,transcribed from the #ahad8 ,r4 ,thomas edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,public domain book cover ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,a ,,gospel ,,church3 ,a ,,confession ,,of ,,evangelical ,,principles3 ,,and ,,the ,,members' ,,covenant4 ,intended for the ,use of ,the ,church of ,christ4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,by ,j4 ,,church1 ,minister of the ,gospel1 ,obelisk ,chapel4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,exodus xxv1 #dj4 ,look that thou make all things according to the ,pattern shewed thee in the ,mount4 ,,jude4 ,contend earnestly for the ,faith once delivered to the ,saints4 #a ,,cor4 i1 #aj4 ,that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind1 and in the same judgment4 99 99 99 99 99 ,southwark3 ,printed by ,r4 ,,thomas1 ,red ,lion ,street1 ,borough4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,the ,,nature ,,of ,a ,,gospel ,,church1 c4 ,,eph4 ,v4 #bc4 ,,christ is the ,head of the ,church4 ,,acts vii1 #bh4 ,this is he that was in the ,church in the ,wilderness4 ,,rev4 ii1 #bg4 ,all the ,churches shall know ,i am he4 ,,eph4 iii1 #ba4 ,to ,him be glory in the ,church4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,to the congregational ,churches of ,jesus ,christ1 particularly that one over which the ,holy ,ghost hath made me an ,overseer3 ,grace be to you all4 ,amen4--,i thought it necessary to write to you on some ,subjects which are very interesting1 and to give you in sundry articles1 the particulars of the ,faith we profess1 as believers in our most adorable ,redeemer2 with a few agreements which claim the conformity of all those who have given themselves up to the ,lord1 to walk in all well pleasing to him4 ,i haw endeavored to keep close to the sacred pages1 which are the grand standard of ,faith and ,practice1 and as many as walk according this rule1 peace be on them1 and on the whole ,israel of ,god4 ,the first ,subject ,i wish my brethren well instructed in is the ,,church of ,,god4 ,it must be allowed that the ever blessed ,god1 for the purposes of glorifying his grace1 hath chosen a number of persons in ,christ--that he gave them to ,christ--that the ,redeemer accepted them1 and delighted in them as his ,bride--and though he foreknew their fall in ,adam1 yet he covenanted with the ,father to be their ,surety1 ,righteousness1 and ,mediator--to deliver them from the hands of their enemies by his precious sacrifice1 and in due time to call them by his holy ,spirit1 to the knowledge of himself2 to preserve them in himself till called1 and maintain them in the wilderness of this world till their glorification4 ,all these things being planned before all worlds1 in due time the ,redeemer came1 according to his engagement1 and paid down his life for their ,justification and ,pardon--in consequence of which1 ,justice being satisfied1 the ,law honoured1 ,sinners redeemed1 and the ,holy ,spirit1 with all its blessing secured1 the ,church of ,god is called1 one member after another1 and will be so till the whole body is complete3 hence the ,apostle says1 ,christ loved the ,church1 and gave himself for it1 that he might save it with the washing of water1 by the ,word--the glorious ,gospel of the blessed ,god is the means made use of1 to bring poor sinners to the knowledge of ,jesus--truth having an entrance into the heart1 influences all the powers1 enlightens the understanding1 subdues and reconciles the will1 sways the affections1 captivates the thoughts1 and quickens the conscience4 ,thus the entrance of ,god's word giveth light1 and ,god shines into the heart1 sooner or later1 to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god1 in the ,person of ,jesus4 ,this is attended with love to ,god1 as seen in ,jesus--love to the ,redeemer1 in his ,person1 ,work1 and ,offices--love to the ,holy ,spirit1 who has done so much for the soul1 and stands engaged to do much more4 ,this love is led forth to ministers who are sent of ,god1 especially to those whose ministry is most blessed to us1 of whatever denomination they may be4 ,this same principle of love is led forth to those who bear the image of ,christ1 who are divinely taught1 whether they are ,children1 young ,men1 or ,fathers--for1 he that loveth is born of ,god1 and knoweth ,god--,ye are taught of ,god to love one another--he that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten4 ,this fire within catcheth itself wherever it is--in another--thus there is a unity of heart2 this unity of heart is attended with