Confirmation Expounded
Q. WHAT is the second Sacrament?
A. Confirmation.
A. Confirmation.
Q. When did Christ ordain this Sacrament?
A. The time is not certain; but divines most probably hold, it was instituted at Christ's last supper.
A. The time is not certain; but divines most probably hold, it was instituted at Christ's last supper.
Q. What is the matter of the Sacrament?
A. Oil, mingled with balm, blessed by a bishop.
A. Oil, mingled with balm, blessed by a bishop.
Q. What is the form of it?
A. I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, I confirm thee with the crism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
A. I sign thee with the sign of the Cross, I confirm thee with the crism of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Q. What scripture have you for this Sacrament?
A. First, 2 Cor. i. 22. "And he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who also hath sealed us (with the spiritual character) and given the pledge of the spirit in our hearts."
Secondly, Acts viii. 14, 15, 16, where when Philip the deacon had converted the city of Samaria to the faith, the apostles who were at Jerusalem, sent to two bishops, St. Peter and St. John, to confirm them; "who when they were come (saith the text) prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for he was not yet come upon any of them, but they were only baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus; then did they impose their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
Thirdly, Acts xix. 5,6, where we read that St. Paul baptized and confirmed about twelve of St. John's disciples: "Hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus; and when St. Paul had imposed hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them."
A. First, 2 Cor. i. 22. "And he that confirmeth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who also hath sealed us (with the spiritual character) and given the pledge of the spirit in our hearts."
Secondly, Acts viii. 14, 15, 16, where when Philip the deacon had converted the city of Samaria to the faith, the apostles who were at Jerusalem, sent to two bishops, St. Peter and St. John, to confirm them; "who when they were come (saith the text) prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for he was not yet come upon any of them, but they were only baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus; then did they impose their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
Thirdly, Acts xix. 5,6, where we read that St. Paul baptized and confirmed about twelve of St. John's disciples: "Hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus; and when St. Paul had imposed hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them."
Q. Why is oil used in this Sacrament?
A. To signify that the principal and proper effect of it, is the interior unction of the Holy Ghost, which makes us perfect Christians, and able to profess our faith before persecuting tyrants.
A. To signify that the principal and proper effect of it, is the interior unction of the Holy Ghost, which makes us perfect Christians, and able to profess our faith before persecuting tyrants.
Q. Why is balm used in it?
A. To signify the good odour of a Christian name, according to that, "We are a good odour of Christ to God." 2 Cor. ii. 15.
A. To signify the good odour of a Christian name, according to that, "We are a good odour of Christ to God." 2 Cor. ii. 15.
Q. In what appears the effects of confirmation?
A. In the undaunted confidence and sufferings of the apostles, martyrs, and saints of God, after they had received it.
A. In the undaunted confidence and sufferings of the apostles, martyrs, and saints of God, after they had received it.
Q. When were the apostles confirmed?
A. On Whitsunday, in an extraordinary manner, the Holy Ghost descended upon them in tongues of fire.
A. On Whitsunday, in an extraordinary manner, the Holy Ghost descended upon them in tongues of fire.
Q. Doth confirmation give a character?
A. It doth, according to 2 Cor. i. 22, above cited, where we read "who also has sealed us," (that is, with a character.)
A. It doth, according to 2 Cor. i. 22, above cited, where we read "who also has sealed us," (that is, with a character.)
Q. Who is the minister of this Sacrament?
A. A bishop only, as appears by Acts viii, above cited, where two bishops were sent into Samaria, to give it.
A. A bishop only, as appears by Acts viii, above cited, where two bishops were sent into Samaria, to give it.
Q. Is there any necessity for this Sacrament?
A. There is a moral necessity for it, according to the council of Laodicea, Can. 48: "Those that have been baptized, must after baptism receive the most holy chrism, and be made partakers of the heavenly kingdom."
A. There is a moral necessity for it, according to the council of Laodicea, Can. 48: "Those that have been baptized, must after baptism receive the most holy chrism, and be made partakers of the heavenly kingdom."
Q. What authority of fathers and school divines have you for its necessity?
A. First, the authority of St. Thomas, who in the Sacrament of confirmation, 3P. Q.72, Art. 8, ad 4, affirms that it is a dangerous thing to die without it.
Secondly, that of St. Jerome, in his epistles against the Luciferians. "Dost thou not know also (saith he) that this is the custom of the churches, that hands should be imposed on such as they have been baptized, and so the Holy Ghost be invocated? Dost thou require to know where it is written? In the acts of the apostles, and though there were no authority of scripture for it, yet the consent of the whole world in this behalf, would be equal to a precept; for many other things also which are observed in the churches by tradition, do usurp unto themselves the authority of a written law." You see he owns it to be commanded in the scripture; and tho it were not so, yet to be equal to a precept, and have the authority of a written law, because it is an apostolical tradition, that such as have been baptized, must also be confirmed.
