mystery, answered the Spirits, but reckoning or counting; for Numbers
are onely marks of remembrance. But what do you think of the Number of
Four, said she, which Cabbalists make such ado withal, and of the Number
of Ten, when they say that Ten is all, and that all Numbers are
virtually comprehended in Four? We think, answered they, that Cabbalists
have nothing else to do but to trouble their heads with such useless
Fancies; for naturally there is no such thing as prime or all in
Numbers; nor is there any other mystery in Numbers, but what Man's fancy
makes; but what Men call Prime, or All, we do not know, because they do
not agree in the number of their opinion. Then the Empress asked,
Whether the number of six was a symbole of Matrimony, as being made up
of Male and Femal, for two into three is six. If any number can be a
symbole of Matrimony, answered the Spirits, it is not Six, but Two; if
two may be allowed to be a Number: for the act of Matrimony is made up
of two joined in one. she asked again, What they said to the number of
Seven? whether it was not an Embleme of God, because Cabbalists say,
That it is neither begotten, nor begets any other Number? There can be
no Embleme of God, answered the Spirits; for if we do not know what God
is, how can we make an Embleme of him? Nor is there any Number in God,
for God is the perfection Himself; but Numbers are imperfect; and as for
the begetting of numbers, it is done by Multiplication and Addition; but
Substraction is as a kind of death to Numbers. If there be no mystery in
Numbers, replied the Empress then it is in vain to refer to the Creation
of the World to certain Numbers, as Cabbalists do. The onely mystery of
Numbers, answered they, concerning the Creation of the World, is, that
as Numbers do multiply, so does the World. The Empress asked, how far
Numbers did multiply? The Spirits answered, to Infinite. Why, said she,
Infinite cannot be reckoned, nor numbred. No more, answered they, can
the parts of the Universe; for God's Creation, being an Infinite action,
as proceeding from an Infinite Power, could not rest upon a finite
Number of Creatures, were it never so great. But leaving the mystery of
Numbers, proceeded the Empress, Let me now desire you to inform me,
Whether the Suns and Planets were generated by the Heavens, or Æthereal
Matter? The Spirits answered, That the Stars and Planets were of the
same matter which the Heavens, the Æther, and all other Natural
Creatures did consist of; but whether they were generated by the Heavens
or Æther, they could not tell: if they be, said they, they are not like
their Parents; for the Sun, Stars, and Planets, are more splendorous
then the Æther, as also more solid and constant in their motions: But
put the case, the Stars and Planets were generated by the Heavens, and
the Æthereal Matter; the question then would be, Out of what these are
generated or produced? If these be created out of nothing, and not
generated out of something, then it is probable the Sun, Stars and
Planets are so too; nay, it is more probable of the Stars, and Planets,
then of the Heavens, or the fluid Æther, by reason the Stars and Planets
seem to be further off from Mortality, then the particular parts of the
Æther; for no doubt but the parts of the Æthereal Matter, alter into
several forms, which we do not perceive of the Stars and Planets. The
Empress asked further, Whether they could give her information of the
three principles of Man, according to the doctrine of the Platonists; as
first of the Intellect, Spirit, or Divine Light. 2. Of the Soul of Man
her self: and 3. Of the Image of the Soul, that is, her vital operation
on the body? The Spirits answered, That they did not understand these
three distinctions, but that they seem'd to corporeal sense and reason,
as if they were three several bodies, or three several corporeal
actions; however, said they, they are intricate conceptions of irregular
Fancies. If you do not understand them, replied the Empress, how shall
human Creatures do then? Many, both of your modern and ancient
Philosophers, answered the Spirits, endeavour to go beyond Sense and
Reason, which makes them commit absurdities; for no corporeal Creature
can go beyond Sense and Reason; no not we Spirits, as long as we are in
our corporeal Vehicles. Then the Empress asked them, Whether there were
any Atheists in the World? The Spirits answered, That there were no more
Atheists then what Cabbalists make. she asked them further, Whether
Spirits were of a globous or round Figure? They answered, That Figure
belonged to body, but they being immaterial, had no Figure. she asked
again, Whether Spirits were not like Water or Fire? They answered, that
Water and Fire was material, were it the purest and most refined that
ever could be; nay, were it above the Heavens: But we are no more like
Water or Fire, said they, then we are like Earth; but our Vehicles are
of several forms, figures and degrees of substances. Then she desired to
know, Whether their Vehicles were made of Air? Yes, answered the
Spirits, some of our Vehicles are of thin Air. Then I suppose, replied
the Empress, That those airy Vehicles, are your corporeal Summer-suits.
she asked further, Whether the Spirits had not ascending and
descending-motions, as well as other Creatures? They answered, That
properly there was no ascension or descension in Infinite Nature, but
onely in relation to particular parts; and as for us Spirits, said they,
We can neither ascend nor descend without corporeal Vehicles; nor can
our Vehicles ascend or descend, but according to their several shapes
and figures, for there can be no motion without body. The Empress asked
them further, Whether there was not a World of Spirits, as well as there
is of Material Creatures? No, answered they; for the word World implies
a quantity or multitude of corporeal Creatures, but we being Immaterial,
can make no World of Spirits. Then she desired to be informed when
Spirits were made? We do not know, answered they, how and when we were
made, nor are we much inquisitive after it; nay, if we did, it would be
no benefit, neither for us, nor for you Mortals to know it. The Empress
replied, That Cabbalists and Divine Philosophers said, Mens rational
Souls were Immaterial, and stood as much in need of corporeal Vehicles,
as Spirits did. If this be so, answered the Spirits, then you are
Hermaphrodites of Nature; but your Cabbalists are mistaken, for they
take the purest and subtilest parts of Matter, for Immaterial Spirits.
Then the Empress asked, When the Souls of Mortals went out of their
Bodies, whether they went to Heaven or Hell; or whether, they remained
in airy Vehicles? God's Justice and Mercy, answered they, is perfect,
and not imperfect; but if you Mortals will have Vehicles for your Souls,
and a place that is between Heaven and Hell, it must be Purgatory, which
is a place of Purification, for which action Fire is more proper then
Air; and so the Vehicles of those Souls that are in Purgatory, cannot be
airy, but fiery; and after this rate there can be but four places for
human Souls to be in, viz. Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and this World; but
as for Vehicles, they are but fancies, not real truths. Then the Empress
asked them, Where Heaven and Hell was? Your Saviour Christ, answered the
Spirits, has informed you, that there is Heaven and Hell, but he did not
tell you what, nor where they are; wherefore it is too great a
presumption for you Mortals to inquire after it: If you do but strive to
get into Heaven, it is enough, though you do not know where or what it
is; for it is beyond your knowledg and understanding. I am satisfied,
replied the Empress; and asked further, Whether there were any Figures
or Characters in the Soul? They answered, Where there was no Body, there
could be no Figure. Then she asked them, Whether Spirits could be naked?
