10. they were both p. 91. l. 15. to be Christians p. 92. l. 17. plausible p. 94. l. 5. panes p. 102. l. 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Contents p. 1. l. ult obsignation p. 2. l. 24. as well p. ult l. penult general motives dele and exhortations A Discourse of CONFIRMATION DELIVERED At the Primary Visitation of the Right Reverend Father in God THOMAS L. Bishop of Lincoln Held at S. Martins Leicester Sept. 22. 1679. And since enlarged With a short Appendix thereunto Insolentissimae insaniae est existimare non rectè fieri quod ab universa Ecclesia fit D. Aug. ep 118. OF Episcopal Confirmation Heb. 6.2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms and of Laying on of Hands THE Apostle in the foregoing verseâ— mentions the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ The Margin hath it from the Greek the Word of the beginning of Christ or by an easie transposition which our Translation follows the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Camerarius glosseth it Sermonem qui in Christo rudes inchoat as Erasmus and Beza render it the instruction which initiates novices or beginners in Christ The same which in the precedent chapter he calls the first principles of the Oracles of God Ch. 5.12 Ch. 6.1 and here again by a known Figure the foundation that is the rudiments of Christianity Haec omnia pertinere ad initia Neophytorum satis apertéque Scriptura testatur D. Aug. de fide operibus c. 11. or the Christians A B C the chief elements whereof he thus enumerates Of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God the Doctrine of Baptisms and of Laying on of Hands and of the Resurrection of the dead and of Eternal Judgment I will not now trouble you with the several Opinions among Expositors about the distinct way of reckoning of them up If we take them as they lie most obvious to our view B. Taylors Discourse of Confirmat p. 45. then as a right reverend and learned Author speak Here are six fundamental points of S. Pauls Catechism which he laid as the foundation or the beginning of the Institution of the Christian Church and amongst these Imposition of Hands which the Apostles used in confirming the Baptized * And that here it must be so understood he proves distinctly p. 46 47 48. and invocating the Holy Ghost upon them is reckoned as a part of the foundation And therefore they who deny it saith he dig up foundations And when S. Paul calls it the Doctrine of the Laying on of Hands it does not onely appear to be a lasting Ministry because no part of the Christian Doctrine can be changed or abolished but hence also it appears to be of Divine Institution For if it were not S. Paul had been guilty of that which our Blessed Saviour reproves in the Scribes and Pharisees and should have taught for Doctrines the commands of men which because it cannot be supposed it must needs follow that this Doctrine of Imposition of Hands or Confirmation is Apostolical and Divine But upon a stricter examination of the words the chief stress of all seems unto me I confess to be laid upon the two formost heads wherein S. Paul elsewhere summs up the whole counsel of God * Acts 20.21 and that agrees well enough with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 1.13 namely Repentance from dead works and faith towards God which certainly includes fidelity and obedience to his commands as well as belief of the Creed whereof the two concluding branches are those last specified the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment which the same Apostle in like manner particularly refers to when he professeth his hope Godwards before the Governour of Caesarea Acts 24.15 And then the words of the Text there being no particles of connexion between them may fitly enough be read by way of apposition hereunto Vide Calv. in loc as in a Parenthesis the Doctrine of Baptisms and of Laying on of Hands not so much to intend the recital of two other different heads of Christian Doctrine as the time when account was given and taken of this Catechism viz. at Baptism which in their first Ages was commonly dispensed to the Adult and at Confirmation after Baptism by the Imposition or Laying on of Hands q.d. The foundation of Repentance from dead works and Faith towards God being the Christian Doctrine an account whereof was given and taken at Baptism and the Laying on of Hands The Doctrine delivered and professed at Baptism and the Laying on of Hands Mr. W. Par. Annot. â—â—â—ford in loc 1675. as a late worthy Paraphrast hath it Or as he speaks more at large The principles of Religion whereof publick confession was made at Baptism by Converts and at the times of Imposition of Hands by those that had received Baptism in their Infancy First we have here Baptism the door or entrance of Christianity called Baptisms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the plural number perhaps because many were baptized at once or put for the singular Lib. de side operibus c. 11. as chap. 9.23 so S. Augustine reads it Lavacri Doctrinae or else with reference to the threefold mersion then made use of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Baptism though in this one were anciently used many mersions or washings * The Reference of Aquinaes and others to a Triplex Baptismus Fluminis Flaminis Sanguinis seems too much strained And so also the Duplex Baptismus Joannis Christi which some here discourse of And then Imposition of hands for Confirmation but previous thereunto Instruction in the first elements or principles of Christian Doctrine by a plain and practical Catechism such as that which is appointed by our Church to be learned by every one before they be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop For whatever low and contemptible thoughts some may have of our Church Catechism it is certainly most agreeable to the Apostolical patern here set before us viz. the foundation of Repentance from dead works and Faith towards God that is the summ of our Engagements as we are Christians or the vow of our Christianity to forsake the Devil the World and the Flesh to believe all the Articles of the Christian Faith among which are the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal Judgment and to keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of our Life shewing thus all good fidelity towards that God in whom we believe This is nothing else you see but a Paraphrase upon Repentance from dead works and Faith towards God and so it appears to have been design'd by the Church You may observe it manifestly in the Questions and Answers touching Baptism Q. What is required of persons to be Baptized A. Repentance whereby they forsake sin and Faith whereby they stedfastly believe the Promises made to them in that Sacrament Q. Why then are Infants
the Church the Metropolitical or Mother-Church which was at Jerusalem as it follows verse 22. they sent forth Barnabas one of their own Number to help assist and confirm them in these good Beginnings And how he demeaned himself among them the Text acquaints us Who when he was come and had seen the Grace of God was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord. You see then the Occasion of the Words and the Persons concerned in them The Speaker St. Barnabas the Apostle A good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith as we have his Character verse 24. And the Hearers the Neophites or young Converts at Antioch unto whom he was sent from the Church at Jerusalem to confirm them in their Christianity And then you cannot but observe 1. How he was affected upon the joyful sight of their hopeful Beginning And 2. How he endeavored to strenthen and encourage them unto an answerable perseverance according to the same First How he was affected upon the very sight of their hopeful Beginnings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who when he was come and had seen the Grace of God was glad When he was come and had seen the Grace of God The Grace of God he means in calling them by his Gospel and adding them to his Church The Grace of God conspicuous in their believing and turning unto the Lord turning from Idols and Lusts to serve the Living and true God This was that which affected our Apostle with great Joy to behold so many partakers of the Word of God's Grace and devoting themselves upon it to the Profession and Practice of Christianity For otherwise than in Profession and Practice Grace is a thing invisible and not to be seen by any Now this is the longing and delight of all good Men especially of the Faithful Ministers of Christ Their Love to him their Master and their Love to Souls the purchase of his Blood makes this sight pleasant and transporting to them St. Paul therefore calls the Philippians His dearly beloved his Joy and Crown ch 4.1 And tells the Collossians that though he was absent in Body yet he was with them in Spirit joying and beholding their Order and the stedfastness of their Faith in Christ ch 2.5 And St. John writes unto the Elect Lady That He rejoyced greatly that he found her Children walking in the Truth 2 Ep. verse 4. And to his Host Gaius 3 Ep. verse 3 and 4. That he rejoyced greatly when the Brethren came and testified of the Truth that was in him and that he had no greater Joy than to hear that his Children meaning his Disciples and followers walked in the Truth that is according to the Gospel which is call'd both Grace and Truth Here we may borrow the Psalmist's Exclamation Ecce quam bonum quam jucundum Behold how good and how joyful a thing it is Psal 133. To see a Society of Regular Christians combined together