a willingness to know1 and do the will of ,god2 to worship him according to his declared will1 as laid down in the ,new ,testament--to assemble together for ,prayer1 reading the ,word of ,god1 and hearing it faithfully preached by those whom ,god hath sent4 ,it is to submit to all his ,ordinances1 ,baptism1 as we are led to see it right1 and the ,lord's ,supper1 with the rest of the ,lord's people2 and a walking in holy obedience to the revealed will of ,god4 ,this appears to be the ,church of ,god1 which he purchased with his blood2 that he always protects1 and will maintain as long as the world lasts4 ,this is called his invisible ,church 7not to himself7 but to the work1 they being attended with others in the same profession1 though not the same possession2 and making this profession public in their non-conformity to the world1 in being called from among them as well as redeemed from among them2 in consequence of these things they are called the visible ,church of ,christ1 which has been called ,catholic1 or general ,church4 ,this ,church is variously set forth in ,scripture1 which is worthy our attention1 with its present and future glory4 ,permit me to remark1 that many persons suppose a ,church to be nothing but a large building3 this is not called a ,church in ,scripture--it does not mean the ,place but the ,people--the professors of the ,gospel1 whether called effectually or not1 yet walking together in the ,ordinances1 and appearing to serve the same ,master1 the whole body is called a ,church4 ,there is no pure or perfect ,church this side ,heaven2 in this great ,house there are not only vessels of gold and silver1 but of wood and stone2 the wise and foolish virgins must be together till the midnight cry is made--the tares and the wheat must grow together till the harvest--the net will contain good and bad fish1 till the final separation takes place4 ,this ,church of ,christ is not ,parochial1 men do not become church ,members by living in the ,parish1 for ,jews and ,turks may live in the same ,parish2 nor is it ,diocesan1 for we never read of more than one ,church under one ,bishop or ,pastor--nor is it ,provincial1 for we read of more ,churches than one in a ,province--nor is it ,national1 for we not only read of more than one in a ,nation1 but of ,churches in private houses--nor is a ,presbyterian1 for we never read of a ,church of ,presbyters or ,elders1 no2 but only of ,presbyters and ,elders ordained in ,churches2 this must plainly prove that ,churches existed before the ,presbytery or ,elders were in them--then it appears plain that the visible ,church of ,christ is congregational--so the ,church of ,england has justly defined it--8,the ,church of ,god is a ,congregation of faithful men1 in which the pure ,word of ,god is preached and the ,sacraments duly administered20 for only the ,lord's faithful people can have fellowship with each other--they must be regenerated by the ,spirit1 called out of darkness into the kingdom of ,god's dear ,son--they are called ,saints because of their ,sanctification1 faithful men to ,god and truth1 such as should be saved4 ,they are spiritual men1 understanding spiritual things2 men of holiness1 whose lives and conversation are becoming the ,gospel--baptized into ,christ1 invisibly1 by the ,spirit1 and outwardly by ,water1 if ,god is pleased to shew them that it is right1 for whatsoever is not of faith is sin4 ,these are the ,persons who have a right to chuse their ,ministers1 their ,officers1 and to use all the ,ordinances and ,privileges granted to the ,church by our glorious ,lord and ,master1 ,christ1 who is the king1 head1 and saviour of his ,elect4 ,it appears the word ,church signifies a sacred ,assembly or ,society1 called of ,god by the ,gospel1 met together to worship ,god according to his revealed will4 ,let this suffice1 the ,church1 in its just and expensive sense1 includes the whole body of the redeemed4 ,this ,church has appeared in every age of the world2 been kept up and supported in a very wonderful manner1 which made ,solomon exclaim1 in raptures of affection1 wonder1 and delight1 ,who is this that cometh up from the ,wilderness1 like pillars of smoke1 perfumed with myrrh and frankinsense1 with all the powders of the ,merchant8--,the ,history of the ,old ,testament is but an ,history of the ,church1 which1 though afflicted1 tormented1 and tossed with many tempests1 yet was miraculously preserved by the ,lord ,jesus1 who never left the world without a witness for himself1 nor never will4 ',tis wonderful to trace her rise and prosperity1 her persecution and deliverance1 till the present hour--and as my dear friends 7many of them at least7 have but little time to read ,history1 ,i presume to give them a brief ,account of the ,church in the ,wilderness1 for which ,i am indebted under ,god1 to ,historians4 ,when our ,lord made his appearance in the likeness of sinful flesh1 he thoroughly purged the floor of his ,old ,testament ,church--he effected a wonderful revolution1 set aside every carnal ordinance1 and fulfilled all laws1 moral and ceremonial4 ,after his death and resurrection he went to glory1 that he might fill all things4 ,he endued his ,apostles with power from on high--raised up a company of preachers1 who were means in the hands of the ,spirit1 for building ,sanctuaries to ,god4 ,the middle wall of partition was now broken down--the ,gentiles were fellow-citizens with the ,jews1 and both made up one household4 ,we shortly after read of ,churches in many parts of the world4 ,for the first fifty years after our ,lord's resurrection1 the ,gospel was most powerfully successful--,god sent forth the rod of his strength1 and much good was done in the name of the holy child1 ,jesus4--,but ,satan roared loudly2 the ,church was in the ,wilderness--and as it had been persecuted as related by the ,apostle in the #acth of the ,hebrews1 so it was again--they under the ,new ,testament ,dispensation1 were persecuted1 beaten1 sawn asunder--they wandered about in ,sheep's and ,goat's skins1 and hid themselves in dens and caves of the earth4 ,surely the ,new ,testament ,saints are included in that pathetic address1 ,oh6 thou afflicted1 tossed with tempest1 and not comforted4 ,errors in doctrine soon appeared1 even to the denying of the resurrection of the body--,ordinances were soon corrupted1 and worldly-mindedness was prevalent4 ,persecution wasted the ,church of ,god very early in the year #ff2 it began by imperial authority4 ,nero having burnt a part of the ,roman ,city1 charged it upon the ,christians1 and enacted laws to destroy them1 and multitudes of them were burnt alive in his garden1 for nightly illumination3 in this ,persecution1 it is supposed ,paul and ,peter suffered death4 ,about the year #gb ,domitian raised a new ,persecution1 but he was soon murdered by his wife4 ,about three years after it began1 in #aje1 ,trajan1 the ,emperor1 raised a third ,persecution1 which lasted about two years4 ,then a fourth ,persecution by ,adrian1 which lasted ten years--besides1 vast numbers of ,christians were murdered by the ,jewish rebels4 ,for a long time the ,church was quiet from outward ,persecution1 but awfully infested with errors1 which became an internal ,persecution4 ,about the year #cjb1 the infernal ,emperor raised a dreadful one against the ,christians2 many were scourged to death1 had their flesh torn off with red hot pincers1 and mangled with broken pots4 ,they were cast to wild beasts1 beheaded1 crucified1 burnt1 drowned1 torn to pieces between trees1 roasted by gentle fires1 and some1 having holes made in the body1 had melted lead poured into their bowels4 ,in ,egypt alone1 an hundred and forty thousand were cut off by violent deaths1 and seven hundred thousand by banishment and hard labour4 ,in every part of the ,empire churches were razed to the ground1 and the copies of the ,scriptures burnt4 ,now they thought they had utterly abolished the ,religion of ,jesus2 but the vengeance of ,god followed the hellish tyrant1 as it had ,herod1 ,nero1 ,domitian before4 ,csar obliged him to resign his post1 and retire to a private life1 where he soon ended his days by a draft of poison4 ,god raised up ,constantine1 the ,man ,child spoken of in the #abth chapter of ,revelations2 he tolerated the ,christians4 ,his colleague revoked it in the ,east1 and1 instigated by the ,heathen ,priests1 made war against ,licinius4 ,the brother-in-law of ,constantine1 enraged at his army being routed1 he murdered a multitude of the ,priests1 who had promised him the victory4 ,he was just going to venture a second battle1 when he was smitten with blindness and terrible pain3 he poisoned himself1 and amidst rage1 pain1 and despair1 acknowledged his trouble the just reward for his cruelty to the ,christians4 ,licinius for a time seemed to favor the ,christians1 yet soon turned a bitter ,persecutor2 but ,constantine being now a ,christian1 marched a great army against him1 and defeated him in three great battles1 in the last of which an hundred thousand were slain1 ,licinius taken1 and put to death4 ,thus we see the ,bush