and whether they were of a dark, or a light colour? As for our
Nakedness, it is a very odd question, answered the Spirits; and we do
not know what you mean by a Naked Spirit; for you judg of us as of
corporeal Creatures; and as for Colour, said they, it is according to
our Vehicles; for Colour belongs to Body, and as there is no Body that
is colourless, so there is no Colour that is bodiless. Then the Empress
desired to be informed, Whether all Souls were made at the first
Creation of the World? We know no more, answered the Spirits, of the
origin of humane Souls, then we know of our Selves. she asked further,
Whether humane bodies were not burthensome to humane Souls? They
answered, That Bodies, made Souls active, as giving them motion; and if
action was troublesome to Souls, then Bodies were so too. she asked
again, Whether Souls did chuse Bodies? They answered, That Platonicks
believed, the Souls of Lovers lived in the Bodies of their Beloved, but
surely, said they, if there be a multitude of Souls in a World of
Matter, they cannot miss Bodies; for as soon as a Soul is parted from
one Body, it enters into another; and Souls having no motion of
themselves, must of necessity be clothed or imbodied with the next parts
of Matter. If this be so, replied the Empress, then I pray inform me,
Whether all matter be soulified? The Spirits answered, They could not
exactly tell that; but if it was true, that Matter had no other motion
but what came from a spiritual power, and that all matter was moving,
then no soul could quit a Body, but she must, of necessity enter into
another soulified Body, and then there would be two immaterial
substances in one Body. The Empress asked, Whether it was not possible
that there could be two Souls in one Body? As for Immaterial Souls,
answered the Spirits, it is impossible; for there cannot be two
Immaterials in one Inanimate Body, by reason they want parts, and place,
being bodiless; but there may be numerous material Souls in one composed
Body, by reason every material part has a material natural Soul; for
Nature is but one Infinite self-moving, living and self-knowing body,
consisting of the three degrees of inanimate, sensitive and rational
Matter, so intermixt together, that no part of Nature, were it an Atom,
can be without any of these three Degrees; the sensitive is the Life,
the rational the Soul, and the inanimate part, the Body of Infinite
Nature. The Empress was very well satisfied with this answer, and asked
further, Whether souls did not give life to bodies? No, answered they;
but Spirits and Divine Souls have a life of their own, which is not to
be divided, being purer then a natural life; for Spirits are
incorporeal, and consequently indivisible. But when the Soul is in its
Vehicle, said the Empress, then methinks she is like the Sun, and the
Vehicle like the Moon. No, answered they; but the Vehicle is like the
Sun, and the Soul like the Moon; for the Soul hath motion from the Body,
as the Moon has light from the Sun. Then the Empress asked the Spirits,
Whether it was an evil Spirit that tempted Eve, and brought all the
mischiefs upon Mankind: or, Whether it was the Serpent? They answered,
That Spirits could not commit actual evils. The Empress said, they might
do it by perswasions. They answered, That Perswasions were actions; But
the Empress not being contented with this answer, asked, Whether there
was not a supernatural Evil? The Spirits answered, That there was a
Supernatural Good, which was God; but they knew of no Supernatural Evil,
that was equal to God. Then she desired to know, Whether Evil Spirits
were reckoned amongst the Beasts of the Field? They answer'd, That many
Beasts of the field were harmless Creatures, and very serviceable for
Man's use; and though some were accounted fierce and cruel, yet did they
exercise their cruelty upon other Creatures, for the most part, to no
other end, but to get themselves food, and to satisfie their natural
appetite; but certainly, said they, you Men are more cruel to one
another, then evil Spirits are to you; and as for their habitations in
desolate places, we having no communion with them, can give you no
certain account thereof. But what do you think, said the Empress, of
good Spirits? may not they be compared to the Fowls of the Air? They
answered, There were many cruel and ravenous Fowls as well in the Air,
as there were fierce and cruel Beasts on Earth; so that the good are
always mixt with the bad. she asked further, Whether the fiery Vehicles
were a Heaven, or a Hell, or at least a Purgatory to the Souls? They
answered, That if the Souls were immaterial, they could not burn, and
then fire would do them no harm; and though Hell was believed to be an
undecaying and unquenchable fire, yet Heaven was no fire. The Empress
replied, That Heaven was a Light. Yes, said they, but not a fiery Light.
