N00499:63
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 would I desire my self to suffer Persecution upon a clearer cause, than that of testifying against our Persecution of other Christians, that are not of my own opinion. I am sure; Things will not go well as long as we incur the Fulfilment of that awful word, If ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Nevertheless, when Things go well, there are Magistrates that will set themselves to Advance all the Truths and Ways of God, among their people. Magistrates, are not only, themselves to Profess the Truths, and Practise the Ways of God; but also to Protect and Favour all them that shall do the like. There is an Aspect of Singular kindness, Defence and Support, which Magistrates are to bear unto them that Embrace, and much more, to them who Declare, the truths and ways of God. Things went well, when it could be said as 2 Chron. 30. 22. Hezekiah spake comfortably, unto all that taught ⟨p. 46⟩the good knowledge of the Lord. Moreover, it belongs unto Magistrates to punish all the vices which disturb the good order and repose of Humane Society; And hence also Liberty of Conscience is not to be permitted as a cloak for Liberty of Profaneness. To live without any Worship of God, or to Blaspheme and Revile his Blessed Name, is to be chastised, as abominably Criminal; for there can be no pretence of Conscience thereunto. Things will go well when they go thus; they go well when there is an accomplishment of that word, in Rom. 13. 3. Rulers are not a Terror to Good works, but unto the evil. Tis well known, That the Laws of England inflict Suitable penalties on such Vices, as Drunkenness, and Idleness, and the like; and yet no Liberty of Conscience is invaded in those wholesome Laws. If a man have been Drunk, for the first offence, he is to be fined notably; for the next offence, he is bound with two sureties for the good Behaviour. And if an Ale-House-keeper be Convicted of Drunkenness, he is disabled for three years to keep an Ale-House; and if the Keepers of such Houses do suffer any of the Parish to continue unseasonably Tippling in their Houses, there are yet sharper augmentations of the penalties. Thus for profane Cursing and Swearing, there is a mulct also by law provided. ⟨p. 47⟩A Phinehas now, that will set an edge upon such laws, will make things to go well among all the people.