Welcome to the official authorized site of the
First Congregational Church of Ceredo West Virginia
"A
Community Church with a passion to reach people with the love of Christ."
Address: 600 C Street
P.O. Box 1209 Ceredo West Virginia 25507
Sunday Services: 10:00 AM Phone: 304-453-4779
GPS Position latitude: 38.39705552365132 longitude: -82.55938053131103
First Congregational Church of Ceredo West Virginia publishes
some historical religious documents as a courtesy to the public.
The Enlarged Salem Covenant of
1636 is one of these documents that is of great historical
relevance to the Christian faith, and the evolution of Congregationalism in the
United States.
Historical Documents Below
The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636
We covenant with our Lord, and
one with another; and we do bind our selves in the presence of God, to walk
together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us
in his blessed word of truth; and do explicitly, in the name and fear of God,
profess and protest to walk as followed, through the power and grace of our
Lord, Jesus Christ.
We avouch the Lord to be our
God, and our selves to be his people, in the truth and simplicity of our
spirits.
We give our selves to the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the word of his grace for the teaching, ruling and sanctifying
of us in matters of worship and conversion, resolving to cleave unto him alone
for life and glory, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions
of men in his worship.
We promise to walk with our
brethren, with all watchfulness and tenderness, avoiding jealousies and
suspicions, back-biting, censorings, provoking, secret risings of spirit against
them; but in all offences to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus, and to bear and
forbear, give and forgive, as he hath taught us.
In public or private, we will
willingly do nothing to the offence of the church; but willing to take advice
for our selves and ours, as occasion shall be presented.
We will not in the
congregation be forward either to show our own gifts and parts in speaking or
scrupling, or there discover the weakness or failings of our brethren; but
attend an orderly call thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be dishonored,
and his gospel, and the profession of it, slighted by our distempers and
weaknesses in public.
We bind our selves to study
the advancement of the gospel in all truth and peace; both in regard of those
that are within or without; no way slighting our sister churches, but using
their counsel, as need shall be; not laying a stumbling-block before any, no,
not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote; and so to converse, as we may
avoid the very appearance of evil.
We do hereby promise to carry
our selves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us, in Church or
Commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing it will be to the Lord, that they should
have encouragement in their places, by our not grieving their spirits through
our irregularities.
We resolve to approve our
selves to the Lord in our particular callings; shunning idleness as the bane of
any stake; nor will we deal hardly or oppressing with any, wherein we are the
Lord's stewards.
Promising also unto our best
ability to teach our children and servants the knowledge of God, and of His
Will, that they may serve Him also; and all this not by any strength of our own,
but by the Lord Jesus Christ; whose blood we desire may sprinkle this our
Covenant made in his name.