The Voice of the Turtle, Chapter 2 · Part 1
Lot… frequent among other Nations, beſides Gods owne people, the Jewes.
NEither was the uſe of Lotts leſſe frequent among other Nations, then among Gods choſen people the Iſraelites:Plato de …. for Plato in his imaginary Modell of a Common-wealth, intended the moſt part of his Magiſtrates, to be deſigned yearly by Lot, for the preventing of, and meeting with the peeviſhneſſe and way ward…ſſe of the people. For which intent he adviſeth that …60. be Elected yearly by moſt voyces of the Commonalty out of foure rankes of Citizens, 90. out of each ranke, for Aldermen or Senators;Mr. Gatak. of the nature and uſe of Lots, p. 44. and the one halfe of them by Lot aſſigned to govern the City for that yeare: as alſo ſixty Sheriffs to govern the territory thereunto belonging, which was divided into twelve parts; And furthermore it was yearly determined by Lot, which part of the City ſhould ſend Rulers into this or that part of the Country. And beſides theſe three Surveighers of houſes, edifices, highwayes, watercourſes in and about the City; Five Clarks of the Market, a Maſter of the Revels, and three for Triers and diſpoſers of prizes in ſolemn g…nes, and Judges for private Cauſes, to prevent Corruption, were all appointed by Lot.
Choice of Prieſts by lot.The choice of Prieſts, and ſuch as undertook the charge of Sacred things was to be left to God himſelfe, to diſpoſe of by Lot, as it pleaſed him. Many of their Officers likewiſe at Athens, both Civill and Sacred, were diſpoſed of by Lot.
Officers both civill & ſacred choſen by lot.The Athenian Senators ſent to the Common Councell at Delphos, and their ordinary Councell of five hundred were all choſen by Lot: the Election being alter this manner; The names of all thoſe in each Ward that were capable of that dignity were noted on little Tables, or tokens of braſſe into one veſſell, and as many Beans black and white, all but fifty black into another; and ſo each mans token being drawn out of the one, and a bean withall out of the other, either he paſt to further tryall, and held it if he were approved; or he was for that yeare rejected, as his Bean proved white or black: ſo fifty apiece being extracted out of each of the ten Wards, the number was made up of five hundred. And out of thoſe ſo dignified with the Bean, nine were advanced by like courſe to further place of authority named Rulers, or Regents: out of which were ſix Maſters of the Ordinance… the King, or Maſter of the Ceremonies, the Major for the yeare, and the Marſh…. The nine Regents thus called out of the five hundred, Lots were caſt againe for the ten Wards, which ſhould rule firſt, which next, and ſo on to the yeares end: afterwards ten Preſidents for the firſt ſeven dayes, and ten for the next ſeven, and ſo on till thirty five dayes were expired, the full time of their whole principality. Our of which ten, Lot was again drawn for a Commander or Provoſt, whoſe government laſted but one day of ſeven. Neither might any one of the ten have it above one day at once, becauſe the keys of the Caſtle of Athens were in his keeping; ſeven of them had it as the black Bean favourd them; and three were neceſſarily debarted of it. Sigon. de Repub. Athen. l. 2. c. 3.
Iudges elected by Lot.For hearing and tryall of Cauſes a competent number of perſons according to the quality of the ſuites to be heard, were aſſigned by Lot, as they drew Beans or Acorns with the letters upon them that belonged to thoſe Courts: each of which perſons ſo allotted received a rod from the Cryer, with the name of the Court written on it, or of the ſame colour that the letter was over the Court-gate, and then went with that, and his Bean or Acorn, unto that Court that had the letter on the one of the ſame colour with the other, and was there admitted for a Judge.
Beſides theſe ordinary Judges, there were certain Arbitrators, or umpires by Lot aſſigned for deciding of lighter matters; which matters were divided among them by Lot. Their Clearks alſo of the Pleas, with ten Treaſurers taken out of the beſt rank, ten Comptrollers or Auditors, ten Surveyors or Scavengers, ten Wardens of the Ports, ten Clerks of the Market, one Regiſter, ten of Sheriffs and Bayliffs, ten Sacriſts for ſuperſtitious ſervices. And if any one preſumed to come to Court or Councell not being deſigned by Lot, a penalty was laid upon him.