Then she asked, Whether the different shapes and sorts of Vehicles, made
the Souls and other Immaterial Spirits, miserable, or blessed? The
Vehicles, answered they, make them neither better, nor worse; for though
some Vehicles sometimes may have power over others, yet these by turns
may get some power again over them, according to the several advantages
and disadvantages of particular Natural parts. The Empress asked
further, Whether Animal life came out of the spiritual World, and did
return thither again? The Spirits answered, They could not exactly tell;
but if it were so, then certainly Animal lives must leave their bodies
behind them, otherwise the bodies would make the spiritual World a mixt
World, that is, partly material, and partly immaterial; but the Truth
is, said they, Spirits being immaterial, cannot properly make a World;
for a World belongs to material, not to immaterial Creatures. If this be
so, replied the Empress, then certainly there can be no world of Lives
and Forms without Matter? No, answered the Spirits; nor a world of
Matter without Lives and Forms; for Natural Lives and Forms cannot be
immaterial, no more then Matter can be immovable. And therefore natural
lives, forms and matter, are inseparable. Then the Empress asked,
Whether the first Man did feed on the best sorts of the Fruits of the
Earth, and the Beasts on the worst? The Spirits answered, That unless
the Beasts of the field were barred out of manured fields and gardens,
they would pick and chuse the best Fruits as well as Men; and you may
plainly observe it, said they, in Squirrels and Monkies, how they are
the best Chusers of Nuts and Apples; and how Birds do pick and feed in
the most delicious fruits, and Worms on the best roots, and most savoury
herbs; by which you may see, that those Creatures live and feed better
then men do, except you will say, that artificial Cookery is better and
more wholsome then the natural. Again, the Empress asked, Whether the
first Man gave Names to all the several sorts of Fishes in the Sea, and
fresh Waters? No, answered the Spirits, for he was an Earthly, and not a
Watery Creature; and therefore could not know the several sorts of
Fishes. Why, replied the Empress, he was no more an Airy Creature then
he was a Watery one, and yet he gave Names to the several sorts of Fowls
and Birds of the Air. Fowls, answered they, are partly Airy, and partly
Earthly Creatures, not onely because they resemble Beasts and Men in
their flesh, but because their rest and dwelling places are on Earth;
for they build their Nests, lay their Eggs, and hatch their Young, not
in the Air, but on the Earth. Then she asked, Whether the first Man did
give Names to all the various sorts of Creatures that live on the Earth?
Yes, answered they, to all those that were presented to him, or he had
knowledg of, that is, to all the prime sorts; but not to every
particular: for of Mankind, said they, there were but two at first; and
as they did encrease, so did their Names. But, said the Empress, who
gave the Names to the several sorts of Fish? The posterity of Mankind,
answered they. Then she enquired, Whether there were no more kinds of
Creatures now, then at the first Creation? They answered, That there
were no more nor fewer kinds of Creatures then there are now; but there
are, without question, more particular sorts of Creatures now, then
there were then. she asked again, Whether all those Creatures that were
in Paradise, were also in Noah's Ark? They answered, That the principal
kinds had been there, but not all the particulars. Then she would fain
know, how it came, that both Spirits and Men did fall from a blessed
into so miserable a state and condition as they are now in. The Spirits
answered, By disobedience. The Empress asked, Whence this disobedient
sin did proceed? But the Spirits desired the Empress not to ask them any
such questions, because they went beyond their knowledg. Then she begg'd
the Spirits to pardon her presumption; for, said she, It is the nature
of Mankind to be inquisitive. Natural desire of knowledg, answered the
Spirits, is not blameable, so you do not go beyond what your Natural
Reason can comprehend. Then I'le ask no more, said the Empress, for fear
I should commit some error; but one thing I cannot but acquaint you
withal: What is that, said the Spirits? I have a great desire, answered
the Empress, to make a Cabbala. What kind of Cabbala asked the Spirits?
