"THE PROPHETS": Saint-Martin's Theosophick Hymns - Chant 9

"The Prophets"

by Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin

            Who shall give to man the intelligence to understand the march of the Word?

God hath spoken with His mouth of His prophets: this is what ye shall know if the One who prophesies is true, or if He doth not speak with a lying spirit:

When what he telleth of doth come to pass, ye shall then believe in the truth of the prophet.

But hath He not consummated all the Law? And since the Great Sign,¹ have not all the old signs become fragile?

Must there not appear prophets of error and falsehood, who shall have even the power of seducing the elect?

I see them do marvelous works; I see them announcing events which shall occur.

I see them, like Elijah, make fire come down from Heaven.

Woe to future times, when falsehood will so well resemble the truth!

At all times, take precautions against imitators. Ever since man was sold to be subjugated unto sin, sin useth him as well as wisdom.

It will thus be necessary for man to dig more deeply into himself, so as to find new signs there.

The prophet, is he humble and sweet? Doth he preach the reign of God, and not his own?

Doth he manifest with his tears and his sobs the ardors of charity? Is he ready to give his life for his brothers? Doth he join to these virtues a doctrine, sound and well-tried?

Turn towards him, follow in his footsteps, attach thyself to his spirit; charity of  heart and soundness of doctrine are gifts which cannot be feigned.

Even though thou walkest in the midst of confusion and darkness, a luminous circle shall surround thee, and keep thee safe.

The more time advances towards the fullness of its disorder, the more man must move towards his consummation of light.

How can he advance to this term, if he doth not allow himself to penetrate the spirit of life, and rush with ardor towards it, as if compelled there by a devouring hunger?

No! There is no joy comparable to that of treading the paths of wisdom and truth!

--Chant 9 from THE MAN OF DESIRE (L’HOMME DE DESIR) (1790)

translated by Seth Edwards, 2016

title by Robert Amadou

NOTES: 

1. The Crucifiction, or perhaps the life and ministry of Christ in general.