Apostles So in the necessary Doctrine and Erudition for any Christian man p. 42. For as much as it hath been a solemn ancient and laudable custom in the Church of God continued from the Apostles time So in King James's Canons Can. 60. I have purposely omitted to instance further in S. Paul and Barnabas and others visiting several Churches and confirming the Souls of the Disciples in them exhorting them to continue in the Faith and with purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord Acts 11.23 14.22 15.32 Because we have not the like express mention there of any imposition of hands though it may be we might with probability enough suppose it These Instances now of Apostolical Practice do give light unto Heb. 6. and receive further light from what we have before us in the Text where after the mention of the doctrine of Baptisms we find Laying on of hands Nempe Episcoporum in confirmatione Neophytorum saith Anselm viz. of Bishops in the confirmation of new Disciples Imposition of hands saith S. Chrysostom whereby they received the Holy Ghost And Theophylact in like manner referring particularly to the story of S. Paul's laying on his hands upon them at Ephesus Acts 19. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hom. 9. in Ep. ad Hebr. By Imposition of hands saith S. Ambrose it is believed that the Spirit may be received which is wont to be done after Baptism by the Bishop for the Confirmation of Unty in the Church Whereunto may be anâ—â—â—ed the 38th Caâ—ranze â—â—â—ma â—â—bert â—oncil and 77th Canâ—â— of the Council of Eliberis or Elvira about the time of Pope Sylvester the first * 〈◊〉 Aâ—â— 316. which require the Bishop should persect or confirm by his Benediction those who had not been baptized in his presence â—irca A.D. 200. And Tertullian long before having spoken of Baptism adds Dehinc manus imponitur per benedictionem De Baptismo c. 6. 8 advocans invitans Spiritum Sanctum Then afterwards the hand is laid on by way of Benediction Id de Resurrect Carn c. 8. calling to and inviting down the Holy Spirit And again saith he in another place The Flesh is washed that the Soul may be without spot the Flesh is anointed that the Soul may be consecrated the Flesh is signed that the Soul also may be defended the Flesh is overshadowed by the Imposition of hands that the Soul also may be illuminated by the Spirit c. And the same way the generality of modern Interpreters whatever have been their practice still inclines I will instance in some of greatest name and eminence among the Reformed and Protestant Churches the rather because this Rite of Confirmation hath been unhappily decried and declamed against as a Relique of Popish Superstition to be abandoned and rejected by us The Apostle saith Calvin on the place calls the solemn Rites or stated days of Baptizing by the name of Baptisms and he joyns Imposition of hands with Baptism because as there were two Orders of Catechumens so there was a double ceremony For those without the Church did not come to Baptism before they had made Confession of their Faith in these therefore Catechism was wont to precede But the children of the faithful because adopted from the womb and by right of promise belonging to the Church were baptized Infants but their Infancy being past after they were instructed in the Faith they did also offer themselves to Catechism which was in them after Baptism but then another symbol was added namely Imposition of hands This one place therefore saith he doth abundantly testifie ☜ that the original of this Ceremony flowed from the Apostles though afterwards it was turned into Superstition as the World doth commonly degenerate from the best Institutions to Corruptions Let us therefore know saith he that it was instituted by the first Authors to be a solemn Rite of Prayer as S. De Baptismo l. 3. c. 16. Augustine also calls it They designed indeed by this symbol to approve the Confession of Faith made by Youth but thought of nothing less than to rend asunder the force of Baptism Wherefore the pure Institution is this day to be retained but the Superstition to be corrected And this place thus understood makes for the approbation of Infant Baptism For why saith he should that Doctrine be called in some the Doctrine of Baptisms and in others of Laying on of hands but that these later were instructed in the Faith after Baptism so that nothing else was remaining but to lay hands upon them And again in his Book of Institutions This was the custom of old saith he that the children of Christians Lib. 4. c. 19. § 4. after they were grown up were presented before the Bishop to fulfill that Office which was required of the Adult at their Baptism for these sate among the Catechumens till being duly instructed in the mysteries of Faith they were able to make a Confession of the same before the Bishop and People They were examined by the Bishop according to a certain and common form of Catechism which they then had ☞ and that this action which otherwise deservedly ought to be grave and holy might have the more reverence and honour the Ceremony of Imposition of hands was also added And thus the Child by his Faith being approved was dismiss'd with a solemn benediction Of this custom saith he the Ancients do often make mention Such an Imposition of hands therefore saith he as is done barely in the room of Benediction I commend and would this day restored to a pure use And then again § 5 c. after a passionate Invective against the Corruptions of the Romanists who had defaced the substance of the thing and instead of a true Confirmation introduced a feigned Sacrament he concludes with most earnest desires for the restitution of the primitive Right in such words as these But I would to God that we retained the custom which I intimated to have been among the Ancients § 13. before this Abortive Counterfeit of a Sacrament was brought forth Thus far Mr. Calvin The Apostle saith Beza numbers up five heads of Catechism viz. the profession of amendment of Life i.e. repentance from dead works the summ of faith concerning God the compendious explication of Doctrine that was wont to be delivered to the unlearned especially at Baptism and the Imposition of hands i. e. saith he when they met together to baptize Infants or Adult persons and also when they came together to impose hands upon any the Head of the resurrection of the dead and of the future judgment And in his shorter notes he calls them The Heads of Catechism which contain indeed the chief matters of all Evangelical Doctrine but were delivered in few words and summarily to the unlearned viz. the profession of repentance and faith towards God The Articles of which Doctrine as they are called were indeed required
