The Sabbatean Prophets

22 The Sabbatean Prophets
according to the Fama, was to carry out the mandate for improvement of
human health and happiness set forth by the mythical, mysterious founder
of the fraternity, Christian Rosenkreutz. The legend of Rosenkreutz began
with his early classical education, after which he set out for Jerusalem to
learn more and along the way was taught the secrets of the Arab masters in
Damascus, Egypt, and Fez. (Notice the place of the Muslim world as a source
of wisdom in this tale.) After completing his studies, Rosenkreutz traveled
widely, teaching the true workings of nature, alchemy, and medicine for the
improvement of the human condition. He organized the Fraternity of the
Rosy Cross among those dedicated scientists and physicians who would heal
and help mankind with no expectation of reward. Rosenkreutz died, and
leadership of the movement passed to other worthy men. Ultimately the secret
tomb of Rosenkreutz was discovered and found to be full of scientific instruments
and secret works of wisdom, indicating the beginning of a new
and hopeful era. 86
Howbeit, we know after a time there will now be a general reformation,
both of divine and human things, according to our desire, and the expectation
of others. For it is fitting, that before the rising of the sun, there should
appear and break forth Aurora, or some clearness, or divine light in the sky.
And so in the mean time some few, who shall give their names, may join together,
thereby to increase the number and respect of our Fraternity, and
make a happy and wished for beginning of our Philosophical Canons, prescribed
to us by our brother R.C., and be partakers with us of our treasures
(which never can fail or be wasted), in all humility and love to be eased of
this world’s labour, and not walk so blindly in the knowledge of the wonderful
works of God. 87
Christian Rosenkreutz took over some of the functions of both the traditional
Elijah and Paracelsus’ Elias Artista, and his society was to be part of
the process of the Second Coming. Rosicrucianism was deeply committed to
science on the one hand, and Reformed Christianity on the other, as agents
of a scientific-messianic future.
Sir Francis Bacon, a contemporary of the Rosicrucians and foremost theoretician
of the new science, saw the contemporary developments in knowledge
in the same vein:
This is a thing which I cannot tell whether I may so plainly speak as truly
conceive, that as all knowledge appeareth to be a plant of God’s own plant-