A01540:77
A just defence of certain passages in a former treatise concerning the nature and…A iust defence of certaine passages in a former treatise concerning the nature and…
A just defence of certain passages in a former treatise concerning the nature and use of lots, against such exceptions and oppositions as have been made thereunto to Mr. I.B. Wherein the insufficiency of his answers given to the arguments brought in defence of a lusorious lot is manifested; the imbecility of his arguments produced against the same further discovered; and the point it self in controversy more fully cleared; by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and author of the former treatise.A iust defence of certaine passages in a former treatise concerning the nature and vse of lots, against such exceptions and oppositions as have beene made thereunto to Mr. I.B. Wherein the insufficiencie of his answers giuen to the arguments brought in defence of a lusorious lot is manifested; the imbecillitie of his arguments produced against the same further discouered; and the point it selfe in controuersie more fully cleared; by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and author of the former treatise.
London: printed by John Haviland for Robert Bird, 1623London: printed by Iohn Haviland for Robert Bird, 1623
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.
1. I fear there will not want those that will1 qstrongly suspect that some speeches of Mr. Bs. here proceed rather from spleen and gall against Mr. G. than from love to any truth supposed to be opposed by him; and that with much better colour, than Mr. B. can deduce that which he here chargeth me with from any words of mine here alleged. For what one title of all that Mr. B. allegeth here out of my Book, intimateth any such thing as is here by Mr. B. thence deduced, to wit, that the word of God is imperfect. As if that which there is nothing in Gods word against it, were not warranted by the word: or the word must needs be imperfect if this be held sufficient warrant for an action, that there is nothing in Gods word against it. For thence must this heinous Charge be inferred, if from any part of my Position at all. Which Position, or whatsoever else Mr. B. pleaseth to stile it, (for it is propounded by me only, as matter ⟨p. 28⟩of consideration, not as a peremptory position,) he should have done well to have related all out in mine own words, which are these; It may be thought a sufficient warrant for the use of th•se Lots, in that the oppugners of them being m•n so learned, and so well read in Gods word, can say nothing against them, but what either hath been or may be sufficiently answered by others. Which words are there spoken, not as presupposing that learned men cannot fail• in reading, understanding, and remembrance, but as very probably presuming that men learned & well read in the word, bending their minds and studies that way, might and should at length find out such a special institution and consecration of Lottery in general to be a divine sentence and an holy Oracle, that might not lightly therefore be dealt with, if it were any where to be found. And that the contrary issue of their diligent search and industrious opposition producing nothing but what had been or might easily be answered, might seem sufficient to produce such a moral certainty as in ci•ill Actions the Casuists do ordinarily require. But I refer my self and Mr. Bs. dealing herein to the judgement of any unpartial par•ie upon due view of the place it self.