The Constitutions of the Free-Masons
The Constitutions of the Freemasons · Constitutions
Se presenta como el libro de leyes de la fraternidad: «THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FREE-MASONS. CONTAINING THE Hiftory, Charges, Regulations, &c. of that moſt Ancient and Right Worſhipful FRATERNITY. For the Uſe of the LODGES», con doble datación —«In the Year of Maſonry 5723 · Anno Domini 1723»— «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · p. 3». Sus Charges se declaran «EXTRACTED FROM The ancient RECORDS of LODGES beyond Sea, and of thofe in England, Scotland, and Ireland», y se mandan leer «At the making of NEW BRETHREN» «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · p. 56».
Tiene cuatro cuerpos. Una historia que arranca en Adán con la geometría escrita en el corazón y baja por Caín, Set, Noé, Mitzraim, Nimrod, Salomón e Hiram Abif hasta Athelstan, Eduardo IV, Isabel I, Jacobo VI y I, Wren y Jorge I «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · pp. 8, 18, 39, 45, 51». Los Charges of a Free Mason, seis, que abren por Dios y la religión y cierran por el comportamiento hacia un hermano extraño «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · pp. 56, 63». Las General Regulations, treinta y nueve, compiladas por George Payne en 1720 y aprobadas en 1721 «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · pp. 65, 77». Y las canciones, entre ellas la del Maestro, que es la historia otra vez, en verso y con coro «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · p. 82».
Su tesis sobre el oficio es de continuidad sin corte: la masonería es la geometría y la arquitectura, y su historia es la de la construcción —Babel, las pirámides, el Templo, Roma, el gótico, el estilo augusteo— «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · pp. 9, 12, 20, 46». En religión hace la operación por la que se la cita desde entonces: releva al masón de la religión de su país y lo obliga solo a «that Religion in which all Men agree», con lo que la masonería queda como «the Center of Union» «Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · p. 57».
91 afirmaciones · 2 fuentes · 1 atribución
Atribución
se consigna, jamás se afirma«Anderson — The Constitutions of the Free-Masons (Londres, 1723) · pp. 3, 80, 81»
Cadena de la obra
el testimonio procesado, en esmeraldaAfirmaciones
91 entradas — la voz de la obra, con su locator«A DAM, our firft Parent, created after the Image of God, the great Architect of the Universe , must have had the Liberal Sciences, particularly Geometry, written on Year of his Heart» — la apertura de la historia; «Year of» es la nota marginal de cronología metida dentro de la frase por el escaneo.
«for even fince the Fall, we find the Principles of it in the Hearts of his Offspring» — la geometría sobrevive a la caída.
«this noble Science thus reduc’d , is the Foundation of all thofe Arts, (particularly of Mafonry and Architec-ture)» — la geometría como fundamento del arte.
«No doubt Adam tauglit his Sons Geometry, and the ufe of it, in the feveral Arts and Crafts convenient» — la transmisión empieza en la primera generación.
«for CAIN, we find, built a City, which he call’d CONSECRATED , or DEDICATED, after the Name of his eldeſt Son ENOCH» — Caín como primer constructor de ciudad.
«Nor can we fuppofe that SETH was leſs inſtructed,. who being the Prince of the other Half of Mankind, and alſo the prime Cultivator of Aftronomy» — la otra mitad de la humanidad, por Set.
«working in Metal by TUBAL CAIN, Mufic by JUBA L, Paftorage and Tent-Making by JABAL, which laft is good Architecture.» — el reparto de las artes entre los hijos de Lamec.
«known by the Names of CHALDEES and MAGI, who preferv’d the good Science, Geometry, as the KINGS and great Men encourag’d the Royal Art.» — caldeos y magos como conservadores de la geometría.
«But it is not expedient to ſpeak more plain of the Premifes, except in a formed Lodge..» — la obra declara aquí su propio límite: hay algo que solo se dice en logia.
«which, tho’ it might help to give Rife to the Maſons. Faculty and ancient univerfal Practice of converfing without fpeaking, and of knowing each other at a Diſtance» — deriva de la confusión de lenguas la facultad de reconocerse sin hablar.
«the Royal Art was brought down to Egypt by MITZRAIM, the fecond Son of Ham , about fix Years after the Confuſion at Babel» — la vía egipcia, con su cronología.
«the famous PYRAMIDS , demonftrate the early Tafte and Genius of that ancient Kingdom» — las pirámides como prueba del arte egipcio.
«he fent his Namefake HIRAM, or Huram, the moft accomplish’d Mafon upon Earth.» — Hiram de Tiro envía a Hiram el arquitecto.
«But the Difficulty is over at once, by allowing the Word Abif to be the Surname of Hiram the Mafon» — la obra resuelve por su cuenta el nombre, contra las versiones griega y latina.
«HIRAM, King of Tyre , fent to King Solomon his Namefake HIRAM ABIF , the Prince of Architects, defcrib’d ( 1 Kings vii . 14.) to be a Widow’s Son of the . Tribe of Naphthali» — la identificación bíblica que la obra fija.
«This divinely inspired Workman maintain’d this Character in erecting the Temple» — Hiram Abif como obrero divinamente inspirado.
«it being an Houſe of Prayer for all Nations, and capable of receiving in the Temple proper, and in all its Courts and Apartments together , no less than 300,000 People» — la descripción del Templo, con su aritmética.
«it was juſtly eſteem’d by far the fineſt Piece of Masonry upon Earth before or fince, and the chief Wonder of the World» — el Templo como cima del oficio.
«But leaving what muft not, and indeed cannot, be Ante Ch, communicated by Writing, we may warrantably affirm» — segunda declaración de límite: hay lo que no debe y lo que no puede escribirse; el «Ante Ch,» del medio es la nota marginal de cronología, metida dentro de la frase por el escaneo.
«however ambitious the Heathen were in cultivating of the Royal Art, it was never perfected, until God. condeſcended to inftruct his peculiar People» — jerarquiza a los gentiles por debajo de Israel en el arte.
«Title. Mafons ball not confederate themſelves in Chapters and Congre-Dgations» — título del acto 3 Enrique VI, que la obra reproduce entero. «Congre-Dgations» es grafía del facsímil.
«if any fuch be made, they that caufe fuch Chapters and Congregations to be affembled and holden, if they thereof be convict, shall be judged for Felons» — la ley de 1425 contra las asambleas de masones, citada por la propia obra.
«yet King ATHELSTAN, (the Grandfon of King ALFREDE the Great, a mighty Architect) the first anointed King of England» — el rey del que la obra hace bajar la constitución inglesa.
«Prince EDWIN, being taught Maſonry, and taking upon him the Charges of a MASTER-MASON, for the Love he had to the faid Craft ... purchased a free Charter of King Athelstan his Father» — la carta de franquicia, y la potestad de corregirse a sí mismos.
«at York, who came and compofed a General Lodge, of which he was GRAND MASTER» — la asamblea de York bajo Edwin como origen de la constitución inglesa.
«having brought with them all the Writings and Records extant, Some in Greek, fome in Latin, fome in French, and other Languages» — de dónde dice que salió la constitución de York.
«(for most great Men were then Mafons)» — el paréntesis con que explica el consentimiento de los señores del reino.
«the learned and magnanimous Queen ELIZABETH, who encourag’d other Arts, difcourag’d this ; becauſe, being a Woman, ſhe could not be made a Maſon» — la razón que la obra da del desfavor isabelino.
«attempted to break up the annual Communication of Mafons, as dangerous to her Government» — el episodio de la comisión enviada a York el día de San Juan, que la obra da «as old Mafons have tranfmitted it by Tradition».
«King JAMES VI. of SCOTLAND fucceeding to the Crown of ENGLAND, being a Mafon King, reviv’d the English Lodges» — Jacobo como rey masón.
«in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries the AUGUSTAN STILE was rais’d from its Rubbiſh in Italy, by BRAM ANTE , BARBARO, SANSOVINO , SANGALLO, MICHAEL ANGELO , RAPHAEL URBIN» — la nómina del renacer arquitectónico, con «STILE» tal cual.
