CHAPTER I
Of the Theological Interpretations, which may be given to these
Hieroglyphics, according to the sense of me the Author
I have given to this Churchyard, a Charnel-house, which is right over
against this fourth Arch, in the middest of the Churchyard, and against one of
the Pillars of this Charnel house, I have made be drawn with a coal, and
grossly painted, a man all black, which looks straight upon these
Hieroglyphics, about whom there is written in French: It voy merveile done
moult Ie m'esbahi; that is, I see a marvel, whereat I am much amazed: This, as
also three plates of Iron and Copper gilt, on the East, West, and South of the
Arch, where these Hieroglyphics are, in the middest of the Churchyard representing
the holy Passion and Resurrection of the Son of God this ought not to be
otherwise interpreted, than according to the common Theological sense, saving
that this black man, may as well proclaim it a wonder of God in the
transmutation of Metals, which is figured in these Hieroglyphics, which he so
attentively looks upon, as to see buried so many bodies, which shall rise again
out of their Tombs at the fearful day of judgement. On the other part I do not
think it needful to interpret in a Theological sense that vessel of Earth on
the right hand of these figures, within the which there is a Pen and Inkhorn,
or rather vessel of Phylosophy, if thou take away the strings, and join the Pen
to the Inkhorne: nor the other two like it, which are on the two sides of the
figures of Saint Peter, and Saint Paul, within one of the which, there is an N.
which signifieth Nicholas, and within the other an F. which signifieth Flammel.
For these vessels signify nothing else, but that in the like of them, I have
done the Maistery three times. Moreover, he that will also believe that I have
put these vessels in form of Scutchions to represent this Pen and Inkhorn, and
the capital letters of my name, let him believe it if he will, because both
these interpretations are true.
Neither must you interpret in a Theological sense that writing which
followeth, in these terms, NICHOLAS FLAMEL ET PERRENELLE SA FEMME, that is,
Nicholas Flammel, and Perrenelle his wife, in as much as that signifieth
nothing, but that I and my wife have given that Arch.
As to the third, fourth, and fifth Tables following, by the sides
whereof is written, COMMENT LES INNOCENTS FVRENTOCCIS PAR LE COMMANDEMENT DV
ROY HERODES, that is How the Innocents were killed by the commandment of King
Herod. The theological sense is well enough understood by the writing, we must
only speak of the rest, which is above.
The two Dragons united together to one within the other, of colour black
and blue, in a field sable, that is to say, black, whereof the one hath the
wings gilded, and the other hath none at all, are the sins which naturally are
enserchayned, for the one hath his original and birth from another: Of them
some may be easily chased away, as they come easily, for they fly towards us
every hour; and those which have no wings can never be chased away, such as is
the sin against the holy Ghost. The Gold which is in the wings signifieth that
the greatest part of sins commeth from the unholy hunger after gold; which
makes so many people diligently to harken from whence they may have it: and the
colour black and blue showeth that these are the desires that come out of the
dark pits of hell, which we ought wholly to fly from. These two Dragons may
also morely represent unto us the Legions of evil spirits which are always
about us, and which will accuse us, before the just judge, at the fearful day
of Judgement, which do ask nor seek nothing else but to sist us.
The man and the woman which are next them, of an orange colour, upon a
field azure and blue, signify that men and women ought not to have their hope
in this World, for the orange colour intimates dispair, or the letting go of
hope, as here; and the colour azure and blue, upon they are painted, shows us
that we must think of heavenly things to come, and say as the roule of the man
doth, HOMO VENIET ADIVICIVM DEI, that is, Man must come to the judgement of God
may show mercy unto us.
Next after this in a field of Syneple, that is green, are painted two
men and one woman rising again, of the which one comes out of a Sepulchre, the
other two out of the Earth, all three of colour exceeding white and pure,
lifting their hands towards their eyes, and their eyes towards Heaven on high:
Above these three bodies there are two Angels sounding musical Instruments; as
if they had called these dead to the day of Judgement; for over these two
Angels is the figure of our Lord Jesus Christ, holding the world in his hand,
upon whose head an Angel setteth a Crown, assisted by two others, which say in
their roules, O pater Omnipotens, o'jesu bone, that is, O Father Almighty,
O'good Jesu. On the right side of this Saviour is painted St. Paul, clothed
with white & yellow, with a Sword, at whose feet there is a man clothed in
a gown of orange colour, in which there appeared pleats or folds of black and
white, (which picture resembleth me to the life) and demandeth pardon of his
sins, holding his hands joined together, from between which proceed these words
written in a roule, DE LE MALA QVE FECI, that is to say, Blot out the evils
that I have done.
On the other side on the left hand, is Saint Peter with his Key, clothed
in reddish yellow, holding his hand upon a woman clad in a gown of orange
colour, which is on her knees, representing to the life Perrenelle, which
holdeth her hands joined together, having a roule where is written, CHRISTE
PRECOR ESTO PIVS, that is, Christ I beseech thee be pitiful: Behind whom there
is an Angel on his knees, with a roule, that saith, SALVE DOMINE ANGELORVM,
that is, All hail thou Lord of Angels. There is also another Angel on his
knees, behind my Image, on the same side that St. Paul is on, which likewise
holdeth a roule, saying, O REX SEMPITERNE, that is, O King everlasting. All
this is so clear, according to the explication of the Resurrection and future
judgement, that it may easily be fitted thereto. So it seems this Arch was not
painted for any other purpose, but to represent this. And therefore we need not
stay any longer upon it, considering that the least and most ignorant, may well
know how to give this interpretation.
Next after the three that are rising again, come two Angels more of an
Orange colour upon a blue field, saying in the roules, SVRGITE MORTVIVENITE AD
IVDICIVM DOMINI MEI, that is, Arise you dead, come to the Judgement of my Lord.
This also serves to the interpretation of the Resurrection: As also the last
Figures following, which are, A man red vermillion, upon a field of Violet
colour, who holdeth the foot of a winged Lion, painted of red vermillion also,
opening his throat, as it were to devour the man : For one may say that this is
the Figure of an unhappy sinner, who sleeping in a Lethargy of his corruption
and vices, dieth without repentance and confession; who without doubt in this
terrible Day shall be delivered to the Devil, here painted in form of a red
roaring Lion, which will swallow and devour him.
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