and 19. 6. Where when they were Baptized they had hands laid upon them and in this very order it is laid down in Heb. 6. 1 2. 2. That this laying on of hands was upon believers Baptized as such is likewise plain from those places of Scripture and therefore this laying on of hands must be there meant the foundation-principle in Heb. 6. 2. And so in the next place I say with you that Baptisme and laying on of hands is necessary to a right and orderly Church-constitution but whereas you say Baptisme was to admit believers into the Church if you mean so as to joyn them members of the body then I do deny it for their addition to the Church followed after their Baptisme as I have fully proved in my book in Answer to an Objection following my second Reason given for the proof of this truth from Acts 2. 42. Lastly Whereas you say that this is the Judgement of most Modern and later VVriters upon this Text Heb. 6. 2. for which you instance Doctor Gouge Wilson Trap and Cartwright Answ. I fear you being so much learned in these mens Judgements makes you the less knowing in the Scriptures 2. Had you had sufficient Testimony for what you said from the Scripture as in your Reasons you pretend to have then what need you instance these mens Judgements unless you did think as I think you do not that what they spake were Oracles and therefore 3. Doth not this discover in some measure the weakness of your Reasons or arguments before minded for what in this Chapter you have affirmed Surely by this your arguments were not good that you must run to these mens Judgements and I wonder you having recorded this Testimony for your Judgement in your third Chapter you were not ashamed in your fourth Chapter to declare that our best argument for this practise is the Common Prayer book if the Judgments of men should end this controversie unless you do Judge these men you bring did not love the Common Prayer book or there were not amongst those that did love it men partakers of as much wisdome as these you instance Now what would you say if I should now instance that laying on of hands according to the sence I have minded was the Judgements of as good men according to the test although it was by them wrongly applyed as those you do bring will you say that this is therefore true I do think you would not otherwise you would not have instanced the Common Prayer book well though this may be done yet I must tell you that we have a more sure word of Prophesie and this is that I do desire to stand unto and to be tried by and not by mens Judgements and therefore now do refer what I have spoken to be tryed by the Scriptures and the Lord hasten a clear discovery of his truth in what I have now written and make you sensible wherein you have wrested the good Word of the Lord from the proper and true meaning thereof and so I shall proceed to your fourth and last Chapter Your 4. Chapter which doth contain according to your mistaken Judgement that the laying on of hands practised by some in these our dayes on all Baptized believers was never instituted commanded or practised by Christ or his Apostles in all the New Testament And herein say you doth lie the stress of this controversie which doth occasion this your writing to undeceive and reduce those who are under the vanity of this practise and to prevent others from owning of and submitting to such a Scriptureless thing as this is c. Answ. First I hope the Reader will well consider of what I have written in Answer to your book and in the discovery I have made according to the measure of faith I have received in this book of this truth of Christ before he do as you too confidently have already done pass Judgement upon this truth the Lord give you to see it and to repent lest God suffer you to go on in labouring to turn poor Souls aside from this truth or right way of the Lord and so to deceive and seduce those that are unstable to the belief of your lyes 2. I wish you may see the evil of your Language which this Chapter contains little else in it which you have vented forth against this truth and the maintainers thereof Oh! how little therein you have savoured of grace and how much the vanity of your minde is discovered in seeking to possesse the hearts of poor Souls with that which is not and therefore I may truly say in stead of what you speak of us that you speak evill of the things you know not and call that a foundation-principle which by your arguments you prove not Neither have you the least word or warrant for it in all the New Testament But now to make good your assertion which is the ground of your 4. Chapter you have framed this Syllogisme That which hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament is no Ordinance of Christ but will-worship and Superstition But this laying on of hands on all Baptized believers hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament therefore no Ordinance of Christ but will-worship and superstition To which I answer that practise which hath not one word of institution or command for it in all the New Testament I do grant is will-worship and Superstition But that laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such is without institution or command from Christ this I do deny the contrary being already made to appear both in my answer to your book and also before in what I have written in my Book and therefore it is not your saying of what we do aleage wherein you minde Scriptures we minde not in this particular case that will prove there is not Neither your sence and interpretations you put upon those Scriptures we do aleage I wish you would consider how you have wrested those Scriptures which have been minded for the proof of this truth to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such and so by your wiles if possible the truth of God out of our hands I wonder you Answer not the Arguments layd down by some for the proof of this to wit that we have a command for laying on of hands as for instance Doctor Chamberlain in his dispute with Mr. Kiffin in the 16. page of his book saith he For a command we have it in Mat. 28. 20. For whatsoever is a Doctrine of the Apostles is the Command of Christ But imposition of hands is a Doctrine of the Apostles The minor is granted by you in your first Assertion where you say you grant it is a Doctrine or principle but not to be practised and the Text doth also number it up amongst the Doctrines and principles The Major is the very words of the Text
Layings on of Hands ASSERTED Or A plain discovery of the truth thereof under those several considerations minded in the New Testament 1. Vpon persons for healing with a Brief discovery of that Ordinance of Christ to wit anointing with Oile 2. Vpon persons to Office 3. Vpon 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 WILLIAM RIDER Servant to the Church of Christ Printed for the Author and are to be sold by R. Moon at the seven Stars in Pauls-Church-yard near the great North door 1656. To all those in this Nation or elsewhere who upon the Profession of their faith have been Baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus MY BRETHREN THough my Prayer unto God is that what I have written may tend to the establishing of those who have already been obedient yet unto you I do chiefly recommend this following discourse and my Reason is Because it doth more principally concern you it being a discovery of part of the minde of Christ yea part of the foundation of his service whereunto the greatest Number of you have not yet been obedient And now my Brethren you that by Baptisme have declared your selves to be followers of the Lord Iesus Christ I do Begg and intreat of you to Examine your principles and see whether or no you have obeyed Christ according to the Commission he gave to his Disciples Mat. 28. 20. Wherein you are injoyned the Observation of all things he commanded for your obedience according to his Teaching being forty dayes with his Apostles and Disciples after his Resurrection in which time he gave Commandments unto his Apostles whom he had chosen and was speaking unto them of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God Acts 1. 2 3. vers. I beseech you consider have you obeyed the form of Doctrine Rom. 6. 18. which you shall finde laid down in Heb. 6. 1 2. See I pray you whether the beginning-Word of Christ is that you have received whether you stand upon that foundation the Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles upon which the first Churches were built Ephes. 2. 20. Heb. 6. 1. Consider God in these last dayes hath spoken unto us by his Son Heb. 1. 2. the Lord Iesus Christ is our great Doctor the Prophet whom Moses spake of Acts 3. 21. therefore we must learn of him we must hear him in all things Therefore know it is your duty to be followers of God according to your Profession in Baptisme and to Act in no way but what Christ hath appointed for you Even that way whose foundation is upon the lips of Christ which he also hath appointed a foundation for us to build upon Wherefore examine if you have laid your foundation with this Corner-stone with Repentance from dead works faith towards God the Doctrine of Baptismes and laying on of hands the Resurrection of the dead and eternal Iudgement Whether these be the principles of your Religion Heb. 6. 1 2. Consider wherein you are defective in these principles are you not in Repentance I wish I could not charge you herein yet I must tell you the Hire of the Harlot is found amongst you the burden of which your poor Brethren have long mourned under and suffered for I know it is not the practise of all of you yet those that do it were never to this day disowned by you O! that you would therefore try your selves have you turned your selves from the vain worships of the men of this World and from such who teach for Doctrines mens traditions are you according to your Profession of Christ in Baptism dead to the rudiments of this World Col. 2. 