Blazing-World lived and reigned most happily and blessedly and received oftentimes Visits from the Immaterial Spirits who gave her Intelligence of all such things as she desired to know and they were able to inform her of One time they told her how the World she came from was imbroiled in a great War and that most parts or Nations thereof made War against that Kingdom which was her Native Country where all her Friends and Relations did live at which the Empress was extreamly troubled insomuch that the Emperor perceived her grief by her tears and examining the cause thereof she told him that she had received Intelligence from the Spirits that that part of the World she came from which was her native Country was like to be destroyed by numerous Enemies that made War against it The Emperor being very sensible of this ill news especially of the Trouble it caused to the Empress endeavoured to comfort her as much as possibly he could and told her that she might have all the assistance which the Blazing-World was able to afford She answered That if there were any possibility of transporting Forces out of the Blazing-World into the World she came from she would not fear so much the ruin thereof but said she there being no probability of effecting any such thing I know not how to shew my readiness to serve my Native Country The Emperor asked Whether those Spirits that gave her Intelligence of this War could not with all their Power and Forces assist her against those Enemies She answered That Spirits could not arm themselves nor make any use of Artificial Arms or Weapons for their Vehicles were Natural Bodies not Artificial Besides said she the violent and strong actions of war will never agree with Immaterial Spirits for Immaterial Spirits cannot fight nor make Trenches Fortifications and the like But said the Emperor their Vehicles can especially if those Vehicles be mens Bodies they may be serviceable in all the actions of War Alas replied the Empress that will never do for first said she it will be difficult to get so many dead Bodies for their Vehicles as to make up a whole Army much more to make many Armies to fight with so many several Nations nay if this could be yet it is not possible to get so many dead and undissolved Bodies in one Nation and for transporting them out of other Nations it would be a thing of great difficulty and improbability But put the case said she all these difficulties could be overcome yet there is one obstruction or hindrance which can no ways be avoided For although those dead and undissolved Bodies did all die in one minute of time yet before they could Rendezvouze and be put into a posture of War to make a great and formidable Army they would stink and dissolve and when they came to a fight they would moulder into dust and ashes and so leave the purer Immaterial Spirits naked nay were it also possible that those dead bodies could be preserved from stinking and dissolving yet the Souls of such Bodies would not suffer Immaterial Spirits to rule and order them but they would enter and govern them themselves as being the right owners thereof which would produce a War between those Immaterial Souls and the Immaterial Spirits in Material Bodies all which would hinder them from doing any service in the actions of War against the Enemies of my Native Countrey You speak Reason said the Emperor and I wish with all my Soul I could advise any manner or way that you might be able to assist it but you having told me of your dear Platonick Friend the Duchess of Newcastle and of her good and profitable Counsels I would desire you to send for her Soul and conferr with her about this business The Empress was very glad of this motion of the Emperor and immediately sent for the Soul of the said Duchess which in a minute waited on her Majesty Then the Empress declared to her the grievance and sadness of her mind and how much she was troubled and afflicted at the News brought her by the Immaterial Spirits desiring the Duchess if possible to assist her with the best Counsels she could that she might shew the greatness of her love and affection which she bore to her Native Countrey Whereupon the Duchess promised her Majesty to do what lay in her power and since it was a business of great Importance she desired some time to consider of it for said she Great Affairs require deep Considerations which the Empress willingly allowed her And after the Duchess had considered some little time she desired the Empress to send some of her Syrens or Mear-men to see what passages they could find out of the Blazing-World into the World she came from for said she if there be a passage for a Ship to come out of that World into this then certainly there may also a Ship pass thorow the same passage out of this World into that Hereupon the Mear-or Fish-men were sent out who being many in number employ'd all their industry and did swim several ways at last having found out the passage they returned to the Empress and told her That as their Blazing World had but one Emperor one Government one Religion and one Language so there was but one Passage into that World which was so little that no Vessel bigger than a Packet-Boat could go thorow neither was that Passage always open but sometimes quite frozen up At which Relation both the Empress and Duchess seemed somewhat troubled fearing that this would perhaps be an hindrance or obstruction to their Design At last the Duchess desired the Empress to send for her Ship-wrights and all her Architects which were Giants who being called the Duchess told them how some in her own World had been so ingenious as to contrive Ships that could swim under Water and asked Whether they could do the like The Giants answered They had never heard of that Invention