of those without the Church at the appointed days of Baptism but from the Children of all the Faithful baptized in their Infancy when hands were laid upon them Among which Articles two here are expresly reckoned up namely the Resurrection of the Flesh and Eternal Judgment Thus Beza This Doctrine Schol. Observ in loc saith Piscator viz. of Repentance from dead works and Faith towards God was wont to be delivered to the Catechumens before they were baptized or confirmed in the Christian Faith by the Imposition of hands When Children have been taught the Doctrine of Repentance and Faith they are to make profession thereof before the Church and to be confirmed by the Imposition of hands Although we think saith he th s Imposition of hands to be matter of free observance as having indeed Apostolical example but not a Precept from Christ Where we see he grants the Example roundly enough to be Apostolical however he would have it left free to conform unto or to neglect it Again saith he At the first sight there seem to be six Heads of Doctrine distinctly reckon'd up but if one shall more accurately weigh them they may be referr'd to four or to three For the third and fourth viz. of Baptism and Imposition of Hands seem not here to be propounded as peculiar Heads of Doctrine but put among the rest to declare the Circumstance of Time wherein these Fundamentals were wont to be propounded unto Beginners namely at that time when the Adult were admitted unto Baptism and also when those who were Baptized in their Infancy and afterwards instructed in their Childhood were wont by the Church to be confirmed in the Christian Faith by the Imposition of Hands Thus Piscator Then the Leiden Divines in their Synopsis purioris Theologiae Dis 47. tell us to the same purpose that It is probable this Doctrine of Imposition of Hands is referr'd to that care of the Ancient Church whereby Children instructed in Catechetical Doctrine before they were admitted to partake of the Lord's Supper were presented to the Church to answer concerning the Faith and commended by Prayers unto God the Rite of Imposition of Hands being added thereunto which was a Gesture of those that pray and bless even from the time of the Patriarchs Next For the Lutheran Churches none can speak better than their famous Chemnitius whom Bellarmine so far honors as to acknowledge that he doth of all others most accurately describe the Order of Lutheran Confirmation Our Divines saith he have often shewn Exam. Concil Trident. part 2 de Confirm that the Rite of Confirmation unprofitable superstitious and Anti-scriptural Traditions being once remov'd from it might be used piously Id. Loc. Theolog. part 3. de num Saâ—rament and to the Edification of the Church according to the consent of Scripture after this manner viz. That those who have been baptized in their Infancy for such now is the State of the Church when come to years of Discretion should be diligently instructed in a certain and plain Catechism of the Doctrine of the Church and when they seem competently to have understood the Principles of it should afterwards be presented to the Bishop and Church and there the Child that was baptized in his Infancy should 1. Be admonished in a short and plain manner concerning his Baptism viz. with what how why and into what he was Baptized What the whole Trinity in that Baptism conferr'd upon him and Sealed to him namely the Covenant of Peace and Grace and how there was then made an Abrenunciatiation of Satan a Profession of Faith and Promise of Obedience 2. The Child himself should before the Church make a proper or personal and publick Confession of this Doctrine and Faith 3. He should be question'd about the chief Heads of Christian Religion and where he less understands any thing be more rightly inform'd 4. He should be put in mind and declare by this Profession how he differs from all Heathen Heretical Fanatick and profane Opinions 5. There should be added a grave and serious Exhortation out of the Word of God that he would persevere and by going forwards be farther confirmed in the Covenant of Baptism and that Doctrine and Faith And then 6. Publick Prayer should be made for those Children that God by his Holy Spirit would vouchsafe to govern preserve and confirm them in this Profession Whereunto without Superstition may be added Imposition of Hands Nor would that Prayer be vain ☞ For it leans upon the Promises concerning the Gift of Perseverance and Grace of Confirmation Such a Rite of Confirmation saith he would contribute very much Profit to the Education of Youth and of the whole Church For it would be agreable both unto Scripture and purer Antiquity Thus Chemnitius But before either Calvin or Luther there was one famous Waldo of whom the Waldenses are named who did more early dissent from the Corruption of the Roman Church And they in their Confession exhibited to Vladislaus King of Hungary 1504. speak thus remarkably of this Rite of Confirmation We do profess with a Faith taken out of the Divine Scriptures Confess Waldens de Confirm that in the Times of the Apostles this was observed