Cheirothesia, or, A confirmation of the apostolicall confirmation of children setting forth the divine ground, end, and use of that too much neglected institvtion, and now published as an excellent expedient to truth and peace / by Jos. Hall ...
         Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
      
       
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         ESTC R40542
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         ocm 19350108
         108764
         
           
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             Cheirothesia, or, A confirmation of the apostolicall confirmation of children setting forth the divine ground, end, and use of that too much neglected institvtion, and now published as an excellent expedient to truth and peace / by Jos. Hall ...
             Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
          
           [12], 84 p.
           
             Printed for John Place ...,
             London :
             1651.
          
           
             First word of title in Greek characters.
             Running title: Imposition of hands.
             Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Imposition of hands.
           Confirmation -- Church of England.
        
      
    
       A45174  R40542  (Wing H372A).  civilwar no Cheirothesia, or, A confirmation of the apostolicall confirmation of children setting forth the divine ground, end, and use of that too much Hall, Joseph 1651    13042 15 10 0 0 0 0 19 C  The  rate of 19 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           ΧΕΙΡΟΘΕΣΙΑ
           :
           
             OR
             ,
          
           A
           CONFIRMATION
           OF
           THE
           
             Apostolicall
             Confirmation
          
           OF
           CHILDREN
           :
           Setting
           forth
           The
           Divine
           Ground
           ,
           End
           ,
           and
           Use
           of
           that
           too
           much
           neglected
           INSTITVTION
           .
           And
           now
           published
           as
           an
           excellent
           expedient
           to
           Truth
           and
           Peace
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOS.
             HALL
             ,
          
           D.
           D.
           B.
           
             Norwich
             .
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             John
             Place
             ,
          
           at
           Furnivals
           Inn-Gate
           in
           
             Holborn
             ,
          
           1651.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           all
           Gods
           Faithfull
           People
           every where
           ,
           Grace
           and
           Peace
           .
        
         
           NOt
           out
           of
           any
           light
           affectatiō
           ,
           or
           out
           of
           a
           Crosse
           humour
           of
           vainly
           striving
           against
           the
           streame
           ,
           (
           my
           witnesse
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           )
           but
           out
           of
           a
           care
           to
           approve
           my
           faithfulness
           
           to
           Gods
           Church
           ,
           have
           I
           undertaken
           this
           subject
           .
           Mine
           eyes
           tell
           me
           too
           plainly
           ,
           that
           an
           Apostolicall
           Institution
           is
           palpably
           neglected
           ;
           and
           my
           heart
           tels
           me
           ,
           both
           how
           infinitely
           advantageous
           ,
           and
           beneficiall
           ,
           the
           practise
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           duly
           revived
           ,
           might
           be
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ;
           and
           how
           extream
           losers
           ,
           Gods
           People
           are
           by
           the
           
           want
           of
           it
           .
           I
           durst
           not
           therefore
           but
           impart
           these
           thoughts
           to
           the
           world
           before
           I
           leave
           it
           ;
           humbly
           recommending
           thē
           to
           the
           serious
           consideration
           of
           all
           wel-affected
           Christians
           ;
           who
           shall
           soon
           find
           ,
           upon
           these
           poor
           suggestions
           ,
           how
           happy
           it
           were
           ,
           if
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           we
           could
           walke
           with
           an
           even
           foot
           in
           the
           mid-way
           betwixt
           Romish
           Superstition
           ,
           and
           profane
           
           neglect
           .
           The
           God
           of
           Heaven
           make
           us
           wise
           to
           Salvation
           ;
           and
           guide
           our
           feet
           into
           the
           way
           of
           Peace
           .
        
         
           Amen
           .
        
      
       
       
         
           THE
           CONTENTS
           of
           the
           severall
           Sections
           .
        
         
           
             §
             .
             1.
             
             NO
             notice
             taken
             of
             the
             Jmposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             yet
             how
             important
             it
             is
             ,
             and
             ought
             to
             be
             esteemed
             ,
             Pag.
             1.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             2.
             
             What
             kind
             of
             Jmposition
             of
             hands
             is
             meant
             ,
             
               Heb.
               6.
               2.
            
             namely
             that
             of
             Confirmation
             ,
             p.
             3.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             3.
             
             Wrongs
             done
             to
             
             this
             Jnstitution
             of
             Confirmation
             ;
             And
             first
             ,
             in
             the
             Excesse
             ;
             in
             making
             it
             a
             Sacrament
             .
             p.
             6.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             4.
             
             A
             second
             wrong
             in
             excesse
             ;
             preferring
             it
             before
             the
             Sacrament
             of
             Baptisme
             .
             p.
             12.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             5.
             
             Wrong
             done
             to
             it
             in
             the
             Defect
             .
             By
             the
             utter
             neglect
             and
             mis-construction
             of
             it
             ,
             p.
             18.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             5.
             
             Confirmation
             by
             Jmposition
             of
             hands
             not
             dying
             with
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             
             and
             continuing
             in
             the
             Church
             after
             the
             miraculous
             gifts
             .
             p.
             21.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             7.
             
             The
             Deduction
             of
             the
             use
             of
             Confirmation
             through
             the
             Primitive
             times
             succeeding
             the
             Apostles
             .
             p.
             27.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             8.
             
             Jmposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             not
             a
             dumb
             Ceremony
             ;
             but
             joyned
             with
             Prayer
             .
             p.
             34.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             9.
             
             The
             order
             of
             Confirmation
             as
             it
             is
             injoyned
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               .
            
             p.
             41.
             
          
           
           
             §
             .
             10.
             
             The
             Considerations
             whereupon
             the
             Church
             ordered
             Confirmation
             to
             be
             given
             to
             those
             that
             are
             of
             years
             of
             Discretion
             .
             p.
             46.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             11.
             
             The
             judgment
             of
             Forraign
             Divines
             ,
             and
             Churches
             concerning
             Confirmation
             .
             p.
             50.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             12.
             
             Motives
             to
             the
             practise
             of
             Confirmation
             .
             First
             from
             conformity
             with
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             .
             p.
             65.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             13.
             
             The
             second
             motive
             
             from
             the
             great
             benefit
             ,
             and
             advantage
             that
             arises
             therefrom
             .
             p.
             69.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             14.
             
             The
             third
             motive
             from
             the
             great
             inconveniences
             that
             grow
             from
             the
             neglect
             and
             dis-use
             of
             it
             .
             p.
             73.
             
          
           
             §
             .
             15.
             
             The
             Objection
             of
             the
             disorder
             and
             inefficacy
             of
             our
             late
             practise
             of
             Confirmation
             answered
             .
             p.
             78.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           Imposition
           of
           Hands
           .
        
         
           
             Sect.
             1.
             
          
           
             IT
             is
             no
             small
             wonder
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             amongst
             all
             those
             great
             wits
             of
             the
             later
             times
             ,
             that
             have
             so
             curiously
             pried
             into
             all
             the
             corners
             of
             Apostolicall
             Institutions
             and
             practises
             ,
             I
             could
             meet
             with
             no
             one
             ,
             that
             hath
             so
             much
             as
             taken
             notice
             of
             this
             ,
             of
             the
             Imposition
             of
             Hands
             ;
             which
             yet
             ,
             all
             the
             while
             ,
             lay
             so
             broad
             open
             before
             them
             ,
             as
             that
             the
             Doctrine
             thereof
             is
             by
             the
             Apostle
             reckoned
             amongst
             the
             first
             Principles
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             :
             Is
             it
             for
             that
             men
             are
             unwilling
             to
             know
             some
             
             Truths
             ,
             whose
             unpleasing
             consequences
             they
             would
             be
             loath
             to
             own
             ?
             Or
             ,
             is
             it
             that
             they
             are
             carried
             away
             with
             so
             high
             a
             prejudice
             against
             this
             practice
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             extreme
             abuse
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             are
             afraid
             to
             entertain
             any
             thoughts
             concerning
             it
             ?
             However
             it
             be
             ,
             certainly
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             hath
             not
             
             doubted
             to
             place
             this
             amidst
             the
             rank
             of
             the
             clearest
             and
             most
             concerning
             verities
             ;
             and
             amongst
             such
             ,
             as
             are
             essentially
             fundamentall
             to
             our
             Christian
             Profession
             ;
             joyning
             it
             together
             with
             those
             main
             Principles
             of
             Faith
             ,
             Repentance
             ,
             Baptisme
             ,
             Resurrection
             and
             Judgment
             :
             What
             shall
             we
             say
             then
             ?
             Dare
             any
             Christian
             presume
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             the
             great
             and
             wise
             Master-builder
             of
             the
             
             Church
             ,
             mistook
             the
             foundation
             whereon
             he
             built
             ?
             Or
             ,
             dare
             
             any
             presumptuous
             soul
             single
             this
             one
             Article
             from
             the
             rest
             ,
             as
             meerly
             temporary
             ,
             when
             all
             the
             rest
             are
             granted
             to
             be
             of
             eternall
             use
             ?
             Can
             there
             be
             any
             time
             wherein
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Repentance
             from
             dead
             works
             ,
             shall
             not
             be
             necessary
             ,
             both
             for
             knowledge
             and
             practice
             ?
             Can
             it
             be
             ,
             that
             Baptisme
             should
             be
             ever
             out
             of
             date
             ?
             Can
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             last
             Judgment
             ,
             be
             ever
             unseasonable
             ,
             and
             super
             annated
             ?
             How
             ,
             or
             why
             then
             should
             that
             of
             Imposition
             of
             Hands
             ,
             which
             is
             indivisibly
             marshalled
             with
             all
             these
             ,
             by
             the
             blessed
             Apostle
             ,
             be
             shuffled
             out
             from
             the
             rest
             ,
             as
             arbitrary
             ,
             and
             altogether
             unnecessary
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             2.
             
          
           
             Taking
             it
             then
             for
             granted
             ,
             that
             the
             Apostle
             accounts
             the
             Doctrine
             &
             practice
             of
             the
             Imposition
             
             of
             Hands
             ,
             to
             be
             both
             of
             excellent
             use
             ,
             and
             ,
             as
             then
             ,
             of
             great
             importance
             and
             necessity
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             :
             Let
             us
             inquire
             ,
             in
             the
             next
             place
             ,
             what
             is
             meant
             by
             this
             so
             requisite
             Imposition
             ,
             and
             of
             what
             kind
             it
             is
             .
             Besides
             that
             extraordinary
             act
             of
             laying
             on
             the
             hand
             for
             curing
             of
             diseases
             and
             infirmities
             ,
             practised
             by
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             and
             his
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             for
             conveying
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             in
             a
             miraculous
             way
             ;
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             there
             were
             three
             occasions
             and
             usages
             of
             Imposition
             of
             Hands
             ;
             in
             cases
             of
             ,
             I.
             Confirmation
             ,
             2
             of
             Ordination
             ,
             3.
             of
             Absolution
             &
             re-admission
             of
             Penitents
             .
             That
             the
             first
             of
             these
             is
             here
             intended
             ,
             not
             only
             all
             Antiquity
             ,
             but
             all
             late
             Interpreters
             (
             except
             some
             few
             Straglers
             )
             do
             unanimously
             agree
             :
             neither
             indeed
             
             can
             it
             ,
             with
             any
             probability
             ,
             be
             taken
             of
             either
             of
             the
             other
             ;
             Not
             of
             Ordination
             :
             What
             should
             Novices
             have
             to
             do
             with
             that
             businesse
             now
             in
             the
             Primer
             of
             their
             Christianity
             ?
             Their
             Teachers
             were
             only
             concerned
             herein
             ,
             not
             the
             Puisnes
             in
             that
             School
             of
             Christ
             :
             Not
             of
             re-admission
             of
             Penitents
             ,
             the
             ceremony
             whereof
             (
             for
             ought
             we
             can
             find
             )
             began
             not
             till
             after
             the
             Apostles
             :
             Doubtlesse
             therefore
             of
             Confirmation
             ;
             for
             which
             cause
             also
             (
             as
             
               Calvin
            
             
             well
             noteth
             )
             it
             is
             paired
             together
             with
             Baptisme
             ,
             as
             an
             ordinary
             subsequent
             thereof
             :
             So
             as
             this
             practice
             thus
             hinted
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             and
             made
             good
             (
             as
             we
             shall
             hereafter
             shew
             )
             by
             the
             constant
             Tradition
             of
             all
             following
             times
             ,
             is
             plainly
             derived
             ,
             even
             by
             Mr.
             
             
               Calvins
            
             own
             confession
             ,
             from
             no
             lesse
             then
             
             Apostolicall
             Institution
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             3.
             
          
           
             It
             hath
             been
             the
             lot
             of
             this
             sacred
             Rite
             to
             fall
             into
             ill
             hands
             ,
             &
             to
             be
             foully
             wronged
             by
             a
             double
             extreme
             ;
             the
             one
             ,
             of
             Excesse
             ;
             the
             other
             ,
             of
             Defect
             .
          
           
             The
             Excesse
             ,
             in
             a
             superstitious
             over-doing
             ,
             and
             over-valuing
             it
             ;
             the
             Defect
             ,
             in
             a
             neglective
             dis-estimation
             ;
             both
             which
             must
             be
             clearly
             evicted
             and
             quit
             ,
             ere
             we
             can
             present
             this
             holy
             Ordinance
             to
             the
             beholder
             ,
             in
             its
             native
             beauty
             and
             perfection
             :
             First
             then
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             injurious
             Excesse
             of
             respect
             that
             is
             given
             to
             Confirmation
             ,
             by
             them
             ,
             who
             have
             advanced
             it
             into
             the
             rank
             of
             Sacraments
             ,
             forcing
             upon
             it
             that
             honour
             which
             it
             never
             originally
             affected
             ,
             and
             which
             it
             utterly
             (
             with
             due
             modestie
             )
             refuseth
             to
             undergoe
             .
          
           
           
             To
             make
             up
             a
             Christian
             Sacrament
             ,
             
             Cardinall
             
               Bellarmine
            
             himself
             sticks
             not
             to
             professe
             three
             things
             to
             be
             necessarily
             required
             :
             First
             ,
             a
             promise
             of
             Grace
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             a
             sensible
             sign
             ,
             together
             with
             a
             word
             ,
             whereby
             that
             promise
             is
             applyed
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             a
             command
             from
             God
             ,
             enjoyning
             the
             ministration
             of
             it
             :
             Now
             after
             all
             his
             confident
             undertaking
             ,
             where
             are
             all
             ,
             where
             are
             any
             of
             these
             to
             be
             found
             in
             this
             businesse
             of
             Confirmation
             ?
          