long burning1 and not consumed1 because the ,angel of the ,covenant was in it--and this is he that was with the ,church in the ,wilderness4 ,the ,christians now enjoyed a great calm under the reign of ,constantine and ,theodosius2 but ,satan always took an opportunity to ruin the ,church by ,heresies when he could not by ,persecution4 ,arianism1 and many other errors were propogated1 which occasioned dreadful troubles to the ,church4 ,julian the ,apostate1 endeavored once more to extirpate ,christianity1 but was killed in a ,persecution he raised1 before he had reigned two years4 ,errors increased daily4 ,about the beginning of the sixth century the ,church seemed more tranquil1 but the ,devil was incessantly working her ruin by the introduction of ,popish errors2 ignorance and profaneness was almost universal4 ,the ,government was almost one perpetual struggle between the ,bishops1 which should be the greatest4 ,gregory the ,great1 by immense superstition1 troubled the ,church2 and her discomfiture was soon universal4 ,this was the case of the ,church in the ,west2 while1 about this time1 ,mahomet the ,arab1 took his rise in the ,east1 and propogated his delusion there4 ,thus the ,beast rose about #fjf1 or #fff2 and now1 in another sense1 the ,church entered into her ,wilderness state1 the outer ,court being given to the ,gentiles1 to be trodden under foot for forty-two months1 or #abfj years4 ,sad indeed the consequence of the rise of the ,man of ,sin4 ,for many years worse ,persecutions than under the ,pagans took place1 but ,god did not leave the ,world without a ,witness for himself4 ,every now and then the ,lord raised up faithful men1 who opposed the ,pope's ,supremacy2 particularly ,luther1 in ,germany--,zuinglius1 in ,switzerland1 and ,calvin2 in ,france4 ,the christian ,religion1 as taught by ,luther1 was established in ,demark1 ,sweden1 and ,germany4 ,the ,doctrines taught by ,calvin1 in ,holland1 ,scotland1 ,england1 and ,ireland2 but in ,ireland the ,persecution was dreadful indeed1 and not much less in ,england4 ,the ,popish massacre of about three hundred thousand ,protestants in ,ireland1 and the ,persecution in ,england1 bid fair to abolish the ,protestant cause among us4 ,in ,france the ,persecution was dreadful--,lewis the #acth distressed the ,protestants greatly2 numbers were barbarously murdered1 and several hundred thousand with difficulty fled to ,holland1 ,england1 and elsewhere4 ,but blessed be ,god for the glorious ,reformation6 for a ,protestant ,king and ,princes2 for the ,will of ,god in our mother ,tongue2 for ,parliaments that secure our ,rights2 for the clear ,preaching of the ,gospel1 which is our joy1 though we have to lament great decays among ,churches2 a dry1 speculative1 legal ,system1 in opposition to the pure truth1 which is branded with the odious term of ,antinomianism2 and in the world an infidel spirit of ,free-thinking1 in opposition to the ,word of ,god4 ,but we are looking to a glorious period1 when truth in its native simplicity1 shall fly with the rapidity of lightning1 and illuminate the ,world2 when ,anti-christ1 in the ,east and ,west1 shall fall1 to rise no more--when ,zion's ,watchmen shall see1 eye to eye--when ,jews and ,gentiles form one fold--when peace and holiness shall be universal--when kings shall be nursing fathers to the ,church1 and the whole earth serve the ,lord6 ,happy period6 the ,lord hasten it in his time4 ,brethren1 we shall soon be done with time1 and through rich grace1 join the chorus of the skies4--,hold fast the form of sound words3 be concerned to feel the power of truth in the heart2 keep in the fear of ,god1 obeying his will1 walking as he has set forth his mind2 looking unto ,jesus2 praying to be kept in all danger1 temptation1 persecution1 and trial1 and so we shall give him glory in the ,church below1 and in the ,church above4--,now unto him that is able to keep you from falling1 and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory--to the only wise ,god our ,saviour1 be glory1 dominion1 and power4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following are the ,articles of ,faith ,i read at my ,ordination2 and are necessary for every ,christian to know1 feel1 and enjoy--they are the ,sentiments ,i preach1 and you1 as a ,church1 believe4 ,may we rejoice in the truth1 and yield obedience thereto4-- ,we think if requisite that every ,member of the ,church should give his or her assent to the annexed ,,confession of ,,faith4 ,i4 ,i ,,believe1 that the ,scriptures of the ,old and ,new ,testament