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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	epistle_n	paul_n	timothy_n	2,910	5	10.4803	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57271	Laying on of hands asserted: or, A plain discovery of the truth thereof under those several considerations, minded in the New Testament. 1. Upon persons for healing: with a brief discovery of that ordinance of Christ, (to wit) anointing with oile. 2. Upon persons to office. 3. Upon believers, baptized, as such: and that principle of Christs doctrine cleared, for their obedience: with objections answered to each particular. To which is annexed, a confutation of four chapters written by some person, or persons, in opposition to this principle of the doctrine of Christ, (to wit) laying on of hands upon believers baptized, as such; wherein the weakness of their reasons against the truth, is plainly discovered, and the truth further asserted, and vindicated. By VVilliam Rider, servant to the Church of Christ.	Rider, William, fl. 1656.	1656 (1656)	Wing R1444A; ESTC R217997	59,976	201

we have no command for the laying on of hands Answ. Now that we have a command appears First from Christs teaching of it there is a positive Command for what he taught as a part of his service we are injoyned to be obedient unto but Christ did teach this as a part of his service yea as a principal part thereof not onely relating to the building but to the foundation of the building which is of more weight as Heb. 6. 1 2. Now that this we are commanded to observe see how full that Scripture comes upon us Acts 3. 22. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you yea this command is followed with a curse if we obey not verse 23. And it shall come to passe that every Soul which will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from amongst the people 2. Answer VVe have a command and that also from the Apostles teaching and practise of it that they did teach it and practise it you have already heard in the second Reason Now as they did teach it and practise it see how positive the command lies upon us Phil. 4. 9. Those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of love and peace shall be with you also minde 2 Thes. 2. 15. Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the Traditions which you have been taught whether by Word or our Epistle Now beloved this was one of those things or of those traditions the Apostles had delivered to the Churches yea one of those things they had both heard learned and received and seen in Paul which the Apostle commands them to do to be exercised in to hold fast and this is Pauls exhortation unto Timothy and that by way of command 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things thou hast heard of me amongst many witnesses the same commit thou unto faithful men that they may be able to teach others also Now this was one things that Timothy had heard and learned of Paul and that which he received from him as is plainly manifest in the 5 Reason Object But now whereas some may object and say that Pauls laying on his hands upon Timothy was to office Answ. I answer that it was not to office but for the receiving of the promised Spirit which promised Spirit God did so pour forth upon Timothy that he was made according to the Prophecies that went before of him a good Souldier of Christ one fit to war in his Kingdome to be exercised in the work of the Lord the ministerial office therefore saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 1. 18. This charge I commit unto thee son Timothy according to the Prophecies that went before of thee that thou by them mightest War a good warfare This charge to wit that you shall finde in the 3 vers. to be this that he should charge some they should preach no other Doctrine and whereas he saith according to the Prophesies that went before of thee that thou by them mightest War a good warfare that was those revelations that God manifested unto some of his people whereby he discovered Timothy to be one whom he had chosen to the work of the Ministry and so by them that was those Prophesies the Apostle was assured that his calling was of God and that his blessing would accompany him So that when Paul laid his hands upon him he received the Holy Spirit and that in such manner as that he was fitted abundantly for the work of the Lord which when this was manifested and he had by the people of God or Church of Christ a call thereunto he was by the laying on of hands of the Eldership or Presbytery set apart for the work of the Ministry as you may see 1 Tim. 4. 14. So that it is plainly manifest that by the imposition of Pauls hands Timothy received the Spirit in the gifts thereof 2 Tim. 1. 6. And by the imposition of the hands of the Eldership he was separated to the work of the Ministry according to the Prophesies that went before of him 1 Tim. 4. 14. 3. We have a command and that from the Commission the Lord Jesus gave his Disciples Mat. 28. 20. Teaching them to wit those that believe and are Baptised to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you From whence this truth appears That if Christ did command the Apostles to lay on hands they were to teach those whom they should Baptize to submit thereunto as the words do plainly manifest Teaching them to observe But Christ did command the Apostles to lay on hands For what they did in any service of Christ unto believers as such was by the command or authority of the Lord Jesus and therefore say they 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God and in the 14 Chap. v. 37. If any man think himself to be a Prophet or Spiritual let him acknowledge the things I write unto you are Commandments of the Lord this was the account they gave of their authority And it is observable I never knew that opposer yet of this truth of Christ that durst affirm the Apostles had no command for laying on of hands So that I say if they had a command for laying on of hands the Observation thereof was taught by them and is that which God by vertue of his Commission given doth require of us for saith Christ Teaching them that is those that are Baptized to observe all things whatsoever I have Commanded you Object But now some will say Laying on of hands is not there expressed Answ. I answer Though it be not expressed it is plainly implyed for whatsoever the Apostles did teach and practise was by vertue of their Commission received from Christ But this they did teach Heb. 5. 12. and also practise Acts 8. 17. and 19. 6. and therefore it was by vertue of their Commission received from Christ And their very manner of teaching and practising discovers it to be the mind and Command of God unto believers as such 1. Because they taught it as a first principle or beginning-Word of Christ unto young believers and therefore it 's reckoned up milk for Babes Heb. 6. 1. 5. 12. 2. Because they taught it as a principle of the foundation of the service of Christ and that as repentance faith Baptisme Resurrection and eternal Iudgement Heb. 6. 1 2. 3. Because they taught it as that which Christ taught unto them or gave in charge unto them as he appointed them to be Stewards of the mysteries of God and therefore they witness it the Doctrine or teaching of Christ Heb. 6. 1. that which they had received from him even the Lord Jesus Christ So that from the Commission doth likewise appear the force also of this obedience whereby those that resist the truth

that know the will of God yet walk not in the practise thereof It likewise reproves those congregations that have for some season looked upon themselves as Churches of Christ and yet want this order among them Oh that they would consider the reason why they are short in this particular that they might see whether or no the Lord have not a controversie with them for their neglect and their opposition against one principle of his Doctrine that which Christ taught unto which believers as believers were obedient which is a great transgression their neglecting to hear Christ in that saying of his which is the last particular of laying on of hands I have minded as I shall indeavour in it's place by the Lords assistance to make forth unto you Secondly Of laying on of hands upon persons to office THis was likewise an Ordinance or way of God by which those persons who were called to office by the Church of Christ were set apart and so indeed are to be set apart as it was the practise of the first Churches and of those who first trusted in Christ whose footsteps we are to follow in this way they went see Acts 13. 3 vers. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them to wit Paul and Barnabas they sent them away From whence observe and that first the work it was great it was to the Ministry according to what the Lord had spoken concerning Paul that he was a chosen vessel and that to preach the Gospel unto the Gentiles as you may see in the 26 of the Acts 15. 16 17 vers. so the work was great to the performance of which they would need much of the power and presence of the Lord with them therefore they fasted and prayed and layed their hands on them c. 2. Observe the persons who laid on hands they were the Prophets and Teachers in this Church as in the 1 and 2 verses So likewise somtimes it was done by the Apostles themselves as Acts 6. 