2. It is the duty of a Christian to pray for the church of Christ—to inquire diligently into her scriptural character, and to seek covenant blessings in her communion.
3. If the majority should violate the terms upon which church members were united, it is lawful for the minority to testify against the defection, and to walk by the rule of their former attainments. And when any community assuming to be the Church of Christ, imposes sinful terms of communion—when the constitution is anti-scriptural—when the administration is corrupt, and attempts at its reformation have proved ineffectual—it is the duty of Christians to separate from it: "Come out of her, my people," &c.; Rev. xviii, 4.
4. No member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church can, without contracting guilt, in the present state of society, take the oath of allegiance to the government of these United States, hold office, exercise the elective franchise, act as a juror, or hold communion in other ecclesiastical bodies, by what is commonly styled occasional hearing; Rev. xi, 1-3.
TERMS
OF
MINISTERIAL AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNION
IN THE
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
* * * * *
1. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice.