We Covenant with our Lord, and one with another; and we do bind
ourselves in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways,
according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his blessed
word of truth; and do explicitly, in the name and fear of God,
profess and protest to walk as followeth, through the power and grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We avouch the Lord to be our God, and ourselves to be his people, in
the truth and simplicity of our spirits.
We give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word of his
grace, for the teaching, ruling, and sanctifying of us in matters of
worship and conversation, resolving to cleave unto him alone for life
and glory, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions
of men, in his worship.
We promise to walk with our brethren, with all watchfulness and
tenderness, avoiding jealousies and suspicions, back-bitings,
censurings, provokings, secret risings of spirit against them; but in
all offences to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus, and to bear and
forbear, give and forgive, as he hath taught us.
In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence
of the church; but will be willing to take advice for ourselves and
ours, as occasion shall be presented.
We will not in the congregation be forward, either to show our own
gifts and parts in speaking or scrupling, or there discover the
weakness or failings of our brethren; but attend an orderly call
thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be dishonored, and his
gospel and the profession of it slighted, by our distempers and
weaknesses in public.
We bind ourselves to study the advancement of the gospel in all truth
and peace, both in regard to those that are within or without; no way
slighting our sister churches, but using their counsel as need shall
be; not laying a stumbling-block before any, no, not the Indians,
whose good we desire to promote; and so to converse as we may avoid
the very appearance of evil.
We do hereby promise to carry ourselves in all lawful obedience
to those that are over us, in Church or Commonwealth, knowing
how well-pleasing it will be to the Lord, that they should have
encouragement in their places, by our not grieving their spirits
through our irregularities.
We resolve to approve ourselves to the Lord in our particular
callings, shunning idleness as the bane of any state; nor will we
deal hardly or oppressingly with any, wherein we are the Lord's
stewards.
Promising also unto our best ability to teach our children and
servants the knowledge of God, and of his will, that they may serve
him also; and all this not by any strength of our own, but by the
Lord Christ, whose blood we desire may sprinkle this our Covenant
made in His Name.