by divine
authority. Thus Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasses, not as a parent
only, but as a prophet. Moses laid his hands on Joshua, by express
command from God, and as supreme Minister over his people; and thus
our Blessed Lord laid His Hands upon little children and blessed
them, and upon those that were sick and healed them. . . . And the
Apostles, from so ancient a custom and universal a practice,
continued the rite of _Imposition of Hands_ for communicating the
Holy Spirit in Confirmation, which was so constantly and regularly
observed by them, that St. Paul calls the whole office, _Laying on
of Hands_," and it may be added one of the first "principles of the
Doctrine of Christ" (Hebrews 6:1 and 2).

This term also refers to the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop in
Ordination to the Sacred Ministry, by which is conferred the grace
of Holy Order, and one {144} is admitted to the Office and work of
a Deacon, of Priest or Bishop, "which Offices were evermore had in
such reverend estimation, that no man might presume to execute any
of them except he were first called, tried, examined and known to
have such qualities as are requisite for the same; and also by
public Prayer, with _Imposition of Hands_, were approved and admitted
thereunto by lawful Authority." (Preface to Ordinal in Prayer Book.)

Incarnation, The.--A Latinized name for the act by which the Second
Person of the Blessed Trinity, God's Only Son, the Eternal "Word
was made Flesh," _i.e._, took our nature upon Him; and also for
the Doctrine that "the Godhead and Manhood were joined together in
one Person never to be divided" (II Article of Religion). This
truth is embodied for us in the Creed, in the words, "Jesus Christ,
His Only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of
the Virgin Mary." This great outward fact is the foundation of all
that follows: upon it Christianity depends and all Christian Doctrine
has reference to it. By reason of the Incarnation the Church as a
living Body becomes Christ's Body on earth, and in the Church and
by means of it man is brought into union with Him who is the
beginning of a new race, the Head of a new and spiritual creation.
Thus it is that the Sacraments, which are often called the
"Extension of the Incarnation," become more than they seem. They
are the means of our participation in Christ's Holy Humanity, and
of our growing into His likeness, as we use them with faith and
true repentance. {145}

I