schemes prevailing in the United States of North America. And, in regard we are under the most solemn obligations, by the word of God, and by vows agreeable to it, lying on us in this church, to study the advancement of the kingdom of our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the good of his people, and the uniting of their hearts and minds in his service, we do, in the presence of God, who searcheth the heart, DECLARE our resolution, through his grace, to watch against these snares which either are or may be laid to draw us and our brethren into that defection from the Lord, and into that detestable neutrality in his cause, which prevail at this time: And, knowing that the cross and reproach of CHRIST must lie on us in following him, we shall, the LORD assisting us, and pleasing to God; that the election of such as shall be saved is not to be ascribed to God's good pleasure alone, but also to his foresight of their faith and good works; that Christ died for all mankind to obtain a possibility of salvation, or some other good for them; but not as a proper surety in the stead of a certain number given him of the Father, to obtain the absolute certainty of their actual and everlasting salvation; that persons may truly believe in Christ, or have a faith of the same kind or nature with the faith of God's elect, and yet finally perish; that there is no such thing as final destruction or everlasting damnation for any of the human race; that the of fer of salvation in the gospel is made to none but awakened and penitent sinners, that no assurance or confidence, that we in particular, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, shall be saved, belongs to the nature of saving faith; and other errors specified in the DECLARATION and TESTIMONY for the DOCTRINE and ORDER of the CHURCH of CHRIST, published by the PRESBYTERY. : *Latitudinarians are such as hold, that the open and avowed errors or evil practices of persons who, on other accounts, are charitably judged to be united to Christ, should not hinder them from being admitted to church communion, and to the sacramental seals of the new covenant. According to this scheme, a church can bear no consistent testimony against such er rors or evil practices: nay, in a short time, she may have no members, but the approvers of them; such having as free access to her communion as any other according to this scheme, no church, as such, can hold fast what she has, as to doctrine, worship, discipline, or government; for surely a church cannot be said to hold in these respects, what she does not require her own members to hold. Latitudinarian terms of communion are wider than those which Christ himself has laid down in his word, by which means a door is set open for Satan to sow his tares. There are various sorts of Latitudinarians: 1. Some are for comprehending in one church communion, all who profess to believe in Jesus as the true Messiah, and to receive the Scriptures as the rule of faith, laying aside all creeds and confessions of faith. 2 Some are for comprehending in one church communion all Protestants, whether they be Episcopaliaus, Independents, Baptists, or Presbyterians; asserting, that to decline church communion with persons on account of the tenets by which any of the denominations are distinguished,is bigotry and party zeal. 3. Some plead for church communion with all who bear the Presbyterian name, notwithstanding their different opinions about doctrine, worship, and government; and notwithstanding that they refuse to join in a testimony for Presbyterial church order and government as a divine institution, against Episcopacy and Independency. 4. Some are for a sort of occasional communion with certain denominations of Christians with whom they refitse to have fixed communion. go forward in his way, taking heed to ourselves, lest we be deterred from it by the revilings of men, or seduced from it by their fair speeches; and shall sincerely and constantly labour, in our places and stations, by all means which are of divine appointment, to promote the knowledge of CHRIST in this land, and to maintain the purity of doctrine and order in his church; each, and all of us, according as the LORD calls us, endeavouring that those who are known and declared enemies to the truth, may neither be received into our fellowship, nor retained in it. We engage in the strength of the LORD, to follow that peace which is founded upon an agreement in the truth, that we may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; and to beware of every thing that has a tendency to break this desirable harmony and profitable communion among the members of CHRIST's mystical body; and for this end we shall endeavour to mark them who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which we have received, and avoid them; and shall take heed, lest, at any time, we be drawn into foolish and unlearned questions, which serve only to produce strife, or, by bitter and unadvised words, hurt the cause of truth, while we profess to defend it And as, through the corruption of our nature and the temptations of Satan, together with the influence of evil example, and the ensnaring councils of those who are themselves the servants of sin, we often fail in our practice, neglecting what the LORD requires, and doing that which he forbids; we profess, before GoD, that there is no relief for us but in JESUS, who saves his people from their sins, having given himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. That