case were gulled by the Priests of those times making them believe That this happened to them through the anger of some god They that are verst in the Opticks know That there is a way through the help of glasses that shall not be seen to make moving shadows that shall appear like Ghosts to the great terror of the ignorant beholder and it is said That pretended Astrologers and Fortune-tellers cheat many by those sights It is the opinion of some Jewish Rabbins That what Ghosts or Souls are raised by Necromancy they alwayes appear inverso corpore that is their head dowards and feet upwards Though nothing is to be wondered at in Rabbins who commonly are as full of ridiculous conceits as ever came into the head of any Bedlam Yet my opinion is That the first ground of this wild conceit was some appearance by the Species of an object gathered through a little glasse into a dark room For so indeed the objects must appear inverso corpore if it be done in a high room and the objects from whence the Spiecies are gathered be lower then the glasse through which they passe And the reason of it is very Demonstrable to the sight of any reasonable man Certainly by this secret which yet is no great secret being commonly seen and practised among them that are any thing curious strange things may be done by a Cunning-man to their great amazement that know not the cause There would be no end if I should attempt to gather from several Authors what hath been invented by men and what may be done by Art to cheat men in matters of this nature Let any man that is yet a stranger to it but read the life of Alexander the false Prophet or Prognosticator written by Lucian and he shall see notable examples of successeful Cheats and Impostures scarce credible indeed but that the thing was yet then fresh and famous and that all circumstances of History confirm the truth of the relation And let him that reads it judge what dull and dry fellows the Mountebank-Astrologers Prognosticators and Fortune-tellers of these dayes are to this Noble Renowned Alexander Only let him know that reads that Lucian was a profest Atheist and therefore no wonder if he find Epicurus spoken of with great respect whom all Atheists and Atheistically inclined are so much obliged to honour This excepted I think the Story is very worthy to be known and much more worthy to be read by all men considering the good use that may be made of it then many books that are daily translated out of other languages But lastly If there were any such thing really as Divels and Spirits that use to appear unto men to whom should they probably sooner appear then to such as daily call upon them and devote their Souls and Bodies unto them by dreadful Oaths and Imprecations And again then to such who through damnable curiosity have many times used the means the best they could find in books by Magical Circles Characters and Invocations and yet never neither the one nor the other saw any thing I have said as much as I mean to say though somewhat perchance might be added to shew the plausiblenesse of the opinion in opposition to vulgar apprehensions and capacities whereby as I conceive for I have not wittingly omitted any thing that I thought material it chiefly intitles it self to wisdom and more then ordinary prudence which all men generally are ambitious of Yet I would not have it thought that all men that hold this conclusion That there be no Spirits c. go so rationally to work or can give this account or any other more rational and plausible for what they hold God knows there be many in the world men of no learning and mean capacities who can speak as peremptorily as the best not because they have considered of it and understand the grounds of either opinion but because they know or have heard it is the opinion of some Learned and they hope they shall be thought learned too if they hold with them Besides an ordinary for some have been learned Epicurean who makes it his Motto to himself and in his heart 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and seeks his ease in this world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their own word which imports Tranquility both of mind and body a good word but ill applyed as his summum bonum or chiefest happinesse It is a great ease to him when any strange things doth happen by Witches Wizards and the like and other some to satisfie their faith others their reason and curiosity are put to it to enquire of men by conference and to search into books ancient and late Sacred and Profane and all little enough A great ease I say for him then and upon all such occasions to possesse his Soul in secure ignorance and to save his credit yea and to gain 〈◊〉 with some by barely saying Fabula est I do not believe it We shall hear some of them by and by acknowledg in effect as much as I have said I impose nothing upon them I will not take upon me to judge of a book that I never read I cannot say that I ever saw it But because I have heard some men magnifie an English book written of this subject to prove that there be no Witches I will impart unto the Reader that hath not observed it the judgment of one of the Learnedst men that ever England saw I wish he had been more gently dealt with when time was of that book whereby it may appear if his judgment be right as I am very inclinable to believe because of his great Learning and wonted circumspection in his censures what great undertakers many men are upon very little ground and how prone others to extol what doth favour their cause though to the prejudice of their better judgments if they would judge impartially Dr. Rainolds in those elaborate Praelectiones de libris Apocryphis where he doth censure some opinions of Bodinus as prejudicial to the Christian Faith Reginaldus Scotus nostras saith he qui contrariam Bodino insanit insaniam ait Papistas confiteri non posse Demonas ne audire quidem nomen Jehovae Acceperat ille à Bodino attribuit Papistis in genere tanquam omnes Papistae in eo conspirarent Pergit ipse quoniam animadverterat quasdam faeminas maleficas aliquando istius modi narrationes ementiri putavit omnia esse ficta ex imperitia Dialecticae aliarum bonarum artium Ut qui nullo judicio nullà methodo 〈◊〉 optimarum artium scientiâ eodem modo aggressus sit hanc rem quomodo Poeta loquitur Tenet insatiabile quosdam Scribendi cacoëthes eodem 〈◊〉 medo ratiocinatur c. We have been the more willing to produce this passage out of the writings of that Learned man because we also in our answers may have occasion to

