1662, one Everard, a Justice of Peace in Westminster, ere I was
stirring, sent a Serjeant and thirty four musqueteers for me to
White-Hall: he had twice that night seized about sixty persons, supposed
fanaticks, very despicable persons, many whereof were aged, some were
water-bearers, and had been Parliament-soldiers; others, of ordinary
callings: all these were guarded unto White-Hall, into a large room,
until day-light, and then committed to the Gate-House; I was had into
the guard-room, which I thought to be hell; some therein were sleeping,
others swearing, others smoaking tobacco. In the chimney of the room I
believe there was two bushels of broken tobacco-pipes, almost half one
load of ashes. Everard, about nine in the morning, comes, writes my
mittimus for the Gate-House, then shews it me: I must be contented. I
desired no other courtesy, but that I might be privately carried unto
the Gate-House by two soldiers; that was denied. Among the miserable
crew of people, with a whole company of soldiers, I marched to prison,
and there for three hours was in the open air upon the ground, where the
common house of office came down. After three hours, I was advanced from
this stinking place up the stairs, where there was on one side a company
of rude swearing persons; on the other side many Quakers, who lovingly
entertained me. As soon as I was fixed, I wrote to my old friend Sir
Edward Walker, Garter King at Arms, who presently went to Mr. Secretary
Nicholas, and acquainted him with my condition. He ordered Sir Edward to
write to Everard to release me, unless he had any particular information
against me, which he had not. He further said, it was not his Majesty's
pleasure that any of his subjects should be thus had to prison without
good cause shewed before. Upon receipt of Sir Edward's letter, Everard
discharged me, I taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy. This
day's work cost me thirty-seven shillings. Afterwards Everard stood to
be Burgess for Westminster; sent me to procure him voices. I returned
answer, that of all men living he deserved no courtesy from me, nor
should have any.
In this year 1660, I sued out my pardon under the Broad Seal of England,
being so advised by good counsel, because there should be no
obstruction; I passed as William Lilly, Citizen and Salter of London; it
cost me thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence.
There happened a verification of an astrological judgment of mine in
this year, 1660, which, because it was predicted sixteen years before it
came to pass, and the year expressly nominated, I thought fit to
mention.
In page 111 of my _Prophetical Merlin_, upon three sextile Aspects of
Saturn and Jupiter, made in 1659 and 1660, I wrote thus--
'This their friendly salutation comforts us in England, every man now
possesses his own vineyard; our young youth grow up unto man's estate,
and our old men live their full years; our nobles and gentlemen root
again; our yeomanry, many years disconsolated, now take pleasure in
their husbandry. The merchant sends out ships, and hath prosperous
returns; the mechanick hath quick trading: here is almost a new world;
new laws, new Lords. Now my country of England shall shed no more tears,
but rejoice with, and in the many blessings God gives or affords her
annually.'
And in the same book, page 118, over-against the year 1660, you shall
find, A bonny Scot acts his part.
The long Parliament would give Charles the Second no other title than
King of Scots.
I also wrote to Sir Edward Walker, Kt. Garter King at Arms in 1659, he
then being in Holland--
_Tu, Dominusque vester videbitis Angliam, infra duos annos_.--For in
1662, his moon came by direction to the body of the sun.
But he came in upon the ascendant directed unto the trine of Sol and
antiscion of Jupiter.
And happy it was for the nation he did come in, and long and
prosperously may he reign amongst us.
In 1663 and 1664, I had along and tedious law-suit in Chancery, M.C.
coming to quartile of Saturn; and the occasion of that suit, was
concerning houses; and my enemy, though aged, had no beard, was really
saturnine. We came unto a hearing Feb. 1664, before the Master of the
Rolls, Sir Harbottle Grimston, where I had the victory, but no costs
given me.
My adversary, not satisfied with that judgment, petitioned that most
just and honourable man, the Lord Chancellor Hyde, for a re-hearing his
cause before him.
It was granted, and the 13th June, 1664, my M.C. then directed to
quartile of Venus and Sol. His Lordship most judiciously heard it with
much attention, and when my adversary's counsel had urged those
depositions which they had against me, his Lordship stood up, and said,
'Here is not one word against Mr. Lilly.'--
I replied, 'My Lord, I hope I shall have costs.'
'Very good reason,' saith he; and so I had: and, at my departure out of
court, put off his hat, and bid 'God be with you.'
This is the month of Dec. 1667, wherein, by misfortune, he is much
traduced and highly persecuted by his enemies: is also retired, however
not in the least questioned for any indirect judgment as Chancellor, in
the Chancery; [but in other things he hath been very foul, as in the
articles drawn up by the Parliament against him, it appears. Which
articles I presume you have not seen, otherwise you would have been of
another mind, A W] for there was never any person sat in that place, who
executed justice with more uprightness, or judgment, or quickness for
dispatch, than this very noble Lord. God, I hope, in mercy will preserve
his person from his enemies, and in good time restore him unto all his
honours again: from my soul I wish it, and hope I shall live to see it.
Amen: _Fiat oh tu Deus justitiæ_.
In 1663 and 1664, I was made churchwarden of Walton upon Thames,
settling as well as I could the affairs of that distracted parish, upon
my own charges; and upon my leaving the place, forgave them seven pounds
odd money due unto me.
In 1664, I had another law-suit with Captain Colborn, Lord of the manor
of Esher, concerning the rights of the parish of Walton. He had newly
purchased that manor, and having one hundred and fifty acres of ground,
formerly park and wood ground lying in our parish, conceived, he had
right of common in our parish of Walton: thereupon, he puts three
hundred sheep upon the common; part whereof I impounded: he replevins
them, and gave me a declaration. I answered it. The trial was to be at
the Assizes at Kingston in April 1664. When the day of trial came, he
had not one witness in his cause, I had many; whereupon upon conference,
and by mediation, he gave me eleven pounds for my charges sustained in
that suit, whereof I returned him back again fifty shillings: forty
shillings for himself, and ten shillings for the poor of the parish he
lived in.
This I did at my own cost and charges, not one parishioner joining with
me. I had now M.C. under quartile of Venus and Sol--both in my second,
ergo, I got money by this thing, or suit. Sir Bolstrode Whitlock gave me
counsel.
Now I come unto the year 1665, wherein that horrible and devouring
plague so extreamly raged in the city of London. 27th of June 1665, I
retired into the country to my wife and family, where since I have
wholly continued, and so intend by permission of God. I had, before I
came away, very many people of the poorer sort frequented my lodging,
many whereof were so civil, as when they brought waters, viz. urines,
from infected people, they would stand purposely at a distance. I
ordered those infected, and not like to die, cordials, and caused them
to sweat, whereby many recovered. My landlord of the house was afraid of
those poor people, I nothing at all. He was desirous I should be gone.
He had four children: I took them with me into the country and provided
for them. Six weeks after I departed, he, his wife, and man-servant died
of the plague.
In _Monarchy or no Monarchy_, printed 1651, I had framed an
Hieroglyphick, which you may see in page the 7th, representing a great
sickness and mortality; wherein you may see the representation of people
in their winding-sheets, persons digging graves and sepultures, coffins,
&c. All this was performed by the more secret _Key of Astrology_, or
_Prophetical Astrology_.
In 1666, happened that miraculous conflagration in the city of London,
whereby in four days, the most part thereof was consumed by fire. In my
_Monarchy or no Monarchy_, the next side after the coffins and pickaxes,
there is a representation of a great city all in flames of fire. The
memorial whereof some Parliament men remembering, thought fit to send
for me before that Committee which then did sit, for examination of the
causes of the fire; and whether there was no treachery or design in the
business, his Majesty being then in war both with the French and Dutch.
The summons to appear before that Committee was as followeth.
'_Monday, 22d October_, 1666.
'At the Committee appointed to enquire after the causes of the
late fires:
'ORDERED,
'That Mr. Lilly do attend this Committee on Friday next, being
the 25th of October, 1666, at two of the clock in the afternoon,
in the Speaker's chamber; to answer such questions as shall be
then and there asked him.
'ROBERT BROOKE.'
By accident I was then in London, when the summons came unto me. I was
timorous of Committees, being ever by some of them calumniated,
upbraided, scorned, and derided. However I must and did appear; and let
me never forget that great affection and care yourself (Oh most
excellent and learned Esquire Ashmole) shewed unto me at that time.
First, your affection in going along with me all that day; secondly,
your great pains and care, in speaking unto many worthy Members of that
Committee your acquaintance, that they should befriend me, and not
permit me to be affronted, or have any disgraceful language cast upon
me. I must seriously acknowledge the persuasions so prevailed with those
generous souls, that I conceive there was never more civility used unto
any than unto myself; and you know, there were no small number of
Parliament men appeared, when they heard I was to be there.
