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

§. 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 ⟨p. 94⟩was fit and decent, yet if men would resist, they gently admonished or reproved them, and let them alone. 4. If the Bishops power were extended further, it might extend to Tyranny, and there could be no limits beyond this prescribed to keep him within the measures of sweetness of the Government Evangelical—yet the power of spiritual Rulers may extend further by fame, consent, reputation, opinion of his wisdom, voluntary submission, avoiding scandal.

§. 18. P. 233. Beyond this, the Bishops can directly give no Laws that properly and immediately bind the transgressours 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 publick 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 intreating. 3. In things where God had interposed no command, though the rule they gave contained in it that which ⟨p. 94⟩was fit and decent, yet if men would resist, they gently admonisht or reproved them, and let them alone. 4. If the Bishops power were extended further, it might extend to Tyranny, and there could be no limits beyond this prescribed to keep him within the measures of sweetness of the Government Evangelical—yet the power of spiritual Rulers may extend further by fame, consent, reputation, opinion of his wisdom, voluntary submission, avoiding scandal.