to prepare as many as he can for the bishop to confirm. Secondly, having done this, he is either to bring or send in writing, with his hand subscribed thereunto, the names of all such persons within his parish as he shall think fit to be presented to the bishop to be confirmed. "in These being approved of by the bishop, are brought openly into the church, and required by him, the presence of God, and the congregation there assembled, to renew the solemn vow and promise which was made in their names at their baptism; and in their own persons to ratify and confirm the same, acknowledging themselves bound to believe, and do, all those things which their Godfathers and Godmothers then undertook for them." Which having done, the bishop heartily prays to God for his grace to enable them to fulfil this their vow; and laying his hand severally on every one's head, "beseeches God to defend this his servant with his heavenly grace, that he may continue his for ever; and daily increase in his Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to his everlasting kingdom. To all which are finally added the joint prayers both of the bishop and the church to the effect; and so the ceremony is ended. 4. Q. What are the reasons that chiefly moved the Church of England to retain such a ceremony as this? A. There may several be assigned, but especially these four: *apostolical practice; the reasonableness of the thing itself; *the benefits of it to the person who is confirmed; and the satisfaction that arises from hence to the church of Christ. * 5. Q. Did the apostles practise such an imposition of hands? A. The apostles did lay their hands on those who had been baptized; and by their imposition of hands, such persons did receive the Holy Ghost. Acts, viii. 17, 18. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw, that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. xix. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 6. Q. Does the bishop give the Holy Ghost by the imposition of his hands in confirmation? A. That we do not say, nor did the apostles themselves do it. They laid on their hands, and God gave the Holy Spirit to those on whom they laid them. And we piously presume, that by the fervent prayers of the bishop and the church, those on whom he now lays his hands shall also receive the Holy Ghost, if they do but worthily prepare themselves for it. 7. Q. Is there any promise of God on which to build such a hope? A. A general one there is, and such as may, in this case, above any, be depended upon by us. For, first, we are directed to pray not only for ourselves, but for one another also. To encourage us hereunto, Christ has promised us to grant whatsoever is piously asked by the joint suffrages of his church of him. Matt. xviii. 19. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaAnd particularly has declared, that God will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, Luke, xi. ven. a b 9. Add to this, that it has always been accounted a part of the ministerial office not only to instruct, but to pray for, and bless the people. When therefore the bishop, and his congregation, solemnly join together to beg of God the grace of his Holy Spirit in behalf of such persons as these; (who have just now been dedicating themselves anew to his service, and ratifying the covenant made between God and them at their baptism,) how can we chuse but believe that God will certainly grant their request, and give his Holy Spirit to those for whom he is thus earnestly and solemnly asked of him? PROOFS SUBJOINED.-James, v. 16. Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Eph. vi. 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, 3. 1 exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority, that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. 'Lev. ix. 22, 23. And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin-offering, and the burnt-offering, and peace-offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. Numb. vi. 23, 24, 27. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Deut. x. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name unto this day. 2 Chron. xxx. 27. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people; and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling-place, even unto heaven. 1 Sam. ii. 30. Them that honour me, I will honour; and they that despise me, shall be lightly esteemed. Rom. xv. 5. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus. Gal. i. 1, 2, 3. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead,) and all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. vi. 18. as above. Coloss. iv. 12, 18. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Grace be unto you. Amen. 1 Thess. v. 23. The very God of peace sanctify you wholly. And I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless, unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thess. iii. 16. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. Heb. xiii. 20, 21. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, that ye through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ. 8. Q. From whence does it appear that such an imposition of hands was reasonably to have been ordained, and to be continued in the church? A. From the condition of those who are commonly baptized among us; and who being, for the most part infants, and so constrained to make use of others to become sureties for them at their baptism; it was certainly very reasonable that there should be some solemn time appointed, when such persons (being come to years of discretion,) should themselves ratify their baptismal covenant, and acknowledge their obligation to believe and do what their Godfathers and Godmothers had before promised for them. 10. Q. What are the benefits of this institution to those who are confirmed? A. Besides the benefit of God's grace, which we reasonably presume to be thereby procured to such persons by the joint prayers of the bishop and the church on their behalf; these two advantages do evidently accrue to them; that, first, they are by this means secured of the care of their Godfathers and Godmothers, to see that they be duly instructed in the principles of their Christian religion; and in which, (were this ordinance strictly observed,) they could not be deficient, without being certainly found out and censured by the church for their neglect. And, secondly, that by being thus solemnly called upon to ratify their baptismal vow and covenant, they are engaged to begin betimes both to consider their |