It was also Ordered by the General Court on the 19 October, 1664.
Forasmuch as several Persons who from time to time are to be made freemen, live remote and are not able without great trouble and charge to appear before this Court to take their respective Oaths: It is therefore Ordered, that henceforth it shall be in the power of any County Court, to administer the Oath of Freedome to any persons approved of by the General Court who shall desire the same, any Law or Custome to the contrary notwithstanding. [1664.]
And, at the May, 1665, session, to conform to the criticism of his Majesty’s Commission concerning the Oath of Allegiance:
It is ordered by this Court, & the authority thereof, that the following oath be annexed vnto the oathes of euery freeman & oath of fidellity, & to the Gouernor, Dept-Gouernor, & Assistants, & to all other publicke officers, as followeth:—
The oath of a freeman & fidelity to runne thus:—
Oath of Fidelitie
Whereas I [A. B.] am an inhabitant within this Jurisdiction, Considering how I stand Obliged to the Kings Majesty, his heires and Successors by our Charter and the Government established thereby; Do Swear accordingly by the great and dreadfull Name of the Ever-Living God, that I will bear Faith and true Allegiance to our Soveraingn Lord the King, his Heires and Successors; and that I will be True and Faithfull to this Government, and accordingly yeild Assistance thereunto, with my person and estate, as in equity I am bound;
And will also truely endeavour to Maintain and Preserve all the Liberties and Priviledges thereof, Submiting my self unto the wholesom Laws made and established by the same.