Postscript, and Dr. Dee's Apology of 1594/5

POSTCRIPT.

SInce this Preface was written, and almost printed, I was shewed a Book, entituled, Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum, &c. by Elias Ashmole Esq and in some Annotations there, at the end, an account concerning Dr. Dee and Edw. Kelley, (there stiled Sir Edward Kelley) out of a Diary of Dr. Dees, all written with his own hand: As I do not question the Gentlemans fidelity in this business, so I make as little question but Dr. Dee's own hand will be found to agree in all matters of Fact both here and there, if any shall take the pains to compare. And it may be the Reader may receive some further satisfaction in some particulars by his labor, which is the reason that I mention the Book here, being but lately come to my knowledge; His Judgement either concerning Dr. Dee, or Kelley, I meddle not with; and it may be, had he seen what is here to be seen, he would have been of another opinion in some things: Here is enough, I am sure, to satisfie any man that is not very much preoccupied, or otherwise engaged by particular ends. As for those Reports concerning Kelley, (some whereof concern Dr. Dee also) he tells us of; as I believe him, that he hath heard so, so I must (and may truly) profess, that I have met with far contrary, and in my judgement, and by this account here given us by Dr. Dee, much more probable: And particularly, that Kelley was put in Prison by the Emperor, for a notable Chymical cheat that he had put upon him; the particulars whereof, though they were fully related unto me, yet I will not adventure upon, lest I mistake in some terms of art, or petty circumstance of fact. And let the Reader judge by that account, Dr. Dee (who best knew) doth give us here throughout the whole Book of this Kelley, whether Wevers Story in his Funeral Monum. pag. 45, 46. of damnable Necromancy, and other Diabolical Conjuration, practised by Kelley in Lancashire, be not (besides what is there said and attested) much more probable, then any thing that hath been or can be said by others, to his justification or commendation: Which indeed doth make Doctor Dee's case altogether inexcusable, that believing and knowing the man to be such a one, he would have to do with him, and expected good by his Ministeries; but that the Doctor his Faith, and his intellectualls (through Gods just judgement, as we have said) were so much in the power and government of his Spirits, that they might perswade him to any thing, under colour of doing service unto God, yea had it been to cut his own Fathers throat, as we see in the Relation, that they perswaded him to lie with another mans Wife, and prostitute his own to a vile, and, by himself belived, Diabolical man.

Besides, I have been told by many, that Dr. Dee, very poor and every way miserable, dyed at Mortlack, here about London, which doth not seem to agree with the report in those Annotations: But enough of them: Neither indeed have I said any thing at all of purpose to oppose the Author, but to give this further satisfaction to the Reader, or rather to the truth, which I thought I was bound to do.

The passage in Wevers Funeral Monuments, pag. 45, 46. concerning Kelley, for their satisfaction that have not the Book, is this; Kelley, (otherwise called Talbot) that famous English Alchymist of our times, who flying out of his own Countrey (after he had lost both his ears at Lancaster) was entertained by Rodolph the second, and last of that Christian name, Emperor of Germany; for whom Elizabeth of famous memory, sent (very secretly) Captain Peter Gwyn, with some others, to perswade him to return back to his own Native home, which he was willing to do; and thinking to escape away in the night, by stealth, as he was clammering over a Wall in his own House in Pragne (which bears his name to this day, and sometimes was an old Sanctuary) he sell down from the Battlements, broke his leggs, and bruised his body, of which hurts within a while after, he departed this World.

Sed quorsum haec? you will say: Then thus, This Diabolical questioning of the dead, for the knowledge of future accidents, was put in practice by the said Kelley, who upon a certain Night, in the Park of Walton in le dale, in the County of Lancaster, with one Paul Waring, (his fellow-companion in such Deeds of darkness) invocated some one of the Infernal Regiment, to know certain passages in the life, as also what might be known by the Divels foresight, of the manner and time of the death of a Noble yong Gentleman, as then in Wardship. The Black Ceremonies of that Night being ended, Kelley demanded of one of the Gentlemans servants, what Corse was the last buryed in Law Church-yard, a Church thereunto adjoyning, who told him of a poor man that was buryed there but the same day: He and the said Waring, intreated this foresaid servant to go with them to the Grave of the man so lately interred, which he did; and withal, did help them to dig up the Carcase of the poor Catiff, whom by their Incantations, they made him (or rather some evil Spirit through his Organs) to speak, who delivered strange Predictions concerning the said Gentleman. I was told thus much by the said Serving-man, a Secondary Actor in that dismal abhorred business; and divers Gentlemen and others are now living in Lancashire, to whom he hath related this Story. And the Gentlemen himself (whose memory I am bound to honor) told me a little before his death, of this Conjuration by Kelley, as he had it by relation from his said Servant and Tenant, onely some circumstances excepted, which he thought not fitting to come to his Masters knowledge.

