Illustrations of Masonry
by
William
Preston
Book Three
The Principles of Masonry Explained
Sect 1. - A
Letter from the learned Mr. John Locke, to the Right Hon. Thomas Earl of
Pembroke, with an old Manuscript on the subject of Free-Masonry.
6th May, 1696
My Lord,
I have at length, by the help of Mr. Collins,
procured a copy of that MS. in the Bodleian library, which you were so curious
to see: and, in obedience to your lordship's commands, I herewith send it to
you. Most of the notes annexed to it, are what I made yesterday for the
reading of my Lady Masham, who is become so fond of masonry, as to say, that
she now more than ever wishes herself a man, that she might be capable of
admission into the fraternity.
The MS. of which this is a copy, appears to be
about 160 years old; yet (as your lordship will observe by the title) it is
itself a copy of one yet more ancient by about 100 years: for the original is
said to be the hand-writing of K. Henry VI. Where that prince had it, is at
present an uncertainty; but it seems to me to be an examination (taken perhaps
before the king) of some one of the brotherhood of masons; among whom he
entered himself, as it is said, when he came out of his minority, and
thenceforth put a stop to a persecution that had been raised against them: But
I must not detain your lordship longer by my preface from the thing itself.
I know not what effect the sight of this old
paper may have upon your lordship; but for my own part I cannot deny, that it
has so much raised my curiosity, as to induce me to enter myself into the
fraternity, which I am determined to do (if I may be admitted) the next time I
go to London, and that will be shortly. I am,
My Lord
And most humble servant,
John Locke
Certayn Questyons, with Answeres
to the same, concerning the Mystery of Maçonrye; writtene by the hande of
kynge Henrye, the sixthe of the name, and faithfullye copyed by me
(1) Johan Leylande,
Antiquarius, by the commande of his (2)
Highnesse
Quest. What mote ytt be?
(3)
Answ. Ytt beeth the skylle of nature,
the understondynge of the myghte that ys hereynne, and its sondrye werckynges;
sonderlyche, the skylle of rectenyngs, of waightes and metynges, and the true
manere of façonnynge al thynges for nannes use; headlye, dwellinges, and
buyldynges of alle kindes, and all odher thynges that make gudde to manne.
Quest. Where dyd it begynne?
Answ. Ytt dyd begynne with the
(4) fyrste menne in the este, whych were
before the (5) ffyrste manne of the weste,
and comynge westlye, ytt hathe broughte herwyth alle comfortes to the wylde
and comfortlesse.
Quest. Who dyd brynge ytt westlye?
Answ. The
(6) Venetians, whoo beynge grate merchaundes, comed ffyrste ffromme the
este ynn Venetia, for the commodytye of marchaundysynge beithe este and weste
bey the redde and myddlelonde fees.
Quest. Howe comede ytt yn Engelonde?
Answ. Peter Gower
(7) a Grecian, journeyedde ffor kunnyng yn
Egypte, and in Syria, and yn everyche londe whereas the Venetians hadde
plauntedde maçonrye, and wynnynge entraunce yn al lodges of maçonnes, he
lerned muche, and retournedde, and woned yn Grecia Magna
(8), wacksynge, and becommynge a myghtye
(9) wyseacre, and gratelyche renowned, and
her he framed a grate lodge at Groton (10),
and maked manye maçonnes, some whereoffe dyde journeye yn Fraunce, and maked
manye maçonnes, wherefromme, yn processe of tyme, the arte passed yn Engelonde.
Quest. Dothe maçonnes descouer here
artes unto odhers?
Answ. Peter Gower, whenne he journeyede
to lernne, was ffyrste (11) made, and
anonne techedde; evenne soe shulde all odhers beyn recht. Natheless
(12) maçonnes hauethe alweys, yn everyche
tyme, from tyme to tyme, communycatedde to mannkynde soche of her secrettes as
generallyche myghte be usefulle; they haueth keped backe soche allein as
shulde be harmfulle yff they comed yn euylle haundes, oder soche as ne myghte
be holpynge wythouten the techynges to be joynedde herwythe in the lodge, oder
soche as do bynde the freres more stronglyche togeder, bey the proffytte and
commodytye commynge to the confrerie herfromme.
