The First Day
by Jack Courtis

On an evening before Easter-day, I sat at a table, and having (as my custom was) in humble prayer sufficiently conversed with my Creator, and considered many great mysteries (whereof the Father of Lights, his Majesty, had shown me not a few) and being now ready to prepare in my heart, together with my dear Paschal Lamb, a small, unleavened, undefiled cake; of a sudden there ariseth so horrible a tempest, that I imagined no other but that through its mighty force, the hill whereon my little house was rounded, would fly in pieces. But in as much as this, and the like form the Devil (who had done me many a spite) was no new thing to me, I took courage, and persisted in my meditation, till some body after an unusual manner, touched me on the back;

The text begins on an evening before Easter day. This immediately points to the Christian nature of the mysteries that we are about to encounter. More precisely, we have to consider the greatest of all mysteries, that of life/death and resurrection. This is precisely the whole point of the inner journey of CRC because the 3 elements of life, death and resurrection, are the outer manifestation of inner transformation. This is an initiation.

If we look very closely, we notice that CRC is in the process of conducting the 4 inner disciplines of prayer (humble prayer), study (considered many great mysteries), fasting (small, unleavened, undefiled cake) and meditation (sufficiently conversed with Creator). It is clear that the process of personal transformation must begin with the first 4 of the spiritual disciplines.

Moreover, if we look carefully at the text of the First Day, we notice that CRC is also conducting the disciplines of solitude (little house on hill), simplicity (the lifestyle that he describes), submission (ready to prepare in my heart) and service (he makes this vow in the very last lines of the First Day). Overall, the remaining text of the Chymical Marriage indicates the disciplines of worship, guidance, confession and celebration.

Clearly, neither CRC nor we, can begin the inner journey unless we have already begun to perform the spiritual disciplines. There are 12 such disciplines in 3 groups of 4 and these numbers are significant signposts along the way on the inner landscape.

We should also note at this early stage, that CRC describes his experience as Seven Days. Immediately, we are reminded of Genesis ch1 and note that for the first 6 Days, God acts with the principle of polarity. On the Seventh Day, the opposites are reconciled. Let us bear this in mind as we follow CRC. In fact, if we can go where he has gone, we shall have his experiences. A lot more is implied by this than simply a dry intellectual reading of the text. This is a guided meditation. CRC has created a visual map for us to follow. Let us proceed.

whereupon I was so hugely terrified, that I would hardly look about me; yet I showed myself as cheerful as (in the like occurrences) my human frailty would permit; now the same thing still twitching me several times by the coat, I looked back, and behold it was a fair and glorious lady, whose garments were all sky-blue, and curiously (like Heaven) bespangled with golden stars. In her right hand she held a trumpet of beaten gold, whereon a Name was engraved which I could well read but am as yet forbidden to reveal it.

First, we must remember that this is an experience that CRC has while he is in meditation. Secondly, he is touched in an "unusual" manner. This tells us that CRC is functioning on a higher level of reality. The lady that he describes sounds similar to the Woman in the Apocalypse ch 12 v 1. The trumpet in her right hand and the Name, are both Apocalyptic echoes.

In her left hand she had a great bundle of letters of all languages, which she (as I afterwards understood) was to carry into all countries. She had also large and beautiful wings, full of eyes throughout (like unto the Cherubim: "six winged, many eyed" - Eastern Orthodox Liturgy), wherewith she could mount aloft, and fly swifter than any eagle.

The Apocalyptic imagery continues with the letters (as in the 7 Letters to the 7 Churches) and the description of her wings (as in the 4 living creatures). All of this suggests that the Apocalypse of John is the source of a great deal of information relevant to personal transformation and the inner journey. Once again, polarity is noted by the trumpet in the right hand and the letters, in the left. Both are forms of communication. One is auditory and the other is visual. "Those with ears, let them hear; those with eyes, let them see."

I might have been able to take further notice of her, but because she stayed so small time with me, and terror and amazement still possessed me, I was inclined to be content. For a soon as I turned about, she turned her letters over and over, and at length drew out a small one and with great reverence she laid it upon the table, and without giving one word, departed. But in her mounting upward, she gave so mighty a blast on her gallant trumpet, that the whole hill echoed thereof, and for a full quarter of an hour after, I could hardly hear my own words.

The emotion that CRC feels, is a good indication of the genuine nature of the experience. This is not just an intellectual exercise. Mere intellect will never get us to the end of our journey. The emotions have to be fully engaged.

