-
Articles/Ads
Article CHAPTER IV. ← Page 7 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Iv.
Quietus Serenus Samonicus , a Basilidean physician , left among his papers the following verses : — 1 nscribes chartoe quod dicitur A B P A C A A A B P A Ssepius , et subter repetis , sed detrahe summam Et magis atque magis desint elementa figuris Singula , qua ; semper rapies , et cretera figes . Donee in angustavn redigatur Htera couum ; His lino nexis collum redimire memento .
ABPACAAABPA ABPACAAABP ABPACAAAB ABPACAAA A B P A C A A A B P A C A ABPAC
ABPA ABP AB A
Talia languentis conducunt vincula collo ; Lethales abigent , miranda potentia ! inorbos . Such were the absurd superstitions which have been charged on the Freemasons of the Mediaeval ages ; but they were consonant with universal belief , and do not apply to the Freemasons alone . And if Freemasonry in those early times did countenance these superstitious practicesit was because they constituted a moral epidemic which
pre-, vailed through every grade of society . But the entire fabric of superstition has been swept away from the system of Masonry as it is now practised . The floor of our lodges is cleansed from the pollution by a three-fold consecration , which converts it into holy ground ; and we indignantly repel the insinuation that such fancies are there inculcated as branches of a cabalistical science . Some kind of superstition has always distinguished particular ages .
As witness , the reputed miraculous powers of the early Ascetics , and the custom which St . Austin complains of , that some of Satan ' s instruments , who professed the exercise of these arts , mixed up the name of Christ with their enchantments to seduce Christians to receive the doctrine as a sweet potion , which might conceal the heresy , and make men drink it to their destruction . And also in our own country , from the royal touch of Edward the Confessorthrough all the absurdities of
, demoniacal agency , alchymy , the cramp-rings of Wolsey and his royal patron , witchcraft , necromancy , charms , spells , & c , which were not confined to the ignorant , but were practised b y kings , princes , priests , and philosophers , down to the delusions of Cagliostro , Mesmer , St . Germain , and their compeers of the last century , and the reveries of Johanna Southcote and Carlile , with the quack nostrums and galvanic rings of our own times .
The bare suspicion of the fraternity being addicted to these Rosicrucian mummeries , pointed the pen of Barruel with gall when he roundl y stated , " The principal objection against me is , that I have confounded Freemasonry with the ancient Rosicrucians . My answer is , that if all Masons are not Rosicrucians , all Rosicrucians are Masons ; and the first
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Chapter Iv.
Quietus Serenus Samonicus , a Basilidean physician , left among his papers the following verses : — 1 nscribes chartoe quod dicitur A B P A C A A A B P A Ssepius , et subter repetis , sed detrahe summam Et magis atque magis desint elementa figuris Singula , qua ; semper rapies , et cretera figes . Donee in angustavn redigatur Htera couum ; His lino nexis collum redimire memento .
ABPACAAABPA ABPACAAABP ABPACAAAB ABPACAAA A B P A C A A A B P A C A ABPAC
ABPA ABP AB A
Talia languentis conducunt vincula collo ; Lethales abigent , miranda potentia ! inorbos . Such were the absurd superstitions which have been charged on the Freemasons of the Mediaeval ages ; but they were consonant with universal belief , and do not apply to the Freemasons alone . And if Freemasonry in those early times did countenance these superstitious practicesit was because they constituted a moral epidemic which
pre-, vailed through every grade of society . But the entire fabric of superstition has been swept away from the system of Masonry as it is now practised . The floor of our lodges is cleansed from the pollution by a three-fold consecration , which converts it into holy ground ; and we indignantly repel the insinuation that such fancies are there inculcated as branches of a cabalistical science . Some kind of superstition has always distinguished particular ages .
As witness , the reputed miraculous powers of the early Ascetics , and the custom which St . Austin complains of , that some of Satan ' s instruments , who professed the exercise of these arts , mixed up the name of Christ with their enchantments to seduce Christians to receive the doctrine as a sweet potion , which might conceal the heresy , and make men drink it to their destruction . And also in our own country , from the royal touch of Edward the Confessorthrough all the absurdities of
, demoniacal agency , alchymy , the cramp-rings of Wolsey and his royal patron , witchcraft , necromancy , charms , spells , & c , which were not confined to the ignorant , but were practised b y kings , princes , priests , and philosophers , down to the delusions of Cagliostro , Mesmer , St . Germain , and their compeers of the last century , and the reveries of Johanna Southcote and Carlile , with the quack nostrums and galvanic rings of our own times .
The bare suspicion of the fraternity being addicted to these Rosicrucian mummeries , pointed the pen of Barruel with gall when he roundl y stated , " The principal objection against me is , that I have confounded Freemasonry with the ancient Rosicrucians . My answer is , that if all Masons are not Rosicrucians , all Rosicrucians are Masons ; and the first