Witness our hands, the 4th of March, 1778. (Here follow the names of ten brethren.) [6] The document quoted above does not state the distances correctly. Oundle is seven miles, Kettering eight, Rowell eleven or twelve, and Wellingborough thirteen miles distant. Then, in their Church covenant drawn up and subscribed June 9th of the same year, they say-- We, the professed disciples of Christ, whose names are hereunto subscribed, meeting together for the worship of God in Brigstock, having long enjoyed the means of grace through the favourable indulgence of God towards us, cannot think it will be for the glory of God to continue any longer as scattered individuals, like lambs in a large place, but judge it our duty, both from the openings of providence and from rules lying before us in God's word, to cleave to him with fuller purpose of heart than heretofore we have done, each one for ourselves, and, in the judgment of charity, each one hoping well for each other; and having given ourselves to the Lord, in a perpetual covenant that shall never be forgotten, do here, in the presence of God, angels, and men as our witnesses, give each other the right hand of fellowship, binding ourselves by covenant and by oath to walk together according to that order which is, for distinction sake, called Congregational, according to the Abrahamic covenant, including believers and their children, which we find pointed out to us in the New Testament by our Lord Jesus Christ and his holy apostles. Having thus covenanted together under Christ our Sovereign Lord and Head, we look upon it our duty to him solemnly to engage, in his strength, to maintain those truths which are essential to real Christianity, against all opposers whatever, at the expense of our properties and our lives, if God in his providence should call and strengthen us so to do. (Then follow the articles of their faith.) In reference to the commencement of Mr. Hillyard's ministry, who was the first pastor of this Church at Brigstock, we find the following records preserved by the Church at Wellingborough, of which he was a member:-- _March 2nd, 1775._--The Church was informed that brother Hillyard had given an exhortation to some of the brethren, who should report to the Church their thoughts next meeting. _May 5th._--Brother Hillyard exercised his gift before the Church, when it was unanimously agreed that he should continue until the path of duty was more plain. In 1776, _June 6th_, the Church met by appointment, and sent brother Hillyard to preach whithersoever the Lord is pleased to call him.