THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
82
On
the compiler again returns to the exordium
concluding the history of these holy martyrs,
found substantially in all the "Old Charges," and alludes to "Noees flood," the
"
tower of Bahloyne," under the care of
Kyng Nabogodonosor," and the valuable services
which
"
of
"
is
the good clerk Euclyde,"
who
"
Throchgh hye grace of
He commensed yn
The
instructions are very precise
Crist
the syens
yn
'
lieven,
seven."
(many being most amusing
use of
exactitude) as to attendance at the church, the
"
in their
simplicity
and
holy water," kneeling on both knees,
"
commandementes ten," and refraining from the "synnes seven." The priest
keeping the
exhibits his pastoral care over his flock by condescending even to notice possible substitutes
for the toothpick and the pocket-handkerchief, and the poem, which combines the features
of a masonic history, of a code of morals,
and of a manual of
with the words —
"
Amen Amen
!
Say we
so
!
mot hyt be
etiquette,
comes
to
an end
!
so alle per cliaryte."
The following epitome of the various
articles
and points wiU serve
to illustrate the
stamp
Their general similarity to those of
of laws in operation during the fourteenth century.
later periods cannot fail to strike the most casual reader.
Fifteen Articles foe the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
lie
"
and trwe," and upright as a judge.
" schal be holde."
at the generale congregacyon," to know wliere it
"
craft to hirne, tliat ys profytable."
for seven years
Hys
apprentices
must
Chef yn the logge ^ he were
No bondemon prentys make
The prentes be of lawful blod," and " have hys lymes hole."
To take of the Lord for hyse prentyse, also muche as hys felows."
.
"
"
Mayster Mason."
be " stedefast, trusty,
Most ben
Take
"
"
.
.
y-take."
" lest
hyt wolde tume the craft to schame."
be not also perfyt, he may hym change."
Any mon of crafte,
" No werke he
undurtake, but he conne bothe hyt ende and make."
" Schal
no thef "
accept,
"
"
Ther schal no mayster supplante other, but be as systurand brother."
"
"
to be
bothe fayr and fre," and techyt by hys mychth."
He ought
"
" Schal
not hys felows werk deprave," but hyt amende."
" he
13. His apprentice
hym teche,"