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

§. 16. But this (Commanding power) is not to be extended ⟨p. 93⟩to such Decencies as are only Ornament, but is to be limited to such as only rescue from Confusion: The reason is, because the Prelates and spiritual Guides cannot do their duty, unless things be so orderly that there be no confusion, much less can they do it with joy: and so far their power does extend.—But if it can go beyond this limit, then it can have no natural limit; but may extend to sumptuousness,☜ to Ornaments of Churches, to rich utensils to splendour, to Majesty—But because this is too subject to abuse, and gives a secular power into the hands of Bishops, and an authority over mens fortunes and estates, and is not necessary for souls, and no part of the spiritual government, it is more than Christ gave to his Ministers.

§. 17. This is to be added, that because this power is—such—it is only left to the people to do it or not, under the pain of sin, but they are not to incur spiritual censures upon the stock of non complyance in things not simply necessary or of essential duty.¹

1. 1Nonconformity.

§. 18. P. 233. Beyond this, the Bishops can directly give no Laws that properly and immediately bind the transgressors under sin: my Reasons are, 1. Because we never find the Apostles using their Coercion on any man but the express breakers of a Divine commandment, or the public disturbers of the peace of the Church, and the established necessary order. 2. Because even in those things which were so convenient that they had a power to make injunctions, yet the Apostles were very backward to use their authority of commanding, much less severity, but entreating. 3. In things where God had interposed no command, though the rule they gave contained in it that which