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.
Thomas Gataker 1574–1654London: printed by Edward Griffin, 1619
[12], 360 p. · 94k words · STC 11670 · ESTC S102922
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.
Yea 3so Marcian a Nestorian Abbot would needs have Lots cast, 4after the example of the Apostles forsooth, between his heretical Monks and the orthodox Bishops, to be thereby informed whether of them held the truth: which being cast, saith the story, it went with the Bishops, whereupon he and his Monks, the most of them, came home unto them. 5And so lastly in our English Writers we read that one Peter of T•loose being accused of heresy, ⟨p. 283⟩and having denied it upon his oath, one of those that stood by for the trial of the truth of his oath 6opened suddenly at adventure the book that he had sworn upon, wherein the first words he lighted on were those of the Devil to our Saviour, 7What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God, Jesus? Which, saith the reporter of it, sorted well with such an Heretic, who indeed hath nothing to do with Christ. But of this manner of book Lottery we shall entreat further 8hereafter.
Yea 3so Marcian a Nestorian Abbot would needs haue Lots cast, 4after the example of the Apostles forsooth, betweene his hereticall Monkes and the orthodox Bishops, to be thereby informed whether of them held the truth: which being cast, saith the story, it went with the Bishops, whereupon he and his Monkes, the most of them, came home vnto them. 5And so lastly in our English Writers wee read that one Peter of Tloose being accused of heresie,
What haue we to doe with thee, thou Son of God, Iesus? Which, saith the reporter of it, sorted well with such an Heretike, who indeed hath nothing to doe with Christ. But of this manner of booke Lotery we shall entreat further
3Cyril. monach. in vita Euthy••ij apud Surium Jan. 20. & Baronius annal. tom. 6. an. 477.Cyrill. monach. in vita Euthy••ij apud Surium Ian. 20. & Baronius annal. tom. 6. ann. 477.
4Apostolicum sequentes exemplum, sorts jaciamus. Marcianus Archimandrita ad monachos suos.Apostolicum sequentes exemplum, sortes iaciamus. Marcianus Archimandrita ad monachos suos.
5Henricus Claravall. in epist. apud R•g. Hoveden par. 2. anno 1 178.Henricus Clarauall. in epist. apud R•g. Houeden par. 2. anno 1 178.
For the thing it self, it is too too common among us even to this day, sby Lot to make enquiry after thieves, and for things stolen or lost, some using tan hollow key and a book, some *an axe and an helve, some ua five and a pair of sheers or other like toys, and some repeating 1part of a Psalm, others abusing the name of xsome Saints; of which practise well saith ythat reverend Prelate before oft alleged, that the Devil whom such Persons as use it, gratify by this their Sorcery, and who also produced zScripture and 2Saints names to as good purpose as they do, hath 3sifted them to the bran and scarce left a grain of good Christianity in them: and the laws both aCanon and bCivill condemn it.
For the thing it selfe, it is too too common among vs euen to this day, sby Lot to make enquiry after theeues, and for things stolne or lost, some vsing tan holow key and a booke, some *an axe and an helue, some ua fiue and a paire of sheeres or other like toies, and some repeating 1part of a Psalm, others abusing the name of xsome Saints; of which practise well saith ythat reuerend Prelate before oft alleadged, that the Deuill whom such Persons as vse it, gratifie by this their Sorcery, and who also produced zScripture and 2Saints names to as good purpose as they doe, hath 3sifted them to the bran and scarce left a graine of good Christianitie in them: and the lawes both aCanon and bCiuill condemne it.
sIn furta & res amissas sortibus inquirer. Aret. problem p. 1. loc. 67. caut. 3.In furta & res amissas sortibus inquirere. Aret. problem p. 1. loc. 67. caut. 3.
t[Greek or Hebrew], de qua Del•io mag. disq. tom. 2. l. 4. c. 2. q. 6. §. 4. •. 12.〈non-Latin alphabet〉, de qua Del•io mag. disq. tom. 2. l. 4. c. 2. q. 6. §. 4. •. 12.
*[Greek or Hebrew]. de qua Delrio ibid. n. 10 & Plin. hist. not. l. 36. c. 19.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. de qua Delrio ibid. n. 10 & Plin. hist. nat. l. 36. c. 19.
u[Greek or Hebrew]. de quae Delrio ibid. n 9. Georg. Pictor. epitom. Mag. & Erasm. adag. chill. 1. cent. 10. adag. 8.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. de quae Delrio ibid. n 9. Georg. Pictor. epitom. Mag. & Erasm. adag. chil. 1. cent. 10. adag. 8.
aSorts quibus •uncta vos vestris discriminatis provincijs, quas patres damnaurunt, nihil aliud quàm divinationes & maleficia esse decernimus: omninò itaque damnamus, & sub anathemate prohibemus. Leo 3. ad Episcopos Britanniae apud Grat. c. 6. q. 5. In tabulis, codicibus, alijsue sorte furata non sunt requirenda: nec divinationes ullis in rebus obseruanda. Theodor. penitential. in decretal. l. 5. tit. 21. c. 1. Suspension & poenitentia multatur ibid. c. 2. sacerds ab Alex. 3. qui astrolabium de furto consuluerat.
§ 7. Now further Lots Extraordinary have sometime been used as for the discovery of some hidden matter past or present, so for the presaging or foretelling of some future event, thereby to direct men what course to take in their affairs, or what success they might therein expect. So that cas the former extraordinary Lots were partly divisory and partly divinatory, so these latter are partly consultory and partly divinatory, being used partly for consultation and partly for divination, or for consultation by way of divination. For to divide ought by Lot barely is ordinary, and maketh a Lot merely divisory: but to divide or share out ought by Lot, expecting to have the division by Lot made exactly and precisely according to the right of the thing divided in regard of those among whom it is divided, or according to the truth of some thing that is thereby enquired into, is extraordinary and maketh it a divinatory Lot. Again to distribute offices by Lot barely, as to design thereby who shall have this place who that place, or who be admitted and who excluded, is ordinary and but divisory; but to expect that God should thereby reveal whom he deemeth fit or unfit, or whom he hath fore-assigned to any office, is extraordinary and divinatory. And so here to determine by Lot what course a man shall take of two equally and indifferently propounded, is ordinary, and maketh a Lot merely divisory; or if consultory, but improperly so termed: but to enquire or determine by it what course is best to take as likely to prove luckiest and most successful, is extraordinary, and maketh ⟨p. 285⟩a Lot divinatory and consultory properly so termed.
§ 7. Now further Lots Extraordinarie haue sometime beene vsed as for the discouery of some hidden matter past or present, so for the presaging or foretelling of some future euent, thereby to direct men what course to take in their affaires, or what successe they might therein expect. So that cas the former extraordinary Lots were partly diuisory and partly diuinatorie, so these latter are partly consultory and partly diuinatory, being vsed partly for consultation and partly for diuination, or for consultation by way of diuination. For to diuide ought by Lot barely is ordinarie, and maketh a Lot meerely diuisory: but to diuide or share out ought by Lot, expecting to haue the diuision by Lot made exactly and precisely according to the right of the thing diuided in regard of those among whom it is diuided, or according to the truth of some thing that is thereby enquired into, is extraordinary and maketh it a diuinatory Lot. Againe to distribute offices by Lot barely, as to designe thereby who shall haue this place who that place, or who be admitted and who excluded, is ordinary and but diuisory; but to expect that God should thereby reueale whom hee deemeth fit or vnfit, or whom he hath fore-assigned to any office, is extraordinarie and diuinatory. And so here to determine by Lot what course a man shal take of two equally and indifferently propounded, is ordinary, and maketh a Lot meerely diuisory; or if consultory, but improperly so tearmed: but to enquire or determine by it what course is best to take as likely to proue luckiest and most successefull, is extraordinarie, and maketh ⟨p. 285⟩a Lot diuinatorie and consultorie properly so tearmed.
cHinc Thom. de sort. c. 2. sorts super Jona, Jonathan, Achane, Matthia jactas divisorias facit: ab Hamane jactas consultorijs annumerat.Hinc Thom. de sort. c. 2. sortes super Iona, Ionathan, Achane, Matthia iactas diuisorias facit: ab Hamane iactas consultorijs annumerat.
Now to this purpose are Lots found used, either where the attempt it self is questioned, or where the attempt and business it self is resolved, but the circumstances of time place and person are yet undetermined.
Now to this purpose are Lots found vsed, either where the attempt it selfe is questioned, or where the attempt and busines it selfe is resolued, but the circumstances of time place and person are yet vndetermined.
First where the attempt it self is not fully resolved on. As dwhere Jonathan and his armour-bearer agree to show themselves to a garrison of the Philistines, who if upon discovery of them they should will them to stay till they come to them, they would then stay their attempt and not proceed on with it; but if they should call them to come up to them, they would go on in their attempt, taking that as a sign that God would give them victory against them. Which when they had accordingly made trial of, and the Philistines invited them to come up unto them, they clambered up the rock on their hands and their feet to them, and GOD discomfited the Philistines that they fled before them, and they slew a twenty of them within compass of an acre of ground. It was not ea conjecturing of the minds or courage of their adversaries by their answer, as some of the Rabbins have supposed, but ga sign that Jonathan set himself, much like fthat of Eliezer Abraham's man before mentioned, whereby he minded to discover whether God were pleased to further and give success to them in that enterprise or no.
