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Origins_151-200.indd 163 2/17/12 6:32 PM 33 [Government of Pocasset] March 7, I638 rnsult the comments accompanying the ProvidenceAgreement ~~2}for the historical setting ofthis document. A typicalpolitical covenant, this document is distinguished by references to biblicalpassages containing the underlyingprinciples. The reader might want to consult thesepassages. The secondpart ofthe agreement was passedlater in the day after a breakfor lunch. The 7th day ofthefirst month, I638 We whose names are underwritten do here solemnly in the presence ofJehovah incorporate ourselves into a Bodie Politick and as he shall help, will submit our persons, lives and estates unto our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord ofLords and to all those perfect and most absolute laws of his given us in his holy word of truth, to be guided and judged thereby. Exod. 24. 3, 4· 2 Cron. II. 3 2 Kings. II. 17 [Signed by William Coddington and eighteen others.] The 7th ofthefirst month, I6J8. We that are Freemen Incorporate of this Bodie Politick do Elect and Constitute William Coddington, Esquire, a Judge amongst us, and so covenant to yield all due honour unto him according to the Iawes ofGod, and so far as in us lyes to maintaine the honour and privileges of his place which shall hereafter be ratifyed according unto God, rhe Lord helping us so to do. William Aspinwall, Sec'ry I, William Coddington, Esquire, being called and chosen by the Freemen Incorporate ofthis Bodie Politick, to be aJudge amongst them, do covenant Origins_151-200.indd 164 2/17/12 6:32 PM RHODE ISLAND to do justice and Judgment impartially according to the Iawes of God, and to maintaine the Fundamentall Rights and Privileges of this Body Politick, which shall hereafter be ratif}red according unto God, the Lord helping us to do so. Wm. Coddington William Aspinwall is appointed Secretary. It is agreed that William Dyre shall be Clarke of this Body. Complete text, with the original spelling, taken from J. R. Bartlett, ed., Records ofthe Colony ofRhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England· Vol I, 1636 to 1663 (Providence: A. Crawford Greene and Brother, State Printers, 1856), 52-53. ...

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