Sir Robert Brooke spoke to this purpose:
'Mr. Lilly, This Committee thought fit to summon you to appear before
them this day, to know, if you can say any thing as to the cause of the
late fire, or whether there might be any design therein. You are called
the rather hither, because in a book of your's, long since printed, you
hinted some such thing by one of your hieroglyphics.' Unto which I
replied,
'May it please your Honours,
'After the beheading of the late King, considering that in the three
subsequent years the Parliament acted nothing which concerned the
settlement of the nation in peace; and seeing the generality of people
dissatisfied, the citizens of London discontented, the soldiery prone to
mutiny, I was desirous, according to the best knowledge God had given
me, to make enquiry by the art I studied, what might from that time
happen unto the Parliament and nation in general. At last, having
satisfied myself as well as I could, and perfected my judgment therein,
I thought it most convenient to signify my intentions and conceptions
thereof, in Forms, Shapes, Types, Hieroglyphicks, &c. without any
commentary, that so my judgment might be concealed from the vulgar, and
made manifest only unto the wise. I herein imitating the examples of
many wise philosophers who had done the like.'
'Sir Robert,' saith one, 'Lilly is yet _sub vestibulo_.'
I proceeded further. Said I, 'Having found, Sir, that the city of London
should be sadly afflicted with a great plague, and not long after with
an exorbitant fire, I framed these two hieroglyphics as represented in
the book, which in effect have proved very true.'
'Did you foresee the year?' said one.
'I did not,' said I, 'or was desirous: of that I made no scrutiny.' I
proceeded--
'Now, Sir, whether there was any design of burning the city, or any
employed to that purpose, I must deal ingenuously with you, that since
the fire, I have taken much pains in the search thereof, but cannot or
could not give myself any the least satisfaction therein. I conclude,
that it was the only finger of God; but what instruments he used
thereunto, I am ignorant.'
The Committee seemed well pleased with what I spoke, and dismissed me
with great civility.
Since which time no memorable action hath happened unto me, my
retirement impeding all concourse unto me.
I have many things more to communicate, which I shall do, as they offer
themselves to memory.
In anno 1634, and 1635, I had much familiarity with John Hegenius,
Doctor of Physick, a Dutchman, an excellent scholar and an able
physician, not meanly versed in astrology. Unto him, for his great
civility, I communicated the art of framing Sigils, Lamens, &c. and the
use of the Mosaical Rods:--and we did create several Sigils to very good
purpose. I gave him, the true key thereof, _viz._ instructed him of
their forms, characters, words, and last of all, how to give them
vivification, and what number or numbers were appropriated to every
planet: _Cum multis aliis in libris veterum latentibus; aut perspicuè
non intellectis_.
I was well acquainted with the Speculator of John a Windor, a scrivener,
sometimes living in Newbury. This Windor was club-fisted, wrote with a
pen betwixt both his hands. I have seen many bonds and bills wrote by
him. He was much given to debauchery, so that at some times the Daemons
would not appear to the Speculator; he would then suffumigate:
sometimes, to vex the spirits, he would curse them, fumigate with
contraries. Upon his examination before Sir Henry Wallop, Kt. which I
have seen, he said, he once visited Dr. Dee in Mortlack; and out of a
book that lay in the window, he copied out that call which he used, when
he invocated--
It was that--which near the beginning of it hath these words,
_Per virtutem illorum qui invocant nomen tuum_,
Hermeli--_mitte nobis tres Angelos, &c_.
Windor had many good parts, but was a most lewd person: My master Wright
knew him well, and having dealing in those parts, made use of him as a
scrivener.
Oliver Withers, servant to Sir H. Wallop, brought up John a Windor's
examination unto London, purposely for me to peruse. This Withers was
Mr. Fiske's scholar three years more or less, to learn astrology of him;
but being never the wiser, Fiske brought him unto me: by shewing him but
how to judge one figure, his eyes were opened: He made the Epistle
before Dr. Neve's book, now in Mr. Sander's hands, was very learned in
the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew tongues.
Having mentioned Dr. John Dee, I hold it not impertinent to speak
something of him; but more especially of Edward Kelly's Speculator.
Dr. Dee himself was a Cambro Briton, educated in the university of
Oxford, there took his degree of Doctor; afterwards for many years in
search of the profounder studies, travelled into foreign parts: to be
serious, he was Queen Elizabeth's intelligencer, and had a salary for
his maintenance from the Secretaries of State. He was a ready witted
man, quick of apprehension, very learned, and of great judgment in the
Latin and Greek tongues. He was a very great investigator of the more
secret Hermetical learning, a perfect astronomer, a curious astrologer,
a serious geometrician; to speak truth, he was excellent in all kinds of
learning.
With all this, he was the most ambitious person living, and most
desirous of fame and renown, and was never so well pleased as when he
heard himself stiled Most Excellent.
