USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Confession of faith, and covenant, also a brief history of Union Church, Essex Street > Part 2
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ARTICLE IX.
You believe that all who obtain salvation through Christ were " chosen in Him before the foundation of the world," and that all who truly believe in Him are justified on account of his righteousness, and will be kept by the mighty power of God, through faith unto salvation.
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Election and Predestination.
For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate, to be con- formed to the image of His Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them IIe also calf- ed; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom He justified, them He also glorified. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord : and as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed. According as he hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the pur- pose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling ; not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Rom. 8. 29-39. Acts 13. 48. Rom. 9. 11. and 11. 5, 7. Eph. 1. 4, 5, 11. 2 Thess. 2. 13. 2 Tim. 1 9. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Eph. 2. 8, 9, 10. and 3. 11. Gal. 2. 16. Rom. 3. 20, 24, 28. and 5. 1. and 8.1. John 5. 24. Phil. 1. 6.
Final Perseverance of the Saints.
They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us : but they went out that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us. For I am per- suaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor pow- ers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our I.ord. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them ; and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life ; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 'I'he steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord ; and he deligliteth in his way. Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and strong- er. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified ; and whom he justified, them he also glo- rified. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. 1 John 2. 19. Rom. 8. 38, 89. John 6. 39. John 10. 27-29. Psalin 37. 23, 24. Job 17. 9. Rom. 8. 30. Prov. 4. 18. Phil. 1. 6.
ARTICLE X.
You believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church-that the terms of membership are
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a credible profession of faith in Christ, and of that holi- ness which is wrought by the renewing grace of God ; and that habitual communion with God, and conscien- tious attendance upon public, family, and secret worship, and the habitual practice of righteousness, temperance, sobriety, sincerity, and truth, are essential to Christian character.
Unto the church of God, which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his. For as the body is one, and ha h many members, and all the members of that one body bemg many, are one body ; so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all bapuzed into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. And bath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. Hle that hath an ear. let hin bear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon thus rock I will build my church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love thee. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. Then David returned to bless his house. The Psalmist says, Evening and morning, and at noon, will 1 pray and cry aloud. Daniel kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. It is good for me to draw near to God. Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt. Let us watch and be sober. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Cor. 12. 12, 13. Eph. 1. 10, 22, 23. Rev. 2. 7: Matt. 16. 18. Psalm 122. 6. Heb. 10. 25. 2 Sam. 6. 20. Psalm 55. 17. Dan. 6. 10. Josh. 24. 15. Psalın 73. 28. Matt. 6. 6. Prov. 16. 32. Coloss. 4.6. 1 Thess. 5. 6.
ARTICLE XI.
You believe that the sacraments of the New Testa- ment are baptism and the Lord's supper : baptism to be administered only to covenanting believers and their households, and the supper only to believers in regular standing and communion with the church.
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Baptism.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Then they that gladly re- ceived his word were baptized ; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Matt. 28. 19. Acts 2. 41.
Household Baptism ; the Seal of the Covenant on Believers and their Children.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant ; to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed after thee, in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep between me and you, and thy seed after thee ; every man child among you shall be circum- cised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin ; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old, shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations : he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith, which he had, yet being uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised, that righteousness might be imputed unto them also. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed ; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abralmm, who is the father of us all. For the promise is unto you and your children. Their children shall also be as aforetime For the un- believing husband is sanetified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanc- tified by the husband ; else were your children unclean, but now they are holy. But Jesus called them unto him and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes ; and was baptized, he and all his straightway. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas. Gen. 17. 7, 9, 10, 11, 12. Rom. 4. 11, 16, Acts 2. 39. Jer. 30. 20. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Luke 18. 16. Acts 16. 33. Acts 16. 15. 1 Cor. 1. 16.
The Lord's Supper,
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat ; this is my body, which is broken for you; this do in remem- brance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
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supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood ; this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in rememberance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land ; for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. Whosoever, therefore, shall coufess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, nim will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? And what communion hath ligiit with darkness ? And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldst take mny covenant in thy mouth ? The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord ; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. Matt. 26. 26-30. 1 Cor. 11. 23-26. Ex. 12. 48. Matt. 10. 32, 33. 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15. Ps. 50. 16. Prov. 15. 8.
ARTICLE XII.
Finally, you believe that at death, and not before, the souls of believers are made perfectly holy, and do imme- diately pass into glory ; and that the souls of the wicked do, at death, pass immediately to a state of punishment. That at the end of the world, there will be a resurrection of the dead, when all mankind will give to God an account of their conduct, and be judged according to what they have done; and the righteous, publicly acquitted, will enter into life eternal ; and the wicked, publicly con- demned, will go away into punishment that will never end.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was ; and the spirit shall return anto God who gave it. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump ; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorrup- tible, and we shall be changed. Marvel not at this ; for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life ; and they tha
have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. And before him shall be gathered all nations ; and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. We shall all stand before the judgement seat of
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Christs So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in the body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. But I say unto you, that every idle word, that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of Judgment. Then shall the King say unto them on the right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow them. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre- sence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day nor night, who worship the beast, and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting con- tempt. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost, hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him ; but wo unito that man, by whom the Son of man is be- trayed ! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Ileb. 9. 27. 'Eccl. 12. 7. 1 Cor. 15. 52. John 5. 23, 29. Acts 24. 15. Matt. 25. 31-33. Rom. 14. 10, 12. 2 Cor. 5. 10 Eccl. 12. 14. Matt. 12. 36. Matt. 25. 31, 41, 46. Rev. 14, 13. 2 Thess. 1. 9. Rev. 14. 11. Dan. 12. 2. Mark 3. 29. Matt. 26. 24.
Thus you profess and believe.
You will now enter into solemn Covenant with God and with this Church
THE COVENANT.
In the presence of God, his holy angels, and this as- sembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your God ; the object of your supreme affection, and your portion forever ; you cordially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in all his mediatorial offices, Prophet, Priest, and King, as your only Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide. You humbly and cheerfully de- vote yourselves to God in the everlasting covenant of his
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grace ; you consecrate all your powers and faculties to his service and glory ; and you promise, that through the as- sistance of his Spirit, you will cleave to him as your chief good ; that you will give diligent attendance to his word and ordinances; that you will seek the honor and interest of his kingdom ; and that henceforth, denying all ungodli- ness, and every worldly lust, you will live soberly, right-' eously, and godly in the world.
You do now cordially join yourselves to this Church of Christ, engaging to submit to the rules of ecclesiastical government and discipline, which it has adopted; to strive earnestly for its peace, edification, and purity, and to walk with its members in love, faithfulness, circum- spection, meekness, and sobriety.
This you severally profess and engage.
('The ordinance of Baptism will now be administered.)
In consequence of these professions and engagements, we, the members of this church, [here the members of the Church rise,] affectionately receive you to our com- munion, and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all its privileges. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the gospel, and on our part engage to watch over you, and seek your edification, as long as you shall continue with us. And hereafter you can never withdraw from the watch and communion of saints, without a breach of covenant.
And now, beloved in the Lord, let it be impressed on your minds that you have entered into solemn obligations from which you can never escape. Wherever you go, these vows will be upon you; they will follow you to the
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bar of God, and will abide upon you to eternity. You can never again be as you have been. You have unal- terably committed yourselves, and henceforth you must be the servants of God. Hereafter the eyes of the world will be upon you, and as you demean yourselves, so reli- gion will be honored or dishonored ; if you walk worthily of your profession you will be a credit and a comfort to us, but if it be otherwise, it will be an occasion of grief and reproach. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things which accompany salvation, though we thus speak. May the Lord guide and pre- serve you till death, and at last receive you and us to that blessed world where our love and joy shall be forever perfect. AMEN.
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES.
June 10, 1822. In regard to our ecclesiasticai gov- ernment and discpline, with our sister churches in this commonwealth, we adopt the congregational form, as contained in the Platform of Church Discipline, gather- ed out of the word of God, and agreed upon by the Elders and Messengers of the churches assembled in the Synod, at Cambridge, New England, A. D. 1646.
Since the Church was constituted, the following rules, agreeing substantially with the New England Platform, have been found useful ; and are adopted as the rules of this Church.
I. Rights of the Church. This Church is indepen- dent, so far as relates to its internal organization, and the regulation of its affairs. It is amenable to no other ec-
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clesiastical body, except by its own consent or according to regular and established Congregational principles. With these exceptions, it controls the admission, disci- pline, and removal of its members, according to its own understanding of the word of God.
II. Connexion with other Churches. This Church will extend to other Evangelical Congregational Churches, and receive from them that fellowship, advice, and as- sistance which the law of Christ requires. It will extend the usual rights of communion, and practise the mutual transfer of members, according to its own convictions of duty. It holds itself bound to regard the decisions of regular Mutual Councils, and to seek the promotion of peace with all the churches of our Lord.
III. Transfer of Members. The Church will examine those members who apply for admission from other Church- es. It will give dismission of its members in regular standing on their application, and recommend them to the fellowship of other Churches. But members of this Church, removing from the city, shall be required to ob- tain their dismission within one year from the time of their removal, unless circumstances be such as to render a union with any other Church inexpedient; and in such case they shall inform the Church why they had not re- quested a removal of their Church connexion. And it shall be the duty of the clerk to report to the Church, at the annual meeting, the names of the members of this Church who shall have removed from the city ; where they are, so far as may be known; and the length of time they have been from the city ; with any other infor- mation which he may possess in relation to them, and
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which he may think will be useful to the Church. It is expected that members of other Churches, who may wish to commune with this Church for more than one year, will request a removal of their connexion to us, unless they give satisfactory reasons for delay, to the Examining Committee.
IV. hights of Members. Every member has a right to church privileges, unless forfeited by misconduct ; and when thus forfeited, he can be deprived of them only by regular process. When accused, he has a right to know the explicit charges, and to have an open and candid hearing.' No vote of censure shall be passed upon any member, except by the concurrence of a majority of the members present at a regular meeting.
V. Duties of the Church and its Members. It is the daty of this Church and its members to consult and seek the concurrence of their Pastor, in matters of discipline and internal regulations. It is the duty of the members to attend such stated meetings as are appointed by a vote. of the Church, unless providentially prevented. Any member having cause of complaint against another, should immediately seek to have it removed in a Christian manner, Matt. 18th chap. 15th, and 16th, verses, being our guide, especially in cases of personal offence. Any member wishing to withdraw from this to another Church or denomination, should signify his wishes and his reasons, and apply in a proper spirit to be first released from his obligations to this Church. Any other mode of withdrawing will be deemed irregular and censurable ; and this Church holds itself bound to grant dismissions and recommendations to members in
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good standing, who conscientiously prefer any other evan- gelical denomination of Christians, when they apply as stated above.
VI. Censurable Offences. This Church considers im- moral conduct, breach of express covenant vows, neglect of acknowledged religious or relative duties, and avowed disbelief of the articles of faith to which the members have assented, as offences subject to the censure of the Church.
VII. Evidence. The confession of the party accused, the concurrence of two competent witnesses to the same fact, or circumstantial evidence to the same amount, shall be deemed sufficient for conviction.
VIII. Censures. The censures inflicted on offenders are private reproof, public admonition, suspension from church privileges, or excommunication, according to the aggravation of the offence.
IX. Permanent Officers. The permanent officers of this Church are the Pastor or Pastors, and the Deacons.
To the Pastor pertains the office of Moderator. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to preside in the absence of the Pastor, according to seniority ; to assist in the admin- istration of the Lord's Supper, to distribute the charities of the church, and to aid the Pastor generally in the spiritual care of the flock.
X. Annual Oficers and Standing Committees. At the annual meeting for business, the following Officers and Committees shall be chosen for the ensuing year.
x+1. A Clerk, who shall keep the records of the Church.
: 2. A Treasurer, to collect the taxes on pews; to take charge of
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all monies belonging to the Church ; to pay the salary of the Pas- tor, and the monies voted by the Church ; and to make report at the annual meeting.
3. Two Auditors, to examine the Treasurer's accounts.
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4. An Examining Committee, of which the Pastor and Deacons shall constitute a part, who shall examine all applicants for admnis- sion, and present, in a written report, the names of such as they approve. Also to act as a Committee of Inquiry and Discipline.
5. A Prudential Committee, to make such repairs and fixtures to the Meeting-house as from time to time may be necessary : to provide for warming and lighting the Meeting-house and Vestry ; appoint the Sexton, fix his salary, perquisites and duties ; and gen- ' erally to attend to the secular concerns of the Church.
6. A Committee on Music, to superintend the singing of this Church.
7. A Committee, including the Treasurer, for letting pews.
XI. Standing Rules.
1. All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer.
2. The annual meeting for the choice of Officers and Standing Committees, shall be in January, at such time as the Prudential Committee shall appoint. And quarterly meetings for the transac- tion of business, on the Wednesday evening next preceding the first Sabbath of Nov. Feb. May and August.
3. The Trust Deed, or an abridgement of it, shall be read at every annual meeting.
4. The payment of taxes on pews shall be made quarterly, on the last Sabbaths of Nov. Feb. May and August.
5. All Standing Committees and Annual Officers shall be chosen by ballot.
6. The Examining Committee may grant the use of the Meeting- house and Vestry, as they shall judge expedient.
7. Candidates for admission are to stand propounded to the Church for at least three weeks ; and notice shall be given to the congre- gation of such as are expected to make a profession, at least two weeks previous to profession. Public admissions take place on the first Sabbath of Dec., March, June, Sept., and at other seasons, when specially important.
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