A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded upon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…A dispute against the English-popish ceremonies, obtruded vpon the Church of Scotland Wherein not…

therefore the Church in the after ages hath still kept and used the same rite in Ordination. Which rite shall with our leave be yet retained in the Church, providing, 1. It be not used with opinion of necessity, for that the Church hath full liberty either to use any other decent rite (not being determined by the Word to any one) or else to use no rite at all, beside a public declaration, that the person there presented, is called and appointed to serve the Church in the Pastoral office, ⟨p. 169⟩together with exhortation to the said person, and the commending of him to the grace of God, the Church not being tied by the Word to use any rite at all in the giving of Ordination. 2. That it be not used as a sacred significant Ceremony to represent and signify, either the delivering to the person ordained, authority to Preach and to Minister the Sacraments, or the consecration and mancipation of him to the holy Ministry, or lastly Gods bestowing of the gifts of his Spirit upon him, together with his powerful protection and gracious preservation in the performing of the works of his calling; but only as a moral sign, solemnly to design and point out the person ordained: which also was one of the ends and uses, whereunto this rite of laying on of hands was applied by the Apostles themselves, as ^fChemnitius showeth. And so Joshua was designed and known to the people of Israel, as the man appointed to be the successor of Moses, by that very sign, ^gthat Moses laid his hands on him.

therefore the Church in the after ages hath still kept and used the same rite in Ordination. Which rite shall with our leave be yet retained in the Church, provyding, 1. It be not used with opinion of necessity, for that the Church hath full liberty either to use any other decent rite (not beeing determined by the Word to any one) or else to use no rite at all, beside a publike declaration, that the person there presented, is called and appointed to serve the Church in the Pastorall office, ⟨p. 169⟩togither with exhortation to the said person, and the commending of him to the grace of God, the Church not beeing tied by the Word to use any rite at all in the giving of Ordination. 2. That it be not used as a sacred significant Ceremony to represent and signify, either the delivering to the person ordained, auctority to Preach and to Minister the Sacraments, or the consecration and mancipation of him to the holy Ministery, or lastly Gods bestowing of the gifts of his Spirit upon him, togither with his powerfull protection and gracious preservation in the performing of the workes of his caling; but only as a morall signe, solemnely to designe and point out the person ordained: which also was one of the ends and uses, whereunto this rite of laying on of hands was applyed by the Apostles themselves, as