examples of
many wise philosophers who had done the like.'

'Sir Robert,' saith one, 'Lilly is yet _sub vestibulo_.'

I proceeded further. Said I, 'Having found, Sir, that the city of London
should be sadly afflicted with a great plague, and not long after with
an exorbitant fire, I framed these two hieroglyphics as represented in
the book, which in effect have proved very true.'

'Did you foresee the year?' said one.

'I did not,' said I, 'or was desirous: of that I made no scrutiny.' I
proceeded--

'Now, Sir, whether there was any design of burning the city, or any
employed to that purpose, I must deal ingenuously with you, that since
the fire, I have taken much pains in the search thereof, but cannot or
could not give myself any the least satisfaction therein. I conclude,
that it was the only finger of God; but what instruments he used
thereunto, I am ignorant.'

The Committee seemed well pleased with what I spoke, and dismissed me
with great civility.

Since which time no memorable action hath happened unto me, my
retirement impeding all concourse unto me.

I have many things more to communicate, which I shall do, as they offer
themselves to memory.

In anno 1634, and 1635, I had much familiarity with John Hegenius,
Doctor of Physick, a Dutchman, an excellent scholar and an able
physician, not meanly versed in astrology. Unto him, for his great
civility, I communicated the art of framing Sigils, Lamens, &c. and the
use of the Mosaical Rods:--and we did create several Sigils to very good
purpose. I gave him, the true key thereof, _viz._ instructed him of
their forms, characters, words, and last of all, how to give them
vivification, and what number or numbers were appropriated to every
planet: _Cum multis aliis in libris veterum latentibus; aut perspicue
non intellectis_.

I was well acquainted with the Speculator of John a Windor, a scrivener,
sometimes living in Newbury. This Windor was club-fisted, wrote with a
pen betwixt both his hands. I have seen many bonds and bills wrote by
him. He was much given to debauchery, so that at some times the Daemons
would not appear to the Speculator; he would then suffumigate:
sometimes, to vex the spirits, he would curse them, fumigate with
contraries. Upon his examination before Sir Henry Wallop, Kt. which I
have seen, he said, he once visited Dr. Dee in Mortlack; and out of a
book that lay in the window, he copied out that call which he used, when
he invocated--