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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/35350-8.txt b/35350-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..74191ef --- /dev/null +++ b/35350-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4775 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Mysteries of the Rosie Cross, by Anonymous + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Mysteries of the Rosie Cross + Or, the History of that Curious Sect of the Middle Ages, Known as the Rosicrucians; with Examples of their Pretensions and Claims as Set Forth in the Writings of Their Leaders and Disciples + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: February 21, 2011 [eBook #35350] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS*** + + +E-text prepared by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by +Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/mysteriesofrosie00londrich + + +Transcriber's note: + + Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). + + Text in bold face is enclosed by equal signs (=bold=). + + A list of corrections is at the end of the e-book. + + + + + +MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS, + +Or + +The History of that Curious Sect +of the Middle Ages, +Known as the Rosicrucians; + +With +Examples of their Pretensions and Claims +as Set Forth in the Writings of Their Leaders +and Disciples. + + + + + + + +A. Reader, Orange Street, Red Lion Square, London. +1891. + + + + +_PREFACE._ + + +In the following pages an attempt has been made to convey something like +an intelligible idea of the peculiar mystic sect known to the readers of +history, as the Rosicrucians. The subject is confessedly difficult, owing +to the grossly absurd character of the writings left by the disciples of +this body, and the secrecy with which they sought to surround their +movements and clothe their words. Anything like a consecutive narration is +an impossibility, the materials at hand being so fragmentary and +disjointed. We have, however, done the best that we could with such facts +as were within reach, and if we are not able to present so scientific and +perfect a treatise as we might have hoped to do, we at least trust that +the following contribution to the scanty literature treating of this +matter will be found interesting, and will throw some light upon what is +shrouded in such profound mystery. + + + + +_CONTENTS._ + + + CHAPTER THE FIRST. + WHO AND WHAT WERE THE ROSICRUCIANS 1 + + CHAPTER THE SECOND. + HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE ROSICRUCIANS 15 + + CHAPTER THE THIRD. + EARLY LEADERS--LITERATURE--ROMANTIC STORIES 22 + + CHAPTER THE FOURTH. + THE FAME AND CONFESSION OF THE FRATERNITY OF R. C. 34 + + CHAPTER THE FIFTH. + JOHN HEYDON AND THE ROSICRUCIANS 60 + + CHAPTER THE SIXTH. + GABALIS: OR THE EXTRAVAGANT MYSTERIES OF THE CABALISTS 81 + + CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. + THE HERMETICK ROMANCE; OR CHYMICAL WEDDING 102 + + CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. + MODERN ROSICRUCIANS 126 + + + + +_AUTHORITIES._ + + +El Havareuna; or the English Physitian's Tutor, in the Astrobolismes of +Mettals Rosie Crucian, Miraculous Saphiric Medicines of the Sun and Moon, +the Astrolosmes of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars.... All harmoniously united +and opperated by Astromancy and Geomancy.... Whereunto is added +Psonthonphanchia.... the Books being also an appeal to the natural +faculties of the mind of man whether there be not a God. By John Heydon, +M.D. 1664. + +The Holy Guide: leading the way to the Wonder of the World (a compleat +Physician) teaching the knowledge of all things, past, present, and to +come, viz., of pleasure, long life, health, youth, Blessedness, Wisdome, +Virtue; and to cure, change, and remedy all diseases in young or old. With +Rosie Crucian Medicines, etc. (The Rosie Cross uncovered, and the Places, +Temples, Holy Houses.... and invisible Mountains of the Brethren +discovered), etc. John Heydon. 1662. + +A New Method of Rosie Crucian Physick, wherein is shewed the cause, and +therewith their experienced medicines for the cure of all diseases. John +Heydon. 1658. + +A Quintuple Rosie Crucian Scourge, for the correction of that +pseudo-chymist, Geo. Thomson, being in part a vindication of the Society +of Physicians. John Heydon. 1665. + +Theomagia, or the Temple of Wisdome. In three parts, spiritual, celestial +and elemental; containing the occult powers of the Angels of +Astromancy.... The Mysterious virtues of the character of the Stars.... +The knowledge of the Rosie Crucian Physick. J. Heydon. 1662. + +The Rosie Crucian Infallible Axiomata, or Generall Rules to know all +things past, present, and to come. Usefull, pleasant, and profitable to +all, and fitted to the understanding of mean capacities. John Heydon. +1660. + +Rise and Attributes of the Rosi Crucians. By J. Von D----. + +Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History. + +Brucker's History of Philosophy. + +The Hermetick Romance, or Chemical Wedding. By C. Rosencreutz. + +New Curiosities of Literature. G. Soane. + +Tale of a Tub. Swift. + +Notes and Queries. Series 1-8. 6 vols., 7, 8, 10. + +Warburton's Commentary on the Rape of the Lock. + +Spectator. Nos. 379, 574. + +National Magazine. Vol. 1. + +London Magazine. Vols. 9, 20. + +Western Monthly. Vol. 3. + +Book Lore. Vol. 3. + +Plot's History of Staffordshire. + +The Count of Gabalis, or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists. + +Butler's Hudibras. + +Mackay's Popular Delusions. + +Higgins's Anacalypsis. + +Fame and Confession of the Rosie Cross. E. Philateles. + +Mackay's Symbolism of Freemasonry. + +De Quincey on Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. + +Apologia Compendiaria Fraternitatis de Rosea Cruce. + +Fama Fraternitatis. 1617, etc. + + + + +MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Who and what were the Rosicrucians?_ + + +The questions which present themselves on the threshold of this enquiry +are:--Who and what were the Rosicrucians? When and where did they +flourish, and what influence did any peculiar tenets they may have held, +or practices they may have indulged in, exercise upon the world? We shall +endeavour to answer these queries as distinctly as so mysterious and +extravagant a subject will allow of, and illustrate the whole by copious +extracts from the writings of recognized leaders and disciples. + +Comparatively very little is known about these people; and, if we open any +of our works of general reference, such as dictionaries and encyclopĉdias, +we find little more than a bare reminder that they were a mystic sect to +be found in a few European countries about the middle of the fifteenth +century. That such a sect did exist is beyond question, and the opinion +that what is left of it exists at the present time in connection with +modern Freemasonry, seems not altogether destitute of foundation. + +They appear to have a close connection with the Alchemists; springing into +existence as a distinct body when those enthusiastic seekers after the +power of transmuting the baser into the nobler metals were creating +unusual sensation. Somewhere about the end of the fifteenth century, a +Dutch pilot named Haussen, had the misfortune to be shipwrecked off the +coast of Scotland. The vessel was lost, but Haussen was saved by a Scotch +gentleman, one Alexander Seton, who put off in a boat and brought the +drowning mariner to land. A warm friendship sprang up between the two, +and, about eighteen months after, Seton went to Holland, and paid a visit +to the man whom he had rescued. During this visit he informed the Dutchman +that he was in possession of the secret of the philosopher's stone, and +report says that in his presence he actually transmuted large quantities +of base metal into the finest gold, which he left with him as a present. +Seton in due course took leave of his friend, and prosecuted his travels +through various parts of the continent. He made no attempt to conceal the +possession of his boasted secret, but openly talked of it wherever he went +and performed certain experiments, which he persuaded the people were +actual transmutations of base metal into gold. Unfortunately for him, the +Duke of Saxony heard the report of these wonders, and immediately had him +arrested and put to the torture of the rack to extract from him the +precious secret, or to compel him at least to use it in his especial +service. All was in vain, however, the secret, if such he really +possessed, remained locked up in his own breast, and he lay for months in +prison subjected to treatment which reduced him to mere skin and bone, and +well nigh killed him. A Pole, named Sendivogius, also an alchemist, an +enthusiast like the rest of the fraternity, who had spent time and fortune +in the wild and profitless search, then came upon the scene. The +sufferings of Seton aroused his sympathy, and he resolved to bring about, +if possible, his escape from the tyrant. After experiencing a deal of +difficulty he obtained permission to visit the prisoner, whom he found in +a dark and filthy dungeon, in a condition well nigh verging upon absolute +starvation. He immediately acquainted the unhappy man with his proposals, +which were listened to with the greatest eagerness, and Seton declared +that, if he succeeded in securing his liberation, he would make him one of +the wealthiest of living men. Sendivogius then set about his really +difficult task; and, with a view to its accomplishment, commenced a +curious and artful series of movements. His first move was to procure some +ready money, which he did by the sale of some property near Cracow. With +this he began to lead a gay and somewhat dissipated life at Dresden; +giving splendid banquets, to which he invited the officers of the guard, +particularly selecting those who were on duty at the prison. In the course +of time his hospitality had its expected effect; he entirely won the +confidence of the officials, and pretending that he was endeavouring to +overcome the obstinacy of the captive, and worm out his secret, was +allowed free access to him. It was at last resolved upon a certain day to +make the attempt at escape; and, having sent the guard to sleep by means +of some drugged wine, he assisted Seton over a wall, and led him to a +post-chaise, which he had conveniently waiting, to convey him into Poland. +In the vehicle Seton found his wife awaiting him, having with her a packet +of black powder, which was said to be the philosopher's stone by which +iron and copper could be transmuted into gold. They all reached Cracow in +safety, but Seton's sufferings had been so severe, and had so reduced his +physical strength, that he did not survive many months. He died about 1603 +or 1604, leaving behind him a number of works marked Cosmopolite. Soon +after his death Sendivogius married the widow; and, according to the +accounts which have come down to us, was soon initiated into the methods +of turning the commoner metals into the finer. With the black powder, we +are told, he converted great quantities of quicksilver into the purest +gold, and that he did this in the presence of the Emperor Rudolph II. at +Prague, who, in commemoration of the fact, caused a marble tablet with an +inscription to be fixed in the wall of the room where the experiment was +performed. Whether the experiment was a cheat or not, the tablet was +really fixed in the said wall, and was seen and described by Desnoyens, +secretary to the Princess Mary of Gonzaga, Queen of Poland, in 1651. + +Rudolph, the Emperor, seems to have been perfectly satisfied with the +success of the alchymist, and would have heaped the loftiest honours upon +him had he been disposed to accept of them; this, however, did not accord +with his inclination; he, it is said, preferred his liberty, and went to +reside on his estate at Gravarna, where he kept open house for all who +responded to his invitations. His biographer, Brodowski, who was also his +steward, insists, contrary to other writers, that the magic powder was red +and not black; that he kept it in a box of gold, and that with one grain +of it he could make a hundred ducats, or a thousand rix dollars, generally +using quicksilver as the basis of his operations. When travelling this box +was carried by the steward, who hung it round his neck by a golden chain; +the principal part of the powder, however, was hidden in a secret place +cut in the step of his chariot; this being deemed a secure place in the +event of being attacked by robbers. He appears to have lived in constant +fear of being robbed, and resorted to all manner of precautions to secure +his treasure when on a journey; for it is said that he was well known as +the possessor of this philosopher's stone, and that many adventurers were +on the watch for any opportunity to rob him. + +Brodowski relates that a German prince once served him a scurvy trick, +which ever afterwards put him on his guard. The prince was so anxious to +see the wonderful experiments, of which he had heard so much, that he +actually fell upon his knees before the alchymist, when entreating him to +perform in his presence. Sendivogius, after much pressing, allowed his +objections to be overcome; and, upon the promise of secrecy by the prince, +showed him what he was so anxious to witness. No sooner, however, had the +alchymist left, than the prince entered into a conspiracy with another +alchymist, named Muhlenfels, for robbing Sendivogius of the powder he used +in his operations. Accompanied by twelve armed attendants, Muhlenfels +hastened after Sendivogius, and overtaking him at a lonely inn, where he +had stopped to dine, forcibly took from him his golden box containing a +little of the powder; a manuscript book on the philosopher's stone; a +golden medal, with its chain, presented to him by the Emperor Rudolph; and +a rich cap, ornamented with diamonds, of the value of one hundred thousand +rix-dollars. + +Sendivogius was not at all disposed to put up with such treatment without +an effort to obtain redress, so he went at once to Prague, and laid his +complaint before the Emperor. The Emperor at once sent an express to the +prince, ordering him to deliver up Muhlenfels and his plunder. Alarmed at +the aspect that things were now assuming, the prince, treacherous to one +man as he had been to the other, erected gallows in his courtyard and +hanged Muhlenfels with a thief on either side of him. He sent back the +jewelled hat, the medal and chain, and the book in manuscript; the powder, +he said, he knew nothing of. + +Sendivogius now adopted a different mode of living altogether to that +which he had formerly been addicted to; he pretended to be excessively +poor, and would sometimes keep his bed for weeks together, to make the +people conclude it was impossible for him to be the owner of the +philosopher's stone. He died in the year 1636, upwards of eighty, and was +buried at Gravarna. + +Now, it is commonly held by most people, who have studied the subject, +that there is a close and intimate connection between the Alchymists and +the Rosicrucians; probably this is true, and a perusal of the works of +John Heydon, and others of a similar character, will deepen the +impression. It was, indeed, during the life of Sendivogius that the +Rosicrucians first began to make a mark in Europe, and cause anything +approaching to a sensation. A modern writer says:--"The influence which +they exercised upon opinion during their brief career, and the permanent +impression which they have left upon European literature, claim for them +especial notice. Before their time alchemy was but a grovelling delusion; +and theirs is the merit of having spiritualised and refined it. They also +enlarged its sphere, and supposed the possession of the philosopher's +stone to be, not only the means of wealth, but of health and happiness, +and the instrument by which man could command the services of superior +beings, control the elements to his will, defy the obstructions of time +and space, and acquire the most intimate knowledge of all the secrets of +the universe."[1] + +It is a fact well known to all well-informed readers, that at this time +the European continent was saturated with the most degrading +superstitions. Devils were supposed to walk the earth, and to mingle in +the affairs of men; evil spirits, in the opinion even of the wise and +learned, were thought to be at the call of any one who would summon them +with the proper formalities; and witches were daily burned in all the +capitals of Europe. The new sect taught a doctrine less repulsive. They +sprang up in Germany, extended with some success to France and England, +and excited many angry controversies. Though as far astray in their +notions as the Demonologists and witch believers, the creed was more +graceful. They taught that the elements swarmed not with hideous, foul and +revengeful spirits, but with beautiful creatures, more ready to do man +service than to inflict injury. They taught that the earth was inhabited +by Gnomes, the air by Sylphs, the fire by Salamanders, and the water by +Nymphs or Undines; and that man, by his communication with them, might +learn the secrets of nature, and discover all those things which had +puzzled philosophers for ages--Perpetual Motion, the Elixir of Life, the +Philosopher's Stone, and the Essence of Invisibility. + +Respecting the origin and signification of the term Rosicrucian different +opinions have been held and expressed. Some have thought it was made up of +_rosa_ and _crux_ (a _rose_ and a _cross_) but it is maintained by others +upon apparently good authority, that it is a compound of ros (dew) and +crux (cross). Mosheim contends that it is abundantly attested that the +title of Rosicrucians was given to the chemists who united the study of +religion with the search after chemical secrets, the term itself being +chemical, and not to be understood without a knowledge of the style used +by the chemists. We shall give some extracts from very old Rosicrucian +works presently which will enlighten our readers in such matters. + +A cross in the language of the fire philosophers is the same as Lux +(light), because the figure of a + exhibits all the three letters of the +word _Lux_ at one view. Moreover, this sect applied the term _Lux_ to the +_seed or menstruum of the Red Dragon_, or to that crude and corporeal +light which, being properly concocted and digested, produces gold. A +Rosicrucian, therefore, is a philosopher who, by means of _dew_ seeks for +_light_--that is, for the substance of the philosopher's stone. + +Mosheim declares the other interpretations of this name to be false and +deceptive, being the inventions of the chemists themselves, who were +exceedingly fond of concealment, for the sake of imposing on others who +were hostile to their religious views. The true import of this title, he +says, was perceived by the sagacity of Peter Gassendi, Examen Philosophiĉ +Fluddanĉ, sec. 15, in his Opp. iii, 261; though it was more lucidly +explained by the celebrated French physician Eusebius Renaudot, +_Conférences Publiques_, iv. 87. + +In 1619 Dr. Jo. Valentine Andreĉ, a celebrated Lutheran divine, published +his Tower of Babel, or Chaos of Opinions respecting the Fraternity of the +Rosy-Cross, in which he represents the whole history as a farce, and gave +intimations that _he_ was _himself_ concerned in getting it up. + +Brucker says to the class of Theosophists has been commonly referred the +entire society of Rosicrucians, which, at the beginning of the seventeenth +century, made so much noise in the ecclesiastical and literary world. The +history of this society, which is attended with some obscurity, seems to +be as follows:--"Its origin is referred to a certain German, whose name +was Rosencreuz who, in the fourteenth century, visited the Holy Sepulchre; +and, in travelling through Asia and Africa, made himself acquainted with +many Oriental secrets; and who, after his return, instituted a small +fraternity, to whom he communicated the mysteries he had learned, under an +oath of inviolable secrecy. This society remained concealed till the +beginning of the seventeenth century, when two books were published, the +one entitled, _Fama Fraternitatis laudabilis Ordinis Rosĉcrusis_: "The +report of the laudable Fraternity of Rosicrucians;" the other, _Confessio +Fraternitatis_, "The Confession of the Fraternity." In these books the +world was informed that this fraternity was enabled, by Divine revelation, +to explain the most important secrets, both of nature and grace; that they +were appointed to correct the errors of the learned world, particularly in +philosophy and medicine; that they were possessed of the philosopher's +stone, and understood both the art of transmuting metals and of prolonging +human life; and, in fine, by their means the golden age would return. As +soon as these grand secrets were divulged, the whole tribe of the +Paracelsists, Theosophists and Chemists flocked to the Rosicrucian +standard, and every new and unheard-of mystery was referred to this +fraternity. It is impossible to relate how much noise this wonderful +discovery made, or what different opinions were formed concerning it. +After all, though the laws and statutes of the society had appeared, no +one could tell where the society itself was to be found, or who really +belonged to it. It was imagined by some sagacious observers, that a +certain important meaning was concealed under the story of the +Rosicrucian fraternity, though they were wholly unable to say what it was. +One conjectured that some chemical mystery lay hid behind the allegorical +tale; another supposed that it foretold some great ecclesiastical +revolution. At last Michael Breler, in the year 1620, had the courage +publicly to declare that he certainly knew the whole story to have been +the contrivance of some ingenious persons who chose to amuse themselves by +imposing upon the public credulity. This declaration raised a general +suspicion against the whole story; and, as no one undertook to contradict +it, this wonderful society daily vanished, and the rumours, which had been +spread concerning it, ceased. The whole was probably a contrivance to +ridicule the pretenders to secret wisdom and wonderful power, particularly +the chemists, who boasted that they were possessed of the philosopher's +stone. It has been conjectured--and the satirical turn of his writings, +and several particular passages in his works, favour the conjecture--that +this farce was invented and performed, in part at least, by John Valentine +Andrea of Wartenburg."[2] + +Pope, in the dedication of his Rape of the Lock to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, +wrote:--"I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a +lady; but it is so much the concern of a poet to have his works +understood--and particularly by your sex--that you must give me leave to +explain two or three difficult terms. + +"The Rosicrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best +account I know of them is in a French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, +which, both in its title and size, is so like a novel, that many of the +fair sex have read it for one by mistake. According to these gentlemen, +the four elements are inhabited by spirits, which they call sylphs, +gnomes, nymphs and salamanders. The gnomes, or demons of earth, delight +in mischief; but the sylphs, whose habitation is in the air, are the best +conditioned creatures imaginable; for they say any mortals may enjoy the +most intimate familiarities with these gentle spirits, upon a condition +very easy to all true adepts, an inviolate preservation of chastity." + +On the lines (verse 20, canto 1):-- + + "Belinda still her downy pillow prest, + Her guardian sylph prolonged the balmy rest." + +in Pope's Rape of the Lock, Warburton thus comments:-- + +"When Mr. Pope had projected to give the Rape of the Lock its present form +of a mock-heroic poem, he was obliged to find it with its machinery. For, +as the subject of the Epic consists of two parts, the metaphysical and the +civil; so this mock epic, which is of the satiric kind, and receives its +grace from a ludicrous mimicry of other's pomp and solemnity, was to have +the like compounded nature. And as the civil part is intentionally debased +by the choice of a trifling action; so should the metaphysical by the +application of some very extravagant system. A rule which, though neither +Boileau nor Garth had been careful enough to attend to, our author's good +sense would not suffer him to overlook. And that sort of machinery which +his judgment informed him was only fit for use, his admirable invention +soon supplied. There was but one systematic extravagance in all nature +which was to his purpose, the Rosicrucian Philosophy; and this by the +effort of a well-directed imagination, he presently seized. The fanatic +Alchemists, in the search after the great secret, had invented a means +altogether to their end: it was a kind of Theological Philosophy, made up +in a mixture of almost equal parts of Pagan Platonism, Christian Quietism +and the Jewish Cabbala; a mixture monstrous enough to frighten reason from +human commerce. This system, he tells us, he took as he found it in a +little French tract called, _La Comte de Gabalis_. This book is written +in dialogue, and is a delicate and very ingenious piece of raillery on +that invisible sect by the Abbé Villiers; the strange stories that went +about of the feats and adventures of their adepts making, at that time, a +great deal of noise at Paris. But, as in this satirical dialogue, Mr. P. +found several whimsies of a very high mysterious nature, told of their +elementary beings, which were unfit to come into the machinery of such a +sort of poem, he has, in their stead, with great judgment, substituted the +legendary stories of Guardian Angels, and the nursery tales of the +Fairies, and dexterously accommodated them to the rest of the Rosicrucian +System. And to this artful address (unless we will be so uncharitable to +think he intended to give a needless scandal) we must suppose he referred +in these two lines, + + "If e'er one Vision touch'd thy infant thought, + Of all the _nurse_ and all the _priest_ have taught." + +Thus, by the most beautiful invention imaginable, he has contrived that +(as in the serious Epic, the popular belief supports the machinery) in his +mock Epic the machinery (taken from a circumstance the most humbling to +reason in all philosophical fanaticism) should serve to dismount learned +pride and arrogance." + +On verse 45, canto 1, he remarks:--"The Poet here forsakes his Rosicrucian +system; which, in this part, is too extravagant even for ludicrous +poetry." + +On verse 68, canto 1, he continues:--"Here, again, the author resumes the +Rosicrucian system. But this tenet, peculiar to that wild philosophy, was +founded on a principle very unfit to be employed in such a sort of poem, +and, therefore suppressed, though a less judicious writer would have been +tempted to expatiate upon it." + +Swift, in the "Tale of a Tub," says:--"Night being the universal mother +of things, wise philosophers hold all writings to be fruitful, in the +proportion they are dark; and therefore the true illuminated (that is to +say, the darkest of all) have met with such numberless commentators, whose +scholastic midwifery has delivered them of meanings, that the authors +themselves perhaps never conceived, and yet may very justly be allowed the +lawful parents of them; the words of such writers being like seed, which, +however scattered, at random, when they light upon a fruitful ground, will +multiply far beyond either the hopes or imagination of the sower. And, +therefore, in order to promote so useful a work, I will here take leave to +glance a few inuendos, that may be of great assistance to those sublime +spirits, who shall be appointed to labour in a universal comment upon this +wonderful discourse. And, first, I have couched a very profound mystery in +the number of O's multiplied by seven and divided by nine. Also, if a +devout brother of the rosy cross will pray fervently for sixty-three +mornings, with a lively faith, and then transpose certain letters and +syllables, according to prescription, in the second and fifth section, +they will certainly reveal into a full receipt of the _opus magnum_. +Lastly, whoever will be at the pains to calculate the whole number of each +letter in this treatise, and sum up the difference exactly between the +several numbers, assigning the true natural cause for every such +difference, the discoveries in the product will plentifully reward his +labour." + + "For Mystic Learning, wondrous able + In magic Talisman and Cabal, + Whose primitive tradition reaches + As far as Adam's first green breeches; + Deep sighted in Intelligences, + Ideas, Atoms, Influences; + And much of Terra-Incognita, + Th' intelligible world, could say; + A deep Occult Philosopher, + As learned as the wild Irish are, + Or Sir Agrippa, for profound + And solid lying much renowned. + He Anthroposophus and Fludd, + And Jacob Behmen understood; + Knew many an amulet and charm, + That would do neither good nor harm; + In Rosy-Crusian lore as learned + As he that _verè adeptus_ earned." + + --HUDIBRAS, Part I, Canto I. + +The Globe Encyclopĉdia, under article Rosicrucians, says:--"A mystic +brotherhood revealed to the outer world in the _Fama Fraternitatis R. C._ +(1614), the _Confessio Fraternitatis R. C._ (1615), and the Chymische +Hochzeit Christiani Rosenkreuz (1616), which last was acknowledged by, as +the two former works were commonly ascribed to, Johann Valentin Andreĉ. +From them we learn that a German noble of the 14th century, one Christian +Rosenkreuz, after long travel in the East, founded on his return a +brotherhood of seven adepts, the R., and dying at the age of 106 was +buried in their temple--the 'House of the Holy Spirit,' with the +inscription on his grave--'Post CXX. annos patebo.' The laws of the order, +thus made known in the fulness of time, were that its members should heal +the sick gratis, should meet once every year in a certain secret place, +should adopt as their symbol R. C. (_i.e. Rosea Crux_), or a rose +springing from a cross (the device, be it observed, of Luther's seal), and +should assume the habit and manners of whatsoever country they might +journey to. It is now supposed that Andreĉ simply intended a hoax upon the +credulity of the age, and that Christian Rosenkreuz and all the attendant +mysteries were wholly the coinage of his fertile brain. However, the hoax, +if hoax there were, was taken seriously, and as early as 1622, societies +of alchemists at the Hague and elsewhere assumed the title R., while +Rosicrucian tenets powerfully influenced Cabalists, Freemasons, and +Illuminati, and were professed by Cagliostro and similar impostors. Even +to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said to exist in London, whose members +claim by asceticism to live beyond the allotted age of man, and to which +the late Lord Lytton sought entrance vainly." + +"I was once engaged in discourse with a Rosicrucian about the 'great +secret.' As this kind of men, I mean those of them who are not professed +cheats, are over-run with enthusiasm and philosophy, it was very amusing +to hear this religious adept descanting on his pretended discovery. He +talked of the secret as of a spirit which lived within an emerald, and +converted everything that was near it to the highest perfection it is +capable of. 'It gives a lustre,' says he, 'to the sun, and water to the +diamond. It irradiates every metal, and enriches lead with all the +properties of gold. It heightens smoke into flame, flame into light, and +light into glory.' He further added, that a single ray of it dissipates +pain, and care, and melancholy, from the person on whom it falls. In +short, says he, 'its presence naturally changes every place into a kind of +heaven.' + +"After he had gone on for some time in this unintelligible cant, I found +that he jumbled natural and moral ideas together in the same discourse, +and that his great secret was nothing else but content." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Historical Notices of the Rosicrucians._ + + +So mysterious a sect were the Rosicrucians, and so involved in doubt and +obscurity are most of their movements, practices and opinions, that nearly +everything connected with them has been denied or doubted at one time or +another by those who have written about them. Dr. Mackay says: "Many have +denied the existence of such a personage as Rosencreutz, and have fixed +the origin of this sect at a much later epoch. The first dawning of it, +they say, is to be found in the theories of Paracelsus and the dreams of +Dr. Dee, who, without intending it, became the actual, though never the +recognised founders of the Rosicrucian philosophy. It is now difficult, +and indeed impossible to determine whether Dee and Paracelsus obtained +their ideas from the then obscure and unknown Rosicrucians, or whether the +Rosicrucians did but follow and improve upon them. Certain it is, that +their existence was never suspected till the year 1605, when they began to +excite attention in Germany. No sooner were their doctrines promulgated, +than all the visionaries, Paracelsists, and alchymists, flocked around +their standard, and vaunted Rosencreutz as the new regenerator of the +human race." According to Mayer, a celebrated physician of the times, who +published a report of the tenets and ordinances of the new fraternity at +Cologne in the year 1615, they asserted in the first place that the +meditations of their founders surpassed everything that had ever been +imagined since the creation of the world, without even excepting the +revelations of the Deity; that they were destined to accomplish the +general peace and regeneration of man before the end of the world +arrived; that they possessed all wisdom and piety in a supreme degree; +that they possessed all the graces of nature, and could distribute them +among the rest of mankind according to their pleasure; that they were +subject to neither hunger, nor thirst, nor disease, nor old age, nor to +any other inconvenience of nature; that they knew by inspiration, and at +the first glance, every one who was worthy to be admitted into their +society; that they had the same knowledge then which they would have +possessed if they had lived from the beginning of the world, and had been +always acquiring it; that they had a volume in which they could read all +that ever was or ever would be written in other books till the end of +time; that they could force to, and retain in their service the most +powerful spirits and demons; that by the virtue of their songs, they could +attract pearls and precious stones from the depths of the sea or the +bowels of the earth; that God had covered them with a thick cloud, by +means of which they could shelter themselves from the malignity of their +enemies, and that they could thus render themselves invisible from all +eyes; that the first eight brethren of the Rosie-Cross had power to cure +all maladies; that by means of the fraternity, the triple diadem of the +Pope would be reduced into dust; that they only admitted two sacraments, +with the ceremonies of the Primitive Church, renewed by them: that they +recognised the Fourth Monarchy and the Emperor of the Romans as their +Chief, and the Chief of all Christians; that they would provide him with +more gold, their treasures being inexhaustible, than the King of Spain had +ever drawn from the golden regions of Eastern and Western India. + +Things went on pretty quietly for some time, converts being made with ease +in Germany, but only with difficulty in other parts. In 1623, however, the +brethren suddenly made their appearance in Paris, and the inhabitants of +the city were surprised on the 3rd of March to find placarded on the walls +a manifesto to this effect:--"We, the deputies of the principal college +of the brethren of the Rosie Cross, have taken up our abode, visible and +invisible, in this city, by the grace of the Most High, towards whom are +turned the hearts of the just. We show and teach without any books or +symbols whatever, and we speak all sorts of languages in the countries +wherein we deign to dwell, to draw mankind, our fellows, from error and to +save them from death." + +Whether this was a mere joke on the part of some of the wits of the day, +it is certain that it created a very wide-spread sensation, and no little +wonder and alarm, particularly amongst the clergy. Very soon pamphlets in +opposition, and intended to warn the faithful, began to make their +appearance. The earliest was called "A History of the Frightful Compacts +entered into between the Devil and the Pretended Invisibles, with their +Damnable Instructions, the Deplorable Ruin of their Disciples, and their +Miserable End." This was followed by another of a far more ambitious +character, pretending to ability to explain all the peculiarities and +mysteries of the strange intruders. It was called "An examination of the +New Cabala of the Brethren of the Rosie-Cross, who have lately come to +reside in the city of Paris, with the History of their Manners, the +Wonders worked by them, and many other particulars." + +As the books sold and circulated the sensation and alarm in the breasts of +the people largely increased, approaching almost to a kind of panic. +Ridicule and laugh as some would, it was impossible to disguise the fact +that a vast number of the population went in bodily fear of this +mysterious sect, whose members they had never seen. It was believed that +the Rosicrucians could transport themselves from place to place with the +rapidity almost of thought, and that they took delight in cheating and +tormenting unhappy citizens, especially such as had sinned against the +laws of morality. Then very naturally came the wildest and most unlikely +stories, which, as is usual with such things, in spite of all their folly, +were soon propagated far and wide, and increased the general alarm. + +An innkeeper declared that a mysterious stranger entered his inn, regaled +himself on the best of everything, and suddenly vanished in a cloud when +the reckoning was presented. Another was patronised by a similar stranger, +who lived upon the choicest fare and drank the best wines of the house for +a week, and paid him with a handful of new gold coins, which turned into +slates the following morning. It was also reported that several persons on +awakening in the middle of the night found individuals in their +bedchambers, who suddenly became invisible, though still palpable when the +alarm was raised. Such was the consternation in Paris, that every man who +could not give a satisfactory account of himself was in danger of being +pelted to death; and quiet citizens slept with loaded guns at their +bedside, to take vengeance upon any Rosicrucian who might violate the +sanctity of their chambers. No man or woman was considered safe; the +female sex especially were supposed to be in danger, for it was implicitly +believed that no bolts, locks or bars could keep out would be intruders, +and it was frequently being reported that young women in the middle of the +night found strange men of surpassing beauty in their bedrooms, who +vanished the instant any attempt was made to arouse the inmates of the +house. In other quarters it was reported that people most unexpectedly +found heaps of gold in their houses, not having the slightest idea from +whence they came; the feelings and emotions thus excited were consequently +most conflicting, no man knowing whether his ghostly visitant might be the +harbinger of good or evil. + +While the general alarm was at its height, another mysterious placard +appeared, which said:--"_If any one desires to see the brethren of the +Rose-Cross from curiosity only, he will never communicate with us. But if +his will really induces him to inscribe his name in the register of our +brotherhood, we, who can judge of the thoughts of all men, will convince +him of the truth of our promises. For this reason we do not publish to the +world the place of our abode. Thought alone, in unison with the sincere +will of those who desire to know us, is sufficient to make us known to +them, and them to us._" + +The imposition thus perpetrated upon the credulity of the people had but a +comparatively short life in Paris, a deal of controversy was engendered +between those who regarded the whole affair as a stupid hoax, and those +whose superstitious fears made them think there was truth in it, and the +efforts made by its disciples to defend their theories overshot the mark, +and exposed the fallacies of that which they were intended to support. The +police were called upon the scene to try and trace out and arrest the +authors of the troublesome placards, and the Church took up the moral and +theological aspect of the sensation, and issued pamphlets which professed +to explain the whole as the production of some disciples of Luther, who +were sent out to promulgate enmity and opposition to the Pope. The Abbé +Gaultier, a Jesuit, distinguished himself in this direction, and informed +the public that the very name of the disciples of the sect proved they +were heretics; a cross surmounted by a rose being the heraldic device of +the arch-heretic Luther. Another writer named Garasse, declared they were +nothing but a set of drunken impostors; and that their name was derived +from the garland of roses, in the form of a cross, hung over the tables of +taverns in Germany as the emblem of secrecy, and from whence was derived +the common saying, when one man communicated a secret to another, that it +was said, "under the rose." Other explanations were also freely offered, +which we have not space to describe, but which may be reached by the aid +of the learned works given in our list of authorities. + +The charges of evil connections brought against the Rosicrucians were +repudiated by those people with energy and determination; they affirmed in +the most positive manner that they had nothing to do with magic, and that +they held no intercourse whatever with the devil. They declared, on the +contrary, that they were faithful followers of the true God, that they had +already lived more than a hundred years, and expected to live many hundred +more, and that God conferred upon them perfect happiness, and as a reward +for their piety and service gave them the wonderful knowledge they were +possessed of. They declared that they did not get their name from a cross +of roses, but from Christian Rosencreutz, their founder. When charged with +drunkenness, they said that they did not know what thirst was, and that +they were altogether proof against the temptations of the most attractive +food. They professed the greatest indignation perhaps at the charge of +interfering with the honour of virtuous women, and maintained most +positively that the very first vow they took was one of chastity, and that +any of them violating that oath, would be deprived at once of all the +advantages he possessed, and be subject to hunger, thirst, sorrow, disease +and death like other men. Witchcraft and sorcery they also most warmly +repudiated; the existence of incubi and succubi they said was a pure +invention of their enemies, that man "was not surrounded by enemies like +these, but by myriads of beautiful and beneficent beings, all anxious to +do him service. The sylphs of the air, the undines of the water, the +gnomes of the earth, and the salamanders of the fire were man's friends, +and desired nothing so much as that men should purge themselves of all +uncleanness, and thus be enabled to see and converse with them. They +possessed great power, and were unrestrained by the barriers of space, or +the obstructions of matter. But man was in one respect their superior. He +had an immortal soul, and they had not. They might, however, become +sharers in man's immortality if they could inspire one of that race with +the passion of love towards them. Hence it was the constant endeavour of +the female spirits to captivate the admiration of men, and of the male +gnomes, sylphs, salamanders, and undines to be beloved by a woman. The +object of this passion, in returning their love, imparted a portion of +that celestial fire, the soul; and from that time forth the beloved became +equal to the lover, and both, when their allotted course was run, entered +together into the mansions of felicity. These spirits, they said, watched +constantly over mankind by night and day. Dreams, omens, and presentiments +were all their work, and the means by which they gave warning of the +approach of danger. But though so well inclined to befriend man for their +own sake, the want of a soul rendered them at times capricious and +revengeful; they took offence at slight causes, and heaped injuries +instead of benefits on the heads of those who extinguished the light of +reason that was in them by gluttony, debauchery, and other appetites of +the body."[3] Great as was the excitement produced in the French capital +by these placards, pamphlets and reports, it lasted after all but a very +few months. The accumulating absurdities became too much, even for the +most superstitious, and their fears were overcome by that sense of the +ridiculous which speedily manifested itself. Instead of trembling as +before, men laughed and derided, and the detection, arrest and summary +punishment of a number of swindlers who tried to pass off lumps of gilded +brass as pure gold made by the processes of alchemy, aided by a smartly +written exposure of the follies of the sect by Gabriel Naudé, soon drove +the whole thing clean off the French territory. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Early Leaders--Literature--Romantic Stories._ + + +We now proceed to speak of some of the more prominent of the Rosicrucian +leaders and teachers, and to call attention to the literature from which +we obtain our only reliable information. + +In the sixteenth century lived that extraordinary man Theophrastus +Paracelsus, whose writings exercised a greater influence, perhaps, over +the minds of his fellow creatures than any other author of his time. No +man it is certain had contributed so much as he, to the diffusion of the +Cabbalism, Theosophy and Alchemy which had flooded Germany and flowed over +a greater part of Western Europe. Now it was generally believed that in +the seventeenth century a great and general reformation amongst the human +race would take place, as a necessary fore-runner to the day of judgment. +In connection with this, Paracelsus made several prophecies which took a +very firm hold of the public mind. He declared that the comet which made +its appearance in 1572 was the sign and harbinger of the coming +revolution, and he prophesied that soon after the death of the Emperor +Rudolph, there would be found three treasures that had never been revealed +before that time. In the year 1610 there were published at the same time +three books which led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order as a +district society. One was called "_Universal Reformation of the Whole Wide +World_." De Quincey summarises its contents thus: "The Seven Wise Men of +Greece, together with M. Cato and Seneca, and a secretary named Mazzonius, +are summoned to Delphi by Apollo, at the desire of the Emperor Justinian, +and there deliberate, on the best mode of redressing human misery. All +sorts of strange schemes are proposed. Thales advised to cut a hole in +every man's breast, and place a little window in it, by which means it +would become possible to look into the heart, to detect hypocrisy and +vice, and thus to extinguish it. Solon proposes an equal partition of all +possessions and wealth. Chilo's opinion is that the readiest way to the +end in view would be to banish out of the world the two infamous and +rascally metals gold and silver. Kleolinlus steps forward as the apologist +of gold and silver, but thinks that iron ought to be prohibited, because +in that case no more wars could be carried on amongst men. Pittacus +insists upon more rigorous laws, which should make virtue and merit the +sole passports to honour; to which, however, Periander objects that there +had never been any scarcity of such laws, nor of princes to execute them, +but scarcity enough of subjects conformable to good laws. The conceit of +Bias, is that nations should be kept apart from each other, and each +confined to its own home; and for this purpose, that all bridges should be +demolished, mountains rendered insurmountable, and navigation totally +forbidden. Cato, who seems to be the wisest of the party, wishes that God +in his mercy would be pleased to wash away all women from the face of the +earth by a new deluge, and at the same time to introduce some new +arrangement for the continuation of the excellent male sex without female +help. Upon this pleasing and sensible proposal the whole company manifest +the greatest displeasure, and deem it so abominable that they unanimously +prostrate themselves on the ground, and devoutly pray to God "that He +would graciously vouchsafe to preserve the lovely race of women" (what +absurdity) "and to save the world from a second deluge!" At length after a +long debate, the counsel of Seneca prevails; which counsel is this--that +out of all ranks a society should be composed having for its object the +general welfare of mankind, and pursuing it in secret. This counsel is +adopted: though without much hope on the part of the deputation, on +account of the desperate condition of 'the Age,' who appears before them +in person, and describes his own wretched state of health." + +The second work was the celebrated _Fama Fraternitatis_ of the meritorious +order of the Rosy Cross, addressed to the learned in general, and the +Governors of Europe. Here we may cite De Quincey again: "Christian +Rosycross, of noble descent, having upon his travels into the East and +into Africa learned great mysteries from Arabians, Chaldeans, etc., upon +his return to Germany established, in some place not mentioned, a secret +society composed at first of four--afterwards of eight--members, who dwelt +together in a building called the House of the Holy Ghost, erected by him: +to these persons, under a vow of fidelity and secrecy, he communicated his +mysteries. After they had been instructed, the society dispersed agreeably +to their destination, with the exception of two members, who remained +alternately with the founder. The rules of the order were these:--The +members were to cure the sick without fee or reward. No member to wear a +peculiar habit, but to dress after the fashion of the country. On a +certain day in every year all the members to assemble in the House of the +Holy Ghost, or to account for their absence. Every member to appoint some +person with the proper qualifications to succeed him at his own decease. +The word Rosy-Cross to be their seal, watchword, and characteristic mark. +The association to be kept unrevealed for a hundred years. Christian +Rosycross died at the age of a hundred years. His death was known to the +Society, but not his grave; for it was a maxim of the first Rosicrucians +to conceal their burial places even from each other. New masters were +continually elected into the House of the Holy Ghost, and the Society had +now lasted 120 years. At the end of this period, a door was discovered in +the house, and upon the opening of this door a sepulchral vault. Upon the +door was this inscription: One hundred and twenty years hence I shall open +(_Post CXX. annos patebo_). The vault was a heptagon. Every side was five +feet broad and eight feet high. It was illuminated by an artificial sun. +In the centre was placed, instead of a grave-stone, a circular altar with +a little plate of brass, whereon these words were inscribed: This grave, +an abstract of the whole world, I made for myself while yet living (A. C. +R. C. Hoc Universi compendium vivus mihi sepulchrum feci). About the +margin was--To me Jesus is all in all (Jesus mihi omnia). In the centre +were four figures enclosed in a circle by the revolving legend: Nequaquam +vacuum legis jugum. Libertas Evangelii. Dei gloria intacta. (The empty +yoke of the law is made void. The liberty of the gospel. The unsullied +glory of God). Each of the seven sides of the vault had a door opening +into a chest; which chest, besides the secret books of the order and the +_Vocabularium_ of Paracelsus, contained also mirrors--little +bells--burning lamps--marvellous mechanisms of music, etc., all so +contrived that, after the lapse of many centuries, if the whole order +should have perished, it might be re-established by means of this vault. +Under the altar, upon raising the brazen tablet, the brothers found the +body of Rosycross, without taint or corruption. The right hand held a book +written upon vellum with golden letters: this book which is called T., has +since become the most precious jewel of the society next after the Bible; +and at the end stand subscribed the names of the eight brethren, arranged +in two separate circles, who were present at the death and burial of +Father Rosycross. Immediately after the above narrative follows a +declaration of their mysteries, addressed by the society to the whole +world. They profess themselves to be of the Protestant faith; that they +honour the Emperor and the laws of the Empire; and that the art of gold +making is but a slight object with them." The whole ends with these +words: "Our House of the Holy Ghost though a hundred thousand men should +have looked upon it, is yet destined to remain untouched, imperturbable, +out of sight, and unrevealed to the whole godless world for ever." + +Before we proceed to notice at any length the third of the books we have +mentioned, we will turn to some further accounts of the burial place of +the founder of this party, which, though in some respects similar and in +the main stating the same facts, yet, supply other matter both curious and +interesting. + +The following story has been quoted by a writer on the Rosicrucians, as +related by Dr. Plot in his History of Staffordshire; a careful examination +of the four copies of that work in the library of the British Museum, +however, has failed to unearth the tale; it is to the following effect. At +the close of a summer's day a countryman was digging a trench in a field +in a valley which was surrounded by dense masses of woodland scenery. It +was shortly after sunset, and the workman wearied with his task was about +to cease his labour; before his pick, however, had given its last blow, it +struck against some hard material a little below the surface of the ground +with sufficient force to cause a bright spark to flash out into the +evening gloom. This, exciting his curiosity, he forgot his fatigue and +again went on with his digging, anxious to ascertain what it was he had +discovered. The stone he had come upon was large and flat, and lay nearly +in the middle of a field at a considerable distance from any of the farms +of the neighbouring country. It was covered with grass and weeds, the +growth of many years and had a large iron ring fixed at one end in a +socket. For some time it proved too much for the countryman's strength, +half an hour's struggling with it failed to remove it from its position, +and it was not till he had rigged up some tackle by the aid of some rope +and a tree that he managed to raise it. He then found it covered a deep +hollow in the ground, wherein after some examination he discovered a stone +staircase of apparently extraordinary depth. His inquisitiveness to know +whither the steps led, and the thought perhaps that he might be the +discoverer of some hidden treasure, gave him more courage than he +naturally possessed, and he descended a few of the stairs, then, after +vainly trying to penetrate into the darkness beneath, paused and looked up +to the sky above. Encouraged by the remains of the sunlight and the +shining planet Venus above him, he resumed his descent. He went, he +supposed a hundred feet underground, when he came upon a square +landing-place with a niche in the wall, then he came to another long +staircase, still descending into darkness. Once more he paused, and looked +up at the now very little bit of sky visible over head. Seeing nothing to +cause any fear, and hopeful of soon being able to unravel the mystery, he +stretched out his hands, and by cautiously feeling the walls, and with +equal caution placing his feet slowly and firmly upon each step, he boldly +went forward and counted in his descent two hundred and twenty steps. He +found himself able to breathe pretty freely, but noticed an aromatic smell +like that of burning incense, which he thought Egyptian. This he noticed +rolling up now and then from beneath, as if from another world, and it +occurred to him that it was from the world of mining gnomes, and that he +was breaking in upon their secrets. Still he went on, in spite of all his +fears, until he was momentarily stopped by a wall in front; turning +sharply to the right, however, he found the way open to him, and +discovered a still deeper staircase, at the foot of which was a steady +though pale light. His alarm at discovering light so far down in the +earth's interior was naturally great, but not great enough to overcome his +curiosity and cause him to retrace his steps, and he once more commenced +descending the mouldering old steps which looked as if they had not been +trodden for ages. Then he thought he heard mysterious rumblings over +head, like the sound of heavy waggons and horses, then all was still +again. Many times he paused and thought he would return, thinking he might +have accidently stumbled upon either the haunt of robbers or the abode of +evil spirits; he stood still for awhile, fairly paralysed with fear. Then +he began to recall where he had been working, he thought of the field +above, the surrounding woods and his native hamlet only a few miles +distant. This somewhat cheered him, but still with a good deal of fear +remaining in his heart, he went down the rest of the stairs, the light +growing brighter at every step. At last, he came upon a square chamber, +built up of large hewn ancient stones. Filled with awe and wonderment, he +found a flagged pavement and a lofty roof rising to a centre, in the +groins of which was a rose beautifully carved in some dark stone or in +marble. The alarm he had hitherto felt was nothing as compared with the +fear which overwhelmed him when, after passing a Gothic stone portal, +light suddenly streamed out over him with a brightness equal to that of +the setting sun, and revealed to him the figure of a man whose face was +hidden as he sat in a studious attitude in a stone chair, reading in a +great book, with his elbows resting on a table like a rectangular altar, +in the light of a large, ancient iron lamp, suspended by a thick chain to +the middle of the roof. The adventurous countryman was unable to repress +the cry that rose to his lips as he gazed upon this strange and unexpected +scene. As the sound of his foot touching the floor resounded through the +chamber, the figure started bolt upright from his seated position, as if +in awful astonishment. He erected his hooded head, and seemed about +angrily to question the intruder. The latter seemed perfectly fascinated +by what he saw, and instead of withdrawing advanced yet another step into +the chamber. Instantly the figure thrust out its arm, as though warning +the intruder off; the hand contained an iron _baton_ and it was raised in +the most threatening attitude, but the unhappy explorer, seemingly unable +to control himself, took a third step forward, and then the image or man +raised his arm high above his head, and with his truncheon striking the +lamp a tremendous blow left the place in utter darkness. Nothing more +followed but a long, low roll of thunder, which gradually died away and +all was still. + +The place was afterwards known as the burial place of one of the +brotherhood, whom the people called Rosicrucius, and it is said the +arrangement of the lamp had been made by some Rosicrucian, to shew that he +had discovered the secret of the ever burning lamps of the ancients, but +was resolved that no one should reap the benefit of it. + +_The Spectator, No. 379_, gives the following:--"A certain person having +occasion to dig somewhat deep in the ground, where this philosopher +(Rosicrucius) lay interred, met with a small door, having a wall on each +side of it. His curiosity, and the hopes of finding some hidden treasure, +soon prompted him to force open the door. He was immediately surprised by +a sudden blaze of light, and discovered a very fair vault. At the upper +end of it was a statue of a man in armour, sitting by a table, and leaning +on his left arm. He held a truncheon in his right hand, and had a lamp +burning before him. The man had no sooner set one foot within the vault, +than the statue erecting itself from its leaning posture, stood bolt +upright; and upon the fellow's advancing another step, lifted up his +truncheon in its right hand. The man still ventured a third step, when the +statue, with a furious blow, broke the lamp into a thousand pieces, and +left his guest in a sudden darkness. Upon the report of this adventure, +the country people came with lights to the sepulchre, and discovered that +the statue, which was made of brass, was nothing more than a piece of +clockwork; that the floor of the vault was all loose, and underlaid with +several springs, which, upon any man's entering, naturally produced that +which had happened. Rosicrucius, say his disciples, made use of this +method to show the world that he had re-invented the ever burning lamps of +the ancients, though he was resolved no one should reap any advantage from +the discovery." + +Respecting the above story given as we have said in the Spectator, No. +379, a writer in Notes and Queries (6th S. 7th vol) says: "This is a very +old tale, and has been printed again and again. The following is an early +version, which was printed by Caxton in 1482; but I give from the edition +printed by Peter de Treveris in 1527. The Polycronicon was originally +written in Latin early in the fourteenth century, and translated into +English in 1357. As the book is chiefly a compilation from old monkish +chronicles, the tale was probably very old even when Higden included it in +the Polycronicon. At any rate it was current long before the date given as +the year of death of the somewhat mythical Christian Rosencrutz. I have +met with several versions of it, varying more or less. In one a man with a +bow and arrow extinguishes the lamp. There are many accounts of these +miraculous lamps discovered burning in tombs hundreds of years after +interment, but having omitted to make notes of them, I am unable to give +references just now.... In Albesterio a place that hyghte Mutatorium +Cesaris were made whyte stoles for Emperours. Also there was a +candlestyke, made of a stone that hyght Albestone whan it was ones steynd +and sette a fire and I sette without thee coude no manne quenche it with +no crafte that men coude devyse, DR. In this maner it myght be that the +Geant Pallas about the yere of oure Lorde a thousand and xi. That yere was +founde in Rome a Geantes body buryed hole and sounde, the space of his +wounde was foure foote longe and a halfe, the length of his body passed +the heyght of the walles, at his hede was founde a lantern brennyng alwaye +that no man coulde quenche with blaste ne with water ne with other crafte, +unto the tyme that there was made a lytell hole under the lyght benethe +that the ayer might enter. Men sayen that Turnus slowgh this Gean Pallas +when Eneas fought for Lanina that was Eneas wyfe. This Geantes Epytaphium +is this. The wrytyug of mynde of hym that lay there was this. Pallas +Enandres sone lyeth here, hym Turnus the knyght with his spere slowghe in +his maner." + +One other notice will close this part of the subject. + +Although we find in the works of some of the Apologists for the +Rosicrucians extraordinary statements as to the length of life it was +within their power to attain unto (John Higden professes to shew how a man +may live two hundred years) and although some of the fraternity actually +did live a great number of years, we find them at last dying one by one +notwithstanding their professed power to guard against or to relieve +sickness. The founder himself seems to have reached the tolerably advanced +age of a hundred and six (some say a hundred). He then died, and according +to the _Fama_ the place of his burial remained a secret to all except the +two brothers who were with him, and they, according to the agreement to +which they had bound themselves, carried the mystery with them to the +grave. The society still continued to exist, unknown to the world, and +always consisting of eight members, till another one hundred and twenty +years had elapsed, when, according to a tradition among them the grave of +Rosenkrutz was to be discovered, and the brotherhood to be no longer a +mystery to the world. It was about this time that the brothers began to +make some alterations in their building, and thought of removing to +another and more fitting situation the memorial tablet, on which were +inscribed the names of the associates. The plate which was of brass, was +fixed to the wall by means of a nail in its centre, and so firmly did it +hold, that in tearing it away a portion of the plaster came off too and +discovered to them a concealed door. Upon this door being yet farther +cleansed from the incrustation, there appeared above in large letters + + Post CXX Annos Patebo. + +Great was their delight at so unlooked-for a discovery; but still they so +far restrained their curiosity as not to open the door till the next +morning, when they found themselves in a seven sided vault, each side five +feet wide, and eight feet high. It was lighted by an artificial sun in the +centre of the arched roof, while in the middle of the floor, instead of a +tomb, stood a round altar covered with a small brass plate on which was +this inscription: + + A. C. R. C. Hoc, universi compendium, vivus mihi + sepulchrum feci. + +About the outer edge was, Jesus mihi omnia. + +In the centre were four figures; each enclosed in a circle, with these +circumscriptions: + + 1. Nequaquam Vacuus. + 2. Legis Jugum. + 3. Libertas Evangelii. + 4. Dei gloria intacta. + +Thereupon they all knelt down and returned thanks to heaven for having +made them so much wiser than the rest of the world, a native trait that +adds not a little to the verisimilitude of the story. Then they divided +the vault into three parts--the roof, or heaven--the wall, or the +sides--and the ground, or pavement. The first and last were according to +the seven sides divided into triangles, while every side was divided into +ten squares with figures and sentences, to be explained to the newly +initiated. Each of these again, had a door opening upon a closet, wherein +were stored up sundry rare articles, such as secret books of the order, +the vocabulary of Paracelsus, and other things of the same nature, which +it was allowable to impart even to the profane. In one, they discovered +the life and itinerary of their founder; in another they lighted upon +mirrors possessed of different qualities, a little bell, burning lamps, +and a variety of curious matters, intended to help in rebuilding the +order, which after the lapse of many centuries was to fall into decay. +Curiosity to see their founder induced them to push aside the altar, when +they came upon a strong brass plate, and this too being removed, + + "Before their eyes the wizard lay + As if he had not been dead a day." + +Moreover, like the celebrated character described in these lines, he had a +volume under his arm, which proved to be of vellum with letters of gold, +and at the end of it, in two separate circles, were the names of eight +brethren who had assisted at their founder's interment. Next to the Bible, +the Rosicrucians valued this book beyond any portion of their inheritance, +yet it is not said whether they took away any of these rarities, or left +the dead man in quiet possession of his treasures.[4] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity._ + + +We shall now call the attention of our readers to the third of the books +we spoke of as published simultaneously about the year 1610, "the +substance of which," says De Quincey, "it is important to examine, because +they in a very strange way, led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order +as a distinct body." The third book is the _Confessio Fraternitatis_, +which we present almost in its entirety. + +_The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R:C:Community, of the Rosie +Cross._ + +THE EPISTLE TO THE READER:--To the Wise and Understanding Reader. + +Wisdom (saith Solomon) is to a man an infinite Treasure for she is the +Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the +Glory of the Almighty; she is the Brightness of Eternal Light, and an +undefiled Mirror of the Majesty of God, and an Image of his Goodness; she +teacheth us Soberness and Prudence, Righteousness and Strength; she +understands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark sentences; she +foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what shall happen in time to come; with +this Treasure was our first Father Adam fully endued: Hence it doth +appear, that after God had brought before him all the Creatures of the +Field, and the Fowls under Heaven, he gave to every one of them their +proper names, according to their nature. + +Although now through the sorrowful fall into sin this excellent Jewel +Wisdom hath been lost, and meer Darkness and Ignorance is come into the +World, yet, notwithstanding, hath the Lord God sometimes hitherto +bestowed, and made manifest the same, to some of his Friends: for the wise +King Solomon doth testifie of himself, that he upon earnest prayer and +desire did get and obtain such Wisdom of God, that thereby he knew how the +world was created, thereby he understood the Nature of the Elements, also +the time, beginning, middle, and end, the increase and decrease, the +change of times through the whole year, and Ordinance of the Stars; he +understood also the properties of tame and wilde Beasts, the cause of the +raiging of the Winds, and minds and intents of men, all sorts and natures +of Plants, vertues of Roots and others, was not unknown to him. Now I do +not think that there can be found any one who would not wish and desire +with all his heart to be Partaker of this noble Treasure; but seeing the +same felicity can happen to none, except God himself give Wisdom and send +his Holy Spirit from above, we have therefore set forth in print this +little Treatise, to wit, Famam and Confessionem, of the Laudable +Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, to be read by every one, because in them is +clearly shewn and discovered, what concerning it the World hath to expect. + +Although these things may seem somewhat strange, and many may esteem is to +be but a Philosophical shew, and no true History, which is published and +spoken of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross; it shall here sufficiently +appear by our Confession that there is more _in necessu_ than may be +imagined; and it shall be easily understood, and observed by every one (if +he be not altogether voyd of understanding) what now-adays, and at these +times is meant thereby. + +Those who are true Disciples of Wisdom, and true Followers of the +Spherical Art, will consider better of these things, and have them in +greater estimation, as also judge far otherwise of them, as hath been done +by some principal Persons but especially of Adam Haselmeyer, Notarius +Publicus to the Arch Duke Maximilian, who likewise hath made an Extract +ex scriptis Theologicis Theophrasti, and written a Treatise under the +Title of Jesuiter, wherein he willeth, that every Christian should be a +true Jesuit, that is, to walk, live, be, and remain in Jesus. He was but +ill rewarded of the Jesuits, because in his Answer written upon the +_Famam_, he did name those of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, the +highly illuminated men, and undeceiving Jesuits; for they not able to +brook this, layd hands on him, and put him into the Calleis, for which +they likewise have to expect their reward. + +Blessed Aurora will now henceforth begin to appear, who (after the passing +away of the dark Night of Saturn) with her Brightness altogether +extinguisheth the shining of the Moon, or the small Sparks of Heavenly +Wisdom, which yet remaineth with men, and is a Forerunner of pleasant +Phebus, who with his clear and fiery glistering Beams brings forth that +Blessed Day long wished for, of many true hearted; by which Daylight then +shall truly be known, and shall be seen all heavenly Treasures of godly +Wisdom, as also the Secrets of all hidden and invisible things in the +World according to the Doctrine of our Forefathers and ancient Wisemen. + +This will be the right kingly Ruby, and most excellent shining Carbuncle, +of the which it is said, That he doth shine and give light in darkness, +and to be a perfect Medicine of all imperfect Bodies, and to change them +into the best Gold, and to cure all Diseases of Men, easing them of all +pains and miseries. + +Be, therefore, gentle Reader, admonished, that with me you do earnestly +pray to God, that it please him to open the hearts and ears of all ill +hearing people, and to grant unto them his blessing, that they may be able +to know him in his Omnipotency, with admiring contemplation of Nature, to +his honour and praise, and to the love, help, comfort and strengthening of +our Neighbours, and to the restoring of the diseased. + + Fama Fraternitatis, + Or, A Discovery of the Fraternity of the most laudable + Order of the Rosy Cross. + +Seeing the only Wise and Merciful God in these latter days hath poured out +so richly his mercy and goodness to Mankind, whereby we do attain more and +more to the perfect knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature, that +justly we may boast of the happy time, wherein there is not only +discovered unto us the half part of the World, which was heretofore +unknown and hidden, but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderful +and never-heretofore seen Works and Creatures of Nature, and moreover hath +raised men imbued with great Wisdom, which might partly renew and reduce +all Arts (in this our Age spotted and imperfect) to perfection; so that +finally Man might thereby understand his own nobleness and worth, and why +he is called Microcosmus, and how far his knowledge extendeth in Nature. + +Although the rude World herewith will be but little pleased, but rather +smile and scoff thereat; also the Pride and Covetousness of the Learned is +so great it will not suffer them to agree together; but were they united, +they might out of all those things which in this our Age God doth so +richly bestow upon us, collect _Librum Naturĉ_, or a perfect method of all +Arts; but such is their opposition, that they still keep and are loth to +leave the old course, esteeming Porphiry, Aristotle, and Galen, yea and +that which hath a meer show of learning, more than the clear and +manifested Light and Truth, who if they were now living, with much joy +would leave their erroneous Doctrines. But here is too great weakness for +such a great Work, and although in Theologie, Physic, and the Mathematic, +the Truth doth oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty +and craft doth shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his +Instruments and contentious wavering people. To such an intent of a +general Reformation, the most godly and highly illuminated Father, our +Brother, C. R., a German, the chief and original of our Fraternity, hath +much and long time laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although +descended of Noble Parents) in the fifth year of his age, was placed in a +Cloyster, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin Tongues, +who (upon his earnest desire and request), being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to the Holy +Land. + +Although this Brother dyed in Cyprus, and so never came to Jerusalem, yet +our Brother C. R. did not return, but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Jerusalem; but by reason of the +feebleness of his body, he remained still there, and by his skill in +Physick he obtained much favour with the Turks. In the mean time he became +by chance acquainted with the Wise Men of Damasco in Arabia, and beheld +what great wonders they wrought, and how Nature was discovered unto them; +hereby was that high and noble Spirit of Brother C. R. so stirred up that +Jerusalem was not so much now in his mind as Damasco; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain sum of money to Damasco. + +As we have on another page stated all these particulars on the authority +of the epistle dedicatory to the Axiomata we need simply allude to them as +recorded in the work from which we are now quoting. The account proceeds +pretty much as stated in the Axiomata by John Heydon, then after stating +that the Fraternity began with an association of four persons only, the +Fama says that finding their labour too heavy they concluded to draw and +receive yet others more into their Fraternity. To this end was chosen +brother R. C. his deceased father's brother's son, brother B. a skilful +Painter, G. and P. D. their Secretary, all Germans except J. A., so in all +they were eight in number, all bachelors and of sound virginity; by those +was collected a book or volumn of all that which man can desire, wish, or +hope for. + +Although we do now freely confess that the World is much amended within an +hundred years, yet we are assured that our Axiomata shall unmovably remain +unto the World's End, and also the world in her highest and last Age shall +not attain to see anything else; for our Rota takes her beginning from +that day when God spake Fiat, and shall end when he shall speak Pereat; +yet God's Clock striketh every minute, where ours scarce striketh perfect +hours. We also stedfastly beleeve, that if our Brethren and Fathers had +lived in this our present and clear light, they would more roughly have +handled the Pope, Mahomet, Scribes, Artists, and Sophisters, and had +shewed themselves more helpful, not simply with sighs, and wishing of +their end and consummation. + +When now these eight brethen had disposed and ordered all things in such +manner, as there was not now need of any great labour, and also that every +one was sufficiently instructed, and able perfectly to discourse of secret +and manifest Philosophy, they would not remain any longer together, but as +in the beginning they had agreed, they separated themselves into several +countries, because that not only their Axiomata might in secret be more +profoundly examined by the learned, but that they themselves, if in some +country or other they observed any thing or perceived some error, they +might inform one another of it. + +Their Agreement was this:--1, That none of them should profess any other +thing than to cure the sick, and that gratis. 2, None of the Posterity +should be constrained to wear one certain kind of habit, but therein to +follow the custom of the Country. 3, That every year upon the day C. they +should meet together at the house S. Spiritus, or write the cause of his +absence. 4, Every Brother should look about for a worthy person, who after +his decease might succeed him. 5, The word C. R. should be their seal, +mark, and character. 6, The Fraternity should remain secret one hundred +years. These six articles they bound themselves one another to keep; and +five of the Brethren departed, only the Brethren B. and D. remained with +the Father Fra. R. C. a whole year; when these likewise departed, then +remained by him his Cousin and Brother J. O., so that he hath all the days +of his life with him two of his Brethren. And although that as yet the +Church was not cleansed, nevertheless we know that they did think of her, +and what with longing desire they looked for. Every year they assembled +together with joy, and made a full resolution of that which they had done; +there must certainly have been great pleasure to hear truly and without +invention related and rehearsed all the Wonders which God hath poured out +here and there through the World. Every one may hold it out for certain, +that such persons as were sent, and joyned together by God and the +Heavens, and chosen out of the wisest of men as have lived in many Ages, +did live together above all others in highest Unity, greatest Secrecy, and +most kindness one towards another. + +After such a most laudable sort they did spend their lives; and although +they were free from all disease and pain, yet notwithstanding they could +not live and pass their time appointed of God. The first of this +Fraternity which dyed, and that in England, was J. O., as Brother C. long +before had foretold him; he was very expert, and well learned in Cabala, +as his book called H. witnesseth. In England he is much spoken of, and +chiefly because he cured a young Earl of Norfolk of the Leprosie. They had +concluded, that as much as possibly could be their burial place should be +kept secret, as at this day it is not known unto us what is become of some +of them, yet every one's place was supplyed with a fit successor; but this +we will confess publickly by these presents to the honour of God, that +what secret soever we have learned out of the book M. (although before our +eyes we behold the image and pattern of all the world) yet are there not +shewn unto us our misfortunes, nor hour of death, the which only is known +to God himself, who thereby would have us keep in a continual readiness; +but hereof more in our Confession, where we do set down 37 Reasons whereby +we now do make known our Fraternity, and proffer such high Mysteries +freely, and without constraint and reward: also we do promise more gold +than both the Indies bring to the King of Spain; for Europe is with child, +and will bring forth a strong child, who shall stand in need of a great +godfather's gift. + +After the death of I. O. Brother R. C. rested not, but as soon as he +could, called the rest together (and as we suppose) then his grave was +made although hitherto we (who were the latest) did not know when our +loving father R. C. died, and had no more but the bare names of the +beginners, and all their successors to us; yet there came into our memory +a secret which through dark and hidden words, and speeches of the 100 +years, brother A. the successor of D. (who was one of the last and second +row and succession, and had lived amongst many of us) did impart unto us +of the third row and succession; otherwise we must confess, that after the +death of the said A. none of us had in any manner known anything of +Brother R. C., and of his first fellow brethren, than that which was +extant of them in our Philosophical Bibliotheca, amongst which our +Axiomata was held for the chiefest Rota Mundi, for the most artificial, +and Protheus the most profitable. Likewise we do not certainly know if +these of the second row have been of the like wisdom as the first, and if +they were admitted to all things. It shall be declared hereafter to the +gentle Reader not only what we have heard of the burial of the R. C., but +also made manifest publickly by the foresight, sufferance and commandment +of God, whom we most faithfully obey, that if we shall be answered +discreetly and Christian like, we will not be afraid to set forth +publickly in Print, our names and surnames, our meetings, or anything else +that may be required at our hands. + +Now the true and fundamental relation of the finding out of the high +illuminated man of God, Fra: C. R. is this; after that A. in Gallia +Narbonensi was deceased, then succeeded in his place our loving Brother N. +N. This man after he had repaired unto us to take the solemn oath of +fidelity and secrecy, he informed us _bona fide_, that A. had comforted +him in telling him, that this Fraternity should ere long not remain so +hidden, but should be to all the whole German Nation, helpful, needful, +and commendable; of the which he was not in any wise in his estate ashamed +of. The year following after he had performed his school right, and was +minded now to travel, being for that purpose sufficiently provided with +Fortunatus purse, he thought (he being a good Architect) to alter +something of his building, and to make it more fit; in such renewing he +lighted upon the memorial Table which was cast of brasse, and containeth +all the names of the brethren, with some few other things. This he would +transfer in another more fitting vault, for where or when Fra: R. C. died, +or in what country he was buried, was by our predecessors concealed and +unknown to us. In this table stuck a great naile, somewhat strong, so that +when he was with force drawn out, he took with him an indifferent big +stone out of the thin wall, or plastering of the hidden door, and so +unlooked for uncovered the door; wherefore we did with joy and longing +throw down the rest of the wall, and cleared the door upon which that was +written in great letters, Post 120 annos patebo, with the year of the Lord +under it: therefore we gave God thanks and let it rest that same night, +because first we would overlook our Rotam; but we refer ourselves again to +the confession, for what we here publish is done for the help of those +that are worthy, but to the unworthy (God willing) it will be of small +profit, for like as our door was after so many years wonderfully +discovered, also there shall be opened a door to Europe (when the wall is +removed) which already doth begin to appear, and with great desire is +expected of many. + +In the morning following we opened the door, and there appeared to our +sight a Vault of seven sides and corners, every side five foot broad, and +the height of eight foot. Although the Sun never shined in this Vault, +nevertheless it was enlightened with another Sun, which had learned this +from the Sun, and was situated in the upper part in the centre of the +ceiling; in the midst, instead of a Tombstone, was a round Altar covered +over with a plate of brass. + +Round about the first Circle or Brim stood Jesus mihi omnia. We kneeled +all together down, and gave thanks to the sole wise, sole mighty, and sole +eternal God, who hath taught us more than all men's wit could have found +out, praised be his holy name. This Vault we parted in three parts, the +upper part a ceiling, the wall a side, the ground a floor. + +Of the upper part you shall understand no more of it at this time, but +that it was divided according to the seven sides in the triangle, which +was in the bright centre; but what therein is contained, you shall, God +willing (that are desirous of our society) behold the same with your own +eyes; but every side or wall is parted into ten squares, every one with +their several figures and sentences, as they are truly shewed, and set +forth Concentratum here in our book. + +The bottom again is parted in the triangle but because therein is +described the power and rule of the inferior Governors, we leave to +manifest the same, for fear of the abuse by the evil and ungodly world. +But those that are provided and stored with the heavenly Antidote, they do +without fear or hurt, tread on, and bruise the head of the old and evil +serpent, which this our age is well fitted for. Every side or wall had a +door for a chest, wherein there lay divers things, especially all our +books, which otherwise we had, besides the Vocabular of Theoph. Par. Ho., +and these which daily unfalsifieth we do participate. Herein also we found +his Itinerarium, and Vitam, whence this relation for the most part is +taken. In another chest were looking-glasses of divers virtues, as also in +other places were little bells, burning lamps, and chiefly wonderful +artificial Songs; generally all done to that end, that if it should happen +after many hundred years, the Order or Fraternity should come to nothing, +they might by this vault be restored again. + +Now as yet we had not seen the dead body of our careful and wise father, +we therefore removed the Altar aside, there we lifted up a strong plate of +brass, and found a fair and worthy body, whole and unconsumed. + +Concerning Minutum Mundum, we found it kept in another little Altar, truly +more finer than can be imagined by any understanding man; but we will +leave him undescribed until we shall truly be answered upon this our true +hearted Famam; and so we have covered it again with the plates, and set +the Altar thereon, shut the door, and made it sure, with all our seals; +besides by instruction and command of our Rota, there are come to sight +some books, among which is contained M. (which were made instead of +household care by the praiseworthy M. P.). Finally we departed the one +from the other, and left the natural heirs in possession of our Jewels. +And so we do expect the answer and judgment of the learned, or unlearned. + +Howbeit we know after a time there will now be a general reformation, both +of divine and human things, according to our desire, and the expectation +of others; for it's fitting, that before the rising of the Sun, there +should appear and break forth Aurora, or some clearness, or divine light +in the sky; and so in the meantime some few, which shall give their names, +may join together, thereby to increase the number and respect of our +Fraternity, and make a happy and wished for beginning of our +Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us by our brother R. C., and be +partakers with us of our treasures (which never can fail or be wasted) in +all humility, and love to be eased of this world's labour, and not walk so +blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful works of God. + +But that also every Christian may know of what religion and belief we are, +we confess to have the knowledge of Jesus Christ (as the same now in these +last days, and chiefly in Germany, most clear and pure is professed, and +is nowadays cleansed and voyd of all swerving people, Hereticks and false +Prophets), in certain and noted Countries maintained, defended and +propagated; also we use two Sacraments, as they are instituted with all +Formes and Ceremonies of the first renewed Church. In Politia we +acknowledge the Roman Empire and Quartam Monarchiam for our Christian +head; albeit we know what alterations be at hand, and would fain impart +the same with all our hearts, to other Godly learned men; notwithstanding +our handwriting which is in our hands, no man (except God alone) can make +it common, nor any unworthy person is able to bereave us of it. But we +shall help with secret aid this so good a cause as God shall permit or +hinder us, for our God is not blind as the Heathen's Fortuna, but is the +Church's ornament and the honour of the Temple. Our Philosophy also is not +a new Invention, but as Adam after his fall hath received it, and as Moses +and Solomon used it; also she ought not much to be doubted of, or +contradicted by other opinions, or meanings; but seeing the truth is +peaceable, brief, and always like herself in all things, and especially +accorded by with _Jesus in omni parte_ and all members. And as he is the +true Image of the Father, so is she his Image; it shall not be said, this +is true according to Philosophy, but true according to Theologie: and +wherein Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and others did hit the mark, and +wherein Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Solomon did excel; but especially wherewith +that wonderful book the Bible agreeeth. All that same concurreth +together, and make a Space or Globe whose total parts are equidistant from +the centre, and hereof more at large and more plain shall be spoken of in +Christianly Conference. + +But now concerning (and chiefly in this our age) the ungodly and accursed +Gold-making, which hath gotten so much the upper hand, whereby under +colour of it, many runagates and roguish people do use great villanies, +and cozen and abuse the credit which is given them; yea nowadays men of +discretion do hold the transmutation of Mettals to be the highest point, +and _fastigium_ in Philosophy, this is all their intent and desire, and +that God would be most esteemed by them, and honoured, which could make +great store of Gold, and in abundance, the which with unpremeditated +prayers, they hope to attain of the all knowing God, and searcher of all +hearts; we therefore do by these presents publickly testify, that the true +Philosophers are far of another minde, esteeming little the making of +Gold, which is but a parergon; for besides that they have a thousand +better things. + +And we say with our loving father _R. C. C. Phy: aurum nisi quantum +aurum_, for unto them the whole nature is detected; he doth not rejoyce, +that he can make Gold, and that, as Christ saith, the devils are obedient +unto him; but is glad that he seeth the Heavens open, and the Angels of +God ascending and descending, and his name written in the book of life. +Also we do testifie that under the name of 'Chymia' many books and +pictures are set forth in Contumeliam gloriĉ Dei, as we will name them in +their due season, and will give to the pure-hearted a Catalogue or +Register of them; and we pray all learned men to take heed of these kinde +of Books, for the enemy never resteth, but soweth his weeds, till a +strange one doth root it out. So according to the will and meaning of Fra. +C. R. C., we his brethren request again all the learned in Europe who +shall read (sent forth in five languages) this our _Famam and +Confessionem_, that it would please them with good deliberation to ponder +this our offer, and to examine most nearly and most sharply their Arts, +and behold the present time with all diligence, and to declare their +minde, either _Communicato consilio_, or _singulatum_ by print. + +And although at this time we make no mention either of our names or +meetings, yet nevertheless every one's opinion shall assuredly come to our +hands, in what language soever it be; nor anybody shall fail who so gives +his name to speak with some of us either by word of mouth, or else if +there be some lett in writing. And this we say for a truth, that whosoever +shall earnestly, and from his heart, bear affection with us, it shall be +beneficial unto him in goods, body and soul; but he that is false-hearted, +or only greedy of riches, the same first of all shall not be able in any +manner of wise to hurt us, but bring himself to utter ruine and +destruction. Also our building (although one hundred thousand people had +seen and beheld the same) shall for ever remain untouched, undestroyed, +and hidden to the wicked world, sub umbra alarum tuarum Jehova. + + +A Preface of the Confession to the Reader who is desirous of Wisdom. + +Here, Gentle Reader, you shall finde incorporated in our Confession thirty +seven Reasons of our purpose, and intention, the which according to thy +pleasure thou mayst seek out and compare them together: thou mayst also +consider with thyself, if they be weighty and sufficient enough to bring +and persuade thee for to take our parts. + +Verily it requires no small pains to confirm that which men have not yet +seen, but when it shall once come to light we doubt not, but they will +then justly be ashamed of such doubts and conjectures. And as we do now +altogether, securely, freely, and without any hurt call the Pope of Rome +Antichrist, the which heretofore was held for a deadly sin, and such in +all countries were put to death for it. So we know certainly, that the +time shall likewise come, that that which we yet keep in secret, we shall +openly, freely, and with a loud voice publish and confess it before all +the world; the which Gentle Reader wish with us with all thy heart, that +it may happen with speed. + + +Confessio Fraternitatis, + +Or, The Confession of the laudable Fraternity of the most honourable Order +of the Rosie Cross, written to the learned of Europe. + +Whatsoever there is published, and made known to every one, concerning our +Fraternity by the foresaid Fama, let no man esteem lightly of it, nor hold +it as an idle or invented thing, and much less receive the same, as though +it were only a meer conceit of ours. It is the Lord Jehovah (who seeing +the Lord's sabbath is almost at hand, and hastened again, his period or +course being finished to his first beginning) doth turn about the course +of Nature; and what heretofore hath been sought with great pains and dayly +labour, is now manifested unto those who make small account, or scarcely +once think upon it; but those which desire it, it is in a manner forced +and thrust upon them, that thereby the life of the godly may be eased of +all their toyl and labour, and be no more subject to the storms of +unconstant Fortune; but the wickedness of the ungodly thereby, with their +due and deserved punishment, be augmented and multiplied. + +Although we cannot be by any suspected of the least Heresie, or of any +wicked beginning, or purpose against the worldly government; we do condemn +the East and West (meaning the Pope and Mahomet) blasphemers against our +Lord Jesus Christ, and offer and present with a good will to the chief +head of the Romish Empire, our prayers, secrets, and great treasures of +Gold. + +Yet we have thought good and fit for the learned sakes, to add somewhat +more to this, and make a better explanation, if there be any thing too +deep, hidden, and set down over dark in the Fama, or for certain reasons +were altogether omitted, and left out; hoping herewith the Learned will be +more addicted unto us, and be made far more fitter and willing for our +purpose. + +Concerning the alteration and amendment of Philosophy, we have (as much as +at present is needful) sufficiently declared, to wit, that the same is +altogether weak and faulty; yet we doubt not, although the most part +falsely do alledge that she (I know not how) is sound and strong, yet +notwithstanding she fetches her last breath and is departing. + +But as commonly, even in the same place or Country where there breaketh +forth a new unaccustomed disease, Nature also there discovereth a medicine +against the same; so there doth appear for so manifold infirmities of +Philosophy, the right means, and unto our Patria sufficiently offered, +whereby she may become sound again, which is now to be renewed and +altogether new. + +No other Philosophy we have, than that which is the head and sum, the +foundation and contents of all faculties, sciences and arts, the which (if +we will behold our age) containeth much of Theology and medicine, but +little of the wisdom of Lawyers, and doth diligently search both heaven +and earth: or to speak briefly thereof, which doth manifest and declare +sufficiently Man; whereof than all learned who will make themselves known +unto us, and come into our brotherhood, shall finde more wonderful secrets +by us, than heretofore they did attain unto, and did know, or are able to +believe or utter. + +Wherefore to declare briefly our meaning hereof, we ought to labour +carefully that there be not only a wondering at our meeting and +adhortation, but that likewise every one may know, that although we do +highly esteem and regard such mysteries and secrets, we nevertheless hold +it fit, that the knowledge