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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57271	Laying on of hands asserted: or, A plain discovery of the truth thereof under those several considerations, minded in the New Testament. 1. Upon persons for healing: with a brief discovery of that ordinance of Christ, (to wit) anointing with oile. 2. Upon persons to office. 3. Upon believers, baptized, as such: and that principle of Christs doctrine cleared, for their obedience: with objections answered to each particular. To which is annexed, a confutation of four chapters written by some person, or persons, in opposition to this principle of the doctrine of Christ, (to wit) laying on of hands upon believers baptized, as such; wherein the weakness of their reasons against the truth, is plainly discovered, and the truth further asserted, and vindicated. By VVilliam Rider, servant to the Church of Christ.	Rider, William, fl. 1656.	1656 (1656)	Wing R1444A; ESTC R217997	59,976	201

was fallen upon none of them From whence they perswade themselves and labour to perswade others that the Apostles did lay on hands by vertue of a particular gift or power which God had given them to give his Spirit Now for the removing of this stumbling-block I answer First If you consider what hath been spoken to the last Objection you may plainly see that the Apostles did not lay on hands by vertue of any particular gift but of their ministerial office Neither was it ever in their power to give the Spirit of God to any man as hath been plainly manifested 2. Whereas the Apostle saith for as yet he was falne upon none of them it discovers to us that it was an usuall thing in the Apostles dayes for the Spirit of God to be given and that in more then an ordinary manner and therefore well might Luke thus write this parenthesis in the discourse of this Ordinance for as yet he was fallen upon none of them 3. Again thirdly VVhereas Luke useth these words for as yet he was falne upon none of them it might very well be taken notice of For though Philip had wrought great works in the City of Samaria as in the 6. and 7. verses of this Chapter Acts 8. insomuch that God bore witness from Heaven to those things that Philip spake that there was great joy in that City and that Simon Magus who of long time with his Sorceries had bewitched the people believed and was Baptized yet there was no givings forth of the Spirit of God so immediately as at other times as for instance when Peter preached the VVord Acts 10. 44. even while he was speaking the Holy Spirit fell on them that heard it Object Some do say Why did not Philip lay hands upon the Samaritans as well as Baptize them and from hence they reason that though Philip was instrumental for their conversion yet Peter and Iohn must lay hands upon them and so by such reasonings as this laying on of hands must be laid aside Answ. First let us examine hath not this reasoning much of this nature in it to set up Peter Iohn and Paul that so indeed we may come to think of them above that which is meet as if they had power to do that they had not but for this some hath been already reproved 1 Cor. 1. 12. Now this I say saith the Apostle that every one of you say I am of Paul and I of Apollo c. and in the 3 Chapt. 5 vers. Who is Paul and who is Apollo but Ministers by whom ye believed Even as the Lord gave to every man Oh! that we could therefore cease from man whose breath is in his Nostrils and give glory to God looking up onely unto him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift 2. May there not be or is there not already too many who make as great a noyse to the crying down of Baptisme as this Objection doth of laying on of hands that in regard of Philip who did work Miracles and Ananias who had an immediate Commission to Baptize Paul as well as the Apostles for what they did O say many persons none but those that were immediately authorized and did work Miracles did Baptize therefore your Baptisme is not right because you work no Miracles and hence they conceive no Baptisme but the Baptisme of the Spirit which they think the Apostles gave unto those persons upon whom they laid on hands 3. The great thing in Answer unto this question is to shew why Philip did not lay hands on those persons whom he converted and Baptized and now if this Reason could truly be rendred something of satisfaction possibly unto many persons would appear But for my part though persons are never satisfied I dare not presume to know above what is written and therefore why he did not lay hands upon those persons he did Baptize I dare not positively determine But this I know and herein is my satisfaction that the work was done and I do believe the Apostles are as good an example and the thing is of as much weight if not more as if Philip had done it But Oh! what weak reasoning is here yet concurring with the rest to make voyd the truth I shall appeal to any mans conscience whether this be a sufficient ground to keep any soul from the doing of his duty because he cannot see why Philip did not lay on hands Surely you or I may suppose many things but which of us is able to determine which is truth amongst all therefore it is good for us to keep close unto this that it is Gods way that wherein the Apostles as Ministers of the Gospel did administer and that whereunto believers Baptized as such were obedient that it was taught unto them as milk for Babes and that it was a principle of Christs Doctrine a beginning-word of Christ unto believers and herein let us quiet our selves not seeking a reason for that the Lord doth not give us lest we are carried captive by our carnal imaginations and so split our selves against the truth c. Query But now some may say If we practise this Ordinance where is the ground for our faith seeing whatever is not of faith is sin Answ. First in all our Actions I do grant it is good for us to have a ground for what we do especially in the service of God in which service we are to walk by rule And here I wish that those who walk in mixt Communions would consider what VVord of God they have to bear them out in that practise whether ever Christ left such a rule to walk by But secondly I answer The ground of our faith in this Ordinance is the Word of the Lord which doth not only as you have heard discover unto us this Ordinance to be the mind of God unto believers a way wherein he requires their obedience but it likewise discovers the very end of this Ordinance to be the promise of God which promise God first made unto Abraham as the Apostle bears witness Gal. 3. 14. that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith VVhy we cannot believe without the Spirit yet through believing it is that we are made partakers thereof even of the promise which is the Spirit which promise God renewed and more plainly discovered by the Prophet Ioel Ioel 2. 28 29. which the Apostle takes notice of Acts 2. 16. this was likewise hinted forth by Iohn the Baptist Mark 1. 8. I indeed Baptize you with water but he shall Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and this our Saviour himself declared Iohn 7. 38 39. He that believeth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water this he spake of the Spirit which they that did believe should receive Now as hath been declared they could not believe without the Spirit yet through believing the promise of

and 19. 6. Where when they were Baptized they had hands laid upon them and in this very order it is laid down in Heb. 6. 1 2. 2. That this laying on of hands was upon believers Baptized as such is likewise plain from those places of Scripture and therefore this laying on of hands must be there meant the foundation-principle in Heb. 6. 2. And so in the next place I say with you that Baptisme and laying on of hands is necessary to a right and orderly Church-constitution but whereas you say Baptisme was to admit believers into the Church if you mean so as to joyn them members of the body then I do deny it for their addition to the Church followed after their Baptisme as I have fully proved in my book in Answer to an Objection following my second Reason given for the proof of this truth from Acts 2. 42. Lastly Whereas you say that this is the Judgement of most Modern and later VVriters upon this Text Heb. 6. 2. for which you instance Doctor Gouge Wilson Trap and Cartwright Answ. I fear you being so much learned in these mens Judgements makes you the less knowing in the Scriptures 2. Had you had sufficient Testimony for what you said from the Scripture as in your Reasons you pretend to have then what need you instance these mens Judgements unless you did think as I think you do not that what they spake were Oracles and therefore 3. Doth not this discover in some measure the weakness of your Reasons or arguments before minded for what in this Chapter you have affirmed Surely by this your arguments were not good that you must run to these mens Judgements and I wonder you having recorded this Testimony for your Judgement in your third Chapter you were not ashamed in your fourth Chapter to declare that our best argument for this practise is the Common Prayer book if the Judgments of men should end this controversie unless you do Judge these men you bring did not love the Common Prayer book or there were not amongst those that did love it men partakers of as much wisdome as these you instance Now what would you say if I should now instance that laying on of hands according to the sence I have minded was the Judgements of as good men according to the test although it was by them wrongly applyed as those you do bring will you say that this is therefore true I do think you would not otherwise you would not have instanced the Common Prayer book well though this may be done yet I must tell you that we have a more sure word of Prophesie and this is that I do desire to stand unto and to be tried by and not by mens Judgements and therefore now do refer what I have spoken to be tryed by the Scriptures and the Lord hasten a clear discovery of his truth in what I have now written and make you sensible wherein you have wrested the good Word of the Lord from the proper and true meaning thereof and so I shall proceed to your fourth and last Chapter Your 4. Chapter which doth contain according to your mistaken Judgement that the laying on of hands practised by some in these our dayes on all Baptized believers was never instituted commanded or practised by Christ or his Apostles in all the New Testament And herein say you doth lie the stress of this controversie which doth occasion this your writing to undeceive and reduce those who are under the vanity of this practise and to prevent others from owning of and submitting to such a Scriptureless thing as this is c. Answ. First I hope the Reader will well consider of what I have written in Answer to your book and in the discovery I have made according to the measure of faith I have received in this book of this truth of Christ before he do as you too confidently have already done pass Judgement upon this truth the Lord give you to see it and to repent lest God suffer you to go on in labouring to turn poor Souls aside from this truth or right way of the Lord and so to deceive and seduce those that are unstable to the belief of your lyes 2. I wish you may see the evil of your Language which this Chapter contains little else in it which you have vented forth against this truth and the maintainers thereof Oh! how little therein you have savoured of grace and how much the vanity of your minde is discovered in seeking to possesse the hearts of poor Souls with that which is not and therefore I may truly say in stead of what you speak of us that you speak evill of the things you know not and call that a foundation-principle which by your arguments you prove not Neither have you the least word or warrant for it in all the New Testament But now to make good your assertion which is the ground of your 4. Chapter you have framed this Syllogisme That which hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament is no Ordinance of Christ but will-worship and Superstition But this laying on of hands on all Baptized believers hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament therefore no Ordinance of Christ but will-worship and superstition To which I answer that practise which hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament I do grant is will-worship and Superstition But that laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such is without institution or command from Christ this I do deny the contrary being already made to appear both in my answer to your book and also before in what I have written in my Book and therefore it is not your saying of what we do aleage wherein you minde Scriptures we minde not in this particular case that will prove there is not Neither your sence and interpretations you put upon those Scriptures we do aleage I wish you would consider how you have wrested those Scriptures which have been minded for the proof of this truth to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such and so by your wiles if possible the truth of God out of our hands I wonder you Answer not the Arguments layd down by some for the proof of this to wit that we have a command for laying on of hands as for instance Doctor Chamberlain in his dispute with Mr. Kiffin in the 16. page of his book saith he For a command we have it in Mat. 28. 20. For whatsoever is a Doctrine of the Apostles is the Command of Christ But imposition of hands is a Doctrine of the Apostles The minor is granted by you in your first Assertion where you say you grant it is a Doctrine or principle but not to be practised and the Text doth also number it up amongst the Doctrines and principles The Major is the very words of the Text

the Spirit is made good unto poor souls And this promise of the Spirit the Apostle doth annex unto faith and Baptisme as the right and portion of every believing obedient soul Acts 2. 38. Repent and be Baptized for the Remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit From which Scriptures it is manifest that the promise of the Spirit is made unto believers Baptized as such and therefore the Apostle in the 39 vers. doth apply it unto believers Baptized as such as their right and portion For the promise is unto you and to your Children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Which promise of God in general was the ground of the Apostles assurance of faith in this particular that God would give his Spirit in this his own appointment to his people So that a better ground to Act upon in any way or service of God we cannot have then the Word and promise of God is Therefore in the next place for your incouragement in this Ordinance consider these few things obedience to God is First that which makes a soul capable of knowing the mind of God therefore saith our Saviour to the Jews If you will do his will you shall know of the Doctrine 2. Obedience unto Christ is that whereby believers do enter friendship with the Lord Jesus Christ even as by their profession they do enter battle or wage war with the greatest Enemy Even the Dragon spoken of in Rev. 12. 17. who is there said to make war with the Woman and the Remnant of her seed which keep the commands of God and have the Testimony of Iesus Why so I say they do enter by their obedience unto Christ the greatest friendship that possible can be in the World Iohn 15. 14. You are my friends saith Christ if you do whatsoever I command you 3. There is much incouragement to this duty from the end of this Ordinance The Spirit of God is that the soul stands in continual need of yea the usefulness of the Spirit of God is very much discovered First in that it is the Teacher of the Saints the first Epistle of Iohn 2. 27. But the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and you need not that any man teach you but as the anointing teacheth you Why it is the office of the Holy Spirit to be the Teacher of Gods people Iohn 14. 26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Secondly as he is their Teacher so he is their Comforter yea and their Remembrancer as in this 26 vers. So likewise he is their Guide and their Leader Gal. 5. 18. so he is their strength Ephes. 3. 16. yea by the Spirit they have boldness at the Throne of grace Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father So also it is their assistance at the Throne of grace Rom. 8. 26. saith the Apostle We know not what to pray for as we ought but the Spirit helpeth our infirmities Oh! how useful is the Spirit of God unto poor souls it 's a quickning Spirit and therein also it is very useful the people of God are apt to deadness and coldness in the things of God therefore saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Christ from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodyes by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Again it 's by the Spirit that we must mortifie corruption the deeds of the body as in the 13 vers. Many other particulars may be minded wherein the usefulness of the Spirit of God doth consist therefore let these considerations incourage us to wait upon God in this his way 4. We have incouragement to wait upon God in his way even in this Ordinance and that from the general promises in the Scripture Gal. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 20. Luke 11. 13. 5. A fifth ground of incouragement may be drawn from the Reasons why the Spirit of God is given forth unto poor souls and that first from the souls being in Covenant with the Lord for among the many precious promises of the new Covenant this you shall finde to be one Ezek. 36. 27. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and ye shall keep my Judgments and do them this Reason the Apostle also Renders Gal. 4. 6. Because you are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son c. Secondly from souls obedience the promise is made unto such Acts 2. 38. 5. 32. such as walk in obedience shall certainly be partakers of the Spirit of promise 6. Another ground of incouragement I shall mention may be taken from the Necessity of the Spirits being given with it's gifts and fruits amongst the people of God and that may be 1. Either first for the Glory of God 1 Cor. 12. 3. Iohn 4. 14. Rom. 12. 11. 2. For the general good of the people of God according to these Scriptures 1 Cor. 12. 7. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal and so he goes on discovering in the 8 9 10. vers. the several gifts and fruits of the Spirit from whence proceeds the usefulness of the members of the body of Christ one unto another the Spirit of God dividing to every man severally as he will as in the 11. vers. So that the Eye cannot say unto the hand I have no need of thee Neither the head to the feet I have no need of thee vers. 21. and the Reason is given vers. 25. that there should be no schisme or division in the body but that the members should have the same care one of another read also 14. Chapt. 12 vers. and Ephes. 4. 12. 3. For our particular good and help according to these Scriptures Iud. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 22. Gal. 5. 5. and the 16. Therefore now let these incourage you to make use of that means God hath appointed even this Ordinance wherein his people were made partakers of his Spirit Query But now some do Question What grounds we have that practise laying on of hands to separate from those who are Baptized for say they could you have Communion with us we could with you Answ. To which I answer and that first Considering the frames of your Spirits your denial of the truth calling it error and delusion a Doctrine from beneath an invention of the Devil that which is our own tradition a post we would set up by the posts of God that for which we have no better ground then the Common-prayer-book A new administration which never was either taught or commanded by Christ in all the new Testament

from hence I would Query by what rule of Christ it is that you could have Communion with us and the case being thus we can any longer Communicate with you For my part I must profess before the Lord and before the whole World that how to satisfie my conscience and maintain the truth of God in such Communion I know not if I could I should do it I know it 's that they reflect upon us that we want love to them as the ground why we cannot Communicate with them But the Lord he is Judge and he knows that it 's our love to the truth of Christ and the order he hath prescribed in his house that will not suffer us Especially as the case stands with them as is before minded And therefore if there be any love in them towards us let us be partakers of those weighty Reasons grounded upon the Word of truth which may convince us that it is our duty still to have Communion with them notwithstanding their opposition against this truth Object But by this some may say It seems that if they did not oppose the truth you could Communicate with them Answ. I answer No for we have no such custome neither the Churches of Christ Search the Scriptures and see if ever Christ left such a rule to walk by or that God allowed or approved of any such practise We are glad to hear where there is any so moderate as not to oppose it and it is not burden some to us to wait upon God in his way labouring their convincement and imbracing of the truth for it is that which is their duty as well as Baptisme and a part of the foundation of the house of God as well as repentance and faith and therefore to build with them without this principle in the foundation were to presume to do that we have no warrant for and to make a breach in that order God hath appointed and that in the very foundation of his service 2. I Answer that we have good ground to maintain separation from those though Baptized that deny this Ordinance of laying on of hands and that 1. Because we are Commanded to keep the Ordinances as they were delivered 2 Thes. 2. 15. Therefore Brethren standfast and hold the Traditions which you have been taught whether by Word or our Epistle and herein were the Corinthians praised by the Apostle which is also written for our Example 1 Cor. 11. 2. Now I praise you Brethren that you remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you From whence it is manifest that to keep the Ordinances as they were delivered is that which is praise-worthy to the Saints well pleasing unto God and the will and minde of God unto his people But to Communicate with those that do deny the laying on of hands will put us out of that capacity this our experience doth witness to us VVe might speak much unto this of the opposition we had when I was in such a condition 2. Because from those persons who do not hold the Ordinances as they were delivered we are commanded to withdraw 2 Thes. 3. 6. Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition you have received of us yea a good ground we have to observe this Command from their opposition in that they raile print speak and dispute against the truth calling it a Doctrine from beneath a counterfeit thing which gives us a good ground to observe the Apostles Exhortation 1 Tim. 6. 5. From such withdraw thyself and certainly as we are to withdraw from those who are evil in their Conversation so likewise from those who do declare against that which is part of the worship of God yea a foundation-principle of his service 3. Because laying on of hands is a foundation-Doctrine a principle upon which a right constituted Church of Christ is built Heb. 6. 1 2. A Doctrine which was not notionally as many say but practically imbraced by the first Churches as the Hebrews the Samaritans and the Ephesians which were exactly built according to the direction of Christ himself Now this is generally received that though there may be Communion with persons where differences are in circumstantials yet not where they are in fundamentals and for this reason those who are Baptized have refused Communion with the Independants because they erre in a fundamental point therefore they cannot build with them and is not this reason strong for us because laying on of hands is a foundation-Doctrine or principle as well as Repentance faith Baptismes and Resurrection and eternal Judgement therefore this being a foundation-principle we ought not to build with those who are destroyers thereof and therefore for this Reason we ought not to Communicate with them 4. Because they live in the Breach of and in opposition against a Command of God Even this beginning-word of Christ and so indeed to partake with them were to make our selves guilty of their sin Now that they are such that they do so live is plainly manifest by their writing printing preaching and disputing Thus opposing this Law oracle of God Heb. 5. 12. and as they do thus live in the Breach of a Command of God an oracle and a principle of Christ Doctrine so certain it is that we cannot have Communion with them without transgressing the Command of the Spirit of God where we are exhorted to withdraw from such 1 Tim. 6. 3 4 5. 5. Because where there is not an uniting in the principles of the foundation of the service of Christ there can be no safe or comfortable Communion for indeed Union is the ground of Communion Amos 3. 3. Can two walk together except they are agreed and saith our Saviour Wherein two of you shall agree on Earth as touching any thing that you shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 18. 19. from whence it is plain that where there is no Union no Agreement there can be no fellowship no walking together no asking the Father for any thing for consider how can we ask the Spirit of God to be given and that according to his promise with or among them who do oppose the means to wit laying on of hands it's abomination unto them and therefore how can we have Communion with them or they with us Surely if things were rightly considered our separating from them will be found upon as good ground if not better then their separating from the Independants so called for wherein do they differ but in Baptizing the practise of Baptisme they deny not though not rightly performed nor applyed But the practise of laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such is denyed by our opposers Object But now some may say Though I am satisfied that laying on of hands is an Ordinance of Christ yet they

me in them and this I must tell you that it is a rotten-principle and that which God will never approve of for any one to yeild obedience to him meerly because they shall receive such or such a gift from him And I wish this may not be an evil of many Professours in this our day not only those who have been in our practise but in yours also who have upon such grounds submitted propounding such or such benefits to themselves then missing of their ends they have been offended and so have rejected the Word of the Lord and the good wayes of God Alas we may say when we have done all we are unprofitable Servants and having done the whole will of God we have need of patience We do confess we are weak and possible may come under that reproof the Apostle gives the Hebrew Church who were under this principle of Christs Doctrine as well as we that for the time we might have been Teachers yet we have need to be taught again but this is our Comfort that God doth in any measure accept of us and though we have but a little strength yet it 's our duty to hold fast the Word of the Lord and in so doing we are confident he will approve of us Rev. 3. 8 9 10. But this we know that the people of God though never so much indued with his wisdome were still fools in the wise Worlds account as possible we may be in your eyes and though we are so accounted by you yet learn to know that God makes use of foolish instruments And therefore farther to this I may say that what God bestows upon us in this or any of his wayes It is our duty to be thankful to him for and if we can learn this lesson to make a right use of what we have received we may be confident of receiving more from God Likewise to call this a principle to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such is not to grant as you say that one of the foundation-stones is now lost but is indeed again restored and that to it's right use which hath been for a long season in a wrong manner applyed and now by you wholly rejected Your second Reason is that this laying on of hands cannot be the principle because this laying on of hands is there called a Doctrine but that laying on of hands to give the Holy Spirit was never once taught in all the New Testament no not by them that practised it I answer first taking notice that the opposers of this truth of Christ agree not for Mr Harrison in his Touch-stone as he calls it of this truth affirms the laying on of hands in Heb. 6. 