in the Bonds of Faith and Amity and walking orderly in the Fear of God and Love unto all men but more especially each unto other thus holding forth the Beauty of the word of Life in their Conversations and maintaining the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace How ravishing a Shew this is Erasmus in his Preface before his Paraphrase on St. Matthew having recommended unto Novices the solemn Renewal of their Baptismal Covenant by an open and publick Profession thereof which is the thing we do at Confirmation adds upon it Quam verò magnificum esset hoc Spectaculum c. How magnificent and glorious a Spectacle would this be to hear the Voice of so many Young ones dedicating themselves to Jesus Christ of so many Beginners engaging themselves by Oath of Fidelity to him swearing into his Words to believe and obey them renouncing the World which lieth all in Wickedness abjuring and hissing in a manner at the Devil with all his Pomps and Pleasures and Works To see these new Christians bearing the Sign of their Emperor the Captain of their Salvation on their Foreheads To behold the goodly Company of these Canditates coming up from the Holy Laver and to hear the Voice of the Multitude of Adult Christians congratulating and wishing well to them And Oh that we had continual Matter and Occasion for such Divine Joy as this And not rather of having our Souls grieved and vexed with Righteous Lot's by the graceless and wicked Behaviour of those among whom we live 2 St. Pet. 2.7 8. Or of Lamenting with Holy David because men keep not God's Laws Paul 119.136 because of such whom St. Paul speaks of to the Philippians with Tears in his Eyes ch 3.18 19. The Enemies of the Cross of Chris◠whose End is Destruction whose God is their Belly whose Glory is their Shame who mind Earthly things May we all with Barnabas see more of the Grace of God in our People that we also may rejoyce and be glad in and for it And now that this Joy of his might be prolonged he proceeds Secondly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Exhort them all with purpose of Heart to cleave unto the Lord which is the principle thing I have my Eyes at present upon He encouraged them to hold on as they had begun to abide by their own Choice and as they had received Christ Jesus the Lord so to walk in him Collos 2.6.7 rooted and built up and established in the Faith persevereingly Perseverantèr adhaerere Domino Erasm Annot. ex animo liberâ voluntate Id. propenso corde Vatab. firmo proposito Grot. non frididè nec simulatè sed sincero ardenti studio Beza to adhere to that Lord and Religion which they had embraced and this heartily and with a free will with a ready mind with a firm and steddy purpose not coldly or feignedly but with Sincerity and Fervor of Endeavor with Deliberation and Resolution of Heart that is as the Hebrews are wont to express it with the whole Heart or with all the Heart and Soul and so the Syriac and Arabic Interpreters here phrase it In a word cordially and stedfastly to hold fast unto Christ Three points I design by God's Help to speak briefly unto in the handling of these words 1. What is included in the Duty it self here press'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleave unto the Lord. 2 What farther in the manner of performance recommended 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with purpose of Heart And then 3. What Arguments or Motives we may suppose the Apostle to have made use of to enforce this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Exhortation of his to them all That with purpose of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord. Of which now in Order And First of the General Expression of the Duty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cleave unto the Lord. The Greek word signifies to abide by or continue with that is to hold on and persevere the Disciples and
Ep. 72. quae est ad Stephunum Tunc enim plenè sanctificari esse Dei filii possunt si Sacramento utroque nascantur cùm scriptum sit Nisi quis natus fuerit ex aqua spiritu non potest intrare in regnum Dei. But I shall wave the urging of this also We have an undoubted and remarkable instance of Apostolical practice for it Acts 8. where Philip the Deacon having preached the Gospel at Samaria and thereby won many Converts and baptized them the Apostles at Jerusalem hearing of it send forth two of their own number Peter and John Who saith the sacred Text ver 15. c. when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost and then laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost It pleased God that those admirable Gifts called there the Holy Ghost should not ordinarily be conferred on the Baptized but by the Apostles hands thereby to strengthen the Authority of those his Witnesses and by the same