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book_n	old_a	prophet_n	testament_n	5,085	5	8.1969	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A47585	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 : with a brief answer to a late book called, A treatise concerning laying on of hands, written by a nameless author / by B.K. ...	Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.	1698 (1698)	Wing K74; ESTC R8584	65,265	127

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 ●●●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

God forbid we should be guilty of such things Rome and others may herein justly be charged but our Souls witness against it as an abominable Assertion And that remarkable Expression of Dr. Owen's as Mr. D. calls it we can with all readiness and simplicity close in with and judg it necessary once more to recite it viz. This then they who hold Communion with Christ are careful of they will admit nothing practise nothing in the Worship of God private or publick but what they have his Warrant for for unless it comes in his Name with Thus saith the Lord Jesus they will not hear an Angel from Heaven they know the Apostles themselves were to teach the Saints only what Christ commanded them Communion with God p. 171. The Doctor 's Rule is ever to be followed the Lord open his eyes for how doth this clearly overthrow all his Arguments for Infant-Baptism c. But what injury doth it do us who can say Thus saith the Lord Jesus 't is left on record amongst the first Principles of his Doctrine Heb. 6. 1 2. 't is a Command of God if the Oracles of God be his Command Heb. 5.12 which sure none will deny since the Apostle Paul and Stephen a Man full of the Holy Spirit affirm them so to be We believe what the Doctor saith viz. that the Apostles were to teach nothing but what Christ commanded them to whom they were obedient therein and surely then all may see a Divine Institution for this Practice for was it not taught to the Hebrew Church Heb. 5.12 And did not Peter and John teach it to the Saints at Samaria and Paul to the Disciples at Ephesus and to Timothy yea and made them obedient thereto Acts 8.17 19.6 2 Tim. 1.6 If Laying on of hands were not an Ordinance of God and of Divine Institution saith Mr. Blackwood Annot. on Matth. p. 690. then the Apostles in the administration thereof had practised Will-worship nay which is more had left a Rule of Will-worship unto us Heb. 6.1 But 't is absurd to think that the Apostle would do either of these therefore Laying on of hands upon baptized Persons is an Apostolical Institution Far be it from us or any Christian to harbour so uncharitable thoughts of the blessed Apostles viz. that they would do any thing in Christ's Name without his Warrant If any Man saith Paul think himself to be a Prophet or Spiritual let him acknowledg that the things I write unto you are the Commandments of the Lord 1 Cor. 14.37 Compare this with Rom. 15.18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me to make the Gentiles obedient by word or deed CHAP. VIII Containing a few Motives or Arguments provoking and encouraging to Obedience to the Holy Ordinance of Imposition of Hands BEfore I conclude I judg it necessary to offer two or three Motives to stir up to Obedience such as desire to be found sincere Followers of the Lord Jesus and of the primitive Saints and to walk in all the Commandments of the Lord blameless and to consider whether they do not lie short of their Duty and Privilege whilst they omit or neglect this precious tho despised Ordinance of Imposition of Hands Motive 1. Brethren Consider you have the holy Pattern of the Saints of old to stir you up to a diligent search in the Book of God's Law to find out what his Mind and Will may be concerning you How glad were the Children of Israel when upon enquiry they found out that long-neglected Ordinance of sitting in Booths in the Feast of Tabernacles Neh. 8.14 17. they did not then contend against it or raise Objections saying it has not been done for many years Samuel David Hezekiah and Josiah did it not who had glorious Light and were great Reformers and we have no immediate Vision or miraculous Appearance of God to revive this Institution We find nothing of this nature stumbled them but as they found it written they set about the Work and there was great Joy They were not like many Souls in our days who make Objections against Baptism and Laying on of hands such and such eminent Men say they see it not practise it not 't is not an Institution of Christ if it were sure Mr. such a one a learned Minister and Brother would be for it he is a Man of greater light and understanding than you c. 'T is no marvel they are thus beclouded whilst their eyes are so fixt on Men and instead of walking by the perfect Light of God's Word walk by the Light of those that are so imperfect Motive 2. Consider that by a universal obedience to Christ you will appear to be his Disciples indeed and of the Remnant of the Woman's Seed Rev. 12.17 Yea you will enter into strong bands of Alliance and Friendstip with the Lord Jesus You are my Friends saith he if you do whatsoever I command you Joh. 15.14 This also will add boldness to the Saints Then shall I not be ashamed saith David when I have respect to all thy Commandments Mot. 3. Let the Nature of the Ordinance move you to consider your fault and neglect herein and as you desire that the Church you have given up your selves to walk in the order of the Gospel with being knit and fitly framed together may grow into a Holy Temple in the Lord. Be sure see there is no defect in the Foundation take heed it wants not one principal Pillar and let none speak slightingly of this Institution lest he provoke Jesus Christ thereby Did he command any thing in vain And by the same Argument you adventure to cast off this Principle another may do so by Baptism and consequently all the rest and so in time God's Spiritual House be like unto the literal Temple viz. not have one Stone left upon another which will not be thrown down Motive 4. Consider that those blessed Promises God has made of giving the Comforter the Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive are entailed to the obedient Soul if we will have the Blessing we must be found in our Duty And how has God crowned this Service as has been shewed with wonderful manifestations thereof Nay consider what measure soever God has given thee of his Spirit by waiting upon him in other Ordinances yet this of Imposition of hands Christ has appointed as the Ministry thereof to baptized Believers as such to every particular Institution there is some special and peculiar Blessing annexed and 't is ordained as God's ordinary way for the conveyance of it as I might largely shew in respect of Preaching the Word Baptism the Lord's Supper Church-Censures c. and the like also in this of Laying on of hands and tho God is not tied to this or that Ordinance yet he hath tied us to the exact observation of them He may anticipate his own Order and give us the Mercy promised in part