           
             For
             the
             promise
             ,
             he
             tels
             us
             of
             the
             Comforter
             ,
             whom
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             pre-ingaged
             himself
             to
             send
             ;
             and
             of
             that
             gracious
             word
             ,
             at
             his
             last
             farewell
             ,
             
               Ye
               shall
               receive
               power
               ,
               after
               that
            
             
             
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               is
               come
               upon
               you
               :
            
             But
             what
             is
             this
             to
             the
             particular
             act
             of
             Confirmation
             ?
             All
             this
             might
             well
             have
             beene
             ,
             
             and
             yet
             no
             hands
             imposed
             ,
             no
             Confirmation
             implyed
             .
             Well
             might
             this
             promise
             confirm
             the
             Apostles
             in
             a
             confident
             expectation
             of
             some
             miraculous
             work
             to
             be
             wrought
             upon
             them
             ,
             but
             could
             give
             no
             intimation
             of
             a
             new
             Sacrament
             to
             be
             erected
             ;
             no
             specialty
             of
             their
             hands
             to
             be
             imployed
             in
             an
             imposition
             :
             That
             distinction
             
             therefore
             of
             
               Alphonsus
               Vivaldus
               ,
            
             that
             Christ
             instituted
             this
             Sacrament
             ,
             though
             not
             ,
             
               exhibendo
               ,
            
             yet
             ,
             
               promittendo
               ,
            
             is
             no
             better
             then
             frivolous
             ;
             unlesse
             he
             can
             shew
             ,
             that
             our
             Saviour
             applyed
             that
             generall
             promise
             to
             this
             speciall
             institution
             :
             which
             he
             shall
             never
             be
             able
             to
             perform
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             sensible
             sign
             ;
             here
             were
             hands
             indeed
             laid
             on
             ,
             but
             not
             with
             any
             intention
             of
             acting
             or
             constituting
             a
             Sacrament
             :
             
             And
             ▪
             where
             is
             the
             solemn
             Word
             whereby
             that
             promise
             is
             applyed
             ,
             and
             that
             sign
             actuated
             ?
             Surely
             ,
             here
             ,
             God
             is
             silent
             ;
             men
             may
             speak
             :
             For
             that
             set
             form
             which
             they
             bind
             their
             tongues
             unto
             ,
             
               I
               sign
               thee
               with
               the
               sign
               of
               the
               crosse
               ,
               and
               confirm
               thee
               with
               the
               chrisme
               of
               salvation
               ,
               in
               the
               name
               of
               the
               Father
               ,
               Son
               and
               Holy
               Ghost
               ;
            
             whose
             is
             it
             ?
             They
             dare
             not
             father
             it
             upon
             Christ
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             sole
             Author
             of
             Sacraments
             ;
             it
             is
             a
             device
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             thereupon
             subject
             to
             much
             variation
             of
             expression
             ,
             as
             their
             Casuists
             stick
             not
             to
             confesse
             .
          
           
             As
             for
             any
             command
             ,
             it
             is
             as
             far
             to
             seek
             ,
             as
             either
             of
             the
             other
             :
             What
             Scripture
             can
             be
             pretended
             to
             carry
             the
             least
             colour
             of
             a
             
               mandate
               ?
            
             It
             is
             a
             poor
             shift
             of
             the
             Cardinall
             ,
             in
             stead
             of
             a
             word
             of
             injunction
             ,
             to
             flap
             
             us
             off
             with
             the
             execution
             of
             
             the
             act
             :
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             hands
             were
             laid
             on
             by
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             was
             given
             :
             but
             was
             this
             done
             with
             either
             purpose
             ,
             or
             charge
             ,
             to
             make
             this
             a
             perpetuall
             Sacrament
             unto
             the
             Church
             ?
             Or
             ,
             if
             this
             were
             anywhere
             to
             be
             found
             ,
             yet
             what
             were
             all
             this
             to
             the
             warrant
             of
             the
             rites
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             in
             the
             administration
             of
             this
             pretended
             Sacrament
             ?
             Wherein
             ,
             as
             if
             the
             Apostles
             act
             were
             quite
             forgotten
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             at
             all
             ,
             only
             some
             strange
             and
             uncouth
             rites
             are
             foysted
             in
             ,
             which
             the
             Apostles
             were
             never
             guilty
             of
             thinking
             of
             :
             For
             in
             what
             Scripture
             shall
             we
             look
             for
             the
             Chrisme
             compounded
             (
             as
             it
             needs
             must
             be
             )
             of
             oyl
             and
             balsame
             ?
             Where
             shall
             we
             look
             for
             the
             consignation
             with
             the
             
             crosse
             in
             the
             forehead
             ?
             for
             the
             box
             on
             the
             ear
             given
             to
             the
             confirmed
             ,
             with
             the
             rest
             of
             the
             complements
             of
             that
             pretendedly-Sacramentall
             action
             ?
             So
             as
             now
             the
             Cardinall
             may
             spread
             before
             us
             the
             testimonies
             of
             
               ten
               Popes
               ,
               nine
               Councels
               ,
               nine
            
             
             
               Greek
               Fathers
               ,
               ten
               Latin
               ,
            
             besides
             middle
             aged
             Authors
             and
             School-men
             ,
             for
             the
             avowing
             of
             this
             their
             Sacrament
             ,
             and
             the
             antiquity
             of
             the
             holy
             appendances
             of
             it
             :
             but
             all
             these
             fall
             too
             short
             for
             the
             proof
             of
             a
             true
             and
             genuine
             Sacrament
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ;
             a
             truth
             that
             was
             well
             seen
             by
             the
             quick
             and
             
             piercing
             eies
             of
             our
             
               Alexander
            
             of
             
               Hales
               ,
            
             the
             Father
             of
             the
             Schoolmen
             ,
             whom
             they
             styled
             ,
             the
             Irrefragable
             Doctor
             ,
             and
             the
             fountain
             of
             life
             :
             As
             also
             ,
             by
             his
             acute
             Disciple
             ,
             Cardinall
             
               Bonaventure
               ,
            
             whom
             they
             have
             honoured
             
             with
             the
             title
             of
             a
             Saint
             ;
             both
             which
             flatly
             deny
             any
             such
             Sacrament
             instituted
             by
             Christ
             ,
             or
             so
             much
             as
             by
             his
             Apostles
             ;
             sending
             us
             for
             the
             first
             rise
             of
             it
             ,
             to
             a
             French
             Councel
             held
             at
             
               Melde
               ,
            
             which
             was
             not
             till
             the
             year
             of
             grace
             ,
             845.
             
             So
             as
             the
             Roman
             Catechisme
             ,
             which
             from
             the
             counterfeit
             authority
             of
             their
             
               Fabian
               ,
            
             would
             cast
             their
             holy
             Chrisme
             upon
             Christ
             himself
             ;
             and
             
               Scotus
               ,
            
             who
             yet
             suffers
             for
             stooping
             so
             low
             ,
             as
             to
             fetch
             it
             from
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             are
             quite
             beside
             the
             cushion
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             4.
             
          
           
             Yet
             a
             far
             more
             injurious
             degree
             
             of
             Excesse
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             Confirmation
             is
             not
             only
             ranged
             together
             with
             the
             holy
             Sacraments
             ,
             but
             also
             equalled
             ,
             and
             (
             not
             without
             an
             high
             and
             intolerable
             affront
             )
             preferred
             to
             
             Baptisme
             it self
             :
             Not
             so
             much
             in
             respect
             of
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             person
             ,
             whose
             hand
             was
             wont
             to
             be
             imployed
             in
             this
             action
             ,
             (
             held
             commonly
             ,
             and
             of
             old
             ,
             in
             a
             key
             above
             Presbyterie
             ,
             or
             as
             
               Primus
               Presbyterorum
               ,
            
             in
             the
             lowest
             style
             )
             as
             of
             the
             vertue
             and
             efficacy
             of
             the
             act
             it self
             ;
             without
             which
             ,
             the
             eminence
             of
             the
             agent
             could
             avail
             little
             to
             the
             dignifying
             of
             the
             work
             :
             We
             know
             ,
             the
             very
             Angels
             are
             content
             to
             condescend
             to
             mean
             offices
             ,
             for
             the
             good
             of
             us
             ,
             wretched
             men
             ;
             yet
             those
             acts
             to
             which
             they
             have
             stooped
             ,
             have
             been
             never
             the
             more
             ennobled
             in
             themselves
             :
             And
             if
             
             an
             Emperour
             shall
             be
             designed
             to
             hold
             a
             Popes
             stirrop
             ,
             the
             act
             is
             never
             the
             lesse
             servile
             ,
             because
             the
             Agent
             is
             royall
             :
             It
             is
             not
             for
             us
             ,
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             to
             stand
             upon
             the
             person
             ;
             to
             whom
             ,
             if
             it
             
             were
             appropriated
             of
             old
             ,
             as
             
               Hierome
            
             speaks
             ,
             
               propter
               honorem
               Sacerdotii
               ,
            
             I
             fear
             it
             is
             now
             ,
             by
             some
             ,
             denied
             ,
             
               propter
               invidiam
               Sacerdotii
               ;
            
             the
             case
             is
             herein
             much
             altered
             :
             Once
             men
             could
             have
             been
             content
             ,
             with
             the
             
               Galatians
               ,
            
             to
             have
             pull'd
             out
             their
             own
             eies
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             given
             them
             to
             us
             :
             but
             in
             these
             last
             times
             ,
             too
             many
             could
             be
             content
             to
             lose
             
               one
            
             of
             their
             
               own
            
             eies
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             lose
             
               both
               ours
               :
            
             however
             ,
             it
             were
             great
             pity
             and
             sin
             ,
             that
             so
             holy
             an
             act
             should
             lye
             still
             ,
             as
             dead
             ,
             whiles
             we
             strain
             courtesy
             who
             should
             take
             it
             up
             .
             But
             it
             is
             not
             ,
             as
             I
             said
             ,
             so
             much
             the
             dignity
             of
             the
             agent
             that
             is
             insisted
             upon
             ,
             as
             the
             power
             and
             energie
             of
             the
             act
             of
             Confirmation
             ,
             which
             is
             by
             our
             Romish
             Doctors
             set
             up
             ,
             proudly
             to
             contest
             with
             ,
             and
             over-top
             the
             acknowledged
             
             Sacrament
             of
             Baptisme
             ;
             
               If
               Baptisme
            
             
             
               be
               yeilded
               to
               begin
               our
               Christendom
               ,
               Confirmation
               ,
            
             they
             say
             ,
             
               perfects
               it
               ;
            
             and
             all
             the
             praises
             which
             they
             ,
             from
             their
             
               Urban
               ,
               Melchiades
               ,
               Clemens
               ,
               Fabian
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             yeild
             unto
             their
             Confirmation
             ,
             are
             understood
             (
             as
             
               Chemnitius
            
             well
             construes
             them
             )
             as
             
               Antitheticall
               ;
            
             so
             many
             derogations
             from
             the
             power
             of
             Baptisme
             :
             
               In
               Baptisme
               ,
            
             say
             they
             ,
             
               we
               are
               regenerated
               to
               life
               ;
               in
               Confirmation
               ,
               we
               are
               armed
               to
               fight
               :
               In
               Baptisme
               ,
            
             
             
               there
               is
               only
               preparation
               made
               for
               Gods
               in-dwelling
               in
               our
               hearts
               ;
               in
               Confirmation
               ,
               he
               actually
               takes
               up
               the
               house-room
               for
               himself
               :
            
             Yea
             ,
             in
             flat
             tearms
             ,
             they
             dare
             say
             ,
             
               He
               shall
               never
               be
               a
               Christian
               ,
               that
               is
               not
               anointed
               by
               Episcopall
               Confirmation
               ;
            
             and
             it
             is
             the
             title
             of
             one
             of
             the
             Chapters
             of
             their
             
               Decretum
               ,
            
             
             
               Manus
               impositionis
               saer
               .
               &c.
            
             
             
               The
               Sacrament
               of
               the
               imposition
               of
               hands
               is
               more
               worthy
               then
               the
               Sacrament
               of
               Baptisme
               .
            
          
           
             These
             ,
             and
             whatever
             other
             excesses
             of
             Titles
             and
             Prerogatives
             ,
             have
             been
             cast
             upon
             this
             holy
             Institution
             ,
             to
             the
             disparagement
             of
             other
             more
             noble
             Ordinances
             ,
             have
             not
             a
             little
             blemished
             the
             face
             of
             it
             ,
             in
             some
             undistinguishing
             eies
             .
             To
             which
             may
             be
             added
             the
             over-eager
             and
             tumultuous
             affectation
             ,
             wherewith
             it
             was
             wont
             ,
             not
             very
             long
             since
             ,
             to
             be
             prosecuted
             
             in
             some
             parts
             (
             the
             Western
             especially
             )
             of
             this
             Church
             .
             It
             cannot
             be
             spoken
             ,
             with
             what
             fervour
             ,
             and
             violence
             of
             desire
             ,
             that
             people
             were
             wont
             to
             sue
             for
             this
             sacred
             ceremony
             :
             What
             Fair-like
             confluences
             have
             we
             there
             seen
             of
             zealous
             ambients
             ?
             How
             have
             we
             been
             tired
             with
             
             the
             importunity
             of
             Suitors
             ,
             impatient
             of
             either
             deniall
             ,
             or
             delay
             ?
             How
             have
             we
             been
             oppressed
             with
             the
             throngs
             of
             the
             multitude
             ,
             striving
             for
             the
             first
             admission
             ?
             Insomuch
             ,
             as
             we
             have
             been
             forced
             to
             call
             for
             the
             help
             of
             Officers
             to
             our
             rescue
             from
             that
             well-meant
             impetuousnesse
             ?
             Yea
             ,
             so
             hath
             that
             people
             been
             formerly
             devoted
             to
             this
             religious
             institution
             ,
             that
             the
             want
             of
             it
             was
             one
             of
             the
             causes
             of
             their
             insurrection
             in
             the
             daies
             of
             King
             
               Edward
            
             the
             sixth
             ;
             falling
             out
             ,
             as
             then
             ,
             by
             reason
             of
             the
             absence
             ,
             or
             willing
             forbearance
             ,
             of
             
               Miles
               Coverdale
               ,
            
             their
             elected
             Bishop
             .
          
           
             Now
             I
             must
             be
             pardoned
             ,
             if
             I
             impute
             some
             part
             of
             this
             height
             of
             zeal
             in
             those
             our
             modern
             Clients
             ,
             to
             an
             ungrounded
             over-weening
             of
             opinion
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             conceived
             of
             this
             
             godly
             Ordinance
             traduced
             unto
             them
             by
             their
             fore-fathers
             ;
             whereof
             ,
             if
             need
             were
             ,
             I
             could
             give
             too
             sufficient
             an
             account
             to
             the
             Reader
             :
             an
             errour
             ,
             which
             by
             good
             counsel
             ,
             might
             in
             good
             time
             be
             redressed
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             5.
             