thereof be manifested and revealed to many. + +For it is to be taught and believed, that this our unhoped willing offer +will raise many and divers thoughts in men unto whom (as yet) be unknown +Miranda sextĉ ĉtatis, or those which by reason of course of the world, +esteem the things to come like unto the present, and are hindered through +all manner of importunities of this their time, so that they live no +otherwise in the world, than blinde fools, who can, in the clear Sun-shine +days, discern and know nothing than only by feeling. + +Now concerning the first part, we hold this, that the Meditations, +knowledge and inventions of our loving Christian Father (of all that, +which from the beginning of the world, Man's Wisdom, either through God's +revelation, or through the service of the Angels and spirits, or through +the sharpness and deepness of understanding, or through long observation, +use and experience, hath found out, invented, brought forth, corrected, +and till now hath been propagated and transplanted) are so excellent, +worthy and great, that if all books should perish, and by God Almighty's +sufrance, all writings, and all learning should be lost, yet the posterity +will be able only thereby to lay a new foundation, and bring truth to +light again; the which perhaps would not be so hard to do as if one should +begin to pull down and destroy the old ruinous building, and begin to +enlarge the fore Court, afterwards bring the lights in the Lodgings, and +then change the doors, staples and other things according to our +intention. + +But to whom would this not be acceptable, for to be manifested to every +one rather than to have it kept and spared, as an especial ornament for +the appointed time to come. + +Wherefore should we not with all our hearts rest and remain in the only +truth (which men through so many erroneous and crooked ways do seek) if it +had only pleased God to lighten unto us the sixth Candelabrum, were it +not good that we needed not to care, not to fear hunger, poverty, sickness +and age. + +Were it not a precious thing that you could always live so, as if you had +lived from the beginning of the world, and moreover as you should still +live to the end therof. Were it not excellent, you dwell in one place, +that neither the people which dwell beyond the River Ganges in the Indies +could hide anything, nor those which live in Peru might be able to keep +secret their counsels from thee. + +Were it not a precious thing that you could so read in one only book, and +withal by reading understand and remember all that, which in all other +books (which heretofore have been, and are now and hereafter shall come +out) hath been, is, and shall be learned, and found out of them. + +How pleasant were it that you could so sing, that instead of stony rocks +you could draw to thee pearls and precious stones, instead of wilde +beasts, spirits, and instead of hellish Pluto, move the mighty Princes of +the world. + +O ye people, God's counsel is far otherwise, who hath concluded now to +increase and enlarge the number of our Fraternity, the which we with such +joy have undertaken as we have heretofore obtained this great treasure +without our merits, yea without any our hopes and thoughts, and purpose +with the like fidelity to put the same in practice, that neither the +compassion nor pity of our own children (which some of us in the +Fraternity have) shall draw us from it, because we know that these unhoped +for goods cannot be inherited, nor by chance be obtained. + +If there be somebody now which on the other side will complain of our +discretion, that we offer our Treasures so freely, and without any +difference to all men, and do not rather regard and respect more the +godly, learned, wise, or princely persons than the common people; those we +do not contradict, seeing it is not a slight and easie matter; but without +we signify so much, that our Arcana or Secrets will no ways be common, +and generally made known. Although the Fama be set forth in five +languages, and is manifested to every one, yet we do partly very well know +that, the unlearned and gross wits will not receive nor regard the same; +as also the worthiness of those who shall be accepted into our Fraternity +are not esteemed and known of us by Man's carefulness, but by the Rule of +our Revelation and Manifestation. Wherefore if the unworthy cry and call a +thousand times, or if they offer and present themselves to us a thousand +times, yet God hath commanded our ears, that they should hear none of +them: yea, God hath so compassed us about with his Clouds, that unto us +his servants, no violence or force can be done or committed; wherefore we +neither can be seen or known by any body, except he had the eyes of an +Eagle. It hath been necessary the Fama should be set forth in every ones +Mother Tongue, because those should not be defrauded of the knowledge +thereof, whom (although they be unlearned) God hath not excluded from the +happiness of this Fraternity, the which shall be divided and parted with +certain degrees; as those which dwell in the city Damcar in Arabia, who +have a far different politick order from the other Arabians. For there +they do govern only wise men, who by the King's permission make particular +Laws; according unto which example, also the Government shall be +instituted in Europe (whereof we have a description set down by our +Christianly Father) when first is done and come to pass that which is to +precede. And thenceforth our Trumpet shall publiquely sound with a loud +sound, and great noise, when namely the same (which at this present is +showed by few, and is secretly, as a thing to come, declared in Figures +and Pictures) shall be free and publiquely proclaimed, and the whole world +be filled withall. Even in such manner as heretofore, many godly people +have secretly and altogether desperately pusht at the Pope's Tyranny, +which afterwards, with great earnest, and especial zeal in Germany, was +thrown from his seat and trodden under foot, whose final fall is delayed, +and kept for our times, when he also shall be scratched in pieces with +nails, and an end be made of his Asses cry, by a new voyce: the which we +know is already reasurably manifest and known to many learned men in +Germany, as their writings and secret congratulations do sufficiently +witness the same. + +We could here relate and declare what all the time from the year of our +Lord, 1378 (in which year our Christian Father was born) till now, hath +happened, where we might rehearse what alterations he hath seen in the +world these one hundred and six years of his life, which he hath left to +our Brethren and us after his decease to peruse. But brevity, which we do +observe, will not permit at this present to make rehearsal of it, till a +more fit time; at this time it is enough for those which do not despise +our declaration, having therefore briefly touched it, thereby to prepare +the way for their acquaintance and friendship with us. + +Yea, to whom it is permitted, that he may, and for his instruction use +those great Letters and Characters which the Lord God hath written and +imprinted in Heaven and Earth's Edifice, through the alteration of +Government, which hath been from time to time altered and renewed; the +same is already (although as yet unknown to himself) ours: and as we know +he will not despise our inviting and calling, so, none shall fear any +deceit, for we promise and openly say, that no man's uprightness and hopes +shall deceive him, whosoever shall make himself known unto us under the +Seal of Secrecy, and desire our Fraternity. + +But to the false Hypocrites, and to those that seek other things than +Wisdom, we say and witness by these presents publickly, we cannot be made +known and be betrayed unto them, and much less they shall be able to hurt +us any manner of way without the Will of God; but they shall certainly be +partakers of all the punishment spoken of in our Fama; so their wicked +counsels shall light upon themselves, and our Treasures shall remain +untouched, until the Lion doth come, who will ask them for his use, and +employ them for the Confirmation and Establishment of his kingdom. We +ought therefore here to observe well, and make it known unto every one, +that God hath certainly and most assuredly concluded to send and grant to +the world before her end, which presently thereupon shall ensue, such a +Truth, Light, Life, and Glory, as the first Adam had, which he lost in +Paradise, after the which his successors were put, and driven with him to +misery, wherefore there shall cease all servitude, falsehood, lyes, and +darkness, which by little and little with the great World's Revolution, +was crept into all Arts, Works and Governments of Men, and have darkened +the most part of them. For from thence are proceeded an innumerable sort +of all manner of false opinions and heresies, that scarce the wisest of +all was able to know whose Doctrine and Opinion he should follow and +embrace, and could not well and easily be discerned, seeing on the one +part they were detained, hindered, and brought into Errors through the +respect of the Philosophers and learned men, and on the other part through +true experience. All the which when it shall once be abolished and +removed, and instead thereof a right and true Rule instituted, then there +will remain thanks unto them which have taken pains therein, but the Work +itself shall be attributed to the Blessedness of our Age. + +As we now willingly confess, that many principal men by their Writings +will be a great furtherance unto this Reformation which is to come; so we +desire not to have this honour ascribed to us, as if such work were only +commanded and imposed upon us; but we confess, and witness openly with the +Lord Jesus Christ, that it shall first happen that the stones shall arise, +and offer their service before there shall be any want of Executors and +Accomplishers of God's Counsel: yea, the Lord God hath already sent before +certain Messengers, which should testifie his Will, to wit, some new +Stars, which do appear and are seen in the Firmament in Serpentario and +Cygno, which signifie and give themselves known to every one that they are +powerful Signacula of great mighty matters. So then, the secret hid +Writings and Characters are most necessary for all such things which are +found out by men, although that great Book of Nature stand open to all +men, yet there are but few that can read and understand the same. For as +there is given to man two instruments to hear, likewise two to see, and +two to smell, but only one to speak, and it were but vain to expect speech +from the ears, or hearing from the eyes: so there hath been Ages or Times +which have seen, there have also been Ages that have heard, smelt and +tasted: now there remains that which in short time, honour shall be +likewise given to the Tongue, and by the same, what before times hath been +seen, heard, and smelt, now finally shall be spoken, and uttered forth, +viz., when the World shall awake out of her heavy and drowsie sleep, and +with an open heart, bare-head and bare-foot, shall merrily and joyfully +meet the now arising Sun. + +These Characters and Letters, as God hath here and there incorporated them +in the holy Scripture and the Bible, so hath he imprinted them most +apparently into the wonderful Creation of Heaven and Earth, yea, in all +Beasts. So that like as the Mathematician or Astronomer can long before +see and know the Eclipses which are to come, so we may verily foreknow and +foresee the darkness of Obscurations of the Church, and how long they +shall last, from the which characters or letters we have borrowed our +Magick writing, and have found out, and made a new language for ourselves, +in the which withall is expressed and declared the nature of all things, +so that is no wonder that we are not so eloquent in other languages, the +which we know that they are altogether disagreeing to the languages of our +forefathers, Adam and Enoch, and were through the Babylonical Confusion +wholly hidden. + +But we must also let you understand, that there are yet some Eagle's +Feathers in our way, the which do hinder our purpose. Wherefore we do +admonish every one for to read diligently and continually the holy Bible; +for he that taketh all his pleasures therein, he shall know that he +prepared for himself an excellent way to come into our Fraternity; for as +this is the whole sum and content of our Rule, that every letter or +character which is in the world ought to be learned and regarded well; so +those are like unto us, and are very near allied unto us, who do make the +holy Bible a Rule of their life, and an aim and end of all their studies; +yea, to let it be a compendium and content of the whole world, and not +only to have it continually in the mouth, but to know how to apply and +direct the true understanding of it to all times and ages of the world. +Also it is not our custom to prostitute and make so common the holy +Scriptures, for there are innumerable expounders of the same, some +alledging and wresting it to serve for their opinion, some to scandal it, +and most wickedly do liken it to a Nose of Wax which alike should serve +the Divines, Philosophers, Physicians and Mathematicians, against all the +which we do openly witness and acknowledge, that from the beginning of the +World there hath not been given unto men a more worthy, a more excellent, +and a more admirable and wholesome Book than the holy Bible. Blessed is he +that hath the same, yea, more blessed is he who reads it diligently, but +most blessed of all is he that truly understandeth the same, for he is +most like to God, and doth come most near to Him. But whatsoever hath been +said in the Fama concerning the Deceivers against the transmutation of +Metals, and the highest Medicine in the world, the same is thus to be +understood, that this so great gift of God we do in no manner set at +naught or despise it. But because she bringeth not with her always the +knowledge of Nature, but this bringeth forth not only Medicine, but also +maketh manifest and open unto us innumerable secrets and wonders; +therefore it is requisite that we be earnest to attain to the +understanding and knowledge of Philosophy. And moreover, excellent Wits +ought not to be drawn to the Tincture of Metals, before they be exercised +well in the knowledge of Nature. He must needs be an unsatiable Creature, +who is come so far that neither poverty nor sickness can hurt him; yea, +who is exalted above other men, and hath Rule over that, the which doth +anguish, trouble and pain others, yet will give himself again to idle +things, as to build houses, make wars, and use all manner of pride, +because he hath of Gold and Silver infinite store. + +God is far otherwise pleased, for he exalteth the lowly, and putteth down +the proud with disdain; to those which are of few words he sendeth his +holy Angel to speak with them, but the unclean Babblers he driveth in the +wilderness and solitary places; the which is the right Reward of the +Romish Seducers, who have vomitted forth their blasphemies against Christ, +and as yet do not abstain from their lies in this clear Shining Light: in +Germany all their abominations and detestable Tricks have been disclosed, +that thereby he may fully fulfil the measure of sin, and draw near to the +end of his punishment. Therefore one day it will come to pass that the +mouth of those Vipers will be stopped, and the three double horns will be +brought to nought, as thereof at our Meeting shall more plain and at large +be discoursed. + +In Conclusion of our Confession, we must earnestly admonish you, that you +put away, if not all, yet the most books, written by false Alchemists, who +do think it but a jest or a pastime, when they either misuse the holy +Trinity, when they do apply it to vain things, or deceive the people with +most strange figures and dark sentences and speeches, and cozen the +simpliest of their money; as there are now-a-days too many such books set +forth, which the enemy of Man's Welfare doth daily, and will to the end, +mingle among the good seed, thereby to make the Truth more difficult to be +believed, which in herself is simple, easie and naked; but certainly +falsehood is proud, haughty, and coloured with a kind of lustre of seeming +godly and of humane wisdom. Ye that are wise, eschew such books, and turn +unto us, who seek not your moneys but offer unto you most willingly our +great Treasures. We hunt not after your Goods with invented lying +Tinctures, but desire to make you Partakers of our Goods: we speak unto +you by Parables, but would willingly bring you to the right, simple, +easie, and ingenuous Exposition, Understanding, Declaration and Knowledge, +of all Secrets. We desire not to be received of you, but invite you unto +our more than Kingly Houses and Palaces, and that verily not by our own +proper motion, but (that you likewise may know it) as forced unto it, by +the Instigation of the Spirit of God, by his Admonition, and by the +Occasion of this present time. + +What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you +now understand and know, that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely +to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict ourselves to the true +Philosophy, lead a Christian life, and dayly call, intreat, and invite +many more unto our Fraternity, unto whom the same Light of God likewise +appeareth. Consider you not at length how you might begin with us, not +only by pondering the Gifts which are in you, and by experience which you +have in the Word of God beside the careful Consideration of the +Imperfection of all Arts, and many other unfitting things, to seek for an +amendment therein; to appease God, and to accommodate you for the time +wherein you live. Certainly if you will perform the same, this profit will +follow, that all the Goods which Nature hath in all parts of the World +wonderfully dispersed, shall at one time altogether be given unto you, and +shall easily disburden you of all that which obscureth the understanding +of Man, and hindereth the working thereof, like unto the vain Epicides, +and Excentrick Astronomical Circles. + +But those Pragmatical and busieheaded men, who either are blinded with +the glistering of Gold, or (to say more truly) who are now honest, but by +thinking such great Riches should never fail, might easily be corrupted, +and brought to Idleness, and to riotous proud living; those we do desire +that they would not trouble us with their idle and vain crying. But let +them think, that although there be a Medicine to be had which might fully +cure all Diseases, nevertheless those whom God hath destinated to plague +with diseases, and to keep them under the Rod of Correction, such shall +never obtain any such Medicine. + +Even in such manner, although we might enrich the whole World, and endue +them with Learning, and might release it from innumerable miseries, yet +shall we never be manifested and made known unto any man, without the +especial pleasure of God; yea, it shall be so far from him whosoever +thinks to get the benefit, and be Partaker of our Riches and Knowledge, +without and against the Will of God, that he shall sooner lose his life in +seeking and searching for us, than to find us, and attain to come to the +wished Happiness of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_John Heydon and the Rosicrucians._ + + +As we have frequently to mention works of that "extraordinary Royalist, +mystic and geomancer," John Heydon, who wrote so much respecting the Rosie +Crucian Mysteries, and so loudly extolled the praises of the disciples, it +will be advisable to present a sketch of his life as made by one Frederick +Talbot, in the years 1662 and 1663, and attached to "Elhavareuna," or the +"English Physitian's Tutor." He says John Heydon is not basely, but nobly +descended. The Antiquaries derive them (his parents) from Julius Heydon +the King of Hungary and Westphalia, that were descended from that Noble +family of Cĉsar Heydon in Rome; and since in this Royal Race the line run +down to the Honourable Sir Christopher Heydon, and Sir William Heydon, his +brother of Heydon, neer Norwich; who married into Devonshire. Here the +family flourished divers waies, to Sir John Heydon, late Lord Lieutenant +of the King's Tower of London. And this Sir William Heydon had one sonne +christened also William, and had two sons William and Francis, both born +in Devon, at Poltimore House; Francis married one of the Noble Chandlers +in Worcestershire of the Mother's side, which line spread by Marriage into +Devonshire, among the Collins, Ducks, Drues and Bears, he had one Sister +named Anne Heydon, who died two years since, his Father and Mother being +yet living. He was born at his Father's house in Green-Arbour, London (his +father having bestowed £1,500 upon those houses) and was baptised at St. +Sepulchre's, and so was his Sister, and both in the fifth and seventh year +of the Reign of King Charles the First; he was educated in Warwickshire +among his mother's friends, and so careful were they to keep him and his +sister from danger, and to their books, that he had one continually to +wait upon him, both to school and at home, and so had his sister. + +He was commended by Mr. John Dennis, his Tutor in Tardebick, to Mr. George +Linacre, Priest of Coughton, where he learned the Latin and Greek Tongues; +the war at this time began to molest the Universities of this Nation, he +was articled to Mr. Mic. Petley, an Attorney of Clifford Inne, with eighty +pounds, that at five years' end he should be sworn an Attorney; now being +very young he applied his mind to learning, and by his happy wit attained +great knowledge in all arts and sciences, afterwards also he followed the +Armies of the King, and for his valour commanded in the troops, when he +was by these means famous for learning and arms, he travelled into Spain, +Italy, Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, etc., and gave his mind to writing, and +composed about seventeen years since, the Temple of Wisdom in three Books, +The Holy Guide in six Books, Elhavareuna in one Book, Ocia Imperialia in +one Book, the Idea of the Law, the Idea of Government, the Idea of Tyranny +in three parts, the Fundamental Elements of Moral Philosophy, Policy, +Government and War, etc. + +These Books were written near seventeen years since, and preserved by the +good hand of God in the custody of Mr. Thomas Heydon, Sir John Hanner, Sir +Ralph Freman, and Sir Richard Temple; during the tyrant's time first one +had the Books, then another, etc. And at last at the desire of these +Noble, Learned and valiant Knights, and in honour of his Highness the Duke +of Buckingham, they were printed. + +He wrote many excellent things, and performed many rare experiments in the +Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, etc., but especially eighty one, the +first upon the King's death, predicted in Arabia by him to his friends, +the second upon the losses of the King at Worcester, predicted at Thauris +in Persia. Thirdly he predicted the death of Oliver Cromwell in Lambeth +House to many persons of honour mentioned in his books. Fourthly he wrote +of the overthrow of Lambert, and of the Duke of Albymarle, his bringing +again of the King to his happy countries, and gave it to Major Christopher +Berkenhead, a Goldsmith at the Anchor by Fetter Lane end in Holborn; the +fifth precaution or prediction he gave to his highness the Duke of +Buckingham, two months before the evil was practised, and his enemy +Abraham Goodman lies now in the Tower for attempting the death of the +noble Prince. The sixth for Count Gramont when he was banished into +England by the King of France, and he predicted by the Arts of Astromancy +and Geomancy, the King's receiving again into favour, and of his marriage +to the Lady Hamilton. The seventh for Duke Minulaus, a peer of Germany, +that the Emperor sent to him, when the Turk, had an army against him, and +of the death of the Pope; the rest are in his books, and therefore by +these monuments the name of Heydon for his variety of learning was famous +not only in England, but also in many other nations into which his books +are translated. + +This John Heydon, fears none, contemneth none, is ignorant of none, +rejoyceth in none, grieves at none, laughs at none, is angry with none, +but being himself a Philosopher, he hath taught the way to happiness, the +way to long life, the way to health, the way to wane young being old, and +the way to resolve all manner of Questions, Present and to Come, by the +Rules of Astromancy and Geomancy, and how to raise the Dead. + +There be many John Heydons, one John Heydon the divine and priest of Jesus +Christ, this is a Philosopher and Lawyer, stiled a Servant of God and +Secretary of Nature, and to this the Princes and Peers not only of +England, but of Spain, Italy, France and Germany send dayly to him, and +upon every occasion he sheweth strong parts and a vigorous brain; his +wishes and aimes, and what he pointeth at, speaketh him owner of a noble +and generous heart; this gentleman's excellent books are admired by the +world of lettered men, as the prodigy of these latter times (indeed his +works before mentioned, if I am able to judge anything) are full of the +profoundest learning I ever met withall: and I believe, who hath well-read +and digested them will perswade himself, there is no truth too abstruse, +nor hitherto conceived out of our reach, and if any should question my +judgement, they may read the commendations of both the Universities, +Oxford and Cambridge, besides the learned Thomas White and Thomas Revell, +Esq., both famous in Rome and other parts beyond sea, that have highly +honoured this gentleman in their books; yet he hath suffered many +misfortunes, his fathered was sequestered, imprisoned, and lost two +thousand pounds by Cromwell. This Oliver imprisoned this son also two year +and half, or thereabout, in Lambeth House, for he and his father's family +were always for the King, and endeavoured to the utmost his restoration; +and indeed the tyrant was cruel to him, but John Thurloe, his Secretary, +was kind to him and pittied his curious youth. And the messenger kept him +(at his request) at his own house, and gave him leave to go abroad, but +yet being zealous and active for the King, he was again taken and clapt up +in Lambeth House; in these misfortunes it cost him a £1,000 and upwards; +after this some envious villains forged actions of debt against him, and +put him in prison. It seems at the beginning of these misfortunes, a +certain harlot would have him to marry her, but denying her suit, for he +had never spoken to her in his life good or evil until then; she devised +now with her confederates abundance of mischief against him. And many +courted him to marry, but he denyed. Now there was left (amongt a few old +Almanacks and scraps of other men's wit) collected and bequeathed unto the +world by Nic. Culpe (as his own admired experience) old Alice Culpeper, +his widow. She hearing this gentleman (that he was heir to a great estate +after the death of his father, and after the death of his uncle, £1,000 a +year, but whether this uncle be of the father's or the mother's side I +know not, but the estate is sure his at their death), courts him by +letters of love, to no purpose; the next saint in order was she that calls +herself the German Princess. But he flies high and scorns such fowl great +beasts, the first of these two blessed birds in her life time caused one +Heath to arrest him, and another laid actions against him that he never +knew nor heard of. In this perplexity was he imprisoned two years, for +they did desire nothing but to get money, or destroy him, for fear if ever +he got his liberty he might then punish them. He being of a noble nature +forgave them all their malice and devices against him, and scorns to +revenge himself such upon pittiful things. God indeed hath done him the +justice, for this Heath consumes to worse than nothing, and indeed, if I +can judge or predict anything his baudy-houses will be pawned, and he will +dye a miserable diseased beggar. His mistress, when he was very young and +a clerke, desired him to lay with her, but he like Joseph refusing, she +hated him all her life. God preserved him from their malice, although one +of these three lewd women swore this gentleman practised the art of Magic; +she told Oliver Cromwell she saw familiar spirits come and go to him in +the shape of Conies, and her maid swore she had often seen them in his +chambers when he was abroad, and sometimes walking upon the housetop in +moonshine nights, and sometimes to vanish away into a wall or Aire, but +when asked she could not tell what manner of man he was. So these stories +were not credited, and for all these and many more afflictions and false +accusations, I never saw him angry, nor did he even arrest or imprison any +man or woman in all his life. + +He was falsely accused but lately of writing a seditious book and +imprisoned in a messenger's custody, but his noble friend the Duke of +Buckingham finding him innocent and alwaies for the king, he was then +discharged, and indeed this glorious Duke is a very good and just judge +and noble, for he forgave Abraham Godman that came to kill him with his +sword drawn, the Duke with his plate and napkin (for he was at supper) +takes away his sword, saying, I can kill thee, but I scorn it, and a +little after he pardoned him. And so mercifull he is that after he had +taken the Quakers prisoners in Yorkshire, he used so many wise convincing +arguments that they submitted to the King; of which the Duke was glad, and +saved all their lives; he studies the way to preserve his king and country +in peace, plenty, and prosperity. It is a pity the King hath not many more +such brave men as he, a thousand such wise Dukes as this (like marshell'd +thunder, back'd with flames of fire) would make all the enemies of the +King and Christendome quake, and the Turk fly before such great generals, +in all submission; we humbly pray for this great Prince, and leave him to +his pleasure and return to our subject. + +John Heydon is not of that vain and presumptuous nature as the Taylors +that despised all Artists, even Appolonius, More, Vaughan, and Smith, etc. +And yet they cannot read these, and many other learned authors, they so +impudently abuse, rob of their learning, and convert other men's parts to +their own profit. He lent one ten pounds gold, he in requital or return +speaks ill of him, and pretends to know many admirable rules of Geomancy, +and impertinently addes them to Nativities, and applyes them to all manner +of questions in Astromancy, but his books being written so long since, +viz., seventeen years by himself, their greediness of great matters is +discovered, and we now know them to be neither scholars nor gentlemen, +these hang up clouts with--here are Nativities calculated, questions +resolved, and all the parts of Astrology taught by us.... In threepence, +fourpence, sixpence, or higher if you please--thus are young apprentices, +old women, and wenches abused, and that they may be found for money, tell +us the twelve houses of heaven in the sign of a coat of arms are to be +let, when they might indeed set bills upon their brazen foreheads, +engraven thus: Here are Rooms to be let unfurnished, but our Author +regards not these men; all their scandals, forgeries, and villainous +devises they contrive against him, he slights and scorns, and hath +purposely forsaken Spittle Fields and his lodging there, to live a private +life, free from the concourse of multitudes of people that daily followed +after him, but if any desire to be advised, let them by way of letter +leave their business at his booksellers, and they shall have answer and +counsel without reward, for he is neither envious, nor enemie to any man; +what I write is upon my own knowledge. + +He now writes from Hermenpolis, a place I was never at; it seems by the +word to be the city of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange +places, among the Rosie Crucians, and at their Castles, Holy Houses, +Temples, Sepulchres, Sacrifices. This gentleman hath suffered much by his +own discreet silence and solitude. Every Nativity Hawker condemns the +Rosie Crucians because they appear not to the world, and concludes there +is no such society because he is not a member of it, and Mr. Heydon will +not come upon the stage (let his enemies write or speak what they will) +when any fool cries enter, neither doth he regard every dog that barks at +him. All the world knows this gentleman studys honourable and honest +things, and faithfully communicates them to others, yet if any traduce him +hereafter, they must not expect his vindication, he hath referred his +quarrel to the God of Nature, it is involved in the concernments of his +Truths and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience; he hath +been misinterpreted in his writing, with studied calumnies, they disparage +a person whom they never saw, nor perhaps will see, he is resolved for the +future to suffer, for he says God condemns no man for his patience, the +world indeed may think the truth overthrown, because she is attended with +his peace for in the judgment of most men, there is no victory, this he +looks upon as no disadvantage, the estimate of such censures will but +lighten the scales, and I don't suppose them very weak brains who conceive +the truth sinks because it outweighs them; as for tempestuous outcrys when +they want their motives they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath +more of the Hurrey-cano than of Christ Jesus, God was not in the wind that +rent the rocks in pieces, nor in the earthquake and fire at Horeb. He was +in Aura tenui, in the still small voice. His enemies are forced to praise +his vertues and his friends are sorry he hath not 10,000 pounds a year, he +doth not resent the common spleen, who writs the truth of God hath the +same Patron with the truth itself, and when the world shall submit to the +general Tribunal, he will find his Advocate where they shall find their +Judge, there is mutual testimony between God and his servants, or nature +and her Secretary; if the Baptist did bear witness of Christ, Christ did +also much for the Baptist; he was a burning and shining light; when I writ +this gentleman's life God can bear me witness it was unknown to him, and +for no private ends, but I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the +Mistery and Majesty of Nature, written by this servant of God and +Secretary of Nature; I began his life some years since, and do set it down +as I do finde it, if any man oppose this, I shall answer, if you are for +peace, peace be with you, if you are for War, I have been so too (Mr. +Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King +command him). Now let not him that puts on the Armour boast like him that +puts it off. 'Gaudet patientia duris' is his Motto, and thus I present +myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man. + + FREDERICK TALBOT, ESQ. + + _March 3, 1662._ + +What was thought of John Heydon and what he appeared to think of himself +may be learned from the somewhat gushing testimonials he appended to +several of his books. + +At the commencement of the Axiomata we have the following:-- + +"To his most ingeniously accomplish'd friend, Mr. John Heydon, on his +Rosie Crucian Infallible Axomata, the excellent and secret use of +Numbers." + + "Now let the Pope no more pretend to bee, + The Father of Infallibility; + Unless he can great Heyden's Numbers teach, + And nimbly to his Axiomata reach. + One learned Heydon, with his Art-like Pen, + Hath exercised so the Brains of Men; + That how to answer him this very Age + Knows not [I'm sure] with all its Wit and Rage. + Our Author here, as Heir unto his skill, + Hath kept his name up (with a pregnant Quill) + So happily! that Ages yet to come, + Shall sing his fame in this Eulogium; + While Numbers sing the World's glad Harmony, + This worthy work shall teach Philosophy." + + J. GADBURY. + +Again in the same work. + +"To his much honoured friend the Author Mr. John Heydon upon the Rosie +Crucian Infallible Axiomata." + + "Pythag'ras redivivus, go thy ways + Into the world: and number out thy praise; + Laconian Lads esteem yourself no more, + Who Numbers rich is, who esteems is poor, + For they esteem themselves, because no more. + Moses in Miracles did exceed 'tis true + By Numbers done; only found out by you + Therefore the greatest Miracle's your due. + Tria sunt omnia shall no more surpass, + Who's but for simple Numbers is an Asse, + Thy compound Numbers shew as clear as Glass. + That the wide world this piece shall so extoll + As swears no soul, if not Harmonic all + For never was piece i' the world so exactly done, + In the time past, or present, what's to come, + Then teeming Soul give thy Pen intermission, + And breathe a while before the next Edition." + + JOHN FYGE, + _Minister of the Gospell._ + +Again:-- + + "O Comprehensive Magus, praise attends + Thy worthy work, to that each number tends, + Sith to the Holy Cross thou art the Crown; + And that, which Nature did at first set down + In Hieroglyphicks, that she might conceal + From Sons of earth, her Darling doth reveal + Unto the Sons of Art and doth unfold + Those Tomes of Crypicks that before were rold; + Axioms infallible, thou dost us shew, + Would Pyrrho make his doubting Trade forego; + Philosophy may by thy Method be + Courted, and won by men of low degree, + When fancy tells me this cannot be done, + My Reason prompts me to believe a Son, + Inspired by the Rosie Crucian Spirit, + Is Heir to more, to whom I do refer it. + + THOMAS FYGE." + + + "Hayl you (admired Heydon) whose great parts + Shine above envy; and the common Arts, + You kin to Angels, and Superiour Lights, + (A spark of the first fire) whose Eagle flights + Trade not with Earth, and grossness, but do pass + To the pure Heavens, and make your God your Glass, + In whom you see all forms, and so do give + These rare discov'ries, how things move and live, + Proceed to make your great designs compleat, + And let not this rude world our hopes defeat. + Oh let me but by this the dawning light + Which streams upon me through your three pil'd night, + Pass to the East of truth, 'till I may see + Man's first fair state; when sage Simplicity + The Dove and Serpent, Innocent and Wise + Dwell in his brest, and he in Paradise. + These from the Tree of knowledge his best boughs + I'le pluck a Garland from this Author's brows, + Which to succeeding times Fame shall bequeath, + With this most just Applause, Great Heyden's wreath. + + FRED. TALBOT, _Esquire_." + +In the opening pages of the "Holy Guide," we find the following:-- + + "Renowned Eugenius! Famous above all! + A Prince in Physiques! Most Seraphicall! + The Art's Great Archer! Never shooting wide; + Yet Hitt'st the White best, in thy Holy Guide. + Good God! What Pains have learn'd Physitians + For cleansing Physiques [strange perturbed] Brook? + But as their crooked labours did destroy + Our hopes, Thy Guide directs the Ready Way. + Hippocrates, Great Galen, and Senertus, + Rhenvoleus, Paracelsus, and Albertus, + Grave Gerrard, and Ingenious Parkinson, + Dead Culpeper, and living Thomlinson, + Have all done well. But ah! they miss the Road, + Thou Chalked out, Thou Dear Servant of God; + And therefore 'tis no wonder, if they vary + From thee; Great Nature (High born) Secretary! + 'Tis thou alone, hast taught the way to bliss: + 'Tis thou alone, that knowest what it is: + 'Tis thou hast raked fruitful Egypt o'er + For Medicines; and Italy for more; + And in Arabia thy collecting Braines, + To doe us good, hath taken wondrous Paines + This having done, if Critiques will not bow + To thy Great Learning Petra scandalou, + It shall unto them surely prove: And this + Essay of thy Sublimer Misteryes, + Shall make them sure unto the Wise Minerva + Yet still be ignorant of thy Pantarva. + But hold! Where am I? Sure th' hast set a spell + On me, cause I can't praise thy doings well: + Release me, Good Eugenius! and the Crowne + Shall stand on no browes but thy learned Owne. + Poets, no more lay Claime unto the Bayes! + 'Tis Heydon shines alone with splendid Rayes! + Follow his Guide, he teaches you most sure; + Let any make the Wound; 'Tis he must cure. + For he directs the Welgrowne; Old, and Young, + To live Rich, Happy, Healthy, Noble, Strong. + + JOHN GADBURY." + +"To the Reader on the behalf of my much honoured Friend the Author Mr. +John Heydon." + + "A Labyrinth doth need a clew to find + The passage out, and a Dĉdalian mind + May doe strange works, beyond the Vulgar's reach, + And in their understandings make a breach. + It's often seene, when men of pregnant parts + Study, Invent, and promulgate rare Arts, + Or unknown secrets, now they puzzle those + That understand them not; their Yea's, their No's, + Are put to Non-plus; Tutors then they lack + To drive them forward, or to bring them back. + How many learned men (in former ages) + In all the sciences were counted Sages? + And yet are scarcely understood by men, + Who daily read them o're and o're again! + Some can recount things past, and present some, + And some would know of things that are to come. + Some study pleasure, some would faine live long; + Some that are old, would faine again be young. + This Man doth toyle, and moile, to purchase wealth, + That man gets sickness studying for his health; + This man would happy bee, that Wisdom have; + All are at loss, and every man doth crave; + None is content, But each man wants a Guide + Them to direct when they do step aside. + Since this is thus, Our Author hath took paine + To lead us in, and bring us out again; + Now who is pleas'd in him for to confide + In these Discoveries, Here's his Holy Guide. + Pray what can more improve the Commonwealth, + Than the discovery of the way to Health? + The Paradox is made a certain truth, + An Ancient man may dye it 'h prime of 's youth. + What wonder is it if he goe aside + The Path, which will not take the Holy Guide! + + JOHN BOOKER." + +"To his Ingenuous Friend Mr. John Heydon, on his Book Intituled The Holy +Guide." + + "The Antient Magi, Druids, Cabbalists, + The Brachmans, Sybils, and Gymnosophists + With all that Occult Arts haberdash + And make so many mancies, doe but trash + By retaile vend, and may for Pedlars goe: + Your richer merchandise doth make them soe. + The Stagarite must with his Murnival + Of Elements, Galen of Humours call + In all their suit, or your new Art, + Without them, makes their good old cause to smart. + Vulgar Physitians cannot look for more + Patients, then such which doe need hellibore: + When Rosie Crucian Power can revive + The dead, and keep old men in youth alive. + Had you not call'd your work the Holy Guide, + It would have puzzled all the world beside + To have Baptized it with a name so fit + And Adĉquate to what's contain'd in it; + Should it be styled the Encyclopĉdy + Of Curious Arts, or term'd a Mystery + In folio, or be named the Vatican + Reduc'd unto an Enchiridion, + Or all the Hermĉ in a Senary, + The Urim and Thummim of Philosophy, + The Art of Hieroglyphicks so revealed + And like the Apocalyps they are conceal'd + Or th' Orthodoxall Parodox, or all + Discover'd, which men still a wonder call; + Or th' Magna Charta of all Sciences, + And he that names it cannot call it less, + The Book and Title might have well agreed; + Yet men have questioned if into their Creed + They should have put your Article, but Now + The name of holy none dare disallow + When so much learning doth in one exist + Heydon, not Hermes, shall be Trismegist. + And if the Right Reverend of Levi's Tribe + Do Hallow it, I cannot but subscribe. + + Myself your Friend and Servant, + THOS. FYGE." + +"Now there are," says John Heydon, "a kind of men as they themselves +report, named Rosie Crucians; a divine Fraternity that inhabite the +suburbs of Heaven, and these are the Officers of the Generalissimo of the +world, that are as the eyes and eares of the great King, seeing and +hearing all things; they say these R. C. are seraphically illuminated, as +Moses was, according to this Order of the Elements; Earth refyn'd to +Water, Water to Air, Air to Fire. So if a man be one of the Heroes, of a +Heros, a Damon, or good Genius, if a Genius, a partaker of divine things, +and a Companion of the holy Company of unbodied Souls and immortall +Angells, and according to their vehicles, a versatile life, turning +themselves Proteus-like into any shape. + +"But the richest happiness they esteem, is the gift of healing and +medicine. It was a long time great labour and travell before they could +arrive to this Blisse above set, they were at first poor gentlemen, that +studied God and nature, as they themselves confesse: (saying) Seeing the +only wise and mercifull God in these latter dayes hath poured out so +richly his mercy and goodness to mankind, whereby wee do attain more and +more to the perfect knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature: that +justly we may boast of the happy time wherein there is not only discovered +unto us the half part of the world which was heretofore unknown and +hidden; but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderfull and never +heretofore seen works and Creatures of nature, and moreover hath raised +men, indued with great wisdome, which might partly renew and reduce all +Arts (in this our age, spotted and imperfect) to perfection. + +"Although in Theologie, Physick, and the Mathematick, the truth doth +oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty and craft doth +shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his instruments and +contentious (wavering people) to such an intent of a generall Reformation, +the most Godly and Seraphically illuminated Father, our Brother C. R., a +German, the chief and originall of our Fraternity, hath much and long time +laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although a gentleman born, and +descended of noble parents) in the 5th year of his age was placed in a +Cloister, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin tongues +(who upon his earnest desire and request being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to Apamia). + +"Although his brother dyed in Cyprus and so never came to Apamia, yet our +brother C. R. did not return but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Apamia, but by reason of the +feebleness of his body he remained still there, and by his skil in +Physick, he obtained much favour with the Ishmalits. In the mean time he +became by chance acquainted with the wise men of Damcar in Arabia, and +beheld what great wonders they wrought and how Nature was discovered unto +them; hereby was that high and noble spirit of brother C. R. so stirred up +that Apamia was not so much now in his mind as Damcar; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain summe of money to Damcar, this was in +the 16th year of his age when the Wise received him (as he himself +witnesseth) not as a Stranger, but as one whom they had long expected, +they called him by his name, and showed him other secrets out of his +Cloyster, whereat hee could not but mightily wonder. + +"He learned there better the Arabian tongue: so that the year following he +translated the book M. into good Latine, and I have put it into English +wearing the title of The Wiseman's Crown; whereunto is added A new Method +of Rosie Crucian Physick. This is the place where he did learn his Physick +and Philosophie, how to raise the dead; for example, as a Snake cut in +pieces and rotted in dung will every piece prove a whole Snake again, &c., +and then they began to practise further matters and to kill birds and to +burn them before they are cold in a Glass, and so rotted, and then +inclosed in a shell, to hatch it under a hen, and restore the same; and +other strange proofs they made of Dogs, Hogs, or Horses, and by the like +corruption to raise them up and again and renew them. And at last they +could restore by the same course every brother that died to life again, +and so continue many ages. + +"Brother C. R. after many travels, returned again into Germany, and there +builded a neat and fitting habitation, upon a little hill or mount, and on +the hill there rested always a cloud; and he did there render himself +visible or invisible, at his own will and discretion. + +"After five years came into his minde the wished return of the children of +Israel out of Egypt, how God would bring them out of bondage with the +Instrument Moses. Then he went to his Cloyster, to which he bare +affection, and desired three of his brethren to go with him to Moses, the +chosen servant of God. Brother G. V., Brother J. A., and Brother J. O., +who besides that they had more knowledge in the Arts than at that time +many others had, he did binde those three unto himselfe, to be faithful, +diligent, and secret; as also to commit carefully to writing what Moses +did; and also all that which he should direct and instruct them in, to the +end that those which were to come, and through especial Revelation should +be received into this Fraternity, might not be deceived of the least +syllable and word. + +"After this manner began the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, first by four +persons, who died and rose again until Christ, and then they came to +worship as the Star guided them to Bethlem of Judea, where lay our Saviour +in his mother's arms; and then they opened their treasure and presented +unto Him Gifts, Gold, Frankinsense, and Myrrhe, and by the commandment of +God went home to their habitation. + +"These four waxing young again successively many hundreds of years, made a +Magical Language and Writing, with a large Dictionary, which are yet in +daily use to God's praise and glory, and do finde great wisdome therein; +they made also the first part of the Book M. which I will shortly publish +by the title of The Wiseman's Crown." + +In his Apologue to the sixth book of "The Holy Guide," after stating that +Moses was the father of the Rosie Crucians, that they were the Officers of +the Generalissimo of the World, of the order of Elias or Disciples of +Ezekiel, &c., John Heydon proceeds:--"But there is yet arguments to +procure Mr. Walfoord and T. Williams, Rosie Crucians by elections, and +that is the miracles that were done by them, in my sight, for it should +seem Rosie Crucians were not only initiated into the Mosaical Theory, but +have arrived also to the power of working Miracles, as Moses, Elias, +Ezekiel, and the succeeding Prophets did, as being transported where they +please, as Habakkuk was from Jewry to Babylon, or as Philip, after he had +baptized the Eunuch, to Azotus, and one of these went from me to a friend +of mine in Devonshire, and came and brought me an answer to London the +same day, which is four dayes journey; they taught me excellent +predictions of Astrology, and Earthquakes; they slack the Plague in +Cities; they silence the violent Winds and Tempests; they calm the rage of +the Sea and Rivers; they walk in the Air; they frustrate the malicious +aspects of Witches; they cure all Diseases; I desired one of these to tell +me whether my Complexion were capable of the society of my good Genius? +When I see you again, said he, I will tell you, which is when he pleases +to come to me, for I know not where to go to him. When I saw him then he +said, Ye should pray to God; for a good and holy man can offer no greater +nor more acceptable sacrifice to God than the oblation of himself, his +soul. + +"He said also, that the good Genii are as the benigne eyes of God, running +to and fro in the world, with love and pitty beholding the innocent +endeavours of harmless and single hearted men, ever ready to do them good, +and to help them; and at his going away he bid me beware of my seeming +friends who would do me all the hurt they could, and cause the Governours +of the nations to be angry with me, and set bounds to my liberty; which +truly happened to me, as they did indeed; many things more he told me +before we parted, but I shall not name them here. + +"In this Rosie Crucian Physick or Medicines, I happily and unexpectedly +light upon in Arabia, which will prove a restauration of health to all +that are afflicted with that sickness which we ordinarily call natural, +and all other Diseases, as the Gout, Dropsie, Leprosie, and falling +sickness; and these men may be said to have no small insight in the body, +and that Walfoord, Williams, and others of the Fraternity now living, may +bear up in the same likely Equipage, with those noble Divine spirits their +Predecessors; though the unskilfulness in men commonly acknowledges more +of supernatural assistance in hot, unsettled fancies, and perplexed +melancholy, than in the calm and distinct use of reason; yet for mine own +part, but not without submission to better judgments, I look upon these +Rosie Crucians above all men truly inspired, and more than any that +professed or pretended themselves so this sixteen hundred years, and I am +ravished with admiration of their miracles and transcendent mechanical +inventions, for the solving the Phenomena in the world: I may without +offence therefore compare them with Bezaliel and Aholiab, those skilful +and cunning workers of the Tabernacle, who, as Moses testifies, were +filled with the Spirit of God, and therefore were of an excellent +understanding to find out all manner of curious work. + +"Nor is it any argument that these Rosie Crucians are not inspired, +because they do not say they are; which to me is no argument at all; but +the suppression of what so happened, would argue much more sobriety and +modesty; when as the profession of it with sober men, would be suspected +of some piece of melancholy and distraction, especially in those things, +where the grand pleasure is the evidence and exercise of Reason, not a +bare belief, or an ineffable sense of life, in respect whereof there is no +true Christian but he is inspired; but if any more zealous pretender to +prudence and righteousness, wanting either leisure or ability to examine +these Rosie Crucian Medicines to the bottome, shall notwithstanding either +condemn them or admire them, he hath unbecomingly and indiscreetly +ventured out of his own sphere, and I cannot acquit him of injustice or +folly. Nor am I a Rosie Crucian, nor do I speak of spite, or hope of gain, +or for any such matter, there is no cause, God knows; I envie no man, be +he what he will be, I am no Phisitian, never was, nor never mean to be; +what I am it makes no matter as to my profession. + +"Lastly, these holy and good men would have me know that the greatest +sweet and perfection of a vertuous soul, is the kindly accomplishment of +her own nature, in true wisdome and divine love; and these miraculous +things that are done by them, are, that that worth and knowledge that is +in them may be taken notice of, and that God thereby may be glorified, +whose witnesses they are; but no other happiness accrues to them from +this, but hereby they may be in a better capacity of making others happy. + + _Spittle-fields, this 10th of May, 1662._ + + JOHN HEYDON." + +As, of course, it is impossible to give any lengthy extracts from the +works of this celebrated John Heydon, a few quotations from the Index to +his Holy Guide will show the nature of the work and must suffice for our +present purpose. "How by numbers the Rosie Crucians fore-know all future +things, command all nature and do miracles, etc. The resolution of all +manner of questions, and how by numbers you may be happy, etc. How to make +a man live to two hundred years. How to avoid all disease. The Rosie +Crucian way to get health. How to live twenty years without food, as many +creatures do. How to raise a dead bird to life. Of generating many +serpents of one," etc., etc. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists._ + + +On a former page we referred to a book which at one time achieved +considerable notoriety under the title of "Count Gabalis; or the +Extravagant mysteries of the Cabalists," the following extract will show +the nature of the work and no doubt prove interesting. + +Count Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Gabalists, or, +Rosy-crucians Exposed in Five Pleasant Discourses on the Secret Sciences. + + +Discourse the First. + +God rest the soul of Monsieur the Count of Gabalis! who as they write me +news, is lately dead of an Apoplexy. Now the Cabalists will not fail to +say, that this kind of Death is ordinary to those who imprudently manage +the Secrets of the Sages; and that since the Blessed Ramundus Lullius has +pronounced the sentence in his last Will and Testament, a destroying Angel +has ever been ready to strangle in a moment, all those who have +indiscreetly revealed the Philosophick Mysteries. + +But let them not so rashly condemn this Wise Man, without having better +information of his conduct. 'Tis true he has discovered all to me; but not +without all the Cabalistick Circumspectious requisite. I must do him the +right, in giving this testimony to his memory, that he was a great Zealot +for the religion of his fathers, the Philosophers; and that he would have +suffered the flames, rather than have profaned the Sanctity of it, by +disclosing it to any unworthy Prince, to any ambitious person, or to one +that was incontinent; three sorts of people, excommunicated in all ages by +the wise. By good fortune I am no Prince; I have little Ambition; and by +the Sequel of this discourse, it may be seen that I have a little more +Chastity than a Sage needs have. I am endued with a Docible Wit; curious +of knowledge, and Bold enough: I want but a little Melancholy to make all +those who would blame the Count of Gabalis, confess that he needed not +have concealed any thing from me, in regard I was a Subject proper enough +for the Secret Sciences. It is true that without Melancholy, no great +progress can be made therein: but this little stock of it that I have, was +enough to make me not to be rejected by them. You (has he said a hundred +times to one) have Saturn in an Angle, in his House, and Retrograde; you +cannot fail, one of these days, of being as Melancholy as a Sage ought to +be: for the wisest of all men (as we know in the Cabal) had, as you have, +Jupiter in the Ascendant. And yet, it was never observed, that he ever so +much as once laughed, in all his life time, so powerful was his Saturn in +him, though it was certainly weaker than yours. + +'Tis then my Saturn, and not Monsieur the Count of Gabalis that the +_Virtuoso_ must quarrel with, if I affect more the Divulging of there +Secrets, than the practising of them. If the Stars do not their duty, the +Count is not in the fault, and if I have not a soul great enough to +attempt to become Master of Nature, to turn the Elements upside down, to +entertain the Supreme Intelligences, to command the Demons, to beget +Giants, to create New Worlds, to speak to God in his High Throne, and to +oblige the Cherubin, which defends the entrance of Paradise, to let me +come in, and take two or three turns in his Walks; 'tis me that they must +blame more or less: they must not for this insult over the memory of this +Rare Man; and say that he is dead, for having blabbed all things to me. Is +it impossible that amongst the wandering spirits he may not have been +worsted in a conflict with some undocible Hobgoblin? Perchance he is not +dead, but in appearance; following the custom of the Philosophers, who +seem to Dye in one place, and transport themselves to another. Be it how +it will, I can never believe, that the Manner wherewith he entrusted his +Treasures to me, merited any punishment. You shall see how all things +passed. + +Common sense having always made me suspect that there was a great deal of +Emptiness in all that which they call Secret Science, I was never tempted +to lose so much time, as to turn over the leaves of those books which +treat of them: but yet not finding it reasonable to condemn without +knowing why, all those addicting themselves thereto, who otherwise are +wise persons, very learned for the most part, and eminent both for the +Gown and Sword. I took up a resolution (that I might avoid being unjust, +and wearying myself with tedious reading) of feigning myself a great +devotee to those sciences, amongst all those, whom I could learn were of +that Gang. I had quickly better success than I could possibly hope for. +Since all these gentlemen, how mysterious and how reserved soever they may +seem to be, desire nothing more, than to vent their imaginations, and the +new discoveries which they pretend to have made in Nature. In a few dayes +I was the Confident of the most considerable amongst them, and had every +day one or other of them in my study, which I had on purpose garnished +with their most phantastick authors. There was never a learned Virtuoso of +this kind, but I had correspondence with him. In a word, for my Zeal to +this science, I quickly found that I was well approved by all. I had for +my companions, Princes, Great Lords, Gown-men, Handsome Ladies, and +Unhandsome too; Doctors, Prelates, Fryars, Nuns: in fine People of all +Ranks and Qualities. Some of them were for converse with Angels, others +with Devils, others with their Genius, others with Incubus's; some +addicted themselves to the cure of diseases, some to Star-gazing, some to +the secrets of Divinity, and almost all to the Philosopher's stone. + +They all agreed, that these grand secrets, and especially the +Philosopher's stone, were hardly to be found out, and that but very few do +attain to them, but they had all in particular, a very good opinion of +themselves, to believe that they were of the number of the Elect. By good +luck, with infinite impatiency, the most considerable of them expected at +this time, the arrival of a lord, who was a great Cabalist, and whose +Estate lyes upon the frontiers of Poland. He had promised by letters to +the children of Philosophy in Paris to come and visit them; and so to pass +from France into England. I had a Commission to write an answer to this +great man: I sent him the scheme of my Nativity, that he might judge if I +were capable of aspiring to the supreme wisdom. My scheme and my letter +were so happy to oblige him to do me the honour of answering me; that I +should be one of the first that he would see at Paris; and that, if Heaven +did not oppose, there should be nothing wanting in him to introduce me +into the Society of the Wise. + +In the well management of my good fortune, I entertain a regular +correspondence with the illustrious German: I propose to him, from time to +time, great doubts, as well grounded as I could, concerning the Harmony of +the World, the Numbers of Pythagoras, the Revelations of St. John, and the +first chapter of Genesis. The greatness of the matter ravished him! He +writ to me unheard of Wonders; and I plainly saw that I had to deal with a +man of a most vigorous and most copious imagination. I was astonished one +remarkable day, when I saw a man come in a most excellent Mien, who, +saluting me gravely, said to me in the French tongue, but in the accents +of a foreigner: Adore my son; Adore the most glorious and great God of the +Sages and let not thyself be puffed up with pride, that he sends to thee +one of the children of Wisdom to constitute thee a fellow of their +society, and make thee partaker of the wonders of his Omnipotency. + +This strange manner of salutation, did upon the sudden surprise me, and I +began, at first, to question, whether or no it might not be some +apparition: nevertheless, recovering my spirits the best I could, and +looking upon him as civilly as the little fear I was seized with, could +permit me, Whatever you be (said I to him) whose Complement savours not of +this world, you do me a great honour in making me this visit. But I +beseech you, if you please, before I worship this God of the Sages, let me +know of what God and what Sages you speak. Do me the favour to sit down on +this chair and give yourself the trouble to tell me, what this God is, and +what these Sages, this Company, these Wonders of Omnipotency, and after or +before all this, what kind of creature I have the honour to speak to. + +Sir, you receive me most Sage-like (said he, smiling, and taking the chair +which I presented him) you desire me on a sudden to explain things to you, +which, if you please, I shall not resolve to-day. The Complement which I +made you, are the words which the Sages use at first, to those to whom +they purpose to open their hearts and to discover their mysteries. I had +thought that being so wise as you seemed to me in your letters, this +salutation would not have been unknown to you, and that it would be the +most pleasing Complement that could be made you by the Count of Gabalis. + +Ah! Sir (cried I, remembering that I had a ticklish game to play) how +shall I render myself worthy of so much goodness? Is it possible that the +excellentest of all men should be in my study? that the great Gabalis +should honour me with his visit? + +I am the least of the Sages (replied he, with a serious look) and God, who +dispenses the beams of his wisdom by weight and measure, as his +sovereignty pleases, has given me but a small talent, in comparison of +that which I admire in my fellows. I hope that you may equal them, one +day; if I durst judge of it by the scheme of your nativity, which you did +me the honour to send me: but you give me cause to complain of you, Sir +(added he, smiling) in taking me even now for a Spirit. Not for a Spirit, +(said I to him) but I protest to you, Sir, that calling to my remembrance +on a sudden, what Cardan relates of his father; that being one day in his +study, he was visited by unknown persons, cloathed in divers colours; who +entertained him in a pleasant discourse concerning their nature and +employment. I understand you (interrupted the Count), they were Sylphes, +of which I shall talk to you hereafter: they are a kind of Aerial +substances; who sometimes come to consult the Sages concerning the books +of Averroes, which they do not well understand. Cardan was a coxcomb, for +publishing that amongst his subtilties: he had found those memories +amongst his father's papers, who was one of us, and who seeing that his +son was naturally a babbler, would teach him nothing of what was most +considerable; but let him puzzle his brains in Astrology, by which he was +not cunning enough to prevent his sons being hanged. This ass was the +cause of your doing me the injury to take me for a Sylphe. Injury (replied +I!) Why, Sir, should I be so unfortunate to--I am not angry at it +(interrupted he) since you are not obliged to know beforehand, that all +these elementary spirits are our disciples; for they are most happy, when +we will stoop so low, as to instruct them; and the least of our Sages is +more knowing than all those little gentlemen. But we shall talk more at +large of this, some more convenient time; it is sufficient for me to-day, +that I have had the satisfaction to see you. Endeavour, my son, to make +yourself worthy of receiving the Cabalistical Illuminations: the hour of +your regeneration is come; the fault is your own, if you become not a new +creature. He went out of my study, and I complained of his short visit, as +I waited on him back, that he had the cruelty to leave me so quickly, +after he had let me be so happy, as to have a glimpse of his light. But +having assured me with a grand grace that I should lose nothing by this +sudden departure, he got up into his coach, and left me in a surprise +which I am not able to express. I could not believe my own eyes, nor my +own ears: I'm sure (said I) that this is a man of great quality; that he +hath an estate of five thousand pounds a year, besides he appears very +accomplished. Is it possible that he can thus suffer himself to be filled +with these fooleries? He has talked to me of these Sylphes with great +earnestnes: should he prove a sorcerer in the upshot? and should I have +been deceived till now, in believing that there were no such things? But +suppose he was a Sorcerer, are there also some of them so devout as this +man appears to be? + +The Count was pleased to allow me all the night in Prayer, and in the +morning by break of day, he acquainted me with a note that he would come +to my house by eight of the clock, and that if I pleased, we might go and +take the air together. I waited for him; he came, and after reciprocal +civilities, let us go (said he to me) to some place where we may be free +together and where nobody may interrupt our discourse. + +He seeing that we were as free from company as he could desire said:--How +happy shall you be, my son, if heaven has the kindness to put those +dispositions into your soul, which the high mysteries require of you. You +are about to learn how to command nature; God above shall be your master, +and the Sages only shall be your equals, the supreme intelligences shall +esteem it as glory to obey your desires. When you shall be enrolled +amongst the children of Philosophy, and that your eyes shall be fortified +by the use of our sacred medicine, you shall immediately discover that the +Elements are inhabited by most perfect creatures, from the knowledge and +commerce of whom, the sin of the unfortunate Adam has excluded all his too +unhappy posterity. This immense space which is between the earth and the +Heavens, has more noble inhabitants than birds and flies; this vast ocean +has also other troops, besides dolphins and whales; the profundity of the +earth, is not only for moles; and the element of fire (more noble than the +other three) was not made to be unprofitable and void. + +The air is full of an innumerable multitude of people having human shape, +somewhat fierce in appearance, but tractable upon experience; great lovers +of the sciences, subtil, officious to the Sages, and enemies to sots and +ignorants. Their wives and their daughter have a kind of masculine beauty, +such as we describe the Amazons to have. How Sir (cried I), would you +persuade me, that these friends you speak of are married? + +Be not so fierce, my son (replied he) for so small a matter. Believe +whatsoever I tell you, to be solid and true. I am making known nothing to +you, but the principles of the antient Cabal, and there needs nothing more +to justify them, than that you should believe your own eyes; but receive +with a meek spirit the light which God sends you by my interposition. Know +that the Seas and Rivers are Inhabited, as well as the air: the ancient +Sages have called these kind of people Undians or Nymphs. They have but +few males amongst them, but the women are there in great numbers: their +beauty is marvellous, and the daughters of men have nothing in them +comparable to these. + +The earth is filled almost to the centre with Gnomes or Pharyes, a people +of small stature, the guardians of treasures, of mines, and of precious +stones. They are ingenious, friends of men, and easy to be commanded. They +furnish the children of the Sages with as much money as they have need of, +and never ask any other reward than the glory of being commanded. The +Gnomides or Wives of these Gnomes or Pharyes, are little, but very +handsome and their habit marvellously curious.... As for the Salamanders, +the inhabitants of the region of fire, they serve the Philosophers, but +they seek not for their company with any great eagerness. The wives of the +Salamanders are fair, nay, rather more fair than all others, seeing they +are of a purer element. You will be charmed more with the beauty of their +wit than of their body, yet you cannot choose but be grieved for these +poor wretches when they shall tell you that their soul is mortal, and that +they have no hope of enjoying eternal happiness, and of the Supreme Being, +which they acknowledge and religiously adore. They will tell us, that +being composed of the most pure parts of the elements which they inhabit, +and not having in them any contrary qualities, seeing they are made but of +one element, they die not but after many Ages, but alas! what is such a +Time, in respect of Eternity? They must eternally resolve into their +nothing. This consideration does sorely afflict them; and we have trouble +enough, to comfort them concerning it. + +Our Fathers, the Philosophers, speaking to God face to face, complained to +him of the unhappiness of these people, and God whose mercy is without +bounds, revealed to them, that it was not impossible to find out a remedy +for this evil. He inspired them, that by the same means as man, by the +alliance which he contracted with God, has been made partaker of Divinity: +the Sylphs, the Gnomes, the Nymphs, and the Salamanders by the alliance +which they might contract with man, might be made partakers of +immortality. So a She-Nymph or a Sylphide becomes Immortal, and capable of +the blessing to which we aspire, when they shall be so happy as to be +married to a Sage; a Gnome, or a Sylph ceases to be mortal, from the +moment that he espouses one of our daughters. + +Hence arose the error of the former ages, of Tertullian, of Justin Martyr, +of Lactantius, Cyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Athengoras the Christian +Philosopher, and generally of all the writers of that time. They had +learnt that these elementary Demi-men, had endeavoured a commerce with +maids, and they have from thence imagined that the fall of the angels had +not happened, but for the love which they were touched with after women. +Certain Gnomes, desirous of becoming immortal, had a mind to gain the good +affections of our daughters, and had brought abundance of precious stones +of which they are the natural guardians, and these authors, relying on the +Book of Enoch, which they misunderstood, thought that it was the attempt +which these Amorous Angels had offered to the chastity of our wives. In +the beginning these children of heaven begat famous giants by making +themselves beloved by the daughters of men, and the old Cabalists, +Josephine and Philo (as all the Jews are ignorant) and after them all the +other Authors, which I have just now named, as well as Origen and +Macrebius, and have not known that they were the Sylphs, and other people +of the elements that under the name of the Children of Elohim, are +distinguished from the children of men. Likewise that which the Sage Saint +Augustine, has had the modesty to leave undetermined, touching the +pursuits which those called Faunes or Satyrs, made after the Africans of +his time, is cleared by that which I have now alleged of the desire which +all these elementary inhabitants have, of allying themselves to men; as +the only means to attain to the immortality which they have not. + +No, no! Our Sages have never erred so as to attribute the fall of the +first Angels to their love of women, no more than they have put men under +the power of the Devil; by imputing all the adventures of the Nymphs and +Sylphs to him, of which the historians speak so largely. There was nothing +criminal in all that. They were the Sylphs, which endeavoured to become +Immortal. Their innocent pursuits, far enough from being able to +scandalize the Philosophers, have appeared so just to us, that we are all +resolved by common consent, utterly to renounce women; and entirely to +give ourselves to the immortalizing of the Nymphs and Satyrs. + +Good Lord (cried I) What do I hear? Was there ever such marvellous F----. +Yes, my son (interrupted the Count) admire the marvellous felicity of the +Sages! Instead of women, whose fading beauty passes away in a short time, +and is followed with horrible wrinkles and ugliness, the Philosophers +enjoy beauties which never wax old, and whom they have the glory to make +immortal. Guess at the love and the acknowledgment of those invisible +mistresses, and with what ardour they strive to please the charitable +philosopher, who labours to immortalize them. + +Ah! Sir (cried I once again), I renounce ----. Yes, you Sir, (pursued he, +without giving me the leisure to finish) Renounce the fading pleasures +which are to be had with women; the fairest among them all is loathsome in +respect of the homeliest Syphide: no displeasure ever follows our Sage +embraces. Miserable Ignorants! How should you complain, that ye have not +the power to taste of the Philosophick pleasures. Miserable Count de +Gabalis (interrupted I, in an accent mixed with Choler and Compasion) Will +you give me leave to tell you at last, that I renounce this senseless +wisdom; that I find this visionary philosophy very ridiculous; that I +detest the abominable embraces which make you affect these Phantasms; and +that I tremble for you, and wonder that some one of these pretended +Sylphides does not hurry you to Hell, in the middle of your transports and +raptures; and for fear, lest so honest a man as you, should not perceive +the end of your foolish Chymerick Zeal, and should not repent of so great +a crime. Oh! Oh! (answered he) mischief light on thy indocible spirit. His +action, I must confess, affrighted me; but it was yet worse, when I +perceived, that going further from me, he drew out of his pocket a Paper +which I could easily see at that distance to be full of Characters; yet I +could not well discern it. He read them gravely, and spake low. I guessed +that he was invoking some spirit for my ruin, and repented me more than a +little for my inconsiderate Zeal. If I escape this adventure (cried I), +I'll never have to do with a Cabalist more. I fixed my eyes upon him, as +upon a judge that was ready to condemn me to death; when at last I +perceived that his looks became serene. 'Tis hard, (said he, smiling, and +coming towards me again) 'Tis hard for you to kick against the Pricks. You +are a vessel of Election. Heaven has ordained you to be the greatest +Cabalist of your age. Behold the scheme of your Nativity, which cannot +fail. If it be not now, and that too by my means, 'twill be a great +wonder, as it appears by this Saturn retrograde. + +Alas, sir (said I to him) if I must become a Sage, it will never be but by +the means of the Great Gabalis; but to deal freely with you, I am afraid, +that you will find it a difficult matter to bend me to this Philosophical +mode. It seems (continued he) that you should be but ill read in Physicks, +that cannot be persuaded of the existence of these people? I know not +(answered I) but I cannot imagine that these can be anything else but +friends disguised. Do you still (said he) rather believe your own +Whimseys, than Natural Reason? than Plato, Pythagoras, Celsus, Psellus, +Proclus, Porphyrius, Jamlicus, Plotinus, Trismegistus, Noblius, Dorneus, +Fludd; than the great Phillippus Aureolus Theophractus Bombst Paracelsus +de Honeinhem; and than all our Society. + +I would believe you (answered I) as soon, nay sooner than all these; but, +dear sir, could you not so order the business with the rest of your +society, that I might not be obliged to have carnal knowledge of these +elementary ladies? Away, away (replied he) you have your own liberty, +without doubt; for nobody loves, unless he has a mind to it. Few of the +Sages have been able to defend themselves from their Charms, but it has +been observed that some reserving themselves wholly and entirely for +great things (as you will know in time), would never do this honour to +the Nymphs. I will be then of this number (said I), but yet neither can I +resolve to lose time about the ceremonies which I have heard a Prelate +say, must be practised by those who mean to converse with their Geniuses. +This Prelate knew not what he said (said the Count), for you shall see ere +long, that there are no Geniuses there; and besides, that never any Sage +employed either ceremonies or superstition for the familiarity of the +Geniuses, no more than for the people of whom we speak. + +The Cabalists do nothing, but by the principles of nature: and if there +are sometimes found in our books certain strange words, characters, or +fumigations, 'tis but to conceal the philosophical principles from the +ignorant. Admire the simplicity of Nature, in all her most marvellous +operations! And in this simplicity, a Harmony and Agreement so great, so +just, and so necessary that it will make you return back in despite of +yourself from your weak imaginations. That which I am now about to tell +you, we teach those of our disciples, which we will not let altogether +enter into the Sanctuary of Nature; and to whom we will nevertheless, not +utterly deprive of the Society of the elementary people, merely out of the +compassion which we have for these poor wretches. + +The Salamanders (as you have already, perhaps, comprehended) are composed +of the most subtile parts of the Sphere of Fire, conglobated and organized +by the action of the universal fire (concerning which, I shall one day +entertain you further) so called, because it is principal of all the +motions of nature. + +The Sylphes in like manner, are composed of the purest atoms of the air: +the Nymphs of the most delicate parts of the water, and the Gnomes of the +subtlest parts of the Earth. There was a great proportion betwixt Adam and +these so perfect Creatures; because they being composed of that which was +most pure in the four elements; he comprehended the perfection of these +four sorts of people, and was their natural King. But since the time that +his sin precipitated him into the excrements of the elements (as you shall +see hereafter) the Harmony was disordered, and there was no more +proportion, he being become impure and dull in respect of the substances +so pure and so subtil. What remedy for this evil? How shall we remount +this throne and recover this lost sovereignty? O Nature! Why do they study +thee so little? Do you not comprehend my son, with what simplicity nature +can render to man the goods which he has lost? Alas! Sir (replied I), I am +very ignorant in all these simplicities, you speak of. But yet (pursued +he) it is very easy to become knowing in them. + +If we would recover that empire over the Salamanders, we must purifie, and +exalt the element of fire which is in us, and raise up the tone of this +slackened string, we need do no more, but concentre the fire of the world +by concave mirrors in a globe of glass. And herein, is that great piece of +art which all the ancients have so religiously concealed, and which the +divine Theophrastus has discovered. There is formed in this globe a solar +powder, which being purified by itself from the mixture of other elements, +and being prepared according to art, becomes in a very little time, +sovereignly proper to exalt the fire which is in us, and make us become +(according to our phrase) of a fiery nature. From that time the +inhabitants of the sphere of fire become our inferiors, and ravished to +see our mutual harmony re-established, and that we once more approach to +them. They have all the kindness for us which they have for their own +species, all the respect which they owe to the image and to the lieutenant +of their Creator; and all the concern which may make evident in them, the +desire of obtaining by us the immortality which they want. 'Tis true that +as they are more subtil than those of the other elements, they live a very +long time, so they are not very forward to importune the Sages to make +them immortal. You may accommodate yourself with one of these, if the +aversion which you have witnessed to me last not with you to the end: +perchance, she will never speak to you of that which you fear so much. + +It will not be so with the Sylphs, the Gnomes and the Nymphs, for they +living a less time, have more need of us, and so their familiarity is more +easie to obtain. You need but shut up a glass filled with conglobated air, +water or earth, and expose it to the sun for a month; then separate the +element according to art, which is very easie to do, if it be earth or +water. 'Tis a marvellous thing to see, what a vertue any one of these +purified elements have to attract the Nymphs, Sylphs, and Gnomes. In +taking but never so little every day, for about a month together, one +shall see in the air the volant republique of the Sylphs; the Nymphs come +in shoals up the rivers, and the guardians of treasures, presenting you +with their riches. Thus, without characters, without ceremonies, without +barbarous words you become absolute master over all these people. They +require no worship of the Sages, since they know well enough that he is +nobler than they. Thus venerable nature teaches her children how to repair +the elements by the elements. Thus is harmony re-established. Thus man +recovers his natural empire, and can do all things in the elements, +without demons, or unlawful art. Thus you see, my son, that the Sages are +more innocent than you thought. You say nothing to me----. + +I admire sir (said I), and I begin to fear that you will make me to become +a Chymist. Ah! God preserve thee from that, my child (cried he). 'Tis not +to these fooleries that your nativity designs you, I will warrant you on +the contrary, from being troubled about that: I told you already, that the +Sages shew not these things, but to those whom they will not admit into +their society. You shall have all these advantages, and others infinitely +more glorious, and more pleasant, by ways clearly more philosophical. I +had not described those methods to you, but to let you see the innocence +of this Philosophy, and to take you out of these panic fears. + +I thank God, sir (answered I), I am not at present, in any such fear as I +was even now. And although I do not yet resolve upon the accommodation +which you propose to me with the Salamanders; I cannot refrain from having +the curiosity to learn how you have discovered that these Nymphs and these +Sylphs die. Truly (replied he) they tell us so, and we see them die. How +(said I) can you see them die, and yet your commerce renders them +immortal? That would be well (pursued he) if the number of the Sages +equalled the number of these people: besides that, there are many amongst +them, who rather choose to die, than hazard by becoming immortal, the +being so unhappy as they see the devils are. And 'tis the devil, who +inspired with these opinions: for there is no mischief, which he doth not +do to hinder the poor creatures from becoming immortal by our alliance. +Insomuch that I look upon it (and so ought you my son) as a most +pernicious temptation, and a motion of very little charity, to have this +aversion which you show to it. + +Moreover, as concerning their death, of which you speak: what was it that +obliged the Oracle of Apollo, to say, that all those who speak Oracles, +were mortal, as well as he; as Porphyrius reports? And, what think you, +was the meaning of that voice which was heard on all the coast of Italy, +and struck so great a terror into all those who were upon the sea? The +Great Pan is Dead! They were the people of the air: who gave notice to the +people of the water that the chiefest and most aged of all the Sylphs, was +newly dead. + +At that time when this voice was heard (said I to him) I suppose that the +world worshipped Pan and the Nymphs: and that these gentlemen, whose +commerce you are preaching of to me, were the false gods of the heathen. +'Tis true, my son (replied he) the Sages have always been of that +opinion, that the Devil never had the power to make himself worshipped. He +is too unhappy, and too weak, ever to have had this pleasure, and this +authority. But he has been able to persuade the elementary hosts to shew +themselves to men, and make men erect temples to them; and by the natural +dominion which every one has over the element which he inhabits, they +trouble the air, and the sea, set the earth in combustion, and dispense +the fire of heaven, according to their humour: insomuch that they had no +great trouble to be taken for Deities, so long as the sovereign being +dispensed the salvation of the world. But the devil never received all the +advantage of his malice, which he hoped he should; for it has happened +from thence, that Pan, the Nymphs, and the rest of the elementary people, +having found the means of changing this commerce of worship, into a +commerce of love; (for you may remember, that amongst the ancients, Pan +was the king of those gods whom they called Incubuses, and who always +earnestly sought the acquaintance of maids), many heathens have escaped +the devil, and shall never burn in hell. + +I do not well understand you, sir (said I) You have not minded me, to +understand me (continued he, smiling, and in a jeering tone). Behold what +you pass over! and likewise what your doctors pass over, who know not what +these excellent Physicks mean! Behold the great mystery of all this part +of philosophy, which concerns the elements, and which will take away (if +you have but never so little love for yourself), this repugnance to +philosophy, which you have witnessed to me this day! Know then, my son; +and go not about to divulge this great Arcanum to any unworthy ignorant. +Know, that as the Sylphs acquire an immortal soul, by the alliance which +they contract with the men who are predestinated; so also, the men who +have no right to eternal glory: those miserable wretches, whose +immortality is but a lamentable advantage, for whom the Messias was +sent-- + +Then, you gentlemen of the Cabal, are Jansenists likewise (interrupted I?) +We know not what that is, my child (proceeded he, somewhat angrily) and we +scorn to inform ourselves wherein consists the different sects and divers +religions, with which the ignorant puzzle their heads. We keep to the +ancient religion of our fathers, the Philosophers; wherein 'tis very +necessary that I instruct you. But come again to the purpose: these men +whose sad immortality is nothing but an eternal misfortune; the unhappy +children, whom the Sovereign Father has neglected, have also this +recourse, that they may become mortal, by contracting alliance with these +elementary people. So that you see, the Sages hazard nothing for Eternity. +If they are predestinated, they have the pleasure to carry with them to +heaven (in quitting the prison of this body) the Sylphide or Nymph, which +they have immortalised! and if they be not predestinated, the commerce of +the Nymph renders their soul mortal, and delivers them from the horrors of +the second death. So the Devil saw all the Pagans escape, who allied +themselves to the Nymphs: and so the Sages, or friends of the Sages, when +God inspires us to communicate to any one, the four elementary secrets +(which I have now been teaching you), free themselves from the Peril of +being damned. + +Without lying, sir (cried I, not daring to put him again into an ill +humour, and finding it requisite to defer the telling him plainly my +opinion, till I should have discovered all the secrets of his Cabal, which +I judged by this glimpse, must needs be very full of pleasure and +divertisement): without lying, you advance wisdom to a great height! And +you had reason to tell me, that this surpassed all our doctors; and I +believe, that this likewise passes all our magistrates too; and that, if +they could discover who those were that escaped the devil by this means +(as ignorance is very unjust), they would engage in the devil's interest, +against these fugitives and make a strong party for him. Yes, it is for +that (pursued the Count) that I have so strictly commanded you; to keep +religiously this secret. Your judges are strange persons. They condemn a +most innocent action as a dismal crime. What a barbarity was it, to burn +those two priests which the Prince of Miranda says he knew of, who had +each of them his Sylphide, for the space of forty years! What an inhuman +thing was it to put Joan Hervilles to death, for having laboured six and +forty years, to immortalise a Gnome! And, what a piece of ignorance was +that of Bodin, to represent her as a witch; and that from thence he might +take advantage to authorise popular errors, touching pretended Sorcerers; +in a book as impertinent as his Commonwealth is reasonable. + +But it is late; and I do not consider, that you have not yet dined. 'Tis +yourself, that you mean, sir (said I), for as for my part, I could listen +to you till to-morrow, without inconvenience. For me! Alas! (replied he, +laughing, and walking towards the gate), 'tis easily seen that you +understand but little what philosophy is. The Sages eat but for their +pleasure, and never for necessity. I had a quite contrary idea of Wisdom +(answered I), I had thought that you wise men should never eat but to +satisfy nature. You are abused (said the Count). How long think you, that +our Sages can subsist without eating? How can I tell? (answered I), Moses +and Elias, you know, fasted forty days: you Sages, I make no doubt, may do +it, some days less. What a great piece of business would that be (replied +he), the most wise men that ever was, the Divine, the almost adorable +Paracelsus, affirms, that he has seen many of the Sages fast twenty years, +without eating anything whatsoever. He himself, before he attained to the +monarchy of wisdom, whereof we have justly presented him the sceptre, he, +I say, would undertake to live many years without eating, by taking but +half a scruple of his Solar Quintescence. And if you would have the +pleasure to make any one live without victuals, you need do no more, but +prepare the earth, as I told you it must be prepared, for the Society of +the Gnomes: this earth applied to the navle, and renewed when it is dry, +will cause any one to live without eating or drinking, and that without +any trouble. + +And the use of this Catholic-Cabalistical Medicine, frees us much better +from all the importunate necessities, to which nature makes the ignorant +subject; we eat not, but when it pleases us; and all the superfluity of +food passing away by an insensible Transpiration, we are never ashamed to +be men. There he held his peace. + +In succeeding interviews the Count de Gabalis further explains to his +interlocutor the nature and pursuits of the elementary spirits; asserts +that it was they only, and not the vile gods of the Greeks and Romans, +that delivered the oracles of old; that they continually kept watch over +man to do him service, and to warn him of approaching evil. It was they +who sent omens and furnished him with the understanding to interpret them, +and who filled his mind with presentiments when some great calamity was +impending over him, that he might perchance avoid it. They also sent him +dreams for the regulation of his fate. But "alas," continues the Count, +"men ignorantly misunderstand and reject their kindness. A poor Sylph +hardly dares to shew himself lest he should be mistaken for an imp of +evil; an Undine cannot endeavour to acquire an immortal soul, by loving a +man, without running the risk of being considered a vile, impure phantom; +and a Salamander, if he shews himself in his glory, is taken for a devil, +and the pure light which surrounds him considered the fire of hell. It is +in vain that, to dispel these unworthy suspicions, they make the sign of +the cross when they appear, and bend their knees when the Divine name is +uttered. All their efforts are useless. Obstinate man persists in +considering them enemies of that God whom they know, and whom they adore +more religiously than men do. The prayer which you will find preserved by +Porphyne, and which was offered up in the Temple of Delphos for the +enlightenment of the Pagans, was the prayer of a Salamander." In short +without continuing to quote the words of the Count de Gabalis, he asserted +that all the supernatural appearances with which the history of every age +and nation was full, were to be, and could only be, explained by the +agency of these elemental sprites; that the deeds attributed to devils, +imps and witches, were the creations of a false and degrading +superstition, unworthy to be believed by philosophers. There were no +fiends with + + "----'aery tongues that syllable mens' names + On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses." + +but beneficent spirits, the friends of man. The _peris_ of eastern +romance, the _fées_, the _fatas_, and the fairies of European legends, +were names which, in their ignorance, the people of different countries +had given to the Sylphs. Vulcan, Bacchus, and Pan, though the Greeks did +not know it, were Gnomes; Neptune and Venus, and all the Naiads and +Nereids, were but the Undines of the Rosicrucians; Apollo was a +Salamander, and Mercury a Sylph; and not one of the personages of the +multifarious mythology of the Greeks and Romans, but could be ranged under +one or other of these classes. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_The Hermetick Romance; or Chymical Wedding._ + + +A remarkable work was published at Strasbourg, in the year 1616, entitled, +"The Hermetick Romance: or the Chymical Wedding. Written in High Dutch by +Christian Rosencreutz." This book though not given out to the world until +the above year, is said to have existed in manuscript for some time +previously, as far back in fact as 1601, thus making it the oldest +Rosicrucian book extant. A modern writer says: The whole Rosicrucian +controversy centres in this publication, which Buhle describes as a comic +romance of extraordinary talent. + +Owing to its importance, we shall have to make some lengthy extracts from +the translation made in 1690, by E. Foxcroft of King's College, Cambridge. +It is arranged in chapters, denominated days, marked from one to seven. + + +The First Day. + +On an evening before Easter Day, I sate at a Table, and having (as my +custom was) in my humble prayer sufficiently conversed with my Creator, +and considered many great mysteries (whereof the Father of Lights his +Majesty had shewn me not a few) and being now ready to prepare in my +heart, together with my dear Paschal Lamb, a small unleavened, undefiled +cake; all on a sudden ariseth so horrible a tempest, that I imagined no +other but that through its mighty force, the hill whereon my little house +was founded, would fly in pieces. But in as much as this, and the like +from the devil (who had done me many a spite) was no new thing to me; I +took courage and persisted in my meditation, till somebody (after an +unusual manner) touched me on the back; whereupon I was so highly +terrified, that I durst hardly look about me; yet I shewed myself as +cheerful as (in the like occurrences) human frailty would permit. Now the +same thing still twitching me several times by the coat, I looked back, +and behold it was a fair and glorious lady whose garments were all skye +colour, and curiously (like Heaven) bespangled with golden stars. In her +right hand she bare a trumpet of beaten gold, whereon a name was engraven +(which I could well read in) but am as yet forbidden to reveal it. In her +left hand she had a great bundle of letters of all languages, which she +(as I afterwards understood) was to carry into all countries. She had also +large and beautiful wings, full of eyes throughout, wherewith she could +mount aloft and fly swifter than any eagle. I might perhaps have taken +further notice of her, but because she staid so small a time with me, and +terror and amasement still possessed me, I was fain to be content. For as +soon as I turned about, she turned her letters over and over, and at +length drew out a small one, which with great reverence she laid down upon +the table, and without giving one word departed from me. But in her +mounting upwards, she gave so mighty a blast on her gallant trumpet, that +the whole hill echoed thereof, and for a full quarter of an hour after, I +could hardly hear my own words. + +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 +increase my profit and advantage, rear up stately palaces, make myself an +everlasting name in the world, and other the like carnal designs. But the +obscure words concerning the Three Temples did particularly afflict me, +which I was not able to make out by any after speculation, and perhaps +should not yet, had they not been wonderfully revealed to me. Thus +sticking betwixt hope and fear, examining myself again and again, and +finding my own frailty and impotency, not being in any wise able to +succour myself, and exceedingly amazed at the fore-mentioned threatening; +at length I betook myself to my usual and most secure course; after I had +finished my earnest and most fervent prayer, I laid me down in my bed, +that so perchance my good angel by the Divine permission might appear, and +(as it had formerly happened) instruct me in this doubtful affair, which +to the praise of God, my own good, and my neighbour's hearty and faithful +warning and amendment did now likewise fall out. For I was scarce fallen +asleep, when me-thought, I, together with a numberless multitude of men +lay fettered with great chains in a dark dungeon, wherein, without the +least glimpse of light, we swarmed like bees over one another, and thus +rendered each other's affliction more grievous. But although neither I, +nor any of the rest could see one jot; yet I continually heard one heaving +himself above the other, when his chains or fetters were become ever so +little lighter, though none of us had much reason to shove up the other, +since we were all captive wretches. Now as I with the rest had continued a +good while in this affliction, and each was still reproaching the other +with his blindness and captivity, at length we heard many trumpets +sounding together, and kettle-drums beating so artificially thereto, that +it even revived and rejoiced us in our calamity. + +During this noise, the cover of the dungeon was from above lifted up, and +a little light let down unto us. Then first might truly have been +discerned the bustle we kept, for all went pesle-mesle, and he who +perchance had too much heaved up himself, was forced down again under the +others feet. In brief, each one strove to be uppermost, neither did I +myself linger, but with my weighty fetters slipped up from under the rest, +and then heaved myself upon a stone, which I laid hold of; howbeit, I was +several times caught at by others, from whom yet as well as I might, with +hands and feet, I still guarded myself. For we imagined no other but that +we should all be set at liberty, which yet fell out quite otherwise. For +after the nobles, who looked upon us from above through the hole, had a +while recreated themselves with this our struggling and lamenting, a +certain hoary headed Ancient Man, called to us to be quiet, and having +scarce obtained it, began (as I still remember) thus to say:-- + + If wretched mankind would forbear + Themselves so to uphold, + Then sure on them much good confer + My righteous mother would. + But since the same will not insue + They must in care and Sorrow rue, + And still in Prison lie. + Howbeit my dear mother will + Their follies over-see, + Her choicest gifts permitting still + Too much in th' Light to be. + Though very rarely it may seem + That they may still keep some esteem, + Which else would pass for forgery. + Wherefore in honour of the Feast + We this day solemnize, + That so her Grace may be increast + A good deed she'll devise, + For now a cord shall be let down, + And whosoe'er can hang thereon, + Shall freely be releast. + +He had scarce done speaking, when an ancient matron commanded her servants +to let down the cord seven times into the dungeon, and draw up whosoever +could hang upon it. Good God! that I could sufficiently describe the hurry +and disquiet that then arose amongst us, for every one strove to get at +the cord, and yet only hindered each other. But after seven minutes a sign +was given by a little bell, whereupon at the first pull the servants drew +up four. At that time I could not come near the cord by much, having to my +huge misfortune, betaken myself to a stone at the wall of the dungeon, and +thereby was disabled to get to the cord which descended in the middle. The +cord was let down the second time, but divers because their chains were +too heavy, and their hands too tender, could not keep their hold on the +cord, but with themselves beat down many another, who else, perhaps, might +have held fast enough; nay, many an one was forcibly pulled off by another +who yet could not himself get at it; mutually envious were we even in this +our great misery. But they of all others most moved my compassion whose +weight was so heavy that they tore their very hands from their bodies, and +yet could not get up. Thus it came to pass that at these five times, very +few were drawn up. For as soon as the sign was given, the servants were +so nimble at the draught, that the most part tumbled one upon another, and +the cord, this time especially, was drawn up very empty. Whereupon the +greatest part, and even I myself, despaired of Redemption, and called upon +God that he would have pity on us, and (if possible) deliver us out of +this obscurity, who also then heard some of us: for when the cord came +down the sixth time, some of them hung themselves fast upon it, and whilst +in the drawing up, the cord swung from one side to the other, it (perhaps +by the will of God) came to me, which I suddenly catching, got uppermost +above all the rest, and so at length beyond hope came out; whereat I +exceedingly rejoiced, so that I perceived not the wound, which in the +drawing up I received on my head by a sharp stone, till I with the rest +who were released (as was always before done) was fain to help at the +seventh and last pull, at which time through straining, the blood ran down +all over my clothes, which I nevertheless for joy regarded not. Now when +the last draught whereon the most of all hung was finished, the matron +caused the cord to be laid away and willed her aged son (at which I much +wondered) to declare her resolution to the rest of the Prisoners, who +after he had a little bethought himself, spoke thus unto them: + + Ye children dear, + All present here, + What is but now compleat and done, + Was long before resolved on: + What ev'r my mother of great grace + To each on both sides here hath shewn + May never miscontent misplace; + The joyful time is drawing on, + When every one shall equal be, + None wealthy, none in penury. + Who ev'r receiveth great commands, + Hath work enough to fill his hands. + Who ev'r with much hath trusted been, + 'Tis well if he may save his skin. + Wherefore your lamentations cease, + What is't to waite for some few days. + +As soon as he had finished the words, the cover was again put and locked +down, and the trumpet and kettle-drums began afresh, yet could not the +noise thereof be so loud but that the bitter lamentation of the prisoners +which arose in the dungeon was above all, which soon also caused my eyes +to run over. Presently after the ancient matron, together with her son, +sat down upon seats before prepared, and commanded the Redeemed should be +told. Now as soon as she understood the number, and had written it down in +a gold-yellow tablet, she demanded every one's name, which were also +written down by a little page; having viewed us all, one after another, +she sighed, and spoke to her son, so as I could well hear her. 'Ah? how +heartily am I grieved for the poor men in the dungeon! I would to God, I +durst release them all,' whereunto her son replied; 'It is, mother, thus +ordained of God, against whom we may not contend. In case we all of us +were lords, and possessed all the goods upon earth, and were seated at +table, who would there then be to bring up the service?' whereupon his +mother held her peace, but soon after she said; 'Well, however, let these +be freed from their fetters,' which was likewise presently done, and I, +except a few, was the last, yet could I not refrain, but (though I still +looked upon the rest) bowed myself before the ancient matron, and thanked +God that through her, He had graciously and fatherly vouchsafed to bring +me out of such darkness into the light: after me the rest did likewise, to +the satisfaction of the matron. Lastly, to every one was given a piece of +gold for a remembrance, and to spend by the way; on the one side whereof +was stamped the rising sun, on the other (as I remember) these three +letters, D. L. S., and therewith everyone had license to depart, and was +sent to his own business, with this annexed intimation, that we to the +glory of God should benefit our neighbours, and reserve in silence what we +had been intrusted with, which we also promised to do, and so departed one +from another. But in regard of the wounds which the fetters had caused me, +I could not well go forward, but halted on both feet, which the matron +presently espying, laughing at it, and calling me again to her, said thus +to me, My son, let not this defect afflict thee, but call to mind thy +infirmities, and therewith thank God who hath permitted thee even in this +world, and in the state of thy imperfection to come into so high a light, +and keep these wounds for my sake. Whereupon the trumpets began again to +sound, which so affrighted me that I awoke, and then first perceived that +it was only a dream, which yet was so strongly impressed upon my +imagination, that I was still perpetually troubled about it, and methought +I was yet sensible of the wounds on my feet. Howbeit, by all these things +I well understood that God had vouchsafed that I should be present at this +mysterious and hidden wedding; wherefore with child-like confidence I +returned thanks to his Divine Majesty, and besought him that he would +further preserve me in this fear, that he would daily fill my heart with +wisdom and understanding, and at length graciously (without my desert) +conduct me to the desired end. Hereupon I prepared myself for the way, put +on my white linen coat, girded my loins with blood-red ribbon, bound +crossways over my shoulder; in my hat I stuck four red roses, that I might +sooner by this token be taken notice of among the throng. For food I took +bread, salt, and water, which by the counsel of an understanding person, I +had at certain times used, not without profit, in the like occurrences. +Before I parted from my cottage I first in this dress and wedding garment, +fell down on my knees and besought God, that in case such a thing were, +he would vouchsafe me a good issue. And thereupon in the presence of God I +made a vow, that if anything through his grace should be revealed unto me, +I would employ it neither to my own honour nor authority in the world, but +to the spreading of his name, and the services of my neighbour. And with +this vow and good hope, I departed out of my cell with joy. + + +The Second Day. + +I was hardly got outside of my Cell into a Forest, when methought that the +whole heavens had already trimmed themselves against this wedding, for +even the birds in my opinion chanted more pleasantly than before, and the +young fawns skipped so merrily that they rejoiced my old heart, and moved +me to sing. At length I espied a curious green heath, whither I betook +myself out of the forest. Upon the heath stood three tall Cedars, to one +of which was fastened a tablet, upon which was curious writing, offering +to him who had heard anything concerning the nuptials of the king, four +ways, all of which would lead to the royal court. The reader was exhorted +to choose which he would, and to persevere therein, receiving at the same +time warning as to the dangers to which he would be committed. As soon as +I had read this writing, all my joy was near vanished again, and I, who +before sang merrily, began now inwardly to lament, for although I saw all +the three ways before me, and understood that henceforward it was +vouchsafed me to make choice of one of them; yet it troubled me that in +case I went the stormy and rocky way, I might get a miserable and deadly +fall; or taking the long one, I might wander out of it through byways, or +be otherwise detained in the great journey. Neither durst I hope that I +should be the very he, who should choose the royal way. I saw likewise the +fourth before me, but it was so invironed with fire and exhalations, that +I durst not draw near it, and therefore again and again considered +whether I should return back, or take any of the ways before me. I +presently drew out my bread and cut a slice of it, which a snow white +dove, of whom I was not aware, sitting upon the tree, espyed and thereupon +came down and betook herself very familiarly to me, to whom I willingly +imparted my food, which she received, and so with her prettiness did again +a little refresh me. But as soon as her enemy, a black raven, perceived +it, he straight darted himself down upon the dove, and taking no notice of +me, would needs force away the dove's meat, who could no otherwise guard +herself but by flight; whereupon they both together flew towards the +south, at which I was so hugely incensed and grieved, that without +thinking what I did, I made haste after the filthy raven and so against my +will ran into one of the forementioned ways a whole field's length, and +thus the raven being chased away, and the dove delivered, I then first +observed what I had inconsiderately done, and that I was already entered +into a way, from which under peril of great punishment I durst not retire, +and though I had still wherewith in some measure to comfort myself, yet +that which was worst of all to me was, that I had left my bag and bread at +the tree, and could never retrieve them again. At length upon a high hill +afar off I espied a stately portal, to which not regarding how far it was +distant, I hasted, because the sun had already hid himself under the +hills, and I could elsewhere espy no abiding place, and this verily I +ascribe only to God, who might well have permitted me to go forward in +this way, and with-held my eyes that so I might have gazed beside this +gate, to which I now made mighty haste, and reached it by so much +daylight, as to take a very competent view of it. Now it was an exceeding +Royal beautiful portal. As soon as I was come under it there stepped forth +one in a sky coloured habit, whom I in friendly manner saluted, which +though he thankfully returned it, yet he instantly demanded of me my +letter of invitation. O how glad was I that I had then brought it with +me. I quickly presented it, wherewith he was not only satisfied, but +showed me abundance of respect, saying, come in, my brother, an acceptable +guest you are to me; and withall intreated me not to with-hold my name +from him. Now having replied that I was a brother of the Red-Rosie Cross, +he both wondered and seemed to rejoice at it, and then proceeded thus, My +brother, have you nothing about you wherewith to purchase a token? I +answered my ability was small, but if he saw anything about me he had a +mind to, it was at his service. Now he having requested of me my bottle of +water, and I granted it, he gives me a golden token, whereon stood no more +but these two letters, S. C., intreating me that when it stood me in good +stead, I would remember him. After which I asked him, how many were got in +before me, which he also told me, and lastly out of mere friendship, gave +me a sealed letter to the second porter. Now having lingered some time +with him, the night grew on, whereupon a great beacon upon the gate was +immediately fired, that so if any were still upon the way, he might make +haste thither. At length after sufficient information, and an advantageous +instruction, I friendly departed from the first porter. On the way, +though, I would gladly have known what was written in my letter, yet since +I had no reason to mistrust the porter, I forbare my purpose, and so went +on the way, until I came likewise to the second gate which although it was +very like the other, yet was it adorned with images and mystic +significations. Under this gate lay a terrible grim lion, chain'd, who as +soon as he espied me arose and made at me with great roaring: whereupon +the second porter, who lay upon a stone of marble, awaked, and wished me +not to be troubled or affrighted, and then drove back the lion, and having +received the letter, which I with trembling reached him, he read it, and +with very great respect, spoke thus to me; Now well-come in God's Name +unto me the man who of long time I would gladly have seen. Meanwhile he +also drew out a token, and asked me whether I could purchase it. But I +having nothing else but my salt, presented it to him, which he thankfully +accepted. Upon this token again stood only two letters, namely, S. M. +Being now just about to enter discourse with him, it began to ring in the +Castle, whereupon the porter counselled me to run apace, or else all the +pains and labour I had hitherto taken would serve to no purpose, for the +lights above began all ready to be extinguished; whereupon I dispatched +with such great haste that I heeded not the porter, in such anguish was I, +and truly it was but necessary, for I could not run so fast but that the +Virgin, after whom all the lights were put out, was at my heels, and I +should never have found the way, had not she with her torch, afforded me +some light. I was moreover constrained to enter the very next to her, and +the gate was so suddenly clapped to, that a part of my coat was locked +out, which I verily was forced to leave behind me, for neither I nor they +who stood ready without and called at the gate could prevail with the +porter to open it again, but he delivered the keys to the Virgin, who took +them with her into the court. Under this gate I was again to give my name, +which was this last time written down in a little vellum book, and +immediately with the rest dispatched to the Lord Bridegroom. Here it was +where I first received the true Guest-Token, which was somewhat less than +the former, but yet much heavier; upon this stood three letters S. P. N. +Besides this, a new pair of shoes were given me, for the floor of the +castle was laid with pure shining marble; my old shoes I was to give way +to one of the poor who sat in throngs under the gate. Two pages, with as +many torches, then conducted me into a little room; there they willed me +to sit down on a form, which I did, but they, sticking their torches in +two holes in the pavement, departed, and left me thus alone. Soon after I +heard a noise, but saw nothing, and it proved to be certain men who +stumbled in upon me; but since I could see nothing I was fain to suffer +and attend what they would do with me, but presently perceiving them to be +barbers, I intreated them not to justle me so, for I was content to do +whatever they desired, whereupon they quickly let me go, and so one of +them fine and gently cut away the hair round about from the crown of my +head, but on my forehead, ears, and eyes, he permitted my grey locks to +hang. + +In this first encounter I was ready to despair, for inasmuch as some of +them shoved me so forcibly, and I could yet see nothing I could think no +other but that God, for my curiosity, had suffered me to miscarry. Now +these invisible barbers carefully gathered up the hair which was cut off +and carried it away with them. After which the two pages entered again, +and heartily laughed at me for being so terrified. But they had scarcely +spoken a few words with me when again a little bell began to ring, which +was to give notice for assembling, whereupon they willed me rise, and +through many walks, doors, and winding stairs lighted me into a spacious +hall. In this room was a great multitude of guests, emperors, kings, +princes, and lords, noble and ignoble, rich and poor, and all sorts of +people, at which I hugely marvelled, and thought to myself, ah, how gross +a fool hast thou been to engage upon this journey with so much bitterness +and toil, when here are even those fellows whom thou well knowest, and yet +had'st never any reason to esteem. They are now all here, and thou with +all thy prayers and supplications art hardly got in at last. This, and +more, the devil at that time injected, whom I notwithstanding (as well as +I could) directed to the issue. Meantime one or other of my acquaintance +here and there spake to me: Oh Brother Rosencreutz! art thou here too? +Yea, my brethren, replied I, the grace of God hath helped me in also; at +which they raised a mighty laughter, looking upon it as ridiculous that +there should be need of God in so slight an occasion. Now having demanded +each of them concerning his way, and found that most were forced to +clamber over the rocks, certain trumpets (none of which we saw) began to +sound to the table, whereupon they all seated themselves, everyone as he +judged himself above the rest, so that for me and some other sorry fellows +there was hardly a little nook left at the lower-most table. Presently the +two pages entered, and one of them said grace; after this meat was brought +in, and albeit none could be seen, yet everything was so orderly managed, +that it seemed to me as if every guest had had his proper attendant. Now +my artists having somewhat recruited themselves, and the wine having a +little removed shame from their hearts, they presently began to vaunt and +brag of their abilities. One would prove this, another that, and commonly +the most sorry idiots made the loudest noise. Ah, when I call to mind what +preternatural and impossible enterprises I then heard, I am still ready to +vomit at it. In fine they never kept in their order, but whenever one +rascal here, another there, could insinuate himself in between the nobles; +then pretended they the finishing of such adventures as neither Sampson +nor yet Hercules with all their strength could ever have achieved. This +would discharge Atlas of his burden; the other would again draw forth the +three-headed Cerberus out of Hell. In brief, every man had his own prate, +and yet the great lords were so simple that they believed their pretences, +and the rogues so audacious, that although one or other of them was here +and there rapped over the fingers with a knife, yet they flinched not at +it, but when any one perchance had filched a gold chain, then would all +hazard for the like. I saw one who heard the rustling of the heavens. The +second could see Plato's ideas. A third could number Democritus's atoms. +There were also not a few pretenders to perpetual motion. Many an one (in +my opinion) had good understanding, but assumed too much to himself, to +his own destruction. Lastly, there was one also who would needs out of +hand persuade us that he saw the servitors who attended, and would still +have pursued his contention, had not one of those invisible waiters +reached him so handsome a cuff upon his lying muzzle, that not only he, +but many who were by him became as mute as mice. But it best of all +pleased me, that all those, of whom I had any esteem were very quiet in +their business, and made no loud cry of it, but acknowledged themselves to +be _misunderstanding_ men, to whom the mysteries of nature were too high, +and they themselves much too small. In this tumult I had almost cursed the +day wherein I came hither, for I could not but with anguish behold that +those lewd vain people were above at the board, but I in so sorry a place +could not, however, rest in peace, one of those rascals scornfully +reproaching me for a motley fool. Now I thought not that there was yet one +gate behind, through which we must pass, but imagined I was during the +whole wedding, to continue in this scorn, contempt and indignity, which +yet I had at no time deserved, either of the Lord Bridegroom or the Bride, +and therefore (in my opinion) he should have done well to have sought out +some other fool to his wedding than me. Behold, to such impatience doth +the iniquity of this world reduce simple hearts. But this really was one +part of my lameness, whereof I dreamed. And truly this clamour the longer +it lasted, the more it increased. For there were already those who boasted +of false and imaginary visions, and would persuade us of palpably lying +dreams. Now there sat by me a very fine quiet man, who oftentimes +discoursed of excellent matters, at length he said, Behold, my brother, if +any one should now come who were willing to instruct these blockish people +in the right way, would he be heard? No, verily, replied I. The world, +said he, is now resolved (whatever comes on it) to be cheated, and cannot +abide to give ear to those who intend its good. Seest thou also that same +coxcomb, with what whimsical figures and foolish conceits he allures +others to him. There, one makes mouths at the people with unheard of +mysterious words. Yet believe me in this, the time is now coming when +those shameful Vizards shall be plucked off, and all the world shall know +what vagabond impostors were concealed behind them. Then perhaps that will +be valued which at present is not esteemed. Then there began in the hall +such excellent and stately music as all the days of my life I never heard +the like of. After half an hour this music ceased. Presently after began a +great noise of kettle drums, trumpets, etc. The door opened of itself and +many thousand small tapers came into the hall, all which of themselves +marched in so very exact order as altogether amazed us, till at last the +two fore-mentioned pages with bright torches, lighting in a most beautiful +virgin, all drawn on a gloriously gilded triumphant self-moving throne, +entered the hall. It seemed to me she was the very same who before on the +way kindled and put out the lights, and that these her attendants were the +very same whom she formerly placed at the trees. She was not now as before +in sky colour, but arrayed in a snow white glittering robe which sparkled +of pure gold and cast such a lustre that we durst not steadily behold it. + +Such guests as chose to stay throughout the night, having announced their +intention of so doing, were bound in their chambers with cords, in such a +way that they could by no means free themselves. At length in my sorrowful +thoughts I fell asleep. + + +The Third Day. + +On the morrow all being assembled, the Trumpets, etc., began again to +sound and we imagined that the Bridegroom was ready to present himself, +which nevertheless was a huge mistake. For it was again the yesterday's +Virgin who had arrayed herself all in red velvet and girded herself with a +white scarf. Her train was now no more of small tapers, but consisted of +two hundred men in harness who were all clothed in red and white. As soon +as they were alighted from the throne, she comes straight to us prisoners, +and after she had saluted us, she said in a few words: That some of you +have been sensible of your wretched condition is hugely pleasing to my +most mighty lord, and he is also resolved you shall fare the better for +it. And having espied me in my habit, she laughed and spake, good lack! +Hast thou also submitted thyself to the yoke? I imagined thou would'st +have made thyself very snug, which words caused my eyes to run over. After +which she commanded we should be unbound, and coupled together and placed +in a station where we might behold the scales, for, said she, it may yet +fare better with them than with the presumptuous who yet stand here at +liberty. Meanwhile the scales which were entirely of gold were hung up in +the midst of the hall. There was also a little table covered with red +velvet, and seven weights placed thereon. First of all stood a pretty +great one, next four little ones, lastly, two great ones severally; and +these weights in proportion to their bulk were so heavy that no man can +believe or comprehend it. The Virgin having sprung up into her high +throne, one of the pages commanded each one to place himself according to +his order, and one after the other, step into the scales. One of the +emperors made no scruple of it, but first of all bowed himself a little +towards the Virgin, and afterwards in all his stately attire went up, +whereupon each captain laid in his weight, which (to the wonder of all) he +stood out. But the last was too heavy for him, so that forth he must, and +that with such anguish that the Virgin herself had pity on him, yet was +the good emperor bound and delivered over to the sixth band. Next came +forth another emperor, who stepped haughtily into the scale and having a +great thick book under his gown, he imagined not to fail; but being scarce +able to abide the third weight, and being unmercifully slung down, and +his book in that affrightment slipping from him, all the soldiers began to +laugh, and he was delivered up bound to the third band. Thus it went with +some others of the emperors. After these came forth a little short man +with a curled beard, an emperor too, who after the usual reverence got up +also, and held out so steadfastly, that methought had there been more +weights ready, he would have outstood them; to whom the Virgin immediately +arose, and bowed before him, causing him to put on a gown of red velvet, +and at last reached him a branch of laurel, having good store of them upon +her throne, upon the steps whereof she willed him to sit down. After him, +how it fared with the rest of the emperors, kings and lords would be too +long to recount, but I cannot leave unmentioned that few of those great +personages held out. After the inquisition had also passed over the +gentry, the learned, and unlearned, and the rest, and in each condition +perhaps one, it may be, two, but for the most part none, was found +perfect, it came at length to those honest gentlemen the vagabond +cheaters, and rascally Lapidem Spitalanficum, who were set upon the scale +with such scorn that I myself for all my grief was ready to burst with +laughing, neither could the very prisoners themselves refrain, for the +most part could not abide that severe trial, but with whips and scourges +were jerked out of the scale, and led to the other prisoners. Thus of so +great a throng so few remained, that I am ashamed to discover their +number. + +The Inquisition being completely finished, and none but we poor coupled +hounds standing aside, at length one of the captains stepped forth and +said, Gracious Madam, if it please your ladyship, let these poor men who +acknowledged their misunderstanding be set upon the scale, also without +their incurring any danger of penalty, and only for recreation's sake, if +perchance anything that is right may be found amongst them. We being +untied were one after another set up. My companion was the fifth who held +out bravely, whereupon all, but especially the captain, applauded him, and +the Virgin shewed him the usual respect. I was the eighth. Now as soon as +(with trembling) I stepped up, my companion who already sat by in his +velvet, looked friendly upon me, and the Virgin herself smiled a little. +But for as much as I outstayed all the weights, the Virgin commanded them +to draw me up by force, wherefore three men moreover hung on the other +side of the beam, and yet could nothing prevail. Whereupon one of the +pages immediately stood up and cried out exceeding loud, THAT'S HE, upon +which the other replied, then let him gain his liberty, which the Virgin +acceded, and being received with due ceremonies, the choice was given me +to release one of the captives, whosoever I pleased. Afterwards a Council +of the seven captains and us was set, and the business was propounded by +the Virgin as president, who desired each one to give his opinion, how the +prisoners were to be dealt with. + + * * * * * + +The story is a long one, and we must present the rest only in outline. It +goes on to say that the kinds of punishment to be dealt out to the +prisoners were then discussed and arranged, after which another banquet +took place, when these captives were required to make confession of being +cheats and vagabonds, which after some expostulation they agreed to, +appealing at the same time for mercy which was refused, though variations +in the degrees of punishment were promised. + +When the sentences had all been executed, there came forward "a beautiful +snow white Unicorn with a golden collar about his neck. In the same place +he bowed himself down upon both his fore feet, as if hereby he had shewn +honour to the Lyon, who stood so immoveably upon the fountain, that I took +him to be of stone or brass, who immediately took the naked sword, which +he bare in his Paw and break it in the middle in two, the pieces whereof +to my thinking sunk into the fountain, after which he so long roared, +until a white dove brought a branch of olive in her bill, which the Lyon +devoured in an instant, and so was quieted. And so the Unicorn returned to +his place with joy, while our Virgin led us down by the winding stairs." + +The narrative grows complicated as it proceeds, and none the less strange +in its character; its details are inexplicable and tedious, and it will be +impossible to lay them before our readers. The writer proceeds to describe +his rambles about the castle, the wonders which there met his gaze, his +respectful treatment at the banquet, and a problem proposed by the Virgin +which was duly debated by each in turn. + + +Fourth Day. + +Presented to the King by the Virgin who explained that the lords had +ventured hither with peril of body and life--assured by Atlas of the +King's welcome--promised by the Virgin that she would remove the burden of +his old age--performance of a comedy. + + +Fifth Day. + +Further explorations of the castle--discovery of the burial place of Lady +Venus, "that beauty which hath undone many a great man both in fortune, +honour, blessing, and prosperity." Journey with the Virgin to the Tower of +Olympus. + + +Sixth Day. + +Distribution by lot of Ladders, Ropes and Wings--the mysterious +bird--restoring the dead to life. + + +Seventh Day. + +"After eight o'clock I awaked and quickly made myself ready, being +desirous to return again into the tower, but the dark passages in the wall +were so many and various that I wandered a good while before I could find +the way out. The same happened to the rest, too, till at last we all met +again in the neathermost vault, and habits entirely yellow were given us, +together with our golden fleeces. At that time the Virgin declared to us +that we were Knights of the Golden Stone, of which we were before +ignorant. After we had now thus made ourselves ready and taken our +breakfasts, the old man presented each of us with a medal of gold; on the +one side stood these words: AR. NAT. MI. On the other these, TEM. NA. F. + +Exhorting us, moreover, we should enterprise nothing beyond and against +this token of remembrance. Herewith we went to the sea, where our ships +lay so richly equipped, that it was not well possible but that such brave +things must first have been brought thither. The ships were twelve in +number; our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sate in Libra. +Besides other things, our ship had also a noble and curious clock, which +shewed us all the minutes. The ships passed on and before we had sailed +two hours the mariner told us that he already saw the whole lake almost +covered with ships, by which we could conjecture they were come but to +meet us, which also proved true. As soon as they were well in ken of us, +the pieces were discharged on both sides, and there was such a din of +trumpets, shalms, and kettledrums that all the ships upon the sea capered +again. Finally as soon as we came near they brought our ships together and +so made a stand. Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King's +behalf, making a short but handsome oration, wherein he welcomed us and +demanded whether the royal presents were in readiness. The rest of my +companions were in an huge amazement, whence this king should arise, for +they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him. We suffered +them to continue in their wonderment, and carried ourselves as if it +seemed strange to us too. After Atlas's oration, out steps our old man +making somewhat a larger reply, wherein he wished the King and Queen all +happiness and increase, after which he delivered up a curious small +casket, but what was in it I know not; only it was committed to Cupid, who +hovered between them both, to keep. After the oration was finished, they +again let off a joyful volley of shot, and so we sailed on a good time +together, till at length we arrived at another shore. This was near the +first gate at which I first entered. At this place again there attended a +great multitude of the King's family together with some hundreds of +horses. Our old lord and I most unworthy were to ride even with the King, +each of us bearing a snow white ensign, with a red cross. I had fastened +my tokens round my hat of which the young King soon took notice, and +demanded if I were he, who could at the gate redeem those tokens? I +answered in the most humble manner, Yes. But he laughed on me, saying, +there henceforth needed no ceremony; I was his father. Then he asked +wherewith I had redeemed them. I replied, with water and salt, whereupon +he wondered who had made me so wise, upon which I grew somewhat more +confident, and recounted unto him, how it had happened to me with my +bread, the dove, and the raven, and he was pleased with it, and said +expressly that it must needs be that God had herein vouchsafed me a +singular happiness.... Meantime the tables were prepared in a spacious +room, in which we had never been before; into this we were conducted with +singular pomp and ceremony. This was the last noblest meal at which I was +present. After the banquet the tables were suddenly taken away, and +certain curious chairs placed round about in circle, in which we together +with the King and Queen, both their old men, the ladies and virgins were +to sit. After which a very handsome page opened the above mentioned +glorious little book, when Atlas immediately placing himself in the midst, +began to bespeak us to the ensuing purpose. That his royal majesty had not +yet committed to oblivion the service we had done, and how carefully we +had attended our duty, and therefore by way of retribution had elected all +and each of us Knights of the Golden Stone. That it was therefore further +necessary not only once again to oblige ourselves towards his royal +majesty, but to now swear too upon the following articles, and then his +royal majesty would likewise know how to behave himself towards his liege +people. Upon which he caused the page to read over the articles, which +were these:-- + +1.--You my lords the knights, shall swear, that you shall at no time +ascribe your order either unto any devil, or spirit, but only to God your +Creator, and his handmaid Nature. + +2.--That you will abominate all whoredom, incontinency and uncleanness, +and not defile your order with such vices. + +3.--That you through your talents will be ready to assist all that are +worthy, and have need of them. + +4.--That you desire not to employ this honour to worldly pride and high +authority. + +5.--That you shall not be willing to live longer than God will have you. + +Now being to vow to them all by the King's sceptre, we were afterwards +with the usual ceremonies installed knights, and amongst other privileges +set our ignorance, poverty and sickness; to handle them at our pleasure. +And this was afterwards ratified in a little chapel, and thanks returned +to God for it. And because every one was there to write his name, I writ +thus, + + Summa Scientia nihil Scire, + Fr. Christianus Rosencreutz, + Eques aurei Lapidis, + Anno 1549." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Conclusion--Modern Rosicrucianism._ + + +In Notes and Queries for Nov. 15th, 1886, we find the following:--"In the +Student's Encyclopĉdia, published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1883, I find +the following twofold statement: 'Even to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said +to exist in London, whose members claim by asceticism to live beyond the +allotted age of man, and to which the late Lord Lytton vainly sought +admission.' May I ask whether anything authentic can be learnt (1) as to +the existence of these modern Rosicrucians, and (2) as to Lord Lytton's +failure to gain admission among them?" + +In the number of Dec. 13 of the same year, the above query was thus +answered: "The Soc. Rosic. in Anglia still holds several meetings a year +in London. The Fratres investigate the occult sciences; but I am not aware +that any of them now practice asceticism, or expect to prolong life on +earth indefinitely. It is not customary to divulge the names of candidates +who have been refused admission to the first grade, that of Zelator, so +must ask to be excused from answering the question as to Lord Lytton. + + WYNN WESTCOTT, _M.B., Magister Templi_." + +In September of the previous year a correspondent asked if any one could +inform him if there were still any members of the society of the Rosy +Cross (or Rosicrucians); and if there were, how could one communicate with +them? Also if there were still any alchemists searching for the +philosopher's stone and the transmutation of metals? This evoked the +following reply:-- + +"Some say the modern Rosicrucians are the same as the Freemasons; but as +in the main they lived isolated, they could have been but slightly +connected with the masons. The range of celebrated men included in the +society is large:--Avicenna, Roger Bacon, Cardan, down to Mr. Peter +Woulfe, F.R.S., who lived at No. 2, Barnard's Inn, and was, according to +Mr. Brand, the last true believer in alchemy. But no doubt some few still +dabble in these occult things." Notes and Queries, Series 6, vol 8, 317. + +On the same page of the same volume we have:--"The Rosicrucians are now +(how I know not) incorporate with, and form one of the highest ranks, if +not the highest rank, of English Freemasons." Also:--"In reply to Charles +D. Sunderland, allow me to say there are yet living both Rosicrucians and +Alchemists." + +De Quincey does not hesitate for a moment in deciding as to the identity +between Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. He says:--"I shall now undertake +to prove that Rosicrucianism was transplanted to England, where it +flourished under a new name, under which name it has been since +re-exported to us in common with other countries of Christendom. For I +affirm as the main thesis of my concluding labours, that Freemasonry is +neither more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who +transplanted it to England." He then proceeds with an argument to shew +this identity between the two, an argument to which our limited space +forbids us to do more than briefly allude. He says:--"In 1633 we have seen +that the old name was abolished; but as yet no new name was substituted; +in default of such a name they were styled _ad interim_ by the general +term, wise men. This, however, being too vague an appellation for men who +wished to form themselves into a separate and exclusive society, a new one +had to be devised bearing a more special allusion to their characteristic +objects. Now the immediate hint for the Masons was derived from the legend +contained in the _Fama Fraternitatis_, of the "House of the Holy Ghost." +This had been a subject of much speculation in Germany; and many had been +simple enough to understand the expression of a literal house, and had +inquired after it up and down the empire. But Andrea had made it +impossible to understand it in any other than an allegoric sense, by +describing it as a building that would remain invisible to the godless +world for ever." Theophilus Schweighart also had spoken of it thus: "It is +a building," says he, "a great building, _carens fenestris et foribus_, a +princely, nay an imperial palace, everywhere visible, and yet not seen by +the eyes of man." This building in fact, represented the purpose or object +of the Rosicrucians. And what was that? It was the secret wisdom, or, in +their language, _magic_--viz., 1. Philosophy of nature, or occult +knowledge of the works of God; 2. Theology, or the occult knowledge of God +himself; 3. Religion, or God's occult intercourse with the spirit of man, +which they imagined to have been transmitted from Adam through the +Cabbalists to themselves. But they distinguished between a carnal and a +spiritual knowledge of this magic. The spiritual knowledge is the business +of Christianity, and is symbolised by Christ himself as a rock, and a +building of human nature, in which men are the stones and Christ the +corner stone. But how shall stones move and arrange themselves into a +building? "They must become living stones." But what is a living stone? "A +living stone is a mason who builds himself up into the wall as a part of +the temple of human nature." In these passages we see the use of the +allegoric name masons upon the extinction of the former name. In other +places Fludd expresses this still more distinctly. The society was +therefore to be a masonic society, in order to represent typically that +temple of the Holy Spirit which it was their business to erect in the +spirit of man. This temple was the abstract of the doctrine of Christ, who +was the Grand-master: hence the light from the East, of which so much is +said in Rosicrucian and Masonic books. After pursuing the matter in a +similar strain somewhat further, De Quincey sums up the results of his +inquiry into the origin and nature of Freemasonry as follows:-- + +1. The original Freemasons were a society that arose out of the +Rosicrucian mania, certainly within the thirteen years from 1633 to 1646, +and probably between 1633 and 1640. Their object was magic in the +cabbalistic sense--_i.e._, the occult wisdom transmitted from the +beginning of the world, and matured by Christ; to communicate this when +they had it, to search for it when they had it not: and both under an oath +of secrecy. + +2. The object of Freemasonry was represented under the form of Solomon's +Temple, as a type of the true Church, whose cornerstone is Christ. This +Temple is to be built of men, or living stones: and the true method and +art of building with men it is the province of magic to teach. Hence it is +that all the masonic symbols either refer to Solomon's Temple, or are +figurative modes of expressing the ideas and doctrines of magic in the +sense of the Rosicrucians, and their mystical predecessors in general. + +3. The Freemasons having once adopted symbols, &c., from the art of +masonry, to which they were led by the language of Scripture, went on to +connect themselves in a certain degree with the order itself of handicraft +masons, and adopted their distribution of members into apprentices, +journeymen, and masters. Christ is the Grand-Master, and was put to death +whilst laying the foundation of the temple of human nature. + +4. The Jews, Mahomedans and Roman Catholics were all excluded from the +early lodges of Freemasons. The Roman Catholics were excluded on account +of their intolerance: for it was a distinguishing feature of the +Rosicrucians that they first conceived the idea of a society which should +act on the principle of religious toleration, wishing that nothing should +interfere with the most extensive co-operation in their plans except such +differences about the essentials of religion as make all co-operation +impossible. + +5. Freemasonry, as it honoured all forms of Christianity, deeming them +approximations more or less remote to the ideal truth, so it abstracted +from all forms of civil polity as alien from its own objects, which, +according to their briefest expressions, are (1) The Glory of God; (2) The +service of men. + +6. There is nothing in the imagery, mythi, ritual, or purposes of the +elder Freemasonry, which may not be traced to the romances of Father +Rosycross, as given in the Fama Fraternitatis. + +De Quincey is not the only writer who has expressed himself to the effect +that the systems of Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism are virtually +identical; others have said so as well, and in stating their views have +not scrupled to write most severely respecting what they believed to be +the tricks and impositions of both. Mr. George Soane in his "New +Curiosities of Literature," says of the Freemasons, that he can shew their +society sprang out of decayed Rosicrucianism just as the beetle is +engendered from a muck-heap. And further he says, "not a few of the old +nursery tales still maintain their ground amongst us; and of these +Freemasonry is the most disseminated and the most ridiculous." "Of +course," he continues "such an opinion will shock many gentlemen, who wear +aprons, leather or silk as the case may be, and who amuse themselves with +talking of light from the east, and the building of Solomon's Temple, and +with many other childish pranks, which if played off in the broad daylight +would be ridiculous." + +He goes on to say:--"In wading through a mass of alchemical trash for very +different purposes, I was struck by the great similarity both of the +doctrine and symbols existing between the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons. +With more haste than judgment I at first imagined that the brethren of the +Rosy Cross were only imitators of the Freemasons, but after a long and +patient enquiry, pursued through more volumes than I should like to +venture upon again for such an object, I was forced to abandon my +position. The Freemasons did indeed, like the Rosicrucians, lay claim to +great antiquity, but while some of them modestly dated the origin of their +order from Adam, I could by no means trace it back farther than the first +half of the seventeenth century. Their historical assertions, when fairly +tested and examined, crumbled into dust; the negative proofs were as +strong against them as they well could be; and at length the conclusion +was to my mind inevitable." + +Soane then proceeds to say:--"I feel not the slightest hesitation in +saying that the Freemasons have no secret beyond a few trumpery legends +and the attaching of certain religious and moral meanings to a set of +emblems, principally borrowed from the mechanical art of the builder. I +affirm too that all such symbols, with their interpretations, are of +Rosicrucian origin, and that the Freemasons never belonged to the working +guilds, their objects being totally different." + +Professor Buhle in his last chapter maintains that "Freemasonry is neither +more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who transplanted it +into England." Dr. Mackey, however, takes a contrary view, and in the +Synoptical Index to his "Symbolism of Freemasonry, and Rosicrucians," +says:--"A sect of hermetical philosophers, founded in the fifteenth +century, who were engaged in the study of abstruse sciences. It was a +secret society much resembling the masonic in its organization and in some +of the subjects of its investigation, but it was no other way connected +with Freemasonry." + +Fifty years ago a writer in the Penny Cyclopĉdia said:--"Some say that the +order of Rosicrucians is identical with that of Freemasons, one of whose +degrees or dignities is called in some countries the degree of the Red +Cross. The Rosicrucians have not been heard of as a separate order for +nearly a century past, but some have thought that they continued to exist +under the name of the Illuminati, who were much talked of in Germany and +France in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Barruel, after +describing the ceremonies with which candidates were admitted to the +degree of Red Cross in some Freemasons' Lodges, which however, he says, +vary in different countries, observes that these ceremonies which were +apparently allusive to the Passion of Jesus Christ, were differently +interpreted, according to the dispositions of the candidates; that some +saw in it a memento of the Passion, others an introduction to the arcana +of alchemy and magic, and others at last a blasphenous invective against +the founder of Christianity which the Rosicrucians had derived from the +Templars of old." + + * * * * * + +THE ROSIE CRUCIAN PRAYER TO GOD. + +JESUS MIHI OMNIA. + +[Triangle] + + +"Oh Thou everywhere and good of All, whatsoever I do, remember, I beseech +thee, that I am but Dust, but as a Vapour sprung from Earth, which even +thy smallest Breath can scatter; Thou hast given me a Soul, and Laws to +govern it; let that Eternal Rule, which thou didst first appoint to sway +Man, order me; make me careful to point at thy Glory in all my wayes; and +where I cannot rightly know Thee, that not only my understanding, but my +ignorance may honour thee. Thou art All that can be perfect; Thy +Revelation hath made me happy; be not angry, O Divine One, O God the most +high Creator, if it please thee, suffer these revealed Secrets, thy Gifts +alone, not for my praise, but to thy Glory, to manifest themselves. I +beseech thee most gracious God, they may not fall into the hand of +ignorant envious persons, that cloud these truths to thy disgrace, saying, +they are not lawful to be published, because what God reveals, is to be +kept secret. But Rosie Crucian Philosophers lay up this Secret into the +bosome of God, which I have presumed to manifest clearly and plainly. I +beseech the Trinity, it may be printed as I have written it, that the +truth may no more be darkened with ambiguous language. Good God, besides +thee nothing is. Oh stream thyself into my Soul, and flow it with thy +Grace, thy Illumination, and thy Revelation. Make me to depend on Thee; +Thou delightest that Man should account Thee as his King and not hide what +Honey of Knowledge he hath revealed. I cast myself as an honourer of Thee +at thy feet. O establish my confidence in Thee, for thou art the fountain +of all bounty, and canst not but be merciful, nor canst thou deceive the +humbled Soul that trusts Thee: And because I cannot be defended by Thee, +unless I live after thy Laws, keep me, O my Soul's Sovereign, in the +obedience of thy Will, and that I wound not my Conscience with vice, and +hiding thy Gifts and Graces bestowed upon me; for this I know will destroy +me within, and make thy Illuminating Spirit leave me: I am afraid I have +already infinitely swerved from the Revelations of that Divine Guide, +which thou hast commanded to direct me to the Truth; and for this I am a +sad Prostrate and Penitent at the foot of thy Throne; I appeal only to the +abundance of thy Remissions. O my God, my God, I know it is a mysterie +beyond the vast Soul's apprehension, and therefore deep enough for man to +rest in safety in. O Thou Being of all Beings, cause me to work myself to +Thee, and into the receiving armes of thy paternal Mercies throw myself. +For outward things I thank Thee, and such as I have I give unto others, in +the name of the Trinity, freely and faithfully, without hiding anything of +what was revealed to me, and experienced to be no Diabolical Delusion or +Dream, but the Adjectamenta of thy richer Graces; the Mines and +deprivation are both in thy hands. In what thou hast given me I am +content. Good God ray thyself into my Soul, give me but a heart to please +Thee, I beg no more than thou hast given, and that to continue me, +uncontemnedly and unpittiedly honest. Save me from the Devil, Lusts and +Men: and for those fond dotages of Mortality, which would weigh down my +Soul to Lowness and Debauchment, let it be my glory (planting myself in a +Noble height above them) to contemn them. Take me from myself, and fill me +but with thee. Sum up thy blessings in those two, that I may be rightly +good and wise; And these for thy eternal Truths' sake grant and make +grateful."[5] + + +THE END. + +S. & J. BRAWN, Printers, 13, Gate Street, Holborn, London, W.C. + + + + +Footnotes: + +[1] Mackay, Pop. Delusions. + +[2] Hist. of Philosophy, ii. 462. + +[3] Mackay. + +[4] New Curiosities of Literature, vol. 2, p. 46. + +[5] The Holy Guide, 1652. + + + + +Phallic and Mystical Series, + +Cr. 8vo, Vellum, 7s. 6d. each. + +_Only a very limited number_, PRIVATELY PRINTED. + + +PHALLICISM.--A Description of the Worship of =Lingam-Yoni= in various parts +of the World, and in different Ages, with an Account of Ancient and Modern +Crosses, particularly of the =Crux Ansata= (or Handled Cross) and other +Symbols connected with the Mysteries of =Sex Worship=. (_Out of print_). + + +OPHIOLATREIA.--An Account of the Rites and Mysteries connected with the +Origin, Rise, and Development of =Serpent Worship= in various parts of the +World, enriched with Interesting Traditions, and a full description of the +celebrated Serpent Mounds and Temples, the whole forming an exposition of +one of the phases of =Phallic=, or =Sex Worship=. + + +PHALLIC OBJECTS, MONUMENTS AND REMAINS; Illustrations of the Rise and +Development of the =Phallic Idea= (Sex Worship), and its embodiment in +Works of Nature and Art. _Etched Frontispiece._ + + +CULTUS ARBORUM.--A Descriptive Account of =Phallic Tree Worship=, with +illustrative Legends, Superstitious Usages, etc.; exhibiting its Origin +and Development amongst the Eastern and Western Nations of the World, from +the earliest to modern times. + +This work has a valuable bibliography which will be of the greatest use +and value to the student of Ancient Faiths. It contains references to +nearly five hundred works on Phallism and kindred subjects. + + +FISHES, FLOWERS, AND FIRE as ELEMENTS AND DEITIES in the =Phallic Faiths +and Worship= of the Ancient Religions of GREECE, BABYLON, ROME, INDIA, +etc., with illustrative Myths and Legends. + + +ARCHAIC ROCK INSCRIPTIONS; an Account of the Cup and Ring Marking on the +Sculptural Stones of the Old and New Worlds. + +This subject, though comparatively a new one, and upon which a very +limited amount of literature has been written, has excited considerable +curiosity among its discoverers. These strange figures and marks bear the +same resemblance whether found in England, Ireland, Scotland, India, +Mexico, Brazil, North America, Sweden, etc. Probably the cup and ring +markings were connected with the religious mysteries surrounding the +worship of Baal. They are asserted on good authority to be Phallic +Symbols, which subject the author has treated of in the present work. + + +_IN THE PRESS._ + +A new work on the =MASCULINE CROSS= Theory, and recent discoveries +connected with Phallicism. + + +_OTHER WORKS._ + +MATRIMONIAL CEREMONIES DISPLAYED.--Wherein are exhibited the various +Customs, Odd Pranks, Whimsical Tricks and Surprising Practises of near one +hundred different Kingdoms and Peoples in the World, now used in the +Celebration and Consummation of Matrimony, collected from the Papers of a +=Rambling Batchelor=, with the Adventures of Sir Harry Fitzgerald and his +=Seven Wives=. Cr. 8vo, Japanese parchment, 6s. + +The above volume describes the extensive and extraordinary ceremonies of +the different nations of the world, including an interesting account of +the more free and easy rites of the savage tribes. There will also be +found an entertaining description of the ceremonies of the Indians in +America, at the time of its first colonisation by the Europeans. + + +FLAGELLATION, History of, among different Nations, a Narrative of the +Strange Customs and Cruelties of the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, etc., with +an Account of its Practice among the Early Christians as a Religious +Stimulant and Corrector of Morals, also Anecdotes of Remarkable Cases of +Flogging and of celebrated Flagellants. Cr. 8vo, parchment, 6s. + +A curious history of whipping inflicted by force, and voluntarily +practised by the Monks, Heathens, etc., with Anecdotes of its use by +Kings, Bishops, Abbots, etc. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Punctuation has been corrected without note. + +The following misprints have been corrected: + "the the" corrected to "the" (page 5) + "Sytsem" corrected to "System" (page 11) + "Morever" corrected to "Moreover" (page 33) + "his" corrected to "is" (page 47) + "yon" corrected to "you" (page 58) + "nevertherless" corrected to "nevertheless" (page 59) + "inhabttants" corrected to "inhabitants" (page 89) + "and and" corrected to "and" (page 93) + "kness" corrected to "knees" (page 103) + "understauding" corrected to "understanding" (page 105) + "mdae" corrected to "made" (page 128) + +Other than the corrections listed above, inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been retained from the original. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS*** + + +******* This file should be named 35350-8.txt or 35350-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/5/3/5/35350 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Mysteries of the Rosie Cross</p> +<p> Or, the History of that Curious Sect of the Middle Ages, Known as the Rosicrucians; with Examples of their Pretensions and Claims as Set Forth in the Writings of Their Leaders and Disciples</p> +<p>Author: Anonymous</p> +<p>Release Date: February 21, 2011 [eBook #35350]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Bryan Ness<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> + (<a href="http://www.archive.org/details/americana">http://www.archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/mysteriesofrosie00londrich"> + http://www.archive.org/details/mysteriesofrosie00londrich</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p> </p><p> </p> + +<p class="center"><span class="giant">MYSTERIES</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>OF</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant"><span class="smcap">The Rosie Cross</span>,</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>OR</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">The History of that Curious Sect of the<br />Middle Ages,</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>KNOWN AS THE</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant"><span class="smcap">Rosicrucians</span>;</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>WITH</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">Examples of their Pretensions and Claims</span></p> +<p class="center">AS SET FORTH IN THE WRITINGS OF THEIR LEADERS<br />AND DISCIPLES.</p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/circle.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A. Reader, Orange Street, Red Lion Square, London.</span><br />1891.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/border1.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<h2><i>PREFACE.</i></h2> + +<p class="note">In the following pages an attempt has been made to convey something like +an intelligible idea of the peculiar mystic sect known to the readers of +history, as the Rosicrucians. The subject is confessedly difficult, owing +to the grossly absurd character of the writings left by the disciples of +this body, and the secrecy with which they sought to surround their +movements and clothe their words. Anything like a consecutive narration is +an impossibility, the materials at hand being so fragmentary and +disjointed. We have, however, done the best that we could with such facts +as were within reach, and if we are not able to present so scientific and +perfect a treatise as we might have hoped to do, we at least trust that +the following contribution to the scanty literature treating of this +matter will be found interesting, and will throw some light upon what is +shrouded in such profound mystery.</p> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/border2.jpg" alt="" /></div> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>CONTENTS.</i></h2> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/border3.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER THE FIRST.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Who and What were the Rosicrucians</span></td> +<td><span class="spacer"> </span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER THE SECOND.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Historical Notices of the Rosicrucians</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER THE THIRD.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Early Leaders—Literature—Romantic Stories</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER THE FOURTH.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R. C.</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_34">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER THE FIFTH.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">John Heydon and the Rosicrucians</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER THE SIXTH.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">The Hermetick Romance; or Chymical Wedding</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center"><span class="smcap">Modern Rosicrucians</span></td> +<td> </td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> +<h2><i>AUTHORITIES.</i></h2> + +<div class="note"> +<p class="hang">El Havareuna; or the English Physitian’s Tutor, in the Astrobolismes of +Mettals Rosie Crucian, Miraculous Saphiric Medicines of the Sun and Moon, +the Astrolosmes of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars.... All harmoniously united and +opperated by Astromancy and Geomancy.... Whereunto is added +Psonthonphanchia.... the Books being also an appeal to the natural +faculties of the mind of man whether there be not a God. By John Heydon, M.D. 1664.</p> + +<p class="hang">The Holy Guide: leading the way to the Wonder of the World (a compleat +Physician) teaching the knowledge of all things, past, present, and to +come, viz., of pleasure, long life, health, youth, Blessedness, Wisdome, +Virtue; and to cure, change, and remedy all diseases in young or old. With +Rosie Crucian Medicines, etc. (The Rosie Cross uncovered, and the Places, +Temples, Holy Houses.... and invisible Mountains of the Brethren +discovered), etc. John Heydon. 1662.</p> + +<p class="hang">A New Method of Rosie Crucian Physick, wherein is shewed the cause, and +therewith their experienced medicines for the cure of all diseases. John Heydon. 1658.</p> + +<p class="hang">A Quintuple Rosie Crucian Scourge, for the correction of that +pseudo-chymist, Geo. Thomson, being in part a vindication of the Society +of Physicians. John Heydon. 1665.</p> + +<p class="hang">Theomagia, or the Temple of Wisdome. In three parts, spiritual, celestial +and elemental; containing the occult powers of the Angels of +Astromancy.... The Mysterious virtues of the character of the Stars.... +The knowledge of the Rosie Crucian Physick. J. Heydon. 1662.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p> + +<p class="hang">The Rosie Crucian Infallible Axiomata, or Generall Rules to know all +things past, present, and to come. Usefull, pleasant, and profitable to +all, and fitted to the understanding of mean capacities. John Heydon. 1660.</p> + +<p class="hang">Rise and Attributes of the Rosi Crucians. By J. Von D——.</p> + +<p class="hang">Mosheim’s Ecclesiastical History.</p> + +<p class="hang">Brucker’s History of Philosophy.</p> + +<p class="hang">The Hermetick Romance, or Chemical Wedding. By C. Rosencreutz.</p> + +<p class="hang">New Curiosities of Literature. G. Soane.</p> + +<p class="hang">Tale of a Tub. Swift.</p> + +<p class="hang">Notes and Queries. Series 1-8. 6 vols., 7, 8, 10.</p> + +<p class="hang">Warburton’s Commentary on the Rape of the Lock.</p> + +<p class="hang">Spectator. Nos. 379, 574.</p> + +<p class="hang">National Magazine. Vol. 1.</p> + +<p class="hang">London Magazine. Vols. 9, 20.</p> + +<p class="hang">Western Monthly. Vol. 3.</p> + +<p class="hang">Book Lore. Vol. 3.</p> + +<p class="hang">Plot’s History of Staffordshire.</p> + +<p class="hang">The Count of Gabalis, or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists.</p> + +<p class="hang">Butler’s Hudibras.</p> + +<p class="hang">Mackay’s Popular Delusions.</p> + +<p class="hang">Higgins’s Anacalypsis.</p> + +<p class="hang">Fame and Confession of the Rosie Cross. E. Philateles.</p> + +<p class="hang">Mackay’s Symbolism of Freemasonry.</p> + +<p class="hang">De Quincey on Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry.</p> + +<p class="hang">Apologia Compendiaria Fraternitatis de Rosea Cruce.</p> + +<p class="hang">Fama Fraternitatis. 1617, etc.</p></div> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS.</span></p> +<p> </p><p> </p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> +<h3><i>Who and what were the Rosicrucians?</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">The</span> questions which present themselves on the threshold of this enquiry +are:—Who and what were the Rosicrucians? When and where did they +flourish, and what influence did any peculiar tenets they may have held, +or practices they may have indulged in, exercise upon the world? We shall +endeavour to answer these queries as distinctly as so mysterious and +extravagant a subject will allow of, and illustrate the whole by copious +extracts from the writings of recognized leaders and disciples.</p> + +<p>Comparatively very little is known about these people; and, if we open any +of our works of general reference, such as dictionaries and encyclopædias, +we find little more than a bare reminder that they were a mystic sect to +be found in a few European countries about the middle of the fifteenth +century. That such a sect did exist is beyond question, and the opinion +that what is left of it exists at the present time in connection with +modern Freemasonry, seems not altogether destitute of foundation.</p> + +<p>They appear to have a close connection with the Alchemists; springing into +existence as a distinct body when those enthusiastic seekers after the +power of transmuting the baser into the nobler metals were creating +unusual sensation. Somewhere about the end of the fifteenth century, a +Dutch pilot named Haussen, had the misfortune to be shipwrecked off the +coast of Scotland. The vessel was lost, but Haussen was saved by a Scotch +gentleman, one Alexander Seton, who put off in a boat and brought the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> +drowning mariner to land. A warm friendship sprang up between the two, +and, about eighteen months after, Seton went to Holland, and paid a visit +to the man whom he had rescued. During this visit he informed the Dutchman +that he was in possession of the secret of the philosopher’s stone, and +report says that in his presence he actually transmuted large quantities +of base metal into the finest gold, which he left with him as a present. +Seton in due course took leave of his friend, and prosecuted his travels +through various parts of the continent. He made no attempt to conceal the +possession of his boasted secret, but openly talked of it wherever he went +and performed certain experiments, which he persuaded the people were +actual transmutations of base metal into gold. Unfortunately for him, the +Duke of Saxony heard the report of these wonders, and immediately had him +arrested and put to the torture of the rack to extract from him the +precious secret, or to compel him at least to use it in his especial +service. All was in vain, however, the secret, if such he really +possessed, remained locked up in his own breast, and he lay for months in +prison subjected to treatment which reduced him to mere skin and bone, and +well nigh killed him. A Pole, named Sendivogius, also an alchemist, an +enthusiast like the rest of the fraternity, who had spent time and fortune +in the wild and profitless search, then came upon the scene. The +sufferings of Seton aroused his sympathy, and he resolved to bring about, +if possible, his escape from the tyrant. After experiencing a deal of +difficulty he obtained permission to visit the prisoner, whom he found in +a dark and filthy dungeon, in a condition well nigh verging upon absolute +starvation. He immediately acquainted the unhappy man with his proposals, +which were listened to with the greatest eagerness, and Seton declared +that, if he succeeded in securing his liberation, he would make him one of +the wealthiest of living men. Sendivogius then set about his really +difficult task; and, with a view to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> its accomplishment, commenced a +curious and artful series of movements. His first move was to procure some +ready money, which he did by the sale of some property near Cracow. With +this he began to lead a gay and somewhat dissipated life at Dresden; +giving splendid banquets, to which he invited the officers of the guard, +particularly selecting those who were on duty at the prison. In the course +of time his hospitality had its expected effect; he entirely won the +confidence of the officials, and pretending that he was endeavouring to +overcome the obstinacy of the captive, and worm out his secret, was +allowed free access to him. It was at last resolved upon a certain day to +make the attempt at escape; and, having sent the guard to sleep by means +of some drugged wine, he assisted Seton over a wall, and led him to a +post-chaise, which he had conveniently waiting, to convey him into Poland. +In the vehicle Seton found his wife awaiting him, having with her a packet +of black powder, which was said to be the philosopher’s stone by which +iron and copper could be transmuted into gold. They all reached Cracow in +safety, but Seton’s sufferings had been so severe, and had so reduced his +physical strength, that he did not survive many months. He died about 1603 +or 1604, leaving behind him a number of works marked Cosmopolite. Soon +after his death Sendivogius married the widow; and, according to the +accounts which have come down to us, was soon initiated into the methods +of turning the commoner metals into the finer. With the black powder, we +are told, he converted great quantities of quicksilver into the purest +gold, and that he did this in the presence of the Emperor Rudolph II. at +Prague, who, in commemoration of the fact, caused a marble tablet with an +inscription to be fixed in the wall of the room where the experiment was +performed. Whether the experiment was a cheat or not, the tablet was +really fixed in the said wall, and was seen and described by Desnoyens, +secretary to the Princess Mary of Gonzaga, Queen of Poland, in 1651.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>Rudolph, the Emperor, seems to have been perfectly satisfied with the +success of the alchymist, and would have heaped the loftiest honours upon +him had he been disposed to accept of them; this, however, did not accord +with his inclination; he, it is said, preferred his liberty, and went to +reside on his estate at Gravarna, where he kept open house for all who +responded to his invitations. His biographer, Brodowski, who was also his +steward, insists, contrary to other writers, that the magic powder was red +and not black; that he kept it in a box of gold, and that with one grain +of it he could make a hundred ducats, or a thousand rix dollars, generally +using quicksilver as the basis of his operations. When travelling this box +was carried by the steward, who hung it round his neck by a golden chain; +the principal part of the powder, however, was hidden in a secret place +cut in the step of his chariot; this being deemed a secure place in the +event of being attacked by robbers. He appears to have lived in constant +fear of being robbed, and resorted to all manner of precautions to secure +his treasure when on a journey; for it is said that he was well known as +the possessor of this philosopher’s stone, and that many adventurers were +on the watch for any opportunity to rob him.</p> + +<p>Brodowski relates that a German prince once served him a scurvy trick, +which ever afterwards put him on his guard. The prince was so anxious to +see the wonderful experiments, of which he had heard so much, that he +actually fell upon his knees before the alchymist, when entreating him to +perform in his presence. Sendivogius, after much pressing, allowed his +objections to be overcome; and, upon the promise of secrecy by the prince, +showed him what he was so anxious to witness. No sooner, however, had the +alchymist left, than the prince entered into a conspiracy with another +alchymist, named Muhlenfels, for robbing Sendivogius of the powder he used +in his operations. Accompanied by twelve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> armed attendants, Muhlenfels +hastened after Sendivogius, and overtaking him at a lonely inn, where he +had stopped to dine, forcibly took from him his golden box containing a +little of the powder; a manuscript book on the philosopher’s stone; a +golden medal, with its chain, presented to him by the Emperor Rudolph; and +a rich cap, ornamented with diamonds, of the value of one hundred thousand +rix-dollars.</p> + +<p>Sendivogius was not at all disposed to put up with such treatment without +an effort to obtain redress, so he went at once to Prague, and laid his +complaint before the Emperor. The Emperor at once sent an express to the +prince, ordering him to deliver up Muhlenfels and his plunder. Alarmed at +the aspect that things were now assuming, the prince, treacherous to one +man as he had been to the other, erected gallows in his courtyard and +hanged Muhlenfels with a thief on either side of him. He sent back the +jewelled hat, the medal and chain, and the book in manuscript; the powder, +he said, he knew nothing of.</p> + +<p>Sendivogius now adopted a different mode of living altogether to that +which he had formerly been addicted to; he pretended to be excessively +poor, and would sometimes keep his bed for weeks together, to make the +people conclude it was impossible for him to be the owner of the +philosopher’s stone. He died in the year 1636, upwards of eighty, and was +buried at Gravarna.</p> + +<p>Now, it is commonly held by most people, who have studied the subject, +that there is a close and intimate connection between the Alchymists and +the Rosicrucians; probably this is true, and a perusal of the works of +John Heydon, and others of a similar character, will deepen the +impression. It was, indeed, during <ins class="correction" title="original: the the">the</ins> life of Sendivogius that the +Rosicrucians first began to make a mark in Europe, and cause anything +approaching to a sensation. A modern writer says:—“The influence which +they exercised upon opinion during their brief career, and the permanent +impression<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> which they have left upon European literature, claim for them +especial notice. Before their time alchemy was but a grovelling delusion; +and theirs is the merit of having spiritualised and refined it. They also +enlarged its sphere, and supposed the possession of the philosopher’s +stone to be, not only the means of wealth, but of health and happiness, +and the instrument by which man could command the services of superior +beings, control the elements to his will, defy the obstructions of time +and space, and acquire the most intimate knowledge of all the secrets of +the universe.”<small><a name="f1.1" id="f1.1" href="#f1">[1]</a></small></p> + +<p>It is a fact well known to all well-informed readers, that at this time +the European continent was saturated with the most degrading +superstitions. Devils were supposed to walk the earth, and to mingle in +the affairs of men; evil spirits, in the opinion even of the wise and +learned, were thought to be at the call of any one who would summon them +with the proper formalities; and witches were daily burned in all the +capitals of Europe. The new sect taught a doctrine less repulsive. They +sprang up in Germany, extended with some success to France and England, +and excited many angry controversies. Though as far astray in their +notions as the Demonologists and witch believers, the creed was more +graceful. They taught that the elements swarmed not with hideous, foul and +revengeful spirits, but with beautiful creatures, more ready to do man +service than to inflict injury. They taught that the earth was inhabited +by Gnomes, the air by Sylphs, the fire by Salamanders, and the water by +Nymphs or Undines; and that man, by his communication with them, might +learn the secrets of nature, and discover all those things which had +puzzled philosophers for ages—Perpetual Motion, the Elixir of Life, the +Philosopher’s Stone, and the Essence of Invisibility.</p> + +<p>Respecting the origin and signification of the term Rosicrucian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> different +opinions have been held and expressed. Some have thought it was made up of +<i>rosa</i> and <i>crux</i> (a <i>rose</i> and a <i>cross</i>) but it is maintained by others +upon apparently good authority, that it is a compound of ros (dew) and +crux (cross). Mosheim contends that it is abundantly attested that the +title of Rosicrucians was given to the chemists who united the study of +religion with the search after chemical secrets, the term itself being +chemical, and not to be understood without a knowledge of the style used +by the chemists. We shall give some extracts from very old Rosicrucian +works presently which will enlighten our readers in such matters.</p> + +<p>A cross in the language of the fire philosophers is the same as Lux +(light), because the figure of a + exhibits all the three letters of the +word <i>Lux</i> at one view. Moreover, this sect applied the term <i>Lux</i> to the +<i>seed or menstruum of the Red Dragon</i>, or to that crude and corporeal +light which, being properly concocted and digested, produces gold. A +Rosicrucian, therefore, is a philosopher who, by means of <i>dew</i> seeks for +<i>light</i>—that is, for the substance of the philosopher’s stone.</p> + +<p>Mosheim declares the other interpretations of this name to be false and +deceptive, being the inventions of the chemists themselves, who were +exceedingly fond of concealment, for the sake of imposing on others who +were hostile to their religious views. The true import of this title, he +says, was perceived by the sagacity of Peter Gassendi, Examen Philosophiæ +Fluddanæ, sec. 15, in his Opp. iii, 261; though it was more lucidly +explained by the celebrated French physician Eusebius Renaudot, +<i>Conférences Publiques</i>, iv. 87.</p> + +<p>In 1619 Dr. Jo. Valentine Andreæ, a celebrated Lutheran divine, published +his Tower of Babel, or Chaos of Opinions respecting the Fraternity of the +Rosy-Cross, in which he represents the whole history as a farce, and gave +intimations that <i>he</i> was <i>himself</i> concerned in getting it up.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>Brucker says to the class of Theosophists has been commonly referred the +entire society of Rosicrucians, which, at the beginning of the seventeenth +century, made so much noise in the ecclesiastical and literary world. The +history of this society, which is attended with some obscurity, seems to +be as follows:—“Its origin is referred to a certain German, whose name +was Rosencreuz who, in the fourteenth century, visited the Holy Sepulchre; +and, in travelling through Asia and Africa, made himself acquainted with +many Oriental secrets; and who, after his return, instituted a small +fraternity, to whom he communicated the mysteries he had learned, under an +oath of inviolable secrecy. This society remained concealed till the +beginning of the seventeenth century, when two books were published, the +one entitled, <i>Fama Fraternitatis laudabilis Ordinis Rosæcrusis</i>: “The +report of the laudable Fraternity of Rosicrucians;” the other, <i>Confessio +Fraternitatis</i>, “The Confession of the Fraternity.” In these books the +world was informed that this fraternity was enabled, by Divine revelation, +to explain the most important secrets, both of nature and grace; that they +were appointed to correct the errors of the learned world, particularly in +philosophy and medicine; that they were possessed of the philosopher’s +stone, and understood both the art of transmuting metals and of prolonging +human life; and, in fine, by their means the golden age would return. As +soon as these grand secrets were divulged, the whole tribe of the +Paracelsists, Theosophists and Chemists flocked to the Rosicrucian +standard, and every new and unheard-of mystery was referred to this +fraternity. It is impossible to relate how much noise this wonderful +discovery made, or what different opinions were formed concerning it. +After all, though the laws and statutes of the society had appeared, no +one could tell where the society itself was to be found, or who really +belonged to it. It was imagined by some sagacious observers, that a +certain important meaning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> was concealed under the story of the +Rosicrucian fraternity, though they were wholly unable to say what it was. +One conjectured that some chemical mystery lay hid behind the allegorical +tale; another supposed that it foretold some great ecclesiastical +revolution. At last Michael Breler, in the year 1620, had the courage +publicly to declare that he certainly knew the whole story to have been +the contrivance of some ingenious persons who chose to amuse themselves by +imposing upon the public credulity. This declaration raised a general +suspicion against the whole story; and, as no one undertook to contradict +it, this wonderful society daily vanished, and the rumours, which had been +spread concerning it, ceased. The whole was probably a contrivance to +ridicule the pretenders to secret wisdom and wonderful power, particularly +the chemists, who boasted that they were possessed of the philosopher’s +stone. It has been conjectured—and the satirical turn of his writings, +and several particular passages in his works, favour the conjecture—that +this farce was invented and performed, in part at least, by John Valentine +Andrea of Wartenburg.”<small><a name="f2.1" id="f2.1" href="#f2">[2]</a></small></p> + +<p>Pope, in the dedication of his Rape of the Lock to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, +wrote:—“I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a +lady; but it is so much the concern of a poet to have his works +understood—and particularly by your sex—that you must give me leave to +explain two or three difficult terms.</p> + +<p>“The Rosicrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best +account I know of them is in a French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, +which, both in its title and size, is so like a novel, that many of the +fair sex have read it for one by mistake. According to these gentlemen, +the four elements are inhabited by spirits, which they call sylphs, +gnomes, nymphs and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> salamanders. The gnomes, or demons of earth, delight +in mischief; but the sylphs, whose habitation is in the air, are the best +conditioned creatures imaginable; for they say any mortals may enjoy the +most intimate familiarities with these gentle spirits, upon a condition +very easy to all true adepts, an inviolate preservation of chastity.”</p> + +<p>On the lines (verse 20, canto 1):—</p> + +<p class="poem">“Belinda still her downy pillow prest,<br /> +Her guardian sylph prolonged the balmy rest.”</p> + +<p>in Pope’s Rape of the Lock, Warburton thus comments:—</p> + +<p>“When Mr. Pope had projected to give the Rape of the Lock its present form +of a mock-heroic poem, he was obliged to find it with its machinery. For, +as the subject of the Epic consists of two parts, the metaphysical and the +civil; so this mock epic, which is of the satiric kind, and receives its +grace from a ludicrous mimicry of other’s pomp and solemnity, was to have +the like compounded nature. And as the civil part is intentionally debased +by the choice of a trifling action; so should the metaphysical by the +application of some very extravagant system. A rule which, though neither +Boileau nor Garth had been careful enough to attend to, our author’s good +sense would not suffer him to overlook. And that sort of machinery which +his judgment informed him was only fit for use, his admirable invention +soon supplied. There was but one systematic extravagance in all nature +which was to his purpose, the Rosicrucian Philosophy; and this by the +effort of a well-directed imagination, he presently seized. The fanatic +Alchemists, in the search after the great secret, had invented a means +altogether to their end: it was a kind of Theological Philosophy, made up +in a mixture of almost equal parts of Pagan Platonism, Christian Quietism +and the Jewish Cabbala; a mixture monstrous enough to frighten reason from +human commerce. This system, he tells us, he took as he found it in a +little French tract<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> called, <i>La Comte de Gabalis</i>. This book is written +in dialogue, and is a delicate and very ingenious piece of raillery on +that invisible sect by the Abbé Villiers; the strange stories that went +about of the feats and adventures of their adepts making, at that time, a +great deal of noise at Paris. But, as in this satirical dialogue, Mr. P. +found several whimsies of a very high mysterious nature, told of their +elementary beings, which were unfit to come into the machinery of such a +sort of poem, he has, in their stead, with great judgment, substituted the +legendary stories of Guardian Angels, and the nursery tales of the +Fairies, and dexterously accommodated them to the rest of the Rosicrucian +<ins class="correction" title="original: Sytsem">System</ins>. And to this artful address (unless we will be so uncharitable to +think he intended to give a needless scandal) we must suppose he referred +in these two lines,</p> + +<p class="poem">“If e’er one Vision touch’d thy infant thought,<br /> +Of all the <i>nurse</i> and all the <i>priest</i> have taught.”</p> + +<p>Thus, by the most beautiful invention imaginable, he has contrived that +(as in the serious Epic, the popular belief supports the machinery) in his +mock Epic the machinery (taken from a circumstance the most humbling to +reason in all philosophical fanaticism) should serve to dismount learned +pride and arrogance.”</p> + +<p>On verse 45, canto 1, he remarks:—“The Poet here forsakes his Rosicrucian +system; which, in this part, is too extravagant even for ludicrous +poetry.”</p> + +<p>On verse 68, canto 1, he continues:—“Here, again, the author resumes the +Rosicrucian system. But this tenet, peculiar to that wild philosophy, was +founded on a principle very unfit to be employed in such a sort of poem, +and, therefore suppressed, though a less judicious writer would have been +tempted to expatiate upon it.”</p> + +<p>Swift, in the “Tale of a Tub,” says:—“Night being the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> universal mother +of things, wise philosophers hold all writings to be fruitful, in the +proportion they are dark; and therefore the true illuminated (that is to +say, the darkest of all) have met with such numberless commentators, whose +scholastic midwifery has delivered them of meanings, that the authors +themselves perhaps never conceived, and yet may very justly be allowed the +lawful parents of them; the words of such writers being like seed, which, +however scattered, at random, when they light upon a fruitful ground, will +multiply far beyond either the hopes or imagination of the sower. And, +therefore, in order to promote so useful a work, I will here take leave to +glance a few inuendos, that may be of great assistance to those sublime +spirits, who shall be appointed to labour in a universal comment upon this +wonderful discourse. And, first, I have couched a very profound mystery in +the number of O’s multiplied by seven and divided by nine. Also, if a +devout brother of the rosy cross will pray fervently for sixty-three +mornings, with a lively faith, and then transpose certain letters and +syllables, according to prescription, in the second and fifth section, +they will certainly reveal into a full receipt of the <i>opus magnum</i>. +Lastly, whoever will be at the pains to calculate the whole number of each +letter in this treatise, and sum up the difference exactly between the +several numbers, assigning the true natural cause for every such +difference, the discoveries in the product will plentifully reward his +labour.”</p> + +<p class="poem">“For Mystic Learning, wondrous able<br /> +In magic Talisman and Cabal,<br /> +Whose primitive tradition reaches<br /> +As far as Adam’s first green breeches;<br /> +Deep sighted in Intelligences,<br /> +Ideas, Atoms, Influences;<br /> +And much of Terra-Incognita,<br /> +Th’ intelligible world, could say;<br /> +A deep Occult Philosopher,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>As learned as the wild Irish are,<br /> +Or Sir Agrippa, for profound<br /> +And solid lying much renowned.<br /> +He Anthroposophus and Fludd,<br /> +And Jacob Behmen understood;<br /> +Knew many an amulet and charm,<br /> +That would do neither good nor harm;<br /> +In Rosy-Crusian lore as learned<br /> +As he that <i>verè adeptus</i> earned.”<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">—<span class="smcap">Hudibras</span>, Part I, Canto I.</span></p> + +<p>The Globe Encyclopædia, under article Rosicrucians, says:—“A mystic +brotherhood revealed to the outer world in the <i>Fama Fraternitatis R. C.</i> +(1614), the <i>Confessio Fraternitatis R. C.</i> (1615), and the Chymische +Hochzeit Christiani Rosenkreuz (1616), which last was acknowledged by, as +the two former works were commonly ascribed to, Johann Valentin Andreæ. +From them we learn that a German noble of the 14th century, one Christian +Rosenkreuz, after long travel in the East, founded on his return a +brotherhood of seven adepts, the R., and dying at the age of 106 was +buried in their temple—the ‘House of the Holy Spirit,’ with the +inscription on his grave—‘Post CXX. annos patebo.’ The laws of the order, +thus made known in the fulness of time, were that its members should heal +the sick gratis, should meet once every year in a certain secret place, +should adopt as their symbol R. C. (<i>i.e. Rosea Crux</i>), or a rose +springing from a cross (the device, be it observed, of Luther’s seal), and +should assume the habit and manners of whatsoever country they might +journey to. It is now supposed that Andreæ simply intended a hoax upon the +credulity of the age, and that Christian Rosenkreuz and all the attendant +mysteries were wholly the coinage of his fertile brain. However, the hoax, +if hoax there were, was taken seriously, and as early as 1622, societies +of alchemists at the Hague and elsewhere assumed the title R., while +Rosicrucian tenets powerfully influenced Cabalists, Freemasons, and +Illuminati, and were professed by Cagliostro and similar impostors. Even +to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said to exist in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> London, whose members +claim by asceticism to live beyond the allotted age of man, and to which +the late Lord Lytton sought entrance vainly.”</p> + +<p>“I was once engaged in discourse with a Rosicrucian about the ‘great +secret.’ As this kind of men, I mean those of them who are not professed +cheats, are over-run with enthusiasm and philosophy, it was very amusing +to hear this religious adept descanting on his pretended discovery. He +talked of the secret as of a spirit which lived within an emerald, and +converted everything that was near it to the highest perfection it is +capable of. ‘It gives a lustre,’ says he, ‘to the sun, and water to the +diamond. It irradiates every metal, and enriches lead with all the +properties of gold. It heightens smoke into flame, flame into light, and +light into glory.’ He further added, that a single ray of it dissipates +pain, and care, and melancholy, from the person on whom it falls. In +short, says he, ‘its presence naturally changes every place into a kind of +heaven.’</p> + +<p>“After he had gone on for some time in this unintelligible cant, I found +that he jumbled natural and moral ideas together in the same discourse, +and that his great secret was nothing else but content.”</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> +<h3><i>Historical Notices of the Rosicrucians.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">So</span> mysterious a sect were the Rosicrucians, and so involved in doubt and +obscurity are most of their movements, practices and opinions, that nearly +everything connected with them has been denied or doubted at one time or +another by those who have written about them. Dr. Mackay says: “Many have +denied the existence of such a personage as Rosencreutz, and have fixed +the origin of this sect at a much later epoch. The first dawning of it, +they say, is to be found in the theories of Paracelsus and the dreams of +Dr. Dee, who, without intending it, became the actual, though never the +recognised founders of the Rosicrucian philosophy. It is now difficult, +and indeed impossible to determine whether Dee and Paracelsus obtained +their ideas from the then obscure and unknown Rosicrucians, or whether the +Rosicrucians did but follow and improve upon them. Certain it is, that +their existence was never suspected till the year 1605, when they began to +excite attention in Germany. No sooner were their doctrines promulgated, +than all the visionaries, Paracelsists, and alchymists, flocked around +their standard, and vaunted Rosencreutz as the new regenerator of the +human race.” According to Mayer, a celebrated physician of the times, who +published a report of the tenets and ordinances of the new fraternity at +Cologne in the year 1615, they asserted in the first place that the +meditations of their founders surpassed everything that had ever been +imagined since the creation of the world, without even excepting the +revelations of the Deity; that they were destined to accomplish the +general peace and regeneration of man before the end of the world +arrived;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> that they possessed all wisdom and piety in a supreme degree; +that they possessed all the graces of nature, and could distribute them +among the rest of mankind according to their pleasure; that they were +subject to neither hunger, nor thirst, nor disease, nor old age, nor to +any other inconvenience of nature; that they knew by inspiration, and at +the first glance, every one who was worthy to be admitted into their +society; that they had the same knowledge then which they would have +possessed if they had lived from the beginning of the world, and had been +always acquiring it; that they had a volume in which they could read all +that ever was or ever would be written in other books till the end of +time; that they could force to, and retain in their service the most +powerful spirits and demons; that by the virtue of their songs, they could +attract pearls and precious stones from the depths of the sea or the +bowels of the earth; that God had covered them with a thick cloud, by +means of which they could shelter themselves from the malignity of their +enemies, and that they could thus render themselves invisible from all +eyes; that the first eight brethren of the Rosie-Cross had power to cure +all maladies; that by means of the fraternity, the triple diadem of the +Pope would be reduced into dust; that they only admitted two sacraments, +with the ceremonies of the Primitive Church, renewed by them: that they +recognised the Fourth Monarchy and the Emperor of the Romans as their +Chief, and the Chief of all Christians; that they would provide him with +more gold, their treasures being inexhaustible, than the King of Spain had +ever drawn from the golden regions of Eastern and Western India.