Preface

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.