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Four Prophets or Five Prophets?
By Pseudo-Clement

Are there four prophets or five prophets? Mainstream Canonist theology says four, and logic at first glance supports this conclusion- there are four scrolls, hence four prophets. God even told Horen that He would grant the world after him “three sons of Spirit” (Gsp 2:72). 

Yet what if I told you there could, in actuality, be five prophets, and that this mysterious figure can be found within the Canon itself? Do not worry, I am not speaking of any future eschatological or messianic personages (sorry Lendians). Rather, this prophet has already walked the earth and his scroll is perhaps the most popular of any of the traditional four.

I speak of course of the Primordial Man.

This essay shall argue the existence of a fifth prophet in the figure of the Primordial Man found in chapter 1 of the Scroll of Gospel, who fulfills all qualifications of Prophethood, namely (1) ascension to the Sixth Sky, (2) performance of miracles, (3) has received divine prophecy or revelation, (4) teaches in some capacity, (5) rules or occupies some position of societal responsibility, (6) is related to previous and/or future prophets, and (7) exhibits extraordinary piety and virtue in their life.

I will attempt to be as brief as possible, and I have cut considerable content from the original document in order to define my point as concisely as possible. I do not aim to preach heresy, rather to view the Canon as given before us and view the Truth which God gave us. I hope this thesis may develop discussion and debate within the faithful Canonist community. My only intention is to start productive conversations about the theology, philosophy, and doctrines of the Canonist Church.

Defining Prophethood

In order to judge our candidate for prophethood, we must determine what a prophet is. By comparing our four extant prophets, I have boiled down seven common traits found across the quaternary, which I believe constitutes the signs of legitimate prophethood. These are:

1. Has ascended to the Sixth Sky
2. Has received divine revelation (typically recorded in a scroll)
3. Is a miracle-worker
4. Is a teacher
5. Is a ruler or leader
6. Is direct male-line kinsman to previous or future prophets
7. Is extraordinarily pious and virtuous

Part 1: The Primordial Man

The references of the Primordial Man within the Canon are brief and sparse, but provide very crucial and important information in trying to understand this enigmatic figure. He was created alongside the Primordial Woman close to the time of Creation, made from clumps of earth and given “blood and breath, and the light of wisdom” (Gsp 1:28). Both of them were virtuous, and God ordered them as the ‘Firsts’, the Primus and Prima, and they bore no skills of language and had no true, proper names (Gsp 1:29). They were His “favoured creations” (Gsp 1:30), and under His care they prospered (Gsp 1:31), remaining “faithful to their Creator, and did as He bid” (Gsp 1:32). The Primordial Man took the co-created woman as his wife and had four sons (Gsp 1:33), named Malin (Gsp 1:34-35), Urguan (1:36-37), Krug (Gsp 1:38-39), and Horen (Gsp 1:40-41). Eventually, both the Primordial Man and Woman were called to join God in the Sixth Sky (Gsp 1:42), which the man did so willingly and in great reverence (Gsp 1:43). The Primordial Woman chose love of her children over God (Gsp 1:44), leading to God humbling her (Gsp 1:46) through “[uncovering] the imperfections of the Sons” (Gsp 1:45). She would finally join her husband in the Sixth Sky soon after (Gsp 1:47).

My first listed qualification for prophethood was ascension to the Sixth Sky, which the Primordial Man not only did, but was the first of any being to ever do so. All of the four prophets entered the Sixth Sky: Owyn (Gsp 5:22) and Godfrey (Gsp 7:66) and the rest according to tradition. The Catechism of the Canonist Church directly calls the Sixth Sky the realm of “the Exalted and their wives”.

One must note that Owyn’s entrance into the skies is specifically referred to as joining his “grandfather’s father” (Gsp 5:22), that is, the Primordial Man. By this, Sixth Sky is called directly by the Divine as the realm of the Primordial Man (the Scroll of Gospel, like the Scroll of Virtue, were delivered wholesale by God through his messenger aenguls, unlike the Scroll of Spirit and Auspice, which were transcribed by their respective prophets in explaining experiencing or teachings they had, more on this in Part 2). Therefore, by the Primordial Man’s inclusion in the Sixth Sky, he must hold a position like ‘Exalted’, if we are to atleast follow the tradition of St. Daniel VII and his magnum opus.

