How did Locke's upbringing and education shape his views as an Enlightenment thinker?

John Locke's upbringing and education likely had a significant effect on the philosophical views he developed. It is difficult to say with certainty just how much and in what ways his upbringing influenced his philosophy; however, if we look closely at his childhood and early years, it is possible to draw some possible conclusions.
John Locke's father was a country lawyer and former officer in the parliamentary forces during the English Civil War. Being exposed to legal concepts from a young age likely gave young John an appreciation for the role that the state plays in a person's life. He was also raised in a Puritan family and remained religious throughout his life. He would later apply a lawyer's critical outlook to matters of religious faith. He thought faith should be based on logical conclusions, not blind adherence to scripture.
John Locke attended the highly acclaimed Westminster School and later Christ Church in Oxford. Locke was not enthralled with the traditional philosophy being taught at his colleges. He found this traditional education to be too limiting and lacking in creativity in thought. He began using his own time to study modern philosophers, such as Rene Descartes, who he found much more compelling and applicable to his times.
Although he was still very interested in experimental philosophy, Locke decided on a career in medicine. After college, he began an apprenticeship under the renowned physician Thomas Sydenham. Sydenham actively encouraged Lock to pursue his philosophical endeavors, as well as medicine. As a mentor, Sydenham helped Locke formulate his thoughts on the nature of human thought.