A DIRECTION FOR A PUBLIC PROFESSION In the CHURCH ASSEMBLY, after private Examination by the ELDERS.  
Which Direction is taken out of the Scripture, and Points unto that Faith and Covenant contained in the Scripture.  
Being the same for Substance which was propounded to, and agreed upon by the Church of Salem at their beginning, the sixth of the sixth Month, 1629.  
In the Preface to the Declaration of the Faith owned and professed by the congregational Churches in England.  
The Genuine use of a Confession of Faith is, that under the same Form of Words they express the substance of the same common Salvation or unity of their Faith. Accordingly it is to be looked upon as a fit means, whereby to express that their Common Faith and Salvation, and not to be made use of as an imposition upon any.   
WE Beseech you Brethren to know them that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake and be at peace among yourselves, 1 Thess. 5.12, 13. Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with j●y and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you, Heb. 13.17. Who is that wise and faithful steward, whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his household, to give them their portion of mea● in due season, Luk. 12.42. One Faith, one Baptism, Eph. 4.5. The Common Faith, Tit. 1.4. The common Salvation, Judas Ver. 3. Christ Jesus the high priest of our Profession, Heb. 3.1. The profession of our Faith. Heb. 10.22. One shall say I am the Lords, Isai. 44.5. Hold fast the form of sound words. 2 Tim. 1.13. The form of Knowledge, and of the truth, Rom. 2.20. The form of Doctrine delivered unto you, Rom. 6.17.  


THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.  
I do believe with my heart and confess with my mouth.  

Concerning God.  
THat there is but one only true God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, each of them God, and all of them one and the same Infinite, Eternal God, most Wise, Holy, Just, Merciful and Blessed for ever.   

Concerning the Works of God.  
THat this God is the Maker, Preserver, and Governor of all things according to the counsel of his own Will, and that God made man in his own Image, in Knowledge, Holiness and Righteousness.   

Concerning the fall of M●n.  
THat Adam by transgressing the Command of God, f●ll from God and brought himself and his posterity into a state of Sin and death, under the Wrath and Curse of God, which I do believe to be my own condition by nature as well as any other.   

Concerning Jesus Christ.  
THat God sent his Son into the World, who for our sakes became man, that he might redeem and save us by his Obedience unto death, and that he arose from the dead, ascended unto Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God, from whence he shall come to judge the World.   

Concerning the Holy Ghost.  
THat God the holy Ghost hath fully, revealed the Doctrine of Christ and will of God in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, which are the Word of God, the perfect, perpetual and only Rule of our Faith and Obedience.   

Concerning the Benefits we have by Christ.  
THat the same Spirit by Working Faith in God's Elect, applieth unto them Christ with all his Benefits of Justification, and Sanctification, unto Salvation, in the use of those Ordinances which God hath appointed in his written word, which therefore ought to be observed by us until the coming of Christ.   

Concerning the Church of Christ.  
THat all true Believers being united unto Christ as the Head, make up one Mystical Church which is the Body of Christ, the members whereof having fellowship with the Father Son and Holy-Ghost by Faith, and one with another in love, do receive here upon earth forgiveness of Sins, with the life of grace, and at the Resurrection of the Body, they shall receive everlasting life. Amen.    

THE COVENANT.  
I do heartily take and avouch this one God who is made known to us in the Scripture, by the Name of God the Father, and God the Son even Jesus Christ's and God the Holy Ghost to be my God, according to the tenor of the Covenant of Grace; wherein he hath promised to be a God to the Faithful and their seed after them in their Generations, and taketh them to be his People and therefore unfeignedly repenting of all my sins, I do give up myself wholly unto this God to believe in love, serve & Obey him sincerely and faithfully according to his written word, against all the temptations of the Devil, the World, and my own flesh and this unto the death.  
I do also consent to be a Member of this particular Church, promising to continue steadfastly in fellowship with it, in the public Worship of God, to submit to the Order Discipline and Government of Christ in it, and to the Ministerial teaching guidance and oversight of the Elders of it, and to the brotherly watch of Fellow Members: and all this according to God's Word, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ enabling me thereunto. AMEN.   

Questions to be Answered at the Baptising of Children, or the substance to be expressed by the Parents.  
Quest. Do you present and give up this child, or these children, unto God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to be baptised in the Faith, and Engaged in the Covenant of God professed by this Church?  
Quest. Do you Solemnly Promise in the P●…senc●… of God, that by the grace of Christ, you will discharge your Covenant duty towards your Children, s●e●s to bring them upon the Nurture and Admon●…ion of the Lord, teaching and commanding them to keep the way of God, that they may be able (through the grace of Christ) to make a personal profession of their Faith and to own the Covenant of God themselves in due time.   
FINIS