Part 2: The Wordless Scroll

If the Primordial Man is an Exalted, where is his scroll? Every prophet has a scroll, whether revealed directly (Virtue, Gospel) or indirectly (Spirit, Auspice). I argue that the Primordial Man did leave a scroll- that is, a nameless scroll called “Tradition” or “Praxis or Method of Faith”. To explain this will require some explanation, so please bear with me.

The first argument against this line of thinking is that Tradition simply was given by the prophets, more specifically Horen. However, this is impossible, for a few reasons.

First, the tradition of building temples (Gsp 2:13) and having tabernacles (Gsp 2:19) pre-exists Horen’s receiving the blessing of revelation by being anointed in the Waters of Gamesh (Gsp 2:34-39). This means that there was primordial praxis in worship, which had to come from somewhere before Horen’s call to prophethood. I argue that this must have developed from the Primordial Man in his role as teacher (see Part 4). The teachings of these practices come from God Himself; remember, before the uncovering of the Sons by the Primordial Woman’s folly, and the Primordial Man had complete and unadulterated access to the Grace and Love of God (see Part 7). I should also state that the creation of the priesthood through Evaristus and Clement (Gsp 5:3-5) does not necessitate that a praxis or method of faith did not preexist this moment; the practice of prayer and worship predate the existence of the formal priesthood.

Second, the concept of being “faithful” is mentioned as being practiced not only by Horen (Gsp 1:41), but also previously by the Primordial Man (Gsp 1:31). Therefore, if we classify faith as acting in Love of God (pious, virtuous, etc.) and henceforth a method or action, this action must originate from a source. And as Horen again had not been called to prophethood, he must have learned from an extant source- that is, his father the Primordial Man. As I mentioned before, the method of faith is shown to exist before the birth of any of the Sons. This method of faith is the Fundamental Tradition.

But why then was this revelation or practice not written not like the other scrolls? The Primordial Man had no language or name- his revelation came through acting through His plan (Gsp 1:30). Prophets mark their prophecy by being anointed with the Waters of Gamesh (Gsp 2:35; 4:22; 6:22; 7:46); one should note that not only the Primordial Man had access to bathe and anoint himself in the Waters of Gamesh, he drank “the sweet water” directly (Gsp 1:31). By this symbolism, we can infer that the Primordial Man had the ability not only to reveal the Plan of God, but he acted in it. The Waters of Gamesh practically coursed through his very veins.

The methods and practices he developed to be faithful to God- that is, the practice of prayer, worship, devotion, piety, what have you- became his scroll: the Wordless Scroll of Tradition. A concept similar to this is the Qali concept of Sunnah; or how the practices and praxis of worship of their prophets stand of equal status to their revealed scripture.

A crucial part of this symbolism is how the Wordless Scroll/Tradition qualifies as both direct revelation and indirect revelation. By doing as He bid (Gsp 1:32), the praxis of faith of the Primordial Man is directly revealed to be the way which is most pleasing to Him. Likewise, because the Primordial Man is a creation and not God, the practices which he develops are inherently exoteric and therefore indirectly revealed. The Wordless Scroll is a fulfillment of both the esoteric and the exoteric, the Absolute and the Infinite, the direct and the indirect. God is both One yet All.

Part 3: Words from the Wordless

Another important marker of prophethood is miracles- a sign of a saint, for example, is the performance of miracles (Catechism of the Canonist Church). All the prophets performed miracles: Horen and his miracle of the Pure Aura (Gsp 1:42-43), Owyn and the miracle of Lux Invicta (Gsp 5:19-20), Godfrey and the Ascension (Gsp 7:66), and Sigismund and the Holy Revelations (see the Scroll of Auspice). What then were the miracles of the Primordial Man? Can we discern any? I argue that through the Canon, we know of two extremely powerful miracles performed by him.

Both miracles are intertwined in one action: the birth of the Four Sons, specifically in how they have names. Remember, the Primordial Man and Woman knew no language or had no names, yet the grant of names to the Four Sons clearly falls before the Primordial Woman’s folly. There is therefore a paradox: if the Primordial Man or Woman had no language, how could they give their children verbal names?

The first miracle is therefore the ability of the Primordial Man to utter and grant these names to his children: despite the lack of proper linguistic tongue, he was able to conceive and create ordered syllabus with purpose and meaning. In the Wordless, the Primordial Man through the Grace of God made Word.

The second miracle is more nuanced. Why did the Primordial Man give the Four Sons names in the first place? I argue this is because of a miracle of divine prophecy- the Primordial Man knew through the Grace of God of the Primordial Woman’s folly and therefore the bestowment of the curse of identity upon the Four Sons and their later tribes. By giving name, he gave the transition of his children from complete lack of identity to having worldly identity smoother, but also taught through the Wordless Scroll (see Part 2) that such exoterism can still prove faithful to God. God giving revelation of future events is not a new concept in Canonism (see the Scroll of Auspice for example).

Part 4: The First Teacher

All prophets have been teachers in some capacity; Horen retaught the teachings of God to the people after being led astray by Saul (Gsp 1:39, 47), Owyn taught through epistles gathered in the Scroll of Spirit, Godfrey “pronounced the word of God into the hearts of men” (Gsp 6:34), and Sigismund shall cast aside the teachings of the idolaters in favor for that of Canonism (Gsp 7:52). Did the Primordial Man too act as a teacher?

As previously stated, the Wordless Scroll is Tradition or the practices of the Primordial Man in worshiping and acting faithful to God. These were passed down to Horen, which formed the basis of future worship as we do today. This “passing down” could only have happened if the Primordial Man taught Horen (and therefore the other three sons as well) the method of faith. In this way, the Primordial Man acted as a teacher.

A symbol of the Primordial Man as a teacher can be seen in the birth of Clement and Evaristus. According to popular legend, they are twins which “tousled in the womb”, though coming from one essence. This is a parallel to the creation of the Primordial Man and Woman- likewise, they two came from one earth and granted the same gifts of breath, blood, and wisdom. The brothers acted as teachers to the masses still scarred by the destruction of first Saul and then Harren, much like how the Primordial Man and Woman taught to the Four Sons how to live faithfully and in pure intention to God.

Part 5: The First Patriarch

Each prophet has been a ruler in some capacity; Horen was the first King of Mankind (Gsp 1:50), Owyn claimed the kingship in order to contest his wicked uncle Harren (Gsp 4:40-42), Godfrey united the realms of humanity into an empire (Gsp 7:16), and Sigismund reunited his predecessor’s realm (Gsp 7:50-52). Did the Primordial Man rule or hold kingship in some capacity?

The Primordial Man, in his role as the patriarch of the First Family, exhibits the roles of kingship which every ruler follows implicitly. Being the first of God’s creation that held the light of wisdom and the privilege to be His favoured beings, even above the Aengudamons. He acted as steward of the lands and also as patriarch to his family; symbolically, the Four Sons submitted to this patriarch, which is the only time when Elf (Malin), Dwarf (Urguan), Ork (Krug), and Human (Horen) lived in one united polity- a potent spiritual image.

Another note is the quote “So the Lord was pleased to lay His favor upon the sons of His first man and woman, and he called the pair forth to reside in the Sixth Sky and give the World over to the dominion of the Sons” (Gsp 1:42). By the phrase “give the World over to the dominion of the Sons”, it is inferred that the dominion of the World was in some capacity held by the Primordial Man and Woman and that it was theirs to “give”.

Part 6: The Father of All

All the prophets are related to each other by direct blood relation. Owyn, Godfrey, and Sigismund are all descendants of Horen. The Primordial Man falls into this tradition: he is the father of Horen, and therefore the parent of all prophets. Not only that, the Primordial Man is the sire of all the descendant races, and therefore bears the dignity of ‘Father of All’.