First where the attempt it selfe is not fully resolued on. As dwhere Ionathan and his armour-bearer agree to shew themselues to a garrison of the Philistines, who if vpon discouery of them they should will them to stay till they come to them, they would then stay their attempt and not proceede on with it; but if they should call them to come vp to them, they would go on in their attempt, taking that as a signe that God would giue them victory against them. Which when they had accordingly made triall of, and the Philistines inuited them to come vp vnto them, they clambered vp the rocke on their hands and their feete to them, and GOD discomfited the Philistines that they fled before them, and they slew a twentie of them within compasse of an aker of ground. It was not ea coniecturing of the mindes or courage of their aduersaries by their answere, as some of the Rabbines haue supposed, but ga signe that Ionathan set himselfe, much like fthat of Eliezer Abrahams man before mentioned, whereby he minded to discouer whether God were pleased to further and giue successe to them in that enterprise or no.
eIllud animi f•r•u & ad pugnam parati, hoc indicium esseremissi & fracti. R. Levi & alij quos refellit Martyr ad 1. Sam. c. 14.Illud animi f•r•u & ad pugnam parati, hoc indicium esseremissi & fracti. R. Leui & alij quos refellit Martyr ad 1. Sam. c. 14.
gOmen: genus divinandi non nonū. Mart. ibid.Omen: genus diuinandi non nonū. Mart. ibid.
§ 8. Secondly Lots have been thus used where the attempt or business it self hath been resolved ⟨p. 286⟩on; but the circumstances of time, place, or persons have been undetermined.
§ 8. Secondly Lots haue beene thus vsed where the attempt or busines it selfe hath beene resolued ⟨p. 286⟩on; but the circumstances of time, place, or persons haue beene vndetermined.
Sometime they are found used where the persons against whom the attempt should be given are undetermined, and question being of twain or more, it is decided by Lot, which of them shall be first dealt withal.
Sometime they are found vsed where the persons against whom the attempt should be giuen are vndetermined, and question being of twaine or more, it is decided by Lot, which of them shall bee first dealt withall.
Thus it is said of the King of Babel Nebuchadnezzar, that hhe should stand at the head of a crossway where two turnings were, the one leading toward Jury and Jerusalem, the other toward Ammon and Rabba their head City: there he should consult with his Divines, that is, his Soothsayers or Sorcerers; and among other courses, beside inspection of the liver and entrails of beasts sacrificed, (a practise among the Heathen likewise much used) thereby to conjecture what success he should have; he should draw iLots also to try which way were best for him to take, whether to bend his forces in the first place against Ammon or against Judah, against Jerusalem or against Rabba: and the Lot in his right hand should come forth for Jerusalem; God in his secret providence so disposing it, as he fore-telleth by the Prophet, for the deserved destruction of his own rebellious people.
Thus it is said of the King of Babel Nebuchadnezar, that hhe should stand at the head of a crosseway where two turnings were, the one leading toward Iury and Ierusalem, the other toward Ammon and Rabba their head City: there he should consult with his Diuines, that is, his Soothsaiers or Sorcerers; and among other courses, beside inspection of the liuer and entrailes of beasts sacrificed, (a practise among the Heathen likewise much vsed) thereby to coniecture what successe he should haue; hee should draw iLots also to trie which way were best for him to take, whether to bend his forces in the first place against Ammon or against Iuda, against Ierusalem or against Rabba: and the Lot in his right hand should come forth for Ierusalem; God in his secret prouidence so disposing it, as he fore-telleth by the Prophet, for the deserued destruction of his owne rebellious people.
iHuc facit quod Seru Ae•. 10. Clarigationem, parum solidè tamen, [Greek or Hebrew] deducit. Nam per bellicam, inquit, sortē agros hostium inuad•bant.Huc facit quod Seru Ae•. 10. Clarigationem, parum solidè tamen, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 deducit. Nam per bellicam, inquit, sortē agros hostium inuad•bāt.
Now this divination of theirs was performed and practised, as some think, *by mingling of arrows with several inscriptions, which being first secretly shuffled were after openly drawn out: as others think, by kcasting up of a rod or lshooting of an arrow as directly as could be plum upward into the air, observing on which side it lighted when it came ⟨p. 287⟩down: (m the clause that both build on is somewhat ambiguous, and by divers eothers turned otherwaies:) as others again think, fby stones with inscriptions or marks on them, the one for Jerusalem, the other for Rabba: which is not altogether unlikely. Howsoever it were, it is apparent by the place, that some kind of Lottery or other was used in that consultation of his, and therein Authors all agree.
Now this diuination of theirs was performed and practised, as some thinke, *by mingling of arowes with seuerall inscriptions, which being first secretly shuffled were after openly drawne out: as others thinke, by kcasting vp of a rod or lshooting of an arow as directly as could be plum vpward into the aire, obseruing on which side it lighted when it came ⟨p. 287⟩downe: (m the clause that both build on is somewhat ambiguous, and by diuers eothers turned otherwaies:) as others againe thinke, fby stones with inscriptions or markes on them, the one for Ierusalem, the other for Rabba: which is not altogether vnlikely. Howsoeuer it were, it is apparent by the place, that some kinde of Lotery or other was vsed in that consultation of his, and therein Authors all agree.
