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

For ²as for those things indeed that have some ground in nature either for them or the use of them, it is not material of whose invention they are: they discover nothing but what lay hid before in Gods work, and apply the Creature only unto that use, which God hath endued it with an ordinary power to effect. But for such things as require an extraordinary power either divine or diabolical to work together with them, being not able else of themselves to effect what is required from them, how can we better judge of such then by the first Broachers and Teachers of them?

For ²as for those things indeed that haue some ground in nature either for them or the vse of them, it is not materiall of whose inuention they are: they discouer nothing but what lay hid before in Gods worke, and apply the Creature onely vnto that vse, which God hath indued it with an ordinary power to effect. But for such things as require an extraordinary power either diuine or diabolicall to worke together with them, being not able else of themselues to effect what is required from them, how can we better iudge of such then by the first Broachers and Teachers of them?

1. 2Legatur Tertull. dec•ronamilit. & de Idolola•r.

Yet to let the Authors and Masters of them pass for the present, & to turn the course of our speech, with a grave Writer, to some one of those that now use them. ^lThou that by lotting professest to tell fortunes, or to find out a theft or a Thief; either thou must do this by miracle, or by nature, or by some evil act: By miracle (I am sure) thou darest not say; for thou art not a likely person that God should work miracles by: And, by nature, (I am as sure) thou canst not say; for there is no such natural efficacy in the creature thou usest. It must needs follow then that that is done that is done by some evil Art, and so consequently by the Devil