Forasmuch as it has pleased the Allmighty God by the wise
disposition of his diuyne p^ruidence so to Order and dispose of
things that we the Inhabitants and Residents of Windsor, Hartford
and Wethersfield are now cohabiting and dwelling in and vppon the
River of Conectecotte and the Lands thereunto adioyneing; And well
knowing where a people are gathered togather the word of God
requires that to mayntayne the peace and vnion of such a people
there should be an orderly and decent Gouerment established
according to God, to order and dispose of the affayres of the people
at all seasons as occation shall require: doe therefore assotiate
and conioyne our selues to be as one publike State or Com̄onwelth;
and doe, for our selues and our Successors and such as shall be
adioyned to vs att any tyme hereafter, enter into Combination and
Confederation togather, to mayntayne and p^rsearue the liberty and
purity of the gospell of our Lord Jesus w^{ch} we now p^rfesse, as
also the disciplyne of the Churches w^{ch} according to the truth of
the said gospell is now practiced amongst vs; As also in o^r Ciuill
Affaires to be guided and gouerned according to such Lawes, Rules,
Orders and decrees as shall be made, ordered & decreed, as
followeth: [The eleven Fundamentalls.] [1638.]
In Connecticut, it would appear that the Oath of Fidelity required of
all that were admitted freemen up to July 1640, was as follows: