N00499:76
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.
Thirdly, This […] will Go well, when Faithful and Painful Ministers find, at least so much Encouragement, as may prevent their sinking under the Temptations of Oppressing Poverty. The Israelites found that Things went well with them; when the Tribe of Levi, which was not a Fortieth part of the people, had as much maintenance, as Three of the Twelve Tribes besides; and yet, it would be thought Well enough, if our Ministers, were much less than Half so well considered. I pray, do but Consult the Words of the Almighty God Himself, in Mal. 3. 9, 10. Ye are Cursed with a Curse, for ye have Robbed me. Let there be Meat in my House, and prove me now herewith, if I do not pour you out a Blessing The Ministers of God in these Days are as Discerning Men, as those were of old and yet if they might have much less than a quarter part of what the Ancient Levite had, it would free them from a multitude of those Distractions, which now make many things to Go not well, even among ⟨p. 57⟩their Auditors: yea, except we have Renounced the Belief of the Great GOD Himself, A pour of Blessings would be like to follow the doing of Right in this matter. There is a Certain Portion of our Estates due unto our Heavenly Melchizedek, the Lord Jesus Christ: and His Ministers are among His Receivers. If you'll Read the Sixth Chapter to the Galatians, you'll Find, That God Himself hath said, He will make the Ministry of His Word most useful unto he Souls of them that are most Honest in the Payment (I say not, of these Alms, but) of these Dues unto Him. And if you'll mind some Little Towns among our selves, that have been most Expensive in the rendering of these Dues, You'll see, that they are not the less Thriving, or one jot the Poorer for it. Yea, 'tis worth Considering, Whether one whole Colony in this Land, have not had their Piety this way, sensibly Requited by Distinguishing Preservations from Common Calamities and Overturnings. What shall I say? The Oracles of God assure us, Things will Go Well, with Liberal Souls! It is the Glorious God Himself, that ha's Required, in I Cor.9.14. Even so ha's the Lord Ordained, That they which Preach the Gospel, should Live of the Gospel. Which Greek word, for, The Gospel, is taken ⟨p. 58⟩in Heathen Authors, for the Gift that was given unto men, that brought Good News unto the Neighbourhood.