He wrote many excellent things, and performed many rare experiments in the Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, etc., but especially eighty one, the first upon the King"s death, predicted in Arabia by him to his friends, the second upon the losses of the King at Worcester, predicted at Thauris in Persia. Thirdly he predicted the death of Oliver Cromwell in Lambeth House to many persons of honour mentioned in his books. Fourthly he wrote of the overthrow of Lambert, and of the Duke of Albymarle, his bringing again of the King to his happy countries, and gave it to Major Christopher Berkenhead, a Goldsmith at the Anchor by Fetter Lane end in Holborn; the fifth precaution or prediction he gave to his highness the Duke of Buckingham, two months before the evil was practised, and his enemy Abraham Goodman lies now in the Tower for attempting the death of the n.o.ble Prince. The sixth for Count Gramont when he was banished into England by the King of France, and he predicted by the Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, the King"s receiving again into favour, and of his marriage to the Lady Hamilton. The seventh for Duke Minulaus, a peer of Germany, that the Emperor sent to him, when the Turk, had an army against him, and of the death of the Pope; the rest are in his books, and therefore by these monuments the name of Heydon for his variety of learning was famous not only in England, but also in many other nations into which his books are translated.
This John Heydon, fears none, contemneth none, is ignorant of none, rejoyceth in none, grieves at none, laughs at none, is angry with none, but being himself a Philosopher, he hath taught the way to happiness, the way to long life, the way to health, the way to wane young being old, and the way to resolve all manner of Questions, Present and to Come, by the Rules of Astromancy and Geomancy, and how to raise the Dead.
There be many John Heydons, one John Heydon the divine and priest of Jesus Christ, this is a Philosopher and Lawyer, stiled a Servant of G.o.d and Secretary of Nature, and to this the Princes and Peers not only of England, but of Spain, Italy, France and Germany send dayly to him, and upon every occasion he sheweth strong parts and a vigorous brain; his wishes and aimes, and what he pointeth at, speaketh him owner of a n.o.ble and generous heart; this gentleman"s excellent books are admired by the world of lettered men, as the prodigy of these latter times (indeed his works before mentioned, if I am able to judge anything) are full of the profoundest learning I ever met withall: and I believe, who hath well-read and digested them will perswade himself, there is no truth too abstruse, nor hitherto conceived out of our reach, and if any should question my judgement, they may read the commendations of both the Universities, Oxford and Cambridge, besides the learned Thomas White and Thomas Revell, Esq., both famous in Rome and other parts beyond sea, that have highly honoured this gentleman in their books; yet he hath suffered many misfortunes, his fathered was sequestered, imprisoned, and lost two thousand pounds by Cromwell. This Oliver imprisoned this son also two year and half, or thereabout, in Lambeth House, for he and his father"s family were always for the King, and endeavoured to the utmost his restoration; and indeed the tyrant was cruel to him, but John Thurloe, his Secretary, was kind to him and pittied his curious youth. And the messenger kept him (at his request) at his own house, and gave him leave to go abroad, but yet being zealous and active for the King, he was again taken and clapt up in Lambeth House; in these misfortunes it cost him a 1,000 and upwards; after this some envious villains forged actions of debt against him, and put him in prison. It seems at the beginning of these misfortunes, a certain harlot would have him to marry her, but denying her suit, for he had never spoken to her in his life good or evil until then; she devised now with her confederates abundance of mischief against him. And many courted him to marry, but he denyed. Now there was left (amongt a few old Almanacks and sc.r.a.ps of other men"s wit) collected and bequeathed unto the world by Nic. Culpe (as his own admired experience) old Alice Culpeper, his widow. She hearing this gentleman (that he was heir to a great estate after the death of his father, and after the death of his uncle, 1,000 a year, but whether this uncle be of the father"s or the mother"s side I know not, but the estate is sure his at their death), courts him by letters of love, to no purpose; the next saint in order was she that calls herself the German Princess. But he flies high and scorns such fowl great beasts, the first of these two blessed birds in her life time caused one Heath to arrest him, and another laid actions against him that he never knew nor heard of. In this perplexity was he imprisoned two years, for they did desire nothing but to get money, or destroy him, for fear if ever he got his liberty he might then punish them. He being of a n.o.ble nature forgave them all their malice and devices against him, and scorns to revenge himself such upon pittiful things. G.o.d indeed hath done him the justice, for this Heath consumes to worse than nothing, and indeed, if I can judge or predict anything his baudy-houses will be p.a.w.ned, and he will dye a miserable diseased beggar. His mistress, when he was very young and a clerke, desired him to lay with her, but he like Joseph refusing, she hated him all her life. G.o.d preserved him from their malice, although one of these three lewd women swore this gentleman practised the art of Magic; she told Oliver Cromwell she saw familiar spirits come and go to him in the shape of Conies, and her maid swore she had often seen them in his chambers when he was abroad, and sometimes walking upon the housetop in moonshine nights, and sometimes to vanish away into a wall or Aire, but when asked she could not tell what manner of man he was. So these stories were not credited, and for all these and many more afflictions and false accusations, I never saw him angry, nor did he even arrest or imprison any man or woman in all his life.