«but above all, by the Great PALLADIO, who has not yet been duly imitated in Italy, though justly rival’d in England by our great Mafter-Mafon INIGO JONES» — Jones como maestro masón por excelencia.
«we have much reafon to believe that King CHARLES II. was an Accepted Free-Mafon» — adjudicación en grado de creencia, no de hecho.
«the Lodges of Free-Mafons in London much dwindled into Ignorance, by not being duly frequented and cultivated» — la decadencia bajo Jacobo II, que prepara el relato de la revitalización.
«the bright Example of that glorious Prince, (who by moft is reckon’d a Free-Mafon)» — Guillermo III, adjudicado con la misma cautela.
«it could be made appear, that from this ancient Fraternity, the Societies or Orders of the Warlike KNIGHTS , and of the Religious too, in proceſs of time, did borrow many folemn Ufages» — pone a las órdenes de caballería y a las religiosas como deudoras del oficio.
«who in all Ages, and in every Nation, have main-tain’d and propagated their Concernments in a way peculiar to themſelves, which the moſt Cunning and the moft Learned cannot penetrate into» — el secreto declarado como método, no como contenido; la frase arranca al pie de la p. 53 y cierra en la 54.
«While They know and love one another, even without the Help of Speech, or when of different Languages.» — el reconocimiento sin palabra.
«having of late much indulg’d their happy Genius for Maſonry of every fort, and reviv’d the drooping Lodges of London» — así narra la revitalización de las logias de Londres, sin dar fecha.
«feveral worthy particular Lodges, that have a quarterly Communication, and an annual grand Aſſembly» — la estructura de gobierno que declara vigente.
«fo that the whole Body refembles a well built Arch» — la imagen con que describe la fraternidad.
«this ISLAND will become the MISTRESS of the Earth, for Defigning, Drawing, and Conducting, and capable to nftruct all other Nations in all things relating to the ROYAL ART.» — cierre de la historia, en clave de programa nacional.
«A Maſon is oblig’d, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law ; and if he rightly underſtands the Art,he will never be a Ttupid athelft, nor an irreligious Libertine.» — apertura del primer Charge; «Ttupid athelft» es la grafía del facsímil.
«But thought in ancient Times Mafons were charg’d in every Country to be of the Religion of that Country or Nation, whatever it was, yet tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all Men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themſelves» — el giro por el que se cita esta obra desde entonces: consigna el cambio y lo declara.
«whereby Maſonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Perfons that muſt have remain’d at a perpetual Diſtance» — la fórmula del centro de unión.
«A Maſon is a peaceable Subject to the Civil Powers, wherever he refides or works, and is never to be concern’d in Plots and Confpiracies againſt the Peace and Welfare of the Nation» — segundo Charge, de la sujeción civil.
«they cannot expel him from the Lodge, and his Relation to it remains.. indefeaſible.» — el rebelde no pierde la condición de masón; la logia desautoriza la rebelión y no lo expulsa.
«ALODGE is a Place where Mafons affemble and work» — definición de logia, con la que abre el tercer Charge.
«The Perfons admitted Members of a Lodge must be good and true Men, free-born, and of mature and difcreet Age, no Bondmen, no Women, no immoral or fcandalous , Men, but of good Report.» — la cláusula de admisión, tal cual.
«All Preferment among Mafons is grounded upon real Worth and perfonal Merit only» — el principio del mérito frente a la antigüedad.
«It is impoffible to deſcribe theſe things in writing, and every Brother muſt attend in his Place, and learn them in a way peculiar to this Fraternity» — tercera declaración de lo que no se escribe.
«unleſs he be a perfect Youth, having no Maim or Defect in his Body, that may render him uncapable of learning the Art» — la condición corporal del aprendiz.
«No Brother can be a WARDEN until he has pafs’d the part of a Fellow-Craft ; nor a MASTER until he has acted as a Warden» — el cursus honorum interno.
«who is alfo to be nobly born, or a Gentleman of the beft Fafhion, or fome eminent Scholar, or fome curious Architect, or other Artist» — las condiciones del Gran Maestro.
«All Mafons fhall work honeftly on working Days, that they may live creditably on holyDays» — apertura del quinto Charge, sobre el trabajo.
