Confessio Fraternitatis R.C - AD Eruditos Europa
An inkling of the substance of Rosicrucianism--its esoteric
doctrines--can be gleaned from an analysis of its shadow--its exoteric writings. In one of the most important
of their manifestos, theConfessio
Fraternitatis, the Brethren of the Fraternity of R.C. seek to
justify their existence and explain the purposes and activities of their Order. In its original form
theConfessio is divided
into fourteen chapters, which are here summarized. The Confessio is important as a motivator of the peoples
who were oppressed by both politics and religion at the time, however, the manifesto was not a code or
doctrine of virtues and spiritual truth. The mysteries and insights were delivered in the lodges and in
secret. These mysteries were delivered to BUILD the MAN on a mental, physical, and spiritual level with a
distinct focus on CHARACTER and VIRTUE.
Chapter
I. Do not through hasty judgment or
prejudice misinterpret the statements concerning our Fraternity published in our previous manifesto--the
Fama Fraternitatis. The true purpose of our Order was set forth in the
Fama Fraternitatis. In this document, we hope so to clarify our position so that you will be moved to join with us
in the dissemination of spiritual knowledge according to the secrets of our illustrious
brotherhood.
Chapter
II. The Rose Croix Fraternity has
provided a remedy for the infirmities of the world's philosophic systems. The secret philosophy of the R.C. is
founded upon that knowledge which is the sum and head of all faculties, sciences, and arts. By our divinely
revealed system--which partakes much of theology and spiritual- mental medicine but little of jurisprudence--we
analyze the heavens and the earth; but mostly we study man himself, within whose nature is concealed the supreme
secret. If the people of our day accept our invitation and join themselves to our Fraternity, we will reveal to
them undreamed-of secrets and wonders concerning the hidden workings of the Universe.
Chapter
III. Do not believe that the secrets
discussed in this brief document are lightly esteemed by us. We cannot describe fully the marvels of our Fraternity
lest the uninformed be overwhelmed by our astonishing declarations and the vulgar ridicule the mysteries which they
do not comprehend. We also fear that many will be confused by the unexpected generosity of our proclamation, for
not understanding the wonders of this age, they do not realize the great changes which are to come. Like blind men
living in a world full of light, they discern only through the sense of feeling. [By sight is implied spiritual cognition: by feeling, the material senses.]
Chapter
IV. Because of the great depth and
perfection of our knowledge, those desiring to understand the mysteries of the Fraternity of R. C. cannot attain to
that wisdom immediately, but must grow in understanding and knowledge. Therefore, our Fraternity is divided into
grades through which each must ascend step by step to the Great Arcanum. Furthermore, those who receive this
knowledge shall become masters of all arts and crafts; no secret shall be hidden from them; and all good works of
the past, present, and future shall be accessible to them. The whole world shall become as one book and the
contradictions of science and theology shall be reconciled. Rejoice, O humanity! for the time has come when God has
decreed that the number of our Fraternity shall be increased, a labor that we have joyously undertaken. The right
to receive spiritual truth cannot be inherited: it must be evolved within the soul of man
himself.
Chapter V. Though we may
be accused of indiscretion in offering our treasures so freely --without discriminating between the godly, the
wise, the prince, the peasant--we affirm that we have not betrayed our trust. Seekers will find us
worldwide.
Chapter
VII. Because of the need of brevity, it
is enough to say that our Father C.R.C. was born in the year 1378 and departed at the age of 106, leaving to us the
labor of spreading the doctrine of philosophic religion to the entire world. Our Fraternity is open to all who
sincerely seek for truth; but we publicly warn the false and impious that they cannot betray or injure us, for God
has protected our Fraternity, and all who seek to do it harm shall have their evil designs return and destroy them,
while the treasures of our Fraternity shall remain untouched, to be used by the Lion in the establishment of his
kingdom.
Chapter
VII. We declare that God, before the end
of the world, shall create a great flood of spiritual light to alleviate the sufferings of humankind. Falsehood and
darkness which have crept into the arts, sciences, religions, and governments of humanity--making it difficult for
even the wise to discover the path of reality--shall be forever removed and a single standard established, so that
all may enjoy the fruitage of truth. We shall not be recognized as those responsible for this change, for people
shall say that it is the result of the progressiveness of the age. Great are the reforms about to take place; but
we of the Fraternity of R.C. do not arrogate to ourselves the glory for this divine reformation, since many there
are, not members of our Fraternity but honest, true and wise men, who by their intelligence and their writings
shall hasten its coming. We testify that sooner the stones shall rise up and offer their services than that there
shall be any lack of righteous persons to execute the will of God upon earth.
Chapter
VIII. That no one may doubt, we declare
that God has sent messengers and signs in the heavens, namely, the new stars in Serpentarius and Cygnus, to show that a
great Council of the Elect is to take place. This proves that God reveals in visible nature--for the discerning
few--signs and symbols of all things that are coming to pass. God has given man two eyes, two nostrils, and two
ears, but only one tongue. Whereas the eyes, the nostrils, and the ears admit the wisdom of Nature into the mind,
the tongue alone may give it forth. In various ages there have been illumined ones who have seen, smelt, tasted, or
heard the will of God, but it will shortly come to pass that those who have seen, smelt, tasted, or heard shall
speak, and truth shall be revealed. Before this revelation of righteousness is possible, however, the world must
sleep away the intoxication of her poisoned chalice (filled with the false life of the theological vine) and,
opening her heart to virtue and understanding, welcome the rising sun of Truth.