nevertheless they would try what might be done by Art and spare no labour or industry to find it out In the mean time while both the Empress and Duchess were in a serious Counsel after many debates the Duchess desired but a few Ships to transport some of the Bird Worm-and Bear-men Alas said the Empress What can such sorts of Men do in the other World especially so few They will be soon destroyed for a Musket will destroy numbers of Birds at one shot The Duchess said I desire your Majesty will have but a little patience and relie upon my advice and you shall not fail to save your own Native Country and in a manner become Mistress of all that World you came from The Empress who loved the Duchess as her own Soul did so the Giants returned soon after and told her Majesty that they had found out the Art which the Duchess had mentioned to make such Ships as could swim under water which the Empress and Duchess were
other Creatures within the Earth were colourless At which question they could not forbear laughing and when the Empress asked the reason why they laught We most humbly beg your Majesties pardon replied they for we could not chuse but laugh when we heard of a colourless Body Why said the Empress Colour is onely an accident which is an immaterial thing and has no being of it self but in another body Those replied they that informed your Majesty thus surely their rational motions were very irregular For how is it possible that a Natural nothing can have a being in Nature If it be no substance it cannot have a being and if no being it is nothing Wherefore the distinction between subsisting of it self and subsisting in another body is a meer nicety and non-sense for there is nothing in Nature that can subsist of or by it self I mean singly by reason all parts of Nature are composed in one body and though they may be infinitely divided commixed and changed in their particulars yet in general parts cannot be separated from parts as long as Nature lasts nay we might as probably affirm that Infinite Nature would be as soon destroyed as that one Atom could perish and therefore your Majesty may firmly believe that there is no Body without colour nor no Colour without body for colour figure place magnitude and body are all but one thing without any separation or abstraction from each other The Empress was so wonderfully taken with this Discourse of the Worm-men that she not only pardoned the rudeness they committed in laughing at first at her question but yielded a full assent to their opinion which she thought the most rational that ever she had heard yet and then proceeding in her questions enquired further whether they had observed any seminal principles within the Earth free from all dimensions and qualities which produced Vegetables Minerals and the like To which they answered That concerning the seeds of Minerals their sensitive perceptions had never observed any but Vegetables had certain seeds out of which they were produced Then she asked whether those seeds of Vegetables lost their Species that is were annihilated in the production of their off-spring To which they answered That by an Annihilation nothing could be produced and that the seeds of Vegetables were so far from being annihilated in their productions that they did rather numerously increase and multiply for the division of one seed said they does produce numbers of seeds out of it self But repli'd the Empress A particular part cannot increase of it self 'T is true answer'd they but they increase not barely of themselves but by joining and commixing with other parts which do assist them in their productions and by way of imitation form or figure their own parts into such or such particulars Then I pray inform me said the Empress what disguise those seeds put on and how they do conceal themselves in their Transmutations They answered That seeds did no ways disguise or conceal but rather divulge themselves in the multiplication of their off-spring onely they did hide and conceal themselves from their sensitive perceptions so that their figurative and productive motions were not perceptible by Animal Creatures Again the Empress asked them whether there were any Non beings within the Earth To which they answered That they never heard of any such thing and that if her Majesty would know the truth thereof she must ask those Creatures that are called Immaterial Spirits which had a great affinity with Non-beings and perhaps could give her a satisfactory answer to this question Then she desired to be informed What opinion they had of the beginning of Forms They told her Majesty That they did not understand what she meant by this expression For said they there is no beginning in Nature no not of Particulars by reason Nature is Eternal and Infinite and her particulars are subject to infinite changes and transmutations by vertue of their own Corporeal figurative self-motions so that there 's nothing new in Nature nor properly a beginning of any thing The Empress seem'd well satisfied with all those answers and enquired further Whether there was no Art used by those Crearures that live within the Earth Yes answered they for the several parts of the Earth do join and assist each other in composition or framing of such or such particulars and many times there are factions and divisions which cause productions of mixt Species as for example weeds instead of sweet flowres and useful fruits but Gardeners and Husbandmen use often to decide their quarrels and cause them to agree which though it shews a kindness to the differing parties yet 't is a great prejudice to the Worms and other Animal-Creatures that live under ground for it most commonly causes their dissolution and ruine at best they are driven out of their habitations What said the