of outward words is able to occasion it Indeed it is a point that doth deserve to be well considered of in these times especially For when young boyes and illiterate men and the number is likely to increase now that Catechizing is so much neglected are turned loose to exercise themselves in this gift as they call it and when by long practice they have attained to some readiness and volubility which doth occasion some inward lightsomeness and excitations or perchance somewhat that may have some resemblance to spiritual sorrow and compunction they presently think themselves inspired and so they become Saints before they know what it is to be Christians And if they can Pray by inspiration why not Preach also So comes in Anabaptism by degrees which will be the ruine of all Religion and civil Government where ever it prevails And I believe that this fond foolish conceit of Inspiration as it hath been the occasion of much other mischief so of that horrid sacriledge shall I call it or profanation I hope I may do either without offence for it is not done by any publick Authority that I know of the casting and banishing of THE LORDS PRAYER out of many private houses and Churches then which I think Christ never received a greater affront from any that called themselves Christians I am not so uncharitable as to believe that it is done in direct opposition to Christ by any real Christians but in a furious zeale by many I believe against set prayers But this is not a place to dispute it Certainly as the Lords Prayer is a Prayer of most incredible comfort to them that use it devoutly and upon good grounds a good foundation of Religion and sound Faith I mean so I believe that set Prayers in general are of more concernment to the setling of Peace in the Commonwealth then many men are aware of But let this 〈◊〉 for my opinion there be worse I am sure that pass currently Again A man may wonder I cannot tell whether an objection may be made of it that Dr. Dee though he were at the first deluded to which his own pride and presumption did expose him as many have been yet afterwards in process of time when he found himself so deluded and shuffled with when Edward Kelley did use such pregnant arguments to him as he did more then once to perswade him that they were evil Spirits that appeared unto them nay when he had found by certain experience that his Spirits had told him many lies foretold many things concerning Princes and Kingdoms very particularly limited with circumstances of time which when the time was expired did 〈◊〉 at all come to pass yet for all this he durst pawn his Soul for them that they were good Spirits and continued in his confidence so farre as our Relation goes to the last I answer Such is the power of this kind of Spiritual delusion it doth so possess them whom it hath once taken hold of that they seldom any of them recover themselves In the dayes of Martin Luther 2 great and zealous reformer of Religion but one that would have detested them as the worst of Infidels that had used the Lords Prayer as some have done in our dayes as appears by what he saith of it in more then one place there lived one Michael Stifelius who applying to himself some place of the Apocalypse took upon him to Prophecy He had foretold that in the year of the Lord 1533. before the 29 of September the end of the world and Christs coming to Judgment would be He did shew so much confidence that some write Luther himself was somewhat startled at the first But that day past he came a second time to Luther with new Calculations and had digested the whole business into 22. Articles the effect of which was to demonstrate that the end of the world would be in October following But now Luther thought he had had tryal enough and gave so little credit to him that he though he loved the man silenced him for a time which our Apocalyptical Prophet took very ill at his hands and wondred much at his incredulity Well that moneth and some after that over our Prophet who had made no little stir in the Country by his Prophecying was cast into prison for his obstinacy After a while Luther visited him thinking by that time to find him of another mind But so far was he from acknowledging his error that he down right railed at Luther for giving him good counsel And some write that to his dying day having lived to the age of 80. years he never recanted And was not this the case of learned Postellus who fallen into some grievous wild fancies in his latter dayes though sound enough still in other things could never be reclaimed though means were used from time to time the best and gentlest in respect to his worth and person that could be thought of But what talk we of particular men Consider the Anabaptists in general Above an hundred years ago they troubled Germany very much it cost many thousands their lives They roved up and down No sooner destroyed in one place but they sprung whilest that season lasted in another Their pretences every where were the same Revelations and the Spirit the wickedness of Princes and Magistrates and Christ Jesus to be set up in his Throne Well at last they were destroyed in most places Stories of them have been written in all Languages read every where and their lamentable end Can all this hinder but that upon every opportunity of a confused and confounded Government they start up again in the same shape and form as before the same pretences the same Scriptures for all the world miserably detorted and abused to raise tumults and seditions in all places Such is the wretchedness of man that is once out of the right way of Reason and Sobriety But withall we must say in this particular case of Dr. Dee's though his obstinacy was great and marvellous yet it must be acknowledged that great was the diligence and subtility of his Spirits to keep their hold and some things sometimes happened as his danger and preservation about Gravesend when he first here related went out of the Realm very strangely and such was the unhappiness of his misapplyed zeal that he made a Providence of whatsoever hapned unto him as he desired So much for Dr. Dee himself But of his Spirits a greater question perchance may be moved If evil wicked lying Spirits as we have reason to believe and no man I think will question how came they to be such perswaders to Piety and godliness yea such preachers of Christ his Incarnation his Passion and other Mysteries of the Christian Faith not only by them here acknowledged but in some places very Scholastically set out and declared It seemeth somewhat contrary to reason and as contrary to the words of our Saviour Every Kingdom divided against it self c. But