Works, Book 4 · Letter 93 – Letter 99
EPISTLE XCIII.
Mr. Mede's Letter to Mr. Hartlib, with his Censure of Grebner's Prophecy, in a MS. in Trinity Colledge Library in Cambridge.
SIR,
ON Saturday I received yours dated March 14, that is the Wednesday fortnight before.—
The Prophecy (which I here send you again) I would not have you make too much of. It is taken out of Paulus Grebnerus his Prophecies, a Manuscript in Trinity Colledge Library. It was left them by Dr. Nevil their Master, had been presented it seems to Queen Elizabeth, (whom part of his Prophecy concerned) and so came to Dr. Nevil's hands, whilest he was Clerk of the Closet to her Majesty. 'Tis now almost 28 years since I first saw and turned it over, the rather because of the fine pictures therein in colours, &c. When the Wars began in Bohemia, (which was eight years after I had first seen it) remembring something I had seen therein, I had a desire to survey it anew, and borrowed it to my chamber, to see if there were any thing therein worth taking notice of. But I found nothing but vanity and fancy, and the whole series thereof and many of the particulars manifestly then confuted by the contrary Event; as you may guess by this one thing I shall tell you.
The beginning or Epocha of his Prophecies he makes from the year 1572. when the new Star appeared in Cassiopeia, and ends the whole series of his Vexillai (so he terms them) at the year 1613. which he supposed should be The Day of Iudgment, having no other ground for the same than the Numeral Letters of the Latine word IUDICIUM (as they are all) which makes that Number. What think you now? He prophesied great matters of Henry the IV. of France, (which proved clean contrary,) of Queen Elizabeth and other Princes, which never came to pass. I have, I know not how often, to satisfie one or other, told them as I now tell you; and yet every five or six years it comes up again, as if it had never been discredited. Men are prone to believe any thing they would have, and any words that seem that way they lay hold on; never regarding though the ground be foolish, and the coherence with the rest repugnant to their construction. I'le tell you what Paul Grebner meant or dream'd by that you sent me.
Know, he lived in the time of King Iohn of Sweden, who married a Popish Lady: This is his Hujus temporis Rex Sueciae, (i. sui temporis) which he supposed should be invited by the Catholick party to take their part and to invade Denmark, &c.
The Carolus he speaks of was Carolus Sudermanniae Dux, King Iohn's Brother, with whom he threatens King Iohn, that if he joyned with the Popish League, he should leave his Kingdom unto him; who should of Carolus become Carolus Magnus, that is, of a Duke be made a King, and be in respect of his Dominions and Conquests another Charlemaign of the North: Et sic (saith he) è Carolo Carolus Magnus regnum capessit, (for so it should be read) qui magno successu & fortunâ, &c.—
It follows, Deus autem Regis conjugem Papisticam ex hac vita evocat. This is King Iohn's Wife. What should it mean else? This he dream'd should happen to King Iohn assoon as he should have declared himself for the Popish League, and that then presently Charles his Brother should take the Kingdom, &c.
By this time I doubt not but you understand it, and how little they heed Circumstances and other Connexions who would interpret it of any other Charles. Howsoever Grebner was for a great part deceived concerning even that Charles he meant.—
I think my Letter be now long enough; therefore with Prayers and best affection, I rest
Christ's Colledge, Apr. 3. 1637. Your assured Friend, Ios. Mede.
Post-script.
I had written yesterday, but that partly other writing, partly Molesti homines robbed me of my time. Would you have me send back Mr. Dury's Letter or not? Vale.
EPISTLE XCIV.
Mr. Hartlib's Reply, thanking him for that Censure.
Worthy Sir,
I Thank you for your last of the third of Aprill. I never made much of Grebner's, or any of those Prophetical fancies. I approve fully of your judgment which you have given upon it. I hope it will work some good upon those who are used to be carried away with these Dreams. Some weeks ago worthy Dr. Twisse communicated unto me Mr. Potter's MS. of 666. Certainly our Germans will be wild when they shall see it in a more known language. If you please to let me have your Copy also, I shall take it as a special favour. I am very confidently assured that my Lo. Gr. of Cant. himself hath written a Book in answer to some Popish Points, as it were a second part of Chillingsworth, composed chiefly upon the point of Fundamentals and Non-fundamentals; which Book is almost ready for the Press: only because in his quotations he hath trusted to his memory, he is revising and examining them, and then it comes forth. In the mean time I rest
London, 6. April 1638. Your most willing and affectionate Friend to serve you, S. Hartlib.
EPISTLE XCV.
Mr. Mede's Letter to Mr. Hartlib, concerning the Number 25. the Root of the Beast's Number, viz. 666. with his judgment of an Analytical Table of the Apocalyps which was sent him; his differing from the Author thereof in four particulars.
Worthy Mr. Hartlib,
—COncerning your Mathematician's Letter about Mr. Potter's interpretation of the Beast's Number, I like his Observation of the Roman Calendar, that of all the Numbers of the Epact they should chuse XXV. for the AEquation with the Golden number; and I think it (as far as I understand it) worthy to be added to the rest of Mr. Potter's of that kind. But that of T. L. 1666, I have known long, but never had any fancy to, and I think it not worthy to come in collation with that of Mr. Potter's. Yet it is pretty, I confess, what your Author observeth of the Roman Numeral letters CDILMVX, idest, MDCLXVI.
I would willingly send you my Copy of Mr. Potter's Book, but by a sure hand, for the Carrier I dare not trust. It cost me—to be written out to my mind, besides mine own pains in distinguishing it, and dividing the whole into 8 Sections, and prefixing the Contents of every Section at the beginning, and writing the margins with mine own hand: and therefore I would not willingly lose it. If I light upon a convenient messenger, I shall send it.
The Analytical Table of the Apocalyps, if you had not charged me therewith, I should not have believed it had been still in my hands; for I verily thought I had sent it back long before this, and was a while very much afraid I must have sent you word it was lost: yet at length I found it, and have sent it herewith.
The Author of the Analytical Table differs from me wholly in the 20. Chapter, and follows Mr. Brightman. What I conceive, you may find in my Commentationes Apocalypticae. My difference will appear by these particulars.
1. I hold but one Millennium, and that to begin at the destruction of the Beast: He holds two, one beginning at Constantine, another at the destruction of the Beast.
2. I deny that Satan was ever yet tied up, much less at the time of Constantine. 'Tis one thing to be dethroned and thrown down from Heaven, (that was at the time of Constantine;) another thing to be bound and close prisoner, and not so much as peep out of his dungeon. See my Synchronisms, Clav. Apocal. Part. 2. Synch. 4. *In this Edition pag. 427.pag. 22, 23.
3. I take the Resurrection, both of them, First and Second, to be proper and real; he Metaphorical. 'Tis not safe to deprive the Church of those Texts whereon her faith of the Resurrection is builded. For this interpretation will necessarily rob us of that of Daniel Chap. 12. also, whereon I believe the Church of the Old Testament built her faith of that Article; there being no such evident place besides in all the Old Testament.
4. He seems to appropriate the Second Millennium (which I think the only) to the glory of the Iews only: I extend it to the whole Catholick Church of the Gentiles, when the Iews shall come into the fold; and that the Apocalyps is properly and primarily the Gentiles Prophecy, I mean of the Church of the Gentiles, and of the Iews but by accident and coincidence only. The Iews have prophecies enough of their own in the Old Testament. In my Books and the papers I once sent you concerning this Point all this is easily to be seen.—With my best and wonted affection I rest
Christ's Colledge, April 16. 1638. Your assured Friend, Ios. Mede.
EPISTLE XCVI.
Mr. Mede's Letter to Mr. Hartlib, modestly excusing his own abilities, and intimating what cause he had to decline coming forth in print; with his Observation touching the Latitude of Rome.