Dr. Dee's Apology, Sent to the Arch-Bishop of CANTERBURY. 1594/5. OR, A Letter containing a most brief Discourse Apogeticall, with a plain Demonstration, and fervent Protestation for the lawfull, sincere, very faithfull and Christian course of the Philosophicall Studies and Exercises, of a certain studious Gentleman: An ancient Servant to Her most Excellent Majesty Royall.

To the most Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitane of all England, one of Her Majesties most Honorable Privie Councell: my singular good Lord.

MOst humbly and heartily I crave your Graces pardon, if I offend any thing, to send, or present unto your Graces hand, so simple a Discourse as this is: Although, by some sage and discreet my friends their opinion, it is thought not to be impertinent, to my most needfull suits, presently in hand, (before her most Excellent Majesty Royall, your Lordships good Grace, and other the Right Honourable Lords of her Majesties Privy Councell) to make some part of my former studies, and studious exercises (within and for these 46 years last past, used and continued) to be first known and discovered unto your Grace, and other the right Honourable, my good Lords of her Majesties privy Councell: And secondly, afterwards, the same to be permitted to come to publick view: Not so much, to stop the mouthes, and, at length to stay the impudent attempts, of the rash, and malicious devisers, and contrivers of most untrue, foolish, and wicked reports, and fables, of, and concerning my foresaid studious exercises, passed over, with my great, (yea incredible) paines, travells, cares, and costs, in the search, and learning of true Philosophie; As, therein, So, to certifie, and satisfie the godly and unpartiall Christian hearer, or reader hereof: That, by his own judgement, (upon his due consideration, and examination of this, no little parcell, of the particulars of my foresaid studies, and exercises philosophicall annexed) He will, or may, be sufficiently informed, and perswaded; That I have wonderfully laboured, to find, follow, use, and haunt the true, straight, and most narrow path, leading all true, devout, zealous, faithfull, and constant Christian students, ex valle hac miseriae, & miseria istius vallis: & tenebrarum Regno; & tenebris istius Regni, ad montem sanctum Syon, & ad coelestia tabernacula. All thanks, are most due, therefore, unto the Almighty: Seeing, it so pleased him, (even from my youth, by his divine favour, grace, and help) to insinuate into my heart, an insatiable zeal, and desire, to know his truth: And in him, and by him, incessantly to seek, and listen after the same; by the true Philosophical method and harmony proceeding and ascending, (as it were) gradatim, from things visible, to consider of things invisible: from things bodily, to conceive of things spirituall: from things transitory, and momentary, to mediate of things permanent: by things mortall (visible and invisible) to have some perseverance of immortality. And to conclude, most brieflly; by the most mervailous frame of the whole World, philosophically viewed, and circumspectly weighed, numbred, and measured (according to the talent, and gift of GOD, from above alotted, for his divine purposes effecting) most faithfully to love, honor, and glorifie alwaies, the Framer, and Creator thereof. In whose workmanship, his infinite goodness, unsearchable wisdome, and Almighty power, yea, his everlasting power, and divinity, may (by innumerable means) be manifested, and demonstrated. The truth of which my zealous, carefull, and constant intent, and endeavour specified, may (I hope) easily appear by the whole, full and due survey, and consideration of all the Books, Treatises, and Discourses, whose Titles onely, are, at this time, here annexed, and expressed: As they are set down in the sixth Chapter, of another little Rhapsodicall Treatise, intituled, the Compendious Rehearsall, &c. written above two years since: for those her Majesties two honorable Comissioners; which her most Excellent Majesty had most graciously sent to my poor Cottage in Mortclacke: to understand the matters, and causes at full; through which, I was so extreamly urged to procure at her Majesties hands such Honorable Surveyors and witnesses to be assigned, for the due proof of the contents, of my most humble and [〈◊〉] supplicat on, exhibited unto her most Excellent Majesty, at Hampton Court, An 1592. Novemb. 9. Thus therefore (as followeth) is the said 6. Chapter there, recorded.

