A Noble Rosicrucian Apologist Ralph M. Lewis, FRC

Ralph Lewis served as Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC from 1939 to 1987. In this article, a reprint from the Rosicrucian Digest October 1956, he extols the courage and convictions of two great defenders of the Rosicrucians of the early 1600s—Robert Fludd of England and Michael Maier of Germany and explores Francis Bacon’s connection with the Rosicrucians of that time.

veryone has his or her convic- ed deeply in one’s psychic and emotional tions, whether they are born nature. Eof belief or experience. Such Robert Fludd was a man of moral con- convictions constitute our fount of knowl- victions that were not a mere inheritance edge. Philosophically, the idea of belief as of ideas. They are set in an intellectual knowledge may be challenged. It can be framework, the consequence of personal contended that, to have reality, knowledge long study, experience, and meditation. As must be capable of being confirmed by a consequence, a challenge of his convic- sense experience. Nevertheless, for many tions called forth such a defensive action persons, where there is the absence of a in words and deeds as to require great for- conflicting reality, a belief stands as a per- titude. It is one thing to utter aloud our sonal conception, a point of knowledge. beliefs in tolerant surroundings; it is quite Such convictions become an intimate another to speak of them in a hostile era part of the personality of the individual. and before an antagonistic mentality – and One’s intellectual self, if it is well defined, the latter is what Fludd did, not once but participates in one’s state of preservation many times. equally with one’s physical well-being. A In the beautiful rolling countryside of strong conviction has the character of real- Kent, England, near the picturesque vil- ity to the mind. It has as much existence lage of Bearsted, are the remains of Mil- as does our body or our family. Opposition gate House, the manorial home of Robert to the conviction will, therefore, arouse as Fludd. The original structure, of which a much resistance as a corresponding attack portion now remains, and to which addi- upon the person or character. The sensitiv- tions have subsequently been built, was ity of the personality, the emotional state erected by Sir Thomas Fludd. He was of the individual, determines the degree of Treasurer of War to the celebrated Queen retaliation to any opposition to a convic- Elizabeth I. It was there that Robert Fludd tion just as it does to an offense against the was born in 1574. The setting is one of in- physical being or character. Convictions, spiration today. One sees patches of wood- points of knowledge, which have become ed land, interspersed with small acreages intimately associated with the moral or re- of hops bisected by pleasant streams along ligious ideals of an individual are defended which little flocks of sheep graze. One feels more fervently than others. They are root- quite isolated from the political and social

Page 29 turmoil of the times. This tranquility must ary works and the methodical illustrations have touched the consciousness and spirit of their texts. He maintained a laboratory of Fludd at an early age. Near the house of during his sojourn on the Continent, in his birth are the rose farm and other gar- which he constructed various and strange dens where he cultivated the plants used in mechanical devices, one of which was a his pharmaceutical and alchemical experi- self-playing lyre. Many of these devices, ments. it is reported, had a useful value. In fact, At a time when higher education was, some writers credit Fludd with being the to an extent, a luxury, young Robert was original inventor of the barometer. fortunate to have a parent whose economic Era of Intellectuals status permitted him to attend college. He It would appear that Fludd’s pharma- matriculated at St. John’s Oxford on No- ceutical studies led him to the threshold of vember 10, 1592, and took his M.A. de- alchemy – and he crossed over. Alchemy gree in 1598. After attaining his Master’s being contiguous to and allied with Her- degree, he spent the next six years in study meticism and Occult Philosophy, Fludd and travel on the Continent. This practice soon found interest in the Rosicrucian of travel and study in foreign lands among philosophy. He pursued diligently the cultured Europeans, then and in more re- teachings and doctrines of Paracelsus, cent times, when conditions permit, was which much of his own later ideas par- considered a requisite for education. alleled. There are many circumstances Fludd’s study on the Continent was by which would indicate that Fludd made the no means confined to the furtherance of his acquaintance, while on the Continent, of knowledge of medicine. His pursuits were the celebrated German Rosicrucian Grand diversified and influenced by his interest Master and Hermetic philosopher, Mi- Rosicrucian in natural philosophy. His fascination by chael Maier. Though Maier was but in his Digest the sciences and his conscientious observa- thirties, he was then known for his writ- No. 2 tions and analysis are reflected in his liter- ings on Hermeticism and the Kabbalah. 