20. Why know it is your duty not only to cleanse your selves from Temporal but Spiritual delfiements 2 Cor. 7. 1. and as you are not to act any thing contrary to the Law of righteousness in your Conversation so to do nothing in the worship of God but by rule for that which hath proceeded from our Lord Iesus Christ is the rule for Saints to walk by Know this that all the misery and sin in the World came in at this door viz. by hearkning to Reason the wisdome of the flesh against that which God hath spoken it is mans deformity to walk according to his own invention and at last as experience doth teach will prove his own destruction Surely God will not indure to be prescribed by his Creatures no it hath been wickedness in those that have done it and God hath found it out but he takes pleasure in them that fear him and teaches them in his wayes Psa. 25. 12. but when men change his Laws and Ordinances although it proceeds from no wicked intent yet it provokes him to Iudgment as it did in Uzza 1 Chro. 15. therefore learn to know the voyce of Christ for his Sheep hear it and they follow him It hath been the work of Satan and his Instruments such who first did forsake the right way whom God gave up unto strong delusions to believe lyes because they received not the truth in the love thereof to corrupt the Word of God and to change his Laws and to set up their posts by the posts of God or rather in their stead and who knows not that knows Christ that now all his endeavours are to make voyd those truths and the right way of the Lord either in whole or in part if he cannot keep people wholly in blindness he will labour to insnare them through pretended wayes of light which is indeed darkness O! how doth he now perswade the poor soul that either the wayes of God are not now to be practised or else the practise of them is but an indifferent thing O! let 's beware of this deceit for he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is a lyer and the truth is not in him 1 John 2. 4. therefore I desire you to examine your selves and see wherein you are short of obeying the voice of Christ being careful of receiving any thing but what is recorded the Word of the Lord and be also as careful of rejecting any thing that is his will And wherein he speaks unto you as you are Baptized believers know it is your duty to be obedient to be followers of him to set shoulders to his work for unto that this day you are called that the foundation in Sion may again be laid the Walls of Jerusalem may be again repaired and then they that be of thee shall build the old waste places Isai. 58. 11. Let not the wisdome of man beguile you whereby he labours when any truth of God
is discovered to pervert it or to turn you aside from following of it know this is but one of Satans old plots and deceitful workings and marvel not that he works in good men in our dayes for this is certain that if persons dissent from truth so far they serve for his design which is alwayes against the truth which is the Law of God that which God hath commanded thus he wrought in the Prophet of the Lord who told a lye in the Name of the Lord unto which the young Prophet yeilded contrary to what God had Commanded him 1 King 13. 18 and was destroyed of a Lyon know he many times makes use of good men to carry on his design therefore though you may judge they are good men that speak against a truth of the Lord let not that turn you aside knowing it is your duty to be a follower of him in what he hath spoken that doth relate to the worship of God or your duty in your conversation which doth concern you as you are believers and would be partakers of the promises especially those things that are principles of your faith and Religion yea principles of the worship and service of that God whom we profess to fear yea and to obey And take heed of those who teach you only to believe that unto which you ought to manifest your obedience to the great God Such persons who call that which Christ taught and whereunto believers were obedient a Doctrine but not a practise such words are corrupt but let us know this that so far as Christ hath taught us we ought to be obedient and therefore let your obedience be manifest to all men For the Lord is at hand to give recompence unto you and let not the opposition which truth meets withal be a stumbling-block unto you You may see how easily confusion and errour take place upon the hearts of men this day O let truth have place upon your Souls O it grieves my Soul to see how easily that which hath but a colour or shew of truth from the Scriptures takes place upon the hearts of men and many Professors this day and yet that which is real truth hath little entertainment in the World What 's the Reason was not this alwayes it 's too low it 's too mean it 's too plain it is indeed without the wisdome of man and therefore finds little entertainment amongst men Alas saith the Wiseman what 's a little water this is a poor thing others have as low an esteem of laying on of hands besides it 's a riddle unto them thus God makes foolishness the wisdome of this World But now some do say Did we see these Ordinances to continue we should willingly obey I Answer Do you think the Scribes and Pharisees would not have made as large a Profession as this when they rejected the Counsel of God against themselves being not Baptized Luke 7. 30. or do you not think that those who are short of any truth if they profess any thing but will as readily make this Objection as your selves yet will this excuse them or would the Iews ignorance of the Lord of life excuse their Crucifying the Lord of Glory 1 Cor. 2. 8. surely no Therefore know it 's your duty to seek after truth and to yeild obedience to it Christ requires it of you therefore come in unto him and be willing to take upon you his yoak and despised wayes and be sure you shall be no losers by it Now the Lord help you you that have put on Christ by Baptisme to read what I have written in this book without prejudice and with a heart lifted up to God for wisdome to direct to give you to see truth from errour And that this truth which I do principally mind and drive at to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such may have the Spirit of God making of it forth unto your Souls in the Reading and Consideration thereof that so you may be followers of God therein is the Prayer of him who is willing to serve you for truths sake WILLIAM RIDER ERRATA Page 1. line 8. for the Spirit read the Holy Spirit p. 42. l. 13. for excuse read enough p. 46. l. 11. for their read then p. 59. l. 3. for his read this p. 100. l. 5. for praise read prise p. 112. l. 7. for would read do p. 147. l. 8. for do affirm read we do affirm p. 152. l. 14. for was enjoyned read was there enjoyned p. 159. l. 17. for I read you A DISCOVERY Of Layings on of hands according to the wisdom of God given under the several considerations thereof minded in the New Testament THE Scripture of the New Testament speaks of laying on of hands upon three several accounts or ends First upon Baptized believers as such To the end they might receive the Spirit which is the promise of God unto them as Acts the 8. and Acts 19. 2. On Ministers to the end they might be separated to the work of the Ministry Acts 6. 6 13 3. 1 Tim. 4. 14 5. 22 vers. 3. On the sick for healing to the end they might recover as Mark 16. 18. Acts 28. 8 vers. I shall as the Lord shall help me speak somthing to the two last briefly and then to the first I shall be more large it being the duty of all believers to submit unto and that which is chiefly in my eye in this discourse First of the laying on of hands for healing it was a particular gift of faith which the Lord Jesus did promise to give unto his people as is plain from Mark 16. 17 18 vers. These signes shall follow them that believe in my Name they shall cast out Devils they shall speak with new tongues they shall take up Serpents and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover in which enumeration of signs we find laying on of hands for healing which signs as the Spirit of the Lord teacheth us were given for those who believed not 1 Cor. 14. 22 vers. But this promise of healing by laying on of hands as we may observe the Lord made good upon many of his people as believers in the Church of Corinth who were partakers of this gift which they were to go forth in the practise thereof according as the Apostle Paul did Acts 28. 8 vers. yea as Christ himself Mark 6. 5 vers. Luk. 4. 40 vers. Object But now some may say Was this practise to continue amongst believers to which take this two-fold answer First If the gift be continued that is of healing then this practise for we cannot Act unless we have received 2. If any have or shall receive such a gift of faith they are to go forth in the practise thereof for gifts are given to profit withal that is for the good of others 1 Cor. 12. 7 vers. therefore if any one have received such