The Empress answered, The Jews Cabbala. No sooner had the Empress
declared her Mind, but the Spirits immediately disappeared out of her
sight; which startled the Empress so much, that she fell into a Trance,
wherein she lay for some while; at last being come to her self again,
she grew very studious, and considering with her self what might be the
cause of this strange dysaster, conceived at first, that perhaps the
Spirits were tired with hearing and giving answers to her Questions; but
thinking by her self, That Spirits could not be tired, she imagined that
this was not the true cause of their disappearing, till, after divers
debates with her own thoughts, she did verily believe that the Spirits
had committed some fault in their answers, and that for their punishment
they were condemned to the lowest and darkest Vehicles. This belief was
so fixt in her mind, that it put her into a very Melancholick humor; and
then she sent both for her Fly-men and Worm-men, and declared to them
the cause of her sadness. 'Tis not so much, said she, the vanishing of
those Spirits that makes me Melancholick, but that I should be the cause
of their miserable condition, and that those harmless Spirits should,
for my sake, sink down into the black and dark abyss of the Earth. The
Worm-men comforted the Empress, telling her, That the Earth was not so
horrid a Dwelling, as she did imagine; for, said they, not onely all
Minerals and Vegetables, but several sorts of Animals can witness, that
the Earth is a warm, fruitful, quiet, safe, and happy habitation; and
though they want the light of the Sun, yet are they not in the dark, but
there is light even within the Earth, by which those Creatures do see
that dwell therein. This relation setled her Majesties mind a little;
but yet she being desirous to know the Truth, where, and in what
condition those Spirits were, commanded both the Fly- and Worm-men to
use all labour and industry to find them out; whereupon the Worm-men
straight descended into the Earth, and the Fly-men ascended into the
Air. After some short time, the Worm-men returned, and told the Empress,
that when they went into the Earth, they inquired of all the Creatures
they met withal, Whether none of them had perceived such or such
Spirits; until at last coming to the very Center of the Earth, they were
truly informed, that those Spirits had stayed some time there, but at
last were gone to the Antipodes on the other side of the Terrestrial
Globe, diametrically opposite to theirs. The Fly-men seconded the
Wormmen, assuring her Majesty, that their relation was very true; for,
said they, We have rounded the Earth, and just when we came to the
Antipodes, we met those Spirits in a very good condition, and acquainted
them that your Majesty was very much troubled at their sudden departure,
and fear'd they should be buried in the darkness of the Earth: whereupon
the Spirits answered us, That they were sorry for having occasioned such
sadness and trouble in your Majesty; and desired us to tell your
Majesty, that they feared no darkness; for their Vehicles were of such a
sort of substance as Cats eyes, Glow-worms tails, and rotten Wood,
carrying their light along with them; and that they were ready to do
your Majesty what service they could, in making your Cabbala. At which
Relation the Empress was exceedingly glad, and rewarded both her Fly-
and Worm-men bountifully.
After some time, when the Spirits had refreshed themselves in their own
Vehicles, they sent one of their nimblest Spirits, to ask the Empress,
Whether she would have a Scribe, or, whether she would write the Cabbala
her self? The Empress received the proffer which they made her, with all
civility; and told them, that she desired a Spiritual Scribe. The
Spirits answer'd, That they could dictate, but not write, except they
put on a hand or arm, or else the whole body of Man. The Empress
replied, How can Spirits arm themselves with gantlets of Flesh? As well,
answered they, as Man can arm himself with a gantlet of steel. If it be
so, said the Empress, then I will have a Scribe. Then the Spirits asked
her, Whether she would have the Soul of a living or a dead Man? Why,
said the Empress, can the Soul quit a living Body, and wander or travel
abroad? Yes, answered they, for according to Plato's Doctrine, there is
a Conversation of Souls, and the Souls of Lovers live in the Bodies of
their Beloved. Then I will have, answered she, the Soul of some ancient
famous Writer, either of Aristotle, Pythagoras, Plato, Epicurus, or the
like. The Spirits said, That those famous Men were very learned,
subtile, and ingenious Writers; but they were so wedded to their own
opinions, that they would never have the patience to be Scribes. Then,
said she, I'le have the Soul of one of the most famous modern Writers,
as either of Galileo, Gassendus, Des Cartes, Helmont, Hobbes, H. More,
&c. The Spirits answered, That they were fine ingenious Writers, but yet
so self-conceited, that they would scorn to be Scribes to a Woman. But,
said they, there's a Lady, the Duchess of Newcastle; which although she
is not one of the most learned, eloquent, witty and ingenious, yet she
is a plain and rational Writer; for the principle of her Writings, is
Sense and Reason, and she will without question, be ready to do you all
the service she can. That Lady then, said the Empress, will I chuse for
my Scribe, neither will the Emperor have reason to be jealous, she being
one of my own sex. In truth, said the Spirit, Husbands have reason to be
jealous of Platonick Lovers, for they are very dangerous, as being not
onely intimate and close, but subtil and insinuating. You say well,
replied the Empress; wherefore I pray send me the Duchess of Newcastle's
Soul; which the Spirit did; and after she came to wait on the Empress,
at her first arrival the Empress imbraced and saluted her with a
Spiritual kiss; then she asked her whether she could write? Yes,
answered the Duchess's Soul, but not so intelligibly that any Reader
whatsoever may understand it, unless he be taught to know my Characters;
for my Letters are rather like Characters, then well formed Letters.
