THE
AVNCIENT
ECCLESIASTICALL
PRACTISE
OF
Confirmation
.
CHAP.
I.
Of
the
Nature
,
and
diuers
Vses
,
of
Confirmation
.
1
CONFIRMATION
is
an
auncient
Custome
of
the
Church
,
vsed
after
Baptisme
:
consisting
in
Examination
,
and
Imposition
of
hands
,
with
effectuall
Prayer
for
the
illumination
of
Gods
most
holy
Spirit
,
to
confirme
and
perfect
that
which
the
grace
of
the
same
Spirit
,
hath
already
begunne
in
Baptisme
.
2
The
benefits
of
this
Confirmation
are
diuers
:
whereof
the
first
is
,
that
men
expecting
Examination
,
and
tryall
from
their
Spir●tuall
Fathers
,
they
might
more
willingly
acquaint
,
and
carefully
season
thems●lues
with
the
grounds
of
Christian
Religion
,
before
Malice
and
corrupt
Exa●ples
depraued
their
mindes
:
as
namely
,
with
the
Articles
of
our
Creede
,
which
teach
vs
all
wee
are
to
beleeue
:
the
Tenne
Commandements
,
which
teach
vs
all
wee
are
to
doe
:
the
Lords
Prayer
,
which
teacheth
vs
all
wee
are
to
aske
,
together
with
the
nature
and
vse
of
the
two
great
Sacraments
of
the
Gospell
,
Baptisme
alreadie
receiued
,
and
the
Eucharist
to
be
receiued
afterwards
.
3
Secondly
,
it
serues
that
when
they
come
to
yeeres
of
discretion
,
they
should
publiquely
make
confession
of
that
Faith
themselues
,
which
others
had
promised
for
them
in
Baptisme
,
to
the
discharge
of
their
Sureties
,
and
the
good
example
of
others
.
4
Thirdly
,
that
by
such
Confession
they
might
make
profession
of
difference
from
all
Iewes
,
Turkes
,
and
Infidels
,
out
of
the
Church
;
Heretikes
,
Schismati●es
,
and
prophane
persons
in
the
Church
.
5
Fourthly
,
that
then
specially
,
when
they
first
come
to
the
vse
of
reason
,
beginning
to
fall
into
sundry
kindes
of
sinne
,
and
being
least
able
to
resist
,
for
want
of
experience
,
by
Imposition
of
Hands
and
Prayer
they
might
receiue
strength
and
defence
against
the
temptations
of
the
World
,
the
Flesh
,
and
the
Diuell
.
6
Fiftly
,
that
the
Prelates
and
chiefe
Guides
of
Gods
Familie
,
to
whom
the
Cure
of
their
Soules
belongeth
,
finding
vpon
Examination
,
some
part
of
their
owne
heauie
burden
discharged
;
might
from
thence
reape
comfort
in
beholding
those
faire
foundations
already
laid
,
and
glorifie
God
,
whose
praise
they
sound
in
the
mouthes
of
Infants
.
7
This
kinde
of
Confirmation
(
were
there
no
authoritie
to
countenance
it
)
is
in
my
iudgement
so
vsefull
in
the
Church
of
God
,
that
vpon
good
reason
it
might
be
entertained
among
Christians
:
but
for
farther
confirmation
of
it
we
are
compassed
with
a
cloud
of
Witnesses
,
and
that
so
plentifully
,
out
of
all
Antiquitie
,
as
it
may
seeme
a
kinde
of
ambition
,
or
lost
labour
,
to
quote
their
Names
;
wherefore
I
will
onely
alledge
the
soundest
of
those
,
who
since
the
Reformation
of
Religion
,
and
clearer
light
of
the
Gospell
,
in
their
seuerall
Writings
,
haue
approued
,
and
highly
commended
this
auncient
Custome
.
8
I
will
beginne
with
[
a
](A02486-e440-b)
a
Cap.
de
Confirm
.
Quare
satis
est
pro
ritu
quodam
Ecclesiastico
seu
Ceremonia
sacramentali
Confirmationem
habere
.
Martin
Luther
,
who
in
his
Booke
of
the
Captiuitie
of
Babylon
,
by
which
hee
vnderstandeth
the
Captiuitie
of
the
true
Church
vnder
the
Romish
yoake
,
though
hee
allow
not
CONFIRMATION
as
a
Sacrament
,
yet
hee
thinketh
it
passable
as
an
Ecclesiasticall
Ceremonie
,
or
Sacramentall
complement
.
9
Philip
[
b
](A02486-e490-b)
b
Cap.
de
Confirm
.
In
ritu
Confirmationis
fiebat
exploratio
doctrinae
,
in
quae
singuli
recitabant
summam
doctrinae
&
palam
profitebantur
se
improbare
●urores
Ethnicos
&
Haereticos
&
velle
se
esse
&
manere
verae
Ecclesiae
membra
,
&
non
discessur●s
à
vera
sententia
quam
tum
profitebantur
.
Hic
mos
erat
vtilis
ad
e●udiendos
homines
&
retinendus
in
vera
agnitione
dei
.
Melancthon
,
yoake-fellow
to
Luther
,
in
his
Confession
of
the
Churches
of
Germanie
,
but
specially
of
Saxonie
,
written
in
the
yeere
1551.
to
be
exhibited
to
the
Councill
of
Trent
,
holds
it
to
be
very
profitable
,
for
informing
of
men
●n
the
principles
of
Christian
Faith
,
and
holding
them
in
the
true
knowledge
of
God
.
10
[
c
](A02486-e580-b)
c
Cap.
de
rel.
Sacram.
Confirmatio
tum
sumpsit
exordi●̄
quum
vulgo
caep●tum
est
infante●
tingi
.
Zuinglius
,
in
his
Booke
of
true
and
false
Religion
,
confesseth
the
vse
of
it
to
haue
beene
as
auncient
as
the
Custome
of
baptizing
infants
.
