The Mayflower Compact by Bill Wilson
"What our forefathers with so much difficulty secured, do not
basely relinquish." These are the words translated from Latin that are
etched on the gravestone of William Bradford, governor of the
Massachusetts Colony, co-writer of the Mayflower Compact, inventor of
the free market system, and my grandfather 13 generations removed.
Bradford is often remembered for being one of the Pilgrims who survived
their first winter in the new America. He is one of the brave men and
women who endured such great hardship to help make this nation what it
is-a beacon of religious and economic freedom blessed in covenant with
God. And unto his death his gravestone warns us not to basely relinquish
these liberties.
The Mayflower Compact is a
covenant with God, dedicating this land now called the United States of
America to the advancement of the Christian faith. The Compact declares,
"IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal
Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of
Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
&c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the
Christian Faith, and the Honor of our King and Country, a Voyage to
plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia;
"Do
by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and
one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body
Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of
the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and
frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and
Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and
convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all
due Submission and Obedience." With these words, 41 men agreed to
govern in submission and obedience to God.
As
anyone can see, these were men and women dedicated to establishing a
land for the advancement of the Christian faith and they set themselves
apart bringing all they had and all they claimed in covenant with God.
And it was not just for their time on earth, but as what was written on
Bradford's grave, the covenant and their subsequent sacrifices were not
to be relinquished.
As America embraces socialism and human secularism,
let us remember that only 41 men began a nation with their signatures.
There are more of us today that are citizens of the Kingdom of God, and
we can reclaim what our forefathers with so much difficulty secured.
Jesus said in Matthew 19:26, "With men this is impossible; but with God
all things are possible." Let us give thanks.
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