imes fatal to the church of
Christ. We shall detest and abhor, and in our stations witness against
whatsoever courses, tending to the establishment of that abominable
hierarchy; and particularly, the oaths of allegiance, with the
assurance, and oath of abjuration, lately imposed on the persons of
public trust in these realms, in regard they may justly be interpreted
to strengthen that hierarchy, by upholding the persons that maintain the
same. We shall not submit to any orders issued forth by Bishops, nor own
them as our lawgivers, nor acknowledge any title they have to be members
of parliament or council. _3dly_, We shall in like manner detest, and
abhor, and labour, to extirpate all kinds of superstition--all rites and
ceremonies superadded by human invention to the worship of God, not
enjoined and required in his Word; together with all heresy and false
doctrine, and all profaneness and immortalities of every kind, and
whatsoever is contrary to sound religion; and shall in the strength, and
through the help of Christ, endeavour to deny all ungodliness and
worldly lusts, and from henceforth to live righteously towards our
neighbour, soberly in ourselves, and to walk humbly with our God.

We shall upon the one hand, endeavour to keep ourselves, as far as we
can, from all partakings in other men's sins, by consenting unto
associations, incorporations, combinations, compliance with, or
conniving at, their sins. And upon the other, to guard against all
schism, and sinful separation, or unjust, rash, and disorderly
withdrawing from societies, congregations or families, or any part of
the communion of the true reformed church of Scotland, holding purely
and entirely the doctrine, worship, discipline and government of the
same, in principle and exercise, according to the rules of Christ, and
standing acts and constitutions of this church, consonant thereunto, so
far as the Lord gives light therein. And as we look not upon our
practice in withdrawing from the backslidden ministers of the present
Erastian church, for reasons valid and sufficient, to be a gathering and
setting up formed separate churches under other ordinances and ministry,
distinct from the Presbyterian church of Scotland, (although we be
falsely aspersed as doing it) so we purpose and resolve always to adhere
to that standard of doctrine, discipline, and government, and that
purity and form of worship, which during our reforming times were
established, and to