I. I BELIEVE, that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice. II. I believe, that there is but One only, living, and true God; that there are three Persons in the Godhead, who are equal in nature, power, and glory; and, that the Son and Holy Ghost, are as truly and properly God, as the Father. These Three divine Persons are distinguished from each other by peculiar relative properties. These Three divine distinct Persons, I profess to reverence, serve, and worship, as the One true God. III. I believe that before the World began, God did elect a certain number of Mankind unto everlasting life, whom he did predestinate to the adoption of Children, by Jesus Christ, of his own free grace, and according to the good pleasure of his will; that he appointed holiness as the means: and that no one has a right to consider himself as a chosen vessel, till he is effectually called by the grace of God. IV. I believe, that God made all things in Creation, out of nothing, to display his goodness, wisdom, power, V. I believe, that there is one Mediator between God and Man; the Man, Christ Jesus; that he stood in his mediatorial capacity as our representative and head, in the covenant of eternal redemption and grace; engaged to be all that to his people, they could possibly need in time, and their bliss through eternity. VI. I believe that God made Man upright; but mutable and liable to fall: that through the influence of Satan, he broke the covenant of works, and fell from the image of God; that all Mankind sinned in him and fell, with him, as their head and representative; and both him and his posterity became liable to the curse and penalty of a violated law. VII. I believe, that all Mankind are conceived and born in sin, Children of disobedience, enemies to God, violators of his commands, averse to good, prone to evil, Children of wrath, obnoxious to the justice of God, and the condemnation of his law: and I believe, that no Creature can help or deliver himself, out of that wretched state into which he has fallen. I solemnly believe, that this is the state of all Men by nature. VIII. I believe, that according to the eternal appointment of God the father, and the Covenant engagements of the dear Redeemer, that in the fulness of time, God sent his Son into the world to redeem fallen Men; IX. I believe, that the matter of the Sinners’ justification before a holy God, is the righteousness of Christ imputed to them; which is, his perfect, spotless obedience to the law, in their room and stead, without the consideration of any works done by them; and, that the full and free pardon of all their sins, past, present, and to come, is only through the blood of Christ, according to the riches of his grace; and, that none can be justified in any other way. This righteousness being seen by the eye of faith, and embraced by the hand of faith, we are manifestly justified and freed from the law; that, being dead wherein we were held, we live to God, and by love serve the Lord, having our fruit unto holiness, and the end eternal life. XI. I believe, that all saints are kept by the mighty power of God, through faith, to eternal Salvation; and that as sure as they are called, justified, and sanctified, they will infallibly persevere; because of the perpetuity of God’s love, the stability of his covenant, and his faithfulness to his absolute promises. XII. I believe, that the Church of Christ consists of true believers in his name; that these are his mystical body, of which, he is the only head, and there is no other: and that all the Children of God derive spiritual life from him, by virtue of union to him; that he is our life; and in consequence of that, we are now quickened by his life-giving power in conversion; our bodies shall be quickened in the last day, and all Believers shall enjoy eternal life, in glory for ever. XIII. I believe, that in the new testament Church of Christ, there are two Sacraments: Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. I believe, Baptism to be an outward and visible sign; first, of the sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; secondly, of an inward and spiritual operation of the Holy Ghost, upon the hearts of believers; and is a grand emblem of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto XIV. I believe, that it is the duty of every Christian to obey the laws of their Country; not to speak evil of Dignities; but, to pray for the King, his Family, and the Government under which we live; to study to be quiet, peaceable, and submissive, according to the laws of Jesus Christ, which is our rule of conduct: and, who has said, “Render unto CÆsar, the things which are his;” and by his holy Apostles has commanded “That every Soul should be subject to the higher powers; that we should honor all Men, love the Brotherhood, fear God, honor the King.” XV. I believe, that it is the duty of all Believers, to take the commands of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as their rule of conduct; that, while they are relying on his Righteousness, for justification; on his Blood, for pardon; and, on the Spirit, for internal sanctification; they, from a principal of love shed abroad in their hearts, are made willing to obey his laws, as King in Mount Zion: and, that his commandments are the believer’s rule of outward conduct; that it is XVI. I believe, that all the Ordinances of divine appointment ought to be attended unto, by all that profess their faith in, and love to our Lord Jesus Christ, as the head of his Church; hearing the Word, public Prayer, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper: singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, vocally; this is an ordinance of the gospel, to be performed by Believers; but, as to time, place, and manner, every one ought to be left to their liberty in using it. XVII. I believe, that there will be a Resurrection, both of the just and unjust; and that Christ will come a XVIII. I believe, that the felicity of the Saints will be eternal; and I as firmly believe, such will be the eternity of misery; unless, the never-dying worm dies, and this unquenchable fire goes out; which will not, cannot be; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. These Sentiments we are bound to acknowledge, as a Church.—We wish in all things to adorn these Doctrines; and having been called out of the world, to the knowledge of the truth, experimentally—in that hope, and through divine grace, we have given up ourselves to God—to walk in his ways, as laid down in that part of his holy word which respects the New Testament Church. We therefore enter into covenant with each other, and pray for grace to keep the following scriptural Rules. |