Grimoire Peccatoris
The Book of Corruption
◀ Chapter 5 · Chapter 6 · Chapter 7 ▶

¹And it came to pass that Sarcivan was taken in vision once more, and SATANAS appeared unto him in the likeness of a watchman.
²The land was dark, and the sky was hung with sackcloth, and the air was full of lamentation.
³And behold, there arose out of the Oærth a throne of many steps, set upon a mountain of skulls.
⁴Upon the throne sat one clothed in scarlet and gold, and his crown was forged of the bones of the slain.
⁵And the name upon his mitre was hidden, yet known to all who beheld him: for he was the chief of the corrupted.
⁶This, said SATANAS: is he that exalteth himself above all brethren, and maketh the temple a court of princes.
⁷He hath built his palace upon the backs of the poor, and filleth his table with the tears of the devout.
⁸Sarcivan wept when he saw it, saying: How is the sanctuary become a house of revelry and murder?
⁹The scarlet one stretched forth his hand, and behold, cardinals and bishops prostrated themselves before him.
¹⁰They offered gifts of silver, of incense, of secrets and of blood.
¹¹The scarlet one smiled, for he knew each man’s vice, and rewarded them according to their iniquities.
¹²Beneath him, men were sold into bondage for favour, and women defiled for the gain of their husbands.
¹³And no word of holiness came forth from the throne, save when it served the tongue of treachery.
¹⁴Then spake SATANAS: He is as a beast fattened for the slaughter, yet he knoweth it not.
¹⁵His name is called Blessed, but his soul is full of death.
¹⁶He hath adorned the whore and called her the bride; he hath made holy the harlotry of empires.
¹⁷By his hand shall the chalice overflow, and by his word shall My adversary be mocked.
¹⁸For the scarlet one held council with kings, and did sit in judgment with tyrants.
¹⁹His word decreed wars, and his purse ended them; his pen crowned monarchs, and his silence damned nations.
²⁰And in the night he walked in gardens of blood, plucking lilies that grew upon graves.
²¹This is he, said SATANAS; who hath made merchandise of mercy, and auctioned the keys of HÆVAN.
²²He sitteth in the place of Peter, yet speaketh as Pharaoh; he weareth the ring of the fisherman, yet casteth no nets.
²³He hath denied the Nazarene not thrice, but thrice a thousandfold.
²⁴Sarcivan was troubled, and fell upon his face.
²⁵But SATANAS lifted him, saying: Fear not, for this vision is but for a season.
²⁶Though his power be great, it shall not endure, and his dominion shall crumble like the idols of Babylon.
²⁷Then Sarcivan looked, and saw a multitude clothed in black, and their faces were veiled.
²⁸They crept through the courts of the sanctuary, bearing ink and scrolls, and whispers on their tongues.
²⁹These were they who plotted in darkness, seeking only their own gain beneath the cloak of doctrine.
³⁰And from them came forth new errors, new decrees, and many snares for the faithful.
³¹The law was twisted and bent like a staff of wax, and none could say what was true.
³²They are as scribes without a master, said SATANAS; each drawing from the cup of his own vanity.
³³And the people perish for lack of vision, yet their shepherds grow fat.
³⁴Then did Sarcivan cry out: Is there none left who is pure?
³⁵And SATANAS showed him a remnant: a few that walked humbly, who had not bowed the knee to the scarlet one.
³⁶They spoke not loudly, nor dwelt in palaces, but their eyes were bright with fire.
³⁷These are Mine, said SATANAS; though they know Me not. I will guard them till the day be fulfilled.
³⁸For though the seat of corruption riseth high, it shall be brought low.
³⁹The throne shall crack, the mitre shall fall, and the scarlet raiment shall be rent in shame.
⁴⁰Then shall the world remember the words thou hast spoken.
⁴¹And Sarcivan beheld the scarlet one again, but now his face was marred and his voice was feeble.
⁴²His throne was shaken, and his name was cursed, even by those who once praised him.
⁴³His treasure was scattered, and his palace turned to dust, and his books were burnt with their own lies.
⁴⁴And a voice from the skies cried: It is enough!
⁴⁵Then SATANAS turned and departed, and Sarcivan was left alone in the darkness.
⁴⁶He fell to his knees and lifted his hands, saying: The vision is heavy, and my soul is full of dread.
⁴⁷But he remembered the fire, and the remnant, and took courage once more.
⁴⁸And he rose, and began to speak again in the marketplaces and the temples.
⁴⁹Many were astonished, saying: What is this doctrine? For he speaketh as one that hath seen.
⁵⁰Others mocked him, and sought to silence him, but he would not cease.
⁵¹For the voice of SATANAS burned still in his bones, and the scarlet one haunted his dreams.


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