In so unlooked for an adventure I was at a loss. How was I to advise, or assist my poor self, and therefore fell upon my knees and besought my Creator to permit nothing contrary to my eternal happiness to befall me; whereupon with fear and trembling, I went to the letter, which was now so heavy, that if it were gold, it could hardly have been so weighty. Now as I was diligently viewing it, I found a little seal, whereupon a curious cross with this inscription, IN HOC SIGNO VINCES {In this Sign you will be victorious}, was engraved.

First, the seal reminds us of the 7 Seals of the Apocalypse. Secondly, the "curious cross" is in the form of John Dee’s Monas Hieroglyphica. That in turn reminds us of alchemy and we can then make sense of the point that the letter is as heavy as "gold". The great secret of transmutation, personal transformation, is being conveyed by this letter. The secret is explained by the Latin phrase in hoc signo vinces. This is a direct reference to the vision of Constantine on the eve of the Battle of the Malvern Bridge. Having been abandoned by the Roman gods, he turned to Christ and was rewarded with a vision of the Monogram of Christ and heard the words, "in this sign you will be victorious". Like CRC, his experience was both auditory and visual. The next day, Constantine won the battle and became the first Christian emperor of Rome.

The Monogram of Christ is different in appearance from the Monas Hieroglyphica, but they both carry the same meaning. They are each, a symbol of the Great Work. The whole of the secret, is conveyed by each symbol. The Monas is a form of the alchemical Mercury, which in turn is composed of the astrological Sun, Moon and Mercury. Why two Mercuries? The astrological Mercury is of the Above and the alchemical Mercury is of the Below. Astrology explains the Above while alchemy explains the Below. What reconciles them? The Chymical Marriage. How? Consider the alchemical koan that "the Great Work is the conjunction of the Sun and the Moon, with the aid of Mercury". CRC is the personification of the Monas.

Now a soon as I saw this sign I was the more comforted, as not being ignorant that such a seal was little acceptable, and much less useful, to the Devil. Whereupon I tenderly opened the letter, and within it, in an azure field, in gold letters, found the following verses written.

The colours azure and gold, with azure as the background and gold superimposed, have an alchemical meaning. Kabalistically, they refer to sefirot on the Tree of Life, on a particular level of reality. These are clues to the process of transformation

The marriage reminds us of the wedding at Cana and the fact that it is a lawful union of the opposites by the integration of polarities. This process is lawful if done according to Divine law, eg alchemy, but unlawful if done contrary to divinity. We are constantly acting in such an unlawful fashion by the way in which we live our lives - with none of the spiritual disciplines. To call the marriage "Royal", is to bring in an extra element. It is not just an integration of polarities by the 12 Disciplines - that is necessary but not sufficient - it requires the Grace that comes from on high.

CRC is by "birth inclined", entitled to participate in the process of integration. That is, he has reincarnated at the correct time and by his karma, is required to proceed. Here is the subtle problem of free will and predeterminism. Can he freely choose to do what he is obliged to do? Can we? After all, it is "of God designed".

Next, the wedding invitation directs him to the mountain (higher level of consciousness) and the 3 temples (spiritual principles), from which he will see the entire process in its full context (from end to end). Thus, karma impels us to action, though we are free to choose to ignore it.

CRC is then warned to "keep watch and ward" his consciousness of self; very much like the Noble Eightfold Way of the Lord Buddha and its strict requirement of "right attention". A crystal clear, focused mind is essential because if not diligently cleansed of impurity (bathed), the process of the marriage will harm him. Personal transformation can hurt as well as save. We must know what to do otherwise our efforts will cause us harm.

Finally, CRC is warned that he will be damaged if he delays and takes the matter too lightly. This is a karmic situation. He has a choice - he can act, or refuse to act. He has been warned. This is a lesson for us. An invitation like this is rare. We must recognise the opportunity and seize it.

And who are the Bridegroom and Bride who have signed the invitation? Remember, Christ is the Bridegroom. Who is His feminine counterpart? Is she the Woman of Apocalypse ch 12 v 1?

As soon as I had read this letter, I nearly fainted away and all my hair stood on end, a cold sweat trickled down my whole body.

A severe emotional reaction is normal when we come down from a higher level of consciousness.

For although I well perceived that this was the appointed marriage, whereof seven years before I was acquainted in a bodily vision, and which for so long time I had waited upon with great earnestness, and which lastly, by the account and calculation of the planets, I had most diligently observed, I found so to be, yet could I never fore-see that it must happen under so grievous perilous conditions. For, whereas I before imagined that to be a welcome and acceptable guest I needed only be ready to appear at the marriage, I was now directed to Divine Providence, of which until this time I was never certain.

CRC has been expecting this marriage for 7 years, from a vision (Above to Below) and his astrological calculation of the 7 planets (Below to Above). The 7 reminds us of the need to reconcile the 7 pairs of opposites. CRC has done so because he has "most diligently observed" during this time. Yet this is not enough. He must orient himself to Divine Providence.

I also found within, the more I examined myself, that in my head there was nothing but gross misunderstanding, and blindness in mysterious things, so that I was not able to comprehend even those things which lay under my feet, and which I daily conversed with, much less that I should be born to the searching out, and understanding of the secrets of Nature, since in my opinion Nature might every where find a more virtuous disciple, to whom to trust her precious, though temporary, and changeable treasures. I found also that my bodily behaviour, and outward good conversation, and brotherly love toward my neighbour, was not duly purged and cleansed; moreover the tickling of the flesh manifested itself, whose affection was bent only to pomp and bravery, and worldly pride, and not to the good of mankind: and I was always contriving how by this art I might in a short time abundantly increase my profit and advantage, rear up stately palaces, make myself an everlasting name in the world, and other like carnal designs.

Now begins the serious introspection. All of the faults that CRC discovers about himself, are the negatives of the 12 Disciplines. He has not cleared them away, even with his 7 years of "diligent observation". The performance of the 12 Disciplines is a necessary, but not sufficient condition, for the successful reconciliation of the 7 pairs of opposites. In turn, that reconciliation is not enough - it requires orientation to Divine Providence. Even then, we are left with a residue of negativity that constitutes our karma. Like CRC, we must be careful to identify an opportunity for spiritual growth when it is offered - and then act on it!

But the obscure words concerning the three temples did particularly afflict me, which I was not able to make out by any after-speculation, and perhaps should not yet, had they not been wonderfully revealed to me. Thus clinging between hope and fear, examining myself again and again, and finding only my own frailty and impotency, not being able to succour myself in any fashion, and exceedingly amazed at the fore-mentioned threatening, at length I took to my usual and most secure course; after I had finished my earnest and most fervent prayer, I laid down in the bed, in hopes my good angel by the Divine permission might appear, and (as it had sometimes formerly happened) instruct me in this doubtful affair, which to the praise of God, my own good, and my neighbours faithful and hearty warning and amendment did now likewise fall out.

The 3 temples clearly refer to the orientation to Divine Providence. This must be 3-fold in its nature. This is reflected in the 3 alternative paths that will be revealed to CRC later. He continues his self examination by clinging to the polarity of hope and fear. When that fails, he performs the Discipline of prayer and lies down on his bed. He does not fall asleep yet. CRC consciously invokes his "good angel", a higher aspect of himself, by Divine permission. He identifies his higher self with the Divine. Perhaps this is a reference to the Nous of Greek philosophy, or the Divine Spark of Gnosticism?

For I was yet scare fallen asleep, when methought, I, together with a numberless multitude of men, lay fettered with great chains in a dark dungeon. Here without the least glimpse of light, we swarmed like bees one over another, rendering each others affliction more grievous. But although neither I, nor any of the rest could see one jot, yet I continually heard one heaving himself above the other, when his chains or fetters were become ever so little lighter, though none of us had much reason to shove past the other, since we were all captive wretches. With the rest, I had continued a good while in this affliction and each was still reproaching the other with his blindness and captivity.

It is after his deliberate invocation of the Divine Spark, that CRC falls asleep, that is, enters a higher level of consciousness. He finds himself in a situation reminiscent of Plato’s Cave and also, of Dante’s Inferno. The point that Plato makes, is that we are like prisoners chained to the wall of a cave, who cannot see out of it. We see only shadows on the wall as passers by walk outside the entrance. We mistake the shadows for reality. More simply, our objective consciousness of the 5 senses, deceives us. It sees not reality, but illusion. To make this worse for CRC, it is an illusion inside a dream. The illusion is a dreaming. Who is the dreamer, what is the dream? And if the illusion can be discarded and reality can be perceived, does this change the dreaming? And the dreamer? And the dream? Change them to what?

