Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	apostle_n	church_n	doctrine_n	4,033	5	6.2595	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56120	A sermon preached in the Parish-Church of Bridgewater, July 16, 1693, before the Right Reverend Father in God, Richard, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, at a confirmation by Fran. Prode ...	Prowde, Francis, 1653 or 4-1723.	1694 (1694)	Wing P3879; ESTC R6025	16,780	34

introduce an habit of thoughts in some degree resembling the blessed Spirits above would lay the Foundation of our present and eternal Bliss would oblige us to comply with all the means of Salvation which are assign'd us by our God But while we are not in earnest with God Almighty nor sincerely resolved in our choice of Happiness 't is no wonder we neglect or despise the methods which should advance us to Heaven 't is indeed no wonder we loath our Duties here and undo our selves for ever But having briefly reflected on those Objections I proceed to the Fourth and Last particular To propound some Considerations evincing the Reasonableness divine Excellency and necessity of this usage And here 1. Let us look back into the Primitive times of Christianity and view this Practice then prevailing when the true Christian Spirit and Temper was warm and vigorous when the holy Jesus had newly blessed the world with his Presence and his Miracles when in the Infant state of our Religion men did not quarrel with their Duty but being influenced by heavenly Demonstration conversed here as it becomes Christians and longed to be where their Lord was gone Now either we must condemn these happy times or we must own our selves obliged to pay an extraordinary deference to this Primitive Doctrine If this Consideration don't awaken our thoughts what can rouze us from our sinful slumber 'T is undeniable that these First professours of Christianity were really what they pretended professing a most holy Religion and living according to their Profession contemning this world and having their thoughts fired with a Desire and Expectation of a better Life so perfectly holy was their Faith that it demonstrated it self to come from Heaven and so agreeable was their Conversation to their belief that it proved their Example to be divine Should we not therefore be highly concerned to tread in their steps and to use the same heavenly methods which they have used and taught us if we don't how can we please our selves in their hopes and be partakers of their Happiness But 2. We may sadly consider That our forsaking or neglecting this holy Usage and Doctrine does not onely contradict Antiquity reflect upon the Apostles and the first and best Christians but lays the Foundation for the Degeneracy of our Age and the Ruine of Religion among us did we only consider the Doctrine of Confirmation as recommended by the First and best Ages of the Christian Church this must needs represent it as a Duty not to be neglected by us but of such fatal Tendency is the disuse of it that it demonstrates that disuse not only contrary to Apostolical and Primitive example but a contradiction lodged in the Nature of things against the heavenly design of Christianity For how evident is it that while Confirmation is neglected the Catechising of Children is neglected too When such a solemn and publick tryal of Youth as Confirmation is seems by disuse to be laid aside how unconcerned are Parents apt to be for their Children and Children for themselves How generally is that sacred Vow forgotten which Sureties made for Children at their Baptism and how little impression does the infant Vow make upon the Child while this holy Obligation is not solemnly professed and reassumed at Confirmation how apt are we to rank our baptismal Vow among the Dreams of our Infancy among the to-be-forgotten things of our unthinking Age and what must naturally follow this neglect but Ignorance Divisions and prophane Atheism for while in order to Confirmation Children are not instructed in the Principles of Religion they are exposed to all these dreadful misfortunes Either to fall into a sinful Lethargy for want of divine Instruction or instead of a rational substantial Piety to be hurried away with a religious Frenzy or lastly to lose the Happiness both of this and a far better world by the wild Inconsistencies of Atheism and Prophaneness Thus does the neglect of Confirmation and an agreeable preparation for it evidently occasion either a stupid Ignorance or a misapprehension or an open affronting of the great Creator and Governour of the world In short whoever seriously reflects on these dismal Consequences and has not lost all concern for Religion must needs deeply resent the strange indifferency which this Apostolical Institution has met with among us that it looks very ominous even like one of those presages of divine Displeasure before the Migremus hinc was heard in the last Temple of the Jews for indeed according to this melancholy parallel between the Jews and us 't is Presumption and not Faith to expect God to be with us if we despise or neglect his Ordinances But 3. And lastly We may very pertinently consider the many and extraordinary