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with divers things in that kinde that were feen and heard, without any reference to the Stone: From the same place also we may learn, that the said Stone was the same he also called the Shew-stone; as in many places besides. However, it is certain enough that he had more Stones then one, which he accounted sacred; observe Principal Stone, and this other Stone; & first Sanctified Stone, usual Shew-stone, and Holy-stone, may be thought opposed and different; but I understand it otherwise: This is the account we can give of this principal Holy-Stone. And to supply the defect of the maner how it was brought to him, the Reader, if he please, may finde some satisfaction, if he read the maner how it was taken away, and restored, very particularly set down, as before (upon another occasion) was observed.
Besides this Stone or Stones, there are divers other sacred things mentioned, that belonged to this personated Sanctuary, but nothing more frequently mentioned then Curtains; a Curtain or Vail, as it is sometimes called. A man would think at first, perchance, that it was somewhat outward, but it will be found otherwise; it was seen in the Stone, and appeared of different forms and colours, as they that read will quickly finde.
Next unto thefe the Holy Table is chiefly considerable, ordering of it is referred to Dr. Dee, which he durst not take upon himself, until he had warrant from his Spiritual Teachers: This Table, which may well be called Magical, is preserved and to be seen in Sir Thomas Cottons Library (from whence we had the rest) and by his leave is here represented in a brass Cut; mention is made of it, as I take it, where Dr. Dee propofeth to his Teachers, Whether the Table (for the middle cross of uniting the 4 principal parts) be made perfect or no: You may see more of it, it is also called League Table, Table of Covenant, mensa fœderis in some places: The Pedestal of it is mentioned in two or three places, and indeed a very curious Frame belonging unto it, yet to be seen in the said Library. But I know not what to make of that, neither Nalu: nor the Table appeareth; and the round Table or Globe appeared not. I believe it must be understood of somewhat that had appeared before in the stone. The Reader that will be so curious, by careful reading may soon finde it out; I was not willing to bestow too much time upon it.
But here remaineth a main business whereof we are to give an account to the Reader: There were many Tables or Schemes at the end of the Bock, containing Letters, a. b. c. &c. disposed into little squares, with an Inscription over each Table in that unknown Character (before spoken of) expressed in ufual Letters how it should be read. There is one for a Specimen here at the end of the Preface; the rest were omitted, because it was judged needless, except it were to increase the price of the Printed book. For first, Dr. Dee himself, though he took a great deal of pains to understand the Mystery of them, and had great hopes given him from time to time to reap the benefit (himself complains of it in more then one place) of his toilsome work and long patience, yet it never came to any thing: and if he made nothing of them (to benefit himself thereby) what hopes had we? Besides, we may judge of these Tables, and all this mystery of Letters, by what we have seen in others of the same kinde. Johannes Trithemius was a man that was supposed by most to have dealt with Spirits a long time, and to have been instructed by them inſome