I [A. B.] being by Gods providence an inhabitant within the
Jurisdiction of this Common-wealth, and now to be made free; doe
here freely acknowledg my self to be subject to the Government
thereof: And therefore do here Swear by the great and dreadfull Name
of the Ever-living God, that I will be true and faithfull to the
same, and will accordingly yeild assistance and support thereunto,
with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound, and will also
truely indeavour to maintain and preserve all the Liberties and
Priviledges thereof, submitting my self unto the wholsom Laws made
and established by the same. And farther, that I will not plot or
practice an evill against it, or consent to any that shall so doe;
but will timely discover and reveal the same to lawfull Authority
now here established, for the speedy prevention thereof.
Moreover, I do solemnly bind my self in the sight of God, that when
I shall be called to give my voice touching any such matter of this
State, wherein Free-men are to deal; I will give my vote and
suffrage as I shall in mine own conscience judg best to conduce and
tend to the publick weal of the Body, without respect of persons, or
favour of any man. So help me God &c. [1641.] From Code of 1660.
It is Ordered and by this Court declared, that no man shall be urged
to take any Oath or subscribe to any _Articles_, _Covenants_ or
_Remonstrances_, of publick and Civil nature, but such as the
Generall Court hath Considered, allowed and required, and no Oath of
any Magistrate or of any Officer, shall bind him any further or
longer, then he is Resident or Reputed an Inhabitant of this
Jurisdiction. [1641.]
Every Court in this Jurisdiction, where two Magistrates are present,
may admitt any church members that are fitt, to be Freemen, giving
them the Oath, and the Clerke of each Court, shall certify their
names to the Secretary at the next General Court. [1641 [2]].
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