*Commiscens sagittas. Vulg. ri•u gentis suae sagittas nominibus ins•ri• tas commiscendo: quam Graeci [Greek or Hebrew] vacant. Hieron. in Ezech c. 21. quem vise si vacat.Commiscens sagittas. Vulg. ri•u gentis suae sagittas nominibus ins•ri• tas commiscendo: quam Graeci 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 v•cant. Hieron. in Ezech c. 21. quem vise si vacat.
k[Greek or Hebrew]. Sept. Virga in aerem proiecta. Cyril. & Theoph• lact. in illud H•sh. 4.12. Populus meus virgas suas consulit. quod ipsi cum Hieronymo [Greek or Hebrew] dictum censent.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Sept. Virga in aerem proiecta. Cyril. & Theoph• lact. in illud H•sh. 4.12. Populꝰ meꝰ virgas suas consulit. quod ipsi cum Hieronymo 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 dictum censent.
lJecit sagittas. Chald. h•in aere volare fecit, ut videret in quam partem caderet. R. Joseph Kimchi.Iecit sagittas. Chald. h•in aere volare fecit, vt videret in quam partem caderet. R. I•seph Kimchi.
The like course may be thought to have been used also gby Sennacherib King of Assur: howbeit the one took not the same effect with the other, because it pleased not God to grant that success to the one, that he thought good to vouchsafe the other.
The like course may be thought to haue beene vsed also gby Senacherib King of Assur: howbeit the one tooke not the same effect with the other, because it pleased not God to grant that successe to the one, that hee thought good to vouchsafe the other.
Thus •hen hHaman had resolved to do what he could for the destroying and rooting out of the whole Jewish nation, he caused Lots to be cast for the day and the time; that is, by Lot he made enquiry what time would be fittest and most fortunate for the enterprising or executing of that his exploit. And the Lots being cast in the first month Nisan about our March from day to day and from month to month, fell out upon Adar the twelfth Month much about our February, near upon a twelve-month between; iwhat time it fell out contrary to Hamans expectation, and to that success that his Sorcerers had by their sorceries promised him: As the like delay upon the like ground ⟨p. 288⟩was a mean kto save a noble Roman in the enemies hands; and lgave Caesar a famous victory against the Germans when they looked to have had the like against him. Which custom the ancient 1Frislanders are reported also to have ordinarily used; and 2that a certain Christian Bishop with divers his Disciples being oft put upon it, the casting Lot never lighted either upon him, or upon any of his company, save one alone, who by that means was made a Martyr.
Thus •hen hHaman had resolued to doe what he could for the destroying and rooting out of the whole Iewish nation, he caused Lots to be cast for the day and the time; that is, by Lot he made enquiry what time would be fittest and most fortunate for the enterprising or executing of that his exploite. And the Lots being cast in the first month Nisan about our March from day to day and from month to month, fell out vpon Adar the twelfth Month much about our February, neere vpon a twelue-month betweene; iwhat time it fell out contrarie to Hamans expectation, and to that successe that his Sorcerers had by their sorceries promised him: As the like delay vpon the like ground ⟨p. 288⟩was a meane kto saue a noble Romane in the enemies hands; and lgaue Caesar a famous victorie against the Germanes when they looked to haue had the like against him. Which custome the auncient 1Frislanders are reported also to haue ordinarily vsed; and 2that a certaine Christian Bishop with diuers his Disciples being oft put vpon it, the casting Lot neuer lighted either vpon him, or vpon any of his companie, saue one alone, who by that meanes was made a Martyr.
hEst. 3.6, 7.
iEst. 9.2.
kIs (Val. Proc•llus Caesaris Legatus ab Ariovisto detenuus) se praesente de se ter sortibus consultum diceba•, utr•migni statim necaretur, an in aliud tempus reseruaretur: sortiū beneficio in•olumē se esse Caesar d• bell. Gallic. l. 1.Is (Val. Proc•llꝰ Caesaris Legatus ab Ariouisto detenuꝰ) se praesente de se ter sortibus consultum diceba•, vtr•migni statim necaretur, an in aliud tempus reseruaretur: sortiū beneficio in•olumē se esse Caesar d• bell. Gallic. l. 1.
lApud Germanos consuetudinem esse, ut matre•familias forum sortibus vati•inantibus declarest, v•tum praeliū committi ex usu esset, necne: eas dixisse, non esse fas Germanos superare si aete n•sam lunam praelio contendissent. Ibid. Sed haec illis m•ra fa•alis & le•halis ex•itit.Apud Germanos consuetudinem esse, vt matre•familias •orum sortibus vati•inantibus declare•t, v•tum praeliū committi ex vsu esset, necne: eas dixisse, non esse fas Germanos superare si aete n•sam lunam praelio contendissent. Ibid. Sed haec illis m•ra fa•alis & lehalis exitit.
