(Α) That the Society of Free Masons, or Order of Brethren attached to the solemnities of St. John, derive not their origin from the Knights Templars, nor from any other order of knights, ecclesiastic or secular, detached or connected with one or more, neither have any or the least communication with them, directly, or through any manner of intermediate tie; that they are more ancient than any order of knights of this description, and existed in Palestine and Greece, as well as in every part of the Roman Empire, long before the Holy Wars, and the times of the expeditions of the above mentioned knights into Palestine.
That from various monuments of approved authenticity, the fact is to us quite notorious, that this our Association took its origin from the time when first on account of the various Sects of the Christian World, a few adepts distinguished by their life, their moral doctrine, and their sacred interpretation of the Arcanic Truths, withdrew themselves from the multitude; for the learned and enlightened men, who lived in those times, (the true Christians who were least infected with the errors of Paganism,) when they considered, that through a corrupt religion, schisms, and not peace, and neither toleration nor charity, but atrocious wars, were promulgated, bound themselves by a most solemn Oath, in order more effectually to preserve uncontaminated the Moral Principles of this Religion, which are implanted in the mind of man, that to these they would devote themselves; that the True Light, arising gradually out of darkness, might proceed to the subduing of superstitions, by the cultivation of every Human virtue, and to the establishment of peace and comfort among men. That under these benign auspices the Masters of this community are called Brethren dedicated to John, following the example and invitation of John the Baptist, Precursor of the Rising Light,—first among the Martyr Stars of the Morning.
That these Doctors and Scribes who were also, according to the custom of those times, called Masters, did, from the most experienced and best of the Disciples, collect and choose fellow labourers, whence arose the name of Socius. When others were elected, but not chosen, they were designed, after the manner of the Hebrew, Greek, and Roman Philosophers, by the appellation of Disciple.
(Β) That our Association now, as formerly, consists of the Three Degrees of Disciple, Fellow, and Master. The last, or Masters, admitting of Elect Masters and Superior Elect Masters. But that all Associations or Fraternities so called, who admit of more or other denominations or subdivisions, and who ascribe to themselves another origin, and, intermeddling with Political and Ecclesiastical affairs, make promises and protestations under whatever titles they may assume, of Freemasons and Brethren, attached to the solemnities of John, or others which belong not to our Order, are to be expelled and ejected from it as Schismatics.
(Γ) That among the Doctors, Masters of this Order, cultivating the Sciences of Mathematics, Astronomy, and other Studies, a mutual interchange of doctrine and light was maintained, which led to the practice of electing out of those who were already Elect Masters, one in particular, who, as excelling the rest, should be venerated as Supreme Elect Master or Patriarch. Being known only to the Elect Master, he was regarded both as the Visible and Invisible Head and Chief of our whole Association; so that, according to this Ordnance, the Supreme Master and Patriarch, though known to very few, yet still exists. The premises being compiled from the mass of parchments and charter of the Order itself, committed, by authority of our Patrons, with the sacred documents, in future to the charge of our Preses and his successors; and being herewith diligently compared by W. E. Santona, by authority of the same illustrious Patriarch, ordain and command as follows:
(Δ) The government of our society, the mode and rule according to which the flaming light may be imparted and diffused among the illuminated brethren, as well as the profane world, rest entirely with the highest Elect Masters. To them belongs the charge of watching and taking care, lest the members, of whatever rank or order, should attempt any thing contrary to the true principles of our Society. Upon the same chiefs of the Society are incumbent the defence of the Order, the preservation and safeguard of its welfare, which, should occasion require, they are to protect at the expense of their fortunes, and the risk of their lives, against all who attack our Institution, whatsoever and wheresoever this may be done.
(Ε) To us it is by no means clear, that this association of brethren, prior to the year one thousand four hundred and forty, were known by any other denomination than that of Joannite Brethren; but at that time we are informed, the fraternity, especially in Valence in Flanders, began to be called by the name of Free Masons, from which period, in some parts of Hanover, Hospitals began to be built by the aid and pecuniary assistance of the Brethren, for those who laboured under the Sacred Fire, called St. Anthony's Evil.
(Ζ) Although in works of benevolence we pay no regard to religion or country, we however consider it safe and necessary hitherto to receive none into our Order but those who, in the society of the profane and unenlightened, are professedly Christians. In conducting the inquisition and trial of those who apply for the initiation of the First Degree, which is that of Disciple, no bodily tortures are employed, but only those trials which tend to develope the nature, inclinations, and dispositions of the Candidates.
(Η) To those duties which are commanded and undertaken by a solemn oath, are added those of fidelity and obedience to the secular rulers, lawfully placed over us.
(Θ) The principle on which we act, and all these our efforts, to whatever purpose and direction they may tend, are expressed in these two precepts:—"Love and regard all men as Brethren and Relations—render to God what is God's, and to Cæsar what is Cæsar's."