¶ My labours and pains bestowed at divers times, to pleasure my native Countrey: by writing of sundry BOOKS, and Treatises: some in Latine, some in English, and some of them, written, at her Majesties commandement.

Of which BOOKS, and Treatises, some are printed, and some unprinted. The printed BOOKS: and Treatises are these following:

1. PRopaedeumata Aphoristica, De praestantioribus quibusdam Naturae vir. tutibus. Aphorismi. 120.

• Anno. 1558.

2. Monas Hieroglyphica, Mathematicè, Anagogicéque explicata; ad Maximisianum (Dei gratia) Romanorum, Bohemiae, & Hungariae, Regem sapientissimum,

• Anno 1564.

3. Epistola ad eximium Ducis Vrbini Mathematicum (Fredaricum Commandinum) praefixa libello Machometi Bagdedini, De superficierum Divisionibus; edito in lucem, opera mea, & ejusdem Commandini Vrbinatis; Impressa Pisauri.

• Anno 1570.

4. The Brytish Monarchy (otherwise called the Petty Navy Royall:) for the politique security; abundant wealth, and the triumphant state of this Kingdome, (with Gods favour,) procuring,

• Anno 1576.

5. My Mathematicall preface annexed to Euclide, (by the right worshipfull Sir Henry Billingsley Knight, in the English language first published) written at the earnest request of sundry right worshipfull Knights, and other very well learned men. Wherein are many Arts, of me wholy invented (by name, definition, propriety and use,) more then either the Graecian, or Roman Mathematicians, have left to our knowledge,

• Anno 1570.

6. My divers and many Annotations, and Inventions Mathematicall, added in sundry places of the foresaid English Euclide, after the tenth Book of the same.

• Anno 1570.

7. Epistola prefixa Ephemeridibus Johannis Felde Angli, cui rationem declaraveram Ephemerides conscribendi.

• Anno 1557.

8. Paralaticae Commentationis, Praxeosque Nucleus quidam.

• Anno 1573.

The unprinted Books and Treatises, are these: some, perfectly finished: and some, yet unfinished.

9. THe first great volume of Famous and rich Discoveries: wherein (also) is the History of King Solomon, every three years, his Ophirian Voyage. The Originals of Presbyter Joannes: and of the first great Cham, and his successors for many years following: The description of divers wonderfull Isles in the Northern, Scythian, Tartarian, and the other most Northern Seas, and neere under the North Pole: by Record, written above 1200. years since: with divers other rarities,

• Anno 1576.

10. The Brytish Complement, of the perfect Art of Navigation; A great volume: in which, are contained our Queen Elizabeth her Arithmeticall Tables Gubernautick: for Navigation by the Paradoxall compasse (of me, invented anno [〈◊〉].) and Navigation by great Circles: and for longitudes, and latitudes; and the variation of the compasse finding most easily, and speedily: yea, (if need be) in one minute of time, and sometime, without sight of Sun, Moon or Star; with many other new and needfull inventions Gubernautick,

• Anno 1576.

11. Her Majesties Title Royall, to many forrain Countries, Kingdomes, and Provinces, by good testimony and sufficient proof recorded: and in 12. Velum Skins of Parchment, faire written: for her Majesties use: and at her Majesties commandement,

• Anno 1578.

12. De [〈◊〉] Nomine, Authoritate, & Potentia: dedicated to her Majestie,

• Anno 1579.

13. Prolegomena & Dictata Parisiensia, in Euclidis Elementorum Geometricorum, librum primum, & secundum; in Collegio Rhemensi,

• An. 1550.

14. De usu Globi Coelestis: ad Regem Edoardum sextum.

• An. 1550.

15. The Art of Logick, in English,

• Anno 1547.

16. The 13. Sophisticall Fallacians, with their discoveries, written in English meter,

• Anno. 1548.

17. Mercurius Coelestis: libri 24. written at Lovayn,

• An. 1549.

18. De Nubium, Solis, Lunae, ac reliquorum Planetarum, immò ipfius stelliferi Coeli, ab infimo Terrae Centro, distantiis, mutuisque intervallis, & eorundem omnium Magnitudine liber [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] ad Edoardum Sextum, Angliae Regem,

• Anno 1551.

19. Aphorismi Astrologici 300.

• Anno 1553.