means promote the unity of the Church through the reverend esteem of those chief Ministers as Grotius well notes In locum In this story now we have 1. The persons confirmed the baptized Samaritans who had believed and been instructed aforehand in Philip's doctrine 2. The Ministers of Confirmation Peter and John the Apostles sent from Jerusalem on that very purpose 3. What they did in Confirmation Having heard of their faith in receiving the Word of God and their baptism in profession of that faith they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost and laid their hands upon them 4. The consequent effect thereof they received the Holy Ghost that is the more plentiful effusions of the Holy Ghost in his gifts and graces which in that beginning of the Christian Church were miraculous and extraordinary whereas the promise of the same Spirit holds good still in some due proportion unto the Christians of all Ages to the worlds end Those saith S. Ep. 73. quae est ad Jubaianum Cyprian who believed in Samaria had believed with a true faith and were baptized in the Church which is but one and to which alone it is permitted to give the grace of Baptism and to lose sins And therefore having obteined a legitimate and Ecclesiastical Baptism ought not again to be baptized but that onely which was yet wanting to be done unto them by Peter and John that by prayer and imposition of hands the Holy Ghost might be invoked and poured forth upon them Circa A.D. 250. which now also saith he is the custom observed among us that they who are baptized in the Church be offered to the Governors of the Church and by our prayer and imposition of hands obtain the Holy Ghost and be consummated or perfected with the Lord's Seal or Signature Where we see he applies the Apostolical patern to the custom retained still by the Church in Confirmation the practice whereof in his days he doth well describe and intimates also the requisiteness of it after Baptism though never so legitimate when he calls it Id quod deerat That which was yet wanting Again anoher instance we have Acts 19. where we find S. Paul confirming those who were taught and baptized before at Ephesus ver 6. When Paul laid his hands upon them saith the Text the Holy Ghost came upon them and they spoke with Tongues and prophesied They were baptized saith Grotius on the place by some other Christian but God to commend the Apostolical office would not communicate those gifts of the Holy Ghost untill the hand of some Apostle had touched them And though he be not bound to this or any other observance yet such was the method of his ordinary dispensation then among them Here now we have 12 persons first taught and then baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and then afterwards by the imposition of the Apostles hands receiving the Holy Ghost manifested according to the special way and exigency of those first times in his visible and extraordinary gifts And to this S. Paul himself seems to refer touching these Ephesians confirmed by him as upon occasion I before in part suggested Ephes 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise Nor ought any to be offended or prejudiced because we find not the like gifts of the Spirit continued now in the Church The Holy Ghost saith S. De Baptismo l. 3. c. 16. Augustine is not now given by Imposition of hands with temporal and sensible miracles as it was at the first for the commendation of the Faith and the enlargment of the beginnings of the Church who now expects it c. But we are now to understand that after an invisible and hidden manner Divine Charity is inspired into their hearts by the bond of peace And thus as the Apostle hath it to the Corinthians 1 Epist ch 12. There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit Not the same gifts now as then yet the same spirit still To these instances of Apostolical practice therefore S. Augustine and S. Jerom Circa A.D. 203. do both freely appeal for the justifying of this sacred custom as S. Cyprian you heard before did and that without any colour for the imputation of Montanism in the case as some have fondly pleased themselves to imagine The Disciples prayed saith S. De Trinit l. 15. c. 26. Augustine that the Holy Ghost might come upon those on whom they laid their hands Which same custom the Church doth also now observe in her Governors or Bishops And then for S. Dialog advers Luciferian Jerom Dost thou not know saith he that this is the custom of the Churches to lay hands afterwards on the baptized and so to invocate the Holy Ghost Dost thou demand of me Where is it written I answer In the Acts of the Apostles and were there no Scripture Authority at all to support it the consent of the whole world might in this supply the room of a Precept for there are also many other