I, A. B. &c. being, by the Almighties most wise disposic̄on, become
a memb^r of this body, consisting of the Goūn^r, Deputy Goūn^r,
Assistants, & a com^nlty of the Mattachusets in Newe England, doe,
freely & sincerely acknowledge that I am iustly & lawfully subject
to the goūm^t of the same, & doe accordingly submitt my pson &
estate to be ptected, ordered, & goūned by the lawes &
constituc̄ons thereof, & doe faithfully pmise to be from time to
time obedient & conformeable therevnto, & to the authie of the said
Goūn^r & Assistants & their success^rs, & to all such lawes,
orders, sentences, & decrees as shalbe lawfully made & published by
them or their successors; and I will alwaies indeav^r (as in dutie I
am bound) to advance the peace & wellfaire of this bodie or
com̄onwealth to my vtmost skill & abilitie; & I will, to my best
power & meanes, seeke to devert & prevent whatsoeuer may tend to the
ruyne or damage thereof, or of any the said Goūn^r, Deputy Goūn^r,
or Assistants, or any of them, or their success^rs, and will giue
speedy notice to them, or some of them, of any sedic̄on, violence,
treachery, or other hurt or euill which I shall knowe, heare, or
vehem^tly suspecte to be plotted or intended against the said
com̄onwealth, or the said goum^t established; and I will not att any
time suffer or giue consent to any counsell or attempt that shalbe
offered giuen, or attempted for the impeachm^t of the said goūm^t,
or makeing any change or alterac̄on of the same, contrary to the
lawes & ordinances thereof, but shall doe my vtmost endeav^r to
discover, oppose, & hinder, all & eūy such counsell & attempts. Soe
helpe me God. [1631.]
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