Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
letter . Nay , I will go further , and assert , that the whole accoun which he has taken the trouble to translate is fabulous , and must by every enlightened mind be treated with the contempt it deserves . There is indeed no occasion to use the medium of a literary journal to answer the queries of this correspondent , as by a regular application to the Society , " which is very generally spread , and the doors of which are open to every . man of probity and honourhe miht
, g have satisfied himself as to the truth of every particular he wishes to know . Had he adopted this measure , in place of wasting his time and talents in translating a work for which nobody will thank him , he would have shewn more discernment , and have proved himself a better friend to his Sovereign and his country . The constitutions of the Freemasons have been in pretty
extensive circulation above 80 years , and the ablest writers , both in the last and present century , have expressed the most favourable opinion of the Institution ; while the most dignified and illustrious Characters , both in Church and State , in almost every country in Europe , have g iven it a sanction , and continue to patronize and protect the regular assemblies of the Fraternity . Nowcan it for a moment be "
, supposed that , under such auspices , any measures could be planned or encouraged , which either were calculated , or had the least tendency to produce the changes in civil and reli gious affairs which have lately taken place in France ! Such an idea is absurd in the extreme . That there are , and have been , impostors , who have introduced
modern fanatical innovations under the sanction of secrecy , to deceive the credulous and mislead the unwary , is a truth beyond contradiction , and that such impostors may have intruded themselves into the assemblies of Masons may be also true . But I will take upon me to say , that such associations are unconnected with the genuine tenets of Masomy , which , according to the universal system , never countenance deceptionnor do the regular Patrons of the Craft ever
, sanction imposture . Whether the Constitution of Freemasonry be of antient or of modern date , or whence its appellation is derived , are points 1 will leave to others who are better informed to determine ; in my opinion they are to the public of little avail . But whether its establishment in a civilized country , is injurious or beneficial to the governmentis a
, point of far greater importance . To remove therefore any impression from the minds of the prejudiced and uninformed , which the cursory perusal of this correspondent ' s letter might occasion , I think it my duty to refer your readers to an early volume of the Gentleman ' s Magazine , in which they will find a curious old Record , entitled , " Certayne Questyons , with Aunsweres to the same , concerning
" the Mysterye of Maconrye ; written by the hand of Kynge Henrye " the Sixthe of the name , and faithfullye copyed by me John Leyt" lande , Antiquarius , by the commaunde of his Highnesse . " To this MS . the learned Mr . Locke has annexed several valuable explanatory notes , and is said to have transmitted it as a great curiosity in a letter to the Earl of Pembroke , by y / hom it was carefully
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemasons' Magazine, Or General And Complete Library.
letter . Nay , I will go further , and assert , that the whole accoun which he has taken the trouble to translate is fabulous , and must by every enlightened mind be treated with the contempt it deserves . There is indeed no occasion to use the medium of a literary journal to answer the queries of this correspondent , as by a regular application to the Society , " which is very generally spread , and the doors of which are open to every . man of probity and honourhe miht
, g have satisfied himself as to the truth of every particular he wishes to know . Had he adopted this measure , in place of wasting his time and talents in translating a work for which nobody will thank him , he would have shewn more discernment , and have proved himself a better friend to his Sovereign and his country . The constitutions of the Freemasons have been in pretty
extensive circulation above 80 years , and the ablest writers , both in the last and present century , have expressed the most favourable opinion of the Institution ; while the most dignified and illustrious Characters , both in Church and State , in almost every country in Europe , have g iven it a sanction , and continue to patronize and protect the regular assemblies of the Fraternity . Nowcan it for a moment be "
, supposed that , under such auspices , any measures could be planned or encouraged , which either were calculated , or had the least tendency to produce the changes in civil and reli gious affairs which have lately taken place in France ! Such an idea is absurd in the extreme . That there are , and have been , impostors , who have introduced
modern fanatical innovations under the sanction of secrecy , to deceive the credulous and mislead the unwary , is a truth beyond contradiction , and that such impostors may have intruded themselves into the assemblies of Masons may be also true . But I will take upon me to say , that such associations are unconnected with the genuine tenets of Masomy , which , according to the universal system , never countenance deceptionnor do the regular Patrons of the Craft ever
, sanction imposture . Whether the Constitution of Freemasonry be of antient or of modern date , or whence its appellation is derived , are points 1 will leave to others who are better informed to determine ; in my opinion they are to the public of little avail . But whether its establishment in a civilized country , is injurious or beneficial to the governmentis a
, point of far greater importance . To remove therefore any impression from the minds of the prejudiced and uninformed , which the cursory perusal of this correspondent ' s letter might occasion , I think it my duty to refer your readers to an early volume of the Gentleman ' s Magazine , in which they will find a curious old Record , entitled , " Certayne Questyons , with Aunsweres to the same , concerning
" the Mysterye of Maconrye ; written by the hand of Kynge Henrye " the Sixthe of the name , and faithfullye copyed by me John Leyt" lande , Antiquarius , by the commaunde of his Highnesse . " To this MS . the learned Mr . Locke has annexed several valuable explanatory notes , and is said to have transmitted it as a great curiosity in a letter to the Earl of Pembroke , by y / hom it was carefully