acknowledgeth it in his two Epistles, in that to _Cæsar_ his son, he
saith, he hath done it, not only because of the times wherein he lived,
but also by reason of those that were to follow, in the times wherein he
lived the Case was as it is now, _Veritas odium parit_, and this hatred
in powerful men is prejudicial to those that speak the Truth, he was also
cautious in that, by reason of the times following; for if he had plainly
declared what he meant, the Wits would have laughed at it, and would not
have believed those strange revolutions that came to pass, and which our
Author had foretold. In his Epistle to _Henry_ the II he telleth him,
that he doth purposely make use of obscure terms to express his mind, for
the reasons before alledged.
Now _Calumny_ saith, that this affectation of obscurity is a sign that
God was not the Author of his Knowledge, seeing that by this obscurity
they have proved unprofitable to the Church.
I answer first, that the consequence is false; for the Holy Prophets have
spoken so obscurely, that a great part of what they had Prophecied was
not known till after it had come to pass.
I answer secondly, that although Prophecies were not understood till
after the fulfilling thereof, it doth not follow that they were
unprofitable; because by their fulfilling in due time, we gather, that
he who revealed them was the true God, Lord of times and Eternity, and
therefore being the God of _Israel_, and of the Christians, he ought to
be worshiped. By this principle _Cyrus_ and _Alexander_ knew the true
God, _Cyrus_ by having seen the Prophecies of _Isaiah_, and _Alexander_
those of _Daniel_.
Therefore as the Prophecies of the Saints have not been fruitless, though
not understood till they were fulfilled, even so we must not infer that
_Nostradamus_’s Prophecies have been useless, though they have remained
in obscurity so long a while.
Besides, there is no doubt but _Nostradamus_ having Prophecied so many
several things that are come to pass, but that hereafter when the
Heathen shall see it they shall glorifie God, and shall acknowledge a
true Religion, as did _Cyrus_, who many Authors believe to have obtained
Salvation.
I answer in the third place, that God permitteth ordinarily that
Prophecies lie long in the dark, and then raiseth the Spirit of some men
to expound them, as he did that of _Daniel_ to interpret the 70 Weeks of
the _Babylonian_ Captivity, Prophecied by _Jeremiah_, to incourage the
faithful three ways.
First, in shewing them, that if the first Prophecies have been punctually
fulfilled, the rest will likewise come to pass, seeing the same God hath
dictated them.
Secondly, in unfolding to them the future wonders, of which they shall be
partakers.
Thirdly, in giving warning how they may attain to them, and shew those
accidents that might be an hindrance. Thus God did permit, that for the
space of 100. years _Nostradamus_ Prophecies should lie in darkness, and
be contemned, but after that time God will raise some body to interpret
them, whence the faithful seeing so many things foretold come to pass so
exactly, will incourage one another by seing so many wonderful prodigies,
of whom they shall be Eye Witnesses.
As for my part I have undertaken this Work, only to authorise the wonders
that shall be seen in our days, and to invite the Christian Princes to
the same design.
The conclusion of this discourse is, that our _Medusa Calumny_, must
needs retreat in her dens, and that we ought to forgive those Authors
that have spoken so ill of our Author, seing they wanted the Intelligence
of his Prophecies, and that the Church did suspend the authorising of
them.
CHAP. XI.
_Some difficulties against what we have said, drawn out of ~Nostradamus~
his own Epistles._
We have (thanks be to God) sheltered this famous man from the back-biting
of _Calumny_, but that we may clear wholly the Heaven of this reputation,
we add this Chapter more for the clearing of some words that are in
his Epistles, which seem to contradict some of those things we have
said; the Author in his Epistles to his Son _Cæsar_, after he had said
that God had disposed him to receive thy impression of supernatural
lights, not by a _Bacchant furor_, nor by a _Lymphatical motion_, but by
_Astronomical assertions_, he saith in the same Epistle towards the end;
_That sometimes in the Week being surprised by a Lymphatick humor, and
making his Nocturnal Studies sweet by his calculations, he made Books of
Prophecies, each one containing a hundred Astronomical Stanza’s, which he
endeavoured to set out something obscurely_, from which words it might be
gathered, that he made his Prophecies by a Lymphatical Spirit, and by the
only judicial Astrology.
And in the Epistle to King _Henry_ the II. he seemeth to confess,
that his Prophecie is nothing but a natural Genius, which he had by
Inheritance from his Ancestors.
To these difficulties I answer, supposing first that anciently those were
called Lymphaticks, who were mad for Love; because the first that was
observed among the Ancients to be mad with that passion, threw himself
into the water, which in Latine is called _Lympha_, whence all those that
were afterwards transported with the excess of any passion, either of
Love, Melancholy, Choler or Envy, have been called Lymphaticks.
So that in this place a Lymphatical motion is nothing properly but a deep
Melancholy, which separating us from all Earthly things, doth transport
the mind to extraordinary thoughts either good or bad.
This being suposed, I say that the Author confesseth, that his retreat,
solitariness, nocturnal Watchings, and Melancholy, have disposed him
much to the receiving of that Heavenly flame, which is the cause of
Vaticination and Prophecie.
