download PDF version: 38.1MB - Global Grey

392
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUCIANS.
full of malicious libels, which, however, are so curious that
some of them are worth reproducing as briefly as possible.
According to this account, the manuscript placard was
posted in several parts of Paris, and awakened the curiosity
of the learned and illiterate alike. Every one was astounded
at the asserted invisibility of the Brethren, and at their
must be the
gift of tongues. According to some, they
messengers of the Holy Ghost, others said that they were
persons of eminent sanctity, the rest,
that the whole
business was one of illusions and of magic. By many the
power of discerning the inmost thoughts was admired
beyond the other privileges, but that such a faculty was
inherent in Deity only, and they were incredulous in this
respect. Then it was urged that the devil had knowledge
of things both past and present, but that if he had knowledge
of things present, thoughts must be included in this class, and
that, therefore, the devil might not only know them, but
might impart the same knowledge to his emissaries.
A certain lawyer of Paris, says this mendacious chronicle,
conceived a violent desire to be enrolled in the new order,
on account of the obvious advantages of occasional invisi-
than one
bility, and he had no sooner formed the project
of the Invisibles appeared before him, and informing him
that he could read his thoughts, directed his petrified
listener to meet him that evening at eight o'clock opposite
a certain market, when he should attain his desire. This
said, the mysterious being disappeared as miraculously as
he had come thither ; and the lawyer, convinced by his own
senses that there was some truth in the claims of the placard,
did not fail to repair to the appointed place, where the same
personage met him, bandaged his eyes, whirled him through
a maze of alleys, and brought him to the abode of the