          
           
             But
             leaving
             the
             consideration
             of
             an
             excessive
             over-valuation
             ,
             whereof
             (
             I
             dare
             undertake
             )
             the
             greatest
             part
             of
             this
             Nation
             ,
             at
             this
             day
             ,
             are
             far
             enough
             from
             being
             guilty
             :
             we
             descend
             to
             that
             other
             extreme
             ,
             of
             defect
             ;
             whereof
             ,
             I
             fear
             ,
             there
             are
             not
             too
             many
             free
             :
             What
             an
             universall
             neglect
             is
             there
             of
             this
             holy
             duty
             in
             all
             the
             Churches
             that
             professe
             Reformation
             ?
             What
             a
             willing
             forgetfulnesse
             of
             it
             ?
             as
             if
             there
             had
             never
             been
             any
             such
             matter
             practised
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               God
               ,
            
             never
             any
             such
             ceremony
             so
             
             much
             as
             intimated
             by
             any
             Apostle
             ,
             never
             any
             mention
             or
             memory
             of
             it
             in
             the
             succeeding
             ages
             ;
             lastly
             ,
             as
             if
             there
             never
             had
             been
             ,
             never
             could
             be
             ,
             any
             profitable
             or
             godly
             use
             of
             it
             amongst
             Christians
             .
          
           
             Yea
             rather
             on
             the
             contrary
             ,
             how
             odious
             is
             the
             very
             name
             of
             it
             grown
             to
             the
             ears
             of
             those
             ,
             who
             professe
             the
             strictest
             godlinesse
             ?
             How
             is
             the
             practice
             of
             it
             cryed
             down
             ,
             and
             hooted
             at
             ,
             as
             meerly
             superstitious
             and
             Antichristian
             ?
             Who
             can
             but
             wonder
             at
             this
             strange
             partiality
             ?
             that
             men
             who
             professe
             so
             awefull
             an
             observance
             ,
             and
             so
             strict
             and
             punctuall
             imitation
             of
             all
             the
             Apostolicall
             Ordinations
             and
             actions
             ,
             should
             willingly
             abandon
             ,
             and
             carelesly
             slight
             one
             of
             their
             prime
             ,
             and
             most
             apparent
             institutions
             ?
             Faine
             would
             I
             know
             what
             they
             can
             
             say
             to
             this
             irrefragable
             text
             ?
             Was
             there
             not
             such
             a
             thing
             ,
             in
             the
             Apostolick
             times
             ,
             as
             the
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             ?
             Was
             not
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             practice
             of
             it
             held
             so
             usefull
             ,
             as
             that
             it
             was
             singled
             out
             for
             one
             of
             the
             Principles
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ?
             Is
             there
             not
             as
             much
             occasion
             and
             need
             of
             the
             use
             of
             it
             ,
             as
             ever
             ?
             Was
             this
             only
             a
             temporary
             Institution
             ,
             soon
             after
             to
             be
             abrogated
             ?
             What
             need
             was
             there
             then
             to
             trouble
             the
             
             heads
             ,
             and
             to
             clog
             the
             Catechisme
             of
             Christian
             novices
             with
             a
             vanishing
             ,
             and
             now
             already-gasping
             Ceremony
             ?
             And
             why
             is
             it
             ranked
             in
             the
             style
             of
             Faith
             ,
             Repentance
             ,
             Baptisme
             ,
             &c.
             whose
             use
             and
             practice
             must
             be
             perpetuall
             ?
             Surely
             to
             coop
             up
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             Baptisme
             ,
             and
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             in
             a
             Parenthesis
             ,
             as
             some
             
             have
             poorly
             devised
             ,
             is
             both
             very
             unreasonable
             ,
             and
             injurious
             to
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             would
             have
             this
             Scripture
             to
             run
             freely
             ,
             in
             all
             equall
             relations
             ,
             to
             the
             fore-going
             and
             following
             clauses
             :
             what
             God
             will
             have
             laid
             open
             ,
             it
             is
             high
             presumption
             in
             any
             man
             to
             enclose
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             6.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             Apostles
             laid
             their
             hands
             on
             persons
             formerly
             baptized
             ,
             and
             hereby
             conveyed
             unto
             them
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             is
             so
             clear
             a
             truth
             ,
             as
             none
             durst
             ever
             deny
             :
             But
             did
             not
             this
             priviledge
             rest
             only
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             die
             with
             them
             ?
             As
             it
             could
             not
             be
             bought
             and
             sold
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             profane
             and
             sacrilegious
             offer
             of
             the
             wicked
             sorcerer
             ;
             so
             ,
             could
             it
             be
             bequeathed
             unto
             ,
             and
             feoffed
             upon
             their
             holy
             Successors
             ?
             Surely
             ,
             we
             
             hear
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             at
             his
             parting
             ,
             say
             ,
             
               Lo
               ,
               I
               am
               with
               you
               alway
               ,
               even
               to
               the
               end
               of
               the
            
             
             
               world
               :
            
             Those
             blessed
             men
             to
             whom
             these
             cordiall
             words
             were
             spoken
             ,
             were
             not
             to
             stay
             long
             in
             the
             world
             :
             not
             to
             their
             persons
             therfore
             ,
             but
             to
             their
             succession
             ,
             was
             this
             promise
             both
             made
             and
             verified
             .
          
           
             Not
             in
             respect
             to
             those
             miraculous
             gifts
             ,
             which
             as
             persons
             extraordinary
             ,
             they
             both
             had
             ,
             and
             conferred
             (
             in
             this
             singular
             qualification
             they
             neither
             had
             ,
             nor
             could
             have
             any
             Successors
             in
             the
             following
             times
             )
             but
             in
             respect
             to
             those
             better
             graces
             ,
             which
             ,
             as
             Predecessours
             to
             the
             ordinary
             Pastours
             ,
             and
             Overseers
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             their
             Ministery
             should
             convey
             to
             the
             souls
             of
             Gods
             people
             .
             Hereupon
             it
             is
             ,
             that
             their
             Successors
             do
             justly
             claim
             a
             true
             right
             to
             
             this
             Divine
             priviledge
             ,
             and
             find
             a
             just
             warrant
             for
             their
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             :
             For
             the
             effectuall
             performance
             whereof
             ,
             yet
             ,
             they
             challenge
             not
             any
             power
             ,
             by
             an
             inherent
             vertue
             in
             themselves
             ,
             or
             by
             any
             authoritative
             bequest
             from
             ,
             or
             to
             others
             ,
             but
             only
             in
             an
             humble
             way
             of
             impetration
             ,
             by
             their
             faithfull
             prayers
             ,
             which
             are
             the
             life
             of
             that
             holy
             Ceremony
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             practice
             of
             the
             Apostles
             themselves
             ;
             who
             ,
             though
             miraculously
             gifted
             ,
             yet
             aided
             still
             their
             hand
             with
             their
             tongue
             ,
             devoutly
             suing
             for
             what
             they
             intended
             to
             give
             :
             Let
             no
             man
             therfore
             pretend
             ,
             that
             because
             the
             miraculous
             effects
             of
             the
             Apostolicall
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             are
             long
             since
             ceased
             ,
             therfore
             the
             act
             is
             now
             idle
             and
             uselesse
             .
             Divine
             Institutions
             are
             ill-measured
             by
             sensible
             
             operations
             :
             There
             are
             spirituall
             
             and
             indivisible
             fruits
             of
             holy
             Ordinances
             ,
             which
             (
             as
             being
             most
             proper
             for
             them
             )
             shall
             be
             perpetually
             produced
             by
             them
             ,
             (
             through
             the
             blessing
             of
             the
             Almighty
             )
             even
             when
             there
             is
             no
             appearance
             of
             any
             outward
             efficiency
             .
          
           
             Such
             are
             they
             which
             proceed
             from
             the
             Imposition
             of
             sacred
             and
             authorized
             hands
             ,
             if
             the
             judgment
             of
             a
             learned
             Father
             ,
             and
             eminent
             Saint
             ,
             may
             find
             place
             with
             us
             ;
             
               It
               is
               not
               now
               ,
            
             
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               as
               it
               was
               ,
               that
               by
               the
               testimony
               of
               temporall
               and
               sensible
               miracles
               ,
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               is
               by
               the
               imposition
               of
               hands
               given
               ,
               as
               formerly
               it
               was
               ,
               for
               the
               commendation
               and
               better
               setting
               forth
               of
               the
               then
               new
               moulded
               faith
               ,
               and
               for
               the
               enlargement
               of
               the
               newbegun
               Church
               :
               For
               who
               doth
               now
               expect
               ,
               that
               those
               ,
               upon
            
             
             
               whom
               hands
               are
               imposed
               for
               the
               receiving
               of
               the
               Holy
               Ghost
               ,
               should
               suddenly
               begin
               to
               speak
               with
               tongues
               ?
            
             but
             invisibly
             and
             secretly
             by
             the
             bond
             of
             peace
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             conceived
             to
             be
             thus
             inspired
             into
             their
             hearts
             .
          
           
             The
             instance
             that
             
               Bellarmine
            
             
             himself
             gives
             to
             this
             purpose
             is
             beyond
             exception
             ;
             
               In
               the
               beginnings
               of
               the
               Church
               those
               that
               believed
               wrought
               miracles
               ,
            
             as
             our
             Saviour
             foretold
             his
             Apostles
             ;
             now
             that
             effect
             hath
             long
             ceased
             ;
             shall
             we
             therefore
             say
             that
             Faith
             is
             vain
             and
             forcelesse
             ?
             farre
             be
             it
             from
             us
             so
             to
             slaunder
             that
             Divine
             grace
             ,
             which
             still
             and
             ever
             exercises
             a
             more
             excellent
             power
             in
             the
             Believer
             ,
             in
             that
             it
             quickneth
             him
             to
             a
             new
             life
             ;
             according
             to
             that
             of
             the
             Prophet
             ,
             
               The
               just
               shall
               live
               by
               Faith
               .
            
             Although
             
             then
             we
             presume
             not
             to
             affect
             the
             working
             of
             wonders
             by
             the
             imposing
             of
             our
             handsupon
             the
             heads
             of
             the
             baptized
             ;
             yet
             why
             should
             we
             not
             dare
             to
             hope
             that
             the
             solemn
             laying
             on
             of
             approved
             hands
             ,
             seconded
             by
             our
             fervent
             prayers
             ,
             shall
             help
             to
             work
             an
             increase
             of
             grace
             in
             the
             hearts
             of
             capable
             Receivers
             ?
          
           
             Now
             if
             any
             man
             shall
             think
             fit
             to
             match
             
               this
               imposition
               of
               hands
            
             upon
             the
             baptized
             ,
             with
             
               the
               anointing
            
             the
             sick
             
               with
               oyl
               ,
            
             mentioned
             by
             the
             Apostle
             ;
             
             which
             being
             both
             used
             ,
             and
             required
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             ,
             had
             doubtlesse
             a
             soveraign
             effect
             ;
             but
             now
             the
             power
             of
             healing
             being
             lost
             ,
             is
             no
             better
             then
             a
             purposelesse
             and
             vain
             ceremonie
             :
             let
             him
             know
             there
             is
             a
             great
             difference
             to
             be
             put
             betwixt
             both
             these
             ,
             that
             oyl
             was
             professedly
             intended
             and
             used
             
             for
             a
             bodily
             cure
             onely
             ;
             receiving
             its
             vertue
             from
             a
             power
             above
             that
             of
             nature
             ;
             and
             therefore
             justly
             ranged
             amongst
             those
             primtive
             miracles
             ,
             which
             continued
             not
             Ages
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             whereas
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             was
             directed
             to
             Spirituall
             ends
             ,
             and
             such
             as
             were
             of
             eternall
             use
             and
             benefit
             ;
             to
             which
             may
             be
             added
             ,
             that
             the
             doctrine
             of
             
               anointing
               with
               oyl
            
             had
             never
             the
             honour
             to
             be
             numbred
             amongst
             Christian
             principles
             ,
             which
             yet
             is
             yeilded
             to
             
               the
               imposition
            
             of
             hands
             by
             the
             great
             Herald
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             7.
             
          
           
             Had
             the
             Apostle
             onely
             by
             the
             way
             so
             let
             fall
             the
             mention
             of
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             that
             no
             further
             noise
             had
             been
             afterwards
             made
             of
             it
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             it
             might
             
             perhaps
             have
             been
             supposed
             some
             occasionall
             ceremony
             not
             intended
             for
             perpetuity
             ;
             but
             now
             ,
             when
             we
             find
             the
             continuation
             of
             both
             the
             precept
             and
             practice
             ,
             in
             the
             immediately-succeeding
             times
             ,
             deducing
             it self
             through
             all
             the
             ages
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             (
             though
             lateward
             not
             without
             some
             taint
             of
             superstitious
             interspersions
             ,
             which
             are
             easily
             wip'd
             away
             )
             we
             have
             reason
             to
             think
             it
             was
             never
             distin'd
             to
             an
             abrogation
             :
             
               Clemens
            
             the
             fellow-labourer
             to
             the
             Apostles
             ,
             in
             that
             Epistle
             which
             he
             writes
             to
             his
             Disciples
             ,
             
               Julius
               ,
            
             and
             
               Julianus
               ,
            
             
             makes
             an
             honourable
             commendation
             of
             it
             to
             all
             Christians
             ,
             charging
             them
             
               to
               hasten
               both
               their
               Baptisme
               and
               Confirmation
               ,
               by
               reason
               of
               the
               great
               uncertainty
               of
               the
               time
               of
               their
               dissolution
               ;
            
             attributing
             to
             it
             
               the
            
             
             
               conveyance
               of
               the
               seven-fold
               grace
               of
               the
               Holy
               Spirit
               to
               the
               receiver
               .
            
             I
             may
             not
             conceal
             that
             the
             credit
             of
             this
             Epistle
             amongst
             the
             rest
             hath
             undergone
             question
             ,
             (
             which
             indeed
             none
             of
             his
             letters
             have
             escaped
             (
             as
             is
             confessed
             by
             
               Eusebius
            
             )
             save
             onely
             that
             to
             the
             Corinthians
             now
             lately
             published
             )
             but
             not
             to
             stand
             upon
             
               Turrianus
            
             his
             terms
             of
             Apologie
             ;
             I
             must
             needs
             say
             ,
             this
             one
             carries
             simplicity
             in
             the
             face
             of
             it
             ;
             passing
             under
             no
             other
             style
             then
             of
             
               Clemens
            
             Bishop
             of
             the
             city
             
             of
             
               Rome
               ;
            
             and
             ,
             that
             if
             the
             authority
             of
             it
             be
             suspected
             ,
             yet
             the
             age
             cannot
             ,
             so
             as
             if
             not
             authenticall
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             not
             denyed
             to
             be
             exceeding
             ancient
             .
          
