Fides Catholica, or, The doctrine of the Catholick Church in eighteen grand ordinances referring to the Word, sacraments and prayer, in purity, number and nature, catholically maintained, and publickly taught against hereticks of all sorts : with the solutions of many proper and profitable questions sutable to to [sic] the nature of each ordinance treated of / by Wil. Annand ...

SECT. I

OF its Nature we have spoken already, yet for clearer illustra∣tion take this Description.

It is a holy Ordinance, whereby the baptized after a publick profession of his Faith, is declared a perfect Member of the Church, and blessed by solemn Prayer, and laying on of hands.

This Description needs no particular Explication to them that have read what before hath been written; therefore we shall wave that for the present, and consider

• 1. That the Church of England will have none confirmed, but such as can rehearse the Creed, the Lords Prayer, the ten Com∣mandements,* 1.1 and answer to such Questions of the Church Cate∣chisme as shall be put to him; and none if possible, to be uncon∣firmed that can do it.
• 2. That the Baptized have witnesses of this his Confirmation; it is not inexpedient if they be the same that were at his Bap∣tisme.
• 3. That at the laying on of hands this Prayer is to be made by the Bishop.

• ...

  Defend O Lord, this Childe, with thy heavenly Grace, that he may continue thine for ever, and daily increase in thy holy Spirit more and more,* 1.2 untill he come to thy everlasting King∣dome, Amen.

  Whether his Ordinance belongs to the Bishop in particular to perform, or whether it is common to him with other Presbyters, is too high a question for us to discuss:* 1.3 Yet by Antiquity it seems to be the Bishops Right, and learned men h••ve defended it; what ever the Guisell say to the contrary, Calvin himself being witness.

• 4. Imposition or laying of hands is of great Antiquity in the Church of Christ, as hath been above; ••roved in the Chapter of Ordination, and is an essential outward Rite at this Ordinance also, Heb. 6.2. Acts 8.17 It is a usual Ceremony, bo••h in the Old and New Testament, and to the case in hand, by it or with it, did our Saviour bless the children that were bro••ght unto him, Marke 10.16.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ch. lit. for Com.
• * 1.2

  Ch. lit. for Con.
• * 1.3

  Cal. Inst. lib. 4. c. 19.5, 4.