The Wood Ms.

is to saye , then one of the Elders holdeth the booke , and then tho precepts ought to be read . Therefore let everie man that is a Mason take heede that he observe , performe , fnllfill and keep theis Charges and Orders , yf he find himselfe guiltie in any one of them I hat . he amend and roforme himselfe therein , for it is a great offence to God for n . man to sweare himselfe . The first order to be observed by the Masons ns folloAveth :

1 . That they shall be true to God ancl his holy Church . 2 . That they commit no Error , no heresie in . their understanding or interpreting tbe Scriptures . 3 . That they shal be true subjects to their prince , nor conspire , or comyfct any maner of treason against theire prince , and connsoll , or State of tho Realme . Neither that , they , the said Masons , nor any one or some of them shall know any Tray tor or Treason intended to be conspired against their

Prince , his Crownc and dignitie , or Councell , and State of the . Realme , but that he , or his , or they shall forth with presently reveal ye same . 4 . That , they bo true everie one to another ( that is to say ) that everie Maister , Governor , ancl fellowe of the Science of Masonrie , who are Masons allowed , that they doe to their Maister , Governor , or Overseers of their Science as they would they should doe to them .

5 . That every Mason keepe secret any good directions in their science given by their Maister , or GoA'ernor of their Science , Avhether it be in their Iodginge , or in their chamber , and also that they keepe secret all other connsoils which ought to be kept concerninge theire Science . 6 . That no Mason committe any felkmie . 7 . That eyerie Mason be true to their Lord or Maister whom they shall

serve and trulye to serve him in his profitt and advantage . 8 . That everie Mason do call one another Brethren and fellowes , ancl not any other evil name . 9 . That no Mason coA'ot nor desire his brothers , or fellowes wife , his Daughter , or his Maido servant eontrniie to the 7 th commandment . 10 . That every Mason doe jnstlie and trulie paye for theire Dyett and

Iodginge , wheresoever they sojonrne or bourdc . 11 . That no Mason comifcb any thefte or fellonye within or without the house wherein they shall sojonrne or bourdc , whereby their Science might be disgraced or discredited . Theise are the 11 specall Charges or Rules , or Orders ivhich every Mason ought justly and truly to obseiwc , performe , fullfill , ancl keepe .

Here folloAveth Divers other Charges Rules or Orders to be observed performed fnllfilled ancl kept by the Masters Governors , and Apprentices of the Science of Masonry . 1 . First that no Maister shall take uppon him an } ' Lords worke neithei any other Mans worke , except he know himselfe ivell able , and sufllcientc in estate , and experience , or skill to performe the same , so that the Lorde maye

be Avell ancl trulie served to the ereditt of theire Science . 2 . That no Maister of Masonrye take airy manner of worke , excepte he take it at a reasonable Bute whereby the Lorde may be well and trulye served ivith his owne goods , ancl that the Maister of the worke may thereb y be well able truly to pay his fellows theire wages , and himselfe may line thereb y honestly to mainetaino his familie as the Science requireth .

3 . That no Maister or brother of the Soiene of Masonrye doe take , or put any Maister or brother of his Science out of any manner of worke ivhich he hath taken before to doe , except the Maister of the Science find him not able or sufficiente of Skill or experience to performe or finist it . 4 . That no Maister or brother of the Science of Masonry shall take any one apprentice for any lesse terme then 7 yeares , and that he be one that is not base of birth , but righte ancl sounde of his lymmes .