imposition of hands without Chrysm And further he speaks of the form which saith he they make to lie in these words Consigno te signo Crucis confirmo te Chrysmate salutis in nomine Patris Filii Spiritus Sancti I sign thee with the sign of the Cross and confirm thee with the Chrysm of Salvation in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost A meer humane invention and device saith Mr. Hanmer that has not the least shadow for it from the Scripture Also another exception he brings against the Popish way of Laying on of hands viz. in respect of the Subject they confirming Infants when according to the Apostolical Institution it belongs only to such as are Adult And it appears that Calvin from hence bore his witness against Confirmation viz. in respect of the abuse and corruption of it as appears in his Institut lib. 4. cap. 19. To which agrees the Testimony of Chemnitius Our Men saith he have often shewed that the Rite of Confirmation if the unprofitable superstitious Traditions and such as are repugnant to the Scripture were removed may piously be used to the edification of the Church according to the consent of the Scripture Exercitat upon Confirm pag. 65. That Calvin owned Confirmation or Laying on of hands to be a Divine Institution take his own words Nam neque satis pro sua utilitate commendari potest sanctum hoc Institutum nec Papistae satis exprobari tam flagitiosa Corruptela quod illud in pueriles vertendo Ineptias non modo sustulerunt è medio sed eo quoque ad impurae impiae Superstitionis praetextum turpiter sunt abusi For neither can this holy Institution saith he be enough commended for its Vtility nor the Papists be sufficiently upbraided with their so flagitious corruption of it that by turning of it into childish Fopperies they have not only taken it away but have also so far shamefully abused it for a colour of an impure and impious Superstition And further he saith Adulterinam enim illam Confirmationem quam in ejus locum surrogarunt instar Meretricis magno Ceremoniarum splendore multisque pomparum fucis sine modo ornant For they do beyond measure deck that Adulterous Confirmation which they have substituted in its room like a Harlot with great splendor of Ceremonies If therefore saith that worthy Author in his said Excercitat p. 51. Confirmation shall be drained from these mixtures of humane Inventions that have for a long time so defaced and deformed it viz. not called it a Sacrament if their Popish matter both remota and proxima of anointing with consecrated Chrysm the forehead of the Confirmed in the form of a Cross be removed if neither Infants nor Children who are not yet arrived to years of discretion be admitted but such as are Adult who are able to give an account of their Faith and the work of Grace upon their hearts finally if those feigned Effects mentioned by them as the end and use of it together with those idle Additions that have betided it in the declining times of the Church be rejected and cast off and if done only with Prayer and Laying on of hands for the admission of Persons as full Members to the enjoyment of all Church-Privileges as most agreeable to that of the Apostolical and primitive times it will saith he I conceive be found to be exceeding useful and advantageous as a thing requisite if not necessary to a right Reformation and the reducing of the Churches of Christ to their native beauty and primitive purest state and constitution c. And that it might appear it was not only his own Judgment together with Calvin and Chemnitius he produceth several other eminent Lights of the Reformed Churches viz. Peter Martyr the Divines of Leyden Pareus Rivet Peter du Moulin Didoclavius as all witnessing to Laying on of hands upon the Baptized as such as an Apostolical Institution and that which ought to be practised by the Churches of Christ being refined from all Popish Corruptions and Additions as the best Expedient and readiest way to a happy Reformation according to the primitive Pattern To which I might add Mr. Caryl Mr. Baxter Mr. Ralph Venning and Mr. G. Hughes who all speak the same things concerning Confirmation as may be seen in their Epistles to the forementioned Book of Mr. Hanmers in commendation and approbation thereof and indeed to see how clear they be in their understandings concerning this Ordinance of Laying on of hands and how learnedly and judiciously they have laboured to recover it from those Popish Mixtures and cursed Pollutions of the Romish Church hath been of a refreshing nature unto me tho I can't but admire in the mean while they should still remain so blind and dark concerning Baptism not perceiving how that also hath been as vilely corrupted and changed from the Apostolical Institution in respect of the Subject and Manner of Administration as well as in regard of those idle and ridiculous Forgeries and Additions of Chrysms Consignations Albes Salt Spittle Sureties c. which they witness against Now were but their eyes so opened as to recover and drain Baptism from Popish Corruptions or Alterations upon this account also how would it add to the beauty and perfection of their Confirmation and Reformation provided according to their Light they would also get into the practice of both and what glorious Churches might they soon come to be yea excel many of the baptized Congregations in respect of the plain Form Order and Constitution of the House of God according to the primitive Pattern But to proceed there are few or none as I can gather do oppose this Ordinance save some of the Baptists of which Mr. Danvers may be reckoned the chief for besides these modern Writers already mentioned who speak so fully concerning Laying on of hands with prayer to God for more of his Holy Spirit of Promise and as an orderly admission unto Church-Communion the perswasion or judgment of the Assembly of Divines concerning this Ordinance I might also produce how clearly they agree with the forementioned Presbyterian and Independent Ministers herein as you may see in their Annotations on Heb. 6. But no more of this at present lest we too far digress from the matter in hand what we have here said is in answer to Mr. Danvers in respect of the Rite it self or thing called Confirmation and how to be rejected as we have a cloud of Witnesses agreeing with us herein and how to be maintained owned and practised by the Churches of Christ I shall now return to Mr. Danvers pag. 32. he having in pag. 31. shewed us how blasphemous and abominable a thing the Rite of Confirmation is as asserted by the Antients and Decrees of General Councils and practised by corrupt Churches in the next place he comes to enquire what Credit or Authority the Fathers or Doctors are of that witness to
this Truth 't is no marvel considering the Day they lived in Object If it be objected they with other Churches and People he mentions were much enlightned into the Truths of the Gospel Answ That is no good Argument since glorious Reformers and eminent enlightned Souls may notwithstanding lie short of some Institution of the Almighty as appears both in the Old and New Testament What glorious Light had David Solomon Hezekiah Josiah and many others of the Godly Kings and Prophets in Juda And yet one thing plainly laid down in the Book of the Law they were short in nay as some judg they did not see it viz. sitting in Booths in the Feast of the 7th Month of which we read in Nehem. 8. 13 14. They found written saith the Text in the Law which God commanded by Moses that the Children of Israel should dwell in Booths in the Feast of the seventh Month. Vers 15. And all the Congregation of them that were come again out of Captivity made Booths and sate under the Booths For since the days of Joshua the Son of Nun unto that day had not the Children of Israel done so and there was very great gladness verse 47. CHAP. IV. Shewing upon what ground some of the Independent and Presbyterian Perswasion have asserted Laying on of hands on baptised Persons IN Pag. 36. Mr. Danvers having done with Tradition and Fathers he tells us he will consider the Scripture-grounds urged in proof hereof by the Independents and those of the Presbyterian Perswasion In the first place which is the principal Heb. 6.1 2. which he saith Mr. Hanmer modestly expresses to be but a probable ground To which I shall give this answer that tho Mr. Hanmer uses such a Phrase viz. calling Heb. 6.1 2. a probable ground he doth not say 't is but a probable ground and those that read his Book shall find that by the Testimony of divers famous Men he abundantly endeavours to prove it to be absolutely the Laying on of hands intended in that Scripture See Page 25 26. And since I find many eminent Men speaking so plainly on this account of Heb. 6. 1 2. and to satisfy some Persons herein and prevent mistakes take a few instances out of Mr. Hanmer as the Judgment of several Divines upon that Text. The first I shall cite is Didoclavius who of three Interpretations of this Text mentioned by him admits of this Cap. 2. viz. Laying on of hands after Baptism and before admitted to the Lord's Table And gives a reason why it may be called Confirmatory Nempe ratione Ecclesiae approbantis confirmantis sua approbatione examinatum ad verum illud ac genuinum Confirmationis Sacramentum admittentis viz. Because of the Churches approving and by their approbation confirming of the Person examined and admitting him unto that true and genuine Rite of Confirmation The next is Major on Heb. 6.2 On this place saith he all that I have seen mark understand it of Imposition of hands on such as have been baptized only Bullinger Mr. Hooker Lib. 5. Sect. 6. in his Appendix Pag. 3. alledging T.C. thus speaking Tell me why there should be any such Confirmation seeing no one Tittle thereof can be found in Scripture Thus answers ironically except the Epistle to the Hebrews chap. 6. 