Quest. Qhatte artes haueth the maçonnes
techedde mankynde?
Answ. The artes
(13) agricultura, architectura, astronomia,
geometria, numeres, musica, poesie, kymistrye, governmente, and relygyonne.
Quest. Howe commethe maçonnes more
teachers than odher monne?
Answ. The hemselfe haueth allein in
(14) arte of ffyndynge neue artes, whyche
arte the ffyrste maçonnes receaued from Godde; by the whyche they fyndethe
what artes hem plesethe, and the treu way of techynge the same, whatt odher
menne doethe ffynde out, ys onelyche bey chaunce, and herfore but lytel I tro.
Quest. What dothe the maçonnes concele
and hyde?
Answ. Thay concelethe the arte of
ffyndynge neue artes, and thatt ys for here own proffytte, and
(15) preise: Thay concelethe the arte of
kepynge (16) secrettes, thatt soe the
worlde mayeth nothinge concele from them. Thay concelethe the arte of
wunderwerckynge, and of foresayinge thynges to comme, that so thay same artes
may not be usedde of the wyckedde to an euyell ende. Thay also concelethe the
(17) arte of chaunges, the wey of wynnynge
the facultye (18) of Abrac, the skylle of
becommynge gude and parfyghte wythouten the holpynges of fere and hope; and
the universelle (19) longage of maçonnes.
Quest. Wylle he teche me thay same artes?
Answ. Ye shalle be techedde yff ye be
werthye, and able to lerne.
Quest. Dothe all maçonnes kunne more
then odher menne?
Answ. Not so. Thay onlyche haueth recht
and occasyonne more then odher menne to kunne, butt manye doeth fale yn
capacity, and manye more doth want industrye, that ys pernecessarye for the
gaynynge all kunnynge.
Quest. Are maçonnes gudder men then
odhers?
Answ. Some maçonnes are not so virtuous
as some odher menne; but, yn the moste parte, thay be more gude then thay
woulde be yf thay war not maçonnes.
Quest. Doth maçonnes love eidher odher
myghtylye as beeth fayde?
Answ. Yea verylyche, and yt may not
odherwife be: for gude menne and treu, kennynge eidher odher to be soche,
doeth always love the more as thay be more gude.
[Here endethe the questyonnes,
and awnsweres.]
A Glossary of antiquated Words in the
foregoing Manuscript
|
Antiquated
Word |
Translation |
Antiquated
Word |
Translation |
| Albein |
only |
Middlelonde
|
Mediterranean |
| Alweys |
always |
Myghte |
power |
| Beithe |
both |
Occasyonne |
opportunity |
| Commodytye |
conveniency |
Odher |
other |
| Confrerie |
fraternity |
Onelyche |
only |
| Façonnynge |
forming |
Pernecessarye
|
absolutely necessary |
| Fore-sayinge
|
prophesying |
Preise |
honour |
| Freres |
brethren |
Recht |
right |
| Headlye |
chiefly |
Reckenyngs |
numbers |
| Hem plesethe
|
they please |
Sonderlyche
|
particularly |
| Hemselfe |
themselves |
Skylle |
knowledge |
| Her |
there, their |
Wacksynge |
growing |
| Hereynne |
therein |
Werck |
operation |
| Herwyth |
with it |
Wey |
way |
| Holpynge |
beneficial |
Whereas |
where |
| Kunne |
know |
Woned |
dwelt |
| Kunnynge |
knowledge |
Wunderwerckynge
|
working miracles |
| Make gudde |
are beneficial |
Wylde |
savage |
| Metynges |
measures |
Wynnynge |
gaining |
| Mote |
may |
Ynn |
into |
Sect 2. -
Remarks on the preceding Manuscript, and on the Annotations of Mr. Locke.
This dialogue possesses a
double claim to our regard; first, for its antiquity, and next for the notes
added to it by Mr. Locke, who, though not at that time enrolled in the order
of masons, offers just conjectures on their history and traditions.