He was studious in chymistry, and attained to good perfection therein;
but his servant, or rather companion, Kelly, out-went him, _viz._ about
the Elixir or Philosopher's Stone; which neither Kelly or Dee attained
by their own labour and industry. It was in this manner Kelly obtained
it, as I had it related from an ancient minister, who knew the certainty
thereof from an old English merchant, resident in Germany, at what time
both Kelly and Dee were there.
Dee and Kelly being in the confines of the Emperor's dominions, in a
city where resided many English merchants, with whom they had much
familiarity, there happened an old Friar to come to Dr. Dee's lodging.
Knocking at the door, Dee peeped down the stairs. 'Kelly,' says he,
'tell the old man I am not at home.' Kelly did so. The Friar said, 'I
will take another time to wait on him.' Some few days after, he came
again. Dee ordered Kelly, if it were the same person, to deny him again.
He did so; at which the Friar was very angry. 'Tell thy master I came to
speak with him and to do him good, because he is a great scholar and
famous; but now tell him, he put forth a book, and dedicated it to the
Emperor: it is called _Monas Hierogliphicas_. He understands it not. I
wrote it myself, I came to instruct him therein, and in some other more
profound things. Do thou, Kelly, come along with me, I will make thee
more famous than thy master Dee.'
Kelly was very apprehensive of what the Friar delivered, and thereupon
suddenly retired from Dee, and wholly applied unto the Friar; and of him
either had the Elixir ready made, or the perfect method of its
preparation and making. The poor Friar lived a very short time after:
whether he died a natural death, or was otherwise poisoned or made away
by Kelly, the merchant, who related this, did not certainly know.
How Kelly died afterwards at Prague, you well know: he was born at
Worcester, had been an apothecary. Not above thirty years since he had a
sister lived in Worcester, who had some gold made by her brother's
projection.
Dr. Dee died at Mortlack in Surrey, very poor, enforced many times to
sell some book or other to buy his dinner with, as Dr. Napier of
Linford, in Buckinghamshire, oft related, who knew him very well.
I have read over his book of _Conference with Spirits_, and thereby
perceive many weaknesses in the manage of that way of Mosaical learning:
but I conceive, the reason why he had not more plain resolutions, and
more to the purpose, was, because Kelly was very vicious, unto whom the
angels were not obedient, or willingly did declare the questions
propounded; but I could give other reasons, but those are not for paper.
I was very familiar with one Sarah Skelhorn, who had been Speculatrix
unto one Arthur Gauntlet about Gray's-Inn-Lane, a very lewd fellow,
professing physick. This Sarah had a perfect sight, and indeed the best
eyes for that purpose I ever yet did see. Gauntlet's books, after he was
dead, were sold, after I had perused them, to my scholar Humphreys:
there were rare notions in them. This Sarah lived a long time, even
until her death, with one Mrs. Stockman in the Isle of Purbeck, and died
about sixteen years since. Her mistress one time being desirous to
accompany her mother, the Lady Beconsfield, unto London, who lived
twelve miles from her habitation, caused Sarah to inspect her crystal,
to see if she, viz. her mother, was gone, yea or not: the angels
appeared, and shewed her mother opening a trunk, and taking out a red
waistcoat, whereby she perceived she was not gone. Next day she went to
her mother's, and there, as she entered the chamber, she was opening a
trunk, and had a red waistcoat in her hand. Sarah told me oft, the
angels would for some years follow her, and appear in every room of the
house, until she was weary of them.
This Sarah Skelhorn, her call unto the crystal began,
'_Oh ye good angels, only and only_,' &c.
Ellen Evans, daughter of my tutor Evans, her call unto the crystal was
this:
'_O Micol, O tu Micol, regina pigmeorum veni, &c_.'
Since I have related of the Queen of Fairies, I shall acquaint you, that
it is not for every one, or every person, that these angelical creatures
will appear unto, though they may say over the call, over and over, or
indeed is it given to very many persons to endure their glorious
aspects; even very many have failed just at that present when they are
ready to manifest themselves; even persons otherwise of undaunted
spirits and firm resolution, are herewith astonished, and tremble; as it
happened not many years since with us. A very sober discreet person, of
virtuous life and conversation, was beyond measure desirous to see
something in this nature. He went with a friend into my Hurst Wood: the
Queen of Fairies was invocated, a gentle murmuring wind came first;
after that, amongst the hedges, a smart whirlwind; by and by a strong
blast of wind blew upon the face of the friend,--and the Queen appearing
in a most illustrious glory, 'No more, I beseech you,' (quoth the
friend:) 'My heart fails; I am not able to endure longer.' Nor was he:
his black curling hair rose up, and I believe a bullrush would have beat
him to the ground: he was soundly laughed at, &c.
Sir Robert Holborn, Knight, brought once unto me Gladwell[18] of
Suffolk, who had formerly had sight and conference with Uriel and
Raphael, but lost them both by carelessness; so that neither of them
both would but rarely appear, and then presently be gone, resolving
nothing. He would have given me two hundred pounds to have assisted him
for their recovery, but I am no such man.--Those glorious creatures, if
well commanded, and well observed, do teach the master any thing he
desires; _Amant secreta, fugiunt aperta_. The Fairies love the southern
side of hills, mountains, groves.--Neatness and cleanliness in apparel,
a strict diet, and upright life, fervent prayers unto God, conduce much
to the assistance of those who are curious these ways.
[Footnote 18: Mr. Gilbert Wakering gave him his berril when he
died; it was of the largeness of a good big orange, set in
silver, with a cross on the top, and another on the handle; and
round about engraved the names of these angels, Raphael,
Gabriel, Uriel.]
It hath been my happiness to meet with many rarities in my time
unexpectedly. I had a sister lived in the Minories, in that very house
where formerly had lived one Evans, not my tutor, but another far
exceeding him in astrology, and all other occult learning, questioned
for his life about 1612. I am sure it was when the present Earl of
Manchester's father was Lord Chief Justice of England. He was found
guilty by a peevish Jury: but petitioning King James by a Greek
petition, as indeed he was an excellent Grecian; 'By my saul,' said King
James, 'this man shall not die; I think he is a better Grecian than any
of my Bishops:' so his life was spared, &c. My sister's master when new
modelling the house, broke up a window, under which were Evans's secret
manuscripts,[19] and two moulds in brass; one of a man, the other of a
woman. I bought the moulds and book for five shillings; the secrets were
wrote in an imperfect Greek character; but after I found the vowels, all
the rest were presently clear enough.
[Footnote 19: From these manuscripts he gained his first
knowledge.]
You see, most worthy Sir, I write freely; it is out of the sincerity of
my affection, many things wrote by me having been more fit for a
sepulture than a book: But,
_Quo major est virorum præstantium, tui similium inopia; eo mihi charior
est, & esse debet & amicitia tua: quam quidem omnibus officiis, &
studiis, quæ a summa benevolentia possunt, perpetuò colam_: However, who
study the curiosities before-named, if they are not very well versed in
astrology, they shall rarely attain their desired ends. There was, in
the late times of troubles, one Mortlack, who pretended unto
Speculations, had a crystal, a call of Queen Mab, one of the Queen of
Fairies; he deluded many thereby: at last I was brought into his
company; he was desired to make invocation, he did so; nothing appeared,
or would: three or four times in my company he was put upon to do the
work, but could not; at last he said he could do nothing as long as I
was in presence. I at last shewed him his error, but left him as I found
him, a pretending ignoramus.
I may seem to some to write incredibilia; be it so, but knowing unto
whom, and for whose only sake, I do write them, I am much comforted
therewith, well knowing you are the most knowing man in these
curiosities of any now living in England; and therefore it is my hope,
these will be a present well-becoming you to accept.
_Præclara omnia quam difficilia sint, his præsertim temporibus.
(Celeberrimè Armiger,) non te fugit_; and therefore I will acquaint you
with one memorable story related unto me by Mr. John Marr, an excellent
mathematican and geometrician, whom I conceive you remember: he was
servant to King James and Charles the First.
At first, when the Lord Napier, or Marchiston, made publick his
Logarithms, Mr. Briggs, then reader of the astronomy lecture at
Gresham-College in London, was so surprized with admiration of them,
that he could have no quietness in himself, until he had seen that noble
person the Lord Marchiston, whose only invention they were: he acquaints
John Marr herewith, who went into Scotland before Mr. Briggs, purposely
to be there when these two so learned persons should meet. Mr. Briggs
appoints a certain day when to meet at Edinburgh: but failing thereof,
the Lord Napier was doubtful he would not come. It happened one day as
John Marr and the Lord Napier were speaking of Mr. Briggs; 'Ah, John,'
saith Marchiston, 'Mr. Briggs will not now come:' at the very instant
one knocks at the gate; John Marr hasted down, and it proved Mr. Briggs,
to his great contentment. He brings Mr. Briggs up into my Lord's
chamber, where almost one quarter of an hour was spent, each beholding
the other almost with admiration, before one word was spoke: at last Mr.
Briggs began.