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

And if his universal Government be but to commit the Government of several Kingdoms of the world to several Generals under him, Princes and People that are at hand do better know how to choose meet men to Teach themselves, of those that are of their own language, and acquainted with the place, than a stranger at Rome can do, to whom at the death of every General some Countries may be many years in sending and receiving back a General, who it's two to one will not come alive to them, or it's three to one, will be one unfit for them: and in some Kingdoms cannot come at all, because of the interjacent countries of enemies: no nor messages pass, about the business. What work the Prelates of England (which is near) have formerly made by running to Rome, and waiting for decisions, is known by current history. None on earth will pretend to a sufficiency to govern all the world in things spiritual, any more than in Temporals, except it be a Proud Fool or a Proud deceiver, both which are the most unfit to be rulers of all the world.

3. Rome never pretended to a Government of all the world, but only to a Primacy in one Empire, for many hundred years after Christ, Proved, 1. Because only the Prince of one Empire did frequently choose and ever rule them, who had no power over any other Kingdom.

2. Because the four other Patriarchs, whom he pretended to have a Primacy among, had no power out of the Empire, at least not over all the world: and the Pope never then pretended to a Primacy of any further extent than the four Patriarchates.

2. Because the four other Patriarchs, whom he pretended to have a Primacy among, had no power out of the Empire, at least not over all the world: and the Pope never then pretended to a Primacy of any further extent than the four Patriarchats.