Part 7: Grace Unhampered

The prophets lived and/or performed deeds of great virtue and piety: Horen led the descendants to renounce the machinations of Iblees (Gsp 1:47-66), Owyn repented in severe acts of obedience of God in order to purify his soul through the miracle of Lux Invicta (Gsp 5:19-22), Godfrey humbled himself before God despite his vast lands and power (Gsp 7:64), and Sigismund brought forth mercy in royal judgement (Gsp 7:54). Did the Primordial Man act in virtue and piety?

As previously mentioned, he did act “faithful to their Creator, and did as He bid” (Gsp 1:32). In all references within the scrolls, the Primordial Man is shown to be the pinnacle of faith, virtue, and piety. Even the Primordial Man did not bear the Primordial Woman’s folly, for he had fear in God and joined him despite his love for the Four Sons. Not only did the Primordial Man act in God, he is perhaps the closest model in complete surrender and faith to God. He is the transcendent symbol of faith for all descendants. 
 

THE SPRING CONTINGENCY

“Woah now! Hold it steady!” 

One of the many laborers cried to another. They were busy strapping large, heavy crates, filled with all assortments of ore and wealth, to the back of a burly, large ox. Many of these oxen lined the rocky Sedan Pass. The land had not been this bustling with activity since before construction on Castle Sedan began all those years ago.

The old, fat Master of Sedan looked over the preparations going on before him, flanked by his sons Alexander and Peter. The sight saddened him, in truth- though they began rallying forces, nearly half were unable to fight thanks to some obscure, strange force. Although the source of this black magick remained unknown to him, he could not help but suspect that some strange, Imperial trickery was responsible. 

Such was hard, yes, but issues always arise. To win this war, it would have to be his men who set the rules of engagement, not the Empire. A realignment will be made and justice will be had.

The Fat Goat of Sedan gazed to the sky. Justice will be had, but only if they played this intelligently. Passion alone does not win wars. Through persistence, they will overcome these obstacles laid before them.

They just need to change the way they play the game.

With a flick of his wrist, he motioned to the two beside him to begin.

——

The baggage train moved steadily northward, with what was Castle Sedan burning in hellfire behind them. The Goats moved onwards, marching their way towards the northern expanse of Haense.
 

SEDAN DECLARES HER INDEPENDENCE 

Let it be known that on this day of 13th of the Amber Cold, the Principality of Sedan, having severed all ties with the Holy Orenian Empire, declares itself a free and independent state. 

Henceforth, the following decrees are issued:
 

-Sedan will now style itself as the Principality of Sedan, a title befitting the blood of Kings and Emperors that courses through the veins of our ruling house, the de Joannes.

-The Principality of Sedan rejects the Orenian Revised Code of 1762. All legal affairs, civil and criminal, are to be handled directly by Prince Louis I in his court.

-In accordance with its independence, the Principality of Sedan denies the authority of Emperor Joseph II to collect taxes, confiscate property, or issue evictions on our soil. Hence, the Imperial Proclamation of 1810 and the Order for the Confiscation of Sedan are rejected, not being binding on our Principality or its citizens. 

-GOD BE WITH US-

CHAPTER OF SAINT ALEXANDER AND THE HOLY GOAT

‘THE GOATS OF SEDAN’

“THROUGH GOD, WE WILL OVERCOME”

(God. 6:3)

REJECT THE SINS OF MODERNITY AND TRANSCEND

Step into any fetid metropolis and take a single breath- the miasma fills your lungs, as if weights bear you down. The secular has come in vogue, the virtues of old dismantled in the name of progress. But winds are changing, even the lame can sense it. The second Age of Heroes fast approaches: but will you stand tall in the coming yuga, or cower in the pleasured coddling of modernity? 

Many do not have what it takes to ascend in the latter days. But purification of the soul, the transmutation of sin into glory, can be achieved. To do so requires sacrifice, a libation given in honor for God’s Love. And what is the greatest gift to Him if not one’s very body, the hand-crafted vessel He Designed? Craft yourself into a temple worthy of His Love, mold your mind into a tabernacle capable of His Wrath.

Through the pursuit of martial excellence, by the charism of initiation, you can transcend past the material plane and into the fields of Divine Ecstasy. Give yourself to the inner spark within your soul and all shall be laid bare in the Glory of the Creator.