prove that the end of this Ordinance is the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit And their great Reason is because the Samaritans Acts the 8. were such as did believe vers. 12. and did receive the Word of God vers. 14. and were Baptized vers. 16. all this say they could not be unless they had already received the ordinary measures of the Spirit Answ. First I cannot but take notice how this Reason doth hold forth that there is no receiving of the Holy Spirit by that Soul who is already Partaker of the Spirit but what is in an Extraordinary manner which how false this is I shall leave to the Experience of believers to prove yea to the Raisers of this Reason if so be they have the Spirit of God 2. VVhereas they say we cannot believe without the Spirit I Answer that unto those who do believe who receive the VVord of God and are Baptized is the promise of the Spirit made see Galat. 3. 14. that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith VVhy we cannot believe without the Spirit yet through believing those that do believe are made partakers of the promise thereof see likewise Iohn 7. 38 39. saith our Saviour he that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living water this he spake of the Spirit which they that did believe should receive from whence I might Reason as before But further we may observe that this promise of the Spirit the Apostle doth annex unto faith and Baptisme Acts 2. 38. where saith the Apostle Repent and be Baptized for the Remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit Query Now I would Query of you was this promise proper onely to some believers or all believers if you say To some as your principle must lead you to for you must either tye it to some in the Apostles times or else to the time of the first Apostles who received the Word at the mouth of Christ to give unto us then I Answer Answ. The following words may stop your mouths for the promise hath a larger extent then you dream of it was unto them and their Children and all that are afar of even to as many as the Lord our God shall call From whence I minde the promise of the Spirit is as much ours according to the wise disposing of God who knows best in what manner to bestow it on his people as it was theirs And whereas you boast of parts and gifts beyond those that have practised this Ordinance yet let me tell you that herein is much vanity and your boasting is not good For though God injoyne us to the use of Ordinances yet himself is not tyed thereunto therefore if your gifts be greater learn to make a right use of them for Gods glory and his peoples comfort and not to oppose the truth Surely there will be one day a sad account given of the gifts God hath given unto men who will be found that in stead of making a right and good improvement of them for Gods glory and his peoples comfort and incouragement they have made a contrary use of them and that to their trouble and discouragement and with their lyes have made the hearts of the righteous sad Ezek. 13. 22. I do believe there were in the Apostles dayes those that boasted as much of gifts as your selves which caused a disesteem of the Apostles among the Churches 1 Cor. 4. 10. saith the Apostle Paul speaking of himself and of Apollo who were Apostles of Christ as you may see comparing the 6 vers. with the 9. 10 vers. We are fools for Christs sake but you are wise in Christ we are weak but you are strong you are honourable but we are despised So others they had a Name to live and others they said they were Rich and had need of nothing but God had a reckoning with them Rev. 3. 1 2 3. and the 16. and 17. verses So there is in this our day those who are great opposers of some truths you your selves profess and yet in parts and gifts not inferior unto you but alas what Reasoning is this the learned Scribes and Pharisees in Christs time cryed out Ioh. 7. 49. those that knew not the Law were cursed as if indeed wisdome must only centre in their brests or dy with them Now hath not your boasting of gifts something of this nature in it to beget a disesteem in believers hearts of this truth spiritual gifts are such things believers should covet after for they are very useful 1 Cor. 14. 1. But surely this parts and gifts without wisdome which is profitable to direct to make a right and good use of them doth but puff up the soul as is too apparent this day Therefore our desire is not so much to minde the measure of receiving as making a good use of what we do receive and keeping close to the appointments of our God wherein is our safety because he hath there promised his presence and will there give forth his loves Esa. 64. 5. Cant. 7. 12. So that I hope those that have not their hearts prejudiced against this truth of Christ may plainly see your mistake in making that the end of this Ordinance which is not though it may be an effect or fruit thereof as I have already proved it was likewise an effect or fruit of other Ordinances of Christ as of Preaching and Prayer But let 's further consider is not this a wile whereby Satan labours to make void this truth of Christ as he hath done to others thus cunningly he works when Baptisme as to the right subjects and practise thereof is found out O saith he it is to believers and their Children and why for circumcision was to Abraham and his seed and thus would keep up that old relick and Pillar of Babylon and that practise which from the beginning it was not so Neither is now blessed be God the mystery of Iniquity so secret But that God hath abundantly discovered her and made bare the skirts thereof and it is now through the good hand of God plainly discovered that there is now no seed of Abraham according to the flesh but the natural Jews who are beloved for their Fathers sake yet have no right to promise or Ordinances without believing in our Lord Jesus Christ until the Word of God be fulfilled that is the time expired that the fulness of the Gentiles being come in then all Israel shall be saved according as it is written Rom. 11. Chapt. There are other reasons which they do urge though to as little purpose but the substance of them being answered in this and fully confuted in my book I shall passe them over and proceed to their second Chapter Which doth contain according to their Judgments which of those laying on of hands is not and cannot be meant Heb. 6. 2. Now before you resolve
Teachings them to observe all things whatsoever I have Commanded you unless saith he you will deny that Doctrine is Teaching or that the Apostles taught what they were not commanded as some have presumptuously affirmed This argument was indeavoured yet not in the least answered by Mr. Perry as you may see in the 23 page of his Book of animadversions 2. You may also see Mr. Griffiths Arguments one of which I shall name why this is so Because saith he the Apostles did administer such a thing on dipped believers as such Acts 8. 17. and 19. 6. Now saith he either they did administer it upon the account of Christs Requirement command or injunction or upon an account of their own But it was not upon an account of their own therefore it was upon the account of Christs Requirement command or injunction This he proves as you may see in the sixth page of his book in answer to Mr. Harrison this was never that I know of answered by any of you with many more he layes down in his book of the six principles Surely you could not be ignorant of those Arguments and therefore how you could retain this Objection when it hath been by such Arguments refuted and yet not take notice of those Arguments so as to answer them I know not 3. You may likewise see what Mr Tillam writes in the 10 11 12 13. and 14 page of his book it being an answer to Mr. Paul Hobson and to this very Objection 4. Amongst the rest for further witness herein I shall refer you to what I have written in answer to this very Objection laid down and answered in my book which I desire the Lord may help you to weigh and consider of that the truth of God may have place in your hearts For I must tell you it will be little comfort to you if Christ as he suddenly will come shall finde you opposing the reformation of his house And further I desire the Lord may keep you from this temptation which too many are subject to run into to wit Now truth is displayed presently to make war therewith indeavouring the suppressing thereof There being little in this fourth Chapter then this bare Syllogisme more then frivolous discourse with reflections and unsavoury and hard speeches which do discover the bitterness of the minde from whence they proceeded I shall take as little notice as I can with wisdome of them and draw to a conclusion of my answer to your book only shall observe some few things 1. You labour to darken the truth and that with your slighting of those things that have been written in the vindication thereof and those Scriptures which have been affirmed by those that have written thereby seeking to possess the minds of people with an understanding from several Scriptures as if they were ours but is indeed your own imagination that thereby you might hinder the proceeding of this truth amongst the people of God And therefore I do affirm that what hath been affirmed by any of us from those Scriptures doth still stand good to what they were intended and are true witnesses in this case for the proof of this truth And when by those persons that shall duly weight and consider the matter you have written with the answer thereunto without prejudice of Spirit but with love towards God to finde out his truth they will easily see your errour herein and that in this matter we have not as your selves have done handled the Word of God deceitfully 2 Cor. 2. 17. and 4. 2. 2. You say that we say you are Babes taking that as matter of great disdain but how like Children you do and have acted I do believe will be easily seen by those who have their eyes open 3. And whereas you say we are much at loss about the end of this Ordinance and so by this would cast dust into the eyes of persons to blind them the more I Answer that if there be any that doth affirm this or that or a third thing to be the end of this Ordinance yet I hope you will grant us the same liberty to come to the knowledge of this truth you your selves take to attain the highth of opposition against it is there not divisions among your selves in your opposing of us what 's the Reason that you affirm one thing Mr. Kiffin another and Mr. Harrison a third Mr. Harrison he saith it is laying on of hands for healing is the principle Heb. 6. 2. Mr. Kiffin he saith missing the end of that we practise that it was only dispensed for the confirmation of the Gospel I could tell you that others who do oppose it do say Not the practise of laying on of hands is the foundation-principle but the effects of laying on of hands which is as false and the words unsound and you after all affirm laying on of hands upon persons to office to be the foundation-principle Heb. 6. 2. which is not so therefore consider wâ—o is more at loss then your selves Remember what is written and take good cognizance of your books you have written against us and the truth surely your opposition is much heighthened by the bitterness of your Spirit against us because we cannot deny this Word of the Lord we are conscious of Not because the Bishops did practise it as you say we do but because we finde it written as that which Christ and his Apostles taught and that unto which believers as such were obedient What though some among us though I know not of any should understand the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit to be the end of this Ordinance wherein they should be deceived with your selves doth this make voyd the truth of God God forbid We know that the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit did follow the Preaching of the VVord and so was a fruit of that Ordinance as well as laying on of hands but the proper end of neither of them Is there no gifts of the Spirit of God which believers then did and do now receive according to the promise of God but such as are given in an Extraordinary manner Surely you dare not say there is not But I shall leave this and take as little notice as possible of the frames of your Spirits which are as if you were bent and resolved to fight against truth and to tread under and render odious the maintainers thereof The ground whereof I conceive is because we cannot communicate with you who reject and deny this teaching of Christ and bring your own with the new-conceited opinion of Doctor Gouge and others in the room thereof and though you are pleased to say that our best Argument is the Common prayer book yet we would give you to know that we have a more sure VVord of Prophesie 2 Pet. 1. 19. our witness is in the word of truth and your Reasons with all the wisdome of those men you minded in this case will be found too light being weighed in the Balance of the truth that laying on of hands in Heb. 6. 2. is meant upon persons to office But wherefore are we branded with the names of censoriousness Rigid Hatred and such Judgments as if we had as you say received the Spirit of Satan in stead of the Spirit of God 1. Is it because some of us as you say forbid you their houses but I pray you in your writing of this did you carefully observe and remember the frames of your Spirit whatsoever your carriage was towards your Brethren of whom you thus speak I know not yet sure I am in this your writing you go beyond your bounds but what is this Spirit which is discovered to be in you but that old Maligne Spirit that seeks the destruction of the truth and way of God who alwayes reaps up the failings if there be any in any poor soul thereby to dishonour and cast dirt upon the face of truth or 2. Is it because as you say we deny you Communion why consider is it not upon the same ground that you your selves have denyed others and have not you dealt with some poor souls who have been convinced of this truth and for truths sake in duty towards God have been obedient thereunto Surely to withdraw from those who deny truth and turn their backs upon truth is from a better understanding and is more agreeable to the minde of God then to withdraw from poor souls who are followers of truth The first is ours the second your practise the Lord he is Judge and will certainly Judge between us and make his truth manifest for it is time for thee Lord to work when men make voyd thy Law Psalm 119. 126. vers. The End Post-script Reader I would have thee take notice that whereas I have made mention of the names of some particular persons in my book It is not from any Spirit of prejudice that I have toward them for the Lord he knows they are men I do love and esteem but my mentioning of them was for this end that believers might see the weakness of their Objections and the difference that is in their understandings about this truth of laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such that so indeed the great Mountains that are raised up in the wayes of poor souls in their obedience unto Christ in this Ordinance may be removed and therefore I hope there iâ— none that will harbor such a conceit from what I have written as that I should have ever the lâ—ss esteem of them for the mentioning of their names in the cases I have minded neither that others should have ever the less esteem of them but that indeed so far as they follow truth they should be esteemed for the sake thereof and therefore I do desire that Satan may have no advantage by any thing I have written for I have indeavoured both in my book and in my Answering of these four Chapters to write without reflecting Language which as I know it would not profit my self nor the truth So likewise would but raise up the Spirits of those who are opposers thereof and therefore now that God may give thee a Spirit of Wisedome that thou maist know and understand what is written is the Prayer of him who is willing to serve thee wherein he may be instrumental for thy good and the blessing of God go along with this his weak indeavours Amen W. R. FINIS
a gift he is to be up and doing to administer the same Query But some may say Is there no Ordinance that the Lord Jesus Christ hath left unto his people to wait upon him in for healing in the time of sickness Answer Yes and that is prayer and anoynting with Oile in the Name of the Lord this is left as an Ordinance or way unto believers to wait upon the Lord in in the time of sickness wherein the Elders of the Church of Christ ought to administer as is manifest from Iam. 5. 14 15 vers. Is any sick amongst you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anoynting him with Oile in the Name of the Lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up and if he have committed sins they shall be forgiven him From whence we may observe that this duty is injoyned by the Apostle upon those that are sick Herein the soul ought to wait upon God and in this way to look up unto God for healing But Oh! the evil of professors in this our day who run to the Physitian but not to God but few wait upon God in his way the Lord complained of this of old as a great evil as the 2 Kings 1. 16 vers. yea we may see this was Asa's sin 2 Chro. 16. 12 vers. though he were in much affliction yet he sought not unto the Lord but to the Physitian And is not this the sin of many Professors in this our day O! that God would make them sensible thereof and make this word of use to them that they may look more up unto God that they may exercise more faith upon him for healing that if they can but with the poor Woman Mark 5. 26 27 28 vers. touch the hem of Christs garment for there is much vertue still in him Object Some will say We cannot see this way to continue in the Church of Christ amongst believers unless we did see the effect thereof Answer First If you Judge of the minde of God that which is laid down your duty by the effect you may run your selves into many temptations as the Jews of old did when they saw not the glory of the last Temple to be so great as the glory of the first Temple was Hag. 2. 3 vers. they were discouraged in the work of the Lord which God required and so indeed this temptation got upon them as in the first Chapter the second verse The time is not come the time that the Lords House should be built but the Lord for this reproves them with Judgments as you may see in the 4 5 and 6 verses and after by his servant Haggai exhorteth them unto the work as in the 8 verse and incourageth them unto it in the 13 vers. Then spake Haggai in the Lords Message unto the people saying I am with you saith the Lord and in the second Chapter 5 vers. According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came up out of Egypt so my Spirit remaineth amongst you fear you not So I say God is a God in Covenant with believers his truths are sealed by the blood of Christ O then take heed of questioning his faithfulness in making good his promise from whence doth this proceed our looking for such and such effects but indeed from our unbelief not believing the promise of God therefore take heed of judging the minde of God by the effects for in so doing you will make the way of God of no force or weight for souls obedience 2. How can you see the effect of that you have never yet attained unto nor believed therefore I may say to you as the Lord Jesus did unto the Jews If you will do his will you shall know of the Doctrine Iohn 7. 17. 3. What effect have you seen of the laying on of hands upon persons to office it is true as many write and do say laying on of hands is a resignation of a person or persons to office therefore they instance Moses laying on his hands upon Ioshua Numb. 27. 23 vers. but you shall find a more excellent effect that which fitted him for that work which he was called unto as Deut. 34. 9 vers. Ioshua the Son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him Learn from hence that as it is Gods way so he meets with his people therein and as in that Ordinance of laying on of hands upon persons to office so also in this of anointing with Oile For his wayes are not in vain unto his people 4. Those who have waited upon God in this Ordinance have found the effect thereof they have met with God therein they have seen his faithfulness been partaker of his grace received healing not onely to their bodies but also to their souls this effect some poor souls who waited upon God in this way have been partakers of so that they are able to bear witness to this truth and also to set to their seals that God is true a faithful God meeting with those who wait upon him in his way therefore I may say of this truth of Christ as one may say of the new Wine in the cluster Isai. 65. 8 vers. Destroy it not for a blessing is in it 5. We do not so much minde in our waiting upon God in this way to see an immediate work of healing which is that which too many doat upon and so like Thomas unless they see a sign they will not believe Iohn 20. 25 vers. But we do chiefly mind our duty believing that it shall not be in vain our waiting upon him therein so leaving the effect of it unto God who knows best when to give in mercyes to his people Now this may be matter of information especially to those who look upon laying on of hands for healing to be the anointing with Oile spoken of by the Apostle Iames that they are and were two distinct things the one being a particular gift of the Spirit which a person might receive of healing immediately by the laying on of hands as the Apostle Paul did Acts 28. 8 vers. and many others also The other an Ordinance of Christ wherein the Ministry of the Church were to act and that not by vertue of any particular gift but of their ministerial office and therefore saith the Apostle Iam. 5. Let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oile in the Name of the Lord wherein they ought as in all other appointments to look up unto the Lord for a blessing leaving the giving forth of his grace to the poor soul unto himself 2. By what hath been said is reproved the ignorance of the people of God this day that have been long reading and learning of the Scripture and yet are ignorant of this command and likewise those that are Teachers and Leaders of congregations
