Reply to Answers of Mr Gataker, To the reader 1
CHristian Reader; it is no new thing that men▪ learned, wiſe, and judicious, holding the ſame orthodox, and ſound truth of God, in reſpect of maine, and fundamentall points of Chriſtian Religion, doe ſometimes differ in their opinions, and be of different judgments touching ſome things of leſſe importance▪ It pleaſeth God (who ordereth all things moſt wiſely for the ſpirituall good of his owne) by his wiſe diſpoſing hand to order differences in opinion, and judgment in the ſmallest matters for the further good of his Church. Though the iarring of Paul, and Barnabas (Act. 15. 37.) cauſed a ſeparation of the one from the other, yet (God ſo diſpoſing) the Church gott much good by it and things queſtioned, and controverted (though of leſſer weight are commonly more narrowly ſearched into, and vponupon diligen… ſearch into them, they come to b… better cleared, and the gifts o… worthy men to be better knowne It were no hard matter to inſtanc… in many particulars clearing thi… from many ages fore-going; but … liſt not to enter into that large field. The enſuing Reply conſidered with the occaſion of it, may, in part, evidence, the truth herein▪ Some yeares ſince, the Authour o… this Reply, published a Dialogu… touching Lottery, and Lotts, diſprooving, (by diverſe arguments,) the vſing of Lotts in ſport, and in play; and now ſome few yeares paſt finding his arguments oppoſed, and helde as weake, and inſufficient, by a worthy, reverend, and judicious Divine, in a treatiſe of his printed touching the Nature, and vſe of Lotts, he held himſelfe bound, vponupon further, and more ſerious conſideration of the point called into queſtion, either to alter his judgment, or to endeavour, to ſtrengthen his former arguments: He hath ſett vponupon the buiſineſſe, and now offered to thy view (Chriſtian Reader) his Reply tending to the further ſtrengthning▪ and confirmation of thoſe arguments. My poore judgment touching this Reply being deſired by the Authour, I could not but yeeld it vntounto him, he being my reverend, and loving freind, to whom I am obliged by many bondes of love. I have peruſed it, & ſo farre as I, (in my weakneſſe) can judge, the Authour hath herein carried himſelfe wiſely, and …udiciouſly, and ſo as, I thinke, may ſatisfie any indifferent reader, and with all (as I take it) modeſtly, and temperately, and without the leaſt breach of charity towards the worthy Opponent. Happily I may be thought vnfitt thus to giuegive mine opinion, becauſe (as I freely confeſſe, & have openly made knowne) I iumpe with this Authour in iudgment in the point controverted, but I profeſſe before him, who knowes the hearts of all men, that, which here I putt downe, is (as I conceive) according to the truth, without any inclining, or partiall affection to the one one ſide, or to the other, and I deſire not to entertaine the leaſt thought, that may praeiudice the worth of the reverend, learned, and godly Opponent, being alſoo my deare, and loving freind, and one whom I am bound, in many reſpects, both to love, and reverence. Looke vponupon this Reply (whoſoever thou art) with an vnpartialleye, and conſider it ſeriouſly, and fin ding that good by it, which is intended, bleſſe God for it, who guideth, and bleſſeth all things to his owne glory, and to the good of his owne.
Thine in the Lord Ieſu… Edw: Elton. B. in D. and Pastor of S. Mary Magda len's Bermondſey neare London.