things observed by Tradition in the Churches which have taken to themselves the Authority of a written Law as the threefold immersion in Baptism c. This 't is true he speaks in the person of Luciferianus but then he brings in Orthodoxus making a Reply by way of Acknowledgment to the same I do not indeed deny this saith he to be the custom of the CHurches that the Bishop go forth to those who were baptized afar off in lesser Cities by Priests and Deacons to lay hands upon them for the invocating of the Holy Ghost Deservedly therefore doth our Church refer us to the same Apostolical warrant Upon whom after the the example of the holy Apostles we have now laid our hands So in the Prayer at Confirmation the Fathers of the Primitive Church taking occasion and founding themselves upon the said acts and deeds of the
of the Principles of Christian Religion as may render them capable of it Aquinas indeed determines that the Sacrament of Confirmation as he calls it ought to be exhibited in common to all that are baptized Part 3. Q. 72. Artic. 8. and at all times The bodily Age saith he doth not prejudice the Soul and even Children dying confirmed obtain the greater Glory as here they do the greater Grace L. de Sacram And Contarenus grounds the Custom of giving it to Infants upon his Authority But grave men among themselves mislike this Practice Consult ad Artic. 9. I see saith Cassander that it doth not displease good men of both sides that the use of it be delay'd till some Growth of Age And so the Roman Catechism now requires The truth is the Vtility and Benefit of this Sacred Institution exacts all this Some competent Growth and Understanding in the Party confirmed Heed and Diligence in his Prae-instruction and all Gravity and Seriousness in the whole Administration And to the intent that no man should think that any Detriment should come to Children by deferring their Confirmation unto years of Discretion our Church hath declared it for a Truth certain by God's Word That Children being baptized have all things necessary for their Salvation and dying before they commit actual Sin are undoubtedly saved Let me therefore beseech those who shall come at any time upon this Holy Errand to ponder well and consider with themselves of what weight and moment the matter is they are going about what they are obliged to do and what the Blessing is they hope to receive thereupon Their Business in short is to declare that they are not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ but glory in his Cross to profess themselves upon choice and in good earnest Christians the resolved Disciples Servants and Souldiers of Jesus Christ to devote themselves entirely to his Faith and Service to take the solemn Vow and Promise made formerly in their Names by their Sureties upon themselves that is to vow Repentance from dead Works and Faith towards God to renounce the Devil the World and the Flesh and give up themselves to the Belief and Obedience of the Gospel This is the Work they come about and then their Reward is so doing to participate in the Prayers of the Church and the Blessing of the Bishop to be promoted to an higher Form in the School of Christ among an higher Rank of Professors and admitted to all the Priviledges af Adult and Compleat Christians Now therefore in the last place I need not to say much more concerning the Importance and Vsefulness of this whole Action which all along speaks for it self and whereof accordingly I have suggested a competent Account already in treating of the parts of it The fewer words therefore shall here suffice and I will little more than name the particulars which otherwise I should have enlarged upon 1. This would utterly enervate the Anabaptists Plea for Re-baptizing those who were before baptized in their Infancy did they every one at their Confirmation thus explicitely take upon themselves what was then promised and undertaken in their Name and so give up themselves afresh to God and his Church And it is you know part of the Charge which we leave with God-fathers and God-mothers at the Font Office of Public Baptism to bring them when prepared unto the Bishop thus to do Nor is this as some have surmized any Imputation to their Baptism as imperfect in it self but a Supply only to the Imperfection of their State who were Baptized in their Infancy with a legitimate and true Baptism by the solemn renewing of the Answer or Stipulation of a good Conscience towards God which ought frequently to be repeated throughout our whole Life Praef. ad Paraph. in Evang. S. Matth. Repraesentatio pristini Baptismi as Erasmus calls it And Whether the solemn Baptizing of all Infants though the Children of presumed Christian Parents throughout this Kingdom Without solemn Astipulation that they shall at Years of Discretion