In Sparta the Competitors for any office, were ſometime in order by lot admitted to paſſe the ſuffrages of the aſſembly.
At Syracuſa in Cicily, Cican Verr. 4.Joves prieſt out of three choſen by Voyces out of three Families, was deſigned yearly by Lot.
At Rome the Veſtall Nuns were elected by lot.Attic. l. 1. c. 12.
The two hundred Gentry of Rome, divided into tens, caſt Lots for governing the State in courſe among themſelves after Romulus his death, each ten their fifty daies, and each of the ten his five, &c. till all had taken their turnes: which Cuſtome expired at Na…a's Election.
The two Conſuls ſo often as any extraordinary buſineſſe fell out, that was to be done by them, and could not conveniently be done but by one of them (as the Dedication of a Temple, the nomination of a Dictator or Soveraign Generall, the keeping of Courts for creation of ſome new Officers, &c.) uſed by lot to decide whether of them ſhould have the honour of it: and in time of War they caſt lots alſo, which ſhould go …o the wars, and which ſtay at home: And being both together in the ſame ſervice with equall authority, they did ſometime in the execution thereof by Lot daily take their turnes.
The Pretors parted the Government of the City between themſelves by lot.
And by lot the Queſtors or Treaſurers charge was aſſigned unto them: out of which Queſtors the Tribunes were ſometime deſigned by lott; and out of the Tribunes were allotted certaine perſons for forraigne Plantations.
In warlike employments Conſuls & Praetors had their legions and armies by this courſe alotted them. Alſo ſuch Tribes as ſhould afford Souldiers for ſervice: and ſuch perſons of each tribe as ſhould ſerve were aſſigned by lot; And hence it fell out that M. Curius when a ſudden Muſter was made in his Conſulſhip, & none of the younger ſort appeared, caſt lots upon all Tribes, and citing him which was firſt drawn of that Tribe that come next to hand confiſcated his goods, and ſold him to be a ſlave.
Doubts in choice of Ediles or Surveyors (where divers Competitors had an equall number of voyces) were decided by Lot which of them ſhould hold.
And in their Aſſemblies for election of Officers the Lot determined, which Companies or hundreds ſhould be demanded their ſuffrages the firſt, and give the leading voices.
Severall Pleas were ordinarily parted among them by lot, ſome to have and try Cauſes of treaſon, ſome of murder, ſome of extortion, and the like; and the the Judges tooke aſſiſtants to them which they elected by lott, as they themſelves, were by lot appointed for the hearing of ſuch Cauſes as were allotted to them.
Plin. ſec. Epiſt. 3. lib 9.In Vintage time Senators were made choice of by Lot, to attend the Court in the abſcence of the reſt by the appointment of Auguſtus.
Dion. Caſſ. lib. 55.Auguſtus by Lot ſet apart a certain number of Senators to conſult with at convenient times for preparation of Cauſes to be heard in the Court afterward: or rather to diſpatch buſineſſes by without the Court, yet ſo as the whole Court might ſeem to have ſome hand in them: he did likewiſe aſſay by Lot to reform the Senat: he firſt parted the City into certain Regions and Wards, and then appointed the yearly Officers to ſhare them amongſt them, and to undertake the charge thereof, By lot he enjoyned two of thoſe that had been Pretors formerly to be elected yearly for the cuſtody of the common Treaſury.
In Tiberius his reigne, there were certaine perſons aſſigned by lot to cleare the Lawes in ſome caſes then queſtionable.
Veſpaſian aſſigned perſons for redreſſe of wrongs done during the civill wars, and to rid the Courts of multiplicity of ſuits; which intermiſſion of Juſtice had cloyed them with, Taeit. hiſt. l. 4. Suet. Veſp. c. 10.
Certain perſons were aſſigned by Lot to mitigate harſh Lawes, Claud. c. 23.
Legates or Lievtenants were ſometime deſigned by lot: in which caſe the uſe of Lotrery ſometimes being queſtioned,Tacit. hiſt. l. 4. Cic. ad Attic. Epiſt. 17. Liv. hiſt lib. 43. & cic. Verr. 1. though it were by ſome oppoſed, yet the major part went with it… and would have it ſtill retained as a ſoveraigne preſervative againſt ambition and corruption; and a ſingular remedy for the preventing both of injury and envy: in which regard they eſteemed it as a kind of divine Ordinance, where it was carried without fraud and covine, as it ought.
