The Salem Half-Way Covenant [1665]


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, and God the Holy Ghost to be my God, according to the tenour of the Covenant of Grace; wherein he hath promised to be a God to the Faithfull 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 stedfastly in fellowship with it, in the publick 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 Gods Word, and by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ enabling me thereunto. AMEN"


[Walker: "Credits and Platforms," p. 121. Quoted in: Champlin Burrage: The Church Covenant Idea. Its Origin and Its Development. Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1904. pp. 171-172.]