A26871:78
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.
§ 4. Much less 4. Do I mean any proud false conceit of a mans own Godliness, and becoming one of an unwarrantable Sect, that he may be conspicuous to others, or cherish this presumption in himself; and say to others, Stand by, I am holier than thou: Or as the Pharisee, I thank thee Lord that I am not as this Publican: (Though yet all that will be saved must greatly differ from the ungodly, and must with thankfulness own Gods grace.)
§ 5. Nor 5. Do I mean any unlawful practice, which on the pretence of Godliness may be done, whether unjust censures, backbiting, unwarrantable separations from others, divisions, disobedience to Authority, Sedition, Rebellion, &c. These are all contrary ⟨p. 43⟩to Godliness and true Religion. Christ is the strictest condemner of them, and Godliness the best cure. If any Godly or Religious person, be guilty of any one of these, 1. It cannot be as known and in a predominant degree; 2. And it is his Disease (as a Leprosy to a man) and not his Godliness.
§ 5. Nor 5. Do I mean any unlawful practice, which on the pretence of Godliness may be done, whether unjust censures, backbiting, unwarrantable separations from others, divisions, disobedience to Authority, Sedition, Rebellion, &c. These are all contrary ⟨p. 43⟩to Godliness and true Religion. Christ is the strictest condemner of them, and Godliness the best cure. If any Godly or Religious person, be guilty of any one of these, 1. It cannot be as known and in a predominant degree; 2. And it is his Disease (as a Leprosie to a man) and not his Godliness.
§ 6. But by GODLINESS I mean only the serious Consent to, and Performance of the Covenant which we made with God in our Baptism: That we seriously believe that there is One only God, of most perfect Power, Knowledge and Goodness, our Creator, Maintainer, Governor and End; whom we must Obey, and Serve, and Love above all Creatures whatsoever; and that he is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and will give everlasting blessedness to the faithful, and everlastingly punish the ungodly. That we seriously believe that Jesus Christ is the Redeemer and Saviour, who Teacheth, Ruleth, Pardoneth, Sanctifieth and Saveth all true penitent Believers; who is our Intercessor, Head and Judge. That we seriously believe that the Holy Ghost indited and sealed by his Gifts and Miracles the Doctrine and Writings of the Prophets and Apostles, now recorded in the Scriptures, and that he is sent from the Father and the Son to Regenerate, Sanctify, Comfort and Strengthen those that shall be saved.