A26924:370
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…
The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated and argued by Richard Baxter ; who earnestly beseecheth rulers and clergy not to divide and destroy the land and cast their own souls on the dreadful guilt and punishment of national perjury ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 19: Point XVI. Of Consenting to reject all from Communion, who desire not our Episcopal Con…
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.
Chap. XIX. Point XVI. Of Consenting to reject all from Communion, who desire not our Episcopal Confirmation.
L. ME thinks you that have written a Book for Confirmation should not scruple consenting to this.
M. I told you that I am so far from scrupling the true use of Confirmation, that I think it is the want of it that is the greatest corruption of the Church of any outward thing that I remember. But you must note, 1. That it is the English way of Confirmation that we speak of. 2. And that it is not the thing it self, but the denying men Church-Communion that neither have it, nor desire it, which we here dissent from.
L. What mislike you in the English way of Confirmation?
M. I must first tell you how the case stands in matter of fact: 1. When Christ sent forth Preachers, he endued them, not all, with equal Gifts and Power: Tho' most had some extraordinary Gifts and Inspiration, it was made, tho' not proper to the Apostles, yet for the most part their privileged above all others, that the Holy Ghost was given to those on whom they laid hands, for miraculous acts; especially sudden speaking of Tongues not learnt, and Prophesying; tho' the gift of Sanctification necessary to Salvation was given to all true Believers, by whomsoever converted. 2. When the Apostles were dead, and these miraculous Inspirations grew rare first, and then ceased (unless in some very rare instance) yet the ordinary Pastors continued the Custom after Baptism, to lay on their hands as for the giving of the Holy Ghost. As they did also the Ceremony of Anointing the Sick, which had been used for miraculous Cures. 3. The dead Ceremonies of laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost, and of Anointing, being used without the Power and former Effects, somewhat else must be though on to keep up their reputation. And as to that now in question, first they added more to the Ceremony of it, and Anointed the Person with Oil, and made the sign of the Cross on him, thereby to signify his being Anointed with the Holy Ghost, and fortified thereby to follow a Crucified Christ through' Sufferings. And when it was seen that the Holy Ghost was not thereby given for Miracles, they thought