N00499:18
Optanda. Good men described, and good things propounded. A serious consideration of two very…
Optanda. Good men described, and good things propounded. A serious consideration of two very important cases. I. What should be our spirits, and II. What should be our studies, that so all things may go well among us. / By Cotton Mather. ; In two sermons; whereof one, was preached unto the governor, and General Court, of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England; at their first session: June 9. 1692. ; Published by authority[.]Optanda. Good men described, and good things propounded. A serious consideration of two very important cases. I. What should be our spirits, and II. What should be our studies, that so all things may go well among us. / By Cotton Mather. ; In two sermons; whereof one, was preached unto the governour, and General Court, of the province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England; at their first session: June 9. 1692. ; Published by authority[.]
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
We have here a description of a Wise Man, which the only Wise GOD put into the Heart, of One that was himself such a Man. To be too Solicitous and Inquisitive after the Aspect, ⟨p. 3⟩which these words may bear unto the Context, will be to forget the Independency of the Sacred Proverbs, which rather lie together like an heap of Unstrung Pearls, in the Book of our GOD. Nevertheless, tis plain that Solomon is here commending the Taciturnity, which Wise Men usually have a kindness for; and we have this, assigned as the Reason of the Silence, that is affected by such Men as those; Particularly, when they receive great provocations from their Injurious Neighbours, and are punished, even for their Justice, or Strucken for their Equity; How come they to be Sparing of their words! Why, they are of an Excellent Spirit.
Wee have here a description of a Wise Man, which the only Wise GOD put into the Heart, of One that was himself such a Man. To be too Sollicitous and Inquisitive after the Aspect, ⟨p. 3⟩which these words may bear unto the Context, will be to forget the Independency of the Sacred Proverbs, which rather ly together like an heap of Unstrung Pearls, in the Book of our GOD. Nevertheless, tis plain that Solomon is here commending the Taciturnity, which Wise Men usually have a kindness for; and we have this, assigned as the Reason of the Silence, that is affected by such Men as those; Particularly, when they receive great provocations from their Injurious Neighbours, and are punished, even for their Justice, or Strucken for their Equity; How come they to be Sparing of their words! Why, they are of an Excellent Spirit.
But referring all those Observations, which may be made upon the Circumstances of this Text, unto the place most proper for them, I shall, with Gods Help, Address my Self to Answer this most important CASE. What is that EXCELLENT SPIRIT, which a Good man desires, & studies to be adorned with!