Laying on of hands upon baptized believers, as such, proved an ordinance of Christ…

Object. As to that of Samaria, it is said that several being converted in that City, and baptized by Philip, who wrought many Miracles, and continued some time with them, Acts 8.13. yet did not he impose hands upon them as we read of: the Church of Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the Word of God, and that the Spirit was not fallen upon any of them, viz. in a visible manner, (which was a Phrase attributed to those extraordinary Measures frequently given in those days, Acts 10.44. which sometimes did fall upon them before Baptism, and sometimes after) sent Peter and John, who it seems were extraordinarily gifted by God, so that on whomsoever they prayed, and laid their hands, the Spirit was visibly, extraordinarily, and immediately given; and 'tis said they laid their hands upon them, but how many 'tis not said; surely not upon all, for Simon by his profane offer discovered he had neither lot nor part therein, tho baptized, &c.

Answ. The first thing he hints at, as an Objection against our Practice from this place, is because Philip laid not his hands upon them, after he had baptized them: Which we have answered already; but this I must say now, that if Peter and John laid their hands on those Believers in Samaria, as Men miraculously gifted, or by virtue of their extraordinary Attainments, it might ⟨p. 66⟩seem strange that Philip laid not his hands upon them, being (tho but a Deacon) endowed with those extraordinary Gifts, and had wrought wonderful Signs and Miracles in the same City before: The reason therefore why Philip did not impose hands upon them was,