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Historic Essex at Salem State College |
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We
Covenant with the Lord and one with another; and doe bynd our selves in
the
presence of God, to walke together in all his waies, according as he is
pleased
to reveale himselfe unto us in his Blessed word of truth. The Enlarged That
we covenant with the Lord and one with another, and we doe bynd our
selves in
the presence of God, to walke together in all his waies, according as
he is
pleased to reveale him selfe unto us in his Blessed word of truth. And
doe more
explicitly in the name and fear of God, profess and protest to walke as
followeth through the power and grace of our Lord Jesus. 1.
first wee avowe the Lord to be our God, and our selves his people, in
the truth
and simplicitie of our Spirits. 2.
We give our selves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the word of his grace
fore the
teaching, ruleing and sanctifyeing of us in matters of worship, and
conversion
resolveing to cleave to him alone for life and glorie; and oppose all
contrarie
wayes, cannons, and constitutions of men in his worship. 3.
Wee promise to walk with our brethren and sisters in the Congregation
with all
watchfulness, and tendernis avoiding all jelousies, suspitions,
backbyteings,
conjurings, provoakings, secrete
riseings of spirit against them, but in all offences to follow the rule
of the
Lord Jesus, and to beare and forbeare, give and forgive, as he hath
taught us. 4.
In publick or private, we will willingly doe nothing to the ofence of
the
Church but will be willing take advise for ourselves and ours, as
ocasion shall
be presented. 5.
Wee will not in the Congregation be forward eyther to show our owne
gifts or
parts in speaking or scrupuling or there discover the fayling of our
brethren
or sisters butt attend an orderly cale there unto; knowing how much the
Lord
may be dishonoured, and his Gospel, in the profession of it, sleighted
by our
distempers, and weaknesses in publyck. 6.
Wee bynd ourselves to studdy the advancment of the Gospell in all truth
and
peace, both in regard of those that are within, or without, noe waye
sleighting
our sister Churches, but useing theire Counsell as need shalbe; nor
laying a
stumbling block, before any, noe not the Indians, whose good we desire
to
promote and soe to converse, as wee may avoyd the verrye appearance of
evill. 7.
Wee hearby promise to carrye ourselves in all lawful obedience, to
those that
are over us in Church or Common weale, knowing how well pleasing it
wilbe to
the Lord, that they should have encouragement in their places, by our
not
greiveing theyre spirites through our irregulareties. 8.
Wee resolve to approve our selves to the Lord in our particular
callings,
shunning ydlenes as the bane of any state; nor will wee deale hardly,
or
oppressingly with Any, wherein wee are the Lords stewards: alsoe 9. promyseing to our best abilitie to teach our children and servants, the knowledge of God, and of his will, that they may serve him alsoe and all this,e not by any strength of our own, but by the Lord Christ, whose bloud we desire may sprinckle this our Covenant made in his name. Reprinted from Richard Pierce, ed. The Records of the |
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