20. The true cause, and account (not vulgar) of Floods and Ebbs: written at the request of the Right Honourable Lady, Lady Jane, Dutchesse of Northumberland,

• Anno 1553.

21. The Philosophicall and Poeticall Originall occasions of the Configurations, and names of the heavenly Asterismes, written at the request of the same Dutchess,

• Anno 1553.

22. The Astronomicall, & Logisticall rules, and Canons, to calculate the Ephemerides by, and other necessary Accounts of heavenly motions: written at the request, and for the use of that excellent Mechanicien Master Richard Chancelor, at his last voyage into Moschovia.

• Anno 1553.

23. De Acribologia Mathematica; volumen magnum: sexdecim continens libros,

• Anno 1555.

24. Inventum Mechanicum, Paradoxum, De nova ratione delineandi Circumferentiam Circularem: unde, valde rara alia excogitari perficique poterunt problemata,

• Anno 1556.

25. De speculis Comburentibus: libri sex,

• Anno 1557.

26. De Perspectiva illa, qua peritissimi utuntur Pictores.

• Anno 1557.

27. Speculum unitatis: sive Apologia pro Fratre Rogerio Bachone Anglo: in qua docetur nihil illum per Daemoniorum fecisse auxilia, sed philosophum fuisse maximum; naturaliterque & modis homini Christiano licitis, maximas fecisse res, quas indoctum solet vulgus, in Daemoniorum referre facinora,

• Anno 1557.

28. De Annuli Astronimici multiplici usu lib. 2.

• Anno 1557.

29. Trochillica Inventa, lib. 2.

• Anno 1558.

30. [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] lib. 3.

• Anno 1558.

31. De tertia & praecipua Perspectivae parte, quae de Radiorum fractione tractat, lib. 3.

• Anno 1559.

32. De Itinere subterraneo, lib. 2.

• Anno 1560.

33. De Triangulorum rectilineorum Areis, lib. 3. demonstrati: ad exeltissimum Mathematicum Petrum Nonium conscripti,

• Anno 1560.

34. Cabalae Hebraicae compendiosa tabella,

• Anno 1562.

35. Reipublicae Britanicae Synopsis: in English,

• Anno 1565.

36. De Trigono Circinóque Analogico, Opusculum Mathematicum & Mechanicum, lib. 4.

• Anno 1565.

37. De stella admiranda, in Cassiopeae Asterismo, coelitùs demissa ad orbem usque Veneris: Iterumque in Coeli penetralia perpendiculariter retracta, post decimum sextum suae apparitionis mensem,

• An. 1573.

38. Hipparchus Redivivus, Tractatulus,

• Anno 1573.

39. De unico Mago, & triplici Herode, eóque Antichristiano.

• An. 1570.

40. Ten sundry and very rare Heraldical Blasonings of one Crest or Cognisance, lawfully confirmed to certain ancient Arms, lib. 1.

• An. 1574.

41. Atlantidis, (vulgariter, Indiae, Occidentalis nominatae) emendatior descriptio Hydrographica, quàm ulla alia adhuc evulgata,

• An. 1580.

42. De modo Evangelii Jesu Christi publicandi, propagandi, stabiliendique, inter Infideles Atlanticos: volumen magnum, libris distinctum quatuor: quorum primus ad Serenissimam nostram Potentissimamque Reginam Elizabetham inscribitur: Secundus, ad summos privati suae sacrae Majestatis consilij senatores: Tertius, Hi sp aniarum Regem, Philippum: Quartus, ad Pontificem Romanum,

• Anno 1581.

43. Navigationis ad Carthayum per Septentrionalia Scythiae & Tartariae litora, Delineatio Hydrographica: Arthuro Pit, & Carolo Jackmano Anglis, versus illas partes Navigaturis, in manus tradita; cum admirandarum quarundam Insularum, annotatione, in illis subpolaribus partibus jacentium,

• An. 1580.

44. Hemisphaerij Borealis Geographica, atque Hydrographica descriptio: longè a vulgatis chartis diversa: Anglis quibusdam, versùs Atlantidis Septentrionalia litora, navigationem instituentibus, dono data,

• An. 1583.

45. The Originals, and chief points, of our ancient Brytish Histories, discoursed upon, and examined,

• An. 1583.

46. An advise & discourse about the Reformation of the vulgar Julian yeare, written by her Majesties commandement, and the Lords of the privy Councell,

• Anno 1582.