6 vers. so also by Paul and Barnabas who were called as before to the office of Apostles to lay the foundation to do the work of an Apostle Acts 14. 23 vers. so also by Timothy who was the first Bishop of the Church of Ephesus 1 Tim. 5. 22. vers. and also Titus Tit. 1. 5. vers. so likewise by the Presbytery the Company of Eldership in the Church who were by the Church of Christ called to officiate in the wayes of God unto his people by whom Timothy was ordained a Bishop 1 Timot. 4. 14. vers. So that we see this way of God and the manner of the performance thereof in some small measure discovered I shall give but this touch of this second thing minded and that for this reason Because our opposers of laying on of hands upon believers as believers have owned the laying on of hands upon officers though in a disorderly manner they have gone forth in the practise thereof as will appear First from what Mr. Collier writes in his book of Right Constitution pag. 31. where saith he the qualifications of Elders and Deacons are expressed 1 Timot. 3. Answ. I have read of Bishops and Deacons and of Apostles and Elders who were Deacons but never of Elders and Deacons My reason is because a Deacon is an Elder in the Church 2. This discovers according to their practise what they have set persons apart for as their pastoral Charge in the Church of Christ they were set apart for Elders so also as Ministers of the Gospel they were ordained for Elders though their great disorder is in building before the foundation was rightly laid yet observe the wise mistaken in their proceeding though by this practise of theirs with fair words they have stopped the mouths of many poor souls who were clearing themselves from such disorder as they were in they stopped their consciences with this that they are under laying on of hands as well as those that do practise it upon believers as believers I say In this how confused have they appeared in their setting persons apart for Elders not knowing or at least not minding that in the word Elders is comprehended all officers in the Church with the Ministerial work also 1 Pet. 5. 1 vers. 2 Epistle Iohn 1. vers. 3. 1. vers. and so Elders is distinguished into several offices in the Church as Bishops and Deacons the Deacons were to be men full of the Holy Spirit and faith so indeed fit for the work of the Lord among his people as well as Bishops and so were Elders in the Church see Acts 6. 6. vers. and Act. 15. 22. vers. where the Deacons spoken of in the 6 Chapter are called Elders in the 15 Chapter again Philip 1. 1. vers. where the Apostle writeth to the Saints with the Bishops and Deacons so Paul to Timothy writes of the qualifications of the Bishops and Deacons not Elders and Deacons you shall never in all the Scripture find Elders and Deacons expressed So that I hope this may be a word of use unto them however it will be unto the Church of Christ though from a weak and unworthy instrument I shall now leave them as to this but as for the ordination it self they having now at last come forth in the practise thereof they must stand to maintain it and therefore knowing their abilities I shall leave them to contend for this truth with those if there be any that do oppose it it being that I do believe and have allowed of therefore I shall only take notice of one or two objections made by some and then proceed to the third thing minded Objection Some there are who say there are no Apostles now they laid hands upon persons to office then therefore that practise is deased To which I shall give this two-fold answer 1. That those who were not Apostles as to their call But Bishops or Pastors of Churches were exhorted to walk in this way Tit. 1. 5. vers. 1 Tim. 5. 22. vers. yea Prophets and Teachers by the authority of the Church of Christ may lay on hands Acts 13. 1 2 3 vers. 2. By this appears a great mistake in the understanding of many men according to this objection Object That the Ministry of the Apostles is ceased I Answer The office of an Apostle is the first office in the Church of Christ and that is to lay the foundation the foundation of the service of God therefore saith Paul I have laid the foundation 1 Cor. 3. 10. vers. the foundation that is the Lord Jesus Christ in his Doctrine that which Christ and his Apostles did teach upon which the Church of Christ was built see Ephes. 2. 20. which foundation was the beginning-Word of Christ that which persons ought to know and to believe before they are sit for the service of God But now that this viz. to lay the foundation is the first office in the house of God see the 1 Corint 12. 28 vers.

do hold forth principles of the Doctrine of Christ For I pray you what is the beginning of the words of Christ when it is minded as the foundation but principles of his Doctrine for they are such things as make a sure foundation for the Saints to build upon and so we may observe that these principles put together are the foundation of the service of Christ and that these principles here minded are such things as are not temporary but lasting and according to the minde and will of Christ to be continued in by the Saints so long as they continue in this World But saith he further in that place of his book There are many things that are Doctrines and Oracles for us to believe but not to practise and so instanceth the Apostles waiting at Ierusalem till the Spirit came upon them their speaking with Tongues healing the sick raising the dead c. these saith he are all Doctrines of the beginning and laying of the foundation to be believed but not practised unless in the same power To which I answer first for healing the sick raising the dead speaking with Tongues immediately we cannot do unless we are partakers of the same power Neither ought we now to go and wait at Ierusalem by vertue of that command the Apostles had although thus much I may minde that as the Apostles waited at Ierusalem for the promise of the Father so ought every believing Soul to wait in Zion in the wayes of God till he be fitted for the work of God before he go forth therein as too many do this day 2. Saith he they are all Doctrines of the beginning and laying the foundation But now say I Where are they laid down as laying on of hands is Heb. 6. 2. part of the foundation for their waiting at Ierusalem their speaking with Tongues healing the sick raising the dead c. was never laid down the foundation or principles of the foundation or beginning-Word of Christ but laying on of hands was part of the foundation which was confirmed to be the Word of Christ with signes miracles and gifts of Holy Spirit as the speaking with Tongues healing the sick raising the dead and the like 3. I answer that this is but cunning reasoning to subvert the truth for as to the Apostles waiting at Ierusalem did not Christ command the so to do and does not our consciences tell us that that command was temporary ended with the doing of the duty there required is of no more weight in this case then as if he had instanced that Christ commanded one of his Disciples to fetch an ass upon which he did ride unto Ierusalem And for speaking with Tongues healing the sick and raising the dead they were particular gifts not that which is applyed to every one to the performance thereof as we see laying on of hands was applyed 1. To the Iews Heb. 5. 12. 2. To the Samaritans Acts 8. 17. 3. To the Ephesians Acts 19. 6. and so it was minded to the Hebrews as well as repentance faith Baptismes Resurrection and eternal Judgment as that which they ought to consider of according to their profession of Christ therein that was to wait upon God for his Spirit to teach them and to assist them in their Holy profession without the assistance of which Spirit they were not able to live unto God I say this Ordinance of Christ it ought to have according to their profession of Christ therein an influence upon and through their whole lives even as its fellow-principle Baptisme as you may see Rom. 6. 3 4 5 6. 5. Reason Because there was no Church of Christ without this Ordinance or way of Christ and that as a principle in the foundation of his service the foundation even the Doctrine of Christ and of the Apostles upon which they did stand as first the Hebrews who were the first Church of Christ under the Gospel whose pattern we ought to follow this was that they received Heb. 6. 2. and that when they were babes Heb. 5. 12. which first pattern must be followed whether we will or no God will have it so for he is bringing forth his truth in righteousness according to that prophecie Ezek. 43. 10 11 12. 2. The Samaritans who were the second Church of Christ we read of this way they went and that next after Baptisme Acts 8. 17. 3. The Church at Ephesus were set up on this foundation-principle Acts 19. 6. this was part of the counsel of God committed unto them by the Apostle Paul Acts 20. 27. 4. A fourth witness unto this truth and that is the Church at Derbe and Lystra of whom Paul laid the foundation as Acts 14. 6. and of whom Timothy was a member Acts 16. 1 2. upon whom Paul laid his hands 2 Tim. 1. 6. Wherefore saith the Apostle as if he should say Seeing thou hast that excellent grace and gift of faith which he speaks of in the 5 verse I put thee in Remembrance or I do admonish thee that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands or which God gave thee through the laying on of my hands from whence it is plain that in this way Timothy waited upon God which was not in vain unto him and afterwards being approved of was ordained to the work of the Ministry by the laying on of hands of the Company of the Eldership as the first of Tim. 4. 14. doth manifest And so I do conclude as these were so were all other Churches and that for these two Reasons 1. Because their wayes were the same in every Church 1 Cor. 4. 17. 2. Because they had a form of Doctrine to deliver to them according as it is laid down in Heb. 6. 1 2 the Apostle writing to the Romans in the 6 Chapter 17 vers. saith he You have obeyed from the heart the form of Doctrine Now what was that but repentance from dead works and faith towards God c. even all that our Saviour taught even a form Object But now some may say We read of it no more then in those places administred and therefore it was not the practise of all Churches Answ. To which I answer This proves nothing no more then this very objection which is made by Independents so called against Baptisme because they finde it not administred in all therefore all were not under the practise thereof but this is false even as the Objection is untrue for the wayes of the Apostles were the same in every Church and the Doctrine one that was delivered to them and look what objections may be made against this truth the same as is plainly manifested in the discourse between Doctor Chamberlain and Captain Kiffin may be made against Baptisme Further you may take notice in how many Churches you read of the breaking of Bread in as many you shall finde the laying on of hands as breaking Bread was in Iudea Trod● Corinth so the