[
d
](A02486-e630-b)
d
Lib.
2.
pag.
72
Talis
ritus
Confirmati●nis
valde
multum
vtilitatis
ad
aedification●m
iuuentutis
&
totius
Ecclesiae
conferrat
,
esset
etiam
consentaneus
&
Scripturae
,
&
priori
Antiquitati
.
Et
paulo
post
,
Haec
in
Colloquio
Ratisponensi
,
Anno
1541.
proposita
fuerunt
.
Chemnitius
,
in
his
examination
of
the
Tridentine
Councill
,
thinkes
that
the
vnprofitable
and
superstitious
Traditions
,
which
as
Rust
haue
crept
vpon
it
,
being
skoured
off
,
it
may
be
religiously
vsed
,
and
be
very
auaileable
to
the
instruction
of
youth
,
and
the
edification
of
the
whole
Church
:
and
hauing
set
downe
diuers
good
and
godly
vses
of
it
,
to
proue
them
all
from
Scripture
,
the
practise
of
the
Apostles
,
and
the
Canons
of
Councils
,
as
namely
,
that
of
Laodicea
and
Arles
.
11
[
e
](A02486-e710-b)
e
Cap.
19.
Para.
13.
Vtinam
vero
m●rem
retin
remus
quem
apud
vete●es
fuisse
admo●
nui
▪
priusquam
abor●●●
haec
sacramenti
larua
nasceretur
.
Et
paulo
post
,
Haec
disciplin●
si
hodi●
valeret
,
pro●fecto
parentum
quorundam
igna●ia
acueretur
,
qui
liberorum
institutionem
quasi
rem
nihil●
ad
se
pertinentem
,
securè
negligunt
,
quam
tum
sine
publico
dedecore
●mittere
non
possent
:
maior
esset
in
populo
Christiano
fidei
consensus
,
nec
tanta
multorum
inscitia
&
ruditas
,
non
adèo
temerè
quidem
nouis
&
peregrinis
dogmatibus
ab●●perentur
.
Iohn
Caluin
in
his
fourth
Booke
of
Institutions
,
in
the
vpshot
of
the
Chapter
of
Confirmation
,
not
onely
commendeth
the
auncient
vse
of
it
,
but
the
abuse
being
remoued
,
heartily
wisheth
it
restored
.
And
because
his
authoritie
is
(
not
without
desert
)
of
great
waight
,
I
will
set
downe
his
very
words
as
I
finde
them
:
Would
to
God
(
saith
hee
)
wee
retained
that
Custome
,
which
I
haue
already
declared
to
haue
beene
in
vse
among
the
auncient
—
,
before
that
abortiue
vizard
of
a
Sacrament
was
put
vpon
it
.
And
a
little
after
,
If
this
part
of
Discipline
,
were
now●adayes
in
force
,
the
slacknesse
of
many
Parents
would
be
much
quickned
,
who
passe
ouer
the
institution
(
or
instruction
)
of
their
Children
,
as
a
businesse
nothing
pertayning
to
them
;
which
then
without
some
publike
disgrace
,
they
could
not
omit
:
besides
,
there
would
be
lesse
ignorance
,
and
more
concord
in
Articles
of
Faith
among
Christian
people
.
12
Peter
Martyr
,
as
appeareth
in
his
Common
[
f
](A02486-e820-b)
f
Cl●s
.
4.
Cap.
7.
Sect.
4.
Nec
d●splicet
vt
ea
Confirmatio
habeatur
,
qua
pueri
adul●iores
●ogantur
fidem
suam
in
Ecclesia
confiteri
,
&
in
externa
prof●ssione
comprobare
quod
in
Baptismo
illis
non
sentientibus
factum
est
,
ita
tamen
ne
ex
eiusmodi
actione
fabricemur
Sacramentum
.
places
,
is
of
opinion
that
Confirmation
,
which
inioyneth
children
to
a
publique
allowance
,
and
profession
,
of
that
which
without
their
consent
or
knowledge
was
done
vnto
them
in
Baptisme
,
is
to
very
good
purpose
:
to
like
effect
speaketh
[
g
](A02486-e860-b)
g
Cap.
de
Confirm
.
Non
est
nobis
dubium
qui●
Apostoli
initio
confirmati
in
die
Pentecostes
,
c●ntulerint
impositione
manuum
admirandum
donum
spiritus
sancti
credentibus
in
Christum
,
vt
varijs
linguis
loguer●ntur
:
&
se●timus
vtilissimum
,
vt
pueri
&
adolescentes
●a
Pastoribus
Ecclesi●e
suae
in
Catechismo
ex●mmentur
,
&
siquidem
pi●
&
rectè
fuerint
eruditi
,
approbentur
;
sin
●ra●è
,
emendentur
.
Brentius
in
his
Confession
of
Wirtenberge
,
and
[
h
](A02486-e910-b)
h
Cap.
70.
Quo●
igi●ur
in
ista
inquisitione
comperieb●nt
ita
pro●ecisse
,
vt
digni
viderentur
qui
reliquo
coetu●
adiu●gerentur
,
eos
in
fide
confirmatos
impositis
man●bus
,
publicè
sui●
precibus
De●
&
Ecclesiae
commendabant
.
Beza
in
his
Antithesis
,
or
Opposition
betwixt
Papisme
and
Christianisme
.
13
Lastly
,
among
our
owne
men
[
i
](A02486-e960-b)
i
In
vers.
2.
Cap.
6.
Heb.
Imposition
of
hands
with
Prayer
,
which
was
the
olde
and
p●re
Ceremonie
of
Confirmation
we
doe
not
speake
against
.
Doctor
Fulke
in
his
answere
to
the
Rhemish
Annotations
alloweth
Imposition
of
Hands
,
with
Prayer
,
to
haue
beene
the
old
and
pure
Ceremonie
of
Confirmation
.
And
in
[
k
](A02486-e1000-b)
k
Et
8.
Act.
vers.
14.
