A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Besides there is no ground to give a probability that the Apostle should insert the observation of this Rite or the Doctrine concerning it, in the same order and under the same necessity with those great fundamentals of Faith, Repentance, the Resurrection, and Eternal Judgement.

Wherefore the Imposition of hands in the last sense mentioned, is that which most probably is intended by our Apostle. For (1) adhering to our first interpretation as the most solid and firm, the Imposition of hands intended, is a description of the persons that were to be instructed in the other fundamental principles, but is no principle its self. And this is not appliable unto any other of the uses of this Rite. For (2) This laying on of hands did commonly if not constantly in those days accompany or immediately follow Baptism, Acts 8. 14, 15, 16, 17. Acts 19. 6. And a thing this was of singular present use, wherein the Glory of the Gospel and its propagation were highly concerned. This was the state of things in the world. When upon the preaching of the Gospel any were converted unto Christ, and upon their profession of Faith and Repentance were baptized, the Apostles present, (or if near unto them they came on that purpose) laid their hands on them, whereon they received the Holy Ghost in a supernatural Communication of Evangelical Gifts. And this, next to the preaching of the word, was the great means which the Lord Christ made use of in the propagation of the Gospel. By the Word he ⟨p. 32⟩[…] ⟨p. 33⟩[…] ⟨p. 34⟩wrought internally on the Minds and Consciences of men, and by these miraculous gifts he turned the thoughts of men to the consideration of what was preached, by what in an extraordinary manner was objected to their external senses. And this was not confined unto a few Ministers of the word and the like, but as it appears from sundry places of Scripture was common almost unto all Believers that were baptized,