2013 Page 30 In Maier, Fludd must have found a virtual ment. The liberal views, as set forth in the treasure because of the former’s quest for Fama and in the Confessio, antagonized magic, the secret lore and order behind the the Roman Catholic Hierarchy which phenomena of nature. In young Fludd, thought it saw in them an alliance with Maier found a keen intellect, an uninhib- the Lutherans. There were also those of ited imagination, and a devout love for the vast multitude who were fascinated by esoteric wisdom. Fludd returned to Eng- the proclaimed aims of the Rosicrucians, land and was admitted to the practice of having never heard of the secret movement medicine in 1606. In 1609 he became a previously. There were, too, those indi- member of the College of Physicians. viduals who sought to exploit the public The versatility of Fludd’s talents was interest aroused by the pamphlets in the being expressed in other channels than that Rosy Cross Brotherhood by avowing their of medicine. He became, membership in it. as well, a philosopher, While in England, an anatomist, physicist, Maier renewed his associ- chemist, mathematician, ation with Robert Fludd. and engineer. His literary Historians within the works were numerous and Rosicrucian Order, and brilliant, though often most of those others who ponderous. Some of the had chosen to write its his- principal ones are: Apolo- tory as a literary achieve- gia Compendiaria pro Fra- ment, declare that Maier ternitatem de Rosae Crucis then initiated Fludd into (Leyden 1616); Tractatus its higher degrees. It was Apologeticus Integritatem in 1618 that Maier pub- Societatis de Rosae Cruce lished his Themis Aurea in Defendens (Leyden 1617); Latin, which contained Mosaical Philosophy, Trac- the laws of the Fraternity tatus Theologo-philosophi- of the Rosy Cross. These cus, etc. (1617); a treatise Robert Fludd. were perhaps imparted to in three parts, dedicated to the Rosicrucian Fludd or followed as a result of their pri- fraternity, and Summum Bonum (Frank- vate conclaves. Subsequently, at least, Rob- fort, 1629). In addition, he wrote numer- ert Fludd became a Magus of the Order in ous tracts on Kabbalistic Theosophy and England. He fearlessly let his identity with Rosicrucian doctrines, as well as on faith the Order be known. He even expounded healing. the general objectives of the Order, as its Grand Master Michael Maier visited proselytizer, to his colleagues in the medi- England sometime between 1614 and cal profession in London where he prac- 1620 – the exact date is in dispute. This ticed. He had their respect because he was followed closely the issuance of the famous called “eminent in his medical capacity.” Fama and the later Confessio, the former It must not be inferred from the fore- being the first public announcement of going that Robert Fludd was the first per- the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross. These son of the Rosicrucian Order to bring it to pamphlets became the focal point of con- the attention of his country people. There siderable controversy. There were those is evidence that the Rosicrucian Order was who, after reading them, immediately known in England before the Fama was is- became hostile to the Rosicrucian move- sued in its original version in about 1614. Page 31 The Order was also known some eleven or son concludes that anyone who so merely twelve years before Michael Maier initiat- vowed himself deserves to be called “a mere ed Fludd into the higher degrees as a Ma- fool.” The costume, then, was not in deri- gus on the occasion of his visit to England. sion of the Order but to signify a fool, one One account relates that, on January who thought himself “A Rosicross” by the 6, 1604, the Queen held a masque ball at mere wearing of a costume and so declar- Whitehall. Inigo Jones, celebrated archi- ing himself. All of this discussion, we re- tect, was commissioned to design the cos- peat, does establish the fact of knowledge tumes for the gentlemen. Over one of the of the Order before either the issuance of sketches Inigo Jones the Fama or Fludd’s initiation by Maier in submitted, he had or about 1615. inscribed the words, Though histori- “A Rosicross.” Thus ans, not within the evidently the Rosi- circle of the Rosicru- crucians were suffi- cian or Masonic Or- ciently well known ders, consider Francis so that a character Bacon’s connection designated “A Rosi- with the Brethren cross” would have of the Rosy Cross a significance. As F. controversial subject, de P. Castells, well- those of the above known historian of Orders, in the main, arcane orders, has are convinced of such written, if the ball relation. Francis Ba- occurred on Janu- con, Lord Verulam, ary 6, 1604, most was actually associ- certainly Inigo Jones Michael Maier. ated with prominent would have prepared Rosicrucians of the the sketches at least a few weeks before period and was followed by those who met for the consideration of Her Majesty. This as an “invisible college.” Bacon’s New At- being so, it constituted evidence that the lantis, published in 1627, has a number of Rosicrucians were known in England as points of striking similarity to the objec- early as 1603. tives set forth in the Fama. Especially is Ben Jonson, playwright, whose most this so of the “House of Solomon” (sages’ noted work is The Alchemist, was actively home) where learned people were to gather associated in many enterprises with Inigo and devote their lives to the acquisition of Jones. It is he, we are informed, who often knowledge. Further, the requirements of interpreted certain allegorical references these sages of the New Atlantis parallel the for the crown. Jonson said, in effect, that moral obligations exacted from the Breth- “A Rosicross” might be called a mere fool ren of the Rosy Cross. Cryptographers, because he represents a man who foolishly interpreting the hidden code in Bacon’s labors under the opinion that merely de- writings, have brought forth much that claring himself a Rosicrucian would thus can only be construed in the light of his make him a member of the secret brother- affiliation with the Rosy Cross. Rosicrucian hood. Jonson then adds that such a per- Though, in