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.] [Illustration: Fac-simile of the Freemen’s Oath The oath of a serv^t. I. N. N. serv^t of &c. haveinge heard and vnderstoode that our—soveraigne Lord Kinge Charles hath by his łres patents vnder the great seale of England graunted power and aucthoryty vnto a Governo^r a Deputy Governo^r &. 18. Assistants to rule governe & Judge all ꝑsones wch doe or shall inhabyte =in or= betweene =the= Charles ryver &. 3. myles southward & merimack ryver &. 3. myles northwards in new England & soe westwards to the south sea, =beinge= wthin wch =compa= lymitts I doe nowe—inhabyt