personally ratifie their Vow in Baptism in Publick in such manner as the Church requires be not rather more Lawful than Expedient I leave with all Submission On the Creed l. 10. c. 50. to the Consideration of Higher Powers saith the Learned Pious and Reverend Dr. Jackson 2. This would supercede the new modell'd Examinations set on foot by Private Authority before the Admission of Persons to the Blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper whether by Lay-Elders in Conjunction with Presbyters or by Popular Congregations and wholly silence the many fierce and unhappy Feuds and Controversies which have been moved on that occasion 3. It would extreamly quicken and encourage the Endeavors of all that are concern'd among us in the Prae-instruction of Youth and whet the Learners also to a greater Diligence and Industry and prove a mighty Ease and Satisfaction to the Minds of those who have undertaken in their Names at Baptism 4. It would very much conduce to the recommending and endearing of God's Ministers the Bishops of the Church to the Affections of the People by and from whom they and theirs partake of so great a benefit so as to oblige them if any thing can do it never to lift up their Hand or so much as open their Mouth against them never to return them Evil for Good and requite their Blessings with Curses and Reproaches 5. It would highly promote the Truth and Power of Godliness and Religion so much talk'd of It would bring good Instructions to some hopeful Effect and Issue and put every Sinner among us who is not also past Shame to blush and hang down the Head upon the remembrance of that good Confession which he himself had so openly made before many Witnesses See Dr. Patrick 's excellent and affectionate Exhortation unto Confirmation Aqua Genitalis Use 4. and the Appendix and yet so notoriously violated and contradicted With what Face could he devote himself to Atheism and Impiety who before God and his Elect Angels the Bishop and an Assembly of Christians hath personally vowed and promised the Belief of the Christian Faith and Obedience unto all God's Holy Commandments And with such a grave Solemnity renounced the Devil and all his Works c. He hath the Argument of Common Justice and Honesty from henceforth admonishing of him continually to be as good as his Word to take heed of the crying Sin of Perjury such an aggravated Perjury especially as this is a Sacrilegious Perjury He hath many to rise up in Judgment against him upon Transgression He hath such-like Thoughts as these to accompany him wherever he goes that if he fails in this vowed Duty he must at last witness against himself be condemned out of his own Mouth and left without an Apology and if he shall presume to live in a Course contradictory to this Holy Profession he can expect nothing but that cursed Doom which with
Apostolick Example must needs be Sacraments And yet the word Sacrament too is sometimes used by the Fathers in a very large Extent and Bucer calls this a Sacramental Rite The Second high point of Danger is that by tying Confirmation to the Bishop alone there is great cause of Suspicion given to think that Baptism is not so precious a thing as Confirmation For will any man think that a Velvet Coat is of no more price than a Linnen Coife knowing the one to be an Ordinary Garment and the other an Ornament which only Sergeants at Law wear Finally to draw to an end of Perils the last and the weightiest hazzard is where the Book it self doth say that Children by Imposition of Hands and Prayer may receive strength against all Temptation This Speech as a Two-edged Sword doth both ways dangerously wound Partly because it ascribeth Grace to Imposition of Hands whereby we are able no more to assure our selves in the warrant of any Promise from God that his Heavenly Grace shall be given than the Apostle was that himself should obtain Grace by the bowing of his Knees to God Ephes 3.14 And partly because by useing the very word Strength in this matter a word so apt to spread Infection we maintain with Popish Evangelists John 20.22 Acts 1.8 an old forlorn Distinction of the Holy Ghost bestowed upon Christ's Apostles before his Ascension into Heaven and augmented upon them afterwards a Distinction of Grace infused into Christian Men by degrees planted in them at first by Baptism and after that cherished watered and be it spoken without Offence strengthened as by other vertuous Offices which Piety and True Religion teacheth even so by this very special Benediction whereof we speak the Rite or Ceremony of Confirmation And now by way of Over-plus I shall easily obtain pardon for translating to the use of my Country-men these admirable Passages of the Reverend Dr. De Confirmat Praef. §. 10. item c. 11. §. 