A47585:77
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 2
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.
Reply. Well might Hommius tell us, that it is not only contrary to the Scriptures, but Blasphemous and Idolatrous, and the vain Invention of superstitious Men. And well might Tilenus call it, an Excrement of Antichrist: And Amesius say, the reasons given for the same by the Papists, are both empty, and vain; and Mr. Calvin cry out against it, as is minded by Mr. Danvers. To which I might add a passage out of a Treatise of Mr. Hanmer, a Presbyterian, who tho very clear as touching Laying on of hands upon Adult Persons Baptized before they are admitted to the ⟨p. 23⟩Lord's Table, yet cries down the Papists practice herein in respect of manner and form; they use (saith he) anointing with Chrism, a compound of Oil and Balsam, consecrated by the Bishop; which as it was never instituted by Christ nor his Apostles, so saith he (as some affirm) it had its original from Calixtus Bishop of Rome, Anno 218, who ordained Confirmation to be performed with Chrism, which before was done with imposition of hands without Chrism. 1And further he speaks of the form, which (saith he) they make to lie in these words: Consigno te signo Crucis, & confirmo te Chrysmate salutis, in nomine Patris, & Filii, & Spiritus Sancti: I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and confirm thee with the Chrism of Salvation, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; A mere humane invention and device (saith Mr. Hanmer) that has not the least shadow for it from the Scripture*. Also another exception he brings against the Popish way of Laying on of hands, viz. in respect of the Subject, they confirming Infants, when according to the Apostolical Institution it belongs only to such as are Adult. And it appears that Calvin from hence bore his witness against Confirmation, viz. in respect of the abuse and corruption of it, as appears in his Institut. lib. 4. cap. 19. To which agrees the Testimony of Chemnitius: Our Men (saith he) have often showed, that the Rite of Confirmation, if the unprofitable superstitious ⟨p. 24⟩Traditions, and such as are repugnant to the Scripture, were removed, may piously be used to the edification of the Church, according to the consent of the Scripture. Exercitat. upon Confirm. pag. 65.