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The Tenth Lesson: The Secret Doctrine.1071
when she expelled the great Gnostic Doctors, but it has nevertheless been
preserved, and it is precisely that Wisdom which we are studying—precisely
that which we find to answer all the problems of life, to give us a rational rule
by which to live, to be to us a veritable gospel of good news from on high.”
St. Paul indicates the existence of the Secret Doctrine of Christianity,
when he says to the Corinthians: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you
as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ. I fed you with
milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it; nay, not even now
are ye able, for ye are yet carnal.” (I Corinthians 3:1)
Jesus said: “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your
pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and
turn and rend you.” (Matthew 7:6)
St. Clement of Alexandria has said regarding the above saying of Jesus:
“Even now I fear, as it is said, ‘to cast the pearls before swine, lest they tread
them underfoot, and turn and rend us.’ For it is difficult to exhibit the
really pure and transparent words respecting the true Light to swinish and
untrained hearers.”
In the first century after Christ, the term “The Mysteries of Jesus” was
frequently used by the Christian teachers, and the Inner Circle of Christians
was recognized as a body of advanced souls who had developed so far as
to be able to comprehend these mysteries.
The following passage from St. Mark (4:10–12) is interesting in this
connection: “And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the
twelve asked of Him the parables. And He said unto them, ‘Unto you is
given the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all
things are done in parables: that seeing they may see, and not perceive; and
hearing they may hear, and not understand.’” The same writer says (4:33–34):
“And with many such parables spake He the word unto them, as they were
able to hear it; and without a parable spake He not unto them; but privately
to His own disciples He expounded all things.” Jesus said to His disciples
( John 16:12): “I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them