6. subsec 8. Hammond Undoubtedly were these things as they are holily and wisely ordain'd in the Church of Christ either by the Apostles themselves or after their Patern by Apostolical men the Successors of their Chair and Power so also piously reverently and constantly applied by Prelates other Weapons of the Churches Warfare being in their Place and Order call'd in for Help as often as there is need that is to say more particularly and distinctly if care were taken by the Rectors or Curates of all Parishes to bring those who have been Baptized in their Infancy and afterwards instructed in the Catechism which is a plain Explication of the Baptismal Vow and Heads of Faith to the Bishop no less eminent for his Sanctity than Honor and they admitted hereupon by the Imposition of his Hand and Benediction as also by his Paternal Monition and Threatning to a solemn Confirmation of the Profession and Abrenunciation made in their Names at Baptism being upon these Terms only permitted to approach the Lord's Table and to be driven from thence bound by the Power of the Keys and interdicted the Priviledges of Disciples as often as they are found in a Crime or manifestly guilty of voluntary Transgression and to be redeemed from this Shipwrack by the Plank of genuine and solid Repentance only If I say we Christians were accustomed to serve and go forward in the Camp of Christ by this severe but not tetrical Law fitted not so much for a vain and empty Pomp as a solemn and select Fight with Wickedness and Vice it can scarce be spoken or conceived how plentiful and happy an Harvest might be expected from this Seed-time and Tillage what Victory against the Flesh and Devil what Trophies might be look'd for from these Weapons of Apostolical Warfare which are not fleshly and weak but mighty through God and able to destroy strong Holds Whereas these Methods of our Christian Polity having been now long despised and either universally passing into Dis-use or framed only to an empty shew of Piety and degenerating into the mere shadow of External performance or which is yet worse being converted to Lucre and Avarice as the Arch-bishop of Spalado complains we may at this day in vain seek for the Church in the Church the Servants of God in his Family the Disciples of Christ among Christians Nor find any thing pious and holy but the Shadow and Name among the Candidates of Religion Yet once more By this solemn Rite by this neither exceeding nor empty Pomp of Ceremonies the Candidate of Divine Grace is admonished meekly sweetly and constantly to bear the Gracious Yoke of the Gospel taken from his Suretie's Hands upon his own Shoulders And also with a Solemn Confession in the open Congregation professeth with the Mouth his Faith and Resolution before God Angels and Men and is moreover made partaker of the most ardent Prayers of the Bishop Presbyters and whole Church All which whosoever can persuade himself or others that they are like to be vain and of no effect he may by the same Endeavor mock at the most Holy Mysteries of Christian Religion as Trifles Figments and an unprofitable Shew or Appearance only I will end this Appendix with this plain Description of Confirmation out of the Premisses It is a Sacred and Apostolical Rite of most Ancient Use in the Church of Christ wherein the Bishop lays his Hand on Baptized Persons come to Years of Discretion and prae-instructed in the Principles of their Christianity The Importance of which Performance is that the Parties Confirmed do then publickly renew and ratifie the solemn Vow and Promise made in their names at Baptism taking the same upon themselves and acknowledging themselves bound thereby and the Bishop confirming calls upon God with the Congregation then present for the additional Supplies of his Grace upon them and in the Name of God gives them his Paternal Benediction and Admonitions The End of the Appendix S. BARNABAS HIS EXHORTATION To those whom he Confirmed at Antioch BEING A Practical Discourse to a Country Audience to prepare them for their Bishops CONFIRMATION Adhuc in saeculo sumus adhuc in acie constituti danda opera est ut post haec initia ad incrementa quoque veniatur consummetur in vobis quod jam rudimentis foelicibus esse coepistis D. Cypr. epist 7. St. Barnabas his Exhortation to those whom he Confirmed at Antioch Acts 11.23 Who when he was come and had seen the Grace of God was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord. BY the Dispersion of the Christian Church upon the Persecution that arose about St. Stephen the Protomartyr Divine Providence wonderfully brought about the Enlargement and Multiplying of it In particular while some of them were preaching the Lord Jesus at Antioch The Hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord verse 21. And when Tidings of these things came unto the Elders of