Works, Book 4 · Letter 24 – Letter 38
An Advertisement.
THat the Reader may the better understand the occasion and purport of the following Epistle, he is to know that after Mr. Mede had published his Clavis and Commentary upon the Apocalyps, Mr. Haydock of Salisbury, an aged Gentleman, acquainted him with some Objections he had against the form of the Seven-sealed Book expressed in his *See the Scheme in pag. 430. of this Editio.Apocalyptick Scheme, viz. 1. That the ancient form of Books was in several sheets of Parchment, fastened at one end only, and so rolled up together. (Hence those expressions in Psal. 40. 7. Hebr. 10. 7. & Luke 4. 17.) 2. That the form of the Seven-sealed Book (Apocal. 5.) ought to be such as might satisfie the Lamb's intention, which had an eye unto Prius and Posterius in regard of the sequel of the insuing History: For that part which belongs to the First Seal ought to be viewed before the Second or the rest were opened; whereas in the form of the modern Books (according to which form Mr. Mede had described the Seven-sealed Book in his Scheme) no use can be made of any part or leaf in the Book, until all the Seven Seals be opened. But in the form of the Roll, when every part or leaf hath its several Label inserted in the proper distance, with a Seal and several impressions of Emblematical Signature, each several leaf being taken and unsealed in order, the several matter therein contained will appear, and no more of any of the rest till they be opened in order.
Thus far Mr. Haydock. The Transcript of his Letter (for the Original could not be met with) being imperfect, was not fit to be printed. He also acquainted Mr. Mede in his Letter with a purpose he had to represent in lively Pictures the Apocalyptick Visions, and sent him the Pictures of the Cherubins done by himself, for a Specimen of his skill in that Art, wherein he had exercised himself for many years, having in his younger days translated out of Italian and published the works of Io. Paolo Lomazzo concerning The Art of Painting.
The form of the Book sealed with seven Seals, and of the Book unsealed, according to Mr. Haydock's opinion, is represented in the following page.
EPISTLE XXIV.
Mr. Mede's Letter to Mr. Haydock, wishing him to perfect his design of representing the Apocalyptick Visions in lively Pictures, and applauding his ingenious observation upon the form of the Seven-sealed Book.
Humanissime & Cultissime Vir,
ACcepi literas tuas benevolentiâ & humanitate plenas, in quibus & favorem meum ambis, hominis scilicet nihili, nedum (ut tu*erias. putas) papali nescio quo fast…dio digni. Sed ut caetera quàm nihil sum sciam probè; non sum tamen tam ab humanitate procul, ut animo tam in me propenso par pari reddere nesciam. Et verò tu abunde meritus es ut tibi faveam, qui sic ultro compellas & amicitiam defers. De libello meo quod attinet, si quid exinde fructûs vel ad te vel ad alios redierit, Deo Opt. Max. in solidum sit gloria: Ejus enim solius est quicquid est boni; meum nihil praeter imbecillitatem & ignorantiam. Illud autem vehementer doleo, quòd te priùs non novissem quàm Opusculum illud meum in lucem ediderim; sanè multò ornatius operâ tuâ prodiisset—Cherubinorum quadriformium Iconas, quas misisti longè elegantissimas & novo artificio visendas, summa cum animi voluptate contemplor; neque satìs pro merito suo laudare aut (quod potiùs nullâ in talibus facultate praedi…um fari decet) admirari possum. Utinam totius Consessûs Apocalyptici typum eâdem manu delineatum aliquando videre liceat. Sane nusquam domum tibi à Deo collatum sanctiùs collocaveris, quàm in divinissimae istius Prophetiae typis ad vivum delineandis.
Cylindri tui Sigilliferi ingeniosa observatio est, & quae priùs mihi (licèt saepiuscule ea de re cogitanti) in mentem non venerat; imò, an omnino talis Voluminis forma, in qua uniuscujusque Sigilli reseratio novam ordine scripturam legentium oculis subjiceret, dari possit, addubitaverim. De re verò ipsa adhuc incertus sum quid statuerem. Aliquando in ea sententia fui, Visiones istas Sigillares, non literarum notis in volumine scriptas, sed Iconibus quibusdam depictas sub Sigillorum tegellis latuisle; iisque reseratis, visui (non ad legendum, sed contemplandum) ordine quamque suo patuisse; atque ad hanc mentem verba ista ad Ioannem, foreign, haud ineptè accommodari posse. Postea animadverti hanc opinationem meam Narrationi Apocalypticae universae non convenire; utpote cum in Sigillo quinto & sexto oratio rei visae tribuatur: praeterea in Sigillo septimo Tubarum visa non simul & eodem tempore exhiberi, sed ordine & successivè in aspectum produci, observaverim. Ad haec apparatum clangori praevium ità describi, ut non nudis rerum visarum*Iconis…is Iconibus in Volumine quocunque tandem id fiat modo, depictis, nec nudâ earundem scripturâ, led omnino repraesentatione extrinsecâ rem gestam fuisse fateri oporteat.