The
Primitiue
Church
had
nothing
in
their
Cat●chisme
,
or
inst●uction
,
that
was
taught
by
word
of
mouth
,
but
that
which
was
contain●d
in
the
holy
Scripture
,
as
all
the
Articles
of
the
Creed
,
the
doctrine
of
Repentance
before
Baptisme
,
the
manner
and
vse
of
Baptisme
,
Confirmation
by
imposition
of
hands
,
and
such
like
.
another
place
affirmeth
that
the
Primitiue
Church
was
taught
it
out
of
the
Word
of
God
.
And
Doctor
Raynolds
in
the
second
dayes
Conference
at
Hampton-Court
,
howbeit
he
tooke
some
exceptions
against
a
supposed
difference
betwixt
the
wordes
of
the
Communion-Booke
,
and
the
25.
Article
touching
Confirmation
,
yet
for
ought
I
finde
,
hee
findeth
no
fault
with
the
Rite
it selfe
,
as
it
is
now
enioyned
in
the
Church
of
England
.
Admonition
,
confesseth
that
the
Confirmation
of
Children
is
very
auncient
,
and
that
it
hath
beene
well
instituted
.
CHAP.
II.
Touching
Imposition
of
Hands
in
Confirmation
.
1
AMong
those
who
allow
the
vse
and
end
of
Confirmation
,
as
we
haue
in
the
first
Chapter
vnfolded
it
,
there
are
n●twithstanding
some
,
who
eyther
out
of
Ignorance
,
or
desire
of
Contradiction
,
or
too
much
nicenesse
,
except
against
the
Ceremonie
of
Imposition
of
hands
vsed
in
it
,
as
sauouring
of
Poperie
:
others
,
against
the
restrayning
of
it
to
the
Administration
of
Bishops
,
as
a
relique
of
Antichrist
.
Wherefore
,
hauing
cleared
these
two
points
,
I
see
no
difficultie
but
that
the
most
tender
in
this
case
(
were
there
no
Ecclesiasticall
Iniunction
to
enforce
it
)
might
be
induced
to
the
entertayning
and
embracing
of
it
,
considering
withall
,
that
as
wee
retaine
that
which
is
due
vnto
it
,
2
The
Hand
is
a
member
proper
vnto
man
alone
,
and
is
by
Aristotle
tearmed
the
Instrument
of
Instruments
,
because
it
both
frames
and
directs
them
all
:
the
vse
of
it
being
no
lesse
diuers
then
needfull
as
well
in
sacred
and
religious
,
as
naturall
and
ciuill
Actions
.
3
But
the
most
generall
and
notable
vse
of
the
Hands
in
sacred
actions
,
is
the
Imposition
of
them
,
eyther
for
the
blessing
and
consecrating
of
them
,
on
whom
they
are
laid
,
to
God
:
or
for
the
separating
and
ordayning
of
them
to
roomes
and
offices
of
diuine
calling
:
or
for
the
curing
of
their
diseases
:
or
for
reconciling
of
them
to
the
Church
,
after
sufficient
demonstration
made
of
their
repentance
:
or
lastly
,
for
confirming
of
them
in
that
grace
which
they
haue
receiued
in
Baptisme
,
that
as
they
beleeue
remission
of
sinnes
vnto
Iustification
,
so
they
may
be
imboldened
to
make
open
profession
of
this
beliefe
vnto
Saluation
.
4
Now
this
vse
of
Imposition
of
hands
in
solemne
and
sacred
actions
seemes
to
be
founded
vpon
Nature
it selfe
,
since
we
find
it
to
haue
beene
vsed
in
the
Consecration
of
[
a
](A02486-e1230-b)
a
Liu.
dec.
1.
lib.
1.
Numa
,
and
that
[
b
](A02486-e1260-b)
b
2
King
.
5.
11.
Naaman
expected
it
from
Elizeus
,
for
the
curing
of
his
Leprosie
.
5
Neyther
was
it
peculiar
to
the
Gentiles
,
but
more
vsuall
among
the
Iewes
.
Thus
when
Israel
blessed
Ephraim
and
Manasses
,
Ioshua
,
they
brought
vnto
him
little
Children
(
saith
the
Text
)
that
hee
should
put
his
Hands
o●
them
and
pray
:
6
After
the
Ascention
of
our
Lord
and
Sauiour
,
that
which
hee
had
begunne
was
practised
by
the
Apostles
,
and
hath
beene
since
continued
in
the
Christian
Church
,
downe
to
this
present
time
;
nay
,
and
in
those
very
Churches
from
which
it
is
banished
,
it
is
againe
[
c
](A02486-e1440-b)
c
Hyperius
in
6.
ad
Heb.
Bulling.
ibidem
.
Atq●●
vtinam
haec
postliminio
ad
nos
redeat
manuum
impositio
,
ritus
sanctissimus
iuxta●
&
v●il●ss●mus
.
wished
for
,
as
an
holy
and
profitable
Institution
.
7
And
sure
for
mine
owne
part
,
when
I
throughly
consider
that
of
the
Apostle
,
in
the
6.
to
the
Hebrewes
,
of
the
fundamentall
Points
of
Christian
Religion
;
namely
,
of
Repentance
from
dead
Workes
;
of
Faith
towards
God
;
of
the
Doctrine
of
Baptismes
,
and
laying
on
of
Hands
;
of
the
Resurrection
from
the
dead
,
and
eternall
Iudgement
;
I
cannot
thinke
of
Confirmation
,
performed
by
Imposition
of
Hands
,
but
as
of
a
part
of
the
Apostles
Catechisme
,
since
it
is
agreed
vpon
both
by
[
d
](A02486-e1530-b)
d
Manuum
imposition●m
cum
baptismo
coniungit
,
quia
vt
du●
erant
Catechumenorum
ordines
,
itaduplex
erat
Cer●monia
:
nam
qui
eran●
extran●i
non
ante
perueniebant
ad
Baptismum
,
quam
ed●ta
●ide●
professione
in
illis
ergo
Catechesis
Baptismum
precedere
sole●at
,
at
liberi
fidelium
quoniam
ab
vtero
adoptati
erant
,
&
iure
promissionis
pertinebant
ad
Corpus
Ecclesiae
Infantes
bap●izibantur
:
transacta
verò
infantia
,
postquam
instituti
erant
in
fide
,
se
quoque
ad
Catechesin
offerebant
,
quae
in
illis
Baptismo
erat
posterior
,
sed
aliud
Symbolum
●unc
adhibebatur
,
nempe
manuum
impositio
.