And because he did often spend the whole nights in this study, this
Nocturnal retreat caused in him a retirement from all worldly things,
at which time he felt a Divine elevating Virtue, that raised his
understanding to those Divine Knowledges.
And because this elevating Vertue was caused in him by Divine operation,
he doth attribute always his Prophecies to God alone; and by reason that
this elevation hath some resemblance with that of the Lymphaticks, he
saith, that sometimes he did Lymphatise not properly speaking, but by
resemblance.
So that it is true, our Author did not receive his Prophecies by
Lymphatical motion, or _Bacchant furie_, but from God himself, who did
work in him while he observed his Astronomical assertions; and it is
also true, that he felt this Divine operation by a kind of a Lymphatical
motion.
Concerning what he saith to _Henry_ the II. it is certain he maketh use
of that Language as much by a motive of Truth to conceal that Grace which
he had received from God, as of Humility.
By a Motive of Truth, because effectually; because all the
_Nostradamus_’s had some tincture of Prophecie, and his Son the Capucin
acknowledgeth it himself.
By a Motive of Humility; because acknowledging himself to be a miserable
sinner, and seeing that this gift of Prophecie was not ordinarily granted
but unto Saints. He chuseth rather to attribute his Prophecies to his
Genius, than otherways to procure a Fame and Authority to his predictions.
In confirmation of what we have said, _That he was often in that
transport_, many years before his death he made the Stanza of the
Century, in which is contained all the great Works of the Philosophers,
and foretelleth, that a great Divine shall attain to the perfection of
that great Work, which Divine is called, the _Divine Verbe_, turning
into _French_ the Word θεολογος, which signifieth Divine Word or Verb.
Nevertheless he never wrought himself at that Work, but got his living
Honourably by his practise of Physick, by which we may see, that he did
write some things which himself understood not, unless they were such
general ones, as might be read in the Heavens.
CHAP. XII.
_Elogies given to ~Nostradamus~ by several Authentical Authors._
If several Authors either by envy or ignorance have defamed our Author,
others of no shall repute have taken his defence in hand.
D’_Aurat_ one of the most excellent Poets of _France_, living at the
same time as _Nostradamus_, made a few explications of his Prophecies,
which as the report goes, did please the Readers. I am sorry I could not
get them, it would have been some ease to me; for it is easier to add
than to invent. The first Volume of the Lord _la Croix du Main_, maketh
honourable mention of him, the same saith, that his Motto was _Felix
Oviam prior Ætas_, Happy the first Age that was contented with their
Flock, shewing by that, what esteem he had of frugality and sincerity
of manners, and what aversion he had against the Vices of his Age,
the unruliness of manners, and cousenage of men. _Ronsard_ the Prince
of the _French_ Poets singeth his praises: The Lord _Boucher_ in that
great Volume, intitled the _Mistical Crown_, in favour of the future
_Croisade_, doth vindicate our Author from _Calumny_, and expoundeth some
of his Prophecies pretty happily.
I will not relate here what his Son _Cæsar Nostradamus_ writeth modestly
of him in his History of _Provence_, under _Lewis_ the XII. _Henry_ the
II. and _Charles_ the IX. his Evidence may be suspected, because of the
Consanguinity.
One of the greatest Wits of this last Age, who desireth to be nameless,
giveth him this Character.
First, That God Almighty hath chosen _Michael Nostradamus_ among the
common sort of Christians, to impart unto him the knowledge of many
prodigious and extraordinary future things.
Secondly, He maintaineth, that after the Apostles and Canonical
Prophets, he is the first of all in three things, in his certainty and
infallibility, in the generality and in the quantity. As to the first,
he doth not doubt but the Abbot _Joachim_ ought to give him place; for
though he hath foretold some things that have come to pass, he hath
written a hundred others which are meer fopperies.
Thirdly, He maintaineth that the Emperour _Leo_ in his prophetical Tables
is far below him; for he doth only aim at those things which regard the
Eastern Empire, as _Theophrastus Paracelsus_ hath done for the Western.
Concerning the quantity of things, he maintaineth, that none of the
others can dispute it with him; for _Nostradamus_ hath made above a
thousand stanza’s (if we had them all) each of which containeth two or
three prophetical Truths, some of which regard the East, others the West,
others some private Kingdoms and States others private and particular
things, and all with Truth and certainty.
CHAP. XIII.
_What these Stanza’s Prophecie of._
The Author in his Epistle to King _Henry_ the II. saith, that he treateth
of things which were to happen in many Cities and Towns of _Europe_, and
of a part of _Asia_ and _Africa_.
And to say Truth, I have found nothing in them concerning the East or
West, _Jappan_ or _China_.
He treateth chiefly of _France_ as of his Native Kingdom, and of his own
Countrey _Provence_, and that which is next to it, viz. _Piemont_.
He speaketh amply of the Popes, and of _Italy_, _Turky_ and _England_:
As for the Empire _Spain_, and _Suedeland_, he doth moderately speak
of them. Concerning _Æthiopia_ and _Africa_ there is some nine or ten
Stanza’s.
In all those places he foretelleth many things, not only general for
every State, but also particular and individual for several persons. He
also foretelleth many supernatural prodigies in the Heavens, the Air, the
Sea, and the Land.
He hath inserted among his Prophecies four Horoscopes, the first of the
Grandfather of the Lord l’_Ainier_ in the Province of _Anjou_; the second
of one called _Urnel Vausile_; the third of one _Cosme du Jardin_; and
the fourth of one, whom he nameth not, but describeth him by his stature.
CHAP. XIV.
_Since what time these Prophecies began._
It is certain that they began in _January_ 1555. because he dedicated
the first seven Centuries to his Son _Cæsar_ the first day of _March_ in
the said year, and consequently they were made before that time, and we
cannot allow less than two Months to an Author for the making of 700.
Stanza’s: Nevertheless for a greater manifestation of his prophetical
Spirit, I have not found any of his Prophecies that did come to pass
before the first of _March_ 1555.
As for the Eight, Ninth and Ten Century, there is reason to believe, that
the effect of them doth not begin before the _27 June 1558_. which is the
date of his Liminary Epistle to _Henry_ the II. Nevertheless he saith
in the same Epistle, that in a writing by it self he will set down the
exposition of his Prophecies, beginning the 14 of _March_ 1557. and in
the Epistle to _Nostradamus_ his Son, he saith in general that he hath
composed Books of Prophecies, each one containing one hundred Stanza’s,
without specifying whether he spoke of the seven that he dedicated to
him, or of all the others.
As for my part, I believe he had made them all in the year 1555. but
that he had not yet examined the three last Centuries, according to the
Calculation of his Astronomical assertions, as he seemeth to indicate
often in his Epistle to _Henry_ II. and to say the truth, I have found
some Stanza’s, which were fulfilled before the year 1558. though very few.
As for the extent of his Prophecies, it is certain, that it is to the end
of the World, as I shall make it appear in the explication of the 48, the
49, and 56. Stanza’s of the first Century, and the 72, 73, and 94. of the
tenth, and all according to the Holy Scripture.
All these things being premised, we shall proceed to the explication of
the Prophecies, setting first the Authors Luminary Epistle to his Son.
THE
PREFACE
TO _Mr._
Michael Nostradamus
HIS
PROPHECIES,
_Ad ~Cæsarem Nostradamum~ Filium vita & Felicitas._
Thy late coming, _Cæsar Nostradamus_, my son, hath caused me to bestow
a great deal of time in continual and nocturnal watchings, that I might
leave a Memorial of me after my death, to the common benefit of Mankind,
concerning the things which the Divine Essence hath revealed to me by
Astronomical Revolutions; and since it hath pleased the immortal God,
that thou are come late into this World, and canst not say that thy years
that are but few, but thy Months are incapable to receive into thy weak
understanding, what I am forced to define of futurity, since it is not
possible to leave thee in Writing, what might be obliterated by the
injury of times, for the Hereditary word of _occult prædictions_ shall
be lockt up in my brest, considering also that the events are definitely
uncertain, and that all is governed by the power of God, who inspired
us not by a Bacchant fury or Lymphatick motion, but by Astronomical
affections. _Soli numine Divino afflati præsagiunt & Spiritu Prophetico
particularia_: Although I have often foretold long before what hath
afterwards come to pass, and in particular Regions, acknowledging all to
have been done by Divine Vertue and Inspiration, being willing to hold my
peace by reason of the injury, not onely of the present time, but also
of the future, and to put them in Writing, because the Kingdoms, Sects,
and Regions shall be so Diametrically opposed, that if I should relate
what shall happen hereafter, those of the present Reign, Sect, Religion
and Faith, would find it so disagreeing with their fances, that they
would condemn that which future Ages shall find and know to be true;
considering also the saying of our Saviour, _Nolite Sanctum dare canibus
ne conculcent pedibus & conversi discumpant vos_, which hath been the
cause that I have withdrawn my tongue from the Vulgar, and my Pen from
Paper. But afterwards I was willing for the common good to enlarge my
self in dark and abstruse Sentences, declaring the future Events, chiefly
the most urgent, and those which I foresaw (what ever humane mutation
happened) would not offend the hearers, all under dark figures more then
Prophetical, for although, _Abscondisti hæc a sapientibus & prudensibus_,
i. e. _potentibus & Regibus enucleasti ea exiguis & tennibus_, and
the Prophets by means onely of the immortal God and good Angels, have
received the Spirit of Vaticination, by which they foresee things, and
foretel future events; for nothing is perfect without him, whose power
and goodness is so great to his Creatures, that though they are but men,
nevertheless by the likeness of our good Genius to the Angels, this heat
and Prophetical power draws near us, as it happens by the Beams of the
Sun, which cast their influence both on Elementary and not Elementary
bodies; as for us who are men, we cannot attain any thing by our natural
knowledge, of the secrets of God our Creator. _Quia non est nostrum nosse
tempora nec momenta_, &c.