Every reader must feel a secret
satisfaction in the perusal of this ancient manuscript, especially the true
mason, whom it more nearly concerns. The recommendation of a philosopher of as
great merit and penetration as this nation ever produced, added to the real
value of the piece itself, must give it a sanction, and render it deserving a
serious examination.
The conjecture of the learned
annotator concerning its being an examination taken before King Henry of one
of the fraternity of masons, is just. The severe edict passed at that time
against the society, and the discouragement given to the masons by the bishop
of Winchester and his party, induced that prince, in his riper years, to make
a strict scrutiny into the nature of the masonic institution; which was
attended with the happy circumstance of gaining his favour, and his patronage.
Had not the civil commotions in the kingdom during his reign, attracted the
notice of government, this act would probably have been repealed, through the
intercession of the duke of Gloucester, whose attachment to the fraternity was
conspicuous.
[Book 3 | Section 1] What mote
ytt be ?] Mr. Locke observes, in his annotation on this question, that the
answer imports, that masonry consists of natural, mathematical, and mechanical
knowledge; some part of which, he says, the masons pretend to have
taught mankind, and some part they still conceal. - The arts which they have
communicated to the world, are particularly specified in an answer to one of
the following questions; as are also those which they have restricted to
themselves for wise purposes. - Morality, however, ought to have been included
in this answer, as it constitutes a principal part of the masonic system.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Where dyd
ytt begynne ?] In the annotation to the answer on this question, Mr. Locke
seems to suggest, that masons believed there were men in the east before Adam,
which is indeed a mere conjecture. This opinion may be countenanced by many
learned authors, but masons comprehend the true meaning of masonry taking rise
in the east and spreading to the west, without having recourse to præadamites.
East and west are terms peculiar to their society, and when masonically
adopted, are very intelligible to the fraternity
*, as they refer to certain forms and established customs among
themselves. From the east, it is well known, learning extended to the western
world, and gradually advanced into Europe.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Who dyd
brynge ytt westlye ?] The judicious correction of an illiterate clerk, in the
answer to this question as well as the next, reflects credit on the ingenious
annotator. The explanation is just, and the elucidation accurate.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Howe
comede ytt yn Engelonde ?] The records of the fraternity inform us, that
Pythagoras was regularly initiated into masonry; and being properly instructed
in the mysteries of the Art, propagated the principles of the Order in other
countries into which he travelled.
Pythagoras lived at Samos, in the reign of Tarquin, the last king of the
Romans, in the year of Rome 220; or, according to Livy, in the reign of
Servius Tullius, in the year of the world 3472. He was the son of a sculptor,
and was educated under one of the greatest men of his time, Therecydes of
Syrus, who first taught the immortality of the soul. Upon the death of his
patron, he determined to trace science to its source, and supply himself with
fresh stores in every part of the world where these could be obtained.