Said the Empress, you were recommended to me by an honest and ingenious
Spirit. Surely, answered the Duchess, the Spirit is ignorant of my
hand-writing. The truth is, said the Empress, he did not mention your
hand-writing; but he informed me, that you writ Sense and Reason, and if
you can but write so, that any of my Secretaries may learn your hand,
they shall write it out fair and intelligible. The Duchess answered,
That she questioned not but it might easily be learned in a short time.
But, said she to the Empress, What is it that your Majesty would have
written? she answered, The Jews Cabbala. Then your onely way for that
is, said the Duchess, to have the Soul of some famous Jew; nay, if your
Majesty please, I scruple not, but you may as easily have the Soul of
Moses, as of any other. That cannot be, replied the Empress, for no
Mortal knows where Moses is. But, said the Duchess, humane Souls are
immortal; however, if this be too difficult to be obtained, you may have
the Soul of one of the chief Rabbies or Sages of the Tribe of Levi, who
will truly instruct you in that mystery; when as, otherwise, your
Majesty will be apt to mistake, and a thousand to one, will commit gross
errors. No, said the Empress, for I shall be instructed by Spirits.
Alas! said the Duchess, Spirits are as ignorant as Mortals in many
cases; for no created Spirits have a general or absolute knowledg, nor
can they know the Thoughts of Men, much less the Mysteries of the great
Creator, unless he be pleased to inspire into them the gift of Divine
Knowledg. Then, I pray, said the Empress, let me have your counsel in
this case. The Duchess answered, If your Majesty will be pleased to
hearken to my advice, I would desire you to let that work alone; for it
will be of no advantage either to you, or your people, unless you were
of the Jews Religion; nay, if you were, the vulgar interpretation of the
holy Scripture would be more instructive, and more easily believed, then
your mystical way of interpreting it; for had it been better and more
advantagious for the Salvation of the Jews, surely Moses would have
saved after Ages that labour by his own Explanation, he being not onely
a wise, but a very honest, zealous and religious Man: Wherefore the best
way, said she, is to believe with the generality the literal sense of
the Scripture, and not to make interpretations every one according to
his own fancy, but to leave that work for the Learned, or those that
have nothing else to do; Neither do I think, said she, that God will
damn those that are ignorant therein, or suffer them to be lost for want
of a Mystical interpretation of the Scripture. Then, said the Empress,
I'le leave the Scripture, and make a Philosophical Cabbala. The Duchess
told her, That, Sense and Reason would instruct her of a Nature as much
as could be known; and as for Numbers, they were infinite; but to add
non-sense to infinite, would breed a confusion, especially in Humane
Understanding. Then, replied the Empress, I'le make a Moral Cabbala. The
onely thing, answered the Duchess, in Morality, is but, To fear God, and
to love his Neighbour, and this needs no further interpretation. But
then I'le make a Political Cabbala, said the Empress. The Duchess
answered, That the chief and onely ground in Government, was but Reward
and Punishment, and required no further Cabbala; But, said she, If your
Majesty were resolved to make a Cabbala, I would advise you, rather to
make a Poetical or Romancical Cabbala, wherein you may use Metaphors,
Allegories, Similitudes, &c. and interpret them as you please. With that
the Empress thank'd the Duchess, and embracing her Soul, told her she
would take her Counsel: she made her also her Favourite, and kept her
sometime in that World, and by this means the Duchess came to know and
give this Relation of all that passed in that rich, populous, and happy
World; and after some time the Empress gave her leave to return to her
Husband and Kindred into her Native World, but upon condition, that her
Soul should visit her now and then; which she did: and truly their
meeting did produce such an intimate friendship between them, that they
became Platonick Lovers, although they were both Femals.