happen_v so_o that_o all_o the_o world_n declare_v they_o to_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o fortune_n we_o may_v plain_o see_v that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o fortune_n and_o chance_n for_o we_o know_v very_o well_o both_o that_o the_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v the_o work_n of_o fortune_n and_o that_o what_o fortune_n do_v be_v always_o of_o this_o nature_n this_o manner_n of_o argument_n suppose_v the_o common_a form_n of_o speak_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o true_a and_o false_a and_o that_o a_o man_n may_v conclude_v from_o word_n to_o thing_n which_o in_o a_o philosopher_n be_v a_o most_o ridiculous_a imagination_n for_o what_o be_v more_o common_a than_o for_o the_o people_n to_o entertain_v false_a notion_n of_o thing_n and_o for_o the_o way_n of_o express_v themselves_o suit_v to_o their_o notion_n to_o be_v very_o improper_a and_o distant_a from_o the_o truth_n afterward_o he_o say_v that_o when_o any_o thing_n of_o advantage_n happen_v to_o a_o man_n by_o accident_n this_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o we_o call_v the_o effect_n of_o fortune_n or_o chance_n for_o example_n a_o man_n go_v to_o a_o place_n whither_o he_o do_v not_o use_v to_o go_v and_o where_o he_o shall_v receive_v money_n though_o at_o that_o time_n he_o go_v not_o thither_o with_o any_o such_o design_n if_o he_o receive_v money_n there_o we_o say_v that_o he_o go_v thither_o and_o receive_v it_o by_o chance_n he_o pretend_v again_o that_o herein_o fortune_n and_o chance_n differ_v fortune_n be_v not_o proper_o concern_v except_o in_o the_o action_n of_o such_o being_n as_o act_v upon_o a_o principle_n of_o choice_n whereas_o chance_n take_v place_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o cause_n which_o do_v not_o act_v by_o choice_n i_o know_v not_o whether_o this_o difference_n be_v constant_o observe_v in_o common_a speech_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o those_o body_n be_v call_v automata_n which_o be_v think_v to_o move_v of_o themselves_o thus_o this_o philosopher_n imagine_v he_o have_v define_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o cause_n in_o physics_n while_o he_o only_o define_v the_o word_n by_o which_o people_n use_v to_o express_v themselves_o for_o he_o pretend_v that_o chance_n have_v a_o great_a hand_n in_o form_v the_o universe_n which_o be_v a_o most_o absurd_a fancy_n and_o more_o become_v a_o clown_n or_o a_o idiot_n than_o a_o philosopher_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v by_o and_o by_o the_o latin_n who_o put_v no_o such_o distinction_n between_o fortuna_n and_o casus_fw-la define_v they_o thus_o lot_n chance_n fortune_n event_n what_o else_o be_v all_o this_o but_o a_o thing_n be_v fall_v out_o after_o one_o particular_a manner_n when_o it_o may_v either_o not_o have_v happen_v at_o all_o or_o have_v happen_v after_o quite_o another_o manner_n than_o it_o have_v do_v quid_fw-la est_fw-la aliud_fw-la sors_z quid_fw-la fortuna_fw-la quid_fw-la casus_fw-la quid_fw-la eventus_fw-la nisi_fw-la cum_fw-la sic_fw-la aliquid_fw-la accidit_fw-la sic_fw-la euênit_fw-la 6._o de_fw-fr diu._n nat._n l._n 2._o c._n 6._o ut_fw-la vel_fw-la non_fw-la cadere_fw-la atque_fw-la evenire_fw-la vel_fw-la aliter_fw-la cadere_fw-la atque_fw-la evenire_fw-la potuerit_fw-la a_o man_n that_o read_v these_o definition_n of_o fortune_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o think_v by_o some_o part_n of_o they_o that_o the_o ancient_n do_v mean_v something_o by_o it_o and_o yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n to_o suspect_v that_o they_o have_v no_o notion_n at_o all_o of_o the_o matter_n aristotle_n be_v express_v that_o the_o common_a way_n of_o speak_v prove_v fortune_n and_o chance_n to_o be_v something_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o