N00231:72
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.
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.
And as an expedient unto Reformation of those, or whatever evils have provoked the eyes of Gods glory amongst us; We do subjoin unto our Church Covenant a further Engagement, whereby we do, as in the presence of God, promise,
And as an expedient unto Reformation of those, or whatever evils have provoked the eyes of Gods glory amongst us; We doe subjoyn unto our Church Covenant a further Engagement, whereby we doe, as in the presence of God, promise,
1. That we will (by the help of Christ) labour every one of us, to Reform his own heart and life, by seeking to mortify all our Sins, and endeavouring to walk more closely with God, then ever we have done, and to uphold the power of godliness; and that we will continue to worship God in public, private, secret, and this (as God shall help us) without Formality and Hypocrisy; and more fully and faithfully then heretofore, to discharge all Covenant duties one towards another in a way of Church Communion.