Animated by this desire of knowledge, he travelled into Egypt, and submitted
to the tedious and discouraging course of preparatory discipline which was
necessary to obtain the benefit of Egyptian initiation. When he had made
himself a thorough master of all the sciences which were cultivated in the
sacerdotal colleges of Thebes and Memphis, he pursued his travels through the
east, conversing with the Magi and Indian Brachmans, and mixing their
doctrines with those he had learnt in Egypt. He afterwards studied the laws of
Minos at Crete, and those of Lycurgus at Sparta. Having spent the earlier part
of his life in this useful manner, he returned to Samos well acquainted with
every thing curious either in nature or art in foreign countries, improved
with all the advantages proceeding from a regular and laborious course of
learned education, and adorned with that knowledge of mankind which was
necessary to gain the ascendant over them. Accustomed to freedom, he dislike
the arbitrary of Samos, and retired to Crotona in Italy, where he opened a
school of philosophy; and by the gravity and sanctity of his manners, the
importance of his tenets, and the peculiarity of his institutions, soon spread
his fame and influence over Italy and Greece. Among other projects which he
used to create respect and gain credit to his assertion, he concealed himself
in a cave, and caused it to be reported that he was dead. After some time he
came abroad, and pretended that the intelligence which his friends gave him in
his retreat, of the transactions of Crotona, was collected during his stay in
the other world among the shades of the departed. He formed his disciples, who
came from all parts to put themselves under his direction, into a kind of
republic, where none were admitted till a severe probation had sufficiently
exercised their patience and docility. He afterwards divided them into the
esoteric and exoteric classes: to the former he entrusted the more sublime and
secret doctrines, to the latter the more simple and popular. This great man
found himself able to unite the character of the legislator to that of the
philosopher, and to rival Lycurgus and Orpheus in the one, Pherecydes and
Thales in the other; following, in this particular, the patterns set him by
the Egyptian priests, his instructors, who are not less celebrated for
settling the civil than the religious (o)economy of their nation. In imitation
of them, Pythagoras gave laws to the republic of Crotona, and brought the
inhabitants from a state of luxury and dissoluteness, to be eminent for order
and sobriety. While he lived, he was frequently consulted by the neighbouring
republics, as the composer of their differences, and the reformer of their
manners; and since his death (which happened about the fourth year of the 70th
olympiad, in a tumult raised against him by one Cylon) the administration of
their affairs has been generally intrusted to some of his disciples, among
whom, to produce the authority of their master for any assertion, was
sufficient to establish the truth of it without further inquiry.
The most celebrated of the philosophical notions of Pythagoras are those
concerning the nature of the Deity, the transmigration of souls into different
bodies (which he borrowed from the Brachmans), and the system of the world. He
was the first who took the name of philosopher; that is, a lover of
wisdom. His system of morality was admirable. He made unity the principle of
all things, and believed that between God and man there were various orders of
spiritual beings, who administered to the divine will. He believed in the
doctrine of the metempsychosis, or transmigration of souls; and held that God
was diffused through all parts of the universe, like a kind of universal soul,
pervading every particle of matter, and animating every living creature, from
the most contemptible reptile to mankind themselves, who shared a larger
portion of the divine spirit. The metempsychosis was founded on this maxim,
that as the soul was of celestial origin, it could not be annihilated, and
therefore, upon abandoning one body, necessarily removed into another, and
frequently did penance for its former vicious inclinations, in the shape of a
beast or an insect, before it appeared again in that of a human creature. He
asserted, that he had a particular faculty given him by the gods, of
remembering the various bodies his own soul had passed through, and confounded
cavillers by referring them to his own experience. In his system of the world,
the third doctrine which distinguishes his sect, was a supposition, that the
fun was at rest in the centre, and that the earth, the moon, and the other
planets moved round it in different orbits. He pretended to have great skill
in the mysterious properties of numbers, and held that some particular ones
contained a peculiar force and significance. He was a great geometrician, and
admitted only those to the knowledge of his system, who had first undergone a
probation of five years silence. To his discovery is attributed the 47th
proposition of the first book of Euclid *,
which, in geometrical solutions and demonstrations of quantities, is of
excellent use; and for which as Mr. Locke observes, in the joy of his heart,
he is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb. His extraordinary desire of
knowledge, and the pains he took to propagate his system, have justly
transmitted his fame to posterity.
The pupils who were initiated by him in the sciences and study of nature at
the Crotonian school, brought all their goods into a common stock, contemned
the pleasures of sense, abstaining from swearing, and eat nothing that had
life. Steady to the tenets and principles which they had imbibed, they
dispersed abroad, and taught the doctrines of their preceptor, in all the
countries through which they travelled.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Dothe
maçonnes descouer here artes unto odhers ?] Masons, in all ages, have studied
the general good of mankind. Every art, which is necessary for the support of
authority and good government, or which can promote science, they have
cheerfully communicated to the world. Points of no public utility, as their
peculiar tenets, mystic forms, and solemn rites, they have carefully
concealed. Thus masons have been distinguished in various countries, and the
privileges of their Order kept sacred and inviolable.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Whatte
artes haueth the maçonnes techedde mankynde ?] The arts which the masons have
publicly taught, are here specified. It appears to have surprised the learned
annotator, that religion should be ranked among the arts taught by the
fraternity; but it may be observed, that religion is the only tie which can
bind men; and that where there is no religion, there can be no masonry. Among
masons, however, it is an art, calculated to unite for a time opposite
systems, without perverting or destroying those systems. By the influence of
this art, the purposes of the institution are effectually answered, and all
religious animosities happily terminated.
