The second and last part of Reasons for refusall of subscription to the Booke of common prayer vnder the hands of certaine ministers of Deuon. and Cornwall, as they were exhibited by them to the right Reuerend Father in God William Cotton Doctor of Diuinitie, and Lord Bishop of Exceter. As also an appendix, or compendious briefe of all other exceptions taken by others against the bookes of communion, homilies, and ordination, word for word, as it came to the hands of an honorable personage. VVith an ansvvere to both at seuerall times returned them in publike conference, and in diuerse sermons vpon occasion preached in the cathedrall church of Exceter by Thomas Hutton Bachiler of Diuinitie, and fellow of S. Iohns Colledge in Oxon.

1. To the booke of Articles, which denieth that con∣firmation hath any visible signe: Where as the last prayer in confir∣mation, maketh imposition of handes to certifie the children of Gods fauour, and gratious goodnes towards them.

Nor hath confirmation any visible signe, as the word visible signe is taken for a visible element, which euery sacrament hath: namely in baptisme there is water, in the Lords supper bread and

wine but Confirmation hath no such thing. For imposition of hands is a cirrumstance of action, not a matter of substance, as in a Sacrament euery visible signe is. To this sense speakes the 25. article. Confirmation hath not like nature of a Sacra∣ment with Baptisme and the Lords Supper, for that it hath not any visible signe or ceremonie, (that is any visible Ele∣ment for signe or ceremonie) ordained of God. In which words it meaneth by signe a Sacramentall signe consisting of an outward, earthly Element and substance, so confirmation hath no visible signe. As for that other of imposition of hands it is a signe of Episcopall action, namely to certifie children (con∣firmed vpon the prayer of the Bishop) how God hath beene fa∣uorable and good vnto them, in that they are borne of beléeuing parents, baptized into Christ, brought vnto the knowledge of his grace & will as is found by examining them in the principles of their holy faith, &c. Wherefore the Bishop praieth ouer them for increase of grace, and vseth withall imposition of hands to certifie them by this signe of Gods fauour and goodnes towards them. By which ceremonie (saith Master Iunius) the holy A∣postles, and Orthodox Fathers of sound iudgement would haue signified that a Christian man indued with repentance,* 1.1 and faith, and ingrafted into the Church after he hath been law∣fully approoued of, is giuen in seruice to the Lord, and consecra∣ted to goe thorough his calling (whether generally as a Chri∣stian, or particular this and that) in a holy and religious man∣ner. Answerably vnto this vse of the Fathers, and receiued by our Church. Master Vrsinus speaking of persons to be Bap∣tized hath these words. The children of Christian parents (presently after they were borne) as mēbers of the Church were baptized, & after that they were pretily shot vp, they were instructed, and by imposition of hands confirmed, & were dismissed out of the company of the Catechized, so as they might after wards lawfully approch to the Lords Ta∣ble. This holy auncient custome to fore commendably vsed, our Church at this day continueth. But see more of this in this se∣cond part. Cap. 11.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Qua cerimōia sancti Apostoli & orthodoxi pa¦tres significatū voluerunt Chri¦stianū hominc̄ resipiscentia, et fide praditum, atque ecclesia insitum vbilegi time probatus esset, mancipari domino, & con¦secrari ad voca tionem suam sancte & relli∣giose obeundam &c. Iun. Paral lib. 3. c. 6. Libers Christi∣ancrum statim post partum vt membra ecclesie baptizabātur, & post quam no••nihil adeleuissent institueban tur, & impositione mannum confirmabantur, ac dimittebantur ex coetu Catechumenorum; ita vt liceret illis deinde adcaena•• accedere. Vrsin. Proleg. Catechis. pag 3.