A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

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 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 other-ways.

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 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 other-wayes.

That Lots in the use of them, concern this Command; these things will make it out several ways. 1. That which putteth God to it, in an Immediate way, concerneth this Command, especially; I mean, whatever putteth him to declare his mind, or reveal himself; that putteth him to it, and is a special Implicit Invocating of Him: But Lots or Lotting, putteth him to it, in an Immediate way; For, 1. None other can dispose of them but he, Prov. 16.33. 2. What is discovered by those Lots, is either God's mind or the Devil's, or is by Chance; ⟨p. 168⟩but it cannot be any of the latter two, therefore it is the First. 3. It is the putting him to it, more than he is by Prayer: Because, 1. It is by an Extraordinary way, and often added to Prayer. 2. It is for the manifesting of a secret Decree; For by it, we are to understand, what God has appointed, and Eternally decreed, concerning such an Event. Hence it is, that in Scripture, Prayer is so often, if not always joined with it; and therefore it must in a special manner belong to this Command: Yea, if God be slighted in it, he is wronged: if acknowledged according to his Interest, he is in a special manner concerned, where he wholly ordereth the thing.