Panorm. ad 5. de ſorti leg.Neither is the practice of civill Lottery unuſuall in Italy, even at this day: for in Venice (the mirrour of Policy, and ſuppoſed modell of Plate's Platform) the Gentry at twenty yeares of age come to the Generall Councell by Lot, (but otherwiſe not till twenty five yeares of age,Contaren. l. 1. Gat. of Lots p. 58. by the ordinary courſe: in Election of whom, every fourth of December, they that ſeek it, having made proof of their Gentry, have their names all caſt into one pot, and brought to the Duke, before whom ſtands another pot with as many balls in it, wherof a fifth part is gilt, and all the reſt ſilver only: the Duke draws out of the one each mans name, and a ball out of the other, which if it prove a golden one, he is thereupon admitted; if a ſilver one only, he ſtayeth at leaſt a yeare longer.
When their Duke (the chiefe Magiſtrate) hath his deſignation, there is Lottery upon Lottery, and Voycing in a prolix and intricate manner, interchangeably mixed together the one with the other: the place being voyd either by depoſition or deceaſe, all their Gentry of thirty yeares of age or upward (and none under) aſſemble and come in order as they ſit (Lotts firſt being caſt which ſide of them ſhall come in firſt) to the Lot-pot, having as many balls in it as there be of them in number, whereof thirty only be gilt, there a child draweth for each of them till for thirty of them, thoſe thirty gilt ones be drawne. For which thirty the child draweth againe the ſecond time out of another pot having nine gilt ones. The nine, withdrawing into a conclave, among themſelves name forty ſuch as have each of them ſix voyces at leaſt: out of the forty ſo named, are twelve ſelected by Lot; which twelve chooſe twenty five, each at leaſt by eight Voyces: of theſe twenty five are nine ſet apart by Lot, which nine do further nominate 45: thoſe forty five againe reduced to eleven, the eleven chuſe forty one of the chieſe Senators, which forty one have power to elect a Duke. Theſe forty one after an oath by them ſeverally taken, to elect whom they judge worthieſt, and ſome other ſolemnities performed, write each of them in a ſcroll whom he thinketh good: the ſcrolls being mingled together, are drawn as they come, and the fitneſſe of the perſon firſt drawn is diſcuſſed: who, if he have twenty five Voyces with him, uſed anciently to carry it without further ado: but now hee that hath moſt voices above that number, come he firſt or laſt to hand, hath the place. If none hath voices enough, they begin again, and continue till ſome be nominated that hath.
And in their yearly Aſſemblies at election of other Officers, all their Gentry that have ſuffrage in Councell, draw firſt for ſixty gilt Balls out of two Pots by one Lottery: and after thoſe ſixty, for thirty ſix other gilt ones out of another by a ſecond Lottery: and the thirty ſix that have thus drawn gilt Balls twice, have power to nominate to ſuch offices as are then to be choſen: which is done in this manner, they go apart into certain conclaves by nine and nine, in foure Companies: where all thoſe of each company in order of years draw out of a Lot-pot, balls with markes upon them for the ſeverall offices; and according to the ball that each of them hath drawn, he nominates what Citizen he will for that office, who, if he hath ſix voices of thoſe nine, the party yet holdeth; if not, another muſt be nominated by him till ſome one be ſo approved. By this meanes among thoſe foure Companies are foure compettitors nominated for each of their offices, whereof one is choſen by moſt voices of the whole aſſembly, the Electors and the whole Kindred of the parties nominated being only firſt excluded.
In the Tuſcan State, though not the Electors,Grimſton. yet their offices are elected after the ſame manner: for dividing thoſe that are capable of office into three rankes, and caſting them into three boxes: out of the firſt they draw the Magiſtrates of higheſt place, the middle ſort out of the ſecond; and the loweſt, out of the third: and having thus drawn five ſeverall ones for each office, hee carrieth it that hath of the five the moſt voices in the Councell: which election ſtandeth, and is alwaies confirmed by the Duke.
Theodoſius the Emperour, though at that time a great Commander, diſdained not as a common Souldier in martiall ſervices, to take his turn among the reſt.
Hom. Iliad. n. Sophoc. …n Aiale. Ovid. Metam. l. 13. Hom. Iliac. 3. Plaut. in Timol.In Duells, a Champion hath been ſometimes ſingled out by Lot, by lot it hath been determined which of them ſhould give the onſet.