</p> + +<p>Things went on pretty quietly for some time, converts being made with ease +in Germany, but only with difficulty in other parts. In 1623, however, the +brethren suddenly made their appearance in Paris, and the inhabitants of +the city were surprised on the 3rd of March to find placarded on the walls +a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> manifesto to this effect:—“We, the deputies of the principal college +of the brethren of the Rosie Cross, have taken up our abode, visible and +invisible, in this city, by the grace of the Most High, towards whom are +turned the hearts of the just. We show and teach without any books or +symbols whatever, and we speak all sorts of languages in the countries +wherein we deign to dwell, to draw mankind, our fellows, from error and to +save them from death.”</p> + +<p>Whether this was a mere joke on the part of some of the wits of the day, +it is certain that it created a very wide-spread sensation, and no little +wonder and alarm, particularly amongst the clergy. Very soon pamphlets in +opposition, and intended to warn the faithful, began to make their +appearance. The earliest was called “A History of the Frightful Compacts +entered into between the Devil and the Pretended Invisibles, with their +Damnable Instructions, the Deplorable Ruin of their Disciples, and their +Miserable End.” This was followed by another of a far more ambitious +character, pretending to ability to explain all the peculiarities and +mysteries of the strange intruders. It was called “An examination of the +New Cabala of the Brethren of the Rosie-Cross, who have lately come to +reside in the city of Paris, with the History of their Manners, the +Wonders worked by them, and many other particulars.”</p> + +<p>As the books sold and circulated the sensation and alarm in the breasts of +the people largely increased, approaching almost to a kind of panic. +Ridicule and laugh as some would, it was impossible to disguise the fact +that a vast number of the population went in bodily fear of this +mysterious sect, whose members they had never seen. It was believed that +the Rosicrucians could transport themselves from place to place with the +rapidity almost of thought, and that they took delight in cheating and +tormenting unhappy citizens, especially such as had sinned against the +laws of morality. Then very naturally came the wildest and most unlikely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +stories, which, as is usual with such things, in spite of all their folly, +were soon propagated far and wide, and increased the general alarm.</p> + +<p>An innkeeper declared that a mysterious stranger entered his inn, regaled +himself on the best of everything, and suddenly vanished in a cloud when +the reckoning was presented. Another was patronised by a similar stranger, +who lived upon the choicest fare and drank the best wines of the house for +a week, and paid him with a handful of new gold coins, which turned into +slates the following morning. It was also reported that several persons on +awakening in the middle of the night found individuals in their +bedchambers, who suddenly became invisible, though still palpable when the +alarm was raised. Such was the consternation in Paris, that every man who +could not give a satisfactory account of himself was in danger of being +pelted to death; and quiet citizens slept with loaded guns at their +bedside, to take vengeance upon any Rosicrucian who might violate the +sanctity of their chambers. No man or woman was considered safe; the +female sex especially were supposed to be in danger, for it was implicitly +believed that no bolts, locks or bars could keep out would be intruders, +and it was frequently being reported that young women in the middle of the +night found strange men of surpassing beauty in their bedrooms, who +vanished the instant any attempt was made to arouse the inmates of the +house. In other quarters it was reported that people most unexpectedly +found heaps of gold in their houses, not having the slightest idea from +whence they came; the feelings and emotions thus excited were consequently +most conflicting, no man knowing whether his ghostly visitant might be the +harbinger of good or evil.</p> + +<p>While the general alarm was at its height, another mysterious placard +appeared, which said:—“<i>If any one desires to see the brethren of the +Rose-Cross from curiosity only, he will never communicate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> with us. But if +his will really induces him to inscribe his name in the register of our +brotherhood, we, who can judge of the thoughts of all men, will convince +him of the truth of our promises. For this reason we do not publish to the +world the place of our abode. Thought alone, in unison with the sincere +will of those who desire to know us, is sufficient to make us known to +them, and them to us.</i>”</p> + +<p>The imposition thus perpetrated upon the credulity of the people had but a +comparatively short life in Paris, a deal of controversy was engendered +between those who regarded the whole affair as a stupid hoax, and those +whose superstitious fears made them think there was truth in it, and the +efforts made by its disciples to defend their theories overshot the mark, +and exposed the fallacies of that which they were intended to support. The +police were called upon the scene to try and trace out and arrest the +authors of the troublesome placards, and the Church took up the moral and +theological aspect of the sensation, and issued pamphlets which professed +to explain the whole as the production of some disciples of Luther, who +were sent out to promulgate enmity and opposition to the Pope. The Abbé +Gaultier, a Jesuit, distinguished himself in this direction, and informed +the public that the very name of the disciples of the sect proved they +were heretics; a cross surmounted by a rose being the heraldic device of +the arch-heretic Luther. Another writer named Garasse, declared they were +nothing but a set of drunken impostors; and that their name was derived +from the garland of roses, in the form of a cross, hung over the tables of +taverns in Germany as the emblem of secrecy, and from whence was derived +the common saying, when one man communicated a secret to another, that it +was said, “under the rose.” Other explanations were also freely offered, +which we have not space to describe, but which may be reached by the aid +of the learned works given in our list of authorities.</p> + +<p>The charges of evil connections brought against the Rosicrucians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> were +repudiated by those people with energy and determination; they affirmed in +the most positive manner that they had nothing to do with magic, and that +they held no intercourse whatever with the devil. They declared, on the +contrary, that they were faithful followers of the true God, that they had +already lived more than a hundred years, and expected to live many hundred +more, and that God conferred upon them perfect happiness, and as a reward +for their piety and service gave them the wonderful knowledge they were +possessed of. They declared that they did not get their name from a cross +of roses, but from Christian Rosencreutz, their founder. When charged with +drunkenness, they said that they did not know what thirst was, and that +they were altogether proof against the temptations of the most attractive +food. They professed the greatest indignation perhaps at the charge of +interfering with the honour of virtuous women, and maintained most +positively that the very first vow they took was one of chastity, and that +any of them violating that oath, would be deprived at once of all the +advantages he possessed, and be subject to hunger, thirst, sorrow, disease +and death like other men. Witchcraft and sorcery they also most warmly +repudiated; the existence of incubi and succubi they said was a pure +invention of their enemies, that man “was not surrounded by enemies like +these, but by myriads of beautiful and beneficent beings, all anxious to +do him service. The sylphs of the air, the undines of the water, the +gnomes of the earth, and the salamanders of the fire were man’s friends, +and desired nothing so much as that men should purge themselves of all +uncleanness, and thus be enabled to see and converse with them. They +possessed great power, and were unrestrained by the barriers of space, or +the obstructions of matter. But man was in one respect their superior. He +had an immortal soul, and they had not. They might, however, become +sharers in man’s immortality if they could inspire one of that race with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +the passion of love towards them. Hence it was the constant endeavour of +the female spirits to captivate the admiration of men, and of the male +gnomes, sylphs, salamanders, and undines to be beloved by a woman. The +object of this passion, in returning their love, imparted a portion of +that celestial fire, the soul; and from that time forth the beloved became +equal to the lover, and both, when their allotted course was run, entered +together into the mansions of felicity. These spirits, they said, watched +constantly over mankind by night and day. Dreams, omens, and presentiments +were all their work, and the means by which they gave warning of the +approach of danger. But though so well inclined to befriend man for their +own sake, the want of a soul rendered them at times capricious and +revengeful; they took offence at slight causes, and heaped injuries +instead of benefits on the heads of those who extinguished the light of +reason that was in them by gluttony, debauchery, and other appetites of +the body.”<small><a name="f3.1" id="f3.1" href="#f3">[3]</a></small> Great as was the excitement produced in the French capital +by these placards, pamphlets and reports, it lasted after all but a very +few months. The accumulating absurdities became too much, even for the +most superstitious, and their fears were overcome by that sense of the +ridiculous which speedily manifested itself. Instead of trembling as +before, men laughed and derided, and the detection, arrest and summary +punishment of a number of swindlers who tried to pass off lumps of gilded +brass as pure gold made by the processes of alchemy, aided by a smartly +written exposure of the follies of the sect by Gabriel Naudé, soon drove +the whole thing clean off the French territory.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> +<h3><i>Early Leaders—Literature—Romantic Stories.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">We</span> now proceed to speak of some of the more prominent of the Rosicrucian +leaders and teachers, and to call attention to the literature from which +we obtain our only reliable information.</p> + +<p>In the sixteenth century lived that extraordinary man Theophrastus +Paracelsus, whose writings exercised a greater influence, perhaps, over +the minds of his fellow creatures than any other author of his time. No +man it is certain had contributed so much as he, to the diffusion of the +Cabbalism, Theosophy and Alchemy which had flooded Germany and flowed over +a greater part of Western Europe. Now it was generally believed that in +the seventeenth century a great and general reformation amongst the human +race would take place, as a necessary fore-runner to the day of judgment. +In connection with this, Paracelsus made several prophecies which took a +very firm hold of the public mind. He declared that the comet which made +its appearance in 1572 was the sign and harbinger of the coming +revolution, and he prophesied that soon after the death of the Emperor +Rudolph, there would be found three treasures that had never been revealed +before that time. In the year 1610 there were published at the same time +three books which led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order as a +district society. One was called “<i>Universal Reformation of the Whole Wide +World</i>.” De Quincey summarises its contents thus: “The Seven Wise Men of +Greece, together with M. Cato and Seneca, and a secretary named Mazzonius, +are summoned to Delphi by Apollo, at the desire of the Emperor Justinian, +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> there deliberate, on the best mode of redressing human misery. All +sorts of strange schemes are proposed. Thales advised to cut a hole in +every man’s breast, and place a little window in it, by which means it +would become possible to look into the heart, to detect hypocrisy and +vice, and thus to extinguish it. Solon proposes an equal partition of all +possessions and wealth. Chilo’s opinion is that the readiest way to the +end in view would be to banish out of the world the two infamous and +rascally metals gold and silver. Kleolinlus steps forward as the apologist +of gold and silver, but thinks that iron ought to be prohibited, because +in that case no more wars could be carried on amongst men. Pittacus +insists upon more rigorous laws, which should make virtue and merit the +sole passports to honour; to which, however, Periander objects that there +had never been any scarcity of such laws, nor of princes to execute them, +but scarcity enough of subjects conformable to good laws. The conceit of +Bias, is that nations should be kept apart from each other, and each +confined to its own home; and for this purpose, that all bridges should be +demolished, mountains rendered insurmountable, and navigation totally +forbidden. Cato, who seems to be the wisest of the party, wishes that God +in his mercy would be pleased to wash away all women from the face of the +earth by a new deluge, and at the same time to introduce some new +arrangement for the continuation of the excellent male sex without female +help. Upon this pleasing and sensible proposal the whole company manifest +the greatest displeasure, and deem it so abominable that they unanimously +prostrate themselves on the ground, and devoutly pray to God “that He +would graciously vouchsafe to preserve the lovely race of women” (what +absurdity) “and to save the world from a second deluge!” At length after a +long debate, the counsel of Seneca prevails; which counsel is this—that +out of all ranks a society should be composed having for its object the +general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> welfare of mankind, and pursuing it in secret. This counsel is +adopted: though without much hope on the part of the deputation, on +account of the desperate condition of ‘the Age,’ who appears before them +in person, and describes his own wretched state of health.”</p> + +<p>The second work was the celebrated <i>Fama Fraternitatis</i> of the meritorious +order of the Rosy Cross, addressed to the learned in general, and the +Governors of Europe. Here we may cite De Quincey again: “Christian +Rosycross, of noble descent, having upon his travels into the East and +into Africa learned great mysteries from Arabians, Chaldeans, etc., upon +his return to Germany established, in some place not mentioned, a secret +society composed at first of four—afterwards of eight—members, who dwelt +together in a building called the House of the Holy Ghost, erected by him: +to these persons, under a vow of fidelity and secrecy, he communicated his +mysteries. After they had been instructed, the society dispersed agreeably +to their destination, with the exception of two members, who remained +alternately with the founder. The rules of the order were these:—The +members were to cure the sick without fee or reward. No member to wear a +peculiar habit, but to dress after the fashion of the country. On a +certain day in every year all the members to assemble in the House of the +Holy Ghost, or to account for their absence. Every member to appoint some +person with the proper qualifications to succeed him at his own decease. +The word Rosy-Cross to be their seal, watchword, and characteristic mark. +The association to be kept unrevealed for a hundred years. Christian +Rosycross died at the age of a hundred years. His death was known to the +Society, but not his grave; for it was a maxim of the first Rosicrucians +to conceal their burial places even from each other. New masters were +continually elected into the House of the Holy Ghost, and the Society had +now lasted 120 years. At the end of this period,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> a door was discovered in +the house, and upon the opening of this door a sepulchral vault. Upon the +door was this inscription: One hundred and twenty years hence I shall open +(<i>Post CXX. annos patebo</i>). The vault was a heptagon. Every side was five +feet broad and eight feet high. It was illuminated by an artificial sun. +In the centre was placed, instead of a grave-stone, a circular altar with +a little plate of brass, whereon these words were inscribed: This grave, +an abstract of the whole world, I made for myself while yet living (A. C. +R. C. Hoc Universi compendium vivus mihi sepulchrum feci). About the +margin was—To me Jesus is all in all (Jesus mihi omnia). In the centre +were four figures enclosed in a circle by the revolving legend: Nequaquam +vacuum legis jugum. Libertas Evangelii. Dei gloria intacta. (The empty +yoke of the law is made void. The liberty of the gospel. The unsullied +glory of God). Each of the seven sides of the vault had a door opening +into a chest; which chest, besides the secret books of the order and the +<i>Vocabularium</i> of Paracelsus, contained also mirrors—little +bells—burning lamps—marvellous mechanisms of music, etc., all so +contrived that, after the lapse of many centuries, if the whole order +should have perished, it might be re-established by means of this vault. +Under the altar, upon raising the brazen tablet, the brothers found the +body of Rosycross, without taint or corruption. The right hand held a book +written upon vellum with golden letters: this book which is called T., has +since become the most precious jewel of the society next after the Bible; +and at the end stand subscribed the names of the eight brethren, arranged +in two separate circles, who were present at the death and burial of +Father Rosycross. Immediately after the above narrative follows a +declaration of their mysteries, addressed by the society to the whole +world. They profess themselves to be of the Protestant faith; that they +honour the Emperor and the laws of the Empire; and that the art of gold +making is but a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> slight object with them.” The whole ends with these +words: “Our House of the Holy Ghost though a hundred thousand men should +have looked upon it, is yet destined to remain untouched, imperturbable, +out of sight, and unrevealed to the whole godless world for ever.”</p> + +<p>Before we proceed to notice at any length the third of the books we have +mentioned, we will turn to some further accounts of the burial place of +the founder of this party, which, though in some respects similar and in +the main stating the same facts, yet, supply other matter both curious and +interesting.</p> + +<p>The following story has been quoted by a writer on the Rosicrucians, as +related by Dr. Plot in his History of Staffordshire; a careful examination +of the four copies of that work in the library of the British Museum, +however, has failed to unearth the tale; it is to the following effect. At +the close of a summer’s day a countryman was digging a trench in a field +in a valley which was surrounded by dense masses of woodland scenery. It +was shortly after sunset, and the workman wearied with his task was about +to cease his labour; before his pick, however, had given its last blow, it +struck against some hard material a little below the surface of the ground +with sufficient force to cause a bright spark to flash out into the +evening gloom. This, exciting his curiosity, he forgot his fatigue and +again went on with his digging, anxious to ascertain what it was he had +discovered. The stone he had come upon was large and flat, and lay nearly +in the middle of a field at a considerable distance from any of the farms +of the neighbouring country. It was covered with grass and weeds, the +growth of many years and had a large iron ring fixed at one end in a +socket. For some time it proved too much for the countryman’s strength, +half an hour’s struggling with it failed to remove it from its position, +and it was not till he had rigged up some tackle by the aid of some rope +and a tree that he managed to raise it. He then found it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> covered a deep +hollow in the ground, wherein after some examination he discovered a stone +staircase of apparently extraordinary depth. His inquisitiveness to know +whither the steps led, and the thought perhaps that he might be the +discoverer of some hidden treasure, gave him more courage than he +naturally possessed, and he descended a few of the stairs, then, after +vainly trying to penetrate into the darkness beneath, paused and looked up +to the sky above. Encouraged by the remains of the sunlight and the +shining planet Venus above him, he resumed his descent. He went, he +supposed a hundred feet underground, when he came upon a square +landing-place with a niche in the wall, then he came to another long +staircase, still descending into darkness. Once more he paused, and looked +up at the now very little bit of sky visible over head. Seeing nothing to +cause any fear, and hopeful of soon being able to unravel the mystery, he +stretched out his hands, and by cautiously feeling the walls, and with +equal caution placing his feet slowly and firmly upon each step, he boldly +went forward and counted in his descent two hundred and twenty steps. He +found himself able to breathe pretty freely, but noticed an aromatic smell +like that of burning incense, which he thought Egyptian. This he noticed +rolling up now and then from beneath, as if from another world, and it +occurred to him that it was from the world of mining gnomes, and that he +was breaking in upon their secrets. Still he went on, in spite of all his +fears, until he was momentarily stopped by a wall in front; turning +sharply to the right, however, he found the way open to him, and +discovered a still deeper staircase, at the foot of which was a steady +though pale light. His alarm at discovering light so far down in the +earth’s interior was naturally great, but not great enough to overcome his +curiosity and cause him to retrace his steps, and he once more commenced +descending the mouldering old steps which looked as if they had not been +trodden for ages. Then he thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> he heard mysterious rumblings over +head, like the sound of heavy waggons and horses, then all was still +again. Many times he paused and thought he would return, thinking he might +have accidently stumbled upon either the haunt of robbers or the abode of +evil spirits; he stood still for awhile, fairly paralysed with fear. Then +he began to recall where he had been working, he thought of the field +above, the surrounding woods and his native hamlet only a few miles +distant. This somewhat cheered him, but still with a good deal of fear +remaining in his heart, he went down the rest of the stairs, the light +growing brighter at every step. At last, he came upon a square chamber, +built up of large hewn ancient stones. Filled with awe and wonderment, he +found a flagged pavement and a lofty roof rising to a centre, in the +groins of which was a rose beautifully carved in some dark stone or in +marble. The alarm he had hitherto felt was nothing as compared with the +fear which overwhelmed him when, after passing a Gothic stone portal, +light suddenly streamed out over him with a brightness equal to that of +the setting sun, and revealed to him the figure of a man whose face was +hidden as he sat in a studious attitude in a stone chair, reading in a +great book, with his elbows resting on a table like a rectangular altar, +in the light of a large, ancient iron lamp, suspended by a thick chain to +the middle of the roof. The adventurous countryman was unable to repress +the cry that rose to his lips as he gazed upon this strange and unexpected +scene. As the sound of his foot touching the floor resounded through the +chamber, the figure started bolt upright from his seated position, as if +in awful astonishment. He erected his hooded head, and seemed about +angrily to question the intruder. The latter seemed perfectly fascinated +by what he saw, and instead of withdrawing advanced yet another step into +the chamber. Instantly the figure thrust out its arm, as though warning +the intruder off; the hand contained an iron <i>baton</i> and it was raised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> in +the most threatening attitude, but the unhappy explorer, seemingly unable +to control himself, took a third step forward, and then the image or man +raised his arm high above his head, and with his truncheon striking the +lamp a tremendous blow left the place in utter darkness. Nothing more +followed but a long, low roll of thunder, which gradually died away and +all was still.</p> + +<p>The place was afterwards known as the burial place of one of the +brotherhood, whom the people called Rosicrucius, and it is said the +arrangement of the lamp had been made by some Rosicrucian, to shew that he +had discovered the secret of the ever burning lamps of the ancients, but +was resolved that no one should reap the benefit of it.</p> + +<p><i>The Spectator, No. 379</i>, gives the following:—“A certain person having +occasion to dig somewhat deep in the ground, where this philosopher +(Rosicrucius) lay interred, met with a small door, having a wall on each +side of it. His curiosity, and the hopes of finding some hidden treasure, +soon prompted him to force open the door. He was immediately surprised by +a sudden blaze of light, and discovered a very fair vault. At the upper +end of it was a statue of a man in armour, sitting by a table, and leaning +on his left arm. He held a truncheon in his right hand, and had a lamp +burning before him. The man had no sooner set one foot within the vault, +than the statue erecting itself from its leaning posture, stood bolt +upright; and upon the fellow’s advancing another step, lifted up his +truncheon in its right hand. The man still ventured a third step, when the +statue, with a furious blow, broke the lamp into a thousand pieces, and +left his guest in a sudden darkness. Upon the report of this adventure, +the country people came with lights to the sepulchre, and discovered that +the statue, which was made of brass, was nothing more than a piece of +clockwork; that the floor of the vault was all loose, and underlaid with +several springs, which, upon any man’s entering, naturally produced that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +which had happened. Rosicrucius, say his disciples, made use of this +method to show the world that he had re-invented the ever burning lamps of +the ancients, though he was resolved no one should reap any advantage from +the discovery.”</p> + +<p>Respecting the above story given as we have said in the Spectator, No. +379, a writer in Notes and Queries (6th S. 7th vol) says: “This is a very +old tale, and has been printed again and again. The following is an early +version, which was printed by Caxton in 1482; but I give from the edition +printed by Peter de Treveris in 1527. The Polycronicon was originally +written in Latin early in the fourteenth century, and translated into +English in 1357. As the book is chiefly a compilation from old monkish +chronicles, the tale was probably very old even when Higden included it in +the Polycronicon. At any rate it was current long before the date given as +the year of death of the somewhat mythical Christian Rosencrutz. I have +met with several versions of it, varying more or less. In one a man with a +bow and arrow extinguishes the lamp. There are many accounts of these +miraculous lamps discovered burning in tombs hundreds of years after +interment, but having omitted to make notes of them, I am unable to give +references just now.... In Albesterio a place that hyghte Mutatorium +Cesaris were made whyte stoles for Emperours. Also there was a +candlestyke, made of a stone that hyght Albestone whan it was ones steynd +and sette a fire and I sette without thee coude no manne quenche it with +no crafte that men coude devyse, <img src="images/symbol.jpg" alt="DR." /> In this maner it myght be that the +Geant Pallas about the yere of oure Lorde a thousand and xi. That yere was +founde in Rome a Geantes body buryed hole and sounde, the space of his +wounde was foure foote longe and a halfe, the length of his body passed +the heyght of the walles, at his hede was founde a lantern brennyng alwaye +that no man coulde quenche with blaste ne with water ne with other crafte, +unto the tyme that there was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> made a lytell hole under the lyght benethe +that the ayer might enter. Men sayen that Turnus slowgh this Gean Pallas +when Eneas fought for Lanina that was Eneas wyfe. This Geantes Epytaphium +is this. The wrytyug of mynde of hym that lay there was this. Pallas +Enandres sone lyeth here, hym Turnus the knyght with his spere slowghe in +his maner.”</p> + +<p>One other notice will close this part of the subject.</p> + +<p>Although we find in the works of some of the Apologists for the +Rosicrucians extraordinary statements as to the length of life it was +within their power to attain unto (John Higden professes to shew how a man +may live two hundred years) and although some of the fraternity actually +did live a great number of years, we find them at last dying one by one +notwithstanding their professed power to guard against or to relieve +sickness. The founder himself seems to have reached the tolerably advanced +age of a hundred and six (some say a hundred). He then died, and according +to the <i>Fama</i> the place of his burial remained a secret to all except the +two brothers who were with him, and they, according to the agreement to +which they had bound themselves, carried the mystery with them to the +grave. The society still continued to exist, unknown to the world, and +always consisting of eight members, till another one hundred and twenty +years had elapsed, when, according to a tradition among them the grave of +Rosenkrutz was to be discovered, and the brotherhood to be no longer a +mystery to the world. It was about this time that the brothers began to +make some alterations in their building, and thought of removing to +another and more fitting situation the memorial tablet, on which were +inscribed the names of the associates. The plate which was of brass, was +fixed to the wall by means of a nail in its centre, and so firmly did it +hold, that in tearing it away a portion of the plaster came off too and +discovered to them a concealed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> door. Upon this door being yet farther +cleansed from the incrustation, there appeared above in large letters</p> + +<p class="center">Post CXX Annos Patebo.</p> + +<p>Great was their delight at so unlooked-for a discovery; but still they so +far restrained their curiosity as not to open the door till the next +morning, when they found themselves in a seven sided vault, each side five +feet wide, and eight feet high. It was lighted by an artificial sun in the +centre of the arched roof, while in the middle of the floor, instead of a +tomb, stood a round altar covered with a small brass plate on which was +this inscription:</p> + +<p class="center">A. C. R. C. Hoc, universi compendium, vivus mihi<br /> +sepulchrum feci.</p> + +<p>About the outer edge was, Jesus mihi omnia.</p> + +<p>In the centre were four figures; each enclosed in a circle, with these +circumscriptions:</p> + +<p class="poem">1. Nequaquam Vacuus.<br /> +2. Legis Jugum.<br /> +3. Libertas Evangelii.<br /> +4. Dei gloria intacta.</p> + +<p>Thereupon they all knelt down and returned thanks to heaven for having +made them so much wiser than the rest of the world, a native trait that +adds not a little to the verisimilitude of the story. Then they divided +the vault into three parts—the roof, or heaven—the wall, or the +sides—and the ground, or pavement. The first and last were according to +the seven sides divided into triangles, while every side was divided into +ten squares with figures and sentences, to be explained to the newly +initiated. Each of these again, had a door opening upon a closet, wherein +were stored up sundry rare articles, such as secret books of the order, +the vocabulary of Paracelsus, and other things of the same nature, which +it was allowable to impart even to the profane. In one, they discovered +the life and itinerary of their founder; in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> another they lighted upon +mirrors possessed of different qualities, a little bell, burning lamps, +and a variety of curious matters, intended to help in rebuilding the +order, which after the lapse of many centuries was to fall into decay. +Curiosity to see their founder induced them to push aside the altar, when +they came upon a strong brass plate, and this too being removed,</p> + +<p class="poem">“Before their eyes the wizard lay<br /> +As if he had not been dead a day.”</p> + +<p><ins class="correction" title="original: Morever">Moreover</ins>, like the celebrated character described in these lines, he had a +volume under his arm, which proved to be of vellum with letters of gold, +and at the end of it, in two separate circles, were the names of eight +brethren who had assisted at their founder’s interment. Next to the Bible, +the Rosicrucians valued this book beyond any portion of their inheritance, +yet it is not said whether they took away any of these rarities, or left +the dead man in quiet possession of his treasures.<small><a name="f4.1" id="f4.1" href="#f4">[4]</a></small></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> +<h3><i>The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">We</span> shall now call the attention of our readers to the third of the books +we spoke of as published simultaneously about the year 1610, “the +substance of which,” says De Quincey, “it is important to examine, because +they in a very strange way, led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order +as a distinct body.” The third book is the <i>Confessio Fraternitatis</i>, +which we present almost in its entirety.</p> + +<p><i>The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R:C:Community, of the Rosie +Cross.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Epistle to the Reader</span>:—To the Wise and Understanding Reader.</p> + +<p>Wisdom (saith Solomon) is to a man an infinite Treasure for she is the +Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the +Glory of the Almighty; she is the Brightness of Eternal Light, and an +undefiled Mirror of the Majesty of God, and an Image of his Goodness; she +teacheth us Soberness and Prudence, Righteousness and Strength; she +understands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark sentences; she +foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what shall happen in time to come; with +this Treasure was our first Father Adam fully endued: Hence it doth +appear, that after God had brought before him all the Creatures of the +Field, and the Fowls under Heaven, he gave to every one of them their +proper names, according to their nature.</p> + +<p>Although now through the sorrowful fall into sin this excellent Jewel +Wisdom hath been lost, and meer Darkness and Ignorance is come into the +World, yet, notwithstanding, hath the Lord God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> sometimes hitherto +bestowed, and made manifest the same, to some of his Friends: for the wise +King Solomon doth testifie of himself, that he upon earnest prayer and +desire did get and obtain such Wisdom of God, that thereby he knew how the +world was created, thereby he understood the Nature of the Elements, also +the time, beginning, middle, and end, the increase and decrease, the +change of times through the whole year, and Ordinance of the Stars; he +understood also the properties of tame and wilde Beasts, the cause of the +raiging of the Winds, and minds and intents of men, all sorts and natures +of Plants, vertues of Roots and others, was not unknown to him. Now I do +not think that there can be found any one who would not wish and desire +with all his heart to be Partaker of this noble Treasure; but seeing the +same felicity can happen to none, except God himself give Wisdom and send +his Holy Spirit from above, we have therefore set forth in print this +little Treatise, to wit, Famam and Confessionem, of the Laudable +Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, to be read by every one, because in them is +clearly shewn and discovered, what concerning it the World hath to expect.</p> + +<p>Although these things may seem somewhat strange, and many may esteem is to +be but a Philosophical shew, and no true History, which is published and +spoken of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross; it shall here sufficiently +appear by our Confession that there is more <i>in necessu</i> than may be +imagined; and it shall be easily understood, and observed by every one (if +he be not altogether voyd of understanding) what now-adays, and at these +times is meant thereby.</p> + +<p>Those who are true Disciples of Wisdom, and true Followers of the +Spherical Art, will consider better of these things, and have them in +greater estimation, as also judge far otherwise of them, as hath been done +by some principal Persons but especially of Adam Haselmeyer, Notarius +Publicus to the Arch Duke Maximilian,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> who likewise hath made an Extract +ex scriptis Theologicis Theophrasti, and written a Treatise under the +Title of Jesuiter, wherein he willeth, that every Christian should be a +true Jesuit, that is, to walk, live, be, and remain in Jesus. He was but +ill rewarded of the Jesuits, because in his Answer written upon the +<i>Famam</i>, he did name those of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, the +highly illuminated men, and undeceiving Jesuits; for they not able to +brook this, layd hands on him, and put him into the Calleis, for which +they likewise have to expect their reward.</p> + +<p>Blessed Aurora will now henceforth begin to appear, who (after the passing +away of the dark Night of Saturn) with her Brightness altogether +extinguisheth the shining of the Moon, or the small Sparks of Heavenly +Wisdom, which yet remaineth with men, and is a Forerunner of pleasant +Phebus, who with his clear and fiery glistering Beams brings forth that +Blessed Day long wished for, of many true hearted; by which Daylight then +shall truly be known, and shall be seen all heavenly Treasures of godly +Wisdom, as also the Secrets of all hidden and invisible things in the +World according to the Doctrine of our Forefathers and ancient Wisemen.</p> + +<p>This will be the right kingly Ruby, and most excellent shining Carbuncle, +of the which it is said, That he doth shine and give light in darkness, +and to be a perfect Medicine of all imperfect Bodies, and to change them +into the best Gold, and to cure all Diseases of Men, easing them of all +pains and miseries.</p> + +<p>Be, therefore, gentle Reader, admonished, that with me you do earnestly +pray to God, that it please him to open the hearts and ears of all ill +hearing people, and to grant unto them his blessing, that they may be able +to know him in his Omnipotency, with admiring contemplation of Nature, to +his honour and praise, and to the love, help, comfort and strengthening of +our Neighbours, and to the restoring of the diseased.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +Fama Fraternitatis,<br /> +Or, A Discovery of the Fraternity of the most laudable<br /> +Order of the Rosy Cross.</p> + +<p>Seeing the only Wise and Merciful God in these latter days hath poured out +so richly his mercy and goodness to Mankind, whereby we do attain more and +more to the perfect knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature, that +justly we may boast of the happy time, wherein there is not only +discovered unto us the half part of the World, which was heretofore +unknown and hidden, but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderful +and never-heretofore seen Works and Creatures of Nature, and moreover hath +raised men imbued with great Wisdom, which might partly renew and reduce +all Arts (in this our Age spotted and imperfect) to perfection; so that +finally Man might thereby understand his own nobleness and worth, and why +he is called Microcosmus, and how far his knowledge extendeth in Nature.</p> + +<p>Although the rude World herewith will be but little pleased, but rather +smile and scoff thereat; also the Pride and Covetousness of the Learned is +so great it will not suffer them to agree together; but were they united, +they might out of all those things which in this our Age God doth so +richly bestow upon us, collect <i>Librum Naturæ</i>, or a perfect method of all +Arts; but such is their opposition, that they still keep and are loth to +leave the old course, esteeming Porphiry, Aristotle, and Galen, yea and +that which hath a meer show of learning, more than the clear and +manifested Light and Truth, who if they were now living, with much joy +would leave their erroneous Doctrines. But here is too great weakness for +such a great Work, and although in Theologie, Physic, and the Mathematic, +the Truth doth oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty +and craft doth shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his +Instruments and contentious wavering people. To such an intent of a +general <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>Reformation, the most godly and highly illuminated Father, our +Brother, C. R., a German, the chief and original of our Fraternity, hath +much and long time laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although +descended of Noble Parents) in the fifth year of his age, was placed in a +Cloyster, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin Tongues, +who (upon his earnest desire and request), being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to the Holy +Land.</p> + +<p>Although this Brother dyed in Cyprus, and so never came to Jerusalem, yet +our Brother C. R. did not return, but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Jerusalem; but by reason of the +feebleness of his body, he remained still there, and by his skill in +Physick he obtained much favour with the Turks. In the mean time he became +by chance acquainted with the Wise Men of Damasco in Arabia, and beheld +what great wonders they wrought, and how Nature was discovered unto them; +hereby was that high and noble Spirit of Brother C. R. so stirred up that +Jerusalem was not so much now in his mind as Damasco; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain sum of money to Damasco.</p> + +<p>As we have on another page stated all these particulars on the authority +of the epistle dedicatory to the Axiomata we need simply allude to them as +recorded in the work from which we are now quoting. The account proceeds +pretty much as stated in the Axiomata by John Heydon, then after stating +that the Fraternity began with an association of four persons only, the +Fama says that finding their labour too heavy they concluded to draw and +receive yet others more into their Fraternity. To this end was chosen +brother R. C. his deceased father’s brother’s son, brother B. a skilful +Painter, G. and P. D. their Secretary, all Germans except J. A., so in all +they were eight in number, all bachelors and of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> sound virginity; by those +was collected a book or volumn of all that which man can desire, wish, or +hope for.</p> + +<p>Although we do now freely confess that the World is much amended within an +hundred years, yet we are assured that our Axiomata shall unmovably remain +unto the World’s End, and also the world in her highest and last Age shall +not attain to see anything else; for our Rota takes her beginning from +that day when God spake Fiat, and shall end when he shall speak Pereat; +yet God’s Clock striketh every minute, where ours scarce striketh perfect +hours. We also stedfastly beleeve, that if our Brethren and Fathers had +lived in this our present and clear light, they would more roughly have +handled the Pope, Mahomet, Scribes, Artists, and Sophisters, and had +shewed themselves more helpful, not simply with sighs, and wishing of +their end and consummation.</p> + +<p>When now these eight brethen had disposed and ordered all things in such +manner, as there was not now need of any great labour, and also that every +one was sufficiently instructed, and able perfectly to discourse of secret +and manifest Philosophy, they would not remain any longer together, but as +in the beginning they had agreed, they separated themselves into several +countries, because that not only their Axiomata might in secret be more +profoundly examined by the learned, but that they themselves, if in some +country or other they observed any thing or perceived some error, they +might inform one another of it.</p> + +<p>Their Agreement was this:—1, That none of them should profess any other +thing than to cure the sick, and that gratis. 2, None of the Posterity +should be constrained to wear one certain kind of habit, but therein to +follow the custom of the Country. 3, That every year upon the day C. they +should meet together at the house S. Spiritus, or write the cause of his +absence. 4, Every Brother should look about for a worthy person, who after +his decease might succeed him. 5, The word C. R. should be their seal,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +mark, and character. 6, The Fraternity should remain secret one hundred +years. These six articles they bound themselves one another to keep; and +five of the Brethren departed, only the Brethren B. and D. remained with +the Father Fra. R. C. a whole year; when these likewise departed, then +remained by him his Cousin and Brother J. O., so that he hath all the days +of his life with him two of his Brethren. And although that as yet the +Church was not cleansed, nevertheless we know that they did think of her, +and what with longing desire they looked for. Every year they assembled +together with joy, and made a full resolution of that which they had done; +there must certainly have been great pleasure to hear truly and without +invention related and rehearsed all the Wonders which God hath poured out +here and there through the World. Every one may hold it out for certain, +that such persons as were sent, and joyned together by God and the +Heavens, and chosen out of the wisest of men as have lived in many Ages, +did live together above all others in highest Unity, greatest Secrecy, and +most kindness one towards another.</p> + +<p>After such a most laudable sort they did spend their lives; and although +they were free from all disease and pain, yet notwithstanding they could +not live and pass their time appointed of God. The first of this +Fraternity which dyed, and that in England, was J. O., as Brother C. long +before had foretold him; he was very expert, and well learned in Cabala, +as his book called H. witnesseth. In England he is much spoken of, and +chiefly because he cured a young Earl of Norfolk of the Leprosie. They had +concluded, that as much as possibly could be their burial place should be +kept secret, as at this day it is not known unto us what is become of some +of them, yet every one’s place was supplyed with a fit successor; but this +we will confess publickly by these presents to the honour of God, that +what secret soever we have learned out of the book M. (although before our +eyes we behold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> the image and pattern of all the world) yet are there not +shewn unto us our misfortunes, nor hour of death, the which only is known +to God himself, who thereby would have us keep in a continual readiness; +but hereof more in our Confession, where we do set down 37 Reasons whereby +we now do make known our Fraternity, and proffer such high Mysteries +freely, and without constraint and reward: also we do promise more gold +than both the Indies bring to the King of Spain; for Europe is with child, +and will bring forth a strong child, who shall stand in need of a great +godfather’s gift.</p> + +<p>After the death of I. O. Brother R. C. rested not, but as soon as he +could, called the rest together (and as we suppose) then his grave was +made although hitherto we (who were the latest) did not know when our +loving father R. C. died, and had no more but the bare names of the +beginners, and all their successors to us; yet there came into our memory +a secret which through dark and hidden words, and speeches of the 100 +years, brother A. the successor of D. (who was one of the last and second +row and succession, and had lived amongst many of us) did impart unto us +of the third row and succession; otherwise we must confess, that after the +death of the said A. none of us had in any manner known anything of +Brother R. C., and of his first fellow brethren, than that which was +extant of them in our Philosophical Bibliotheca, amongst which our +Axiomata was held for the chiefest Rota Mundi, for the most artificial, +and Protheus the most profitable. Likewise we do not certainly know if +these of the second row have been of the like wisdom as the first, and if +they were admitted to all things. It shall be declared hereafter to the +gentle Reader not only what we have heard of the burial of the R. C., but +also made manifest publickly by the foresight, sufferance and commandment +of God, whom we most faithfully obey, that if we shall be answered +discreetly and Christian like, we will not be afraid to set forth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +publickly in Print, our names and surnames, our meetings, or anything else +that may be required at our hands.</p> + +<p>Now the true and fundamental relation of the finding out of the high +illuminated man of God, Fra: C. R. is this; after that A. in Gallia +Narbonensi was deceased, then succeeded in his place our loving Brother N. +N. This man after he had repaired unto us to take the solemn oath of +fidelity and secrecy, he informed us <i>bona fide</i>, that A. had comforted +him in telling him, that this Fraternity should ere long not remain so +hidden, but should be to all the whole German Nation, helpful, needful, +and commendable; of the which he was not in any wise in his estate ashamed +of. The year following after he had performed his school right, and was +minded now to travel, being for that purpose sufficiently provided with +Fortunatus purse, he thought (he being a good Architect) to alter +something of his building, and to make it more fit; in such renewing he +lighted upon the memorial Table which was cast of brasse, and containeth +all the names of the brethren, with some few other things. This he would +transfer in another more fitting vault, for where or when Fra: R. C. died, +or in what country he was buried, was by our predecessors concealed and +unknown to us. In this table stuck a great naile, somewhat strong, so that +when he was with force drawn out, he took with him an indifferent big +stone out of the thin wall, or plastering of the hidden door, and so +unlooked for uncovered the door; wherefore we did with joy and longing +throw down the rest of the wall, and cleared the door upon which that was +written in great letters, Post 120 annos patebo, with the year of the Lord +under it: therefore we gave God thanks and let it rest that same night, +because first we would overlook our Rotam; but we refer ourselves again to +the confession, for what we here publish is done for the help of those +that are worthy, but to the unworthy (God willing) it will be of small +profit, for like as our door was after so many years wonderfully +discovered,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> also there shall be opened a door to Europe (when the wall is +removed) which already doth begin to appear, and with great desire is +expected of many.</p> + +<p>In the morning following we opened the door, and there appeared to our +sight a Vault of seven sides and corners, every side five foot broad, and +the height of eight foot. Although the Sun never shined in this Vault, +nevertheless it was enlightened with another Sun, which had learned this +from the Sun, and was situated in the upper part in the centre of the +ceiling; in the midst, instead of a Tombstone, was a round Altar covered +over with a plate of brass.</p> + +<p>Round about the first Circle or Brim stood Jesus mihi omnia. We kneeled +all together down, and gave thanks to the sole wise, sole mighty, and sole +eternal God, who hath taught us more than all men’s wit could have found +out, praised be his holy name. This Vault we parted in three parts, the +upper part a ceiling, the wall a side, the ground a floor.</p> + +<p>Of the upper part you shall understand no more of it at this time, but +that it was divided according to the seven sides in the triangle, which +was in the bright centre; but what therein is contained, you shall, God +willing (that are desirous of our society) behold the same with your own +eyes; but every side or wall is parted into ten squares, every one with +their several figures and sentences, as they are truly shewed, and set +forth Concentratum here in our book.</p> + +<p>The bottom again is parted in the triangle but because therein is +described the power and rule of the inferior Governors, we leave to +manifest the same, for fear of the abuse by the evil and ungodly world. +But those that are provided and stored with the heavenly Antidote, they do +without fear or hurt, tread on, and bruise the head of the old and evil +serpent, which this our age is well fitted for. Every side or wall had a +door for a chest, wherein there lay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> divers things, especially all our +books, which otherwise we had, besides the Vocabular of Theoph. Par. Ho., +and these which daily unfalsifieth we do participate. Herein also we found +his Itinerarium, and Vitam, whence this relation for the most part is +taken. In another chest were looking-glasses of divers virtues, as also in +other places were little bells, burning lamps, and chiefly wonderful +artificial Songs; generally all done to that end, that if it should happen +after many hundred years, the Order or Fraternity should come to nothing, +they might by this vault be restored again.</p> + +<p>Now as yet we had not seen the dead body of our careful and wise father, +we therefore removed the Altar aside, there we lifted up a strong plate of +brass, and found a fair and worthy body, whole and unconsumed.</p> + +<p>Concerning Minutum Mundum, we found it kept in another little Altar, truly +more finer than can be imagined by any understanding man; but we will +leave him undescribed until we shall truly be answered upon this our true +hearted Famam; and so we have covered it again with the plates, and set +the Altar thereon, shut the door, and made it sure, with all our seals; +besides by instruction and command of our Rota, there are come to sight +some books, among which is contained M. (which were made instead of +household care by the praiseworthy M. P.). Finally we departed the one +from the other, and left the natural heirs in possession of our Jewels. +And so we do expect the answer and judgment of the learned, or unlearned.</p> + +<p>Howbeit we know after a time there will now be a general reformation, both +of divine and human things, according to our desire, and the expectation +of others; for it’s fitting, that before the rising of the Sun, there +should appear and break forth Aurora, or some clearness, or divine light +in the sky; and so in the meantime some few, which shall give their names, +may join together, thereby to increase the number and respect of our +Fraternity, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> make a happy and wished for beginning of our +Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us by our brother R. C., and be +partakers with us of our treasures (which never can fail or be wasted) in +all humility, and love to be eased of this world’s labour, and not walk so +blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful works of God.</p> + +<p>But that also every Christian may know of what religion and belief we are, +we confess to have the knowledge of Jesus Christ (as the same now in these +last days, and chiefly in Germany, most clear and pure is professed, and +is nowadays cleansed and voyd of all swerving people, Hereticks and false +Prophets), in certain and noted Countries maintained, defended and +propagated; also we use two Sacraments, as they are instituted with all +Formes and Ceremonies of the first renewed Church. In Politia we +acknowledge the Roman Empire and Quartam Monarchiam for our Christian +head; albeit we know what alterations be at hand, and would fain impart +the same with all our hearts, to other Godly learned men; notwithstanding +our handwriting which is in our hands, no man (except God alone) can make +it common, nor any unworthy person is able to bereave us of it. But we +shall help with secret aid this so good a cause as God shall permit or +hinder us, for our God is not blind as the Heathen’s Fortuna, but is the +Church’s ornament and the honour of the Temple. Our Philosophy also is not +a new Invention, but as Adam after his fall hath received it, and as Moses +and Solomon used it; also she ought not much to be doubted of, or +contradicted by other opinions, or meanings; but seeing the truth is +peaceable, brief, and always like herself in all things, and especially +accorded by with <i>Jesus in omni parte</i> and all members. And as he is the +true Image of the Father, so is she his Image; it shall not be said, this +is true according to Philosophy, but true according to Theologie: and +wherein Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and others did hit the mark, and +wherein Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Solomon did excel; but especially wherewith +that wonderful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> book the Bible agreeeth. All that same concurreth +together, and make a Space or Globe whose total parts are equidistant from +the centre, and hereof more at large and more plain shall be spoken of in +Christianly Conference.</p> + +<p>But now concerning (and chiefly in this our age) the ungodly and accursed +Gold-making, which hath gotten so much the upper hand, whereby under +colour of it, many runagates and roguish people do use great villanies, +and cozen and abuse the credit which is given them; yea nowadays men of +discretion do hold the transmutation of Mettals to be the highest point, +and <i>fastigium</i> in Philosophy, this is all their intent and desire, and +that God would be most esteemed by them, and honoured, which could make +great store of Gold, and in abundance, the which with unpremeditated +prayers, they hope to attain of the all knowing God, and searcher of all +hearts; we therefore do by these presents publickly testify, that the true +Philosophers are far of another minde, esteeming little the making of +Gold, which is but a parergon; for besides that they have a thousand +better things.</p> + +<p>And we say with our loving father <i>R. C. C. Phy: aurum nisi quantum +aurum</i>, for unto them the whole nature is detected; he doth not rejoyce, +that he can make Gold, and that, as Christ saith, the devils are obedient +unto him; but is glad that he seeth the Heavens open, and the Angels of +God ascending and descending, and his name written in the book of life. +Also we do testifie that under the name of ‘Chymia’ many books and +pictures are set forth in Contumeliam gloriæ Dei, as we will name them in +their due season, and will give to the pure-hearted a Catalogue or +Register of them; and we pray all learned men to take heed of these kinde +of Books, for the enemy never resteth, but soweth his weeds, till a +strange one doth root it out. So according to the will and meaning of Fra. +C. R. C., we his brethren request again all the learned in Europe who +shall read (sent forth in five languages) this our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> <i>Famam and +Confessionem</i>, that it would please them with good deliberation to ponder +this our offer, and to examine most nearly and most sharply their Arts, +and behold the present time with all diligence, and to declare their +minde, either <i>Communicato consilio</i>, or <i>singulatum</i> by print.</p> + +<p>And although at this time we make no mention either of our names or +meetings, yet nevertheless every one’s opinion shall assuredly come to our +hands, in what language soever it be; nor anybody shall fail who so gives +his name to speak with some of us either by word of mouth, or else if +there be some lett in writing. And this we say for a truth, that whosoever +shall earnestly, and from his heart, bear affection with us, it shall be +beneficial unto him in goods, body and soul; but he that <ins class="correction" title="original: his">is</ins> false-hearted, +or only greedy of riches, the same first of all shall not be able in any +manner of wise to hurt us, but bring himself to utter ruine and +destruction. Also our building (although one hundred thousand people had +seen and beheld the same) shall for ever remain untouched, undestroyed, +and hidden to the wicked world, sub umbra alarum tuarum Jehova.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">A Preface of the Confession to the Reader who is desirous of Wisdom.</p> + +<p>Here, Gentle Reader, you shall finde incorporated in our Confession thirty +seven Reasons of our purpose, and intention, the which according to thy +pleasure thou mayst seek out and compare them together: thou mayst also +consider with thyself, if they be weighty and sufficient enough to bring +and persuade thee for to take our parts.</p> + +<p>Verily it requires no small pains to confirm that which men have not yet +seen, but when it shall once come to light we doubt not, but they will +then justly be ashamed of such doubts and conjectures. And as we do now +altogether, securely, freely, and without any hurt call the Pope of Rome +Antichrist, the which heretofore was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> held for a deadly sin, and such in +all countries were put to death for it. So we know certainly, that the +time shall likewise come, that that which we yet keep in secret, we shall +openly, freely, and with a loud voice publish and confess it before all +the world; the which Gentle Reader wish with us with all thy heart, that +it may happen with speed.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Confessio Fraternitatis,<br /> +Or, The Confession of the laudable Fraternity of the most<br />honourable Order +of the Rosie Cross, written to the<br />learned of Europe.</p> + +<p>Whatsoever there is published, and made known to every one, concerning our +Fraternity by the foresaid Fama, let no man esteem lightly of it, nor hold +it as an idle or invented thing, and much less receive the same, as though +it were only a meer conceit of ours. It is the Lord Jehovah (who seeing +the Lord’s sabbath is almost at hand, and hastened again, his period or +course being finished to his first beginning) doth turn about the course +of Nature; and what heretofore hath been sought with great pains and dayly +labour, is now manifested unto those who make small account, or scarcely +once think upon it; but those which desire it, it is in a manner forced +and thrust upon them, that thereby the life of the godly may be eased of +all their toyl and labour, and be no more subject to the storms of +unconstant Fortune; but the wickedness of the ungodly thereby, with their +due and deserved punishment, be augmented and multiplied.</p> + +<p>Although we cannot be by any suspected of the least Heresie, or of any +wicked beginning, or purpose against the worldly government; we do condemn +the East and West (meaning the Pope and Mahomet) blasphemers against our +Lord Jesus Christ, and offer and present with a good will to the chief +head of the Romish Empire, our prayers, secrets, and great treasures of +Gold.</p> + +<p>Yet we have thought good and fit for the learned sakes, to add<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> somewhat +more to this, and make a better explanation, if there be any thing too +deep, hidden, and set down over dark in the Fama, or for certain reasons +were altogether omitted, and left out; hoping herewith the Learned will be +more addicted unto us, and be made far more fitter and willing for our +purpose.</p> + +<p>Concerning the alteration and amendment of Philosophy, we have (as much as +at present is needful) sufficiently declared, to wit, that the same is +altogether weak and faulty; yet we doubt not, although the most part +falsely do alledge that she (I know not how) is sound and strong, yet +notwithstanding she fetches her last breath and is departing.</p> + +<p>But as commonly, even in the same place or Country where there breaketh +forth a new unaccustomed disease, Nature also there discovereth a medicine +against the same; so there doth appear for so manifold infirmities of +Philosophy, the right means, and unto our Patria sufficiently offered, +whereby she may become sound again, which is now to be renewed and +altogether new.</p> + +<p>No other Philosophy we have, than that which is the head and sum, the +foundation and contents of all faculties, sciences and arts, the which (if +we will behold our age) containeth much of Theology and medicine, but +little of the wisdom of Lawyers, and doth diligently search both heaven +and earth: or to speak briefly thereof, which doth manifest and declare +sufficiently Man; whereof than all learned who will make themselves known +unto us, and come into our brotherhood, shall finde more wonderful secrets +by us, than heretofore they did attain unto, and did know, or are able to +believe or utter.</p> + +<p>Wherefore to declare briefly our meaning hereof, we ought to labour +carefully that there be not only a wondering at our meeting and +adhortation, but that likewise every one may know, that although we do +highly esteem and regard such mysteries and secrets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> we nevertheless hold +it fit, that the knowledge thereof be manifested and revealed to many.</p> + +<p>For it is to be taught and believed, that this our unhoped willing offer +will raise many and divers thoughts in men unto whom (as yet) be unknown +Miranda sextæ ætatis, or those which by reason of course of the world, +esteem the things to come like unto the present, and are hindered through +all manner of importunities of this their time, so that they live no +otherwise in the world, than blinde fools, who can, in the clear Sun-shine +days, discern and know nothing than only by feeling.</p> + +<p>Now concerning the first part, we hold this, that the Meditations, +knowledge and inventions of our loving Christian Father (of all that, +which from the beginning of the world, Man’s Wisdom, either through God’s +revelation, or through the service of the Angels and spirits, or through +the sharpness and deepness of understanding, or through long observation, +use and experience, hath found out, invented, brought forth, corrected, +and till now hath been propagated and transplanted) are so excellent, +worthy and great, that if all books should perish, and by God Almighty’s +sufrance, all writings, and all learning should be lost, yet the posterity +will be able only thereby to lay a new foundation, and bring truth to +light again; the which perhaps would not be so hard to do as if one should +begin to pull down and destroy the old ruinous building, and begin to +enlarge the fore Court, afterwards bring the lights in the Lodgings, and +then change the doors, staples and other things according to our +intention.</p> + +<p>But to whom would this not be acceptable, for to be manifested to every +one rather than to have it kept and spared, as an especial ornament for +the appointed time to come.</p> + +<p>Wherefore should we not with all our hearts rest and remain in the only +truth (which men through so many erroneous and crooked ways do seek) if it +had only pleased God to lighten unto us the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> sixth Candelabrum, were it +not good that we needed not to care, not to fear hunger, poverty, sickness +and age.</p> + +<p>Were it not a precious thing that you could always live so, as if you had +lived from the beginning of the world, and moreover as you should still +live to the end therof. Were it not excellent, you dwell in one place, +that neither the people which dwell beyond the River Ganges in the Indies +could hide anything, nor those which live in Peru might be able to keep +secret their counsels from thee.</p> + +<p>Were it not a precious thing that you could so read in one only book, and +withal by reading understand and remember all that, which in all other +books (which heretofore have been, and are now and hereafter shall come +out) hath been, is, and shall be learned, and found out of them.</p> + +<p>How pleasant were it that you could so sing, that instead of stony rocks +you could draw to thee pearls and precious stones, instead of wilde +beasts, spirits, and instead of hellish Pluto, move the mighty Princes of +the world.</p> + +<p>O ye people, God’s counsel is far otherwise, who hath concluded now to +increase and enlarge the number of our Fraternity, the which we with such +joy have undertaken as we have heretofore obtained this great treasure +without our merits, yea without any our hopes and thoughts, and purpose +with the like fidelity to put the same in practice, that neither the +compassion nor pity of our own children (which some of us in the +Fraternity have) shall draw us from it, because we know that these unhoped +for goods cannot be inherited, nor by chance be obtained.</p> + +<p>If there be somebody now which on the other side will complain of our +discretion, that we offer our Treasures so freely, and without any +difference to all men, and do not rather regard and respect more the +godly, learned, wise, or princely persons than the common people; those we +do not contradict, seeing it is not a slight and easie matter; but without +we signify so much, that our Arcana or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> Secrets will no ways be common, +and generally made known. Although the Fama be set forth in five +languages, and is manifested to every one, yet we do partly very well know +that, the unlearned and gross wits will not receive nor regard the same; +as also the worthiness of those who shall be accepted into our Fraternity +are not esteemed and known of us by Man’s carefulness, but by the Rule of +our Revelation and Manifestation. Wherefore if the unworthy cry and call a +thousand times, or if they offer and present themselves to us a thousand +times, yet God hath commanded our ears, that they should hear none of +them: yea, God hath so compassed us about with his Clouds, that unto us +his servants, no violence or force can be done or committed; wherefore we +neither can be seen or known by any body, except he had the eyes of an +Eagle. It hath been necessary the Fama should be set forth in every ones +Mother Tongue, because those should not be defrauded of the knowledge +thereof, whom (although they be unlearned) God hath not excluded from the +happiness of this Fraternity, the which shall be divided and parted with +certain degrees; as those which dwell in the city Damcar in Arabia, who +have a far different politick order from the other Arabians. For there +they do govern only wise men, who by the King’s permission make particular +Laws; according unto which example, also the Government shall be +instituted in Europe (whereof we have a description set down by our +Christianly Father) when first is done and come to pass that which is to +precede. And thenceforth our Trumpet shall publiquely sound with a loud +sound, and great noise, when namely the same (which at this present is +showed by few, and is secretly, as a thing to come, declared in Figures +and Pictures) shall be free and publiquely proclaimed, and the whole world +be filled withall. Even in such manner as heretofore, many godly people +have secretly and altogether desperately pusht at the Pope’s Tyranny, +which afterwards, with great earnest, and especial zeal in Germany, was +thrown from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> seat and trodden under foot, whose final fall is delayed, +and kept for our times, when he also shall be scratched in pieces with +nails, and an end be made of his Asses cry, by a new voyce: the which we +know is already reasurably manifest and known to many learned men in +Germany, as their writings and secret congratulations do sufficiently +witness the same.</p> + +<p>We could here relate and declare what all the time from the year of our +Lord, 1378 (in which year our Christian Father was born) till now, hath +happened, where we might rehearse what alterations he hath seen in the +world these one hundred and six years of his life, which he hath left to +our Brethren and us after his decease to peruse. But brevity, which we do +observe, will not permit at this present to make rehearsal of it, till a +more fit time; at this time it is enough for those which do not despise +our declaration, having therefore briefly touched it, thereby to prepare +the way for their acquaintance and friendship with us.</p> + +<p>Yea, to whom it is permitted, that he may, and for his instruction use +those great Letters and Characters which the Lord God hath written and +imprinted in Heaven and Earth’s Edifice, through the alteration of +Government, which hath been from time to time altered and renewed; the +same is already (although as yet unknown to himself) ours: and as we know +he will not despise our inviting and calling, so, none shall fear any +deceit, for we promise and openly say, that no man’s uprightness and hopes +shall deceive him, whosoever shall make himself known unto us under the +Seal of Secrecy, and desire our Fraternity.</p> + +<p>But to the false Hypocrites, and to those that seek other things than +Wisdom, we say and witness by these presents publickly, we cannot be made +known and be betrayed unto them, and much less they shall be able to hurt +us any manner of way without the Will of God; but they shall certainly be +partakers of all the punishment spoken of in our Fama; so their wicked +counsels shall light upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> themselves, and our Treasures shall remain +untouched, until the Lion doth come, who will ask them for his use, and +employ them for the Confirmation and Establishment of his kingdom. We +ought therefore here to observe well, and make it known unto every one, +that God hath certainly and most assuredly concluded to send and grant to +the world before her end, which presently thereupon shall ensue, such a +Truth, Light, Life, and Glory, as the first Adam had, which he lost in +Paradise, after the which his successors were put, and driven with him to +misery, wherefore there shall cease all servitude, falsehood, lyes, and +darkness, which by little and little with the great World’s Revolution, +was crept into all Arts, Works and Governments of Men, and have darkened +the most part of them. For from thence are proceeded an innumerable sort +of all manner of false opinions and heresies, that scarce the wisest of +all was able to know whose Doctrine and Opinion he should follow and +embrace, and could not well and easily be discerned, seeing on the one +part they were detained, hindered, and brought into Errors through the +respect of the Philosophers and learned men, and on the other part through +true experience. All the which when it shall once be abolished and +removed, and instead thereof a right and true Rule instituted, then there +will remain thanks unto them which have taken pains therein, but the Work +itself shall be attributed to the Blessedness of our Age.</p> + +<p>As we now willingly confess, that many principal men by their Writings +will be a great furtherance unto this Reformation which is to come; so we +desire not to have this honour ascribed to us, as if such work were only +commanded and imposed upon us; but we confess, and witness openly with the +Lord Jesus Christ, that it shall first happen that the stones shall arise, +and offer their service before there shall be any want of Executors and +Accomplishers of God’s Counsel: yea, the Lord God hath already sent before +certain Messengers, which should testifie his Will, to wit, some new +Stars,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> which do appear and are seen in the Firmament in Serpentario and +Cygno, which signifie and give themselves known to every one that they are +powerful Signacula of great mighty matters. So then, the secret hid +Writings and Characters are most necessary for all such things which are +found out by men, although that great Book of Nature stand open to all +men, yet there are but few that can read and understand the same. For as +there is given to man two instruments to hear, likewise two to see, and +two to smell, but only one to speak, and it were but vain to expect speech +from the ears, or hearing from the eyes: so there hath been Ages or Times +which have seen, there have also been Ages that have heard, smelt and +tasted: now there remains that which in short time, honour shall be +likewise given to the Tongue, and by the same, what before times hath been +seen, heard, and smelt, now finally shall be spoken, and uttered forth, +viz., when the World shall awake out of her heavy and drowsie sleep, and +with an open heart, bare-head and bare-foot, shall merrily and joyfully +meet the now arising Sun.</p> + +<p>These Characters and Letters, as God hath here and there incorporated them +in the holy Scripture and the Bible, so hath he imprinted them most +apparently into the wonderful Creation of Heaven and Earth, yea, in all +Beasts. So that like as the Mathematician or Astronomer can long before +see and know the Eclipses which are to come, so we may verily foreknow and +foresee the darkness of Obscurations of the Church, and how long they +shall last, from the which characters or letters we have borrowed our +Magick writing, and have found out, and made a new language for ourselves, +in the which withall is expressed and declared the nature of all things, +so that is no wonder that we are not so eloquent in other languages, the +which we know that they are altogether disagreeing to the languages of our +forefathers, Adam and Enoch, and were through the Babylonical Confusion +wholly hidden.</p> + +<p>But we must also let you understand, that there are yet some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> Eagle’s +Feathers in our way, the which do hinder our purpose. Wherefore we do +admonish every one for to read diligently and continually the holy Bible; +for he that taketh all his pleasures therein, he shall know that he +prepared for himself an excellent way to come into our Fraternity; for as +this is the whole sum and content of our Rule, that every letter or +character which is in the world ought to be learned and regarded well; so +those are like unto us, and are very near allied unto us, who do make the +holy Bible a Rule of their life, and an aim and end of all their studies; +yea, to let it be a compendium and content of the whole world, and not +only to have it continually in the mouth, but to know how to apply and +direct the true understanding of it to all times and ages of the world. +Also it is not our custom to prostitute and make so common the holy +Scriptures, for there are innumerable expounders of the same, some +alledging and wresting it to serve for their opinion, some to scandal it, +and most wickedly do liken it to a Nose of Wax which alike should serve +the Divines, Philosophers, Physicians and Mathematicians, against all the +which we do openly witness and acknowledge, that from the beginning of the +World there hath not been given unto men a more worthy, a more excellent, +and a more admirable and wholesome Book than the holy Bible. Blessed is he +that hath the same, yea, more blessed is he who reads it diligently, but +most blessed of all is he that truly understandeth the same, for he is +most like to God, and doth come most near to Him. But whatsoever hath been +said in the Fama concerning the Deceivers against the transmutation of +Metals, and the highest Medicine in the world, the same is thus to be +understood, that this so great gift of God we do in no manner set at +naught or despise it. But because she bringeth not with her always the +knowledge of Nature, but this bringeth forth not only Medicine, but also +maketh manifest and open unto us innumerable secrets and wonders; +therefore it is requisite that we be earnest to attain to the +understanding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> and knowledge of Philosophy. And moreover, excellent Wits +ought not to be drawn to the Tincture of Metals, before they be exercised +well in the knowledge of Nature. He must needs be an unsatiable Creature, +who is come so far that neither poverty nor sickness can hurt him; yea, +who is exalted above other men, and hath Rule over that, the which doth +anguish, trouble and pain others, yet will give himself again to idle +things, as to build houses, make wars, and use all manner of pride, +because he hath of Gold and Silver infinite store.</p> + +<p>God is far otherwise pleased, for he exalteth the lowly, and putteth down +the proud with disdain; to those which are of few words he sendeth his +holy Angel to speak with them, but the unclean Babblers he driveth in the +wilderness and solitary places; the which is the right Reward of the +Romish Seducers, who have vomitted forth their blasphemies against Christ, +and as yet do not abstain from their lies in this clear Shining Light: in +Germany all their abominations and detestable Tricks have been disclosed, +that thereby he may fully fulfil the measure of sin, and draw near to the +end of his punishment. Therefore one day it will come to pass that the +mouth of those Vipers will be stopped, and the three double horns will be +brought to nought, as thereof at our Meeting shall more plain and at large +be discoursed.</p> + +<p>In Conclusion of our Confession, we must earnestly admonish you, that you +put away, if not all, yet the most books, written by false Alchemists, who +do think it but a jest or a pastime, when they either misuse the holy +Trinity, when they do apply it to vain things, or deceive the people with +most strange figures and dark sentences and speeches, and cozen the +simpliest of their money; as there are now-a-days too many such books set +forth, which the enemy of Man’s Welfare doth daily, and will to the end, +mingle among the good seed, thereby to make the Truth more difficult to be +believed, which in herself is simple, easie and naked; but <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>certainly +falsehood is proud, haughty, and coloured with a kind of lustre of seeming +godly and of humane wisdom. Ye that are wise, eschew such books, and turn +unto us, who seek not your moneys but offer unto you most willingly our +great Treasures. We hunt not after your Goods with invented lying +Tinctures, but desire to make you Partakers of our Goods: we speak unto +you by Parables, but would willingly bring you to the right, simple, +easie, and ingenuous Exposition, Understanding, Declaration and Knowledge, +of all Secrets. We desire not to be received of you, but invite <ins class="correction" title="original: yon">you</ins> unto +our more than Kingly Houses and Palaces, and that verily not by our own +proper motion, but (that you likewise may know it) as forced unto it, by +the Instigation of the Spirit of God, by his Admonition, and by the +Occasion of this present time.</p> + +<p>What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you +now understand and know, that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely +to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict ourselves to the true +Philosophy, lead a Christian life, and dayly call, intreat, and invite +many more unto our Fraternity, unto whom the same Light of God likewise +appeareth. Consider you not at length how you might begin with us, not +only by pondering the Gifts which are in you, and by experience which you +have in the Word of God beside the careful Consideration of the +Imperfection of all Arts, and many other unfitting things, to seek for an +amendment therein; to appease God, and to accommodate you for the time +wherein you live. Certainly if you will perform the same, this profit will +follow, that all the Goods which Nature hath in all parts of the World +wonderfully dispersed, shall at one time altogether be given unto you, and +shall easily disburden you of all that which obscureth the understanding +of Man, and hindereth the working thereof, like unto the vain Epicides, +and Excentrick Astronomical Circles.</p> + +<p>But those Pragmatical and busieheaded men, who either are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> blinded with +the glistering of Gold, or (to say more truly) who are now honest, but by +thinking such great Riches should never fail, might easily be corrupted, +and brought to Idleness, and to riotous proud living; those we do desire +that they would not trouble us with their idle and vain crying. But let +them think, that although there be a Medicine to be had which might fully +cure all Diseases, <ins class="correction" title="original: nevertherless">nevertheless</ins> those whom God hath destinated to plague +with diseases, and to keep them under the Rod of Correction, such shall +never obtain any such Medicine.</p> + +<p>Even in such manner, although we might enrich the whole World, and endue +them with Learning, and might release it from innumerable miseries, yet +shall we never be manifested and made known unto any man, without the +especial pleasure of God; yea, it shall be so far from him whosoever +thinks to get the benefit, and be Partaker of our Riches and Knowledge, +without and against the Will of God, that he shall sooner lose his life in +seeking and searching for us, than to find us, and attain to come to the +wished Happiness of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> +<h3><i>John Heydon and the Rosicrucians.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">As</span> we have frequently to mention works of that “extraordinary Royalist, +mystic and geomancer,” John Heydon, who wrote so much respecting the Rosie +Crucian Mysteries, and so loudly extolled the praises of the disciples, it +will be advisable to present a sketch of his life as made by one Frederick +Talbot, in the years 1662 and 1663, and attached to “Elhavareuna,” or the +“English Physitian’s Tutor.” He says John Heydon is not basely, but nobly +descended. The Antiquaries derive them (his parents) from Julius Heydon +the King of Hungary and Westphalia, that were descended from that Noble +family of Cæsar Heydon in Rome; and since in this Royal Race the line run +down to the Honourable Sir Christopher Heydon, and Sir William Heydon, his +brother of Heydon, neer Norwich; who married into Devonshire. Here the +family flourished divers waies, to Sir John Heydon, late Lord Lieutenant +of the King’s Tower of London. And this Sir William Heydon had one sonne +christened also William, and had two sons William and Francis, both born +in Devon, at Poltimore House; Francis married one of the Noble Chandlers +in Worcestershire of the Mother’s side, which line spread by Marriage into +Devonshire, among the Collins, Ducks, Drues and Bears, he had one Sister +named Anne Heydon, who died two years since, his Father and Mother being +yet living. He was born at his Father’s house in Green-Arbour, London (his +father having bestowed £1,500 upon those houses) and was baptised at St. +Sepulchre’s, and so was his Sister, and both in the fifth and seventh year +of the Reign of King Charles the First; he was educated in Warwickshire +among his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> mother’s friends, and so careful were they to keep him and his +sister from danger, and to their books, that he had one continually to +wait upon him, both to school and at home, and so had his sister.</p> + +<p>He was commended by Mr. John Dennis, his Tutor in Tardebick, to Mr. George +Linacre, Priest of Coughton, where he learned the Latin and Greek Tongues; +the war at this time began to molest the Universities of this Nation, he +was articled to Mr. Mic. Petley, an Attorney of Clifford Inne, with eighty +pounds, that at five years’ end he should be sworn an Attorney; now being +very young he applied his mind to learning, and by his happy wit attained +great knowledge in all arts and sciences, afterwards also he followed the +Armies of the King, and for his valour commanded in the troops, when he +was by these means famous for learning and arms, he travelled into Spain, +Italy, Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, etc., and gave his mind to writing, and +composed about seventeen years since, the Temple of Wisdom in three Books, +The Holy Guide in six Books, Elhavareuna in one Book, Ocia Imperialia in +one Book, the Idea of the Law, the Idea of Government, the Idea of Tyranny +in three parts, the Fundamental Elements of Moral Philosophy, Policy, +Government and War, etc.</p> + +<p>These Books were written near seventeen years since, and preserved by the +good hand of God in the custody of Mr. Thomas Heydon, Sir John Hanner, Sir +Ralph Freman, and Sir Richard Temple; during the tyrant’s time first one +had the Books, then another, etc. And at last at the desire of these +Noble, Learned and valiant Knights, and in honour of his Highness the Duke +of Buckingham, they were printed.</p> + +<p>He wrote many excellent things, and performed many rare experiments in the +Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, etc., but especially eighty one, the +first upon the King’s death, predicted in Arabia by him to his friends, +the second upon the losses of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> King at Worcester, predicted at Thauris +in Persia. Thirdly he predicted the death of Oliver Cromwell in Lambeth +House to many persons of honour mentioned in his books. Fourthly he wrote +of the overthrow of Lambert, and of the Duke of Albymarle, his bringing +again of the King to his happy countries, and gave it to Major Christopher +Berkenhead, a Goldsmith at the Anchor by Fetter Lane end in Holborn; the +fifth precaution or prediction he gave to his highness the Duke of +Buckingham, two months before the evil was practised, and his enemy +Abraham Goodman lies now in the Tower for attempting the death of the +noble Prince. The sixth for Count Gramont when he was banished into +England by the King of France, and he predicted by the Arts of Astromancy +and Geomancy, the King’s receiving again into favour, and of his marriage +to the Lady Hamilton. The seventh for Duke Minulaus, a peer of Germany, +that the Emperor sent to him, when the Turk, had an army against him, and +of the death of the Pope; the rest are in his books, and therefore by +these monuments the name of Heydon for his variety of learning was famous +not only in England, but also in many other nations into which his books +are translated.</p> + +<p>This John Heydon, fears none, contemneth none, is ignorant of none, +rejoyceth in none, grieves at none, laughs at none, is angry with none, +but being himself a Philosopher, he hath taught the way to happiness, the +way to long life, the way to health, the way to wane young being old, and +the way to resolve all manner of Questions, Present and to Come, by the +Rules of Astromancy and Geomancy, and how to raise the Dead.</p> + +<p>There be many John Heydons, one John Heydon the divine and priest of Jesus +Christ, this is a Philosopher and Lawyer, stiled a Servant of God and +Secretary of Nature, and to this the Princes and Peers not only of +England, but of Spain, Italy, France and Germany send dayly to him, and +upon every occasion he sheweth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> strong parts and a vigorous brain; his +wishes and aimes, and what he pointeth at, speaketh him owner of a noble +and generous heart; this gentleman’s excellent books are admired by the +world of lettered men, as the prodigy of these latter times (indeed his +works before mentioned, if I am able to judge anything) are full of the +profoundest learning I ever met withall: and I believe, who hath well-read +and digested them will perswade himself, there is no truth too abstruse, +nor hitherto conceived out of our reach, and if any should question my +judgement, they may read the commendations of both the Universities, +Oxford and Cambridge, besides the learned Thomas White and Thomas Revell, +Esq., both famous in Rome and other parts beyond sea, that have highly +honoured this gentleman in their books; yet he hath suffered many +misfortunes, his fathered was sequestered, imprisoned, and lost two +thousand pounds by Cromwell. This Oliver imprisoned this son also two year +and half, or thereabout, in Lambeth House, for he and his father’s family +were always for the King, and endeavoured to the utmost his restoration; +and indeed the tyrant was cruel to him, but John Thurloe, his Secretary, +was kind to him and pittied his curious youth. And the messenger kept him +(at his request) at his own house, and gave him leave to go abroad, but +yet being zealous and active for the King, he was again taken and clapt up +in Lambeth House; in these misfortunes it cost him a £1,000 and upwards; +after this some envious villains forged actions of debt against him, and +put him in prison. It seems at the beginning of these misfortunes, a +certain harlot would have him to marry her, but denying her suit, for he +had never spoken to her in his life good or evil until then; she devised +now with her confederates abundance of mischief against him. And many +courted him to marry, but he denyed. Now there was left (amongt a few old +Almanacks and scraps of other men’s wit) collected and bequeathed unto the +world by Nic. Culpe (as his own admired experience) old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> Alice Culpeper, +his widow. She hearing this gentleman (that he was heir to a great estate +after the death of his father, and after the death of his uncle, £1,000 a +year, but whether this uncle be of the father’s or the mother’s side I +know not, but the estate is sure his at their death), courts him by +letters of love, to no purpose; the next saint in order was she that calls +herself the German Princess. But he flies high and scorns such fowl great +beasts, the first of these two blessed birds in her life time caused one +Heath to arrest him, and another laid actions against him that he never +knew nor heard of. In this perplexity was he imprisoned two years, for +they did desire nothing but to get money, or destroy him, for fear if ever +he got his liberty he might then punish them. He being of a noble nature +forgave them all their malice and devices against him, and scorns to +revenge himself such upon pittiful things. God indeed hath done him the +justice, for this Heath consumes to worse than nothing, and indeed, if I +can judge or predict anything his baudy-houses will be pawned, and he will +dye a miserable diseased beggar. His mistress, when he was very young and +a clerke, desired him to lay with her, but he like Joseph refusing, she +hated him all her life. God preserved him from their malice, although one +of these three lewd women swore this gentleman practised the art of Magic; +she told Oliver Cromwell she saw familiar spirits come and go to him in +the shape of Conies, and her maid swore she had often seen them in his +chambers when he was abroad, and sometimes walking upon the housetop in +moonshine nights, and sometimes to vanish away into a wall or Aire, but +when asked she could not tell what manner of man he was. So these stories +were not credited, and for all these and many more afflictions and false +accusations, I never saw him angry, nor did he even arrest or imprison any +man or woman in all his life.</p> + +<p>He was falsely accused but lately of writing a seditious book and +imprisoned in a messenger’s custody, but his noble friend the Duke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> of +Buckingham finding him innocent and alwaies for the king, he was then +discharged, and indeed this glorious Duke is a very good and just judge +and noble, for he forgave Abraham Godman that came to kill him with his +sword drawn, the Duke with his plate and napkin (for he was at supper) +takes away his sword, saying, I can kill thee, but I scorn it, and a +little after he pardoned him. And so mercifull he is that after he had +taken the Quakers prisoners in Yorkshire, he used so many wise convincing +arguments that they submitted to the King; of which the Duke was glad, and +saved all their lives; he studies the way to preserve his king and country +in peace, plenty, and prosperity. It is a pity the King hath not many more +such brave men as he, a thousand such wise Dukes as this (like marshell’d +thunder, back’d with flames of fire) would make all the enemies of the +King and Christendome quake, and the Turk fly before such great generals, +in all submission; we humbly pray for this great Prince, and leave him to +his pleasure and return to our subject.</p> + +<p>John Heydon is not of that vain and presumptuous nature as the Taylors +that despised all Artists, even Appolonius, More, Vaughan, and Smith, etc. +And yet they cannot read these, and many other learned authors, they so +impudently abuse, rob of their learning, and convert other men’s parts to +their own profit. He lent one ten pounds gold, he in requital or return +speaks ill of him, and pretends to know many admirable rules of Geomancy, + +and impertinently addes them to Nativities, and applyes them to all manner +of questions in Astromancy, but his books being written so long since, +viz., seventeen years by himself, their greediness of great matters is +discovered, and we now know them to be neither scholars nor gentlemen, +these hang up clouts with—here are Nativities calculated, questions +resolved, and all the parts of Astrology taught by us.... In threepence, +fourpence, sixpence, or higher if you please—thus are young apprentices, +old women, and wenches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> abused, and that they may be found for money, tell +us the twelve houses of heaven in the sign of a coat of arms are to be +let, when they might indeed set bills upon their brazen foreheads, +engraven thus: Here are Rooms to be let unfurnished, but our Author +regards not these men; all their scandals, forgeries, and villainous +devises they contrive against him, he slights and scorns, and hath +purposely forsaken Spittle Fields and his lodging there, to live a private +life, free from the concourse of multitudes of people that daily followed +after him, but if any desire to be advised, let them by way of letter +leave their business at his booksellers, and they shall have answer and +counsel without reward, for he is neither envious, nor enemie to any man; +what I write is upon my own knowledge.</p> + +<p>He now writes from Hermenpolis, a place I was never at; it seems by the +word to be the city of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange +places, among the Rosie Crucians, and at their Castles, Holy Houses, +Temples, Sepulchres, Sacrifices. This gentleman hath suffered much by his +own discreet silence and solitude. Every Nativity Hawker condemns the +Rosie Crucians because they appear not to the world, and concludes there +is no such society because he is not a member of it, and Mr. Heydon will +not come upon the stage (let his enemies write or speak what they will) +when any fool cries enter, neither doth he regard every dog that barks at +him. All the world knows this gentleman studys honourable and honest +things, and faithfully communicates them to others, yet if any traduce him +hereafter, they must not expect his vindication, he hath referred his +quarrel to the God of Nature, it is involved in the concernments of his +Truths and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience; he hath +been misinterpreted in his writing, with studied calumnies, they disparage +a person whom they never saw, nor perhaps will see, he is resolved for the +future to suffer, for he says God condemns no man for his patience,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> the +world indeed may think the truth overthrown, because she is attended with +his peace for in the judgment of most men, there is no victory, this he +looks upon as no disadvantage, the estimate of such censures will but +lighten the scales, and I don’t suppose them very weak brains who conceive +the truth sinks because it outweighs them; as for tempestuous outcrys when +they want their motives they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath +more of the Hurrey-cano than of Christ Jesus, God was not in the wind that +rent the rocks in pieces, nor in the earthquake and fire at Horeb. He was +in Aura tenui, in the still small voice. His enemies are forced to praise +his vertues and his friends are sorry he hath not 10,000 pounds a year, he +doth not resent the common spleen, who writs the truth of God hath the +same Patron with the truth itself, and when the world shall submit to the +general Tribunal, he will find his Advocate where they shall find their +Judge, there is mutual testimony between God and his servants, or nature +and her Secretary; if the Baptist did bear witness of Christ, Christ did +also much for the Baptist; he was a burning and shining light; when I writ +this gentleman’s life God can bear me witness it was unknown to him, and +for no private ends, but I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the +Mistery and Majesty of Nature, written by this servant of God and +Secretary of Nature; I began his life some years since, and do set it down +as I do finde it, if any man oppose this, I shall answer, if you are for +peace, peace be with you, if you are for War, I have been so too (Mr. +Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King +command him). Now let not him that puts on the Armour boast like him that +puts it off. ‘Gaudet patientia duris’ is his Motto, and thus I present +myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 12em;">FREDERICK TALBOT, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>March 3, 1662.</i></span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>What was thought of John Heydon and what he appeared to think of himself +may be learned from the somewhat gushing testimonials he appended to +several of his books.</p> + +<p>At the commencement of the Axiomata we have the following:—</p> + +<p>“To his most ingeniously accomplish’d friend, Mr. John Heydon, on his +Rosie Crucian Infallible Axomata, the excellent and secret use of +Numbers.”</p> + +<p class="poem">“Now let the Pope no more pretend to bee,<br /> +The Father of Infallibility;<br /> +Unless he can great Heyden’s Numbers teach,<br /> +And nimbly to his Axiomata reach.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">One learned Heydon, with his Art-like Pen,</span><br /> +Hath exercised so the Brains of Men;<br /> +That how to answer him this very Age<br /> +Knows not [I’m sure] with all its Wit and Rage.<br /> +Our Author here, as Heir unto his skill,<br /> +Hath kept his name up (with a pregnant Quill)<br /> +So happily! that Ages yet to come,<br /> +Shall sing his fame in this Eulogium;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">While Numbers sing the World’s glad Harmony,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">This worthy work shall teach Philosophy.”</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">J. Gadbury.</span></span></p> + +<p>Again in the same work.</p> + +<p>“To his much honoured friend the Author Mr. John Heydon upon the Rosie +Crucian Infallible Axiomata.”</p> + +<p class="poem">“Pythag’ras redivivus, go thy ways<br /> +Into the world: and number out thy praise;<br /> +Laconian Lads esteem yourself no more,<br /> +Who Numbers rich is, who esteems is poor,<br /> +For they esteem themselves, because no more.<br /> +Moses in Miracles did exceed ’tis true<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>By Numbers done; only found out by you<br /> +Therefore the greatest Miracle’s your due.<br /> +Tria sunt omnia shall no more surpass,<br /> +Who’s but for simple Numbers is an Asse,<br /> +Thy compound Numbers shew as clear as Glass.<br /> +That the wide world this piece shall so extoll<br /> +As swears no soul, if not Harmonic all<br /> +For never was piece i’ the world so exactly done,<br /> +In the time past, or present, what’s to come,<br /> +Then teeming Soul give thy Pen intermission,<br /> +And breathe a while before the next Edition.”<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">John Fyge</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><i>Minister of the Gospell.</i></span></p> + +<p>Again:—</p> + +<p class="poem">“O Comprehensive Magus, praise attends<br /> +Thy worthy work, to that each number tends,<br /> +Sith to the Holy Cross thou art the Crown;<br /> +And that, which Nature did at first set down<br /> +In Hieroglyphicks, that she might conceal<br /> +From Sons of earth, her Darling doth reveal<br /> +Unto the Sons of Art and doth unfold<br /> +Those Tomes of Crypicks that before were rold;<br /> +Axioms infallible, thou dost us shew,<br /> +Would Pyrrho make his doubting Trade forego;<br /> +Philosophy may by thy Method be<br /> +Courted, and won by men of low degree,<br /> +When fancy tells me this cannot be done,<br /> +My Reason prompts me to believe a Son,<br /> +Inspired by the Rosie Crucian Spirit,<br /> +Is Heir to more, to whom I do refer it.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">Thomas Fyge.</span>”</span></p> + +<p class="poem"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +“Hayl you (admired Heydon) whose great parts<br /> +Shine above envy; and the common Arts,<br /> +You kin to Angels, and Superiour Lights,<br /> +(A spark of the first fire) whose Eagle flights<br /> +Trade not with Earth, and grossness, but do pass<br /> +To the pure Heavens, and make your God your Glass,<br /> +In whom you see all forms, and so do give<br /> +These rare discov’ries, how things move and live,<br /> +Proceed to make your great designs compleat,<br /> +And let not this rude world our hopes defeat.<br /> +Oh let me but by this the dawning light<br /> +Which streams upon me through your three pil’d night,<br /> +Pass to the East of truth, ’till I may see<br /> +Man’s first fair state; when sage Simplicity<br /> +The Dove and Serpent, Innocent and Wise<br /> +Dwell in his brest, and he in Paradise.<br /> +These from the Tree of knowledge his best boughs<br /> +I’le pluck a Garland from this Author’s brows,<br /> +Which to succeeding times Fame shall bequeath,<br /> +With this most just Applause, Great Heyden’s wreath.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">Fred. Talbot</span>, <i>Esquire</i>.”</span></p> + +<p>In the opening pages of the “Holy Guide,” we find the following:—</p> + +<p class="poem">“Renowned Eugenius! Famous above all!<br /> +A Prince in Physiques! Most Seraphicall!<br /> +The Art’s Great Archer! Never shooting wide;<br /> +Yet Hitt’st the White best, in thy Holy Guide.<br /> +Good God! What Pains have learn’d Physitians<br /> +For cleansing Physiques [strange perturbed] Brook?<br /> +But as their crooked labours did destroy<br /> +Our hopes, Thy Guide directs the Ready Way.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>Hippocrates, Great Galen, and Senertus,<br /> +Rhenvoleus, Paracelsus, and Albertus,<br /> +Grave Gerrard, and Ingenious Parkinson,<br /> +Dead Culpeper, and living Thomlinson,<br /> +Have all done well. But ah! they miss the Road,<br /> +Thou Chalked out, Thou Dear Servant of God;<br /> +And therefore ’tis no wonder, if they vary<br /> +From thee; Great Nature (High born) Secretary!<br /> +’Tis thou alone, hast taught the way to bliss:<br /> +’Tis thou alone, that knowest what it is:<br /> +’Tis thou hast raked fruitful Egypt o’er<br /> +For Medicines; and Italy for more;<br /> +And in Arabia thy collecting Braines,<br /> +To doe us good, hath taken wondrous Paines<br /> +This having done, if Critiques will not bow<br /> +To thy Great Learning Petra scandalou,<br /> +It shall unto them surely prove: And this<br /> +Essay of thy Sublimer Misteryes,<br /> +Shall make them sure unto the Wise Minerva<br /> +Yet still be ignorant of thy Pantarva.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But hold! Where am I? Sure th’ hast set a spell</span><br /> +On me, cause I can’t praise thy doings well:<br /> +Release me, Good Eugenius! and the Crowne<br /> +Shall stand on no browes but thy learned Owne.<br /> +Poets, no more lay Claime unto the Bayes!<br /> +’Tis Heydon shines alone with splendid Rayes!<br /> +Follow his Guide, he teaches you most sure;<br /> +Let any make the Wound; ’Tis he must cure.<br /> +For he directs the Welgrowne; Old, and Young,<br /> +To live Rich, Happy, Healthy, Noble, Strong.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">John Gadbury.</span>”</span></p> + +<p>“To the Reader on the behalf of my much honoured Friend the Author Mr. +John Heydon.”</p> + +<p class="poem"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +“A Labyrinth doth need a clew to find<br /> +The passage out, and a Dædalian mind<br /> +May doe strange works, beyond the Vulgar’s reach,<br /> +And in their understandings make a breach.<br /> +It’s often seene, when men of pregnant parts<br /> +Study, Invent, and promulgate rare Arts,<br /> +Or unknown secrets, now they puzzle those<br /> +That understand them not; their Yea’s, their No’s,<br /> +Are put to Non-plus; Tutors then they lack<br /> +To drive them forward, or to bring them back.<br /> +How many learned men (in former ages)<br /> +In all the sciences were counted Sages?<br /> +And yet are scarcely understood by men,<br /> +Who daily read them o’re and o’re again!<br /> +Some can recount things past, and present some,<br /> +And some would know of things that are to come.<br /> +Some study pleasure, some would faine live long;<br /> +Some that are old, would faine again be young.<br /> +This Man doth toyle, and moile, to purchase wealth,<br /> +That man gets sickness studying for his health;<br /> +This man would happy bee, that Wisdom have;<br /> +All are at loss, and every man doth crave;<br /> +None is content, But each man wants a Guide<br /> +Them to direct when they do step aside.<br /> +Since this is thus, Our Author hath took paine<br /> +To lead us in, and bring us out again;<br /> +Now who is pleas’d in him for to confide<br /> +In these Discoveries, Here’s his Holy Guide.<br /> +Pray what can more improve the Commonwealth,<br /> +Than the discovery of the way to Health?<br /> +The Paradox is made a certain truth,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>An Ancient man may dye it ’h prime of ’s youth.<br /> +What wonder is it if he goe aside<br /> +The Path, which will not take the Holy Guide!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><span class="smcap">John Booker.</span>”</span></p> + +<p>“To his Ingenuous Friend Mr. John Heydon, on his Book Intituled The Holy +Guide.”</p> + +<p class="poem">“The Antient Magi, Druids, Cabbalists,<br /> +The Brachmans, Sybils, and Gymnosophists<br /> +With all that Occult Arts haberdash<br /> +And make so many mancies, doe but trash<br /> +By retaile vend, and may for Pedlars goe:<br /> +Your richer merchandise doth make them soe.<br /> +The Stagarite must with his Murnival<br /> +Of Elements, Galen of Humours call<br /> +In all their suit, or your new Art,<br /> +Without them, makes their good old cause to smart.<br /> +Vulgar Physitians cannot look for more<br /> +Patients, then such which doe need hellibore:<br /> +When Rosie Crucian Power can revive<br /> +The dead, and keep old men in youth alive.<br /> +Had you not call’d your work the Holy Guide,<br /> +It would have puzzled all the world beside<br /> +To have Baptized it with a name so fit<br /> +And Adæquate to what’s contain’d in it;<br /> +Should it be styled the Encyclopædy<br /> +Of Curious Arts, or term’d a Mystery<br /> +In folio, or be named the Vatican<br /> +Reduc’d unto an Enchiridion,<br /> +Or all the Hermæ in a Senary,<br /> +The Urim and Thummim of Philosophy,<br /> +The Art of Hieroglyphicks so revealed<br /> +And like the Apocalyps they are conceal’d<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>Or th’ Orthodoxall Parodox, or all<br /> +Discover’d, which men still a wonder call;<br /> +Or th’ Magna Charta of all Sciences,<br /> +And he that names it cannot call it less,<br /> +The Book and Title might have well agreed;<br /> +Yet men have questioned if into their Creed<br /> +They should have put your Article, but Now<br /> +The name of holy none dare disallow<br /> +When so much learning doth in one exist<br /> +Heydon, not Hermes, shall be Trismegist.<br /> +And if the Right Reverend of Levi’s Tribe<br /> +Do Hallow it, I cannot but subscribe.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">Myself your Friend and Servant,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><span class="smcap">Thos. Fyge.</span>”</span></p> + +<p>“Now there are,” says John Heydon, “a kind of men as they themselves +report, named Rosie Crucians; a divine Fraternity that inhabite the +suburbs of Heaven, and these are the Officers of the Generalissimo of the +world, that are as the eyes and eares of the great King, seeing and +hearing all things; they say these R. C. are seraphically illuminated, as +Moses was, according to this Order of the Elements; Earth refyn’d to +Water, Water to Air, Air to Fire. So if a man be one of the Heroes, of a +Heros, a Damon, or good Genius, if a Genius, a partaker of divine things, +and a Companion of the holy Company of unbodied Souls and immortall +Angells, and according to their vehicles, a versatile life, turning +themselves Proteus-like into any shape.</p> + +<p>“But the richest happiness they esteem, is the gift of healing and +medicine. It was a long time great labour and travell before they could +arrive to this Blisse above set, they were at first poor gentlemen, that +studied God and nature, as they themselves confesse: (saying) Seeing the +only wise and mercifull God in these latter dayes hath poured out so +richly his mercy and goodness to mankind, whereby wee do attain more and +more to the perfect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature: that +justly we may boast of the happy time wherein there is not only discovered +unto us the half part of the world which was heretofore unknown and +hidden; but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderfull and never +heretofore seen works and Creatures of nature, and moreover hath raised +men, indued with great wisdome, which might partly renew and reduce all +Arts (in this our age, spotted and imperfect) to perfection.</p> + +<p>“Although in Theologie, Physick, and the Mathematick, the truth doth +oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty and craft doth +shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his instruments and +contentious (wavering people) to such an intent of a generall Reformation, +the most Godly and Seraphically illuminated Father, our Brother C. R., a +German, the chief and originall of our Fraternity, hath much and long time +laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although a gentleman born, and +descended of noble parents) in the 5th year of his age was placed in a +Cloister, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin tongues +(who upon his earnest desire and request being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to Apamia).</p> + +<p>“Although his brother dyed in Cyprus and so never came to Apamia, yet our +brother C. R. did not return but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Apamia, but by reason of the +feebleness of his body he remained still there, and by his skil in +Physick, he obtained much favour with the Ishmalits. In the mean time he +became by chance acquainted with the wise men of Damcar in Arabia, and +beheld what great wonders they wrought and how Nature was discovered unto +them; hereby was that high and noble spirit of brother C. R. so stirred up +that Apamia was not so much now in his mind as Damcar; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain summe of money to Damcar, this was in +the 16th year of his age when the Wise received him (as he himself +witnesseth) not as a Stranger, but as one whom they had long expected, +they called him by his name, and showed him other secrets out of his +Cloyster, whereat hee could not but mightily wonder.</p> + +<p>“He learned there better the Arabian tongue: so that the year following he +translated the book M. into good Latine, and I have put it into English +wearing the title of The Wiseman’s Crown; whereunto is added A new Method +of Rosie Crucian Physick. This is the place where he did learn his Physick +and Philosophie, how to raise the dead; for example, as a Snake cut in +pieces and rotted in dung will every piece prove a whole Snake again, &c., +and then they began to practise further matters and to kill birds and to +burn them before they are cold in a Glass, and so rotted, and then +inclosed in a shell, to hatch it under a hen, and restore the same; and +other strange proofs they made of Dogs, Hogs, or Horses, and by the like +corruption to raise them up and again and renew them. And at last they +could restore by the same course every brother that died to life again, +and so continue many ages.</p> + +<p>“Brother C. R. after many travels, returned again into Germany, and there +builded a neat and fitting habitation, upon a little hill or mount, and on +the hill there rested always a cloud; and he did there render himself +visible or invisible, at his own will and discretion.</p> + +<p>“After five years came into his minde the wished return of the children of +Israel out of Egypt, how God would bring them out of bondage with the +Instrument Moses. Then he went to his Cloyster, to which he bare +affection, and desired three of his brethren to go with him to Moses, the +chosen servant of God. Brother G. V., Brother J. A., and Brother J. O., +who besides that they had more knowledge in the Arts than at that time +many others had,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> he did binde those three unto himselfe, to be faithful, +diligent, and secret; as also to commit carefully to writing what Moses +did; and also all that which he should direct and instruct them in, to the +end that those which were to come, and through especial Revelation should +be received into this Fraternity, might not be deceived of the least +syllable and word.</p> + +<p>“After this manner began the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, first by four +persons, who died and rose again until Christ, and then they came to +worship as the Star guided them to Bethlem of Judea, where lay our Saviour +in his mother’s arms; and then they opened their treasure and presented +unto Him Gifts, Gold, Frankinsense, and Myrrhe, and by the commandment of +God went home to their habitation.</p> + +<p>“These four waxing young again successively many hundreds of years, made a +Magical Language and Writing, with a large Dictionary, which are yet in +daily use to God’s praise and glory, and do finde great wisdome therein; +they made also the first part of the Book M. which I will shortly publish +by the title of The Wiseman’s Crown.”</p> + +<p>In his Apologue to the sixth book of “The Holy Guide,” after stating that +Moses was the father of the Rosie Crucians, that they were the Officers of +the Generalissimo of the World, of the order of Elias or Disciples of +Ezekiel, &c., John Heydon proceeds:—“But there is yet arguments to +procure Mr. Walfoord and T. Williams, Rosie Crucians by elections, and +that is the miracles that were done by them, in my sight, for it should +seem Rosie Crucians were not only initiated into the Mosaical Theory, but +have arrived also to the power of working Miracles, as Moses, Elias, +Ezekiel, and the succeeding Prophets did, as being transported where they +please, as Habakkuk was from Jewry to Babylon, or as Philip, after he had +baptized the Eunuch, to Azotus, and one of these went from me to a friend +of mine in Devonshire, and came and brought me an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> answer to London the +same day, which is four dayes journey; they taught me excellent +predictions of Astrology, and Earthquakes; they slack the Plague in +Cities; they silence the violent Winds and Tempests; they calm the rage of +the Sea and Rivers; they walk in the Air; they frustrate the malicious +aspects of Witches; they cure all Diseases; I desired one of these to tell +me whether my Complexion were capable of the society of my good Genius? +When I see you again, said he, I will tell you, which is when he pleases +to come to me, for I know not where to go to him. When I saw him then he +said, Ye should pray to God; for a good and holy man can offer no greater +nor more acceptable sacrifice to God than the oblation of himself, his +soul.</p> + +<p>“He said also, that the good Genii are as the benigne eyes of God, running +to and fro in the world, with love and pitty beholding the innocent +endeavours of harmless and single hearted men, ever ready to do them good, +and to help them; and at his going away he bid me beware of my seeming +friends who would do me all the hurt they could, and cause the Governours +of the nations to be angry with me, and set bounds to my liberty; which +truly happened to me, as they did indeed; many things more he told me +before we parted, but I shall not name them here.</p> + +<p>“In this Rosie Crucian Physick or Medicines, I happily and unexpectedly +light upon in Arabia, which will prove a restauration of health to all +that are afflicted with that sickness which we ordinarily call natural, +and all other Diseases, as the Gout, Dropsie, Leprosie, and falling +sickness; and these men may be said to have no small insight in the body, +and that Walfoord, Williams, and others of the Fraternity now living, may +bear up in the same likely Equipage, with those noble Divine spirits their +Predecessors; though the unskilfulness in men commonly acknowledges more +of supernatural assistance in hot, unsettled fancies, and perplexed +melancholy, than in the calm and distinct use of reason; yet for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> mine own +part, but not without submission to better judgments, I look upon these +Rosie Crucians above all men truly inspired, and more than any that +professed or pretended themselves so this sixteen hundred years, and I am +ravished with admiration of their miracles and transcendent mechanical +inventions, for the solving the Phenomena in the world: I may without +offence therefore compare them with Bezaliel and Aholiab, those skilful +and cunning workers of the Tabernacle, who, as Moses testifies, were +filled with the Spirit of God, and therefore were of an excellent +understanding to find out all manner of curious work.</p> + +<p>“Nor is it any argument that these Rosie Crucians are not inspired, +because they do not say they are; which to me is no argument at all; but +the suppression of what so happened, would argue much more sobriety and +modesty; when as the profession of it with sober men, would be suspected +of some piece of melancholy and distraction, especially in those things, +where the grand pleasure is the evidence and exercise of Reason, not a +bare belief, or an ineffable sense of life, in respect whereof there is no +true Christian but he is inspired; but if any more zealous pretender to +prudence and righteousness, wanting either leisure or ability to examine +these Rosie Crucian Medicines to the bottome, shall notwithstanding either +condemn them or admire them, he hath unbecomingly and indiscreetly +ventured out of his own sphere, and I cannot acquit him of injustice or +folly. Nor am I a Rosie Crucian, nor do I speak of spite, or hope of gain, +or for any such matter, there is no cause, God knows; I envie no man, be +he what he will be, I am no Phisitian, never was, nor never mean to be; +what I am it makes no matter as to my profession.</p> + +<p>“Lastly, these holy and good men would have me know that the greatest +sweet and perfection of a vertuous soul, is the kindly accomplishment of +her own nature, in true wisdome and divine love; and these miraculous +things that are done by them, are,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> that that worth and knowledge that is +in them may be taken notice of, and that God thereby may be glorified, +whose witnesses they are; but no other happiness accrues to them from +this, but hereby they may be in a better capacity of making others happy.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Spittle-fields, this 10th of May, 1662.</i></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;">JOHN HEYDON.”</span></p> + +<p>As, of course, it is impossible to give any lengthy extracts from the +works of this celebrated John Heydon, a few quotations from the Index to +his Holy Guide will show the nature of the work and must suffice for our +present purpose. “How by numbers the Rosie Crucians fore-know all future +things, command all nature and do miracles, etc. The resolution of all +manner of questions, and how by numbers you may be happy, etc. How to make +a man live to two hundred years. How to avoid all disease. The Rosie +Crucian way to get health. How to live twenty years without food, as many +creatures do. How to raise a dead bird to life. Of generating many +serpents of one,” etc., etc.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> +<h3><i>Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">On</span> a former page we referred to a book which at one time achieved +considerable notoriety under the title of “Count Gabalis; or the +Extravagant mysteries of the Cabalists,” the following extract will show +the nature of the work and no doubt prove interesting.</p> + +<p>Count Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Gabalists, or, +Rosy-crucians Exposed in Five Pleasant Discourses on the Secret Sciences.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Discourse the First.</p> + +<p>God rest the soul of Monsieur the Count of Gabalis! who as they write me +news, is lately dead of an Apoplexy. Now the Cabalists will not fail to +say, that this kind of Death is ordinary to those who imprudently manage +the Secrets of the Sages; and that since the Blessed Ramundus Lullius has +pronounced the sentence in his last Will and Testament, a destroying Angel +has ever been ready to strangle in a moment, all those who have +indiscreetly revealed the Philosophick Mysteries.</p> + +<p>But let them not so rashly condemn this Wise Man, without having better +information of his conduct. ’Tis true he has discovered all to me; but not +without all the Cabalistick Circumspectious requisite. I must do him the +right, in giving this testimony to his memory, that he was a great Zealot +for the religion of his fathers, the Philosophers; and that he would have +suffered the flames, rather than have profaned the Sanctity of it, by +disclosing it to any unworthy Prince, to any ambitious person, or to one +that was incontinent; three sorts of people, excommunicated in all ages by +the wise. By good fortune I am no Prince;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> I have little Ambition; and by +the Sequel of this discourse, it may be seen that I have a little more +Chastity than a Sage needs have. I am endued with a Docible Wit; curious +of knowledge, and Bold enough: I want but a little Melancholy to make all +those who would blame the Count of Gabalis, confess that he needed not +have concealed any thing from me, in regard I was a Subject proper enough +for the Secret Sciences. It is true that without Melancholy, no great +progress can be made therein: but this little stock of it that I have, was +enough to make me not to be rejected by them. You (has he said a hundred +times to one) have Saturn in an Angle, in his House, and Retrograde; you +cannot fail, one of these days, of being as Melancholy as a Sage ought to +be: for the wisest of all men (as we know in the Cabal) had, as you have, +Jupiter in the Ascendant. And yet, it was never observed, that he ever so +much as once laughed, in all his life time, so powerful was his Saturn in +him, though it was certainly weaker than yours.</p> + +<p>’Tis then my Saturn, and not Monsieur the Count of Gabalis that the +<i>Virtuoso</i> must quarrel with, if I affect more the Divulging of there +Secrets, than the practising of them. If the Stars do not their duty, the +Count is not in the fault, and if I have not a soul great enough to +attempt to become Master of Nature, to turn the Elements upside down, to +entertain the Supreme Intelligences, to command the Demons, to beget +Giants, to create New Worlds, to speak to God in his High Throne, and to +oblige the Cherubin, which defends the entrance of Paradise, to let me +come in, and take two or three turns in his Walks; ’tis me that they must +blame more or less: they must not for this insult over the memory of this +Rare Man; and say that he is dead, for having blabbed all things to me. Is +it impossible that amongst the wandering spirits he may not have been +worsted in a conflict with some undocible Hobgoblin? Perchance he is not +dead, but in appearance;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> following the custom of the Philosophers, who +seem to Dye in one place, and transport themselves to another. Be it how +it will, I can never believe, that the Manner wherewith he entrusted his +Treasures to me, merited any punishment. You shall see how all things +passed.</p> + +<p>Common sense having always made me suspect that there was a great deal of +Emptiness in all that which they call Secret Science, I was never tempted +to lose so much time, as to turn over the leaves of those books which +treat of them: but yet not finding it reasonable to condemn without +knowing why, all those addicting themselves thereto, who otherwise are +wise persons, very learned for the most part, and eminent both for the +Gown and Sword. I took up a resolution (that I might avoid being unjust, +and wearying myself with tedious reading) of feigning myself a great +devotee to those sciences, amongst all those, whom I could learn were of +that Gang. I had quickly better success than I could possibly hope for. +Since all these gentlemen, how mysterious and how reserved soever they may +seem to be, desire nothing more, than to vent their imaginations, and the +new discoveries which they pretend to have made in Nature. In a few dayes +I was the Confident of the most considerable amongst them, and had every +day one or other of them in my study, which I had on purpose garnished +with their most phantastick authors. There was never a learned Virtuoso of +this kind, but I had correspondence with him. In a word, for my Zeal to +this science, I quickly found that I was well approved by all. I had for +my companions, Princes, Great Lords, Gown-men, Handsome Ladies, and +Unhandsome too; Doctors, Prelates, Fryars, Nuns: in fine People of all +Ranks and Qualities. Some of them were for converse with Angels, others +with Devils, others with their Genius, others with Incubus’s; some +addicted themselves to the cure of diseases, some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> to Star-gazing, some to +the secrets of Divinity, and almost all to the Philosopher’s stone.</p> + +<p>They all agreed, that these grand secrets, and especially the +Philosopher’s stone, were hardly to be found out, and that but very few do +attain to them, but they had all in particular, a very good opinion of +themselves, to believe that they were of the number of the Elect. By good +luck, with infinite impatiency, the most considerable of them expected at +this time, the arrival of a lord, who was a great Cabalist, and whose +Estate lyes upon the frontiers of Poland. He had promised by letters to +the children of Philosophy in Paris to come and visit them; and so to pass +from France into England. I had a Commission to write an answer to this +great man: I sent him the scheme of my Nativity, that he might judge if I +were capable of aspiring to the supreme wisdom. My scheme and my letter +were so happy to oblige him to do me the honour of answering me; that I +should be one of the first that he would see at Paris; and that, if Heaven +did not oppose, there should be nothing wanting in him to introduce me +into the Society of the Wise.</p> + +<p>In the well management of my good fortune, I entertain a regular +correspondence with the illustrious German: I propose to him, from time to +time, great doubts, as well grounded as I could, concerning the Harmony of +the World, the Numbers of Pythagoras, the Revelations of St. John, and the +first chapter of Genesis. The greatness of the matter ravished him! He +writ to me unheard of Wonders; and I plainly saw that I had to deal with a +man of a most vigorous and most copious imagination. I was astonished one +remarkable day, when I saw a man come in a most excellent Mien, who, +saluting me gravely, said to me in the French tongue, but in the accents +of a foreigner: Adore my son; Adore the most glorious and great God of the +Sages and let not thyself be puffed up with pride, that he sends to thee +one of the children of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> Wisdom to constitute thee a fellow of their +society, and make thee partaker of the wonders of his Omnipotency.</p> + +<p>This strange manner of salutation, did upon the sudden surprise me, and I +began, at first, to question, whether or no it might not be some +apparition: nevertheless, recovering my spirits the best I could, and +looking upon him as civilly as the little fear I was seized with, could +permit me, Whatever you be (said I to him) whose Complement savours not of +this world, you do me a great honour in making me this visit. But I +beseech you, if you please, before I worship this God of the Sages, let me +know of what God and what Sages you speak. Do me the favour to sit down on +this chair and give yourself the trouble to tell me, what this God is, and +what these Sages, this Company, these Wonders of Omnipotency, and after or +before all this, what kind of creature I have the honour to speak to.</p> + +<p>Sir, you receive me most Sage-like (said he, smiling, and taking the chair +which I presented him) you desire me on a sudden to explain things to you, +which, if you please, I shall not resolve to-day. The Complement which I +made you, are the words which the Sages use at first, to those to whom +they purpose to open their hearts and to discover their mysteries. I had +thought that being so wise as you seemed to me in your letters, this +salutation would not have been unknown to you, and that it would be the +most pleasing Complement that could be made you by the Count of Gabalis.</p> + +<p>Ah! Sir (cried I, remembering that I had a ticklish game to play) how +shall I render myself worthy of so much goodness? Is it possible that the +excellentest of all men should be in my study? that the great Gabalis +should honour me with his visit?</p> + +<p>I am the least of the Sages (replied he, with a serious look) and God, who +dispenses the beams of his wisdom by weight and measure, as his +sovereignty pleases, has given me but a small talent, in comparison of +that which I admire in my fellows. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> hope that you may equal them, one +day; if I durst judge of it by the scheme of your nativity, which you did +me the honour to send me: but you give me cause to complain of you, Sir +(added he, smiling) in taking me even now for a Spirit. Not for a Spirit, +(said I to him) but I protest to you, Sir, that calling to my remembrance +on a sudden, what Cardan relates of his father; that being one day in his +study, he was visited by unknown persons, cloathed in divers colours; who +entertained him in a pleasant discourse concerning their nature and +employment. I understand you (interrupted the Count), they were Sylphes, +of which I shall talk to you hereafter: they are a kind of Aerial +substances; who sometimes come to consult the Sages concerning the books +of Averroes, which they do not well understand. Cardan was a coxcomb, for +publishing that amongst his subtilties: he had found those memories +amongst his father’s papers, who was one of us, and who seeing that his +son was naturally a babbler, would teach him nothing of what was most +considerable; but let him puzzle his brains in Astrology, by which he was +not cunning enough to prevent his sons being hanged. This ass was the +cause of your doing me the injury to take me for a Sylphe. Injury (replied +I!) Why, Sir, should I be so unfortunate to—I am not angry at it +(interrupted he) since you are not obliged to know beforehand, that all +these elementary spirits are our disciples; for they are most happy, when +we will stoop so low, as to instruct them; and the least of our Sages is +more knowing than all those little gentlemen. But we shall talk more at +large of this, some more convenient time; it is sufficient for me to-day, +that I have had the satisfaction to see you. Endeavour, my son, to make +yourself worthy of receiving the Cabalistical Illuminations: the hour of +your regeneration is come; the fault is your own, if you become not a new +creature. He went out of my study, and I complained of his short visit, as +I waited on him back, that he had the cruelty to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> leave me so quickly, +after he had let me be so happy, as to have a glimpse of his light. But +having assured me with a grand grace that I should lose nothing by this +sudden departure, he got up into his coach, and left me in a surprise +which I am not able to express. I could not believe my own eyes, nor my +own ears: I’m sure (said I) that this is a man of great quality; that he +hath an estate of five thousand pounds a year, besides he appears very +accomplished. Is it possible that he can thus suffer himself to be filled +with these fooleries? He has talked to me of these Sylphes with great +earnestnes: should he prove a sorcerer in the upshot? and should I have +been deceived till now, in believing that there were no such things? But +suppose he was a Sorcerer, are there also some of them so devout as this +man appears to be?</p> + +<p>The Count was pleased to allow me all the night in Prayer, and in the +morning by break of day, he acquainted me with a note that he would come +to my house by eight of the clock, and that if I pleased, we might go and +take the air together. I waited for him; he came, and after reciprocal +civilities, let us go (said he to me) to some place where we may be free +together and where nobody may interrupt our discourse.</p> + +<p>He seeing that we were as free from company as he could desire said:—How +happy shall you be, my son, if heaven has the kindness to put those +dispositions into your soul, which the high mysteries require of you. You +are about to learn how to command nature; God above shall be your master, +and the Sages only shall be your equals, the supreme intelligences shall +esteem it as glory to obey your desires. When you shall be enrolled +amongst the children of Philosophy, and that your eyes shall be fortified +by the use of our sacred medicine, you shall immediately discover that the +Elements are inhabited by most perfect creatures, from the knowledge and +commerce of whom, the sin of the unfortunate Adam has excluded all his too +unhappy posterity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> This immense space which is between the earth and the +Heavens, has more noble inhabitants than birds and flies; this vast ocean +has also other troops, besides dolphins and whales; the profundity of the +earth, is not only for moles; and the element of fire (more noble than the +other three) was not made to be unprofitable and void.</p> + +<p>The air is full of an innumerable multitude of people having human shape, +somewhat fierce in appearance, but tractable upon experience; great lovers +of the sciences, subtil, officious to the Sages, and enemies to sots and +ignorants. Their wives and their daughter have a kind of masculine beauty, +such as we describe the Amazons to have. How Sir (cried I), would you +persuade me, that these friends you speak of are married?</p> + +<p>Be not so fierce, my son (replied he) for so small a matter. Believe +whatsoever I tell you, to be solid and true. I am making known nothing to +you, but the principles of the antient Cabal, and there needs nothing more +to justify them, than that you should believe your own eyes; but receive +with a meek spirit the light which God sends you by my interposition. Know +that the Seas and Rivers are Inhabited, as well as the air: the ancient +Sages have called these kind of people Undians or Nymphs. They have but +few males amongst them, but the women are there in great numbers: their +beauty is marvellous, and the daughters of men have nothing in them +comparable to these.</p> + +<p>The earth is filled almost to the centre with Gnomes or Pharyes, a people +of small stature, the guardians of treasures, of mines, and of precious +stones. They are ingenious, friends of men, and easy to be commanded. They +furnish the children of the Sages with as much money as they have need of, +and never ask any other reward than the glory of being commanded. The +Gnomides or Wives of these Gnomes or Pharyes, are little, but very +handsome and their habit marvellously curious.... As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> for the Salamanders, +the <ins class="correction" title="original: inhabttants">inhabitants</ins> of the region of fire, they serve the Philosophers, but +they seek not for their company with any great eagerness. The wives of the +Salamanders are fair, nay, rather more fair than all others, seeing they +are of a purer element. You will be charmed more with the beauty of their +wit than of their body, yet you cannot choose but be grieved for these +poor wretches when they shall tell you that their soul is mortal, and that +they have no hope of enjoying eternal happiness, and of the Supreme Being, +which they acknowledge and religiously adore. They will tell us, that +being composed of the most pure parts of the elements which they inhabit, +and not having in them any contrary qualities, seeing they are made but of +one element, they die not but after many Ages, but alas! what is such a +Time, in respect of Eternity? They must eternally resolve into their +nothing. This consideration does sorely afflict them; and we have trouble +enough, to comfort them concerning it.</p> + +<p>Our Fathers, the Philosophers, speaking to God face to face, complained to +him of the unhappiness of these people, and God whose mercy is without +bounds, revealed to them, that it was not impossible to find out a remedy +for this evil. He inspired them, that by the same means as man, by the +alliance which he contracted with God, has been made partaker of Divinity: +the Sylphs, the Gnomes, the Nymphs, and the Salamanders by the alliance +which they might contract with man, might be made partakers of +immortality. So a She-Nymph or a Sylphide becomes Immortal, and capable of +the blessing to which we aspire, when they shall be so happy as to be +married to a Sage; a Gnome, or a Sylph ceases to be mortal, from the +moment that he espouses one of our daughters.</p> + +<p>Hence arose the error of the former ages, of Tertullian, of Justin Martyr, +of Lactantius, Cyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Athengoras the Christian +Philosopher, and generally of all the writers of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> that time. They had +learnt that these elementary Demi-men, had endeavoured a commerce with +maids, and they have from thence imagined that the fall of the angels had +not happened, but for the love which they were touched with after women. +Certain Gnomes, desirous of becoming immortal, had a mind to gain the good +affections of our daughters, and had brought abundance of precious stones +of which they are the natural guardians, and these authors, relying on the +Book of Enoch, which they misunderstood, thought that it was the attempt +which these Amorous Angels had offered to the chastity of our wives. In +the beginning these children of heaven begat famous giants by making +themselves beloved by the daughters of men, and the old Cabalists, +Josephine and Philo (as all the Jews are ignorant) and after them all the +other Authors, which I have just now named, as well as Origen and +Macrebius, and have not known that they were the Sylphs, and other people +of the elements that under the name of the Children of Elohim, are +distinguished from the children of men. Likewise that which the Sage Saint +Augustine, has had the modesty to leave undetermined, touching the +pursuits which those called Faunes or Satyrs, made after the Africans of +his time, is cleared by that which I have now alleged of the desire which +all these elementary inhabitants have, of allying themselves to men; as +the only means to attain to the immortality which they have not.</p> + +<p>No, no! Our Sages have never erred so as to attribute the fall of the +first Angels to their love of women, no more than they have put men under +the power of the Devil; by imputing all the adventures of the Nymphs and +Sylphs to him, of which the historians speak so largely. There was nothing +criminal in all that. They were the Sylphs, which endeavoured to become +Immortal. Their innocent pursuits, far enough from being able to +scandalize the Philosophers, have appeared so just to us, that we are all +resolved by common consent, utterly to renounce women; and entirely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> to +give ourselves to the immortalizing of the Nymphs and Satyrs.</p> + +<p>Good Lord (cried I) What do I hear? Was there ever such marvellous F——. +Yes, my son (interrupted the Count) admire the marvellous felicity of the +Sages! Instead of women, whose fading beauty passes away in a short time, +and is followed with horrible wrinkles and ugliness, the Philosophers +enjoy beauties which never wax old, and whom they have the glory to make +immortal. Guess at the love and the acknowledgment of those invisible +mistresses, and with what ardour they strive to please the charitable +philosopher, who labours to immortalize them.</p> + +<p>Ah! Sir (cried I once again), I renounce ——. Yes, you Sir, (pursued he, +without giving me the leisure to finish) Renounce the fading pleasures +which are to be had with women; the fairest among them all is loathsome in +respect of the homeliest Syphide: no displeasure ever follows our Sage +embraces. Miserable Ignorants! How should you complain, that ye have not +the power to taste of the Philosophick pleasures. Miserable Count de +Gabalis (interrupted I, in an accent mixed with Choler and Compasion) Will +you give me leave to tell you at last, that I renounce this senseless +wisdom; that I find this visionary philosophy very ridiculous; that I +detest the abominable embraces which make you affect these Phantasms; and +that I tremble for you, and wonder that some one of these pretended +Sylphides does not hurry you to Hell, in the middle of your transports and +raptures; and for fear, lest so honest a man as you, should not perceive +the end of your foolish Chymerick Zeal, and should not repent of so great +a crime. Oh! Oh! (answered he) mischief light on thy indocible spirit. His +action, I must confess, affrighted me; but it was yet worse, when I +perceived, that going further from me, he drew out of his pocket a Paper +which I could easily see at that distance to be full of Characters; yet I +could not well discern it. He read<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> them gravely, and spake low. I guessed +that he was invoking some spirit for my ruin, and repented me more than a +little for my inconsiderate Zeal. If I escape this adventure (cried I), +I’ll never have to do with a Cabalist more. I fixed my eyes upon him, as +upon a judge that was ready to condemn me to death; when at last I +perceived that his looks became serene. ’Tis hard, (said he, smiling, and +coming towards me again) ’Tis hard for you to kick against the Pricks. You +are a vessel of Election. Heaven has ordained you to be the greatest +Cabalist of your age. Behold the scheme of your Nativity, which cannot +fail. If it be not now, and that too by my means, ’twill be a great +wonder, as it appears by this Saturn retrograde.</p> + +<p>Alas, sir (said I to him) if I must become a Sage, it will never be but by +the means of the Great Gabalis; but to deal freely with you, I am afraid, +that you will find it a difficult matter to bend me to this Philosophical +mode. It seems (continued he) that you should be but ill read in Physicks, +that cannot be persuaded of the existence of these people? I know not +(answered I) but I cannot imagine that these can be anything else but +friends disguised. Do you still (said he) rather believe your own +Whimseys, than Natural Reason? than Plato, Pythagoras, Celsus, Psellus, +Proclus, Porphyrius, Jamlicus, Plotinus, Trismegistus, Noblius, Dorneus, +Fludd; than the great Phillippus Aureolus Theophractus Bombst Paracelsus +de Honeinhem; and than all our Society.</p> + +<p>I would believe you (answered I) as soon, nay sooner than all these; but, +dear sir, could you not so order the business with the rest of your +society, that I might not be obliged to have carnal knowledge of these +elementary ladies? Away, away (replied he) you have your own liberty, +without doubt; for nobody loves, unless he has a mind to it. Few of the +Sages have been able to defend themselves from their Charms, but it has +been observed that some reserving themselves wholly and entirely for +great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> things (as you will know in time), would never do this honour to +the Nymphs. I will be then of this number (said I), but yet neither can I +resolve to lose time about the ceremonies which I have heard a Prelate +say, must be practised by those who mean to converse with their Geniuses. +This Prelate knew not what he said (said the Count), for you shall see ere +long, that there are no Geniuses there; and besides, that never any Sage +employed either ceremonies or superstition for the familiarity of the +Geniuses, no more than for the people of whom we speak.</p> + +<p>The Cabalists do nothing, but by the principles of nature: <ins class="correction" title="original: and and">and</ins> if there +are sometimes found in our books certain strange words, characters, or +fumigations, ’tis but to conceal the philosophical principles from the +ignorant. Admire the simplicity of Nature, in all her most marvellous +operations! And in this simplicity, a Harmony and Agreement so great, so +just, and so necessary that it will make you return back in despite of +yourself from your weak imaginations. That which I am now about to tell +you, we teach those of our disciples, which we will not let altogether +enter into the Sanctuary of Nature; and to whom we will nevertheless, not +utterly deprive of the Society of the elementary people, merely out of the +compassion which we have for these poor wretches.</p> + +<p>The Salamanders (as you have already, perhaps, comprehended) are composed +of the most subtile parts of the Sphere of Fire, conglobated and organized +by the action of the universal fire (concerning which, I shall one day +entertain you further) so called, because it is principal of all the +motions of nature.</p> + +<p>The Sylphes in like manner, are composed of the purest atoms of the air: +the Nymphs of the most delicate parts of the water, and the Gnomes of the +subtlest parts of the Earth. There was a great proportion betwixt Adam and +these so perfect Creatures; because they being composed of that which was +most pure in the four elements; he comprehended the perfection of these +four sorts of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> people, and was their natural King. But since the time that +his sin precipitated him into the excrements of the elements (as you shall +see hereafter) the Harmony was disordered, and there was no more +proportion, he being become impure and dull in respect of the substances +so pure and so subtil. What remedy for this evil? How shall we remount +this throne and recover this lost sovereignty? O Nature! Why do they study +thee so little? Do you not comprehend my son, with what simplicity nature +can render to man the goods which he has lost? Alas! Sir (replied I), I am +very ignorant in all these simplicities, you speak of. But yet (pursued +he) it is very easy to become knowing in them.</p> + +<p>If we would recover that empire over the Salamanders, we must purifie, and +exalt the element of fire which is in us, and raise up the tone of this +slackened string, we need do no more, but concentre the fire of the world +by concave mirrors in a globe of glass. And herein, is that great piece of +art which all the ancients have so religiously concealed, and which the +divine Theophrastus has discovered. There is formed in this globe a solar +powder, which being purified by itself from the mixture of other elements, +and being prepared according to art, becomes in a very little time, +sovereignly proper to exalt the fire which is in us, and make us become +(according to our phrase) of a fiery nature. From that time the +inhabitants of the sphere of fire become our inferiors, and ravished to +see our mutual harmony re-established, and that we once more approach to +them. They have all the kindness for us which they have for their own +species, all the respect which they owe to the image and to the lieutenant +of their Creator; and all the concern which may make evident in them, the +desire of obtaining by us the immortality which they want. ’Tis true that +as they are more subtil than those of the other elements, they live a very +long time, so they are not very forward to importune the Sages to make +them immortal. You may accommodate yourself with one of these, if the +aversion which you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> witnessed to me last not with you to the end: +perchance, she will never speak to you of that which you fear so much.</p> + +<p>It will not be so with the Sylphs, the Gnomes and the Nymphs, for they +living a less time, have more need of us, and so their familiarity is more +easie to obtain. You need but shut up a glass filled with conglobated air, +water or earth, and expose it to the sun for a month; then separate the +element according to art, which is very easie to do, if it be earth or +water. ’Tis a marvellous thing to see, what a vertue any one of these +purified elements have to attract the Nymphs, Sylphs, and Gnomes. In +taking but never so little every day, for about a month together, one +shall see in the air the volant republique of the Sylphs; the Nymphs come +in shoals up the rivers, and the guardians of treasures, presenting you +with their riches. Thus, without characters, without ceremonies, without +barbarous words you become absolute master over all these people. They +require no worship of the Sages, since they know well enough that he is +nobler than they. Thus venerable nature teaches her children how to repair +the elements by the elements. Thus is harmony re-established. Thus man +recovers his natural empire, and can do all things in the elements, +without demons, or unlawful art. Thus you see, my son, that the Sages are +more innocent than you thought. You say nothing to me——.</p> + +<p>I admire sir (said I), and I begin to fear that you will make me to become +a Chymist. Ah! God preserve thee from that, my child (cried he). ’Tis not +to these fooleries that your nativity designs you, I will warrant you on +the contrary, from being troubled about that: I told you already, that the +Sages shew not these things, but to those whom they will not admit into +their society. You shall have all these advantages, and others infinitely +more glorious, and more pleasant, by ways clearly more philosophical. I +had not described those methods to you, but to let you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> see the innocence +of this Philosophy, and to take you out of these panic fears.</p> + +<p>I thank God, sir (answered I), I am not at present, in any such fear as I +was even now. And although I do not yet resolve upon the accommodation +which you propose to me with the Salamanders; I cannot refrain from having +the curiosity to learn how you have discovered that these Nymphs and these +Sylphs die. Truly (replied he) they tell us so, and we see them die. How +(said I) can you see them die, and yet your commerce renders them +immortal? That would be well (pursued he) if the number of the Sages +equalled the number of these people: besides that, there are many amongst +them, who rather choose to die, than hazard by becoming immortal, the +being so unhappy as they see the devils are. And ’tis the devil, who +inspired with these opinions: for there is no mischief, which he doth not +do to hinder the poor creatures from becoming immortal by our alliance. +Insomuch that I look upon it (and so ought you my son) as a most +pernicious temptation, and a motion of very little charity, to have this +aversion which you show to it.</p> + +<p>Moreover, as concerning their death, of which you speak: what was it that +obliged the Oracle of Apollo, to say, that all those who speak Oracles, +were mortal, as well as he; as Porphyrius reports? And, what think you, +was the meaning of that voice which was heard on all the coast of Italy, +and struck so great a terror into all those who were upon the sea? The +Great Pan is Dead! They were the people of the air: who gave notice to the +people of the water that the chiefest and most aged of all the Sylphs, was +newly dead.</p> + +<p>At that time when this voice was heard (said I to him) I suppose that the +world worshipped Pan and the Nymphs: and that these gentlemen, whose +commerce you are preaching of to me, were the false gods of the heathen. +’Tis true, my son (replied he) the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> Sages have always been of that +opinion, that the Devil never had the power to make himself worshipped. He +is too unhappy, and too weak, ever to have had this pleasure, and this +authority. But he has been able to persuade the elementary hosts to shew +themselves to men, and make men erect temples to them; and by the natural +dominion which every one has over the element which he inhabits, they +trouble the air, and the sea, set the earth in combustion, and dispense +the fire of heaven, according to their humour: insomuch that they had no +great trouble to be taken for Deities, so long as the sovereign being +dispensed the salvation of the world. But the devil never received all the +advantage of his malice, which he hoped he should; for it has happened +from thence, that Pan, the Nymphs, and the rest of the elementary people, +having found the means of changing this commerce of worship, into a +commerce of love; (for you may remember, that amongst the ancients, Pan +was the king of those gods whom they called Incubuses, and who always +earnestly sought the acquaintance of maids), many heathens have escaped +the devil, and shall never burn in hell.</p> + +<p>I do not well understand you, sir (said I) You have not minded me, to +understand me (continued he, smiling, and in a jeering tone). Behold what +you pass over! and likewise what your doctors pass over, who know not what +these excellent Physicks mean! Behold the great mystery of all this part +of philosophy, which concerns the elements, and which will take away (if +you have but never so little love for yourself), this repugnance to +philosophy, which you have witnessed to me this day! Know then, my son; +and go not about to divulge this great Arcanum to any unworthy ignorant. +Know, that as the Sylphs acquire an immortal soul, by the alliance which +they contract with the men who are predestinated; so also, the men who +have no right to eternal glory: those miserable wretches, whose +immortality is but a lamentable advantage, for whom the Messias was +sent—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>Then, you gentlemen of the Cabal, are Jansenists likewise (interrupted I?) +We know not what that is, my child (proceeded he, somewhat angrily) and we +scorn to inform ourselves wherein consists the different sects and divers +religions, with which the ignorant puzzle their heads. We keep to the +ancient religion of our fathers, the Philosophers; wherein ’tis very +necessary that I instruct you. But come again to the purpose: these men +whose sad immortality is nothing but an eternal misfortune; the unhappy +children, whom the Sovereign Father has neglected, have also this +recourse, that they may become mortal, by contracting alliance with these +elementary people. So that you see, the Sages hazard nothing for Eternity. +If they are predestinated, they have the pleasure to carry with them to +heaven (in quitting the prison of this body) the Sylphide or Nymph, which +they have immortalised! and if they be not predestinated, the commerce of +the Nymph renders their soul mortal, and delivers them from the horrors of +the second death. So the Devil saw all the Pagans escape, who allied +themselves to the Nymphs: and so the Sages, or friends of the Sages, when +God inspires us to communicate to any one, the four elementary secrets +(which I have now been teaching you), free themselves from the Peril of +being damned.</p> + +<p>Without lying, sir (cried I, not daring to put him again into an ill +humour, and finding it requisite to defer the telling him plainly my +opinion, till I should have discovered all the secrets of his Cabal, which +I judged by this glimpse, must needs be very full of pleasure and + +divertisement): without lying, you advance wisdom to a great height! And +you had reason to tell me, that this surpassed all our doctors; and I +believe, that this likewise passes all our magistrates too; and that, if +they could discover who those were that escaped the devil by this means +(as ignorance is very unjust), they would engage in the devil’s interest, +against these fugitives and make a strong party for him. Yes, it is for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +that (pursued the Count) that I have so strictly commanded you; to keep +religiously this secret. Your judges are strange persons. They condemn a +most innocent action as a dismal crime. What a barbarity was it, to burn +those two priests which the Prince of Miranda says he knew of, who had +each of them his Sylphide, for the space of forty years! What an inhuman +thing was it to put Joan Hervilles to death, for having laboured six and +forty years, to immortalise a Gnome! And, what a piece of ignorance was +that of Bodin, to represent her as a witch; and that from thence he might +take advantage to authorise popular errors, touching pretended Sorcerers; +in a book as impertinent as his Commonwealth is reasonable.</p> + +<p>But it is late; and I do not consider, that you have not yet dined. ’Tis +yourself, that you mean, sir (said I), for as for my part, I could listen +to you till to-morrow, without inconvenience. For me! Alas! (replied he, +laughing, and walking towards the gate), ’tis easily seen that you +understand but little what philosophy is. The Sages eat but for their +pleasure, and never for necessity. I had a quite contrary idea of Wisdom +(answered I), I had thought that you wise men should never eat but to +satisfy nature. You are abused (said the Count). How long think you, that +our Sages can subsist without eating? How can I tell? (answered I), Moses +and Elias, you know, fasted forty days: you Sages, I make no doubt, may do +it, some days less. What a great piece of business would that be (replied +he), the most wise men that ever was, the Divine, the almost adorable +Paracelsus, affirms, that he has seen many of the Sages fast twenty years, +without eating anything whatsoever. He himself, before he attained to the +monarchy of wisdom, whereof we have justly presented him the sceptre, he, +I say, would undertake to live many years without eating, by taking but +half a scruple of his Solar Quintescence. And if you would have the +pleasure to make any one live without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> victuals, you need do no more, but +prepare the earth, as I told you it must be prepared, for the Society of +the Gnomes: this earth applied to the navle, and renewed when it is dry, +will cause any one to live without eating or drinking, and that without +any trouble.</p> + +<p>And the use of this Catholic-Cabalistical Medicine, frees us much better +from all the importunate necessities, to which nature makes the ignorant +subject; we eat not, but when it pleases us; and all the superfluity of +food passing away by an insensible Transpiration, we are never ashamed to +be men. There he held his peace.</p> + +<p>In succeeding interviews the Count de Gabalis further explains to his +interlocutor the nature and pursuits of the elementary spirits; asserts +that it was they only, and not the vile gods of the Greeks and Romans, +that delivered the oracles of old; that they continually kept watch over +man to do him service, and to warn him of approaching evil. It was they +who sent omens and furnished him with the understanding to interpret them, +and who filled his mind with presentiments when some great calamity was +impending over him, that he might perchance avoid it. They also sent him +dreams for the regulation of his fate. But “alas,” continues the Count, +“men ignorantly misunderstand and reject their kindness. A poor Sylph +hardly dares to shew himself lest he should be mistaken for an imp of +evil; an Undine cannot endeavour to acquire an immortal soul, by loving a +man, without running the risk of being considered a vile, impure phantom; +and a Salamander, if he shews himself in his glory, is taken for a devil, +and the pure light which surrounds him considered the fire of hell. It is +in vain that, to dispel these unworthy suspicions, they make the sign of +the cross when they appear, and bend their knees when the Divine name is +uttered. All their efforts are useless. Obstinate man persists in +considering them enemies of that God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> whom they know, and whom they adore +more religiously than men do. The prayer which you will find preserved by +Porphyne, and which was offered up in the Temple of Delphos for the +enlightenment of the Pagans, was the prayer of a Salamander.” In short +without continuing to quote the words of the Count de Gabalis, he asserted +that all the supernatural appearances with which the history of every age +and nation was full, were to be, and could only be, explained by the +agency of these elemental sprites; that the deeds attributed to devils, +imps and witches, were the creations of a false and degrading +superstition, unworthy to be believed by philosophers. There were no +fiends with</p> + +<p class="poem">“——’aery tongues that syllable mens’ names<br /> +On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses.”</p> + +<p>but beneficent spirits, the friends of man. The <i>peris</i> of eastern +romance, the <i>fées</i>, the <i>fatas</i>, and the fairies of European legends, +were names which, in their ignorance, the people of different countries +had given to the Sylphs. Vulcan, Bacchus, and Pan, though the Greeks did +not know it, were Gnomes; Neptune and Venus, and all the Naiads and +Nereids, were but the Undines of the Rosicrucians; Apollo was a +Salamander, and Mercury a Sylph; and not one of the personages of the +multifarious mythology of the Greeks and Romans, but could be ranged under +one or other of these classes.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> +<h3><i>The Hermetick Romance; or Chymical Wedding.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">A remarkable</span> work was published at Strasbourg, in the year 1616, entitled, +“The Hermetick Romance: or the Chymical Wedding. Written in High Dutch by +Christian Rosencreutz.” This book though not given out to the world until +the above year, is said to have existed in manuscript for some time +previously, as far back in fact as 1601, thus making it the oldest +Rosicrucian book extant. A modern writer says: The whole Rosicrucian +controversy centres in this publication, which Buhle describes as a comic +romance of extraordinary talent.</p> + +<p>Owing to its importance, we shall have to make some lengthy extracts from +the translation made in 1690, by E. Foxcroft of King’s College, Cambridge. +It is arranged in chapters, denominated days, marked from one to seven.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">The First Day.</p> + +<p>On an evening before Easter Day, I sate at a Table, and having (as my +custom was) in my humble prayer sufficiently conversed with my Creator, +and considered many great mysteries (whereof the Father of Lights his +Majesty had shewn me not a few) and being now ready to prepare in my +heart, together with my dear Paschal Lamb, a small unleavened, undefiled +cake; all on a sudden ariseth so horrible a tempest, that I imagined no +other but that through its mighty force, the hill whereon my little house +was founded, would fly in pieces. But in as much as this, and the like +from the devil (who had done me many a spite) was no new thing to me; I +took courage and persisted in my meditation, till somebody (after an +unusual manner) touched me on the back; whereupon I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> so highly +terrified, that I durst hardly look about me; yet I shewed myself as +cheerful as (in the like occurrences) human frailty would permit. Now the +same thing still twitching me several times by the coat, I looked back, +and behold it was a fair and glorious lady whose garments were all skye +colour, and curiously (like Heaven) bespangled with golden stars. In her +right hand she bare a trumpet of beaten gold, whereon a name was engraven +(which I could well read in) but am as yet forbidden to reveal it. In her +left hand she had a great bundle of letters of all languages, which she +(as I afterwards understood) was to carry into all countries. She had also +large and beautiful wings, full of eyes throughout, wherewith she could +mount aloft and fly swifter than any eagle. I might perhaps have taken +further notice of her, but because she staid so small a time with me, and +terror and amasement still possessed me, I was fain to be content. For as +soon as I turned about, she turned her letters over and over, and at +length drew out a small one, which with great reverence she laid down upon +the table, and without giving one word departed from me. But in her +mounting upwards, she gave so mighty a blast on her gallant trumpet, that +the whole hill echoed thereof, and for a full quarter of an hour after, I +could hardly hear my own words.</p> + +<p>In so unlooked-for an adventure, I was at loss, how either to advise or +assist my poor self, and therefore fell upon my <ins class="correction" title="original: kness">knees</ins>, 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.</p> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> and within it, in an +Azure Field, in Golden Letters, found the following verses written—</p> + +<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 2em;">This day, this day, this, this</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The Royal wedding is.</span><br /> +Art thou thereto by birth inclin’d<br /> +And unto joy of God design’d,<br /> +Then mayst thou to the mountain tend<br /> +Whereon three stately Temples stand,<br /> +And there see all from end to end.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Keep watch and ward,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thyself regard;</span><br /> +Unless with diligence thou bathe,<br /> +The Wedding can’t thee harmless save:<br /> +He’ll damage have that here delays,<br /> +Let him beware, too light that weighs.</p> + +<p>Underneath stood Sponsus and Sponsa.</p> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> should be born to the searching +out and <ins class="correction" title="original: understauding">understanding</ins> of the secrets of Nature; since in my opinion Nature +might everywhere find a more <i>vertuous</i> 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 +increase my profit and advantage, rear up stately palaces, make myself an +everlasting name in the world, and other the like carnal designs. But the +obscure words concerning the Three Temples did particularly afflict me, +which I was not able to make out by any after speculation, and perhaps +should not yet, had they not been wonderfully revealed to me. Thus +sticking betwixt hope and fear, examining myself again and again, and +finding my own frailty and impotency, not being in any wise able to +succour myself, and exceedingly amazed at the fore-mentioned threatening; +at length I betook myself to my usual and most secure course; after I had +finished my earnest and most fervent prayer, I laid me down in my bed, +that so perchance my good angel by the Divine permission might appear, and +(as it had formerly happened) instruct me in this doubtful affair, which +to the praise of God, my own good, and my neighbour’s hearty and faithful +warning and amendment did now likewise fall out. For I was scarce fallen +asleep, when me-thought, I, together with a numberless multitude of men +lay fettered with great chains in a dark dungeon, wherein, without the +least glimpse of light, we swarmed like bees over one another, and thus +rendered each other’s affliction more grievous. But although neither I, +nor any of the rest could see one jot; yet I continually heard one heaving +himself above the other, when his chains or fetters were become ever so +little lighter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> though none of us had much reason to shove up the other, +since we were all captive wretches. Now as I with the rest had continued a +good while in this affliction, and each was still reproaching the other +with his blindness and captivity, at length we heard many trumpets +sounding together, and kettle-drums beating so artificially thereto, that +it even revived and rejoiced us in our calamity.</p> + +<p>During this noise, the cover of the dungeon was from above lifted up, and +a little light let down unto us. Then first might truly have been +discerned the bustle we kept, for all went pesle-mesle, and he who +perchance had too much heaved up himself, was forced down again under the +others feet. In brief, each one strove to be uppermost, neither did I +myself linger, but with my weighty fetters slipped up from under the rest, +and then heaved myself upon a stone, which I laid hold of; howbeit, I was +several times caught at by others, from whom yet as well as I might, with +hands and feet, I still guarded myself. For we imagined no other but that +we should all be set at liberty, which yet fell out quite otherwise. For +after the nobles, who looked upon us from above through the hole, had a +while recreated themselves with this our struggling and lamenting, a +certain hoary headed Ancient Man, called to us to be quiet, and having +scarce obtained it, began (as I still remember) thus to say:—</p> + +<p class="poem">If wretched mankind would forbear<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Themselves so to uphold,</span><br /> +Then sure on them much good confer<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My righteous mother would.</span><br /> +But since the same will not insue<br /> +They must in care and Sorrow rue,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And still in Prison lie.</span><br /> +Howbeit my dear mother will<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Their follies over-see,</span><br /> +Her choicest gifts permitting still<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Too much in th’ Light to be.</span><br /> +Though very rarely it may seem<br /> +That they may still keep some esteem,<br /> +Which else would pass for forgery.<br /> +Wherefore in honour of the Feast<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We this day solemnize,</span><br /> +That so her Grace may be increast<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A good deed she’ll devise,</span><br /> +For now a cord shall be let down,<br /> +And whosoe’er can hang thereon,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall freely be releast.</span></p> + +<p>He had scarce done speaking, when an ancient matron commanded her servants +to let down the cord seven times into the dungeon, and draw up whosoever +could hang upon it. Good God! that I could sufficiently describe the hurry +and disquiet that then arose amongst us, for every one strove to get at +the cord, and yet only hindered each other. But after seven minutes a sign +was given by a little bell, whereupon at the first pull the servants drew +up four. At that time I could not come near the cord by much, having to my +huge misfortune, betaken myself to a stone at the wall of the dungeon, and +thereby was disabled to get to the cord which descended in the middle. The +cord was let down the second time, but divers because their chains were +too heavy, and their hands too tender, could not keep their hold on the +cord, but with themselves beat down many another, who else, perhaps, might +have held fast enough; nay, many an one was forcibly pulled off by another +who yet could not himself get at it; mutually envious were we even in this +our great misery. But they of all others most moved my compassion whose +weight was so heavy that they tore their very hands from their bodies, and +yet could not get up. Thus it came to pass that at these five times, very +few were drawn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> up. For as soon as the sign was given, the servants were +so nimble at the draught, that the most part tumbled one upon another, and +the cord, this time especially, was drawn up very empty. Whereupon the +greatest part, and even I myself, despaired of Redemption, and called upon +God that he would have pity on us, and (if possible) deliver us out of +this obscurity, who also then heard some of us: for when the cord came +down the sixth time, some of them hung themselves fast upon it, and whilst +in the drawing up, the cord swung from one side to the other, it (perhaps +by the will of God) came to me, which I suddenly catching, got uppermost +above all the rest, and so at length beyond hope came out; whereat I +exceedingly rejoiced, so that I perceived not the wound, which in the +drawing up I received on my head by a sharp stone, till I with the rest +who were released (as was always before done) was fain to help at the +seventh and last pull, at which time through straining, the blood ran down +all over my clothes, which I nevertheless for joy regarded not. Now when +the last draught whereon the most of all hung was finished, the matron +caused the cord to be laid away and willed her aged son (at which I much +wondered) to declare her resolution to the rest of the Prisoners, who +after he had a little bethought himself, spoke thus unto them:</p> + +<p class="poem"><span style="margin-left: 7.5em;">Ye children dear,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 7.5em;">All present here,</span><br /> +What is but now compleat and done,<br /> +Was long before resolved on:<br /> +What ev’r my mother of great grace<br /> +To each on both sides here hath shewn<br /> +May never miscontent misplace;<br /> +The joyful time is drawing on,<br /> +When every one shall equal be,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>None wealthy, none in penury.<br /> +Who ev’r receiveth great commands,<br /> +Hath work enough to fill his hands.<br /> +Who ev’r with much hath trusted been,<br /> +’Tis well if he may save his skin.<br /> +Wherefore your lamentations cease,<br /> +What is’t to waite for some few days.</p> + +<p>As soon as he had finished the words, the cover was again put and locked +down, and the trumpet and kettle-drums began afresh, yet could not the +noise thereof be so loud but that the bitter lamentation of the prisoners +which arose in the dungeon was above all, which soon also caused my eyes +to run over. Presently after the ancient matron, together with her son, +sat down upon seats before prepared, and commanded the Redeemed should be +told. Now as soon as she understood the number, and had written it down in +a gold-yellow tablet, she demanded every one’s name, which were also +written down by a little page; having viewed us all, one after another, +she sighed, and spoke to her son, so as I could well hear her. ‘Ah? how +heartily am I grieved for the poor men in the dungeon! I would to God, I +durst release them all,’ whereunto her son replied; ‘It is, mother, thus +ordained of God, against whom we may not contend. In case we all of us +were lords, and possessed all the goods upon earth, and were seated at +table, who would there then be to bring up the service?’ whereupon his +mother held her peace, but soon after she said; ‘Well, however, let these +be freed from their fetters,’ which was likewise presently done, and I, +except a few, was the last, yet could I not refrain, but (though I still +looked upon the rest) bowed myself before the ancient matron, and thanked +God that through her, He had graciously and fatherly vouchsafed to bring +me out of such darkness into the light: after me the rest did likewise, to +the satisfaction of the matron. Lastly, to every one was given a piece of +gold for a remembrance, and to spend by the way; on the one side<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> whereof +was stamped the rising sun, on the other (as I remember) these three +letters, D. L. S., and therewith everyone had license to depart, and was +sent to his own business, with this annexed intimation, that we to the +glory of God should benefit our neighbours, and reserve in silence what we +had been intrusted with, which we also promised to do, and so departed one +from another. But in regard of the wounds which the fetters had caused me, +I could not well go forward, but halted on both feet, which the matron +presently espying, laughing at it, and calling me again to her, said thus +to me, My son, let not this defect afflict thee, but call to mind thy +infirmities, and therewith thank God who hath permitted thee even in this +world, and in the state of thy imperfection to come into so high a light, +and keep these wounds for my sake. Whereupon the trumpets began again to +sound, which so affrighted me that I awoke, and then first perceived that +it was only a dream, which yet was so strongly impressed upon my +imagination, that I was still perpetually troubled about it, and methought +I was yet sensible of the wounds on my feet. Howbeit, by all these things +I well understood that God had vouchsafed that I should be present at this +mysterious and hidden wedding; wherefore with child-like confidence I +returned thanks to his Divine Majesty, and besought him that he would +further preserve me in this fear, that he would daily fill my heart with +wisdom and understanding, and at length graciously (without my desert) +conduct me to the desired end. Hereupon I prepared myself for the way, put +on my white linen coat, girded my loins with blood-red ribbon, bound +crossways over my shoulder; in my hat I stuck four red roses, that I might +sooner by this token be taken notice of among the throng. For food I took +bread, salt, and water, which by the counsel of an understanding person, I +had at certain times used, not without profit, in the like occurrences. +Before I parted from my cottage I first in this dress and wedding garment, +fell down on my knees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> and besought God, that in case such a thing were, +he would vouchsafe me a good issue. And thereupon in the presence of God I +made a vow, that if anything through his grace should be revealed unto me, +I would employ it neither to my own honour nor authority in the world, but +to the spreading of his name, and the services of my neighbour. And with +this vow and good hope, I departed out of my cell with joy.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">The Second Day.</p> + +<p>I was hardly got outside of my Cell into a Forest, when methought that the +whole heavens had already trimmed themselves against this wedding, for +even the birds in my opinion chanted more pleasantly than before, and the +young fawns skipped so merrily that they rejoiced my old heart, and moved +me to sing. At length I espied a curious green heath, whither I betook +myself out of the forest. Upon the heath stood three tall Cedars, to one +of which was fastened a tablet, upon which was curious writing, offering +to him who had heard anything concerning the nuptials of the king, four +ways, all of which would lead to the royal court. The reader was exhorted +to choose which he would, and to persevere therein, receiving at the same +time warning as to the dangers to which he would be committed. As soon as +I had read this writing, all my joy was near vanished again, and I, who +before sang merrily, began now inwardly to lament, for although I saw all +the three ways before me, and understood that henceforward it was +vouchsafed me to make choice of one of them; yet it troubled me that in +case I went the stormy and rocky way, I might get a miserable and deadly +fall; or taking the long one, I might wander out of it through byways, or +be otherwise detained in the great journey. Neither durst I hope that I +should be the very he, who should choose the royal way. I saw likewise the +fourth before me, but it was so invironed with fire and exhalations, that +I durst not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> draw near it, and therefore again and again considered +whether I should return back, or take any of the ways before me. I +presently drew out my bread and cut a slice of it, which a snow white +dove, of whom I was not aware, sitting upon the tree, espyed and thereupon +came down and betook herself very familiarly to me, to whom I willingly +imparted my food, which she received, and so with her prettiness did again +a little refresh me. But as soon as her enemy, a black raven, perceived +it, he straight darted himself down upon the dove, and taking no notice of +me, would needs force away the dove’s meat, who could no otherwise guard +herself but by flight; whereupon they both together flew towards the +south, at which I was so hugely incensed and grieved, that without +thinking what I did, I made haste after the filthy raven and so against my +will ran into one of the forementioned ways a whole field’s length, and +thus the raven being chased away, and the dove delivered, I then first +observed what I had inconsiderately done, and that I was already entered +into a way, from which under peril of great punishment I durst not retire, +and though I had still wherewith in some measure to comfort myself, yet +that which was worst of all to me was, that I had left my bag and bread at +the tree, and could never retrieve them again. At length upon a high hill +afar off I espied a stately portal, to which not regarding how far it was +distant, I hasted, because the sun had already hid himself under the +hills, and I could elsewhere espy no abiding place, and this verily I +ascribe only to God, who might well have permitted me to go forward in +this way, and with-held my eyes that so I might have gazed beside this +gate, to which I now made mighty haste, and reached it by so much +daylight, as to take a very competent view of it. Now it was an exceeding +Royal beautiful portal. As soon as I was come under it there stepped forth +one in a sky coloured habit, whom I in friendly manner saluted, which +though he thankfully returned it, yet he instantly demanded of me my +letter of <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>invitation. O how glad was I that I had then brought it with +me. I quickly presented it, wherewith he was not only satisfied, but +showed me abundance of respect, saying, come in, my brother, an acceptable +guest you are to me; and withall intreated me not to with-hold my name +from him. Now having replied that I was a brother of the Red-Rosie Cross, +he both wondered and seemed to rejoice at it, and then proceeded thus, My +brother, have you nothing about you wherewith to purchase a token? I +answered my ability was small, but if he saw anything about me he had a +mind to, it was at his service. Now he having requested of me my bottle of +water, and I granted it, he gives me a golden token, whereon stood no more +but these two letters, S. C., intreating me that when it stood me in good +stead, I would remember him. After which I asked him, how many were got in +before me, which he also told me, and lastly out of mere friendship, gave +me a sealed letter to the second porter. Now having lingered some time +with him, the night grew on, whereupon a great beacon upon the gate was +immediately fired, that so if any were still upon the way, he might make +haste thither. At length after sufficient information, and an advantageous +instruction, I friendly departed from the first porter. On the way, +though, I would gladly have known what was written in my letter, yet since +I had no reason to mistrust the porter, I forbare my purpose, and so went +on the way, until I came likewise to the second gate which although it was +very like the other, yet was it adorned with images and mystic +significations. Under this gate lay a terrible grim lion, chain’d, who as +soon as he espied me arose and made at me with great roaring: whereupon +the second porter, who lay upon a stone of marble, awaked, and wished me +not to be troubled or affrighted, and then drove back the lion, and having +received the letter, which I with trembling reached him, he read it, and +with very great respect, spoke thus to me; Now well-come in God’s Name +unto me the man who of long time I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> would gladly have seen. Meanwhile he +also drew out a token, and asked me whether I could purchase it. But I +having nothing else but my salt, presented it to him, which he thankfully +accepted. Upon this token again stood only two letters, namely, S. M. +Being now just about to enter discourse with him, it began to ring in the +Castle, whereupon the porter counselled me to run apace, or else all the +pains and labour I had hitherto taken would serve to no purpose, for the +lights above began all ready to be extinguished; whereupon I dispatched +with such great haste that I heeded not the porter, in such anguish was I, +and truly it was but necessary, for I could not run so fast but that the +Virgin, after whom all the lights were put out, was at my heels, and I +should never have found the way, had not she with her torch, afforded me +some light. I was moreover constrained to enter the very next to her, and +the gate was so suddenly clapped to, that a part of my coat was locked +out, which I verily was forced to leave behind me, for neither I nor they +who stood ready without and called at the gate could prevail with the +porter to open it again, but he delivered the keys to the Virgin, who took +them with her into the court. Under this gate I was again to give my name, +which was this last time written down in a little vellum book, and +immediately with the rest dispatched to the Lord Bridegroom. Here it was +where I first received the true Guest-Token, which was somewhat less than +the former, but yet much heavier; upon this stood three letters S. P. N. +Besides this, a new pair of shoes were given me, for the floor of the +castle was laid with pure shining marble; my old shoes I was to give way +to one of the poor who sat in throngs under the gate. Two pages, with as +many torches, then conducted me into a little room; there they willed me +to sit down on a form, which I did, but they, sticking their torches in +two holes in the pavement, departed, and left me thus alone. Soon after I +heard a noise, but saw nothing, and it proved to be certain men who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> +stumbled in upon me; but since I could see nothing I was fain to suffer +and attend what they would do with me, but presently perceiving them to be +barbers, I intreated them not to justle me so, for I was content to do +whatever they desired, whereupon they quickly let me go, and so one of +them fine and gently cut away the hair round about from the crown of my +head, but on my forehead, ears, and eyes, he permitted my grey locks to +hang.</p> + +<p>In this first encounter I was ready to despair, for inasmuch as some of +them shoved me so forcibly, and I could yet see nothing I could think no +other but that God, for my curiosity, had suffered me to miscarry. Now +these invisible barbers carefully gathered up the hair which was cut off +and carried it away with them. After which the two pages entered again, +and heartily laughed at me for being so terrified. But they had scarcely +spoken a few words with me when again a little bell began to ring, which +was to give notice for assembling, whereupon they willed me rise, and +through many walks, doors, and winding stairs lighted me into a spacious +hall. In this room was a great multitude of guests, emperors, kings, +princes, and lords, noble and ignoble, rich and poor, and all sorts of +people, at which I hugely marvelled, and thought to myself, ah, how gross +a fool hast thou been to engage upon this journey with so much bitterness +and toil, when here are even those fellows whom thou well knowest, and yet +had’st never any reason to esteem. They are now all here, and thou with +all thy prayers and supplications art hardly got in at last. This, and +more, the devil at that time injected, whom I notwithstanding (as well as +I could) directed to the issue. Meantime one or other of my acquaintance +here and there spake to me: Oh Brother Rosencreutz! art thou here too? +Yea, my brethren, replied I, the grace of God hath helped me in also; at +which they raised a mighty laughter, looking upon it as ridiculous that +there should be need of God in so slight an occasion. Now having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> demanded +each of them concerning his way, and found that most were forced to +clamber over the rocks, certain trumpets (none of which we saw) began to +sound to the table, whereupon they all seated themselves, everyone as he +judged himself above the rest, so that for me and some other sorry fellows +there was hardly a little nook left at the lower-most table. Presently the +two pages entered, and one of them said grace; after this meat was brought +in, and albeit none could be seen, yet everything was so orderly managed, +that it seemed to me as if every guest had had his proper attendant. Now +my artists having somewhat recruited themselves, and the wine having a +little removed shame from their hearts, they presently began to vaunt and +brag of their abilities. One would prove this, another that, and commonly +the most sorry idiots made the loudest noise. Ah, when I call to mind what +preternatural and impossible enterprises I then heard, I am still ready to +vomit at it. In fine they never kept in their order, but whenever one +rascal here, another there, could insinuate himself in between the nobles; +then pretended they the finishing of such adventures as neither Sampson +nor yet Hercules with all their strength could ever have achieved. This +would discharge Atlas of his burden; the other would again draw forth the +three-headed Cerberus out of Hell. In brief, every man had his own prate, +and yet the great lords were so simple that they believed their pretences, +and the rogues so audacious, that although one or other of them was here +and there rapped over the fingers with a knife, yet they flinched not at +it, but when any one perchance had filched a gold chain, then would all +hazard for the like. I saw one who heard the rustling of the heavens. The +second could see Plato’s ideas. A third could number Democritus’s atoms. +There were also not a few pretenders to perpetual motion. Many an one (in +my opinion) had good understanding, but assumed too much to himself, to +his own destruction. Lastly, there was one also who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> would needs out of +hand persuade us that he saw the servitors who attended, and would still +have pursued his contention, had not one of those invisible waiters +reached him so handsome a cuff upon his lying muzzle, that not only he, +but many who were by him became as mute as mice. But it best of all +pleased me, that all those, of whom I had any esteem were very quiet in +their business, and made no loud cry of it, but acknowledged themselves to +be <i>misunderstanding</i> men, to whom the mysteries of nature were too high, +and they themselves much too small. In this tumult I had almost cursed the +day wherein I came hither, for I could not but with anguish behold that +those lewd vain people were above at the board, but I in so sorry a place +could not, however, rest in peace, one of those rascals scornfully +reproaching me for a motley fool. Now I thought not that there was yet one +gate behind, through which we must pass, but imagined I was during the +whole wedding, to continue in this scorn, contempt and indignity, which +yet I had at no time deserved, either of the Lord Bridegroom or the Bride, +and therefore (in my opinion) he should have done well to have sought out +some other fool to his wedding than me. Behold, to such impatience doth +the iniquity of this world reduce simple hearts. But this really was one +part of my lameness, whereof I dreamed. And truly this clamour the longer +it lasted, the more it increased. For there were already those who boasted +of false and imaginary visions, and would persuade us of palpably lying +dreams. Now there sat by me a very fine quiet man, who oftentimes +discoursed of excellent matters, at length he said, Behold, my brother, if +any one should now come who were willing to instruct these blockish people +in the right way, would he be heard? No, verily, replied I. The world, +said he, is now resolved (whatever comes on it) to be cheated, and cannot +abide to give ear to those who intend its good. Seest thou also that same +coxcomb, with what whimsical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> figures and foolish conceits he allures +others to him. There, one makes mouths at the people with unheard of +mysterious words. Yet believe me in this, the time is now coming when +those shameful Vizards shall be plucked off, and all the world shall know +what vagabond impostors were concealed behind them. Then perhaps that will +be valued which at present is not esteemed. Then there began in the hall +such excellent and stately music as all the days of my life I never heard +the like of. After half an hour this music ceased. Presently after began a +great noise of kettle drums, trumpets, etc. The door opened of itself and +many thousand small tapers came into the hall, all which of themselves +marched in so very exact order as altogether amazed us, till at last the +two fore-mentioned pages with bright torches, lighting in a most beautiful +virgin, all drawn on a gloriously gilded triumphant self-moving throne, +entered the hall. It seemed to me she was the very same who before on the +way kindled and put out the lights, and that these her attendants were the +very same whom she formerly placed at the trees. She was not now as before +in sky colour, but arrayed in a snow white glittering robe which sparkled +of pure gold and cast such a lustre that we durst not steadily behold it.