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

§ 2. And of this nature are the arguments that are usually brought for the confirmation of the truth in this point. Which in regard therefore of the invalidity and insufficiency of them leaving to their several Authors to make good as they may, we will assay to give some sounder grounds: And for the present we will press only the testimony of Solomon, where speaking of such kind of Lots as these are, he saith, that ^oThe Lot stayeth or ••inteth contentions or suites, and maketh partition among the mighty. In which words the holy Ghost manifestly not alloweth only and approveth the use of Lots in such cases, but commendeth it unto us as a wife and discreet course for the taking away of controversies ⟨p. 88⟩and questions in this kind, and the preventing of law-suites or other quarrels that thence otherwise might arise. The place is pregnant, and the proof express, considering whom it is spoken by. Neither shall I need to spend many words for the present either for the further urging and enforcing of it, or the seconding of it with other arguments: partly because most Divines generally concur in the approbation of them, though their proofs be most of them impertinent; and one evident argument may well suffice in a matter not much controversed; and partly also because the point will receive further strength from the arguments that shall ^phereafter be produced for the next sort of Lots, which are more questionable then these. Whither referring the Reader for fuller satisfaction, we will proceed in the next place to consider of the Cautions necessarily to be observed in the use of such Lots.

§ 2. And of this nature are the arguments that are vsually brought for the confirmation of the truth in this point. Which in regard therefore of the inualidity and insufficiencie of them leauing to their seuerall Authors to make good as they may, we will assay to giue some sounder groundes: And for the present we will presse onely the testimonie of Salomon, where speaking of such kinde of Lots as these are, he saith, that ^oThe Lot staieth or inteth contentions or suites, and maketh partition among the mightie. In which words the holy Ghost manifestly not alloweth onely and approueth the vse of Lots in such cases, but commendeth it vnto vs as a wife and discreete course for the taking away of controuersies