544 The HISTORY of the PuavirArrs. Chap. S7. K. Chadesl. " We avouch the Lord tobe our God, and ourfelves to be his people, -. 2 " in the truth and fmplicity of our fpirits. We give ourfelves to the Lord Jefus Chrill, and to the word of his " grace, for the teaching, ruling, and fanét;fying us, in matters of wor- " fhip and converfation, refolving to rejeF.t all canons and conftitutions of " men in worfhip. " We promife to walk with our brethren with all watchfulnefs and " tendernefs, avoidingjealoufies, fufpicions, backbitings, cenfurings, pro- " vokings, fecret rifings of fpirit againfl them , but in all offences to fol- " low the ruleof our Lord Jefus Chrift, and to bear and forbear, give and " forgive, as he bath taught us. " In publick or private we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church, but will be willing to take advice for ourfelves and Ours, as oc- cation (hall be prefented. " We will not in the congregationbe forward, either to íhewour own " gifts and parts in (peaking, or fcrupling, or in difcovering the weak- " neffes'or failings of our brethren, but attend an 'ordinary call thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be difhonoured, and his gofpel and " the profeflion of it flighted, by our diflempers and weakneffes in " publick. "'Webind ourfelves to Rudy the advancement of the gofpel in all truth " and peace, both in regard of thofe that are within or without, no way ".flightingour filler churches, but uing their counfel as need (hall be; not laying a humbling blockbefore any, no not the Indians, whofe good we " defire to promote, and fo to convene, as we may avoid the very appear- " ance of evil. " We do hereby promife to carry ourfelves in all lawful obedience to " thofe that are over us in church or commonwealth, knowing howwell - " pleafing it will be to the Lord, that they fhould have encouragement in " their places, by our not grieving their fpirits by our irregularities. " We refolve to approve ourfelves to the Lord in our particular callings, " fhunning idlenefs, as the bane of any flare ; nor will we deal hardly " or oppreffinglywith any, wherein we are the Lord's ftewards. `° Promifing .alto to the bell of our ability, to teach our children and fervants the knowledge of God, and of his will, that they may ferve him " alto. And all this not by any ftrength of our own, but by the Lord " Jefus Chrift, whofe blood we defire may fprinkle this our covenant made " in his name." 2heharajMps After this they chofe Mr. Shelton their paftor, Mr. Higgüfn their they under- teacher, and, Mr. Houghton their ruling elder, who were feparated to their went. feveral offices by the impofition of the hands of tome of the brethren ap- pointed
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