           
             That
             story
             is
             famous
             which
             
             is
             reported
             by
             
               Eusebius
            
             from
             
               Clemens
            
             of
             
               Alexandria
               ,
            
             concerning
             the
             young
             man
             whom
             
             Saint
             
               Iohn
            
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             after
             his
             return
             from
             
               Pathmos
            
             delivered
             and
             doubly
             recommended
             to
             the
             carefull
             custody
             of
             a
             grave
             Bishop
             ,
             under
             a
             vehement
             adjuration
             ;
             the
             Bishop
             (
             saith
             that
             ancient
             and
             unquestionable
             Author
             )
             received
             the
             young
             man
             to
             his
             charge
             ,
             trained
             him
             up
             in
             his
             house
             ,
             and
             at
             last
             
               *
            
             christned
             him
             ;
             and
             after
             that
             proceeded
             yet
             to
             such
             height
             of
             diligent
             observance
             of
             him
             ,
             as
             that
             for
             a
             singular
             preservative
             ,
             he
             added
             moreover
             to
             him
             the
             obsignation
             with
             the
             seal
             of
             the
             Lord
             :
             (
             to
             wit
             ,
             
               his
               Confirmation
            
             )
             who
             yet
             proving
             afterward
             miserably
             debauched
             ,
             was
             by
             the
             Apostle
             graciously
             reclaimed
             .
          
           
             Not
             to
             take
             in
             our
             way
             the
             full
             testimonies
             of
             
               Dennis
            
             the
             
             Areopagite
             ,
             and
             
               Origen
               ;
            
             that
             of
             
               Tertullian
            
             is
             most
             clear
             ,
             the
             flesh
             
             is
             over-shadowed
             with
             the
             imposition
             
             of
             the
             hand
             ,
             that
             the
             soul
             may
             be
             illightned
             by
             the
             spirit
             .
             And
             elsewhere
             ;
             Then
             
             is
             the
             hand
             laid
             on
             by
             that
             benediction
             ,
             calling
             in
             ,
             and
             inviting
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             :
             How
             frequent
             his
             Scholar
             the
             blessed
             Martyr
             
               Cyprian
            
             is
             in
             the
             report
             of
             this
             practice
             ,
             no
             man
             that
             hath
             turn'd
             over
             his
             Epistles
             can
             be
             ignorant
             :
             And
             that
             no
             man
             may
             say
             these
             (
             if
             hundreds
             more
             such
             )
             are
             but
             single
             witnesses
             ;
             the
             Councell
             of
             
               Arles
            
             
             in
             the
             time
             of
             
               Constantine
            
             the
             great
             ,
             consisting
             (
             as
             
               Binius
            
             numbers
             them
             )
             of
             two
             hundred
             ,
             or
             as
             
               Ado
            
             in
             his
             Chronicle
             of
             six
             hundred
             Bishops
             ,
             ordaines
             ,
             That
             if
             any
             shall
             return
             to
             the
             Church
             from
             their
             former
             heresie
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             examined
             concerning
             the
             Articles
             of
             their
             Creed
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             be
             
             found
             that
             they
             have
             been
             baptized
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             the
             Son
             ,
             and
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ;
             hands
             shall
             be
             onely
             laid
             upon
             them
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             receive
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             .
          
           
             But
             to
             what
             purpose
             should
             I
             presse
             my
             Reader
             with
             throngs
             of
             witnesses
             ,
             when
             all
             those
             testimonies
             which
             are
             mis-alledged
             by
             Romish
             Authors
             ,
             whether
             of
             Councels
             ,
             or
             Fathers
             ,
             or
             Doctors
             ,
             to
             prove
             their
             Confirmation
             a
             Sacrament
             ,
             yet
             cannot
             be
             denyed
             thus
             much
             validity
             ,
             as
             to
             prove
             there
             hath
             ever
             been
             a
             confirmation
             .
             If
             they
             have
             uniustly
             contended
             to
             impose
             a
             wrong
             title
             upon
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             no
             lesse
             clear
             that
             there
             was
             imposition
             ,
             then
             that
             there
             were
             hands
             to
             be
             imposed
             ;
             and
             if
             they
             have
             palpably
             corrupted
             that
             
             wholsom
             institution
             with
             the
             inter-mixtures
             of
             their
             own
             mis-becomming
             devises
             ,
             this
             can
             be
             no
             more
             prejudice
             to
             the
             true
             Originall
             purity
             of
             it
             ,
             then
             it
             can
             derogate
             from
             a
             beautifull
             face
             ,
             that
             it
             was
             once
             besmear'd
             with
             a
             foul
             liniment
             ;
             wipe
             off
             the
             filth
             ,
             and
             the
             face
             is
             still
             it self
             .
             It
             is
             true
             ,
             that
             some
             of
             their
             additionall
             Ceremonies
             came
             in
             betimes
             ,
             but
             late
             enough
             to
             disprove
             their
             pedegree
             from
             any
             Apostolique
             authority
             ;
             others
             of
             them
             (
             as
             clapping
             on
             the
             cheek
             the
             crosse
             of
             the
             thumb
             ,
             treading
             on
             the
             toe
             ,
             filleting
             the
             forehead
             for
             seven
             dayes
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             )
             may
             justly
             seem
             to
             be
             no
             lesse
             vain
             then
             new
             ;
             and
             to
             serve
             onely
             to
             confirme
             us
             in
             the
             lightnesse
             and
             indiscretion
             of
             their
             founders
             :
             Casting
             aside
             therefore
             all
             those
             fopperies
             
             wherewith
             time
             ,
             and
             weak
             Superstition
             have
             clogged
             this
             Holy
             Ordinance
             ;
             Let
             us
             look
             at
             it
             in
             that
             native
             (
             and
             thereupon
             most
             comely
             )
             simplicity
             wherein
             it
             passed
             from
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             plaine
             and
             holy
             dresse
             ,
             wherein
             they
             ,
             by
             the
             guidance
             of
             the
             good
             Spirit
             of
             God
             ,
             (
             wherewith
             they
             were
             inspired
             )
             left
             it
             to
             the
             entertainment
             of
             the
             ensuing
             world
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             8.
             
          
           
             That
             our
             Saviour
             laid
             his
             sacred
             hands
             on
             the
             Children
             ,
             that
             were
             brought
             unto
             him
             ,
             in
             way
             of
             benediction
             ,
             and
             that
             his
             Apostles
             laid
             their
             hands
             on
             
             Persons
             that
             had
             been
             Baptized
             for
             conferring
             on
             them
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             it
             is
             most
             evident
             ;
             neither
             can
             it
             be
             doubted
             ,
             but
             that
             their
             Successours
             in
             the
             Pastoral
             Charge
             of
             the
             Church
             laid
             their
             hands
             likewise
             upon
             
             the
             formerly
             Baptized
             ;
             otherwise
             ,
             (
             had
             not
             this
             been
             familiarly
             known
             both
             in
             the
             Practice
             ,
             and
             use
             of
             it
             )
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             had
             never
             been
             recorded
             for
             a
             point
             of
             the
             Ancient
             Catechisme
             of
             Christs
             Church
             :
             
             The
             succeeding
             hands
             then
             were
             also
             imposed
             ;
             but
             to
             what
             purpose
             ?
             Surely
             no
             Man
             can
             think
             the
             end
             of
             this
             act
             could
             in
             them
             be
             other
             then
             Holy
             ,
             &
             Spirituall
             ;
             as
             they
             in
             their
             calling
             succeeded
             those
             Prime
             Founders
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             so
             this
             act
             also
             succeeded
             theirs
             :
             though
             not
             in
             giving
             the
             visible
             Graces
             of
             the
             Spirit
             (
             which
             in
             thē
             was
             miraculous
             )
             yet
             in
             obtaining
             an
             increase
             of
             invisible
             Grace
             to
             the
             Receiver
             ,
             as
             theirs
             also
             more
             effectually
             did
             :
             For
             certainly
             ,
             we
             shall
             grosly
             mistake
             this
             whole
             act
             ,
             if
             we
             shall
             conceive
             it
             to
             have
             been
             onely
             
             a
             dumb
             or
             dead
             Ceremony
             ,
             completed
             in
             the
             motion
             of
             an
             Hand
             ,
             and
             touch
             of
             an
             Head
             ;
             there
             was
             withall
             a
             life
             ,
             and
             vigour
             put
             into
             it
             by
             the
             zealous
             Prayer
             of
             the
             godly
             Pastor
             ,
             and
             Congregation
             ,
             which
             might
             not
             returne
             to
             him
             without
             a
             Blessing
             :
             Neither
             was
             it
             otherwise
             of
             old
             ;
             When
             the
             Patriarch
             
               Jacob
            
             laid
             his
             hands
             upon
             
               Ephraim
               ,
            
             and
             
               Manasses
            
             
             Head
             ,
             it
             was
             not
             without
             a
             fervent
             apprecation
             ;
             God
             ,
             before
             whom
             my
             Fathers
             ,
             
               Abraham
            
             and
             
               Isaac
            
             did
             walk
             ,
             the
             God
             which
             fed
             me
             all
             my
             life-long
             unto
             this
             day
             ,
             the
             Angell
             which
             redeemed
             me
             from
             all
             evill
             ,
             blesse
             the
             Lads
             .
             It
             was
             not
             the
             bare
             hand
             of
             
               Moses
            
             
             laid
             upon
             
               Joshua
            
             that
             could
             replenish
             him
             with
             the
             spirit
             of
             Wisdome
             without
             his
             Prayers
             :
             Yea
             ,
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             himself
             ,
             
             to
             whom
             all
             power
             was
             
             given
             in
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             in
             Earth
             ,
             when
             he
             touched
             the
             dumb
             Man
             ,
             and
             said
             ,
             
               Ephatah
               ;
            
             he
             lookt
             up
             into
             Heaven
             ,
             as
             thence
             fetching
             his
             Cure
             :
             The
             Apostles
             ,
             when
             the
             seaven
             Elected
             Deacons
             were
             presented
             unto
             them
             ,
             did
             not
             without
             solemne
             Prayer
             ,
             lay
             their
             hands
             
             upon
             them
             :
             When
             
               Barnabas
            
             and
             
               Saul
            
             were
             separated
             by
             the
             charge
             of
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
             to
             the
             great
             worke
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             which
             they
             were
             Designed
             ,
             Hands
             were
             laid
             on
             them
             ,
             but
             
             withall
             ,
             Prayers
             were
             made
             for
             them
             .
             So
             in
             this
             very
             case
             ,
             when
             the
             Baptized
             
               Samaritans
            
             should
             be
             confirmed
             by
             
               Peter
            
             
             and
             
               John
               ,
            
             their
             hands
             were
             laid
             on
             with
             Prayers
             .
             These
             ,
             these
             are
             they
             which
             gave
             Virtue
             to
             the
             Hands
             ;
             which
             certainly
             without
             these
             ,
             being
             but
             Flesh
             ,
             
             could
             have
             no
             Spirituall
             Operation
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ;
             but
             being
             thus
             seconded
             ,
             could
             not
             but
             be
             available
             to
             the
             furtherance
             of
             Grace
             in
             the
             Receiver
             .
          
           
             This
             is
             the
             practice
             which
             Holy
             
               Cyprian
            
             tells
             was
             successively
             continued
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             who
             speaking
             of
             the
             
               Samaritans
            
             
             Baptized
             by
             
               Philip
               ,
            
             and
             confirmed
             afterwards
             by
             the
             Prayers
             ,
             and
             Imposition
             of
             the
             Hands
             of
             the
             forementioned
             Apostles
             ,
             addes
             (
             
               Quod
               nunc
               quoque
               ,
               &c.
            
             )
             which
             is
             still
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             practised
             amongst
             us
             ,
             
               That
               those
               ,
               which
               are
               Baptized
               in
               the
               Church
               ,
               are
               by
               the
               Governours
               of
               the
               Church
               presented
               unto
               us
               ,
               and
               by
               our
               Prayers
               ,
               and
               laying
               on
               of
               our
               Hands
               receive
               the
               holy
               Ghost
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             It
             is
             utterly
             needlesse
             to
             cite
             any
             further
             proof
             of
             this
             Point
             ;
             or
             any
             particular
             
             Attestation
             to
             the
             act
             of
             Confirmation
             ,
             done
             with
             great
             consent
             ,
             and
             allowance
             in
             the
             Primitive
             times
             ;
             when
             S.
             
               Jerom
            
             
             in
             his
             Dialogue
             against
             the
             
               Luciferians
               ;
            
             having
             said
             ,
             
               That
               by
               the
               imposition
               of
               Authorized
               hands
               ,
               the
               holyGhost
               was
               still
               convayed
               to
               the
               Baptized
               ,
            
             addes
             ;
             
               Dost
               thou
               ask
               me
               where
               this
               is
               written
               ?
               In
               the
            
             Acts
             
               of
               the
               Apostles
               ;
               but
               if
               there
               were
               no
               Authority
               of
               Scripture
               at
               all
               for
               it
               ,
               the
               consent
               of
               the
               whole
               world
               to
               this
               point
               ,
               might
               well
               challenge
               the
               force
               of
               a
               precept
               :
            
             Thus
             he
             .
             Since
             therefore
             it
             is
             undeniably
             certaine
             ,
             that
             after
             the
             miraculous
             Gifts
             were
             ceased
             ,
             yet
             still
             this
             practice
             of
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             was
             ,
             with
             the
             generall
             approbation
             of
             the
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             continued
             to
             succeeding
             Ages
             ;
             I
             ask
             when
             ,
             and
             why
             it
             ceased
             ?
             Have
             we
             any
             
             warrant
             for
             banishing
             it
             out
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ?
             Have
             we
             any
             just
             ground
             of
             reason
             to
             forbear
             ,
             and
             discontinue
             the
             use
             of
             it
             ?
             Have
             we
             lesse
             need
             of
             Grace
             ,
             or
             Confirmation
             then
             our
             Forefathers
             ?
             Or
             ,
             is
             the
             power
             of
             Gods
             Ordinance
             abated
             ,
             and
             now
             languisheth
             with
             Age
             ?
             Or
             ,
             are
             we
             lesse
             qualified
             to
             performe
             this
             gracious
             act
             then
             our
             Predecessours
             ?
             Surely
             ,
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             which
             (
             to
             Her
             eternall
             praise
             and
             honour
             be
             it
             spoken
             )
             hath
             ever
             been
             studiously
             carefull
             to
             maintaine
             all
             Apostolicall
             constitutions
             and
             practises
             ,
             above
             all
             Her
             Reformed
             Sisters
             hath
             not
             failed
             to
             hold
             out
             this
             Holy
             Ordinance
             ,
             and
             to
             recommend
             it
             in
             the
             most
             Ancient
             ,
             Simple
             ,
             and
             Inoffensive
             Forme
             to
             all
             Her
             obedient
             Children
             :
             Neither
             doe
             
             we
             finde
             that
             the
             present
             times
             (
             though
             too
             ful
             of
             Distraction
             and
             Quarrell
             )
             have
             ever
             declared
             any
             Opposition
             to
             ,
             or
             Dislike
             of
             that
             never-interrupted
             ,
             never-disallowed
             Institution
             :
             so
             as
             we
             have
             just
             reason
             to
             think
             ,
             that
             it
             both
             should
             ,
             and
             doth
             continue
             in
             its
             full
             right
             and
             vigour
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             9.
             
