all parts of the world, and they being commanded to make all nations difciples, to go into

all the world, and to preach the gospel to every creature, (Matt. xviii. 19.) could not be long fixed to any one place; yet it was neceffary that pastors and teachers fhould be fettled among all believers, who might continue to instruct and teach them, to offer up prayers for them in the public affemblies, and to adminifter the facrament to them. Hereupon they ordained them elders in every church; (Acts i. 14. 23.) that is, a bishop with a competent number of prefbyters and deacons to affift him, as will be evident from what fhall be faid hereafter. (Heb. xiii. 7. 17.) Thefe were rulers of the church wherein they were placed, and the people were commanded to obey them. But though they were rulers, yet their authority extended not over the whole church, but only that flock over which the Holy Ghoft (Acts xx. 28.) had made them overfeers or bishops. They were fixed to a particular place, and the fpiritual government of all perfons within those limits was committed to them; and in this divifion into particular diftricts (which was prudential at the apoftles difcretion) the general divifion of the empire was obferved, It was necessary that particular churches

should

fhould be circumfcribed within certain bounds; but it was indifferent where thofe boundaries fhould be fixed. The apostles therefore took the limits already laid out for them, and accordingly fettled churches, and either (Tit. i. 1. 5.) ordained themselves, or appointed others to ordain elders in every city, or city by city, as Dr. Hammond renders it. And herein they thought it expedient strictly rally accommo- to obferve the imperial divifion; so that the

The fpiritual divifion gene

dated to the

civil divifion of Council of Calcedon decreed, (6 Can. 17.)

diocefes.

that if the emperor fhould change the condition of a city by his authority, the order of the parish churches fhould follow the civil conftitution. Thus the power of these elders was confined within the compafs of that particular city and its territories, where they were ordained to minifter; and all within thofe limits were under their care and jurisdiction. They were, indeed, bifhops and prefbyters of the univerfal church, (for the true church is but one and the fame in all parts of the world) but for the fake of decency and order, and that each paftor might know his own peculiar flock, it was neceffary, that the catholic church fhould be divided into particular churches." For *«whilft our Sa

* Account of Church Government and Governors, P. 36, 37.

viour lived on earth, he ruled and governed his church perfonally; and though the apostles could preach, and baptize, and pronounce remiffion of fins, which is the priests office now, yet could they not perform the functions of the epifcopal office, to give others a commiffion to preach the gospel. But when Christ was risen, and ready to afcend into heaven, then he enlarged the apoftolic power, and gave them authority to collect and fettle churches, and to give commiffions to others, as he himself had done. As my Father hath fent me, fays he, even fo I fend you. And when be bad faid this, he breathed on them, saying, receive ye the Holy Ghost. (Joh. xx. 21.)"

CHAP.

CHAP. XI.

OF THE PREROGATIVES OF THE CROWN.

More difputos

about the title

to the preroga

tives, than

rogatives themfelves.

IT

T may be generally remarked, that the difference or difpute between moft writers,

about the pre- is not so much about the prerogatives of the crown, as about the right and title to them. I have already endeavoured to render my opinion upon this matter unequivocal and explicit; and the confequence of that opinion is, that as a member of the community, I entertain the most dutiful attachment to the perfon, in whom the community vests the executive power of the legiflature, and the most awful and respectful deference for the dif tinguished and exalted properties, prerogatives, and powers, with which the community has found it adviseable to dignify him. Mr. Acherley, in a fort of allegorical exposition or direction of what this fupreme head of the body ought to be, fays, "That_the first and most excellent eftate, or fupreme head of this great body, fhould be a political fupreme office, to guide and conduct the reft, and, for that reason, fhould be raised

Britannic Conftitution, p. 39.

above the reft, which should be the glory of the nation; and that, to add majesty, it fhould be crowned with a crown of pure gold, adorned with the richeft gems, as caput regni; that to this crown there fhould be annexed royal and fovereign rights and prerogatives, which should give it a luftre and a veneration fuitable to the most excellent dignity; that the single perfon, who fhould be declared fupreme governor or head, to execute and adminifter this higheft office, and to wear this crown, should be stiled king, and should have fuch honours paid him, as are due to royal and imperial majefty; and that a throne should be raised for him, on which he fhould fit, when he performs the highest acts of government; and that his perfon fhould be exempted from all coercive and offenfive acts of violence whatsoever, upon or for any reafon or pretence of any reafon whatfoever; and that the first perfon, who. fhould be declared king, and all fucceeding kings, should, at or foon after his affuming to exercise the regal power, be crowned with the greateft folemnity." And in another part of the fame work, he defcribes the monarchy or regal office in this manner: «The bu

Acherley's Brit. Conflit. p. 59.

The general the crown.

prerogatives of