C. R., he after many painful travels, and his fruitless true

instructions, returned again into Germany, the which he
heartily loved, by reason of the alterations which were
shortly to come, and of the strange and dangerous conten-
tions. There, although he could have bragged with his art,

FAMA FRATERNITATIS. 1\

but specially of the transmutations of metals, yet did he
esteem more Heaven, and men, the citizens thereof, than
all vain glory and pomp.

Nevertheless, he builded a fitting and neat habitation, in
the which he ruminated his voyage and philosophy, and re-
duced them together in a true memorial. Tn this house he
spent a great time in the mathematics, and made many fine
instruments, ex omnibus hujus artis partibus, whereof there is
but little remaining to us. as hereafter you shall understand.

After five years came again into his mind the wished for
Eeformation ; and in regard [of it] he doubted of the ayd
and help of others, although he himself was painful, lusty,
and unwearisom ; howsoever he undertook, with some few
adjoyned with him, to attempt the same. Wherefore he
desired to that end to have out of his first cloyster (to the
which he bare a great affection) three of his brethren, Brother
G-. V., Brother I. A., and Brother I. 0., who had some more
knowledge of the arts than at that time many others had.
He did bind those three unto himself, to be faithful, dili-
gent, and secret, as also to commit carefully to writing 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 sillable and word.

After this manner began the Fraternity of the Eosie
Cross — first, by four persons onely, and by them was made
the magical language and writing, with a large dictionary,
which we yet dayly use to God's praise and glory, and do
finde great wisdom therein. They made also the first part
of the Book M, but in respect that that labour was too heavy,
and the unspeakable concourse of the sick hindred them,
and also whilst his new building (called Sancti Spiritm) was

72 HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.

now finished, 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. G., and P. D., their secretary, all
Germains except I. A., so in all they were eight in number,
all batchelors and of vowed virginity, by whom 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 immovably 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 showed themselves more helpful, not simply with sighs
and wishing of their end and consummation.

When now these eight Brethren 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 pro-
foundly examined by the learned, but that they themselves,
if in some country or other they observed anything, or per-
ceived some error, might inform one another of it.

FA MA FRATERN1TATIS. 73

Their agreement was this :--

First, That none of them should profess any other thing
then to cure the sick, and that gratis.

Second, None of the posterity should be constrained to
wear one certain kind of habit, but therein to follow the
custom of the country.

Third, That every year, upon the day C., they should
meet together at the house Sancti Spiritus, or write the
cause of his absence.

Fourth, Every Brother should look about for a worthy
person who, after his decease, might succeed him.

Fifth, The word E. C. should be their seal, mark, and
character.

Sixth, The Fraternity should remain secret one hundred
years.

These six articles they bound themselves one to another
to keep ; five of the Brethren departed, onely the Brethren
B. and D. remained with the Father, Brother E. C., a
whole year. When these likewise departed, then remained
by him his cousen and Brother I. 0., 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, never-
theless, 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 throughout 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

.

74 HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.

above all others in highest unity, greatest secresy, and most
kindness one towards another.

After such a most laudable sort they did spend their
lives, but although they were free from all diseases 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 I. 0., 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 con-
cluded, 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 supplied with a fit successor. But this we will con-
fesse 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 mis-
fortunes, nor hour of death, the which only is known to
God Himself, who thereby would have us keep in a con-
tinual readiness. But hereof more in our Confession, where
we do set down thirty-seven reasons wherefore we now do
make known our Fraternity, and proffer such high mysteries
freely, without constraint and reward. Also we do pro-
mise more gold then 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. 0., Brother E. C. rested not, but,
as soon as he could, called the rest together, and then, as
we suppose, his grave was made, although hitherto we (who

FA MA FRATERNITATIS. 75

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 hundred years, Brother A., the successor
of D. (who was of the last and second row of 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 C. R., and of his first
fellow-brethren, then that which was extant of them in our
philosophical BIBLIOTHECA, amongst which our AXIOMATA
was held for the chiefest, ROTA MUNDI for the most artifi-
cial, and PROTHEUS for the most profitable. Likewise, we
do not certainly know if these of the second row have been
of like wisdom as the first, and if they were admitted to all
things.

It shall be declared hereafter to the gentle reader not
onely what we have heard of the burial of Brother R. C. , but
also it shall be made manifest publicly, by the foresight,
sufferance, and commandment of God, whom we most faith-
fully obey, that if we shall be answered discreetly and
Christian-like, we will not be ashamed to set forth publickly
in print our names and surnames, our meetings, or anything
else that may be required at our hands.

JSTow, the true and fundamental relation of the finding
out of the high-illuminated man of God, Fra : C. E. C., is
this : — After that A. in Gallia Narbonensi was deceased,
there succeeded in his place our loving Brother N. ]ST. This
man, after he had repaired unto us to take the solemn oath
of fidelity and secresy, informed us bona fide, that A. had
comforted him in telling him, that this Fraternity should

76 HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.

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 anywise in his estate ashamed.
The year following, after he had performed his school
right, and was minded now to travel, being for that pur-
pose sufficiently provided with Fortunatus' purse, he thought
(he being a good architect) to alter something of his build-
ing, 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 into another more
fitting vault, for where or when Brother R. C. died, or in
what country he was buried, was by our predecessors con-
cealed and unknown unto us. In this table stuck a great naile
somewhat strong, so that when it was with force drawn out
it took with it an indifferent big stone out of the thin wall
or plaistering of the hidden door, and so unlooked for
uncovered the door, whereat we did with joy and longing
throw down the rest of the wall and cleared the door, upon
which was written in great letters—

Post CXX 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 Rota — 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 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.

FAMA FRATERNITATIS. 77

In the morning following we opened the door, and there
appeared to our sight a vault of seven sides and seven
corners, every side five foot broad, and the height of eight
foot. Although the sun never shined in this vault, never-
theless, it was enlightened with another sun, which had
learned this from the sun, and was situated in the upper