rather bewail their own blindnesse Well then if the Apostles laid on hands by command from Christ Certain I am that all Baptized Disciples are bound to observe it for so runs the Commission Mat. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you He doth not say observe what I shall command them neither doth he leave them or us to teach and practise what and so much as we please But all things whatsoever I have commanded you You Peter and John c. so that if Peter and John were commanded to practise Laying on of hands then all Baptized Disciples are bound to observe it And upon these termes and none other Christ hath promised them his presence to the end of the world But the Gent. saith upon 1 Cor. 4.16 That the Apostle doth not intend fellowing him in all things I must needs say these are very slender Reply sorry shifts to shuffle off obedience since t is evident in the same Epistle 1 Cor. 11.1 that he commands them for remembring him in all things and keeping the ordinances as he delivered them to them And would the Apostle so praise them for that they were never exhorted to But secondly Whosoever in his right mind shall peruse that Chapter viz. 1 Cor. 4. may easily see that the Apostle intends all things even all the mysteries of God whereof he was a Steward v. 1 2. And as a Steward of such divine mysteries he shunned not to declare all the counsell of God his care being alike in all Churches Act. 20.27 1 Cor. 7.17 14.33 34. 2 Cor. 11.28 the care of all the Churches Yet the Gent. confidently affirmes That he did not teach the Laying on of hands upon all Disciples in any Churches nor to them To which I reply First It seems somewhat more then strange that the Apostle should be thus censured of Pharisaicall hypocrisie in making clean the outside of the cup and platter tithing Mint and Cummin and neglect the great and weighty matters of the Law Is he so carefull in all Churches about particular callings 1 Cor. 7.17 about orderly speaking 1 Cor. 14.33 34. about Almes 1 Cor. 16.1 And is he so carelesse in laying the Foundation Principles of Christian Religion Either the Apostle in neglecting or the Gent. in asserting such neglect 1 Cor. 4.1 2. must needs be grosly guilty of ignorance unfaithfulnesse or hypocrisie Secondly It 's plain the Apostle practised Laying on of hands in the Church and did he inforce obedience without teaching Act. 19.5 6. Chap. 17.11 Chap. 2.40 or were those Ephesian Disciples so ignoble to act by an implicite faith in submitting to they know not what The Bereans are recorded noble for not barely resting on the Apostles words it is said of Peter that with many other words he did testifie and exhort For the Gospel and Acts is but an Epitomy of what Jesus and his Apostles did and said Must it then be asserted that because it is not declared in so many words He taught laying on of hands that therefore he taught it not at all why then they practised what he never taught this is will-worship with a witnesse We do not finde that Philip spake one syllable of the Doctrine of Baptisme ether to the Samaritans or to the Eunuch Act. 8.12 36. and yet they are Baptized and he cals for the Ordinance so that I dare boldly affirme that Philip did teach the Doctrine of Baptisme though no mention be made of teaching and so of hands for what liberty soever others dare take yet I dare not charge the Apostles with acting besides their Commission and certain I am their Commission binds them to teach that which the Disciples are bound to observe Teaching them to observe Mat. 28.20 and Paul himself professeth That what he received of the Lord that he also delivered unto them by way of teaching 1 Cor. 11.23 And requires us to account of him and his fellow Ministers as faithfull stewards of the mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2. So that whatever the Gent. confidently affirmes to the contrary I dare boldly avouch that if there were no more but Apostolicall practise and Disciples observing Laying on of hands I say I dare from hence aver it with full assurance that the Apostle did teach Laying on of hands on all Disciples faithfully in all Churches Christ having purchased the same priviledges for all his Saints commanded the same exact rules for them all teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And the Apostles most faithfully dispensing all to al Churches and particularly to this Church of Corinth for saith he 2 Cor 12.13 What is it wherein ye were inferior to other Churches Nay he professeth That in every thing they were enriched by him So that they came behind in no gift 1 Cor. 1.5 7. But if the Gent. speak true in saying that the Laying on of hands upon all Dyciples he taught in no Church nor to them I must be bold to say the Apostle spake false in affirming that they were enriched in every thing in all knowledge and that they came behind in no girt For I am sure that Laying on of hands is the Vehicle Vehiculum Spiritus or conduit pipe through which many gifts of the Spirit are conveyed And as sure that those divine ornaments wherewith the Corinthians were so enriched were graciously handed through Paul 1 Cor. 4.15 Lastly I do positively assert That the Apostle did expresly teach the Laying on of hands upon all Disciples in the Churches for besides the Church of Samaria Act 8. and the Church of Ephesus Act. 19.5 6. where it is declared that they heard before they observed either Baptisme or Laying on of hands When they heard this they were Baptized and Paul laid his hands upon them all I say besides the Apostles teachings in these Churches it is evident that they did expresly teach this Doctrine with other foundation words Act. 5.31 Gal. 1.22 once and again to the Churches of Judea or Christian Hebrews who were then comfortably walking in the compleat order of the Gospell Heb. 13.7 17.24 Yea this Doctrine is taught to all the Disciples or babes in Christ as milke fitter for constitution for though by the improvement of their time and talents they might have been teachers yet they were stil such babes not teachers that there was a necessity of teaching them again these first foundation Doctrines which possibly they had so forgot that young converts were deprived of them Thus 't is evident this Doctrine of hands was taught in the Churches to babes yea to the Hebrew Disciples and though it be so much slighted yet the Apostles do reckon it one of the six foundation Doctrines for Sions babes The Gent. proceeds to overturn Apostolicall example by his answer to the second Scripture brought to assert it namely 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye
and spear are but Christs condescensions to weak Christians Those tongues which were given once and but once that we know of in the laying on of hands and in Preaching although the Gent. do ever so highly magnifie them amongst professors and believers so as to rase the foundation of a foundation principle because he sees not that sign of tongues doth but feed his hearers with food that is not for them If we dare but give credit to that wise master builder he will clearly shew us what an unwise steward is this Gent. Mat. 24.45 Luk. 12.42 what an unfaithfull servant not dividing the word of truth aright not giving them their portion of meat in due season 2 Tim. 2.15 But indeed setting them a gaping for such food as Christ intends not for them Tongues being for a sign 1 Cor. 14.22 Not to them that believe but to them that believe not And while they are thus busily enquiring after the visible power the signs the miracles like that impertinent question Act. 1.6 they are robbed of that proper powerful food that Christ hath fitted for his table guests and conveyed through laying on of hands that true Manna which whosoever feeds upon shall never die I mean those best gifts which true Christians ought earnestly to covet and use all means to procure as Wisdome Knowledge Faith Prophesie Prayer and the rest wherein the mighty Almighty power of Christ is put forth and which sundry believing soules have felt and found in this Administration of hands some eminently and speedily others more obscurely and by insensible degrees The blessed Spirit dividing to every man severally as he will that is What he will how he will 1 Cor. 12.11 and when he will Lastly I must declare that the Gent. and others making so much noise about the visible Power the miraculous Power the externall glorious Power c. do but hereby proclaime their own unbelief The Apostle plainly telling us that tongues are for a sign not to believers but to unbelievers as above Secondly As for that reproof in Isa 1.12 I have already spoke to it and the God of heaven make it a warning to him that he may cease to reproach the wayes ordinances and servants of Christ And as for Gods demand how we know Heb. 6.2 is meant to lay hands on all Disciples though the Gent. sayes we can but answer we think so and how sad that would be I answer We can confidently tell him for God will make no such idle demands that we know so we know the fourth Principle belongs to all Disciples 1. Because it is one of the first Doctrines or Words of Christ 2. Because it 's one of the foundation Principles for Christians 3. Because it 's plainly called milk for babes Indefinitely 4. Because the Ministers of Christ taught and practised it to all his 5. Because Christs babes have need of it God himself hath spoken it and therefore will never question us for observing the Apostles writings and teachings 1 Cor. 11.37 which his holy Spirit hath testifyed are his own commands Thirdly the Gent. would have us consider How unlike this practise is to the primitive Churches and to Philip Act. 8.12 13. who wrought miracles more then we can do and Baptized with water but left the Laying on of hands to the Apostles Act. 8.14 Answ 1. We have diligently considered and through grace found our selves in the very steps of the primitive Churches whereof some are particularized as the Church of Samaria the Church of Ephesus the Churches of Judea or the Hebrewes who were taught and continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine they being carefull to settle the same order in all Churches Especially in foundation Principles upon which all the Saints are built Now therefore ye are no more strangers and forainers Ephes 2.19 20. but fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner-stone 2. It 's too bold to say that Philip left Laying on of hands to the Apostles when it was the speciall work of God to employ Philip suddainly in the mighty service of converting that noble Aethiopian whom Historians record to be so famous in converting his whole Nation But