To the Major Aldermen, To the reader
To the Maior, Aldermen, and Inhabitants of N.
THat which heretofore I hauehave propounded to you (right Worſhipfull and beloued) in teaching, I do now publiſh to all men by printing, to wit, mine opinion of the vnlawfulneſſe of games conſiſting in chance. My deſire is either information, if I erre in iudgement, or reformation of ſo leud a practiſe. But whether I erre or no (which yet I would gladly vndeſtand,*Rom. 3. 7. for I ought not to teach an vntruth, though to Gods glorie) yet there is none, zealous indeed againſt ſinne, deſirous from the heart to reclaime ſinners, and who deepely conſidereth the grieuous abuſes, which accompanie dicing and carding (as horrible ſwearing, dangerous quarelling, loſſe (I ſay not of good houres, but) of nights and dayes, and the pittifull vndoing of too too manie) but will remembe that*1. Cor. 6. 12. all things are not expedient, which are lawfull, and therefore abſtaine from ſuch Heatheniſh paſſe-times, that, if by their example they cannot reforme, they may be ſure*1. Cor. 8. 9. they do not confirme gameſters in their inordinate walking. Which reſpect, the 7. Iniunction forbidding Miniſters to vſe theſe vnlawfull games, may be ſuppoſed to hauehave. Now that which authoritie exacteth of Miniſters, doth Religion require of all true Profeſſours. For as the one are to be*1. Tit. 5. 3. enſamples to the flocke, ſo the other are to be*Phil. 2. 15. lights in the world. And therefore as PAVL ſaith. *1 Cor. 8. 10. 13If meat offend my brother, I will eate no fleſh while the world ſtandeth. So euerie true Chiſtian ſhould ſay, and that with more reſolution (for Play is not ſo neceſſarie as meat.) If play offend my brother, who ſeeing me hauing knowledge, play, is boldned to follow gaming, I will not play while the world ſtandeth. Which care vntounto edification if all, who hauehave the*Pſal. 50. 1…. 17. word in their mouthes, and would not be thought to hate to be reformed, would manifeſt in their ſincere conuerſation and if Magiſtrates, who ſhould not*Rom 13. 4. carie the ſword in vaine would do what they may by*33 H. 8. c. 9 5. … 25. law, to baniſh theſe forbidden paſt-times, or rather loſt-times, I doubt not, but that preaching and writing againſt them would more mightily preuaile, and this good would come of it, manie would applie themſelues to better exerciſes, there would be leſſe time miſpent in Alehouſes, and God leſſe prouoked to diſpleaſure againſt vsus. But theſe things I referre to the conſideration of the wiſe and this my Dialogue to the iudgement of the Godly, chiefly to you, whoſe good I wiſh eſpecially. Farewell.