We, the Inhabitants of the Province of Providence Plantations being here orderly met, and having by free vote chosen you ——, to public office and officers for the due administration of Justice and the execution thereof throughout the whole Colonie, do hereby engage ourselves to the utmost of our power to support and vphold you in your faithfull performance thereof. [1641.]
This Engagement was also agreed to by the Court of Commissioners and Election. September ye 13th, 1654.
It is ordered by the present Assemblie, that this is ye engagement of ye Generall officers any former forme to the contrarie notwithstandinge.
At the General Court of the 21st of May, 1661, the words: “in his Majesties name” was added after (“now orderly met”).
And Att a Generall Assembly of the Collony of Rhode Iland and Providence Plantations the 4th of May, 1664:
This Assembly alsoe declareth against any parson acting in any publike office, except hee first take the engagement according to the forme hear subjoyned.
You, A. B., &c., sollemly engage to be true and faythfull vnto our Soveraigne Lord the King, Charles the Second, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, and dominiones and terrytoryes therevnto belonging; and to his sayd Majesty, his heirs and successors, true allegeance to beare and exicute your commission, charge and office, according to the best of your skill and knowledge without partiallyty or affection to any; and that according to the lawes already established, or to be established in this Colony. This ingagement you make and ingage to obsearve, vnder the penalty of perjury....
At the taking of the ingagement by any, ther must bee a re-engagement given in the Colloneys name, to stand by and assist such parsones in the exicution of ther offices and performance of ther dutyes.