An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches

§. 2. Therefore the first Apprehensions of the mind do greatly tend to the introduction of those that follow, to make them such as shall agree with these: And here, 1. Sense, and 2. Education have the great advantage. 1. We exercise Sense before Reason, and therefore, at first, without the government of our own Reason, and this necessarily, strongly, and constantly, as the Brutes do. 2. And being therefore governed by the Reason of our Parents, we learn Knowledge of them, and from sensible Objects, •ut drop by drop, by slow degrees; and Sense being strong, inclineth Children strongly to desire ⟨p. 2⟩that sort of Knowledge, which will most serve the pleasure of Sense and Fleshly Appetite: And so they easily learn how to sport, and after how to seek Pro••ssion (by Labour and Trades, and Fla• terry▪ […].) t• satisfy the Desires of the Flesh. But the […]dg of things spiritual and everlasting which are beyond the reach of Sight and all the Se ses, cometh not in so soon▪ nor till Parents o• other Teachers tell them of such, or Reason grow up to maturity, by Experience and serious Exercise, and withal, the Grace of God to bless such Help•, and overcome the contrary fleshly inclinations, which original Pravity and customary Sensuality, raise up against the Desires of, Endeavours for, and Obedience to a spiritual and more excellent Knowledge. Where God giveth, 1. A Body moderately temperated as to Sensuality and Ingenuity; 2. And Parents, or first-Teachers, wise and faithful, to teach Children that spiritual Knowledge which they have learn• themselves; and, 3. by His Grace exciteth Children's Minds to love, learn, and obey the Truth, there enter the beginnings of truest Wisdom: But where these are wanting, they grow up, instead of saving Wisdom, to the craftiness of a Fo•, to get, keep, and devour his Prey, and to the valour and felicity of the Mastiff, to be Master of the little Dogs; and at last, to the subtlety of Devils, to oppose and destroy as a hated thing the Holy Wisdom and Practice that should have saved them.