N00231:75
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.
2. We promise (by the help of Christ) that we will endeavour to walk before God in our houses, with a perfect heart and that we will uphold the worship of God therein continually, according as he in his word doth require, both in respect of Prayer, and reading the Scriptures, that so the word of Christ may dwell richly in us; And that we will do what in us lieth, to bring up our Children for Christ, that they may become such, as they that have the Lords Name put upon them by a solemn dedication to God in Christ, ought to be; and that therefore we will (so far as there shall be need of it) Catechize them, and exhort and charge them to fear and serve the Lord, and endeavour to set an holy Example before them, and be much in Prayer for their Conversion and Salvation.
2. We promise (by the help of Christ) that we will endeavour to walk before God in our houses, with a perfect heart and that we will uphold the worship of God therein continually, according as he in his word doth require, both in respect of Prayer, and reading the Scriptures, that so the word of Christ may dwell richly in us; And that we will do what in us lyeth, to bring up our Children for Christ, that they may become such, as they that have the Lords Name put upon them by a solemn dedication to God in Christ, ought to be; and that therefore we will (so far as there shall be need of it) Catechize them, and exhort and charge them to fear and serve the Lord, and endeavour to set an holy Example before them, and be much in Prayer for their Conversion and Salvation.
3. We do further engage (the Lord helping of us) to do what in us is, that we may be pure from the sins of the Times, even those provoking Evils that have brought the Judgements of God upon New-England; And in our places to endeavour the suppression thereof; and that we will make Conscience to walk so, as that we may not give occasion to others to sin, or to speak evil of our holy Profession.