Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

Whereas a great number of Children at that Age, having committed many sins since their Baptism, do show no Evidence of serious Repentance, or of any special Saving Grace: And therefore this Confirmation (if administered to such) would be a perilous and gross Abuse. Rubric before the Imposition of Hands. | Then the Bishop shall lay his hand on every Child severally. | This seems to put a higher value upon Confirmation, then upon Baptism or the Lord's Supper; for according to the Rubric and Order in the Common-Prayer-Book, every Deacon may Baptize, and every Minister may consecrate and administer the Lord's Supper, but the Bishop only may Confirm. ⟨p. 330-331⟩The Prayer after Imposition of Hands. | We make our humble Supplications unto thee for these Children; upon whom, after the Example of thy Holy Apostles, we have laid our Hands, to certify them by this Sign of thy Favour and gracious Goodness towards them. | We desire that the Practice of the Apostles may not be alleged as a ground of this Imposition of Hands for the Confirmation of Children, both because the Apostles did never use it in that Case, as also because the Articles of the Church of England declare it to be a corrupt imitation of the Apostles practice, Acts 25. We desire that Imposition of Hands may not be made as here it is, a Sign to certify Children of God's Grace and Favour towards them, because this seems to speak it a Sacrament, and is contrary to that fore-mentioned 25th Article, which saith, That Confirmation hath no visible Sign appointed by God. The last Rubric after Confirmation. | We desire that Confirmation may not be made so necessary to the Holy Communion, as that none should be admitted to it unless they be confirmed. None shall be admitted to the holy Communion, until such time as he can say the Catechism, and be confirmed. | Of the Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. The Man shall give the Woman a Ring, &c.—shall surely perform and keep the Vow and Covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a Token and Pledge, &c. | Seeing this Ceremony of the Ring in Marriage is made necessary to it, and a significant Sign of the Vow and Covenant betwixt the Parties; and Romish Ritualists give such Reasons for the Use and Institution of the Ring, as are either frivolous or superstitious.

Whereas a great number of Children at that Age, having committed many sins since their Baptism, do shew no Evidence of serious Repentance, or of any special Saving Grace: And therefore this Confirmation (if administred to such) would be a perillous and gross Abuse. Rubrick before the Imposition of Hands. | Then the Bishop shall lay his hand on every Child severally. | This seems to put a higher value upon Confirmation, then upon Baptism or the Lord's Supper; for according to the Rubrick and Order in the Common-Prayer-Book, every Deacon may Baptize, and every Minister may consecrate and administer the Lord's Supper, but the Bishop only may Confirm.