Masons have always paid due obedience to the moral law, and inculcated its
precepts with powerful energy on their disciples. Hence the doctrine of God,
the creator and preserver of the universe, has been their firm belief in every
age; and under the influence of that doctrine, their conduct has been
regulated through a succession of year. The progress of knowledge and
philosophy, aided by divine revelation, having enlightened the minds of men
with the knowledge of the true God, and the sacred tenets of the christian
faith, masons have readily acquiesced in a religion so wisely calculated to
make men happy. But in those countries where the gospel has not reached, nor
christianity displayed her beauties, they have pursued the universal religion,
or the religion of nature; that is, to be good men and true, by whatever
denomination or persuasion they may be distinguished; and by this universal
system, the be conduct of the fraternity still continues to be regulated. A
cheerful compliance with the established religion of the country in which they
live, is earnestly recommended in their assemblies; and this universal
conformity, notwithstanding private sentiment and opinion, is the art they
practice, and effects the laudable purpose of conciliating true friendship
among men of every persuasion, while it proves the cement of general union.
It may not be improper to state, that this universal system teaches men not to
deviate from the line of instruction in which they have been educated, or to
disregard the principles of religion they have been originally taught. Though
they are to suit themselves to circumstances and situation, in the character
of masons they are advised never to forget the wise maxims of their parents,
or desert the faith in which they have been nurtured, unless from conviction
they are justified in making a change; and in effecting that change, masonry
has no share. The tenets of the institution interfere with no particular
faith, but are alike reconcilable to all. Hence religious and political
disputes never engage the attention of masons in their private seminaries;
those points are left to the discussion and determination of other
associations for whom the theme is better calculated: and it is a certain
truth, that the wisest systems are more frequently injured than benefited by
religious cavil.
Notwithstanding the happiest events have arisen in many periods of the history
of the world from the efforts of a wife, pious, learned, and moderate clergy,
seconded by the influence and authority of religious princes, whose counsels
and examples have always had a commanding power, which has enabled them to do
good, with a facility peculiar to themselves; it must have been observed with
a generous concern, that those efforts have not been sufficient to extinguish
the unhappy spirit of fanaticism, of whose deplorable effects almost every age
has exhibited a striking picture. Enthusiastical sects have been perpetually
inventing new forms of religion, by working on the passions of ignorant and
unwary; deriving their rules of faith and manners from the fallacious
suggestions of a warm imagination, rather than from the clear and infallible
dictates of the word of God. One set of men has covered religion with a tawdry
habit of type and allegory; while another has converted it into an instrument
of dissension and discord. The discerning mind may easily trace the unhappy
consequences of departing from the divine simplicity of the gospel, and
loading its pure and heavenly doctrines with the inventions and commandments
of men. The tendency of true religion is to strengthen the springs of
government, by purifying the motives and animating the zeal of those who
govern, to promote the virtues which exalt a nation, by rendering its
inhabitants good subjects and true patriots, and by confirming all the
essential bonds and obligations of civil society. The enemies of religion are
the enemies of mankind; and it is the natural tendency of infidelity and
licentiousness to dissolve the most sacred obligations, to remove
the most powerful motives to virtue, and, by corrupting the principles of
individuals, to poison, the sources of public order and public
prosperity.
Such are the mischiefs incident from zeal and enthusiasm, however laudably
excited, when carried to excess. But if the principles of masonry are
understood and practised, they will be found the best correctors of misguided
zeal and unrestrained licentiousness, and prove the ablest support of every
well-regulated government.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Howe
commethe maçonnes more teachers than odher menne ?] The answer implies, that
masons, from the nature and government of their association, have greater
opportunities than other men, to improve their talents, and therefore are
allowed to be better qualified to instruct others.
