Answ. To this I answer; That our reasonings ought not to countermand, or contradict Divine Injunctions. We are commanded by God in the Book of Deuteronomy, 1to whet the Law upon our Children. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. By the bending of young trees, and putting young fruit into glasses, you may form them into what shape you please. The Apostle commends the president of Timothy to the whole Christian world,2 that [[Greek or Hebrew]] from a little sucking child, as the word imports, he had known the holy Scriptures. Some children have been sanctified from the birth, as is evident in Jeremiah, and John Baptist. ⟨p. 197⟩Now we being ignorant, who are under the election of God, must use the means to all, especially such as are under the federal stipulation between God and us; such as are the children of believing Parents. They are commanded to remember their Creator in the days of their youth: 3And who should make such impressions of God upon their hearts, but those that are over them by Divine Appointment, who ought to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 4As Seals are to be imprinted upon the wax, while it is tender: [[Greek or Hebrew]] so, teaching and instruction will best fix upon their minds while yet they are children,5 So soon as ever reason begins to sprout forth, yea as soon as they are drawn from the breasts,6 begin to season younglings with the sense of Gods Majesty and Mercy. Gardeners begin to graft, so soon as ever the sap begins to arise in the spring, and the bud of the stock to swell and enlarge. Colts must be backed before their mettle grows too high; and Heifers must be used to the yoke, before they attain to their full strength, or else they will prove unserviceable. God commanded in the old Law more Lambs, Kids, and Bullocks, young Turtles, and Pigeons, to be offered upon his Altar, than those of elder growth:7 first-fruits and green-corn must be presented to the Lord. To intimate the dedication of our children (those reasonable Sacrifices) unto the Temple and service of God, while they are young and tender.8 The sooner you sow, the sooner you may reap. Sow thy seed in the morning, 9says Solomon. The benefit of timely instruction is scarce imaginable. But I come to the third.
Answ. To this I answer; That our reasonings ought not to countermand, or contradict Divine Injunctions. Wee are commanded by God in the Book of Deuteronomy, 1to whet the Law upon our Children. Train up a childe in the way hee should go, and when hee is old hee will not depart from it. By the bending of young trees, and putting young fruit into glasses, you may form them into what shape you please. The Apostle commends the president of Timothy to the whole Christian world,2 that [〈non-Latin alphabet〉] from a little sucking childe, as the word imports, hee had known the holy Scriptures. Some children have been sanctified from the birth, as is evident in Jeremy, and John Baptist. ⟨p. 197⟩Now wee being ignorant, who are under the election of God, must use the means to all, especially such as are under the faederal stipulation between God and us; such as are the children of beleeving Parents. They are commanded to remember their Creator in the daies of their youth: 3And who should make such impressions of God upon their hearts, but those that are over them by Divine Appointment, who ought to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 4As Seals are to be imprinted upon the wax, while it is tender: [〈non-Latin alphabet〉] so, teaching and instruction will best fix upon their minds while yet they are children,5 So soon as ever reason begins to sprout forth, yea as soon as they are drawn from the breasts,6 begin to season younglings with the sense of Gods Ma•esty and Mercy. Gardiners begin to graft, so soon as ever the sap begins to arise in the spring, and the bud of the stock to swell and inlarge. Colts must be backt before their mettle grows too high; and Heifers must be used to the yoak, before they attain to their full strength, or else they will prove unserviceable. God commanded in the old Law more Lambs, Kids, and Bullocks, young Turtles, and Pidgeons, to bee offered upon his Altar, than those of elder growth:
- 1Deut. 6.7. Prov. 22.
- 22 Tim. 3.15. Jer. 1.5. Luk. 1.41, 44.
- 3Eccles. 12.1.
- 4Ephes. 6.4.
- 5Plut. [Greek or Hebrew]. p. 5.Plut. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. p. 5.
- 6Isa. 28.9.
- 7Levit. 2.14.
- 8Rom. 11.1.
- 9Eccles. 11.9.
