A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

2. Parents have their children in hand betimes, before they are fly-blown with any false Opinions, or leavened with bad impressions; before they have any other sin than that which was born with them. Parents therefore have an opportunity of making the first impressions on them, even while they are most docile, tender, flexible, and least apt to make resistance against instruction. But now when they come to their Minister, Instructor, Tutor, they are as a Paper Printed before, and therefore unapt to receive another Impression. They have much to be untaught before they can be taught: fraught with self conceitedness and proud objections, more apt to strive against and resist Instruction, than humbly and readily to receive it.

2. Parents have their children in hand betimes, before they are fly-blown with any false Opinions, or leven'd with bad impressions; before they have any other sin than that which was born with them. Parents therefore have an opportunity of making the first impressions on them, even while they are most docile, tender, flexible, and least apt to make resistance against instruction. But now when they come to their Minister, Instructer, Tutor, they are as a Paper Printed before, and therefore unapt to receive another Impression. They have much to be untaught before they can be taught: fraught with self conceitedness and proud objections, more apt to strive against and resist Instruction, than humbly and readily to receive it.

3. To wind up this Argument on the closest Bottom. Children wholly depend on Parents for their present maintenance and their future Portions, and they know 'tis their interest to hearken and obey. Parents Authority over their Children is most unquestionable. They dare not open their mouths against it, as they will adventure to do against Ministers. Parents have the Power of the Rod to back Instruction, Prov. 22.15. They best know the peculiar Diseases and temperatures of their Children, and so best know how to choose and apply the most proper Remedy. Parents are nearest their Children, and can best discern all their faults in time; and have opportunity of speaking to them in the most familiar manner, that may best be understood, and after this to inculcate their Instructions, and drive them home, that what is not done at one time may be done at another.