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]]. [Illustration: FREEMAN’S OATH Reproduced from “The Book of General Lawes and Libertyes concerning the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts”-–1648 By the courtesy of Henry Edwards Huntington]