we may be set free from condemnation, delivered from the power of sin, and made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, we desire to depend wholly on the grace of GoD, which bringeth salvation; and which teacheth us, that, denying all ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour JESUS CHRIST. And, in the sight of GoD, the Judge of all, we solemnly engage, that we shall, in the strength of his promised grace, study reformation in heart and life; endeavouring to have always a conscience void of offence towards GoD and towards man, attending to the duties enjoined in both ta bles of the law, and setting a good example to each other: that we may thus, by well-doing, put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and glorify GoD in our bodies and spirits, which are his. And when sinners entice us, we shall not through the grace of GoD, consent to them, nor follow a multitude to do evil; avoiding, as far as possible, all occasions and temptations which may draw us to a joining with others in sin, we shall study to walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise. Farther, knowing that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of GOD, and that all who live godly in CHRIST JESUS, must lay their account to endure less or more persecution from this evil world, depending on GoD as a very present help in trouble, we shall, through his aid, study patience under the rod, meekness of spirit towards such as may injure us, and sympathy towards all men in distress, but especially those of the household of faith. In all which, calling God to witness the uprightness of our intentions, but professing our own weakness, we earnestly pray, that he who is the FATHER of mercies may, through his Son JESUS CHRIST, be merciful to us, and strengthen us by the power of his HOLY SPIRIT, to do our duty, to the praise of his grace in the churches. AMEN. Attested, WILLIAM MARSHALL, Moderator. [Agreeable to the design of the preceding Act, the above Solemn Covenant has been entered into by the Associate Presbytery, and by several of the congregations belonging to them; others of them are preparing to follow the example soon; and it is expected that all of them will join in this solemn work in due time.] ACT OF THE ASSOCIATE PRESBYTERY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Concerning the Admission of Church Members to Communion, passed at Philadelphia, April 28, 1791. THE PRESBYTERY having taken into their serious consideration, a petition some time ago laid before them, requesting a more particular direction about the way in which ministers and sessions ought to proceed in the admission of such as apply to them for being received into church fellowship: DECLARE, that though there is so much said in our DECLARATION and TESTIMONY, as may, with proper application to particular cases, be sufficient; yet, as far as possible to prevent disorder, and to assist all concerned in this matter, the Presbytery agree to transmit a copy of the following to the several sessions under their inspection : The general rule of admission to the seals of the covenant, is a profession and a practice agreeable to the Lord's word. More than this none have a right to demand, and if less is accounted sufficient, we act not uprightly in the cause and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, who solemnly charged us to teach his church, To observe all things whatsoever he has commanded us. In agreeableness to this general rule, the following particular rules ought to be attended to: I. That in congregations where there is a session, none ought to be admitted to communion but by the session constituted. II. That the profession of the faith required of those who desire communion with us, shall be an adherence to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Ferm of Presbyterial Church Government, and Di rectory for the Public Worship of God, as these are received and witnessed for by us, in our Declaration and Testimony: and also, that they profess their approbation of the said Declaration and Testimony for the Doctrine and Order of the Church of Christ. III. That they profess their resolution, through grace, to continue in the faith; according to the profession they now make of it; and be subject to the order and discipline of the house of God; to be diligent in their attendance on public ordinances; to make conscience of secret prayer; of keeping up the worship of God in their families morning and evening, and of promoting the knowledge of Christ and his truths-as by other means, so more especially by a holy and spiritual conversation. IV. That particular care ought to be taken that none be admitted to sealing ordinances, who are scandalous in their lives, or known contemners of any moral duty. The Presbytery earnestly recommend to sessions, who are courts of Christ's house, to imitate him in condescending to the weakness of his people; and if it appears, that persons who apply for admission to sealing ordinances, are disposed to use the means of knowledge, are desirous of instruction, closing with the end of our association, according to the measure of their knowledge, and concerned to be kept in the Lord's way; though such persons may be, in many respects, of small attainments, and of little knowledge, or utterance: yet they are by no means to be excluded from our communion, but rather invited and heartily received. that such promising beginnings may be encouraged. Attested, WILLIAM MARSHALL, Moderator. |