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Article THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE MASONRY EXPLAINED. ← Page 4 of 15 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
seeking to wrest the disposal of it out of their hands : his first attempt would give them the alarm , and unite them in a confederacy to crush his ambition , before it fhould rise to a pitch of strength above their power to humble . It would also occur to himself , that he would take the same measures , if he perceived any of those around him entertaining the same designs . This consideration would render him cautious and circumspect in his proceedings . He would employ all his address
to remove the suspicions of those who might thwart his intentions , and secure a party among his relations and dependents , on whom he mi ght rely for carrying them into execution . Strengthened by this party , he would demand homage and obedience from all of his own tribe , and subdue the refractory , by those who willingly submitted to his dominion . Though he raised himself , in this manner , to a throne by
violence , yet he would soon discover , that , if he was obliged to maintain , himself on it b y the same means , his life would be but a train of fears , jealousies , precautions , and anxieties . On this account , he would enact laws for suppressing licentiousness , and encouraging order and induftry among his new subjects , who were so lately his equals j and . endeavour by the mildness and equity of his governmentto make
, it their interest to obey and support it . Ambition is restless , and never can be satisfied : the acquisition of one great object , is only an incentive to push it on to acquire those which are yet out of his reach . As soon as this monarch was settled in his usurped sovereignty , he had brought his people to imagine ,
that their glory depended on his , he would seize the first pretext of quarrelling with his neighbouring tribes , in order to extend his empire by the destruction of their liberties . His attempt against the independency of his own tribe , had , no doubt , roused their attention ; and its success would awaken their apprehensions , and make them provide against the like fate . If they had any animosities among themselvesthey would then lay them asideand unite their forces and
, , counsels against the violent and unjust pretensions of their common enemy . After they had secured themselves against him , and each tribe was at leisure to consider its own weight and importance , with respect to its nei g hbours , the most powerful among them would grow ambitious , in proportion to its strength , and invade those ri g hts of the rest , which it had so lately contributed to defend . The same scenes
of bloodshed , rapine , and confusion , would again be opened , and continue till the submission of one of the contending parties , or the weakness of both , should give room to peace . In this manner mankind divided themselves into the different states we now see in the world ; and this division , which is so frequentl y productive of the most terrible consequences to society , is totally
owing to the disorder which they suffered to creep among their affections . These states are distinguished from one' another by their respective situations , customs , and governments . The adjustment of the affections is greatly discomposed among them with respect to each other ; they ail have certain interests of their own , which they pursue , with-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Principles Of Free Masonry Explained.
seeking to wrest the disposal of it out of their hands : his first attempt would give them the alarm , and unite them in a confederacy to crush his ambition , before it fhould rise to a pitch of strength above their power to humble . It would also occur to himself , that he would take the same measures , if he perceived any of those around him entertaining the same designs . This consideration would render him cautious and circumspect in his proceedings . He would employ all his address
to remove the suspicions of those who might thwart his intentions , and secure a party among his relations and dependents , on whom he mi ght rely for carrying them into execution . Strengthened by this party , he would demand homage and obedience from all of his own tribe , and subdue the refractory , by those who willingly submitted to his dominion . Though he raised himself , in this manner , to a throne by
violence , yet he would soon discover , that , if he was obliged to maintain , himself on it b y the same means , his life would be but a train of fears , jealousies , precautions , and anxieties . On this account , he would enact laws for suppressing licentiousness , and encouraging order and induftry among his new subjects , who were so lately his equals j and . endeavour by the mildness and equity of his governmentto make
, it their interest to obey and support it . Ambition is restless , and never can be satisfied : the acquisition of one great object , is only an incentive to push it on to acquire those which are yet out of his reach . As soon as this monarch was settled in his usurped sovereignty , he had brought his people to imagine ,
that their glory depended on his , he would seize the first pretext of quarrelling with his neighbouring tribes , in order to extend his empire by the destruction of their liberties . His attempt against the independency of his own tribe , had , no doubt , roused their attention ; and its success would awaken their apprehensions , and make them provide against the like fate . If they had any animosities among themselvesthey would then lay them asideand unite their forces and
, , counsels against the violent and unjust pretensions of their common enemy . After they had secured themselves against him , and each tribe was at leisure to consider its own weight and importance , with respect to its nei g hbours , the most powerful among them would grow ambitious , in proportion to its strength , and invade those ri g hts of the rest , which it had so lately contributed to defend . The same scenes
of bloodshed , rapine , and confusion , would again be opened , and continue till the submission of one of the contending parties , or the weakness of both , should give room to peace . In this manner mankind divided themselves into the different states we now see in the world ; and this division , which is so frequentl y productive of the most terrible consequences to society , is totally
owing to the disorder which they suffered to creep among their affections . These states are distinguished from one' another by their respective situations , customs , and governments . The adjustment of the affections is greatly discomposed among them with respect to each other ; they ail have certain interests of their own , which they pursue , with-