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Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to
receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the
profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we
do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly,
most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one
another, as one body in Christ.
We
engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk
together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement
of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to
promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its
worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to
contribute cheerfully and regularly, through tithes and
offerings, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of
the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the
gospel through all nations.
We
also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to
religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of
our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in
the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our
engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all
tattling, back-biting, and excessive anger; to abstain
from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a
beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the
kingdom of our Saviour.
We
further engage to watch over one another in brotherly
love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other
in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy
in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take
offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful
of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay.
We,
moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we
will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church,
where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant, and
the principles of God’s Word. |