Question 36: Must they not admit before God in their souls that many among them were much more lo...

Question 36: Must they not admit before God in their souls that many among them were much more loving, meek, humble, and so forth before their baptism than afterwards?

Answer: Our answer to this is "No," unless it would be for those who were cut off as withered branches, or unless this meant the simulated love which is feigned for the sake of bread or honor, and which does not punish sins and errors. This kind of love says: "Leave me alone in my own will, opinion, and actions, and I will leave you alone in yours; we will love each other and be brethren." If this is meant, then we confess that it is true. Unfortunately, we stayed long enough in this pernicious hypocritical love, while we were still among the Pietists. Now we have learned, and must continue to learn, that kind of love which hates and punishes wickedness and evil.