nolo episcopari

He soon found means to make his addresses, in express terms, to his mistress, from whom he received an answer in the proper form, viz.: the answer which was first made some thousands of years ago, and which hath been handed down by tradition from mother to daughter ever since. If I were to translate this into Latin, I should render it by these two words, Nolo Episcopari: a phrase likewise of immemorial use on another occasion.

1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

their Leader – for so, in spite of his Nolo episcopari, we must presume to call him — has given in his Elbing Letter so distinct a pledge – not merely of opinions, but of actual designs if his ministerial career had not been arrested – that we have little doubt that [...] Sir Robert Peel will substantially forward there measures, whoever may propose them.

1847, ‘Parliamentary Prospects’, The Quarterly Review, volume LXXXI

Carlyle's hero may say, "I will be king"; but the Christian saint must say "Nolo episcopari." If the great paradox of Christianity means anything, it means this—that we must take the crown in our hands, and go hunting in dry places and dark corners of the earth until we find the one man who feels himself unfit to wear it.

1908, G. K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy