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

Now herein was verified what the Psalmist saith of the Jews, that ^ebeing mingled among the Heathen, they learned their superstitions. For this superstitious practise used first by the Gentiles, grew after to too common a custom not ^famong the Jews and their Rabbins alone, but among Christians also, and those many of them of no very evil note otherwise. For to pass by that popish practise of casting Lots among the Saints for some of them ^gto be their special Patrons and Protectors to depend principally upon; or ^hto commend themselves or their dear friends unto in some danger & distress; or ⁱto perform their daily service unto; which though differing from that their manner in circumstance, yet for superstition is with it the same. To pass, I say, by that that may seem farther off, and to come nearer home; in steed of Poets works used (or abused rather) by Heathen in this kind, Christians have done the like by the Bible Gods own book, and the several parts of it, ^kthe old and the new Testament, the Epistles and the ^lGospels, the ⟨p. 294⟩^mPsalms and the Prophets. And ^ohence, (nor from the Apostles use of Lots sometime in Ecclesiastical elections, as ⁿsome have supposed) sprung that term of the Apostles Lots, and of the Lots of the Saints, which we find in so many ^p