secondly What a deal of stir here is to set up the poor weak instrument as though there were any power or virtue in one Ministers hands more then another or in one Ordinance then another Why this is nothing but the old Pope and Prelate masking in a new habit Let the eternall Spirit determine what difference there is between Peter and Philip I shall offer no violence to the text only change names a little 1 Cor. 3.5 6 7 8. Who then is Peter and who is Philip but Ministers by whom ye believed even as the Lord gave to every man Philip planted Peter and John watered but God gave the increase So then neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one And one would think this should satisfie an honest humble heart in this matter But thirdly Philip was an Evangelist in the very same rank with Timothy and it cannot be denyed but laying on of hands was the work of an Evangelist 1 Tim. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man Fourthly Act. 9.17 Doubtlesse Philip had as much authority as Ananias for it is confidently asserted by some that Ananias was but a bare Disciple though 't is a wild assertion but let that passe at present Well certain it is Ananias who had power to Baptize had equall power to lay hands upon Paul upon a twofold account 1. For the cure of his body 2. For the filling of him with the holy Ghost The very end and use of this fourth Foundation Principle Paul was at present but a new-born-babe learning and observing or practising his Principles I hope none will presume to say that this main end of Ananias imposing hands that Paul might be filled with the Holy Spirit was any ordination to office unlesse they will be wise above what is written Paul was not then Baptized and not likely to receive ordination before his Foundation Principles were laid Besides Certain it is that his solemne Ordination by imposition of hands was long after namely Act. 13. But Lastly Philip being an Evangelist was not inferiour to the setled elders or Presbytery * 1 Tim. 4.14 and they had authority to impose hands If any shall object That was in Ordination I shall only answer this That strong meat for men is not inferior to milk for babes But enough hath been said to prove Christs Ministers equall in power The Gents. last Consideration warneth his dear friends of the danger of turning Acts of Power into bare imitation and want the power quoting Act. 19.13 14 15 16. Exod. 7. to 13. 8.16 17 18
Apostles 'T is strange that this foundation Principle must either be mounted and advanced above its fellowes or else it must be buried in oblivion and not practised at all What is imposition of hands more then the Doctrine of Faith Repentance Baptisme and the rest that the beautifull feet of him which bringeth the Doctrine of Faith and Baptizeth may not presume to administer hands Christs Doctrine owns no such difference in point of superiority but whosoever is orderly called to preach hath also full authority to carry on all Ordinances whatsoever Christ commanded his Apostles Mat. 28.19 20. If what hath been said doth not satisfie as to the equall power of all preaching Ministers to carry on all Ordinances let these Scriptures be considered 2 Tim. 2.2 Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 3.5.8 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. 3 Joh. 9. 1 Thess 1.1 with many more which clearly hold out equall power not one for any superiority So that the Gent. is much mistaken in saying 't is an Absurdity yea that many Absurdities will follow our assertion that we are commanded to follow the Apostles in all things except stil before excepted Act. 9. And in this thing it 's plain Ananias did it and the Presbyterie did it and Timothy had power to do it 1 Tim. 4.14 5.22 and other Ministers may do it and God will blesse it And thus having answered the Gent. touching fit Ministers for this ordinance I shall in the second place take a view of the subjects which he saith were a people ignorant of and strangers to the holy Ghost Whereunto I answer 1. That it is true of those Act. 19. before Paul instructed them better but I hope the Gent. will bethink himself and confesse that before the Laying on of hands they were taught and believed in the holy Ghost And as for those Disciples of both sexes in Samaria they heard Christ faithfully preached Act. 8.5 6. they saw the power of the holy Spirit working by wonderfull miracles v. 6. unclean spirits cast out v. 7. they were filled with joy a lively fruit of the Spirit v. 8. they believed which is an eminent gift of the Spirit 1 Cor. 12.9 and were Baptized in the name of Jesus that is according to the command of Jesus v. 12. Now to affirme that these were ignorant of and strangers to the Holy Ghost is that which I dare not venture upon for the reverence I owe to God and fear lest his Saints should shun me for grosse untruth But however the Gent. at unawares hath thus far holpen us in acknowledging some truth namely That they were but yong beginners meer babes in Christ to whom this Ordinance of hands was administred Whereas he saith That there was no such practise amongst the 3000. Act. 2. nor Act. 4. nor in the Churches of Corinth Rome Thessalonica or any other setled Churches I answer If Laying on of hands be the Apostles Doctrine Answ then the 3000. did religiously practise it what