          
           
             But
             lest
             the
             discontinuance
             of
             the
             act
             ,
             together
             with
             some
             prejudice
             of
             the
             otherwise
             affected
             ,
             should
             have
             worne
             out
             of
             the
             mindes
             of
             Men
             the
             Memory
             of
             that
             Laudable
             and
             Godly
             Practise
             ,
             it
             will
             not
             be
             amisse
             to
             recall
             unto
             our
             thoughts
             ,
             the
             Wise
             and
             Exemplary
             Order
             wherein
             that
             Holy
             Rite
             was
             injoyned
             to
             be
             administred
             .
          
           
             First
             therefore
             ,
             having
             removed
             away
             all
             the
             trash
             of
             Superstitious
             ,
             
             and
             frivolous
             Appendances
             ,
             as
             the
             Crosse
             ,
             the
             Chrisme
             ,
             the
             Stripe
             ,
             the
             Fillet
             ,
             and
             the
             rest
             ;
             as
             aiming
             onely
             at
             the
             Originall
             simplicity
             of
             that
             Religious
             Ceremony
             :
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             having
             removed
             away
             all
             opinion
             of
             a
             Sacrament
             ,
             (
             for
             which
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Rome
            
             hath
             unjustly
             strugled
             )
             and
             therewith
             disclaimed
             all
             derogation
             from
             the
             power
             and
             vertue
             of
             Baptisme
             :
          
           
             And
             thirdly
             ,
             having
             solemnly
             professed
             against
             the
             misconceit
             of
             an
             absolute
             necessity
             of
             this
             rite
             to
             Salvation
             in
             them
             ,
             which
             die
             after
             Baptisme
             ,
             before
             hands
             can
             be
             laid
             upon
             them
             ;
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             hath
             piously
             ordered
             the
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             so
             to
             be
             Administred
             ,
             as
             may
             be
             to
             the
             greater
             edification
             of
             those
             that
             are
             to
             receive
             it
             ;
             and
             therefore
             
             hath
             ordained
             that
             none
             should
             be
             confirmed
             but
             such
             as
             can
             give
             account
             of
             having
             learned
             the
             Articles
             of
             the
             Faith
             ,
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
             the
             Ten
             Commandements
             ,
             and
             that
             initiatory
             Catechisme
             ,
             which
             is
             purposely
             appointed
             for
             their
             preparation
             ;
             wherein
             this
             Church
             hath
             judiciously
             ,
             and
             not
             without
             good
             ground
             both
             of
             Reason
             &
             Religion
             ,
             reformed
             that
             common
             Errour
             and
             Abuse
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             which
             commonly
             casts
             away
             their
             Confirmation
             upon
             Babes
             in
             the
             Cradle
             of
             their
             first
             infancy
             ;
             For
             though
             some
             of
             their
             Doctors
             are
             willing
             to
             limit
             
             this
             act
             unto
             the
             age
             of
             their
             puberty
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             twelfth
             year
             ;
             others
             to
             the
             seventh
             ;
             that
             so
             the
             Child
             may
             at
             least
             remember
             (
             though
             yet
             he
             understand
             not
             )
             what
             was
             done
             to
             
             him
             ;
             yet
             the
             most
             are
             of
             opinion
             ,
             that
             there
             is
             no
             cause
             to
             deferre
             their
             Confirmation
             till
             they
             come
             to
             the
             use
             of
             Reason
             ;
             and
             doe
             practise
             accordingly
             ;
             so
             as
             
               Alphonsus
               Vivaldus
            
             
             tells
             us
             that
             commonly
             in
             Spaine
             ,
             all
             Children
             of
             two
             ,
             or
             three
             years
             old
             ,
             are
             wont
             to
             be
             confirmed
             ;
             and
             
               Petrus
               a
               Soto
            
             and
             
               Cassander
            
             professes
             it
             to
             have
             beene
             the
             ancient
             Order
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             that
             forthwith
             after
             their
             Baptisme
             ,
             Children
             should
             also
             receive
             their
             Confirmatiō
             :
             In
             which
             point
             I
             cannot
             but
             allow
             the
             moderate
             determination
             of
             C.
             
               Bellarmine
               ;
            
             
             who
             tells
             us
             ,
             that
             when
             persons
             of
             ripe
             Age
             come
             to
             be
             Baptized
             ,
             the
             same
             day
             ,
             together
             with
             Baptisme
             they
             receceive
             both
             Confirmation
             ,
             and
             Eucharist
             ;
             but
             when
             they
             are
             Baptized
             ,
             being
             Infants
             ,
             the
             other
             two
             are
             
             justly
             deferred
             till
             the
             Receiver
             attaines
             to
             the
             use
             of
             reason
             ;
             since
             (
             as
             he
             truly
             resolves
             )
             neither
             of
             them
             are
             necessary
             for
             Infants
             ,
             and
             both
             of
             them
             are
             received
             with
             more
             fruit
             ,
             and
             greater
             reverence
             ,
             by
             those
             which
             are
             come
             to
             a
             mature
             Age
             .
          
           
             But
             though
             he
             come
             home
             to
             us
             in
             matter
             of
             time
             ,
             yet
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
            
             goes
             beyond
             him
             in
             the
             qualification
             of
             the
             persons
             ,
             in
             whom
             he
             (
             as
             holding
             Grace
             given
             by
             the
             very
             work
             wrought
             )
             professes
             not
             to
             require
             that
             measure
             of
             knowledge
             and
             preparation
             ,
             which
             we
             cal
             for
             ,
             &
             presuppose
             in
             those
             who
             shall
             be
             admitted
             to
             the
             Imposition
             of
             our
             hands
             ;
             upon
             this
             ground
             ,
             that
             the
             Ancients
             stood
             not
             upon
             Catechismes
             and
             Examinations
             in
             the
             laying
             on
             of
             their
             hands
             in
             
             the
             Primitive
             times
             ,
             but
             conferred
             their
             Confirmation
             upon
             Infants
             ;
             whereat
             no
             man
             can
             wonder
             ,
             that
             knowes
             they
             were
             also
             wont
             of
             Old
             (
             upon
             a
             weake
             misprision
             )
             to
             cram
             the
             blessed
             Eucharist
             into
             the
             mouthes
             of
             Infants
             ;
             to
             the
             due
             participation
             whereof
             notwithstanding
             ,
             we
             know
             a
             competent
             measure
             of
             knowledge
             ,
             and
             felf-examination
             ought
             to
             be
             required
             ;
             doubtless
             if
             a
             meet
             time
             be
             fit
             to
             be
             stood
             upon
             ,
             much
             more
             a
             meet
             ability
             of
             understanding
             ;
             so
             as
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             I
             may
             safely
             appeal
             to
             any
             well-informed
             conscience
             ,
             whether
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             have
             not
             chosen
             the
             better
             part
             ,
             and
             with
             great
             judgement
             reformed
             a
             palpable
             defect
             in
             the
             Roman
             profession
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             10
          
           
             And
             certainly
             ,
             the
             considerations
             
             whereupon
             this
             Church
             
             professeth
             to
             be
             led
             into
             this
             just
             and
             pious
             resolution
             are
             such
             ,
             as
             may
             well
             become
             the
             gravity
             and
             godly
             care
             of
             our
             gracious
             Mother
             ;
             which
             the
             Rubrick
             thus
             expresseth
             :
             First
             ,
             because
             that
             when
             Children
             come
             to
             the
             yeers
             of
             discretion
             ,
             and
             have
             learn'd
             what
             their
             God-fathers
             and
             God-mothers
             promised
             for
             them
             in
             Baptisme
             ,
             they
             may
             then
             themselves
             with
             their
             own
             mouth
             ,
             and
             with
             their
             own
             consent
             openly
             
             before
             the
             Church
             ratifie
             and
             confirm
             the
             same
             ;
             and
             also
             promise
             that
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             ,
             they
             will
             evermore
             endevour
             themselves
             faithfully
             to
             observe
             and
             keep
             such
             things
             as
             they
             by
             their
             own
             mouth
             
             and
             confession
             have
             assented
             unto
             .
          
           
             Secondly
             ,
             for
             as
             much
             as
             Confirmation
             is
             ministred
             to
             them
             that
             be
             baptized
             ,
             that
             by
             imposition
             of
             hands
             and
             prayer
             they
             may
             receive
             strength
             and
             defence
             against
             all
             temptations
             to
             sin
             ,
             and
             the
             assaults
             of
             the
             world
             and
             the
             Devill
             ;
             it
             is
             most
             meet
             to
             be
             administred
             when
             Children
             come
             to
             that
             age
             ,
             that
             partly
             by
             the
             frailty
             of
             their
             own
             flesh
             ,
             partly
             by
             the
             assaults
             of
             the
             world
             and
             the
             Devill
             ,
             they
             begin
             to
             be
             in
             danger
             to
             fal
             into
             sundry
             kinds
             of
             sin
             .
          
           
             Thirdly
             ,
             for
             that
             it
             agreeth
             with
             the
             usage
             of
             the
             Church
             in
             times
             past
             ,
             whereby
             it
             was
             ordained
             that
             Confirmation
             should
             be
             ministred
             to
             them
             that
             were
             of
             perfect
             age
             ,
             that
             they
             being
             instructed
             in
             
             Christs
             religion
             ,
             should
             openly
             professe
             their
             own
             faith
             ,
             and
             promise
             to
             be
             obedient
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             .
          
           
             Now
             let
             any
             Reader
             ,
             let
             any
             Adversary
             say
             ,
             whether
             any
             determination
             could
             be
             more
             holily-rationall
             ,
             or
             more
             evidently
             conducing
             to
             the
             furthering
             of
             the
             welfare
             and
             salvation
             of
             Christian
             soules
             ,
             in
             this
             case
             ,
             then
             this
             which
             our
             Mother
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             hath
             upon
             sad
             and
             serious
             deliberation
             fixed
             upon
             ;
             which
             if
             it
             had
             been
             accordingly
             executed
             ,
             with
             that
             constant
             care
             and
             fidelity
             as
             it
             ought
             ,
             would
             certainly
             have
             prevented
             many
             foul
             and
             monstrous
             exorbitances
             in
             matter
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             many
             horrible
             enormities
             in
             the
             practice
             of
             mens
             lives
             ;
             with
             both
             which
             we
             are
             now
             miserably
             pestred
             and
             over-run
             .
          
           
           
             When
             the
             party
             then
             is
             upon
             due
             examination
             ,
             found
             fit
             both
             for
             age
             and
             knowledge
             ,
             he
             is
             to
             be
             in
             due
             season
             presented
             to
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ;
             which
             is
             ordained
             to
             be
             performed
             with
             such
             holy
             comlinesse
             and
             such
             vigor
             of
             devotion
             ,
             as
             (
             be
             it
             spoken
             without
             envy
             )
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             may
             be
             herein
             well
             proposed
             as
             a
             pattern
             to
             all
             the
             Christian
             Churches
             in
             the
             world
             ;
             doubtlesse
             if
             
             there
             be
             any
             Church
             under
             heaven
             that
             hath
             continued
             the
             Apostolicall
             institution
             and
             practise
             of
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             in
             the
             native
             simplicity
             and
             purity
             thereof
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             .
          
        
         
           
             But
             that
             we
             may
             not
             think
             the
             Church
             of
             England
             (
             though
             more
             eminent
             in
             this
             point
             then
             her
             other
             sisters
             )
             
             goes
             alone
             in
             her
             judgement
             and
             practise
             of
             Confirmation
             ,
             by
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             let
             us
             see
             the
             free
             and
             full
             astipulation
             of
             other
             famous
             Divines
             and
             Churches
             to
             her
             ,
             in
             both
             these
             .
          
           
             
               Philip
               Melancthon
               ,
            
             as
             in
             behalf
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Saxonie
             ,
             hath
             thus
             :
             
               In
               ritu
               Confirmationis
               fiebat
               &c.
               
            
             In
             the
             rite
             of
             
             Confirmation
             there
             was
             of
             old
             an
             explication
             of
             doctrine
             ;
             wherein
             every
             one
             was
             to
             recite
             the
             summe
             of
             Christian
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             openly
             to
             professe
             his
             detestation
             of
             all
             both
             heathen
             and
             Hereticall
             phrensies
             ;
             and
             that
             he
             will
             be
             ,
             and
             ever
             remain
             ,
             a
             true
             member
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             not
             depart
             from
             the
             true
             belief
             which
             he
             then
             professed
             .
             This
             custome
             was
             profitable
             both
             for
             the
             instruction
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             for
             the
             retaining
             
             of
             them
             in
             the
             true
             acknowledgement
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             his
             truth
             .
          
           
             
               Flac.
               Illyricus
            
             thus
             :
             
               Porro
            
             
             
               autem
               impositionem
               manuū
               &c.
               
            
             But
             further
             also
             ,
             they
             had
             wont
             of
             old
             in
             the
             beginnings
             of
             the
             Church
             to
             use
             imposition
             of
             hands
             after
             a
             more
             accurate
             instruction
             in
             the
             Catechisme
             ,
             with
             publick
             and
             fervent
             prayer
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             obtain
             for
             them
             the
             grace
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             as
             we
             read
             it
             was
             done
             to
             the
             Samaritanes
             ,
             
               Acts
            
             8.
             
             And
             I
             believe
             that
             so
             they
             were
             wont
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             to
             remove
             those
             which
             were
             novices
             ,
             from
             the
             
               Catechumeni
               ,
            
             to
             the
             rank
             of
             those
             auditors
             which
             were
             allowed
             to
             be
             of
             greater
             maturity
             ;
             that
             so
             now
             it
             might
             be
             lawfull
             for
             them
             ,
             (
             as
             those
             that
             were
             judged
             worthy
             )
             to
             partake
             
             of
             the
             holy
             Communion
             .
          
           
             Learned
             
               Chemnitius
               ,
            
             as
             for
             
             the
             Protestant
             Churches
             in
             generall
             thus
             .
             
               Nostri
               saepe
               ostenderunt
               &c.
               