Empress are not Worms produced out of the Earth Their production in general answered they is like the production of all other Natural Creatures proceeding from the corporeal figurative motions of Nature but as for their particular productions they are according to the nature of their Species some are produced out of flowers some out of roots some out of fruits some out of ordinary Earth Then they are very ungrateful Children replied the Empress that they feed on their own Parents which gave them life Their life answered they is their own and not their Parents for no part or creature of Nature can either give or take away life but parts do onely assist and join with parts either in the dissolution or production of other Parts and Creatures After this and several other Conferences which the Empress held with the Worm-men she dismissed them and having taken much satisfaction in several of their Answers encouraged them in their Studies and Observations Then she made a Convocation of her Chymists the Ape-men and commanded them to give her an account of the several Transmutations which their Art was able to produce They begun first with a long and tedious Discourse concerning the Primitive Ingredients of Natural bodies and how by their Art they had found out the principles out of which they consist But they did not all agree in their opinions for some said That the Principles of all Natural Bodies were the four Elements Fire Air Water Earth out of which they were composed Others rejected this Elementary commixture and said There were many Bodies out of which none of the four Elements could be extracted by any degree of Fire whatsoever and that on the other side there were divers Bodies whose resolution by Fire reduced them into more then four different Ingredients and these affirmed That the only principles of Natural Bodies were Salt Sulphur and Mercury Others again declared That none of the forementioned could be called the True Principles of Natural Bodies but that by their industry and pains which they had taken in the Art of Chymistry they had discovered
to be all in a flaming-fire The other Chappel which was lined with the Star-stone did onely cast a splendorous and comfortable light both the Chappels stood upon Pillars just in the middle of a round Cloyster which was dark as night neither was there any other light within them but what came from the Fire-and Star-stone and being every where open allowed to all that were within the compass of the Cloyster a free prospect into them besides they were so artificially contrived that they did both move in a Circle about their own Centres without intermission contrary ways In the Chappel which was lined with the Fire-stone the Empress preached Sermons of Terror to the wicked and told them of the punishments for their sins to wit That after this life they should be tormented in an everlasting Fire But in the other Chappel lined with the Star-stone she preached Sermons of Comfort to those that repented of their sins and were troubled at their own wickedness Neither did the heat of the flame in the least hinder her for the Fire-stone did not cast so great a heat but the Empress was able to endure it by reason the water which was poured on the Stone by its own self-motion turned into a flaming-fire occasioned by the natural motions of the Stone which made the flame weaker then if it had been fed by some other kind of fuel the other Chappel where the Star-Stone was although it did cast a great light yet was it without all heat and the Empress appear'd like an Angel in it and as that Chappel was an embleme of Hell so this was an embleme of Heaven And thus the Empress by Art and her own Ingenuity did not onely convert the Blazing-World to her own Religion but kept them in a constant belief without inforcement or blood-shed for she knew well that belief was a thing not to be forced or pressed upon the people but to be instilled into their minds by gentle perswasions and after this manner she encouraged them also in all other duties and employments for Fear though it makes people obey yet does it not last so long nor is it so sure a means to keep them to their duties as Love Last of all when she saw that both Church and State was now in a well-ordered and setled condition her thoughts reflected upon the World she came from and though she had a great desire to know the condition of the same yet could she advise no manner of way how to gain any knowledg thereof at last after many serious considerations she conceived that it was impossible to be done by any other means then by the help of Immâ—terial Spirits wherefore she made a Convocation of the most learned witty and ingenious of all the forementioned sorts of Men and desired to know of them whether there were any Immaterial Spirits in their World First she enquired of the Worm-men whether they had perceived some within the Earth They answered her Majesty That they never knew of any such Creatures for whatsoever did dwell within the Earth said they was imbodied and material Then she asked the Fly-men whether they had observed any in the Air for you having numerous Eyes said she will be more able to perceive them than any other Creatures To which they answered her Majesty That although Spirits being immaterial could not be perceived by the Worm-men in the Earth yet they perceived that such Creatures did lodg in the Vehicles of the Air. Then the Empress asked Whether they could speak to them and whether they did understand each other The Fly-men answered That those Spirits were always cloth'd in some sort or other of Material Garments which Garments were their Bodies made for the most part of Air and when occasion served they could put on any other sort of substances but yet they could not put