47. Certain Considerations, and conferrings together, of these three sentences, (aunciently accounted as Oracles (Nosce teipsum: Homo Homini Deus: Homo Homini Lupus,

• An. 1592

48. De hominis Corpore, Spiritu, & Annima: sive Microcosmicum totius Philosophiae Naturalis Compendium, lib 1.

• Anno 1591.

With many other Books, Pamphlets, Discourses, Inventions, and Conclusions, in divers Arts and matters: whose names, need not in this Abstract to be notified: The most part of all which, here specified, lie here before your Honours upon the Table, on your left hand. But by other books and Writings of another sort, (if it so please God, and that he will grant me life, health, and due maintenance thereto, for some ten or twelve years next ensuing) I may, hereafter make plaine, and without doubt, this sentence to be true, Plura latent, quàm patent.

Thus far (my good Lord) have I set down this Catalogus, out of the foresaid sixt Chapter, of the booke, whose title is this:

49. The Compendious rehearsall of John Dee, his dutifull declaration and proofe of the course and race of his studious life, for the space of halfe an hundred years, now (by Gods favour and help) fully spent, &c.

To which compendious rehearsall, doth now belong an Appendix, of these two last years: In which I have had many just occasions, to confesse, that Homo Homini Deus, and Homo Homini Lupus, was and is an Argument, worthy of the decyphering, and large discussing: as may, one day, hereafter (by Gods help) be published, in some manner very strange. And besides all the rehearsed Books & Treatises of my writing, or handling hitherto, I have just cause, lately given me to write & publish a Treatise, with Title (50.) De Horizonte AEternitatis: to make evident, that one Andreas Libavius, in a book of his, printed the last year, hath unduly considered a phrase of my Monas Hyeroglyphica: to his misliking, by his own unskilfulnesse in such matter: and not understanding my apt application thereof, in one of the very principal places, of the whole Book. And this book of ^[1] mine, by Gods help and favour (shall be dedicated unto her most Excellent Majesty Royall: And this Treatise doth contain three books;

1. The first Intituled, De Horizonte: liber Mathematicus & Physicus.

2. The second, De AEternitate: liber Theologicus, Metaphysicus & Mathematicus.

3. The third, De Horizonte AEternitatis: liber Theologicus, Mathematicus, & Hierotechnicus. ^[2]

¶ Truly I have great cause to praise and thanke God, for your Graces very charitable using of me: both in sundry points else, and also in your favourable yeelding to, yea & notifying the due means for the performance of her Sacred Majesties most gracious and bountifull disposition, resolution, and very royall beginning, to restore and give unto me (her Ancient faithfull servant) some due maintenance to lead the rest of my old daies, in some quiet and comfort: with habilitie, to retaine some speedy, faire, and Orthographicall writers, about me; and the same skilfull in Latine and Greek (at the least:) aswell for my own books, and Works, fair, andcorrect ly to be written (such I mean, as either her most Excellent Majestie, out of the premisses will make choice of, or command to be finished or published: or such of them, as your grace shall think meet or worthy for my farther labor to be bestowed on) as else for the speedy, faire, and true writing out of other ancient Authors their good and rare workes, in greek or Latine: which by GODS Providence, have been preserved from the spoile made of my Librarie, and of all my movable goods here, &c. Anno 1583. ^[3] In which Librarie, were about 4000. books; whereof, 700. were anciently written by hand; Some in Greeke, some in Latine, some in Hebrew, And some in other languages (as may by the whole Catalogus thereof appeare.) But the great losses and dammages which in sundry sorts I have sustained, do not so much grieve my heart, as the rash, lewde, fond, and most untrue fables, and reports of me, and my Studies Philosophicall, have done, and yet do; which commonly, after their first hatching, and devilish devising, immediately with great speed, are generally all the Realme overspread; and to some, seem true; to other, they are doubtfull; and to onely the wise, modest, discreet, godly, and charitable (and chiefly to such as have some acquaintance with me) they appear, and are known to be fables, untruths, and utterly false reports, and slanders. Well, this shall be my last charitable giving of warning, and fervent protestation to my Countreymen, and all other in this case;

A fervent PROTESTATION.

