The Lower House. 577

on or before the 29th Day of September next, or before they or any
of them enter on their several Offices respectively, shall, and they are
hereby required to take the following Oaths before some Provincial
or County Magistrate, in Manner and form following; that is to say,
The Oath of a Counsellor,

I A. B. as a Member of his Lordship the Right Honourable the
Lord Proprietary his Council within this Province, do swear, that I
will be true and faithful unto his said Lordship, the true and abso-
lute Proprietary of this Province of Maryland, and to his Heirs and
Successors, and him and them, and his and their Rights, Royal Juris-
diction and Seigniory, and every of them, into and over the said
Province, and Islands thereunto belonging, will at all Times, during
my Continuance in the said Trust as a Counsellor, defend and main-
tain to the utmost of my Power; the Peace and Welfare of the People
of this Province I will ever procure, as far as I can; I will aid and
assist the Administration of Justice in all Things to my Power; to
none will I delay or deny Right, for Fear, Favour, or Affection;
I will to my best Skill, and according to my Heart and Conscience,
give good and faithful Counsel to the said Lord Proprietary, and
his Heirs and Successors, and to his and their Lieutenant or chief
Governor of this Province, when thereunto I shall be called: I will

L. H. J.
Liber No. 47
June 5

keep secret all Matters committed or revealed unto me as Secrets
in Council, or which shall be there moved or debated, secretly and
faithfully declare my Mind and Opinion therein according to my
Heart and Conscience: And if any of the said Treaties and Coun-
sels shall touch any of the privy Counsellors of this Province, I will
not reveal the same unto him so touched or concerned, but will keep
the same secret, until such Time as by the Consent of the Lord Pro-
prietary, or his Lieutenant or chief Governor here for the Time
being, Proclamation may be made thereof. So help me God.

The Oath of Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal.

I A. B. do swear, that as Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal
of this Province, I will well and truly serve his Lordship the Right
Honourable the Lord Proprietary of this Province; and do equal
Right to all his Majesty's Subjects, to. the best of my Understanding,
Skill and Knowlege: I shall not debar or hinder the Prosecution of
Justice, nor take any Gift, Bribe, Reward, or Fee, for the delaying
thereof; but will behave myself justly and truly, and hear, act, judge,
decree, and determine all Matters that shall regularly come before me
for Determination, according to Equity and good Conscience, accord-
ing to the Duty of my said Office, and according to the best of my
Knowledge, during my Continuance in the said Office, or until I
shall by lawful Authority be discharged therefrom. So help me God.
37

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