            
             Our
             Doctors
             have
             often
             shewed
             ,
             that
             the
             Rite
             of
             Confirmation
             might
             very
             well
             (
             setting
             aside
             those
             unprofitable
             &
             Superstitious
             traditions
             ,
             and
             indeed
             such
             as
             are
             contrary
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             )
             be
             thus
             made
             use
             of
             ;
             even
             according
             to
             the
             consent
             of
             the
             holy
             Scripture
             ;
             viz
             :
             That
             those
             which
             are
             Baptized
             in
             their
             infancy
             (
             for
             such
             is
             now
             the
             estate
             of
             the
             Church
             )
             when
             they
             come
             to
             the
             yeers
             of
             discretion
             ,
             should
             be
             diligently
             instructed
             in
             a
             certain
             and
             simple
             Catechisme
             of
             the
             doctrine
             of
             the
             Church
             .
             And
             when
             they
             shall
             be
             thought
             to
             have
             in
             some
             good
             sort
             attained
             to
             the
             understanding
             of
             those
             Principles
             ,
             that
             then
             they
             should
             be
             
             presented
             to
             the
             Bishop
             and
             the
             Church
             ;
             and
             there
             the
             child
             which
             was
             Baptized
             in
             his
             infancy
             ,
             should
             first
             by
             a
             short
             and
             plain
             admonition
             be
             put
             in
             mind
             of
             his
             Baptisme
             ;
             wherewith
             ,
             how
             ,
             why
             ,
             and
             into
             what
             he
             was
             Baptized
             ,
             what
             in
             that
             Baptisme
             the
             whole
             Trinity
             conferred
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             sealed
             unto
             him
             ;
             namely
             ,
             the
             covenant
             of
             Peace
             ,
             and
             the
             compact
             of
             Grace
             ;
             how
             that
             there
             he
             made
             a
             publique
             renouncing
             of
             Satan
             ,
             a
             profession
             of
             his
             faith
             ,
             and
             a
             promise
             of
             holy
             obedience
             ,
             Secondly
             ,
             that
             the
             child
             himself
             should
             before
             the
             Congregation
             make
             a
             proper
             and
             publique
             profession
             of
             this
             Doctrine
             &
             Faith
             .
             Thirdly
             ,
             that
             being
             interrogated
             of
             the
             chief
             points
             of
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             he
             should
             give
             answer
             to
             them
             al
             ;
             &
             if
             he
             fail
             in
             his
             ūderstanding
             
             of
             any
             of
             them
             ,
             he
             should
             be
             better
             instructed
             in
             them
             .
             Fourthly
             ,
             he
             should
             be
             admonished
             ,
             and
             by
             this
             profession
             should
             declare
             ,
             that
             he
             utterly
             dissents
             from
             all
             heathen
             ,
             hereticall
             ,
             phanaticall
             and
             profane
             opinions
             .
             Fiftly
             ,
             that
             there
             should
             be
             added
             a
             grave
             and
             serious
             exhortation
             out
             of
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             persevere
             in
             that
             Covenant
             which
             he
             hath
             made
             in
             Baptisme
             ,
             and
             in
             that
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Doctrine
             which
             he
             hath
             there
             professed
             .
             Sixtly
             ,
             that
             publique
             prayer
             be
             made
             for
             those
             children
             ,
             that
             God
             by
             his
             holy
             Spirit
             would
             vouchsafe
             to
             govern
             ,
             conserve
             ,
             and
             confirm
             them
             in
             this
             profession
             .
             At
             which
             prayer
             ,
             without
             all
             superstition
             ,
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             may
             be
             used
             :
             Neither
             would
             such
             a
             prayer
             be
             in
             vain
             ;
             for
             it
             is
             grounded
             upon
             the
             
             promises
             made
             of
             the
             gift
             of
             perseverance
             ,
             and
             the
             grace
             of
             Confirmation
             .
          
           
             Such
             a
             fashion
             of
             Confirmation
             would
             yeeld
             much
             profit
             to
             the
             edification
             both
             of
             the
             younger
             sort
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             ,
             and
             would
             be
             
               agreeable
               both
               to
               the
               Scripture
               and
               to
               purer
               Antiquity
               :
            
             For
             in
             the
             Apostolicall
             imposition
             of
             hands
             that
             there
             was
             an
             exploration
             of
             Doctrine
             ,
             and
             a
             profession
             of
             Faith
             ,
             the
             history
             doth
             manifestly
             witnesse
             
               Act.
            
             19.
             
             Of
             the
             exhortation
             to
             perseverance
             ,
             and
             Confirmation
             by
             the
             word
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             Faith
             once
             professed
             ;
             there
             are
             examples
             of
             the
             Apostolike
             Church
             
               Act.
            
             14
             ,
             15
             ,
             and
             18.
             
             And
             that
             publique
             prayer
             was
             used
             ,
             the
             History
             testifies
             
               Act.
            
             8.
             
             So
             also
             of
             the
             examination
             and
             profession
             of
             Faith
             
             and
             Doctrine
             in
             Confirmation
             ,
             the
             seventh
             Canon
             of
             the
             councell
             of
             
               Laodicea
               ,
            
             and
             the
             eighth
             Canon
             of
             the
             councell
             of
             
               Arles
            
             do
             sufficiently
             speak
             .
             Thus
             he
             .
          
           
             
               Reader
               ,
            
             I
             have
             thus
             at
             large
             transcribed
             the
             testimony
             of
             this
             worthy
             Author
             ;
             for
             that
             it
             gives
             both
             so
             full
             an
             attestation
             to
             the
             solemn
             Confirmation
             hitherto
             used
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ;
            
             and
             withall
             layes
             forth
             the
             grounds
             of
             this
             holy
             practise
             fetch'd
             from
             the
             blessed
             Apostles
             ,
             and
             from
             Scripture
             it self
             :
             Judge
             now
             ,
             whether
             there
             could
             be
             a
             better
             Commentary
             upon
             that
             form
             which
             our
             godly
             forefathers
             have
             transmitted
             unto
             us
             ,
             and
             our
             Church
             hath
             lately
             both
             prescribed
             ,
             and
             recommended
             her
             dutifull
             Children
             .
          
           
           
             
               Hemingius
            
             that
             great
             light
             of
             
             
               Denmark
            
             for
             his
             own
             judgement
             ,
             and
             the
             
               Danish
            
             Churches
             ,
             hath
             thus
             :
             
               Purior
               Ecclesia
               secuta
               Apost.
               tempora
               &c.
               
            
             The
             purer
             Churches
             following
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             when
             the
             children
             of
             Christians
             began
             to
             be
             Baptized
             ,
             had
             this
             fashion
             :
             That
             the
             children
             being
             instructed
             in
             the
             Catechisme
             ,
             should
             be
             publiquely
             brought
             forth
             into
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Bishops
             ,
             and
             there
             be
             interrogated
             concerning
             the
             Articles
             of
             their
             Faith
             ;
             and
             should
             there
             with
             their
             own
             voice
             confirm
             the
             vow
             that
             was
             in
             their
             name
             made
             in
             their
             Baptisme
             ;
             and
             that
             action
             ,
             from
             a
             part
             of
             it
             was
             termed
             Confirmation
             ;
             and
             that
             whole
             action
             consisted
             of
             an
             examination
             ,
             a
             solemn
             Confirmation
             of
             the
             vow
             made
             in
             Baptisme
             ,
             the
             Prayer
             of
             the
             
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             .
          
           
             This
             custome
             was
             exceeding
             profitable
             ,
             and
             conduced
             much
             to
             the
             retaining
             of
             their
             former
             confession
             and
             concord
             ;
             for
             neither
             was
             it
             easily
             found
             that
             any
             man
             would
             depart
             from
             that
             Doctrine
             which
             he
             had
             by
             his
             solemn
             vow
             ratified
             and
             confirmed
             :
             And
             soon
             after
             ,
             In
             our
             Churches
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             the
             substance
             of
             the
             ancient
             Confirmation
             is
             retained
             ,
             all
             Popish
             superstitions
             being
             abolished
             :
             For
             our
             Bishops
             in
             their
             visitations
             do
             publiquely
             examine
             the
             younger
             sort
             in
             the
             Articles
             of
             their
             Faith
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Doctrine
             of
             the
             Sacraments
             ,
             and
             do
             then
             confirm
             them
             in
             the
             same
             by
             instruction
             and
             exhortations
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             judgement
             of
             the
             French
             Church
             both
             concerning
             
             the
             ancient
             use
             of
             Confirmation
             ,
             and
             of
             the
             laudable
             practice
             of
             it
             for
             the
             present
             ;
             we
             need
             no
             other
             witnesses
             then
             he
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             just
             glory
             of
             it
             ,
             Mr.
             
               Calvin
               ,
            
             who
             tels
             us
             :
             
               Hic
               mos
               olim
               fuit
               &c.
               
            
             This
             was
             the
             manner
             of
             old
             ,
             that
             
             the
             children
             of
             Christians
             ,
             after
             they
             were
             grown
             up
             to
             some
             good
             age
             ,
             were
             presented
             before
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             fulfill
             that
             duty
             which
             was
             required
             of
             those
             who
             at
             a
             riper
             age
             offered
             themselves
             to
             Baptisme
             ;
             for
             they
             sate
             amongst
             those
             that
             were
             appointed
             to
             be
             Catechized
             ,
             till
             they
             being
             rightly
             instructed
             in
             the
             mysteries
             of
             Faith
             ,
             could
             be
             able
             before
             the
             Bishop
             and
             the
             People
             to
             render
             a
             confession
             of
             their
             belief
             .
             Upon
             the
             ending
             of
             their
             child-hood
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             entring
             
             of
             their
             youth
             ,
             they
             were
             again
             by
             their
             Parents
             brought
             to
             the
             Bishop
             ,
             and
             were
             examined
             by
             the
             Bishop
             according
             to
             that
             form
             of
             Catechisme
             which
             they
             then
             had
             ,
             which
             was
             both
             certain
             and
             common
             :
             And
             that
             this
             action
             ,
             which
             ought
             otherwise
             in
             it self
             worthily
             to
             be
             held
             grave
             and
             holy
             ,
             might
             carry
             in
             it
             so
             much
             the
             more
             reverence
             and
             dignity
             ;
             there
             was
             also
             therein
             used
             the
             Ceremonie
             of
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ;
             so
             the
             child
             ,
             after
             the
             approbation
             of
             his
             belief
             professed
             ,
             was
             dismissed
             with
             a
             solemn
             blessing
             :
             Thus
             he
             .
          
           
             And
             could
             that
             eminent
             Author
             ,
             if
             he
             had
             been
             retained
             Advocate
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             better
             have
             set
             forth
             her
             fashion
             of
             confirming
             ,
             and
             her
             perfect
             conformity
             herein
             to
             the
             ancient
             Apostolicall
             practice
             ?
          
           
           
             Justly
             may
             I
             call
             it
             so
             ,
             by
             
             warrant
             of
             the
             same
             Author
             ,
             who
             commenting
             upon
             this
             Text
             of
             the
             
               Hebrews
               ,
            
             hath
             thus
             ,
             
               Transacta
               infantia
               &c.
               
            
             Their
             infancy
             past
             over
             ,
             being
             instructed
             in
             their
             belief
             ,
             they
             offered
             themselves
             to
             Catechizing
             ;
             but
             then
             another
             symbole
             or
             sign
             was
             used
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             imposition
             of
             hands
             :
             This
             one
             place
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             abundantly
             testifies
             that
             the
             Originall
             of
             this
             Ceremonie
             was
             derived
             from
             the
             Apostles
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             appear
             how
             well
             he
             approved
             this
             practice
             ▪
             
               Nos
               quoque
            
             
             
               &c.
            
             we
             also
             could
             well
             and
             worthily
             wish
             ,
             that
             this
             rite
             were
             restored
             to
             the
             Church
             every where
             ;
             whereby
             children
             after
             the
             publique
             confession
             of
             their
             Faith
             made
             ,
             might
             be
             offered
             up
             to
             God
             ;
             and
             this
             would
             be
             a
             well-beseeming
             
             approbation
             of
             their
             Catechizing
             .
          
           
             And
             yet
             more
             fully
             in
             his
             Institutions
             
             thus
             ,
             
               Utinam
               verò
               morem
               hunc
               .
            
             Would
             to
             God
             we
             might
             retain
             that
             fashion
             which
             I
             admonished
             you
             formerly
             was
             used
             amongst
             the
             ancient
             Christians
             ,
             before
             this
             abortive
             counterfeit
             of
             a
             Sacrament
             sprang
             up
             ;
             that
             there
             should
             be
             a
             Catechisme
             of
             all
             the
             heads
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             without
             all
             controversie
             are
             agreed
             upon
             &c.
             
          
           
             That
             the
             child
             at
             ten
             yeers
             of
             age
             should
             tender
             himself
             to
             give
             a
             publique
             confession
             of
             his
             Faith
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             This
             Discipline
             ,
             if
             it
             were
             at
             this
             day
             in
             force
             ,
             there
             would
             be
             amongst
             Christian
             people
             a
             greater
             agreement
             in
             matter
             of
             Faith
             ;
             neither
             would
             there
             be
             so
             great
             ignorance
             and
             
             rudenesse
             as
             is
             amongst
             many
             ;
             neither
             would
             some
             be
             so
             readily
             carried
             away
             with
             new
             and
             strange
             Doctrines
             ;
             thus
             he
             .
          
           
             Tell
             me
             now
             Reader
             ,
             whether
             in
             the
             judgement
             of
             this
             eminent
             Divine
             (
             whose
             authothority
             is
             justly
             wont
             to
             sway
             so
             much
             with
             all
             Reformed
             Churches
             )
             we
             have
             not
             great
             reason
             to
             plead
             for
             the
             continuance
             and
             inforcement
             of
             holy
             Confirmation
             ,
             and
             to
             blesse
             God
             for
             the
             guiding
             of
             our
             wise
             predecessors
             into
             those
             safe
             wayes
             which
             others
             complain
             to
             have
             missed
             ;
             and
             earnestly
             to
             desire
             that
             this
             Religious
             and
             beneficiall
             action
             might
             be
             so
             reverently
             and
             zealously
             performed
             ,
             as
             may
             most
             conduce
             to
             the
             edification
             of
             Gods
             Church
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Sect.
             12
          
           
             To
             the
             carefull
             ideavour
             whereof
             ,
             though
             I
             might
             urge
             many
             motives
             ,
             yet
             I
             shall
             take
             up
             with
             these
             following
             ;
             not
             more
             few
             in
             number
             ,
             then
             considerable
             in
             weight
             .
          
           
             The
             First
             shall
             be
             the
             agreement
             and
             contesseration
             ,
             both
             in
             judgement
             and
             practice
             with
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             :
             to
             whose
             example
             ,
             doubtlesse
             ,
             the
             nearer
             we
             draw
             ,
             the
             more
             we
             shall
             approach
             towards
             purity
             and
             perfection
             .
          