«All Mafons employ’d, fhall meekly receive their Wages without Murmuring or Mutiny, and not defert the Mafter till the Work is finiſh’d.» — la cláusula sobre el salario y el motín.
«All the Tools uſed in working fhall be approved by the Grand Lodge.» — la Gran Logia aprueba hasta las herramientas.
«no private Piques or Quarrels must be brought within the Door of the Lodge, far lefs any Quarrels about Religion, or Nations, or State Policy» — la prohibición de la disputa religiosa y política dentro de la logia.
«we being only, as Mafons, of the Catholick Religion above-mention’d ; we are alfo of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds, and Languages, and are refolv’d againſt all Politicks» — la fórmula de universalidad, con «Catholick» en sentido de universal.
«This Charge has been always ftrictly enjoin’d and obferv’d ; but eſpecially ever fince the Reformation in BRITAIN, or the Diffent and Seceffion of theſe Nations from the Communion of ROME.» — data la vigencia estricta de la cláusula en la Reforma.
«though all Maſons are as Brethren upon the fame Level, yet Masonry takes no Honour from a Man that he had before» — la nivelación interna que no toca el rango de fuera.
«You fhall be cautious in your Words and Carriage, that the moſt penetrating Stranger fhall not be able to diſcover or find out what is not proper to be intimated» — la conducta ante extraños.
«not to let your Family, Friends, and Neighbours know the Concerns of the Lodge, &c. but wifely to confult your own Honour ... for Reaſons not to be mention’d here» — la reserva doméstica, con la razón declarada indecible.
«you may not be impos’d upon by an ignorant falfe Pretender, whom you are to reject with Contempt and Derifion» — el examen del hermano forastero.
«cultivating BROTHERLY - LOVE , the Foundation and Cape- ffone , the Cement and Glory of this ancient Fraternity» — el cierre de los Charges.
«as all true Mafons have done from the Begin-ning of the World, and will do to the End of Time. Amen lo moté it be.» — última línea de los Charges; «lo moté it be» es la grafía del facsímil para *so mote it be*.
«this moft learned JUDGE really belongid to the ancient Lodge, and was a. faithful Brother..» — adjudica al juez Coke la condición de hermano, apoyada en la tradición de los viejos masones.
«General Regulations, Compiled firſt by Mr. GEORGE PAYNE, Anno 1720, when he was Grand-Mafer, and approv’d by the GRAND-LODGE On St. John Baptift’s Day, Anno 1721 , at Stationer’s-Hall, LONDON» — la obra data y adjudica sus propias reglas.
«the Author of this Book has compar’d them with, and reduc’d them to the ancient Records and immemorial Ufages of the Fraternity, and digefted them into this new Method» — declara qué trabajo hizo el autor con las reglas de Payne.
«No Lodge fhall make more than FIVE new Brethren at one Time, nor any Man under the Age of Twenty-five, who must be allo his own Mafter» — la regulación IV, con la edad mínima.
«no Man can be enter’d a Brother in any particular Lodge ... without the unanimous Confent of all the Members of that Lodge then prefent» — la unanimidad, declarada privilegio no dispensable.
«If any Set or Number of Mafons fhall take upon themfelves to form a Lodge without the Grand-Mafter’s Warrant, the regular Lodges are not to countenance them ... but muſt treat them as Rebels» — la sanción a la logia sin patente.
«The Grand-Lodge conſiſts of, and is form’d by the Maſters and Wardens of all the regular particular Lodges upon Record, with the GRAND-MASTER at their Head» — la composición de la Gran Logia.
«Apprentices must be admitted Masters and Fellow-Craft only here, unleſs by a Difpenfation .» — la Comunicación Trimestral se reserva la concesión de los grados.
«after fome other Tranfactions, that cannot be written in any Language, the Brethren may go away or ſtay longer» — la fórmula con que la obra cierra el orden del día de la fiesta.
«Every Annual GRAND-LODGE has an inherent Power and Authority to make new Regulations, or to alter thefe, for the real Benefit of this ancient Fraternity: Provided always that the old LAND-MARKS be carefully preferv’d» — la regulación XXXIX, y la cláusula de los *landmarks*.
«it was defir’d and obtain’d for theſe REGULATIONS, when propos’d by the GRAND-LODGE, to about 150 Brethren, on St. John Baptifi’s Day, 1721.» — el número de hermanos que las aprobó, y la fecha.
«Here follows the Manner of conftituting a New Lodge, as practis’d by his Grace the DUKE of WHARTON, the prefent Right Worshipful Grands Matter» — el postscriptum ritual, adjudicado a la práctica de Wharton.
«finds the Candidate Mafter well skill’d in the noble Science and the royal Art, and duly inftructed in our Mysteries» — la pregunta del Gran Maestro al Diputado.
«a Lover of the whole Fraternity , wherefoever difpers’d over the Face of the Earth» — la fórmula de presentación del candidato a Maestro.
«with fome other Expreffions that are proper and ufual on that Occafion, but not proper to be written.» — última declaración de lo que la obra no pone por escrito.
«the Eand-Mafter ſhall, by certain fignificant Ceremonies and ancient Ufages, inftall him, and prefent him with the Conftitutions, the Lodge-Book, and the Inftruments of his Office, not all together, but one after another» — la instalación del nuevo Maestro.
«ADAM, the firth ofhumane Kind» — apertura de la Canción del Maestro, que repite la historia en verso: sigue «Created with GEOMETRY Imprinted on his Royal Mind», con el verso «So from the general Delagenone» de la columna vecina soldado en medio por el escaneo.
«But godly ENOCH, of Seth’s Loins, Two Columns rais’d with mighty (Skill» — las dos columnas de Enoc, en la canción y no en la historia en prosa.
«Our Father NOAH next appear’d, A Mafon too divinely taught ; And by divine Command uprear’d The ARK» — Noé como masón, y el arca como pieza de arquitectura.
«In SHINAR’s large and lovely Plain To MASONRY gave fecond Birth.» — Sinar como segundo nacimiento del oficio, tras el diluvio.
«Who can unfold the Royal Art ? They’re Safely kept in Maſon’s HEART, Or fing its Secrets in a Song ? Andto the ancient Lodge belong.» — el coro; los versos vienen entrelazados a dos columnas en el facsímil.
«King NIMROD fortify’d his Realm, By Caftles, Tow’rs, and Cities fair : MITZRA’M, who rul’d at Egypt’s Helm, Built Pyramids ftupendous there.» — Nimrod y Mitzraim, en verso.
«Which great PYTHAGORAS did fhow, And glorious EUCLID did impart ; Th’ amazing ARCHIMEDES too» — la cadena griega de la geometría.
«King Athelstan, of Saxon Blood, Gave them a Charter free to dwell In LOFTY LODGE, with Orders good, Drawn from old Writings by his Son, Prince EDWIN» — la carta de Athelstan, otra vez en verso.
«Helpt by the learned HIRAM Tyrian Prince, By Craftfmen good , That underſtood Wife HIRAM ABIF’s charming Influence» — Hiram Abif en la canción.
Sobre la obra
18 entradas — lo que el aparato y la investigación dicen de ella«Printed byWILLIAM HUNTER, for JOHN SENEX at the Globe, and JOHN HOOK E at the Flower-de-luce over-againſt St. Dunstan’s Church, in Fleet-ftreet.» — el pie de imprenta, con impresor y libreros distintos.
«In the Year of Maſonry 5723 Anno Domini 1723» — la portada data por partida doble; el año de masonería adelanta 4 000 al de la era cristiana.
«Engravd byJohn Pine in AldersgatestreetLondon» — el frontispicio grabado va firmado por John Pine.
«B Y Order of his Grace the DUKE of WHARTON, the preſent Right Worfhipful GRAND-MASTER of the Free-Mafons ; and, as his Deputy, I humbly dedicate» — la dedicatoria al duque de Montagu, hecha por orden de Wharton.
«J.T. DESAGULIERS Deputy Grand-Mafter.» — quien firma la dedicatoria; el autor del libro no firma ahí.
«Dereas by the Confufions occafion’d in the Saton, Daniſh, and Roman Wars, the Records of Mafons have been much vitiated,the Free Mafons of England twice thought it neceffary to correct their CONSTITUTIONS, CHARGES, and REGULATIONS» — apertura de la Aprobación, que declara el estado de los registros.
«the old Conftitutions in England have been much interpolated, mangled , and miferably corrupted, not only with falfe Spelling, but even with many falfe Facts and grofs Errors in Hiftory and Chronology» — el diagnóstico sobre las constituciones anteriores, hecho por la propia Gran Logia.
«our late Worthy Grand-after , his Grace the DUKE of MONTAGU, having order’d the Author to perufe, correct, and digeft, into a new and better Method, the Hiftory, Charges, and Regulations, of the ancient FRATERNITY» — el encargo, y en qué consistió.
«He has accordingly examin’d feveral Copies from Italy and Scotland, and fundry Parts of England, and from thence, (tho’ in many things erroneous) and from ſeveral other ancient Records of Mafons, he has drawn forththe above-written new CONSTITUTIONS» — de qué copias dice haber salido el texto, y con qué reserva.
«And we ordain That theſe be receiv’d in every particular Lodge under our Cognizance, as the ONLY CONSTITUTIONS of Free and Accepted Mafons amongst us» — la cláusula de exclusividad, que es lo que convierte al libro en ley.
«PHILIP Duke of WHARTON Grand-Matter, J. T. DESAGULIERS L. L. D. and F. R. S. DEPUTY Grand-Mafter.» — las dos firmas que encabezan la Aprobación.
«XVII . JAMES ANDERSON A. M. Mater. Charles Grymes Efq ; } Wardens. The author of this Bo» — la única vez que el libro nombra a su autor: dentro de la lista de logias firmantes, con la nota «The author of this Book».
«HI. JOHN TURNER Maſter. Anthony Sayer Wardens.» — y «IV. Mr. GEORGE PAYNE Mafterstephen Hall M. D.» — los firmantes incluyen a los compiladores y oficiales que la propia obra ha nombrado antes; las grafías «HI.» por III y el soldado «Mafterstephen» son del facsímil.
«LONDON, this 17th Day of January, 1724. T the Quarterly Communication, This Book, which was undertaken at the Command of His GRACE the DUKE of MONTAGU , our late Grand Matter, having been regularly approved in Manuſcript by the GRAND LODGE, was this Day produced here in Print, and approved by the SOCIETY» — la aprobación final del impreso, fechada; el «At» quedó partido en «A ... T» por el escaneo.
«The Mufick of the Fellow-Crafts Song, containing feveral Sheets, being too much to be herewith printed, the Lodge, to which the Authors of the Song and Mufick belong, will afford it in Manuſcript to any other Lodge, when defired.» — nota de producción: la música quedó fuera del impreso.
«Some BOOKS Printed for J. SENEX, and J. HOOKE.» — el catálogo del librero cierra el volumen, y es de arquitectura y perspectiva, no de masonería.
«A Treatife of the five Orders in Architecture : To which is annexed, a Difcourfe concerning Pilafters, and of feveral Abufes introduced into Architecture, written in French by Claude Perrault» — primer título del catálogo, vertido al inglés por John James de Greenwich.
«Dr. BURNET’s Theory of the EARTH: Containing an Account of the Original of the EARTH» — cuarto título del catálogo, ya no de arquitectura.
Conceptos tratados
Geometría (la quinta arte liberal, fundamento del oficio) — Escrita en el corazón de Adán, sobrevive a la caída y es el fundamento de todas las artes, la masonería y la arquitectura entre ellas
Templo de Salomón (el escenario del oficio) — El Templo es la cima del oficio y la única obra en que Dios instruye directamente a su pueblo; Hiram Abif es su arquitecto
Secreto (lo que se jura no fijar por escrito) — Se declara cuatro veces como límite de la escritura —lo que solo se dice en logia, lo que no puede comunicarse por escrito, lo que no es propio escribir— y nunca como contenido
Iniciación (recepción por grados / metamorfosis del ser) — La recepción se hace leyendo la Constitución y los Charges; el candidato promete someterse a ellos y viste la logia