a needlesse thing is it now to play the Logician and muster up a Minor and Conclusion But Laying on of hands is the Apostles Doctrine Ergo. Is it not much more substantiall to prove this truth by the plain word of God thus Act. 2.42 They continued stedfast in the Apostles Doctrine so that either the Gent. must deny Laying on of hands to be the Apostles Doctrine for babes or else he must perforce confesse with humility that they did practise it What wiseman will say this Church neglected what their messengers in another * Act. 8.14 15 16 17. Church practised And as for that uncouth reasoning that neither the Churches of Rome nor Corinth nor any setled Churches did practise the Fourth Principle As it is not true in it self as I have already fully proved so it must unavoidably bring in such grosse Absurdities if he talks of Absurdities as shall shake yea and overturn most of our Ordinances For I may as well conclude that breaking of bread and the Lords Supper is not to be practised because neither the Churches of Rome of Ephesus of Philippi of Colosse of Thessalonica nor any of the seven Churches of Asia have any mention of it I know not of any more then three Churches that mention the Lords supper namely Judea Troas and Corinth and in so many at least is the Fourth Principle recorded viz. the Hebrews Samaria and Ephesus I might produce many Churches where not a syllable of Baptisme is once mentioned and the like of severall other Ordinances but I am perswaded so of the Gent. that he will ingenuously acknowledge it was for want of a better reason that he produced this From the subjects he proceeds to the end of this Ordinance which he saith Was not to put persons in expectation of or waiting for the Holy Ghost but immediately to communicate the Spirit in the action T is strange to me that the Apostles should so earnestly pray for the holy Spirit Answ Act. 8.19 to fill them that were not to expect or wait for it Deserves he food that thinks it vain to gape The Lord Jesus hath put all his upon earnest prayer and expectation for his Spirit Luk. 11. Neither is it in the power of any creature to communicate of the Spirit through any ordinance for the Wind or Spirit bloweth where and how it listeth having severall gifts which he distributeth as he pleaseth 1 Cor. 12.11 whether sooner or later 't is worth the waiting for Now the just end of this Ordinance of hands as of all other ordinances is for spirituall babes to obtain a geater measure of the same Spirit some heavenly qualification some sealing confirming mercy such as Believers have need of as Ephes 1.13 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed by that holy Spirit of promise that is after the poor babe hath rolled it self upon Christ by a faith of adherence God is pleased to seal it by faith of assurance sometimes sooner sometimes later sometimes in Baptisme or after sometims through laying on of hands Lords Supper Prayer Preaching how he will and when he will wherefore it behoves the gratious soul to wait upon him for his Spirit in all his holy appointments for there he will hand out his loves Cant. 7.12 There is a generation of professors that are rather principled by sight then faith who will not believe except they see signes and wonders but they should remember that an evill and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign And yet they might see signs and wonders every day 2 Cor. 12.12 yea the signs and wonders of Apostles wrought amongst them that is those greater works that Christ promised his Disciples should do Joh. 14.12 Greater miracles they never could they never did do But greater works of conversion were wrought by them and these are the great signes and seals and mighty deeds that God is working by his Apostles even before our eyes There being many through grace that are
the Lord and confirmed to his Apostles and by them faithfully taught us Mind it Christian 't is for thy life thou canst not escape if thou let it slip after warning if thou receive not the truth with love God will send thee strong delusions to believe a lie Ah! how have I seen the Lords professed people carried away captive that have slighted this Ordinance Hurryed by Satan to blaspheme other glorious truths drowned in the world and the love of it 1 Joh. 2.15 given up to horrible lying bitternesse emulation envy strife sedition making schisms rents divisions what not O thou believer that professest Christ mind this word of Christ these four first verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews Remember that this fourth principle was first spoken by the Lord himself and is plainly called The word of the * Heb. 6.1 beginning of Christ and was confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles 2. Miracles are given for conviction of Heathens Act. 8.6 16.27 29 30. But alas this avails not at all if love manifested by obedience to all Christs commands be wanting 1 Cor. 13.2 A person may have this gift and perish The third gift of this nature is extraordinary Prophesie or foretelling of events such as may wonderfully possesse a Balaam a Saul a Caiaphas a Witch this may confirme truths and convince sinners but the Prophet be damn'd 't is an excellent gift in a gratious heart but short of ordinary Prophesie The fourth extraordinary gift that is according to Court