</p> + +<p>Such guests as chose to stay throughout the night, having announced their +intention of so doing, were bound in their chambers with cords, in such a +way that they could by no means free themselves. At length in my sorrowful +thoughts I fell asleep.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">The Third Day.</p> + +<p>On the morrow all being assembled, the Trumpets, etc., began again to +sound and we imagined that the Bridegroom was ready to present himself, +which nevertheless was a huge mistake. For it was again the yesterday’s +Virgin who had arrayed herself all in red velvet and girded herself with a +white scarf. Her train was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> now no more of small tapers, but consisted of +two hundred men in harness who were all clothed in red and white. As soon +as they were alighted from the throne, she comes straight to us prisoners, +and after she had saluted us, she said in a few words: That some of you +have been sensible of your wretched condition is hugely pleasing to my +most mighty lord, and he is also resolved you shall fare the better for +it. And having espied me in my habit, she laughed and spake, good lack! +Hast thou also submitted thyself to the yoke? I imagined thou would’st +have made thyself very snug, which words caused my eyes to run over. After +which she commanded we should be unbound, and coupled together and placed +in a station where we might behold the scales, for, said she, it may yet +fare better with them than with the presumptuous who yet stand here at +liberty. Meanwhile the scales which were entirely of gold were hung up in +the midst of the hall. There was also a little table covered with red +velvet, and seven weights placed thereon. First of all stood a pretty +great one, next four little ones, lastly, two great ones severally; and +these weights in proportion to their bulk were so heavy that no man can +believe or comprehend it. The Virgin having sprung up into her high +throne, one of the pages commanded each one to place himself according to +his order, and one after the other, step into the scales. One of the +emperors made no scruple of it, but first of all bowed himself a little +towards the Virgin, and afterwards in all his stately attire went up, +whereupon each captain laid in his weight, which (to the wonder of all) he +stood out. But the last was too heavy for him, so that forth he must, and +that with such anguish that the Virgin herself had pity on him, yet was +the good emperor bound and delivered over to the sixth band. Next came +forth another emperor, who stepped haughtily into the scale and having a +great thick book under his gown, he imagined not to fail; but being scarce +able to abide the third weight, and being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> unmercifully slung down, and +his book in that affrightment slipping from him, all the soldiers began to +laugh, and he was delivered up bound to the third band. Thus it went with +some others of the emperors. After these came forth a little short man +with a curled beard, an emperor too, who after the usual reverence got up +also, and held out so steadfastly, that methought had there been more +weights ready, he would have outstood them; to whom the Virgin immediately +arose, and bowed before him, causing him to put on a gown of red velvet, +and at last reached him a branch of laurel, having good store of them upon +her throne, upon the steps whereof she willed him to sit down. After him, +how it fared with the rest of the emperors, kings and lords would be too +long to recount, but I cannot leave unmentioned that few of those great +personages held out. After the inquisition had also passed over the +gentry, the learned, and unlearned, and the rest, and in each condition +perhaps one, it may be, two, but for the most part none, was found +perfect, it came at length to those honest gentlemen the vagabond +cheaters, and rascally Lapidem Spitalanficum, who were set upon the scale +with such scorn that I myself for all my grief was ready to burst with +laughing, neither could the very prisoners themselves refrain, for the +most part could not abide that severe trial, but with whips and scourges +were jerked out of the scale, and led to the other prisoners. Thus of so +great a throng so few remained, that I am ashamed to discover their +number.</p> + +<p>The Inquisition being completely finished, and none but we poor coupled +hounds standing aside, at length one of the captains stepped forth and +said, Gracious Madam, if it please your ladyship, let these poor men who +acknowledged their misunderstanding be set upon the scale, also without +their incurring any danger of penalty, and only for recreation’s sake, if +perchance anything that is right may be found amongst them. We being +untied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> were one after another set up. My companion was the fifth who held +out bravely, whereupon all, but especially the captain, applauded him, and +the Virgin shewed him the usual respect. I was the eighth. Now as soon as +(with trembling) I stepped up, my companion who already sat by in his +velvet, looked friendly upon me, and the Virgin herself smiled a little. +But for as much as I outstayed all the weights, the Virgin commanded them +to draw me up by force, wherefore three men moreover hung on the other +side of the beam, and yet could nothing prevail. Whereupon one of the +pages immediately stood up and cried out exceeding loud, THAT’S HE, upon +which the other replied, then let him gain his liberty, which the Virgin +acceded, and being received with due ceremonies, the choice was given me +to release one of the captives, whosoever I pleased. Afterwards a Council +of the seven captains and us was set, and the business was propounded by +the Virgin as president, who desired each one to give his opinion, how the +prisoners were to be dealt with.</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p>The story is a long one, and we must present the rest only in outline. It +goes on to say that the kinds of punishment to be dealt out to the +prisoners were then discussed and arranged, after which another banquet +took place, when these captives were required to make confession of being +cheats and vagabonds, which after some expostulation they agreed to, +appealing at the same time for mercy which was refused, though variations +in the degrees of punishment were promised.</p> + +<p>When the sentences had all been executed, there came forward “a beautiful +snow white Unicorn with a golden collar about his neck. In the same place +he bowed himself down upon both his fore feet, as if hereby he had shewn +honour to the Lyon, who stood so immoveably upon the fountain, that I took +him to be of stone or brass, who immediately took the naked sword, which +he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> bare in his Paw and break it in the middle in two, the pieces whereof +to my thinking sunk into the fountain, after which he so long roared, +until a white dove brought a branch of olive in her bill, which the Lyon +devoured in an instant, and so was quieted. And so the Unicorn returned to +his place with joy, while our Virgin led us down by the winding stairs.”</p> + +<p>The narrative grows complicated as it proceeds, and none the less strange +in its character; its details are inexplicable and tedious, and it will be +impossible to lay them before our readers. The writer proceeds to describe +his rambles about the castle, the wonders which there met his gaze, his +respectful treatment at the banquet, and a problem proposed by the Virgin +which was duly debated by each in turn.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Fourth Day.</p> + +<p>Presented to the King by the Virgin who explained that the lords had +ventured hither with peril of body and life—assured by Atlas of the +King’s welcome—promised by the Virgin that she would remove the burden of +his old age—performance of a comedy.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Fifth Day.</p> + +<p>Further explorations of the castle—discovery of the burial place of Lady +Venus, “that beauty which hath undone many a great man both in fortune, +honour, blessing, and prosperity.” Journey with the Virgin to the Tower of +Olympus.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Sixth Day.</p> + +<p>Distribution by lot of Ladders, Ropes and Wings—the mysterious +bird—restoring the dead to life.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">Seventh Day.</p> + +<p>“After eight o’clock I awaked and quickly made myself ready, being +desirous to return again into the tower, but the dark passages in the wall +were so many and various that I wandered a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> good while before I could find +the way out. The same happened to the rest, too, till at last we all met +again in the neathermost vault, and habits entirely yellow were given us, +together with our golden fleeces. At that time the Virgin declared to us +that we were Knights of the Golden Stone, of which we were before +ignorant. After we had now thus made ourselves ready and taken our +breakfasts, the old man presented each of us with a medal of gold; on the +one side stood these words: AR. NAT. MI. On the other these, TEM. NA. F.</p> + +<p>Exhorting us, moreover, we should enterprise nothing beyond and against +this token of remembrance. Herewith we went to the sea, where our ships +lay so richly equipped, that it was not well possible but that such brave +things must first have been brought thither. The ships were twelve in +number; our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sate in Libra. +Besides other things, our ship had also a noble and curious clock, which +shewed us all the minutes. The ships passed on and before we had sailed +two hours the mariner told us that he already saw the whole lake almost +covered with ships, by which we could conjecture they were come but to +meet us, which also proved true. As soon as they were well in ken of us, +the pieces were discharged on both sides, and there was such a din of +trumpets, shalms, and kettledrums that all the ships upon the sea capered +again. Finally as soon as we came near they brought our ships together and +so made a stand. Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King’s +behalf, making a short but handsome oration, wherein he welcomed us and +demanded whether the royal presents were in readiness. The rest of my +companions were in an huge amazement, whence this king should arise, for +they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him. We suffered +them to continue in their wonderment, and carried ourselves as if it +seemed strange to us too. After Atlas’s oration, out steps our old man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> +making somewhat a larger reply, wherein he wished the King and Queen all +happiness and increase, after which he delivered up a curious small +casket, but what was in it I know not; only it was committed to Cupid, who +hovered between them both, to keep. After the oration was finished, they +again let off a joyful volley of shot, and so we sailed on a good time +together, till at length we arrived at another shore. This was near the +first gate at which I first entered. At this place again there attended a +great multitude of the King’s family together with some hundreds of +horses. Our old lord and I most unworthy were to ride even with the King, +each of us bearing a snow white ensign, with a red cross. I had fastened +my tokens round my hat of which the young King soon took notice, and +demanded if I were he, who could at the gate redeem those tokens? I +answered in the most humble manner, Yes. But he laughed on me, saying, +there henceforth needed no ceremony; I was his father. Then he asked +wherewith I had redeemed them. I replied, with water and salt, whereupon +he wondered who had made me so wise, upon which I grew somewhat more +confident, and recounted unto him, how it had happened to me with my +bread, the dove, and the raven, and he was pleased with it, and said +expressly that it must needs be that God had herein vouchsafed me a +singular happiness.... Meantime the tables were prepared in a spacious +room, in which we had never been before; into this we were conducted with +singular pomp and ceremony. This was the last noblest meal at which I was +present. After the banquet the tables were suddenly taken away, and +certain curious chairs placed round about in circle, in which we together +with the King and Queen, both their old men, the ladies and virgins were +to sit. After which a very handsome page opened the above mentioned +glorious little book, when Atlas immediately placing himself in the midst, +began to bespeak us to the ensuing purpose. That his royal majesty had not +yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> committed to oblivion the service we had done, and how carefully we +had attended our duty, and therefore by way of retribution had elected all +and each of us Knights of the Golden Stone. That it was therefore further +necessary not only once again to oblige ourselves towards his royal +majesty, but to now swear too upon the following articles, and then his +royal majesty would likewise know how to behave himself towards his liege +people. Upon which he caused the page to read over the articles, which +were these:—</p> + +<p>1.—You my lords the knights, shall swear, that you shall at no time +ascribe your order either unto any devil, or spirit, but only to God your +Creator, and his handmaid Nature.</p> + +<p>2.—That you will abominate all whoredom, incontinency and uncleanness, +and not defile your order with such vices.</p> + +<p>3.—That you through your talents will be ready to assist all that are +worthy, and have need of them.</p> + +<p>4.—That you desire not to employ this honour to worldly pride and high +authority.</p> + +<p>5.—That you shall not be willing to live longer than God will have you.</p> + +<p>Now being to vow to them all by the King’s sceptre, we were afterwards +with the usual ceremonies installed knights, and amongst other privileges +set our ignorance, poverty and sickness; to handle them at our pleasure. +And this was afterwards ratified in a little chapel, and thanks returned +to God for it. And because every one was there to write his name, I writ +thus,</p> + +<p class="center">Summa Scientia nihil Scire,<br /> +Fr. Christianus Rosencreutz,<br /> +Eques aurei Lapidis,<br /> +Anno 1549.”</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> +<h3><i>Conclusion—Modern Rosicrucianism.</i></h3> + +<p class="dropcap"><span class="caps">In</span> Notes and Queries for Nov. 15th, 1886, we find the following:—“In the +Student’s Encyclopædia, published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1883, I find +the following twofold statement: ‘Even to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said +to exist in London, whose members claim by asceticism to live beyond the +allotted age of man, and to which the late Lord Lytton vainly sought +admission.’ May I ask whether anything authentic can be learnt (1) as to +the existence of these modern Rosicrucians, and (2) as to Lord Lytton’s +failure to gain admission among them?”</p> + +<p>In the number of Dec. 13 of the same year, the above query was thus +answered: “The Soc. Rosic. in Anglia still holds several meetings a year +in London. The Fratres investigate the occult sciences; but I am not aware +that any of them now practice asceticism, or expect to prolong life on +earth indefinitely. It is not customary to divulge the names of candidates +who have been refused admission to the first grade, that of Zelator, so +must ask to be excused from answering the question as to Lord Lytton.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 12em;">WYNN WESTCOTT, <i>M.B., Magister Templi</i>.”</span></p> + +<p>In September of the previous year a correspondent asked if any one could +inform him if there were still any members of the society of the Rosy +Cross (or Rosicrucians); and if there were, how could one communicate with +them? Also if there were still any alchemists searching for the +philosopher’s stone and the transmutation of metals? This evoked the +following reply:—</p> + +<p>“Some say the modern Rosicrucians are the same as the Freemasons; but as +in the main they lived isolated, they could have been but slightly +connected with the masons. The range of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> celebrated men included in the +society is large:—Avicenna, Roger Bacon, Cardan, down to Mr. Peter +Woulfe, F.R.S., who lived at No. 2, Barnard’s Inn, and was, according to +Mr. Brand, the last true believer in alchemy. But no doubt some few still +dabble in these occult things.” Notes and Queries, Series 6, vol 8, 317.</p> + +<p>On the same page of the same volume we have:—“The Rosicrucians are now +(how I know not) incorporate with, and form one of the highest ranks, if +not the highest rank, of English Freemasons.” Also:—“In reply to Charles +D. Sunderland, allow me to say there are yet living both Rosicrucians and +Alchemists.”</p> + +<p>De Quincey does not hesitate for a moment in deciding as to the identity +between Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. He says:—“I shall now undertake +to prove that Rosicrucianism was transplanted to England, where it +flourished under a new name, under which name it has been since +re-exported to us in common with other countries of Christendom. For I +affirm as the main thesis of my concluding labours, that Freemasonry is +neither more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who +transplanted it to England.” He then proceeds with an argument to shew +this identity between the two, an argument to which our limited space +forbids us to do more than briefly allude. He says:—“In 1633 we have seen +that the old name was abolished; but as yet no new name was substituted; +in default of such a name they were styled <i>ad interim</i> by the general +term, wise men. This, however, being too vague an appellation for men who +wished to form themselves into a separate and exclusive society, a new one +had to be devised bearing a more special allusion to their characteristic +objects. Now the immediate hint for the Masons was derived from the legend +contained in the <i>Fama Fraternitatis</i>, of the “House of the Holy Ghost.” +This had been a subject of much speculation in Germany; and many had been +simple enough to understand the expression of a literal house, and had +inquired after it up and down the empire. But Andrea had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> <ins class="correction" title="original: mdae">made</ins> it +impossible to understand it in any other than an allegoric sense, by +describing it as a building that would remain invisible to the godless +world for ever.” Theophilus Schweighart also had spoken of it thus: “It is +a building,” says he, “a great building, <i>carens fenestris et foribus</i>, a +princely, nay an imperial palace, everywhere visible, and yet not seen by +the eyes of man.” This building in fact, represented the purpose or object +of the Rosicrucians. And what was that? It was the secret wisdom, or, in +their language, <i>magic</i>—viz., 1. Philosophy of nature, or occult +knowledge of the works of God; 2. Theology, or the occult knowledge of God +himself; 3. Religion, or God’s occult intercourse with the spirit of man, +which they imagined to have been transmitted from Adam through the +Cabbalists to themselves. But they distinguished between a carnal and a +spiritual knowledge of this magic. The spiritual knowledge is the business +of Christianity, and is symbolised by Christ himself as a rock, and a +building of human nature, in which men are the stones and Christ the +corner stone. But how shall stones move and arrange themselves into a +building? “They must become living stones.” But what is a living stone? “A +living stone is a mason who builds himself up into the wall as a part of +the temple of human nature.” In these passages we see the use of the +allegoric name masons upon the extinction of the former name. In other +places Fludd expresses this still more distinctly. The society was +therefore to be a masonic society, in order to represent typically that +temple of the Holy Spirit which it was their business to erect in the +spirit of man. This temple was the abstract of the doctrine of Christ, who +was the Grand-master: hence the light from the East, of which so much is +said in Rosicrucian and Masonic books. After pursuing the matter in a +similar strain somewhat further, De Quincey sums up the results of his +inquiry into the origin and nature of Freemasonry as follows:—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>1. The original Freemasons were a society that arose out of the +Rosicrucian mania, certainly within the thirteen years from 1633 to 1646, +and probably between 1633 and 1640. Their object was magic in the +cabbalistic sense—<i>i.e.</i>, the occult wisdom transmitted from the +beginning of the world, and matured by Christ; to communicate this when +they had it, to search for it when they had it not: and both under an oath +of secrecy.</p> + +<p>2. The object of Freemasonry was represented under the form of Solomon’s +Temple, as a type of the true Church, whose cornerstone is Christ. This +Temple is to be built of men, or living stones: and the true method and +art of building with men it is the province of magic to teach. Hence it is +that all the masonic symbols either refer to Solomon’s Temple, or are +figurative modes of expressing the ideas and doctrines of magic in the +sense of the Rosicrucians, and their mystical predecessors in general.</p> + +<p>3. The Freemasons having once adopted symbols, &c., from the art of +masonry, to which they were led by the language of Scripture, went on to +connect themselves in a certain degree with the order itself of handicraft +masons, and adopted their distribution of members into apprentices, +journeymen, and masters. Christ is the Grand-Master, and was put to death +whilst laying the foundation of the temple of human nature.</p> + +<p>4. The Jews, Mahomedans and Roman Catholics were all excluded from the +early lodges of Freemasons. The Roman Catholics were excluded on account +of their intolerance: for it was a distinguishing feature of the +Rosicrucians that they first conceived the idea of a society which should +act on the principle of religious toleration, wishing that nothing should +interfere with the most extensive co-operation in their plans except such +differences about the essentials of religion as make all co-operation +impossible.</p> + +<p>5. Freemasonry, as it honoured all forms of Christianity, deeming them +approximations more or less remote to the ideal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> truth, so it abstracted +from all forms of civil polity as alien from its own objects, which, +according to their briefest expressions, are (1) The Glory of God; (2) The +service of men.</p> + +<p>6. There is nothing in the imagery, mythi, ritual, or purposes of the +elder Freemasonry, which may not be traced to the romances of Father +Rosycross, as given in the Fama Fraternitatis.</p> + +<p>De Quincey is not the only writer who has expressed himself to the effect +that the systems of Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism are virtually +identical; others have said so as well, and in stating their views have +not scrupled to write most severely respecting what they believed to be +the tricks and impositions of both. Mr. George Soane in his “New +Curiosities of Literature,” says of the Freemasons, that he can shew their +society sprang out of decayed Rosicrucianism just as the beetle is +engendered from a muck-heap. And further he says, “not a few of the old +nursery tales still maintain their ground amongst us; and of these +Freemasonry is the most disseminated and the most ridiculous.” “Of +course,” he continues “such an opinion will shock many gentlemen, who wear +aprons, leather or silk as the case may be, and who amuse themselves with +talking of light from the east, and the building of Solomon’s Temple, and +with many other childish pranks, which if played off in the broad daylight +would be ridiculous.”</p> + +<p>He goes on to say:—“In wading through a mass of alchemical trash for very +different purposes, I was struck by the great similarity both of the +doctrine and symbols existing between the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons. +With more haste than judgment I at first imagined that the brethren of the +Rosy Cross were only imitators of the Freemasons, but after a long and +patient enquiry, pursued through more volumes than I should like to +venture upon again for such an object, I was forced to abandon my +position. The Freemasons did indeed, like the Rosicrucians, lay claim to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +great antiquity, but while some of them modestly dated the origin of their +order from Adam, I could by no means trace it back farther than the first +half of the seventeenth century. Their historical assertions, when fairly +tested and examined, crumbled into dust; the negative proofs were as +strong against them as they well could be; and at length the conclusion +was to my mind inevitable.”</p> + +<p>Soane then proceeds to say:—“I feel not the slightest hesitation in +saying that the Freemasons have no secret beyond a few trumpery legends +and the attaching of certain religious and moral meanings to a set of +emblems, principally borrowed from the mechanical art of the builder. I +affirm too that all such symbols, with their interpretations, are of +Rosicrucian origin, and that the Freemasons never belonged to the working +guilds, their objects being totally different.”</p> + +<p>Professor Buhle in his last chapter maintains that “Freemasonry is neither +more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who transplanted it +into England.” Dr. Mackey, however, takes a contrary view, and in the +Synoptical Index to his “Symbolism of Freemasonry, and Rosicrucians,” +says:—“A sect of hermetical philosophers, founded in the fifteenth +century, who were engaged in the study of abstruse sciences. It was a +secret society much resembling the masonic in its organization and in some +of the subjects of its investigation, but it was no other way connected +with Freemasonry.”</p> + +<p>Fifty years ago a writer in the Penny Cyclopædia said:—“Some say that the +order of Rosicrucians is identical with that of Freemasons, one of whose +degrees or dignities is called in some countries the degree of the Red +Cross. The Rosicrucians have not been heard of as a separate order for +nearly a century past, but some have thought that they continued to exist +under the name of the Illuminati, who were much talked of in Germany and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> +France in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Barruel, after +describing the ceremonies with which candidates were admitted to the +degree of Red Cross in some Freemasons’ Lodges, which however, he says, +vary in different countries, observes that these ceremonies which were +apparently allusive to the Passion of Jesus Christ, were differently +interpreted, according to the dispositions of the candidates; that some +saw in it a memento of the Passion, others an introduction to the arcana +of alchemy and magic, and others at last a blasphenous invective against +the founder of Christianity which the Rosicrucians had derived from the +Templars of old.”</p> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">THE ROSIE CRUCIAN PRAYER TO GOD.</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Jesus Mihi Omnia.</span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big">ᐃ</span></p> + +<p>“Oh Thou everywhere and good of All, whatsoever I do, remember, I beseech +thee, that I am but Dust, but as a Vapour sprung from Earth, which even +thy smallest Breath can scatter; Thou hast given me a Soul, and Laws to +govern it; let that Eternal Rule, which thou didst first appoint to sway +Man, order me; make me careful to point at thy Glory in all my wayes; and +where I cannot rightly know Thee, that not only my understanding, but my +ignorance may honour thee. Thou art All that can be perfect; Thy +Revelation hath made me happy; be not angry, O Divine One, O God the most +high Creator, if it please thee, suffer these revealed Secrets, thy Gifts +alone, not for my praise, but to thy Glory, to manifest themselves. I +beseech thee most gracious God, they may not fall into the hand of +ignorant envious persons, that cloud these truths to thy disgrace, saying, +they are not lawful to be published, because what God reveals, is to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +kept secret. But Rosie Crucian Philosophers lay up this Secret into the +bosome of God, which I have presumed to manifest clearly and plainly. I +beseech the Trinity, it may be printed as I have written it, that the +truth may no more be darkened with ambiguous language. Good God, besides +thee nothing is. Oh stream thyself into my Soul, and flow it with thy +Grace, thy Illumination, and thy Revelation. Make me to depend on Thee; +Thou delightest that Man should account Thee as his King and not hide what +Honey of Knowledge he hath revealed. I cast myself as an honourer of Thee +at thy feet. O establish my confidence in Thee, for thou art the fountain +of all bounty, and canst not but be merciful, nor canst thou deceive the +humbled Soul that trusts Thee: And because I cannot be defended by Thee, +unless I live after thy Laws, keep me, O my Soul’s Sovereign, in the +obedience of thy Will, and that I wound not my Conscience with vice, and +hiding thy Gifts and Graces bestowed upon me; for this I know will destroy +me within, and make thy Illuminating Spirit leave me: I am afraid I have +already infinitely swerved from the Revelations of that Divine Guide, +which thou hast commanded to direct me to the Truth; and for this I am a +sad Prostrate and Penitent at the foot of thy Throne; I appeal only to the +abundance of thy Remissions. O my God, my God, I know it is a mysterie +beyond the vast Soul’s apprehension, and therefore deep enough for man to +rest in safety in. O Thou Being of all Beings, cause me to work myself to +Thee, and into the receiving armes of thy paternal Mercies throw myself. +For outward things I thank Thee, and such as I have I give unto others, in +the name of the Trinity, freely and faithfully, without hiding anything of +what was revealed to me, and experienced to be no Diabolical Delusion or +Dream, but the Adjectamenta of thy richer Graces; the Mines and +deprivation are both in thy hands. In what thou hast given me I am +content. Good God ray thyself into my Soul, give me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> but a heart to please +Thee, I beg no more than thou hast given, and that to continue me, +uncontemnedly and unpittiedly honest. Save me from the Devil, Lusts and +Men: and for those fond dotages of Mortality, which would weigh down my +Soul to Lowness and Debauchment, let it be my glory (planting myself in a +Noble height above them) to contemn them. Take me from myself, and fill me +but with thee. Sum up thy blessings in those two, that I may be rightly +good and wise; And these for thy eternal Truths’ sake grant and make +grateful.”<small><a name="f5.1" id="f5.1" href="#f5">[5]</a></small></p> + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">THE END.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">S. & J. Brawn</span>, Printers, 13, Gate Street, Holborn, London, W.C.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<div class="vertsbox"> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">Phallic and Mystical Series,</span><br /> +Cr. 8vo, Vellum, 7s. 6d. each.</p> +<p class="center"><i>Only a very limited number</i>, <span class="smcap">Privately Printed</span>.</p> + +<p><br />PHALLICISM.—A Description of the Worship of <b>Lingam-Yoni</b> in various parts +of the World, and in different Ages, with an Account of Ancient and Modern +Crosses, particularly of the <b>Crux Ansata</b> (or Handled Cross) and other +Symbols connected with the Mysteries of <b>Sex Worship</b>. (<i>Out of print</i>).</p> + +<p><br />OPHIOLATREIA.—An Account of the Rites and Mysteries connected with the +Origin, Rise, and Development of <b>Serpent Worship</b> in various parts of the +World, enriched with Interesting Traditions, and a full description of the +celebrated Serpent Mounds and Temples, the whole forming an exposition of +one of the phases of <b>Phallic</b>, or <b>Sex Worship</b>.</p> + +<p><br />PHALLIC OBJECTS, <span class="smcap">Monuments and Remains</span>; Illustrations of the Rise and +Development of the <b>Phallic Idea</b> (Sex Worship), and its embodiment in Works +of Nature and Art. <i>Etched Frontispiece.</i></p> + +<p><br />CULTUS ARBORUM.—A Descriptive Account of <b>Phallic Tree Worship</b>, with +illustrative Legends, Superstitious Usages, etc.; exhibiting its Origin +and Development amongst the Eastern and Western Nations of the World, from +the earliest to modern times.</p> + +<p>This work has a valuable bibliography which will be of the greatest use +and value to the student of Ancient Faiths. It contains references to +nearly five hundred works on Phallism and kindred subjects.</p> + +<p><br />FISHES, FLOWERS, AND FIRE as <span class="smcap">Elements and Deities</span> in the <b>Phallic Faiths +and Worship</b> of the Ancient Religions of <span class="smcap">Greece, Babylon, Rome, India</span>, +etc., with illustrative Myths and Legends.</p> + +<p><br />ARCHAIC ROCK INSCRIPTIONS; an Account of the Cup and Ring Marking on the +Sculptural Stones of the Old and New Worlds.</p> + +<p>This subject, though comparatively a new one, and upon which a very +limited amount of literature has been written, has excited considerable +curiosity among its discoverers. These strange figures and marks bear the +same resemblance whether found in England, Ireland, Scotland, India, +Mexico, Brazil, North America, Sweden, etc. Probably the cup and ring +markings were connected with the religious mysteries surrounding the +worship of Baal. They are asserted on good authority to be Phallic +Symbols, which subject the author has treated of in the present work.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>IN THE PRESS.</i></p> + +<p class="hang">A new work on the <b>MASCULINE CROSS</b> Theory, and recent discoveries connected with Phallicism.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>OTHER WORKS.</i></p> + +<p><br />MATRIMONIAL CEREMONIES DISPLAYED.—Wherein are exhibited the various +Customs, Odd Pranks, Whimsical Tricks and Surprising Practises of near one +hundred different Kingdoms and Peoples in the World, now used in the +Celebration and Consummation of Matrimony, collected from the Papers of a +<b>Rambling Batchelor</b>, with the Adventures of Sir Harry Fitzgerald and his +<b>Seven Wives</b>. Cr. 8vo, Japanese parchment, 6s.</p> + +<p>The above volume describes the extensive and extraordinary ceremonies of +the different nations of the world, including an interesting account of +the more free and easy rites of the savage tribes. There will also be +found an entertaining description of the ceremonies of the Indians in +America, at the time of its first colonisation by the Europeans.</p> + +<p><br />FLAGELLATION, History of, among different Nations, a Narrative of the +Strange Customs and Cruelties of the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, etc., with +an Account of its Practice among the Early Christians as a Religious +Stimulant and Corrector of Morals, also Anecdotes of Remarkable Cases of +Flogging and of celebrated Flagellants. Cr. 8vo, parchment, 6s.</p> + +<p>A curious history of whipping inflicted by force, and voluntarily +practised by the Monks, Heathens, etc., with Anecdotes of its use by +Kings, Bishops, Abbots, etc.</p></div> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><strong>Footnotes:</strong></p> + +<p><a name="f1" id="f1" href="#f1.1">[1]</a> Mackay, Pop. Delusions.</p> + +<p><a name="f2" id="f2" href="#f2.1">[2]</a> Hist. of Philosophy, ii. 462.</p> + +<p><a name="f3" id="f3" href="#f3.1">[3]</a> Mackay.</p> + +<p><a name="f4" id="f4" href="#f4.1">[4]</a> New Curiosities of Literature, vol. 2, p. 46.</p> + +<p><a name="f5" id="f5" href="#f5.1">[5]</a> The Holy Guide, 1652.</p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> + +<p>Punctuation has been corrected without note.</p> + +<p>Text with a gray underscore indicates the site of a correction. +Hover the cursor over the marked text and the nature of the +correction should appear.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in +spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original.</p> + + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 35350-h.txt or 35350-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/5/3/5/35350">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/3/5/35350</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Mysteries of the Rosie Cross + Or, the History of that Curious Sect of the Middle Ages, Known as the Rosicrucians; with Examples of their Pretensions and Claims as Set Forth in the Writings of Their Leaders and Disciples + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: February 21, 2011 [eBook #35350] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS*** + + +E-text prepared by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +(http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by +Internet Archive/American Libraries +(http://www.archive.org/details/americana) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through + Internet Archive/American Libraries. See + http://www.archive.org/details/mysteriesofrosie00londrich + + +Transcriber's note: + + Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). + + Text in bold face is enclosed by equal signs (=bold=). + + A list of corrections is at the end of the e-book. + + + + + +MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS, + +Or + +The History of that Curious Sect +of the Middle Ages, +Known as the Rosicrucians; + +With +Examples of their Pretensions and Claims +as Set Forth in the Writings of Their Leaders +and Disciples. + + + + + + + +A. Reader, Orange Street, Red Lion Square, London. +1891. + + + + +_PREFACE._ + + +In the following pages an attempt has been made to convey something like +an intelligible idea of the peculiar mystic sect known to the readers of +history, as the Rosicrucians. The subject is confessedly difficult, owing +to the grossly absurd character of the writings left by the disciples of +this body, and the secrecy with which they sought to surround their +movements and clothe their words. Anything like a consecutive narration is +an impossibility, the materials at hand being so fragmentary and +disjointed. We have, however, done the best that we could with such facts +as were within reach, and if we are not able to present so scientific and +perfect a treatise as we might have hoped to do, we at least trust that +the following contribution to the scanty literature treating of this +matter will be found interesting, and will throw some light upon what is +shrouded in such profound mystery. + + + + +_CONTENTS._ + + + CHAPTER THE FIRST. + WHO AND WHAT WERE THE ROSICRUCIANS 1 + + CHAPTER THE SECOND. + HISTORICAL NOTICES OF THE ROSICRUCIANS 15 + + CHAPTER THE THIRD. + EARLY LEADERS--LITERATURE--ROMANTIC STORIES 22 + + CHAPTER THE FOURTH. + THE FAME AND CONFESSION OF THE FRATERNITY OF R. C. 34 + + CHAPTER THE FIFTH. + JOHN HEYDON AND THE ROSICRUCIANS 60 + + CHAPTER THE SIXTH. + GABALIS: OR THE EXTRAVAGANT MYSTERIES OF THE CABALISTS 81 + + CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. + THE HERMETICK ROMANCE; OR CHYMICAL WEDDING 102 + + CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. + MODERN ROSICRUCIANS 126 + + + + +_AUTHORITIES._ + + +El Havareuna; or the English Physitian's Tutor, in the Astrobolismes of +Mettals Rosie Crucian, Miraculous Saphiric Medicines of the Sun and Moon, +the Astrolosmes of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars.... All harmoniously united +and opperated by Astromancy and Geomancy.... Whereunto is added +Psonthonphanchia.... the Books being also an appeal to the natural +faculties of the mind of man whether there be not a God. By John Heydon, +M.D. 1664. + +The Holy Guide: leading the way to the Wonder of the World (a compleat +Physician) teaching the knowledge of all things, past, present, and to +come, viz., of pleasure, long life, health, youth, Blessedness, Wisdome, +Virtue; and to cure, change, and remedy all diseases in young or old. With +Rosie Crucian Medicines, etc. (The Rosie Cross uncovered, and the Places, +Temples, Holy Houses.... and invisible Mountains of the Brethren +discovered), etc. John Heydon. 1662. + +A New Method of Rosie Crucian Physick, wherein is shewed the cause, and +therewith their experienced medicines for the cure of all diseases. John +Heydon. 1658. + +A Quintuple Rosie Crucian Scourge, for the correction of that +pseudo-chymist, Geo. Thomson, being in part a vindication of the Society +of Physicians. John Heydon. 1665. + +Theomagia, or the Temple of Wisdome. In three parts, spiritual, celestial +and elemental; containing the occult powers of the Angels of +Astromancy.... The Mysterious virtues of the character of the Stars.... +The knowledge of the Rosie Crucian Physick. J. Heydon. 1662. + +The Rosie Crucian Infallible Axiomata, or Generall Rules to know all +things past, present, and to come. Usefull, pleasant, and profitable to +all, and fitted to the understanding of mean capacities. John Heydon. +1660. + +Rise and Attributes of the Rosi Crucians. By J. Von D----. + +Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History. + +Brucker's History of Philosophy. + +The Hermetick Romance, or Chemical Wedding. By C. Rosencreutz. + +New Curiosities of Literature. G. Soane. + +Tale of a Tub. Swift. + +Notes and Queries. Series 1-8. 6 vols., 7, 8, 10. + +Warburton's Commentary on the Rape of the Lock. + +Spectator. Nos. 379, 574. + +National Magazine. Vol. 1. + +London Magazine. Vols. 9, 20. + +Western Monthly. Vol. 3. + +Book Lore. Vol. 3. + +Plot's History of Staffordshire. + +The Count of Gabalis, or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists. + +Butler's Hudibras. + +Mackay's Popular Delusions. + +Higgins's Anacalypsis. + +Fame and Confession of the Rosie Cross. E. Philateles. + +Mackay's Symbolism of Freemasonry. + +De Quincey on Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. + +Apologia Compendiaria Fraternitatis de Rosea Cruce. + +Fama Fraternitatis. 1617, etc. + + + + +MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Who and what were the Rosicrucians?_ + + +The questions which present themselves on the threshold of this enquiry +are:--Who and what were the Rosicrucians? When and where did they +flourish, and what influence did any peculiar tenets they may have held, +or practices they may have indulged in, exercise upon the world? We shall +endeavour to answer these queries as distinctly as so mysterious and +extravagant a subject will allow of, and illustrate the whole by copious +extracts from the writings of recognized leaders and disciples. + +Comparatively very little is known about these people; and, if we open any +of our works of general reference, such as dictionaries and encyclopaedias, +we find little more than a bare reminder that they were a mystic sect to +be found in a few European countries about the middle of the fifteenth +century. That such a sect did exist is beyond question, and the opinion +that what is left of it exists at the present time in connection with +modern Freemasonry, seems not altogether destitute of foundation. + +They appear to have a close connection with the Alchemists; springing into +existence as a distinct body when those enthusiastic seekers after the +power of transmuting the baser into the nobler metals were creating +unusual sensation. Somewhere about the end of the fifteenth century, a +Dutch pilot named Haussen, had the misfortune to be shipwrecked off the +coast of Scotland. The vessel was lost, but Haussen was saved by a Scotch +gentleman, one Alexander Seton, who put off in a boat and brought the +drowning mariner to land. A warm friendship sprang up between the two, +and, about eighteen months after, Seton went to Holland, and paid a visit +to the man whom he had rescued. During this visit he informed the Dutchman +that he was in possession of the secret of the philosopher's stone, and +report says that in his presence he actually transmuted large quantities +of base metal into the finest gold, which he left with him as a present. +Seton in due course took leave of his friend, and prosecuted his travels +through various parts of the continent. He made no attempt to conceal the +possession of his boasted secret, but openly talked of it wherever he went +and performed certain experiments, which he persuaded the people were +actual transmutations of base metal into gold. Unfortunately for him, the +Duke of Saxony heard the report of these wonders, and immediately had him +arrested and put to the torture of the rack to extract from him the +precious secret, or to compel him at least to use it in his especial +service. All was in vain, however, the secret, if such he really +possessed, remained locked up in his own breast, and he lay for months in +prison subjected to treatment which reduced him to mere skin and bone, and +well nigh killed him. A Pole, named Sendivogius, also an alchemist, an +enthusiast like the rest of the fraternity, who had spent time and fortune +in the wild and profitless search, then came upon the scene. The +sufferings of Seton aroused his sympathy, and he resolved to bring about, +if possible, his escape from the tyrant. After experiencing a deal of +difficulty he obtained permission to visit the prisoner, whom he found in +a dark and filthy dungeon, in a condition well nigh verging upon absolute +starvation. He immediately acquainted the unhappy man with his proposals, +which were listened to with the greatest eagerness, and Seton declared +that, if he succeeded in securing his liberation, he would make him one of +the wealthiest of living men. Sendivogius then set about his really +difficult task; and, with a view to its accomplishment, commenced a +curious and artful series of movements. His first move was to procure some +ready money, which he did by the sale of some property near Cracow. With +this he began to lead a gay and somewhat dissipated life at Dresden; +giving splendid banquets, to which he invited the officers of the guard, +particularly selecting those who were on duty at the prison. In the course +of time his hospitality had its expected effect; he entirely won the +confidence of the officials, and pretending that he was endeavouring to +overcome the obstinacy of the captive, and worm out his secret, was +allowed free access to him. It was at last resolved upon a certain day to +make the attempt at escape; and, having sent the guard to sleep by means +of some drugged wine, he assisted Seton over a wall, and led him to a +post-chaise, which he had conveniently waiting, to convey him into Poland. +In the vehicle Seton found his wife awaiting him, having with her a packet +of black powder, which was said to be the philosopher's stone by which +iron and copper could be transmuted into gold. They all reached Cracow in +safety, but Seton's sufferings had been so severe, and had so reduced his +physical strength, that he did not survive many months. He died about 1603 +or 1604, leaving behind him a number of works marked Cosmopolite. Soon +after his death Sendivogius married the widow; and, according to the +accounts which have come down to us, was soon initiated into the methods +of turning the commoner metals into the finer. With the black powder, we +are told, he converted great quantities of quicksilver into the purest +gold, and that he did this in the presence of the Emperor Rudolph II. at +Prague, who, in commemoration of the fact, caused a marble tablet with an +inscription to be fixed in the wall of the room where the experiment was +performed. Whether the experiment was a cheat or not, the tablet was +really fixed in the said wall, and was seen and described by Desnoyens, +secretary to the Princess Mary of Gonzaga, Queen of Poland, in 1651. + +Rudolph, the Emperor, seems to have been perfectly satisfied with the +success of the alchymist, and would have heaped the loftiest honours upon +him had he been disposed to accept of them; this, however, did not accord +with his inclination; he, it is said, preferred his liberty, and went to +reside on his estate at Gravarna, where he kept open house for all who +responded to his invitations. His biographer, Brodowski, who was also his +steward, insists, contrary to other writers, that the magic powder was red +and not black; that he kept it in a box of gold, and that with one grain +of it he could make a hundred ducats, or a thousand rix dollars, generally +using quicksilver as the basis of his operations. When travelling this box +was carried by the steward, who hung it round his neck by a golden chain; +the principal part of the powder, however, was hidden in a secret place +cut in the step of his chariot; this being deemed a secure place in the +event of being attacked by robbers. He appears to have lived in constant +fear of being robbed, and resorted to all manner of precautions to secure +his treasure when on a journey; for it is said that he was well known as +the possessor of this philosopher's stone, and that many adventurers were +on the watch for any opportunity to rob him. + +Brodowski relates that a German prince once served him a scurvy trick, +which ever afterwards put him on his guard. The prince was so anxious to +see the wonderful experiments, of which he had heard so much, that he +actually fell upon his knees before the alchymist, when entreating him to +perform in his presence. Sendivogius, after much pressing, allowed his +objections to be overcome; and, upon the promise of secrecy by the prince, +showed him what he was so anxious to witness. No sooner, however, had the +alchymist left, than the prince entered into a conspiracy with another +alchymist, named Muhlenfels, for robbing Sendivogius of the powder he used +in his operations. Accompanied by twelve armed attendants, Muhlenfels +hastened after Sendivogius, and overtaking him at a lonely inn, where he +had stopped to dine, forcibly took from him his golden box containing a +little of the powder; a manuscript book on the philosopher's stone; a +golden medal, with its chain, presented to him by the Emperor Rudolph; and +a rich cap, ornamented with diamonds, of the value of one hundred thousand +rix-dollars. + +Sendivogius was not at all disposed to put up with such treatment without +an effort to obtain redress, so he went at once to Prague, and laid his +complaint before the Emperor. The Emperor at once sent an express to the +prince, ordering him to deliver up Muhlenfels and his plunder. Alarmed at +the aspect that things were now assuming, the prince, treacherous to one +man as he had been to the other, erected gallows in his courtyard and +hanged Muhlenfels with a thief on either side of him. He sent back the +jewelled hat, the medal and chain, and the book in manuscript; the powder, +he said, he knew nothing of. + +Sendivogius now adopted a different mode of living altogether to that +which he had formerly been addicted to; he pretended to be excessively +poor, and would sometimes keep his bed for weeks together, to make the +people conclude it was impossible for him to be the owner of the +philosopher's stone. He died in the year 1636, upwards of eighty, and was +buried at Gravarna. + +Now, it is commonly held by most people, who have studied the subject, +that there is a close and intimate connection between the Alchymists and +the Rosicrucians; probably this is true, and a perusal of the works of +John Heydon, and others of a similar character, will deepen the +impression. It was, indeed, during the life of Sendivogius that the +Rosicrucians first began to make a mark in Europe, and cause anything +approaching to a sensation. A modern writer says:--"The influence which +they exercised upon opinion during their brief career, and the permanent +impression which they have left upon European literature, claim for them +especial notice. Before their time alchemy was but a grovelling delusion; +and theirs is the merit of having spiritualised and refined it. They also +enlarged its sphere, and supposed the possession of the philosopher's +stone to be, not only the means of wealth, but of health and happiness, +and the instrument by which man could command the services of superior +beings, control the elements to his will, defy the obstructions of time +and space, and acquire the most intimate knowledge of all the secrets of +the universe."[1] + +It is a fact well known to all well-informed readers, that at this time +the European continent was saturated with the most degrading +superstitions. Devils were supposed to walk the earth, and to mingle in +the affairs of men; evil spirits, in the opinion even of the wise and +learned, were thought to be at the call of any one who would summon them +with the proper formalities; and witches were daily burned in all the +capitals of Europe. The new sect taught a doctrine less repulsive. They +sprang up in Germany, extended with some success to France and England, +and excited many angry controversies. Though as far astray in their +notions as the Demonologists and witch believers, the creed was more +graceful. They taught that the elements swarmed not with hideous, foul and +revengeful spirits, but with beautiful creatures, more ready to do man +service than to inflict injury. They taught that the earth was inhabited +by Gnomes, the air by Sylphs, the fire by Salamanders, and the water by +Nymphs or Undines; and that man, by his communication with them, might +learn the secrets of nature, and discover all those things which had +puzzled philosophers for ages--Perpetual Motion, the Elixir of Life, the +Philosopher's Stone, and the Essence of Invisibility. + +Respecting the origin and signification of the term Rosicrucian different +opinions have been held and expressed. Some have thought it was made up of +_rosa_ and _crux_ (a _rose_ and a _cross_) but it is maintained by others +upon apparently good authority, that it is a compound of ros (dew) and +crux (cross). Mosheim contends that it is abundantly attested that the +title of Rosicrucians was given to the chemists who united the study of +religion with the search after chemical secrets, the term itself being +chemical, and not to be understood without a knowledge of the style used +by the chemists. We shall give some extracts from very old Rosicrucian +works presently which will enlighten our readers in such matters. + +A cross in the language of the fire philosophers is the same as Lux +(light), because the figure of a + exhibits all the three letters of the +word _Lux_ at one view. Moreover, this sect applied the term _Lux_ to the +_seed or menstruum of the Red Dragon_, or to that crude and corporeal +light which, being properly concocted and digested, produces gold. A +Rosicrucian, therefore, is a philosopher who, by means of _dew_ seeks for +_light_--that is, for the substance of the philosopher's stone. + +Mosheim declares the other interpretations of this name to be false and +deceptive, being the inventions of the chemists themselves, who were +exceedingly fond of concealment, for the sake of imposing on others who +were hostile to their religious views. The true import of this title, he +says, was perceived by the sagacity of Peter Gassendi, Examen Philosophiae +Fluddanae, sec. 15, in his Opp. iii, 261; though it was more lucidly +explained by the celebrated French physician Eusebius Renaudot, +_Conferences Publiques_, iv. 87. + +In 1619 Dr. Jo. Valentine Andreae, a celebrated Lutheran divine, published +his Tower of Babel, or Chaos of Opinions respecting the Fraternity of the +Rosy-Cross, in which he represents the whole history as a farce, and gave +intimations that _he_ was _himself_ concerned in getting it up. + +Brucker says to the class of Theosophists has been commonly referred the +entire society of Rosicrucians, which, at the beginning of the seventeenth +century, made so much noise in the ecclesiastical and literary world. The +history of this society, which is attended with some obscurity, seems to +be as follows:--"Its origin is referred to a certain German, whose name +was Rosencreuz who, in the fourteenth century, visited the Holy Sepulchre; +and, in travelling through Asia and Africa, made himself acquainted with +many Oriental secrets; and who, after his return, instituted a small +fraternity, to whom he communicated the mysteries he had learned, under an +oath of inviolable secrecy. This society remained concealed till the +beginning of the seventeenth century, when two books were published, the +one entitled, _Fama Fraternitatis laudabilis Ordinis Rosaecrusis_: "The +report of the laudable Fraternity of Rosicrucians;" the other, _Confessio +Fraternitatis_, "The Confession of the Fraternity." In these books the +world was informed that this fraternity was enabled, by Divine revelation, +to explain the most important secrets, both of nature and grace; that they +were appointed to correct the errors of the learned world, particularly in +philosophy and medicine; that they were possessed of the philosopher's +stone, and understood both the art of transmuting metals and of prolonging +human life; and, in fine, by their means the golden age would return. As +soon as these grand secrets were divulged, the whole tribe of the +Paracelsists, Theosophists and Chemists flocked to the Rosicrucian +standard, and every new and unheard-of mystery was referred to this +fraternity. It is impossible to relate how much noise this wonderful +discovery made, or what different opinions were formed concerning it. +After all, though the laws and statutes of the society had appeared, no +one could tell where the society itself was to be found, or who really +belonged to it. It was imagined by some sagacious observers, that a +certain important meaning was concealed under the story of the +Rosicrucian fraternity, though they were wholly unable to say what it was. +One conjectured that some chemical mystery lay hid behind the allegorical +tale; another supposed that it foretold some great ecclesiastical +revolution. At last Michael Breler, in the year 1620, had the courage +publicly to declare that he certainly knew the whole story to have been +the contrivance of some ingenious persons who chose to amuse themselves by +imposing upon the public credulity. This declaration raised a general +suspicion against the whole story; and, as no one undertook to contradict +it, this wonderful society daily vanished, and the rumours, which had been +spread concerning it, ceased. The whole was probably a contrivance to +ridicule the pretenders to secret wisdom and wonderful power, particularly +the chemists, who boasted that they were possessed of the philosopher's +stone. It has been conjectured--and the satirical turn of his writings, +and several particular passages in his works, favour the conjecture--that +this farce was invented and performed, in part at least, by John Valentine +Andrea of Wartenburg."[2] + +Pope, in the dedication of his Rape of the Lock to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, +wrote:--"I know how disagreeable it is to make use of hard words before a +lady; but it is so much the concern of a poet to have his works +understood--and particularly by your sex--that you must give me leave to +explain two or three difficult terms. + +"The Rosicrucians are a people I must bring you acquainted with. The best +account I know of them is in a French book called Le Comte de Gabalis, +which, both in its title and size, is so like a novel, that many of the +fair sex have read it for one by mistake. According to these gentlemen, +the four elements are inhabited by spirits, which they call sylphs, +gnomes, nymphs and salamanders. The gnomes, or demons of earth, delight +in mischief; but the sylphs, whose habitation is in the air, are the best +conditioned creatures imaginable; for they say any mortals may enjoy the +most intimate familiarities with these gentle spirits, upon a condition +very easy to all true adepts, an inviolate preservation of chastity." + +On the lines (verse 20, canto 1):-- + + "Belinda still her downy pillow prest, + Her guardian sylph prolonged the balmy rest." + +in Pope's Rape of the Lock, Warburton thus comments:-- + +"When Mr. Pope had projected to give the Rape of the Lock its present form +of a mock-heroic poem, he was obliged to find it with its machinery. For, +as the subject of the Epic consists of two parts, the metaphysical and the +civil; so this mock epic, which is of the satiric kind, and receives its +grace from a ludicrous mimicry of other's pomp and solemnity, was to have +the like compounded nature. And as the civil part is intentionally debased +by the choice of a trifling action; so should the metaphysical by the +application of some very extravagant system. A rule which, though neither +Boileau nor Garth had been careful enough to attend to, our author's good +sense would not suffer him to overlook. And that sort of machinery which +his judgment informed him was only fit for use, his admirable invention +soon supplied. There was but one systematic extravagance in all nature +which was to his purpose, the Rosicrucian Philosophy; and this by the +effort of a well-directed imagination, he presently seized. The fanatic +Alchemists, in the search after the great secret, had invented a means +altogether to their end: it was a kind of Theological Philosophy, made up +in a mixture of almost equal parts of Pagan Platonism, Christian Quietism +and the Jewish Cabbala; a mixture monstrous enough to frighten reason from +human commerce. This system, he tells us, he took as he found it in a +little French tract called, _La Comte de Gabalis_. This book is written +in dialogue, and is a delicate and very ingenious piece of raillery on +that invisible sect by the Abbe Villiers; the strange stories that went +about of the feats and adventures of their adepts making, at that time, a +great deal of noise at Paris. But, as in this satirical dialogue, Mr. P. +found several whimsies of a very high mysterious nature, told of their +elementary beings, which were unfit to come into the machinery of such a +sort of poem, he has, in their stead, with great judgment, substituted the +legendary stories of Guardian Angels, and the nursery tales of the +Fairies, and dexterously accommodated them to the rest of the Rosicrucian +System. And to this artful address (unless we will be so uncharitable to +think he intended to give a needless scandal) we must suppose he referred +in these two lines, + + "If e'er one Vision touch'd thy infant thought, + Of all the _nurse_ and all the _priest_ have taught." + +Thus, by the most beautiful invention imaginable, he has contrived that +(as in the serious Epic, the popular belief supports the machinery) in his +mock Epic the machinery (taken from a circumstance the most humbling to +reason in all philosophical fanaticism) should serve to dismount learned +pride and arrogance." + +On verse 45, canto 1, he remarks:--"The Poet here forsakes his Rosicrucian +system; which, in this part, is too extravagant even for ludicrous +poetry." + +On verse 68, canto 1, he continues:--"Here, again, the author resumes the +Rosicrucian system. But this tenet, peculiar to that wild philosophy, was +founded on a principle very unfit to be employed in such a sort of poem, +and, therefore suppressed, though a less judicious writer would have been +tempted to expatiate upon it." + +Swift, in the "Tale of a Tub," says:--"Night being the universal mother +of things, wise philosophers hold all writings to be fruitful, in the +proportion they are dark; and therefore the true illuminated (that is to +say, the darkest of all) have met with such numberless commentators, whose +scholastic midwifery has delivered them of meanings, that the authors +themselves perhaps never conceived, and yet may very justly be allowed the +lawful parents of them; the words of such writers being like seed, which, +however scattered, at random, when they light upon a fruitful ground, will +multiply far beyond either the hopes or imagination of the sower. And, +therefore, in order to promote so useful a work, I will here take leave to +glance a few inuendos, that may be of great assistance to those sublime +spirits, who shall be appointed to labour in a universal comment upon this +wonderful discourse. And, first, I have couched a very profound mystery in +the number of O's multiplied by seven and divided by nine. Also, if a +devout brother of the rosy cross will pray fervently for sixty-three +mornings, with a lively faith, and then transpose certain letters and +syllables, according to prescription, in the second and fifth section, +they will certainly reveal into a full receipt of the _opus magnum_. +Lastly, whoever will be at the pains to calculate the whole number of each +letter in this treatise, and sum up the difference exactly between the +several numbers, assigning the true natural cause for every such +difference, the discoveries in the product will plentifully reward his +labour." + + "For Mystic Learning, wondrous able + In magic Talisman and Cabal, + Whose primitive tradition reaches + As far as Adam's first green breeches; + Deep sighted in Intelligences, + Ideas, Atoms, Influences; + And much of Terra-Incognita, + Th' intelligible world, could say; + A deep Occult Philosopher, + As learned as the wild Irish are, + Or Sir Agrippa, for profound + And solid lying much renowned. + He Anthroposophus and Fludd, + And Jacob Behmen understood; + Knew many an amulet and charm, + That would do neither good nor harm; + In Rosy-Crusian lore as learned + As he that _vere adeptus_ earned." + + --HUDIBRAS, Part I, Canto I. + +The Globe Encyclopaedia, under article Rosicrucians, says:--"A mystic +brotherhood revealed to the outer world in the _Fama Fraternitatis R. C._ +(1614), the _Confessio Fraternitatis R. C._ (1615), and the Chymische +Hochzeit Christiani Rosenkreuz (1616), which last was acknowledged by, as +the two former works were commonly ascribed to, Johann Valentin Andreae. +From them we learn that a German noble of the 14th century, one Christian +Rosenkreuz, after long travel in the East, founded on his return a +brotherhood of seven adepts, the R., and dying at the age of 106 was +buried in their temple--the 'House of the Holy Spirit,' with the +inscription on his grave--'Post CXX. annos patebo.' The laws of the order, +thus made known in the fulness of time, were that its members should heal +the sick gratis, should meet once every year in a certain secret place, +should adopt as their symbol R. C. (_i.e. Rosea Crux_), or a rose +springing from a cross (the device, be it observed, of Luther's seal), and +should assume the habit and manners of whatsoever country they might +journey to. It is now supposed that Andreae simply intended a hoax upon the +credulity of the age, and that Christian Rosenkreuz and all the attendant +mysteries were wholly the coinage of his fertile brain. However, the hoax, +if hoax there were, was taken seriously, and as early as 1622, societies +of alchemists at the Hague and elsewhere assumed the title R., while +Rosicrucian tenets powerfully influenced Cabalists, Freemasons, and +Illuminati, and were professed by Cagliostro and similar impostors. Even +to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said to exist in London, whose members +claim by asceticism to live beyond the allotted age of man, and to which +the late Lord Lytton sought entrance vainly." + +"I was once engaged in discourse with a Rosicrucian about the 'great +secret.' As this kind of men, I mean those of them who are not professed +cheats, are over-run with enthusiasm and philosophy, it was very amusing +to hear this religious adept descanting on his pretended discovery. He +talked of the secret as of a spirit which lived within an emerald, and +converted everything that was near it to the highest perfection it is +capable of. 'It gives a lustre,' says he, 'to the sun, and water to the +diamond. It irradiates every metal, and enriches lead with all the +properties of gold. It heightens smoke into flame, flame into light, and +light into glory.' He further added, that a single ray of it dissipates +pain, and care, and melancholy, from the person on whom it falls. In +short, says he, 'its presence naturally changes every place into a kind of +heaven.' + +"After he had gone on for some time in this unintelligible cant, I found +that he jumbled natural and moral ideas together in the same discourse, +and that his great secret was nothing else but content." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_Historical Notices of the Rosicrucians._ + + +So mysterious a sect were the Rosicrucians, and so involved in doubt and +obscurity are most of their movements, practices and opinions, that nearly +everything connected with them has been denied or doubted at one time or +another by those who have written about them. Dr. Mackay says: "Many have +denied the existence of such a personage as Rosencreutz, and have fixed +the origin of this sect at a much later epoch. The first dawning of it, +they say, is to be found in the theories of Paracelsus and the dreams of +Dr. Dee, who, without intending it, became the actual, though never the +recognised founders of the Rosicrucian philosophy. It is now difficult, +and indeed impossible to determine whether Dee and Paracelsus obtained +their ideas from the then obscure and unknown Rosicrucians, or whether the +Rosicrucians did but follow and improve upon them. Certain it is, that +their existence was never suspected till the year 1605, when they began to +excite attention in Germany. No sooner were their doctrines promulgated, +than all the visionaries, Paracelsists, and alchymists, flocked around +their standard, and vaunted Rosencreutz as the new regenerator of the +human race." According to Mayer, a celebrated physician of the times, who +published a report of the tenets and ordinances of the new fraternity at +Cologne in the year 1615, they asserted in the first place that the +meditations of their founders surpassed everything that had ever been +imagined since the creation of the world, without even excepting the +revelations of the Deity; that they were destined to accomplish the +general peace and regeneration of man before the end of the world +arrived; that they possessed all wisdom and piety in a supreme degree; +that they possessed all the graces of nature, and could distribute them +among the rest of mankind according to their pleasure; that they were +subject to neither hunger, nor thirst, nor disease, nor old age, nor to +any other inconvenience of nature; that they knew by inspiration, and at +the first glance, every one who was worthy to be admitted into their +society; that they had the same knowledge then which they would have +possessed if they had lived from the beginning of the world, and had been +always acquiring it; that they had a volume in which they could read all +that ever was or ever would be written in other books till the end of +time; that they could force to, and retain in their service the most +powerful spirits and demons; that by the virtue of their songs, they could +attract pearls and precious stones from the depths of the sea or the +bowels of the earth; that God had covered them with a thick cloud, by +means of which they could shelter themselves from the malignity of their +enemies, and that they could thus render themselves invisible from all +eyes; that the first eight brethren of the Rosie-Cross had power to cure +all maladies; that by means of the fraternity, the triple diadem of the +Pope would be reduced into dust; that they only admitted two sacraments, +with the ceremonies of the Primitive Church, renewed by them: that they +recognised the Fourth Monarchy and the Emperor of the Romans as their +Chief, and the Chief of all Christians; that they would provide him with +more gold, their treasures being inexhaustible, than the King of Spain had +ever drawn from the golden regions of Eastern and Western India. + +Things went on pretty quietly for some time, converts being made with ease +in Germany, but only with difficulty in other parts. In 1623, however, the +brethren suddenly made their appearance in Paris, and the inhabitants of +the city were surprised on the 3rd of March to find placarded on the walls +a manifesto to this effect:--"We, the deputies of the principal college +of the brethren of the Rosie Cross, have taken up our abode, visible and +invisible, in this city, by the grace of the Most High, towards whom are +turned the hearts of the just. We show and teach without any books or +symbols whatever, and we speak all sorts of languages in the countries +wherein we deign to dwell, to draw mankind, our fellows, from error and to +save them from death." + +Whether this was a mere joke on the part of some of the wits of the day, +it is certain that it created a very wide-spread sensation, and no little +wonder and alarm, particularly amongst the clergy. Very soon pamphlets in +opposition, and intended to warn the faithful, began to make their +appearance. The earliest was called "A History of the Frightful Compacts +entered into between the Devil and the Pretended Invisibles, with their +Damnable Instructions, the Deplorable Ruin of their Disciples, and their +Miserable End." This was followed by another of a far more ambitious +character, pretending to ability to explain all the peculiarities and +mysteries of the strange intruders. It was called "An examination of the +New Cabala of the Brethren of the Rosie-Cross, who have lately come to +reside in the city of Paris, with the History of their Manners, the +Wonders worked by them, and many other particulars." + +As the books sold and circulated the sensation and alarm in the breasts of +the people largely increased, approaching almost to a kind of panic. +Ridicule and laugh as some would, it was impossible to disguise the fact +that a vast number of the population went in bodily fear of this +mysterious sect, whose members they had never seen. It was believed that +the Rosicrucians could transport themselves from place to place with the +rapidity almost of thought, and that they took delight in cheating and +tormenting unhappy citizens, especially such as had sinned against the +laws of morality. Then very naturally came the wildest and most unlikely +stories, which, as is usual with such things, in spite of all their folly, +were soon propagated far and wide, and increased the general alarm. + +An innkeeper declared that a mysterious stranger entered his inn, regaled +himself on the best of everything, and suddenly vanished in a cloud when +the reckoning was presented. Another was patronised by a similar stranger, +who lived upon the choicest fare and drank the best wines of the house for +a week, and paid him with a handful of new gold coins, which turned into +slates the following morning. It was also reported that several persons on +awakening in the middle of the night found individuals in their +bedchambers, who suddenly became invisible, though still palpable when the +alarm was raised. Such was the consternation in Paris, that every man who +could not give a satisfactory account of himself was in danger of being +pelted to death; and quiet citizens slept with loaded guns at their +bedside, to take vengeance upon any Rosicrucian who might violate the +sanctity of their chambers. No man or woman was considered safe; the +female sex especially were supposed to be in danger, for it was implicitly +believed that no bolts, locks or bars could keep out would be intruders, +and it was frequently being reported that young women in the middle of the +night found strange men of surpassing beauty in their bedrooms, who +vanished the instant any attempt was made to arouse the inmates of the +house. In other quarters it was reported that people most unexpectedly +found heaps of gold in their houses, not having the slightest idea from +whence they came; the feelings and emotions thus excited were consequently +most conflicting, no man knowing whether his ghostly visitant might be the +harbinger of good or evil. + +While the general alarm was at its height, another mysterious placard +appeared, which said:--"_If any one desires to see the brethren of the +Rose-Cross from curiosity only, he will never communicate with us. But if +his will really induces him to inscribe his name in the register of our +brotherhood, we, who can judge of the thoughts of all men, will convince +him of the truth of our promises. For this reason we do not publish to the +world the place of our abode. Thought alone, in unison with the sincere +will of those who desire to know us, is sufficient to make us known to +them, and them to us._" + +The imposition thus perpetrated upon the credulity of the people had but a +comparatively short life in Paris, a deal of controversy was engendered +between those who regarded the whole affair as a stupid hoax, and those +whose superstitious fears made them think there was truth in it, and the +efforts made by its disciples to defend their theories overshot the mark, +and exposed the fallacies of that which they were intended to support. The +police were called upon the scene to try and trace out and arrest the +authors of the troublesome placards, and the Church took up the moral and +theological aspect of the sensation, and issued pamphlets which professed +to explain the whole as the production of some disciples of Luther, who +were sent out to promulgate enmity and opposition to the Pope. The Abbe +Gaultier, a Jesuit, distinguished himself in this direction, and informed +the public that the very name of the disciples of the sect proved they +were heretics; a cross surmounted by a rose being the heraldic device of +the arch-heretic Luther. Another writer named Garasse, declared they were +nothing but a set of drunken impostors; and that their name was derived +from the garland of roses, in the form of a cross, hung over the tables of +taverns in Germany as the emblem of secrecy, and from whence was derived +the common saying, when one man communicated a secret to another, that it +was said, "under the rose." Other explanations were also freely offered, +which we have not space to describe, but which may be reached by the aid +of the learned works given in our list of authorities. + +The charges of evil connections brought against the Rosicrucians were +repudiated by those people with energy and determination; they affirmed in +the most positive manner that they had nothing to do with magic, and that +they held no intercourse whatever with the devil. They declared, on the +contrary, that they were faithful followers of the true God, that they had +already lived more than a hundred years, and expected to live many hundred +more, and that God conferred upon them perfect happiness, and as a reward +for their piety and service gave them the wonderful knowledge they were +possessed of. They declared that they did not get their name from a cross +of roses, but from Christian Rosencreutz, their founder. When charged with +drunkenness, they said that they did not know what thirst was, and that +they were altogether proof against the temptations of the most attractive +food. They professed the greatest indignation perhaps at the charge of +interfering with the honour of virtuous women, and maintained most +positively that the very first vow they took was one of chastity, and that +any of them violating that oath, would be deprived at once of all the +advantages he possessed, and be subject to hunger, thirst, sorrow, disease +and death like other men. Witchcraft and sorcery they also most warmly +repudiated; the existence of incubi and succubi they said was a pure +invention of their enemies, that man "was not surrounded by enemies like +these, but by myriads of beautiful and beneficent beings, all anxious to +do him service. The sylphs of the air, the undines of the water, the +gnomes of the earth, and the salamanders of the fire were man's friends, +and desired nothing so much as that men should purge themselves of all +uncleanness, and thus be enabled to see and converse with them. They +possessed great power, and were unrestrained by the barriers of space, or +the obstructions of matter. But man was in one respect their superior. He +had an immortal soul, and they had not. They might, however, become +sharers in man's immortality if they could inspire one of that race with +the passion of love towards them. Hence it was the constant endeavour of +the female spirits to captivate the admiration of men, and of the male +gnomes, sylphs, salamanders, and undines to be beloved by a woman. The +object of this passion, in returning their love, imparted a portion of +that celestial fire, the soul; and from that time forth the beloved became +equal to the lover, and both, when their allotted course was run, entered +together into the mansions of felicity. These spirits, they said, watched +constantly over mankind by night and day. Dreams, omens, and presentiments +were all their work, and the means by which they gave warning of the +approach of danger. But though so well inclined to befriend man for their +own sake, the want of a soul rendered them at times capricious and +revengeful; they took offence at slight causes, and heaped injuries +instead of benefits on the heads of those who extinguished the light of +reason that was in them by gluttony, debauchery, and other appetites of +the body."[3] Great as was the excitement produced in the French capital +by these placards, pamphlets and reports, it lasted after all but a very +few months. The accumulating absurdities became too much, even for the +most superstitious, and their fears were overcome by that sense of the +ridiculous which speedily manifested itself. Instead of trembling as +before, men laughed and derided, and the detection, arrest and summary +punishment of a number of swindlers who tried to pass off lumps of gilded +brass as pure gold made by the processes of alchemy, aided by a smartly +written exposure of the follies of the sect by Gabriel Naude, soon drove +the whole thing clean off the French territory. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Early Leaders--Literature--Romantic Stories._ + + +We now proceed to speak of some of the more prominent of the Rosicrucian +leaders and teachers, and to call attention to the literature from which +we obtain our only reliable information. + +In the sixteenth century lived that extraordinary man Theophrastus +Paracelsus, whose writings exercised a greater influence, perhaps, over +the minds of his fellow creatures than any other author of his time. No +man it is certain had contributed so much as he, to the diffusion of the +Cabbalism, Theosophy and Alchemy which had flooded Germany and flowed over +a greater part of Western Europe. Now it was generally believed that in +the seventeenth century a great and general reformation amongst the human +race would take place, as a necessary fore-runner to the day of judgment. +In connection with this, Paracelsus made several prophecies which took a +very firm hold of the public mind. He declared that the comet which made +its appearance in 1572 was the sign and harbinger of the coming +revolution, and he prophesied that soon after the death of the Emperor +Rudolph, there would be found three treasures that had never been revealed +before that time. In the year 1610 there were published at the same time +three books which led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order as a +district society. One was called "_Universal Reformation of the Whole Wide +World_." De Quincey summarises its contents thus: "The Seven Wise Men of +Greece, together with M. Cato and Seneca, and a secretary named Mazzonius, +are summoned to Delphi by Apollo, at the desire of the Emperor Justinian, +and there deliberate, on the best mode of redressing human misery. All +sorts of strange schemes are proposed. Thales advised to cut a hole in +every man's breast, and place a little window in it, by which means it +would become possible to look into the heart, to detect hypocrisy and +vice, and thus to extinguish it. Solon proposes an equal partition of all +possessions and wealth. Chilo's opinion is that the readiest way to the +end in view would be to banish out of the world the two infamous and +rascally metals gold and silver. Kleolinlus steps forward as the apologist +of gold and silver, but thinks that iron ought to be prohibited, because +in that case no more wars could be carried on amongst men. Pittacus +insists upon more rigorous laws, which should make virtue and merit the +sole passports to honour; to which, however, Periander objects that there +had never been any scarcity of such laws, nor of princes to execute them, +but scarcity enough of subjects conformable to good laws. The conceit of +Bias, is that nations should be kept apart from each other, and each +confined to its own home; and for this purpose, that all bridges should be +demolished, mountains rendered insurmountable, and navigation totally +forbidden. Cato, who seems to be the wisest of the party, wishes that God +in his mercy would be pleased to wash away all women from the face of the +earth by a new deluge, and at the same time to introduce some new +arrangement for the continuation of the excellent male sex without female +help. Upon this pleasing and sensible proposal the whole company manifest +the greatest displeasure, and deem it so abominable that they unanimously +prostrate themselves on the ground, and devoutly pray to God "that He +would graciously vouchsafe to preserve the lovely race of women" (what +absurdity) "and to save the world from a second deluge!" At length after a +long debate, the counsel of Seneca prevails; which counsel is this--that +out of all ranks a society should be composed having for its object the +general welfare of mankind, and pursuing it in secret. This counsel is +adopted: though without much hope on the part of the deputation, on +account of the desperate condition of 'the Age,' who appears before them +in person, and describes his own wretched state of health." + +The second work was the celebrated _Fama Fraternitatis_ of the meritorious +order of the Rosy Cross, addressed to the learned in general, and the +Governors of Europe. Here we may cite De Quincey again: "Christian +Rosycross, of noble descent, having upon his travels into the East and +into Africa learned great mysteries from Arabians, Chaldeans, etc., upon +his return to Germany established, in some place not mentioned, a secret +society composed at first of four--afterwards of eight--members, who dwelt +together in a building called the House of the Holy Ghost, erected by him: +to these persons, under a vow of fidelity and secrecy, he communicated his +mysteries. After they had been instructed, the society dispersed agreeably +to their destination, with the exception of two members, who remained +alternately with the founder. The rules of the order were these:--The +members were to cure the sick without fee or reward. No member to wear a +peculiar habit, but to dress after the fashion of the country. On a +certain day in every year all the members to assemble in the House of the +Holy Ghost, or to account for their absence. Every member to appoint some +person with the proper qualifications to succeed him at his own decease. +The word Rosy-Cross to be their seal, watchword, and characteristic mark. +The association to be kept unrevealed for a hundred years. Christian +Rosycross died at the age of a hundred years. His death was known to the +Society, but not his grave; for it was a maxim of the first Rosicrucians +to conceal their burial places even from each other. New masters were +continually elected into the House of the Holy Ghost, and the Society had +now lasted 120 years. At the end of this period, a door was discovered in +the house, and upon the opening of this door a sepulchral vault. Upon the +door was this inscription: One hundred and twenty years hence I shall open +(_Post CXX. annos patebo_). The vault was a heptagon. Every side was five +feet broad and eight feet high. It was illuminated by an artificial sun. +In the centre was placed, instead of a grave-stone, a circular altar with +a little plate of brass, whereon these words were inscribed: This grave, +an abstract of the whole world, I made for myself while yet living (A. C. +R. C. Hoc Universi compendium vivus mihi sepulchrum feci). About the +margin was--To me Jesus is all in all (Jesus mihi omnia). In the centre +were four figures enclosed in a circle by the revolving legend: Nequaquam +vacuum legis jugum. Libertas Evangelii. Dei gloria intacta. (The empty +yoke of the law is made void. The liberty of the gospel. The unsullied +glory of God). Each of the seven sides of the vault had a door opening +into a chest; which chest, besides the secret books of the order and the +_Vocabularium_ of Paracelsus, contained also mirrors--little +bells--burning lamps--marvellous mechanisms of music, etc., all so +contrived that, after the lapse of many centuries, if the whole order +should have perished, it might be re-established by means of this vault. +Under the altar, upon raising the brazen tablet, the brothers found the +body of Rosycross, without taint or corruption. The right hand held a book +written upon vellum with golden letters: this book which is called T., has +since become the most precious jewel of the society next after the Bible; +and at the end stand subscribed the names of the eight brethren, arranged +in two separate circles, who were present at the death and burial of +Father Rosycross. Immediately after the above narrative follows a +declaration of their mysteries, addressed by the society to the whole +world. They profess themselves to be of the Protestant faith; that they +honour the Emperor and the laws of the Empire; and that the art of gold +making is but a slight object with them." The whole ends with these +words: "Our House of the Holy Ghost though a hundred thousand men should +have looked upon it, is yet destined to remain untouched, imperturbable, +out of sight, and unrevealed to the whole godless world for ever." + +Before we proceed to notice at any length the third of the books we have +mentioned, we will turn to some further accounts of the burial place of +the founder of this party, which, though in some respects similar and in +the main stating the same facts, yet, supply other matter both curious and +interesting. + +The following story has been quoted by a writer on the Rosicrucians, as +related by Dr. Plot in his History of Staffordshire; a careful examination +of the four copies of that work in the library of the British Museum, +however, has failed to unearth the tale; it is to the following effect. At +the close of a summer's day a countryman was digging a trench in a field +in a valley which was surrounded by dense masses of woodland scenery. It +was shortly after sunset, and the workman wearied with his task was about +to cease his labour; before his pick, however, had given its last blow, it +struck against some hard material a little below the surface of the ground +with sufficient force to cause a bright spark to flash out into the +evening gloom. This, exciting his curiosity, he forgot his fatigue and +again went on with his digging, anxious to ascertain what it was he had +discovered. The stone he had come upon was large and flat, and lay nearly +in the middle of a field at a considerable distance from any of the farms +of the neighbouring country. It was covered with grass and weeds, the +growth of many years and had a large iron ring fixed at one end in a +socket. For some time it proved too much for the countryman's strength, +half an hour's struggling with it failed to remove it from its position, +and it was not till he had rigged up some tackle by the aid of some rope +and a tree that he managed to raise it. He then found it covered a deep +hollow in the ground, wherein after some examination he discovered a stone +staircase of apparently extraordinary depth. His inquisitiveness to know +whither the steps led, and the thought perhaps that he might be the +discoverer of some hidden treasure, gave him more courage than he +naturally possessed, and he descended a few of the stairs, then, after +vainly trying to penetrate into the darkness beneath, paused and looked up +to the sky above. Encouraged by the remains of the sunlight and the +shining planet Venus above him, he resumed his descent. He went, he +supposed a hundred feet underground, when he came upon a square +landing-place with a niche in the wall, then he came to another long +staircase, still descending into darkness. Once more he paused, and looked +up at the now very little bit of sky visible over head. Seeing nothing to +cause any fear, and hopeful of soon being able to unravel the mystery, he +stretched out his hands, and by cautiously feeling the walls, and with +equal caution placing his feet slowly and firmly upon each step, he boldly +went forward and counted in his descent two hundred and twenty steps. He +found himself able to breathe pretty freely, but noticed an aromatic smell +like that of burning incense, which he thought Egyptian. This he noticed +rolling up now and then from beneath, as if from another world, and it +occurred to him that it was from the world of mining gnomes, and that he +was breaking in upon their secrets. Still he went on, in spite of all his +fears, until he was momentarily stopped by a wall in front; turning +sharply to the right, however, he found the way open to him, and +discovered a still deeper staircase, at the foot of which was a steady +though pale light. His alarm at discovering light so far down in the +earth's interior was naturally great, but not great enough to overcome his +curiosity and cause him to retrace his steps, and he once more commenced +descending the mouldering old steps which looked as if they had not been +trodden for ages. Then he thought he heard mysterious rumblings over +head, like the sound of heavy waggons and horses, then all was still +again. Many times he paused and thought he would return, thinking he might +have accidently stumbled upon either the haunt of robbers or the abode of +evil spirits; he stood still for awhile, fairly paralysed with fear. Then +he began to recall where he had been working, he thought of the field +above, the surrounding woods and his native hamlet only a few miles +distant. This somewhat cheered him, but still with a good deal of fear +remaining in his heart, he went down the rest of the stairs, the light +growing brighter at every step. At last, he came upon a square chamber, +built up of large hewn ancient stones. Filled with awe and wonderment, he +found a flagged pavement and a lofty roof rising to a centre, in the +groins of which was a rose beautifully carved in some dark stone or in +marble. The alarm he had hitherto felt was nothing as compared with the +fear which overwhelmed him when, after passing a Gothic stone portal, +light suddenly streamed out over him with a brightness equal to that of +the setting sun, and revealed to him the figure of a man whose face was +hidden as he sat in a studious attitude in a stone chair, reading in a +great book, with his elbows resting on a table like a rectangular altar, +in the light of a large, ancient iron lamp, suspended by a thick chain to +the middle of the roof. The adventurous countryman was unable to repress +the cry that rose to his lips as he gazed upon this strange and unexpected +scene. As the sound of his foot touching the floor resounded through the +chamber, the figure started bolt upright from his seated position, as if +in awful astonishment. He erected his hooded head, and seemed about +angrily to question the intruder. The latter seemed perfectly fascinated +by what he saw, and instead of withdrawing advanced yet another step into +the chamber. Instantly the figure thrust out its arm, as though warning +the intruder off; the hand contained an iron _baton_ and it was raised in +the most threatening attitude, but the unhappy explorer, seemingly unable +to control himself, took a third step forward, and then the image or man +raised his arm high above his head, and with his truncheon striking the +lamp a tremendous blow left the place in utter darkness. Nothing more +followed but a long, low roll of thunder, which gradually died away and +all was still. + +The place was afterwards known as the burial place of one of the +brotherhood, whom the people called Rosicrucius, and it is said the +arrangement of the lamp had been made by some Rosicrucian, to shew that he +had discovered the secret of the ever burning lamps of the ancients, but +was resolved that no one should reap the benefit of it. + +_The Spectator, No. 379_, gives the following:--"A certain person having +occasion to dig somewhat deep in the ground, where this philosopher +(Rosicrucius) lay interred, met with a small door, having a wall on each +side of it. His curiosity, and the hopes of finding some hidden treasure, +soon prompted him to force open the door. He was immediately surprised by +a sudden blaze of light, and discovered a very fair vault. At the upper +end of it was a statue of a man in armour, sitting by a table, and leaning +on his left arm. He held a truncheon in his right hand, and had a lamp +burning before him. The man had no sooner set one foot within the vault, +than the statue erecting itself from its leaning posture, stood bolt +upright; and upon the fellow's advancing another step, lifted up his +truncheon in its right hand. The man still ventured a third step, when the +statue, with a furious blow, broke the lamp into a thousand pieces, and +left his guest in a sudden darkness. Upon the report of this adventure, +the country people came with lights to the sepulchre, and discovered that +the statue, which was made of brass, was nothing more than a piece of +clockwork; that the floor of the vault was all loose, and underlaid with +several springs, which, upon any man's entering, naturally produced that +which had happened. Rosicrucius, say his disciples, made use of this +method to show the world that he had re-invented the ever burning lamps of +the ancients, though he was resolved no one should reap any advantage from +the discovery." + +Respecting the above story given as we have said in the Spectator, No. +379, a writer in Notes and Queries (6th S. 7th vol) says: "This is a very +old tale, and has been printed again and again. The following is an early +version, which was printed by Caxton in 1482; but I give from the edition +printed by Peter de Treveris in 1527. The Polycronicon was originally +written in Latin early in the fourteenth century, and translated into +English in 1357. As the book is chiefly a compilation from old monkish +chronicles, the tale was probably very old even when Higden included it in +the Polycronicon. At any rate it was current long before the date given as +the year of death of the somewhat mythical Christian Rosencrutz. I have +met with several versions of it, varying more or less. In one a man with a +bow and arrow extinguishes the lamp. There are many accounts of these +miraculous lamps discovered burning in tombs hundreds of years after +interment, but having omitted to make notes of them, I am unable to give +references just now.... In Albesterio a place that hyghte Mutatorium +Cesaris were made whyte stoles for Emperours. Also there was a +candlestyke, made of a stone that hyght Albestone whan it was ones steynd +and sette a fire and I sette without thee coude no manne quenche it with +no crafte that men coude devyse, DR. In this maner it myght be that the +Geant Pallas about the yere of oure Lorde a thousand and xi. That yere was +founde in Rome a Geantes body buryed hole and sounde, the space of his +wounde was foure foote longe and a halfe, the length of his body passed +the heyght of the walles, at his hede was founde a lantern brennyng alwaye +that no man coulde quenche with blaste ne with water ne with other crafte, +unto the tyme that there was made a lytell hole under the lyght benethe +that the ayer might enter. Men sayen that Turnus slowgh this Gean Pallas +when Eneas fought for Lanina that was Eneas wyfe. This Geantes Epytaphium +is this. The wrytyug of mynde of hym that lay there was this. Pallas +Enandres sone lyeth here, hym Turnus the knyght with his spere slowghe in +his maner." + +One other notice will close this part of the subject. + +Although we find in the works of some of the Apologists for the +Rosicrucians extraordinary statements as to the length of life it was +within their power to attain unto (John Higden professes to shew how a man +may live two hundred years) and although some of the fraternity actually +did live a great number of years, we find them at last dying one by one +notwithstanding their professed power to guard against or to relieve +sickness. The founder himself seems to have reached the tolerably advanced +age of a hundred and six (some say a hundred). He then died, and according +to the _Fama_ the place of his burial remained a secret to all except the +two brothers who were with him, and they, according to the agreement to +which they had bound themselves, carried the mystery with them to the +grave. The society still continued to exist, unknown to the world, and +always consisting of eight members, till another one hundred and twenty +years had elapsed, when, according to a tradition among them the grave of +Rosenkrutz was to be discovered, and the brotherhood to be no longer a +mystery to the world. It was about this time that the brothers began to +make some alterations in their building, and thought of removing to +another and more fitting situation the memorial tablet, on which were +inscribed the names of the associates. The plate which was of brass, was +fixed to the wall by means of a nail in its centre, and so firmly did it +hold, that in tearing it away a portion of the plaster came off too and +discovered to them a concealed door. Upon this door being yet farther +cleansed from the incrustation, there appeared above in large letters + + Post CXX Annos Patebo. + +Great was their delight at so unlooked-for a discovery; but still they so +far restrained their curiosity as not to open the door till the next +morning, when they found themselves in a seven sided vault, each side five +feet wide, and eight feet high. It was lighted by an artificial sun in the +centre of the arched roof, while in the middle of the floor, instead of a +tomb, stood a round altar covered with a small brass plate on which was +this inscription: + + A. C. R. C. Hoc, universi compendium, vivus mihi + sepulchrum feci. + +About the outer edge was, Jesus mihi omnia. + +In the centre were four figures; each enclosed in a circle, with these +circumscriptions: + + 1. Nequaquam Vacuus. + 2. Legis Jugum. + 3. Libertas Evangelii. + 4. Dei gloria intacta. + +Thereupon they all knelt down and returned thanks to heaven for having +made them so much wiser than the rest of the world, a native trait that +adds not a little to the verisimilitude of the story. Then they divided +the vault into three parts--the roof, or heaven--the wall, or the +sides--and the ground, or pavement. The first and last were according to +the seven sides divided into triangles, while every side was divided into +ten squares with figures and sentences, to be explained to the newly +initiated. Each of these again, had a door opening upon a closet, wherein +were stored up sundry rare articles, such as secret books of the order, +the vocabulary of Paracelsus, and other things of the same nature, which +it was allowable to impart even to the profane. In one, they discovered +the life and itinerary of their founder; in another they lighted upon +mirrors possessed of different qualities, a little bell, burning lamps, +and a variety of curious matters, intended to help in rebuilding the +order, which after the lapse of many centuries was to fall into decay. +Curiosity to see their founder induced them to push aside the altar, when +they came upon a strong brass plate, and this too being removed, + + "Before their eyes the wizard lay + As if he had not been dead a day." + +Moreover, like the celebrated character described in these lines, he had a +volume under his arm, which proved to be of vellum with letters of gold, +and at the end of it, in two separate circles, were the names of eight +brethren who had assisted at their founder's interment. Next to the Bible, +the Rosicrucians valued this book beyond any portion of their inheritance, +yet it is not said whether they took away any of these rarities, or left +the dead man in quiet possession of his treasures.