At length we heard many trumpets sounding together and kettle drums beating to their sound, that it even revived and rejoiced us in our calamity. During this noise the cover of the dungeon was from above lifted up, and a little light let down unto us.

Even in the dungeon, we have ears to hear and eyes to see, if only we can understand the higher reality above us. Nevertheless, we see through a glass darkly.

Then first might truly have been discerned the bustle we kept, for all went pesle-mesle, and he who perchance had too much heaved up himself, was forced down again under anothers feet. In brief, each one strove to be uppermost, neither did I linger, but with my weighty fetters slipped up from under the rest, and then heaved myself upon a stone, which I laid hold of.

The prisoners behave exactly as we all behave in our ordinary lives. This is the "normal" world that is being described. Note that CRC slips his fetters. These are the karmic bonds that constrain our free will. We need to have gone a long way on our inner journey, in order to be able to remove the karmic restraints by an act of choice on our part. CRC has done this inside the dream that is inside his illusion. Truly, this is a most significant point. Have you noticed the "stone"? It will be mentioned again. This is a signpost of the inner landscape.

Several times I was grabbed at by others, from whom with all my might I guarded myself with my hands and feet. For we imagined no other but that we should all be set at liberty, which yet fell out quite otherwise. For after the nobles who looked upon us from above through the hole, had a while recreated themselves with this our struggling and lamenting, a certain hoary-headed ancient man called us to be quiet, and having scarce obtained it, began (as I still remember) thus to say on.

Notice the "every man for himself" attitude. This is exactly the way we live. But how else could it be if we mistake the illusion for reality? The old man is clearly an archetypal figure. He is the guardian of the threshold between illusion and reality. We have all met him, but refuse to acknowledge him. He is our conscience. Now, in the misery of the dungeon of our lives, we listen to him because we have no other choice:

Left to our own devices, we shall not change our behaviour. Our karma will keep us in the dungeon of this level of reality. However, grace exists and will be given freely to whoever makes the effort to grasp it. Here is a paradox. Grace is free but we must act in order to receive it. The Mother of the guardian of the threshold shall let down a cord (act of grace from Above to Below) and whoever (from Below) can hang on it (the effort to act), shall be freely released (to the Above). The "release" is obviously the effacement of karma, but it is "free" only if we make the effort to act by hanging on the cord. This is not a something for nothing situation. It is not "free" in that sense. It is free in the sense of the exercise of our free will. Salvation does not come to those who sit in the dungeon and simply complain. What is the cord? Perhaps a stream of consciousness from the Above to the Below. Remember the Emerald Tablet and its processes of descent and ascent. This cord connects our vehicles of consciousness on each of the levels of reality. Ultimately, it is the Divine Spark itself in its beingness. And who is the Mother of the guardian, because she is our Mother. It is the feminine that leads to salvation.

He had scarce done speaking when an ancient matron commanded her servants to let down the cord seven times into the dungeon, and draw up whosoever could hang upon it. Good God: that I could sufficiently describe the hurry and disquiet that then arose among us; for every one strove to get to the cord, and yet only interfered with each other. But after seven minutes a sign was given by a little bell, whereupon at the first pull the servants drew up four.

The cord is to be let down 7 times. We immediately know that the 7 pairs of opposites are being invoked. The prisoners behave as can be expected of those ignorant of karma and the inner journey. After 7 minutes (note the emphasis) a bell gives the sign. This symbolises the knowledge given to those who have ears to hear. At the first pull, 4 are drawn up. Why 4? What does that represent?

At that time I could not come near the cord by much, having (as is before-mentioned) to my huge misfortune, taken myself to a stone at the wall of the dungeon, and thereby found it difficult to reach the cord which descended in the middle. The cord was let down the second time, but several, because their chains were too heavy, and their hands too tender, could not keep their hold on the cord, but with themselves beat down many another, who else perhaps might have held fast enough; nay, many were forcibly pulled off by another, who yet could not himself get at it, so mutually envious were we even in this our great misery. But they of all others most moved my compassion, whose weight was so heavy, that they tore their very hands from their bodies, and yet could not get up. Thus it came to pass that at those five times very few were drawn up. For as soon as the sign was given, the servants were so nimble at the draught, that most tumbled one upon another, and the cord, this time especially, was drawn up very empty.

