1732 Church Covenant from Morgan Edwards

1732 Church Covenant

(Published by Morgan Edwards in 1774)

In the name of the Lord Jesus, we do voluntarily and jointly separate ourselves from the world; and voluntarily and jointly give ourselves to the Lord, who hath promised to receive such, and be to them a God; holding ourselves henceforth as his, and no longer our own. We do also voluntarily and mutually give ourselves one to another, and voluntarily and mutually receive one another in the Lord; meaning hereby to coalesce into one body, jointly to exist and jointly to act by the bands and rules of the gospel; each esteeming himself henceforth as a member of a spiritual body; accountable to it, subject to its control, and no otherwise separable therefrom than by consent first had, or unreasonably refused.

We do further voluntarily and jointly vow to do all things whatsoever the Lord hath commanded, and be obedient, that he may be with us alway: particularly, to deny ourselves; take up the cross; follow Christ; keep the faith; assemble together every Lord’s-day to worship; love as brethren; submit one to another in the Lord; and observe all rules prescribed to church members.

Finally, we do voluntarily and jointly engage to know, honor, maintain, and obey them that shall have the rule over us in the Lord. This is the covenant we now solemnly enter into in the fear of God. In testimony and ratification whereof each of us signs his name hereunto. So help us God.