Between Those Who Adhere to the Principles and Constitution of the Free Church of Scotland.
THE following is the “Bond of Union” which was drawn up by the Revs. D. Macfarlane, D. Macdonald, and others, when they separated in 1893 from the then Church calling itself the Free Church of Scotland, and formed what is now known as the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland:—
“We, the undersigned Ministers, Elders, Deacons, Members, and Adherents of the Free Church of Scotland, hereby bind ourselves to adhere to the Principles and Constitution of the said Church as these are set forth in the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Claim of Rights of 1842, and Protest of 1843, and the First and Second Books of Discipline; and in particular we declare our belief in the absolute infallibility, inerrancy, and supreme authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments: also in the whole doctrine of the Confession of Faith as approved of by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1647, and in the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, which are all founded upon and conformable to the Word of God.
“We feel called upon, in the circumstances in which we are placed in the Providence of God, to assert anew (1) the duty of this nation, as a nation, to profess, own and support the Protestant and Presbyterian religion; (2) that, in accordance with the Confession of Faith, the Book of Psalms is the only manual of praise in the public worship of God recognised in this Church; (3) that Instrumental Music ought to have no place in New Testament worship; (4) that to all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply the same; and (5) that no one believes upon Christ to the saving of the soul without being regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
“Also, we protest against the Declaratory Act of 1892, and reject it wholly; especially because it denies (1) the sovereignty of the love of God; (2) that death has passed upon all on account of the sin of our first parents; and (3) the absolute necessity of the means of grace for the salvation of the heathen.
“And further, we protest against the power assumed by the Courts of the Church, which has ceased to represent the creed and principles of the said Free Church of Scotland, by passing the Declaratory Act, inasmuch as by the said Act they have substituted for ‘the whole doctrine contained in the Confession of Faith,’ what they may regard as ‘the substance of the Reformed Faith therein set forth,’ thus largely dispensing with most solemn vows.
“On all these grounds, we, in humble dependence on God’s grace, and the presence and blessing of the Holy Spirit, for the advancement of His glory, the extension of the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, and the administration of the affairs of Christ’s house according to His Holy Word, desire to adhere to all the doctrines of the Word of God and the principles and constitution of the Free Church of Scotland as held in 1843; and we renounce that General Assembly which has permanently placed upon its records the Declaratory Act of 1892, as well as all other Courts in subjection to the said Assembly.”