Emblems Ancient and Modern, Guide to lotteries
The Occaſion, Intention, and uſe of the Foure Lotteries adjoyned to theſe foure Books of Emblems.
STultorum plena ſunt omnia. The world is growne ſo in Love with Follie, that the Imprinting of over-ſolid and ſer…ous …atiſes would undoe the Book-ſellers; eſpecially, being ſo chargeable as the many coſtly Sculptures have made this Booke: therefore, (to advance their Profits, rather than to ſatisfie my owne Iudgement) I was moved to invent ſomewhat, which might be likely to pleaſe the vulgar Capacitie, without hindrance to my chiefe End. And, though that which I reſolved on, be not ſo Plauſible to Criticall underſtandings, yet I am contented to hazzard among them, ſo much of my Reputation, as that comes to.
I have often obſerved, that where the Summer-bowers of Recreation are placed neare the Church, it drawes thither more people from the remote Hamlets, than would elſe be there. Now, though I praiſe not their Devotion, yet I am glad if any thing (which is not evill in it ſelfe) may be made an occaſion of Good▪ (becauſe, thoſe things may, perhaps, be continued, at laſt, for Conſcience ſake, which were at firſt begunne upon vaine occaſions) and, have therefore added Lotteries to theſe Emblems, to occaſion the more frequent notice of the Morals, and good Counſels tendred in their Illuſtrations; hoping that, at one time or other, ſome ſhall draw thoſe Lots, which will make them the better, and the happier, whileſt they live. I confeſſe that this Deviſe may probably be cenſured, as unſutable to the gravitie expected in my ripe yeares: and be reputed as great an Indecorum, as erecting an Ale-houſe at the Church-ſtile; yet, the ſame having had beginning in my younger dayes, I do now reſolve not to be aſhamed of it, for the Reaſons aforementioned. To ſuch as I was, it will be ſomeway avayleable: and perhaps, if the Wiſeſt did otherwhile, when they walke abroad, to Vncertaine purpoſes, take up this Booke, and (without Superſtitious Conceites) make tryall what their Lots would remember, or give them cauſe to thinke on; It might, now and then, either occaſion better Proceedings, or prevent Miſchieves.
Some Games were ever in uſe; ever, I thinke, will be, and for ought I know, ever may be without exception. And, I believe, this Recreation, will be as harmleſſe as any, if it be uſed according to my Intentions. For, my meaning is not, that any ſhould uſe it as an Oracle, which could ſignifie, infallibly, what is divinely alloted; but, to ſerve onelyonly for a Morall Paſtime. And, that I may no way encourage the ſecret entertaining of ſuch a Fantaſie, I doe before hand affirme unto them, that none but Children, or Ideots may be tollerated to be ſo fooliſh, without laughing at.
Yet, if any one ſhall draw that Lot wherein his Secret vices are reproved; or ſome good Counſels propoſed, which in his owne underſtanding are pertinent to his welfare, let not ſuch as thoſe, paſſe them over as meere Caſualties to them; for, whatſoever theſe Lots are to others, or in themſelves, they are to all theſe, made pertinent in ſuch caſes, both by their particular Knowledges and Occaſions.
Some will thinke perhaps, that I have purpoſely invented this Game, that I might finde meanes to reprove mens vices, without being ſuſpected, (as I have hitherto unjuſtly beene) to … at particular perſons: For, if any who are notoriouſly Guiltie, ſhall by drawing their Chances, among other Companions, be … with Lots, (which may now and then happen) that thoſe Vices be therby intimated to the by ſtan… … them guilty they do … with … bee … at without my … ſuch … are worthily ſuſpected … …andalous converſations, either forbeare … excuſ… of they be juſtly ſham…d by their ….
Having thus … th… …eaſon of this Inventio…, and made theſe … every man hath his …, whether hee will make … or no; hee th…t will, is left to his … of … how hee ſhall make tryall direction is given in the … Pages of this Booke.
This Game occaſions not the frequent crime,
Of Swearing, or miſpending of our Time;
Nor loſſe of money: For, the Play is ſhort,
And, ev'ry Gameſter winneth by the ſport.
Wee, therefore, know it may aſwell become
The Hall, the Parlor, or the Di…ing roome,
As Cheſſe, or Tables; and, we thinke the Pr…e
Will be as low; becauſe, it needs no Dice.