Subject: History of Bedford, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835 Source: From: The History of the Town of Concord, Mass. by Lemuel Shattuck, 1835 Part 4 p.262 Bedford, 1730 First Church of Bedford The Original Covenant "We, whose names are underwritten, sensibly acknowledging our unworthiness of such a favor and unfitness for such a business, yet apprehending ourselves to be called of God in a way of church communion, and to seek the settlement of all the gospel institutions among us, do therefore, in order thereto and for the better promotion therof - as much as in us lies, knowing how prone we are to backslide, abjuring all confidence in ourselves and relying on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for help, covenant as follows. "We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by inspiration of God, and promise by the help of the Divine Spirit, to govern ourselves both as to faith and practice according to the perfect rule; and we also engage to walk together as a church of Christ according to all those holy rules of the gospel respecting a particular church of Christ, so far as God hath or shall reveal his mind to us in that respect. "We do accordingly recognise the covenant of grace, in which we professedly acknowledge ourselves devoted to the fear and service of the only true God, our Supreme Lord and the Lord Jesus Christ, the High Priest, Phrophet, and King of his church, unto whose conduct we submit ourselves, on whom alone we wait and hope for grace and glory, to whom we bind ourselves in an everlasting covenant never to be broken. "We likewise give ourselves up one to another in the Lord, resolving by his help to treat each the other as fellow members of one body in brotherly love, and holy watchfulness over one another for mutual edification; and to subject ourselves to all the holy administrations, appointed by him who is the Head of his church, dispensed according to the rules of the gospel, and to give our constant attendance on all the public ordinances of Christ's institution, walking orderly as becomes saints. "We do likewise acknowledge our posterity to be included with us in the gospel covenant; and blessing God for such a favor, do promise to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord with the greatest care, and to acknowledge them in the covenant relation, according to the rules of the gospel. "Furthermore, we promise to be careful to our uttermost to procure the settlement and continuance of all the offices and officers appointed by Christ, the chief Shepherd for his church's edification and accordingly, do our duty faithfully for their maintenance and encouragement and to carry it towards them as becometh us. "Finally, we acknowledge and do promise to preserve communion with the faithful churches of Christ for the giving and receiving mutual council and assistance in all cases wherein it shall be needful. "Now the good Lord be merciful unto 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 it for ever upon our hearts to himself and to one another for his praise, and our eternal comfort, for Christ's sake to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Signed: Nicholas Bowes Joseph French William Hartwell Jonathan Bacon John Hartwell Nathaniel Merriam Israel Putnam Benjamin Kidder Daniel Davis Samuel Fitch Job Lane Josiah Fassett John Lane Stephen Davis Richard Wheeler Jacob Kendall Christopher Page Daniel Cheever Obed Abbot Nathaniel Page David Taylor James Wheeler Eleazer Davis Thomas Dinsmore. Some were from Concord, others probably mostly, from Billerica. The Church and Town Records of those towns give their genealogy. To be continued Part 5 - p. 264. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth