Darkness Vanquished, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Shewing though this holy Institution of Christ h… been corrupted by Anti-Christ, yet it ought … therefore to be rejected.
MR. Danvers pag. 6. doth proceed, to she how Laying on of hands hath been … serted by the Antients, and by the Canons, a… Decrees of several Councels. Pag. 15. how … the Church of Rome. Page 17. how by t… Church of England. Page 24. how asserted … some, both of the Presbyterian, and Independe… perswasion, &c.
What earnings, or advantage he could pr… pound to himself, by filling up so many Pages his Book with Storys of this kind, I know no… Many Persons (as I am informed) and as I ha… heard some say my self, do judge what he ha… done in this respect, doth make more against hi… self, then us; Nay some, who are for this Ord… nance, seem to be much confirmed by what he ha… said concerning Antiquity in the practise thereo… & look upon themselves, as beholding to Mr. Da… vers for his pains in searching into Authors, an… in producing so much, both from Antient, an… Modern Writers, for Laying on of hands as immediately following Baptisme, and as necessar… to Church Communion; And I must confess I did not think so much could have been produced from Authors, and Antiquity in the case, a… I perceive there may, having through his means, according as I am capable, made some search: Though I must needs say, if there were ten times more to be urged upon that account, had we not the Authority of Gods Word, to warrant our practise, it would signify nothing: For we will say with Ignatius: Whoesoever speaketh more Ignatius his Epist. to Hierom.then is written, although he fast, although he keep his Virginity, although he work Miracles, although he Prophecy, yet let him seem to thee a Wolf amongst the Sheep.
But to proceed, I do wonder that Mr. Danvers should condemn, and wholly cast away, Laying on of hands upon baptised Believers, and have nothing to do with it, because it had been corrupted by the false Church; the subject, and manner of administration being quite altered, and changed; the Ordinance, or pure Institution being turned into abominable Superstition; may he not as well cast away Baptisme, and the Supper of the Lord also, sith they have been every way as much corrupted, changed, and polluted as this; Nay what Ordinance hath not, our work is to discover, and remove all Popish additions, and pollutions, which in the dayes of darkness crept in, that so we may see every Institution shining forth in its primitive purity, and splender; and not reject any Ordinance of Christ, because polluted by Anti-Christ, what though it be, as you say (viz) that those Popes, Councels, and Fathers, that enjoined, and imposed Infants Baptisme for an Ordinance of Christ, enjoined that of confirming of Infants.
If it was as early corrupted, altered, and changed as Baptisme, ought we not, since God Reply. hath given us the light of his Word, and Spirit, to recover it from those corruptions as well as Baptisme; The Baptisme of Infants is, we all say, a Popish Tradition, or humane Innovation, yet is Baptisme Christs Ordinance, so we in like manner say, is laying on of hands upon Infants; or such that have only been baptised in Infancy, a meer Popish Rite, and Innovation, and yet is Laying on of hands an Ordinance of Christ, as divers worthy Men have clearly proved from Gods Word, and what though the Antient Fathers, and Councels, which you speak of, together with those of the Church of Rome, and England, do wholly fly unto Tradition, to prove their practice of Laying on of hands upon Children; this will no more weaken our practice, of Laying on of hands upon baptised Believers, then their flying to Tradition, and Usage of the Church (for that you know hath been their strongest ground) to prove their Infants Baptisme, doth weaken our practice of baptizing Believers.
Those of the false Church, who wholly make use of Tradition to prove their Paeaobaptisme, might without doubt, had God been pleased to open their eyes, seen that Baptisme was a Divine Institution, which was practised by the Apostles; even so might they also have easily seen, that (that) Laying on of hands, practised by the Apostles next after Baptisme, was Christs holy appointment; though they could not find their ridiculous Rite, and blasphemous Ceremony of Confirming Children so to be, there being not the least word of God for it.
But from what you say of Authors, especially concerning the first four, this I observe (to be short) that in the Anti-Christian Church all along, ever since the Apostacy, from the good old way of the Gospel, there hath been somewhat practised, and kept up in the room, and imitation of that Laying on of hands (instituted by Christ, and practised by the Apostles) upon baptised Believers as such, and as necessary to Church Communion, as well as they have kept up something which they call Baptisme, in imitating of the true Baptisme. And Secondly, 'tis plain, and evident, that as the Church of Rome hath changed, and corrupted in an abominable manner the holy Ordinance of Baptisme, in the respect of the subject, and manner of Administration, and have added abundance of ridiculous, and superstitious fopperies to it; even so they have done by the Laying on of hands: The Silver is become Isaiah 1. 22dross, and the Wine mixed with Water. He shall (saith Daniel) think to change times, and Laws Daniel 7. 25.(speaking of the little Horn) and they shall be given into his hand &c.
But to proceed (doth Mr. Danvers utterly detect all those impious forgeries, and Ceremonies used in Baptisme, and contended for by those Fathers, Councels, and corrupt Churches, he speaks of, and so clearly witness against them, and confute them, for changing the fubject, and manner of baptizing; & yet all the while holdeth for Baptisme it self, and faithfully contend for it; yea and conclude too, notwithstanding those abuses, and corruptions (seeing) by the Antients, and in the false Church Baptisme all along was maintained, it doth rather confirm, and prove the thing itself to be an Ordinance of Jesus Christ then otherwise (though not as they perform, and practise it) why cannot he do the like concerning that Rite of Popish confirmation? we do detect, and abominate all those Superstitious Ceremonies used by them, and witness against them for changing of the subject, (viz.) from baptised Believers to sprinkled Infants, or such as were rantised in their Infancy; and yet contend for the thing it self as it was practised in the Apostles time, and little reason he hath to blame us herein: Sith, the work of Reformation, or to labour to reduce Ordinances to their primitive purity, and luster, is by himself, and all accounted a glorious work: yea, and it is a full and compleat Reformation, that we all long for, not only for one Ordinance to be restored, & refined from the dross, and abominable filth of Popish Traditions, but every appointment, and Ordinance of Christ.
Mr. Danvers page 30. having given us an account, how Laying on of hands, or Confirmation, hath been asserted, and practised:
(
By the Antients.
By Councels:
By the Church of Rome.
By the Church of England.
By some of the Independent, and Presbyterians perswasion.
And Lastly, By some of the baptised Churches
) he comes to examine upon what ground such a great Ordinance hath been, and is enjoined:
Doubtless it doth concern us all, to see what Reply. ground, or Scripture warrant we have for whatever we do, or is done in the worship, and service of God; And as touching Confirmation, or Laying on of hands, as asserted, and practised by some he speaks of, I marvel not that they leave the Scripture, and fly to Tradition: For First, as touching the thing which the Popish Church calls an Ordinance of Jesus Christ, 'tis so blasphemous, and ridiculous (as he well observes) that the very naming of the particulers thereof, may fully detect the folly, and impiety of it; whether respecting the name, which is called Chrysme, Ʋnction, perfection, &c. or the nature, which is done by putting the sign of the Cross with the Bishops finger, in the forehead of the Confirmed, with these words: I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and with the Chrysme of salvation, in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the Party being in a white Garment, his head bound with linnen, his hair cut, and attended with Gossips, or Sureties; this is that (saith Mr. Danvers) which several Popes, and Councels, have by their Canons, and Decrees determined, and enjoyned as the great Sacrament of Confirmation, pag. 3.
Well might Hommius tell us, that it is not Reply. only contrary to the Scriptures, but Blasphemous, and Idolatrous, and the vain invention of Superstitions Men. And Tilenus call it, an excrement of Antichrist. And Amescus say, th… reasons given for the same by the Papists, ar… both empty, and vain. And Mr. Calvin cry ou… against it, as is minded by Mr. Danvers; T… which I might add a passage out of a Treatise… of Mr. Hanmors, who though he is very clear… as touching Laying on of hands upon Adult Persons Baptised, before they are admitted to the Lords Table, yet doth cry down the Papists practise herein, in respect of manner, and form; they use (saith he) anointing with Chrysme, a compound, of Oyl and Balsom, 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 Chrysme, which before was done with imposition of hands without Chrysme: And further he speaks concerning the form, which (saith he) they make to lye in these words: Consigno te signo Crucis, & confirmo te Chrysmate salutis, in nomine Patris, & Filio, & Spiritus Sancti: I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, and confirm thee with the Chrysme of Salvation, in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; A meer humane invention and device See Mr. Hanmor on Confirmation the antient way of compleating Church Members pag. 45.(saith Mr. Hanmor) that hath 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 apparent 'tis 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 Chemnities; our Men (saith he) have often shewed, that the rite Confirmation, if the unprofitable Superstitions Traditions, and such that 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.