           
             Now
             by
             the
             confession
             of
             all
             Divines
             ,
             both
             Romish
             and
             Reformed
             ,
             there
             was
             a
             Confirmation
             by
             imposition
             of
             hands
             in
             all
             the
             first
             ages
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             manner
             of
             performing
             it
             was
             the
             true
             pattern
             of
             ours
             ,
             I
             appeal
             to
             the
             witnesse
             of
             those
             Protestant
             Authors
             ,
             which
             I
             have
             formerly
             cited
             ,
             and
             am
             ready
             if
             need
             
             were
             ,
             to
             second
             it
             with
             many
             more
             :
             And
             why
             ,
             my
             dear
             Brethren
             ,
             should
             we
             think
             it
             fit
             or
             safe
             to
             leave
             so
             gratious
             an
             example
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             alone
             in
             our
             own
             wayes
             ,
             untracked
             ,
             untroden
             with
             the
             holy
             feet
             of
             our
             first
             and
             surest
             guides
             ?
             where
             the
             practice
             began
             sensibly
             to
             degenerate
             ,
             in
             adulterating
             the
             Ordinance
             with
             Superstitious
             additions
             ,
             both
             of
             rites
             and
             opinions
             ,
             there
             we
             have
             justly
             declined
             it
             ,
             and
             do
             with
             the
             zealousest
             professors
             cry
             down
             the
             grosse
             abuse
             of
             that
             godly
             institution
             to
             the
             pit
             of
             hell
             ,
             whence
             certainly
             it
             came
             :
             But
             shall
             we
             upon
             this
             pretence
             cast
             off
             that
             gratious
             act
             of
             Religion
             which
             was
             sent
             us
             from
             Heaven
             by
             the
             hands
             of
             the
             Apostles
             ?
             What
             if
             we
             cannot
             second
             our
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             with
             sensible
             wonders
             as
             
             the
             Apostles
             did
             ?
             (
             else
             ,
             as
             
               Oecumenius
            
             well
             observes
             ,
             
               Simon
               Magus
            
             could
             not
             have
             seen
             that
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             was
             given
             by
             them
             )
             though
             we
             cannot
             work
             miracles
             ,
             yet
             we
             can
             pray
             ;
             and
             our
             prayers
             have
             the
             same
             Spirituall
             effects
             with
             theirs
             ;
             neither
             did
             the
             ordinary
             Pastors
             that
             succeeded
             those
             blessed
             Apostles
             expect
             any
             other
             issue
             of
             their
             hands
             imposed
             ,
             yet
             still
             imposed
             their
             hands
             ;
             and
             whether
             should
             we
             affect
             to
             be
             like
             them
             ,
             in
             acting
             and
             approving
             the
             laying
             on
             of
             hands
             ,
             or
             to
             some
             hesternall
             teachers
             that
             refuse
             and
             disallow
             of
             it
             ?
             The
             common
             plea
             of
             those
             gain-sayers
             is
             the
             cessation
             of
             those
             miraculous
             gifts
             which
             were
             in
             the
             Apostolick
             times
             by
             their
             onely
             hands
             bestowed
             ;
             (
             others
             in
             great
             numbers
             had
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             none
             
             gave
             it
             but
             they
             )
             whereupon
             they
             argue
             ,
             as
             they
             think
             strongly
             ,
             that
             the
             effect
             ceasing
             the
             cause
             is
             uselesse
             ;
             whom
             I
             send
             to
             our
             learned
             
               Fulk
            
             for
             satisfaction
             :
             There
             is
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             another
             kind
             of
             imposition
             of
             hands
             (
             besides
             that
             miraculous
             one
             )
             mentioned
             
               Hebr.
            
             6.
             2.
             whereof
             there
             may
             be
             perpetuall
             use
             in
             the
             Church
             ;
             which
             is
             the
             same
             which
             Saint
             
               Austin
            
             cals
             nothing
             else
             but
             prayer
             over
             a
             man
             ;
             and
             whereof
             he
             speaks
             
               Tract.
            
             6.
             on
             the
             first
             Epistle
             of
             
               John
               &c.
            
             and
             soon
             after
             :
             We
             acknowledge
             imposition
             of
             hands
             with
             prayer
             ,
             that
             they
             which
             were
             so
             taught
             and
             instructed
             ,
             might
             receive
             strength
             of
             Gods
             Spirit
             ,
             so
             to
             continue
             ;
             so
             he
             .
             This
             is
             that
             onely
             which
             we
             professe
             and
             glory
             to
             imitate
             ,
             as
             being
             well
             assured
             that
             the
             faithfull
             prayers
             
             of
             godly
             Pastors
             and
             Christian
             Congregations
             can
             never
             either
             be
             out
             of
             date
             ,
             or
             acceptation
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             13
          
           
             The
             second
             motive
             shall
             be
             the
             great
             benefit
             which
             accrues
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             by
             the
             use
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             ;
             which
             I
             had
             rather
             to
             expresse
             in
             the
             elegant
             and
             solid
             termes
             of
             learned
             
               Hooker
               ,
            
             then
             in
             my
             own
             .
             By
             this
             meanes
             (
             saith
             he
             )
             it
             
             came
             to
             passe
             ,
             that
             children
             in
             expectation
             thereof
             were
             seasoned
             with
             the
             principles
             of
             true
             Religion
             ,
             before
             malice
             and
             corrupt
             examples
             depraved
             their
             minds
             ,
             a
             good
             foundation
             was
             laid
             betimes
             for
             direction
             of
             the
             course
             of
             their
             whole
             lives
             ,
             the
             seed
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             was
             preserved
             sincere
             and
             sound
             ,
             the
             Prelates
             ,
             and
             Fathers
             of
             Gods
             family
             ,
             to
             
             whom
             the
             care
             of
             their
             souls
             belonged
             ,
             saw
             by
             triall
             and
             examination
             of
             them
             ,
             a
             part
             of
             their
             own
             heavy
             burden
             discharged
             ,
             reaped
             comfort
             by
             beholding
             the
             first
             beginnings
             of
             true
             Godlinesse
             in
             tender
             yeers
             ,
             glorified
             him
             whose
             praise
             they
             found
             in
             the
             mouths
             of
             Infants
             ,
             and
             neglected
             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
             have
             had
             for
             such
             their
             particular
             invocations
             and
             Benedictions
             ,
             as
             no
             man
             I
             suppose
             professing
             truth
             of
             Religion
             will
             easily
             think
             to
             have
             been
             without
             fruit
             ;
             thus
             he
             .
             And
             
             surely
             these
             are
             so
             excellent
             fruits
             of
             this
             work
             of
             Confirmation
             that
             we
             shall
             not
             need
             to
             seek
             out
             for
             more
             ;
             yet
             I
             may
             not
             passe
             over
             a
             serious
             and
             important
             passage
             of
             a
             late
             writer
             ,
             who
             in
             a
             profitable
             and
             well-laboured
             
             discourse
             of
             the
             Doctrine
             and
             practice
             of
             
               Pedobaptisme
               ,
            
             taking
             an
             hint
             from
             
               Calvin
            
             (
             as
             he
             well
             might
             )
             to
             prove
             the
             high
             antiquity
             of
             Baptizing
             of
             Infants
             ,
             by
             the
             Primitive
             practice
             of
             their
             Confirmation
             ,
             which
             is
             under
             the
             name
             of
             imposition
             of
             hands
             ,
             
             coupled
             together
             therewith
             ;
             and
             having
             well
             made
             out
             his
             Argument
             by
             the
             received
             distinction
             of
             
               Catechumeni
               ,
            
             takes
             occasion
             to
             set
             forth
             that
             Ordinance
             in
             the
             Primitive
             institution
             of
             it
             ;
             recommending
             it
             with
             those
             grave
             Authors
             forementioned
             to
             be
             of
             singular
             use
             ,
             if
             
             it
             were
             restored
             to
             the
             Original
             purity
             ;
             and
             recounting
             the
             benefits
             that
             might
             arise
             therefrom
             instanceth
             in
             these
             following
             ;
             by
             this
             meanes
             the
             neglected
             exercise
             of
             Catechizing
             would
             be
             brought
             in
             life
             and
             credit
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
             the
             unity
             of
             Faith
             would
             be
             maintained
             ;
             Thirdly
             ,
             Parents
             would
             be
             quickned
             up
             to
             a
             further
             care
             of
             the
             Religious
             ▪
             education
             of
             their
             children
             ;
             Fourthly
             ,
             Children
             themselves
             would
             be
             put
             on
             to
             seek
             after
             knowledge
             ;
             whereto
             he
             addeth
             two
             others
             not
             hinted
             formerly
             by
             any
             Author
             ;
             Fiftly
             ,
             that
             by
             this
             means
             ,
             persons
             ignorant
             or
             scandalous
             might
             be
             kept
             out
             from
             communion
             with
             the
             Church
             in
             the
             sacred
             Ordinance
             of
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ;
             and
             so
             the
             stumbling
             block
             of
             mixt
             communion
             removed
             ;
             Sixtly
             ,
             that
             by
             this
             
             meanes
             ,
             the
             difference
             of
             the
             times
             about
             the
             formality
             of
             a
             Church-covenant
             ,
             in
             receiving
             in
             of
             members
             (
             as
             they
             call
             them
             )
             might
             be
             compremised
             and
             taken
             up
             ;
             there
             being
             here
             the
             substance
             of
             what
             is
             there
             contended
             for
             ,
             and
             that
             better
             bottom'd
             (
             as
             he
             conceives
             )
             then
             the
             former
             :
             All
             which
             as
             they
             are
             exceeding
             weighty
             and
             worthy
             of
             sad
             consideration
             ,
             so
             ,
             me thinks
             ,
             this
             last
             should
             be
             held
             fit
             to
             be
             listned
             unto
             by
             our
             brethren
             of
             the
             Church-way
             ;
             who
             may
             easily
             see
             how
             by
             but
             the
             admissiō
             of
             a
             truly
             Apostolicall
             institution
             they
             may
             effect
             that
             which
             (
             not
             without
             greater
             difficulty
             to
             be
             atchieved
             )
             they
             project
             and
             desire
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             14
          
           
             The
             third
             Motive
             shall
             be
             the
             mischieves
             and
             inconveniences
             
             which
             follow
             upon
             the
             neglect
             and
             want
             of
             this
             holy
             Ordinance
             ;
             which
             do
             plainly
             appear
             (
             as
             the
             right
             serves
             to
             set
             forth
             both
             it self
             and
             the
             wrong
             )
             both
             in
             the
             privation
             of
             those
             benefits
             which
             we
             have
             fore-specified
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             seizure
             of
             those
             manifold
             evils
             which
             have
             sensibly
             ensued
             .
          
           
             For
             whiles
             this
             institution
             is
             
             let
             fall
             ,
             we
             see
             Catechizing
             of
             Children
             (
             then
             which
             nothing
             can
             be
             conceived
             more
             profitable
             and
             necessary
             in
             Gods
             Church
             )
             is
             grown
             utterly
             out
             of
             fashion
             .
          
           
             And
             what
             wofull
             distractions
             
             of
             opinions
             ,
             what
             horrible
             Paradoxes
             of
             contradiction
             to
             the
             Articles
             of
             Christian
             Faith
             have
             been
             and
             are
             daily
             broached
             to
             the
             world
             ,
             what
             good
             heart
             can
             but
             tremble
             to
             consider
             ?
             Certainly
             it
             was
             not
             without
             
             great
             reason
             ,
             that
             our
             wise
             and
             learned
             King
             
               James
            
             of
             blessed
             memory
             ,
             when
             complaint
             was
             made
             to
             him
             of
             the
             growth
             of
             Popery
             in
             his
             time
             ,
             returned
             answer
             ,
             that
             all
             this
             was
             for
             the
             want
             of
             Catechizing
             :
             For
             surely
             ,
             if
             the
             younger
             sort
             were
             soundly
             seasoned
             with
             true
             knowledge
             of
             the
             grounds
             of
             Religion
             ,
             they
             could
             not
             be
             so
             easily
             carried
             away
             with
             every
             wind
             of
             Doctrine
             .
          
           
             How
             cold
             and
             carelesse
             are
             
             Parents
             generally
             grown
             of
             breeding
             their
             children
             in
             a
             religious
             way
             ;
             for
             that
             they
             know
             they
             neither
             are
             ,
             nor
             shall
             be
             ever
             called
             to
             any
             account
             of
             their
             knowledge
             or
             proficiency
             .
          
           
             How
             utterly
             regardlesse
             are
             
             the
             children
             themselves
             of
             so
             much
             as
             a
             verball
             learning
             the
             
             principles
             of
             Religion
             ,
             which
             shall
             never
             be
             required
             of
             them
             to
             the
             shame
             of
             their
             ignorance
             or
             unperfitnesse
             ;
             being
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             wholly
             taken
             up
             with
             vain
             toyes
             ,
             and
             idle
             impertinencies
             ?
          
           
             With
             what
             bold
             and
             sinfull
             
             ignorance
             do
             too
             many
             of
             the
             promiscuous
             multitude
             thrust
             themselves
             upon
             Gods
             table
             ?
             which
             might
             be
             clearly
             avoided
             ,
             if
             the
             prudent
             and
             Godly
             order
             of
             our
             Church
             were
             duly
             observed
             ;
             that
             none
             should
             
             be
             admitted
             to
             the
             Communion
             but
             those
             that
             have
             been
             Confirmed
             ;
             none
             Confirmed
             but
             those
             who
             are
             able
             to
             give
             account
             of
             the
             Catechisme
             set
             forth
             by
             the
             Church
             ,
             containing
             the
             main
             grounds
             of
             Christian
             Doctrine
             ,
             viz.
             the
             Belief
             ,
             the
             ten
             Commandements
             ,
             the
             Lords
             Prayer
             ,
             and
             the
             Sacraments
             .
          
           
           
             Lastly
             ,
             how
             lawlesly
             vicious
             
             are
             the
             lives
             of
             too
             many
             ,
             which
             might
             have
             been
             in
             all
             likelyhood
             somewhat
             restrained
             ,
             if
             in
             the
             entring
             of
             their
             youth
             ,
             they
             had
             publiquely
             engaged
             themselves
             to
             God
             and
             the
             Congregation
             ,
             to
             renew
             their
             Baptismall
             Covenant
             ,
             in
             renouncing
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             Devill
             ,
             and
             the
             Flesh
             ;
             and
             solemnly
             promising
             to
             do
             their
             utmost
             indeavour
             to
             keep
             Gods
             holy
             Will
             and
             Commandements
             ,
             and
             to
             walk
             in
             the
             same
             all
             the
             dayes
             of
             their
             life
             ?
          
           
             In
             the
             account
             of
             most
             of
             
             these
             great
             inconveniences
             ,
             I
             am
             seconded
             by
             Master
             
               Calvin
            
             himself
             ,
             who
             plainly
             imputes
             to
             the
             want
             of
             this
             Discipline
             ,
             so
             much
             querrell
             in
             matter
             of
             Belief
             ,
             so
             much
             ignorance
             and
             rudenesse
             in
             too
             many
             ,
             and
             so
             
             fearfull
             distractions
             with
             new
             and
             wilde
             opinions
             set
             abroach
             every where
             in
             the
             World
             .
          
