A26892:6037
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IV. Imposition of hands was a sign (like the Kiss of peace, and the anointing of persons, and like our kneeling in Prayer, &c.) which having first somewhat in their nature, to invite men to the use, was become a common significant sign, of a superiors benediction of an inferior, in those times and Countries. And so was here applied ordinarily for its antecedent significancy and aptitude to this use; and was not purposely Instituted, nor had its significancy newly given it by Institution; And so was not like a Sacrament necessarily and perpetually affixed to Ordination.
IV. Imposition of hands was a sign (like the Kiss of peace, and the anointing of persons, and like our kneeling in Prayer, &c.) which having first somewhat in their nature, to invite men to the use, was become a common significant sign, of a superiours benediction of an inferiour, in those times and Countreys. And so was here applyed ordinarily for its antecedent significancy and aptitude to this use; and was not purposely Instituted, nor had its significancy newly given it by Institution; And so was not like a Sacrament necessarily and perpetually affixed to Ordination.
Therefore we must conclude, 1. That Imposition of hands in Ordination is a decent, apt, significant sign, not to be scrupled by any, nor to be omitted without necessity, as being of Scripture, ancient, and common use.
2. But yet that it is not essential to Ordination; which may be valid by any fit designation and separation of the person. And therefore if it be omitted, it nullifieth not the action. And if the Ordainers did it by Letters to a man a thousand miles off, it would be valid: And some persons of old were ordained when they were absent.