A47585:145
Laying on of hands upon baptized believers, as such, proved an ordinance of Christ…
Laying on of hands upon baptized believers, as such, proved an ordinance of Christ in answer to Mr. Danvers's former book entitled, A treatise of laying on of hands : with a brief answer to a late book called, A treatise concerning laying on of hands, written by a nameless author / by B.K. ...Laying on of hands upon baptized believers, as such, proved an ordinance of Christ in answer to Mr. Danvers's former book intituled, A treatise of laying on of hands : with a brief answer to a late book called, A treatise concerning laying on of hands, written by a nameless author / by B.K. ...
London : Printed, are to be sold by Benj. Harris ..., 1698
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Laying on of Hands UPON BAPTIZED BELIEVERS, As such, Proved both fr… › Chapter 5
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.
Answ. We will grant you, John Baptist did not lay hands on the Lord Jesus; it cannot be rationally concluded he should, considering the lesser is blessed of the greater. Baptism might be administered by John, it being a figure of Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection; but the promised Spirit, which is the end of the Ordinance ⟨p. 49⟩of Laying on of hands, is said to be Christ's own gift, Eph. 4.7. But tho John laid not his hands on Christ, being not a fit Administrator thereof, yet I may say, the Father laid his hands upon him, and the Spirit came down visibly in the likeness of a Dove, and rested on him just after he came out of the Water; and this might, as many of the Learned affirm, contain the substance of this Administration contended for.
Answ. We will grant you, John Baptist did not lay hands on the Lord Jesus; it cannot be rationally concluded he should, considering the lesser is blessed of the greater. Baptism might be administred by John, it being a figure of Christ's Death, Burial, and Resurrection; but the promised Spirit, which is the end of the Ordinance ⟨p. 49⟩of Laying on of hands, is said to be Christ's own gift, Eph. 4.7. But tho John laid not his hands on Christ, being not a fit Administrator thereof, yet I may say, the Father laid his hands upon him, and the Spirit came down visibly in the likeness of a Dove, and rested on him just after he came out of the Water; and this might, as many of the Learned affirm, contain the substance of this Administration contended for.
Moreover, In this way Christ Jesus was visibly sealed by God the Father after he was baptized: saith Dr. Taylor, Confirm. p. 12. He had another, or new Administration past upon him for the reception of the Holy Spirit, and this was done for our sakes; we also must follow that Example: and it plainly describes to us the Order of this Administration, and the Blessing designed to us; after we are baptized we need to be strengthened and confirmed. And again he saith (citing a passage of Optatus) Christ was washed when he was in the hands of John, and the Father finished what was wanting; the Heavens were opened, God the Father anointed him, the Spiritual Unction presently descended in the likeness of a Dove, and sate upon his Head, and was spread all over him when he was anointed of the Father; to whom also, lest Imposition of hands should seem to be wanting, the Voice of God was heard from the Cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased. I shall leave this to consideration.