Hic
vnus
lo●us
abundè
testatur
huius
Ceremoniae
originem
fluxisse
ab
Apostolis
,
quae
tamen
posteà
in
superstitionem
versa
fuit
:
vt
mundus
semp●r
ferè
ab
optimis
institutis
ad
corruptelas
degenerat
:
finxerunt
enim
eam
Sacramentum
,
qu●
opus
regenerationis
conferrebatur
,
qu●
figmento
Baptismum
laceraru●t
,
nam
quod
erat
eius
proprium
ad
impositionem
manuum
transtulerunt
.
Sciamus
ergo
à
primis
authoribus
institutum
fuiss●
,
vt
esset
solennis
precandi
ritus
,
quemadmodum
etiam
Augustinus
nuncupat
Fidei
quidem
prof●ssionem
quam
adolescentes
pueritiam
egressi
edebant
,
voluerunt
approbari
hoc
Symbol●
,
sed
ni●il
minus
cogitarunt
,
quam
vim
Baptismi
decerpere
,
quamobrem
hodie
retinenda
pura
institutio
est
,
Superstitio
autem
cor●igenda
.
Cal●inus
in
Comment.
Caluin
,
[
e
](A02486-e1580-b)
e
Capita
Catechismi
quae
summa
quidem
totius
Euangelicae
doctrinae
complectun●ur
,
sed
pa●cis
&
summariè
(
vt
loquuntur
)
rudibus
tradebantur
,
professio
videlicet
Recipiscentiae
&
Fi●●●
in
Deum
,
cuius
doctrinae
articuli
,
vt
vocant
,
ab
extran●is
quidem
exigebantur
statis
Baptism●
diebus
à
fidelium
autem
liberis
in
infantia
Baptizatis
,
quum
eis
impon●bantur
manus
inter
eos
autem
Articulos
diserte
numerantur
duo
,
nempe
,
Carnis
r●surrectio
&
Iudicium
aeternum
,
B●za
in
annot.
Beza
,
and
[
f
](A02486-e1610-b)
f
Vbi
prima
f●onte
videntur
●numerari
,
Cap.
6.
verum
si
quis
accurati●s
p●●pendet
,
videbit
illa
re●ocanda
esse
ad
quat●or
vel
ad
tria
,
ete●●●tert●um
&
quartum
videlicet
de
Baptismate
,
&
Impositione
manuum
non
videntur
hic
proponi
vt
peculiaria
doctrinae
●ap●ta
,
sed
int●●poni
●aeteris
,
declarandi
causa
,
ad
declarandum
scilicet
circumstantiam
temporis
quo
rudiment
●rij●
fundamenta
illa
doctrine
Christrianae
solebant
proponi
,
videlicet
eo
tempore
quo
ad
Baptismum
admit●ebantur
,
adulti
itemque
eo
qu●
puer●
in
infantia
bapt●zati
,
&
in
pueriti●
inst●tuti
,
coram
●●cl●sia
solebant
per
Impositionem
manuum
in
fide
Christiana
confirmari
▪
Pisc.
in
eundem
lo●um
.
Piscator
,
that
those
foure
poynts
of
Repentance
,
of
Faith
,
of
the
Resurrection
,
and
the
last
Iudgement
,
were
proposed
to
such
as
were
not
baptised
till
they
arriued
to
yeeres
of
discretion
before
their
admittance
to
baptisme
;
but
to
Infants
baptised
,
at
the
time
of
their
Confirmation
or
Imposition
of
Hands
,
when
they
came
to
the
vse
of
reason
;
Nay
,
this
one
passage
(
saith
Caluin
)
doth
sufficiently
testifie
that
the
source
and
head-spring
of
this
Ceremonie
flowed
first
from
the
Apostles
,
it
being
instituted
by
them
as
a
solemne
forme
of
Prayer
,
and
an
argument
of
approuing
that
confession
which
was
made
in
Confirmation
.
So
then
(
saith
hee
)
let
vs
remoue
the
Superstition
,
but
retaine
the
Institution
:
hauing
shewed
before
that
this
Superstition
chiefly
consisteth
in
making
it
a
Sacrament
,
and
with-drawing
from
the
vertue
and
dignitie
of
Baptisme
,
to
magnifie
and
enrich
it
.
And
lest
he
might
seeme
casually
to
let
so
much
droppe
from
his
penne
,
to
like
purpose
is
that
in
his
[
g
](A02486-e1700-b)
g
Quo
autem
haec
actio
quae
ali●qui
grauis
sanctaque
merito
esse
debe●t
,
plus
reuerentiae
haberet
ac
dignitatis
Ceremonia
quoque
adhibebatur
manuum
impositionis
.
Et
paulo
post
,
talem
ergo
manuum
impositi●nem
quae
simpliciter
loco
benedictionis
fiat
laudo
,
&
restitutum
hodiè
in
pur●●
vsum
velim
.
Booke
of
Institutions
,
where
hee
affirmeth
that
imposition
of
hands
was
vsed
in
Confirmation
,
thereby
to
purchase
more
respect
and
reuerence
to
so
holy
and
sacred
an
action
:
and
wisheth
it
restored
againe
to
its
pure
vse
.
