More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…

§. 7. Therefore I never took the point of it to have such weight, as that all that differed from me in it, must be denied either Love, Liberty or Communion: If I know my own heart I do as heartily love a sober godly man that is against Infant baptism, as I do such men that differ from me in other such Controversies; and much better than one of my own judgement, who hath less piety and sobriety. And I make no doubt but there are among us very many such, even sober and religious men, as there be among other parties.

§. 8. Nor do I think that there is so much malignity ⟨p. 220⟩in the bare opinion which denieth Infant Baptism, as that all the Anabaptists miscarriages should arise from the nature of that opinion. But I am past doubt that they arise from the diseased minds of many that hold it. When injudicious persons lay hold upon an opinion which is not common, their singularity kindleth a proud selfish zeal, and they take that opinion as more peculiarly their own, than the common Articles which all Christians hold: And therefore they grow fond of it, and are puffed up thereby with a conceit of their extraordinary knowledge: And then they seem to themselves more religious than others, and greater friends to the truth: And so Pride and Ignorance engage them in singularity and separation: And thus they would do, were it any other opinion, which they thought as highly of as this: So that it is not an Anabaptist as such, but the proud Church-divider, or Separatist that I am most offended at.

§. 8. Nor do I think that there is so much malignity ⟨p. 220⟩in the bare opinion which denieth Infant Baptism, as that all the Anabaptists miscarriages should arise from the nature of that opinion. But I am past doubt that they arise from the diseased minds of many that hold it. When injudicious persons lay hold upon an opinion which is not common, their singularity kindleth a proud selfish zeal, and they take that opinion as more peculiarly their own, than the common Articles which all Christians hold: And therefore they grow fond of it, and are puft up thereby with a conceit of their extraordinary knowledge: And then they seem to themselves more religious than others, and greater friends to the truth: And so Pride and Ignorance engage them in singularity and separation: And thus they would do, were it any other opinion, which they thought as highly of as this: So that it is not an Anabaptist as such, but the proud Church-divider, or Separatist that I am most offended at.