           
             So
             as
             ,
             whether
             we
             consider
             the
             convenience
             and
             honour
             of
             our
             conformation
             to
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             the
             great
             profit
             that
             ariseth
             from
             the
             due
             observation
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             or
             the
             no
             small
             inconveniencies
             and
             mischieves
             which
             ensue
             upon
             the
             neglect
             of
             it
             ,
             we
             have
             great
             reason
             to
             wish
             ,
             that
             it
             may
             be
             happily
             in
             the
             purity
             of
             it
             restored
             to
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             15
          
           
             In
             the
             mean
             timelet
             no
             man
             think
             to
             choke
             me
             with
             the
             objection
             of
             the
             disorder
             ,
             and
             utter
             inefficacy
             of
             this
             Ordinance
             ,
             as
             it
             was
             lately
             wont
             to
             be
             practised
             in
             our
             Church
             ;
             I
             may
             not
             deny
             that
             in
             too
             many
             places
             there
             was
             fault
             enough
             
             even
             on
             both
             parts
             ,
             both
             of
             the
             giver
             and
             receiver
             :
             For
             
             the
             one
             Mr.
             
               Hooker
            
             gives
             a
             grave
             and
             modest
             touch
             of
             reproof
             ;
             No
             ,
             saith
             he
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             cause
             we
             should
             doubt
             of
             the
             benefit
             ,
             but
             surely
             great
             cause
             to
             make
             great
             complaint
             of
             the
             deepe
             neglect
             of
             this
             Christian
             duty
             ,
             almost
             with
             all
             them
             to
             whom
             by
             right
             of
             their
             place
             and
             calling
             the
             same
             belongeth
             :
             Let
             them
             not
             take
             it
             in
             evill
             part
             ,
             the
             thing
             is
             true
             ,
             their
             small
             regard
             hereunto
             hath
             done
             harm
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             thus
             he
             .
             Neither
             can
             I
             but
             justifie
             his
             gentle
             reprehension
             :
             The
             Fathers
             of
             the
             Church
             generally
             failed
             in
             the
             zealous
             prosecution
             of
             this
             so
             beneficiall
             a
             work
             ,
             being
             I
             suppose
             discouraged
             with
             either
             the
             coldnes
             or
             adversnes
             of
             too
             ma
             ny
             of
             their
             charge
             ;
             into
             whose
             
             thoughts
             some
             otherwise
             affected
             teachers
             had
             instilled
             a
             strong
             prejudice
             against
             this
             institution
             ;
             hereupon
             having
             eye
             enough
             to
             their
             own
             peace
             ,
             they
             were
             content
             silently
             to
             let
             fall
             the
             frequent
             and
             regular
             performance
             of
             that
             which
             their
             hearts
             allowed
             ;
             afterwards
             ,
             in
             the
             beginning
             of
             King
             
               James
            
             his
             Reign
             ,
             they
             were
             quickend
             with
             this
             Synodicall
             Constitution
             :
             Forasmuch
             
             as
             it
             hath
             been
             a
             solemn
             ancient
             and
             laudable
             custome
             in
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             continued
             from
             the
             Apostles
             times
             ,
             that
             all
             Bishops
             should
             lay
             their
             hands
             upon
             children
             Baptized
             and
             instructed
             in
             the
             Catechisme
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
             praying
             over
             them
             ,
             and
             blessing
             them
             ,
             which
             we
             commonly
             call
             Confirmation
             ,
             and
             that
             this
             holy
             action
             hath
             been
             
             accustomed
             in
             the
             Church
             in
             former
             ages
             ,
             to
             be
             performed
             in
             the
             Bishops
             visitation
             every
             third
             year
             ;
             we
             will
             and
             appoint
             that
             every
             Bishop
             ,
             or
             his
             Suffragane
             in
             his
             accustomed
             Visitation
             ,
             do
             in
             his
             own
             Person
             carefully
             observe
             the
             said
             custome
             ,
             &c.
             
             Upon
             this
             Canon
             ,
             the
             Bishops
             generally
             were
             not
             indiligent
             in
             performing
             this
             part
             of
             their
             charge
             ,
             insomuch
             as
             had
             there
             been
             a
             correspondent
             forwardnesse
             ,
             both
             in
             the
             people
             ,
             and
             in
             their
             Brethren
             of
             the
             Ministery
             (
             who
             are
             by
             the
             Canon
             charged
             with
             the
             care
             of
             preparing
             and
             procuring
             the
             presentation
             of
             such
             
             persons
             as
             are
             meet
             to
             be
             admitted
             to
             Confirmation
             )
             this
             service
             had
             certainly
             been
             accomplished
             with
             good
             effect
             ,
             and
             was
             by
             divers
             of
             them
             done
             accordingly
             .
          
           
           
             But
             soon
             after
             ,
             divisions
             grew
             on
             ,
             the
             Authority
             of
             Ecclesiasticall
             Superiors
             began
             to
             abate
             in
             the
             minds
             of
             men
             ,
             and
             there
             wanted
             not
             who
             suggestit
             to
             be
             a
             piece
             of
             Piety
             to
             dislike
             and
             decry
             this
             (
             which
             they
             termed
             a
             Superstitious
             )
             Ceremony
             ;
             so
             as
             now
             there
             wanted
             heads
             on
             which
             hands
             should
             be
             imposed
             :
             Whiles
             yet
             in
             some
             places
             of
             the
             remoter
             Diocesses
             ,
             this
             Episcopall
             Benediction
             was
             (
             in
             the
             other
             extream
             )
             sought
             with
             so
             too
             much
             heat
             ,
             as
             that
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             to
             be
             given
             otherwise
             then
             in
             a
             breathlesse
             and
             tumultuary
             way
             ,
             as
             I
             formerly
             intimated
             .
          
           
             It
             is
             not
             then
             for
             us
             to
             say
             how
             an
             holy
             service
             is
             performed
             ,
             but
             how
             it
             should
             be
             ;
             what
             errors
             passe
             in
             any
             Godly
             administrations
             ,
             ought
             not
             so
             
             much
             to
             disgrace
             the
             Act
             ,
             as
             to
             invite
             an
             amendment
             ;
             and
             let
             me
             be
             bold
             to
             say
             ,
             that
             were
             this
             institution
             carefully
             and
             punctually
             acted
             on
             all
             parts
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             rules
             prescribed
             by
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               ,
            
             there
             could
             be
             no
             doubt
             of
             a
             plentifull
             blessing
             from
             heaven
             to
             be
             powred
             down
             upon
             that
             so
             Sacred
             and
             Religious
             Ordinance
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             dear
             Brethren
             ,
             laying
             aside
             all
             unjust
             prejudice
             that
             may
             arise
             ,
             either
             from
             the
             persons
             interested
             ,
             or
             from
             the
             abuse
             of
             the
             thing
             ,
             or
             discontinuance
             of
             the
             practice
             ,
             let
             us
             resolve
             both
             reverently
             to
             esteem
             ,
             and
             humbly
             to
             submit
             to
             an
             Institution
             ,
             no
             lesse
             then
             Apostolicall
             ,
             and
             expect
             the
             Heavenly
             Benediction
             of
             him
             
             who
             is
             the
             great
             Bishop
             of
             
             our
             soules
             ;
             to
             whom
             with
             the
             Father
             and
             the
             Holy
             Spirit
             be
             all
             Praise
             ,
             Honour
             ,
             and
             Glory
             ,
             for
             evermore
             .
          
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A45174e-390
           
             Hebr.
             6.
             2.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             3.
             10.
             
          
           
             Calv.
             in
             locum
             .
          
           
             Bellarm.
             de
             Sacram.
             
             Confirm
             .
             l.
             2.
             c.
             2.
             Sect.
             2.
             
             Tria
             requiruntur
             .
          
           
             Act.
             1.
             8.
             
          
           
             vivald.
             .
             Candclab
             .
             aur
             .
             de
             Sacr.
             
             Conf.
             Tit.
             3.
             
          
           
             Pro
             mandato
             damus
             illis
             mandati
             executionem
             .
             De
             Sacr.
             confirm
             .
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             Bellarm.
             ubi
             supra
             ▪
             
          
           
             Alex.
             Halens
             .
             part
             .
             4.
             qu.
             24.
             
             Sixtus
             Senens
             .
             l.
             4.
             
             Bibliotheo-Sanct
             .
             Poss
             .
             Appar
             ▪
             Sacr.
             
          
           
             Confirmat
             .
             Sacramentum
             aeque
             sacrosanctum
             ac
             ipse
             Baptismus
             .
             Catechif
             .
             Austriac
             .
          
           
             Lib.
             Sacrarum
             Cerem
             
          
           
             Ut
             pleni
             Christiani
             inveniantur
             Decret.
             de
             consec
             .
             D.
             S.
             cap.
             Omnes
             fidcles
             .
             Chemuit
             .
             exam.
             conc.
             Trid.
             cap.
             de
             confirmat
             .
          
           
             Quia
             nunquam
             erit
             Christianus
             nisi
             confirmatione
             Episcopali
             fuerit
             Chrismatus
             .
             Decret.
             de
             Consecr.
             cap.
             Jejuni
             .
          
           
             Manus
             impositionis
             Sacramentum
             dignius
             est
             .
             Sacr.
             Baptismi
             .
             cap.
             de
             bis
             .
             ibid.
             Majore
             veneratione
             venerandum
             &c.
             ibid.
          
           
             
               Viz.
            
             Cornwall
             and
             Devon
             .
          
           
             Hic
             respexit
             ad
             usitatam
             Catechism
             .
             formulam
             .
             Calvi●
             .
             in
             H●b.
             6.
             2.
             
          
           
             Matth.
             28.
             20.
             
          
           
             Grotius
             
               his
            
             Vindicat.
             Heb.
             6.
             
             &
             Act.
             8.
             
             Pezelii
             resp.
             ad
             Catechis
             .
             Trid.
             cap.
             de
             confirmat
             .
          
           
             August
             .
             l.
             3.
             de
             Baptismo
             ,
             c.
             16.
             
          
           
             
               Bellar.
            
             de
             Confirmat
             .
             lib.
             2.
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             Jam.
             5.
             14.
             
          
           
             Clem.
             Ep.
             4.
             
             Julio
             &
             Juliano
             .
          
           
             Clemens
             urbis
             Romae
             Episcopus
             .
          
           
             Euseb.
             hist.
             Eccles.
             l.
             3.
             c.
             20.
             
          
           
             *
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             .
          
           
             Diony.
             Eccl.
             ●ierar
             .
             c.
             2.
             
          
           
             Orig.
             hom.
             8.
             in
             Levit.
             
          
           
             Tertul.
             de
             resur.
             ●arni●
             &
             lib.
             de
             Baptismo
             .
          
           
             Concil
             :
             arelat.
             .
             sub
             Sylvestro
             .
             Can.
             8.
             
          
           
             Acts
             8
             :
             Acts
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Neophytorum
            
             1●
             .
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             &c.
             
               Aretius
            
             i
             locum
             :
             Tradebantur
             ergo
             ista
             catecbi
             mi
             initi●
             brevibus
             paucu
             tanquam
             prae
             cipua
             religionis
             nostra
             capi
             
               Bez.
            
             in
             
               Heb.
            
             6.
             ●
          
           
             Gen.
             48.
             15
             ,
             16
             ,
             17.
             
          
           
             Deut
             34.
             3
             
          
           
             Mar.
             7.
             34.
             
          
           
             Act.
             6.
             6.
             
          
           
             Act.
             13.
             3.
             
          
           
             Act.
             8.
             15.
             
          
           
             
               Cypr.
            
             de
             baereticis
             baptiz
             andis
             ad
             
               Jubaianum
               .
            
          
           
             Hieron.
             Dialog.
             adversus
             Lucifer
             .
             
               Cited
               also
               by
            
             Bellarm.
             de
             Confirm
             .
             l.
             2.
             
          
           
             
               Concil.
            
             Aurelian
             .
          
           
             
               vivald.
               .
            
             ubi
             supra
             .
             
               Cassand.
            
             Consultat
             .
             de
             Confirm
             .
          
           
             Bellar.
             l.
             2.
             
               de
               Confir.
            
             c.
             7.
             sect.
             
               ult.
            
          
           
             Liturgy
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               England
               .
            
             Rubrick
             before
             Confirmation
             .
          
           
             Non
             nisi
             adultiore
             aetate
             ut
             fiat
             nil
             prohibet
             hanc
             ob
             causam
             ut
             parentibus
             ,
             susceptoribus
             ,
             &
             Ecclesiarum
             praefectis
             detur
             occasio
             pueros
             de
             fide
             quā
             in
             Baptismo
             professi
             sunt
             diligentiùs
             instituendi
             &
             admonendi
             .
             
               Cassand.
               Consult
               .
               c.
               de
               Confirmat
               .
            
          
           
             Imposition
             of
             hands
             with
             prayer
             ,
             which
             was
             the
             old
             and
             pure
             ceremonic
             of
             Confirmation
             .
             
               Fulk
            
             in
             
               Rhem.
               
               Act.
               8.
               
            
          
           
             
               Melanct.
            
             Confess
             .
             Saxoni●arum
             Eccles.
             cap.
             de
             Confirmat
             .
             &
             unctione
             .
          
           
             Mat
             :
             Flac.
             Illyr
             .
             Gloss.
             in
             Hebr.
             6.
             
          
           
             Chemmit
             .
             Exam.
             Concil.
             Trident.
             de
             Confirmat
             .
          
           
             Dr.
             Nic.
             Hemingius
             
               Syntag.
               c.
               22.
               
               ●
               .
               Votum
               ,
            
          
           
             
               Calvin
            
             Instit
             :
             l.
             4.
             1.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Calvin
               .
            
             Com.
             in
             Hebr.
             6.
             
          
           
             
               Calvin
            
             de
             vera
             Reformandae
             Ecclesiae
             ratione
             .
          
           
             
               Calvin
            
             Instit
             l.
             4.
             c.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Hooker
            
             Eccles.
             pol.
             lib.
             5.
             66.
             
          
           
             
               Mr.
               Iohn
               Brinsley
            
             Preacher
             at
             
               Yarmouth
               ,
            
             Doctr.
             and
             practis
             .
             of
             Pedobaptisme
             .
             
               p.
            
             76.
             77.
             78.
             &c.
             
          
           
             So
             
               Deodat
               .
            
             on
             the
             place
             .
          
           
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             4.
             
          
           
             5.
             
          
           
             Rubrick
             after
             the
             order
             of
             Confirmation
             .
          
           
             6.
             
          
           
             
               Calvin
            
             ubi
             supra
             .
             Instit.
             l.
             4.
             c.
             19.
             
          
           
             
               Hooker
            
             Eccle.
             pol.
             l.
             5.
             of
             Confir.
             66.
             
          
           
             Can
             ,
             &
             Const.
             Eccles
             ●
             n
             60.
             
          
           
             Can.
             &
             Constit
             .
             Can.
             61.
             
          
           
             1
             Pet.
             2.
             25.