Mr. Locke's observation on masons having the art of finding new arts, is
judicious, and his explanation just. The fraternity have always made the study
of arts, a principal part of their private amusement: in their assemblies,
nice and difficult theories have been canvassed and explained; new discoveries
produced, and those already known, illustrated. The different classes
established, the gradual progression of knowledge communicated, and the
regularity observed throughout the whole system of their government, are
evident proofs, that those who are initiated into the mysteries of the masonic
Art, may discover new arts; and this knowledge is acquired by instruction
from, and familiar intercourse with, men of genius and ability, on almost
every important branch of science.
[Book 3 | Section 1] What dothe
the maçonnes concele and hyde ?] The answer imports, the art of finding new
arts, for their profit and praise; and then particularises the different arts
they carefully conceal. Mr. Locke's remark, 'That this shews too much regard
for their own society, and too little for the rest of mankind,' is rather
severe, when he has before admitted the propriety of concealing from the world
what is of no real public utility, left, by being converted to bad uses, the
consequences might be prejudicial to society. By the word praise, is
here meant, that honour and respect to which masons are entitled, as the
friends of science and learning, and which is absolutely necessary to give a
sanction to the wife doctrines they propagate, while their fidelity gives them
a claim to esteem, and the rectitude of their manners demand veneration.
Of all the arts which the masons profess, the art of secrecy particularly
distinguishes them. Taciturnity is a proof of wisdom, and is allowed to be of
the utmost importance in the different transactions of life. The best writers
have declared it is agreeable to the Deity himself, may be easily conceived,
from the glorious example which he gives, in concealing from mankind the
secrets of his providence. The wisest of men cannot pry into the areana
of heaven; nor can they divine to-day, what to-morrow may bring forth.
Many instances might be adduced from history, to shew the high veneration
which was paid to the art of secrecy by the ancients. Pliny informs us, that
anaxarchus, being imprisoned with a view to extort from him some secrets with
which he had been intrusted, and dreading that exquisite torture would induce
him to betray his trust, bit his tongue in the middle, and threw it in the
face of Nicocreon, the tyrant of Cyprus. - No torments could make the servants
of Plancus betray the secrets of their master; they encountered every pain
with fortitude, and strenuously supported their fidelity, amidst the most
severe tortures, till death put a period to their sufferings. - The Athenians
bowed to a statue of brass, which was represented without a tongue, to denote
secrecy. - The Egyptians worshipped Harpocrates, the god of silence, who was
always represented holding his finger at his mouth. - The Romans had their
goddess of silence, named Angerona, to whom they offered worship. - Lycurgus,
the celebrated law-giver, as well as Pythagoras, the great scholar,
particularly recommended this virtue; especially the last, who, as we have
before observed, kept his disciples silent during five years, that they might
learn the valuable secrets he had to communicate unto them. This evinces that
he deemed secrecy the rarest, as well as the noblest art
*.
Mr. Locke has made several judicious observations on the answer which is given
to the question here proposed. His being in the dark concerning the meaning of
the faculty of Abrac, I am noways surprised at, nor can I conceive how he
could otherwise be. ABRAC is an abbreviation of the word ABRACADABRA. In the
days of ignorance and superstition, that word had a magical signification; but
the explanation of it is now lost *.
Our celebrated annotator has taken no notice of the masons having the art of
working miracles, and foresaying things to come. But this was certainly not
the least important of their doctrines. Hence astrology was admitted as one of
the arts which they taught, and the study of it warmly recommended.
The ancient philosophers applied with unwearied diligence to discover the
aspects, magnitude, distances, motions, and revolutions of the heavenly
bodies; and, according to the discoveries they made, pretended to foretell
future events, and to determine concerning the secrets of Providence. This
study became, in a course of time, a regular science.