He was falsely accused but lately of writing a seditious book and imprisoned in a messenger"s custody, but his n.o.ble friend the Duke of Buckingham finding him innocent and alwaies for the king, he was then discharged, and indeed this glorious Duke is a very good and just judge and n.o.ble, for he forgave Abraham G.o.dman that came to kill him with his sword drawn, the Duke with his plate and napkin (for he was at supper) takes away his sword, saying, I can kill thee, but I scorn it, and a little after he pardoned him. And so mercifull he is that after he had taken the Quakers prisoners in Yorkshire, he used so many wise convincing arguments that they submitted to the King; of which the Duke was glad, and saved all their lives; he studies the way to preserve his king and country in peace, plenty, and prosperity. It is a pity the King hath not many more such brave men as he, a thousand such wise Dukes as this (like marsh.e.l.l"d thunder, back"d with flames of fire) would make all the enemies of the King and Christendome quake, and the Turk fly before such great generals, in all submission; we humbly pray for this great Prince, and leave him to his pleasure and return to our subject.
John Heydon is not of that vain and presumptuous nature as the Taylors that despised all Artists, even Appolonius, More, Vaughan, and Smith, etc.
And yet they cannot read these, and many other learned authors, they so impudently abuse, rob of their learning, and convert other men"s parts to their own profit. He lent one ten pounds gold, he in requital or return speaks ill of him, and pretends to know many admirable rules of Geomancy, and impertinently addes them to Nativities, and applyes them to all manner of questions in Astromancy, but his books being written so long since, viz., seventeen years by himself, their greediness of great matters is discovered, and we now know them to be neither scholars nor gentlemen, these hang up clouts with--here are Nativities calculated, questions resolved, and all the parts of Astrology taught by us.... In threepence, fourpence, sixpence, or higher if you please--thus are young apprentices, old women, and wenches abused, and that they may be found for money, tell us the twelve houses of heaven in the sign of a coat of arms are to be let, when they might indeed set bills upon their brazen foreheads, engraven thus: Here are Rooms to be let unfurnished, but our Author regards not these men; all their scandals, forgeries, and villainous devises they contrive against him, he slights and scorns, and hath purposely forsaken Spittle Fields and his lodging there, to live a private life, free from the concourse of mult.i.tudes of people that daily followed after him, but if any desire to be advised, let them by way of letter leave their business at his booksellers, and they shall have answer and counsel without reward, for he is neither envious, nor enemie to any man; what I write is upon my own knowledge.
He now writes from Hermenpolis, a place I was never at; it seems by the word to be the city of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange places, among the Rosie Crucians, and at their Castles, Holy Houses, Temples, Sepulchres, Sacrifices. This gentleman hath suffered much by his own discreet silence and solitude. Every Nativity Hawker condemns the Rosie Crucians because they appear not to the world, and concludes there is no such society because he is not a member of it, and Mr. Heydon will not come upon the stage (let his enemies write or speak what they will) when any fool cries enter, neither doth he regard every dog that barks at him. All the world knows this gentleman studys honourable and honest things, and faithfully communicates them to others, yet if any traduce him hereafter, they must not expect his vindication, he hath referred his quarrel to the G.o.d of Nature, it is involved in the concernments of his Truths and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience; he hath been misinterpreted in his writing, with studied calumnies, they disparage a person whom they never saw, nor perhaps will see, he is resolved for the future to suffer, for he says G.o.d condemns no man for his patience, the world indeed may think the truth overthrown, because she is attended with his peace for in the judgment of most men, there is no victory, this he looks upon as no disadvantage, the estimate of such censures will but lighten the scales, and I don"t suppose them very weak brains who conceive the truth sinks because it outweighs them; as for tempestuous outcrys when they want their motives they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath more of the Hurrey-cano than of Christ Jesus, G.o.d was not in the wind that rent the rocks in pieces, nor in the earthquake and fire at h.o.r.eb. He was in Aura tenui, in the still small voice. His enemies are forced to praise his vertues and his friends are sorry he hath not 10,000 pounds a year, he doth not resent the common spleen, who writs the truth of G.o.d hath the same Patron with the truth itself, and when the world shall submit to the general Tribunal, he will find his Advocate where they shall find their Judge, there is mutual testimony between G.o.d and his servants, or nature and her Secretary; if the Baptist did bear witness of Christ, Christ did also much for the Baptist; he was a burning and shining light; when I writ this gentleman"s life G.o.d can bear me witness it was unknown to him, and for no private ends, but I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the Mistery and Majesty of Nature, written by this servant of G.o.d and Secretary of Nature; I began his life some years since, and do set it down as I do finde it, if any man oppose this, I shall answer, if you are for peace, peace be with you, if you are for War, I have been so too (Mr.
Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King command him). Now let not him that puts on the Armour boast like him that puts it off. "Gaudet patientia duris" is his Motto, and thus I present myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man.
FREDERICK TALBOT, ESQ.
_March 3, 1662._
What was thought of John Heydon and what he appeared to think of himself may be learned from the somewhat gushing testimonials he appended to several of his books.
At the commencement of the Axiomata we have the following:--
"To his most ingeniously accomplish"d friend, Mr. John Heydon, on his Rosie Crucian Infallible Axomata, the excellent and secret use of Numbers."
"Now let the Pope no more pretend to bee, The Father of Infallibility; Unless he can great Heyden"s Numbers teach, And nimbly to his Axiomata reach.
One learned Heydon, with his Art-like Pen, Hath exercised so the Brains of Men; That how to answer him this very Age Knows not [I"m sure] with all its Wit and Rage.
Our Author here, as Heir unto his skill, Hath kept his name up (with a pregnant Quill) So happily! that Ages yet to come, Shall sing his fame in this Eulogium; While Numbers sing the World"s glad Harmony, This worthy work shall teach Philosophy."
J. GADBURY.
Again in the same work.
"To his much honoured friend the Author Mr. John Heydon upon the Rosie Crucian Infallible Axiomata."
"Pythag"ras redivivus, go thy ways Into the world: and number out thy praise; Laconian Lads esteem yourself no more, Who Numbers rich is, who esteems is poor, For they esteem themselves, because no more.
Moses in Miracles did exceed "tis true By Numbers done; only found out by you Therefore the greatest Miracle"s your due.
Tria sunt omnia shall no more surpa.s.s, Who"s but for simple Numbers is an a.s.se, Thy compound Numbers shew as clear as Gla.s.s.
That the wide world this piece shall so extoll As swears no soul, if not Harmonic all For never was piece i" the world so exactly done, In the time past, or present, what"s to come, Then teeming Soul give thy Pen intermission, And breathe a while before the next Edition."
JOHN FYGE, _Minister of the Gospell._
Again:--
"O Comprehensive Magus, praise attends Thy worthy work, to that each number tends, Sith to the Holy Cross thou art the Crown; And that, which Nature did at first set down In Hieroglyphicks, that she might conceal From Sons of earth, her Darling doth reveal Unto the Sons of Art and doth unfold Those Tomes of Crypicks that before were rold; Axioms infallible, thou dost us shew, Would Pyrrho make his doubting Trade forego; Philosophy may by thy Method be Courted, and won by men of low degree, When fancy tells me this cannot be done, My Reason prompts me to believe a Son, Inspired by the Rosie Crucian Spirit, Is Heir to more, to whom I do refer it.
THOMAS FYGE."
"Hayl you (admired Heydon) whose great parts Shine above envy; and the common Arts, You kin to Angels, and Superiour Lights, (A spark of the first fire) whose Eagle flights Trade not with Earth, and grossness, but do pa.s.s To the pure Heavens, and make your G.o.d your Gla.s.s, In whom you see all forms, and so do give These rare discov"ries, how things move and live, Proceed to make your great designs compleat, And let not this rude world our hopes defeat.
Oh let me but by this the dawning light Which streams upon me through your three pil"d night, Pa.s.s to the East of truth, "till I may see Man"s first fair state; when sage Simplicity The Dove and Serpent, Innocent and Wise Dwell in his brest, and he in Paradise.
These from the Tree of knowledge his best boughs I"le pluck a Garland from this Author"s brows, Which to succeeding times Fame shall bequeath, With this most just Applause, Great Heyden"s wreath.
FRED. TALBOT, _Esquire_."
In the opening pages of the "Holy Guide," we find the following:--
"Renowned Eugenius! Famous above all!
A Prince in Physiques! Most Seraphicall!
The Art"s Great Archer! Never shooting wide; Yet Hitt"st the White best, in thy Holy Guide.
Good G.o.d! What Pains have learn"d Physitians For cleansing Physiques [strange perturbed] Brook?
But as their crooked labours did destroy Our hopes, Thy Guide directs the Ready Way.
Hippocrates, Great Galen, and Senertus, Rhenvoleus, Paracelsus, and Albertus, Grave Gerrard, and Ingenious Parkinson, Dead Culpeper, and living Thomlinson, Have all done well. But ah! they miss the Road, Thou Chalked out, Thou Dear Servant of G.o.d; And therefore "tis no wonder, if they vary From thee; Great Nature (High born) Secretary!
