Reply to Answers of Mr Gataker, Title page 1 – Dedication
A MODEST REPLY TO Certaine Anſweres, which Mr. Gataker B. D. in his Treatiſe of the Nature, & vſe of Lotts, giveth to Arguments in a Dialogue concerning the Vnlawfulnes of Games conſiſting in Chance.
And Aunſweres to his Reaſons allowing Luſorious Lotts, as not evill in themſelves.
By Iames Balmford, miniſter of Ieſus Chriſt.
2. Cor. 13. 8.
VVe can doe nothing againſt, but for the truth▪
Epheſ. 5. 11.
Have no fellowſhip with the vnfruitfull workes Darkeneſſe, but even reproove them rather.
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Imprinted 1623▪
A SHORT AND PLAINE DIALOGVE CONCERNING THE VNLAWfulnes of playing at Cards, or Tables, or any other Game conſiſting in chance.
OFFERED TO THE RELIGIous conſideration of all ſuch as make conſcience of all their wayes.
1. Theſſal. 5. 21.
Trie all things, and keepe that which is good.
Imprinted at London for Richard Boile 1591▪
Reprinted 1623.
To the right Worſhipfull Maſter Lionel Maddiſon, Maior, the Aldermen his Brethren▪ and the godly Burgeſſes of Newcaſtle vponupon Tine; IAMES BALMFORD wisheth the kingdome of God & his righteouſneſſe that other things may be miniſtred vntounto them.
THat which heretofore I hauehave propounded to you (right Worſhipfull & beloued) in teaching, I doe now publiſh to all men by printing, to wit, mine opinion of the vnlawfulnes of Games conſisting in chance. My deſire is either information, if I erre in judgment, or reformation, of ſo leud a practiſe. But whether I erre or no (which yet I would gladly vnderstand,Rom. 3. 7. for I ought not to teach an vntruth, though to Gods glorie) yet there is none, zealous indeede against ſin, deſirous from the heart to reclaime ſinners, and who deeply conſidereth the greiuous abuſes, which accompanie dicing and carding, (as horrible ſwearing, dangerous quarelling, loſſe (I ſay not of good houres, but) of nights and daies, & the pitifull vndoeing of too too manny) but will remember that all things are not1. Cor. 6. 12. expedient, which are lawfull, and therefore abſtaine from ſuch Heathenish paſtimes, that ifby their example they cannot reforme,1. Cor. 8. 9. they may be ſure they doe not confirme gamesters in their inordinate walking. Which reſpect▪ the 7. Iniunction forbidding Miniſters to vſe theſe vnlawfull games, may beſuppoſed to hauehave. Now that which authoritie exacteth of Miniſters, doth Religion require of all true Profeſſors. For as the one are to be enſamples to the flocke,1. Tit. 5. 3. Phil. 1. 5. 1. Cor. 8 10. 13. ſo the other are to be lights in the world. And therefore as Paul ſaith, If meate offend my brother, I will eate no fleſh while the world ſtandeth: ſo eueryevery true Chriſtian ſhould ſay, and that with more reſolution (for Play is not ſo neceſſarie as meate) 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, ifPſal. 50. 16. 17. all, who hauehave the word in their mouthes, and would not be thought to hate to be reformed, would manifest in their ſincere conuerſation; and if Magistrates, whoRom. 13 4. 33. H. 8. c. 9. …. E. 6. c. 25. ſhould not carrie the ſword in vaine, would doe what they may by law, to baniſh theſe forbidden paſt-times, or rather loſt-times, I doubt not, but that preaching and writing against thē would more mightily prevaile, and this good would come of it, many would applie themſelues to better exerciſes, there would bee leſſe time miſpent in Alehouſes, and Godleſſe prouoked to diſpleaſure againſt vsus. But theſe things I referre to the conſideration of the wiſe, and this my Dialogue to the iudgment of the godlie, chiefly to you, whoſe good I wiſh eſpecially. Farewell: From my ſtudie the firſt of Ianuarie 1593.