are the word of ,god1 and the only rule of faith and practice4 ,,ii4 ,i believe1 that there is but ,one only1 living1 and true ,god2 that there are three ,persons in the ,godhead1 who are equal in nature1 power1 and glory2 and1 that the ,son and ,holy ,ghost1 are as truly and properly ,god1 as the ,father4 ,these ,three divine ,persons are distinguished from each other by peculiar relative properties4 ,these ,three divine distinct ,persons1 ,i profess to reverence1 serve1 and worship1 as the ,one true ,god4 ,,iii4 ,i believe that before the ,world began1 ,god did elect a certain number of ,mankind unto everlasting life1 whom he did predestinate to the adoption of ,children1 by ,jesus ,christ1 of his own free grace1 and according to the good pleasure of his will2 that he appointed holiness as the means3 and that no one has a right to consider himself as a chosen vessel1 till he is effectually called by the grace of ,god4 ,,iv4 ,i believe1 that ,god made all things in ,creation1 out of nothing1 to display his goodness1 wisdom1 power1 and glory2 and1 that by the same power1 he upholds and governs1 rules and directs all things in ,heaven and ,earth2 and1 that he displays his sovereignty according to the counsel of his own will1 or his eternal plan1 formed before all ,worlds4 ,v4 ,i believe1 that there is one ,mediator between ,god and ,man2 the ,man1 ,christ ,jesus2 that he stood in his mediatorial capacity as our representative and head1 in the covenant of eternal redemption and grace2 engaged to be all that to his people1 they could possibly need in time1 and their bliss through eternity4 ,,vi4 ,i believe that ,god made ,man upright2 but mutable and liable to fall3 that through the influence of ,satan1 he broke the covenant of works1 and fell from the image of ,god2 that all ,mankind sinned in him and fell1 with him1 as their head and representative2 and both him and his posterity became liable to the curse and penalty of a violated law4 ,,vii4 ,i believe1 that all ,mankind are conceived and born in sin1 ,children of disobedience1 enemies to ,god1 violators of his commands1 averse to good1 prone to evil1 ,children of wrath1 obnoxious to the justice of ,god1 and the condemnation of his law3 and ,i believe1 that no ,creature can help or deliver himself1 out of that wretched state into which he has fallen4 ,i solemnly believe1 that this is the state of all ,men by nature4 ,,viii4 ,i believe1 that according to the eternal appointment of ,god the father1 and the ,covenant engagements of the dear ,redeemer1 that in the fulness of time1 ,god sent his ,son into the world to redeem fallen ,men2 that part of the human race1 that was given him in eternity2 that their redemption was obtained by the shedding of his blood2 that this redemption is special and particular1 designed only for the elect of ,god1 the ,sheep of ,christ1 who only share the special and peculiar blessings of it4 ,and1 in order to accomplish our redemption1 ,i believe1 it was necessary that the ,redeemer should take upon him our nature1 a human body and soul1 created and formed by ,god the ,spirit1 conceived in the womb of the ,virgin ,mary1 born of a ,woman1 made under the law1 that he might redeem his people from it2 work out a righteousness adequate to its demands1 make an atonement by suffering the death of the ,cross1 satisfy divine ,justice1 glorify all the attributes of ,deity1 and open a way for the communication of all those blessings1 which are needful for the ,saints of ,god1 both for time and eternity4 ,,ix4 ,i believe1 that the matter of the ,sinners' justification before a holy ,god1 is the righteousness of ,christ imputed to them2 which is1 his perfect1 spotless obedience to the law1 in their room and stead1 without the consideration of any works done by them2 and1 that the full and free pardon of all their sins1 past1 present1 and to come1 is only through the blood of ,christ1 according to the riches of his grace2 and1 that none can be justified in any other way4 ,this righteousness being seen by the eye of faith1 and embraced by the hand of faith1 we are manifestly justified and freed from the law2 that1 being dead wherein we were held1 we live to ,god1 and by love serve the ,lord1 having our fruit unto holiness1 and the end eternal life4 ,x4 ,i believe1 that all the objects of eternal love1 the subjects of his choice1 and the purchase of the ,redeemer's blood1 are effectually called in one way or other1 by the efficacious and irresistible grace of ,god the divine ,spirit2 and not by an act of ,man's free will and power4 ,i believe they are washed1 justified1 and sanctified1 in the name and by ,god the ,spirit1 in some part of their lives4 ,,xi4 ,i believe1 that all saints are kept by the mighty power of ,god1 through faith1 to eternal ,salvation2 and that as sure as they are called1 justified1 and sanctified1 they will infallibly persevere2 because of the perpetuity of ,god's love1 the stability of his covenant1 and his faithfulness to his absolute promises4 ,,xii4 ,i believe1 that the ,church of ,christ consists of true believers in his name2 that these are his mystical body1 of which1 he is the only head1 and there is no other3 and that all the ,children of ,god derive spiritual life from him1 by virtue of union to him2 that he is our life2 and in consequence of that1 we are now quickened by his life-giving power in conversion2 our bodies shall be quickened in the last day1 and all ,believers shall enjoy eternal life1 in glory for ever4 ,,xiii4 ,i believe1 that in the new testament ,church of ,christ1 there are two ,sacraments3 ,baptism1 and the ,supper of the ,lord4 ,i believe1 ,baptism to be an outward and visible sign2 first1 of the sufferings1 death1 burial1 and resurrection of our ,lord ,jesus ,christ2 secondly1 of an inward and spiritual operation of the ,holy ,ghost1 upon the hearts of believers2 and is a grand emblem of a death unto sin1 and a new birth unto righteousness2 for being by nature the children of wrath1 we are by regeneration1 manifested to be children of grace4 ,i believe1 that only those who profess the name of ,jesus1 have any right thereto4 ,that it should be administered to ,adults alone1 in the name of the adorable ,trinity2 and1 that it is to be performed by immersion--but wish to exercise the most unbounded charity to all who differ from us in this particular4 ,i believe1 that the ,lord's ,supper was instituted the night on which he was betrayed1 to represent his sufferings and death2 and is to be attended to by all ,believers1 until his second coming4 ,,xiv4 ,i believe1 that it is the duty of every ,christian to obey the laws of their ,country2 not to speak evil of ,dignities2 but1 to pray for the ,king1 his ,family1 and the ,government under which we live2 to study to be quiet1 peaceable1 and submissive1 according to the laws of ,jesus ,christ1 which is our rule of conduct3 and1 who has said1 8,render unto ,csar1 the things which are his20 and by his holy ,apostles has commanded 8,that every ,soul should be subject to the higher powers2 that we should honor all ,men1 love the ,brotherhood1 fear ,god1 honor the ,king40 ,,xv4 ,i believe1 that it is the duty of all ,believers1 to take the commands of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ1 as their rule of conduct2 that1 while they are relying on his ,righteousness1 for justification2 on his ,blood1 for pardon2 and1 on the ,spirit1 for internal sanctification2 they1 from a principal of love shed abroad in their hearts1 are made willing to obey his laws1 as ,king in ,mount ,zion3 and1 that his commandments are the believer's rule of outward conduct2 that it is their duty to stand fast in one ,spirit1 with one mind1 striving together for the faith of the gospel3 that it is their duty to walk in wisdom1 to them that are without2 to exercise a conscience void of offence towards ,god and ,man1 by living soberly1 righteously1 and godly in this present world3 that it is their duty to walk with each other is all humility and brotherly love2 to watch over each other's conversation2 to stir up one another to love and to good works2 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together1 as we have opportunity2 to worship ,god1 according to his revealed will2 and1 when the case requires1 to warn1 rebuke1 and admonish one another1 according to the rules of the gospel3 and that it is our duty to sympathize with each other1 to bear with one another's weaknesses1 failings1 and infirmities2 and1 particularly to pray for one another4 ,all these duties we are bound to perform1 and every other law of ,christ's spiritual house1 through the gracious influence of a ,spirit of love1 of power1 and of a sound mind2 ever remembering1 that we are to obey the laws of our ,sovereign1 as ,king1 on his holy hill of ,zion4 ,,xvi4 ,i believe1 that all the ,ordinances of divine appointment ought to be attended unto1 by all that profess their faith in1 and love to our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as the head of his ,church2 hearing the ,word1 public ,prayer1 ,baptism1 and the ,lord's ,supper3 singing of ,psalms1 ,hymns1 and ,spiritual ,songs1 vocally2 this is an ordinance of the gospel1 to be performed by ,believers2 but1 as to time1 place1 and manner1 every one ought to be left to their liberty in using it4 ,,xvii4 ,i believe1 that there will be a ,resurrection1 both of the just and unjust2 and that ,christ will come a second time to judge both quick and dead2 when he will take vengeance on the wicked1 and introduce his own ,people into his kingdom and glory1 where they shall be for ever with him2 and1 then shall the mediatorial kingdom be delivered up to the ,father1 by the ,redeemer2 the mystery of ,god be finished3 ,heaven will be the ,saints final home2 and1 ,god1 ,father1 ,son1 and ,spirit1 be all in all1 for ever and ever4 ,,xviii4 ,i believe1 that the felicity of the ,saints will be eternal2 and ,i as firmly believe1 such will be the eternity of misery2 unless1 the never-dying worm dies1 and this unquenchable fire goes out2 which will not1 cannot be2 for the mouth of the ,lord hath spoken it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,these ,sentiments we are bound to acknowledge1 as a ,church4--,we wish in all things to adorn these ,doctrines2 and having been called out of the world1 to the knowledge of the truth1 experimentally--in that hope1 and through divine grace1 we have given up ourselves to ,god--to walk in his ways1 as laid down in that part of his holy word which respects the ,new ,testament ,church4 ,we therefore enter into covenant with each other1 and pray for grace to keep the following scriptural ,,rules4 ,,the ,,members' ,,covenant4 ,,jer4 l4 #e4 ,come1 let us join ourselves to the ,lord1 in a perpetual ,covenant that shall not be forgotten4 ,,acts ii1 #b4 ,and they continued stedfastly in the ,apostles ,doctrine1 and in fellowship4 ,,luke xxiv1 #ae4 ,and it came to pass that while they communed together1 and reasoned1 ,jesus himself drew near1 and went with them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,we ,,agree1 #a4--,,with regard to the ,minister--that as long as ,god is pleased to make him useful to our souls1 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--,heb4 xiii1 #g4 ,remember them that have the rule over you1 who have spoken to you the ,word of ,god4 ,we further agree to make prayer and supplication for him1 to watch his conversation1 and follow him as far as he follows ,christ4 ,that we will esteem him1 reverence1 and obey him in the ,lord--agreeable to #a ,thess4 v1 #ac4 ,and we beseech you1 ,brethren to know them which labour among you1 and are over you in the ,lord1 and admonish you--and to esteem them very highly in love1 for their ,works sake4 ,brethren1 pray for us4 ,prayer was made without ceasing to ,god for him--,whose faith follow1 considering the end of their conversion4--,and we agree1 according to our circumstances1 by the administration of earthly things1 to support and maintain him1 agreeable to #a ,cor4 xi4 ,if we have sown unto you in spiritual things1 is it a great thing if we should reap your carnal things8 ,even so hath the ,lord appointed4--,we agree likewise to abide by him in all trials and persecutions--that we will encourage him1 strengthen his hands1 and speak kindly of him--avoiding all bitterness of spirit1 tattling and gossiping about him1 as contrary to the ,gospel4 #b4--,we agree to receive and esteem all ,officers in the ,church1 that have been appointed by the ,church1 whose faith and practice is conformable to the written word4 ,that we will speak kindly of them1 receive reproof from them when necessary1 and make known all cases of distress1 spiritual or temporal1 in the ,church1 to them--while we have reason to believe they answer the spiritual character of a ,deacon1 as laid down in #a ,tim4 #crd ,chapter4 #c4--,we agree1 through grace1 to be found in the use of all appointed means1 public and private1 and on special occasions1 when notified by the ,minister1 as in ,acts xiv1 #b4 ,when they were come1 and had gathered the ,church together4--,forsake not the assembling yourselves together1 as the manner of some is4--,where two or three are gathered together1 there am ,i in the midst4 ,lo1 ,i am with you always4 #d4--;,as ,members of the same ,church1 we will endeavour to cultivate an affectionate and sincere love1 without dissimulation1 towards one another--like that which ,christ bears to his ,church2 and studiously avoid all occasion of division among the members--such as hard speeches1 cruel and unjust remarks1 disdainful looks1 reproaches1 slanders1 and all causeless divisions in