The Nature of a Gospel Church: A Confession of Evangelical Principles; and the Members' Covenant. Intended for the Use of the Church of Christ.Church, J. (John)
Religion
The Nature of a Gospel Church: A Confession of Evangelical Principles; and the Members' Covenant. Intended for the Use of the Church of Christ.
Church, J. (John)
Theology, Doctrinal
8.—We will endeavour to bear with each others infirmities, weakness, and
failings, in meekness, patience, and pity—render them what assistance we
can, by prayer, advice, and kindness; not approving their errors, but
recommending them to the Lord, and forgiving every offence done against
us, when we believe such an offender is sorry, and will acknowledge his
sin. _Be ye kind to one to another—tender hearted_. _If thy brother
repent forgive him_. _We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak_. _Charity suffereth long_, _and is kind_. _If any man have
a quarrel against any_, _even as Christ forgave you_, _so also do ye_.
9.—We agree to sympathize with each other in the calamities and trials
that may befall us—either affliction of body, unjust reproach, real
falls, family afflictions, or temptation and soul troubles. _Remember
them that are in bonds_, _as bound with them_; _and those who suffer
adversity_. _If one member suffers all the members suffer with it_.
_Bear ye one anothers burdens_. _Ye ought to support the weak_.
10.—We agree to contribute to the real necessities of those who are
poor—in things temporal, according to every one’s ability. _Let us do
good to all men_, _especially the household of faith_. _And if thy
brother be waxen poor and fallen into decay with thee_, _thou shall
relieve him_. _Distributing to the necessity of the saints_, _given to
hospitality—for God loveth a cheerful giver_.
11.—We mutually agree to watch over each other for good—to comfort the
feeble-minded, to warn the unruly, and to reprove in faithfulness,
wisdom, moderation, and kindness, what we see amiss in each other—to
endeavor to restore a fallen Brother—to seek consolation for him by
prayer and the word; but if persisting in an evil cause, acquaint the
Officers of the Church, that they may take up the cause.—_Brethren_, _if
any of you do err from the faith_, _and one convert_ (_or restore_)
_him_, _let him know_, _that he which converteth a sinner from the error
of his way_, _shall save a soul from death_.—_Yet count him not an
enemy_, _but admonish him as a Brother_. _He that being often reproved_,
_hardeneth his neck_, _shall be destroyed without a remedy_. _Let us
consider one another_.
12.—We hope, through grace, to walk in all holiness of life, to the glory
of the Gospel, the edification of the Church, and conviction to them that
are without—looking unto Jesus, depending on his unmerited favour,
rejoicing in his Person and Work, and lodging for the happy time, when we
shall join the Church triumphant in heaven.—_Let your light so shine_.
_Having these promises_, _let us cleanse ourselves_.—_See that ye walk
circumspectly_.
And now, Brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them
that are sanctified, by faith in Christ Jesus. _Amen_.
* * * * *
FINIS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account