advantages of the genuine use of this Doctrine which because they have been so often and admirably expressed by great Men of our own Communion I shall therefore among the rest chuse to represent it you in the few tho' compleat words of the judicious Hooker By the means of Confirmation says he it comes to pass that Children in the expectation of it are season'd with Principles of true Religion before evil and corrupt examples deprave their Minds a good Foundation is laid betimes for direction of the Course of their Lives the seed of the Church of God is preserved sincere and found the Prelates and Fathers of God's Family to whom the care of their Souls belongs so by Tryal and Examination of them apart of their own heavy burden discharged reap comfort by beholding the first beginnings of true Godliness in tender years and neglect not so fit an opportunity of giving every one Fatherly encouragement and exhortation whereunto Imposition of Hands and Prayer being added our Warrant for the great good effect thereof is the same which Patriarchs Prophets Priests Apostles Fathers and Men of God in all ages have had for such their Benedictions Thus Mr. Hooker expresses himself in this case and that I may represent it more particularly 1. By the due use of Confirmation the diligent Catechising of Children would be happily promoted than which nothing would more truely advance the admirable design of our most holy Religion For 2. By this means Parents and Sureties would be awakned into a sense of their Duty even those Parents and Sureties whom the Principles of Piety don't influence would be obliged into a concern for their Duty lest their remissness should prove their shame lest those Children they were concerned to have instructed should by their Ignorance be unfit for Confirmation and consequently the imputation of that Ignorance belong to them Thus would the sense of present shame awaken those thoughts which are unconcerned at the prospect of eternal confusion for how little soever of this pious Concern we meet with in the world these Obligations and Vows will be strictly enquired after at the Day of Judgment the Parent and Surety must give a sad account of that Child which by

their negligence is eternally ruined how natural a Punishment is confusion and torment of thought to such a Crime as this What can more aggravate the Misery of the damned than to reflect they have brought others into their place of torment Nay how peculiarly close must this pain of thought stick to that Parent who is forced to animadvert he has for ever undone his own Off-spring 3. By the due use of Confirmation Children themselves would out of a pleasant pious Emulation happily enquire after Divine knowledge in order to their being Confirmed would endeavour to know Christianity betimes Thus might those little ambitious thoughts which generally shew themselves in these tender years be disposed to a Divine contrivance even to lay a Foundation for Vertue and to frustrate the Tendency of natural Corruption 4. By this means there would be made deep and listing Impressions concerning the Obligations of our most holy Faith For how can the Solemnity which attends Confirmation be easily forgot Tn the Presence of God the Bishop and a publick Assembly we declare our selves Christians own our baptismal Vow and promise we will ever sincerely endeavour to perform it Now how can we chuse but remember this through the whole Course of our Lives What a mighty influence must this day always have upon our thoughts what Encouragements to Vertue and what Arguments against Vice must we hence needs derive In the Primitive times of Christianity the Adult baptized had a white Garment delivered to them immediately after Baptism this Garment they wore for a week and then 't was deposited in the Church 'T was to signifie the Innocency which should belong to a Christian and to fix that Impression upon their thoughts Now the Office of Confirmation must needs answer this excellent Design can't fail of impressing lively and lasting ideas of our Duty must necessarily mind us of and oblige us to perform it 5. The Doctrine of Confirmation rightly attended to would prove an admirable means to ease the thoughts of those who are Sureties for Infants at their Baptism and to acquit them from their heavy Charge For so great is the Obligation which such persons take upon themselves that nothing but a strange Stupidity and the Apathy which is owing to an habit of sinning can render them insensible they solemnly in the name of the Child promise and vow to God that they will renounce the World the Flesh and the Devil This besides what their own Obligations to Christianity engage them to they are bound to perform and sincerely to endeavour that the Child be made sensible of this their Obligation which till they have performed and the Child at Confirmation has released them from their Vows by taking it upon it self they stand bound to God and upon the failure of their Promise are continually exposed to the Divine Displeasure How happy would it be for the Christian World were these things rightly considered How evidently would Piety prosper among us and how apparently