The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…

XXIII. 21. If, because the Roman Emperors and Clergy settled five Patriarchs in the Roman Empire, of which the Roman Bishop was the first, and by Councils called General of that Empire, did make Church Laws to bind the ⟨p. 44⟩Subjects, any therefore will teach that these Patriarchs, (and the Pope as Principi•m unitatis) must be Rulers in the dominions of other Princes, and that such Councils must govern them by their Decrees and that the Universal Church must be united in any one mortal head, whether Personal or Collective (such as General Councils,) and so would bring Christian Princes and people under the Laws and Government of foreigners, and brand those as Schismatics that will not fall in with such an Universal Church Policy, This were also a very heinous sort of Schism. For the Universal Church never did, nor will be united on such terms; And therefore to make such terms of its unity, is to make an Engine to divide it, and tear it all into pieces.

XXIII. 21. If, because the Roman Emperours and Clergie setled five Patriarchs in the Roman Empire, of which the Roman Bishop was the first, and by Councils called General of that Empire, did make Church Laws to bind the ⟨p. 44⟩Subjects, any therefore will teach that these Patriarchs, (and the Pope as Principi•m unitatis) must be Rulers in the dominions of other Princes, and that such Councils must govern them by their Decrees and that the Universal Church must be united in any one mortal head, whether Personal or Collective (such as General Councils,) and so would bring Christian Princes and people under the Laws and Government of forreigners, and brand those as Schismaticks that will not fall in with such an Universal Church Policie, This were also a very heinous sort of Schism. For the Universal Church never did, nor will be united on such termes; And therefore to make such terms of its unity, is to make an Engine to divide it, and tear it all into pieces.