§ 9. mThis kind of divination was very common and usual among the Heathen; whose Idols also used to give their answers oft times nby Lot. Whence it came to pass that their oOracles were in general called Sorts or Lots, though given many of them otherwise; and their Wizards or Soothsayers were called pSortilegi or Sortiarij; which name of Sorcerers and qSorcery we likewise now give generally to Witches and Wit cherry of all kinds▪
§ 9. mThis kinde of diuination was very common and vsuall among the Heathen; whose Idoles also vsed to giue their answeres oft times nby Lot. Whence it came to passe that their oOracles were in generall called Sortes or Lots, though giuen many of them otherwise; and their Wisards or Soothsaiers were called pSortilegi or Sortiarij; which name of Sorcerers and qSorcery we likewise now giue generally to Witches and Wit chery of all kindes▪
mHinc Pindar pith. od. •. [Greek or Hebrew] Adquē locū Schol. [Greek or Hebrew] Priscoiū institutorebus divinis opera datur, cùm aliquid commendandum est precatione; cúm exposcendum, voto; cùm soluendum gratula•ione; cùm inquirendū, extis vel sortihus: impertito, cum soleuni ritu p•ragendum, sacrificio, &c. Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. De his latissimè Cic. in libris de divinatione: quarū usum tamen su•tempore refrixiss• testatur.Hinc Pindar pyth. od. •. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Adquē locū Schol. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Priscoiū institutorebꝰ diuinis opera datur, cùm aliquid commendandum est precatione; cúm exposcendum, voto; cùm soluendum gratula•ione; cùm inquirendū, extis vel sortihꝰ: impertito, cum soleuni ritu p•ragendum, sacrificio, &c. Val. Max. l. 1. c. 1. De his latissimè Cic. in libris de diuinatione: quarū vsum tamen su•tempore refrixiss• testatur.
nHinc sorts Praen•stinae. Cic. de divin. l. 2. Dodonae•. Ibid. l. 1. Antiatinae Suet. Caio c. 57. Aponiana. Idem Tib. c. 14.Hinc sortes Praen•stinae. Cic. de diuin. l. 2. Dodonae•. Ibid. l. 1. Antiatinae Suet. Caio c. 57. Aponiana. Idem Tib. c. 14.
oSorts, [Greek or Hebrew] Gloss. Sors à Deis responsum sign Festus. - placuit coeleste p recari Numen, & auxiliū per sacras quarere sorts. Mota Dea est, sortenque d•dit. O•id. met. l. 1. Consulat ut sacras, h•minū oblectamina, sortes I•. 11. Et Cic. de divin. l. 2. Auspicia restant, & sortes hae quae dicuntur, non illae quae vaticinali•ue sunduntur, quae oracula veriùs dicimus. - dictae per carmina sorts. Hor. art.Sortes, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Gloss. Sors à Deis responsum sign Festus. - placuit coeleste p recari Numen, & auxiliū per sacras quarere sortes. Mota Dea est, sortenque d•dit. O•id. met. l. 1. Consulat vt sacras, h•minū oblectamina, sortes I•. 11. Et Cic. de diuin. l. 2. Auspicia restant, & sortes hae quae dicuntur, non illae quae vaticinali•ue sunduntur, quae oracula veriùs dicimꝰ. - dictae per carmina sortes. Hor. art.
pAb his sortibus s•rtilegi. Vatro de ling. Lat. l. 5. Utiliumque sagax rerun & divina futuri, Sortilegis non dis•repuit sententia Delphis. Hor. de art. poet.Ab his sortibus s•rtilegi. Vatro de ling. Lat. l. 5. Vtiliumque sagax rerū & diuina futuri, Sortilegis non dis•repuit sententia Delphis. Hor. de art. poet.
qHinc in jure Canonico titulus de sortilegijs. Decretal. l. 5. tit. 21.Hinc in iure Canonico titulus de sortilegijs. Decretal. l. 5. tit. 21.
The means and manner of their performance thereof were manifold; as were also the matters and affairs wherein they made use of it. For the Sclavonians, as the rJewish Rabbins write of them, used to pill a stick or a green-piece of wood on the one side leaving the bark on the other side, and then casting it up into the air, by it to conjecture of the good or bad success of their business intended, as it lighted with the bark or the bare side of it upward. Not altogether unlike that which is reported sof the Chinois, that they use to the like purpose two sticks tied together with a string of some length, on the one side flat, and round on the other; which sticks if they light and lye both alike on the flat side, they account it a good sign, if unalike, an evil sign. As also divers barbarous people in Germany are recorded, tsome of them by little pieces of wood white on the one side & black on the other; and utheir women by lines drawn at all adventures in the Ashes, as they fell out even or odd, and *others by little sticks or sprigs marked with several inscriptions first shuffled together and then solemnly drawn; the Scythians, some of them xwith bundles of willow-wands; others of them ywith the rind or bark of the Teil-tree; and zthe Galls with Lots of Vervain-leaves; to have usually presaged in their businesses of several natures what success they were like to have.
