A26959:609
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second…
More proofs of infants church-membership and consequently their right to baptism, or, A second defence of our infant rights and mercies in three parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for N. Simmons and J. Robinson, 1675
Chapter 2: More of my Judgement of the Anabaptists and their Cause, with a motion to them for peace.
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. I am not therefore half so zealous to turn men from the opinion of Anabaptistry, as I am to persuade both them and others, that it is their duty to live together with mutual forbearance, in Love and Church-Communion notwithstanding such differences: For which they may ⟨p. 222⟩see more reasons given by one that once was of their mind and way (Mr. William Allen in his Retractation of Separation, *and His Persuasive to Unity) than any of them can soundly refel, though they may too easily reject them.
§. 13. I am not therefore half so zealous to turn men from the opinion of Anabaptistry, as I am to perswade both them and others, that it is their duty to live together with mutual forbearance, in Love and Church-Communion notwithstanding such differences: For which they may ⟨p. 222⟩see more reasons given by one that once was of their mind and way (Mr. William Allen in his Retractation of Separation, *and His Perswasive to Ʋnity) than any of them can soundly refel, though they may too easily reject them.
- *Satan will not consent that you should soberly read the Books.
§. 14. I am persuaded that the formal Ministers, and people, who make little more use of Baptism, than to give it to Infants, and to receive it in Infancy, have been the greatest occasion of Anabaptistry among us: when the people see that all being Baptized in Infancy, many afterwards live all their days, and never understand what Baptism is, and few ever solemnly and distinctly own and renew that Covenant when they come to age, (unless coming to Church and receiving the Lords Supper with as little understanding, be a renewing it,) this tempteth serious people that understand not the matter well themselves, to think that Infant-baptism doth but pollute the Churches, by letting in those who know not what they do, and after prove profane or Infidels: And they think that it is the only way to reformation to stay till they are ready to devote themselves understandingly to God. But this is their mistake: For, 1. If it were deferred till ripeness of age, one part would neglect it and continue Infidels; and another part would do all formally, as we see they do now at the other Sacrament, where the same Covenant is to be renewed. 2. There is a better remedy.