PURIFY THE SOUL AND WALK THE SEVEN SKIES 

AS YOUR FATHERS DID BEFORE YOU

“I BOWED MY HEAD AND WORSHIPPED THE MAJESTY OF MY FATHER WHO SENT ME — FOR I HAD DONE HIS WILL, AND HE TOO HAD DONE WHAT HE PROMISED — AND THE GATES OF HIS KINGDOM OPENED, AND I MINGLED WITH HIS PRINCES, FOR HE REJOICED IN ME AND RECEIVED ME, AND I WAS WITH HIM IN HIS KINGDOM.”

(Owyn 6:1-4)

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THE LESSER AND GREATER ALEXANDRINE INITIATION

“AND NO PLACE IS FORBIDDEN TO THOSE PERFECTED IN THE EYES OF GOD, FOR THE WICKED ARE VANQUISHED FOREVER.”

(Aus. 3:10)

[Redacted]

The mysteries of the Alexandrine Initiation are a closely-guarded secret of the Goats of Sedan, revealed only to the most loyal and experienced brothers.

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RANKS OF THE CHAPTER OF THE HOLY GOAT

The Inner Council of Bailiffs

CHANCELLOR-AND-PROPRIETOR - The de jure leader and figurehead of the chapter, Chancellor-and-Proprietor is the final say of command and authority. Typically, however, the Chancellor-and-Proprietor is mainly tasked with representing the order both to the Church and foreign nation-states in cases of diplomacy as well as the maintenance of properties and lands controlled by the order.

The current Chancellor-and-Proprietor is Ser Louis de Joannes.

KNIGHT-COMMANDER - Second-in-command, the Knight-Commander is in charge of keeping the Knight-Constable, Color-Bearer, and Master-Conservator stay in the right, as well as to lead in conflicts.

The current Knight-Commander is Ser Alexander de Joannes.

KNIGHT-CONSTABLE - Marked with the golden whip of office, the Knight-Constable is third-in-command and tasked with the important task of drilling and training both recruits and brothers alike. 

The current Knight-Constable is Ser Lukas Castile.

COLOR-BEARER - The honor of carrying the chapter’s war banner into battle is reserved for the most capable warrior within the order at one time, named the Color-Bearer.

The current Color-Bearer is Ser Owyn de Joannes.

MASTER-CONSERVATOR - As chief quartermaster and lord of logistics, the Master-Conservator’s role is to keep in order the vast stockpiles and resources the chapter maintains.

The current Master-Conservator is Ser Peter de Joannes.

Ranks of the Chapter

EQUESTOR - The Knight of the Chapter is truly a fearless knight, and secure on every side, for his soul is protected by the armor of faith, just as his body is protected by the armor of steel. He is thus doubly-armed, and needs neither demons nor men.

BROTHER-ARMIGER - Squire of the Chapter, known for how long they have been in the Chapter for. As most of them may be better fighters due to their age, most who hold this rank have earned it from their decades of loyalty to the Church and the Chapter.

BROTHER-CAPRANUS - Veterans of the Chapter, typically having years of experience under their belt. The Brother-Carpani are allowed to bear the iconic ‘Helm of the Ram’.

BROTHER-SERGEANT - Those who have proven their loyalty to the Church and the Chapter, Brother-Sergeants are proven fighters of the Chapter who have risen above their Brothers in ranks.

BROTHER - The core and bulk of the Chapter’s manpower, Brothers are those who have taken the first initiatory rites and have sworn themselves in holy service to their fellow peers.

RECRUIT - Inexperienced and untrained, Recruits are the neophytes of the chapter who have yet finished their first year of service or made their oath to the Chapter.

Extraordinary Ranks

MEDICUS - Those who provide medical needs to the Chapter, the Medicus rank is given to those who have proven their medical proficiencies within the Chapter, their sole job to provide their Brothers’ in the practice of medicine.

ALMONER - Any brother of the Chapter who has taken clerical vows are given the robes of the Almoner, tasked with the important duties of giving alms and aid to the poor and lame, as well as efforts in proselytization 

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ENLISTMENT AND APPLICATION

To serve with the Goats of Sedan, one must be of at least fourteen years, a male, and a faithful member of the Church of the Canon.

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