A26871:139
Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an…
Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an holy and heavenly state of heart and life : lamented, described, detected, and unanswerably [sic] proved to be the devilish nature, and the militia of the devil against God and Christ and the church and kingdoms, and the surest sign of a state of damnation / by Richard Baxter, or, Gildas Salvianus ...Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an holy and heavenly state of heart and life : lamented, described, detected, and unananswerably [sic] proved to be the devilish nature, and the militia of the devil against God and Christ and the church and kingdoms, and the surest sign of a state of damnation / by Richard Baxter, or, Gildas Salvianus ...
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1689
Chapter 2: Whom I mean by Godly Persons, and whom by Malignant Enemies to Godliness.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
13. Such usually in former ages have been the chief Instigators of Princes and Rulers, to hate men of serious Religion, and to stir up Persecution against them, and to render such odious to the world as Heretics or intolerable Villains. O what difference is there between the true narratives of the Lives of Luther, Calvin, Beza, and abundance such, and the odious lies and defamations written of them by some others. Yea, those who commend Melanchthon, Bucer, and many such for Learning and Moderation, hate their Doctrine of Reformation and serious Piety.
13. Such usually in former ages have been the chief Instigators of Princes and Rulers, to hate men of serious Religion, and to stir up Persecution against them, and to render such odious to the world as Hereticks or intolerable Villains. O what difference is there between the true narratives of the Lives of Luther, Calvin, Beza, and abundance such, and the odious lies and defamations written of them by some others. Yea, those who commend Melancthon, Bucer, and many such for Learning and Moderation, hate their Doctrine of Reformation and serious Piety.
14. And you may note, that in any slander of a Godly man, they will sooner believe one or two ignorant malicious Drunkards ⟨p. 67⟩against them, that never knew them, than the testimonies of hundreds of most faithful persons who praise and vindicate them, though they better knew them.
15. They seldom give the accused leave to speak for themselves before they believe Accusations against them; but conclude that they are as bad as back-biting malice reporteth them behind their backs.