2. to be meant upon persons for healing which is the laying on of hands spoken of and promised in Mark 16. 18. vers. and Mr Kiffin he affirmed in his dispute with Doctor Chamberlain that laying on of hands in Acts 8. and Acts 19. 6. is not a Doctrine practicable to all Saints but was dispensed for the confirmation of the Gospel and this is Mr Per●yes Judgement as you may see in the 19 page of his book and so they understand Heb. 6. 2. vers. to hold forth so that the one holds forth laying on of hands for healing to be the foundation-principle Heb. 6. 2. and the other two to be for the Confirmation of the Gospel and so a foundation-principle as minded to the Hebrews But now as Mr. Harrison and Mr. Kiffin differ each from other so do these differ likewise from them for say they laying on of hands here in Heb. 6. 2. was upon persons to office All which as you have heard and may plainly see comparing Spiritual things together are untrue but more of this in the next Chapter 2. You say this laying on of hands to wit upon believers as such cannot be the principle and that because the laying on of hands in Heb. 6. 1 2. is there called a Doctrine which laying on of hands you minde was upon persons to office Answ. I do grant that laying on of hands upon persons to office is the Doctrine or Teaching of Christ his will and minde unto his people wherein they ought as they have occasion to be exercised that for the good of the body of Christ But I do deny it according to the answers already given in my book and yet shall minde unto this in the 3 Chapt. that laying on of hands upon persons to office was ever laid down a foundation-principle Neither is it your Reasons in your 3 Chapt. that will make it so to appear and therefore cannot be that meant Heb. 6. 2. 3. You say the laying on of hands upon believers as such for the receiving of the Spirit was never once taught in all the New Testament no not by them that practised it Answ. First that the Apostles did teach this unto believers as such see the second Reason or ground in my book laid down for the proof of this truth of Christ which you may take notice of for the Confutation of this Assertion 2. I answer further that this were very strange that the Apostles should administer in this way unto believers whereunto believers as such were obedient as I have sufficiently proved and yet this way or practise by the Apostles was never taught them they not once say you taught or instructed thereunto what may we gather from this Teaching of yours why surely this that there were some wayes wherein the Apostles did administer and whereunto believers as such were obedient wherein they knew their duty and the Apostles meanings without their Teaching O! that you might see your weakness in this your striving against truth 3. That the Apostles did administer unto believers in this way and that this practise of theirs believers were obedient to I think you dare not deny Now this being that as hath been plainly manifested to be the teaching not onely of the Apoles but of Christ himself from whom they received their authority for what they did then this being so for you to affirm the Apostles never taught this unto believers Now what is this but to put a lie upon the Spirit of God and lay a stumbling block in the wayes of his people 4. Let 's minde further was this Ordinance performed without prayer Acts 8. 15. they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit Now were these believers at Samaria in the Expectation and practise of that the Apostles never taught them Surely you have cause to be humbled for this your wresting of and deceitful dealing with the Word of the Lord Again herein you may see what confusion God leaves you to who are opposers of this truth for Mr. Kiffin he affirms in his dispute with Doctor Chamberlain that though it were a principle and Doctrine of Christ to wit laying on of hands upon believers yet ought not to be practised but you deny it to be either principle or Doctrine Surely

God hath set some in the Church first Apostles c. so Christ did ascend and gave gifts unto men and that some to be Apostles as well as other offices in the Church Ephes. 4. 8. compared with the 11. vers. Object But now some may say Christ did chuse Apostles he chose Twelve which he called Apostles therefore they ceasing the office ceased Answer To which I Answer that this was before Christ ascended but after he ascended he gave some Apostles that is to that work to lay the foundation Ephes. 4. 11 vers. and so Paul and Barnabas were Apostles Acts 14. 4. and 14. vers. and others also spoken of in the 2 Cor. 8. 23. vers. 1 Cor. 14. 1. compared with 6. and 9. vers. He that doth authoritatively as the first Apostles or by vertue of the authority of the Church of Christ lay the foundation of the service of God he is properly an Apostle he doth the work of an Apostle for other foundation no man can lay that is to be approved of by the Lord yet other men may lay the same even preach the same Doctrine of Christ which he did c. Thirdly Of laying on of hands upon Baptized believers as such to the end they might receive the Spirit THat laying on of hands upon Baptized believers as such is one part of their obedience to the Lord which he requires of them an Ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ I shall thus prove unto you First because it is a saying of our Lord Jesus Christ that which he taught and that for believers obedience as well as repentance faith and Baptisme see Heb. 6. 