Early certificate - 18th century

This rare and early masonic certificate was recently sold and it dates from the late 18th century.

Hand written with a wax seal, it marks the progress of a mason in the St. Laurence Lodge in Laurencekirk, Scotland.

The best transcription I can do, follows thus:

"Unto all and sundries (obscured) those presents shall come greeting, Grace, Mercy and Peace be with you.

"In the east where the true light shines there reigns silence harmony and concord And the darkness it comprendeth it not.

"We the master and wardens of St Laurence Lodge in Laurencekirk No. 180 holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to all and worthy brethren round the Globe know you whereas Mr John Corse Murgeon in the South Fencible? Reg. commanded by his Grace Henry Duke of Bacclaugh was upon his petition date the 27th of Dec 1779 entered an apprentice of this lodge and me having taken trial of his atributes proposed him Fellow Craft and thereafter in due time raised him to the Sublime degree of a Master Mason and we recommend him to be raised as such on all regular lodges through out the Globe given under our hand and seat at Laurencekirk this 20th (obscured) 1798 being the year of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ and of light 5802."

There follows some signatures.

The seller on eBay stated the lodge number later changed to 136.