It
may
seeme
strange
I
suppose
to
some
,
that
Caluin
should
thus
speake
but
if
any
make
a
doubt
of
it
,
and
thinke
I
doe
him
wrong
,
I
desire
his
words
may
be
sifted
,
and
my
reputation
cleared
from
such
aspersions
,
which
may
be
(
I
graunt
)
deseruedly
cast
vpon
mee
,
through
mis-vnderstanding
,
but
neuer
(
I
hope
)
of
malice
:
yet
the
rather
to
winne
credit
and
waight
to
that
which
I
haue
deliuered
of
Caluin
,
I
will
cast
into
the
same
Scale
,
the
opinion
of
[
h
](A02486-e1740-b)
h
Lib.
2
pag.
73.
Ad
quam
precationem
sine
Superstitione
adhiberi
poss●t
impositio
manuum
.
Kemnitius
,
assuring
vs
that
Imposition
of
Hands
in
Confirmation
may
now-adayes
be
well
vsed
without
superstition
:
and
of
[
i
](A02486-e1780-b)
i
In
4.
ad
Ephe.
Si
quae
Ecclesiae
contenderent
ho●
signum
suisse
Apostolorum
tantum
,
has
Ecclesias
damnare
equidem
non
possem
,
à
sua
tamen
opi●one
eas
quoad
liceret
,
reuocarem
.
Bucer
,
affirming
that
if
any
Church
held
this
Rite
or
Signe
,
as
hee
calleth
it
,
to
be
peculiar
to
the
Apostles
times
;
I
would
not
too
hardly
censure
such
a
Church
(
saith
he
)
yet
would
I
endeauour
to
draw
it
from
that
conceit
.
And
for
making
the
number
full
,
to
these
may
be
added
the
testimonie
of
[
k
](A02486-e1810-b)
k
In
exegesi
in
6.
ad
Heb
ver.
2
Confirmationem
intelligit
,
qua
per
manuum
impositionem
confirmabantur
,
qui
fidei
susceptae
ca●ita
Catechetica
professi
erant
,
eisque
benedicebatur
,
sicut
hodiè
quoque
fieri
in
nostra
Ecclesia
con●ueuit
.
Hunnius
,
[
l
](A02486-e1840-b)
l
In
vers.
2.
Cap.
6.
Heb.
Porrò
autom
impositionem
manuum
post
accuratiorem
institutionem
Catechismi
&
examinationem
initio
▪
cum
publica
ardentique
precatione
adhibere
solebant
,
vt
ijs
imp●trarent
gratiam
Spiritus
sancti
,
sicut
Samaritanis
,
Act.
8.
legitur
.
Credo
etiam
sic
esse
soli●os
in
Primitiua
Ecclesia
tyrones
ex
Catechumenis
transferre
inter
maturiores
auditores
,
vt
iam
eis
esset
fas
communicare
tanquam
dijudicatis
&
probatis
.
Illyricus
,
[
m
](A02486-e1880-b)
m
In
Praelect.
in
eundem
locum
.
Impositio
manuum
,
quae
●etus
fuit
Ceremonia
,
per
quam
benedicebatur
eis
qui
Deo
consecrabantur
,
&
temporibus
Apostolorum
non
solum
eis
qui
ad
Ministerium
voca●antur
,
verùm
etiam
qui
didicerant
,
&
professi
erant
doctrinam
Catecheticam
.
Tossamus
,
[
n
](A02486-e1910-b)
n
In
Praelect
in
6
ad
Heb.
habitis
in
Academia
Hyde●
berg
.
Accessit
tandem
ecclesiastica
manuum
impositio
,
in
eorum
gratiam
,
qui
cum
infantes
essent
●aptizati
fuerant
,
&
posteà
adulti
edita
fidei
suae
con●essione
manibus
impositis
confirmabantur
ab
Ecclesiae
Pastoribus
.
Grynaeus
,
who
all
ioyntly
confesse
this
Ceremonie
of
Imposition
of
hands
to
haue
beene
very
aunciently
vsed
,
not
onely
in
Ordination
of
Ministers
,
but
in
Confirmation
of
such
who
in
the
Congregation
publikely
professed
the
doctrine
of
their
Catechisme
.
And
the
first
of
them
affirmeth
it
to
haue
beene
in
vse
in
his
time
in
the
C●urch
of
Wirtenberge
,
and
such
as
depended
on
that
.
8
Now
I
the
rather
presse
these
testimonies
of
later
Writers
,
because
I
know
there
are
some
,
whose
iudgements
(
not
without
reason
)
are
much
swayed
with
their
Authoritie
:
and
for
the
generall
Concurrence
of
antiquitie
,
I
thinke
among
the
learned
there
is
little
question
.
9
The
most
auncient
Councils
of
Eliberis
in
Spaine
,
[
o
](A02486-e2030-b)
o
Caro
manu●
impositione
adumbratur
,
vt
&
anima
Spirit●
illuminetur
.
The
Flesh
(
saith
hee
)
is
ouer-shadowed
by
the
imposition
of
Hands
,
that
the
Soule
may
be
enlightened
with
the
Spirit
of
Grace
:
Which
words
of
his
,
seeming
to
ascribe
too
much
to
imposition
of
Hands
,
giue
mee
leaue
to
interprete
,
as
Caluin
doth
Leo
Bishop
of
Rome
,
vnderstanding
by
the
conferring
of
the
holy
Spirit
,
Inuocation
by
earnest
and
heartie
Prayer
,
that
it
may
be
conferred
where
it
is
not
,
and
the
Gifts
and
effectuall
Operation
of
it
increased
where
it
is
alreadie
.
10
Thus
doth
[
p
](A02486-e2110-b)
p
Lib.
15.
de
Trin.
cap.
26.
Nos
autem
accipere
quidem
〈◊〉
donum
possumu●
pro
modulo
nos●●o
,
effundere
autem
super
ali●s
non
possumus
,
s●d
vt
hoc
●iat
Deum
super
eos
à
quo
efficit●●
,
in●oca●●●
.