Note that the "stone" is mentioned a second time; wait for the third. Notice also the heavy karmic burden that prevents deliverance even by people who wish to act by grasping the cord. Some even have their hands torn off; their very ability to act is denied them. This causes compassion on the part of CRC. Although not clearly stated, compassion is the key to salvation for the majority of humanity. For many of us, our karmic burden is too heavy. Even if we want to act for our own salvation, we act wrongly, because we act like the prisoners in the dungeon.

Whereupon the greatest part, and even I myself, despaired of redemption, and called upon God that he would have pity on us, and (if possible) deliver us out of this obscurity, who also then heard some of us: for when the cord came down the sixth time, some of them hung themselves fast upon it; and whilst being drawn up, the cord swung from one side to the other, it (perhaps by the will of God) came to me, which I suddenly caught, uppermost above all the rest, and so at length beyond hope came out; whereat I exceedingly rejoiced, so that I perceived not the wound, which in the drawing up I received on my head by a sharp stone, until with the rest who were released (as was always before done) was fain to help at the seventh and last pull, at which time through straining, the blood ran down all over my clothes, which in my joy of deliverance, I regarded not.

On the sixth pull of the cord CRC is delivered. Remember that in Genesis ch 1, God creates by polarity, 6 times. Now we hear of the "stone" for the third time. It is sharp and wounds CRC on his head. He sheds blood. This reminds us of the Crown chakra, the sefira Keter (Crown) on the Tree of Life, The Crown of Thorns of Christ and the redeeming value of sacrificial action. Through compassion, CRC helps on the 7^th pull of the cord. This is the extra element that we need when the weight of our karma is too heavy to allow us to achieve salvation by our own efforts. Here, CRC is acting like a Bodhisatva. Through compassion, he delays his own full deliverance, in order to help others out of the dungeon.

Now when the last draught whereon the most of all hung, was finished, the matron caused the cord to be laid away, and willed her aged son to declare her resolution to the rest of the prisoners, who after he had a little bethought himself spoke, thus unto them.

The 7^th pull of the cord is the last. Genesis only records 7 Days. The feminine principle speaks to us through the guardian, our conscience. In a few "days" she will give us another opportunity. This means that all kosmic processes are cyclic and if we miss one opportunity, the turn of the cycle will give us another. It is of course best to act now by recognising our true spiritual state rather than waiting for some future karmic opportunity.

As soon as he had finished these words, the cover was again laid over and locked down, and the trumpets and kettle-drums began afresh, yet could not the noise thereof be so loud, but that the bitter lamentation of the prisoners which arose in the dungeon was heard above all, which soon also caused my eyes and heart to weep. Thereafter the ancient matron, together with her son sat down on seats before prepared, and commanded the redeemed should be told. Now as soon as she understood the number, and had written it down in a gold-yellow tablet, she demanded every name of us, which were also written down by a little page;

At the end of a cycle, the dungeon is sealed up but the cries of despairing humanity still reach higher levels of reality. This causes another outflow of compassion from CRC. In the role of Bodhisatva, this will ensure that he will return to help us. The "gold-yellow tablet" reminds us of the Tablet of Hermes. The names of the redeemed are recorded because those are the true names, they state the true nature of a person who is enlightened or saved. This reminds us that in the Apocalypse of John, the names of the "saved" are recorded in the Book of Life.

having viewed us all, one after another, she signed, and spoke to her son, so as I could well hear her, "Ah! How heartily am I grieved for the poor men in the dungeon. I would to God release them all," whereunto her son replied; "It is, mother, thus ordained by God, against whom we may not contend. In case we all of us were lords, and possessed all the goods upon Earth, and were seated at table, who would there then be to bring up the service?" Whereupon his mother held her peace, but soon after she said; "Let these be freed from their fetters", which was presently done, and I, except a few was the last; yet I could not refrain, but (though I still looked upon the rest) bowed before the ancient matron, and thanked God that through her (and by Grace), I had been brought from darkness and into the light: after me the rest did likewise, to the satisfaction of the matron.

To say that all this is "ordained by God, against whom we may not contend", is not to say that we are in a hopeless preordained condition. What is preordained is the series of spiritual laws that we have to live by. If we obey, we get one consequence. But we are free to disobey. In that case, we get a different consequence. God is constrained by His own nature to act according to law and so are we. To disobey the law is allowed for by that law. The consequences are then inevitable. That is why knowledge of the law helps us. If we know what to do, we can disentangle ourselves from our karma. What must we do? The 12 Disciplines, the 7 Reconciliations and proper orientation to Divine Providence. That is the law. We can choose to obey or disobey.