The meanes and manner of their performance thereof were manifold; as were also the matters and affaires wherein they made vse of it. For the Sclauonians, as the rIewish Rabbines write of them, vsed to pill a sticke or a greene-peice of wood on the one side leauing the barke on the other side, and then casting it vp into the aire, by it to coniecture of the good or bad successe of their busines intended, as it lighted with the barke or the bare side of it vpward. Not altogether vnlike that which is reported sof the Chinois, that they vse to the like purpose two stickes tied together with a string of some length, on the one side flat, and round on the other; which stickes if they light and lye both alike on the flat side, they account it a good signe, if vnalike, an euill signe. As also diuers barbarous people in Germanie are recorded, tsome of them by little peices of wood white on the one side & blacke on the other; and utheir women by lines drawne at all aduentures in the Ashes, as they fel out euen or od, and *others by little sticks or sprigs marked with seuerall inscriptions first shuffled together and then solemnely drawne; the Scythians, some of them xwith bundles of wilow-wands; others of them ywith the rinde or barke of the Teil-tree; and zthe Galls with Lots of Veruen-leaues; to haue vsually presaged in their businesses of seuerall natures what successe they were like to haue.
rR. Moses ad praecept. neg. 52. Vise Munsteri precept. Mos.R. Moses ad praecept. neg. 52. Vise Munsteri praec•pt. Mos.
sHugo Lins•h• tan. part. 2. Indiae Oriental.
tNec sorti•ra e•s usus ignotus; s•g•ide•n tribus ligni porticulis part aliera a•bis, altera nigr••, in gremiū coniectis, candidis prosperae furuis aduersae signab•nt. de Rugijs Saxo hist. Dā. l. 14.Nec sorti•ra e•s vsus ignotus; s•g•ide•n tribꝰ ligni porticulis parte aliera a•bis, altera nigr••, in gremiū coniectis, candidis prosperae furuis aduersae signab•nt. de Rugijs Saxo hist. Dā. l. 14.
uFaminae foco assidentes sortui•as in cinere lincas ducebant, quas si pares num•rassent, prosperae rei praesci•s, si impares, sinistra praenuncias antumab•nt. Ibid.
*Auspiciae & sortes, ut qui manimē obseruant. Virgam frugifera arbori• decisam in surcul•s amputant; e•s […] quibusdam discretos s•per candidam vestem temerè ac fortuit spargun. Mox sipublic cnsulaetur, sacerdos ciitatis, sin priatim, paterfamiliae precatus Deos, clumque suspicient, tersingulos ollit: sublatsque seundùm impressam ante otam interpretatur. Tacit. de mor. German.
Among other superstitions practises of this kind (to pass by many) famous is that example by adivers diversly reported, whereby not Valens the Emperor himself, as bsome have misreported it, but csome other in his time made inquiry, who should succeed him in the Empire: which was done, say some, dby an enchanted ring hung by a silken thread in the middest of a basin with an alphabet of letters engraven round about on the sides of it, which letters the ring struck upon as it was stirred to and fro; or as others say, eby letters drawn in the dust with a corn of some grain wheat, or barley, laid on each of them, and a cock turned in to them to pick up of them which he would: both herein agree that these four Greek letters θ Ε Ο δ were in that order as they here stand, either struck upon by the ring, or picked upon by the Cock, whereupon they concluded that one Theodorus a noble man of special note was the person whom that Oracle of theirs then aimed at: which coming by some means or other to the Emperors ear, was occasion not of the death of that Theodore alone, but of many others also whose names began with those letters; and yet missed he of Theodosius, who afterward did indeed succeed him in the Empire.
Among other superstitions practises of this kind (to passe by many) famous is that example by adiuers diuersly reported, whereby not Valens the Emperour himselfe, as bsome haue misreported it, but csome other in his time made inquiri•, who should succeede him in the Empire: which was done, say some, dby an inchanted ring hung by a silken thred in the middest of a basin with an alphabet of letters engrauen round about on the sides of it, which letters the ring struck vpon as it was stirred to and fro; or as others say, eby letters drawne in the dust with a corne of some graine wheate, or barly, laid on each of them, and a cocke turned in to them to pick vp of them which he would: both herein agree that these foure Greeke letters θ Ε Ο δ were in that order as they here stand, either strucke vpon by the ring, or picked vpon by the Cocke, whereupon they concluded that one Theodorus a noble man of speciall note was the person whom that Oracle of theirs then aimed at: which comming by some meanes or other to the Emperours eare, was occasion not of the death of that Theodore alone, but of many others also whose names began with those letters; and yet missed he of Theodosius, who afterward did indeed succeed him in the Empire.
aVise Ammian. l. 29. Socrist. l. 4. c. •9. S•z m. l. 6. c. 35 Niceph. l. 11. c. 45. Zon•r. tom. 3. in Valent.
bCassiodor: an Epiphan. Inst. •ripart. l. 7. c. 35. ex Socrate; qui tamen ipse non Valent•m, sed alios [Greek or Hebrew] id quaesi•isse asserit.Cassiodor: an Epiphan. Inst. •ripart. l. 7. c. 35. ex Socrate; qui tamen ipse non Valent•m, sed alios 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 id quaesi•isse asserit.