laying on of hands in the Hebrews Samaria and Ephesia yea a fourth witness we have unto this truth which was Pauls laying on his hands upon Timothy as is before minded so that I say persons may as well object against other truths of Christ as against this But this we know In the mouth of two or three witnesses every Word of Christ shall be established therefore let us beware lest we as many do Kick against this truth of Christ and as many do and have done against Baptisme 6. Reason Because it is that which is milk for Babes a beginning-Word of Christ read Heb. 5. 12 13. You are saith the Apostle such as have need of milk and not of strong meat Now consider was it for Babes then and is it onely for strong men now as many persons who deny it to believers as believers yet will own it for setting persons apart for office O what deceit is wrapped up in this But surely this was for Babes and the Hebrews learnt it in that condition and this is certain that which was for Babes then is for Babes now and that which was for strong men then is for strong men now for so the Apostle reasoneth Heb. 5. 14. Strong meat belongeth unto strong men who by reason of use have their sences excercised to discern both good and evil Object But now some object that laying on of hands Heb. 6. 2. may be meant to heal the sick according to these Scriptures Mark 16. 18. and Acts 28. 8. or else for setting persons apart for office according to Acts 6. 6. or Acts 13. 3. Answ. To which I answer that it cannot be so meant for this reason Because in none of those Scriptures laying on of hands is laid down as a foundation-principle as we see here in Heb. 6. 2. laying on of hands is so laid down For consider those Scriptures Mark 16. 18. and Acts 28. 8. do hold forth no such thing as a foundation-principle but that particular men may receive such a particular gift of God as to heal the sick according as Christ promised Mark 16. 18. and Paul received Acts 28. 8. as also Philip Acts 8. and many others as many in the Church of Corinth which is no more a foundation-principle neither in the practise milk for Babes then laying on of hands which some make mention of in Luke 21. 12. So likewise those Scriptures Acts 6. 6. and 13. 3. hold forth no more a foundation-principle then the former and that Because laying on of hands here was upon particular men who were set apart for particular offices and that for the good of the Church of Christ this was not to Babes but strong men the Apostle reckons up the Hebrews Babes as Heb. 5. 12. but these were strong men who were fit to be imployed in the work of the Ministry such as the Apostle speaks of in Heb. 5. 14. Who by reason of use had their sences exercised to discern both good and evil Such who were gone beyond those spoken of in the 12. and 13. vers. being in a capacity of teaching others therefore laying on of hands in the fore-mentioned Scriptures upon persons for healing or for setting persons apart for office cannot be that meant in Heb. 6. 2. as the foundation or beginning-principle which is milk for Babes Heb. 5. 12. And therefore I do conclude that laying on of hands upon believers as believers is the foundation-principle the beginning-Word of Christ that which concerns every believing soul which is food to it and nourishment to it which is that they are capable of but not of the former they being not in the like capacity Therefore my Brethren as we find it written we should not take away the Childrens Bread and give it unto Dogs so let us not take away their milk but feed them with it c. 7. Reason Because it is part of the Word of the Lord that was confirmed unto us that it was the Word of Christ hath been plainly manifested it being that which he taught his Doctrine Heb. 6. 1. Also you may see the first reason for the proof of this Now that it was confirmed to us read Mark 16. 20. And they went forth and Preached everywhere the Lord working with them and confirmed the Word with signes following Now whereas some object that laying on of hands was for the confirmation of the Gospel they may now by what hath been said plainly see that it was part of the Word of the Lord or saying of Christ even his teaching unto which believers as such were obedient one part of his Doctrine which therefore was as the rest confirmed with signes miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit But for further answer to this objection we may consider that which confirmed the Word and the Word were different laying on of hands as you have heard was the Word of God the teaching of Christ but signes miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit were the confirmation thereof Mark 16. 20. they appeared whereby this word and way of God was and is confirmed unto us to be the stedfast Word of Christ Miracles are no foundation-principles they are not any part of the Word of the beginning of Christ but those things by which the Word of God was is confirmed unto us to be the stedfast Word of Christ the neglect of any part thereof God will punish for saith the Apostle Heb. 2. 2 3. If the Word spoken by Angels were stedfast and every transgression and disobedience deserved a just recompence of reward how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him Therefore my Brethren as the same Apostle saith Heb. 12. 25. so my exhortation is unto you See that you refuse not him that speaketh for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven Now truth being declared the Lord requires obedience and therefore it lies as a duty upon every believing Soul to consider his wayes and with the good man David to turn his feet into the wayes of God Psal. 119. 59. and to set shoulders to the work of the Lord that the breaches in Sion may be again repaired and the paths therein may be again restored according to the Word of the Lord Isai. 58. 12. vers. 61. 4. vers. and in so doing we shall be partakers of those promises which are annexed as the reward of such service In the next place I shall proceed to answer some objections which many persons make further against this truth and then shall lay down some Incouragements unto persons to the performance of this duty and in the last place shall lay down some grounds of our withdrawing from those that obey not Christ in his Ordinance answering some objections Object The first and greatest of them is this That
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
was fallen upon none of them From whence they perswade themselves and labour to perswade others that the Apostles did lay on hands by vertue of a particular gift or power which God had given them to give his Spirit Now for the removing of this stumbling-block I answer First If you consider what hath been spoken to the last Objection you may plainly see that the Apostles did not lay on hands by vertue of any particular gift but of their ministerial office Neither was it ever in their power to give the Spirit of God to any man as hath been plainly manifested 2. Whereas the Apostle saith for as yet he was falne upon none of them it discovers to us that it was an usuall thing in the Apostles dayes for the Spirit of God to be given and that in more then an ordinary manner and therefore well might Luke thus write this parenthesis in the discourse of this Ordinance for as yet he was fallen upon none of them 3. Again thirdly VVhereas Luke useth these words for as yet he was falne upon none of them it might very well be taken notice of For though Philip had wrought great works in the City of Samaria as in the 6. and 7. verses of this Chapter Acts 8. insomuch that God bore witness from Heaven to those things that Philip spake that there was great joy in that City and that Simon Magus who of long time with his Sorceries had bewitched the people believed and was Baptized yet there was no givings forth of the Spirit of God so immediately as at other times as for instance when Peter preached the VVord Acts 10. 44. even while he was speaking the Holy Spirit fell on them that heard it Object Some do say Why did not Philip lay hands upon the Samaritans as well as Baptize them and from hence they reason that though Philip was instrumental for their conversion yet Peter and Iohn must lay hands upon them and so by such reasonings as this laying on of hands must be laid aside Answ. First let us examine hath not this reasoning much of this nature in it to set up Peter Iohn and Paul that so indeed we may come to think of them above that which is meet as if they had power to do that they had not but for this some hath been already reproved 1 Cor. 1. 12. Now this I say saith the Apostle that every one of you say I am of Paul and I of Apollo c. and in the 3 Chapt. 5 vers. Who is Paul and who is Apollo but Ministers by whom ye believed Even as the Lord gave to every man Oh! that we could therefore cease from man whose breath is in his Nostrils and give glory to God looking up onely unto him who is the giver of every good and perfect gift 2. May there not be or is there not already too many who make as great a noyse to the crying down of Baptisme as this Objection doth of laying on of hands that in regard of Philip who did work Miracles and Ananias who had an immediate Commission to Baptize Paul as well as the Apostles for what they did O say many persons none but those that were immediately authorized and did work Miracles did Baptize therefore your Baptisme is not right because you work no Miracles and hence they conceive no Baptisme but the Baptisme of the Spirit which they think the Apostles gave unto those persons upon whom they laid on hands 3. The great thing in Answer unto this question is to shew why Philip did not lay hands on those persons whom he converted and Baptized and now if this Reason could truly be rendred something of satisfaction possibly unto many persons would appear But for my part though persons are never satisfied I dare not presume to know above what is written and therefore why he did not lay hands upon those persons he did Baptize I dare not positively determine But this I know and herein is my satisfaction that the work was done and I do believe the Apostles are as good an example and the thing is of as much weight if not more as if Philip had done it But Oh! what weak reasoning is here yet concurring with the rest to make voyd the truth I shall appeal to any mans conscience whether this be a sufficient ground to keep any soul from the doing of his duty because he cannot see why Philip did not lay on hands Surely you or I may suppose many things but which of us is able to determine which is truth amongst all therefore it is good for us to keep close unto this that it is Gods way that wherein the Apostles as Ministers of the Gospel did administer and that whereunto believers Baptized as such were obedient that it was taught unto them as milk for Babes and that it was a principle of Christs Doctrine a beginning-beginning-word of Christ unto believers and herein let us quiet our selves not seeking a reason for that the Lord doth not give us lest we are carried captive by our carnal imaginations and so split our selves against the truth c. Query But now some may say If we practise this Ordinance where is the ground for our faith seeing whatever is not of faith is sin Answ. First in all our Actions I do grant it is good for us to have a ground for what we do especially in the service of God in which service we are to walk by rule And here I wish that those who walk in mixt Communions would consider what VVord of God they have to bear them out in that practise whether ever Christ left such a rule to walk by But secondly I answer The ground of our faith in this Ordinance is the Word of the Lord which doth not only as you have heard discover unto us this Ordinance to be the mind of God unto believers a way wherein he requires their obedience but it likewise discovers the very end of this Ordinance to be the promise of God which promise God first made unto Abraham as the Apostle bears witness Gal. 3. 14. that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith VVhy we cannot believe without the Spirit yet through believing it is that we are made partakers thereof even of the promise which is the Spirit which promise God renewed and more plainly discovered by the Prophet Ioel Ioel 2. 28 29. which the Apostle takes notice of Acts 2. 16. this was likewise hinted forth by Iohn the Baptist Mark 1. 8. I indeed Baptize you with water but he shall Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and this our Saviour himself declared Iohn 7. 38 39. He that believeth on me out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living Water this he spake of the Spirit which they that did believe should receive Now as hath been declared they could not believe without the Spirit yet through believing the promise of
are good men that I have Communion with such among whom I have found much comfort therefore I cannot withdraw from them 1. We may take notice as this is an Objection made by some amongst the Baptized people so likewise by some that are Baptized who walk with the Independents so called O say they they are good men and we walk lovingly together therefore we cannot withdraw from them not considering that in this they have no rule of Christ and that God never gave unto persons such Liberty of loving each other as that thereby his wayes and truths should be rejected and neglected by them 2. To the Objection I answer that by this thou doest discover how little thy love is to the Lord Jesus Christ and his wayes and how low an esteem thou hast of them that thou preferrest thy love to the Creature before thy love to thy Creator It is true it is that which is thy duty to love those with whom thou hast Communion yea thy Enemies but in this thy loving of them thou must know that thou art to walk according to the Law or rule of Christ towards them for thy love towards them must be subordinate to thy love unto God and his truth and to this purpose Christ speaks Mat. 16. Luke 14. 26. that if any man loved Father or Mother more then him he is not worthy of him yea if a man doth not hate his own life if once it come in Competition with Christ or any one of his Laws that he can rather part with truth then deny his life he cannot be Christs Disciple Thou oughtest to praise thy duty in its place and to perform it but if once it come in Competition with Christ or his truth that thou must either suffer the truth of Christ to fall or else be accounted of by some that thou hast little love in thee towards them I say if thou preferrest thy love towards them before the truth that notwithstanding Christ calls upon thee to be a follower of him yet thou wilt not because it may make a breach in thy love towards them thou discoverst thy self to have little love in thee towards Christ and that thou art mistaken in thy right loving of them For thou canst not better love them then to be faithful unto God wherein thou wilt give them a good example for that which is thy duty in this particular ought also to be theirs if so convinced of the truth as thou art Especially in the consideration of this that there are several persons amongst them that have Apostatized from this truth and Doctrine of Christ that have declared for it and have been obedient unto Christ therein but now deny it and are great opposers of it which if thou hadst not ground from the Scripture to maintain separation from them upon any other account thou couldst not according to order Communicate with them Object But say some I dare not deny them to be a Church of Christ as they say you do and therefore they will charge me as they have done others that I do greatly sin in departing from them 1. I Answer do thou follow Christ in his Word according to the form and order appointed by him in his house and though they charge thee with departing from them God will Justifie thee for it is not their crying the Temple of Lord the Temple of the Lord that will excuse their disobedience Ier. 7. 4. for when truth is declared he commands all men to receive it and therefore when it once comes to thy Soul he requires thy obedience For to what end doth God manifest his truth by any poor Soul by any of his people but that others should be obedient consider was it not ever that which followed that old principle of confusion wherewith poor Souls were frighted by them if possible they could into that state wherein both matter and form subjects and order were all contrary to the minde of God Oh! what a noise and cry did they make after poor Souls who for conscience towards God did separate from them O say they they leave the Church and O! what a great evil would they make of this thereby possessing the people as if they had done very wickedly Not to go for further instance Was not this the practise of the Bishops and Prelates and after them the Presbyterians then the Independants and now it is come to be the practise of the Baptized people whereby it is manifest that this is but one of the last shifts of a confused principle When they cannot overturn the truth they will labour to lay stumbling blocks in the wayes of Gods people 2. I Answer though they look upon themselves to be a Church of Christ yet thou by the light of truth manifested to thy Soul doest see that they are short in a principle of the foundation thereof Is not the Church of Christ the house of God and is not Repentance faith Baptismes laying on of hands the Resurrection of the dead and eternal Judgement the foundation thereof see Heb. 6. 1 2. what will you say to make void this truth will you say as many do Christ is the foundation but is he any otherwise a foundation then in his Doctrine as he is declared and is not this his Doctrine or Teaching doth not the Apostle Heb. 6. 1. call it the Doctrine of Christ and is not his Doctrine one with himself Surely Christ his truth are one so far as a Soul knows Christ he will walk in obedience to him and doth not their disobedience to this way of the Lord discover the disorder they are in that indeed they build before the foundation is rightly layed denying a principle thereof 3. Whereas they say we deny them to be a Church it is not true For we desire not to enter Judgement in things that are too deep for us But this is that we have said and do still say let them prove themselves a Church of Christ which if they can so do we can prove them short in a foundation-principle of the service thereof and so disorderly For consider is it according to the rule of Christ to admit of persons though Baptized to Communion that shall say of a principle of the foundation of the service of God upon which he should stand to go on to perfection It is a lye that which Christ never taught though it be in so many words declared Surely such a practise God will never own neither dare we lest he disown us But here I shall take liberty to write Mr. Colliers own Argument for the discovering of a true Church of Christ in the first Page of his book of Right constitution saith he A true visible Church of Christ consisteth both of matter and form or of subjects and order for saith he it is Christs Kingdome and those subjects must be such visibly as Christ owns and that form and order according to Christs Rule or else saith he it cannot be