whoever being come to the Ripeness of Years had not received the promised Gifts of the Holy Ghost received them afterwards by Prayer and Imposition of Hands for the Confirmation of Faith The same we think also of Infants Whosoever being baptized hath come over to the true Faith which he resolves to imitate indeed amidst Adversities and Contumelies in that manner that a new Birth and Life of Graces may seem discovered in his Spirit or Temper Such an one ought to to be brought and set before the Bishop or Priest where being questioned of the Truth of Faith and the Divine Commands and also his own good Will Setled Intention and Works of Truth if he shall witness by his Confession that all these things are so He is to be confirmed in the Hope of Truth already attained and farthermore to be holpen by the Churches Prayers that an Increase of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost may accrue unto him for the Establishment and Warfare of Faith Lastly by Imposition of Hands to confirm the Promises of God and the Truth in the Power of the Name of the Father and of his Word and of the Holy Spirit let him be joyn'd to the Churches Communion And again Apolog. part 4. de Baptism puerorum in their Apology to the Marquess of Brandenburgh 1532. speaking of Children that have been Baptized they add When they shall have come to Years of Discretion and now understand the Account of their Faith and begin to love Christ in good earnest we bring them to the Profession of these things even whatsoever they have attained to by the help of their Parents or Godfathers or by the Ministry of the Church that they may themselves of their own accord and most freely
and Mr. Hutton what the Moderate and Learned Bucer saith on Ephes 4. The Sign of Imposition of Hands Bishops only did give and that not without reason For whether the Covenant of the Lord is to be confirmed to those that are to be Baptized or whether they are to be reconciled that have grievously offended or whether the Ministers of the Church are to be Ordained All these Ministerys do best become those to whom the chief Care is committed Calvin himself confesseth Instit l. 4. c. 19. prout ante cit that the Antient Usage was for the Party to be confirmed to be brought coram Episcopo before the Bishop The Church saith St. Augustine still keepeth up the Custom of Imposition of Hands in suis praepositis in her Chief Governors and the Business was maged à solis Episcopis Q. 44. in N. I. De Eccles Hier. c. 2. In Ep. ad Hebr. Dialog adver Luciferian See Mr. Hooker's Eccles Pol. l. 5. p. 262. by Bishops alone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Dyonysius and St. Ambrose agreably that it was to be done à Pontificibus by the High-Priests and non nisi per manus Episcopis saith St. Hierom By the Hands of the Bishop only The Rise of which Observation did proceed from this Ground saith he that after the Ascension of our Lord the Holy Ghost came down on the Apostles and it obtained in many places as he adds not so much by the necessity of a Law as from a certain congruity and fitness to honor Prelacy with such Preheminencies because the Safety of the Church depends on the Dignity of her Superiors to whom if some Eminent Offices of Power should not be given there would be as many Schisms in the Church as Priests with us saith he elsewhere Bishops hold the place of the Apostles Ep. ad Marcell Id. in Psal 45. And again For the Fathers the Apostles we have their Sons the Bishops And in his Comment on the First of S. Mark if that be his That which is perfected by the Bridegroom saith he is begun by the Paranymph whence Catechumens incipiunt per Sacerdotem chrismantur per Episcopum begin by the Priest and are confirmed by the Bishop They are therefore to be condemned certainly of gross Partiality and Vncharitableness Mr. Hanmer Exercit of Confirm p. 51. who blush not to say that the Bishops out of Pride have appropriated this unto themselves May all the Ministers of Christ orderly discharge their proper Duties without either envying or invading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Rights and Priviledges of any whom God hath placed over them I will not dispute what might possibly be allowed in Cases of Necessity which excuseth as we say what it compells unto and were methinks much to be wished for in larger Dioceses concerning a Delegated Power by way of Dispensation for the more effectual and constant expediteing of this good Performance as seems to have been permitted to the Antient Chorepiscopi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rural Bishops Vide Pamelii Annot in ep 13. D. Cyprian Dr. H. dissert de Episc l. 3. c. 8. Episcopus vel ejus Suffraganeus can 60. R. Jacobi Suffragans and Visitors constituted by the Bishop of the City But it is certainly most fitting for those to impart this Solemn Benediction who are of chiefest Note and Eminence in the Church and that by the Analogy of the Apostles Rule Heb. 7.7 Without Contradiction the less is Blessed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the better or greater Fourthly Come we next to the Qualification of the Persons to be confirmed Such they must be See Canon 40. who are baptized and instructed in the Catechism of Christian Religion and come to years of Discretion in some competent Degree to understand the same and give an actual and deliberate Assent thereunto Buxtorf observes in the Jewish Church Synag Judaic that when the Child was come to be Thirteen years of Age the Father having taught him the Principles of his Religion presented him in a Sacred Assembly to undertake himself to become Bar-mitzvah a Son of the Precept that is as they explain it such an one who takes upon himself Obedience to the Law from thence forward to answer for his own Sins and hereupon Prayer was also made for his Improvement Our Church-Catechism is call'd as I have suggested before An Instruction to be learned of every person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop which is appointed to be done so soon as he can say the Creed the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the Vulgar Tongue and be farther instructed in the Church Catetechism set forth for that purpose as 't is express'd in the Office of Publick Baptism And the Title of this Office it self in our Service-book is The Order of Confirmation or laying on of Hands upon those that are baptized and come to Years of Discretion The Preface whereunto is highly remarkable To the end that Confirmation may be ministred to the more edifying of such as shall receive it Order of Confirm the Church hath thought good to Order That none hereafter shall be confirmed but such as can say the Creed the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments and can also answer to such other Questions as in the short Catechism are contained Which Order is very convenient to observed to the end that Children being now come to Years of Discretion and having learn'd what their Godfathers and Godmothers promised for them in Baptism they may with their own Mouth and Consent openly before the Church ratifie and confirm the same and also promise that by the Grace of God they will endeavour themselves faithfully to observe such things as they by their own Confession have assented to And this Preface is openly to be read at that time to the Expectants Ibid. and then accordingly the Bishop is appointed to ask each of them Do ye here in the presence of God and of this Congregation renew the solemn Promise and Vow that was made in your Name at your Baptism ratifying and confirming the same in your own persons and acknowledging your selves bound to believe and do all those things which your God-fathers and God-mothers then undertook for you To which Question every one is to answer audably in the Affirmative ' I do And thereupon the Bishop proceeds unto Prayer and Benediction Add hereunto Can. 59. 61. Rubric's at the end of the Catechism that the Canons of our Church enjoyn a special Care upon all Ministers to prepare those under their Charge hereunto and to see that none be presented but such as shall be thus fitted for it And our Right Reverend Diocesan hath declared that as de jure he cannot so de facto he will not confirm any Advertisement in the end of his Book of Articles save such only who have been duly catechized and by their Pastor's Testimony have attained such a measure of Knowledge
Ep. 72. quae est ad Stephunum Tunc enim plenè sanctificari esse Dei filii possunt si Sacramento utroque nascantur cùm scriptum sit Nisi quis natus fuerit ex aqua spiritu non potest intrare in regnum Dei. But I shall wave the urging of this also We have an undoubted and remarkable instance of Apostolical practice for it Acts 8. where Philip the Deacon having preached the Gospel at Samaria and thereby won many Converts and baptized them the Apostles at Jerusalem hearing of it send forth two of their own number Peter and John Who saith the sacred Text ver 15. c. when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost and then laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost It pleased God that those admirable Gifts called there the Holy Ghost should not ordinarily be conferred on the Baptized but by the Apostles hands thereby to strengthen the Authority of those his Witnesses and by the same means promote the unity of the Church through the reverend esteem of those chief Ministers as Grotius well notes In locum In this story now we have 1. The persons confirmed the baptized Samaritans who had believed and been instructed aforehand in Philip's doctrine 2. The Ministers of Confirmation Peter and John the Apostles sent from Jerusalem on that very purpose 3. What they did in Confirmation Having heard of their faith in receiving the Word of God and their baptism in profession of that faith they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost and laid their hands upon them 4. The consequent effect thereof they received the Holy Ghost that is the more plentiful effusions of the Holy Ghost in his gifts and graces which in that beginning of the Christian Church were miraculous and extraordinary whereas the promise of the same Spirit holds good still in some due proportion unto the Christians of all Ages to the worlds end Those saith S. Ep. 73. quae est ad Jubaianum Cyprian who believed in Samaria had believed with a true faith and were baptized in the Church which is but one and to which alone it is permitted to give the grace of Baptism and to lose sins And therefore having obteined a legitimate and Ecclesiastical Baptism ought not again to be baptized but that onely which was yet wanting to be done unto them by Peter and John that by prayer and imposition of hands the Holy Ghost might be invoked and poured forth upon them Circa A.D. 250. which now also saith he is the custom observed among us that they who are baptized in the Church be offered to the Governors of the Church and by our prayer and imposition of hands obtain the Holy Ghost and be consummated or perfected with the Lord's Seal or Signature Where we see he applies the Apostolical patern to the custom retained still by the Church in Confirmation the practice whereof in his days he doth well describe and intimates also the requisiteness of it after Baptism though never so legitimate when he calls it Id quod deerat That which was yet wanting Again anoher instance we have Acts 19. where we find S. Paul confirming those who were taught and baptized before at Ephesus ver 6. When Paul laid his hands upon them saith the Text the Holy Ghost came upon them and they spoke with Tongues and prophesied They were baptized saith Grotius on the place by some other Christian but God to commend the Apostolical office would not communicate those gifts of the Holy Ghost untill the hand of some Apostle had touched them And