The law unsealed

A Lot or Lotting is, The Committing, of the Decision of some thing, in an immediate way to Divine Providence, without the intervening Causalities, or influence, of any second Cause, to sway in that Decision: So that when the thing falleth out, and is decided, there can be no Reason given, Why it is so on Mens part, but that the Lord was pleased to dispose: As it was in that Instance of Lotting, about the Election of the twelve Apostle, in Judas his room, Acts 1. So from Prov. 16. 33. It's clear that that is a Lot; Whereof the whole disposal is of God: And therefore it is said, Chap. 18. 18. To cause Contentions to cease, and to part betwixt the Mighty: Because none can quarrel, concerning that which Man hath no hand in.

A Lot may be many ways appointed, either by the throw of a Dice, or the like; or by some other mean putting difference, betwixt one and other, even as men shall appoint: as when it is; By what Beast they shall first see, by what saying, or by what Book they shall first hear, or look on▪ &c. Only we think Lots differ from ⟨p. 107⟩Omens, or superstitious Observations, thus: 1. Lots are to decide betwixt two; the other are Collections, which one may make concerning himself. 2. Lots follow on some appointment that is mutual and are free; the other may be otherwayes.

A Lot may be many ways appointed, either by the throw of a Dice, or the like; or by some other mean putting difference, betwixt one and other, even as men shall appoint: as when it is; By what Beast they shall first see, by what saying, or by what Book they shall first hear, or look on▪ &c. Onely we think Lots differ from ⟨p. 107⟩Omens, or superstitious Observations, thus: 1. Lots are to decide betwixt two; the other are Collections, which one may make concerning himself. 2. Lots follow on some appointment that is mutual and are free; the other may be otherwayes.