Tandem igitur, quoniam inconcinnum nimis videbatur solâ repraesentatione extrinsecâ rem peractam affirmare, nihil prorsus conferente Libro, in eam sententiam prolapsus sum, Utrumque conjungendum esse, dicendúmque, Singula quidem Vaticinia in Volumine, sive Signis & Iconismis, sive literis, descripta & exarata fuisse; ea verò Ioanni, caeterísque coelestis Dramatis spectatoribus, non aliter quàm repraesentatione forinsecâ recitationis viam explente propalam fuisse facta: Scilicet eodem ferè modo ac in Dramatis nostris Academicis fieri amat, ubi actoribus, cum libris adstent monitores. Cùm enim neque Agnus ipse è libro recitaret quidquam, neque Apostolus tam propinquus ei adesset (stabat enim Agnus juxta seslorem Throni) ut è resignantis manu legere potuerit; necesse est eum hâc (quam dixi) ratione singula percepisse.
Hasce meditationes meas ut apud me expromerem effecit humanitas tua: jam desino plura. Deum verò Opt. Max. veneror, ut selicem tibi senectutem, vitam longiorem & beatae illius prodromam largiatur.
Ian. 20. 163… Tui studiorúmque tuorum pro merito aestimator, I. M.
EPISTLE XXXV.
Sir William Boswell's Second Letter to Mr. Mede, touching his Book sent to Ludovicus de Dieu.
Good Mr. Mede,
I Am sure long ere this by my Brother T. B. you have understood (which you shall by this present) that your Letters of 15 March, 13 May, 9, 11, 16, Iune, with Letters and a Book inclosed to Ludovicus de Dieu, came safely to my hands in London; as his unto him from you since my return hither. For this last week he was President of a Provincial Synod held de decennio in decennium by the Ministers of Holland, in this Town; so as I delivered the token of your love with my own hand into his, but in so busie a time I could not expect an Answer, or other than thanks, which he prayed me to render in abundance, for the special honour you had done him thereby. Divers other Letters Responsory to Beverovicius have been long expected; but Salmasius delay in his (wherein he would omit nothing set or fallen from the Ancients, especially Philosophers, to that purpose) hath cast all other mens arrier, whom I should be as glad to see, because together with their learning I should, how well they had learned tenere modum; for ought I know a most necessary part of Scholarship and Philosophy. It grieved me not a little that I could not see you in England, but in recompence I hope now and then to see your countenance and affection in black and white: for which you shall have returns from this place of all sorts it yields, and you affect, when I know what will be most wellcome, being evermore
Your most assured and ancient friend, William Boswel. Hague 25. Iuly 1634.
EPISTLE XXXVI.
A Third Letter from Sir William Boswell to Mr. Mede, touching his Book sent to Ludovicus de Dieu.
Good Mr. Mede.
WHat entertainment your Letters and Book found with Ludovicus de Dieu you will see ere long by his own in answer, his time hitherto having been taken up by being President in a Provincial Synod of Holland, and publishing his Annotations upon the Acts, of the Apostles. It was sufficient for me to receive many thanks for the conveiance, and that which was better, (better than Musick) to hear innumerable commendations of so near a Friend, though I knew them due; for 'tis no small pleasure to see debts paid, where we think our selves to have Interest. At my coming last into England I lay above three weeks wind-bound in the Briel, where I enjoyed the company of the Minister, Author of the inclosed, which I have gained by my acquaintance; and send it, for your affection to the Argument, by this bearer, son of Desiderius Heraldus, (whose works and worth you know of old) that you may for the Father's and my sake give him now and them conference and advice about such studies as he pursues, wherein himself will open his own mind. It will be a great kindness if Doctor Ward, whom I pray salute from me, will give him countenance and access at his times of leisure; which you may procure, and thereby oblige both him and me, and his Father my old and singular friend. You may see by this, and that title, how glad I should be to meet opportunities of doing any thing for your self, that might assure you with what truth and readiness of serving you I shall ever be
Your most affectionate Friend as of old, William Boswel Hague, Sept. 1634.
EPISTLE XXXVII.
Monsieur Testard his Letter to Mr. Brooks, about his translating Mr. Mede's Clavis Apocal. into French: as also concerning the Number of the Beast's Name.
SIR,
I Have translated into French, that I might communicate it to divers friends, the Book you sent upon the Revelation, which seems to me worthy admiration, and full of comfort to those that expect the consolation of Israel. I desire earnestly (if it may be obtained) the opinion of the Author touching a conceit came into my mind whilst I was reading the Book; particularly that which he remarks upon the number of 144000, and upon 666, the name of the Pseudoprophetical Beast, with the Reason he gives of the composition of the name, all of 6: which is, That the number of 666 ariseth from the multiplication of 3 Vnites joyned together, making up the number of III. That these three Vnites set forth the three Offices of Christ, which pertain to him incommunicably, and distributively, and conjoyntly considered. All which the Pseudoprophetical Beast usurps conjoyntly: in which consists particularly his Antichristianism. And this multiplication produceth the number of 666; as also the multiplication of 12 by 12, which is the Apostolical number, produceth the 144000. That for this reason the number of 666 is called the number of a man, in the singular number, because it is in one only man; whereas the number of 144000 is a number of men, in the plural number, and drawn from the number of men. If the Author hath set forth any other Treatises, I desire earnestly you would send them to me.
From Bloys in France, Iune 1634. P. Testard.
EPISTLE XXXVIII.
Mr. Brook's Letter to a Friend.
DOE me the favour as to request Mr. Mede to give some satisfaction to the request of this Gentleman, my especial friend, and to suffer some Manuscripts which he hath not yet published to be copied out to be sent him, either in Latin or English. I will satisfie his pains that shall undertake it; with promise that nothing shall be communicated but to private friends.
Your assured Friend, Ioh. Brooks. Westminster, 23. Feb. 1634.