N00231:71
Returning unto God the great concernment of a covenant people. Or A sermon preached…
Returning unto God the great concernment of a covenant people. Or A sermon preached to the Second Church in Boston in New-England, March 17. 1679.80. when that church did solemnly and explicitly renew their covenant with God, and one with another. By Increase Mather teacher of that church. ; [Ten lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by John Foster, 1680
The Covenant which was unanimously consented unto, is as followeth.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We […] also give up our selves one unto another, in the Lord according to the will of God, […] and binding our selves to walk together, as a right ordered Congregation and Church of Christ; in all the ways of his Worship, according to the holy Rules of the word of God: promising in brotherly Love, faithfully to watch over one another's Souls, and to submit our selves unto the Discipline and government of Christ in his Church, and duly to attend the Seals, censures, or whatever Ordinances Christ hath commanded to be observed by his People, according to the order of the Gospel, so far as the Lord hath, or shall reveal unto us by his Word and Spirit.
We 〈…〉 also give up our selves one unto another, in the Lord according to the will of God, 〈…〉 and binding our selves to walk together, as a right ordered Congregation and Church of Christ; in all the wayes of his Worship, according to the holy Rules of the word of God: promising in brotherly Love, faithfully to watch over one anothers Souls, and to submit our selves unto the Discipline and government of Christ in his Church, and duely to attend the Seals, censures, or whatever Ordinances Christ hath commanded to be observed by his People, according to the order of the Gospel, so far as the Lord hath, or shall reveal unto us by his Word and Spirit.
And whereas, the Messengers of these Churches, who have met together in the Name of Christ, […] enquire into the Reason of the Lords Controversy with this his People, have taken notice of many provoking evils, as the procuring causes of the Judgements of God upon New-England, so far as we, or any of us have been guilty of sin in respect of any of them, we desire from our hearts to bewail it before the Lord, and humbly to entreat for pardoning mercy, for the sake of the blood of the Everlasting Covenant.
And whereas, the Messengers of these Churches, who have met together in the Name of Christ, 〈…〉 enquire into the Reason of the Lords Controversy with this his People, have taken notice of many provoking evils, as the procuring causes of the Judgements of God upon New-England, so far as we, or any of us have been guilty of sin in respect of any of them, we desire from our hearts to bewail it before the Lord, and humbly to entreat for pardening mercy, for the sake of the blood of the Everlasting Covenant.