Christs Church Surely if what Mr. Collier writes and this truth of Christ to wit laying on of hands were rightly weighed what could he have spoken more against himself and for us in this case therefore let 's try seeing he hath thus spoken whether he doth own the form and order of Christs house which is plainly manifest he doth not for in that book as you may see from the 70 Page to the end thereof he opposes a principle of his Doctrine a part of the foundation of the service of Christ but I wish the Lord may give him and others to see this truth of Christ that they may be followers of him therein I shall now conclude leaving what I have written to the Judgments of all to whom it shall come desiring that they would with the noble Bereans search the Scriptures to see if what I have said be so or no that they would seriously weigh as in the sight of God the things laid down in this discourse having their Eyes up towards God knowing what is written That they which seek the Lord understand all things Prov. 28. 5. Further my desire is that if in their Consciences they do finde any convictions of the truth herein asserted they would take heed of opposing of it and that lest they be found fighters against God The End An ANSWER To a discourse containing 4 Chapters in opposition to this principle of Christs Doctrine to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such I Having almost ended my former discourse for the press it being a discovery and vindication of the truth there was presented to my hands a book having no Name thereunto consisting of two sheets of paper put forth as it doth appear unto me by several persons in opposition to this Ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such To which as the Lord shall help me with as much soberness and moderation taking as little notice as possible I can of their reproachful speeches of us and of the truth according to the measure I have received having this opportunity give a brief answer thereunto hoping it may more tend to the Conviction of persons it being particularly answered although the substance thereof is already answered in my book likewise not doubting but that other Servants of Christ who may be more able will as God shall give opportunity more fully vindicate his truth from the opposers thereof Their book as I have already said doth consist of 4 Chapters First of the several ends of laying on of hands 2. What laying on of hands is not and cannot be meant Heb. 6. 2 vers. 3. What laying on of hands is and must be meant there 4. That the laying on of hands practised by some in these dayes on all Baptized believers was never Instituted Commanded nor practised at all by Jesus Christ or his Apostles in all the New Testament Now their first Chapter contains according to their Judgement the several ends of laying on of hands and they are three 1. For healing of the sick 2. For ministring or giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit 3. For ordaining and appointing of Officers Unto the first and last of these I shall not now speak having spoken my Judgement and Conscience of them in the beginning of my book which I do hope is according unto truth And therefore shall now take a little notice of what is written as to the other particular desiring the Reader to consider of what I have written to the other two in the beginning of my book And now whereas they lay down and thereby would affirm that laying on of hands was for giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit and for the proof of this they say that Peter and Iohn to this end laid their hands upon them at Samaria Acts 8. 17 18 19. I answer first that the end of this Ordinance is missed by the Author or Authors of this book for the end of this Ordinance is the promised Spirit which God will give to all those who from the heart obey his Doctrine are followers of his teaching for the gift of the Spirit is the promise of God to all those who do obey him Acts 2. 38 5. 32 vers. which promise of the Spirit is the end of this Ordinance which end also was assigned thereunto see Acts 8. 15. and to which end the Apostles did administer it that those persons to wit beleevers who by their obedience were under this promise of God might receive it of God whose gift this was and who alone not the Apostles did communicate it unto his people as these Scriptures do witness Ephes. 4. 6. Acts 5. 32. 2. 33. Mat. 3. 11. Iohn 14. 16 17. 15. 26. 16. 7. 2. I Answer that the giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Spirit was never propounded as an end of laying on of hands neither can our opposers prove it that persons by the submission to this Ordinance should be partakers of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit or that persons were to expect this or that particular gift thereof but that as before they might be partaker of the Spirit of promise that whereas now they were to joyne themselves according to their profession with the body of Christ so they might Act in the body according to the will of God Object But now some may say By laying on of hands they received the Holy Spirit in an Extraordinary manner Answ. That they did receive the Holy Spirit in more then an ordinary manner by laying on of hands I do grant but that the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit is the end of this Ordinance I do deny For did they receive the Holy Spirit in a more then ordinary manner through this Ordinance Acts 19. 6. So they did through the preaching of the Word Acts 10. 44. yea and through prayer Acts 4. 31. which if considered we shall finde the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit to be the end no more of laying on of hands then of preaching the Word and Prayer they may be an effect or fruit of each of them but not the end for poor Souls by their obedience unto Christ are made partakers of the Spirit of promise which is the Producer of such effects or fruits in them 3. We may observe that the foundation of this discourse being missed and in the first place that which is untrue affirmed to wit that laying on of hands was for giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Spirit it 's no marvail they should run themselves into so many mistaken understandings of those that practise it and the hard Censures they put upon them with their Erronious Judgments about this truth which I pray God forgive them for they know not what they do and so I might put an end to their first Chapter only I shall take a little notice of the weight of those Reasons which they bring to
this Question you grant that a laying on of hands is a principle of Religion and a part of the foundation of Christian building Heb. 5. 12. 6. 1 2. And your Reason is because the Holy Spirit by this Penman doth Reckon it amongst those principles of Religion as repentance faith Baptisme the Resurrection and eternal Judgment and these granted by all under the least profession of Christianity to be the foundation-Doctrines I have thought good to minde your Reason because it doth fully prove laying on of hands to be a principle of Religion and a part of the foundation of Christian building And therefore in the first place it is well that the Word of the Lord hath so much weight upon you that you dare not deny it but that you do confess it to be a foundation-principle a part of the foundation of Christian building I am glad to see you thus far own the truth which makes me hope you may in time come to a fuller acknowledgement thereof and to see wherein you are mistaken and that when your demises and denials will be found too light being weighed in the Balance of the Sanctuary 2. I shall examine which of those laying on of hands you say is not and cannot be that meant Heb. 6. 2. And first you say it cannot be meant of laying on hands for healing and that for these Reasons 1. Because the gift of healing by laying on of hands is now ceased But you might better have answered because this laying on of hands was never laid down a foundation-principle and this is that which if you please may be work for you or others who are more of that minde then you are to make appear that ever it was so laid down as a foundation-principle As for laying on of hands for healing I do grant that no one ought to do unless he is partaker of that gift of healing and so your second Reason is very true 2. Because a foundation-principle concerns the whole every part of the building to support and uphold it And therefore I say if there were any that had this particular gift of faith the healing of one particular member could not concern the whole body as a principle How doth this confute Mr Harrisons Arguments in the 8 page of his book which he draws from Mark 16. and the 18 v. that laying on of hands for healing is the principle mentioned Heb. 6. 2. but that book of his was fully answered by Mr Griffith 3. I would have you know that this was not the way those that did believe and were Baptized did wait upon Christ in for healing for amongst them as a Church miracles were not wrought but for the conviction of unbelievers 1 Cor. 14. 22. For signs were not for those who did believe but for those that believed not But the way of God for believers to wait upon him in in the time of sickness was prayer and anointing with Oile as in the beginning of my book I have discovered But secondly you say that laying on of hands for giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit cannot be here meant and that for these Reasons 1. Because the power of giving the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit is now ceased 2. Because this laying on of hands cannot be the principle Heb. 6. because that laying on of hands is there called a Doctrine vers. 1. and 2. 