The Oath of Residents

I doe heare sweare, and call God to witnes, that, being nowe an inhabitant within the lymitts of this juridicc̄on of the Massachusetts, I doe acknowledge myselfe lawfully subject to the aucthoritie and gouerm^t there established, and doe accordingly submitt my pson, family, and estate, to be ptected, ordered, & gouerned by the lawes & constituc̄ons thereof, and doe faithfully pmise to be from time to time obedient and conformeable therevnto, and to the aucthoritie of the Goūn^r, and all other the Magistrates there, and their success^rs, and to all such lawes, orders, sentences, & decrees, as nowe are or hereafter shalbe lawfully made, decreed, & published by them or their success^rs. And I will alwayes indeav^r (as in duty I am bound) to advance the peace & wellfaire of this body pollitique, and I will (to my best power & meanes) seeke to devert & prevent whatsoeuer may tende to the ruine or damage thereof, or of y^e 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, treacherie, or oth^r hurte or euill w^ch I shall knowe, heare, or vehemently suspect to be plotted or intended against them or any of them, or against the said Com̄on-wealth or goum^t established. Soe helpe mee God. [1634.]

Att a Gen^rall Courte, holden att Boston, May 14th, 1634.

It was agreed & ordered, that the former oath of ffreemen shalbe revoked, soe farr as it is dissonant from the oath of ffreemen herevnder written, & that those that receaved the former oath shall stand bound noe further thereby, to any intent or purpose, then this newe oath tyes those that nowe takes y^e same.