Confirmation hath that ascribed vnto it, which is proper to the sacra∣ments in these wordes: wee pray thee to certifie them, on whome we haue laid our handes by this signe of thy fauour, and gracious goodnesse towardes them.

No good argument to conclude from a signe to a sacrament; as if because wee hold imposition of handes a significant action therefore we ascribe that vnto it, which is proper to the sacra∣ments. All churches, that take this ceremonie to vse, vnderstand that it is a signe of commending to God that same par∣tie, on whome handes are laid and if so, what difference is herein, from that practise, which our church retaineth. May it bee a signe of commending vnto God without derogation to the sacraments, and shall it not be as lawfull to certifie of Gods fa∣uour? Hitherto we haue alwaies thought, that they who are commended vnto God by prayer (as at this time they are) haue a sure euidence, that they are the Lords. The verie order of the wordes whence it pleaseth some to take this their exception doth sufficiently cleare both, what our church coth, and what her purpose is herein. It is not the bare imposition of hands, as if y^t had power of it selfe to giue such a certificate. Solemne prayers are made be the Bishop ouer the childe, yea praiers are doubled, trebled, then this ceremonie annexed withall for a visible signe and not a sacramentall signe, which consisteth of some outward earthlie element as breade, and wine &c. but signe in this pray∣er is signe of what the Bishoppe doth and the partie baptised vn∣derstandeth is done, which is to such a one a plaine certificate, that he hath had Gods singular fauour reuealed vnto him, in that of an infant of a day olde, hee is brought to some competent measure of knowledge of God his grace, and wil, as also in that he is vpon examination confirmed, and certified by his reue∣rent father in God, who is able to iudge, and accordinglie so doth, how, and how far forth hee is grounded in the necessarie e∣lements of true religion.