Throughout all of the vast Arcane, Occult and Esoteric literature runs the thread or theme of a Secret Doctrine and the Greater Mysteries. The Bible itself is far from free of this same suggestion. The life and Ministry of the Nazarene is built upon this idea, and the very basis of his teachings is the secret or Double Doctrine; one for the greater mass, the multitude; while the other is for the few; for those who made themselves the select - God's chosen people; the theme, assurance or promise of which was, and is:
"To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, to others it is not so given." - Matt. 13:11
When he made this statement as variously recorded by the disciples, he was speaking only to the few; hence only to the few is it given to know this secret of the kingdom. All the others, the vast majority, are taught in parables, and herein is the Arcanum of his teachings and his mission; the Secret or Double Doctrine.
If we believe that religion, or more correctly, the Scriptures which teach man the Laws and his duties to himself, to God and to his fellow man, were coexistent with man himself, then we find in the very beginning of the Bible, Genisis 14:18, one of the greatest of all the Mysteries.
The Greater Mysteries and the Secret Doctrine throughout time were based on this reference to Melchizedek, High Priest to God and His "kingdom of righteousness," an Arcanum wholly neglected or evaded by orthodoxy, but so vital and so "eternal" that the centuries have not dimmed its importance, but greatly and gradually brought it more and more to the fore.
Though this Priesthood of Melchizedek is, insofar as we can learn from the Biblical text, the only one established according to the dictates of God, It has been left entirely to the Ancient Mysteries, the Greater Mysteries, and later Arcanum and Initiatory Fraternities to keep its Light alive. This is unquestionably due to the fact that it is only for the few, to those who are seeking the "Kingdom of Heaven," because it demands so much more from those who seek to enter that "Kingdom" or know its mysteries than from others. Only the comparatively few now, as in the time of the Nazarene, are willing to listen and to "follow through."
No one is able to say how long the Priesthood after the Order of Melchizedek existed as such after its establishment according to Genesis. This Priesthood, clearly indicated by the Biblical text, was that of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Grail, hence the Priesthood of Light or Fire.
It required sacrifices made by fire, not of animals or other substances, but OF THE EVILS WITHIN MAN. We can readily trace this Priesthood to the time of Moses who became an INITIATE OF THAT PRIESTHOOD AFTER HE HAD SERVED SUFFICIENTLY AND HAD BECOME SO PURIFIED THAT THIS HOLY GHOST, THE GRAIL, APPEARED TO HIM FROM OUT OF THE BURNING BUSH, AND HE BECAME GOD'S CHOSEN LEADER OF THE PEOPLE, AS MELCHIZEDEK, PRIEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, HAD BEEN BEFORE HIM. This is not Occult literature or reasoning, but profoundly Biblical.
The next great age of the teachings of Melchizedek, King of Salem, was during the time of the Initiatory Orders of Egypt when in her glory. Of these Orders, their Lesser and Greater Mysteries, and the Secret Doctrines taught, so much has been written that nothing need be said here.
We ignore time and find ourselves in another age; the pre-Christian and into the first century. Here we entered into a reawakening of the Priesthood of Melchizedek in the teachings of the true Gnostic fathers and their Gnosis, an Arcanum of the select few who were willing to so live that they might EXPERIENCE THE AWAKENING OF THE CHRISTOS WITHIN THEMSELVES. THOSE WHO DID SO LIVE, WHO SUCCEEDED IN FINDING THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY GHOST, BECAME THE knowers, HENCE THE GNOSTICS, the first CHRISTO-IANS.
To these the Gnostic Initiates might have said as truthfully as did the Nazarene to his close associates: "To you, the few who have listened and obeyed, the Kingdom of Heaven has been opened; the others who would not follow the laws can be taught only in parables and symbolism."
The Gnostics and their Secret Doctrine and Arcane were compelled to enter into the silence. While they were in process of doing this, one humbly born took up their banner, and, as a descendant of Abraham, like him, became a Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. He taught these Secret Doctrines; the same Arcamum of Light or the Holy Ghost, and like the Gnostics, boldly proclaimed that to only the very few was given the secret of the Kingdom of Heaven.
These few were the Chosen People of God; a peculiar people indeed, because they, from among the many, were willing to live the REgenerative life and experience the second birth so necessary if the eyes were to be opened to spiritual things.
Again there is a period of outer silence. During this time
were born the Acarnum Fraternities working in silence for
centuries, but teaching these same Greater Mysteries and Secret
Doctrines to the few ready to accept and obey.
The Mysteries and Secret Doctrines of the Initiates now became
the Arcane Science and continued to be taught in their pristine
purity by the authentic Secret Schools.
In our Prologue we have attempted to give a "running" account beginning with the work of Melchizedek, High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek, up to and including the work of the Priesthood of Æth or Light, the two appellations being used interchangeably.
Following the Prologue are chapters dealing with the Divine Laws which explain man's duty to God, to himself and to his fellow man. These Divine Laws must be obeyed if we seek to become all that we may be if we willingly comply with the Law. These Laws are so plainly interpreted that all may readily understand and put them into practice.
It is admitted that in a world of selfishness this practice may be more or less difficult; nevertheless, nothing is prohibited man which is really for his welfare.
Moreover, it cannot be contradicted that whoever seeks to be "one of a peculiar people, one of "God's chosen people," must obey these Laws, otherwise the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be revealed to them, nor can the gates of Light be opened to the Soul.
This book is not literature as such, because no continuity is attempted. Its purpose is to teach the Law that will lead man from "mortality into Immortality." One paragraph may have no connection with the one preceding or following it. It is, in intent and purpose, a "Book of Laws."
Finally, and to make the book of greater value to those interested in the Arcanum of the Initiatory Fraternities, we have added an Epilogue. This Epilogue is based on a secret manuscript which belonged to one of the Grand Masters of an outer court of the Fraternitas Rosae Crucis and released by him to his Initiate members. We are personally responsible for its interpretation and the notes.
In the hope that our efforts will be of help to those seeking the Light and the goal of man's existence, we remain,
Sincerely,
R. Swinburne Clymer
The See
Beverly Hall
Quakertown, Pennsylvania
March 25, 1949