BEfore the Almighty our GOD, and your Lordships good Grace, this day, on the perill of my souls damnation (if I lie, or take his name in vaine herein) I take the same GOD, to be my witnesse; That with all my heart, with all my soul; with all my strength, power and understanding (according to the measure thereof, which the Almighty hath given me) for the most part of the time, from my youth hitherto, I have used and still use, good, lawfull, honest, christian and divinely prescribed means to attain to the knowledge of those truthes, which are meet, and necessary for me to know; and wherewithto do his divine Majesty such service, as he hath, doth, and will call me unto, during this my life: for his honour and glory advancing, and for the benefit, and commoditie publique of this Kingdome; so much, as by the will and purpose of God, shall lie in my skill, and hability to perform: as a true, faithfull, and most sincerely dutifull servant, to our most gracious and incomparable Queen Elizabeth, and as a very comfortable fellow-member of the body politique, governed under the scepter Royal of our earthly Supreame head (Queen Elizabeth) and as a lively sympathicall, and true symetricall fellowmember of that holy and mysticall body, Catholiquely extended and placed (wheresoever) on the earth: in the view, Knowledge, direction, protection, illumination and consolation of the Almighty, most Blessed, most holy, most glorious, comajesticall, coeternall, and coessentiall Trinity: The Head of that Body, being only our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, perfect God, and perfect man: whose return in glory, we faithfully awaite; and daily doe very earnestly cry unto him, to hasten his second comming for his elects sake; iniquity doth so on this earth abound and prevaile, and true faith with Charity and Evangelicall simplicity, have but cold; slender and uncertrin intertainment among the worldly-wise men of this world.

Therefore (herein concluding) I beseech the Almighty God, most abundantly to increase and confirm your Graces heavenly wisedome, and endue you with all the rest of his heavenly gifts, for the relieving, refreshing and comforting, both bodily and spiritually, his little flock of the faithfull, yet militant here on earth.

Amen.

An EPILOGUE.

Good my Lord, I beseech Your Grace, to allow of my plaine and comfortable Epilogus, for this matter at this time. 1. Seeing my studious exercises, and conversation civill, may be abundantly testified, to my good credit, in the most parts of all Christendome; and that by all degrees of Nobility, by all degrees of the Learned, and by very many other, of godly and Christian disposition, for the space of 46. years triall: (as appeareth by the Records lately viewed by two honourable witnesses, by Commission from her Majestie;) 2. And seeing, for these 36. years last past, I have been her most Excellent Majesties very true, faithfull and dutifull servant; at whose Royall mouth, I never received any one word of reproach; but all of favour, and grace: In whose Princely Countenance, I never perceived frowne toward me, or discontented regard, or view on me: but at all times favourable, and gracious: to the great joy and comfort of my true, faithfull, and loyall heart. And (thirdly) Seeing, the works of my hands, and words of my mouth (here before notified, in the Schedule of my books, and writings) may beare lively witnesse of the thoughts of my heart, and inclination of my minde, generally, (as all wise men do know, and Christ himself doth avouch,) It might, in manner seem needlesse, thus carefully (though most briefly and speedily) to have warned or confounded the scornfull, the malicious, the proud, and the rash in their untrue reports, opinions, and fables of my studies, or exercises Philosophicall: but that, it is of more importance, that the godly, the honest, the modest, the discreet, grave, and charitable Christians (English or other,) lovers of Justice, truth, and good learning, may hereby receive certaine comfort in themselves (to perceive, that Veritas tandem praevalebit) and sufficiently be weaponed and armed with sound truth, to defend me against such kind of my adversaries: hereafter they will begin afresh or hold on obstinately in their former errors, vain imaginations, false reports, and most ungodly slanders of me & my studies. ¶ Therefore, (to make all this cause, for ever, before God & man, out of all doubt:) Seeing, your Lordships good grace, are, as it were, our high Priest, and chief Ecelesiasticall Minister, (under our most dread and Soveraigne Lady Queen Elizabeth) to whose censure and judgement, I submit all my studies and Exercises; yea all my Books past, present, and hereafter to be written, by me (of my own skill, judgement, or opinion,) I do, at this present time, most humbly, sincerely, and unfainedly, and in the name of Almighty God, (yea for his honour and glory) request, and beseech your Grace, (when, and as conveniently you may, to be well and throughly certified of me, what I am, Intus & in cute: Reverendissime in Christo Pater, & Dignissime Archipraesul, cognosce & agnosce vultum tàm internum, quàm externum pecoris tui: And wherein I have used, do or shall use, pen, speech, or conversation, otherwise then as it appertaineth to a faithfull, carefull, sincere, and humble servant of Christ Jesu, That your Grace would vouchsafe to advertise me. So, I trust, Ultima respondebunt primis: in such sort, as this Authentick Record in Latine annexed (ad perpetuam rei memoriam) doth testifie: having never hitherto had occasion to shew that, in any place of Christendome: to testifie better of me, then they had proofe of me, themselves, by my conversation among them: (The Almighty, therefore, be highly thanked, praised, honoured, and glorified, for ever and ever, Amen.

