N00499:31
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.
nor will he let the Loathsome Steam and Stench of an Open Sepulchre come thro' his Throat, by his descanting upon those things, whereof the Apostle says, Tis a shame to speak of them. Finally, A Good Man would speak Deliberately, when ever he speaks. He would neither speak Too soon; because words can't be Eaten. And he considers, The heart of the Righteous studies to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Nor would he speak Too much; because when the Chest is always open, tis taken for granted, there is little that's valuable there. And he considers, In the multitude of words, there wants not sin. What shall I say more; A Good Man would speak so, as becomes one that remembered, what the Scripture says, The Lord hearkened and heard! It is reported by Tertullian, that the Feasts among the Faithful in the Primitive Times, were seasoned with very Savoury ⟨p. 18⟩Communications; and he gives this as the cause of it; Ita fabulantur, ut qui sciant Dominum andire. Thus let a good man be where he will; suppose at the table, yea, or in the Tavern, he would speak, what he would be willing to find in the Book of Gods Remembrance.
nor will he let the Loathesome Steam and Stench of an Open Sepulchre come thro' his Throat, by his descanting upon those things, whereof the Apostle saies, Tis a shame to speak of them. Finally, A Good Man would speak Deliberately, when ever he speaks. He would neither speak Too soon; because words can't bee Eaten. And he considers, The heart of the Righteous studies to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. Nor would he speak Too much; because when the Chest is always open, tis taken for granted, there is little that's valuable there. And he considers, In the multitude of words, there wants not sin. What shall I say more; A Good Man would speak so, as becomes one that remembred, what the Scripture saies, The Lord hearkened and heard! It is reported by Tertullian, that the Feasts among the Faithful in the Primitive Times, were seasoned with very Savoury ⟨p. 18⟩Communications; and he gives this as the cause of it; Ita fabulantur, ut qui sciant Dominum andire. Thus let a good man be where he will; suppose at the table, yea, or in the Tavern, he would speak, what he would be willing to find in the Book of Gods Remembranee.