Jer. l. 5. Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord, in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten.

Acts ii, 2. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine, and in fellowship.

Luke xxiv, 15. And it came to pass that while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

WE AGREE,

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.

FINIS.