That astrology, however vain and delusive in itself, has proved extremely
useful to mankind, by promoting the excellent science of astronomy, cannot be
denied. The vain hope of reading the fates of men, and the success of their
designs, has been one of the strongest motives to induce them, in all
countries, to an attentive observation of the celestial bodies; whence they
have been taught to measure time, to mark the duration of seasons, and to
regulate the operations of agriculture.
The science of astrology, which is nothing more than the study of nature, and
the knowledge of the secret virtues of the heavens, is founded on scripture,
and confirmed by reason and experience. Moses tells us, that the sun, moon,
and stars, were placed in the firmament, to be for signs, as well as
for seasons. We find the Deity thus addressing Job, "Canst thou bind the
sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loose the bonds of Orion ?" We are
instructed in the Book of Judges, that "they fought from heaven; the
stars in their courses fought against Sisera." The ancient philosophers
were unanimous in the same opinion; and among the moderns, we may cite lord
Bacon and several others as giving it a sanction. Milton thus expresses
himself on the subject:
Of planetary motions and
aspects
In Sextile, Square, and trine, and opposite,
Of noxious efficacy, and when to join
In synod unbenign, and taught the fixed
Their influence malignant when to shower, &c.
It is well known that inferior
animals, and even birds and reptiles, have a foreknowledge of futurity; and
surely Nature never intended to with-hold from man those favours, which she
has so liberally bestowed on the raven, the cat, and the sow ? No, the aches
in our limbs, and the shootings of our corns, before a tempest or a shower,
evince the contrary. Man, who is a microcosm, or world in miniature, unites in
himself all the powers and qualities which are scattered throughout nature,
and discerns from certain signs the future contingencies of his being; finding
his way through the palpable obscure to the visible diurnal and nocturnal
sphere, he marks the presages and predictions of his happiness or misery.
The mysterious and recondite doctrine of sympathies in Nature, is admirably
illustrated from the sympathy between the moon and the sea, by which the
waters of the ocean are, in a certain though inconceivable manner, drawn after
that luminary. In these celestial and terrestrial sympathies, there is no
doubt that the vegetative soul of the world transfers a specific virtue from
the heavens to the elements, to animals, and to man. If the moon alone rule
the world of waters, what effects must the combination of solar,
stellar, and lunar influences have upon the land ? In short, it is
universally confessed, that astrology is the mother of astronomy; and though
the daughter have rebelled against the mother, it has long been predicted and
expected that the venerable authority of the parent would prevail in the end.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Wylle he
teche me thay same artes ?] By the answer to this question, we learn the
necessary qualifications which are required in a candidate for masonry - a
good character, and an able capacity.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Dothe all
maçonnes kunne more then odher menne ?] The answer only implies, that masons
have a better opportunity than the rest of mankind, to improve in useful
knowledge; but a want of capacity in some, and of application in others,
obstructs the progress of many.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Are
maçonnes gudder menne then odhers ?] Masons are not understood to be
collectively more virtuous in their lives and actions, than other men; but it
is an undoubted fact, that a strict conformity to the rules of the profession,
may make them better than they otherwise would be.
[Book 3 | Section 1] Dothe
maçonnes love eidher odher myghtylye as beeth sayde ?] The answer to this
question is truly great, and is judiciously remarked upon by the learned
annotator.
By the answers to the three
last questions, the objections of cavillers against masonry are amply refuted;
the excellency of the institution is displayed; and every censure, on account
of the transgressions of its professors, entirely removed. A bad man, whose
character is known, can never be enrolled in our records; and should we
unwarily be led to receive an improper object, then our endeavours are exerted
to reform him: so that, by being a mason, it is probable he may become a
better subject to his sovereign, and a more valuable member to the state, than
he would have done had he not been in the way of those advantages.
To conclude, Mr. Locke's
observations on this curious manuscript deserve a serious and careful
examination; and though he was not at the time one of the brotherhood, he
seems pretty clearly to have comprehended the value and importance of the
system it was intended to illustrate. We may therefore fairly conjecture, that
the favourable opinion he conceived of the society of masons before his
admission, was afterwards sufficiently confirmed.
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