The fpiritual divifion generally accommodated to the

civil divifion of diocefes.

fhould be circumfcribed within certain bounds; but it was indifferent where those boundaries fhould be fixed. The apoftles therefore took the limits already laid out for them, and accordingly fettled churches, and either (Tit. i. 1, 5.) ordained themselves, or ap pointed others to ordain elders in every city, or city by city, as Dr. Hammond renders it. And herein they thought it expedient strictly to obferve the imperial divifion; so that the council of Chalcedon decreed, (6 Can. 17.) 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 compass of that ticular city and its territories, where they were ordained to minifter; and all within thofe limits were under their care and jurifdiction. 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 pastor might know his own peculiar flock, it was neceffary, that the catholic church fhould be divided into par ticular churches." For "whilft our Sa

par

* 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 func tions of the epifcopal office, to give others a commiffion to preach the gospel. But when Christ was rifen, and ready to ascend 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 Ifend you. And when he bad faid this, he breathed on them, faying, receive ye the Holy Ghost. (John xx. 21.)”

1

CHAP.

This chapter is most
Amperlant

[ 302 1

CHAP. XI.

OF THE PREROGATIVES OF THE CROWN

More difputes

about the title

to the preroga

tives, than about

themselves.

I

T may be generally remarked, that the difference or dispute between moft writers, the prerogatives 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 opi nion is, that as a member of the community, I entertain the most dutiful attachment to the perfon, in whom the community vefts the executive power of the legiflature, and the most awful and refpectful deference for the dif tinguished and exalted properties, preroga tives, and powers, with which the community has found it advifeable to dignify him. Mr. Acherley, in a fort of allegorical expofition 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, should be raised

Britannic Conftitution, p. 39.

to.

The general

prerogatives of

above the rest, which should be the glory of
the nation; and that, to add majesty, it should
be crowned with a crown of pure gold, the crown.
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 venera-
tion fuitable to the most excellent dignity;
that the single perfon, who fhould be declared
supreme governor or head, to execute and
administer his highest office, and to wear this
crown, should be ftiled king, and should have
fuch honours paid him, as are due to royal
and imperial majesty; and that a throne fhould
be raised for him, on which he fhould fit,
when he performs the highest acts of go-
vernment; and that his person should be ex-
empted from all coercive and offenfive acts
of violence whatsoever, upon or for any
reafon or pretence of any reafon whatfo-
ever; and that the first perfon, who fhould
be declared king, and all fucceeding kings,
fhould, at or foon after his affuming to ex-
ercise the regal power, be crowned with the
greatest folemnity." And in another part of
the fame work, he defcribes the monarchy
or regal office in this manner: "The bu-

* Acherley's Brit. Conftit. p. 59.

The end of our finefs and end of this office was to exercise and adminifter the regal power in guiding

monarchy.

and governing the people of this nation, for the good of the whole body, in fuch manner as fhould be agreeable, and according to the rules and laws, which for that purpose should be agreed on and prescribed; and to affent and agree to the making fuch new laws, and to the changing and altering fuch old ones, as the two eftates of lords and commons fhall find neceffary, and prepare, for the good government and protection of the people and nation; and that therefore the monarch, who should be placed in the fupreme regal office, fhould be deemed and accounted the fupreme governor; and that many of the virtues and perfections attributed to the great Creator, who governs the heavens, the earth, the feas, and all things therein, ought, in a human and subordinate sense and fimilitude, to be attributed to the perfon placed in this fupreme regal office; fuch as fortitude, goodness, juftice, mercy, wifdom, and activity."

I must here again entreat my readers, to keep in view the different diftinctions I have before noticed between the natural and the political capacity of the king, between the immediate and mediate appointment of God,

and