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 second time to judge both quick and dead; when he will take vengeance on the wicked, and introduce his own People into his kingdom and glory, where they shall be for ever with him; and, then shall the mediatorial kingdom be delivered up to the Father, by the Redeemer; the mystery of God be finished: Heaven will be the Saints final home; and, God, Father, Son, and Spirit, be all in all, for ever and ever.

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.

THE MEMBERS’ COVENANT.

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.