Laying on of Hands Upon Baptized Believers, Title page – To the reader
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.
The Second Edition.
WITH A brief ANSWER to a late Book, called, A Treatiſe concerning Laying on of Hands; written by a nameleſs Author.
By B. K.
Pſal. 119.141.
I am ſmall and deſpiſed, yet do not I forget thy Precepts.
LONDON, Printed, are to be Sold by Benj. Harris at the Upper-end of Grace-church-ſtreet, near Cornhil, 1698.
The Epiſtle Dedicatory.
To the Congregations of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, baptiz'd upon Confeſſion of Faith, and under Impoſition of Hands, particularly in South-Wales, and more generally throughout England; Grace, Mercy, and Peace be multiplied.
Brethren,
NOtwithſtanding the glorious Light broken forth among us in theſe later Times, yet we ſee groſs Darkneſs covering the face of the Earth; nay, and our Heavens are not ſo clear as we hope e're long to behold them: for tho the Light is come, yet the Glory of the Lord is but riſing upon us; ours is but the Morning of that long'd-for Day, and poor Sion is but looking forth of the Wilderneſs: hence are ſo many Diviſions amongſt us; we ſpeak as we ſee, and according to the Light received, and as we are bound by the Authority of Divine Precept to walk: God gradually diſcovers Himſelf, and the true Order and Form of his Houſe and Worſhip unto us: and tho we are ſtill labouring under many difficulties, having had much Rubbiſh to remove (like the Iſraelites when they came out of the 70 years Captivity) and many have endeavoured to weaken our Hands, yet through infinite Grace we may ſay, the Foundation of God's Houſe is laid: Tho ſome who would build cannot find the Wall, and ſome ſtrive to bring in a Stone of Babylon for a Corner, whilſt others endeavour to caſt away a principal Pillar, becauſe it has lain a long time corrupted and covered amongſt the Antichriſtian Rubbiſh. Reformation is a glorious work, and 'tis what we all long and breathe after. Mr. D. and others have been helpful to the Church of God with reſpect to Baptiſm, but for want of further Light have loſt their way: by which means I perceive many, in one reſpect much behind them, in another are got before them, and may (as far as I can judg) get into Canaan as ſoon as they. Impoſition of Hands is the Principle of our preſent Controverſy; and it is to be lamented, that in this day we ſhould be forced to a Work of this nature. Our Brother on this Conſideration was diſſwaded from doing what we now ſee publiſhed, and rather on this account than any other; and tho ſome judg'd it would do the Truth it ſelf much injury, by weakning the hearts or hands of thoſe eſtabliſhed in it, or enquiring after it, yet ſome judg'd it ſcarce deſerved an Anſwer: But others conſidering how well he wrote on the other Principle, thought it might the more likely tend to intangle the weak, and more unwary Chriſtian. Now as to my undertaking the Work, as I judged my ſelf uncapable in reſpect of others: ſo it was not my purpoſe to have been concerned, till put upon it by ſome in this City; and conſidering the backwardneſs of others, it the more induc'd me to it. And tho but abruptly done, yet ſuch as it is, I preſent it to the ſerious peruſal and conſideration of all, whoſe Souls long after the good, full reſtoration, and perfection of Sion; hoping the God of Truth will cauſe it to entertainment in the hearts of the humble, tho I expect it will be ſlighted by ſuch as are paſſionately opinionated of their own attainments and perſwaſions, and who are below receiving inſtruction from their Inferiours. It is the grief of ſome of you (as I believe) to ſee any whom you love and tender in the Lord, oppoſing ſo holy an Inſtitution of Jeſus Chriſt; but however, this you will find in peruſal of this Diſcourſe, that tho too many Baptized Chriſtians utterly diſallow and reject it, nay ſeem not deſirous to know the Mind of God herein, yet many godly Perſons both of the Presbyterian and Independent Perſwaſions (tho dark and negligent about the buſineſs of Baptiſm) have longed, and ſearched after the knowledg and diſcovery of this Truth, nay have attained to a good underſtanding and ſatisfaction herein, having laboured after a perfect reſtoration of it to its primitive uſe and purity, refining it from the Corruptions and Mutations of the Popiſh Church, not only in reſpect of thoſe abominable additions and mixtures of Chriſm, and other ridiculous Ceremonies in its adminiſtration, but alſo of the Subject to whom of right it belongs, as abundantly appears in a Treatiſe of Mr. Jonathan Hanmar's, writ 1658. when 'tis apparent their Spirits were very hot upon it. I find Mr. Caryl (writing Epiſtolary wiſe in commendation of the ſaid Book) ſpeaking thus: I conceive (ſaith he) the Learned Author of theſe elaborate Exercitations has deſerved well of the Churches, by clearing the way of thoſe admiſſions from Scripture-grounds, and the concurrent Teſtimony of many, both Antient and Modern Writers; alſo by diſcovering and removing thoſe Popiſh Additions and Pollutions, which by ſeveral ſteps have crept into it. And further he ſays, that this ingenious and pious Overture holds forth more, than moſt Churches have hitherto attained.
Alſo Mr. Vennings's honeſt and judicious expreſſions (in his Epiſtle to the ſame Treatiſe) I can't well omit; who ſpeaking of Reformation and Godlineſs, ſaith, Either by reaſon of our dimſightedneſs, being not able to ſee afar off, nor penetrate into the depth and bottom of them, or by reaſon of the abuſive Traditions, and corrupt Gloſſes with which for many Ages they have been clouded and over-caſt, many Truths ſeem not ſo clear, but they need further clearing; among others, ſuch as relate to Church-Diſcipline and Order, have long been under debate, and not without ſome conſiderable advantage, tho I humbly conceive we have not attained ſo far as to be already perfect. It remains therefore that we preſs forward, and not be ſo paſſionately fond of our prepoſſeſt Conceptions, as not to have the patience to conſider what may be offered to us, eſpecially by ſuch as wiſh well to Sion, and deſire to ſee the Goſpel-Temple in its Beauty. If any Perſons are ſpirited to ſearch after further knowledg in theſe Affairs, to dig for it as for hid Treaſures, and when they have found a Vein of Golden Ore, to refine and ſtamp it for us, we ſhould be in readineſs to receive the Truth in the love of it, and pay the tribute and homage of Obedience for the ſake of the God of Truth, whoſe Image and Superſcription it bears.
What great and profitable Pains my much honoured Friend, the Reverend Author of the enſuing Exercitation, has taken in this one Particular preſented to conſideration, and with what Curiouſneſs without Curioſity, with what Learning without Oſtentation, &c.—you will beſt perceive by the peruſal of it; and tho my Opinion be of little ſignification, yet I cannot forbear to ſay, that as to the ſubſtance and main of the deſign I judg it of ſo conſiderable importance, that I ſee not how it can be neglected without very great prejudice to Church-Communion, to ſay no more. Haply ſome may be ſo nice as to be offended with the Name, and diſlike Confirmation for fear of Biſhoping, as if that old-faſhioned Garment had but a piece of new-nam'd Cloth put to it, and dreſt up in another Mode: if it were ſo, can no good come out of Nazareth? Bonus odor veritatis ex re qualibet: but if any are under ſuch a fear, I think I may aſſure them they are more afraid than hurt, yea afraid where no fear is, as they will quickly find if they pleaſe to come and ſee.
I could wiſh our diſſenting Brethren would weigh the matter more ſeriouſly and moderately; and ſince there has been by many of different Perſwaſions ſo diligent a ſcrutiny made ad veritatem inveſt…gandam, and ſuch holy longings after the mind of God herein, the reſult was hop'd to have been, a ſingular Agreement in the thing it ſelf. But it may ſeem ſtrange, I confeſs, to all diſcerning Chriſtians, that ſuch ſhould not be able to diſcover or find out the Antichriſtian pollutions and mutations in Baptiſm, in reſpect of the Subject and Manner of Baptizing; which is ſo apparently contrary to the Goſpel-rule and pattern alſo. O that the God of Iſrael would open the eyes of ſome eminent ones amongſt them, to ſee the pure chryſtal Stream of this Inſtitution of Chriſt, or help them (to uſe Mr. Vennings's phraſe) to find the Vein of this Golden Ore, ſince they will not receive it as refin'd and ready-ſtampt for them by ſuch, whoſe Skill or Faithfulneſs they ſeem to ſuſpect.
