A treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at KidderminsterA treatise of self-denial. By Richard Baxter, pastor of the church at Kederminster

And because I know, that this stream proceeds from the Roman spring, and it is their great design to persuade the world, that it belongs not to Magistrates to meddle with Religion, but only to cherish them that the Pope approveth of, and to punish those whom the Pope condemns, and that Christ must Govern and judge of matters of Religion himself, that is, by his pretended Roman Vicechrist, I shall only now say this: that if Rome were acquainted with self-denial, and if the selfish carnal interest of Riches and Rule and worldly greatness, had not blinded them, they could never have believed themselves, that Christ did appoint the Pope of Rome to be his Universal Vicar; and that Princes and Magistrates in their own Dominions, have not more Power to judge who is to be tolerated or punished by the sword, than the Pope of Rome: when no Priest or Prelate upon earth (as such) hath any thing to do with ⟨image 9⟩such a judgement, no not in the places where they live. All that they have to do herein, is to judge who is the Heretic or offender in order to his censure and excommunication: But it's Magistrates only that must judge who is the Heretic or offender in order to corporal punishment or restraint. And this I undertake to make good against all the Papists in the world: much more that the Roman Tyrant, hath no such Power at the Antipodes, and in all the Christian Nations on earth.

And because I know, that this stream proceeds from the Roman spring, and it is their great design to perswade the world, that it belongs not to Magistrates to meddle with Religion, but only to cherish them that the Pope approveth of, and to punish those whom the Pope condemns, and that Christ must Govern and judge of matters of Religion himself, that is, by his pretended Roman Vicechrist, I shall only now say this: that if Rome were acquainted with self-denial, and if the selfish carnal interest of Riches and Rule and worldly greatness, had not blinded them, they could never have believed themselves, that Christ did appoint the Pope of Rome to be his Universal Vicar; and that Princes and Magistrates in their own Dominions, have not more Power to judge who is to be tolerated or punished by the sword, than the Pope of Rome: when no Priest or Prelate upon earth (as such) hath any thing to do with ⟨image 9⟩such a judgement, no not in the places where they live. All that they have to do herein, is to judge who is the Heretick or offendor in order to his censure and excommunication: But it's Magistrates only that must judge who is the Heretick or effendor in order to corporal punishment or restraint. And this I undertake to make good against all the Papists in the world: much more that the Roman Tyrant, hath no such Power at the Antipodes, and in all the Christian Nations on earth.