By lot it was determined who ſhould be encloſed in the belly of the wooden horſe at the taking of Troy. Virg. Aen. 2.
Plaut. in Timol.By lott, Timoleon being to tranſport his Army over a river in the face of the enemy tooke the rings of the ſeverall Leaders, by drawing them to decide in what order they ſhould p…ſſe, and when the ring of one of them that had a trophey engraven on it, came firſt to hand, they left off further lotting, and very cheerfully made each of them with all the ſpeed they could over, and ſo diſcomfited thoſe forces that ſtood on the other ſide to inhibite their paſſage.
Plaut. in Pericle.Pericles, to reſtrain his Souldiers inconſiderate eagerneſſe to fight, divided them into two parts, and by lot aſſigned ſome to fight, and others (that lighted on the white Bean) to reſt the whileſt, and make merry.
Joſeph. Captiv. lib. 7. c. 35.Joſephus, with his company being in a deſperate condition, and they chooſing rather to dy than to fall into the hand of the enemy, and to be at his mercy, decided by Lot who ſhould ſlay each other and by that means he eſcaped; his lot comming out with the laſt mans, whom he perſwaded to ſurrender himſelfe to the Romans.
Joſ. captiv. l. 7. cap. 35.The Jewes beſieged in Maſada, at Eleazars inſtigation, choſe by lot ten men to ſlay all the reſt, with their wives and children, which being done, one of thoſe ten again ſingled by lot diſpatcht the other nine, and in the laſt place himſelfe.
At Syracuſe they uſed to deliver their minds in Court by Lot, which practice continued unto Tullie's time: and likewiſe the delivery of their minds in courſe after the order of Alphabet is celebrated for Di…nyſius his act, who having drawne the letter M. when one jeſting, ſaid he would play the Mome, made anſwer that he would not play the Mome, but the*foreign Monarch, which proved accordingly, for being choſen Generall, he turned tyrant: whence grew the Proverb, to ſay, M. is his Lott.
In Voyages ſome were by Lott ſet aſhore for diſcovery, principally where there was conceived to be difficulty or danger.
At Sea ſometimes Lots have been caſt, to determine who ſhould row, and who were to have other employments.
It was the cuſtome of all the Rhodian State, both rich and poore, to ſpeak freely in their turns by Lot.
In Publique works, as at the building of Tyre ▪ and in private labours, as at Vulcans Forge; and in mutuall combinations, as in aſſaulting the Cyclops, each man had his task or ſtanding often aſſigned him by Lot. Aen. 1. Aen. 8, Hom. Odyſſ. 1.
P…ta. hiſt. l. 33.Seſoſtris the Egyptian King compelled Kings that were tributary to him, to draw his Coach in their turns by Lot, like horſes in a Charret, when it pleaſed him once a yeare to ride in ſtate.
Thus it doth appeare that the uſe of Lots hath been frequent among all ſorts, both for the diſtribution of Civill and Sacred offices and employmems; and alſo it will be made clear, that it hath been no leſſe frequent in the diviſion of lands and poſſeſſions, goods and chattells, yea, oftentimes of rewards too (aſwell as penalties) as honours and dignities.
Num. 26.55. & 33.54. & 36.2.1 For at the entrance of Gods people into the Land of Promiſe, the whole Country in generall was divided by Lot, by Gods own ſpeciall appointment, among the twelve Tribes: Concerning the manner of Lottery in that particular buſmeſſe, there is ſome diverſity of opinion; 1 Some think, that the Lots of the Land were put into one pot, and the Tribes names into another, and that one choice perſon, to wit, Eleazar drew for all: Others that out of one Pot of Tickets containing the names of the portions, one of each Tribe drew for the Tribe he was of. Others laſtly, ſuppoſe that the Tribes names only were put into the Lot-pot, and that each Tribe as it was drawn, had his choice of which part he would, yet undiſpoſed of, when he drew. The firſt opinion ſeemes moſt probable, and that firſt, becauſe once drawing ſo, might well end all: which could not be in the ſecond, where queſtion might be who ſhould draw firſt: and ſecondly, becauſe it is not ſaid that ſuch a Tribe drew, or was drawn firſt or ſecond ſimply, but that the Lot came out firſt or ſecond for ſuch a Tribe, which agrees not with the third.
Num. 35.7, 8. Loſh. 25.2.Now as the Land in generall was thus divided by Lot, ſo in particular were the forty eight Cities aſſigned to the Levites, divided among them by Lot according to their Families: and whereas the Levites were divided into three Families, according to Levi's three ſons Kohath, Gerſhom, Merari: and the Koathites ſubdivided into two ranks, i.e. the Antonites, or the iſſue of Aaron, Kohath Nephew by his ſon A…, which alone had the Prieſthod, and the reſt of that houſe which came not of Aaron; Lots were caſt among them for theſe their ſeverall Families,Ioſh. 21.8. in what Tribes there ſhould Cities be aſſigned unto each: and in concluſion the Aaronites had thirteene in Juda, Sime…n, and Benjamin; the other Koathites. ten in Ephraim, Dan, and the one halfe of Manaſſes; and the Merarites, twelve in Reuben, Gad, and Zebul…n: the whole number forty eight.
At the return of the Jews unto the Land of promiſe from the Chaldean captivity a colonie was drawn by Lot for the peopling of Ieruſalem, one being taken of each ten, and a tenth of the whole company for the ſtoring of the City. Yea, the whole City it ſelfe was by lot ſhared in three parts, by the three ſeditious Commanders in the time of the Roman ſiege.
Moreover Lots were uſed for partition of movables, goods and chattells, and the like, as in the caſe of ſetting forth the tith, of Bullocks, Goats and Sheepe, Levit. 27.32.
And ſecondly in diviſion of booties, of prey and ſpoyles taken in warre, Lorts are ſaid to have been caſt upon Jeruſalem when it was ſacked by the Chaldees, and her people by Lot ſhared among the conquerours for ſlaves, Obad. v. 11. Joel. 3.3. Nahum 3.10. as the Nobles of Niniveh were ſhared by lot among the Medians, or Scythians, for ſlaves, when it was ſeverall times ſurprized by them.
And thirdly of goods gotten by pilage or ſtealth, as David complaines that they had parted his garments among them, and caſt Lots upon his Veſture, which is juſtly ſuppoſed to have been practiſed upon David, 1 Sam. 19.11.12. but was certainly fulfilled in our Saviour, Math. 27.35. Mark 15.24. Luk. 23.34. Ioh. 19.24. Such a Lot as this is alluded too by Solomon, where he brings in theeviſh companions inviting to joyne and adventure with them, ſaying, Coſt in thy lot among us, Prov. 1 14.
By Lott certaine perſons were picked out to be ſaved, or ſlain: ſo David meaſured out the Moabites with two cords to be deſtroyed, but with one cord to be ſaved alive, as the Chald. Paraphr. expounds the place, 2. Sam. 8.2. and in this ſence do Interpreters underſtand that place of Ezech. 24 6. where the Lord bids the Prophet pull the fleſh piece by piece, every piece of it out of the Pot or Caldron, and caſt no lot in it, thereby ſignifying that the people ſhould not be ſome ſaved and ſome deſtroyed, but all utterly deſtroyed without diſtinction or difference. In this kind was the lot caſt on the two Goats (for it was diviſory meerly, not divinatory to tell whether was fitter for ſervice, both being alike fit for it) whereby the one was taken for the ſcape-goat, to be ſent out alive and ſaved, the other left to be ſlain to make a ſin ſacrifice to God in behalfe of his people.
Among Prophane writers nothing is commoner than the uſe of Lotts in this kind: Inheritances among coheires were by lot divided: Saturns three Sons parted among them Heaven, Sea and Hell, by this way of Lottery. Claros and Lacedaemon according to ſome Grammarians derive their names from hence: that is,Ex Near Euſt. ad Claros foreign and Lacedamon, quaſi foreign i.e. foreign.
Thus Poloponneſus after right of poſſeſſion by joynt conqueſt recovered, was parted between Creſphontes, Temenus, and the ſons of Ariſtodemus.
