N00499:95
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.
Eighthly. Things will Go well, with a people, when Regeneration becomes a frequent and common Thing, among the Rising Generation. It is Predicted that all Things will one Day Go well among the people of God; and it is thus expressed, in Isa. 64. 13, 14. All thy Children shall be taught ⟨p. 81⟩of the Lord, and Great shall be the peace of thy Children: In Righteousness thou shalt be established, thou shalt be far from Oppression. Where we may see an abundance of young people, seriously entering into Covenant with God; Where young people are generally with Pierced and Broken Hearts crying out, What shall I do to be Saved? Where young people are generally so well-disposed, that it may be said of them, Behold they pray! Oh! how well are Things like to Go, among such a people. It is for this cause, that I cannot break off, before I have earnestly Addressed my own Generation, upon this All-concerning Article. O Generation, see the Word of the Lord! If YOU, that are Young People, would now generally Turn to God, and if instead of Walking in the Ways of your Hearts, and the sight of your Eyes, you would generally be associating your selves with such Companions as would quicken you in the fear of God, and Exercise your selves in Devotions agreeable to them that are Travelling for another World, and Live as those who Know that God will bring them into Judgment; we should soon think that all Things would Go well among us. We apprehend that Things do not Go well, because the Anger of God is exceedingly and peculiarly Burning against You, of the Rising ⟨p. 82⟩Generation; and the Angel of Death seems to have had a special Commission, for the Destroying of You. If the Wrath of the Omnipotent God, were once removed from You, and if the Most High would no more go on to say, I will take no pleasure in your Young Men! all Things would Go well apace. Come then; My Brethren: Let the wicked Young Man, Forsake his way, and the Unrighteous One his Thoughts; and let us Turn unto the Lord. Methinks I hear the Lord Jesus from Heaven, sighing over us; O that they were wise, that they would consider their Latter End! O that they would Remember their Creator in the Days of their Youth! If they were once Good, I would soon make all things to go well among my people there!
Eighthly. Things will Go well, with a people, when Regeneration becomes a frequent and common Thing, among the Rising Generation. It is Predicted that all Things will one Day Go well among the people of God; and it is thus expressed, in Isa. 64. 13, 14. All thy Children shall be taught