Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour 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 into a civil Body Politick....                  Mayflower Compact – 1620

     Wee shall finde that the God of Israell is among us, when tenn of us shall be able to resist a thousand of our enemies, when hee shall make us a prayse and glory, that men shall say of succeeding plantacions: the lord make it like that of New England: for wee must Consider that wee shall be as a Citty upon a Hill,...  – John Winthrop

     What can I see of the Glorious God in these occurrences? ... If we were able to recount the singular workings of divine providence, for the bringing on this work, to what it is come unto, it would stop the mouths of all.... Look from one end of heaven unto another, whether the Lord hath assayed to do such a work as this, in any nation?               – Cotton Mather, Puritan Minister