2. be Scripture plainly intimating saith Mr. Hanmer he thought that place to be a sufficient ground for it and that to be the meaning of the Apostle there Mr. Parker de Polit. Eccles lib. 3. c. 15 16. refuting the Arguments of such as plead for Episcopal Confirmation at large assents saith our Author to what is by me delivered First He shews the general nature and end of it viz. admission of Members into the Communion of the Church which accordingly was used towards such as were converted This Imposition of hands saith he Heb. 6.2 is that very Ecclesiastical Union by a solemn professing of Faith and admission into the Church Secondly He shews the necessity of it from this Text Heb. 6.2 saith Mr. Hanmer Thirdly That it ought to be done publickly and before the Church Et hic ordo inter gravia negotia agitur enim de membro recipiendo publicum hoc est publici juris ideo non nisi Ecclesiae consensu ejusdem cui adjungendus est competens perficiendus This course is to be reckoned among the weighty affairs it is a publick thing and of publick right for the matter in agitation is concerning the receiving of a Member and therefore not to be performed without the consent of that same Church to which the Competent is to be joined Fourthly He shews the Antiquity thereof and that 't is an Apostolical Institution and the practice of the Antient Church He further affirms pag. 28. that Piscator so understood Heb. 6. 1 2. viz. to mean Laying on of hands upon the Baptized Also Beza Paraeus and Rivet whose words take as follows â—â—â—mpositio manuum cujus mentio fit Heb. 6.2 referenda est ad solennem Baptizatorum Benedictionem quae à Pastoribus solebat fieri eos in Christianismi vocationis confirmantibus Imposition of hands whereof mention is made Heb. 6.2 is to be referred to the solemn Benediction of the Baptized which was used to be performed by the Pastors confirming them in the calling of Christianity He mentions the Doctors of Leyden shewing this to be their sense upon this Text also Calvin who gives this only as the chief thing intended by the Apostle in this place from hence draws this remarkable Inference wherein saith Mr. Hanmer he plainly declares his apprehensions concerning the Original and Antiquity of this practice in the Church of Christ Hic unus locus c. This one place saith he abundantly testifies that the-original of this Ceremony viz. Confirmation or Laying on of hands flow'd from the Apostles which yet afterwards was turned into a Superstition as the World almost always degenerates from the best Institutions into Corruption Wherefore to this day this pure Institution mark ought to be retained but the Superstition to be corrected Why should Mr. Danvers presume to say these Men confess the Scripture is but a probable ground and that Tradition and Antiquity is the more certain And again that there is nothing but a faint insinuation from the Scripture to ground Laying on of hands upon What Men can speak more fully to a Text But to proceed he adds Hyperus who saith Imposition of hands Heb. 6.2 was in the confirmation of those that had been baptized and rightly instructed that they might receive the Holy Spirit He urgeth several other Persons of the same mind as Illyricus Mr. Deering c. To which I might add what Mr. Hughes late of Plymouth in his Ep. to Mr. Hanmer's Book mentions on this account speaking of Heb. 6.2 It is by some glorious Lights in the Church saith he understood of Confirmation in that Phrase of Imposition of hands annexed to Baptism Heb. 6. Whence it is said
do so too No sure 11 ly Their eleventh Reason is because none but such Persons as were eminently gifted did impose Hands c. Ans The Apostles did all they did as eminently gifted but if they are not to be followed by all regular Pastors or Elders only ordinarily gifted in Laying on of hands then not in Preaching Baptizing nor in the Administration of any other Gospel-Ordinance but this is also fully answered in the preceding Treatise In pag. 17 18 c. they would make the Reader conclude that the Hebrews being said to be dull of Hearing and so needed to be taught again the first Principles of the Doctrine of Christ doth not refer to these six Principles but to Matters relating to the Priestly Office of Christ c. Answ 'T is true the Apostle was about to instruct them into higher Mysteries viz. about Christ's Priesthood but he found them to have need of Milk and not strong Meat And most evident it is that by strong Meat he refers to the things which he proceeds to instruct them in but the Milk he speaks of are these things viz. Repentance Faith Baptism and Laying on of Hands c. They hardly understood the first Rudiments or A B C of the Christian Faith but to suppose that Milk or those first Principles he speaks of is the strong Meat is preposterous True Christ is properly the Foundation but by the Foundation here is meant those first Principles which every Babe in Christ was to be instructed in and to practise and then to go on to perfection Doth it follow because 't is said not laying again the Foundation of Repentance c. that the Apostle only refers to Christ who is the Foundation of our Salvation and of every Principle of the Christian Religion Evident it is that the first Principles of the Doctrine of Christ are here called the Foundation-principles not that they are all Fundamentals of Salvation but of Church-constitution for we will not say nor any else we hope that none can be saved who are not baptized and come not under Laying on of Hands yet every true regular Church and regular Member ought to be under the practice of both those Principles But I see no need to add any thing further in answer to this Treatise it seeming to me to have the least of Argument in it of any Book I have seen writ against this Ordinance FINIS Postscript NOw tho I am fully established in this Principle of Christ's Doctrine and do believe it is of the same nature with Baptism yet I am not of the opinion that such Members in a Church who are convinced of it and are under it ought to separate themselves from the Church because the other Members of the said Church see it not no but they ought to bear one with another until God shall please to open their eyes We all see but in part and know but in part therefore ought to bear one with another Yet let that Church who are of one Mind and Judgment in this matter walk as they have received and let all take heed how they set light by any Holy Precept and Principle of Christ's Doctrine much less to teach Men to break the least of his Commandments or to cast such under contempt and reproach who in conscience towards God speak and write according to the Light they have received in this and other Cases Must we be their Enemies for telling them the truth Farewel See God's Oracle p. 62 63. * The Seekers use this Objection against all Ordinances saying none are impowered to administer any because not so indowed with Power from on High and their Arguments fully agree with theirs herein against laying on of Hands Of this let the rational judg †If any should object against me Mark 16.17 18. and say miraculous Gifts are promised to such as do believe c. I answer that by believing cannot be meant the Grace of Faith in that place for if it should we may say no man doth now believe or hath true Faith in Christ it is therefore meant of the extraordinary Gift of Faith or Faith of Miracles according to 1 Cor. 12.9 and 13.2 He that so believes nothing can be too hard for him ☜ * See Mr. Hanmer on Confirmation the antient way of compleating Church-Members pag. 45. Independents and Presbyterians clear touching laying on of hands as refined from Popish Pollutions Those of the Antients he cites Tertul. de Bapt. ad Quintil. cap. 8. A.D. 250. Cyprian Ep. ad Jubar 73. * Dr. Hammond says 't is that of Absolution †Confirm Restaurat pag. 123. * Will any say to drink Poison or any deadly thing or take up Serpents is Milk for Babes * Fillings with the Spirit may be taken in a comparative sense God giving more or greater measures of it in the New Testament dispensation since the Ascension of Christ than before †M. Blackwood notes the emphasis to lie in this Pronoun Relative They the Antecedent hereunto must needs be the Baptized c. * How many Women is not expressed they are seldom the lesser number Mr. D 's Innocency and Truth vindicated
Laying on of Hands UPON BAPTIZED BELIEVERS As such Proved an Ordinance of Christ In Answer to Mr. Danvers's former Book Intituled A Treatise of Laying on of Hands The Second Edition WITH A brief ANSWER to a late Book called A Treatise concerning Laying on of Hands written by a nameless Author By B. K. Psal 119.141 I am small and despised yet do not I forget thy Precepts LONDON Printed are to be Sold by Benj. Harris at the Upper-end of Grace-church-street near Cornhil 1698. The Epistle Dedicatory To the Congregations of our Lord Jesus Christ baptiz'd upon Confession of Faith and under Imposition of Hands particularly in South Wales and more generally throughout England Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied Brethren NOtwithstanding the glorious Light broken forth among us in these later Times yet we see gross Darkness covering the face of the Earth nay and our Heavens are not so clear as we hope e're long to behold them for tho the Light is come yet the Glory of the Lord is but rising upon us ours is but the Morning of that long'd-for Day and poor Sion is but looking forth of the Wilderness hence are so many Divisions amongst us we speak as we see and according to the Light received and as we are bound by the Authority of Divine Precept to walk God gradually discovers Himself and the true Order and Form of his House and Worship unto us and tho we are still labouring under many difficulties having had much Rubbish to remove like the Israelites when they came out of the 70 years Captivity and many have endeavoured to weaken our Hands yet through infinite Grace we may say the Foundation of God's House is laid Tho some who would build cannot find the Wall and some strive to bring in a Stone of Babylon for a Corner whilst others endeavour to cast away a principal Pillar because it has lain a long time corrupted and covered amongst the Antichristian Rubbish Reformation is a glorious work and 't is what we all long and breathe after Mr. D. and others have been helpful to the Church of God with respect to Baptism but for want of further Light have lost their way by which means I perceive many in one respect much behind them in another are got before them and may as far as I can judg get into Canaan as soon as they Imposition of Hands is the Principle of our present Controversy and it is to be lamented that in this day we should be forced to a Work of this nature Our Brother on this Consideration was disswaded from doing what we now see published and rather on this account than any other and tho some judg'd it would do the Truth it self much injury by weakning the hearts or hands of those established in it or enquiring after it yet some judg'd it scarce deserved an Answer But others considering how well he wrote on the other Principle thought it might the more likely tend to intangle the weak and more unwary Christian Now as to my undertaking the Work as I judged my self uncapable in respect