But now, in respect of the generall intent of this briefe discourse, I most humbly, and reverently, exhibit to your Graces view, and perusing, the originall monument, and authentick Record, before mentioned, fair written in Parchment, with the Seal whole, and perfect, duly appendant: as I have 46. years, and somewhat longer, preserved it. The true Copy whereof, your Grace doth see, to be verbatim, as followeth.

UNiversis Sanctae matris Ecclesiae filijs, ad quos praesentes literae perventurae sunt, Vicecancellarius Caetusque omnis Regentium & non Regentium, Universitatis Cantabrigiae, Salutem in Domino sempiternam Conditiones & Merit a hominum in nostra Universitate studentium, affectu sincero perpendentes, eos solos testimonio nostro ornandos esse arbitramur quos scimus ob eruditionem, & morum, probitatem promeritos esse, ut istud beneficium à nobis consequantur: Quamobrem, cùm hoc tempore ipsa veritas testimonium nostrum sibi postulat, vestrae pietati, per has literas significamus Quòd dilectus nobis in Christo, Johannes Dee, Artium Magister, in dicta nostra universitate foeliciter versatus; plurimam sibi & doctrinae & honestatis laudem comparavit: De cujus gradu, & conversatione (quae honestissima semper fuit,) ne qua uspiam ambiguitas, aut quaestio oriri possit, apud eos, quibus hujus viri virtutes haud satis innotuerint, visum est nobis, in dicti Johannis gratiam, has literas nostras Testimoniales conscribere; & conscriptas, publico Academiae nostrae sigillo, obsignare: quò, majorem apud vos authoritatem, & pondus literae nostrae habeant, Bene valete. Datum Cantabrigiae, in plena Convocatione Magistrorum Regentium & non Regentium, Academiae praedictae: 14. Calend. Aprilis, Anno à Christo nato. 1548. ^[4]

PERORATIO.

THe Almighty and most mercifull God, the Father; for his only Son (our Redeemer) Jesus Christ his sake: by his holy Spirit, so direct, blesse, and prosper all my studies, and exercises Philosophicall, (yea, all my thoughts, words, and deeds) henceforward, even to the very moment of my departing from this world, That I may evidently and abundantly be found, and undoubtedly acknowledged of the Wise and Just, to have been a zealous and [〈◊〉] Student in the School of Verity, and an Ancient Graduate in the School of Charity: to the honour and glory of the same God Almighty; and to the sound comfort and confirming of such as faithfully love and fear his Divine Majestie, and unfainedly continue in labour to do good on earth: when, while, to whom, and as they may, Amen.

Very spedily written, this twelfth even, and twelfth day, in my poore Cottage, at Mortlake: Anno. 1595. currente à Nativitate Christi: ast, An. 1594. Completo, à Conceptione ejusdem, cum novem praeterea mensibus, Completis.

Alwayes, and very dutifully, at your Graces commandement: Jo. Dee.

Marginal notes

1. It may now be here also remembred, that almost three years after the writing of this Letter, I did somewhat satisfie the request of an Honourable Friend in Court, by speedily penning some matter concerning her Majesties Sea-Soveraigntie: under this title. 51. Thalattocratia Brytannica. ↩
2. Sive, De Brytanico Maris Imperio, Collectanea [〈◊〉]: 4. dierum Spacio, celeri conscripta calamo. Anno. 1597. Septemb. 20. Mancestriae. ↩
3. Although that my last voyage beyond the Seas, was duly undertaken (by her Majesties good favour and licence) as by the same words may appear in the Letter, written by the Right Honourable Lord Treasurer, unto your Grace in my behalf, and her most Excellent Majestie willing his Honor so to do. Anno. 1590. [〈◊〉] 20. of January. ↩
4. For certain due respects the very Image of the foresaid Seal, is not here in portrature publishd; the Moto Locus veri sigillis ↩