Thus Lotharius his foure ſons parted the Realme of France amongſt them after their Fathers deceaſe.Greg. Tur. hiſt. l. 4. c. 22. Thus Fredereck the ſecond King of Denmarks, and Adelph Duke of Holſt divided between them the Territory of the elder Iohn of Holst deceaſed without iſſue. The goods and chattels of every Courtier deceaſed, where a fourth part is to come to the Court, is to be parted into foure parts by the Heire or Executor, and Lots are to be caſt whether he ſhall chooſe his three, or the Court her fourth by the civill Law. And our common Law alloweth this courſe of partition of Land among Partners or female coheires, viz. that by dividing the land into parts as equall as may be, and then wrapping up of ſcrolls of each part in as many waxen Balls, to be drawn by the partners in order of yeares out of the bonnet of ſome other indifferent party.
In Cities new built, and at the firſt foundation or altering of a ſtate as alſo upon enfranchiſing forreigners, or non-freemen, each one uſed to have his houſe, portion of land, or tribe, he ſhould belong to, aſſigned him by Lot: a thing practiſed by Lycurgus in the Spartan Republique: and by Aeneas alſo, Aen. 5. and by Romulus at the founding of the Roman State.
In Egypt they yearly aſſigned by Lott to each man or Kindred what land they ſhould till.
After Victories obtained over ſome Countries, the Greek and Roman Conquerours were wont to divide the land by lott among the Souldiers,Ariſtoph. Dionyſ. Hal. li. 2. or other of the people.
In Countries overburdened with multitudes of people, or ſuch as were unable to maintain the Natives by reaſon of a long and grievous Famin, it was an uſuall courſe to decide by lot who ſhould remain at home, and who remove to ſeek their fortunes abroad, Liv. l. 5.
In the Paleſtine expedition it was tryed by lot which ſhould be firſt aſſaulted, Tyre or Askalon.
A Prey taken in the field, or in the ſacking of a City, were it goods or jewells, or garments, or beaſts, or mens perſons, it was ordinarily divided by lot,
A ſwift horſe able to travell one hundred miles a day, was put to lot with the reſt of the prey, and drawn for one Probus (one of the Emperours name) of which name there being foure, and Probus ſtill comming out of the Lot pot, to end the controverſie, it was agreed on by all, that Probus the Emperour ſhould have him, who ſaid at firſt he was fitter for a flyer then a fighter, when the people thought he would have kept him to himſelfe, and not have put him to lot with the reſt of the booty.
In diſtribution of rewards, almes, and gifts, where every ones turne could not be ſerved, or that which many had alike intereſt in, could not equally be divided, it was by Lot deſigned which way it ſhould go, or to whom, Digeſt. l. 40. tit 5. leg. 24.
The two Tarquins, Titus and Araus decided by Lot, who ſhould firſt kiſſe their of an Olive leafe. Mother the Oracle telling them, he ſhould reigne that gave his Mother the firſt kiſſe: wherein Brutus went beyond them both in kiſſing his Grandmother the ground.
When 'tis queſtionable in ſome caſes at civill Law, whither party is Plaintiff, and whether Defendant (both commencing ſuit (as they may) at once) that doubt is commonly put to the deciſion of a lot Ʋlpian. l. 14.
At the Popes Election, the Cardinalls in the Conclave have their cells aſſigned them by lot.
At ſolemn Feaſts, meſſes of meat were anciently aſſigned by lot unto each man in particular.
Among Gods people the Hebrews,Levit. 27.32. Thucyd. lib. 3. Gods part in the tith of their cattell was by lot ſet apart; and among the Heathen likewiſe, where by a ſolemn Vow a tenth of the increaſe of the fruits of the earth, or of their cattell, had been before made over to their Idols, Dyoniſ-Hal. l. autiq. 1.
The Arabians formerly conſecrated yearly a third part of their Cinamon, which the lot lighted on, to the Sun, and the Sun did fire that part of himſelfe, as they fable. Among thoſe heathen in their feaſtivall Lottery the meſſe firſt drawn was accompted holy, and held to be ſome Gods ſhare; Mercuries moſt commonly, whom they deemed preſident of Lottery: that which is rather termed to be Mercuries Lot, then that which others ſay of an Olive leafe.
In the diviſion of lands at the ſettling of new Colonies or eſtates, ſome part was uſually by lot ſet apart for Sacred uſes in the firſt place.