3. Because if this laying on of hands to wit upon believers Baptized as such were the principle then this Church of the Hebrews the first constituted Church of Christ in all the New Testament after Christs Ascention which is say you the same with that in Acts the first and second Chapters had wanted a principle in Religion which were very absurd to Imagine These be your Reasons that the laying on of hands we practise cannot be that meant Heb. 6. 2. Unto these Reasons as the Lord shall help me I shall particularly give answer First taking notice that here is still affirmed that which never will be proved but is already disproved that laying on of hands was only for the giving the Miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit Therefore I say as I have made to appear the giving of the Extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit was never assigned the end of this Ordinance But you say the power of giving the Holy Spirit in the Extraordinary gifts thereof is now ceased 1. To which I answer first if the Apostles had power to give the Holy Spirit through laying on of hands then they had through the preaching of the Word but though through their preaching the Word the Holy Spirit was given Acts 10. 44. as well as through laying on of hands Acts 19. 6. yet it was never in the Apostles power to bestow it upon any as is Ignorantly imagined and as I have already made to appear and therefore so to think were absurd and ridiculous for it is the gift of God Acts 5. 32. and Acts 8. 20. 2. I answer you do much mistake your selves for the power of giving the Holy Spirit is not ceased for Gods hand is not shortened he is the same yesterday to day and for ever he that is unchangeable is the giver thereof the Lord Jesus received of his Father this promise and this promise he hath given and doth give and will yet make good unto his people Ezech. 39. 29. Acts 2. 38 39. But to strengthen your Reason you say that this appears to be ceased by the practise thereof at this day for though so many persons have hands laid upon them to this end yet those Extraordinary gifts have never followed to any one of them but both they and the administrators are and remain as other men Answ. First minde your absurdity the power is not ceased God is the same 2. Whereas you say we practise it to this end I answer That here again you are mistaken though in your last Chapter you are pleased to say that some of us do so which is that I never yet heard to be the Judgment of any in this practise and therefore I suppose you wrong us 3. But you say For all this practise we remain as other men I answer It is very true but we may easily see your sore which I wish the Lord may heal among you and that is this if you could see a sign or a wonder you would believe But take heed you may not be as unworthy of it as the generation unto whom Christ spake Mat. 12. 38 39. 16 1 2 3. and 4. For my self it was my Judgment and practise in this way of God that I ought to be obedient not for what I should receive but because the Lord Jesus taught and left such a way for believers to wait upon him in Yet I would have you know I did never yeeld obedience unto Christ in any of his wayes but I did indeavour to exercise faith upon him therein and that for his presence and blessing with
me in them and this I must tell you that it is a rotten-principle and that which God will never approve of for any one to yeild obedience to him meerly because they shall receive such or such a gift from him And I wish this may not be an evil of many Professours in this our day not only those who have been in our practise but in yours also who have upon such grounds submitted propounding such or such benefits to themselves then missing of their ends they have been offended and so have rejected the Word of the Lord and the good wayes of God Alas we may say when we have done all we are unprofitable Servants and having done the whole will of God we have need of patience We do confess we are weak and possible may come under that reproof the Apostle gives the Hebrew Church who were under this principle of Christs Doctrine as well as we that for the time we might have been Teachers yet we have need to be taught again but this is our Comfort that God doth in any measure accept of us and though we have but a little strength yet it 's our duty to hold fast the Word of the Lord and in so doing we are confident he will approve of us Rev. 3. 8 9 10. But this we know that the people of God though never so much indued with his wisdome were still fools in the wise Worlds account as possible we may be in your eyes and though we are so accounted by you yet learn to know that God makes use of foolish instruments And therefore farther to this I may say that what God bestows upon us in this or any of his wayes It is our duty to be thankful to him for and if we can learn this lesson to make a right use of what we have received we may be confident of receiving more from God Likewise to call this a principle to wit laying on of hands upon believers Baptized as such is not to grant as you say that one of the foundation-stones is now lost but is indeed again restored and that to it's right use which hath been for a long season in a wrong manner applyed and now by you wholly rejected Your second Reason is that this laying on of hands cannot be the principle because this laying on of hands is there called a Doctrine but that laying on of hands to give the Holy Spirit was never once taught in all the New Testament no not by them that practised it I answer first taking notice that the opposers of this truth of Christ agree not for Mr Harrison in his Touch-stone as he calls it of this truth affirms the laying on of hands in Heb. 6. 2. to be meant upon persons for healing which is the laying on of hands spoken of and promised in Mark 16. 18. vers. and Mr Kiffin he affirmed in his dispute with Doctor Chamberlain that laying on of hands in Acts 8. and Acts 19. 6. is not a Doctrine practicable to all Saints but was dispensed for the confirmation of the Gospel and this is Mr Perâ—yes Judgement as you may see in the 19 page of his book and so they understand Heb. 6. 2. vers. to hold forth so that the one holds forth laying on of hands for healing to be the foundation-principle Heb. 6. 2. and the other two to be for the Confirmation of the Gospel and so a foundation-principle as minded to the Hebrews But now as Mr. Harrison and Mr. Kiffin differ each from other so do these differ likewise from them for say they laying on of hands here in Heb. 6. 2. was upon persons to office All which as you have heard and may plainly see comparing Spiritual things together are untrue but more of this in the next Chapter 2. You say this laying on of hands to wit upon believers as such cannot be the principle and that because the laying on of hands in Heb. 6. 1 2. is there called a Doctrine which laying on of hands you minde was upon persons to office Answ. I do grant that laying on of hands upon persons to office is the Doctrine or Teaching of Christ his will and minde unto his people wherein they ought as they have occasion to be exercised that for the good of the body of Christ But I do deny it according to the answers already given in my book and yet shall minde unto this in the 3 Chapt. that laying on of hands upon persons to office was ever laid down a foundation-principle Neither is it your Reasons in your 3 Chapt. that will make it so to appear and therefore cannot be that meant Heb. 6. 2. 3. You say the laying on of hands upon believers as such for the receiving of the Spirit was never once taught in all the New Testament no not by them that practised it Answ. First that the Apostles did teach this unto believers as such see the second Reason or ground in my book laid down for the proof of this truth of Christ which you may take notice of for the Confutation of this Assertion 2. I answer further that this were very strange that the Apostles should administer in this way unto believers whereunto believers as such were obedient as I have sufficiently proved and yet this way or practise by the Apostles was never taught them they not once say you taught or instructed thereunto what may we gather from this Teaching of yours why surely this that there were some wayes wherein the Apostles did administer and whereunto believers as such were obedient wherein they knew their duty and the Apostles meanings without their Teaching O! that you might see your weakness in this your striving against truth 3. That the Apostles did administer unto believers in this way and that this practise of theirs believers were obedient to I think you dare not deny Now this being that as hath been plainly manifested to be the teaching not onely of the Apoles but of Christ himself from whom they received their authority for what they did then this being so for you to affirm the Apostles never taught this unto believers Now what is this but to put a lie upon the Spirit of God and lay a stumbling block in the wayes of his people 4. Let 's minde further was this Ordinance performed without prayer Acts 8. 15. they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit Now were these believers at Samaria in the Expectation and practise of that the Apostles never taught them Surely you have cause to be humbled for this your wresting of and deceitful dealing with the Word of the Lord Again herein you may see what confusion God leaves you to who are opposers of this truth for Mr. Kiffin he affirms in his dispute with Doctor Chamberlain that though it were a principle and Doctrine of Christ to wit laying on of hands upon believers yet ought not to be practised but you deny it to be either principle or Doctrine Surely