these substances into any form or shape as they pleased The Empress asked the Fly-men whether it was possible that she could be acquainted and have some conferences with them They answered They did verily believe she might Hereupon the Empress commanded the Fly-men to ask some of the Spirits Whether they would be pleased to give her a Visit This they did and after the Spirits had presented themselves to the Empress in what shapes or forms I cannot exactly tell after some few Complements that passed between them the Empress told the Spirits that she questioned not but they did know how she was a stranger in that World and by what miraculous means she was arrived there and since she had a great desire to know the condition of the World she came from her request to the Spirits was To give her some Information thereof especially of those parts of the World where she was born bred and educated as also of her particular friends and acquaintance all which the Spirits did according to her desire At last after a great many conferences and particular intelligences which the Spirits gave the Empress to her great satisfaction and content she enquired after the most famous Students Writers and Experimental Philosophers in that World which they gave her a full relation of amongst the rest she enquired Whether there were none that had found out yet the Jews Cabbala Several have endeavoured it answered the Spirits but those that came nearest although themselves denied it were one Dr. Dee and one Edward Kelly the one representing Moses and the other Aaron for Kelly was to Dr. d ee as Aaron to Moses but yet they proved at last but meer Cheats and were described by one of their own Country-men a famous Poet named Ben. Johnson in a Play call'd The Alchymist where he expressed Kelly by Capt. Face and d ee by Dr. Subtle and their two Wives by Doll Common and the Widow by the Spaniard in the Play he meant the Spanish Ambassador and by Sir Epicure Mammon a Polish Lord. The Empress remembred that she had seen the Play and asked the Spirits whom he meant by the name of Ananias Some Zealous Brethren answered they in Holland Germany and several other places Then she asked them Who was meant by the Druggist Truly answered the Spirits We have forgot it being so long since it was made and acted What replied the Empress Can Spirits forget Yes said the Spirits for what is past is onely kept in memory if it be not recorded I did believe said the Empress That Spirits had no need of Memory or Remembrance and could not be subject to Forgetfulness How can we answered they give an account of things present if we had no Memory but especially of things past unrecorded if we had no Remembrance Said the Empress By present Knowledg and Understanding The Spirits answered That present Knowledg and Understanding was of actions or things present not of past But said the Empress you know what is to come without Memory or Remembrance and therefore you may know what is past without memory and remembrance They answered That
Matter or whether it was mixt as a world of living animal Creatures They answered That Paradise was not in the world she came from but in that world she lived in at present and that it was the very same place where she kept her Court and where her Palace stood in the midst of the Imperial City The Empress asked further Whether in the beginning and Creation of the World all Beasts could speak They answered That no Beasts could speak but onely those sorts of Creatures which were Fish-men Bear-men Worm-men and the like which could speak in the first Age as well as they do now She asked again Whether they were none of those Spirits that frighted Adam out of the Paradise at least caused him not to return thither again They answered they were not Then she desired to be informed whither Adam fled when he was driven out of the Paradise Out of this World said they you are now Empress of into the World you came from If this be so replied the Empress then surely those Cabbalists are much out of their story who believe the Paradise to be a world of Life onely without Matter for this world though it be most pleasant and fruitful yet it is not a world of meer Immaterial life but a world of living Material Creatures VVithout question they are answered the Spirits for not all Cabbala's are true Then the Empress asked That since it is mentioned in the story of the Creation of the World that Eve was tempted by the Serpent Whether the Devil was within the Serpent or Whether the Serpent tempted her without the Devil They answered That the Devil was within the Serpent But how came it then replied she that the Serpent was cursed They answered because the Devil was in him for are not those men in danger of damnation which have the Devil within them who perswades them to believe and act wickedly The Empress asked further Whether Light and the Heavens were all one They answered That that Region which contains the Lucid natural Orbs was by Mortals named Heaven but the Beatifical Heaven which is the Habitation of the Blessed Angels and Souls was so far beyond it that it could not be compared to any Natural Creature Then the Empress asked them Whether all Matter was fluid at first They answered That Matter was always as it is and that some parts of Matter were rare some dense some fluid some solid c. Neither was God bound to make all Matter fluid at first She asked further Whether Matter was immovable in it self We have answered you before said they That there is no motion but in Matter and were it not for the motion of Matter we Spirits could not move nor give you any answer to your several questions After this the Empress asked the Spirits Whether the Universe was made within the space of six days or Whether by those six days were meant