Richard Baxter's penitent confession and his necessary vindication in answer to a book called…

16. If a King profess himself a Papist according to the true definition, he taketh Approved General Councils for the Rule of his Religion: And the Lateran Council sub Innoc. 3. bindeth all Temporal Lords on pain of Excommunication, and Deposition to exterminate all that deny Transubstantiation and others called Heretics from their Dominions, if they are able; and other Counsels and Popes have the like. And it must be supposed that he that professeth himself so bound in Conscience, is resolved as soon as he can to do it. And he that imposeth on them a false Religion, and faith, Turn or Die, professeth to destroy or damn them. Yet may he be endured if he disclaim such Councils, or promise Liberty, till Evidence of perilous attempts nullify that promise: But if he put the Nation under the power of Soldiers Judges, Magistrates of the same profession, it must be supposed that he cannot save the Kingdom from them, or that all they will be neglecters of their own Religion: Or if he put himself into the power of an Army of that Religion, he puts the Nation into their power, though he were a Protestant himself: For he is utterly unable to resist their power when Religion engageth their deluded Consciences to destroy us: And though causeless fears will not warrant defensive Arms, rational well-grounded fears will: For when Men are dead it is too late.

16. If a King profess himself a Papist according to the true definition, he taketh Approved General Councils for the Rule of his Religion: And the Laterane Council sub Innoc. 3. bindeth all Temporal Lords on pain of Excommunication, and Deposition to exterminate all that deny Transubstantiation and others called Hereticks from their Dominions, if they are able; and other Counsels and Popes have the like. And it must be supposed that he that professeth himself so bound in Conscience, is resolved as soon as he can to do it. And he that imposeth on them a false Religion, and faith, Turn or Die, professeth to destroy or damn them. Yet may he be endured if he disclaim such Councils, or promise Liberty, till Evidence of perilous attempts nullifie that promise: But if he put the Nation under the power of Souldiers Judges, Magistrates of the same profession, it must be supposed that he cannot save the Kingdom from them, or that all they will be neglecters of their own Religion: Or if he put himself into the power of an Army of that Religion, he puts the Nation into their power, though he were a Protestant himself: For he is utterly unable to resist their power when Religion engageth their deluded Consciences to destroy us: And though causless fears will not warrant defensive Arms, rational well-grounded fears will: For when Men are dead it is too late.