ON CONFIRMATION. [RICHARD HOOKER.] ཨ THE ancient custom of the Church was, after they had baptized, to add thereunto imposition of hands, with effectual prayer for the illumination of God's most Holy Spirit, to confirm and perfect that which the grace of the same Spirit had already begun in baptism. For our means to obtain the graces which God doth bestow are our prayers. Our prayers to that intent are available as well for others as for ourselves. To pray for others is to bless them for whom we pray, because prayer procureth the blessing of God upon them, especially the prayer of such as God either most respecteth for their piety and zeal that way, or else regardeth, for that their place and calling bindeth them above others unto this duty, as it doth both natural and spiritual fathers. With prayers of spiritual and personal benediction the manner hath been, in all ages, to use imposition of hands, as a ceremony betokening our restrained desires to the party, whom we present unto God by prayer. Thus, when Israel blessed Ephraim and Manasses, Joseph's sons, he imposed upon them his hands and prayed, "God, in whose sight my fathers Abraham a Tertull. de Resur. Car. "Caro manus impositione adumbratur, ut et anima Spiritu illuminetur." |