Saint
Augustine
himselfe
(
whom
Caluin
seldome
leaues
)
expound
the
giuing
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
by
Imposition
of
Hands
:
Hee
(
saith
hee
,
speaking
of
Christ
)
both
receiued
the
holy
Ghost
,
and
dispensed
it
;
receiued
it
as
man
,
dispensed
it
as
God
,
but
we
receiue
it
indeede
but
dispense
i●
not
,
howbeit
wee
call
vpon
him
for
the
dispensing
and
pouring
of
it
forth
on
those
on
whom
wee
lay
our
hands
.
And
in
another
place
,
shewes
what
is
meant
by
pouring
out
the
Holy
Ghost
,
since
the
ceasing
of
Miracles
:
For
[
q
](A02486-e2180-b)
q
Lib.
3.
de
Bap.
con
.
Don.
ca.
16
Neque
enim
temporalibus
&
sensibilib●●
mira●●lis
attestantibus
per
man●s
impositionem
modò
datur
Spiritus
sanctus
sicut
anteà
dabatur
ad
com●endati●n●m
rudis
fidei
,
&
Ecclesiae
primordia
dilatanda
.
Quis
enim
nunc
hoc
expectat
?
vt
ij
quibus
manus
ad
accipiendum
spiritum
sanctum
imp●nit●r
,
r●pentè
incipiant
li●guis
loqui
,
sed
i●●i●ibiliter
&
latenter
in●elligitur
per
vinculum
pacis
eor●●●●ordibus
diuin●●haritas
inspirari
.
now-a
dayes
(
saith
hee
)
the
holy
Ghost
is
not
giuen
through
Imposition
of
Hands
,
for
the
working
of
outward
and
sensible
Miracles
,
as
heretofore
it
was
,
that
so
the
strangenesse
of
the
Faith
professed
,
might
the
sooner
be
entertayned
;
and
the
narrow
bounds
of
the
Church
further
enlarged
:
for
who
now
expecteth
,
that
they
on
whom
hands
are
laid
for
the
receiuing
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
should
presently
beginne
to
speake
with
strange
tongues
?
but
inuisibly
the
Loue
of
God
is
poured
into
their
hearts
by
the
secret
working
of
the
Holy
Ghost
.
To
which
accordeth
that
of
[
r
](A02486-e2220-b)
r
Bulling.
in
Acta
Apost
,
Cap.
8.
vers
.
14.
Aliquoties
ergo
〈◊〉
Ceremonia
est
●dhibita
,
qua●●●●terno
sign●
significaret
non
homi●●m
sed
manum
,
id
est
,
virt●t●●
Dei
huius
qu●d
〈◊〉
benefic●●
〈◊〉
esse
.
Bullinger
on
the
8.
of
the
Acts
,
borrowed
as
it
seemes
,
out
of
Amalarius
:
By
the
outward
Ceremony
of
the
Imposition
of
Hands
,
is
meant
,
that
the
Holy
Ghost
is
not
giuen
by
any
strength
of
ours
,
but
by
the
hand
,
that
is
,
the
Power
of
God
.
11
I
will
conclude
this
Chapter
with
the
words
of
Mr.
Hooker
,
[
s
](A02486-e2290-b)
s
I●
di●inis
offi●ijs
.
in
his
fift
Booke
of
Ecclesiasticall
Policie
;
with
Prayers
of
Spirituall
and
personall
Benediction
,
the
manner
hath
beene
in
all
ages
to
vse
Imposition
of
Hands
,
as
a
Ceremonie
betokening
our
restrayned
▪
desires
to
the
partie
whom
wee
present
vnto
GOD
by
Prayer
.
CHAP.
III.
Of
the
restrayning
of
Confirmation
to
the
Order
of
Bishops
.
1
THat
there
should
be
an
Order
consisting
in
distinct
degrees
,
and
a
subordination
of
Offices
,
as
well
in
Ecclesiasticall
;
as
Ciuill
Gouernment
,
the
common
Practise
of
all
Nations
,
Iewish
,
Heathenish
,
Christian
,
and
the
voyce
of
Nature
and
Reason
,
seeme
to
proclaime
:
that
disparitie
which
ariseth
betweene
the
Superiour
and
the
Inferiour
,
being
the
chiefest
meanes
of
lincking
and
vniting
the
seuerall
parcels
of
the
whole
Societie
,
in
a
mutuall
correspondence
,
and
reciprocall
proportion
of
Loue
and
Dutie
.
To
this
purpose
,
that
Bishops
were
superiour
to
other
Ministers
,
all
Antiquitie
with
one
consent
(
if
you
except
Aiërius
,
who
for
dissenting
in
this
poynt
,
was
accounted
an
Heretique
by
[
a
](A02486-e2350-b)
a
Heres.
75.
Epiphanius
and
[
b
](A02486-e2370-b)
b
Heres.
53.
Augustine
)
doth
acknowledge
;
distinguishing
three
degrees
of
Ministers
:
Bishops
,
Presbyters
,
Deacons
,
answerable
to
the
High
Priest
,
Priests
,
and
Leuites
among
the
Iewes
.
Ignatius
,
who
liued
in
the
Apostles
times
,
often
mentioneth
this
distinction
,
as
namely
in
his
Epistle
〈◊〉
the
S●yrnians
:
Let
the
Lay-men
(
saith
hee
)
be
subiect
to
the
Deacons
,
the
Deacons
to
the
Presbyters
,
the
Presbyters
to
the
Bishop
,
the
Bishop
to
Christ
.
And
Saint
Hierome
(
notwithstanding
by
reason
of
his
Controuersie
with
the
Bishop
of
Ierusalem
,
hee
were
held
an
aduersarie
to
the
state
of
Bishops
)
in
his
Epistle
to
Euagrius
,
calleth
it
an
Apostolicall
Tradition
,
That
wee
may
know
(
saith
hee
)
that
the
Apostolicall
Traditions
are
taken
out
of
the
olde
Testament
,
looke
what
Aaron
,
and
his
Sonnes
,
and
the
Leuites
,
were
in
the
Temple
,
the
same
let
the
Bishops
,
Presbyters
,
and
Deacons
,
challenge
in
the
Church
.