Mr. Hartlib,
TOuching the Letter you sent me, De necessitate Textualis interpretationis S. Scripturae, I so fully agree with the Author in the former part thereof, that I could not have expressed mine own thoughts thereabouts in mine own words better than he hath done in his. But for the latter part, alas! it is nothing so. I know my self better than any man else, and I am conscious that I am infinitely far from any such ability as he collecteth out of a little diligence perhaps in a Discourse or two. If I have hit upon any Truth, it is wholly to be attributed to my indifferency in such searches, to embrace whatsoever I should find, without any regard whether it were for the advantage of one side or other, and not to any ability beyond others. Freedom from prejudice, studium partium or desire to find for this side rather than that, (which I confess I endeavour as much as I can possibly to subdue my self unto) is sufficient with a little diligence to discover more than I have yet done, without any such great learning. I confess I know my self to have so little of that this Gentleman supposeth me to have, that the very reading thereof hath made me more than half melancholick ever since. I am bound to love him, and take it kindly that he hath any good or favourable conceit of me or ought of mine: But no man can make me believe that I have those abilities I have not; yea 'tis somewhat burthensome and unwelcome to me to bethought to have: Ex animo loquor. Yea I am almost so uncharitable as to suspect this is some stratagem to work me to something I know not what. But let it go.
I could tell some tales of my Altare of another strain, that would make you think I have no great joy to come in publick; as, I think I can safely say, I did never yet plenâ voluntate, but yielding to other mens importunities or desires: yet I know not whether I shall yet rest, and keep my thoughts and my self in my Cell. In a word, Mundus amat decipi magis quàm doceri, and will never entertain any man well that shall deal ingenuously with them. He must look to have Micaiah's luck: He must say true, and yet not prophesie against Ahab: If he does, he must to Pound and to hard meat for it.
For mine to Dr. Twisse, there is something wherein I had not fully informed my self, about the Latitude of Rome, as having not Ptolemy by me. I said, the old Astronomers made the Latitude thereof 41. 50. minutes; the later promoted it some minutes more to the North. When I wrote so, I trusted to Io. Stadius, who makes it so; and supposed he had derived it from those before him. But after looking upon Maginus his Ptolemy, I find that Ptolemy, according to him, makes it but 41. and 40. min. and some others and some Maps less. The sum is this; Ptolemy 41. 40. Stadius and others 41. 50. Maginus himself 42. 2. Origanus 42. 4. The Middle is about 41. 51. I have no time to enquire further, nor Books at hand. I pray transcribe this in yours to Dr. Twisse, lest he send my notion or mistake to Mr. Potter without this correction, though it be not material. For by his words to you I suspect he means to do it; which occasioned me to add this. Thus with my wonted affection I rest, and am
Christ's Coll. Iune 4. 1638. Yours, Ioseph Mede.
EPISTLE XCVII.
Mr. Mede's Letter to a worthy Friend, touching some Papers of his printed without his privity.
Worthy Sir,
I Thank you very heartily for your Book and kind Letter, as I should have done long ago for another Book you sent me. But I have entangled my self a long time with so much needless writing to no purpose, as it makes me sometimes glad of any pretence to be idle, when I should not. For what you say of a Scribe, it was I that took order to have such a one sent to you, not you to me. I'le assure you, you have performed more than I durst have thought of doing, though you please to profess yourself my Disciple. But it is no unwonted thing for Scholars thus to outgo their Masters.
There are some Papers of mine walking I know not where, concerning Bowing towards the Altar: which were written by way of Answer to some body (and a man of note) demanding of me what I thought thereof. One was my first Answer: Another more large, replying to the Exceptions he made against that first, and the whole opinion and practice, being somewhat larger than I use to write Letters, and written with some intention of mind (after my thoughts that way had been long asleep.) I by chance kept a Copy of it, which how it came to be so much dispersed, I profess I know not.
That so-long-since-written Discourse of mine, De Sanctitate Relativa, &c. savours too much of my infancy in Divinity, and first thoughts, and affection of style, ever to see the publick light.
And indeed I had resolved to enjoy my self, and such contentment as I could find in my Cell, and never to have come in print again, either to please or displease any man; but only to vent such Notions as I had conceived privately by a new way I took of Common-placing, changing my Theme qualibet vice: When now on a sudden before I was aware, and little expected any such matter, one of my Straglers is perkt into the Press, telling the world he was one of those Common-places. What his destiny is, I know not; but if it be good, some body can say, He hath flung many a stone in his days, but never hit the mark till now; and that too by mere chance, and not so much as intending it.
For writing to Sir W. B. I think it is not tanti upon this occasion. 'Tis a Pamphlet, and I had rather it should come to his hands with a kind of neglect on my part, than with too much pomp. But I thank you for what you have done, and for your further offer.
Thus with my best affection I commend you to the Divine blessing, and am
Your old and assured Friend, Ios. Mede. Christ's College, Iuly 3.
EPISTLE XCVIII.
Mr. Mede's Letter to Mr. Hartlib, touching some Socinian Books and Tenets: together with his resentment of the Difficulties which Mr. Dury's Pacifick Design met with, and of the Evil of Prejudice and Studium partium.
Mr. Hartlib,
I Received yours with the Discourse inclosed of Schism—That Extract of the Letter to you is but a Symptom of Studium partium; of which kind he that will be an indifferent and moderate man must look to swallow many: Therefore Transeat. Only thus much; to be nearer or further off from the Man of sin is not (I think) the measure of Truth and Falshood, nor that which would be most destructive of him always true and warrantable. If it be, there be some in the world that would be more Orthodox and Reformed Christians than any of us. The Socinians, you know, deny That Souls live after death, until the Resurrection; or That Christ hath carnem & sanguinem now in Heaven; both as most destructive of the idolatrous errours of the Man of sin: the first of Purgatory and Invocation of Saints, (which they say can never be solidly everted, as long as it is supposed Souls do live;) the other of Transubstantiation of the Elements of Bread and Wine into the Body and Bloud of Christ. Is not this to undermine Antichrist with a vengeance, as they say?
I have not been very obtrusive unto men, to acquaint them with my notions and conceits in that kind, (for some of them that are but lately known have lien by me above these twenty years, and not shewn to any) unless they urge me and ask me what is my opinion: and yet my freedom to utter my mind than to such as are prejudiced the contrary way, does neither them nor me any good. Therefore Cupio defungi, if it would be, and to be troubled no more either with Quaesita or Reciprocations in that kind.
For the Discourse you sent me; It proceeds from a distinct and rational Head, but I am afraid too much inclined that way that some strong and rational wits do. It may be I am deceived. The Conclusions which he aims at I can more easily assent to, than to some of his Premisses. I have yet looked it but once over. But any more free or particular censure thereof than what I have already given look not for, left I be censured my self. 'Tis an Argument wherein a wise man will not be too free in discovering himself pro or con, but reserved.
Thus with my wonted affection and prayers, I rest
Your assured Friend, Ioseph Mede. Christ's Coll. Aug. 6. 1638.
[After this Mr. Mede wrote another Letter (the last Letter he wrote to Mr. Hartlib, about a month before he died) wherein (besides matters of News, and his repeating what he had said in the foregoing Letter concerning the great Learning of the Author of that Discourse of Sschism,) he expresseth his resentment of the Difficulties which Mr. Dury's design of Pacification met with, in these words.]
—Mr. Dury and such as wish well to his business must comfort themselves as the Husbandman doth, who though he sees no appearance of his Seed awhile after it is sown, (especially in dry weather) yet despaireth not but as soon as the Rain from above shall water the ground, to see it begin to spring up. You see what an invincible mischief Prejudice is and Studium partium; It leaves no place for admission of Truth that brings any disadvantage to the side: That's the Rule which they examine all by. Will so many Rents of the Church as we see ready to sink it never make us wiser?
Thus with my prayers and best affection, I rest Your assured Friend, Ioseph Mede. Christ's Colledge Aug. 28. 1638.
The End of the Fourth Book.