A47585:50
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 1
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.
Now mark, because this Miracle was wrought as the effect of their praying, can it be thought that was the end of Prayer, or that we must not pray because no such effects are wrought now? And when Philip had baptized the Eunuch, Acts 8.39. 'tis said the Spirit caught away Philip, that the Eunuch saw him no more: what a strange thing was this that followed Baptism? But now because this Miracle followed as the effect of that Administration then, shall we conclude it was the end of the Ordinance of Baptism? But again in Acts 10.44. while Peter was preaching the Word to Cornelius, and unto those that were in his House, 'tis said, The Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word, so that they spake with Tongues, &c. ⟨p. 8⟩Now shall we say, the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, or Miracles, were the end of Preaching, because such kind of Effects followed preaching? Surely none will argue so, that understand themselves: for if that was the End of preaching, because it was the Effect that followed, and that Effect now never following, we may say as many do, Preaching is ceased, if he and others argue right: for such and such extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit followed (say they) when baptized Believers did come under laying on of hands in the Apostles days, and these Gifts are not given now; therefore that Ordinance is ceased, it being only for the Confirmation of the Gospel.
Now say I, by the same Argument, all the Institutions of Christ may be denied, as well as laying on of hands: As First, Meeting and assembling together; see Acts 2.1. 'tis said, They were all met together with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a Sound from Heaven as of a rushing Wind, and it filled all the House where they were sitting. Vers. 2. And there appeared unto them cloven Tongues like fire, and sat upon each of them. Vers. 3. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with Tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.