Andfirst，wearetorememberthattherightofjudgingwhatdoctrinesarefitforpeace，andtobetaughtthesubjects，isinallCommonwealthsinseparablyannexedashathbeenalreadyproved，Chaptereighteentothesovereignpowercivil，whetheritbeinonemanorinoneassemblyofmen。Foritisevidenttothemeanestcapacitythatmen’sactionsarederivedfromtheopinionstheyhaveofthegoodorevilwhichfromthoseactionsredounduntothemselves；andconsequently，menthatareoncepossessedofanopinionthattheirobediencetothesovereignpowerwillbemorehurtfultothemthantheirdisobediencewilldisobeythelaws，andtherebyoverthrowtheCommonwealth，andintroduceconfusionandcivilwar；fortheavoidingwhereof，allcivilgovernmentwasordained。AndthereforeinallCommonwealthsoftheheathen，thesovereignshavehadthenameofpastorsofthepeople，becausetherewasnosubjectthatcouldlawfullyteachthepeople，butbytheirpermissionandauthority。
ThisrightoftheheathenkingscannotbethoughttakenfromthembytheirconversiontothefaithofChrist，whoneverordainedthatkings，forbelievinginhim，shouldbedeposed，thatis，subjectedtoanybuthimself，or，whichisallone，bedeprivedofthepowernecessaryfortheconservationofpeaceamongsttheirsubjectsandfortheirdefenceagainstforeignenemies。AndthereforeChristiankingsarestillthesupremepastorsoftheirpeople，andhavepowertoordainwhatpastorstheyplease，toteachtheChurch，thatis，toteachthepeoplecommittedtotheircharge。
Again，lettherightofchoosingthembe，asbeforetheconversionofkings，intheChurch，forsoitwasinthetimeoftheApostlesthemselvesashathbeenshownalreadyinthischapter；evensoalsotherightwillbeinthecivilsovereign，Christian。ForinthatheisaChristian，heallowstheteaching；andinthatheisthesovereignwhichisasmuchastosay，theChurchbyrepresentation，theteachersheelectsareelectedbytheChurch。AndwhenanassemblyofChristianschoosetheirpastorinaChristianCommonwealth，itisthesovereignthatelectethhim，becauseitisdonebyhisauthority；inthesamemanneraswhenatownchoosetheirmayor，itistheactofhimthathaththesovereignpower：foreveryactdoneistheactofhimwithoutwhoseconsentitisinvalid。Andthereforewhatsoeverexamplesmaybedrawnoutofhistoryconcerningtheelectionofpastorsbythepeopleorbytheclergy，theyarenoargumentsagainsttherightofanycivilsovereign，becausetheythatelectedthemdiditbyhisauthority。
SeeingthenineveryChristianCommonwealththecivilsovereignisthesupremepastor，towhosechargethewholeflockofhissubjectsiscommitted，andconsequentlythatitisbyhisauthoritythatallotherpastorsaremade，andhavepowertoteachandperformallotherpastoraloffices，itfollowethalsothatitisfromthecivilsovereignthatallotherpastorsderivetheirrightofteaching，preaching，andotherfunctionspertainingtothatoffice，andthattheyarebuthisministers；inthesamemannerasmagistratesoftowns，judgesincourtsofjustice，andcommandersofarmiesareallbutministersofhimthatisthemagistrateofthewholeCommonwealth，judgeofallcauses，andcommanderofthewholemilitia，whichisalwaysthecivilsovereign。Andthereasonhereofisnotbecausetheythatteach，butbecausetheythataretolearn，arehissubjects。
ForletitbesupposedthataChristiankingcommittheauthorityofordainingpastorsinhisdominionstoanotherkingasdiverseChristiankingsallowthatpowertothePope，hedothnottherebyconstituteapastoroverhimself，norasovereignpastoroverhispeople；forthatweretodeprivehimselfofthecivilpower；which，dependingontheopinionmenhaveoftheirdutytohim，andthefeartheyhaveofpunishmentinanotherworld，woulddependalsoontheskillandloyaltyofdoctorswhoarenolesssubject，notonlytoambition，butalsotoignorance，thananyothersortofmen。Sothatwhereastrangerhathauthoritytoappointteachers，itisgivenhimbythesovereigninwhosedominionsheteacheth。ChristiandoctorsareourschoolmasterstoChristianity；butkingsarefathersoffamilies，andmayreceiveschoolmastersfortheirsubjectsfromtherecommendationofastranger，butnotfromthecommand；especiallywhentheillteachingthemshallredoundtothegreatandmanifestprofitofhimthatrecommendsthem：norcantheybeobligedtoretainthemlongerthanitisforthepublicgood，thecareofwhichtheystandsolongchargedwithalastheyretainanyotheressentialrightofthesovereignty。
Ifamanthereforeshouldaskapastor，intheexecutionofhisoffice，asthechiefpriestsandeldersofthepeopleaskedourSaviour，“Bywhatauthoritydoestthouthesethings，andwhogavetheethisauthority？“：*hecanmakenootherjustanswerbutthathedothitbytheauthorityoftheCommonwealth，givenhimbythekingorassemblythatrepresentethit。Allpastors，exceptthesupreme，executetheirchargesintheright，thatis，bytheauthorityofthecivilsovereign，thatis，jurecivili。Buttheking，andeveryothersovereign，executethhisofficeofsupremepastorbyimmediateauthorityfromGod，thatistosay，inGod’sright，orjuredivino。
Andthereforenonebutkingscanputintotheirtitles，amarkoftheirsubmissiontoGodonly，DeigratiaRex，etc。Bishopsoughttosayinthebeginningoftheirmandates，“BythefavouroftheKing’sMajesty，Bishopofsuchadiocese“；orascivilministers，“InHisMajesty’sname。“Forinsaying，Divinaprovidentia，whichisthesamewithDeigratia，thoughdisguised，theydenytohavereceivedtheirauthorityfromthecivilstate，andslylyslipoffthecollaroftheircivilsubjection，contrarytotheunityanddefenceoftheCommonwealth。
*Matthew，21。23
ButifeveryChristiansovereignbethesupremepastorofhisownsubjects，itseemeththathehathalsotheauthority，notonlytopreach，whichperhapsnomanwilldeny，butalsotobaptize，andtoadministersacramentofadministerthesacramentoftheLord’sSupperandtoconsecratebothtemplesandpastorstoGod’sservice；
whichmostmendeny，partlybecausetheyusenottodoit，andpartlybecausetheadministrationofsacraments，andconsecrationofpersonsandplacestoholyuses，requireththeimpositionofsuchmen’shandsasbythelikeimpositionsuccessivelyfromthetimeoftheApostleshavebeenordainedtothelikeministry。ForproofthereforethatChristiankingshavepowertobaptizeandtoconsecrate，Iamtorenderareasonbothwhytheyusenottodoit，andhow，withouttheordinaryceremonyofimpositionofhands，theyaremadecapableofdoingitwhentheywill。
Thereisnodoubtbutanyking，incasehewereskilfulinthesciences，mightbythesamerightofhisofficereadlecturesofthemhimselfbywhichheauthorizethotherstoreadthemintheuniversities。Nevertheless，becausethecareofthesumofthebusinessoftheCommonwealthtakethuphiswholetime，itwerenotconvenientforhimtoapplyhimselfinpersontothatparticular。A
kingmayalso，ifheplease，sitinjudgementtohearanddetermineallmannerofcauses，aswellasgiveothersauthoritytodoitinhisname；butthatthechargethatliethuponhimofcommandandgovernmentconstrainhimtobecontinuallyatthehelm，andtocommittheministerialofficestoothersunderhim。InthelikemannerourSaviour，whosurelyhadpowertobaptize，baptizednonehimself，butsenthisApostlesandDisciplestobaptize。*SoalsoSt。Paul，bythenecessityofpreachingindiverseandfardistantplaces，baptizedfew：amongstalltheCorinthianshebaptizedonlyCrispus，Gaius，andStephanas；*2andthereasonwasbecausehisprincipalchargewastopreach。*3Wherebyitismanifestthatthegreatercharge，suchasisthegovernmentoftheChurch，isadispensationfortheless。ThereasonthereforewhyChristiankingsusenottobaptizeisevident，andthesameforwhichatthisdaytherearefewbaptizedbybishops，andbythePopefewer。
Andasconcerningimpositionofhands，whetheritbeneedfulfortheauthorizingofakingtobaptizeandconsecrate，wemayconsiderthus。
ImpositionofhandswasamostancientpublicceremonyamongsttheJews，bywhichwasdesigned，andmadecertain，thepersonorotherthingintendedinaman’sprayer，blessing，sacrifice，consecration，condemnation，orotherspeech。SoJacob，inblessingthechildrenofJoseph，“LaidhisrighthandonEphraimtheyounger，andhislefthandonManassehthefirstborn“；*andthishedidwittinglythoughtheyweresopresentedtohimbyJosephashewasforcedindoingittostretchouthisarmsacrosstodesigntowhomhewhomheintendedthegreaterblessing。Soalsointhesacrificingoftheburntoffering，Aaroniscommanded“tolayhishandsontheheadofthebullock“；*2and“tolayhishandontheheadoftheram。“*3Thesameisalsosaidagain，Leviticus，1。4，and8。14。LikewiseMoseswhenheordainedJoshuatobecaptainoftheIsraelites，thatis，consecratedhimtoGod’sservice，“laidhishandsuponhim，andgavehimhischarge，“*4designingandrenderingcertainwhoitwastheyweretoobeyinwar。AndintheconsecrationoftheLevitesGodcommandedthat“thechildrenofIsraelshouldputtheirhandstheLevites。“*5AndinthecondemnationofhimthathadblasphemedtheLord，Godcommandedthat“allthatheardhimshouldlaytheirhandsonhishead，andthatallthecongregationshouldstonehim。“*6Andwhyshouldtheyonlythatheardhimlaytheirhandsuponhim，andnotratherapriest，Levite，orotherministerofjustice，butthatnoneelsewereabletodesignanddemonstratetotheeyesofthecongregationwhoitwasthathadblasphemedandoughttodie？Andtodesignaman，oranyotherthing，bythehandtotheeyeislesssubjecttomistakethanwhenitisdonetotheearbyaname。
Andsomuchwasthisceremonyobservedthatinblessingthewholecongregationatonce，whichcannotbedonebylayingonofhands，yetAaron“didliftuphishandtowardsthepeoplewhenheblessedthem。“*Andwereadalsoofthelikeceremonyofconsecrationoftemplesamongsttheheathen，asthatthepriestlaidhishandsonsomepostofthetemple，allthewhilehewasutteringthewordsofconsecration。Sonaturalitistodesignanyindividualthingratherbythehand，toassuretheeyes，thanbywordstoinformtheear，inmattersofGod’spublicservice。
ThisceremonywasnotthereforenewinourSaviour’stime。ForJairus，whosedaughterwassick，besoughtourSaviournottohealher，but“tolayhishandsuponher，thatshemightbehealed。“*And“theybroughtuntohimlittlechildren，thatheshouldputhishandsonthem，andpray。“*2
Accordingtothisancientrite，theApostlesandpresbytersandthepresbyteryitselflaidhandsonthemwhomtheyordainedpastors，andwithalprayedforthemthattheymightreceivetheHolyGhost；andthatnotonlyonce，butsometimesoftener，whenanewoccasionwaspresented：buttheendwasstillthesame，namelyapunctualandreligiousdesignationofthepersonordainedeithertothepastoralchargeingeneralortoaparticularmission。So“TheApostlesprayed，andlaidtheirhands“*onthesevendeacons；whichwasdone，nottogivethemtheHolyGhostfortheywerefulloftheHolyGhostbeforetheywerechosen，asappearethimmediatelybefore*2，buttodesignthemtothatoffice。AndafterPhiliptheDeaconhadconvertedcertainpersonsinSamaria，PeterandJohnwentdown“andlaidtheirhandsonthem，andtheyreceivedtheHolyGhost。“*3AndnotonlyanApostle，butapresbyterhadthispower：forSt。PauladvisethTimothy，“Layhandssuddenlyonnoman“；*4thatis，designnomanrashlytotheofficeofapastor。ThewholepresbyterylaidtheirhandsonTimothy，asweread，ITimothy，4。14，butthisistobeunderstoodasthatsomediditbytheappointmentofthepresbytery，andmostlikelytheirproestos，orprolocutor，whichitmaybewasSt。Paulhimself。ForinhissecondEpistletoTimothy，verse6，hesaithtohim，“StirupthegiftofGodwhichisinthee，bythelayingonofmyhands“：wherenote，bytheway，thatbytheHolyGhostisnotmeantthethirdpersonintheTrinity，butthegiftsnecessarytothepastoraloffice。WereadalsothatSt。Paulhadimpositionofhandstwice；oncefromAnaniasatDamascusatthetimeofhisbaptism；*5andagainatAntioch，whenhewasfirstsentouttopreach。*6Theusethenofthisceremonyconsideredintheordinationofpastorswastodesignthepersontowhomtheygavesuchpower。ButiftherehadbeenthenanyChristianthathadhadthepowerofteachingbefore，thebaptizingofhim，thatis，themakinghimaChristian，hadgivenhimnonewpower，buthadonlycausedhimtopreachtruedoctrine，thatis，tousehispoweraright；andthereforetheimpositionofhandshadbeenunnecessary；
baptismitselfhadbeensufficient。Buteverysovereign，beforeChristianity，hadthepowerofteachingandordainingteachers；andthereforeChristianitygavethemnonewright，butonlydirectedtheminthewayofteachingtruth；andconsequentlytheyneedednoimpositionofhandsbesidesthatwhichisdoneinbaptismtoauthorizethemtoexerciseanypartofthepastoralfunction，asnamely，tobaptizeandconsecrate。AndintheOldTestament，thoughthepriestonlyhadrighttoconsecrate，duringthetimethatthesovereigntywasinthehighpriest，yetitwasnotsowhenthesovereigntywasintheking：forwereadthatSolomonblessedthepeople，consecratedtheTemple，andpronouncedthatpublicprayer，*7
whichisthepatternnowforconsecrationofallChristianchurchesandchapels：wherebyitappearshehadnotonlytherightofecclesiasticalgovernment，butalsoofexercisingecclesiasticalfunctions。