though he be not bound to this or any other observance yet such was the method of his ordinary dispensation then among them Here now we have 12 persons first taught and then baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and then afterwards by the imposition of the Apostles hands receiving the Holy Ghost manifested according to the special way and exigency of those first times in his visible and extraordinary gifts And to this S. Paul himself seems to refer touching these Ephesians confirmed by him as upon occasion I before in part suggested Ephes 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise Nor ought any to be offended or prejudiced because we find not the like gifts of the Spirit continued now in the Church The Holy Ghost saith S. De Baptismo l. 3. c. 16. Augustine is not now given by Imposition of hands with temporal and sensible miracles as it was at the first for the commendation of the Faith and the enlargment of the beginnings of the Church who now expects it c. But we are now to understand that after an invisible and hidden manner Divine Charity is inspired into their hearts by the bond of peace And thus as the Apostle hath it to the Corinthians 1 Epist ch 12. There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit Not the same gifts now as then yet the same spirit still To these instances of Apostolical practice therefore S. Augustine and S. Jerom Circa A.D. 203. do both freely appeal for the justifying of this sacred custom as S. Cyprian you heard before did and that without any colour for the imputation of Montanism in the case as some have fondly pleased themselves to imagine The Disciples prayed saith S. De Trinit l. 15. c. 26. Augustine that the Holy Ghost might come upon those on whom they laid their hands Which same custom the Church doth also now observe in her Governors or Bishops And then for S. Dialog advers Luciferian Jerom Dost thou not know saith he that this is the custom of the Churches to lay hands afterwards on the baptized and so to invocate the Holy Ghost Dost thou demand of me Where is it written I answer In the Acts of the Apostles and were there no Scripture Authority at all to support it the consent of the whole world might in this supply the room of a Precept for there are also many other things observed by Tradition in the Churches which have taken to themselves the Authority of a written Law as the threefold immersion in Baptism c. This 't is true he speaks in the person of Luciferianus but then he brings in Orthodoxus making a Reply by way of Acknowledgment to the same I do not indeed deny this saith he to be the custom of the CHurches that the Bishop go forth to those who were baptized afar off in lesser Cities by Priests and Deacons to lay hands upon them for the invocating of the Holy Ghost Deservedly therefore doth our Church refer us to the same Apostolical warrant Upon whom after the the example of the holy Apostles we have now laid our hands So in the Prayer at Confirmation the Fathers of the Primitive Church taking occasion and founding themselves upon the said acts and deeds of the
own and profess all these things before the whole Church to their own Salvation in the celebration of the Rite of Imposition of Hands which being done they are confirmed And there is forthwith given them full Power and Right to communicate of the Body and Blood of Christ with the Faithful Thus they who are called Waldenses or Picardi And to what you have heard from them give me leave to add the Form of receiving the Baptized and Catechized Youth among the Bohemian Brethren who sometimes go under the same Name a Remnant of the Slavonique Church and the Eminent Disciples of Wickleff Huss and Jerome of Prague as it is described to us by their last Bishop the Excellent Comenius The Young ones Ratio Discip ordinisque Ecclestin unitate Fratâ—um Bohem p. 46. saith he having been taught the Heads of Religion at Home by their Parents and Sureties or at School by their Masters are publickly delivered to the care of their Pastors in the Church before the Receiving of the Lord's Supper most usually at the time of Pastoral Visitation after this manner 1. The words of Christ Matt. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labor c. are read with a short Explication of them 2. The Youth of both Sexes appointed thereunto and preexamined by the Pastor are placed in order in the middle of the Church 3. Then they are asked whether they will renew the Covenant they entered into with God at Baptism 4. This being consented to by them the heads of that Covenant are explained according to the form prescribed by the Apostle to Titus chap. 2.11 12 13. Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts to live righteously soberly and godly in this present world looking for the blessed hope c. And they are commanded openly before the Church to renounce the World the Devil and the Flesh c. 5. Next a profession of the Faith is required of them so that they all repete aloud the Apostles Creed 6. Then on their bended Knees saying after the Minister they pray unto God to forgive the Sins of their Youth and strengthen them by his Holy Spirit unto all the good purpose of his Will which also the whole Assembly doth praying for them After which Prayers 7. There is declared to these young Disciples and the whole Church Absolulution and the Right of the Sons of God in participating the Supper of the Lord. And lastly there is added the Apostolical Rite of Imposition of Hands with the Invocation of the Name of God upon them to strengthen or confirm the hope of his Heavenly Grace Thus the Bohemian Brother-hood the most exemplary for good Order among all the Reform'd Churches abroad Unto these now I could easily superadd many other Testimonies but I will close them all with three or four of our Nation and those such as cannot be suspected of casting any favourable Eye upon a Brat of Popery or Prelacy as some have pleased unequally to yoak them Mr. Hanmer and Mr. Baxter above twenty years since have written each of them a Particular Treatise upon this Argument of Confirmation Finding no such way it seems to extricate themselves and others out of the Confusions into which the Times were then fallen as by returning back in part to what had been too rashly discarded together with the Church of England And the later of them understands that Text of St. Mr. Baxter of Confirm p. 102. 