[4] + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity._ + + +We shall now call the attention of our readers to the third of the books +we spoke of as published simultaneously about the year 1610, "the +substance of which," says De Quincey, "it is important to examine, because +they in a very strange way, led to the foundation of the Rosicrucian order +as a distinct body." The third book is the _Confessio Fraternitatis_, +which we present almost in its entirety. + +_The Fame and Confession of the Fraternity of R:C:Community, of the Rosie +Cross._ + +THE EPISTLE TO THE READER:--To the Wise and Understanding Reader. + +Wisdom (saith Solomon) is to a man an infinite Treasure for she is the +Breath of the Power of God, and a pure Influence that floweth from the +Glory of the Almighty; she is the Brightness of Eternal Light, and an +undefiled Mirror of the Majesty of God, and an Image of his Goodness; she +teacheth us Soberness and Prudence, Righteousness and Strength; she +understands the Subtilty of words, and Solution of dark sentences; she +foreknoweth Signs and Wonders, and what shall happen in time to come; with +this Treasure was our first Father Adam fully endued: Hence it doth +appear, that after God had brought before him all the Creatures of the +Field, and the Fowls under Heaven, he gave to every one of them their +proper names, according to their nature. + +Although now through the sorrowful fall into sin this excellent Jewel +Wisdom hath been lost, and meer Darkness and Ignorance is come into the +World, yet, notwithstanding, hath the Lord God sometimes hitherto +bestowed, and made manifest the same, to some of his Friends: for the wise +King Solomon doth testifie of himself, that he upon earnest prayer and +desire did get and obtain such Wisdom of God, that thereby he knew how the +world was created, thereby he understood the Nature of the Elements, also +the time, beginning, middle, and end, the increase and decrease, the +change of times through the whole year, and Ordinance of the Stars; he +understood also the properties of tame and wilde Beasts, the cause of the +raiging of the Winds, and minds and intents of men, all sorts and natures +of Plants, vertues of Roots and others, was not unknown to him. Now I do +not think that there can be found any one who would not wish and desire +with all his heart to be Partaker of this noble Treasure; but seeing the +same felicity can happen to none, except God himself give Wisdom and send +his Holy Spirit from above, we have therefore set forth in print this +little Treatise, to wit, Famam and Confessionem, of the Laudable +Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, to be read by every one, because in them is +clearly shewn and discovered, what concerning it the World hath to expect. + +Although these things may seem somewhat strange, and many may esteem is to +be but a Philosophical shew, and no true History, which is published and +spoken of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross; it shall here sufficiently +appear by our Confession that there is more _in necessu_ than may be +imagined; and it shall be easily understood, and observed by every one (if +he be not altogether voyd of understanding) what now-adays, and at these +times is meant thereby. + +Those who are true Disciples of Wisdom, and true Followers of the +Spherical Art, will consider better of these things, and have them in +greater estimation, as also judge far otherwise of them, as hath been done +by some principal Persons but especially of Adam Haselmeyer, Notarius +Publicus to the Arch Duke Maximilian, who likewise hath made an Extract +ex scriptis Theologicis Theophrasti, and written a Treatise under the +Title of Jesuiter, wherein he willeth, that every Christian should be a +true Jesuit, that is, to walk, live, be, and remain in Jesus. He was but +ill rewarded of the Jesuits, because in his Answer written upon the +_Famam_, he did name those of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, the +highly illuminated men, and undeceiving Jesuits; for they not able to +brook this, layd hands on him, and put him into the Calleis, for which +they likewise have to expect their reward. + +Blessed Aurora will now henceforth begin to appear, who (after the passing +away of the dark Night of Saturn) with her Brightness altogether +extinguisheth the shining of the Moon, or the small Sparks of Heavenly +Wisdom, which yet remaineth with men, and is a Forerunner of pleasant +Phebus, who with his clear and fiery glistering Beams brings forth that +Blessed Day long wished for, of many true hearted; by which Daylight then +shall truly be known, and shall be seen all heavenly Treasures of godly +Wisdom, as also the Secrets of all hidden and invisible things in the +World according to the Doctrine of our Forefathers and ancient Wisemen. + +This will be the right kingly Ruby, and most excellent shining Carbuncle, +of the which it is said, That he doth shine and give light in darkness, +and to be a perfect Medicine of all imperfect Bodies, and to change them +into the best Gold, and to cure all Diseases of Men, easing them of all +pains and miseries. + +Be, therefore, gentle Reader, admonished, that with me you do earnestly +pray to God, that it please him to open the hearts and ears of all ill +hearing people, and to grant unto them his blessing, that they may be able +to know him in his Omnipotency, with admiring contemplation of Nature, to +his honour and praise, and to the love, help, comfort and strengthening of +our Neighbours, and to the restoring of the diseased. + + Fama Fraternitatis, + Or, A Discovery of the Fraternity of the most laudable + Order of the Rosy Cross. + +Seeing the only Wise and Merciful God in these latter days hath poured out +so richly his mercy and goodness to Mankind, whereby we do attain more and +more to the perfect knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature, that +justly we may boast of the happy time, wherein there is not only +discovered unto us the half part of the World, which was heretofore +unknown and hidden, but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderful +and never-heretofore seen Works and Creatures of Nature, and moreover hath +raised men imbued with great Wisdom, which might partly renew and reduce +all Arts (in this our Age spotted and imperfect) to perfection; so that +finally Man might thereby understand his own nobleness and worth, and why +he is called Microcosmus, and how far his knowledge extendeth in Nature. + +Although the rude World herewith will be but little pleased, but rather +smile and scoff thereat; also the Pride and Covetousness of the Learned is +so great it will not suffer them to agree together; but were they united, +they might out of all those things which in this our Age God doth so +richly bestow upon us, collect _Librum Naturae_, or a perfect method of all +Arts; but such is their opposition, that they still keep and are loth to +leave the old course, esteeming Porphiry, Aristotle, and Galen, yea and +that which hath a meer show of learning, more than the clear and +manifested Light and Truth, who if they were now living, with much joy +would leave their erroneous Doctrines. But here is too great weakness for +such a great Work, and although in Theologie, Physic, and the Mathematic, +the Truth doth oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty +and craft doth shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his +Instruments and contentious wavering people. To such an intent of a +general Reformation, the most godly and highly illuminated Father, our +Brother, C. R., a German, the chief and original of our Fraternity, hath +much and long time laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although +descended of Noble Parents) in the fifth year of his age, was placed in a +Cloyster, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin Tongues, +who (upon his earnest desire and request), being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to the Holy +Land. + +Although this Brother dyed in Cyprus, and so never came to Jerusalem, yet +our Brother C. R. did not return, but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Jerusalem; but by reason of the +feebleness of his body, he remained still there, and by his skill in +Physick he obtained much favour with the Turks. In the mean time he became +by chance acquainted with the Wise Men of Damasco in Arabia, and beheld +what great wonders they wrought, and how Nature was discovered unto them; +hereby was that high and noble Spirit of Brother C. R. so stirred up that +Jerusalem was not so much now in his mind as Damasco; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain sum of money to Damasco. + +As we have on another page stated all these particulars on the authority +of the epistle dedicatory to the Axiomata we need simply allude to them as +recorded in the work from which we are now quoting. The account proceeds +pretty much as stated in the Axiomata by John Heydon, then after stating +that the Fraternity began with an association of four persons only, the +Fama says that finding their labour too heavy they concluded to draw and +receive yet others more into their Fraternity. To this end was chosen +brother R. C. his deceased father's brother's son, brother B. a skilful +Painter, G. and P. D. their Secretary, all Germans except J. A., so in all +they were eight in number, all bachelors and of sound virginity; by those +was collected a book or volumn of all that which man can desire, wish, or +hope for. + +Although we do now freely confess that the World is much amended within an +hundred years, yet we are assured that our Axiomata shall unmovably remain +unto the World's End, and also the world in her highest and last Age shall +not attain to see anything else; for our Rota takes her beginning from +that day when God spake Fiat, and shall end when he shall speak Pereat; +yet God's Clock striketh every minute, where ours scarce striketh perfect +hours. We also stedfastly beleeve, that if our Brethren and Fathers had +lived in this our present and clear light, they would more roughly have +handled the Pope, Mahomet, Scribes, Artists, and Sophisters, and had +shewed themselves more helpful, not simply with sighs, and wishing of +their end and consummation. + +When now these eight brethen had disposed and ordered all things in such +manner, as there was not now need of any great labour, and also that every +one was sufficiently instructed, and able perfectly to discourse of secret +and manifest Philosophy, they would not remain any longer together, but as +in the beginning they had agreed, they separated themselves into several +countries, because that not only their Axiomata might in secret be more +profoundly examined by the learned, but that they themselves, if in some +country or other they observed any thing or perceived some error, they +might inform one another of it. + +Their Agreement was this:--1, That none of them should profess any other +thing than to cure the sick, and that gratis. 2, None of the Posterity +should be constrained to wear one certain kind of habit, but therein to +follow the custom of the Country. 3, That every year upon the day C. they +should meet together at the house S. Spiritus, or write the cause of his +absence. 4, Every Brother should look about for a worthy person, who after +his decease might succeed him. 5, The word C. R. should be their seal, +mark, and character. 6, The Fraternity should remain secret one hundred +years. These six articles they bound themselves one another to keep; and +five of the Brethren departed, only the Brethren B. and D. remained with +the Father Fra. R. C. a whole year; when these likewise departed, then +remained by him his Cousin and Brother J. O., so that he hath all the days +of his life with him two of his Brethren. And although that as yet the +Church was not cleansed, nevertheless we know that they did think of her, +and what with longing desire they looked for. Every year they assembled +together with joy, and made a full resolution of that which they had done; +there must certainly have been great pleasure to hear truly and without +invention related and rehearsed all the Wonders which God hath poured out +here and there through the World. Every one may hold it out for certain, +that such persons as were sent, and joyned together by God and the +Heavens, and chosen out of the wisest of men as have lived in many Ages, +did live together above all others in highest Unity, greatest Secrecy, and +most kindness one towards another. + +After such a most laudable sort they did spend their lives; and although +they were free from all disease and pain, yet notwithstanding they could +not live and pass their time appointed of God. The first of this +Fraternity which dyed, and that in England, was J. O., as Brother C. long +before had foretold him; he was very expert, and well learned in Cabala, +as his book called H. witnesseth. In England he is much spoken of, and +chiefly because he cured a young Earl of Norfolk of the Leprosie. They had +concluded, that as much as possibly could be their burial place should be +kept secret, as at this day it is not known unto us what is become of some +of them, yet every one's place was supplyed with a fit successor; but this +we will confess publickly by these presents to the honour of God, that +what secret soever we have learned out of the book M. (although before our +eyes we behold the image and pattern of all the world) yet are there not +shewn unto us our misfortunes, nor hour of death, the which only is known +to God himself, who thereby would have us keep in a continual readiness; +but hereof more in our Confession, where we do set down 37 Reasons whereby +we now do make known our Fraternity, and proffer such high Mysteries +freely, and without constraint and reward: also we do promise more gold +than both the Indies bring to the King of Spain; for Europe is with child, +and will bring forth a strong child, who shall stand in need of a great +godfather's gift. + +After the death of I. O. Brother R. C. rested not, but as soon as he +could, called the rest together (and as we suppose) then his grave was +made although hitherto we (who were the latest) did not know when our +loving father R. C. died, and had no more but the bare names of the +beginners, and all their successors to us; yet there came into our memory +a secret which through dark and hidden words, and speeches of the 100 +years, brother A. the successor of D. (who was one of the last and second +row and succession, and had lived amongst many of us) did impart unto us +of the third row and succession; otherwise we must confess, that after the +death of the said A. none of us had in any manner known anything of +Brother R. C., and of his first fellow brethren, than that which was +extant of them in our Philosophical Bibliotheca, amongst which our +Axiomata was held for the chiefest Rota Mundi, for the most artificial, +and Protheus the most profitable. Likewise we do not certainly know if +these of the second row have been of the like wisdom as the first, and if +they were admitted to all things. It shall be declared hereafter to the +gentle Reader not only what we have heard of the burial of the R. C., but +also made manifest publickly by the foresight, sufferance and commandment +of God, whom we most faithfully obey, that if we shall be answered +discreetly and Christian like, we will not be afraid to set forth +publickly in Print, our names and surnames, our meetings, or anything else +that may be required at our hands. + +Now the true and fundamental relation of the finding out of the high +illuminated man of God, Fra: C. R. is this; after that A. in Gallia +Narbonensi was deceased, then succeeded in his place our loving Brother N. +N. This man after he had repaired unto us to take the solemn oath of +fidelity and secrecy, he informed us _bona fide_, that A. had comforted +him in telling him, that this Fraternity should ere long not remain so +hidden, but should be to all the whole German Nation, helpful, needful, +and commendable; of the which he was not in any wise in his estate ashamed +of. The year following after he had performed his school right, and was +minded now to travel, being for that purpose sufficiently provided with +Fortunatus purse, he thought (he being a good Architect) to alter +something of his building, and to make it more fit; in such renewing he +lighted upon the memorial Table which was cast of brasse, and containeth +all the names of the brethren, with some few other things. This he would +transfer in another more fitting vault, for where or when Fra: R. C. died, +or in what country he was buried, was by our predecessors concealed and +unknown to us. In this table stuck a great naile, somewhat strong, so that +when he was with force drawn out, he took with him an indifferent big +stone out of the thin wall, or plastering of the hidden door, and so +unlooked for uncovered the door; wherefore we did with joy and longing +throw down the rest of the wall, and cleared the door upon which that was +written in great letters, Post 120 annos patebo, with the year of the Lord +under it: therefore we gave God thanks and let it rest that same night, +because first we would overlook our Rotam; but we refer ourselves again to +the confession, for what we here publish is done for the help of those +that are worthy, but to the unworthy (God willing) it will be of small +profit, for like as our door was after so many years wonderfully +discovered, also there shall be opened a door to Europe (when the wall is +removed) which already doth begin to appear, and with great desire is +expected of many. + +In the morning following we opened the door, and there appeared to our +sight a Vault of seven sides and corners, every side five foot broad, and +the height of eight foot. Although the Sun never shined in this Vault, +nevertheless it was enlightened with another Sun, which had learned this +from the Sun, and was situated in the upper part in the centre of the +ceiling; in the midst, instead of a Tombstone, was a round Altar covered +over with a plate of brass. + +Round about the first Circle or Brim stood Jesus mihi omnia. We kneeled +all together down, and gave thanks to the sole wise, sole mighty, and sole +eternal God, who hath taught us more than all men's wit could have found +out, praised be his holy name. This Vault we parted in three parts, the +upper part a ceiling, the wall a side, the ground a floor. + +Of the upper part you shall understand no more of it at this time, but +that it was divided according to the seven sides in the triangle, which +was in the bright centre; but what therein is contained, you shall, God +willing (that are desirous of our society) behold the same with your own +eyes; but every side or wall is parted into ten squares, every one with +their several figures and sentences, as they are truly shewed, and set +forth Concentratum here in our book. + +The bottom again is parted in the triangle but because therein is +described the power and rule of the inferior Governors, we leave to +manifest the same, for fear of the abuse by the evil and ungodly world. +But those that are provided and stored with the heavenly Antidote, they do +without fear or hurt, tread on, and bruise the head of the old and evil +serpent, which this our age is well fitted for. Every side or wall had a +door for a chest, wherein there lay divers things, especially all our +books, which otherwise we had, besides the Vocabular of Theoph. Par. Ho., +and these which daily unfalsifieth we do participate. Herein also we found +his Itinerarium, and Vitam, whence this relation for the most part is +taken. In another chest were looking-glasses of divers virtues, as also in +other places were little bells, burning lamps, and chiefly wonderful +artificial Songs; generally all done to that end, that if it should happen +after many hundred years, the Order or Fraternity should come to nothing, +they might by this vault be restored again. + +Now as yet we had not seen the dead body of our careful and wise father, +we therefore removed the Altar aside, there we lifted up a strong plate of +brass, and found a fair and worthy body, whole and unconsumed. + +Concerning Minutum Mundum, we found it kept in another little Altar, truly +more finer than can be imagined by any understanding man; but we will +leave him undescribed until we shall truly be answered upon this our true +hearted Famam; and so we have covered it again with the plates, and set +the Altar thereon, shut the door, and made it sure, with all our seals; +besides by instruction and command of our Rota, there are come to sight +some books, among which is contained M. (which were made instead of +household care by the praiseworthy M. P.). Finally we departed the one +from the other, and left the natural heirs in possession of our Jewels. +And so we do expect the answer and judgment of the learned, or unlearned. + +Howbeit we know after a time there will now be a general reformation, both +of divine and human things, according to our desire, and the expectation +of others; for it's fitting, that before the rising of the Sun, there +should appear and break forth Aurora, or some clearness, or divine light +in the sky; and so in the meantime some few, which shall give their names, +may join together, thereby to increase the number and respect of our +Fraternity, and make a happy and wished for beginning of our +Philosophical Canons, prescribed to us by our brother R. C., and be +partakers with us of our treasures (which never can fail or be wasted) in +all humility, and love to be eased of this world's labour, and not walk so +blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful works of God. + +But that also every Christian may know of what religion and belief we are, +we confess to have the knowledge of Jesus Christ (as the same now in these +last days, and chiefly in Germany, most clear and pure is professed, and +is nowadays cleansed and voyd of all swerving people, Hereticks and false +Prophets), in certain and noted Countries maintained, defended and +propagated; also we use two Sacraments, as they are instituted with all +Formes and Ceremonies of the first renewed Church. In Politia we +acknowledge the Roman Empire and Quartam Monarchiam for our Christian +head; albeit we know what alterations be at hand, and would fain impart +the same with all our hearts, to other Godly learned men; notwithstanding +our handwriting which is in our hands, no man (except God alone) can make +it common, nor any unworthy person is able to bereave us of it. But we +shall help with secret aid this so good a cause as God shall permit or +hinder us, for our God is not blind as the Heathen's Fortuna, but is the +Church's ornament and the honour of the Temple. Our Philosophy also is not +a new Invention, but as Adam after his fall hath received it, and as Moses +and Solomon used it; also she ought not much to be doubted of, or +contradicted by other opinions, or meanings; but seeing the truth is +peaceable, brief, and always like herself in all things, and especially +accorded by with _Jesus in omni parte_ and all members. And as he is the +true Image of the Father, so is she his Image; it shall not be said, this +is true according to Philosophy, but true according to Theologie: and +wherein Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras and others did hit the mark, and +wherein Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Solomon did excel; but especially wherewith +that wonderful book the Bible agreeeth. All that same concurreth +together, and make a Space or Globe whose total parts are equidistant from +the centre, and hereof more at large and more plain shall be spoken of in +Christianly Conference. + +But now concerning (and chiefly in this our age) the ungodly and accursed +Gold-making, which hath gotten so much the upper hand, whereby under +colour of it, many runagates and roguish people do use great villanies, +and cozen and abuse the credit which is given them; yea nowadays men of +discretion do hold the transmutation of Mettals to be the highest point, +and _fastigium_ in Philosophy, this is all their intent and desire, and +that God would be most esteemed by them, and honoured, which could make +great store of Gold, and in abundance, the which with unpremeditated +prayers, they hope to attain of the all knowing God, and searcher of all +hearts; we therefore do by these presents publickly testify, that the true +Philosophers are far of another minde, esteeming little the making of +Gold, which is but a parergon; for besides that they have a thousand +better things. + +And we say with our loving father _R. C. C. Phy: aurum nisi quantum +aurum_, for unto them the whole nature is detected; he doth not rejoyce, +that he can make Gold, and that, as Christ saith, the devils are obedient +unto him; but is glad that he seeth the Heavens open, and the Angels of +God ascending and descending, and his name written in the book of life. +Also we do testifie that under the name of 'Chymia' many books and +pictures are set forth in Contumeliam gloriae Dei, as we will name them in +their due season, and will give to the pure-hearted a Catalogue or +Register of them; and we pray all learned men to take heed of these kinde +of Books, for the enemy never resteth, but soweth his weeds, till a +strange one doth root it out. So according to the will and meaning of Fra. +C. R. C., we his brethren request again all the learned in Europe who +shall read (sent forth in five languages) this our _Famam and +Confessionem_, that it would please them with good deliberation to ponder +this our offer, and to examine most nearly and most sharply their Arts, +and behold the present time with all diligence, and to declare their +minde, either _Communicato consilio_, or _singulatum_ by print. + +And although at this time we make no mention either of our names or +meetings, yet nevertheless every one's opinion shall assuredly come to our +hands, in what language soever it be; nor anybody shall fail who so gives +his name to speak with some of us either by word of mouth, or else if +there be some lett in writing. And this we say for a truth, that whosoever +shall earnestly, and from his heart, bear affection with us, it shall be +beneficial unto him in goods, body and soul; but he that is false-hearted, +or only greedy of riches, the same first of all shall not be able in any +manner of wise to hurt us, but bring himself to utter ruine and +destruction. Also our building (although one hundred thousand people had +seen and beheld the same) shall for ever remain untouched, undestroyed, +and hidden to the wicked world, sub umbra alarum tuarum Jehova. + + +A Preface of the Confession to the Reader who is desirous of Wisdom. + +Here, Gentle Reader, you shall finde incorporated in our Confession thirty +seven Reasons of our purpose, and intention, the which according to thy +pleasure thou mayst seek out and compare them together: thou mayst also +consider with thyself, if they be weighty and sufficient enough to bring +and persuade thee for to take our parts. + +Verily it requires no small pains to confirm that which men have not yet +seen, but when it shall once come to light we doubt not, but they will +then justly be ashamed of such doubts and conjectures. And as we do now +altogether, securely, freely, and without any hurt call the Pope of Rome +Antichrist, the which heretofore was held for a deadly sin, and such in +all countries were put to death for it. So we know certainly, that the +time shall likewise come, that that which we yet keep in secret, we shall +openly, freely, and with a loud voice publish and confess it before all +the world; the which Gentle Reader wish with us with all thy heart, that +it may happen with speed. + + +Confessio Fraternitatis, + +Or, The Confession of the laudable Fraternity of the most honourable Order +of the Rosie Cross, written to the learned of Europe. + +Whatsoever there is published, and made known to every one, concerning our +Fraternity by the foresaid Fama, let no man esteem lightly of it, nor hold +it as an idle or invented thing, and much less receive the same, as though +it were only a meer conceit of ours. It is the Lord Jehovah (who seeing +the Lord's sabbath is almost at hand, and hastened again, his period or +course being finished to his first beginning) doth turn about the course +of Nature; and what heretofore hath been sought with great pains and dayly +labour, is now manifested unto those who make small account, or scarcely +once think upon it; but those which desire it, it is in a manner forced +and thrust upon them, that thereby the life of the godly may be eased of +all their toyl and labour, and be no more subject to the storms of +unconstant Fortune; but the wickedness of the ungodly thereby, with their +due and deserved punishment, be augmented and multiplied. + +Although we cannot be by any suspected of the least Heresie, or of any +wicked beginning, or purpose against the worldly government; we do condemn +the East and West (meaning the Pope and Mahomet) blasphemers against our +Lord Jesus Christ, and offer and present with a good will to the chief +head of the Romish Empire, our prayers, secrets, and great treasures of +Gold. + +Yet we have thought good and fit for the learned sakes, to add somewhat +more to this, and make a better explanation, if there be any thing too +deep, hidden, and set down over dark in the Fama, or for certain reasons +were altogether omitted, and left out; hoping herewith the Learned will be +more addicted unto us, and be made far more fitter and willing for our +purpose. + +Concerning the alteration and amendment of Philosophy, we have (as much as +at present is needful) sufficiently declared, to wit, that the same is +altogether weak and faulty; yet we doubt not, although the most part +falsely do alledge that she (I know not how) is sound and strong, yet +notwithstanding she fetches her last breath and is departing. + +But as commonly, even in the same place or Country where there breaketh +forth a new unaccustomed disease, Nature also there discovereth a medicine +against the same; so there doth appear for so manifold infirmities of +Philosophy, the right means, and unto our Patria sufficiently offered, +whereby she may become sound again, which is now to be renewed and +altogether new. + +No other Philosophy we have, than that which is the head and sum, the +foundation and contents of all faculties, sciences and arts, the which (if +we will behold our age) containeth much of Theology and medicine, but +little of the wisdom of Lawyers, and doth diligently search both heaven +and earth: or to speak briefly thereof, which doth manifest and declare +sufficiently Man; whereof than all learned who will make themselves known +unto us, and come into our brotherhood, shall finde more wonderful secrets +by us, than heretofore they did attain unto, and did know, or are able to +believe or utter. + +Wherefore to declare briefly our meaning hereof, we ought to labour +carefully that there be not only a wondering at our meeting and +adhortation, but that likewise every one may know, that although we do +highly esteem and regard such mysteries and secrets, we nevertheless hold +it fit, that the knowledge thereof be manifested and revealed to many. + +For it is to be taught and believed, that this our unhoped willing offer +will raise many and divers thoughts in men unto whom (as yet) be unknown +Miranda sextae aetatis, or those which by reason of course of the world, +esteem the things to come like unto the present, and are hindered through +all manner of importunities of this their time, so that they live no +otherwise in the world, than blinde fools, who can, in the clear Sun-shine +days, discern and know nothing than only by feeling. + +Now concerning the first part, we hold this, that the Meditations, +knowledge and inventions of our loving Christian Father (of all that, +which from the beginning of the world, Man's Wisdom, either through God's +revelation, or through the service of the Angels and spirits, or through +the sharpness and deepness of understanding, or through long observation, +use and experience, hath found out, invented, brought forth, corrected, +and till now hath been propagated and transplanted) are so excellent, +worthy and great, that if all books should perish, and by God Almighty's +sufrance, all writings, and all learning should be lost, yet the posterity +will be able only thereby to lay a new foundation, and bring truth to +light again; the which perhaps would not be so hard to do as if one should +begin to pull down and destroy the old ruinous building, and begin to +enlarge the fore Court, afterwards bring the lights in the Lodgings, and +then change the doors, staples and other things according to our +intention. + +But to whom would this not be acceptable, for to be manifested to every +one rather than to have it kept and spared, as an especial ornament for +the appointed time to come. + +Wherefore should we not with all our hearts rest and remain in the only +truth (which men through so many erroneous and crooked ways do seek) if it +had only pleased God to lighten unto us the sixth Candelabrum, were it +not good that we needed not to care, not to fear hunger, poverty, sickness +and age. + +Were it not a precious thing that you could always live so, as if you had +lived from the beginning of the world, and moreover as you should still +live to the end therof. Were it not excellent, you dwell in one place, +that neither the people which dwell beyond the River Ganges in the Indies +could hide anything, nor those which live in Peru might be able to keep +secret their counsels from thee. + +Were it not a precious thing that you could so read in one only book, and +withal by reading understand and remember all that, which in all other +books (which heretofore have been, and are now and hereafter shall come +out) hath been, is, and shall be learned, and found out of them. + +How pleasant were it that you could so sing, that instead of stony rocks +you could draw to thee pearls and precious stones, instead of wilde +beasts, spirits, and instead of hellish Pluto, move the mighty Princes of +the world. + +O ye people, God's counsel is far otherwise, who hath concluded now to +increase and enlarge the number of our Fraternity, the which we with such +joy have undertaken as we have heretofore obtained this great treasure +without our merits, yea without any our hopes and thoughts, and purpose +with the like fidelity to put the same in practice, that neither the +compassion nor pity of our own children (which some of us in the +Fraternity have) shall draw us from it, because we know that these unhoped +for goods cannot be inherited, nor by chance be obtained. + +If there be somebody now which on the other side will complain of our +discretion, that we offer our Treasures so freely, and without any +difference to all men, and do not rather regard and respect more the +godly, learned, wise, or princely persons than the common people; those we +do not contradict, seeing it is not a slight and easie matter; but without +we signify so much, that our Arcana or Secrets will no ways be common, +and generally made known. Although the Fama be set forth in five +languages, and is manifested to every one, yet we do partly very well know +that, the unlearned and gross wits will not receive nor regard the same; +as also the worthiness of those who shall be accepted into our Fraternity +are not esteemed and known of us by Man's carefulness, but by the Rule of +our Revelation and Manifestation. Wherefore if the unworthy cry and call a +thousand times, or if they offer and present themselves to us a thousand +times, yet God hath commanded our ears, that they should hear none of +them: yea, God hath so compassed us about with his Clouds, that unto us +his servants, no violence or force can be done or committed; wherefore we +neither can be seen or known by any body, except he had the eyes of an +Eagle. It hath been necessary the Fama should be set forth in every ones +Mother Tongue, because those should not be defrauded of the knowledge +thereof, whom (although they be unlearned) God hath not excluded from the +happiness of this Fraternity, the which shall be divided and parted with +certain degrees; as those which dwell in the city Damcar in Arabia, who +have a far different politick order from the other Arabians. For there +they do govern only wise men, who by the King's permission make particular +Laws; according unto which example, also the Government shall be +instituted in Europe (whereof we have a description set down by our +Christianly Father) when first is done and come to pass that which is to +precede. And thenceforth our Trumpet shall publiquely sound with a loud +sound, and great noise, when namely the same (which at this present is +showed by few, and is secretly, as a thing to come, declared in Figures +and Pictures) shall be free and publiquely proclaimed, and the whole world +be filled withall. Even in such manner as heretofore, many godly people +have secretly and altogether desperately pusht at the Pope's Tyranny, +which afterwards, with great earnest, and especial zeal in Germany, was +thrown from his seat and trodden under foot, whose final fall is delayed, +and kept for our times, when he also shall be scratched in pieces with +nails, and an end be made of his Asses cry, by a new voyce: the which we +know is already reasurably manifest and known to many learned men in +Germany, as their writings and secret congratulations do sufficiently +witness the same. + +We could here relate and declare what all the time from the year of our +Lord, 1378 (in which year our Christian Father was born) till now, hath +happened, where we might rehearse what alterations he hath seen in the +world these one hundred and six years of his life, which he hath left to +our Brethren and us after his decease to peruse. But brevity, which we do +observe, will not permit at this present to make rehearsal of it, till a +more fit time; at this time it is enough for those which do not despise +our declaration, having therefore briefly touched it, thereby to prepare +the way for their acquaintance and friendship with us. + +Yea, to whom it is permitted, that he may, and for his instruction use +those great Letters and Characters which the Lord God hath written and +imprinted in Heaven and Earth's Edifice, through the alteration of +Government, which hath been from time to time altered and renewed; the +same is already (although as yet unknown to himself) ours: and as we know +he will not despise our inviting and calling, so, none shall fear any +deceit, for we promise and openly say, that no man's uprightness and hopes +shall deceive him, whosoever shall make himself known unto us under the +Seal of Secrecy, and desire our Fraternity. + +But to the false Hypocrites, and to those that seek other things than +Wisdom, we say and witness by these presents publickly, we cannot be made +known and be betrayed unto them, and much less they shall be able to hurt +us any manner of way without the Will of God; but they shall certainly be +partakers of all the punishment spoken of in our Fama; so their wicked +counsels shall light upon themselves, and our Treasures shall remain +untouched, until the Lion doth come, who will ask them for his use, and +employ them for the Confirmation and Establishment of his kingdom. We +ought therefore here to observe well, and make it known unto every one, +that God hath certainly and most assuredly concluded to send and grant to +the world before her end, which presently thereupon shall ensue, such a +Truth, Light, Life, and Glory, as the first Adam had, which he lost in +Paradise, after the which his successors were put, and driven with him to +misery, wherefore there shall cease all servitude, falsehood, lyes, and +darkness, which by little and little with the great World's Revolution, +was crept into all Arts, Works and Governments of Men, and have darkened +the most part of them. For from thence are proceeded an innumerable sort +of all manner of false opinions and heresies, that scarce the wisest of +all was able to know whose Doctrine and Opinion he should follow and +embrace, and could not well and easily be discerned, seeing on the one +part they were detained, hindered, and brought into Errors through the +respect of the Philosophers and learned men, and on the other part through +true experience. All the which when it shall once be abolished and +removed, and instead thereof a right and true Rule instituted, then there +will remain thanks unto them which have taken pains therein, but the Work +itself shall be attributed to the Blessedness of our Age. + +As we now willingly confess, that many principal men by their Writings +will be a great furtherance unto this Reformation which is to come; so we +desire not to have this honour ascribed to us, as if such work were only +commanded and imposed upon us; but we confess, and witness openly with the +Lord Jesus Christ, that it shall first happen that the stones shall arise, +and offer their service before there shall be any want of Executors and +Accomplishers of God's Counsel: yea, the Lord God hath already sent before +certain Messengers, which should testifie his Will, to wit, some new +Stars, which do appear and are seen in the Firmament in Serpentario and +Cygno, which signifie and give themselves known to every one that they are +powerful Signacula of great mighty matters. So then, the secret hid +Writings and Characters are most necessary for all such things which are +found out by men, although that great Book of Nature stand open to all +men, yet there are but few that can read and understand the same. For as +there is given to man two instruments to hear, likewise two to see, and +two to smell, but only one to speak, and it were but vain to expect speech +from the ears, or hearing from the eyes: so there hath been Ages or Times +which have seen, there have also been Ages that have heard, smelt and +tasted: now there remains that which in short time, honour shall be +likewise given to the Tongue, and by the same, what before times hath been +seen, heard, and smelt, now finally shall be spoken, and uttered forth, +viz., when the World shall awake out of her heavy and drowsie sleep, and +with an open heart, bare-head and bare-foot, shall merrily and joyfully +meet the now arising Sun. + +These Characters and Letters, as God hath here and there incorporated them +in the holy Scripture and the Bible, so hath he imprinted them most +apparently into the wonderful Creation of Heaven and Earth, yea, in all +Beasts. So that like as the Mathematician or Astronomer can long before +see and know the Eclipses which are to come, so we may verily foreknow and +foresee the darkness of Obscurations of the Church, and how long they +shall last, from the which characters or letters we have borrowed our +Magick writing, and have found out, and made a new language for ourselves, +in the which withall is expressed and declared the nature of all things, +so that is no wonder that we are not so eloquent in other languages, the +which we know that they are altogether disagreeing to the languages of our +forefathers, Adam and Enoch, and were through the Babylonical Confusion +wholly hidden. + +But we must also let you understand, that there are yet some Eagle's +Feathers in our way, the which do hinder our purpose. Wherefore we do +admonish every one for to read diligently and continually the holy Bible; +for he that taketh all his pleasures therein, he shall know that he +prepared for himself an excellent way to come into our Fraternity; for as +this is the whole sum and content of our Rule, that every letter or +character which is in the world ought to be learned and regarded well; so +those are like unto us, and are very near allied unto us, who do make the +holy Bible a Rule of their life, and an aim and end of all their studies; +yea, to let it be a compendium and content of the whole world, and not +only to have it continually in the mouth, but to know how to apply and +direct the true understanding of it to all times and ages of the world. +Also it is not our custom to prostitute and make so common the holy +Scriptures, for there are innumerable expounders of the same, some +alledging and wresting it to serve for their opinion, some to scandal it, +and most wickedly do liken it to a Nose of Wax which alike should serve +the Divines, Philosophers, Physicians and Mathematicians, against all the +which we do openly witness and acknowledge, that from the beginning of the +World there hath not been given unto men a more worthy, a more excellent, +and a more admirable and wholesome Book than the holy Bible. Blessed is he +that hath the same, yea, more blessed is he who reads it diligently, but +most blessed of all is he that truly understandeth the same, for he is +most like to God, and doth come most near to Him. But whatsoever hath been +said in the Fama concerning the Deceivers against the transmutation of +Metals, and the highest Medicine in the world, the same is thus to be +understood, that this so great gift of God we do in no manner set at +naught or despise it. But because she bringeth not with her always the +knowledge of Nature, but this bringeth forth not only Medicine, but also +maketh manifest and open unto us innumerable secrets and wonders; +therefore it is requisite that we be earnest to attain to the +understanding and knowledge of Philosophy. And moreover, excellent Wits +ought not to be drawn to the Tincture of Metals, before they be exercised +well in the knowledge of Nature. He must needs be an unsatiable Creature, +who is come so far that neither poverty nor sickness can hurt him; yea, +who is exalted above other men, and hath Rule over that, the which doth +anguish, trouble and pain others, yet will give himself again to idle +things, as to build houses, make wars, and use all manner of pride, +because he hath of Gold and Silver infinite store. + +God is far otherwise pleased, for he exalteth the lowly, and putteth down +the proud with disdain; to those which are of few words he sendeth his +holy Angel to speak with them, but the unclean Babblers he driveth in the +wilderness and solitary places; the which is the right Reward of the +Romish Seducers, who have vomitted forth their blasphemies against Christ, +and as yet do not abstain from their lies in this clear Shining Light: in +Germany all their abominations and detestable Tricks have been disclosed, +that thereby he may fully fulfil the measure of sin, and draw near to the +end of his punishment. Therefore one day it will come to pass that the +mouth of those Vipers will be stopped, and the three double horns will be +brought to nought, as thereof at our Meeting shall more plain and at large +be discoursed. + +In Conclusion of our Confession, we must earnestly admonish you, that you +put away, if not all, yet the most books, written by false Alchemists, who +do think it but a jest or a pastime, when they either misuse the holy +Trinity, when they do apply it to vain things, or deceive the people with +most strange figures and dark sentences and speeches, and cozen the +simpliest of their money; as there are now-a-days too many such books set +forth, which the enemy of Man's Welfare doth daily, and will to the end, +mingle among the good seed, thereby to make the Truth more difficult to be +believed, which in herself is simple, easie and naked; but certainly +falsehood is proud, haughty, and coloured with a kind of lustre of seeming +godly and of humane wisdom. Ye that are wise, eschew such books, and turn +unto us, who seek not your moneys but offer unto you most willingly our +great Treasures. We hunt not after your Goods with invented lying +Tinctures, but desire to make you Partakers of our Goods: we speak unto +you by Parables, but would willingly bring you to the right, simple, +easie, and ingenuous Exposition, Understanding, Declaration and Knowledge, +of all Secrets. We desire not to be received of you, but invite you unto +our more than Kingly Houses and Palaces, and that verily not by our own +proper motion, but (that you likewise may know it) as forced unto it, by +the Instigation of the Spirit of God, by his Admonition, and by the +Occasion of this present time. + +What think you, loving people, and how seem you affected, seeing that you +now understand and know, that we acknowledge ourselves truly and sincerely +to profess Christ, condemn the Pope, addict ourselves to the true +Philosophy, lead a Christian life, and dayly call, intreat, and invite +many more unto our Fraternity, unto whom the same Light of God likewise +appeareth. Consider you not at length how you might begin with us, not +only by pondering the Gifts which are in you, and by experience which you +have in the Word of God beside the careful Consideration of the +Imperfection of all Arts, and many other unfitting things, to seek for an +amendment therein; to appease God, and to accommodate you for the time +wherein you live. Certainly if you will perform the same, this profit will +follow, that all the Goods which Nature hath in all parts of the World +wonderfully dispersed, shall at one time altogether be given unto you, and +shall easily disburden you of all that which obscureth the understanding +of Man, and hindereth the working thereof, like unto the vain Epicides, +and Excentrick Astronomical Circles. + +But those Pragmatical and busieheaded men, who either are blinded with +the glistering of Gold, or (to say more truly) who are now honest, but by +thinking such great Riches should never fail, might easily be corrupted, +and brought to Idleness, and to riotous proud living; those we do desire +that they would not trouble us with their idle and vain crying. But let +them think, that although there be a Medicine to be had which might fully +cure all Diseases, nevertheless those whom God hath destinated to plague +with diseases, and to keep them under the Rod of Correction, such shall +never obtain any such Medicine. + +Even in such manner, although we might enrich the whole World, and endue +them with Learning, and might release it from innumerable miseries, yet +shall we never be manifested and made known unto any man, without the +especial pleasure of God; yea, it shall be so far from him whosoever +thinks to get the benefit, and be Partaker of our Riches and Knowledge, +without and against the Will of God, that he shall sooner lose his life in +seeking and searching for us, than to find us, and attain to come to the +wished Happiness of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_John Heydon and the Rosicrucians._ + + +As we have frequently to mention works of that "extraordinary Royalist, +mystic and geomancer," John Heydon, who wrote so much respecting the Rosie +Crucian Mysteries, and so loudly extolled the praises of the disciples, it +will be advisable to present a sketch of his life as made by one Frederick +Talbot, in the years 1662 and 1663, and attached to "Elhavareuna," or the +"English Physitian's Tutor." He says John Heydon is not basely, but nobly +descended. The Antiquaries derive them (his parents) from Julius Heydon +the King of Hungary and Westphalia, that were descended from that Noble +family of Caesar Heydon in Rome; and since in this Royal Race the line run +down to the Honourable Sir Christopher Heydon, and Sir William Heydon, his +brother of Heydon, neer Norwich; who married into Devonshire. Here the +family flourished divers waies, to Sir John Heydon, late Lord Lieutenant +of the King's Tower of London. And this Sir William Heydon had one sonne +christened also William, and had two sons William and Francis, both born +in Devon, at Poltimore House; Francis married one of the Noble Chandlers +in Worcestershire of the Mother's side, which line spread by Marriage into +Devonshire, among the Collins, Ducks, Drues and Bears, he had one Sister +named Anne Heydon, who died two years since, his Father and Mother being +yet living. He was born at his Father's house in Green-Arbour, London (his +father having bestowed L1,500 upon those houses) and was baptised at St. +Sepulchre's, and so was his Sister, and both in the fifth and seventh year +of the Reign of King Charles the First; he was educated in Warwickshire +among his mother's friends, and so careful were they to keep him and his +sister from danger, and to their books, that he had one continually to +wait upon him, both to school and at home, and so had his sister. + +He was commended by Mr. John Dennis, his Tutor in Tardebick, to Mr. George +Linacre, Priest of Coughton, where he learned the Latin and Greek Tongues; +the war at this time began to molest the Universities of this Nation, he +was articled to Mr. Mic. Petley, an Attorney of Clifford Inne, with eighty +pounds, that at five years' end he should be sworn an Attorney; now being +very young he applied his mind to learning, and by his happy wit attained +great knowledge in all arts and sciences, afterwards also he followed the +Armies of the King, and for his valour commanded in the troops, when he +was by these means famous for learning and arms, he travelled into Spain, +Italy, Arabia, Egypt, and Persia, etc., and gave his mind to writing, and +composed about seventeen years since, the Temple of Wisdom in three Books, +The Holy Guide in six Books, Elhavareuna in one Book, Ocia Imperialia in +one Book, the Idea of the Law, the Idea of Government, the Idea of Tyranny +in three parts, the Fundamental Elements of Moral Philosophy, Policy, +Government and War, etc. + +These Books were written near seventeen years since, and preserved by the +good hand of God in the custody of Mr. Thomas Heydon, Sir John Hanner, Sir +Ralph Freman, and Sir Richard Temple; during the tyrant's time first one +had the Books, then another, etc. And at last at the desire of these +Noble, Learned and valiant Knights, and in honour of his Highness the Duke +of Buckingham, they were printed. + +He wrote many excellent things, and performed many rare experiments in the +Arts of Astromancy and Geomancy, etc., but especially eighty one, the +first upon the King's death, predicted in Arabia by him to his friends, +the second upon the losses of the King at Worcester, predicted at Thauris +in Persia. Thirdly he predicted the death of Oliver Cromwell in Lambeth +House to many persons of honour mentioned in his books. Fourthly he wrote +of the overthrow of Lambert, and of the Duke of Albymarle, his bringing +again of the King to his happy countries, and gave it to Major Christopher +Berkenhead, a Goldsmith at the Anchor by Fetter Lane end in Holborn; the +fifth precaution or prediction he gave to his highness the Duke of +Buckingham, two months before the evil was practised, and his enemy +Abraham Goodman lies now in the Tower for attempting the death of the +noble Prince. The sixth for Count Gramont when he was banished into +England by the King of France, and he predicted by the Arts of Astromancy +and Geomancy, the King's receiving again into favour, and of his marriage +to the Lady Hamilton. The seventh for Duke Minulaus, a peer of Germany, +that the Emperor sent to him, when the Turk, had an army against him, and +of the death of the Pope; the rest are in his books, and therefore by +these monuments the name of Heydon for his variety of learning was famous +not only in England, but also in many other nations into which his books +are translated. + +This John Heydon, fears none, contemneth none, is ignorant of none, +rejoyceth in none, grieves at none, laughs at none, is angry with none, +but being himself a Philosopher, he hath taught the way to happiness, the +way to long life, the way to health, the way to wane young being old, and +the way to resolve all manner of Questions, Present and to Come, by the +Rules of Astromancy and Geomancy, and how to raise the Dead. + +There be many John Heydons, one John Heydon the divine and priest of Jesus +Christ, this is a Philosopher and Lawyer, stiled a Servant of God and +Secretary of Nature, and to this the Princes and Peers not only of +England, but of Spain, Italy, France and Germany send dayly to him, and +upon every occasion he sheweth strong parts and a vigorous brain; his +wishes and aimes, and what he pointeth at, speaketh him owner of a noble +and generous heart; this gentleman's excellent books are admired by the +world of lettered men, as the prodigy of these latter times (indeed his +works before mentioned, if I am able to judge anything) are full of the +profoundest learning I ever met withall: and I believe, who hath well-read +and digested them will perswade himself, there is no truth too abstruse, +nor hitherto conceived out of our reach, and if any should question my +judgement, they may read the commendations of both the Universities, +Oxford and Cambridge, besides the learned Thomas White and Thomas Revell, +Esq., both famous in Rome and other parts beyond sea, that have highly +honoured this gentleman in their books; yet he hath suffered many +misfortunes, his fathered was sequestered, imprisoned, and lost two +thousand pounds by Cromwell. This Oliver imprisoned this son also two year +and half, or thereabout, in Lambeth House, for he and his father's family +were always for the King, and endeavoured to the utmost his restoration; +and indeed the tyrant was cruel to him, but John Thurloe, his Secretary, +was kind to him and pittied his curious youth. And the messenger kept him +(at his request) at his own house, and gave him leave to go abroad, but +yet being zealous and active for the King, he was again taken and clapt up +in Lambeth House; in these misfortunes it cost him a L1,000 and upwards; +after this some envious villains forged actions of debt against him, and +put him in prison. It seems at the beginning of these misfortunes, a +certain harlot would have him to marry her, but denying her suit, for he +had never spoken to her in his life good or evil until then; she devised +now with her confederates abundance of mischief against him. And many +courted him to marry, but he denyed. Now there was left (amongt a few old +Almanacks and scraps of other men's wit) collected and bequeathed unto the +world by Nic. Culpe (as his own admired experience) old Alice Culpeper, +his widow. She hearing this gentleman (that he was heir to a great estate +after the death of his father, and after the death of his uncle, L1,000 a +year, but whether this uncle be of the father's or the mother's side I +know not, but the estate is sure his at their death), courts him by +letters of love, to no purpose; the next saint in order was she that calls +herself the German Princess. But he flies high and scorns such fowl great +beasts, the first of these two blessed birds in her life time caused one +Heath to arrest him, and another laid actions against him that he never +knew nor heard of. In this perplexity was he imprisoned two years, for +they did desire nothing but to get money, or destroy him, for fear if ever +he got his liberty he might then punish them. He being of a noble nature +forgave them all their malice and devices against him, and scorns to +revenge himself such upon pittiful things. God indeed hath done him the +justice, for this Heath consumes to worse than nothing, and indeed, if I +can judge or predict anything his baudy-houses will be pawned, and he will +dye a miserable diseased beggar. His mistress, when he was very young and +a clerke, desired him to lay with her, but he like Joseph refusing, she +hated him all her life. God preserved him from their malice, although one +of these three lewd women swore this gentleman practised the art of Magic; +she told Oliver Cromwell she saw familiar spirits come and go to him in +the shape of Conies, and her maid swore she had often seen them in his +chambers when he was abroad, and sometimes walking upon the housetop in +moonshine nights, and sometimes to vanish away into a wall or Aire, but +when asked she could not tell what manner of man he was. So these stories +were not credited, and for all these and many more afflictions and false +accusations, I never saw him angry, nor did he even arrest or imprison any +man or woman in all his life. + +He was falsely accused but lately of writing a seditious book and +imprisoned in a messenger's custody, but his noble friend the Duke of +Buckingham finding him innocent and alwaies for the king, he was then +discharged, and indeed this glorious Duke is a very good and just judge +and noble, for he forgave Abraham Godman that came to kill him with his +sword drawn, the Duke with his plate and napkin (for he was at supper) +takes away his sword, saying, I can kill thee, but I scorn it, and a +little after he pardoned him. And so mercifull he is that after he had +taken the Quakers prisoners in Yorkshire, he used so many wise convincing +arguments that they submitted to the King; of which the Duke was glad, and +saved all their lives; he studies the way to preserve his king and country +in peace, plenty, and prosperity. It is a pity the King hath not many more +such brave men as he, a thousand such wise Dukes as this (like marshell'd +thunder, back'd with flames of fire) would make all the enemies of the +King and Christendome quake, and the Turk fly before such great generals, +in all submission; we humbly pray for this great Prince, and leave him to +his pleasure and return to our subject. + +John Heydon is not of that vain and presumptuous nature as the Taylors +that despised all Artists, even Appolonius, More, Vaughan, and Smith, etc. +And yet they cannot read these, and many other learned authors, they so +impudently abuse, rob of their learning, and convert other men's parts to +their own profit. He lent one ten pounds gold, he in requital or return +speaks ill of him, and pretends to know many admirable rules of Geomancy, +and impertinently addes them to Nativities, and applyes them to all manner +of questions in Astromancy, but his books being written so long since, +viz., seventeen years by himself, their greediness of great matters is +discovered, and we now know them to be neither scholars nor gentlemen, +these hang up clouts with--here are Nativities calculated, questions +resolved, and all the parts of Astrology taught by us.... In threepence, +fourpence, sixpence, or higher if you please--thus are young apprentices, +old women, and wenches abused, and that they may be found for money, tell +us the twelve houses of heaven in the sign of a coat of arms are to be +let, when they might indeed set bills upon their brazen foreheads, +engraven thus: Here are Rooms to be let unfurnished, but our Author +regards not these men; all their scandals, forgeries, and villainous +devises they contrive against him, he slights and scorns, and hath +purposely forsaken Spittle Fields and his lodging there, to live a private +life, free from the concourse of multitudes of people that daily followed +after him, but if any desire to be advised, let them by way of letter +leave their business at his booksellers, and they shall have answer and +counsel without reward, for he is neither envious, nor enemie to any man; +what I write is upon my own knowledge. + +He now writes from Hermenpolis, a place I was never at; it seems by the +word to be the city of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange +places, among the Rosie Crucians, and at their Castles, Holy Houses, +Temples, Sepulchres, Sacrifices. This gentleman hath suffered much by his +own discreet silence and solitude. Every Nativity Hawker condemns the +Rosie Crucians because they appear not to the world, and concludes there +is no such society because he is not a member of it, and Mr. Heydon will +not come upon the stage (let his enemies write or speak what they will) +when any fool cries enter, neither doth he regard every dog that barks at +him. All the world knows this gentleman studys honourable and honest +things, and faithfully communicates them to others, yet if any traduce him +hereafter, they must not expect his vindication, he hath referred his +quarrel to the God of Nature, it is involved in the concernments of his +Truths and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience; he hath +been misinterpreted in his writing, with studied calumnies, they disparage +a person whom they never saw, nor perhaps will see, he is resolved for the +future to suffer, for he says God condemns no man for his patience, the +world indeed may think the truth overthrown, because she is attended with +his peace for in the judgment of most men, there is no victory, this he +looks upon as no disadvantage, the estimate of such censures will but +lighten the scales, and I don't suppose them very weak brains who conceive +the truth sinks because it outweighs them; as for tempestuous outcrys when +they want their motives they discover an irreligious spirit, one that hath +more of the Hurrey-cano than of Christ Jesus, God was not in the wind that +rent the rocks in pieces, nor in the earthquake and fire at Horeb. He was +in Aura tenui, in the still small voice. His enemies are forced to praise +his vertues and his friends are sorry he hath not 10,000 pounds a year, he +doth not resent the common spleen, who writs the truth of God hath the +same Patron with the truth itself, and when the world shall submit to the +general Tribunal, he will find his Advocate where they shall find their +Judge, there is mutual testimony between God and his servants, or nature +and her Secretary; if the Baptist did bear witness of Christ, Christ did +also much for the Baptist; he was a burning and shining light; when I writ +this gentleman's life God can bear me witness it was unknown to him, and +for no private ends, but I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the +Mistery and Majesty of Nature, written by this servant of God and +Secretary of Nature; I began his life some years since, and do set it down +as I do finde it, if any man oppose this, I shall answer, if you are for +peace, peace be with you, if you are for War, I have been so too (Mr. +Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King +command him). Now let not him that puts on the Armour boast like him that +puts it off. 'Gaudet patientia duris' is his Motto, and thus I present +myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man. + + FREDERICK TALBOT, ESQ. + + _March 3, 1662._ + +What was thought of John Heydon and what he appeared to think of himself +may be learned from the somewhat gushing testimonials he appended to +several of his books. + +At the commencement of the Axiomata we have the following:-- + +"To his most ingeniously accomplish'd friend, Mr. John Heydon, on his +Rosie Crucian Infallible Axomata, the excellent and secret use of +Numbers." + + "Now let the Pope no more pretend to bee, + The Father of Infallibility; + Unless he can great Heyden's Numbers teach, + And nimbly to his Axiomata reach. + One learned Heydon, with his Art-like Pen, + Hath exercised so the Brains of Men; + That how to answer him this very Age + Knows not [I'm sure] with all its Wit and Rage. + Our Author here, as Heir unto his skill, + Hath kept his name up (with a pregnant Quill) + So happily! that Ages yet to come, + Shall sing his fame in this Eulogium; + While Numbers sing the World's glad Harmony, + This worthy work shall teach Philosophy." + + J. GADBURY. + +Again in the same work. + +"To his much honoured friend the Author Mr. John Heydon upon the Rosie +Crucian Infallible Axiomata." + + "Pythag'ras redivivus, go thy ways + Into the world: and number out thy praise; + Laconian Lads esteem yourself no more, + Who Numbers rich is, who esteems is poor, + For they esteem themselves, because no more. + Moses in Miracles did exceed 'tis true + By Numbers done; only found out by you + Therefore the greatest Miracle's your due. + Tria sunt omnia shall no more surpass, + Who's but for simple Numbers is an Asse, + Thy compound Numbers shew as clear as Glass. + That the wide world this piece shall so extoll + As swears no soul, if not Harmonic all + For never was piece i' the world so exactly done, + In the time past, or present, what's to come, + Then teeming Soul give thy Pen intermission, + And breathe a while before the next Edition." + + JOHN FYGE, + _Minister of the Gospell._ + +Again:-- + + "O Comprehensive Magus, praise attends + Thy worthy work, to that each number tends, + Sith to the Holy Cross thou art the Crown; + And that, which Nature did at first set down + In Hieroglyphicks, that she might conceal + From Sons of earth, her Darling doth reveal + Unto the Sons of Art and doth unfold + Those Tomes of Crypicks that before were rold; + Axioms infallible, thou dost us shew, + Would Pyrrho make his doubting Trade forego; + Philosophy may by thy Method be + Courted, and won by men of low degree, + When fancy tells me this cannot be done, + My Reason prompts me to believe a Son, + Inspired by the Rosie Crucian Spirit, + Is Heir to more, to whom I do refer it. + + THOMAS FYGE." + + + "Hayl you (admired Heydon) whose great parts + Shine above envy; and the common Arts, + You kin to Angels, and Superiour Lights, + (A spark of the first fire) whose Eagle flights + Trade not with Earth, and grossness, but do pass + To the pure Heavens, and make your God your Glass, + In whom you see all forms, and so do give + These rare discov'ries, how things move and live, + Proceed to make your great designs compleat, + And let not this rude world our hopes defeat. + Oh let me but by this the dawning light + Which streams upon me through your three pil'd night, + Pass to the East of truth, 'till I may see + Man's first fair state; when sage Simplicity + The Dove and Serpent, Innocent and Wise + Dwell in his brest, and he in Paradise. + These from the Tree of knowledge his best boughs + I'le pluck a Garland from this Author's brows, + Which to succeeding times Fame shall bequeath, + With this most just Applause, Great Heyden's wreath. + + FRED. TALBOT, _Esquire_." + +In the opening pages of the "Holy Guide," we find the following:-- + + "Renowned Eugenius! Famous above all! + A Prince in Physiques! Most Seraphicall! + The Art's Great Archer! Never shooting wide; + Yet Hitt'st the White best, in thy Holy Guide. + Good God! What Pains have learn'd Physitians + For cleansing Physiques [strange perturbed] Brook? + But as their crooked labours did destroy + Our hopes, Thy Guide directs the Ready Way. + Hippocrates, Great Galen, and Senertus, + Rhenvoleus, Paracelsus, and Albertus, + Grave Gerrard, and Ingenious Parkinson, + Dead Culpeper, and living Thomlinson, + Have all done well. But ah! they miss the Road, + Thou Chalked out, Thou Dear Servant of God; + And therefore 'tis no wonder, if they vary + From thee; Great Nature (High born) Secretary! + 'Tis thou alone, hast taught the way to bliss: + 'Tis thou alone, that knowest what it is: + 'Tis thou hast raked fruitful Egypt o'er + For Medicines; and Italy for more; + And in Arabia thy collecting Braines, + To doe us good, hath taken wondrous Paines + This having done, if Critiques will not bow + To thy Great Learning Petra scandalou, + It shall unto them surely prove: And this + Essay of thy Sublimer Misteryes, + Shall make them sure unto the Wise Minerva + Yet still be ignorant of thy Pantarva. + But hold! Where am I? Sure th' hast set a spell + On me, cause I can't praise thy doings well: + Release me, Good Eugenius! and the Crowne + Shall stand on no browes but thy learned Owne. + Poets, no more lay Claime unto the Bayes! + 'Tis Heydon shines alone with splendid Rayes! + Follow his Guide, he teaches you most sure; + Let any make the Wound; 'Tis he must cure. + For he directs the Welgrowne; Old, and Young, + To live Rich, Happy, Healthy, Noble, Strong. + + JOHN GADBURY." + +"To the Reader on the behalf of my much honoured Friend the Author Mr. +John Heydon." + + "A Labyrinth doth need a clew to find + The passage out, and a Daedalian mind + May doe strange works, beyond the Vulgar's reach, + And in their understandings make a breach. + It's often seene, when men of pregnant parts + Study, Invent, and promulgate rare Arts, + Or unknown secrets, now they puzzle those + That understand them not; their Yea's, their No's, + Are put to Non-plus; Tutors then they lack + To drive them forward, or to bring them back. + How many learned men (in former ages) + In all the sciences were counted Sages? + And yet are scarcely understood by men, + Who daily read them o're and o're again! + Some can recount things past, and present some, + And some would know of things that are to come. + Some study pleasure, some would faine live long; + Some that are old, would faine again be young. + This Man doth toyle, and moile, to purchase wealth, + That man gets sickness studying for his health; + This man would happy bee, that Wisdom have; + All are at loss, and every man doth crave; + None is content, But each man wants a Guide + Them to direct when they do step aside. + Since this is thus, Our Author hath took paine + To lead us in, and bring us out again; + Now who is pleas'd in him for to confide + In these Discoveries, Here's his Holy Guide. + Pray what can more improve the Commonwealth, + Than the discovery of the way to Health? + The Paradox is made a certain truth, + An Ancient man may dye it 'h prime of 's youth. + What wonder is it if he goe aside + The Path, which will not take the Holy Guide! + + JOHN BOOKER." + +"To his Ingenuous Friend Mr. John Heydon, on his Book Intituled The Holy +Guide." + + "The Antient Magi, Druids, Cabbalists, + The Brachmans, Sybils, and Gymnosophists + With all that Occult Arts haberdash + And make so many mancies, doe but trash + By retaile vend, and may for Pedlars goe: + Your richer merchandise doth make them soe. + The Stagarite must with his Murnival + Of Elements, Galen of Humours call + In all their suit, or your new Art, + Without them, makes their good old cause to smart. + Vulgar Physitians cannot look for more + Patients, then such which doe need hellibore: + When Rosie Crucian Power can revive + The dead, and keep old men in youth alive. + Had you not call'd your work the Holy Guide, + It would have puzzled all the world beside + To have Baptized it with a name so fit + And Adaequate to what's contain'd in it; + Should it be styled the Encyclopaedy + Of Curious Arts, or term'd a Mystery + In folio, or be named the Vatican + Reduc'd unto an Enchiridion, + Or all the Hermae in a Senary, + The Urim and Thummim of Philosophy, + The Art of Hieroglyphicks so revealed + And like the Apocalyps they are conceal'd + Or th' Orthodoxall Parodox, or all + Discover'd, which men still a wonder call; + Or th' Magna Charta of all Sciences, + And he that names it cannot call it less, + The Book and Title might have well agreed; + Yet men have questioned if into their Creed + They should have put your Article, but Now + The name of holy none dare disallow + When so much learning doth in one exist + Heydon, not Hermes, shall be Trismegist. + And if the Right Reverend of Levi's Tribe + Do Hallow it, I cannot but subscribe. + + Myself your Friend and Servant, + THOS. FYGE." + +"Now there are," says John Heydon, "a kind of men as they themselves +report, named Rosie Crucians; a divine Fraternity that inhabite the +suburbs of Heaven, and these are the Officers of the Generalissimo of the +world, that are as the eyes and eares of the great King, seeing and +hearing all things; they say these R. C. are seraphically illuminated, as +Moses was, according to this Order of the Elements; Earth refyn'd to +Water, Water to Air, Air to Fire. So if a man be one of the Heroes, of a +Heros, a Damon, or good Genius, if a Genius, a partaker of divine things, +and a Companion of the holy Company of unbodied Souls and immortall +Angells, and according to their vehicles, a versatile life, turning +themselves Proteus-like into any shape. + +"But the richest happiness they esteem, is the gift of healing and +medicine. It was a long time great labour and travell before they could +arrive to this Blisse above set, they were at first poor gentlemen, that +studied God and nature, as they themselves confesse: (saying) Seeing the +only wise and mercifull God in these latter dayes hath poured out so +richly his mercy and goodness to mankind, whereby wee do attain more and +more to the perfect knowledge of his Son Jesus Christ and Nature: that +justly we may boast of the happy time wherein there is not only discovered +unto us the half part of the world which was heretofore unknown and +hidden; but he hath also made manifest unto us many wonderfull and never +heretofore seen works and Creatures of nature, and moreover hath raised +men, indued with great wisdome, which might partly renew and reduce all +Arts (in this our age, spotted and imperfect) to perfection. + +"Although in Theologie, Physick, and the Mathematick, the truth doth +oppose itself, nevertheless the old enemy by his subtilty and craft doth +shew himself in hindering every good purpose by his instruments and +contentious (wavering people) to such an intent of a generall Reformation, +the most Godly and Seraphically illuminated Father, our Brother C. R., a +German, the chief and originall of our Fraternity, hath much and long time +laboured, who by reason of his poverty (although a gentleman born, and +descended of noble parents) in the 5th year of his age was placed in a +Cloister, where he had learned indifferently the Greek and Latin tongues +(who upon his earnest desire and request being yet in his growing years, +was associated to a Brother P. A. L., who had determined to go to Apamia). + +"Although his brother dyed in Cyprus and so never came to Apamia, yet our +brother C. R. did not return but shipped himself over, and went to +Damasco, minding from thence to go to Apamia, but by reason of the +feebleness of his body he remained still there, and by his skil in +Physick, he obtained much favour with the Ishmalits. In the mean time he +became by chance acquainted with the wise men of Damcar in Arabia, and +beheld what great wonders they wrought and how Nature was discovered unto +them; hereby was that high and noble spirit of brother C. R. so stirred up +that Apamia was not so much now in his mind as Damcar; also he could not +bridle his desires any longer, but made a bargain with the Arabians that +they should carry him for a certain summe of money to Damcar, this was in +the 16th year of his age when the Wise received him (as he himself +witnesseth) not as a Stranger, but as one whom they had long expected, +they called him by his name, and showed him other secrets out of his +Cloyster, whereat hee could not but mightily wonder. + +"He learned there better the Arabian tongue: so that the year following he +translated the book M. into good Latine, and I have put it into English +wearing the title of The Wiseman's Crown; whereunto is added A new Method +of Rosie Crucian Physick. This is the place where he did learn his Physick +and Philosophie, how to raise the dead; for example, as a Snake cut in +pieces and rotted in dung will every piece prove a whole Snake again, &c., +and then they began to practise further matters and to kill birds and to +burn them before they are cold in a Glass, and so rotted, and then +inclosed in a shell, to hatch it under a hen, and restore the same; and +other strange proofs they made of Dogs, Hogs, or Horses, and by the like +corruption to raise them up and again and renew them. And at last they +could restore by the same course every brother that died to life again, +and so continue many ages. + +"Brother C. R. after many travels, returned again into Germany, and there +builded a neat and fitting habitation, upon a little hill or mount, and on +the hill there rested always a cloud; and he did there render himself +visible or invisible, at his own will and discretion. + +"After five years came into his minde the wished return of the children of +Israel out of Egypt, how God would bring them out of bondage with the +Instrument Moses. Then he went to his Cloyster, to which he bare +affection, and desired three of his brethren to go with him to Moses, the +chosen servant of God. Brother G. V., Brother J. A., and Brother J. O., +who besides that they had more knowledge in the Arts than at that time +many others had, he did binde those three unto himselfe, to be faithful, +diligent, and secret; as also to commit carefully to writing what Moses +did; and also all that which he should direct and instruct them in, to the +end that those which were to come, and through especial Revelation should +be received into this Fraternity, might not be deceived of the least +syllable and word. + +"After this manner began the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross, first by four +persons, who died and rose again until Christ, and then they came to +worship as the Star guided them to Bethlem of Judea, where lay our Saviour +in his mother's arms; and then they opened their treasure and presented +unto Him Gifts, Gold, Frankinsense, and Myrrhe, and by the commandment of +God went home to their habitation. + +"These four waxing young again successively many hundreds of years, made a +Magical Language and Writing, with a large Dictionary, which are yet in +daily use to God's praise and glory, and do finde great wisdome therein; +they made also the first part of the Book M. which I will shortly publish +by the title of The Wiseman's Crown." + +In his Apologue to the sixth book of "The Holy Guide," after stating that +Moses was the father of the Rosie Crucians, that they were the Officers of +the Generalissimo of the World, of the order of Elias or Disciples of +Ezekiel, &c., John Heydon proceeds:--"But there is yet arguments to +procure Mr. Walfoord and T. Williams, Rosie Crucians by elections, and +that is the miracles that were done by them, in my sight, for it should +seem Rosie Crucians were not only initiated into the Mosaical Theory, but +have arrived also to the power of working Miracles, as Moses, Elias, +Ezekiel, and the succeeding Prophets did, as being transported where they +please, as Habakkuk was from Jewry to Babylon, or as Philip, after he had +baptized the Eunuch, to Azotus, and one of these went from me to a friend +of mine in Devonshire, and came and brought me an answer to London the +same day, which is four dayes journey; they taught me excellent +predictions of Astrology, and Earthquakes; they slack the Plague in +Cities; they silence the violent Winds and Tempests; they calm the rage of +the Sea and Rivers; they walk in the Air; they frustrate the malicious +aspects of Witches; they cure all Diseases; I desired one of these to tell +me whether my Complexion were capable of the society of my good Genius? +When I see you again, said he, I will tell you, which is when he pleases +to come to me, for I know not where to go to him. When I saw him then he +said, Ye should pray to God; for a good and holy man can offer no greater +nor more acceptable sacrifice to God than the oblation of himself, his +soul. + +"He said also, that the good Genii are as the benigne eyes of God, running +to and fro in the world, with love and pitty beholding the innocent +endeavours of harmless and single hearted men, ever ready to do them good, +and to help them; and at his going away he bid me beware of my seeming +friends who would do me all the hurt they could, and cause the Governours +of the nations to be angry with me, and set bounds to my liberty; which +truly happened to me, as they did indeed; many things more he told me +before we parted, but I shall not name them here. + +"In this Rosie Crucian Physick or Medicines, I happily and unexpectedly +light upon in Arabia, which will prove a restauration of health to all +that are afflicted with that sickness which we ordinarily call natural, +and all other Diseases, as the Gout, Dropsie, Leprosie, and falling +sickness; and these men may be said to have no small insight in the body, +and that Walfoord, Williams, and others of the Fraternity now living, may +bear up in the same likely Equipage, with those noble Divine spirits their +Predecessors; though the unskilfulness in men commonly acknowledges more +of supernatural assistance in hot, unsettled fancies, and perplexed +melancholy, than in the calm and distinct use of reason; yet for mine own +part, but not without submission to better judgments, I look upon these +Rosie Crucians above all men truly inspired, and more than any that +professed or pretended themselves so this sixteen hundred years, and I am +ravished with admiration of their miracles and transcendent mechanical +inventions, for the solving the Phenomena in the world: I may without +offence therefore compare them with Bezaliel and Aholiab, those skilful +and cunning workers of the Tabernacle, who, as Moses testifies, were +filled with the Spirit of God, and therefore were of an excellent +understanding to find out all manner of curious work. + +"Nor is it any argument that these Rosie Crucians are not inspired, +because they do not say they are; which to me is no argument at all; but +the suppression of what so happened, would argue much more sobriety and +modesty; when as the profession of it with sober men, would be suspected +of some piece of melancholy and distraction, especially in those things, +where the grand pleasure is the evidence and exercise of Reason, not a +bare belief, or an ineffable sense of life, in respect whereof there is no +true Christian but he is inspired; but if any more zealous pretender to +prudence and righteousness, wanting either leisure or ability to examine +these Rosie Crucian Medicines to the bottome, shall notwithstanding either +condemn them or admire them, he hath unbecomingly and indiscreetly +ventured out of his own sphere, and I cannot acquit him of injustice or +folly. Nor am I a Rosie Crucian, nor do I speak of spite, or hope of gain, +or for any such matter, there is no cause, God knows; I envie no man, be +he what he will be, I am no Phisitian, never was, nor never mean to be; +what I am it makes no matter as to my profession. + +"Lastly, these holy and good men would have me know that the greatest +sweet and perfection of a vertuous soul, is the kindly accomplishment of +her own nature, in true wisdome and divine love; and these miraculous +things that are done by them, are, that that worth and knowledge that is +in them may be taken notice of, and that God thereby may be glorified, +whose witnesses they are; but no other happiness accrues to them from +this, but hereby they may be in a better capacity of making others happy. + + _Spittle-fields, this 10th of May, 1662._ + + JOHN HEYDON." + +As, of course, it is impossible to give any lengthy extracts from the +works of this celebrated John Heydon, a few quotations from the Index to +his Holy Guide will show the nature of the work and must suffice for our +present purpose. "How by numbers the Rosie Crucians fore-know all future +things, command all nature and do miracles, etc. The resolution of all +manner of questions, and how by numbers you may be happy, etc. How to make +a man live to two hundred years. How to avoid all disease. The Rosie +Crucian way to get health. How to live twenty years without food, as many +creatures do. How to raise a dead bird to life. Of generating many +serpents of one," etc., etc. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Cabalists._ + + +On a former page we referred to a book which at one time achieved +considerable notoriety under the title of "Count Gabalis; or the +Extravagant mysteries of the Cabalists," the following extract will show +the nature of the work and no doubt prove interesting. + +Count Gabalis: or the Extravagant Mysteries of the Gabalists, or, +Rosy-crucians Exposed in Five Pleasant Discourses on the Secret Sciences. + + +Discourse the First. + +God rest the soul of Monsieur the Count of Gabalis! who as they write me +news, is lately dead of an Apoplexy. Now the Cabalists will not fail to +say, that this kind of Death is ordinary to those who imprudently manage +the Secrets of the Sages; and that since the Blessed Ramundus Lullius has +pronounced the sentence in his last Will and Testament, a destroying Angel +has ever been ready to strangle in a moment, all those who have +indiscreetly revealed the Philosophick Mysteries. + +But let them not so rashly condemn this Wise Man, without having better +information of his conduct. 