1
THE OLD CHARGES OF BRITISH FREEMASONS.
98
XXVII. And when
after this
manner
the assemblie were gathered together hee caused a crie to be made
old Masons and yonnge that had any writeings or understandings
aU
that
of the charges and manners that were made before in this Land or in any other that they
should show them forth and there were found some in Greeke some in Latiue and some in
French and some in English and some in
otlier
Languages and the meaning of them were
all one.
XXVIII. And hee caused
hee eomanded
And how
booke to be made thereof:
a
tliat it sliould
be read or told
when any
free
the Craft was found and
mason should bee made
for to
him his charge. And from that day untill this time Masonrie hath bene much made
on and kept and that from time to time as well as men might governe it.
give
XXIX. And
furthermore att divers Assemblies there hath bene put and ordained certaine
charges by the best advised Masters and Fellowes.
XXX. The manner
of taking
Seniorebus teneat librum ut
debeant
illi
an oath
att the
vel iUe ponant vel
making of free Masons Tunc unus ex
ponat manus supra librum tunc precepta
legi.
XXXI. Every man
yourselves guiltie of
that
any
is
a
Mason take heed
principally they that be charged for
it
right wisely to these charges if
you may amend
of these that
is
you
find
of your errors against god and
a great perrill to forsweare themselves upon a
booke.
{General Charges.)^
XXXII.
^
(1.)
The charges are that you
shall bee true
men
to
that you use noe heresie nor errors in your understanding to distract
God and his holy church
mens teacheings.
:
And
Alsoe that you bee true men to the Kinge without any treason or falshood and
that you shall know uoe treason or falshood but you shall amend it or else give notice thereof
to the Kinge and Councell or other officers thereof.
(2.)
(3.) And alsoe you shall be true each one to other that is to say to every Master and
Fellow of the Craft of Masonrie that be free masons allowed and doe you to them as you
would that they should doe to you.
(4.)
and
all
(5.)
you
And
Alsoe that every free Mason Keepe councill truly of the secret and of the Craft
other Councell that ought to bee Kept by way of Masonrie.
And
shall
(6.)
And
his profitt
(7.)
Alsoe that noe Mason shall be a Theife or accesary to a theife as farr forth as
know.
Alsoe you shall be true men
and advantage.
And
Alsoe you shall
call
to the
Lord and Master you serve and truly see to
Masons your fellowes
or brethren
and noe other foule name
nor take your fellowes wife violently nor desire his daughter ungodly nor his servant in
villanie.
>
Title added.
'
The figures— 1
to
9— refer
to tins
MS.
only.