119. Paul 2 Tim. 1.6 I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the Gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my Hands of the Apostolical Imposition of Hands after Baptism for the giving of the Holy Ghost rather than the Ministerial Ordination and Gift Dr. William Gouge in his Commentary on the Text tells us that Ordinary Cases wherein Imposition of Hands was used were 1. Blessing Children by our Saviour Mark 10.16 2. Setting men apart to the publick Function of Ministers of the Word 1 Tim. 5.22 and Deacons Act. 6.6 3. Deputing Men to some special Work Acts 13.2 And 4. Confirming such as had been instructed in the Principles of Religion This last particular saith he meaning Confirmation is not expresly set down in Scripture but gathered out of it by the Ancient Orthodox Fathers and with a Joint-consent afterwards by most Divines not Papists only but Protestants also And of the same Judgment those of the late Assembly so called who put forth the English Annotations Assembl Annot. in Loc. declare themselves to be Laying on of Hands which say they is usually call'd Confirmation which stood 1. In examining those who had been Baptized what Progress they had made in the Doctrine of Christianity And 2. In praying for them that God would continue them in the Faith and give them more Grace strengthening them by the Holy Ghost Now when the chief Pastor or Pastors of the Church say they prayed for them they laid their Hands upon them whence the Apostolical Constitution was called laying on of Hands So St. Augustine and so most of the Fathers with one Consent And here now were a fair occasion to wonder that so Reverend and Divine an Assembly as that was reputed should utterly cast off a thing so well established and never so much as consider of it in their Directory Vindic. of Liturgie p. 38. That the defaming and casting out of this so blameless and gainful an Order should be necessary or useful to any Policy save only to defend the Devil from so great a Blow and to sustain and uphold his Kingdom I never yet had any Temptation or Motive to suspect or imagine Mr. Ham. L' Estrange Alliance of Divine Offices p. 262. saith our Pious and Learned Dr. Hammond And There is not any thing wherein the late pretended Reformers amuse me more than in this particular saith another worthy person Nor do I know what Account to make for them unless this may pass for one That they practiced against known and avowed Principles T. C. p. 174. §. 2. as T. C. formerly stuck not to aver of Mr. Calvin himself That as well as he allowed of Confirmation he put it out of the Church of Geneva where he was Pastor But this may suffice abundantly to have spoken concerning the Scripture Patterns and Grounds which we have for this Sacred Appointment as they are expounded and handed down to us by most unquestionable Authorities I pass on Thirdly to the Ceremony used in it the Imposition of the Bishop's Hands And here I shall offer a few words 1. Of the Ceremony it self And 2. Of the Special Minister concerned about it First Of the Ceremony it self Imposition of Hands according to the Scripture Warrant without either Crossing or Annointing with Chrism made of Oyl and Balsom or boxing on the Ear or Cheek as is used among the Papists This laying on of Hands is a most natural unaffected and Ancient Ceremony of Prayer and Benediction as we find it used first in the Old
of the Principles of Christian Religion as may render them capable of it Aquinas indeed determines that the Sacrament of Confirmation as he calls it ought to be exhibited in common to all that are baptized Part 3. Q. 72. Artic. 8. and at all times The bodily Age saith he doth not prejudice the Soul and even Children dying confirmed obtain the greater Glory as here they do the greater Grace L. de Sacram And Contarenus grounds the Custom of giving it to Infants upon his Authority But grave men among themselves mislike this Practice Consult ad Artic. 9. I see saith Cassander that it doth not displease good men of both sides that the use of it be delay'd till some Growth of Age And so the Roman Catechism now requires The truth is the Vtility and Benefit of this Sacred Institution exacts all this Some competent Growth and Understanding in the Party confirmed Heed and Diligence in his Prae-instruction and all Gravity and Seriousness in the whole Administration And to the intent that no man should think that any Detriment should come to Children by deferring their Confirmation unto years of Discretion our Church hath declared it for a Truth certain by God's Word That Children being baptized have all things necessary for their Salvation and dying before they commit actual Sin are undoubtedly saved Let me therefore beseech those who shall come at any time upon this Holy Errand to ponder well and consider with themselves of what weight and moment the matter is they are going about what they are obliged to do and what the Blessing is they hope to receive thereupon Their Business in short is to declare that they are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ but glory in his Cross to profess themselves upon choice and in good earnest Christians the resolved Disciples Servants and Souldiers of Jesus Christ to devote themselves entirely to his Faith and Service to take the solemn Vow and Promise made formerly in their Names by their Sureties upon themselves that is to vow Repentance from dead Works and Faith towards