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

§33. But we must ever much difference, so much of Church order and Government as God himself hath instituted, and is purely divine and unchangeable, from those accidentals which men ordain though according to Gods general Rules: For these are often various and mutable, and are means to the former, and never to be used against them. And of these accidentals of Government we say as they that say no such form is fixed by God. Concord, order & decency and edification are always necessary, But oft times it may be indifferent whether concord, order and decency be expressed by this accidental way or that. And ⟨p. 264⟩that which is most congruous for order, decency, edification and concord in one Country, Church or time, may be incongruous in another. Therefore if the question be but how far the giving one Bishop or Pastor power over others, or making disparity of Cities in conformity to the state, be prudently to be chosen; we only say, so that Gods establishment be not violated, whatever we might think best, we presume not herein to give Laws to the Lawgivers, nor to obtrude our Counsel uncalled, on our superiors, much less seditiously to oppose their Lawful institutions.

§33. But we must ever much difference, so much of Church order and Government as God himself hath instituted, and is purely divine and unchangeable, from those accidentals which men ordain though according to Gods general Rules: For these are often various and mutable, and are means to the former, and never to be used against them. And of these accidentals of Government we say as they that say no such form is fixed by God. Concord, order & decency and edification are alwaies necessary, But oft times it may be indifferent whether concord, order and decency be expressed by this accidental way or that. And ⟨p. 264⟩that which is most congruous for order, decency, edification and concord in one Countrey, Church or time, may be incongruous in another. Therefore if the question be but how far the giving one Bishop or Pastor power over others, or making disparity of Cities in conformity to the state, be prudently to be chosen; we only say, so that Gods establishment be not violated, whatever we might think best, we presume not herein to give Laws to the Lawgivers, nor to obtrude our Counsel uncalled, on our superiours, much less seditiously to oppose their Lawful institutions.