Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter ii., r confirmation. throm the days of the Apostles, and in every orthodox branch of the Church, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism has always been followed Tip (at an interval of time varying according to circumstances) by a supplementary rite. In Apostolic times this rite was known as "the Laying on of Hands," "the Seal," or " the Anointing," and the two latter names are still used in the Eastern Churches. But about the fourth century the name of "Confirmation" began to be used for it in the Western Churches, as indicating its object, the Confirmation by a Bishop of the Baptism previously administered.1 1 "Ye have received the spiritual seal.... God the Father hath signed you, Christ, our Lord, hath confirmed you, and, as ye are taught by the Apostolic lection, hath given you the pledge of the Spirit in your hearts."--St. Ambrose on the Sacraments, vii. 42. Our Lord adopted from the Jewish customs, the rite of laying ou of hands, and He laid His hands on the little children that were brought to Him. But there is no record of any verbal institution of Confirmation by Him, as in the case of the Holy Eucharist, nor of any command given by Him for its administration to all persons, as in the case of Holy Baptism. As, however, Baptism was instituted by the act of our Lord in being Himself baptized, so Confirmation was instituted by that act whereby He became "anointed with the Holy Ghost, and with power,"1 when He "went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."2 As with Christ, so with Christians, this confirmation of Baptism has always been...