Lives of the Adepts.

This section continues the biography of Raymond Lully.

penitent life, and instructed by the lights he drew from his conversation, nevertheless though Raymond conversed cordially with the abbot, and explained himself freely, he did not entirely discover the essential points of the operation. Cremer was insinuating and affectionate, he perceived that Lully's zeal for the conversion of the infidels extended to the false enthusiasm of exciting open war against the mahometans, who were then spreading throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe; he easily persuaded him to visit England in the prospect that King Edward by his assistance would distinguish himself in the cause he had at heart.

Raymond had in vain addressed divers princes, and as his last resource, he accompanied his friend Cremer to England, and lodged in his Abbey of Westminster, where he worked and perfected the stone the Philosopher's Stone which Cremer had so long sought without success. He then made no more difficulty to present Raymond to King Edward. Cremer had informed this prince of the great talents of the illustrious stranger, and he was received accordingly with much regard and attention.

Raymond made these conditions only when he communicated his treasures, “that they should not be expended either in the luxuries of the court, or in war, with a Christian prince; and that the king should go in person with an army against the infidels.”

Edward, under pretence of doing honor to Raymond, gave him an apartment in the tower of London, where the philosopher again repeated his process: this was in reality an honorable prison, and from the time Raymond satisfied the king in every thing he desired, he no longer heeded the object, which Raymond was desirous to have executed. This was enough to convince Raymond that misfortune must attend a prince who evades his promise, and penetrated with disappointment and grief, he found means to escape from the tower and quickly departed from England.

Cremer, whose intentions were sincere, was not less grieved than Raymond, but he was subject to the king, and could only groan in silence for the conduct of his sovereign. He declares in his testament, his extreme affliction at the event, and his monastery, daily offered up prayers to God for the success of Raymond's cause.

Cremer lived long after this, and saw part of the reign of king Edward the III. the course of operations which he proposes in his testament, with apparent sincerity, is not less veiled than the most obscure authors.