8 Church and State
& make knowne by same, to the Governours of this said towne for
the time being.
And this you promise & swear, simply & truly, & faithfully to per-
forme as a true Christian [you hope for help from God, the God of
truth & punisher of falshoode].
FORM OF THE OATH GIVEN THE GOVERNOR AND
COUNCIL AT EVERY ELECTION
You shall swear, according to that wisdom, and measure of discern-
ing given unto you; faithfully, equally & indifrently without respect
of persons; to administer Justice, in all causes coming before you.
And shall labor, to advance, & furder the good of this Colony, &
plantation, to the utmost of your power; and oppose any thing that
may hinder the same. So help you God.2
2
Important to note here is the relationship
between the ruler and the ruled. They are
bound together by shared belief, by the
placing of their hands on the Bible, and by
mutual duties and obligations. There is no
reference to a person’s “rights.”
Source: Charles Evans, Oaths of Allegiance in Colonial New England (Worcester, MA: The Davis Press,
1922), 9.
