In so unlooked-for an adventure, I was at loss, how either to advise or assist my poor self, and therefore fell upon my knees, and besought my Creator to permit nothing contrary to my eternal happiness to befall me; whereupon with fear and trembling I went to the letter which was now so heavy, as had it been mere gold, it could hardly have been so weighty. Now as I was diligently viewing it, I found a little Seal, whereupon a curious cross with this inscription, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES, was engraven. Now as soon as I espied this sign I was the more comforted, as not being ignorant that such a Seal was little acceptable, and much less useful to the Devil. Whereupon I tenderly opened the letter and within it, in an Azure Field, in Golden Letters, found the following verses written-- This day, this day, this, this The Royal wedding is. Art thou thereto by birth inclin'd And unto joy of God design'd, Then mayst thou to the mountain tend Whereon three stately Temples stand, And there see all from end to end. Keep watch and ward, Thyself regard; Unless with diligence thou bathe, The Wedding can't thee harmless save: He'll damage have that here delays, Let him beware, too light that weighs. Underneath stood Sponsus and Sponsa. As soon as I had read this letter, I was presently like to have fainted away, all my hair stood on end, and a cold sweat trickled down my whole body. For although I well perceived that this was the appointed wedding, whereof seven years before I was acquainted in a bodily vision, and which now so long time I had with great earnestness attended, and which lastly, by the account and calculation of the Planets, I had most diligently observed, I found so to be, yet could I never foresee that it must happen under so grievous and perilous conditions. For whereas I before imagined that to be a welcome and acceptable guest, I needed only be ready to appear at the wedding; I was now directed to Divine Providence, to which until this time I was never certain. I also found by myself, the more I examined myself, that in my head there was nothing but gross misunderstanding and blindness in mysterious things, so that I was not able to comprehend even those things which lay under my feet, and which I daily conversed with, much less that I should be born to the searching out and understanding of the secrets of Nature; since in my opinion Nature might everywhere find a more _vertuous_ disciple, to whom to intrust her precious, though temporary and changeable treasures. I found also that my bodily behaviour, and outward good conversation, and brotherly love towards my neighbour, was not duly purged and cleansed; moreover, the tickling of the flesh manifested itself, whose affection was bent only to pomp and bravery, and worldly pride, and not to the good of mankind; and I was always contriving how by this art I might in short time abundantly