God to renounce the Devil the World and the Flesh and give up themselves to the Belief and Obedience of the Gospel This is the Work they come about and then their Reward is so doing to participate in the Prayers of the Church and the Blessing of the Bishop to be promoted to an higher Form in the School of Christ among an higher Rank of Professors and admitted to all the Priviledges af Adult and Compleat Christians Now therefore in the last place I need not to say much more concerning the Importance and Vsefulness of this whole Action which all along speaks for it self and whereof accordingly I have suggested a competent Account already in treating of the parts of it The fewer words therefore shall here suffice and I will little more than name the particulars which otherwise I should have enlarged upon 1. This would utterly enervate the Anabaptists Plea for Re-baptizing those who were before baptized in their Infancy did they every one at their Confirmation thus explicitely take upon themselves what was then promised and undertaken in their Name and so give up themselves afresh to God and his Church And it is you know part of the Charge which we leave with God-fathers and God-mothers at the Font Office of Public Baptism to bring them when prepared unto the Bishop thus to do Nor is this as some have surmized any Imputation to their Baptism as imperfect in it self but a Supply only to the Imperfection of their State who were Baptized in their Infancy with a legitimate and true Baptism by the solemn renewing of the Answer or Stipulation of a good Conscience towards God which ought frequently to be repeated throughout our whole Life Praef. ad Paraph. in Evang. S. Matth. Repraesentatio pristini Baptismi as Erasmus calls it And Whether the solemn Baptizing of all Infants though the Children of presumed Christian Parents throughout this Kingdom Without solemn Astipulation that they shall at Years of Discretion personally ratifie their Vow in Baptism in Publick in such manner as the Church requires be not rather more Lawful than Expedient I leave with all Submission On the Creed l. 10. c. 50. to the Consideration of Higher Powers saith the Learned Pious and Reverend Dr. Jackson 2. This would supercede the new modell'd Examinations set on foot by Private Authority before the Admission of Persons to the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper whether by Lay-Elders in Conjunction with Presbyters or by Popular Congregations and wholly silence the many fierce and unhappy Feuds and Controversies which have been moved on that occasion 3. It would extreamly quicken and encourage the Endeavors of all that are concern'd among us in the Prae-instruction of Youth and whet the Learners also to a greater Diligence and Industry and prove a mighty Ease and Satisfaction to the Minds of those who have undertaken in their Names at Baptism 4. It would very much conduce to the recommending and endearing of God's Ministers the Bishops of the Church to the Affections of the People by and from whom they and theirs partake of so great a benefit so as to oblige them if any thing can do it never to lift up their Hand or so much as open their Mouth against them never to return them Evil for Good and requite their Blessings with Curses and Reproaches 5. It would highly promote the Truth and Power of Godliness and Religion so much talk'd of It would bring good Instructions to some hopeful Effect and Issue and put every Sinner among us who is not also past Shame to blush and hang down the Head upon the remembrance of that good Confession which he himself had so openly made before many Witnesses See Dr. Patrick 's excellent and affectionate Exhortation unto Confirmation Aqua Genitalis Use 4. and the Appendix and yet so notoriously violated and contradicted With what Face could he devote himself to Atheism and Impiety who before God and his Elect Angels the Bishop and an Assembly of Christians hath personally vowed and promised the Belief of the Christian Faith and Obedience unto all God's Holy Commandments And with such a grave Solemnity renounced the Devil and all his Works c. He hath the Argument of Common Justice and Honesty from henceforth admonishing of him continually to be as good as his Word to take heed of the crying Sin of Perjury such an aggravated Perjury especially as this is a Sacrilegious Perjury He hath many to rise up in Judgment against him upon Transgression He hath such-like Thoughts as these to accompany him wherever he goes that if he fails in this vowed Duty he must at last witness against himself be condemned out of his own Mouth and left without an Apology and if he shall presume to live in a Course contradictory to this Holy Profession he can expect nothing but that cursed Doom which with
both in every Individual and as it is embodied in the respective Societies of Men. 3. We may suppose he represented to them the Goodness and obligingness of that Lord and Master to whom they had devoted themselves How well he had deserved of them what transcendent and unparallel'd Love he had shewed to them in giving himself to and for them and redeeming of them with his most precious Blood And how ready he was still at all times to stand by them for their Help and Assistance in whatsoever he should call them to 4. It is not unlikely but he might bring into their View the great Cloud of Witnesses encompassing of them round about The many good Examples and Presidents both under the Old and New Testament whom they were herein to follow And then Lastly We may be sure he put them in mind of the exceeding and incomparable Recompence of Reward which would be certainly theirs if by patient Continuance in well-doing they look'd and waited for it A Reward of Eternal Life and Happiness and Glory wherewith neither the good nor the evil things of this World which are but for a moment are worthy to be weighed Concluding to a like purpose as we