judgment concerning spiritual things4 ,but that we will watch and pray against these things1 as injurious to the cause of ,christ2 but endeavor to maintain a oneness of mind and consent of judgment1 to every grand truth1 and a uniformity of practice4--,ye yourselves are taught of ,god to love one another4--,be kindly affectioned one towards another4 ,by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples1 if ye love one another4 #e4--,we mutually agree to pray for the prosperity of the kingdom of ,christ1 particularly for that part to which we belong--that body of christians which we commune with4 ,this we will do through grace1 constantly1 cheerfully1 and affectionately1 publicly1 and more frequently in private--especially for the most tried1 afflicted1 and poor members4 ,pray ye for the peace of ,jerusalem--they shall prosper that love her4 ,continuing constant in prayer4 #f4--,that1 as a ,church1 we will1 as much as possible1 be separate from the ,world1 its customs1 maxims1 pursuits1 worship4 ,pray against a worldly spirit1 either of levity or sullenness1 covetous of oppressive1 in dealing with others4--,come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord4 #g4--,we agree to study each others spiritual benefit1 and take every opportunity1 for the communion of ,saints1 to impart what light or enjoyments1 trials1 and mercies1 sorrows and deliverances4 ,to avoid all frothy1 light1 or vain conversation1 as not becoming a ,church of ,christ4 ,then they that feared the ,lord spake often one to another4 ,let your speech be always with grace4 ,wherefore comfort one another1 and edify one another1 as also ye do4 #h4--,we will endeavour to bear with each others infirmities1 weakness1 and failings1 in meekness1 patience1 and pity--render them what assistance we can1 by prayer1 advice1 and kindness2 not approving their errors1 but recommending them to the ,lord1 and forgiving every offence done against us1 when we believe such an offender is sorry1 and will acknowledge his sin4 ,be ye kind to one to another--tender hearted4 ,if thy brother repent forgive him4 ,we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak4 ,charity suffereth long1 and is kind4 ,if any man have a quarrel against any1 even as ,christ forgave you1 so also do ye4 #i4--,we agree to sympathize with each other in the calamities and trials that may befall us--either affliction of body1 unjust reproach1 real falls1 family afflictions1 or temptation and soul troubles4 ,remember them that are in bonds1 as bound with them2 and those who suffer adversity4 ,if one member suffers all the members suffer with it4 ,bear ye one anothers burdens4 ,ye ought to support the weak4 #aj4--,we agree to contribute to the real necessities of those who are poor--in things temporal1 according to every one's ability4 ,let us do good to all men1 especially the household of faith4 ,and if thy brother be waxen poor and fallen into decay with thee1 thou shall relieve him4 ,distributing to the necessity of the saints1 given to hospitality--for ,god loveth a cheerful giver4 #aa4--,we mutually agree to watch over each other for good--to comfort the feeble-minded1 to warn the unruly1 and to reprove in faithfulness1 wisdom1 moderation1 and kindness1 what we see amiss in each other--to endeavor to restore a fallen ,brother--to seek consolation for him by prayer and the word2 but if persisting in an evil cause1 acquaint the ,officers of the ,church1 that they may take up the cause4--,brethren1 if any of you do err from the faith1 and one convert 7or restore7 him1 let him know1 that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way1 shall save a soul from death4--,yet count him not an enemy1 but admonish him as a ,brother4 ,he that being often reproved1 hardeneth his neck1 shall be destroyed without a remedy4 ,let us consider one another4 #ab4--,we hope1 through grace1 to walk in all holiness of life1 to the glory of the ,gospel1 the edification of the ,church1 and conviction to them that are without--looking unto ,jesus1 depending on his unmerited favour1 rejoicing in his ,person and ,work1 and lodging for the happy time1 when we shall join the ,church triumphant in heaven4--,let your light so shine4 ,having these promises1 let us cleanse ourselves4--,see that ye walk circumspectly4 ,and now1 ,brethren1 ,i commend you to ,god1 and to the word of his grace1 which is able to build you up1 and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified1 by faith in ,christ ,jesus4 ,amen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,finis4