General Laws and Liberties of Massachusetts, 1637

This court, taking into consideration, the great wars, combustions and divisions which are this day in Europe; and that the same are observed to be raised and fomented chiefly by the secret underminings and solicitations of those of the Jesuitical order, men brought up and devoted to the religion and court of Rome, which has occasioned diverse states to expel them their territories; for prevention whereof among ourselves, it is ordered and enacted by the Authority of this Court,

That no Jesuit, or spiritual or ecclesiastical person ordained by the authority of the Pope or the Sea of Rome shall henceforth at any time repair to, or come within this jurisdiction; And if any person shall give just cause of suspicion that he is one of such society or order he shall be brought before some of the Magistrates, and if he cannot free himself of such suspicion he shall be committed to prison or bound over to the next Court of Assistants, to be tried or proceeded with by Banishment as the Court shall see cause: and if any person so banished shall be taken a second time within this Jurisdiction upon lawful trial and conviction he shall be put to death. Provided this law shall not extend to any such Jesuit, spiritual or ecclesiastical person as shall be cast upon our shores, by ship wreck or other accident, so as he continue no longer than till he have opportunity of passage for his departure…

The Book of General Laws and Liberties of Massachusetts (Harvard University Press, 1929. Reprinted from the copy of the1648 edition in the Henry E. Huntington Library.