Of the nature and use of lots a treatise historical and theologicalOf the nature and vse of lots a treatise historicall and theologicall

In single Combats ⁱa Champion was sometime singled out by Lot: and ^kby Lot it was determined (if a Poets word may go for good) whether of the twain should give the onset. In jeopardous exploits, or where multitude might cause confusion, and hinder rather then help, a Lot was called in, to order and marshal the matter. Thus ^lby Lot it is said to have been decided who should be enclosed in the wooden Horses womb at the taking of Troy. Thus^m Timoleon being to pass a river with his army in the face of the enemy, took the rings of the several Leaders by drawing them to decide in what order they should pass; and when the ring of one of them that had a Trophy engraven on it, came first to hand, they left all further lotting, and with great alacrity made each of them with all speed they could over, and so discomfited those forces, that stood on the other side to inhibit their passage. And thus ⁿPericles, when he could hardly restrain his people inconsiderately over-eager on sight, he divided them into two parts, and by Lot assigned them, some to skirmish, and some to rest and make merry the whilst, to wit, that part of them ^othat lighted on the white bean: whence it grew, saith mine Author, to be a by-word applied to those that live at ease that they have ^pa white day of it, alluding to the white bean. In desperate cases, when they were resolved to die rather then to fall into the hand of the enemy, and to be at his mercy; ^qthey decided sometime by Lot who should slay either other; ⟨p. 62⟩and ^r