But, 1. How can they be perfect in Church-conſtitution and Order; whilſt they miſs the mark in ſo conſiderable an Ordinance as Baptiſm, taking a Stone of Babylon for a Foundation, and that for Baptiſm which is none? For it has been ſo groſly abuſed, (as a learned Writer noted in another caſe) that there is nothing remaining of it amongſt them ſave the meer Name.
And, 2. May it not be admired to ſee Men of ſuch Light and Conſcience be only pleaſed with the Theory and notional part of an Ordinance of Chriſt? They ſee it to be a Goſpel-Inſtitution, but I could never yet underſtand they are in the practice thereof; If ye know theſe things, happy are ye if ye do them.
3. But how contrary to the Rule and glorious Doctrine of the Lord Jeſus would they act, ſhould they get into the practice thereof, whilſt they ſo grievouſly err in the adminiſtration of Baptiſm, ſince that alſo wholly belongs to adult perſons, as muſt be own'd if the Scriptures be a perfect and ſufficient Rule for us to walk by, and expreſs whatever is neceſſary to know concerning this as well as things of the like nature?
But probably ſome may object, Since moſt of the Authors mentioned in this Diſcourſe for the further evincing the Truth contended for, are corrupt either in Baptiſm or laying on of hands, or both, to what purpoſe are they produced?
In anſwer to which I muſt ſay, that what's offered on the account of Authors and Antiquity, has been occaſionally done, Mr. Danvers having led us in that path. Nay, I might ſay, we are neceſſitated thereto by his means, unleſs we ſhould leave one chief part of his Book unanſwered, in regard he utterly denies the thing it ſelf, viz. Laying on of hands upon baptized Believers, as ſuch, affirming there is no mention made of any ſuch thing or practice in the Scripture: and ſecondly, in ſaying the Antient Fathers and aſſerters of it flew mainly to Tradition, and the uſage of the Church in the caſe. Should an Adverſary utterly deny Water-baptiſm, however adminiſtred, and ſay it was never commanded by Chriſt, but is a meer human Invention, or Innovation of Man; yea and affirm that all the Fathers and Confeſſors, that heretofore pleaded for it, wholly made uſe of Tradition, and uſage of the Church in vindication thereof: Would not any that is for Baptiſm judg it neceſſary, not only to prove it inſtituted by the Lord Jeſus, and practiſed by the Apoſtles and primitive Chriſtians, but alſo, in oppoſition to his Opponent, that thoſe Writers both of former and later times who contended for it, did fly to the Scripture for its proof and confirmation, tho ſome of them could not do ſo as touching the Subject and Manner of Adminiſtration? Hence it is we have took the ſame method in the defence of an Ordinance of the ſame Nature and Authority.
And now, my dear Brethren, I cannot but acquaint you, that my Spirit has been much refreſhed to hear how the work of the Lord has been carried on of late amongſt ſome of you, and the readineſs of many to receive this deſpiſed Truth. I am perſwaded the more a Truth is oppoſed, the more it gets ground, and the Saints with others inquire after it: for ſince Mr. Danvers's Book came forth, at one Meeting in London, on one day, upon my own knowledg, near 30 perſons came under the practice hereof: Vincet veritas, let Truth go on conquering, and to conquer; the Lord will ariſe and ſcatter all the clouds of Darkneſs and Oppoſition, and take away the reproach caſt upon his Servants for their Witneſs to his Truth, and Zeal for his Name. Let them be aſhamed who tranſgreſs without cauſe: if we are reproached, let us take it patiently, ſince it is for our precious Redeemer's ſake, who hath ſaid, You are my friends if you do whatſoever I command you; and in another Place, Whoſoever therefore ſhall break one of theſe leaſt Commandments, and teach Men ſo, he ſhall be called the leaſt in the Kingdom of God, Mat. 5.11.
