The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…

XXIII. We take it for a traitorous opinion that, It is not lawful to take Arms against any that have a Commission with the Kings Name under his Great or Little Seal, without exception: For then the keepers of his Majesties Seals may depose the King, by Sealing Commissions as in his name, to traitors, to seize on his guards, forts, navies, Magazines, treasures, servants, &c. and no loyal subjects might resist them, no not they who by Law or former Commission were obliged to it.

XXIII. We take it for a traiterous opinion that, It is not lawful to take Arms against any that have a Commission with the Kings Name under his Great or Little Seal, without exception: For then the keepers of his Majesties Seals may depose the King, by Sealing Commissions as in his name, to traytours, to seize on his guards, forts, navies, Magazines, treasures, servants, &c. and no loyal subjects might resist them, no not they who by Law or former Commission were obliged to it.

XXIV. We renounce their treachery who would weaken the Kings Interest by dividing his Subjects, and building up unnecessary walls of partition between them▪ to keep them in such divisions, and would thereby cherish hatred, contention and mutinies among them, seeing, a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand: And it is unsafe and uncomfortable to a Prince to rule a divided mutinous people, and sweet and safe to rule them that are united in mutual Love: Therefore we detest their way that would lay the peoples Concord upon uncapable terms, and bring the Kings interest in his peoples Love and willing obedience and ready defence of him, into too ••rrow a bottom, making him the King of some causelessly divided and espoused party which must be set up to the oppression of all the rest, who are as wise and just and loyal as they.

XXIV. We renounce their treachery who would weaken the Kings Interest by dividing his Subjects, and building up unnecessary walls of partition between them▪ to keep them in such divisions, and would thereby cherish hatred, contention and mutinies among them, seeing, a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand: And it is unsafe and uncomfortable to a Prince to rule a divided mutinous people, and sweet and safe to rule them that are united in mutual Love: Therefore we detest their way that would lay the peoples Concord upon uncapable terms, and bring the Kings interest in his peoples Love and willing obedience and ready defence of him, into too rrow a bottom, making him the King of some causelesly divided and espoused party which must be set up to the oppression of all the rest, who are as wise and just and loyal as they.