1 2. Many persons do say If we could but see where ever Christ taught it Surely we should not gainsay it O that now they would consider for their conviction this Scripture Heb. 6. 1. vers. where the Apostle calls it the Doctrine or Teaching of Christ and a more sufficient witness that Christ taught it we cannot have then the Apostle is The Doctrine of Christ that which he taught as he did repentance faith resurrection and eternal judgment Now consider Doctrine doth imply teaching and teaching doth infer practise that so believers might learn for teaching and learning are relations as a Father and Child the one infers the other Now to inforce this reason for our obedience we may consider these three things First what the Apostle saith in Acts 3. 22. vers. where we are injoyned to a hearing of Christ in all things and that also from the danger that will follow our neglect as in the 23 verse 2. In that it is placed amongst those foundation-principles Hebr. 6. 1 2. and that in the midst of them as if the Spirit of the Lord did foresee the opposition that would be made against this truth 3. Because it is one of Christs first teachings and therefore those words in Heb. 6. 1. may be rendered the beginning-word of Christ the A.B.C. of a Christian one of those first lessons that believers then did learn and now should learn which is this to wait upon God in this way of his for the Spirit of promise which is their right whereby they might be inabled as they do desire to do him service Object But now unto this some object and say that all things that Christ did and said we are not to be followers of him in as to raise the dead to command the winde to cease and the like Answer To which I answer though this may be true yet what is this to the purpose Because we are not to say in all things as he did therefore we must say in nothing as he did neither as he taught us this is error with a witness We grant that in all things we are not to do and say as Christ did But yet in all things that does relate to the worship and service of God as repentance faith and Baptism or our duty in our conversation we are to do as he hath said for unto this God himself commands us see Luke 9. 35. Acts 3. 22. Him shall ye hear in all things c. Object Further to make voyd this reason some object and say that Christ taught the resurrection of the dead and eternal Judgment as well as laying on of hands but that is only to be believed the resurrection and Judgment we know we cannot practise Answ. To which I answer first This is that we ought as believers to do if possible we can to attain to the resurrection of the dead Phil. 3. 11. 2. That Christ taught it we grant and that it is for our obedience we do also affirm and that is so far as he requires it 3. I do hope you do also know that so far as Christ hath taught us we ought to be obedient to him that which he taught which was Notional we ought to believe that which he taught which was practical we ought to obey Now consider laying on of hands is a practical Doctrine as is manifest by the Apostles actings and the Saints obedience Acts 8. 17. Acts 19. 6. Now let the opposers of this truth of Christ shew where ever laying on of hands was taught by Christ as the resurrection and eternal Judgment only to be believed and then they will say and do somthing to their purpose Object But say some In Heb. 6. 1. the Apostle calls it a Doctrine but not a practise and so by this would make voyd this way of God Answ. This objection was answered by Doctor Chamberlain in his dispute with Captain Kiffin as you may see in the 10th page of his book where saith Doctor Chamberlain Because the Apostle calls it a Doctrine therefore so far from being not practised that it ought the rather to be practised for without practising no learning Again saith he you wrest this Scripture whereas the express purpose of the Holy Spirit is To teach Doctrines that so believers might do what is taught For the proof of which he cites Mat. 28. 20. Mat. 7. 21 24. Ioh. 13. 17. and 15. 14. Iam. 22. 23 24 25. Phil. 4. 9. and many other places yet saith he you wrest it to the direct contrary and you say therefore it is called a Doctrine that it might not be practised for indeed so much such an objection doth import But Mr Perry in his book of Animadversions in answer to Doctor Chamberlain pag. 14. as he doth therein conceive that which is true so he doth suppose that where in he is mistaken and that is to think and so to write that Doctor Chamberlain minded Mr Kiffens wresting of the Scriptures above mentioned whereas indeed we may plainly see in his book and in this I have written of his words that he minded him of wresting Heb. 6. 1. which was the ground of this objection and therefore we may take notice that the Scriptures above mentioned do sufficient prove what Doctor Chamberlain brought them for which was this that Heb. 6. 1. was wrested by Mr Kiffin from

