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Article THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
tails first on those who are most busy to promote it , there is less reason for lamentation . I need make no apology to my brethren for following the bible in its figurative sense on the present subject . Much true knowledge depends on so doing ; I speak to those , of whom all the world knows that they . are not builders in a literal sense , but an allegorical and mystical . Of the alliance of their profession and prinles with
cip holy scriptures , and of their goodwill to the great truths of Christianity , they are not ashamed , but glory in the honourable relation they have always maintained to reli gion . The science of architecture , besides the common use of it , has always delighted in a sort of expression which is above itself , of which there is a remarkable instance of great antiquitybetter known to many curious foreigners
, than to most of the inhabitants of the nei ghbouring counties ; it is a bridge * of the gothic style , which has stood nearly nine hundred years , and was certainl y intended by those who built it as a monument of the great mystery of the Trinity . It has three fronts ; three roads , which cross in the middle ; three arches , all meeting in one crown or centre ; it did ancientlreceive three riversand stands in
y , three counties . Such an illustration proves nothing , and I do not produce it with that view ; I only speak of it to shew how natural the alliance is between architecture and reli gion ; and every good mason will take pleasure in keeping up this relation , and extendino- it as far as he can . From the speculative consideration of this subject let" us descend
now to its practical use . If we are labourers together with God , in the work of building , much of our labour should be employed on ourselves , that is , according to the words of St . Jude , ' in building up ourselves on our most hol y faith . ' From these words we learn two extraordinary things of which the world knows nothing : first , that if we are to be built up , it follows that by nature we are fallen down
into sin and death . Man in his present state is but the ruins of what God made him at first , and he must be raised up to newness of life : secondly , that for this purpose a foundation of faith must be laid . No wisdom of man will be sufficient to build upon : the choice of a wrong foundation was the ori ginal cause of our downfall , when it was suggested that man mi ght obtain wisdom independent of God . This is not
our persuasion . We have always professed to take our wisdom from the word of God , knowing that we must work to noefFeft without it The doclrines , therefore , of the bible are our doftrines , its faith is ours , its hope is ours , its charity is ours , and will continue to be so to the end of time . No wise man has any reason to look on us with , a suspicious as if there were t us lurking principle of
eye , amongs any irreli gion—God forbid . —We can remain sure and firm together no longer than we rest upon the foundation of divine truth . On this foundation we must creel an upright life . We " should so live as builders work by rule . Every thing should be done in some order , for that renders life easy to ourselves and profitable to others . He is no wise master-builder who leaves his workmen in doubt what they
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Repository.
tails first on those who are most busy to promote it , there is less reason for lamentation . I need make no apology to my brethren for following the bible in its figurative sense on the present subject . Much true knowledge depends on so doing ; I speak to those , of whom all the world knows that they . are not builders in a literal sense , but an allegorical and mystical . Of the alliance of their profession and prinles with
cip holy scriptures , and of their goodwill to the great truths of Christianity , they are not ashamed , but glory in the honourable relation they have always maintained to reli gion . The science of architecture , besides the common use of it , has always delighted in a sort of expression which is above itself , of which there is a remarkable instance of great antiquitybetter known to many curious foreigners
, than to most of the inhabitants of the nei ghbouring counties ; it is a bridge * of the gothic style , which has stood nearly nine hundred years , and was certainl y intended by those who built it as a monument of the great mystery of the Trinity . It has three fronts ; three roads , which cross in the middle ; three arches , all meeting in one crown or centre ; it did ancientlreceive three riversand stands in
y , three counties . Such an illustration proves nothing , and I do not produce it with that view ; I only speak of it to shew how natural the alliance is between architecture and reli gion ; and every good mason will take pleasure in keeping up this relation , and extendino- it as far as he can . From the speculative consideration of this subject let" us descend
now to its practical use . If we are labourers together with God , in the work of building , much of our labour should be employed on ourselves , that is , according to the words of St . Jude , ' in building up ourselves on our most hol y faith . ' From these words we learn two extraordinary things of which the world knows nothing : first , that if we are to be built up , it follows that by nature we are fallen down
into sin and death . Man in his present state is but the ruins of what God made him at first , and he must be raised up to newness of life : secondly , that for this purpose a foundation of faith must be laid . No wisdom of man will be sufficient to build upon : the choice of a wrong foundation was the ori ginal cause of our downfall , when it was suggested that man mi ght obtain wisdom independent of God . This is not
our persuasion . We have always professed to take our wisdom from the word of God , knowing that we must work to noefFeft without it The doclrines , therefore , of the bible are our doftrines , its faith is ours , its hope is ours , its charity is ours , and will continue to be so to the end of time . No wise man has any reason to look on us with , a suspicious as if there were t us lurking principle of
eye , amongs any irreli gion—God forbid . —We can remain sure and firm together no longer than we rest upon the foundation of divine truth . On this foundation we must creel an upright life . We " should so live as builders work by rule . Every thing should be done in some order , for that renders life easy to ourselves and profitable to others . He is no wise master-builder who leaves his workmen in doubt what they