Confessio Fraternitatis
The Confessio Fraternitatis, or simply The Confessio, printed in Kassel in 1615, is the second anonymous manifestos, of a trio of Rosicrucian pamphlets, declaring the existence of a secret brotherhood of alchemists and sages who were interpreted, by the society of those times, to be preparing to transform the political and intellectual landscape of Europe.
The book is considered to be one of the three foundational manifestos of Rosicrucianism, and inspired Rosicrucian organizations such as Order of the [Golden and Rosy Cross] and Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.
Signs related to the beginning of the "age" which brings the "Reformation of Mankind", first Manifesto, are described at this second Manifesto as following:
The Confessio is a breviary about "the true Philosophy", it completes the earlier manifesto and in some way it comes to justify it, defending it from the voices and accusations already launched to the mysterious Brothers of the "Fraternity of the Rose Cross".
According to the Confessio a fundamental requisite to achieve this esoteric knowledge is "that we be earnest to attain to the understanding and knowledge of philosophy" and the Rosicrucian Brothers describe themselves as Christian and recommended readers to "addict ourselves to the true Philosophy, lead a Christian life".
It was reprinted several times and translated into several languages. Its author remains anonymous. Many historical figures have been attributed its authorship, including Francis Bacon.