A Copie of the Articles which Master R. MORE, Gouernour Deputie of the Sommer [ 10] Ilands, propounded to the Company that were there with him to be subscribed vnto, which both he and they subscribed the second of August, in his house, Anno 1612. which about the same time he sent into England, to the Worshipfull Company of the Aduenturors.
WEe, who haue here vnder subscribed our names, being by the great goodnesse of God safely arriued at the Sommer Ilands, with purpose here to inhabite, doe hereby promise and bind our selues to the performance of the seuerall Articles hereafter following, and that in [ 20] the presence of the most glorious God, who hath in mercy brought vs hither.
First, We doe faithfully promise, and by these presents solemnly binde our selues euer-more to worsh••p that aforesaid only true and euerliuing God, who hath made the Heauens, and the Earth, the Sea, and all that therein is, and that according to those rules that are prescribed in his most ho∣ly Word, and euer to continue in that faith into the which wee were baptised in the Church of England, and to stand in defence of the same against all Atheists, Papists, Anabaptists, Brow∣nists, and all other Heretikes and Sectaries whatsoeuer, dissenting from the said Word and Faith.
Secondly, because the keeping of the Sabboth day holy, is, that wherein a principall part of Gods worship doth consist, and is as it were the Key of all the other parts thereof, wee do there∣fore in the presence aforesaid promise, That wee will set apart all our owne labours and imploy∣ments [ 30] on that day, vnlesse it be those that be of meere necessitie, much more vaine and vn∣fruitfull practises, and apply our selues to the hearing of Gods Word, Prayer, and all other exer∣cises of Religion in his Word required, to the vttermost of our power.
Thirdly, Seeing the true worship of God and holy life cannot be seuered, we doe therefore pro∣mise in the presence aforesaid, That to the vttermost of our power we will liue together in do∣ing that which is iust, both towards God and Man, and in particular we will forbeare to take the most holy name of God in vaine, in ordinary swearing by it, or any other thing, or by scoffing, or vaine abusing of his most holy Word, or to vse cursing, or filthy speeches, or any other thing for∣bidden in Gods most holy Word, as also to liue together without stealing one from another, or quarrelling one with another, or slandering one of another: And to auoide all things that stand [ 40] not with the good estate of a Christian Church and well gouerned Common-wealth, as also to embrace the contrary, as Iustice, and Peace, Loue, and all other things that stand with the good and comfort of Societie.
Fourthly, Whereas we are here together farre remote from our natiue soile of England, and yet are indeed the naturall Subiects of our most Royall and gracious King IAMES of England, Scot∣land, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Wee doe therefore in the presence a∣foresaid, solemnly promise euermore to continue the loyall Subiects of our said Soueraigne King, his Heires and Successors, and neuer to reuolt from him, or them, vnto any other whatsoeuer, but euermore to acknowledge his Supreme Gouernment.
Fiftly, Whereas wee were sent hither by diuers Aduenturers of the Citie of London, and other parts of the Realme of England, wee doe here in the presence aforesaid promise to vse all dili∣gence [ 50] for the good of the Plantation, and not to purloyne or imbesell any of the prohibited com∣modities out of the generall estate, but to vse all faithfulnesse, as it becommeth Christians to doe, as also to bee obedient to all such Gouernour or Gouernours, or their Deputie or Deputies, as are, or shall be by them sent to gouerne vs; As also to yeeld all reuerence towardes the Ministery or Ministers of the Gospel, sent, or to be sent.
Sixtly and lastly, Wee doe here in presence aforesaid promise, the Lord assisting vs, that if at any time hereafter any forrain power shall attempt to put vs out of this our lawful possession, not cowardly to yeeld vp the same, but manfully to fight as true English men, for the defence of the Common-wealth we liue in, and Gospel wee professe, and that whiles we haue breath wee will [ 60] not yeeld to any, that shall inuade vs vpon any conditions whatsoeuer.
I had thought hitherto to haue added a Letter of M. Hughes, written from thence, Dec. 21. 1614. and printed. But our latter intelligence, being more ample, hath caused mee to omit him and others; Yea all things in some, and some things in all. M. Norwood hath beene a diligent