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

In which regard is such play by reverend Divines justly condemned, ^gwherein the matter engaged icapordeth a mans stock or his state. As also the civill Law in this regard inhibiteth these games among others, for that many did ^hnot so much play as cast their wealth away at them, playing night and day for gold and silver, and jewels and plate; and ⁱsoldiers panning their weapons and armour at play. And for this cause the same Law allowing yet some other games, forbiddeth any man to hazard at them ^kabove a shilling ⟨p. 241⟩a game, though he be of good ability, or a far less sum if he be of meaner estate, ^lthat the Looser may sustain• no notable loss. And ^mour laws likewise inhibit any but the richer and better sort the use of these games and other the like, whereat much may be soon lost, save at certain times only: thereby to prevent the wretched practise of such, as would otherwise be continually crumbling away their wealth by the ordinary use of them: Which for any man to do it is no better then plain stealth. It is to rob the poor, whom ⁿhe ought to relieve (but by this means disableth himself so to do) and ^owhose necessity giveth them a right to his wealth: it is to rob his family, ^pwhich he ought to maintain, and ^qwhich not to provide for is made the note of a counterfeit Christian, and one worse then a professed Infidel: it is to rob himself: and as Solomon saith,