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Article A DEFENCE OF MASONRY, ← Page 3 of 4 →
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A Defence Of Masonry,
matics , that are dispersed throughout the . Dissection , it would be strange if a Society , of such a denomination , could subsist wholly without them ; though they seem ( to me at least ) to be rather technical and formal ( yet delivered , perhaps , by long tradition ) than essentially attached to the GEAND DESIGN . Now , where is the Impiety , where the Immorality , or Folly , for a number of men to form themselves into a Societywhose main end
, is to improve in commendable skill and knowledge , and to promote universal beneficence and the social virtues of human life , under the solemn obligation of an oath ? And this , in what form , under what secret restrictions , and with what innocent ceremonies , they think proper ? This liberty all incorporate societies enjoy without impeachment
or reflection : an apprentice is bound to k , eep the secrets of his Master ; a freeman is obliged to consult the interest of his Company , and not to prostitute , in common , the mysteries of his trade : Secret Committees and Privy Councils are solemnly enjoined not to publish abroad their debates and resolutions . There ' appears to be something like MASONRY ( asthe Dissector describes it ) in all regular societies
. , of whatever denomination : they are all held together by a sort of cement , by bonds and laws that are peculiar to each of them , from the highest , to the little clubs and nightly meetings of a private neighbourhood . There are ' oaths administered , and sometimes , solemn obligations , to secrecy : there are a MASTER , two WARDENS , and a number of ASSISTANTSto make what the Dissector may call ( if he
, pleases ) a Perfect Lodge in the City Companies . . There is the degree of Entered Apprentices , Master of his Trade , or Fellow Craft , and Master , or the Master of the Company . There are Constitutions arid Orders , and a successive , a gradual , enjoyment of Offices , according- to the several rules and limitations of admission .
But it is replied , that the general design of Masonry may be commendable , or , at least , innocent ; and yet be carried on to the same advantage , without the solemnity of an oath , especially pressed under such dreadful penalties . '' In answer , 1 observe , that the question is not , whether the purpose of Masonry may as well be served without an oath ? but , whether an oathin the present casebe lawfulancl may be taken with a good
, , , conscience ? And , to solve this difficulty , I shall introduce the opinion of Bishop Sanderson , * ' the most judicious casuist that ever treated upon the subject of Oaths ; who says , ' When a thing is not by any " precept or interdict , divine or human , so determined '; but eveiy man , pro hie et nunc , may , at his choice , do or not do , as he sees expedient ; let him do what he will , he sinneth not . i Cor . vii .
3 6 . As if Caius should swear to sell his land to Titius , or to lend him an hundred crowns : the answer is brief ; an oath , in this case ^ is both lawful and binding .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Defence Of Masonry,
matics , that are dispersed throughout the . Dissection , it would be strange if a Society , of such a denomination , could subsist wholly without them ; though they seem ( to me at least ) to be rather technical and formal ( yet delivered , perhaps , by long tradition ) than essentially attached to the GEAND DESIGN . Now , where is the Impiety , where the Immorality , or Folly , for a number of men to form themselves into a Societywhose main end
, is to improve in commendable skill and knowledge , and to promote universal beneficence and the social virtues of human life , under the solemn obligation of an oath ? And this , in what form , under what secret restrictions , and with what innocent ceremonies , they think proper ? This liberty all incorporate societies enjoy without impeachment
or reflection : an apprentice is bound to k , eep the secrets of his Master ; a freeman is obliged to consult the interest of his Company , and not to prostitute , in common , the mysteries of his trade : Secret Committees and Privy Councils are solemnly enjoined not to publish abroad their debates and resolutions . There ' appears to be something like MASONRY ( asthe Dissector describes it ) in all regular societies
. , of whatever denomination : they are all held together by a sort of cement , by bonds and laws that are peculiar to each of them , from the highest , to the little clubs and nightly meetings of a private neighbourhood . There are ' oaths administered , and sometimes , solemn obligations , to secrecy : there are a MASTER , two WARDENS , and a number of ASSISTANTSto make what the Dissector may call ( if he
, pleases ) a Perfect Lodge in the City Companies . . There is the degree of Entered Apprentices , Master of his Trade , or Fellow Craft , and Master , or the Master of the Company . There are Constitutions arid Orders , and a successive , a gradual , enjoyment of Offices , according- to the several rules and limitations of admission .
But it is replied , that the general design of Masonry may be commendable , or , at least , innocent ; and yet be carried on to the same advantage , without the solemnity of an oath , especially pressed under such dreadful penalties . '' In answer , 1 observe , that the question is not , whether the purpose of Masonry may as well be served without an oath ? but , whether an oathin the present casebe lawfulancl may be taken with a good
, , , conscience ? And , to solve this difficulty , I shall introduce the opinion of Bishop Sanderson , * ' the most judicious casuist that ever treated upon the subject of Oaths ; who says , ' When a thing is not by any " precept or interdict , divine or human , so determined '; but eveiy man , pro hie et nunc , may , at his choice , do or not do , as he sees expedient ; let him do what he will , he sinneth not . i Cor . vii .
3 6 . As if Caius should swear to sell his land to Titius , or to lend him an hundred crowns : the answer is brief ; an oath , in this case ^ is both lawful and binding .