find St. Paul his Brother and Companion in that Work doth to the Corinthians 1 Cor. 15. ult And I cannot conclude better than so Therefore my Beloved Brethren be ye stedfast unmoveable always abounding in the Work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your Labor is not in vain in the Lord. Lord of all Power and Might who art the Author and Giver of all good things graft in our Hearts the Love of thy Name Increase in us true Religion nourish us with all Goodness and of thy great Mercy keep us in the same through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Lord we beseech thee grant thy People Grace to withstand the Temptations of the World the Flesh and the Devil and with pure Hearts and Minds to follow thee the only God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God Forasmuch as without thee we are notable to please thee mercifully grant that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our Hearts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great Dangers that by reason of the Frailty of our Nature we cannot always stand upright grant to us such Strength and Protection as may support us in all Dangers and carry us through all Temptations through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen O God who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man's Understanding pour into our Hearts such Love towards thee that we loving thee above all things may obtain thy Promises which exceed all that we can desire through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen THE END A TABLE OF THE CHIEF CONTENTS OF the Scope and Sence of Hebr. 6.2 page 1. Our Church-Catechism most agreeable to the Apostolical p. 5. Of the Names whereby Confirmation is known and call'd viz. Imposition or laying on of Hands 7. Perfection 8. Chrism or Unction 9. Consigning or Sealing 10. Confirmation 11. Obligation 12. 2 Tim. 2.19 Well accommodated by Dr. Hammond to this matter ibid. Most of the precedent Names found in 2 Cor. 1.21 22. 14. Other Scripture Paterns and Grounds for it ib. Figur'd out and pointed to us in the visible Descent of the Holy Spirit 1. On our Blessed Saviour in the Form of a Dove St. Matthew 3. ib. 2. On the Apostles afterwards at Pentecost Acts 2. ibid. Recommended by Christ himself St. John 3.5 as Bishop Taylor with St. Cyprian expounded that Text 15. Vndoubtedly practiced by the Apostles St. Peter and John Confirming the Samaritans Baptized by Philip the Deacon Acts 8. St. Paul the Ephesians Acts 19. 16. These Instances so understood and appeal'd unto by St. Cyprian 17. St. Augustin 19. St. Hierom ibid. As will as by the Church of England 20. Some other Scripture Instances glanced at Acts 11.14 15. Chapters 21. This Apostolical Practice both a Light unto and farther Illustrated by Hebr. 6.2 expounded accordingly by the Ancient Fathers ib. The Additional Authority of the Council of Eliberis and Tertullian 22. The same allowed by the Generallity of Modern Expositors also ibid. Calvinists as Calvin 23 Beza 25. Piscator 26. Doctores Lugdun 27. Lutherans Chemnitius 28. Waldenses Confess Apolog. 30. Bohemian Brethren Comenius Ratio Disciplin c. 32 With some of Name among our selves Mr. Hanmer and Mr. Baxter 34. Dr. William Gouge ib. Assembl Annotations 35. Of the Ceremony of Imposition of Hands 37. Mr. Calvin 's Idle Question about it answered from his more calm and considering self 39. The Blessing of Ministers under the Gospel no less Authoritative and Prolifique than under the Law 41 Of the peculiar Minister of Confirmation the Bishop whence it is called Bishopping 42. So in the first Patterns and so confessedly in the Vsage of the Ancient Church ib. Mr. Bucer 's Reason for it ib. Their uncharitable Rashness condemn'd who impute it to the Bishop's Pride 44. What Supplemental Provision seemeth desirable upon some Necessities ibid. Of the Qualification of Persons to be confirmed viz. Baptism and Prae-instruction in the Church-Catechism at Years of Discretion 45. The Preface read to that purpose at Confirmation 46. The Question then also put by the Bishop and answered by all the Candidates 47. Aquinas and Contarenus of another mind but dislik'd by the later Romanists themselves 48. The Benefit of this Sacred Right depends much upon a competent Growth of Age and Vnderstanding ibid. No prejudice by deferring it till then by our Churches Declaration ibid. A serious Exhortation to all that come on this Errand 49. Of the great Importance and Vsefulness of this whole Transaction in five particulars 50. Melchiades his Epistle to the Bishops of Spain in Vindication of it 54. The same more largely from Eusebius Emissenus or Eucherius Lugdun Homilie on Pentecost 55. A Summary of the Graces and Blessings consequent out of Bishop Taylor 56. A Concluding Admonition to all persons concern'd not to disgrace so well grounded Principles by an unsuitable Practice enforced from Mr. Hooker 58. Dr. Jackson Dr. Hammond and Dr. Henchman 59. Contents of the Appendix T C's Objections against Confirmation 61. Mr. Hooker's Answer to the same 62. A Translation of some admirable Passages out of Dr. Hammond De Confirmatione 65. An useful Description of Confirmation from all the Premisses 68. Contents of the Sermon Annexed Of the First Plantation of the Church of Antioch 72. St. Barnabas sent thither from Jerusalem to Confirm ibid. How he was affected with Joy at the sight of their hopeful Beginnings 73. How he endeavor'd to encourage and hearten them to an answerable Perseverance ibid. Of coming and cleaving unto Christ in the Scripture Sence 76. Of that purpose of Heart wherewith it is to be done 82. Including a Personal Resolution of Soul ibid. Sincere Resolution of Soul 87. Deliberate Resolution of Soul 90. Free Resolution of Soul 95. Firm Resolution of Soul 98. Zealo us Resolution of soul. 100. Humble Resolution of Soul 101. General Motive and Exhortations to inforce this Exhortation 103. FINIS