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“By the transgression of a land many are its princes [(rulers; laws)], but by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.” (Proverbs 28:2, parenthesis added)

Some 400 years ago, our Pilgrim Forefathers landed on the shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  They came here with the vision of creating a community, and perhaps a nation, which would teach the Gospel of Christ to the next generation.  To do this they understood they would have to have a government that, by law, would protect that right.  They set us a wonderful example of Biblical wisdom being applied to civil government, when they wrote what has been called the “first constitution of America”.  We now call it the Mayflower Compact.  It was the first governing document in America written solely by those who would be governed by it.

Because they were trained in the art of self-government, this first law established in America did not need to be long and complicated.  Because their self-government was large, their civil government could be small.  It read simply:

“In the name of God, Amen.  We whose names are underwritten…having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these present solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws…constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet…for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

“In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11. of November…[in the year of our Lord] 1620.”

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