A. First, the authority of St. Thomas, who in the Sacrament of confirmation, 3P. Q.72, Art. 8, ad 4, affirms that it is a dangerous thing to die without it.
Secondly, that of St. Jerome, in his epistles against the Luciferians. "Dost thou not know also (saith he) that this is the custom of the churches, that hands should be imposed on such as they have been baptized, and so the Holy Ghost be invocated? Dost thou require to know where it is written? In the acts of the apostles, and though there were no authority of scripture for it, yet the consent of the whole world in this behalf, would be equal to a precept; for many other things also which are observed in the churches by tradition, do usurp unto themselves the authority of a written law." You see he owns it to be commanded in the scripture; and tho it were not so, yet to be equal to a precept, and have the authority of a written law, because it is an apostolical tradition, that such as have been baptized, must also be confirmed.
Q. What authority of Popes have you for it?
A. First, that of St. Clement, pope and martyr, in his epistle to Julius, "All must make haste, (mark the word must) without delay to be regenerated to God, and at length consigned (confirmed) by a bishop; that is, to receive the same seven-fold grace of the Holy Ghost." His reason is, first, "Because the end of every one's life is uncertain," secondly, "Because otherwise he that is baptized, cannot be a perfect Christian, nor have a seat among the perfect; if not by necessity, he shall remain and not have that confirmation, which we have received from blessed Peter, and all the rest of the apostles have taught, or Lord commanding," Secondly, that of Pope Melchiades, teaching "That baptism and confirmation can by no means be separated one from another, unless by death prevented, and that one of them cannot rightly be perfected without the other. And moreover, that as confirmation is given by greater men, so it is to be held in greater veneration than baptism," see De Cons., Dist 5, Cap. De his.
Add to this, that without confirmation (according to all the fathers) we are not perfect Christians.
A. First, that of St. Clement, pope and martyr, in his epistle to Julius, "All must make haste, (mark the word must) without delay to be regenerated to God, and at length consigned (confirmed) by a bishop; that is, to receive the same seven-fold grace of the Holy Ghost." His reason is, first, "Because the end of every one's life is uncertain," secondly, "Because otherwise he that is baptized, cannot be a perfect Christian, nor have a seat among the perfect; if not by necessity, he shall remain and not have that confirmation, which we have received from blessed Peter, and all the rest of the apostles have taught, or Lord commanding," Secondly, that of Pope Melchiades, teaching "That baptism and confirmation can by no means be separated one from another, unless by death prevented, and that one of them cannot rightly be perfected without the other. And moreover, that as confirmation is given by greater men, so it is to be held in greater veneration than baptism," see De Cons., Dist 5, Cap. De his.
Add to this, that without confirmation (according to all the fathers) we are not perfect Christians.
Q. What then would you think of those, who for particular and private ends, should slight this Sacrament, and teach the laity not to receive it, when they might conveniently have it?
A. Truly I think they would slight the mission of the Holy Ghost, (for this Sacrament is a continuance of that mission unto us) and would be great enemies of Christianity.
A. Truly I think they would slight the mission of the Holy Ghost, (for this Sacrament is a continuance of that mission unto us) and would be great enemies of Christianity.
Q. What sin is it not to receive it, when we may conveniently have it?
A. Mortal sin, if it be done out of contempt, or any gross neglect, especially in a place of persecution.
A. Mortal sin, if it be done out of contempt, or any gross neglect, especially in a place of persecution.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Because by so doing we expose ourselves to great danger of denying the faith, against which danger, it was peculiarly ordained by Christ our Lord.
A. Because by so doing we expose ourselves to great danger of denying the faith, against which danger, it was peculiarly ordained by Christ our Lord.
Q. At what age is confirmation now commonly received?
A. At seven years old.
A. At seven years old.
Q. Why not sooner?
A. That so we may be able to prepare ourselves for it, and remember what we have received it; for it can not be twice given.
A. That so we may be able to prepare ourselves for it, and remember what we have received it; for it can not be twice given.
Q. Why is a little blow given on the cheek to him that is confirmed?
A. To signify he is there made the soldier of Christ, and must be ready to suffer stripes and buffets for his sake.
A. To signify he is there made the soldier of Christ, and must be ready to suffer stripes and buffets for his sake.
Q. Must we have any godfathers in confirmation?
A. Only one godfather or godmother.
A. Only one godfather or godmother.
Q. Must it be received fasting?
A. That is expedient, (for so the apostles received) but not necessary.
A. That is expedient, (for so the apostles received) but not necessary.
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