custome not the chief is kinds of tongues not new tongues for that is a speciall gift peculiar to true believers a reall sign of an effectuall work of grace for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Rev. 14.1 wherefore those 144000. Redeemed Virgins are presented with a new song in their mouth which none else could learn Act. 17.19 When once Paul becomes a Convert he Preacheth a new Doctrine he was before a Blasphemer but now he hath learned a new lesson He is not a believer that hath not learned a new language * Ephes 5.4 These miraculous tongues are never called new tongues but strange tongues and other tongues to convince a strange people to preach to other Nations as was needfull then but now cannot well be employed since Popish inquisitions and Turkish slavery hath shut the Gospell out of their territories Act. 13.46 Neither have Christs Ministers any warrant to attempt the publishing of Gospell truths in other Nations who are known to be dogs swine and persecutors Mat. 7.6 10.23 And therefore Satan and not Gods Spirit hath engaged some foolish deluded souls called Quakers to passe the Seas in expectation probably of some miraculous ability to publish their poison against Christs Ordinances but have only performed the work of Barbarians and so returned But certainly should Christ call into forain parts he would enable his servants to help sick souls abroad as well as to heal sick bodies at home Alas our native Countrey hath need enough of more labourers Wherefore saith the Apostle tongues are for a sign Not to them that believe 1 Cor. 14.21 but to them that believe not This gift therefore belongs not to thee thou dear Disciple of Christ It is our mercy that the Ordinance I now contend for came once under hand and seal from heaven our Masters hand and this sign of tongues confirming it Since therefore this fourth Foundation Principle of thy Religion is thus by this miraculous gift ratified and thy pretious soul converted thouart not to expect such needlesse unsutable gifts as these which Gods word tels thee are not convenient for thee But fince the Spirit of truth hath more excellent treasure then tongues or the interpretation of tongues take thou the counsell of the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.31 Covet earnestly the best gifts and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way there are some gifts more excellent then others and there are graces more excellent then any other gifts the best gifts will be fewel to thy choice graces and set thy heavenly heart all on a holy flame Wherefore covet earnestly the best gifts for this end And fince 't is evident that the golden gifts of Christ * Zech. 4.12 passe through golden pipes or Ordinances into the bowl of the Candiestick that is the Church put thy affectionate mouth to these pretious pipes that contain such pretious gifts and draw with the buckets of joy out of the wels of salvation It is undeniable that this fourth foundation Doctrine of Christ is one of those pipes or channels through which these eternall streames do run and doubtlesse did not poor creatures drownd in delusions conclude these streams were dryed up they would not neglect this pipe this ordinance of hands as they do But so they think and so they speak for say they the power or gifts of the Spirit are ceased and therefore the ordinance is of no use Well when I shall clearly demonstrate that the best gifts are to this day continued as I have already proved that no gift is ceased that is needfull for believers And when it shall appear that these best gifts have been conveyed through impofition of hands Then surely both the Ordinance and gifts will be earnestly desired and affectionately embraced by gratious souls These best gifts which being continued 1 Cor. 12.8 9 10. Saints should covet are 1. Wisdome 2. Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Prophesie 5. Discerning of Spirits It must be granted without controversie that these are the best gifts of the Spirit and that they are continued in power and efficacy to this generation And first of Wisdome Prov. 4.7 Job 28.18 2 Sam. 14.20 which the eternall Spirit that gives it hath recorded as the principall thing and therefore it is here in the Catalogue of gifts deservedly set in the first place The price thereof is above Rubies it 's a defence better then strength it transformes the person so that he appears as an Angell of God Marvellous encomiums of deserved praise are given by the Spirit to this most excellent gift far surpassing all those other gifts before mentioned as Healing Tongues Miracles c. which the devotion of a Didymus doth so much dote upon making so great a noise in the world so that all 's lost with such a professor because tongues are ceased and miracles do not appear to satisfie his sense Ah poor shallow creatures shadowes of Saints that thus cry out as undone for the want of what they may perish with Scarce one word of wisdome to be heard nay the very Ordinance which is most particularly designed for the conveyance of Spirituall gifts must be cut off though it be a foundation Principle because they see not the prints of the nails and spear The power is gone we want Apostles the Fourth Principle is void Gifts do not now appear the power is gone This is the great cry of these times to cry