Pordage, John (1607-1681)

Theologia mystica. The Mystic Divinity of the Eternal Invisibles. Viz. The Archetypous Globe, or the Original Globe, or World of all Globes, World's Essences, Centers, Elements, Principles and Creations whatsoever. Transcript of the work published in 1683. The 'Epistle to the Reader' (pp. 1-19) is by Jane Lead [1623-1704], and the 'Prefatory Epistle' (pp. 21-201) and 'A postscript from the Preface to the Reader' (pp. 205-209) are by Edward Hooker, who signs himself 'E.H.M.A.M.P.' The author's own Preface, headed 'The Author to the Reader' (pp. 202, 203) is signed 'J.P.M.D.' The text is stated to 'differ in many points from the printed book' in an anonymous note written in pencil inside the upper cover.

Early 18th century

1 volume 2 ll. + 209 pp. + 1 l. + 363 pp. + 1 bl. l. 4to. 221/2 × 181/2 cm. Original quarter-calf binding damaged. Ink-stain on the title-page.

Purchased 1925.

John Pordage was M.D. of Leyden (1639) and of Cambridge (1640): he was also an astrologer, but is chiefly known as a follower of Jacob Boehme and as a mystical writer. [see the Dictionary of National Biography].

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).