Darkness Vanquished, Chapter 4
CHAP. IV.
Shewing upon what ground, some of the Independe… and Presbyterian perswasion, have asserted Laying on of hands on baptised Persons.
IN pag. 36. Mr. Danvers having done with Tr… dition, and Fathers, he tells us, he will co… sider the Scripture grounds, that is urged i… proof hereof by the Independents, and those o… the Presbyterian perswasion; In the first place, which is principally Heb 6. 1. 2. which he saith, Mr. Hanmor modestly expresseth, to be but a probable ground.
To which I shall give this answer, that though Mr. Hanmor doth use such a Phrase (viz.) calling Heb. 6. 1, 2 a probable ground, he doth not say, 'tis but a probable ground; and those that read his Book shall find, that he doth abundantly, by the testimony of divers famous Men, endeavour to prove it, to be absolutely the Laying on of hands, intendeth in that Scripture. See page 25, 26.And since I find many eminent Men, speaking so plainly upon this account on Heb, 6. 1. 2. and to satisfie some Persons herein, and prevent mistakes, take a few instances out of Mr. Hanmor, as the judgement of several Divines upon that Text.
The first I shall cite is Didoclavius, who of three Interpretations of this Text, mentioned Didoclavius c. 2.by him, admits of this (viz.) Laying on of hands after Baptisme, and before admitted to the Lords Table: And gives a reason why it may be called Confirmatory. Nempe rationae Ecclesiae approbantis, & confirmantis sua approbatione examinatum ad verum, illud ac genuina Confirmationis Sacramentis admittentis: (viz.) Because of the Churches approving, and by their approbation confirming of the Person, examined, and admitting him unto that true, and genuine rite of Confirmation.
The next is Major, On this place (saith he) Major on Heb. 6. 2.all that I have seen (mark) understand it of Imposition of hands upon such as have been baptised only, Bullinger.
Mr. Hooker alledging T. C. thus speaking, tel… Mr. Hooker lib. 5. Sect. 6. in his Appendix pag. 3.me, why there should be any such Confirmation… seeing that no one title thereof can be found in the Scripture; Thus answers ironically, excep… the Epistle to the Hebrews chap. 6. 2. be Scripture plainly intimating (saith Mr. Hanmor) the thought that place to be a sufficient ground fo… it, and that to be the meaning of the Apostle there.
Mr. Parker, who refuting the Arguments o… Mr. Parker de Polit. Eccles. lib. 3. c. 16. 35.those that plead for Episcopal Confirmation, dot… at large assent (saith our Author) that which is b… me delivered.
First, He shews the general nature, and en… of it, (viz.) the admission of Members into Communion of the Church, which accordingly was made use of towards such that were converted. This Imposition of hands (saith he) Heb. 6. 2. is that very Ecclesiastical Union, by a solemn professing of Faith, and admission into the Church.
Secondly, He shews the necessity of it, from this Text Heb. 6 2. (saith Mr. Hanmor.)
Thirdly, That it ought to be done publickly and before the Church: Est hic or do inter gra… via negotia agitur, enim de membro recipiendo publicum hoc est, & publici juris, & ideo non ni… Ecclesiae consensu ejusdem, cui adjungendus est competens perficiendus: This course is to be reckoned among the weighty affairs, it is a public… thing, and of publick right, for the matter i… agitation, is concerning the receiving of a Member, and therefore not to be performed without the consent of that same Churah, to which the competent is to be joined.
Fourthly. He shews the Antiquity thereof, and that 'tis an Apostolical Institution, and the practise of the Antient Church.
He further affirms, that Piscator so understood Pag. 28. Excertat. Piscator, Beza. Paraeus, Rivet.Heb. 6. 1, 2. (viz.) to mean Laying on of hands upon the Baptised; Also Beza, Paraeus, and Rivet, whose words take as followeth: Impositio manuum cujus mentio fit Heb. 6. 2. referenda est ad solemnem Baptizatorum Benedictionem, quae a Pastoribus sole…at fi…ri eos in Christianissimi vocationis confirmantibus: Imposition of hands, whereof mention … made Heb. 6. 2. is to be referred unto the solemn benediction of the Baptised, which was used to be performed by the Pastors, confirming them in the calling of Christianity. He mentions the Doctors of Leyden, shewing Doctors of Leyden.this to be their sence upon this Text also.
Calvin, who gives this only, as the thing intendeth by the Apostle in this place, from whence Calvin.he draws this remarkable Inference; wherein (saith Mr. Hanmor) he plainly declares, his apprehensions concerning the original and Antiquity of this practise in the Church of Christ (Hic unus locus &c.) this one place (saith he) doth abundantly testify, that the original of this Ceremony (viz.) Confirmation, or Laying on of hands, did flow from the Apostles, which yet afterwards was turned into a Superstition; as the world almost always doth degenerate from the best Institutions into corruption: Wherefore, saith Calvin, to this day this pure Institution [mark] ought to be reta…ned, but the Superstition to be corrected. Why should Mr. Danvers presume to say, these Men confess the Scripture is but a probable ground, and that Tradition, and Antiquity the more certain. And again that there is nothing but a saint insinuation from the Scripture to ground Laying on of hands upon. What Men can speak more fully to a Text?
But to proceed, he adds Hyperus, Imposition Hyperus.of hands, Heb. 6. 2. was in the confirmation of those that had been baptised (saith he) and rightly instructed, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. He urgeth several other Persons of the same mind, as Ellyricus Mr. Deering, &c.
To which I might add what Mr. Hughes mentions upon this account, speaking of this Text M. Hughes late of Plymouth in his Ep. to M…. Hamors BookHeb. 6. 2. It is by some glorious Lights in the Church saith he) understood (viz.) of Confirmation, in that Phrase of Imposition of hands, annexed to Baptisme, Heb. 6. Whence it is said, that this abundantly testifie, that the original of this Ceremony flowed from the Apostles.
Before I proceed, I might cite a passage full The Assembly on Heb. 6. 2.to the same purpose, as the Judgement of that learned Assembly of Divines, which take as followeth, out of their Annotations on Heb. 6 2. Laying on of hands, which say they, is usually called Confirmation; which stood First, in examining those that had been baptised, what progress they had made in Christianity.
Secondly, In praying for them, that God would continue them in the Faith, & give them more grace, strengthening them by his Holy Spirit, they laid their hands upon them, whence the Apostolical Constitution was called, Laying on of hands.
What Mr. Baxter speaks upon this account I Mr. Baxter on Confir. p. 124, 125can't well omit: viz. If the Universal Church of Christ (saith he) have used Prayer, & Laying on of hands, as a practise received from the Apostles; and no other beginning of it can be found, then we have no reason to think this Ceremony to be ceased, or to interpret the foresaid Scripture, contrary to this practise of the Universal Church. But the antecedent is true, ergo; And if any say, anointing, and crossing were ancient: I answer (saith he)
First, That they were as ancient in the Popish use, as the matter of a Sacrament, or necessary signes, is not true, nor proved, but frequently disproved by our Writers, against Popish Confirmation.
Secondly, Nor can it be proved, that they were as ancient as indifferent things.
Thirdly, We prove the contrary, because they were not in Scriptures times, there being no mention of them.
Fourthly. So that we bring Antiquity but to prove the continuance of a Scripture practise, and so to clear the practise of it; But the Papists plead Fathers, for that which the Scripture is a stranger unto.
I shall close this with reverend Mr. Hooker, Hooker Eccles. Polic P 351.the ancient Custom of the Church (saith he) was
End of the text · Benjamin Keach, Darkness Vanquished (1675)