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
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
down a foundation Doctrine of Christ But let the true babes of Christ know to their comfort that the pwoer is not gone so long as this gift this best gift of the Spirit remains which is better then they all Wherefore get wisdome thou believing obedient soul Prov. 4.7 and with all thy getting get understanding forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee exalt her and she shall promove thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her He that thus counsels thee hath richly experienced the truth of what he assures thee he asked wisdome and God gave him a large heart and was so well pleased with his choice 2 Chron. 1.10 11 12. and desire that he added to his request the greatest wealth honour and royalty that ever was given to mortall man This pretious gift shall conduct the true Christian to the Bridegrooms Chamber yea into his Masters joy Matth. 25. Dan. 12.3 where he shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament for he made wisdome his choice and used all means all the appointments of Christ to attain it and did not finde those pipes empty which others slighted and neglected but through those channels his vessell was filled wherefore he now lifts up his head with confidence Heb. 5.9 and Christ is become what he promised even the authour of eternall salvation to his obedient soul While those who lived in the profession of some it may be many truths are found with empty vessels void of this excellent gift of wisdome as refusing the channell through which it passeth so that now Psal 45. Mat. 25.10 11 12. when all too late they would run to buy the Bridegroom enters his royall chamber the Bride with the wise Virgins attend him and the door is shut eternally shut Lord Lord open to us is all too late Because I have called and ye refused O read and tremble Prov. 1.24 c. Hos 14. ult Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein By this time possibly some gratious soul will confesse that the best and most excellent gifts of the Spirit are not ceased But this powerfull yea most powerfull operation is continued in this principall gift of Wisdome and seeing the necessity of it may possibly cry out O help me to wisdome or else I die Which way is my beloved gone in what path doth this most excellent gift of wisdome passe Why thou poor enquiring soul it is the Prince of gifts thou enquirest after he is free and I dare not confine him to any particular passage he hath many walkes but I can point thee out which way he hath gone namely in yonder path which is one of his principall walks termed Laying on of hands 't is a path of his own preparing and indeed a foundation Doctrine of his own lips His servant Joshua found him in this very path and therein obtained this precious gift of wisdome which for the excellency of it beares his own name Deut. 34.9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdome for Moses had laid his hands upon him Was this transcendent gift of the Spirit conveyed through the Laying on of Moses hands Luk. 7.28 Why the least Gospell Minister is greater then Moses Object But Joshua was an Officer Answ He was a great Captain indeed and did conquer Canaan but there is not a Disciple of Christ but is a greater Captain even a King and a Priest and conquereth the world yea is more then a Conquerer through Christ Whatsoever priviledges the chiefest in Moses house enjoyed even the least member of Christs Kingdome is invested with that is to enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum or most holy place with boldnesse Heb. 10.19 which was the peculiar priviledge of their high Priests So that this way even through impositions of hands hath the blessed Spirit communicated wisdome his most excellent gift In the time of the Gospell we finde the great Apostle of the Gentiles rich in this gift A wise Master builder And St. Peter greatly admires this gift of Wisdome in him 2 Pet. 3.15 Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the Wisdome given unto him Quest But when was this Wisdome given unto him Answ At the same time when the Holy Ghost first filled him that is when the first Messenger was sent for this as the chief end from the Lord Jesus to him Brother Saul said Ananias the Lord Jesus hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost Act. 9.17 and accordingly the eyes of his mind as well as of his body were so enlightned with this choice gift of wisdome that he was able to preach Christ so that all which heard him were amazed he being so able presently to prove that he which bestowed this gift upon him is the very Christ So that here we have the precise time when this wisdome was given him Quest But how or by what means was this gift communicated Answ By that especiall Ordinance through which other gifts of the same Spirit were conveyed by Peter and John and Paul himself afterwards that is by imposition of hands Act. 9.17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him said c. So that here in two lively examples the way and means of communicating this principall gift is discovered to thy inquiring soul I shall add no more at present concerning this gift which I would be found in at the sound of the great trumpet but to counsell thee in the words of my Redeemer in another case Go and do thou likewise Luk. 10.31 The second best gift which is also continued to and must be more and more encreased in the Saints as we may see this day is Knowledge Dan. 12.4 As this is honoured in the next place to Wisdome so are they both lock'd up together for the newborn babe in the richest Cabinet that heaven hath even in the heart of the Lords Christ and our Jesus Col. 2.3 in whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge This is one of those choice acquirements for the building up of the Saints which whosoever wants is blind 2 Pet. 1.5 8. and in a perishing condition My people are destroyed for want of knowledge is the great Gods patheticall expression Hos 4.6 Take heed therefore thou dost not reject it nor the means by and through which it is attained for as it is treasured up in the same magazin or storehouse so it runs in the same channel with wisdome that is communicated through the same Ordinance Then shall we know Hos 6.3 Hab. 2.14 if we follow on to know the Lord. Faith is the third continued gift running through severall channels