Government of New Haven Colony (November 6, 1643):
<It was agreed and concluded as a fundamental order not to be disputed or questioned hereafter, that none shall be admitted to be free burgesses in any of the plantations within this jurisdiction for the future, but such planters as are members of some or other of the approved Churches of New England, nor shall any but such free burgesses have any vote in any election, (the six present freemen aft Milforde enjoying the liberty with the cautions agreed,) nor shall any power or trust in the ordering of any civil affairs, be after any time put into the hands of any other than such Church members, though as free planters, all have right to their inheritance & to commerce, according to such grants, orders and laws as shall be made concerning the same.
2. All such free burgesses shall have power in each town or plantation within this jurisdiction to chose fit and able men, from amongst themselves, being Church members as before, to be the ordinary judges, to hear and determine all inferior causes, whether civil or criminal, provided that no civil cause to be tried in any of these plantation Courts in value exceed 201, and that the punishment in such criminals, according to the mind of God, revealed in his word, touching such offenses, do not exceed stocking and whipping, or if the fine be pecuniary, that it exceed not five pounds...
3. ..It is provided and agreed, that no plantation shall aft any election be left destitute of a magistrate if they desire one to be chosen out of those in Church fellowship with them.
4. ..If any of them be absent aft one of the clock in the afternoons on Monday aforesaid, when the court shall sift, or if any of them depart the town without leave, while the court sifts, he or they shall pay for any such default, twenty shillings fine, unless some Providence of God occasion the same...
5. ..If any of the said magistrates or Deputies shall either be absent after the first sitting of the said General Court, unless some Providence of God hinder...they shall each of them pay twenty shillings fine, with due considerations of further aggravations if there shall be cause; which General Court shall, with all care and diligence provide for the maintenance of the purity of religion and suppress the contrary, according to their best light from the word of God, and all wholesome and sound advice which shall be given by the elders and Churches in the jurisdiction, so fare as may concern their civil power to deal therein.> 1643NH001
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1643NH001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Government of New Haven Colony, Connecticut, November 6, 1643.