"Originally, a charter provided adequate civil government for most colonies. However, as population increased, so did the need for more elaborate governments. It was this need which resulted in the 'Fundamental Orders of Connecticut' - not only the first constitituion written in the United States, but also the direct antecedent of our current federal Constitution. (John Fiske,
The Beginnings of New England; 1898; pp. 127-128). The 'Fundamental Orders' explained why that document had been created:
[W]ell knowing when a people are gathered together, the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people, there should be an orderly and decent government established according to God (The Code of 1650, Being a Compilation of the Earliest Laws and Orders of the General Court of Connecticut; Hartford, Silas, Andrus; 1822; p. 2)
That constitution next declared the colonists' deisre to:
[E]nter into combination and confederation together to maintain and perserve the liberty and purity of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus which we now profess...which, according to the truth of the said Gospel, is now practiced amongst us. (ibid; p. 2)"
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