so many Decrees or Commands of God They answered her That the World was made by the All-powerful Decree and Command of God but whether there were six Decrees or Commands or fewer or more no Creature was able to tell Then she inquired Whether there was no mystery in Numbers No other 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 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 AEthereal Matter The Spirits answered That the Stars and Planets were of the same matter which the Heavens the AEther and all other Natural Creatures did consist of but whether they were generated by the Heavens or AEther 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 AEther as also more solid and constant in their motions But put the case the Stars and Planets were generated by the Heavens and the AEthereal 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 AEther by reason the Stars and Planets seem to be further off from Mortality then the particular parts of the AEther for no doubt but the parts of the AEthereal 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 maybe numerous materials 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 on 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
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 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 One time when the Duchess her Soul was with the Empress she seem'd to be very sad and melancholy at which the Empress was very much troubled and asked her the reason of her Melancholick humour Truly said the Duchess to the Empress for between dear friends there 's no concealment they being like several parts of one united body my Melancholy proceeds from an extream Ambition The Empress asked What the height of her ambition was The Duchess answered That neither she her self nor no Creature in the World was able to know either the height depth or breadth of her Ambition but said she my present desire is that I would be a great Princess The Empress replied So you are for you are a Princess of the fourth or fifth Degree for a Duke or Duchess is the highest title or honour that a subject can arrive to as being the next to a King's Title and as for the name of a Prince or Princess it belongs to all that are adopted to the Crown so that those that can add a Crown to their Arms are Princes and therefore a Duke is a Title above a Prince for example the Duke of Savoy the Duke of Florence the Duke of Lorrain as also Kings Brothers are not called by the name of Princes but Dukes this being the higher Title 'T is true answered the Duchess unless it be Kings Eldest Sons and they are created Princes Yes replied the Empress but no Soveraign does make a subject equal to himself such as Kings eldest sons partly are And although some Dukes be Soveraigns yet I never heard that a Prince by his Title is Soveraign by reason the Title of a Prince is more a Title of Honour then of Soveraignty for as I said before it belongs to all that are adopted to the Crown Well said the Duchess setting aside this dispute my Ambition is That I would fain be as you are that is an Empress of a World and I shall never be at quiet until I be one I love you so well replied the Empress that I wish with all my soul you had the fruition of your ambitious desire and I shall not fail to give you my best advice how to accomplish it the best informers are the Immaterial Spirits and they 'l soon tell you Whether it be possible to obtain your wish But said the Duchess I have little acquaintance with them for I never knew any before the time you sent for me They know you replied the Empress for they told me of you and were the means and instrument of your coming hither Wherefore I 'le conferr with them and enquire whether there be not another World whereof you may be Empress as well as I am of this No sooner had the Empress said this but some Immaterial Spirits came to visit her of whom she inquired Whether there were but three Worlds in all to wit the Blazing World where she was in the World which she came from and the World where the Duchess lived The Spirits answered That there were more numerous Worlds then the Stars which appeared in these three mentioned Worlds Then the Empress asked Whether it was not possible that her dearest friend the Duchess of Newcastle might be Empress of one of them Although there be numerous nay infinite Worlds answered the Spirits yet none is without Government But is none of these Worlds so weak said she that it may be surprized or conquered The Spirits answered That Lucian's World of Lights had been for some time in a snuff but of late years one Helmont had got it who since he was Emperour of it had so strengthened the Immortal parts thereof with mortal out-works as it was for the present impregnable Said the Empress If there be
forced to follow all her inconstant ways and obey all her unjust commands which would cause a great reproach to him but on the other side Prudence advised him not to despise Fortune's favours for that would be an obstrustion and hinderance to his worth and merit and He to obey both our advice and counsels did neither flatter nor despise Her but was always humble and respectful to her so far as Honour Honesty and Conscience would permit all which I refer to Truth 's Judgment and expect her final Sentence Fortune hearing thus Honesty's plain Speech thought it very rude and would not hearken to Truth 's Judgment but went away in a Passion At which both the Empress and Duchess were extreamly troubled that their endeavours should have no better effect but Honesty chid the Duchess and said she was to be punished for desiring so much Fortune's favours for it appears said she that you mistrust the gods blessings At which the Duchess wept answering Honesty That she did neither mistrust the gods blessings nor relye upon Fortune's favours but desired onely that her Lord might have no potent Enemies The Empress being much troubled to see her weep told Honesty in anger she wanted the discretion of Prudence for though you are commended said she yet you are apt to commit many indiscreet actions unless Prudence be your guide At which reproof Prudence smiled and Honesty was somewhat out of countenance but they soon became very good friends and after the Duchess's Soul had stayed some time with the Empress in the Blazing-World she begg'd leave of her to return to her Lord and Husband which the Empress granted her upon condition she should come and visit her as often as conveniently she could promising that she would do the same to the Duchess Thus the Duchess's soul after she had taken her leave of the Empress as also of the Spirits who with great civility promised her that they would endeavour in time to make a Peace and Agreement between Fortune and the Duke returned with Prudence and Honesty into her own World But when she was just upon her departure the Empress sent to Her and desired that she might yet have some little conference with her before she went which the Duchess most willingly granted her Majesty and when she came to wait on her the Empress told the Duchess That she being her dear Platonick Friend of whose just and Impartial Judgment she had alwayes a very great esteem could not forbear before she went from her to ask her Advice concerning the Government of the Blazing-world For said she although this World was very well and wisely ordered and governed at first when I came to be Empress thereof yet the nature of Women being much delighted with Change and Variety after I had received an absolute Power from the Emperor did somewhat alter the Form of Government from what I found it but now perceiving that the World is not so quiet as it was at first I am much troubled at it especially there are such continual Contentions and Divisions between the Worm-Bear -and Fly-men the Ape-men the Satyrs the Spider-men and all others of such sorts that I fear they 'l break out into an open Rebellion and cause a great disorder and the ruin of the Government and therefore I desire your advice and assistance how I may order it to the best advantage that this World may be rendred peaceable quiet and happy as it was before Whereupon the Duchess answered That since she heard by her Imperial Majesty how well and happily the World had been governed when she first came to be Empress thereof she would advise her Majesty to introduce the same form of Government again which had been before that is to have but one Soveraign one Religion one Law and one Language so that all the World might be but as one united Family without divisions nay like God and his Blessed Saints and Angels Otherwise said she it may in time prove as unhappy nay as miserable a World as that is from which I came wherein are more Soveraigns then Worlds and more pretended Governours then Government more Religions then Gods and more Opinions in those Religions then Truths more Laws then Rights and more Bribes then Justices more Policies then Necessities and more Fears then Dangers more Covetousness then Riches more Ambitions then Merits more Services then Rewards more Languages then Wit more Controversie then Knowledg more Reports then noble Actions and more Gifts by partiality then according to Merit all which said she is a great misery nay a curse which your blessed Blazing-World never knew nor 't is probable will never know of unless your Imperial Majesty alter the Government thereof from what it was when you began to govern it And since your Majesty complains much of the factions of the Bear Fish Fly Ape and Worm-men the Spider-men and the like and of their perpetual disputes and quarrels I would advise your Majesty to dissolve all their Societies for 't is better to be without their intelligences then to have an unquiet and disorderly Government The truth is said she wheresoever Learning is there is most commonly also Controversie and quarelling for there be always some that will know more and be wiser then others Some think their Arguments come nearer to Truth and are more rational then others some are so wedded to their own opinions that they 'l never yield to Reason and others though they find their Opinions not firmly grounded upon Reason yet for fear of receiving some disgrace by altering them will nevertheless maintain them against all sense and reason which must needs breed factions in their Schools which at last break out into open Wars and draw sometimes an utter ruin upon a State or Government The Empress told the Duchess that she would willingly follow her advice but she thought it would be an eternal disgrace to her to alter her own Decrees Acts and Laws To which the Duchess answered That it was so far from a disgrace as it would rather be for her Majesties eternal honour to return from a worse to a better and would express and declare Her to be more then ordinary wise and good so wise as to perceive her own errors and so good as not to persist in them which few did for which said she you will get a glorious fame in this World and an Eternal Glory hereafter and I shall pray for it so long as I live Upon which Advice the Empress's Soul embrac'd and kiss'd the Duchess's Soul with an Immaterial Kiss and shed Immaterial Tears that she was forced to part from her finding her not a flattering Parasite but a true Friend and in truth such was their Platonick Friendship as these two loving Souls did often meet and rejoice in each others Conversation THE SECOND PART OF THE DESCRIPTION OF THE New Blazing-World THe Empress having now ordered and setled her Government to the best advantage and quiet of her