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

TO THE JUDICIOUS and ingenuous Reader.

TO THE IVDICIOVS and ingenuous Reader.

How backward I have ever heretofore bin (best knowing mine own weakness) to publish ought by the Press, they best know, who having oft pressed me thereunto, have never hitherto therein prevailed. Now a twofold necessity is imposed upon me of doing somewhat in this kind, partly by the importunity of divers Christian friends, religious and judicious, who having either heard, being partakers of my public Ministry, or heard of by report of others, or upon request seen some part of this weak work, have not ceased to solicit the further publishing of it: As also partly, (and more specially) by the iniquity of some others, who being of contrary judgment in some particulars therein disputed, have bin more forward than was fit by un-christian slanders and uncharitable censures to tax and traduce both me and it. From whose unjust and undeserved aspersions no way seemed better and readier to clear either, than by offering to open view of all, what I had before delivered in an obscure auditory (to speak of) among but a few. And this thou hast here (good Reader) for effect and substance the same that was then and there delivered, ⟨image 6⟩enlarged only with such matter of History and Humanity as was not so fit to pester the Pulpit or encumber that Auditory withal. For the occasion of entering first into this discourse, and motives of wading so far in it, I refer thee to ^athat part of it where I render an account thereof, unwilling to stay thee longer, than needs must be, in the entry. If any shall surmise that writings in this kind may occasion too much liberty, a thing that little needeth in this over-licentious age: I answer briefly; first that