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Chap. XIX. Point XVI. Of Consenting to reject all from Communion, who desire not our Episcopal Confirmation. (Book 19)
ME thinks you that have written a Book for Confirmation should not scruple consenting to this.
I told you that I am so far from scrupling the true use of Confirmation, that I think it is the want of it that is the greatest corruption of the Church of any outward thing that I remember. But you must note, 1. That it is the English way of Confirma∣tion that we speak of. 2. And that it is not the thing it self, but the denying men Church-Communion that neither have it, nor desire it, which we here dissent from.
What mislike you in the English way of Confirmation?
I must first tell you how the case stands in matter of fact: 1. When Christ sent forth Preachers, he endued them, not all, with equal Gifts and Power: Tho' most had some extraordinary Gifts and Inspiration, it was made, tho' not proper to the Apo∣stles, yet for the most part their priviledged above all others, that the Holy Ghost was given to those on whom they laid hands, for miraculous acts; especially sudden speaking of Tongues not learnt, and Prophesying; tho' the gift of Sanctification necessary to Salvation was given to all true Believers, by whomsoever con∣verted.
2. When the Apostles were dead, and these miraculous Inspri∣rations grew rare first, and then ceased (unless in some very rare instance) yet the ordinary Pastors continued the Custom after Baptism, to lay on their hands as for the giving of the Holy Ghost. As they did also the Ceremony of Anointing the Sick, which had been used for miraculous Cures.
3. The dead Ceremonies of laying on of hands for the Holy Ghost, and of Anointing, being used without the Power and former Effects, somewhat else must be though on to keep up their repu∣tation. And as to that now in question, first they added more to the Ceremony of it, and Anointed the Person with Oyl, and made the sign of the Cross on him, thereby to signifie his being Anointed with the Holy Ghost, and fortified thereby to follow a Crucified Christ thro' Sufferings. And when it was seen that the Holy Ghost was not thereby given for Miracles, they thought