Of special note among the Romans and so famous that fCarneades used to say of them gthat he never knew Fortune any where so fortunate as there, were the Lots at Praeneste, hwhose fabulous original Tully reporteth and derideth: they were ⟨p. 291⟩certain io•en pins or the like, with several inscriptions; which they kept in a box or a che•t wrapped up severally in wooden fillers; kwhich Tiberius, say some, assaying to remove from thence, when the box or christ was brought to Rome, the Lote were found wanting, and so continued, till the box was brought back again to their wonted place of abode. These they used to draw as at other times, so of ordinary course at every New years-tide, to fore-tell them what should betide them the year following; lat which time drawn by Domitian the last year of his raig•e they are said to have given him an heavy and a bloody Chance, that which accordingly fell out afterward; whereas they had ever given him light some and lucky ones before.
Of speciall note among the Romanes and so famous that fCarneades vsed to say of them gthat he neuer knew Fortune any where so fortunate as there, were the Lots at Praeneste, hwhose fabulous originall Tullie reporteth and derideth: they were ⟨p. 291⟩certaine io•en pins or the like, with seuerall inscriptions; which they kept in a box or a che•t wrapped vp seuerally in wooden fillers; kwhich Ti•erius, say some, assaying to remoue from thence, when the box or chist was brought to Rome, the Lote were found wanting, and so cont•nued, till the box was brought backe againe to their wonted place of abode. These they vsed to draw as at other times, so of ordinary course at euery New yeares-tide, to fore-tell them what should betide them the yeere following; lat which time drawne by Domitian the last yeere of his raig•e they are said to haue giuen him an heauy and a bloudy Channce, that which accordingly fell out afterward; whereas they had euer giuen him light some and luckie ones before.
fEx Chromacho refers Cie de divinant. l. 2.Ex Chromacho refers Cie de diuināt. l. 2.
gNunquam fortanatiorem see vi•isse Fortunam.Nunquam fortanatiorem se vi•isse Fortunam.
hNumerium Suffus••• so•i•ijs •rebris filicem caedere jussu•: perfract• sam sorts crupissein robber insculpt•• priscarum literarum notis. Cic. de divin. l. 2.Numerium Suffus••• so•i•ijs •rebris filicem caedere iussu•: perfract• sam sortes crupissein rob•re insculpt•• priscarum literarum notis. Cic. de diuin. l. 2.
iTaleola è line tanijs lancis inuol•t•. Unda inter pr•digia, Cara sor••• […]. Li•. l. 21. •s, Pra•est• […] scripta••, […] tit. Ide• l. a•••• nijs […] […] • 25.1•. […], prodigij insli lotto habitu […] Dedd sori sulentibus […] syria disturbaverat. Cic. deii, l. 1. & .
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Sortes quibꝰ •uncta vos vestris discriminatis prouincijs, quas patres damnau•runt, nihil aliud quàm diuinationes & maleficia esse decernimus: omninò itaque damnamus, & sub anathemate prohibemus. Leo 3. ad Episcopos Britanniae apud Grat. c. •6. q. 5. In tabulis, codicibus, alijsue sorte furata non sunt requirenda: nec diuinationes vllis in rebus obseruanda. Theodor. poenitential. in decretal. l. 5. tit. 21. c. 1. Suspensione & poenitentia multatur ibid. c. 2. sacerd•s ab Alex. 3. qui astrolabium de furto consuluerat.
bAcerbioris iniminebit supplicij •ruciatus eis qui c•ntra veti•um, p•aesentium vel futurarum rerum expl•rare tentaverint veritatem. Cod. lib. 1. tit. 14. leg. 2. Si quis astrologus vel qui aliquam illicitam divinationem pollicetur, consulius aliquem furem dixisset, qui non erat; iniuriarum cum eo agi non potest; sed constitutiones cum tenent. Ulpian. ff. lib. 47. tit. 9. leg. 15. Vitore gladio puniendum ex C. Gloss. Quastio facti non committitur sorti. Gloss. ad ff. lib. 5. tit. 1. leg. 14.Acerbioris iniminebit supplicij •ruciatus eis qui c•ntra veti•um, p•aesentium vel futurarum rerum expl•rare tentauerint veritatem. Cod. lib. 1. tit. 14. leg. 2. Si quis astrologus vel qui aliquam illicitam diuinationem pollicetur, consulius aliquem furem dixisset, qui non erat; iniuriarum cum eo agi non potest; sed constitutiones cum tenent. Vlpian. ff. lib. 47. tit. 9. leg. 15. Vitore gladio puniendum ex C. Gloss. Quastio facti non committitur sorti. Gloss. ad ff. lib. 5. tit. 1. leg. 14.
. R. Menachem & Vatabl. Et hoc est quod Polychron. en Ebr. [Greek or Hebrew]. non, misit aut jecit, ut D•lrio mag disq. tom. 2. l 4. c. 2. q 7. §. 3. n. 4. quod est [Greek or Hebrew] ferrum tersit te•orum, ut in eo splendente aliquid contuerentur divinantes, uti in ungue, gladio, speculo, &c. ass•lent. R. David in radi•. At Junius, terget divisorios, cultros scil. i. sacrificia quam plurima & extispicia adhibebit. Ego pro sagittis [Greek or Hebrew] frequens reperio, pro cultris nusquam.
Sagittas siue tela tersit, pol•uit, vt Eccles. 10.10. R. Menachem & Vatabl. Et hoc est quod Polychron. en Ebr. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. non, misit aut iecit, vt D•lrio mag disq. tom. 2. l 4. c. 2. q 7. §. 3. n. 4. quod est 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 ferrum tersit te•orum, vt in eo splendente aliquid contuerentur diuinantes, vti in vngue, gladio, speculo, &c. ass•lent. R. Dauid in radi•. At Iunius, terget diuisorios, cultros scil. i. sacrificia quam plurima & extispicia adhibebit. Ego pro sagittis 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 frequens reperio, pro cultris nusquam.
1Frisonum mos neminem neci tradere nisi quem sor• prius indicasset. Baron. annal. tom. 8. an. 697. num. •. sort arreptum Dijs immolarisolitum. ex Surio & Innae Monach. Ibid an. 700. num. •.Frisonum mos neminem neci tradere nisi quem sor• prius indicasset. Baron. annal. tom. 8. ann. 697. num. •. sorte arreptum Dijs immolarisolitum. ex Surio & Innae Monach. Ibid ann. 700. num. •.
2R•dbodus Fris•rum rex in Willebrordum cum socijs suis per diessemper tribus vicibus suo more ci•m sortes mitteret, nec in eum nec in ullum ex socijs praeter unum damnatoria sors unqua• cecidit. ex Albin• & Surio Baron. ibid. an. 697. num. 7.R•dbodus Fris•rum rex in Willebrordum cum socijs suis per diessemper tribus vicibus suo more ci•m sortes mitteret, nec in eum nec in vllum ex socijs praeter vnum damnatoria sors vnqua• cecidit. ex Albin• & Surio Baron. ibid. ann. 697. num. 7.
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Auspiciae & sortes, vt qui manimē obseruant. Virgam frugifera arbori• decisam in surcul•s amputant; e•s 〈…〉 quibusdam discretos s•per candidam vestem temerè ac fortuit• spargun•. Mox sipublic• c•nsulaetur, sacerdos ci•itatis, sin pri•atim, paterfamiliae precatus Deos, c•lumque suspicient, tersingulos •ollit: sublat•sque se•undùm impressam ante •otam interpretatur. Tacit. de mor. German.
x[Greek or Hebrew] Herodot. de Scythis l. 4.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Herodot. de Scythis l. 4.
y[Greek or Hebrew] Ibid.〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Ibid.
Taleola è ligne tanijs lancis inuol•t•. Vnda inter pr•digia, Cara sor•••〈…〉. Li•. l. 21. •s, Pra•est•〈…〉 scripta••, 〈…〉 tit. Ide• l. a•••• nijs 〈…〉〈…〉• 25.1•. 〈…〉, prodigij ins•li••• l•to habitu••〈…〉 Ded••d•• sori•••• sulentibus 〈…〉 si•ia disturbauerat. Cic. de•i•i•, l. 1. & •.
kFor tiem, Prae•• srimaerum […] obsignat•• […] Roma•• non reporiss• in a••a, […] relat•s ra••su• ad templum. Suc•••. Tib. c. 63.Sor tiem, Prae•• srimaerum 〈…〉 obsignat••〈…〉 Roma•• non reporiss• in a••a, 〈…〉 relat•s ra••su• ad templum. Suc•••. Tib. c. 63.
lPraenestius Fortuna too imperij spat i• annum nonū c•mmendanti la•ā semper sortem dor• assueta, extremo tristissimam reddidit, nec same sang•lu• mention. Sueton. Domitian. c. 15.Praenestius Fortuna to•o imperij spat i• annum nonū c•mmendanti la•ā semper sortem dor• assueta, extremo tristissimam reddidit, nec same sang•lu• menti•ne. Sueton. Domitian. c. 15.