would that only true Felicity of mankind Peace of Conscience make Men happy In short these our Vows to God are very solemn and of great moment and as Solomon tells us the infinitely holy God can't possibly take Pleasure in such Fools who take no care to perform them so that whoever neglects this Vow how insensible soever he may be of his Circumstances he can't enjoy any true quiet or peace of Conscience 6. By the right use of Confirmation the Anabaptists greatest Objection would be fully and naturally answered it would silence their great Clamour about Faith and Repentance For tho' the Practise of the Jews in reference to Circumcision and the undeniable Custom of baptizing Infants even from ultimate Antiquity in the Christian Church and the several plain Declarations of Scripture in this Case are sufficient evidence yet the Doctrine of Confirmation duely attended to may justly put an end to all their Quarrel Here the baptized Person with all the Solemnity imaginable in his own Person owns his baptismal Vow professes himself a Christian and declares he will ever by the Grace of God endeavour to live according to that most holy Faith In short by the Doctrine of Confirmation this Objection of the Anabaptists seems to have been anticipated and perhaps I may add that the due use of it in the early Times of Christianity was the reason we then heard of no such Party in the World But When through the Decay of Piety and the Corruption of the Church of Rome Confirmation began to be slighted and wrong applied then did an Opposition to Infant Baptism perhaps not unreasonably take its beginning 7. By the right use of Confirmation the Sacrament of the Lords Supper would be more duely frequented This great positive Command of the Holy Jesus which was designed by him to such admirable Purpose among his sincere Followers would by the Means of that Preparation of Thought which Confirmation requires and which by that Divine Assignment is communicated be highly valued and piously approached It would by this Means in a great Measure gain its pristine Honour and Intenseness of Devotion The want of which among us is very dismal to consider and seems sadly to foretel the Ruine of Religion But 8. Were the Doctrine of Confirmation duely attendedto the Unity of the Church of God would be more happily maintained Men would blush to leave the Communion of that Church upon a slight or no consideration which they so solemnly owned when they were confirmed They could not pick Quarrels out of a Lightness of Temper a Desire of Novelty in short such an Influence must the Administration of this Office have upon Men's Thoughts that nothing less than the being guilty of evident Sin which is the onely just Cause of Separation would divide them from that Communion which they once with such Solemnity chose to themselves Now how happy an Effect would this be how acceptable to God how pleasing among Men how like even to Heaven To conclude Were the Doctrine of Confirmation duly valued it would lay the Foundation for such a sincere Practice of Chiristianity as would promote both our publick and private Peace and Happiness would pat a stop to that malign Influence which Impiety and Prophaneness hive upon us And finally would bless the World as the Holy Jesus designed his admirable Religion should do All which God of his Infinite Mercy grant us for the alone Sake of the same Meritorious Jesus to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit three Persons and One God be all Honour and Glory Might Majesty and Dominion now and for ever Amen FINIS

Baptisms and Laying on of Hands and of Resurrection of the Dead and of Eternal Judgment Here we find the Doctrine of Confirmation placed among the clearest and most necessary Christian Truths such as are Essentials of our Religion Faith Repentance Baptism Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment And it must necessarily follow from this Text of Scripture That either the Doctrine of Confirmation is not here design'd by the Apostle which is contrary to the general Sence of Expositors Or else we must inferr That the Apostle rank'd these Christian Doctrines very unagreeably which is a too strangely severe Reflection upon the great Apostle Or else we must conclude That we are hence obliged to pay an extraordinary Deference to this Apostolical usage considering and esteeming it as one of the happy Advances toward Heaven which the Divine Wisdom has assign'd us Now according to these and other Texts of Scripture in the New Testament those that were baptiz'd in the Ancient Christian Church Adult Persons soon after Baptism Children when being taught and capable of understanding the Principles of Christian Religion were brought to the Bishop publickly to acknowledge and confirm their baptismal Vow and by Laying on of the Bishop's Hand join'd with devout Prayer for them were bless'd by him in order to their growing in Grace and the knowledge of Christ Epist 3. ad Jul. This in short is the usage which Cyprian declares was continued in the Church from the Apostles Time and Example who mentioning the Samaritans baptiz'd by Philip and afterwards Confirm'd by Peter and John as we read in my Text tells us that they who in the Church of Christ have receiv'd Baptism 't is still the Custom that they be offer'd And by our Prayers says he and the Laying on of our Hands receive the Holy Ghost Book I. against Marcion Contra Lucif The flesh says Tertullian by Imposition of Hands is shadowed that the Soul by the Spirit may be illuminated St. Jerom having declared that by the Imposition of Authorized Hands and Prayer the Holy Ghost was still convey'd to the Baptiz'd expostulates thus Dost thou ask me where it is written I answer in the Acts of the Holy Apostles But if there were not so plain Authority of Scripture for it the Practice of the whole Christian World in this particular might challenge the force of a Command St. Austin discoursing on this Subject expresses himself thus Rhemist 's Testa Acts 8. Is there any Man of so perverse an heart as to deny those Children on whom we Impose Hands in Confirmation to have receiv'd the Holy Ghost because they speak not with Tongues as was frequent and agreeable to the Times when the Gospel was first planted To these I might add the Suffrages of many more but this Account of the Doctrine of Confirmation from Antiquity is so apparent and has been so often and so learnedly perform'd that I own my self obliged to Apologize for pretending to it I shall therefore onely add these two Remarks 1. That 't is observable Cornel. Epist ad Fabium apud Euseb Opt. l. 2. cont Par. that the first opposers of this Doctrine were the Novatians and the Donatists 2. 'T is likewise observable that no one in the Primitive Church was admitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper without Confirmation And so great a Veneration had the then Christian World for that Sacrament that there was no publick Assembly for the Worship of God without a Communion And as this particular Christian Zeal began to decline Impiety and Wickedness gradually prevail'd But while I insist on this particular I shall briefly observe that this Christian usage has been recommended to our Practice by Protestants of the greatest Character even among all Parties Apol. part 4. de Baptis puer The Waldenses in their Apology to the Marquiss of Brandenburgh 1532. speaking of Children which have been baptiz'd thus express themselves When they are come to years of understanding Confess Waldens de Confir and can give a competent Account of their Faith and begin truly to love Christ we bring them to profess these things whatever their Parents or Godfathers or the Church have taught them that on their own accord they may make a free profession of all these things before the whole Church to their own Salvation in the Celebration of the Office of Imposition of Hands Which being performed they are Confirm'd by the Bishop Confess Waldens de Confir Chem Ex. Concil Triden de Confir And this they tell us was observ'd in the Times of the Apostles Thus likewise Chemnitius that extraordinary Person accounts for this Doctrine as 't was held by the Protestant Churches in general Nostri saepè ostenderunt c. Our Divines have often prov'd that the Rite of Confirmation being separated from Popish Superstitions might be very happily us'd even according to the Holy Scriptures that those who have been baptiz'd in their Infancy when they come to years of discretion should be carefully taught the Doctrine of the Church in some short and easie Catechism and when they are found in some competent measure to understand it that then they be brought to the Bishop and the Church and that the Child who in his Infancy was baptiz'd should 1. In short be put in mind of his Baptism what was then bestow'd upon him and what he likewise then promis'd to doe that he would renounce the Devil profess the Christian Faith and endeavour after all Holy Obedience 2. That the Child publickly before the Congregation own this Faith 3. That there be added a serious Exhortation out of God's Word That he will continue in that Covenant which he made in Baptism and that Faith and Doctrine which he then professed 4. That publick Prayer be made for those Children That God would govern preserve and confirm them in that Profession by his Holy Spirit At which Prayer without all Superstition may be used the Putting on of Hands Neither would such a Prayer says he be to no purpose for 't is warranted upon the Consideration of the Gift of perseverance and the Confirming Grace Such a Confirmation says he would afford great Advantage both to the younger Sort and the whole Church And then he goes on to prove how agreeable this would be to Scripture proving several particulars out of the Acts of the Apostles Chap. 8 14 19. and from several Canons made in several Councils much to the same purpose Melanct. Confess Ecclesiarum Sax. cap. de Confirm Hemin Syntag. cap. 22. Calv. Inst l. 4. c 19. Melancthon declares for this usage in the Churches of Saxony and Hemingius for those of Denmark thus likewise Mr. Calvin Hic mos olim fuit c. It hath been an Ancient Custom that Children being instructed in an easie and short Catechism should be brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him And in his Commentary on Hebrews 6. he has these words Transactâ Infantiâ c.