Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

Of the Laying on of Hands, 2 Tim. 1. 6.

Neither hath this Author wrote advisedly, pag. 48. where he teacheth that the Imposition of Hands, 2 Tim. 1. 6. and 1 Tim. 4. 14. are both one, for as much as they are evidently distinguished in three respects. As first▪

In respect of the Persons administring them. That in 2 Tim. 1. 6. being performed by Paul only, The Laying on of my Hands. The other by more than he, 1 Tim. 4. 14. The Laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery. Sure∣ly, if more had acted in the first than Paul himself, he would not have arrogated the whole Service to himself, as if the Blessing received came by what he did, and the rest stood but for Ciphers; no, this is nothing like that humble Apostle, who was less in his own eye than the least of all Saints. Neither can it be proved that he was one of the Presbytery that ordained Timothy, (though he concludes he was) though perhaps he might be one of them.

2. The Gifts are clearly distinguished. Those 2 Tim. 1. 6. being the Gifts which are common to all Saints, as much as to Timothy: Namely, 1. The Spirit of Love, which all that are born of God, do share in by the Holy Ghost, Rom. 5. 5. 2. Power, or Strength, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, virtutis, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

potestas, Authority; and this strength all Saints have need of. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Sobrietatis, Sobriety, or soundness of Mind, which also every true Chri∣stian should have. Hence it's plain, that the Gift of God which Timothy received by the Laying on of Hands, 2 Tim. 1. 6. in every part of it, is that which is common to all Saints; in so much as he that hath not the Spirit of Christ in these respects, may well fear he is none of his.

On the other side, It is evident to all Men that Paul in 1 Tim. 4. 14. speaks of the Ministerial Gift, Authority, or Truth, which was commit∣ted to Timothy by the consent of the Prophets, and by the Laying on of the Eldership.

3. From the Scope of the Apostle in these places respectively. For in 1 Tim. 4. 14. Paul is clearly in hand with the matters of Timothy's Office, ver. 11. to the end. But in 2 Tim. 1. 6. he speaks to him as he might have spoke to any other Christian, Man, or Woman; for finding him under some Temptation and Fears, he comforts him, by telling him he hoped his Faith was unfeigned; and supports him against Fear, by noting, that it was not the effect of the Spirit which God gave him by the putting on of his Hands, and therefore exhorts him not to be ashamed of the Testi∣mony of the Lord, nor of Paul the Lord's Prisoner, but to be a parta∣ker of the Affliction according to the Power of God. Then he moves him to consider how free the Grace of God was, by which he is saved, and not to be valued by the Works of Righteousness which he had done; and thus he speaks from ver. 1. to ver. 13. and then begins to treat of the business of his Office, the whole Matter and Contexture of the for∣mer part of the Chapter, being such as touched not his Office, but his State as a Christian. This Text being duly considered, helps more to the opening Heb. 6. 2. than any other place, in this respect, viz. For that it plainly shews the common Graces of the Spirit were as really the end of Prayer, with the Imposition of Hands, as the Gifts which are notified by many.

Nor is it material which some object in this Case, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is in∣terpreted elsewhere of Miraculous Gifts, &c. Because, 1. If the In∣terpreter had so done, he had forsaken the proper scope of the Apostle, whose business being to support Timothy against Fear, &c. the Spirit of inward grace and fortitude, was most suitable to be insisted on to that purpose. 2. Because the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, is frequently used to express inward Strength, or fortitude of Mind: For example, 1 Cor. 12. 10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, potens sum, I am strong, or when I am weak, then I am strong, Ephes. 6. 10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Confortamini in Domino, be strong in the Lord.