THE LAYING ON OF HANDS: A Manual for Confirmation, WITH HELPS PREPARATORY TO RECEIVING THAT HOLY ORDINANCE. "THEY LAID THEIR HANDS ON THEM, AND THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST." ACTS VIII. 17. LONDON: JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, AND NEW BOND STREET. MDCCCLV. 138. d.170. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.-THE MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT. The Presence of the HOLY GHOST the source of all power and action in the Church Sacraments and Ordinances connected with Sacraments. Reason of their institution Divine and Ecclesiastical Institution Increase of Grace which worthy recipients obtain PAGE The character thus given nourished by Ordinances of Grace, which may be received from day to day 19 Diversity of power in those who administer. Ancient practice of imposition of hands by way of blessing The communication of the HOLY GHOST by the like CHAPTER III.-ON SELF-EXAMINATION. Baptismal innocence Innocence forfeited The hardness of the struggle Self-questioning Confession Tests of repentance Resolutions as to future life 20 • 32 56 103 CHAPTER V.-THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION. Apostolical Institution. Deductions from the foregoing Confirmation a fundamental of Christian life . The Descent of the SPIRIT upon our Blessed LORD Of the relation of the Gifts of the SPIRIT to the three Theological virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity The Gifts of the SPIRIT are habits of the soul Of the extraordinary Gifts of the SPIRIT Why extraordinary Gifts were given Whether they were always given Why they were withdrawn The outward sign of Confirmation Historical review Purport of the institution CHAPTER VI.-THE ORDER OF CONFIRMATION. The Preface The Questioning The Versicles . 105 108 113 119 121 124 126 127 The Rubric CHAPTER VII.-THE DAY OF CONFIRMATION. The Early Morning. Dress Going to Church The Close of the Day CHAPTER VIII.-AFTERTHOUGHTS. The annual commemoration The fruits of the SPIRIT 152 . 154 CONFIRMATION. CHAPTER I. THE MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT. Sect. 1. The Presence of the HOLY GHOST the source of all power and action in the Church: "Ye shall receive power after that the HOLY GHOST is come upon you."-Acts i. 8. GOD spoke to S. John the Baptist, saying, Upon Whom thou shalt see the SPIRIT descending and remaining upon Him, the same is He Which baptizeth with the HOLY GHOST." These words prepare the way for CHRIST's kingdom, and its ministrations. The SPIRIT of GOD rested upon Him, the Head, and from Him the same SPIRIT is communicated to His members. The Church, "which is His Body," (Eph. i. 23,) is the means by which this indwelling SPIRIT, "the unc B |