The English nonconformity as under King Charles II and King James II truly stated…

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 ⟨p. 98⟩that he was given in a double degree for Corroboration: And some thought that he was not given at all in Baptism, (that did but wash away guilt) but by Confirmation after. 4. Hereby Confirmation got the name of a Sacrament (as Anointing the Sick also did) and was used presently after Baptism for the most part; and the Ceremonies of it were made more pompous, and it was appropriated to the Bishop, for the most part; or if Presbyters did it, they must use no Ointment to Anoint and Cross them with, but what the Bishop made by mixture, and blest, to make it holy: And because he could not go himself to the Sick, the Presbyters must fetch all their Ointment for this also, ready made and hallowed from the Bishop. 5.

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 priviledged 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 Insprirations 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 Oyl, and made the sign of the Cross on him, thereby to signifie his being Anointed with the Holy Ghost, and fortified thereby to follow a Crucified Christ thro' Sufferings. And when it was seen that the Holy Ghost was not thereby given for Miracles, they thought