Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

Hence it is, that if persons be once given to this practice, they can know no bounds, but spend day and night therein. Besides, there is therein a breach of the third Commandment, in as much as these Games are not without Lottery; tho' there may be something of Skill in them, yet there is something of Lottery. Now a Lot is a Sacred thing, wherein the name of God is much concerned: In all Lots there is an appeal to Providence to decide the matter in controversy. It is said concerning a Lot, that the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord, Pro. 10.33. Hence it is that Lots may not be used in trivial matters: Search the Scriptures, & you shall never find that Lots were used in trivial, but only in weighty momentous matters, which might be prayed over. Now no man, whose Conscience is not profligate, dare pray over his Cards and Di•e. Where we may not make a prayer in word, wen••y ⟨p. 166⟩not do it in act, or in signs to signify it, as 'tis in a Lot. And it is a good Rule, That practice which a man dare not pray over, let him evermore suspect it for an unlawful practice. Moreover, as these Games are usually practised, there is in them a breach of the eighth Commandment, that is, when men play for money. If a man get another's goods at under price, this is Injustice, it is Theft, and a Transgression of the Rule of Righteousness: How much more to take from another his Estate for nothing at all in lieu thereof, but only play. Every Lawful way of getting is sanctified by prayer, which you heard but now that these Games are not; and therefore the estate got thereby is unlawful gain. And in this respect also, the Name and Providence of God is abused therein: For when God hath by his Providence possessed a man of a just estate, for him now to go and make a question, whether this Estate shall be his or another mans, and then decide the Controversy by Dice, is unworthily to abuse the good Providence of God. Again, this practice is of evil report, and therefore ought not to be amongst Christians: The Scripture bids us follow the things that are of good report, Phil. 4 8. which showeth, that things of evil report in ⟨p. 167⟩the World ought to be avoided, by those that profess the name of Christ: Now so are these Games. You heard how heathens by the Light of Nature condemned them, and shall Christians take up such practices? The People of God are offended and grieved at such things;