Whereas by the Confusions occasioned in the Saxon, Danish, and Norman Wars, the Records of Masons have been much vitiated, the Free-Masons of England twice thought it necessary to correct their Constitutions, Charges, and Regulations ; first in the Reign of King Athelstan the Saxon, and long after in the Reign of King Edward IV. the Norman : and whereas the old Constitutions in England have been much interpolated, mangled, and miserably corrupted, not only with false Spelling, but even with many false Facts and gross Errors in History and Chronology, through Length of Time, and the Ignorance of Transcribers, in the dark illiterate Ages, before the Revival of Geometry and ancient Architecture, to the great Offence of all the learned and judicious Brethren, whereby also the Ignorant have been deceiv'd.

And our late worthy Grand-Master, his Grace the Duke of MONTAGU, having order'd the Author to peruse, correct, and digest into a new and better Method, the History, Charges, and Regulations of the ancient Fraternity ; He has accordingly examin'd several Copies from Italy and Scotland, and sundry Parts of England, and from thence, (tho' on many things erroneous) and from several other ancient Records of Masons, he has drawn forth the above-written new Constitutions, with the Charges and General Regulations. And the Author having submitted the whole to the Perusal and Corrections of the late and present Deputy Grand-Masters, and of other learned Brethren and also of the Masters and Wardens of particular Lodges at their Quarterly Communication ; he did regularly deliver them to the late Grand-Master himself, the said DUKE of [78] [79] MONTAGU, for his Examination, Correction, and Approbation and his Grace, by the Advice of several Brethren, order'd the same to be handsomely printed for the use of the Lodges, tho' they were not quite ready for the Press during his Mastership.

THEREFORE We, the present Grand-Master of the Right Worshipful and most ancient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, the Deputy Grand-Master, the Grand-Wardens, the Masters and Wardens of particular Lodges (with the Consent of the Brethren and Fellows in and about the Cities of London and Westminster) having also perused this Performance, Do join our laudable Predecessors in our solemn Approbation thereof, as what We believe will fully answer the End proposed ; all the valuable Things of the old Records being retain'd, the Errors in History and Chronology corrected, the false Facts and the improper Words omitted, and the whole digested in a new and better Method.

And we ordain that these be received in every particular Lodge under our Cognizance, as the ONLY CONSTITUTIONS of Free and Accepted Masons amongst us, to be read at the making of new Brethren, or when the Master shall think fit ; and which the new Brethren should peruse before they are made.

PHILIP, Duke of Wharton - Grand-Master,
J. T. Desaguliers , L.L.D. and F.R.S.
Deputy Grand-Master,

JOSHUA TIMSON, } Grand Wardens.
WILLIAM HAWKINS }

[80] And the Masters and Wardens of Particular Lodges, viz.

I. Thomas Morris, Sen. - Master. XI. Francis, Earl of Dalkeith - Master.
John Bristow }Wardens. Capt. Andrew Robinson } Wardens.
Abraham Abbot } Col. Thomas Inwood }

II. Richard Hall - Master. XII. John Beal, M. D. and F. R. S. - Master.
Philip Wolverston } Wardens. Edward Pawlet } Wardens.
John Doyer } Charles More, Esq. }

III. John Turner - Master. XIII. Tho. Morris Jr. - Master.
Anthony Sayer } Wardens. Joseph Ridler } Wardens.
Edward Cale } John Clark }

IV. Mr. George Payne - Master XIV. Tho. Robbe, Esq. - Master.
Stephen Hall, M.D. } Wardens. Thomas Grave } Wardens.
Francis Sorell } Bray Lane }

V. Mr. M.Birkhead - Master. XV. John Shepherd - Master.
Francis Bayly } Wardens. John Senex } Wardens.
Nicholas Abraham } John Bucler }

VI. William Read - Master. XVI. J. Georges, Esq. - Master
John Glover } Wardens. Robert Gray, Esq. } Wardens.
Robert Cordell } Charles Grymes, Esq. }

VII. Henry Branson - Master. XVII. J.A. Anderson, Author of this Book - Master.
Henry Lug } Wardens. Gwin Vaughan, Esq. } Wardens.
John Townsend } Walter Greenwood, Esq. }

VIII Master. XVIII. Tho.. Harbin - Master.
Jonathan Sisson } Wardens. William Attley }Wardens
John Shipton } John Saxon }

IX. Geo. Owen, M. D. - Master. XIX. Robert Capell - Master.
Eman Bowen } Wardens. Isaac Mansfield } Wardens.
John Heath } William Bly }

X Master. XX. John Gormon - Master.
John Lubton } Wardens. Charles Garey } Wardens.
Richard Smith } Edward Morphey }

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