[6]
We, therefore, the people of Maſſachuſetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodneſs of the Great Legiſlator of the Univerſe, in affording us, in the courſe of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence or ſurprize, of entering into an original, explicit, and ſolemn compact with each other; and of forming a new Conſtitution of Civil Government, for ourſelves and poſterity; and devoutly imploring His direction in ſo intereſting a deſign, DO agree upon, ordain and eſtabliſh, the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the CONSTITUTION of the COMMONWEALTH of Massachusetts.
PART