A briefe of the Bible drawne first into English poësy, and then illustrated by apte annotations: togither vvith some other necessary appendices. By Henoch Clapham.

(b) The Apostles setting foorth Barsabas and Mitthia, (two that had conversed with Christ from the time of Iohns Baptisme, vnto the Ascention of Iesus) they thus praied: Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that hee may take the roome of this Mi∣nistration and Apostle-ship, from which Iudas ha••h gone astray, to go to his owne place. Praier thus fini∣shed, they giue forth Lottes, and the office-Lot fell on Matthias: he therefore from thence-forth was by common consent counted with the Eleven A∣postles.

Quest. Is it at all handes vnlawfull nowe to vse the Lotte?

Answ. No, the Lot remaineth in holy vse for a∣voiding contention, Prov 18. 18. As it was ordai∣ned to prevent and take away strife: so, so long as Contention resteth in the World, so long the Lot standeth in vse. Contention either ariseth in Civill or Ecclesiasticall causes. If Civill things cannot be agreed vpon otherwise, than the Lot (euen as an oath) is to put an end to that busines. In an Eccle∣siasticall cause, the like occasion calleth for the like vse of sacred Lot as here.

Obiect. The Lot heere was in steede of Iesus his voice from heaven, because man might not choose an Apostle: therefore, where man may make the choise, we are not to trouble God with the Lot.

Reply. I grant both Antecedent and consequent. But there may be (and I haue seene) divers persons presented by the Church to some office Ecclesia∣sticall•• all woorthie men, yet not all presented ne∣cessarie then for office to that Church. Againe, two may be presented fit men for Pastors; a great part of the Church rather affects This, another greate

part, affects rather That, what in this case is fittest to be done? Some wil say, incline to the greater voice: but I answer (and experience hath found it) that is not safest: Secondly, I see no such warraut for that, as is nowe here for vsing sacred Lotte. The Lot be∣ing a divine ordinance, it hath a promise of good ef∣fect: namely, of continuing and begetting peace: for every man then must needs say, The Lord hath thus disposed. Prov. 16. 33.

Prophaners of Lottes, finde a contrary effect: namely, a kindling of Conten••ion and furie, not be∣fore begunne. Let Dicers and such vaine people marke that.