That Calvin owned Confirmation, or Laying on of hands to be a Divine Institution, take his own words: Namneque satis prosua utilitate commendarii potest sanctum hoc Institutem, nec Papistis satis exprobari tam flagitiosa Corruptela Quodillus in pueriles vertoneo; Ineptias non mosustulerunt e medio sed eo quo qua ad Impurae, & impiae Superstitionis praetextum turpit sunt abusi: For neither can this holy Institution (saith he) be enough commended for its utility, nor the Papists be sufficiently upbraided with their so flagitious corruption of it, that by turning of it into Childesh fopperies, they have not only taken it away, but have also so far shamefully abused it, for a colour of an impure, and impious Superstition. And further he saith: Adulterinam enimillam Confirmationae, quam in ejus surrogarunt instar Meretricis, magna Ceremoniarum splendere multisque pomparum fucis sinae modo ornant: For they do beyond measure deck that Adulterous Confirmation, which they have substituted in its room like an Harlot with great splendor of Ceremonies. If therefore ((saith that worthy Author in his said Exercit. pag. 51.Excercitat. upon Confirm.) Confirmation shall be, drained from these mixtures of humane Inventions, that have for a long time so defaced, an… deformed it (viz.) not called it a Sacrament, i… their Popish matter both (remote, and proxima) o… anointing with consecrated Chrysme, the forehea… of the Confirmed in the form of a Cross be removed; if not Infants, nor Children, who are not yet arrived to years of discretion be admitted, bu… such that are Adult, who are able to give an account of their Faith, and the work of Grace upo… their hearts; finally if those feigned effects, mentioned by them as the end and use of it, togethe… with those idle additions, that have betided it i… the declining times of the Church, be rejected an… cast of; and if done only with Prayer, and Laying on of hands, for the admission of Persons a… full Members, to the enjoyment of all Churc… Priviledges, as most agreeable to that of the Apostolical, and primitive times, will (saith he▪ I conceive be found to be exceeding useful, an… advantagious, as a thing requisite, if not necessary to a right Reformation; and the reducing o… the Churches of Christ to their native beauty, an… primitive purest state, and constitution, &c.
And that it might appear it was not only hi… own Judgement, together with Calvin, an… Chemnities, he produceth several other emine… Lights of the Reformed Churches (viz.) Peu… Martyr, the Divines of Leyden, Paraus, R… vot, Peter du Moulin, Didoclamus, as all wi… nessing to Laying on of hands upon the Baptise such, as an Apostolical Institution; and that …ich ought to be practised by the Churches of …rist, being refined from all Popish corrup…ns, and additions, as the best expedient, and …diest way to a happy Reformation, according …he primitive Patern; To which I might add …. Caryl, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Ralph Venning, and …. G. Hughes, who all speak the same things …ncerning Confirmation, as may be seen in …eir Epistles to the forementioned Book of Mr. Independents, and Presbyterians clear touching laying on of hands, as refined from Popish pollutions.…anmors, in commendation, and approbation …ereof; and indeed to see how clear they be their understandings, concerning this Ordi…nce of Laying on of hands, and how learnedly, …d judiciously they have laboured to recover it …m those Popish mixtures, and cursed pollu…ons of the Romish Church, hath been of a re…eshing nature unto me; though I can't but …mire in the mean while, they should still re…ain so blind, and dark concerning Baptisme, …t perceiving how that also hath been as vilely …orrupted, and changed from the Apostolical In…itution, in respect of the subject, and manner …f administration, as well as in regard of those …dle, and ridiculous forgeries, and additions, …f Chrysmes, Consignations, Albes, Salt, Spittle, …ureties, &c. which they witness against; Now …ere but their eyes opened so, as to recover, …nd drain Baptisme from Popish corruptions, mu…ations, or alterations upon this account also, …ow would it add to the beauty, and perfection of …heir Confirmation, and Reformation; (provided according to their light they would also get into the practise of both;) and what glorious Churc… might they soon come to be, ye excel man… the baptised Congregations, in respect of plain form, order, and constitution of the Ho… of God, according to the primitive Pate… But to proceed (there are few, or none … can gather) do appose this Ordinance, s… some of the Baptists, of which Mr. Danvers n… be reckoned the chief; for besides these mod… Writers, already mentioned, who speak so f… concerning Laying on of hands, with praye… God, for more of his Holy Spirit of promi… & as an orderly admission unto Church Com… nion, the perswasion, or judgement of the Asse… bly of Divines, concerning this Ordinance might also produce, how clearly they do ag… with the forementioned Presbyterian, and In… pendent Ministers herein, you may see in th… Annotations on Heb. 6.
But no more of this at present, least we … far digress from the matter in hand, that wh… we have here said, is in answer to Mr. Danve… in respect of the rite it self, or thing called Co… firmation; and how to be rejected (as we ha… a cloud of witnesses agreeing with us herein and how to be maintained, owned, and practis… by the Churches of Christ.
I shall now return to Mr. Danvers, pag. 3… he having in pag. 31. shewed us how blasph… mous, Those of the Antients he cites.and abominable a thing the rite of Co… firmation is, as hath been asserted by the A… tients, and Decrees of the general Councel… and practised by the corrupt Churches. In t… …xt place he comes to enquire, what credit or …thority the Fathers, or Doctors are of that …tness to it, whose authority he labours to dis…ove, calling them suborned Witnesses, and …ights of the post.