Brethren, remember the Spirit of God pronounces them worthy of commendation who ſtand faſt, and keep the Ordinances as delivered to them, 1 Cor. 11.2. and the more we ſee evil Men and Seducers (as thoſe called Quakers and others) labouring on every ſide of us to tread under feet, and contemptuouſly deſpiſe all of them, let us ſtir up our ſelves with one heart in defence of them all; and as they are appointed as Conduit-pipes for conveyance of the Spirit and bleſſings of the Goſpel to our Souls, ſo let us walk as ſuch that experience the inward Life and Virtue of them, that thereby we may beautify the Goſpel and Doctrine of God and our Saviour in all things, having Lamps and Oil alſo in our Veſſels, viz. the form of ſound Words, and power of Godlineſs in our Hearts and Lives. And now finally, Brethren, that I may not be further tedious unto you, my breathings and deſires are, that the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of Lights, the God of all Comfort and Conſolation, would fill you with the knowledg of his Will in all Wiſdom and ſpiritual Underſtanding, grant you more clear and heavenly Communion with himſelf, and with one another in the paths of Peace and Righteouſneſs, and enable you to walk inoffenſively in all well-pleaſing, being fruitful in every good work; and that the God of all Grace would eſtabliſh, ſtrengthen and ſettle you in his Truth and Ways, that ſo you may remain unmovable like a Rock in theſe evil and perilous times, wherein ſo many turn aſide, giving ear to Seducers, Impoſtors, and lying Spirits, with which our Days ſo abound, that it will be a choice Bleſſing to be kept from falling, and preſerv'd without blame till the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Now that the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlaſting Covenant, would ſanctify you throughout, and keep you from falling, and preſent you without ſpot before him, in the day of his glorious Appearance, ſhall be the conſtant and hearty Prayer of
Your Brother and Servant for Chriſt, and his Truth ſake, Benjamin Keach.
The Epiſtle to the Reader.
THE Subſtance of this enſuing Diſcourſe was formerly wrote and publiſhed in anſwer to Mr. Danvers's Book againſt laying on of Hands: but the former Impreſſion (called Darkneſs vanquiſhed) being quite gone, I now, upon earneſt deſires thereto, preſent thee with a new one; and the rather, becauſe I have met with a later and ſhort Tract wrote by a nameleſs Author againſt this ſacred Ordinance, which is alſo here briefly anſwer'd. I have alſo ſome hopes it may tend to eſtabliſh ſuch Churches and Chriſtians as are in the practice of it, and convince ſuch as do oppoſe it; that ſo clear and precious an Ordinance may not be loſt; Deſtroy it not for a Bleſſing that is in it. But being unwilling to be tedious to thee, I commit it to the Bleſſing of God, whoſe Appointment it is. Farewel.
Decem. 13 1697.
Laying on of Hands UPON BAPTIZED BELIEVERS, As ſuch, Proved both from Scripture and Antiquity, to be a holy Inſtitution of JESUS CHRIST.
The INTRODUCTION.
AS it is matter of grief and trouble to many ſober and pious Chriſtians, ſo it is no leſs of admiration to ſee ſuch eminent and worthy Perſons beclouded and darkned concerning one Ordinance, that are ſo clear in, and ſo much for the practice of another. How well have ſome of our Brethren written concerning Baptiſm? And how have they defended it againſt the ſtrongeſt oppoſition, as a glorious Inſtitution of Jeſus Chriſt? but yet how have they oppoſed this other ſacred Ordinance, or holy Oracle of God? Heb. 5.12. and Principle of the Chriſtian Religion, viz. Impoſition poſition of hands upon baptized Believers as ſuch? which they have ſome of them cried down as much as they have cried Baptiſm up, rendring it nothing ſave a meer human Innovation, or Antichriſtian Forgery; whereas nothing can be more clear, than that it is of the ſame nature and authority with Baptiſm, and ought equally to be contended for, being inter prima Rudimenta Fidei Chriſtianae, among the firſt Rudiments of the Chriſtian Faith. Dangerous it is to pull one ſtone out of the Foundation of the Houſe of God: the Lord open their eyes to ſee their weakneſs. However, what they have written concerning this Principle, is in this enſuing Treatiſe examined, weighed, and particularly anſwered.