Rosicrucian circles, Bacon Digest son foolishly believes that he has “vowed is recognized as having been the Imperator No. 2 himself into the airy (lofty) Order.” Jon- of the Order for England, Robert Fludd is 2013 Page 32 cians today, for the Order is still the victim of vilification by religious bigots. Fludd staunchly defended the Breth- ren of the Rosy Cross in his Tractatus Apol- ogeticus, published in 1617. In 1629, his Summum Bonum and Sophice cum Moria Certamen appeared. In 1633 Fludd writes: “Of the former so-called Rosicrucians, who are now known as Sapientes, Sophi, or Wise Men,” that they “under the type of an architect erect their House of Wisdom.” In much of Fludd’s writing he used archi- tectural terms as symbolic expressions. In fact, in certain Masonic records of the period there are charges, that is, orations, signed “Fludd.” These use the same type Francis Bacon. of architectural phraseology as a symbolic language. accepted as the Magus or Grand Master of The teachings of Fludd, as mentioned England. Bacon’s prominence at court and previously, were greatly influenced by his the strong political enemies which he had, study of Paracelsus. The latter’s views are necessitated the concealment of his con- extended by his own scientific researches. nections with the Order at the time. There Fludd’s cosmology and theology are prin- must have been the greatest collaboration cipally those of the continental Rosicru- between Robert Fludd and Francis Bacon. cian. There is much reference to the word Bacon was a genius of the time and magic in his writings. It must be under- though Fludd was also an exceedingly stood that the word magic at this time had learned man, we can, without detracting reference to the applications of many kinds from his eminence, assume that he echoed, of phenomena. Fludd classified magic un- in his writings, some of the conceptions of der various headings, three of the principal Bacon. ones being: In Defense of Truth 1. Natural magic “...that most occult and The attacks on theFama by promi- secret department of physics by which nent Jesuits and others who sought to the mystical properties of natural sub- deride the Rosicrucian Order, terming it stances are extracted;” a newly organized Lutheran body and an 2. Mathematical magic, by which adepts anti-Christian secret society, evoked the are able to “construct marvelous ma- force of Fludd’s convictions. He became chines by means of their geometrical England’s foremost Rosicrucian apologist. knowledge;” This is a classical term denoting one who argues in defense of a principle or cause. It 3. Divine magic, this being moral laws is thought that Fludd wrote his Apologia, and theological precepts. published in 1616, after Maier paid a visit Fludd expounds that the universe pro- to England and conferred the higher Rosi- ceeds from the Divine and will return to crucian degrees upon him. The courage of the Divine. Creation, he declares, is “the Fludd should be an incentive for Rosicru- separation of the active principle (light)

Page 33 from the passive (darkness) in the bosom Wherefore, we can argue syllogistically of the Divine Unity (God).” The universe as follows: to him consists of three worlds: the arche- a. That which was a whole before typal (God), the macrocosm (the world), any division is not a part of and the microcosm (humans). All parts of something; each world correspond to each other; that is, there is a harmonious parallelism be- b. Now, the soul was a whole be- tween them. Fludd holds that things are fore any division; not just the result of necessity but deter- c. Therefore, it cannot be a part of minism, the will of God. In his work, Mo- nature. saical Philosophy, Chapter VII, he states: On his death (1637) Fludd was buried For first of all what (I beseech you) is in Holy Cross Church, Bearsted. This is of greater antiquity than God, being but a few miles from Milgate House where that he was before anything? What is he was born. A monument to him is now in geometry before or in measure less in the choir vestry under the tower of that than a point? Or which among all the centuries-old edifice. It bears an inscription numbers of arithmetic is of so ancient extolling his virtues. The memorial monu- a standing as is the unity? Wherefore it ment “is a copy of Camden’s monument in must needs follow, that God is free and Westminster Abbey.” There is a brass plate voluntary in his actions, being that he in the flagging of the church, indicating was of himself, and did exist without where Fludd’s body is interred. Those Ros- any respect had unto any other... icrucians who gaze upon the monument Robert Fludd, then, as the Rosicru- are fortified in their convictions, and their cians have ever done, denounced the super- courage is renewed to defend anywhere at stitions which, in the mind of the masses, any time the Order’s noble purpose. had been associated with the Brotherhood. He inveighed against “venefic, necrominic, goetic, malefic, and theurgic magic.” This put aside all attempts at communication with the dead, spiritism, and what is today also termed black magic. The writings of that later Rosicrucian, Johannes Kelpius, who in 1694 first brought the Rosicrucian teachings in an organic form to America, reflect much of the works of Robert Fludd. Fludd’s pantheistic theories – the Di- vine in all things – were challenged by the astronomer Kepler. Their arguments con- stitute one of the literary achievements of the day. In reply to Kepler’s Apologia, Fludd says in part (1622): Finally, Pythagoras, and all the other philosophers who were endowed with some touch of the Divine, recog- Rosicrucian Digest nized that God is one and indivisible. No. 2 2013 Page 34