Chapter
IX. We have a magic writing, copied from
that divine alphabet with which God writes His will upon the face of celestial and terrestrial Nature. With this
new language we read God's will for all His creatures, and just as astronomers predict eclipses so we prognosticate
the obscurations of the church and how long they shall last. Our language is like unto that of Adam and Enoch
before the Fall, and though we understand and can explain our mysteries in this our sacred language, we cannot do
so in Latin, a tongue contaminated by the confusion of Babylon.
Chapter
X. Although there are still certain
powerful persons who oppose and hinder us--because of which we must remain concealed--we exhort those who would
become of our Fraternity to study unceasingly the Sacred Scriptures, for such as do this cannot be far from us. We
do not mean that the Bible should be continually in the mouth of man, but that he should search for its true and
eternal meaning, which is seldom discovered by theologians, scientists, or mathematicians because they are blinded
by the opinions of their sects. We bear witness that never since the beginning of the world has there been given to
man a more excellent book than the Holy Bible. Blessed is he who possesses it, more blessed he who reads it, most
blessed he who understands it, and most godlike he who obeys it.
Chapter
XI. We wish the statements we made in the
Fama Fraternitatis concerning the transmutation of metals and the
universal medicine to be lightly understood. While we realize that both these works are attainable by man, we fear
that many really great minds may be led away from the true quest of knowledge and understanding if they permit
themselves to limit their investigation to the transmutation of metals. When to a man is given power to heal
disease, to overcome poverty, and to reach a position of worldly dignity, that man is beset by numerous temptations
and unless he possess true knowledge and full understanding he will become a terrible menace to mankind. The
alchemist who attains to the art of transmuting base metals can do all manner of evil unless his understanding be
as great as his self-created wealth. We therefore affirm that man must first gain knowledge, virtue, and
understanding; then all other things may be added unto him. We accuse the Christian Church of the great sin of
possessing power and using it unwisely; therefore we prophesy that it shall fall by the weight of its own
iniquities and its crown shall be brought to naught.
Chapter XII. In concluding
our Confessio, we earnestly
admonish you to cast aside the worthless books of pseudo-alchemists and philosophers (of whom there are many in our
age), who make light of the Holy Trinity and deceive the credulous with meaningless enigmas. One of the greatest of
these is a stage player, a man with sufficient ingenuity for imposition. Such men are mingled by the Enemy of human
welfare among those who seek to do good, thus making Truth more difficult of discovery. Believe us, Truth is simple
and unconcealed, while falsehood is complex, deeply hidden, proud, and its fictitious worldly knowledge, seemingly
a glitter with godly luster, is often mistaken for divine wisdom. You that are wise will turn from these false
teachings and come to us, who seek not your money but freely offer you our greater treasure. We desire not your
goods, but that you should become partakers of our goods. We do not deride parables, but invite you to understand
all parables and all secrets. We do not ask you to receive us, but invite you to come unto our kingly houses and
palaces, not because of ourselves but because we are so ordered by the Spirit of God, the desire of our most
excellent Father C.R.C., and the need of the present moment, which is very great.
Chapter
XIII. Now that we have made our position
clear that we sincerely confess Christ; disavow the Papacy; devote our lives to true philosophy and worthy living;
and daily invite and admit into our Fraternity the worthy of all nations, who thereafter share with us the Light of
God: will you not join yourselves with us to the perfection of yourselves, the development of all the arts, and the
service of the world? If you will take this step, the treasures of every part of the earth shall be at one time
given unto you, and the darkness which envelopes human knowledge and which results in the vanities of material arts
and sciences shall be forever dispelled.
Chapter
XIV. Again we warn those who are dazzled
by the glitter of gold or those who, now upright, might be turned by great riches to a life of idleness and pomp,
not to disturb our sacred silence with their clamorings; for though there be a medicine which will cure all
diseases and give unto all men wisdom, yet it is against the will of God that men should attain to understanding by
any means other than virtue, labor, and integrity. We are not permitted to manifest ourselves to any man except it
be by the will of God. Those who believe that they can partake of our spiritual wealth against the will of God or
without His sanction will find that they shall sooner lose their lives in seeking us than attain happiness by
finding us.
Johann Valentin Andreæ is generally reputed to be the author of the
Confessio. It is a much-mooted question, however, whether Andreæ did not permit his name to be used as a
pseudonym by Sir Francis Bacon. Apropos of this subject are two extremely significant references occurring in
the introduction to that remarkable potpourri,The Anatomy of
Melancholy. This volume first appeared in 1621 from the pen of
Democritus junior, who was afterwards identified as Robert Burton, who, in turn, was a suspected intimate of
Sir Francis Bacon. One reference archly suggests that at the time of publishingThe Anatomy of Melancholy in 1621 the founder
of the Fraternity of R.C. was still alive. This statement--concealed from general recognition by its textual
involvement--has escaped the notice of most students of Rosicrucianism. In the same work there also appears a
short footnote of stupendous import. It contains merely the words: "Job. Valent. Andreas, Lord Verulam." This
single line definitely relates Johann Valentin Andreæ to Sir Francis Bacon, who was Lord Verulam, and by its
punctuation intimates that they are one and the same individual.
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