1.—WITH regard to the _Minister_—that as long as God is pleased to make
him useful to our souls, and we consider him as sent of God—we will
diligently attend upon his Ministry—cheerfully submit to and readily obey
all the Ordinances he administers—agreeable to the written word—Heb.
xiii, 7. _Remember them that have the rule over you_, _who have spoken
to you the Word of God_. We further agree to make prayer and
supplication for him, to watch his conversation, and follow him as far as
he follows Christ. That we will esteem him, reverence, and obey him in
the Lord—agreeable to 1 Thess. v, 13. _And we beseech you_, _Brethren to
know them which labour among you_, _and are over you in the Lord_, _and
admonish you—and to esteem them very highly in love_, _for their Works
sake_. _Brethren_, _pray for us_. _Prayer was made without ceasing to
God for him_—_Whose faith follow_, _considering the __end of their
conversion_.—And we agree, according to our circumstances, by the
administration of earthly things, to support and maintain him, agreeable
to 1 Cor. xi. _If we have sown unto you in spiritual things_, _is it a
great thing if we should reap your carnal things_? _Even so hath the
Lord appointed_.—We agree likewise to abide by him in all trials and
persecutions—that we will encourage him, strengthen his hands, and speak
kindly of him—avoiding all bitterness of spirit, tattling and gossiping
about him, as contrary to the Gospel.
2.—We agree to receive and esteem all _Officers_ in the Church, that have
been appointed by the Church, whose faith and practice is conformable to
the written word. That we will speak kindly of them, receive reproof
from them when necessary, and make known all cases of distress, spiritual
or temporal, in the Church, to them—while we have reason to believe they
answer the spiritual character of a Deacon, as laid down in 1 Tim. 3rd
Chapter.
3.—We agree, through grace, to be found in the use of all appointed
means, public and private, and on special occasions, when notified by the
Minister, as in Acts xiv, 2. _When they were come_, _and had gathered
the Church together_.—_Forsake not the assembling yourselves together_,
_as the manner of some is_.—_Where two or three are gathered together_,
_there am I in the midst_. _Lo_, _I am with you always_.
4.—As Members of the same Church, we will endeavour to cultivate an
affectionate and sincere love, without dissimulation, towards one
another—like that which Christ bears to his Church; and studiously avoid
all occasion of division among the members—such as hard speeches, cruel
and unjust remarks, disdainful looks, reproaches, slanders, and all
causeless divisions in judgment concerning spiritual things. But that we
will watch and pray against these things, as injurious to the cause of
Christ; but endeavor to maintain a oneness of mind and consent of
judgment, to every grand truth, and a uniformity of practice.—_Ye
yourselves are taught of God to love one another_.—_Be kindly affectioned
one towards another_. _By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples_, _if ye love one another_.
5.—We mutually agree to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom of Christ,
particularly for that part to which we belong—that body of christians
which we commune with. This we will do through grace, constantly,
cheerfully, and affectionately, publicly, and more frequently in
private—especially for the most tried, afflicted, and poor members.
_Pray ye for the peace of Jerusalem—they shall prosper that love her_.
_Continuing constant in prayer_.
6.—That, as a Church, we will, as much as possible, be separate from the
World, its customs, maxims, pursuits, & worship. Pray against a worldly
spirit, either of levity or sullenness, covetous of oppressive, in
dealing with others.—_Come out from among them_, _and be ye separate_,
_saith the Lord_.
7.—We agree to study each others spiritual benefit, and take every
opportunity, for the communion of Saints, to impart what light or
enjoyments, trials, and mercies, sorrows and deliverances. To avoid all
frothy, light, or vain conversation, as not becoming a Church of Christ.
_Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another_. _Let your
speech be always with grace_. _Wherefore comfort one another_, _and
edify one another_, _as also ye do_.
8.—We will endeavour to bear with each others infirmities, weakness, and
failings, in meekness, patience, and pity—render them what assistance we
can, by prayer, advice, and kindness; not approving their errors, but
recommending them to the Lord, and forgiving every offence done against
us, when we believe such an offender is sorry, and will acknowledge his
sin. _Be ye kind to one to another—tender hearted_. _If thy brother
repent forgive him_. _We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak_. _Charity suffereth long_, _and is kind_. _If any man have
a quarrel against any_, _even as Christ forgave you_, _so also do ye_.
9.—We agree to sympathize with each other in the calamities and trials
that may befall us—either affliction of body, unjust reproach, real
falls, family afflictions, or temptation and soul troubles. _Remember
them that are in bonds_, _as bound with them_; _and those who suffer
adversity_. _If one member suffers all the members suffer with it_.
_Bear ye one anothers burdens_. _Ye ought to support the weak_.
10.—We agree to contribute to the real necessities of those who are
poor—in things temporal, according to every one’s ability. _Let us do
good to all men_, _especially the household of faith_. _And if thy
brother be waxen poor and fallen into decay with thee_, _thou shall
relieve him_. _Distributing to the necessity of the saints_, _given to
hospitality—for God loveth a cheerful giver_.
11.—We mutually agree to watch over each other for good—to comfort the
feeble-minded, to warn the unruly, and to reprove in faithfulness,
wisdom, moderation, and kindness, what we see amiss in each other—to
endeavor to restore a fallen Brother—to seek consolation for him by
prayer and the word; but if persisting in an evil cause, acquaint the
Officers of the Church, that they may take up the cause.—_Brethren_, _if
any of you do err from the faith_, _and one convert_ (_or restore_)
_him_, _let him know_, _that he which converteth a sinner from the error
of his way_, _shall save a soul from death_.—_Yet count him not an
enemy_, _but admonish him as a Brother_. _He that being often reproved_,
_hardeneth his neck_, _shall be destroyed without a remedy_. _Let us
consider one another_.
12.—We hope, through grace, to walk in all holiness of life, to the glory
of the Gospel, the edification of the Church, and conviction to them that
are without—looking unto Jesus, depending on his unmerited favour,
rejoicing in his Person and Work, and lodging for the happy time, when we
shall join the Church triumphant in heaven.—_Let your light so shine_.
_Having these promises_, _let us cleanse ourselves_.—_See that ye walk
circumspectly_.
And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them
that are sanctified, by faith in Christ Jesus. _Amen_.
* * * * *