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

§3. The question is not whether any, or all Nations and Kingdoms should be Christians, and so be the Kingdoms of Christ: That's past doubt. 2. Nor is it whether in such Kingdoms the King be the Head, as to the power of the sword; that is, a Christian Civil Governor of a Christian People that are his Subjects. We daily pray that the Kingdoms of the world may all be Christian; and we believe that their Kings are the Governors by the sword, of all the Clergy, as well as others. 3. Nor is the question whether Kings may call all their Kingdoms into a holy Covenant with God (by lawful means) giving them an example first themselves. 4. Nor do we contend about an Equivocal Name, whether a Christian Kingdom, as such, may be called a National Church. 5. No nor whether a Christian Nation, governed by a Heathen or Mahometan King, may be called a Christian Church or Kingdom; or a Protestant Nation ruled by a Papist King, is to be called a Protestant Kingdom or Church: for this is but about bare names. 6. Nor do we question whether a Christian King may make such accidental disparity between the Pastors, as we have before described. 7. Nor yet whether the Pastors of one Kingdom may associate and hold Synods for Unity and Counsel, and be named a National Church, as they are such Associations, obliged to Concord.

§3. The question is not whether any, or all Nations and Kingdoms should be Christians, and so be the Kingdoms of Christ: That's past doubt. 2. Nor is it whether in such Kingdoms the King be the Head, as to the power of the sword; that is, a Christian Civil Governour of a Christian People that are his Subjects. We daily pray that the Kingdoms of the world may all be Christian; and we believe that their Kings are the Governours by the sword, of all the Clergy, as well as others. 3. Nor is the question whether Kings may call all their Kingdoms into a holy Covenant with God (by lawful means) giving them an example first themselves. 4. Nor do we contend about an Equivocal Name, whether a Christian Kingdom, as such, may be called a National Church. 5. No nor whether a Christian Nation, governed by a Heathen or Mahometan King, may be called a Christian Church or Kingdom; or a Protestant Nation ruled by a Papist King, is to be called a Protestant Kingdom or Church: for this is but about bare names. 6. Nor do we question whether a Christian King may make such accidental disparity between the Pastors, as we have before described. 7. Nor yet whether the Pastors of one Kingdom may associate and hold Synods for Unity and Counsel, and be named a National Church, as they are such Associations, obliged to Concord.