Lastly, to every one was given a piece of gold for a remembrance, and to spend by the way, on the one whereof was stamped the rising sun, on the other (as I remember) these three letters, D.L.S. {Deus Lux Solis - God is the Light of the Sun}, and therewith every one had license to depart, and was sent to his own business with this annexed intimation, that we to the Glory of God should benefit our neighbours, and reserve in silence what we had been instructed with, which we also promised to do, and so departed one from another.

The reference to gold and the sun reminds us of the Emerald Tablet. Gold is the symbol of those redeemed by the alchemical process and this is the "work of the Sun". This is Tiferet on the Tree of Life and the focus of the 3 processes of descent, ascent and redescent described in the Tablet of Hermes.

But in regard of the wounds which the fetters had caused me, I could not well go forward, but halted on both feet, which the matron presently espying, laughing at and calling me again to her said thus to me, "my son, let not this defect afflict thee, but call to mind thy infirmities, and therewith thank God who hath permitted thee even in this world, and in the state of thy imperfection to come into so high a light, and keep these wounds for my sake."

The wounds caused by the fetters are the karmic consequences of our actions. No matter how far we progress on the inner journey, we shall keep these wounds because they are the marks of our spiritual progress.

Whereupon the trumpets began again to sound, which so frightened me that I awoke, and then perceived that it was only a dream, yet it was so strongly impressed upon my imagination, that I was still perpetually troubled about it, and I thought I could yet feel the wounds on my feet. Howbeit, by all these things I well understood that God had vouchsafed that I should be present at this mysterious and bidden marriage; wherefore with childlike confidence I returned thanks to his Divine Majesty, and besought him, that he would further preserve me in his fear, that he would daily fill my heart with wisdom and understanding, and at length graciously (without my deserving) conduct me to the desired end.

CRC comes out of the dream inside the illusion, into the illusion itself - the objective consciousness of here and now. There are some truths that we can only experience at higher levels. That is why we must dream, dreams. Thus CRC seeks wisdom (Chakhmah on the Tree of Life) and understanding (Binah on the Tree). The grace he asks for comes via the Middle Pillar of the Tree. That middle way, is the reconciliation of feminine wisdom with masculine understanding. Now watch closely.

Hereupon I prepared for the path. I put on my white linen coat and girded my loins with a blood-red ribbon bound cross-ways over my shoulder. In my hat I stuck four red roses, that I might the sooner by this token be taken notice of among the throng. For food I took bread, salt and water, which by the counsel of an understanding person I had at certain times used, not without profit, in like occurrences.

The 4 roses, on the head above the heart (Sun/Tiferet) are the 4 step descent of the Emerald Tablet from the Above to the Below. The bread, salt and water, by implication carried in a bag below the heart, are the 3 step process of ascent from the Below to the Above. The blood red ribbon across the white linen coat is the 1 step double path of redescent from Keter to Tiferet on the Tree. As an occult blind, CRC mentions the last process, first. The 4 steps remind us of the 4 alchemical elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth); the 3 steps remind us of the 3 alchemical principles (Mercury, Sulfur, Salt) and the single step of a double nature points to the Quintessence without which, no alchemical process can succeed. CRC prepares himself for the inner journey to the Wedding, by performing the 3 processes of 8 steps mentioned in the Emerald Tablet. Remember he has already performed the majority of the 12 Disciplines, before he can perform the processes of the Tablet of Hermes. That is what we have to do as well. This is the law that is preordained. We can choose to obey or disobey the law. We have free will in that respect, but we cannot avoid the law.

But before I parted from my cottage, I first in this my dress and marriage garment, fell down upon my knees, and besought God, that in case such a thing were, he would vouchsafe me a good issue. And thereupon in the presence of God made I a vow, that if anything through His grace should be revealed to me, I would employ it neither to my own honour nor authority in the world, but to the spreading of His Name, and the service of my neighbour. And with this vow, and good hope I departed out of my cell with joy.

Thus the preparation ends with the vow of the Discipline of service. We are here to serve, not be served. There is work to be done.

Copyright © 1998 by Stepney Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN 008 869 485) Trustee for Courtis No4 Trust

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