COVENANTS.
We who desire to walk in the fear of God do, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, profess our deep sorrow for all our sins; and we do also, in the presence of God and each other, give ourselves to the Lord in a Church union according to the institution of Christ, whom we profess is our High Priest to justify, sanctify, and save us, our Prophet to teach us, and our King and Lawgiver, to whom as such we openly profess subjection, and desire to be conformed to all His laws and ordinances for our spiritual growth, establishment, and consolation, that we may appear to be a Holy Bride unto Him and serve Him in our generation, according to the will of God, and to wait for His second coming as our glorious Bridegroom, who shall come the second time without sin unto salvation.
We do solemnly give up ourselves to each other and join ourselves together in a Holy Union and Fellowship, promising humbly to submit to the discipline of the Gospel, and all holy duties required of us in the Scriptures.
We do also agree and profess in the fear of the Lord, to observe the following things, which we judge agreeable to the mind of Christ and necessary for our peace and comfort as a Church:-
- That we will, as much as lies in us, strive to walk in holiness, Godliness, and brotherly love, that our communion may be pleasing to God, comfortable to ourselves, and lovely to others of the Lord’s people: and in order hereunto, we promise to watch over one another for good, and not suffer sin upon one another, so far as it be known to us, and stir up one another to love and good works, with all humility and affection, to warn, rebuke, and admonish one another with meekness and long suffering according to the rules of Christ in that responsibility.
- That we will in a special manner be concerned to pray for one another, and for the welfare and increase of this Church, and for the presence of Christ in it, and the pouring forth of His Spirit upon it, and His protection of it, to His own glory.
- That we will cleave to each other and bear one another’s burdens in all conditions both outward and inward, as God shall enable us. “to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice,” and “esteem each other in love,” and to bear and forbear with one another’s weaknesses, failings, and infirmities with much pity, tenderness, and compassion, and in all respects endeavour to behave towards each other according to the rules of Christ and the order of the Gospel recorded in the Holy Scriptures.
- That we will endeavour to avoid all causes and causers of division and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. That we will meet together on The Lord’s Day, and at other times as we have opportunity, to encourage by our attendance all meetings of the Church, both public and private, to serve and glorify the Lord in the way of His worship, to edify one another, and seek the real prosperity of the Church.
- To pray for and encourage the Officers of the Church in the discharge of their duty, and abide by and cleave to our Elders/Pastors, and not desert them or their ministry as long as they take the Gospel as their guide, and proclaim the Doctrines of Grace as contained in our articles of faith, and that their walk and conversation be according to Godliness. We will, according to our ability, support them and any expenses of the Church, believing that God has ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
These and all other duties found in the Word of God we desire humbly to submit unto, and desire to be found in the practice of, through the gracious enabling of the Holy Spirit, being conscious of our own weakness, whilst we both admire and adore the grace which has “given us a name and a place in His house, better than that of sons and daughters.”