the proper true meaning of the Spirit of God therein Mr Perries words you may see are these saith Mr Perry I conceive that every Doctrine of Christ that he hath commanded to be taught by his Apostles and his Disciples were commanded to observe and practise ought to be practised but if this appear not in this particular thing in any of those Scriptures wherein hath Mr Kiffin wrested them I know not but saith he in the contrary I suppose he doth own them in what the Spirit of God means in them according to what light he hath received To the later part of these words I answer thus much Who knows not what Mr Perry saith of Mr Kiffin to be true and so indeed of all men unless they walk contrary to their light But from the former part of his discourse we may observe two things 1. His mistake as you have already heard c. 2. His granting what we contend for viz. that every Doctrine of Christ which he commands to be taught by his Apostles and his Disciples were commanded to observe and practise ought to be practised this is that we do affirm and therefore do contend for this truth or Doctrine of Christ with him and others that do oppose it For did Christ teach it as you have heard and did the Apostles teach it as you shall hear in the next reason for the proof of this truth and did Baptized believers as such observe and practise it as Acts 8. 17. Acts 19. 6. and shall not believers now practise it Shall not they tread in the footsteps of the flocks of Christ be followers of those who first trusted in him Shall the cunning working of Satan prevail alwayes as he hath done for a long time to the perverting and destroying of the truths of Christ and as he doth to this day to the denying of them I say shall he alwayes prevail God forbid O let God be true but every man a lyer for what was written afore-time was written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. O therefore let not truth be destroyed his Doctrine was sealed with his blood even the death of Christ and shall we alter or deny his will God forbid shall not we hope to find acceptance with God in his appointment Surely the contrary will discover us to be such that little regard his Laws whose precepts are not our delight 2. Reason As Christ taught it so the Apostles taught it read Heb. 5. 12. compared with Chapter 6. 1 2. in the first Chapter 12 vers. saith the Apostle Whereas for the time you ought to be Teachers you have need to be taught again which are the first principles of the oracles of God c. where by these words you have need to be taught again is plainly implyed they were once taught this principle and that this the Apostles did teach them is also manifest in that they laid the foundation of this Church of the Hebrews who were those Jews spoken of in Acts 2. 42. who are there said to continue in the Apostles Doctrine and as they taught it so it was a way of God wherein they did administer unto his people and unto which they were obedient see Acts 8. and Acts 19. Object But now some will say In Acts 2. is not mentioned laying on of hands therefore believers there were not under it Answ. Two which I answer as laying on of hands is not in so many words there laid down no more there is not the resurrection from the dead and eternal Judgement in so many words expressed doth that therefore prove they were not taught them Surely the Apostles would not have baptized them but upon that profession that their bodies should be raised as well as Christ dyed for them Again to say that the Apostles did not there preach laying on of hands in Acts 2. proves no more or is to no more purpose then to say that Philip did not preach Baptisme to the Eunuch when we read of not one word he spake of it although he Baptized him as you may see Acts 8. 35. But now that the Jews who did believe were taught laying on of hands resurrection and eternal Judgment is plainly manifest from Heb. 5. 12. compared with Heb. 6. 1 2. where as you have heard he minds them of it as one of those first lessons they had learned and as a principle of the foundation or beginning-word of Christ committed to them 2. Consider what is written they to wit those that were Baptized and added to the Church who gladly received the word continued in the Apostles Doctrine see Acts 2. 42. Now this they could not do if they had not been taught laying on of hands which was a principle thereof part of what Christ and his Apostles taught them as you have already heard or may see in the Reasons given unless we deny their wayes to be the same in every Church 1 Cor. 4. 17. Again consider how can it be thought with honour to God and his truth that a man can be said to continue in the Doctrine of the Apostles or word of Christ when they were not in the practise of it for say the Objectors There is no mention made of laying on of hands no more say I there is not of the resurrection and eternal Judgment and yet both preached and received by them 3. Consider they are here said to be added to the Church as well as they received the word and were Baptized Object But now some may and do say By this you make laying on of hands to be an Ordinance whereby those that did believe and were Baptized were added to the Church Answ. To which I answer Yes and that because laying on of hands was next administred after Baptisme and that in order to the placing of the Soul in the house of God it being part of its foundation the beginning-Word of Christ and in this order was both preached and practised by the Apostles This likewise we may consider that the end of this Ordinance is promised and applyed to those that are Baptized see Acts 2. 38. where saith the Apostle And you shall receive the gift of Holy Spirit for the promise is to you yea saith he to as many as the Lord our God shall call that is the promised Spirit should be given according to the will of God and in the 41 vers. it is said They that gladly received the Word were Baptized and the same day were added unto them three thousand Souls where we may take notice of this order 1. They gladly received the Word 2. Were Baptized 3. Were added to the Church From whence we may learn thus much that by Baptisme they were not added because their addition to the Church followed after their Baptisme for as their gladsome receiving of the Word went before their Baptisme so did their Baptisme before their addition which addition was something else besides