'Tis true he has discovered all to me; but not +without all the Cabalistick Circumspectious requisite. I must do him the +right, in giving this testimony to his memory, that he was a great Zealot +for the religion of his fathers, the Philosophers; and that he would have +suffered the flames, rather than have profaned the Sanctity of it, by +disclosing it to any unworthy Prince, to any ambitious person, or to one +that was incontinent; three sorts of people, excommunicated in all ages by +the wise. By good fortune I am no Prince; I have little Ambition; and by +the Sequel of this discourse, it may be seen that I have a little more +Chastity than a Sage needs have. I am endued with a Docible Wit; curious +of knowledge, and Bold enough: I want but a little Melancholy to make all +those who would blame the Count of Gabalis, confess that he needed not +have concealed any thing from me, in regard I was a Subject proper enough +for the Secret Sciences. It is true that without Melancholy, no great +progress can be made therein: but this little stock of it that I have, was +enough to make me not to be rejected by them. You (has he said a hundred +times to one) have Saturn in an Angle, in his House, and Retrograde; you +cannot fail, one of these days, of being as Melancholy as a Sage ought to +be: for the wisest of all men (as we know in the Cabal) had, as you have, +Jupiter in the Ascendant. And yet, it was never observed, that he ever so +much as once laughed, in all his life time, so powerful was his Saturn in +him, though it was certainly weaker than yours. + +'Tis then my Saturn, and not Monsieur the Count of Gabalis that the +_Virtuoso_ must quarrel with, if I affect more the Divulging of there +Secrets, than the practising of them. If the Stars do not their duty, the +Count is not in the fault, and if I have not a soul great enough to +attempt to become Master of Nature, to turn the Elements upside down, to +entertain the Supreme Intelligences, to command the Demons, to beget +Giants, to create New Worlds, to speak to God in his High Throne, and to +oblige the Cherubin, which defends the entrance of Paradise, to let me +come in, and take two or three turns in his Walks; 'tis me that they must +blame more or less: they must not for this insult over the memory of this +Rare Man; and say that he is dead, for having blabbed all things to me. Is +it impossible that amongst the wandering spirits he may not have been +worsted in a conflict with some undocible Hobgoblin? Perchance he is not +dead, but in appearance; following the custom of the Philosophers, who +seem to Dye in one place, and transport themselves to another. Be it how +it will, I can never believe, that the Manner wherewith he entrusted his +Treasures to me, merited any punishment. You shall see how all things +passed. + +Common sense having always made me suspect that there was a great deal of +Emptiness in all that which they call Secret Science, I was never tempted +to lose so much time, as to turn over the leaves of those books which +treat of them: but yet not finding it reasonable to condemn without +knowing why, all those addicting themselves thereto, who otherwise are +wise persons, very learned for the most part, and eminent both for the +Gown and Sword. I took up a resolution (that I might avoid being unjust, +and wearying myself with tedious reading) of feigning myself a great +devotee to those sciences, amongst all those, whom I could learn were of +that Gang. I had quickly better success than I could possibly hope for. +Since all these gentlemen, how mysterious and how reserved soever they may +seem to be, desire nothing more, than to vent their imaginations, and the +new discoveries which they pretend to have made in Nature. In a few dayes +I was the Confident of the most considerable amongst them, and had every +day one or other of them in my study, which I had on purpose garnished +with their most phantastick authors. There was never a learned Virtuoso of +this kind, but I had correspondence with him. In a word, for my Zeal to +this science, I quickly found that I was well approved by all. I had for +my companions, Princes, Great Lords, Gown-men, Handsome Ladies, and +Unhandsome too; Doctors, Prelates, Fryars, Nuns: in fine People of all +Ranks and Qualities. Some of them were for converse with Angels, others +with Devils, others with their Genius, others with Incubus's; some +addicted themselves to the cure of diseases, some to Star-gazing, some to +the secrets of Divinity, and almost all to the Philosopher's stone. + +They all agreed, that these grand secrets, and especially the +Philosopher's stone, were hardly to be found out, and that but very few do +attain to them, but they had all in particular, a very good opinion of +themselves, to believe that they were of the number of the Elect. By good +luck, with infinite impatiency, the most considerable of them expected at +this time, the arrival of a lord, who was a great Cabalist, and whose +Estate lyes upon the frontiers of Poland. He had promised by letters to +the children of Philosophy in Paris to come and visit them; and so to pass +from France into England. I had a Commission to write an answer to this +great man: I sent him the scheme of my Nativity, that he might judge if I +were capable of aspiring to the supreme wisdom. My scheme and my letter +were so happy to oblige him to do me the honour of answering me; that I +should be one of the first that he would see at Paris; and that, if Heaven +did not oppose, there should be nothing wanting in him to introduce me +into the Society of the Wise. + +In the well management of my good fortune, I entertain a regular +correspondence with the illustrious German: I propose to him, from time to +time, great doubts, as well grounded as I could, concerning the Harmony of +the World, the Numbers of Pythagoras, the Revelations of St. John, and the +first chapter of Genesis. The greatness of the matter ravished him! He +writ to me unheard of Wonders; and I plainly saw that I had to deal with a +man of a most vigorous and most copious imagination. I was astonished one +remarkable day, when I saw a man come in a most excellent Mien, who, +saluting me gravely, said to me in the French tongue, but in the accents +of a foreigner: Adore my son; Adore the most glorious and great God of the +Sages and let not thyself be puffed up with pride, that he sends to thee +one of the children of Wisdom to constitute thee a fellow of their +society, and make thee partaker of the wonders of his Omnipotency. + +This strange manner of salutation, did upon the sudden surprise me, and I +began, at first, to question, whether or no it might not be some +apparition: nevertheless, recovering my spirits the best I could, and +looking upon him as civilly as the little fear I was seized with, could +permit me, Whatever you be (said I to him) whose Complement savours not of +this world, you do me a great honour in making me this visit. But I +beseech you, if you please, before I worship this God of the Sages, let me +know of what God and what Sages you speak. Do me the favour to sit down on +this chair and give yourself the trouble to tell me, what this God is, and +what these Sages, this Company, these Wonders of Omnipotency, and after or +before all this, what kind of creature I have the honour to speak to. + +Sir, you receive me most Sage-like (said he, smiling, and taking the chair +which I presented him) you desire me on a sudden to explain things to you, +which, if you please, I shall not resolve to-day. The Complement which I +made you, are the words which the Sages use at first, to those to whom +they purpose to open their hearts and to discover their mysteries. I had +thought that being so wise as you seemed to me in your letters, this +salutation would not have been unknown to you, and that it would be the +most pleasing Complement that could be made you by the Count of Gabalis. + +Ah! Sir (cried I, remembering that I had a ticklish game to play) how +shall I render myself worthy of so much goodness? Is it possible that the +excellentest of all men should be in my study? that the great Gabalis +should honour me with his visit? + +I am the least of the Sages (replied he, with a serious look) and God, who +dispenses the beams of his wisdom by weight and measure, as his +sovereignty pleases, has given me but a small talent, in comparison of +that which I admire in my fellows. I hope that you may equal them, one +day; if I durst judge of it by the scheme of your nativity, which you did +me the honour to send me: but you give me cause to complain of you, Sir +(added he, smiling) in taking me even now for a Spirit. Not for a Spirit, +(said I to him) but I protest to you, Sir, that calling to my remembrance +on a sudden, what Cardan relates of his father; that being one day in his +study, he was visited by unknown persons, cloathed in divers colours; who +entertained him in a pleasant discourse concerning their nature and +employment. I understand you (interrupted the Count), they were Sylphes, +of which I shall talk to you hereafter: they are a kind of Aerial +substances; who sometimes come to consult the Sages concerning the books +of Averroes, which they do not well understand. Cardan was a coxcomb, for +publishing that amongst his subtilties: he had found those memories +amongst his father's papers, who was one of us, and who seeing that his +son was naturally a babbler, would teach him nothing of what was most +considerable; but let him puzzle his brains in Astrology, by which he was +not cunning enough to prevent his sons being hanged. This ass was the +cause of your doing me the injury to take me for a Sylphe. Injury (replied +I!) Why, Sir, should I be so unfortunate to--I am not angry at it +(interrupted he) since you are not obliged to know beforehand, that all +these elementary spirits are our disciples; for they are most happy, when +we will stoop so low, as to instruct them; and the least of our Sages is +more knowing than all those little gentlemen. But we shall talk more at +large of this, some more convenient time; it is sufficient for me to-day, +that I have had the satisfaction to see you. Endeavour, my son, to make +yourself worthy of receiving the Cabalistical Illuminations: the hour of +your regeneration is come; the fault is your own, if you become not a new +creature. He went out of my study, and I complained of his short visit, as +I waited on him back, that he had the cruelty to leave me so quickly, +after he had let me be so happy, as to have a glimpse of his light. But +having assured me with a grand grace that I should lose nothing by this +sudden departure, he got up into his coach, and left me in a surprise +which I am not able to express. I could not believe my own eyes, nor my +own ears: I'm sure (said I) that this is a man of great quality; that he +hath an estate of five thousand pounds a year, besides he appears very +accomplished. Is it possible that he can thus suffer himself to be filled +with these fooleries? He has talked to me of these Sylphes with great +earnestnes: should he prove a sorcerer in the upshot? and should I have +been deceived till now, in believing that there were no such things? But +suppose he was a Sorcerer, are there also some of them so devout as this +man appears to be? + +The Count was pleased to allow me all the night in Prayer, and in the +morning by break of day, he acquainted me with a note that he would come +to my house by eight of the clock, and that if I pleased, we might go and +take the air together. I waited for him; he came, and after reciprocal +civilities, let us go (said he to me) to some place where we may be free +together and where nobody may interrupt our discourse. + +He seeing that we were as free from company as he could desire said:--How +happy shall you be, my son, if heaven has the kindness to put those +dispositions into your soul, which the high mysteries require of you. You +are about to learn how to command nature; God above shall be your master, +and the Sages only shall be your equals, the supreme intelligences shall +esteem it as glory to obey your desires. When you shall be enrolled +amongst the children of Philosophy, and that your eyes shall be fortified +by the use of our sacred medicine, you shall immediately discover that the +Elements are inhabited by most perfect creatures, from the knowledge and +commerce of whom, the sin of the unfortunate Adam has excluded all his too +unhappy posterity. This immense space which is between the earth and the +Heavens, has more noble inhabitants than birds and flies; this vast ocean +has also other troops, besides dolphins and whales; the profundity of the +earth, is not only for moles; and the element of fire (more noble than the +other three) was not made to be unprofitable and void. + +The air is full of an innumerable multitude of people having human shape, +somewhat fierce in appearance, but tractable upon experience; great lovers +of the sciences, subtil, officious to the Sages, and enemies to sots and +ignorants. Their wives and their daughter have a kind of masculine beauty, +such as we describe the Amazons to have. How Sir (cried I), would you +persuade me, that these friends you speak of are married? + +Be not so fierce, my son (replied he) for so small a matter. Believe +whatsoever I tell you, to be solid and true. I am making known nothing to +you, but the principles of the antient Cabal, and there needs nothing more +to justify them, than that you should believe your own eyes; but receive +with a meek spirit the light which God sends you by my interposition. Know +that the Seas and Rivers are Inhabited, as well as the air: the ancient +Sages have called these kind of people Undians or Nymphs. They have but +few males amongst them, but the women are there in great numbers: their +beauty is marvellous, and the daughters of men have nothing in them +comparable to these. + +The earth is filled almost to the centre with Gnomes or Pharyes, a people +of small stature, the guardians of treasures, of mines, and of precious +stones. They are ingenious, friends of men, and easy to be commanded. They +furnish the children of the Sages with as much money as they have need of, +and never ask any other reward than the glory of being commanded. The +Gnomides or Wives of these Gnomes or Pharyes, are little, but very +handsome and their habit marvellously curious.... As for the Salamanders, +the inhabitants of the region of fire, they serve the Philosophers, but +they seek not for their company with any great eagerness. The wives of the +Salamanders are fair, nay, rather more fair than all others, seeing they +are of a purer element. You will be charmed more with the beauty of their +wit than of their body, yet you cannot choose but be grieved for these +poor wretches when they shall tell you that their soul is mortal, and that +they have no hope of enjoying eternal happiness, and of the Supreme Being, +which they acknowledge and religiously adore. They will tell us, that +being composed of the most pure parts of the elements which they inhabit, +and not having in them any contrary qualities, seeing they are made but of +one element, they die not but after many Ages, but alas! what is such a +Time, in respect of Eternity? They must eternally resolve into their +nothing. This consideration does sorely afflict them; and we have trouble +enough, to comfort them concerning it. + +Our Fathers, the Philosophers, speaking to God face to face, complained to +him of the unhappiness of these people, and God whose mercy is without +bounds, revealed to them, that it was not impossible to find out a remedy +for this evil. He inspired them, that by the same means as man, by the +alliance which he contracted with God, has been made partaker of Divinity: +the Sylphs, the Gnomes, the Nymphs, and the Salamanders by the alliance +which they might contract with man, might be made partakers of +immortality. So a She-Nymph or a Sylphide becomes Immortal, and capable of +the blessing to which we aspire, when they shall be so happy as to be +married to a Sage; a Gnome, or a Sylph ceases to be mortal, from the +moment that he espouses one of our daughters. + +Hence arose the error of the former ages, of Tertullian, of Justin Martyr, +of Lactantius, Cyprian, Clemens Alexandrinus, Athengoras the Christian +Philosopher, and generally of all the writers of that time. They had +learnt that these elementary Demi-men, had endeavoured a commerce with +maids, and they have from thence imagined that the fall of the angels had +not happened, but for the love which they were touched with after women. +Certain Gnomes, desirous of becoming immortal, had a mind to gain the good +affections of our daughters, and had brought abundance of precious stones +of which they are the natural guardians, and these authors, relying on the +Book of Enoch, which they misunderstood, thought that it was the attempt +which these Amorous Angels had offered to the chastity of our wives. In +the beginning these children of heaven begat famous giants by making +themselves beloved by the daughters of men, and the old Cabalists, +Josephine and Philo (as all the Jews are ignorant) and after them all the +other Authors, which I have just now named, as well as Origen and +Macrebius, and have not known that they were the Sylphs, and other people +of the elements that under the name of the Children of Elohim, are +distinguished from the children of men. Likewise that which the Sage Saint +Augustine, has had the modesty to leave undetermined, touching the +pursuits which those called Faunes or Satyrs, made after the Africans of +his time, is cleared by that which I have now alleged of the desire which +all these elementary inhabitants have, of allying themselves to men; as +the only means to attain to the immortality which they have not. + +No, no! Our Sages have never erred so as to attribute the fall of the +first Angels to their love of women, no more than they have put men under +the power of the Devil; by imputing all the adventures of the Nymphs and +Sylphs to him, of which the historians speak so largely. There was nothing +criminal in all that. They were the Sylphs, which endeavoured to become +Immortal. Their innocent pursuits, far enough from being able to +scandalize the Philosophers, have appeared so just to us, that we are all +resolved by common consent, utterly to renounce women; and entirely to +give ourselves to the immortalizing of the Nymphs and Satyrs. + +Good Lord (cried I) What do I hear? Was there ever such marvellous F----. +Yes, my son (interrupted the Count) admire the marvellous felicity of the +Sages! Instead of women, whose fading beauty passes away in a short time, +and is followed with horrible wrinkles and ugliness, the Philosophers +enjoy beauties which never wax old, and whom they have the glory to make +immortal. Guess at the love and the acknowledgment of those invisible +mistresses, and with what ardour they strive to please the charitable +philosopher, who labours to immortalize them. + +Ah! Sir (cried I once again), I renounce ----. Yes, you Sir, (pursued he, +without giving me the leisure to finish) Renounce the fading pleasures +which are to be had with women; the fairest among them all is loathsome in +respect of the homeliest Syphide: no displeasure ever follows our Sage +embraces. Miserable Ignorants! How should you complain, that ye have not +the power to taste of the Philosophick pleasures. Miserable Count de +Gabalis (interrupted I, in an accent mixed with Choler and Compasion) Will +you give me leave to tell you at last, that I renounce this senseless +wisdom; that I find this visionary philosophy very ridiculous; that I +detest the abominable embraces which make you affect these Phantasms; and +that I tremble for you, and wonder that some one of these pretended +Sylphides does not hurry you to Hell, in the middle of your transports and +raptures; and for fear, lest so honest a man as you, should not perceive +the end of your foolish Chymerick Zeal, and should not repent of so great +a crime. Oh! Oh! (answered he) mischief light on thy indocible spirit. His +action, I must confess, affrighted me; but it was yet worse, when I +perceived, that going further from me, he drew out of his pocket a Paper +which I could easily see at that distance to be full of Characters; yet I +could not well discern it. He read them gravely, and spake low. I guessed +that he was invoking some spirit for my ruin, and repented me more than a +little for my inconsiderate Zeal. If I escape this adventure (cried I), +I'll never have to do with a Cabalist more. I fixed my eyes upon him, as +upon a judge that was ready to condemn me to death; when at last I +perceived that his looks became serene. 'Tis hard, (said he, smiling, and +coming towards me again) 'Tis hard for you to kick against the Pricks. You +are a vessel of Election. Heaven has ordained you to be the greatest +Cabalist of your age. Behold the scheme of your Nativity, which cannot +fail. If it be not now, and that too by my means, 'twill be a great +wonder, as it appears by this Saturn retrograde. + +Alas, sir (said I to him) if I must become a Sage, it will never be but by +the means of the Great Gabalis; but to deal freely with you, I am afraid, +that you will find it a difficult matter to bend me to this Philosophical +mode. It seems (continued he) that you should be but ill read in Physicks, +that cannot be persuaded of the existence of these people? I know not +(answered I) but I cannot imagine that these can be anything else but +friends disguised. Do you still (said he) rather believe your own +Whimseys, than Natural Reason? than Plato, Pythagoras, Celsus, Psellus, +Proclus, Porphyrius, Jamlicus, Plotinus, Trismegistus, Noblius, Dorneus, +Fludd; than the great Phillippus Aureolus Theophractus Bombst Paracelsus +de Honeinhem; and than all our Society. + +I would believe you (answered I) as soon, nay sooner than all these; but, +dear sir, could you not so order the business with the rest of your +society, that I might not be obliged to have carnal knowledge of these +elementary ladies? Away, away (replied he) you have your own liberty, +without doubt; for nobody loves, unless he has a mind to it. Few of the +Sages have been able to defend themselves from their Charms, but it has +been observed that some reserving themselves wholly and entirely for +great things (as you will know in time), would never do this honour to +the Nymphs. I will be then of this number (said I), but yet neither can I +resolve to lose time about the ceremonies which I have heard a Prelate +say, must be practised by those who mean to converse with their Geniuses. +This Prelate knew not what he said (said the Count), for you shall see ere +long, that there are no Geniuses there; and besides, that never any Sage +employed either ceremonies or superstition for the familiarity of the +Geniuses, no more than for the people of whom we speak. + +The Cabalists do nothing, but by the principles of nature: and if there +are sometimes found in our books certain strange words, characters, or +fumigations, 'tis but to conceal the philosophical principles from the +ignorant. Admire the simplicity of Nature, in all her most marvellous +operations! And in this simplicity, a Harmony and Agreement so great, so +just, and so necessary that it will make you return back in despite of +yourself from your weak imaginations. That which I am now about to tell +you, we teach those of our disciples, which we will not let altogether +enter into the Sanctuary of Nature; and to whom we will nevertheless, not +utterly deprive of the Society of the elementary people, merely out of the +compassion which we have for these poor wretches. + +The Salamanders (as you have already, perhaps, comprehended) are composed +of the most subtile parts of the Sphere of Fire, conglobated and organized +by the action of the universal fire (concerning which, I shall one day +entertain you further) so called, because it is principal of all the +motions of nature. + +The Sylphes in like manner, are composed of the purest atoms of the air: +the Nymphs of the most delicate parts of the water, and the Gnomes of the +subtlest parts of the Earth. There was a great proportion betwixt Adam and +these so perfect Creatures; because they being composed of that which was +most pure in the four elements; he comprehended the perfection of these +four sorts of people, and was their natural King. But since the time that +his sin precipitated him into the excrements of the elements (as you shall +see hereafter) the Harmony was disordered, and there was no more +proportion, he being become impure and dull in respect of the substances +so pure and so subtil. What remedy for this evil? How shall we remount +this throne and recover this lost sovereignty? O Nature! Why do they study +thee so little? Do you not comprehend my son, with what simplicity nature +can render to man the goods which he has lost? Alas! Sir (replied I), I am +very ignorant in all these simplicities, you speak of. But yet (pursued +he) it is very easy to become knowing in them. + +If we would recover that empire over the Salamanders, we must purifie, and +exalt the element of fire which is in us, and raise up the tone of this +slackened string, we need do no more, but concentre the fire of the world +by concave mirrors in a globe of glass. And herein, is that great piece of +art which all the ancients have so religiously concealed, and which the +divine Theophrastus has discovered. There is formed in this globe a solar +powder, which being purified by itself from the mixture of other elements, +and being prepared according to art, becomes in a very little time, +sovereignly proper to exalt the fire which is in us, and make us become +(according to our phrase) of a fiery nature. From that time the +inhabitants of the sphere of fire become our inferiors, and ravished to +see our mutual harmony re-established, and that we once more approach to +them. They have all the kindness for us which they have for their own +species, all the respect which they owe to the image and to the lieutenant +of their Creator; and all the concern which may make evident in them, the +desire of obtaining by us the immortality which they want. 'Tis true that +as they are more subtil than those of the other elements, they live a very +long time, so they are not very forward to importune the Sages to make +them immortal. You may accommodate yourself with one of these, if the +aversion which you have witnessed to me last not with you to the end: +perchance, she will never speak to you of that which you fear so much. + +It will not be so with the Sylphs, the Gnomes and the Nymphs, for they +living a less time, have more need of us, and so their familiarity is more +easie to obtain. You need but shut up a glass filled with conglobated air, +water or earth, and expose it to the sun for a month; then separate the +element according to art, which is very easie to do, if it be earth or +water. 'Tis a marvellous thing to see, what a vertue any one of these +purified elements have to attract the Nymphs, Sylphs, and Gnomes. In +taking but never so little every day, for about a month together, one +shall see in the air the volant republique of the Sylphs; the Nymphs come +in shoals up the rivers, and the guardians of treasures, presenting you +with their riches. Thus, without characters, without ceremonies, without +barbarous words you become absolute master over all these people. They +require no worship of the Sages, since they know well enough that he is +nobler than they. Thus venerable nature teaches her children how to repair +the elements by the elements. Thus is harmony re-established. Thus man +recovers his natural empire, and can do all things in the elements, +without demons, or unlawful art. Thus you see, my son, that the Sages are +more innocent than you thought. You say nothing to me----. + +I admire sir (said I), and I begin to fear that you will make me to become +a Chymist. Ah! God preserve thee from that, my child (cried he). 'Tis not +to these fooleries that your nativity designs you, I will warrant you on +the contrary, from being troubled about that: I told you already, that the +Sages shew not these things, but to those whom they will not admit into +their society. You shall have all these advantages, and others infinitely +more glorious, and more pleasant, by ways clearly more philosophical. I +had not described those methods to you, but to let you see the innocence +of this Philosophy, and to take you out of these panic fears. + +I thank God, sir (answered I), I am not at present, in any such fear as I +was even now. And although I do not yet resolve upon the accommodation +which you propose to me with the Salamanders; I cannot refrain from having +the curiosity to learn how you have discovered that these Nymphs and these +Sylphs die. Truly (replied he) they tell us so, and we see them die. How +(said I) can you see them die, and yet your commerce renders them +immortal? That would be well (pursued he) if the number of the Sages +equalled the number of these people: besides that, there are many amongst +them, who rather choose to die, than hazard by becoming immortal, the +being so unhappy as they see the devils are. And 'tis the devil, who +inspired with these opinions: for there is no mischief, which he doth not +do to hinder the poor creatures from becoming immortal by our alliance. +Insomuch that I look upon it (and so ought you my son) as a most +pernicious temptation, and a motion of very little charity, to have this +aversion which you show to it. + +Moreover, as concerning their death, of which you speak: what was it that +obliged the Oracle of Apollo, to say, that all those who speak Oracles, +were mortal, as well as he; as Porphyrius reports? And, what think you, +was the meaning of that voice which was heard on all the coast of Italy, +and struck so great a terror into all those who were upon the sea? The +Great Pan is Dead! They were the people of the air: who gave notice to the +people of the water that the chiefest and most aged of all the Sylphs, was +newly dead. + +At that time when this voice was heard (said I to him) I suppose that the +world worshipped Pan and the Nymphs: and that these gentlemen, whose +commerce you are preaching of to me, were the false gods of the heathen. +'Tis true, my son (replied he) the Sages have always been of that +opinion, that the Devil never had the power to make himself worshipped. He +is too unhappy, and too weak, ever to have had this pleasure, and this +authority. But he has been able to persuade the elementary hosts to shew +themselves to men, and make men erect temples to them; and by the natural +dominion which every one has over the element which he inhabits, they +trouble the air, and the sea, set the earth in combustion, and dispense +the fire of heaven, according to their humour: insomuch that they had no +great trouble to be taken for Deities, so long as the sovereign being +dispensed the salvation of the world. But the devil never received all the +advantage of his malice, which he hoped he should; for it has happened +from thence, that Pan, the Nymphs, and the rest of the elementary people, +having found the means of changing this commerce of worship, into a +commerce of love; (for you may remember, that amongst the ancients, Pan +was the king of those gods whom they called Incubuses, and who always +earnestly sought the acquaintance of maids), many heathens have escaped +the devil, and shall never burn in hell. + +I do not well understand you, sir (said I) You have not minded me, to +understand me (continued he, smiling, and in a jeering tone). Behold what +you pass over! and likewise what your doctors pass over, who know not what +these excellent Physicks mean! Behold the great mystery of all this part +of philosophy, which concerns the elements, and which will take away (if +you have but never so little love for yourself), this repugnance to +philosophy, which you have witnessed to me this day! Know then, my son; +and go not about to divulge this great Arcanum to any unworthy ignorant. +Know, that as the Sylphs acquire an immortal soul, by the alliance which +they contract with the men who are predestinated; so also, the men who +have no right to eternal glory: those miserable wretches, whose +immortality is but a lamentable advantage, for whom the Messias was +sent-- + +Then, you gentlemen of the Cabal, are Jansenists likewise (interrupted I?) +We know not what that is, my child (proceeded he, somewhat angrily) and we +scorn to inform ourselves wherein consists the different sects and divers +religions, with which the ignorant puzzle their heads. We keep to the +ancient religion of our fathers, the Philosophers; wherein 'tis very +necessary that I instruct you. But come again to the purpose: these men +whose sad immortality is nothing but an eternal misfortune; the unhappy +children, whom the Sovereign Father has neglected, have also this +recourse, that they may become mortal, by contracting alliance with these +elementary people. So that you see, the Sages hazard nothing for Eternity. +If they are predestinated, they have the pleasure to carry with them to +heaven (in quitting the prison of this body) the Sylphide or Nymph, which +they have immortalised! and if they be not predestinated, the commerce of +the Nymph renders their soul mortal, and delivers them from the horrors of +the second death. So the Devil saw all the Pagans escape, who allied +themselves to the Nymphs: and so the Sages, or friends of the Sages, when +God inspires us to communicate to any one, the four elementary secrets +(which I have now been teaching you), free themselves from the Peril of +being damned. + +Without lying, sir (cried I, not daring to put him again into an ill +humour, and finding it requisite to defer the telling him plainly my +opinion, till I should have discovered all the secrets of his Cabal, which +I judged by this glimpse, must needs be very full of pleasure and +divertisement): without lying, you advance wisdom to a great height! And +you had reason to tell me, that this surpassed all our doctors; and I +believe, that this likewise passes all our magistrates too; and that, if +they could discover who those were that escaped the devil by this means +(as ignorance is very unjust), they would engage in the devil's interest, +against these fugitives and make a strong party for him. Yes, it is for +that (pursued the Count) that I have so strictly commanded you; to keep +religiously this secret. Your judges are strange persons. They condemn a +most innocent action as a dismal crime. What a barbarity was it, to burn +those two priests which the Prince of Miranda says he knew of, who had +each of them his Sylphide, for the space of forty years! What an inhuman +thing was it to put Joan Hervilles to death, for having laboured six and +forty years, to immortalise a Gnome! And, what a piece of ignorance was +that of Bodin, to represent her as a witch; and that from thence he might +take advantage to authorise popular errors, touching pretended Sorcerers; +in a book as impertinent as his Commonwealth is reasonable. + +But it is late; and I do not consider, that you have not yet dined. 'Tis +yourself, that you mean, sir (said I), for as for my part, I could listen +to you till to-morrow, without inconvenience. For me! Alas! (replied he, +laughing, and walking towards the gate), 'tis easily seen that you +understand but little what philosophy is. The Sages eat but for their +pleasure, and never for necessity. I had a quite contrary idea of Wisdom +(answered I), I had thought that you wise men should never eat but to +satisfy nature. You are abused (said the Count). How long think you, that +our Sages can subsist without eating? How can I tell? (answered I), Moses +and Elias, you know, fasted forty days: you Sages, I make no doubt, may do +it, some days less. What a great piece of business would that be (replied +he), the most wise men that ever was, the Divine, the almost adorable +Paracelsus, affirms, that he has seen many of the Sages fast twenty years, +without eating anything whatsoever. He himself, before he attained to the +monarchy of wisdom, whereof we have justly presented him the sceptre, he, +I say, would undertake to live many years without eating, by taking but +half a scruple of his Solar Quintescence. And if you would have the +pleasure to make any one live without victuals, you need do no more, but +prepare the earth, as I told you it must be prepared, for the Society of +the Gnomes: this earth applied to the navle, and renewed when it is dry, +will cause any one to live without eating or drinking, and that without +any trouble. + +And the use of this Catholic-Cabalistical Medicine, frees us much better +from all the importunate necessities, to which nature makes the ignorant +subject; we eat not, but when it pleases us; and all the superfluity of +food passing away by an insensible Transpiration, we are never ashamed to +be men. There he held his peace. + +In succeeding interviews the Count de Gabalis further explains to his +interlocutor the nature and pursuits of the elementary spirits; asserts +that it was they only, and not the vile gods of the Greeks and Romans, +that delivered the oracles of old; that they continually kept watch over +man to do him service, and to warn him of approaching evil. It was they +who sent omens and furnished him with the understanding to interpret them, +and who filled his mind with presentiments when some great calamity was +impending over him, that he might perchance avoid it. They also sent him +dreams for the regulation of his fate. But "alas," continues the Count, +"men ignorantly misunderstand and reject their kindness. A poor Sylph +hardly dares to shew himself lest he should be mistaken for an imp of +evil; an Undine cannot endeavour to acquire an immortal soul, by loving a +man, without running the risk of being considered a vile, impure phantom; +and a Salamander, if he shews himself in his glory, is taken for a devil, +and the pure light which surrounds him considered the fire of hell. It is +in vain that, to dispel these unworthy suspicions, they make the sign of +the cross when they appear, and bend their knees when the Divine name is +uttered. All their efforts are useless. Obstinate man persists in +considering them enemies of that God whom they know, and whom they adore +more religiously than men do. The prayer which you will find preserved by +Porphyne, and which was offered up in the Temple of Delphos for the +enlightenment of the Pagans, was the prayer of a Salamander." In short +without continuing to quote the words of the Count de Gabalis, he asserted +that all the supernatural appearances with which the history of every age +and nation was full, were to be, and could only be, explained by the +agency of these elemental sprites; that the deeds attributed to devils, +imps and witches, were the creations of a false and degrading +superstition, unworthy to be believed by philosophers. There were no +fiends with + + "----'aery tongues that syllable mens' names + On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses." + +but beneficent spirits, the friends of man. The _peris_ of eastern +romance, the _fees_, the _fatas_, and the fairies of European legends, +were names which, in their ignorance, the people of different countries +had given to the Sylphs. Vulcan, Bacchus, and Pan, though the Greeks did +not know it, were Gnomes; Neptune and Venus, and all the Naiads and +Nereids, were but the Undines of the Rosicrucians; Apollo was a +Salamander, and Mercury a Sylph; and not one of the personages of the +multifarious mythology of the Greeks and Romans, but could be ranged under +one or other of these classes. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_The Hermetick Romance; or Chymical Wedding._ + + +A remarkable work was published at Strasbourg, in the year 1616, entitled, +"The Hermetick Romance: or the Chymical Wedding. Written in High Dutch by +Christian Rosencreutz." This book though not given out to the world until +the above year, is said to have existed in manuscript for some time +previously, as far back in fact as 1601, thus making it the oldest +Rosicrucian book extant. A modern writer says: The whole Rosicrucian +controversy centres in this publication, which Buhle describes as a comic +romance of extraordinary talent. + +Owing to its importance, we shall have to make some lengthy extracts from +the translation made in 1690, by E. Foxcroft of King's College, Cambridge. +It is arranged in chapters, denominated days, marked from one to seven. + + +The First Day. + +On an evening before Easter Day, I sate at a Table, and having (as my +custom was) in my humble prayer sufficiently conversed with my Creator, +and considered many great mysteries (whereof the Father of Lights his +Majesty had shewn me not a few) and being now ready to prepare in my +heart, together with my dear Paschal Lamb, a small unleavened, undefiled +cake; all on a sudden ariseth so horrible a tempest, that I imagined no +other but that through its mighty force, the hill whereon my little house +was founded, would fly in pieces. But in as much as this, and the like +from the devil (who had done me many a spite) was no new thing to me; I +took courage and persisted in my meditation, till somebody (after an +unusual manner) touched me on the back; whereupon I was so highly +terrified, that I durst hardly look about me; yet I shewed myself as +cheerful as (in the like occurrences) human frailty would permit. Now the +same thing still twitching me several times by the coat, I looked back, +and behold it was a fair and glorious lady whose garments were all skye +colour, and curiously (like Heaven) bespangled with golden stars. In her +right hand she bare a trumpet of beaten gold, whereon a name was engraven +(which I could well read in) but am as yet forbidden to reveal it. In her +left hand she had a great bundle of letters of all languages, which she +(as I afterwards understood) was to carry into all countries. She had also +large and beautiful wings, full of eyes throughout, wherewith she could +mount aloft and fly swifter than any eagle. I might perhaps have taken +further notice of her, but because she staid so small a time with me, and +terror and amasement still possessed me, I was fain to be content. For as +soon as I turned about, she turned her letters over and over, and at +length drew out a small one, which with great reverence she laid down upon +the table, and without giving one word departed from me. But in her +mounting upwards, she gave so mighty a blast on her gallant trumpet, that +the whole hill echoed thereof, and for a full quarter of an hour after, I +could hardly hear my own words. + +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 +increase my profit and advantage, rear up stately palaces, make myself an +everlasting name in the world, and other the like carnal designs. But the +obscure words concerning the Three Temples did particularly afflict me, +which I was not able to make out by any after speculation, and perhaps +should not yet, had they not been wonderfully revealed to me. Thus +sticking betwixt hope and fear, examining myself again and again, and +finding my own frailty and impotency, not being in any wise able to +succour myself, and exceedingly amazed at the fore-mentioned threatening; +at length I betook myself to my usual and most secure course; after I had +finished my earnest and most fervent prayer, I laid me down in my bed, +that so perchance my good angel by the Divine permission might appear, and +(as it had formerly happened) instruct me in this doubtful affair, which +to the praise of God, my own good, and my neighbour's hearty and faithful +warning and amendment did now likewise fall out. For I was scarce fallen +asleep, when me-thought, I, together with a numberless multitude of men +lay fettered with great chains in a dark dungeon, wherein, without the +least glimpse of light, we swarmed like bees over one another, and thus +rendered each other's affliction more grievous. But although neither I, +nor any of the rest could see one jot; yet I continually heard one heaving +himself above the other, when his chains or fetters were become ever so +little lighter, though none of us had much reason to shove up the other, +since we were all captive wretches. Now as I with the rest had continued a +good while in this affliction, and each was still reproaching the other +with his blindness and captivity, at length we heard many trumpets +sounding together, and kettle-drums beating so artificially thereto, that +it even revived and rejoiced us in our calamity. + +During this noise, the cover of the dungeon was from above lifted up, and +a little light let down unto us. Then first might truly have been +discerned the bustle we kept, for all went pesle-mesle, and he who +perchance had too much heaved up himself, was forced down again under the +others feet. In brief, each one strove to be uppermost, neither did I +myself linger, but with my weighty fetters slipped up from under the rest, +and then heaved myself upon a stone, which I laid hold of; howbeit, I was +several times caught at by others, from whom yet as well as I might, with +hands and feet, I still guarded myself. For we imagined no other but that +we should all be set at liberty, which yet fell out quite otherwise. For +after the nobles, who looked upon us from above through the hole, had a +while recreated themselves with this our struggling and lamenting, a +certain hoary headed Ancient Man, called to us to be quiet, and having +scarce obtained it, began (as I still remember) thus to say:-- + + If wretched mankind would forbear + Themselves so to uphold, + Then sure on them much good confer + My righteous mother would. + But since the same will not insue + They must in care and Sorrow rue, + And still in Prison lie. + Howbeit my dear mother will + Their follies over-see, + Her choicest gifts permitting still + Too much in th' Light to be. + Though very rarely it may seem + That they may still keep some esteem, + Which else would pass for forgery. + Wherefore in honour of the Feast + We this day solemnize, + That so her Grace may be increast + A good deed she'll devise, + For now a cord shall be let down, + And whosoe'er can hang thereon, + Shall freely be releast. + +He had scarce done speaking, when an ancient matron commanded her servants +to let down the cord seven times into the dungeon, and draw up whosoever +could hang upon it. Good God! that I could sufficiently describe the hurry +and disquiet that then arose amongst us, for every one strove to get at +the cord, and yet only hindered each other. But after seven minutes a sign +was given by a little bell, whereupon at the first pull the servants drew +up four. At that time I could not come near the cord by much, having to my +huge misfortune, betaken myself to a stone at the wall of the dungeon, and +thereby was disabled to get to the cord which descended in the middle. The +cord was let down the second time, but divers because their chains were +too heavy, and their hands too tender, could not keep their hold on the +cord, but with themselves beat down many another, who else, perhaps, might +have held fast enough; nay, many an one was forcibly pulled off by another +who yet could not himself get at it; mutually envious were we even in this +our great misery. But they of all others most moved my compassion whose +weight was so heavy that they tore their very hands from their bodies, and +yet could not get up. Thus it came to pass that at these five times, very +few were drawn up. For as soon as the sign was given, the servants were +so nimble at the draught, that the most part tumbled one upon another, and +the cord, this time especially, was drawn up very empty. Whereupon the +greatest part, and even I myself, despaired of Redemption, and called upon +God that he would have pity on us, and (if possible) deliver us out of +this obscurity, who also then heard some of us: for when the cord came +down the sixth time, some of them hung themselves fast upon it, and whilst +in the drawing up, the cord swung from one side to the other, it (perhaps +by the will of God) came to me, which I suddenly catching, got uppermost +above all the rest, and so at length beyond hope came out; whereat I +exceedingly rejoiced, so that I perceived not the wound, which in the +drawing up I received on my head by a sharp stone, till I with the rest +who were released (as was always before done) was fain to help at the +seventh and last pull, at which time through straining, the blood ran down +all over my clothes, which I nevertheless for joy regarded not. Now when +the last draught whereon the most of all hung was finished, the matron +caused the cord to be laid away and willed her aged son (at which I much +wondered) to declare her resolution to the rest of the Prisoners, who +after he had a little bethought himself, spoke thus unto them: + + Ye children dear, + All present here, + What is but now compleat and done, + Was long before resolved on: + What ev'r my mother of great grace + To each on both sides here hath shewn + May never miscontent misplace; + The joyful time is drawing on, + When every one shall equal be, + None wealthy, none in penury. + Who ev'r receiveth great commands, + Hath work enough to fill his hands. + Who ev'r with much hath trusted been, + 'Tis well if he may save his skin. + Wherefore your lamentations cease, + What is't to waite for some few days. + +As soon as he had finished the words, the cover was again put and locked +down, and the trumpet and kettle-drums began afresh, yet could not the +noise thereof be so loud but that the bitter lamentation of the prisoners +which arose in the dungeon was above all, which soon also caused my eyes +to run over. Presently after the ancient matron, together with her son, +sat down upon seats before prepared, and commanded the Redeemed should be +told. Now as soon as she understood the number, and had written it down in +a gold-yellow tablet, she demanded every one's name, which were also +written down by a little page; having viewed us all, one after another, +she sighed, and spoke to her son, so as I could well hear her. 'Ah? how +heartily am I grieved for the poor men in the dungeon! I would to God, I +durst release them all,' whereunto her son replied; 'It is, mother, thus +ordained of God, against whom we may not contend. In case we all of us +were lords, and possessed all the goods upon earth, and were seated at +table, who would there then be to bring up the service?' whereupon his +mother held her peace, but soon after she said; 'Well, however, let these +be freed from their fetters,' which was likewise presently done, and I, +except a few, was the last, yet could I not refrain, but (though I still +looked upon the rest) bowed myself before the ancient matron, and thanked +God that through her, He had graciously and fatherly vouchsafed to bring +me out of such darkness into the light: after me the rest did likewise, to +the satisfaction of the matron. Lastly, to every one was given a piece of +gold for a remembrance, and to spend by the way; on the one side whereof +was stamped the rising sun, on the other (as I remember) these three +letters, D. L. S., and therewith everyone had license to depart, and was +sent to his own business, with this annexed intimation, that we to the +glory of God should benefit our neighbours, and reserve in silence what we +had been intrusted with, which we also promised to do, and so departed one +from another. But in regard of the wounds which the fetters had caused me, +I could not well go forward, but halted on both feet, which the matron +presently espying, laughing at it, and calling me again to her, said thus +to me, My son, let not this defect afflict thee, but call to mind thy +infirmities, and therewith thank God who hath permitted thee even in this +world, and in the state of thy imperfection to come into so high a light, +and keep these wounds for my sake. Whereupon the trumpets began again to +sound, which so affrighted me that I awoke, and then first perceived that +it was only a dream, which yet was so strongly impressed upon my +imagination, that I was still perpetually troubled about it, and methought +I was yet sensible of the wounds on my feet. Howbeit, by all these things +I well understood that God had vouchsafed that I should be present at this +mysterious and hidden wedding; wherefore with child-like confidence I +returned thanks to his Divine Majesty, and besought him that he would +further preserve me in this fear, that he would daily fill my heart with +wisdom and understanding, and at length graciously (without my desert) +conduct me to the desired end. Hereupon I prepared myself for the way, put +on my white linen coat, girded my loins with blood-red ribbon, bound +crossways over my shoulder; in my hat I stuck four red roses, that I might +sooner by this token be taken notice of among the throng. For food I took +bread, salt, and water, which by the counsel of an understanding person, I +had at certain times used, not without profit, in the like occurrences. +Before I parted from my cottage I first in this dress and wedding garment, +fell down on my knees and besought God, that in case such a thing were, +he would vouchsafe me a good issue. And thereupon in the presence of God I +made a vow, that if anything through his grace should be revealed unto me, +I would employ it neither to my own honour nor authority in the world, but +to the spreading of his name, and the services of my neighbour. And with +this vow and good hope, I departed out of my cell with joy. + + +The Second Day. + +I was hardly got outside of my Cell into a Forest, when methought that the +whole heavens had already trimmed themselves against this wedding, for +even the birds in my opinion chanted more pleasantly than before, and the +young fawns skipped so merrily that they rejoiced my old heart, and moved +me to sing. At length I espied a curious green heath, whither I betook +myself out of the forest. Upon the heath stood three tall Cedars, to one +of which was fastened a tablet, upon which was curious writing, offering +to him who had heard anything concerning the nuptials of the king, four +ways, all of which would lead to the royal court. The reader was exhorted +to choose which he would, and to persevere therein, receiving at the same +time warning as to the dangers to which he would be committed. As soon as +I had read this writing, all my joy was near vanished again, and I, who +before sang merrily, began now inwardly to lament, for although I saw all +the three ways before me, and understood that henceforward it was +vouchsafed me to make choice of one of them; yet it troubled me that in +case I went the stormy and rocky way, I might get a miserable and deadly +fall; or taking the long one, I might wander out of it through byways, or +be otherwise detained in the great journey. Neither durst I hope that I +should be the very he, who should choose the royal way. I saw likewise the +fourth before me, but it was so invironed with fire and exhalations, that +I durst not draw near it, and therefore again and again considered +whether I should return back, or take any of the ways before me. I +presently drew out my bread and cut a slice of it, which a snow white +dove, of whom I was not aware, sitting upon the tree, espyed and thereupon +came down and betook herself very familiarly to me, to whom I willingly +imparted my food, which she received, and so with her prettiness did again +a little refresh me. But as soon as her enemy, a black raven, perceived +it, he straight darted himself down upon the dove, and taking no notice of +me, would needs force away the dove's meat, who could no otherwise guard +herself but by flight; whereupon they both together flew towards the +south, at which I was so hugely incensed and grieved, that without +thinking what I did, I made haste after the filthy raven and so against my +will ran into one of the forementioned ways a whole field's length, and +thus the raven being chased away, and the dove delivered, I then first +observed what I had inconsiderately done, and that I was already entered +into a way, from which under peril of great punishment I durst not retire, +and though I had still wherewith in some measure to comfort myself, yet +that which was worst of all to me was, that I had left my bag and bread at +the tree, and could never retrieve them again. At length upon a high hill +afar off I espied a stately portal, to which not regarding how far it was +distant, I hasted, because the sun had already hid himself under the +hills, and I could elsewhere espy no abiding place, and this verily I +ascribe only to God, who might well have permitted me to go forward in +this way, and with-held my eyes that so I might have gazed beside this +gate, to which I now made mighty haste, and reached it by so much +daylight, as to take a very competent view of it. Now it was an exceeding +Royal beautiful portal. As soon as I was come under it there stepped forth +one in a sky coloured habit, whom I in friendly manner saluted, which +though he thankfully returned it, yet he instantly demanded of me my +letter of invitation. O how glad was I that I had then brought it with +me. I quickly presented it, wherewith he was not only satisfied, but +showed me abundance of respect, saying, come in, my brother, an acceptable +guest you are to me; and withall intreated me not to with-hold my name +from him. Now having replied that I was a brother of the Red-Rosie Cross, +he both wondered and seemed to rejoice at it, and then proceeded thus, My +brother, have you nothing about you wherewith to purchase a token? I +answered my ability was small, but if he saw anything about me he had a +mind to, it was at his service. Now he having requested of me my bottle of +water, and I granted it, he gives me a golden token, whereon stood no more +but these two letters, S. C., intreating me that when it stood me in good +stead, I would remember him. After which I asked him, how many were got in +before me, which he also told me, and lastly out of mere friendship, gave +me a sealed letter to the second porter. Now having lingered some time +with him, the night grew on, whereupon a great beacon upon the gate was +immediately fired, that so if any were still upon the way, he might make +haste thither. At length after sufficient information, and an advantageous +instruction, I friendly departed from the first porter. On the way, +though, I would gladly have known what was written in my letter, yet since +I had no reason to mistrust the porter, I forbare my purpose, and so went +on the way, until I came likewise to the second gate which although it was +very like the other, yet was it adorned with images and mystic +significations. Under this gate lay a terrible grim lion, chain'd, who as +soon as he espied me arose and made at me with great roaring: whereupon +the second porter, who lay upon a stone of marble, awaked, and wished me +not to be troubled or affrighted, and then drove back the lion, and having +received the letter, which I with trembling reached him, he read it, and +with very great respect, spoke thus to me; Now well-come in God's Name +unto me the man who of long time I would gladly have seen. Meanwhile he +also drew out a token, and asked me whether I could purchase it. But I +having nothing else but my salt, presented it to him, which he thankfully +accepted. Upon this token again stood only two letters, namely, S. M. +Being now just about to enter discourse with him, it began to ring in the +Castle, whereupon the porter counselled me to run apace, or else all the +pains and labour I had hitherto taken would serve to no purpose, for the +lights above began all ready to be extinguished; whereupon I dispatched +with such great haste that I heeded not the porter, in such anguish was I, +and truly it was but necessary, for I could not run so fast but that the +Virgin, after whom all the lights were put out, was at my heels, and I +should never have found the way, had not she with her torch, afforded me +some light. I was moreover constrained to enter the very next to her, and +the gate was so suddenly clapped to, that a part of my coat was locked +out, which I verily was forced to leave behind me, for neither I nor they +who stood ready without and called at the gate could prevail with the +porter to open it again, but he delivered the keys to the Virgin, who took +them with her into the court. Under this gate I was again to give my name, +which was this last time written down in a little vellum book, and +immediately with the rest dispatched to the Lord Bridegroom. Here it was +where I first received the true Guest-Token, which was somewhat less than +the former, but yet much heavier; upon this stood three letters S. P. N. +Besides this, a new pair of shoes were given me, for the floor of the +castle was laid with pure shining marble; my old shoes I was to give way +to one of the poor who sat in throngs under the gate. Two pages, with as +many torches, then conducted me into a little room; there they willed me +to sit down on a form, which I did, but they, sticking their torches in +two holes in the pavement, departed, and left me thus alone. Soon after I +heard a noise, but saw nothing, and it proved to be certain men who +stumbled in upon me; but since I could see nothing I was fain to suffer +and attend what they would do with me, but presently perceiving them to be +barbers, I intreated them not to justle me so, for I was content to do +whatever they desired, whereupon they quickly let me go, and so one of +them fine and gently cut away the hair round about from the crown of my +head, but on my forehead, ears, and eyes, he permitted my grey locks to +hang. + +In this first encounter I was ready to despair, for inasmuch as some of +them shoved me so forcibly, and I could yet see nothing I could think no +other but that God, for my curiosity, had suffered me to miscarry. Now +these invisible barbers carefully gathered up the hair which was cut off +and carried it away with them. After which the two pages entered again, +and heartily laughed at me for being so terrified. But they had scarcely +spoken a few words with me when again a little bell began to ring, which +was to give notice for assembling, whereupon they willed me rise, and +through many walks, doors, and winding stairs lighted me into a spacious +hall. In this room was a great multitude of guests, emperors, kings, +princes, and lords, noble and ignoble, rich and poor, and all sorts of +people, at which I hugely marvelled, and thought to myself, ah, how gross +a fool hast thou been to engage upon this journey with so much bitterness +and toil, when here are even those fellows whom thou well knowest, and yet +had'st never any reason to esteem. They are now all here, and thou with +all thy prayers and supplications art hardly got in at last. This, and +more, the devil at that time injected, whom I notwithstanding (as well as +I could) directed to the issue. Meantime one or other of my acquaintance +here and there spake to me: Oh Brother Rosencreutz! art thou here too? +Yea, my brethren, replied I, the grace of God hath helped me in also; at +which they raised a mighty laughter, looking upon it as ridiculous that +there should be need of God in so slight an occasion. Now having demanded +each of them concerning his way, and found that most were forced to +clamber over the rocks, certain trumpets (none of which we saw) began to +sound to the table, whereupon they all seated themselves, everyone as he +judged himself above the rest, so that for me and some other sorry fellows +there was hardly a little nook left at the lower-most table. Presently the +two pages entered, and one of them said grace; after this meat was brought +in, and albeit none could be seen, yet everything was so orderly managed, +that it seemed to me as if every guest had had his proper attendant. Now +my artists having somewhat recruited themselves, and the wine having a +little removed shame from their hearts, they presently began to vaunt and +brag of their abilities. One would prove this, another that, and commonly +the most sorry idiots made the loudest noise. Ah, when I call to mind what +preternatural and impossible enterprises I then heard, I am still ready to +vomit at it. In fine they never kept in their order, but whenever one +rascal here, another there, could insinuate himself in between the nobles; +then pretended they the finishing of such adventures as neither Sampson +nor yet Hercules with all their strength could ever have achieved. This +would discharge Atlas of his burden; the other would again draw forth the +three-headed Cerberus out of Hell. In brief, every man had his own prate, +and yet the great lords were so simple that they believed their pretences, +and the rogues so audacious, that although one or other of them was here +and there rapped over the fingers with a knife, yet they flinched not at +it, but when any one perchance had filched a gold chain, then would all +hazard for the like. I saw one who heard the rustling of the heavens. The +second could see Plato's ideas. A third could number Democritus's atoms. +There were also not a few pretenders to perpetual motion. Many an one (in +my opinion) had good understanding, but assumed too much to himself, to +his own destruction. Lastly, there was one also who would needs out of +hand persuade us that he saw the servitors who attended, and would still +have pursued his contention, had not one of those invisible waiters +reached him so handsome a cuff upon his lying muzzle, that not only he, +but many who were by him became as mute as mice. But it best of all +pleased me, that all those, of whom I had any esteem were very quiet in +their business, and made no loud cry of it, but acknowledged themselves to +be _misunderstanding_ men, to whom the mysteries of nature were too high, +and they themselves much too small. In this tumult I had almost cursed the +day wherein I came hither, for I could not but with anguish behold that +those lewd vain people were above at the board, but I in so sorry a place +could not, however, rest in peace, one of those rascals scornfully +reproaching me for a motley fool. Now I thought not that there was yet one +gate behind, through which we must pass, but imagined I was during the +whole wedding, to continue in this scorn, contempt and indignity, which +yet I had at no time deserved, either of the Lord Bridegroom or the Bride, +and therefore (in my opinion) he should have done well to have sought out +some other fool to his wedding than me. Behold, to such impatience doth +the iniquity of this world reduce simple hearts. But this really was one +part of my lameness, whereof I dreamed. And truly this clamour the longer +it lasted, the more it increased. For there were already those who boasted +of false and imaginary visions, and would persuade us of palpably lying +dreams. Now there sat by me a very fine quiet man, who oftentimes +discoursed of excellent matters, at length he said, Behold, my brother, if +any one should now come who were willing to instruct these blockish people +in the right way, would he be heard? No, verily, replied I. The world, +said he, is now resolved (whatever comes on it) to be cheated, and cannot +abide to give ear to those who intend its good. Seest thou also that same +coxcomb, with what whimsical figures and foolish conceits he allures +others to him. There, one makes mouths at the people with unheard of +mysterious words. Yet believe me in this, the time is now coming when +those shameful Vizards shall be plucked off, and all the world shall know +what vagabond impostors were concealed behind them. Then perhaps that will +be valued which at present is not esteemed. Then there began in the hall +such excellent and stately music as all the days of my life I never heard +the like of. After half an hour this music ceased. Presently after began a +great noise of kettle drums, trumpets, etc. The door opened of itself and +many thousand small tapers came into the hall, all which of themselves +marched in so very exact order as altogether amazed us, till at last the +two fore-mentioned pages with bright torches, lighting in a most beautiful +virgin, all drawn on a gloriously gilded triumphant self-moving throne, +entered the hall. It seemed to me she was the very same who before on the +way kindled and put out the lights, and that these her attendants were the +very same whom she formerly placed at the trees. She was not now as before +in sky colour, but arrayed in a snow white glittering robe which sparkled +of pure gold and cast such a lustre that we durst not steadily behold it. + +Such guests as chose to stay throughout the night, having announced their +intention of so doing, were bound in their chambers with cords, in such a +way that they could by no means free themselves. At length in my sorrowful +thoughts I fell asleep. + + +The Third Day. + +On the morrow all being assembled, the Trumpets, etc., began again to +sound and we imagined that the Bridegroom was ready to present himself, +which nevertheless was a huge mistake. For it was again the yesterday's +Virgin who had arrayed herself all in red velvet and girded herself with a +white scarf. Her train was now no more of small tapers, but consisted of +two hundred men in harness who were all clothed in red and white. As soon +as they were alighted from the throne, she comes straight to us prisoners, +and after she had saluted us, she said in a few words: That some of you +have been sensible of your wretched condition is hugely pleasing to my +most mighty lord, and he is also resolved you shall fare the better for +it. And having espied me in my habit, she laughed and spake, good lack! +Hast thou also submitted thyself to the yoke? I imagined thou would'st +have made thyself very snug, which words caused my eyes to run over. After +which she commanded we should be unbound, and coupled together and placed +in a station where we might behold the scales, for, said she, it may yet +fare better with them than with the presumptuous who yet stand here at +liberty. Meanwhile the scales which were entirely of gold were hung up in +the midst of the hall. There was also a little table covered with red +velvet, and seven weights placed thereon. First of all stood a pretty +great one, next four little ones, lastly, two great ones severally; and +these weights in proportion to their bulk were so heavy that no man can +believe or comprehend it. The Virgin having sprung up into her high +throne, one of the pages commanded each one to place himself according to +his order, and one after the other, step into the scales. One of the +emperors made no scruple of it, but first of all bowed himself a little +towards the Virgin, and afterwards in all his stately attire went up, +whereupon each captain laid in his weight, which (to the wonder of all) he +stood out. But the last was too heavy for him, so that forth he must, and +that with such anguish that the Virgin herself had pity on him, yet was +the good emperor bound and delivered over to the sixth band. Next came +forth another emperor, who stepped haughtily into the scale and having a +great thick book under his gown, he imagined not to fail; but being scarce +able to abide the third weight, and being unmercifully slung down, and +his book in that affrightment slipping from him, all the soldiers began to +laugh, and he was delivered up bound to the third band. Thus it went with +some others of the emperors. After these came forth a little short man +with a curled beard, an emperor too, who after the usual reverence got up +also, and held out so steadfastly, that methought had there been more +weights ready, he would have outstood them; to whom the Virgin immediately +arose, and bowed before him, causing him to put on a gown of red velvet, +and at last reached him a branch of laurel, having good store of them upon +her throne, upon the steps whereof she willed him to sit down. After him, +how it fared with the rest of the emperors, kings and lords would be too +long to recount, but I cannot leave unmentioned that few of those great +personages held out. After the inquisition had also passed over the +gentry, the learned, and unlearned, and the rest, and in each condition +perhaps one, it may be, two, but for the most part none, was found +perfect, it came at length to those honest gentlemen the vagabond +cheaters, and rascally Lapidem Spitalanficum, who were set upon the scale +with such scorn that I myself for all my grief was ready to burst with +laughing, neither could the very prisoners themselves refrain, for the +most part could not abide that severe trial, but with whips and scourges +were jerked out of the scale, and led to the other prisoners. Thus of so +great a throng so few remained, that I am ashamed to discover their +number. + +The Inquisition being completely finished, and none but we poor coupled +hounds standing aside, at length one of the captains stepped forth and +said, Gracious Madam, if it please your ladyship, let these poor men who +acknowledged their misunderstanding be set upon the scale, also without +their incurring any danger of penalty, and only for recreation's sake, if +perchance anything that is right may be found amongst them. We being +untied were one after another set up. My companion was the fifth who held +out bravely, whereupon all, but especially the captain, applauded him, and +the Virgin shewed him the usual respect. I was the eighth. Now as soon as +(with trembling) I stepped up, my companion who already sat by in his +velvet, looked friendly upon me, and the Virgin herself smiled a little. +But for as much as I outstayed all the weights, the Virgin commanded them +to draw me up by force, wherefore three men moreover hung on the other +side of the beam, and yet could nothing prevail. Whereupon one of the +pages immediately stood up and cried out exceeding loud, THAT'S HE, upon +which the other replied, then let him gain his liberty, which the Virgin +acceded, and being received with due ceremonies, the choice was given me +to release one of the captives, whosoever I pleased. Afterwards a Council +of the seven captains and us was set, and the business was propounded by +the Virgin as president, who desired each one to give his opinion, how the +prisoners were to be dealt with. + + * * * * * + +The story is a long one, and we must present the rest only in outline. It +goes on to say that the kinds of punishment to be dealt out to the +prisoners were then discussed and arranged, after which another banquet +took place, when these captives were required to make confession of being +cheats and vagabonds, which after some expostulation they agreed to, +appealing at the same time for mercy which was refused, though variations +in the degrees of punishment were promised. + +When the sentences had all been executed, there came forward "a beautiful +snow white Unicorn with a golden collar about his neck. In the same place +he bowed himself down upon both his fore feet, as if hereby he had shewn +honour to the Lyon, who stood so immoveably upon the fountain, that I took +him to be of stone or brass, who immediately took the naked sword, which +he bare in his Paw and break it in the middle in two, the pieces whereof +to my thinking sunk into the fountain, after which he so long roared, +until a white dove brought a branch of olive in her bill, which the Lyon +devoured in an instant, and so was quieted. And so the Unicorn returned to +his place with joy, while our Virgin led us down by the winding stairs." + +The narrative grows complicated as it proceeds, and none the less strange +in its character; its details are inexplicable and tedious, and it will be +impossible to lay them before our readers. The writer proceeds to describe +his rambles about the castle, the wonders which there met his gaze, his +respectful treatment at the banquet, and a problem proposed by the Virgin +which was duly debated by each in turn. + + +Fourth Day. + +Presented to the King by the Virgin who explained that the lords had +ventured hither with peril of body and life--assured by Atlas of the +King's welcome--promised by the Virgin that she would remove the burden of +his old age--performance of a comedy. + + +Fifth Day. + +Further explorations of the castle--discovery of the burial place of Lady +Venus, "that beauty which hath undone many a great man both in fortune, +honour, blessing, and prosperity." Journey with the Virgin to the Tower of +Olympus. + + +Sixth Day. + +Distribution by lot of Ladders, Ropes and Wings--the mysterious +bird--restoring the dead to life. + + +Seventh Day. + +"After eight o'clock I awaked and quickly made myself ready, being +desirous to return again into the tower, but the dark passages in the wall +were so many and various that I wandered a good while before I could find +the way out. The same happened to the rest, too, till at last we all met +again in the neathermost vault, and habits entirely yellow were given us, +together with our golden fleeces. At that time the Virgin declared to us +that we were Knights of the Golden Stone, of which we were before +ignorant. After we had now thus made ourselves ready and taken our +breakfasts, the old man presented each of us with a medal of gold; on the +one side stood these words: AR. NAT. MI. On the other these, TEM. NA. F. + +Exhorting us, moreover, we should enterprise nothing beyond and against +this token of remembrance. Herewith we went to the sea, where our ships +lay so richly equipped, that it was not well possible but that such brave +things must first have been brought thither. The ships were twelve in +number; our flags were the twelve celestial signs, and we sate in Libra. +Besides other things, our ship had also a noble and curious clock, which +shewed us all the minutes. The ships passed on and before we had sailed +two hours the mariner told us that he already saw the whole lake almost +covered with ships, by which we could conjecture they were come but to +meet us, which also proved true. As soon as they were well in ken of us, +the pieces were discharged on both sides, and there was such a din of +trumpets, shalms, and kettledrums that all the ships upon the sea capered +again. Finally as soon as we came near they brought our ships together and +so made a stand. Immediately the old Atlas stepped forth on the King's +behalf, making a short but handsome oration, wherein he welcomed us and +demanded whether the royal presents were in readiness. The rest of my +companions were in an huge amazement, whence this king should arise, for +they imagined no other but that they must again awaken him. We suffered +them to continue in their wonderment, and carried ourselves as if it +seemed strange to us too. After Atlas's oration, out steps our old man +making somewhat a larger reply, wherein he wished the King and Queen all +happiness and increase, after which he delivered up a curious small +casket, but what was in it I know not; only it was committed to Cupid, who +hovered between them both, to keep. After the oration was finished, they +again let off a joyful volley of shot, and so we sailed on a good time +together, till at length we arrived at another shore. This was near the +first gate at which I first entered. At this place again there attended a +great multitude of the King's family together with some hundreds of +horses. Our old lord and I most unworthy were to ride even with the King, +each of us bearing a snow white ensign, with a red cross. I had fastened +my tokens round my hat of which the young King soon took notice, and +demanded if I were he, who could at the gate redeem those tokens? I +answered in the most humble manner, Yes. But he laughed on me, saying, +there henceforth needed no ceremony; I was his father. Then he asked +wherewith I had redeemed them. I replied, with water and salt, whereupon +he wondered who had made me so wise, upon which I grew somewhat more +confident, and recounted unto him, how it had happened to me with my +bread, the dove, and the raven, and he was pleased with it, and said +expressly that it must needs be that God had herein vouchsafed me a +singular happiness.... Meantime the tables were prepared in a spacious +room, in which we had never been before; into this we were conducted with +singular pomp and ceremony. This was the last noblest meal at which I was +present. After the banquet the tables were suddenly taken away, and +certain curious chairs placed round about in circle, in which we together +with the King and Queen, both their old men, the ladies and virgins were +to sit. After which a very handsome page opened the above mentioned +glorious little book, when Atlas immediately placing himself in the midst, +began to bespeak us to the ensuing purpose. That his royal majesty had not +yet committed to oblivion the service we had done, and how carefully we +had attended our duty, and therefore by way of retribution had elected all +and each of us Knights of the Golden Stone. That it was therefore further +necessary not only once again to oblige ourselves towards his royal +majesty, but to now swear too upon the following articles, and then his +royal majesty would likewise know how to behave himself towards his liege +people. Upon which he caused the page to read over the articles, which +were these:-- + +1.--You my lords the knights, shall swear, that you shall at no time +ascribe your order either unto any devil, or spirit, but only to God your +Creator, and his handmaid Nature. + +2.--That you will abominate all whoredom, incontinency and uncleanness, +and not defile your order with such vices. + +3.--That you through your talents will be ready to assist all that are +worthy, and have need of them. + +4.--That you desire not to employ this honour to worldly pride and high +authority. + +5.--That you shall not be willing to live longer than God will have you. + +Now being to vow to them all by the King's sceptre, we were afterwards +with the usual ceremonies installed knights, and amongst other privileges +set our ignorance, poverty and sickness; to handle them at our pleasure. +And this was afterwards ratified in a little chapel, and thanks returned +to God for it. And because every one was there to write his name, I writ +thus, + + Summa Scientia nihil Scire, + Fr. Christianus Rosencreutz, + Eques aurei Lapidis, + Anno 1549." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_Conclusion--Modern Rosicrucianism._ + + +In Notes and Queries for Nov. 15th, 1886, we find the following:--"In the +Student's Encyclopaedia, published by Hodder and Stoughton in 1883, I find +the following twofold statement: 'Even to-day a Rosicrucian lodge is said +to exist in London, whose members claim by asceticism to live beyond the +allotted age of man, and to which the late Lord Lytton vainly sought +admission.' May I ask whether anything authentic can be learnt (1) as to +the existence of these modern Rosicrucians, and (2) as to Lord Lytton's +failure to gain admission among them?" + +In the number of Dec. 13 of the same year, the above query was thus +answered: "The Soc. Rosic. in Anglia still holds several meetings a year +in London. The Fratres investigate the occult sciences; but I am not aware +that any of them now practice asceticism, or expect to prolong life on +earth indefinitely. It is not customary to divulge the names of candidates +who have been refused admission to the first grade, that of Zelator, so +must ask to be excused from answering the question as to Lord Lytton. + + WYNN WESTCOTT, _M.B., Magister Templi_." + +In September of the previous year a correspondent asked if any one could +inform him if there were still any members of the society of the Rosy +Cross (or Rosicrucians); and if there were, how could one communicate with +them? Also if there were still any alchemists searching for the +philosopher's stone and the transmutation of metals? This evoked the +following reply:-- + +"Some say the modern Rosicrucians are the same as the Freemasons; but as +in the main they lived isolated, they could have been but slightly +connected with the masons. The range of celebrated men included in the +society is large:--Avicenna, Roger Bacon, Cardan, down to Mr. Peter +Woulfe, F.R.S., who lived at No. 2, Barnard's Inn, and was, according to +Mr. Brand, the last true believer in alchemy. But no doubt some few still +dabble in these occult things." Notes and Queries, Series 6, vol 8, 317. + +On the same page of the same volume we have:--"The Rosicrucians are now +(how I know not) incorporate with, and form one of the highest ranks, if +not the highest rank, of English Freemasons." Also:--"In reply to Charles +D. Sunderland, allow me to say there are yet living both Rosicrucians and +Alchemists." + +De Quincey does not hesitate for a moment in deciding as to the identity +between Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry. He says:--"I shall now undertake +to prove that Rosicrucianism was transplanted to England, where it +flourished under a new name, under which name it has been since +re-exported to us in common with other countries of Christendom. For I +affirm as the main thesis of my concluding labours, that Freemasonry is +neither more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who +transplanted it to England." He then proceeds with an argument to shew +this identity between the two, an argument to which our limited space +forbids us to do more than briefly allude. He says:--"In 1633 we have seen +that the old name was abolished; but as yet no new name was substituted; +in default of such a name they were styled _ad interim_ by the general +term, wise men. This, however, being too vague an appellation for men who +wished to form themselves into a separate and exclusive society, a new one +had to be devised bearing a more special allusion to their characteristic +objects. Now the immediate hint for the Masons was derived from the legend +contained in the _Fama Fraternitatis_, of the "House of the Holy Ghost." +This had been a subject of much speculation in Germany; and many had been +simple enough to understand the expression of a literal house, and had +inquired after it up and down the empire. But Andrea had made it +impossible to understand it in any other than an allegoric sense, by +describing it as a building that would remain invisible to the godless +world for ever." Theophilus Schweighart also had spoken of it thus: "It is +a building," says he, "a great building, _carens fenestris et foribus_, a +princely, nay an imperial palace, everywhere visible, and yet not seen by +the eyes of man." This building in fact, represented the purpose or object +of the Rosicrucians. And what was that? It was the secret wisdom, or, in +their language, _magic_--viz., 1. Philosophy of nature, or occult +knowledge of the works of God; 2. Theology, or the occult knowledge of God +himself; 3. Religion, or God's occult intercourse with the spirit of man, +which they imagined to have been transmitted from Adam through the +Cabbalists to themselves. But they distinguished between a carnal and a +spiritual knowledge of this magic. The spiritual knowledge is the business +of Christianity, and is symbolised by Christ himself as a rock, and a +building of human nature, in which men are the stones and Christ the +corner stone. But how shall stones move and arrange themselves into a +building? "They must become living stones." But what is a living stone? "A +living stone is a mason who builds himself up into the wall as a part of +the temple of human nature." In these passages we see the use of the +allegoric name masons upon the extinction of the former name. In other +places Fludd expresses this still more distinctly. The society was +therefore to be a masonic society, in order to represent typically that +temple of the Holy Spirit which it was their business to erect in the +spirit of man. This temple was the abstract of the doctrine of Christ, who +was the Grand-master: hence the light from the East, of which so much is +said in Rosicrucian and Masonic books. After pursuing the matter in a +similar strain somewhat further, De Quincey sums up the results of his +inquiry into the origin and nature of Freemasonry as follows:-- + +1. The original Freemasons were a society that arose out of the +Rosicrucian mania, certainly within the thirteen years from 1633 to 1646, +and probably between 1633 and 1640. Their object was magic in the +cabbalistic sense--_i.e._, the occult wisdom transmitted from the +beginning of the world, and matured by Christ; to communicate this when +they had it, to search for it when they had it not: and both under an oath +of secrecy. + +2. The object of Freemasonry was represented under the form of Solomon's +Temple, as a type of the true Church, whose cornerstone is Christ. This +Temple is to be built of men, or living stones: and the true method and +art of building with men it is the province of magic to teach. Hence it is +that all the masonic symbols either refer to Solomon's Temple, or are +figurative modes of expressing the ideas and doctrines of magic in the +sense of the Rosicrucians, and their mystical predecessors in general. + +3. The Freemasons having once adopted symbols, &c., from the art of +masonry, to which they were led by the language of Scripture, went on to +connect themselves in a certain degree with the order itself of handicraft +masons, and adopted their distribution of members into apprentices, +journeymen, and masters. Christ is the Grand-Master, and was put to death +whilst laying the foundation of the temple of human nature. + +4. The Jews, Mahomedans and Roman Catholics were all excluded from the +early lodges of Freemasons. The Roman Catholics were excluded on account +of their intolerance: for it was a distinguishing feature of the +Rosicrucians that they first conceived the idea of a society which should +act on the principle of religious toleration, wishing that nothing should +interfere with the most extensive co-operation in their plans except such +differences about the essentials of religion as make all co-operation +impossible. + +5. Freemasonry, as it honoured all forms of Christianity, deeming them +approximations more or less remote to the ideal truth, so it abstracted +from all forms of civil polity as alien from its own objects, which, +according to their briefest expressions, are (1) The Glory of God; (2) The +service of men. + +6. There is nothing in the imagery, mythi, ritual, or purposes of the +elder Freemasonry, which may not be traced to the romances of Father +Rosycross, as given in the Fama Fraternitatis. + +De Quincey is not the only writer who has expressed himself to the effect +that the systems of Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism are virtually +identical; others have said so as well, and in stating their views have +not scrupled to write most severely respecting what they believed to be +the tricks and impositions of both. Mr. George Soane in his "New +Curiosities of Literature," says of the Freemasons, that he can shew their +society sprang out of decayed Rosicrucianism just as the beetle is +engendered from a muck-heap. And further he says, "not a few of the old +nursery tales still maintain their ground amongst us; and of these +Freemasonry is the most disseminated and the most ridiculous." "Of +course," he continues "such an opinion will shock many gentlemen, who wear +aprons, leather or silk as the case may be, and who amuse themselves with +talking of light from the east, and the building of Solomon's Temple, and +with many other childish pranks, which if played off in the broad daylight +would be ridiculous." + +He goes on to say:--"In wading through a mass of alchemical trash for very +different purposes, I was struck by the great similarity both of the +doctrine and symbols existing between the Rosicrucians and the Freemasons. +With more haste than judgment I at first imagined that the brethren of the +Rosy Cross were only imitators of the Freemasons, but after a long and +patient enquiry, pursued through more volumes than I should like to +venture upon again for such an object, I was forced to abandon my +position. The Freemasons did indeed, like the Rosicrucians, lay claim to +great antiquity, but while some of them modestly dated the origin of their +order from Adam, I could by no means trace it back farther than the first +half of the seventeenth century. Their historical assertions, when fairly +tested and examined, crumbled into dust; the negative proofs were as +strong against them as they well could be; and at length the conclusion +was to my mind inevitable." + +Soane then proceeds to say:--"I feel not the slightest hesitation in +saying that the Freemasons have no secret beyond a few trumpery legends +and the attaching of certain religious and moral meanings to a set of +emblems, principally borrowed from the mechanical art of the builder. I +affirm too that all such symbols, with their interpretations, are of +Rosicrucian origin, and that the Freemasons never belonged to the working +guilds, their objects being totally different." + +Professor Buhle in his last chapter maintains that "Freemasonry is neither +more nor less than Rosicrucianism as modified by those who transplanted it +into England." Dr. Mackey, however, takes a contrary view, and in the +Synoptical Index to his "Symbolism of Freemasonry, and Rosicrucians," +says:--"A sect of hermetical philosophers, founded in the fifteenth +century, who were engaged in the study of abstruse sciences. It was a +secret society much resembling the masonic in its organization and in some +of the subjects of its investigation, but it was no other way connected +with Freemasonry." + +Fifty years ago a writer in the Penny Cyclopaedia said:--"Some say that the +order of Rosicrucians is identical with that of Freemasons, one of whose +degrees or dignities is called in some countries the degree of the Red +Cross. The Rosicrucians have not been heard of as a separate order for +nearly a century past, but some have thought that they continued to exist +under the name of the Illuminati, who were much talked of in Germany and +France in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Barruel, after +describing the ceremonies with which candidates were admitted to the +degree of Red Cross in some Freemasons' Lodges, which however, he says, +vary in different countries, observes that these ceremonies which were +apparently allusive to the Passion of Jesus Christ, were differently +interpreted, according to the dispositions of the candidates; that some +saw in it a memento of the Passion, others an introduction to the arcana +of alchemy and magic, and others at last a blasphenous invective against +the founder of Christianity which the Rosicrucians had derived from the +Templars of old." + + * * * * * + +THE ROSIE CRUCIAN PRAYER TO GOD. + +JESUS MIHI OMNIA. + +[Triangle] + + +"Oh Thou everywhere and good of All, whatsoever I do, remember, I beseech +thee, that I am but Dust, but as a Vapour sprung from Earth, which even +thy smallest Breath can scatter; Thou hast given me a Soul, and Laws to +govern it; let that Eternal Rule, which thou didst first appoint to sway +Man, order me; make me careful to point at thy Glory in all my wayes; and +where I cannot rightly know Thee, that not only my understanding, but my +ignorance may honour thee. Thou art All that can be perfect; Thy +Revelation hath made me happy; be not angry, O Divine One, O God the most +high Creator, if it please thee, suffer these revealed Secrets, thy Gifts +alone, not for my praise, but to thy Glory, to manifest themselves. I +beseech thee most gracious God, they may not fall into the hand of +ignorant envious persons, that cloud these truths to thy disgrace, saying, +they are not lawful to be published, because what God reveals, is to be +kept secret. But Rosie Crucian Philosophers lay up this Secret into the +bosome of God, which I have presumed to manifest clearly and plainly. I +beseech the Trinity, it may be printed as I have written it, that the +truth may no more be darkened with ambiguous language. Good God, besides +thee nothing is. Oh stream thyself into my Soul, and flow it with thy +Grace, thy Illumination, and thy Revelation. Make me to depend on Thee; +Thou delightest that Man should account Thee as his King and not hide what +Honey of Knowledge he hath revealed. I cast myself as an honourer of Thee +at thy feet. O establish my confidence in Thee, for thou art the fountain +of all bounty, and canst not but be merciful, nor canst thou deceive the +humbled Soul that trusts Thee: And because I cannot be defended by Thee, +unless I live after thy Laws, keep me, O my Soul's Sovereign, in the +obedience of thy Will, and that I wound not my Conscience with vice, and +hiding thy Gifts and Graces bestowed upon me; for this I know will destroy +me within, and make thy Illuminating Spirit leave me: I am afraid I have +already infinitely swerved from the Revelations of that Divine Guide, +which thou hast commanded to direct me to the Truth; and for this I am a +sad Prostrate and Penitent at the foot of thy Throne; I appeal only to the +abundance of thy Remissions. O my God, my God, I know it is a mysterie +beyond the vast Soul's apprehension, and therefore deep enough for man to +rest in safety in. O Thou Being of all Beings, cause me to work myself to +Thee, and into the receiving armes of thy paternal Mercies throw myself. +For outward things I thank Thee, and such as I have I give unto others, in +the name of the Trinity, freely and faithfully, without hiding anything of +what was revealed to me, and experienced to be no Diabolical Delusion or +Dream, but the Adjectamenta of thy richer Graces; the Mines and +deprivation are both in thy hands. In what thou hast given me I am +content. Good God ray thyself into my Soul, give me but a heart to please +Thee, I beg no more than thou hast given, and that to continue me, +uncontemnedly and unpittiedly honest. Save me from the Devil, Lusts and +Men: and for those fond dotages of Mortality, which would weigh down my +Soul to Lowness and Debauchment, let it be my glory (planting myself in a +Noble height above them) to contemn them. Take me from myself, and fill me +but with thee. Sum up thy blessings in those two, that I may be rightly +good and wise; And these for thy eternal Truths' sake grant and make +grateful."[5] + + +THE END. + +S. & J. BRAWN, Printers, 13, Gate Street, Holborn, London, W.C. + + + + +Footnotes: + +[1] Mackay, Pop. Delusions. + +[2] Hist. of Philosophy, ii. 462. + +[3] Mackay. + +[4] New Curiosities of Literature, vol. 2, p. 46. + +[5] The Holy Guide, 1652. + + + + +Phallic and Mystical Series, + +Cr. 8vo, Vellum, 7s. 6d. each. + +_Only a very limited number_, PRIVATELY PRINTED. + + +PHALLICISM.--A Description of the Worship of =Lingam-Yoni= in various parts +of the World, and in different Ages, with an Account of Ancient and Modern +Crosses, particularly of the =Crux Ansata= (or Handled Cross) and other +Symbols connected with the Mysteries of =Sex Worship=. (_Out of print_). + + +OPHIOLATREIA.--An Account of the Rites and Mysteries connected with the +Origin, Rise, and Development of =Serpent Worship= in various parts of the +World, enriched with Interesting Traditions, and a full description of the +celebrated Serpent Mounds and Temples, the whole forming an exposition of +one of the phases of =Phallic=, or =Sex Worship=. + + +PHALLIC OBJECTS, MONUMENTS AND REMAINS; Illustrations of the Rise and +Development of the =Phallic Idea= (Sex Worship), and its embodiment in +Works of Nature and Art. _Etched Frontispiece._ + + +CULTUS ARBORUM.--A Descriptive Account of =Phallic Tree Worship=, with +illustrative Legends, Superstitious Usages, etc.; exhibiting its Origin +and Development amongst the Eastern and Western Nations of the World, from +the earliest to modern times. + +This work has a valuable bibliography which will be of the greatest use +and value to the student of Ancient Faiths. It contains references to +nearly five hundred works on Phallism and kindred subjects. + + +FISHES, FLOWERS, AND FIRE as ELEMENTS AND DEITIES in the =Phallic Faiths +and Worship= of the Ancient Religions of GREECE, BABYLON, ROME, INDIA, +etc., with illustrative Myths and Legends. + + +ARCHAIC ROCK INSCRIPTIONS; an Account of the Cup and Ring Marking on the +Sculptural Stones of the Old and New Worlds. + +This subject, though comparatively a new one, and upon which a very +limited amount of literature has been written, has excited considerable +curiosity among its discoverers. These strange figures and marks bear the +same resemblance whether found in England, Ireland, Scotland, India, +Mexico, Brazil, North America, Sweden, etc. Probably the cup and ring +markings were connected with the religious mysteries surrounding the +worship of Baal. They are asserted on good authority to be Phallic +Symbols, which subject the author has treated of in the present work. + + +_IN THE PRESS._ + +A new work on the =MASCULINE CROSS= Theory, and recent discoveries +connected with Phallicism. + + +_OTHER WORKS._ + +MATRIMONIAL CEREMONIES DISPLAYED.--Wherein are exhibited the various +Customs, Odd Pranks, Whimsical Tricks and Surprising Practises of near one +hundred different Kingdoms and Peoples in the World, now used in the +Celebration and Consummation of Matrimony, collected from the Papers of a +=Rambling Batchelor=, with the Adventures of Sir Harry Fitzgerald and his +=Seven Wives=. Cr. 8vo, Japanese parchment, 6s. + +The above volume describes the extensive and extraordinary ceremonies of +the different nations of the world, including an interesting account of +the more free and easy rites of the savage tribes. There will also be +found an entertaining description of the ceremonies of the Indians in +America, at the time of its first colonisation by the Europeans. + + +FLAGELLATION, History of, among different Nations, a Narrative of the +Strange Customs and Cruelties of the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, etc., with +an Account of its Practice among the Early Christians as a Religious +Stimulant and Corrector of Morals, also Anecdotes of Remarkable Cases of +Flogging and of celebrated Flagellants. Cr. 8vo, parchment, 6s. + +A curious history of whipping inflicted by force, and voluntarily +practised by the Monks, Heathens, etc., with Anecdotes of its use by +Kings, Bishops, Abbots, etc. + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +Punctuation has been corrected without note. + +The following misprints have been corrected: + "the the" corrected to "the" (page 5) + "Sytsem" corrected to "System" (page 11) + "Morever" corrected to "Moreover" (page 33) + "his" corrected to "is" (page 47) + "yon" corrected to "you" (page 58) + "nevertherless" corrected to "nevertheless" (page 59) + "inhabttants" corrected to "inhabitants" (page 89) + "and and" corrected to "and" (page 93) + "kness" corrected to "knees" (page 103) + "understauding" corrected to "understanding" (page 105) + "mdae" corrected to "made" (page 128) + +Other than the corrections listed above, inconsistencies in spelling and +hyphenation have been retained from the original. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYSTERIES OF THE ROSIE CROSS*** + + +******* This file should be named 35350.txt or 35350.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/5/3/5/35350 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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