In former times they had a Cuſtome,Herodot. lib. 3. when buyer and ſeller could not agree to draw Cutts (as we do) or caſt croſſe and pile, and by mication or ſhifting of finger, to decide whether ſhould come to others price, and this kind of Lot was likewiſe employed in pecuniary penalties, where the offenders were too many to be all of them amerced. Auguſtus enforced every fifth man (of ſuch as frequented not the Senat as they ſhould) that the lot lighted on, to pay his fine for his abſence, which was remitted to the reſt. Yea in caſes of life and death there was an eſpeciall uſe of it: as when Melchi, Melchizedecks father, who having a purpoſe to ſacrifice one of his ſons caſt lots with his Wife whether he or ſhe ſhould chooſe one of them to be exempted, and after that, upon the reſt of them (She having choſen Melchizideck by that meanes preſerved a lot was caſt for one to be ſlain for a ſacrifice, as 'tis ſurmiſed by the Pſeudo-…thanaſ. hiſt. Meleh. Like that of Heſione the Trojan Kings Daughter, who by the determination of a lot was to be expoſed to a Sea-monſter.
The Perſian King tithed out his Magicians upon diſcovery of their frauds: and Combiſes his Army in his Ethiopian expedition for want of victualls ſequeſtred a tenth part of themſelves for the reſt to make meat of: Auguſtus commanded the two Flori to caſt lots for their lives, the one whereof offering himſelfe without …ot to be ſlaine the other thereupon ſlew himſelfe.Lots frequent and famous among the Romans.
Moſt famous and uſuall was the Roman practice in this kind, termed therefore by them their ancient Law, or their Countrey cuſtome: whoſe manner it was when ſome troopes of their Souldiers had deſerted their Colours, left their ſtations, carried themſelves cowardly in fight, or diſorderly otherwiſe, for frighting of all, and ſaving of ſome; to draw out by lot ſometime more ſometime fewer, but moſt uſually a tenth part of all that were faulty, or deepeſt in fault, by an ignominious kind of death to be made an example to others, the reſt of them puniſhed only with ſome other kind of diſgrace. This tithing of Delinquents to death by lot, was attempted by Caligula but practiſed at ſeverall times by Appius, Jul. Caeſar, Auguſtus, Antonie, Apronius, Craſſus, Galba, Macrinus: Nor is this kind of military diſcipline out of uſe with Martiall men among us at this day, with whom Souldiers that are taken tardie are permitted, ſundry of them together, to caſt the Dice for their lives on the Drums head, ſome of them to be puniſhed or executed, and ſome to be cleered and ſaved.
The uſe of Lotts was alſo very frequent in theſe Dominions among the ancient Brittaines (as Cambden in his Britannia ſaith) in matters of doubt and difficulty,Cambden. fol. 135. Engliſh Saxons. and although ſometimes in a ſuperſtitious divinatory manner, and in matters not fit thereby to be inquired of, yet never without all poſſible reverence and prayer preceding: Contrary to the irreligious courſe of theſe later diſtempered times, where Gods ſacred ordinance is moſt impiouſly abuſed in all manner of vain & vile wayes of luſorious ſporting, playing, Dicing, Carding, Lotteries, and the like, whereby God is diſhonoured, and men therefore juſtly thereby cheated and abuſed, and yet theſe wicked wayes continually practiſed by many not of the meaneſt, yea, maintained by ſome of our Clergy in preſſe and pulpit. And that holy way which God ordained for ſetling peace and unity, is abuſed by prophane ſports and vile vanity whileſt we runne on in a moſt deſtructive way of ruine and miſery by bloody violence and barbarous cruelty. So that we may lament with David Woe is me that I am conſtrained to dwell in Meſech, &c. Gods holy ordinance inſtituted for ending differences and ſetling peace is utterly deſpiſed and wee like the men of Meſech make ready for warre. And no marvell ſeeing Cambden derives the Brittaines from Iaphets line,Ezek. 38. whence the Prophet Ezekiel proves Gog and Magog the princes, and the men of Meſech to ſpring, and ſo by a derivative line, the Brittaines may ſeeme to ſpring from thence or to have affinity to the men of Meſech, both ſeeming to ſpring from the ſame …ine of Iaphet; But from the terrible deſtruction there threatned after their diviſions and warres, The God of peace deliver and protect the poore diſtreſſed Brittaines, that they never partake of the fearfull judgements there menaced to the men of Meſech, though they ſeeme to ſuite with them in their contentious cruell courſes.