A01545:209
Of the nature and use of lots a treatise historical and theologicalOf the nature and vse of lots a treatise historicall and theologicall
Of the nature and use of lots a treatise historical and theological; written by Thomas Gataker B. of D. sometime preacher at Lincolns Inn, and now pastor of Rotherhith.Of the nature and vse of lots a treatise historicall and theologicall; written by Thomas Gataker B. of D. sometime preacher at Lincolnes Inne, and now pastor of Rotherhith.
London: printed by Edward Griffin, 1619
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.
That is not true therefore that one of our Writers saith, that gRome directed the main course of her government by the Fortune of this mock-destiny. For neither were the Officers themselves ordinarily chosen by Lot, neither did they retain the use of it in matters of special weight or difficulty: the only constant use of it was in dividing the Provinces and Jurisdictions, as if the Judges with us should cast Lots for their Circuits; and the two in each Circuit whether should sit upon private suites, and whether upon public pleas. Which course also as they brake, where the employments were of more special importance; so, if in using the Lot, it fell not out so, as seemed behovefull for the State, hthey made bold, as they might well do, to control the Lottery, and to dispose of things otherwise.
That is not true therefore that one of our Writers saith, that gRome directed the maine course of her gouernment by the Fortune of this mocke-destinie. For neither were the Officers themselues ordinarily chosen by Lot, neither did they retaine the vse of it in matters of speciall weight or difficultie: the only constant vse of it was in diuiding the Prouinces and Iurisdictions, as if the Iudges with vs should cast Lots for their Circuits; and the two in each Circuit whether should sit vpon priuate suites, and whether vpon publike pleas. Which course also as they brake, where the imploiments were of more speciall importance; so, if in vsing the Lot, it fell not out so, as seemed behouefull for the State, hthey made bold, as they might well doe, to controle the Lotery, and to dispose of things otherwise.
- gClem. Edmund on Caesars comment. l. 1. c. 20.
- hMummio Praetori Sardinia e•enerat: sed ca propter belli magnitudinem consularia f•cta est. Liu. l. 41. an. 577. Baebio & Atilio primum Senatus consulto, deinde plebis etiam scito permutala provinci sunt. Idem l. 35. an. 562. Hostilio jurisdictio urbana eenerat: addita & peregrina, ut tres in provincias exirent. Idem lib. 27. an. 47. Cùm de Consularibus masors prima exisset, una vice Senatus frequens retinendum i urbe cemsuit; hoc idem post me Pmpris acidic […] ut nes duo quasi pignora reipublicae rtineri videamur. Cic. ad Attic. Epist. 14. Fabiam Pictorm Flamine Quirinalem cui Sardinia provincia nneras, Mtellus Pont. Max. adsra retinuit: religio vicit, & dicto audiens esse Flamen Pontifici jussus. Liu. l. 37. an. 565.