Now
then
as
among
the
Iewes
,
Aarons
Sonnes
iustly
challenged
many
prerogatiues
aboue
the
Leuites
,
and
againe
Aaron
himselfe
aboue
his
Sonnes
:
so
among
Christians
,
doe
the
Presbyters
aboue
the
Deacons
,
and
the
Bishops
aboue
the
Presbyters
;
specially
considering
that
as
the
distinction
of
Presbyters
and
Bishops
was
shadowed
,
vnder
the
Law
,
in
Aaron
and
his
Sonnes
,
so
vnder
the
Gospell
is
it
established
,
by
referring
their
seuerall
Succession
the
one
to
the
Apostles
,
the
other
to
the
70.
Disciples
.
For
that
Bishops
succeeded
in
the
roome
of
the
Apostles
,
besides
many
other
testimonies
,
the
Councill
of
[
*
](A02486-e2510-b)
*
Can.
13.
Neocaesarea
witnesseth
.
Irenaeus
in
his
third
Booke
,
and
3.
Chapter
.
Ambrose
in
his
Commentaries
vpon
the
4.
Chapter
to
the
Ephesians
.
[
c
](A02486-e2560-b)
c
Quid
est
pro
patribus
tuis
nati
sunt
filij
?
Patres
missi
sunt
Apostoli
,
pro
Apostolis
filij
●ati
sunt
,
tibi
constituti
sunt
Episcopi
.
Augustine
vpon
those
wordes
of
the
45.
Psalme
,
Instead
of
thy
Fathers
shall
thy
Children
be
.
And
lastly
,
[
d
](A02486-e2590-b)
d
Fuerunt
ô
Ecclesia
Apostoli
patres
tui
,
qui
ipsi
te
genuerunt
,
nunc
autem
quia
illi
recesser●nt
●
mundo
,
habes
pro
his
episcopos
filios
qui
à
te
creati
sunt
,
sunt
enim
&
hi
Patres
tui
quia
ab
ipsisreger●●
.
S.
Hierome
vpon
the
same
words
:
and
againe
in
his
[
e
](A02486-e2610-b)
e
Cap.
2.
Ap●d
nos
Apostolo●um
locum
Episcopi
tenent
,
apud
eos
Episcopu●
tertius
est
.
Epistle
to
Marcella
,
touching
the
errours
of
Montanus
.
But
lest
I
be
here
mistaken
,
as
also
for
the
opening
of
a
clearer
passage
to
my
present
purpose
,
giue
mee
leaue
to
vnfolde
my
meaning
in
what
sence
Byshops
most
properly
are
said
to
succeede
the
Apostles
.
For
the
better
vnderstanding
of
which
Position
,
wee
must
obserue
,
that
the
Apostles
transcendently
comprehended
in
their
persons
the
whole
Hierarchie
of
the
Church
as
now
it
is
,
and
some-what
aboue
them
all
:
for
first
they
were
members
of
the
Church
,
as
being
Christians
:
secondly
,
they
were
Presbyters
,
as
being
to
preach
the
Gospell
and
administer
the
Sacraments
:
thirdly
,
they
were
Bishops
,
for
iurisdiction
and
imposition
of
Hands
:
fourthly
,
they
were
Apostles
,
for
the
large
circuit
of
their
Commission
;
for
being
called
immediately
by
Christ
himselfe
;
for
being
furnished
with
the
infallible
assurance
of
his
truth
,
and
visible
assistance
of
his
Spirit
,
●n
speaking
diuers
tongues
,
curing
diseases
,
working
Miracles
,
knowing
secrets
;
and
lastly
,
not
onely
for
receiuing
the
Holy
Ghost
themselues
in
miraculous
manner
and
measure
,
but
also
for
imparting
it
to
others
.
In
this
last
regard
,
I
meane
for
their
Apostolique
charge
,
they
left
none
to
succeede
them
:
this
calling
being
extraordinary
,
and
to
endure
but
for
a
time
,
but
the
other
three
were
all
ordinary
,
and
consequently
capable
of
succession
.
In
the
first
roome
succeeded
them
all
that
professe
the
Gospell
:
In
the
second
,
all
the
Ministers
of
the
Gospell
:
In
the
third
,
the
Bishops
and
Fathers
of
the
Church
:
so
that
by
vertue
of
this
Succession
the
power
of
the
Keyes
,
and
Imposition
of
Hands
,
properly
belongeth
to
them
.
Now
that
the
Apostles
alone
imposed
hands
,
not
onely
in
Ordination
,
but
in
Confirmation
,
appeares
out
of
the
8.
of
the
Acts
,
where
when
Phillip
had
baptised
the
Samaritanes
,
it
is
said
that
the
Apostles
,
Peter
and
Iohn
,
came
downe
from
Ierusalem
,
to
confirme
them
with
Prayer
and
Imposition
of
hands
.
Vpon
which
place
Saint
[
f
](A02486-e2700-b)
f
Hom.
18.
Igitur
h●c
●rat
in
Apostolis
singulare
,
vnde
&
praecip●os
&
non
●lios
videmus
〈◊〉
s●cere
.
Chrysostome
directly
concludes
the
administration
of
that
Ceremonie
to
belong
to
Bishops
.
And
[
g
](A02486-e2740-b)
g
Lib.
15.
de
Trin.
cap.
26.
N●que
enim
aliquis
discipulorum
eius
dedit
Spiritum
sanctum
,
orabant
quippe
vt
veniret
in
eos
quibus
manum
i●ponebant
,
non
ipsi
eum
dabant
,
quem
morem
in
suis
praepositis
etiam
nunc
seruat
Ecclesia
.
Augustine
affirmes
the
Church
in
his
time
to
haue
obserued
it
,
in
suis
praepositis
,
as
hee
speaketh
,
in
her
Gouernours
:
the
like
doth
[
h
](A02486-e2780-b)
h
Epist.
73.
ad
Iubaiaum
.
Quod
nunc
quoqu●
apud
nos
geritur
,
vt
qui
in
ecclesia
baptizantur
,
praep●sitis
Ecclesiarum
offerantur
,
&
per
nostram
orationem
&
manus
impositionem
Spiritum
sanctum
consequantur
.
Saint
Cyprian
witnesse
of
his
times
:
and
[
i
](A02486-e2830-b)
i
In
vers.
2.
Cap.
6.
ad
Heb.
Impositionis
manuum
,
]
per
quam
Spiritus
sanctus
accipi
posse
creditur
,
quod
post
Baptismum
ad
Confirmationem
vnitatis
inecclesia
Christi
à
Pontif●●ibus
fieri
solet
.
Idem
etiam
Haymo
ibidem
.
Saint
Ambrose
(
being
himselfe
a
Bishop
)
(
as
also
the
former
three
)
giueth
a
reason
for
so
doing
,
ad
Confirmationem
vnitatis
:
I
take
his
meaning
to
be
,
that
the
Bishops
by
approuing
,
in
Confirmation
,
that
which
the
inferiour
Ministers
had
performed
in
Baptisme
,
thereby
established
the
peace
of
the
Church
,
as
well
by
declaring
their
vnitie
among
themselues
,
I
meane
of
the
Bishops
with
the
inferiour
Ministers
,
as
also
by
exacting
of
such
as
were
confirmed
,
an
vniformitie
or
harmonie
of
Confessions
:
To
this
reason
of
Saint
Ambrose
,
Saint
[
k
](A02486-e2900-b)
k
Non
quidem
abnuo
hanc
esse
Ecclesiarum
consuetudinem
,
vt
ad
eos
qui
long●
in
minoribus
●rbibus
per
Presbyteros
&
Diaconos
baptizati
sunt
,
Episcopus
ad
inuocationem
sancti
Spiritus
&
manus
impositionem
excurrat
.
Et
paulò
post
,
Ecclesiae
salus
in
summi
Sacerdotis
dignitate
pendet
,
cui
si
non
exors
quaedom
&
ab
omnibus
eminens
d●tur
potes●as
,
tot
in
ecclesijs
efficientur
schism●ta
quot
Sa●erdotes
.
Hierome
,
in
his
Dialogue
against
the
Luciferians
,
addes
another
of
no
lesse
moment
,
which
is
,
that
the
safetie
of
the
Church
,
depending
vpon
the
authoritie
of
Bishops
for
the
shunning
of
Schismes
,
it
was
requisite
some
eminent
specialties
of
power
should
be
reserued
,
and
annexed
to
that
place
,
as
namely
Imposition
of
hands
,
which
hee
there
affirmeth
was
the
custome
of
the
Church
,
for
the
Bishop
to
performe
passing
by
the
Country
Parishes
,
thereby
blessing
those
whom
the
Presbyters
and
Deacons
had
baptized
.
To
these
reasons
of
the
holy
Doctors
and
Fathers
may
be
added
the
waight
of
Councels
.
The
first
Canon
of
the
Councell
of
Aurenge
in
France
:
and
the
20.
of
the
first
Councell
held
at
Toledo
in
Spaine
,
to
which
the
[
l
](A02486-e2970-b)
l
In.
4.
dist.
7.
Schoole-men
and
[
m
](A02486-e2980-b)
m
In
1.
dist.
95.
Canonists
generally
agree
.
Nay
,
[
n
](A02486-e2990-b)
n
Hic
mos
olim
●uit
vt
Christianorum
liberi
postquam
adoleuerant
,
coram
Episcopo
sisterentur
.
Et
paulo
post
,
Donec
rite
fidei
mysterijs
instituti
poterant
fidei
confessionem
coram
EPISCOPO
&
Populo
edere
.
Caluin
himselfe
in
his
Institutions
confesseth
in
expresse
tearmes
,
that
the
Minister
of
it
was
aunciently
a
Bishop
.
And
[
o
](A02486-e3030-b)
o
Bucer
.
in
4.
ad
Ephesios
.
Signum
impositionis
manuum
etiam
Episcopi
s●li
praebebant
,
&
non
absque
ratione
,
si●e
enim
sit
foedus
Domini
baptizatis
confirmandum
,
siue
reconciliandi
ij
qui
graui●s
peccauerunt
,
siue
Ecclesijs
Ministri
ordinandi
,
haec
omnia
ministeria
maximè
decent
eos
quibus
Ecclesiarum
cura
demandata
est
.
Bucer
in
his
Commentaries
vpon
the
Fourth
to
the
Ephesians
,
Farther
,
thinkes
it
to
haue
beene
grounded
vpon
good
reason
.
And
Doctor
Raynolds
in
the
second
dayes
Conference
at
Hampton-Court
,
being
challenged
by
the
Lord
Bishop
of
Winchester
,
where
euer
he
had
read
that
CONFIRMATION
was
aunciently
vsed
by
any
other
then
Bishops
,
by
not
encountring
the
challenge
,
seemed
to
giue
way
vnto
it
.
I
will
close
vp
this
Chapter
also
with
those
memorable
wordes
of
Mr.
Hooker
in
the
place
before
alledged
:
To
pray
for
others
,
is
to
blesse
them
for
whom
wee
pray
;
because
prayer
procureth
the
blessing
of
God
vpon
them
,
especially
the
prayer
of
such
as
God
eyther
most
respecteth
for
their
pietie
and
zeale
that
way
;
or
else
regardeth
for
that
their
Place
and
Calling
bindeth
them
aboue
others
vnto
this
dutie
,
as
it
doth
both
naturall
and
spirituall
Fathers
.
Indiuiduae
Trinitati
sit
Gloria
.