The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

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: