excludes boasting, and pr tes humility, love, prayer, praise,
tru-t in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and thai to ascertain i; with regard to ourselves demands and de- serves (he utmost diligence.
10. Saiirti/ication We believe the Scriptures teach that
e, ,u is the process by which, according to the will
of c,,!. we are made partaken of his holiness; that it is a work; that it ie begun in regeneration; and that it i- carried Oil in the bear s of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and' Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self denial, watchfulness," and prayer.
11. Pi-meverancc of Saint* We beli ve the Scriptures teach that Buch only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their | n ring attachment to Chri-t is the grand
ich distingui In- them from superficial professors;
K C al Providcnc ■ watches OV r their welfare; and
thej are kepi by the power of God through faith unto salva-
ti in.
12. The Law and. Gospel. -We believe the Scriptures teach thai the la« refGod i- the eternal and inn haieje able rule of
I ivernment; that it is holy, just, and good; and tint the inability « h'ch Hi- Scriptures ascribe to fallen man •" ml"' Its pre epta (irises entirely from their love of sin; to
deliver thorn (mm which, and to restore them through a Me- dial.,r to i, nt ague 1 oho ho-,ee (,, th holy law, is ,„„. gr at end the i. .-pel. and of the means of g •;,,.,. connected with the
establishment of the risible church.
':;- •' '■ kVe believe the Scriptures tench that
' a ■ .llgfeeatio-l of baptized h liev-
ml in the faith nnd fellowship of the
Co- pel ; ob-.rviie.- the ..,■ li„ ,,,,, .,._ ,,| ( ],,.;,, . ,.,lVeriied bv his
I its.and p ivlle a- invested
In them , ••,i,,,-,i"„fncers are
an 1 d ■ai- a-, w le.-e on ,| ti ation- claims
end duties are define I in the i i,i.n... t,, ■ i --.,,...» i .. - ..,,,i" ■!•,,, . '
the dying love of Christ, preceded always by solemn self-ex- amination.
15. The Christian Sabbath. —We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's day, or Christian Sabbath; and it is to be kept sacred to religious purposes by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful re- creation , by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest which teiiiainetli for the people of God.
10. Civil Government. —We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the inter- est and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed, ex- cept only iu tilings opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
IT. Righteous and Wicked. — We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked ; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the :?pirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem ; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are, in his sight, wicked and under the curse ; and this distinction holds among men both in anil after death.
IS. The World to Come We believe the Scriptures teach
that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for tinal retribution ; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless pun- ishment, and the righteous to endless joy ; and that this judg- ment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
19. Covenant. — Having been, as we trust, brought by divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give ourselves wholly to him, we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant wi.h each other to walk TOGETHER in him, with brotherly love, to his glory as our common Lord. We do therefore, in his strength, engage —
That we will exercise a Christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, exhort, and admonish each other as occasion may require :
That we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves togeth- er, but will uphold the public worship of God and the ordi- nances of his house :
That we will not omit closet and family religion at home, nor neglect the great duty of religiously training our children and those under our care for the service of Christ and the en- joyment of heaven :
That, as we are the light of the world and salt of the earth, we will seek divine aid to enable us to deny ungodliness, and even worldly lust, and to walk circumspectly in the world, that we may win the souls of men: