Benjamin Cutter, William R. Cutter, History of the town of Arlington, Massachusetts, ormerly the second precinct in Cambridge, or District of Menotomy, afterward the town of West Cambridge. 1635-1879 with a genealogical register of the inhabitants of the precinct.

[26] of Christ amongst us; Do in a humble sense of our unworthiness of such a favour and unfitness for such a service, knowing our liableness to err and our proneness to backslide, and renouncing all confidence in ourselves and resting on the Lord Jesus Christ the Head of the Church for help and grace,—Covenant before God and with one another in manner following: (viz.)

I. We receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as given by inspiration of God, and as the only sure and sufficient Rule of faith and practice, Declaring and promising that by the help of Divine Grace We Do and Will endeavour at all times to regulate our faith and our conduct of ourselves, both towards God and towards one another, according to what we find taught and revealed therein.

II. We recognize the Covenant of Grace, that we in a publick and solemn manner entered into, humbly imploring the pardoning mercy of God, through the blood of Christ, for all our violations thereof; and do, renewedly, give up ourselves to God through the mediator, devoting ourselves to his fear and service, depending upon his power and grace for all the assistance we need, and promising by the help of the Divine Spirit, to order our conversation so as will adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

III. We do likewise now give up ourselves to one another in the Lord, resolving by his help to treat each other as fellow members of one body in brotherly love and holy watchfulness, for mutual edification; and to subject ourselves to all the holy administrations appointed by him who is the head of the Church, dispensed according to the rules of the Gospel; and to give our constant attendance on all the public ordinances of Christ, walking orderly as becometh Saints.

IV. We acknowledge our posterity to be included with us in the Gospel Covenant, and blessing God for so rich a favour, Do promise to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and to acknowledge and treat them in their covenant according to the Rules of the Gospel.

V. Furthermore, we promise our utmost care and diligent endeavour to have all such offices and officers as Christ has appointed for the edification of his church settled and continued amongst us; and that we will do our duty faithfully for their maintenance and encouragement, and carry it towards them with that respect and honour that becometh us.

VI. Finally we acknowledge and promise to preserve communion with the faithful churches of Christ, for giving and receiving mutual counsel and assistance, in all cases that may call for it; Declaring that according to our light and understanding we are of the same principles for substance with the churches of New England respecting their doctrines and their government, and that we will endeavour to preserve the faith and the order of the Gospel among us.

Now the good Lord be merciful to us, and as he hath put it into our hearts thus to devote ourselves to him, let him pity and pardon our frailties, humble us out of all carnal confidence, and keep these things