of others so it was not my purpose to have been concerned till put upon it by some in this City and considering the backwardness of others it the more induc'd me to it And tho but abruptly done yet such as it is I present it to the serious perusal and consideration of all whose Souls long after the good full restoration and perfection of Sion hoping the God of Truth will cause it to entertainment in the hearts of the humble tho I expect it will be slighted by such as are passionately opinionated of their own attainments and perswasions and who are below receiving instruction from their Inferiours It is the grief of some of you as I believe to see any whom you love and tender in the Lord opposing so holy an Institution of Jesus Christ but however this you will find in perusal of this Discourse that tho too many Baptized Christians utterly disallow and reject it nay seem not desirous to know the Mind of God herein yet many godly Persons both of the Presbyterian and Independent Perswasions tho dark and negligent about the business of Baptism have longed and searched after the knowledg and discovery of this Truth nay have attained to a good understanding and satisfaction herein having laboured after a perfect restoration of it to its primitive use and purity refining it from the Corruptions and Mutations of the Popish Church not only in respect of those abominable additions and mixtures of Chrism and other ridiculous Ceremonies in its administration but also of the Subject to whom of right it belongs as abundantly appears in a Treatise of Mr. Jonathan Hanmar's writ 1658. when 't is apparent their Spirits were very hot upon it I find Mr. Caryl writing Epistolary wise in commendation of the said Book speaking thus I conceive saith he the Learned Author of these elaborate Exercitations has deserved well of the Churches by clearing the way of those admissions from Scripture-grounds and the concurrent Testimony of many both Antient and Modern Writers also by discovering and removing those Popish Additions and Pollutions which by several steps have crept into it And further he says that this ingenious and pious Overture holds forth more than most Churches have hitherto attained Also Mr. Vennings's honest and judicious expressions in his Epistle to the same Treatise I can't well omit who speaking of Reformation and Godliness saith Either by reason of our dim-sightedness being not able to see afar off nor penetrate into the depth and bottom of them or by reason of the abusive Traditions and corrupt Glosses with which for many Ages they have been clouded and over-cast many Truths seem not so clear but they need further clearing among others such as relate to Church-Discipline and Order have long been under debate and not without some considerable advantage tho I humbly conceive we have not attained so far as to be already perfect It remains therefore that we press forward and not be so passionately fond of our prepossest Conceptions as not to have the patience to consider what may be offered to us especially by such as wish well to Sion and desire to see the Gospel-Temple in its Beauty If any Persons are spirited to search after further knowledg in these Affairs to dig for it as for hid Treasures and when they have found a Vein of Golden Ore to refine and stamp it for us we should be in readiness to receive the Truth in the love of it and pay the tribute and homage of Obedience for the sake of the God of Truth whose Image and Superscription it bears What great and profitable Pains my much honoured Friend the Reverend Author of the ensuing Exercitation has taken in this one Particular presented to consideration and with what Curiousness without Curiosity with what Learning without Ostentation c. you will best perceive by the perusal of it and tho my
Communion with himself and with one another in the paths of Peace and Righteousness and enable you to walk inoffensively in all well-pleasing being fruitful in every good work and that the God of all Grace would establish strengthen and settle you in his Truth and Ways that so you may remain unmovable like a Rock in these evil and perilous times wherein so many turn aside giving ear to Seducers Impostors and lying Spirits with which our Days so abound that it will be a choice Blessing to be kept from falling and preserv'd without blame till the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Now that the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep through the blood of the everlasting Covenant would sanctify you throughout and keep you from falling and present you without spot before him in the day of his glorious Appearance shall be the constant and hearty Prayer of Your Brother and Servant for Christ and his Truth sake Benjamin Keach The Epistle to the Reader THE Substance of this ensuing Discourse was formerly wrote and published in answer to Mr. Danvers's Book against laying on of Hands but the former Impression called Darkness vanquished being quite gone I now upon earnest desires thereto present thee with a new one and the rather because I have met with a later and short Tract wrote by a nameless Author against this sacred Ordinance which is also here briefly answer'd I have also some hopes it may tend to establish such Churches and Christians as are in the practice of it and convince such as do oppose it that so clear and precious an Ordinance may not be lost Destroy it not for a Blessing that is in it But being unwilling to be tedious to thee I commit it to the Blessing of God whose Appointment it is Farewel Decem. 13 1697. Laying on of Hands UPON BAPTIZED BELIEVERS As such Proved both from Scripture and Antiquity to be a holy Institution of JESUS CHRIST The INTRODUCTION AS it is matter of grief and trouble to many sober and pious Christians so it is no less of admiration to see such eminent and worthy Persons beclouded and darkned concerning one Ordinance that are so clear in and so much for the practice of another How well have some of our Brethren written concerning Baptism And how have they defended it against the strongest opposition as a glorious Institution of Jesus Christ but yet how have they opposed this other sacred Ordinance or holy Oracle of God Heb. 5.12 and Principle of the Christian Religion viz. Imposition position of hands upon baptized Believers as such which they have some of them cried down as much as they have cried Baptism up rendring it nothing save a meer human Innovation or Antichristian Forgery whereas nothing can be more clear than that it is of the same nature and authority with Baptism and ought equally to be contended for being inter prima Rudimenta Fidei Christianae among the first Rudiments of the Christian Faith Dangerous it is to pull one stone out of the Foundation of the House of God the Lord open their eyes to see their weakness However what they have written concerning this Principle is in this ensuing Treatise examined weighed and particularly answered CHAP. I. MR. Danvers in his Introduction tells us pag. 3. after having given us an Account both from Scripture and Antiquity of the business of Baptism in its Institution Subject Manner and End c. that it may neither be unnecessary nor unprofitable to give us an account of Laying on of hands not only because it immediately follows that of Baptism Heb. 6.1 2. but more especially because for Confirmation as it has been called it had been next after Baptism so solemnly asserted practised and enjoined both in former and later times as an Ordinance of Christ and essentially necessary to Church-Communion But what this Laying on of hands is and how that of Confirmation is founded on the Word of God he tells us he shall consider examin and recommend it to the judgment of all discerning and impartial Christians Reply He hath in his Treatise of Baptism done well Jehovah bless his Work and Pains therein And is it so in very deed Is the ground and reason why he undertook to write about Laying on of hands because it immediately follows Baptism Heb. 6.1 2 Did he find it so clearly there and has that of Confirmation as it is called been so solemnly asserted in former and later times as an Ordinance of Christ and necessary to Church-Communion Methinks if this be so he should have been very careful how he spake or wrote against such an Ordnance which so immediately follows Baptism according to the Scripture and more especially considering what he says about Authors and Antiquity concerning Confirmation or laying on of hands it having been so solemnly asserted practised and enjoined as above said Tho for my part I judg it not worth my while to make such a narrow search into Authors Canons Decrees of General Councils and the like as probably he and many may do considering we have the Word of Christ so plain and clear in the case what need we trouble our selves further especially being satisfied as some of the Fathers have said themselves that no Doctors nor Councils are of any authority or credit without the Word of God Yet finding so many of the Antients speaking so clearly touching this Ordinance tho under another name it confirms me in my belief and practice herein and one would think it should the more stumble them for whatsoever credit or esteem some of those Authors have whom he mentions yet I judg he will grant several of them to be as famous as most who have written since the Apostles time as hereafter may be hinted In the next place he tells us what method he will observe in writing his Treatise viz. First Give us an account what he finds of this Rite as he is pleased to call it in the New Testament Secondly How asserted and practised by the Antients with the Opinions of the Fathers and Decrees of Councils Thirdly How practised and injoined by the Church of Rome Fourthly How by the Church of England Fifthly How maintained by some of the Presbyterian and Independent Perswasions Sixthly How practised and injoined by several of the Baptized Churches in this Nation Then he proceeds to shew how Laying on of hands was us'd in the New Testament 1. In Benediction Mark 10.16 2. For Healing Mark 6.5 3. For conferring the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit before Baptism Acts 9.17 After Baptism Acts 8.14 4. In Ordination Acts 6.6 1 Tim. 4.14 Acts 13.3 Reply I readily grant what he says about the several sorts of Laying on of hands and the use and end of them but must needs except against what he speaks concerning the third sort he affirms that Hands were laid upon Persons for conferring the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit and