A25291:1967
The Marrow of Sacred Divinity
The marrow of sacred divinity drawn out of the Holy Scriptures, and the interpreters thereof, and brought into method / by William Ames ... ; translated out of the Latin ... ; whereunto are annexed certain tables representing the substance and heads of all in a short view ... as also a table opening the hard words therein contained.The marrow of sacred divinity drawne out of the Holy Scriptures, and the interpreters thereof, and brought into method / by William Ames ... ; translated out of the Latine ... ; whereunto are annexed certaine tables representing the substance and heads of all in a short view ... as also a table opening the hard words therein contained.
London: printed by Edward Griffin for Henry Overton, 1642
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.
8. But seeing that in every Lot there is sought the determination of some question or controversy, and it is sought by mere contingency, in it self and in respect of us, altogether undetermined; it must needs be, that the very determination it self (whatsoever the actual intention of men shall be) be from the nature of the thing always sought from an higher power, having power to direct such contingencies, by certain counsel: and so in very deed the use of a Lot is an appealing always either to the true God, or to some feigned power, which is wont to be set forth by many by the name of fortune.
8. But seeing that in every Lot there is sought the determination of some question or controversy, and it is sought by meere contingency, in it selfe and in respect of us, altogether undetermined; it must needs be, that the very determination it selfe (whatsoever the actuall intention of men shall be) be from the nature of the thing alwayes sought from an higher power, having power to direct such contingencies, by certaine counsell: and so in very deed the use of a Lot is an appealing alwayes either to the true God, or to some faigned power, which is wont to be set forth by many by the name of fortune.
9. When therefore our Divines do teach that there is a certain extraordinary providence of God set over all Lots, they are not so to be taken, as if either those that used Lots did always directly, and distinctly respect such a providence, or as if God did always exercise such a providence: but that the Lot it self, of its own nature hath a certain respect to the singular, and extraordinary providence of God in directing of an event merely contingent, and in this sense their sentence is most true.
9. When therefore our Divines doe teach that there is a certaine extraordinary providence of God set over all Lots, they are not so to be taken, as if either those that used Lots did alwayes directly, and distinctly respect such a providence, or as if God did alwayes exercise such a providence: but that the Lot it selfe, of its own nature hath a certaine respect to the singular, and extraordinary providence of God in directing of an event meerly contingnt, and in this sence their sentence is most true.