"Tis thou alone, hast taught the way to bliss: "Tis thou alone, that knowest what it is: "Tis thou hast raked fruitful Egypt o"er For Medicines; and Italy for more; And in Arabia thy collecting Braines, To doe us good, hath taken wondrous Paines This having done, if Critiques will not bow To thy Great Learning Petra scandalou, It shall unto them surely prove: And this Essay of thy Sublimer Misteryes, Shall make them sure unto the Wise Minerva Yet still be ignorant of thy Pantarva.
But hold! Where am I? Sure th" hast set a spell On me, cause I can"t praise thy doings well: Release me, Good Eugenius! and the Crowne Shall stand on no browes but thy learned Owne.
Poets, no more lay Claime unto the Bayes!
"Tis Heydon shines alone with splendid Rayes!
Follow his Guide, he teaches you most sure; Let any make the Wound; "Tis he must cure.
For he directs the Welgrowne; Old, and Young, To live Rich, Happy, Healthy, n.o.ble, Strong.
JOHN GADBURY."
"To the Reader on the behalf of my much honoured Friend the Author Mr.
John Heydon."
"A Labyrinth doth need a clew to find The pa.s.sage out, and a Daedalian mind May doe strange works, beyond the Vulgar"s reach, And in their understandings make a breach.
It"s often seene, when men of pregnant parts Study, Invent, and promulgate rare Arts, Or unknown secrets, now they puzzle those That understand them not; their Yea"s, their No"s, Are put to Non-plus; Tutors then they lack To drive them forward, or to bring them back.
How many learned men (in former ages) In all the sciences were counted Sages?
And yet are scarcely understood by men, Who daily read them o"re and o"re again!
Some can recount things past, and present some, And some would know of things that are to come.
Some study pleasure, some would faine live long; Some that are old, would faine again be young.
This Man doth toyle, and moile, to purchase wealth, That man gets sickness studying for his health; This man would happy bee, that Wisdom have; All are at loss, and every man doth crave; None is content, But each man wants a Guide Them to direct when they do step aside.
Since this is thus, Our Author hath took paine To lead us in, and bring us out again; Now who is pleas"d in him for to confide In these Discoveries, Here"s his Holy Guide.
Pray what can more improve the Commonwealth, Than the discovery of the way to Health?
The Paradox is made a certain truth, An Ancient man may dye it "h prime of "s youth.
What wonder is it if he goe aside The Path, which will not take the Holy Guide!
JOHN BOOKER."
"To his Ingenuous Friend Mr. John Heydon, on his Book Int.i.tuled The Holy Guide."
"The Antient Magi, Druids, Cabbalists, The Brachmans, Sybils, and Gymnosophists With all that Occult Arts haberdash And make so many mancies, doe but trash By retaile vend, and may for Pedlars goe: Your richer merchandise doth make them soe.
The Stagarite must with his Murnival Of Elements, Galen of Humours call In all their suit, or your new Art, Without them, makes their good old cause to smart.
Vulgar Physitians cannot look for more Patients, then such which doe need h.e.l.libore: When Rosie Crucian Power can revive The dead, and keep old men in youth alive.
Had you not call"d your work the Holy Guide, It would have puzzled all the world beside To have Baptized it with a name so fit And Adaequate to what"s contain"d in it; Should it be styled the Encyclopaedy Of Curious Arts, or term"d a Mystery In folio, or be named the Vatican Reduc"d unto an Enchiridion, Or all the Hermae in a Senary, The Urim and Thummim of Philosophy, The Art of Hieroglyphicks so revealed And like the Apocalyps they are conceal"d Or th" Orthodoxall Parodox, or all Discover"d, which men still a wonder call; Or th" Magna Charta of all Sciences, And he that names it cannot call it less, The Book and t.i.tle might have well agreed; Yet men have questioned if into their Creed They should have put your Article, but Now The name of holy none dare disallow When so much learning doth in one exist Heydon, not Hermes, shall be Trismegist.
And if the Right Reverend of Levi"s Tribe Do Hallow it, I cannot but subscribe.
Myself your Friend and Servant, THOS. FYGE."
"Now there are," says John Heydon, "a kind of men as they themselves report, named Rosie Crucians; a divine Fraternity that inhabite the suburbs of Heaven, and these are the Officers of the Generalissimo of the world, that are as the eyes and eares of the great King, seeing and hearing all things; they say these R. C. are seraphically illuminated, as Moses was, according to this Order of the Elements; Earth refyn"d to Water, Water to Air, Air to Fire. So if a man be one of the Heroes, of a Heros, a Damon, or good Genius, if a Genius, a partaker of divine things, and a Companion of the holy Company of unbodied Souls and immortall Angells, and according to their vehicles, a versatile life, turning themselves Proteus-like into any shape.