_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.