if_o they_o be_v something_o what_o sort_n of_o thing_n be_v they_o be_v they_o spirit_n be_v they_o body_n be_v they_o of_o some_o different_a nature_n aristotle_n in_o his_o six_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o physics_n distinguish_v they_o plain_o from_o spirit_n and_o body_n and_o i_o e._n body_n nature_n for_o these_o he_o say_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n essential_o and_o per_fw-la se_fw-la these_o two_o last_o cause_n he_o own_v do_v at_o first_o produce_v the_o heaven_n and_o all_o the_o material_a world_n but_o yet_o he_o say_v that_o when_o all_o this_o be_v do_v a_o thousand_o thing_n be_v effect_v by_o chance_n afterward_o but_o still_o he_o do_v not_o inform_v we_o what_o this_o pretend_a cause_n be_v consider_v in_o itself_o for_o in_o truth_n he_o know_v not_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o it_o himself_o and_o one_o may_v see_v he_o do_v not_o by_o his_o quote_v the_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n explain_v the_o word_n by_o the_o use_n of_o it_o but_o never_o give_v any_o definition_n of_o fortune_n he_o do_v indeed_o disallow_v that_o notion_n of_o some_o who_o make_v fortune_n a_o real_a cause_n but_o such_o as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n know_v nothing_o of_o because_o too_o divine_a a_o thing_n for_o man_n to_o comprehend_v it_o but_o all_o that_o he_o do_v be_v only_o tell_v we_o the_o occasion_n how_o this_o word_n grow_v so_o general_o into_o use_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n not_o to_o mention_v the_o poet_n and_o their_o modes_n of_o speech_n which_o may_v be_v accuse_v of_o too_o great_a liberty_n in_o fiction_n the_o temple_n which_o in_o several_a place_n be_v dedicate_v to_o good_a or_o ill_a fortune_n seem_v to_o say_v that_o this_o be_v general_o repute_v a_o deity_n for_o certain_o man_n must_v be_v mad_a to_o the_o last_o degree_n who_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o build_v temple_n address_v their_o prayer_n and_o praise_n and_o offer_v sacrifice_n to_o any_o but_o god_n that_o be_v such_o as_o they_o believe_v to_o have_v a_o divine_a and_o much_o more_o a_o actual_a existence_n now_o this_o reason_v be_v certain_o conclusive_a do_v man_n always_o speak_v and_o act_v consistent_o but_o as_o it_o be_v they_o often_o speak_v word_n which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o do_v many_o thing_n when_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o do_v tullus_n hostilius_n build_v a_o temple_n to_o fear_n and_o paleness_n other_o erect_v temple_n to_o the_o mind_n to_o virtue_n 1._o pallori_fw-la &_o pavori_fw-la liu._n l._n 1._o c._n 27._o cic._n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n l._n 2._o lactan._n l._n 1._o to_o honour_n to_o piety_n to_o fidelity_n to_o hope_n to_o chastity_n to_o concord_n to_o peace_n to_o rest_n to_o safety_n to_o fortune_n to_o liberty_n etc._n etc._n other_o again_o be_v consecrate_v to_o to_o the_o fever_n to_o the_o year_n the_o month_n to_o art_n to_o poverty_n to_o old_a age_n to_o death_n now_o i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n persuade_v myself_o that_o the_o ancient_n believe_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o be_v thing_n actual_o exist_v but_o they_o know_v not_o what_o they_o do_v when_o they_o build_v such_o temple_n and_o therefore_o the_o action_n of_o man_n will_v give_v we_o no_o sure_a ground_n of_o argue_v from_o they_o than_o their_o word_n and_o common_a talk_n will_n nay_o some_o among_o they_o be_v well_o aware_a that_o when_o man_n talk_v of_o fortune_n they_o talk_v of_o a_o thing_n they_o do_v not_o understand_v democritus_n say_v man_n form_v to_o themselves_o a_o phantom_n of_o fortune_n 27._o euseb_n praep._n eu._n l._n fourteen_o 27._o only_o for_o a_o cover_n to_o their_o ignorance_n this_o passage_n be_v likewise_o quote_v from_o a_o comedy_n of_o philemon_n there_o be_v no_o such_o deity_n as_o man_n call_v fortune_n no_o no_o such_o matter_n all_o thing_n happen_v by_o chance_n and_o that_o which_o the_o world_n call_v fortune_n be_v any_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o man_n without_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n why_o it_o shall_v do_v so_o so_o again_o tully_n the_o cause_n under_o the_o governance_n of_o fortune_n be_v secret_a for_o every_o thing_n must_v have_v its_o cause_n 17._o cic._n top._n c._n 17._o but_o whatever_o be_v effect_v by_o a_o hide_a cause_n and_o by_o a_o method_n which_o we_o can_v account_v for_o this_o be_v proper_o a_o effect_n of_o fortune_n and_o juvenal_n tell_v we_o x._o sat._n x._o that_o fortune_n be_v only_o a_o goddess_n in_o fiction_n and_o of_o man_n make_v nullum_fw-la numen_fw-la abest_fw-la si_fw-la sit_fw-la prudentia_fw-la sed_fw-la te_fw-la nos_fw-la facimus_fw-la fortuna_fw-la deam_fw-la caeloque_fw-la locamus_fw-la fortune_fw-mi be_v never_o worship_v by_o the_o wise_a but_o set_v aloft_o by_o fool_n usurp_v the_o sky_n thus_o you_o see_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o these_o heathen_a writer_n that_o the_o word_n fortune_n signify_v nothing_o at_o all_o though_o some_o pretend_a that_o it_o import_v a_o real_a existence_n i_o shall_v clear_v this_o point_n by_o inquire_v into_o the_o thing_n itself_o when_o i_o have_v first_o produce_v two_o passage_n of_o christian_a author_n who_o expose_v and_o confute_v the_o worshipper_n of_o fortune_n and_o be_v of_o my_o opinion_n that_o this_o
word_n signify_v nothing_o the_o former_a of_o these_o be_v lactantius_n who_o argue_v thus_o fortune_n in_o itself_o be_v nothing_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o word_n denote_v any_o thing_n of_o real_a existence_n 29._o inst_z divin_n l._n 3._o c._n 29._o take_v it_o in_o what_o sense_n you_o please_v fortune_n be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o event_n which_o be_v sudden_a and_o unexpected_a but_o the_o philosopher_n that_o they_o may_v not_o fail_v to_o mistake_v in_o every_o thing_n pretend_v to_o be_v very_o wise_a in_o a_o trifle_a matter_n those_o i_o mean_v who_o change_v the_o sex_n of_o fortune_n and_o will_v needs_o have_v it_o a_o god_n and_o not_o a_o goddess_n the_o same_o deity_n they_o call_v sometime_o nature_n and_o sometime_o fortune_n because_o as_o cicero_n observe_v it_o effect_n many_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o expect_v by_o reason_n of_o our_o ignorance_n in_o the_o cause_n that_o produce_v they_o and_o not_o know_v the_o reason_n why_o a_o thing_n happen_v man_n must_v needs_o be_v ignorant_a what_o it_o be_v that_o bring_v it_o about_o the_o same_o author_n in_o a_o very_a serious_a tract_n where_o he_o give_v his_o son_n rule_v draw_v from_o philosophy_n to_o govern_v he_o in_o his_o behaviour_n who_o say_v he_o do_v not_o know_v that_o the_o power_n of_o fortune_n be_v great_a which_o side_n soever_o she_o take_v for_o when_o she_o oppose_v we_o we_o be_v certain_o worsted_n lactantius_n after_o some_o reflection_n upon_o cicero_n which_o be_v not_o much_o to_o the_o matter_n now_o in_o hand_n proceed_v in_o this_o manner_n who_o do_v not_o know_v say_v he_o for_o my_o part_n i_o know_v no_o such_o thing_n let_v he_o show_v i_o if_o he_o can_v what_o that_o power_n be_v what_o be_v the_o favour_n of_o fortune_n and_o what_o her_o opposition_n to_o we_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n for_o the_o reputation_n of_o a_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o part_n to_o lay_v down_o a_o thing_n for_o grant_v which_o if_o one_o deny_v he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v out_o the_o other_o author_n which_o i_o shall_v produce_v upon_o this_o occasion_n be_v i._o be_v de_fw-fr cons_n phil._n l._n 1._o pros_n i._o boethius_n who_o style_n in_o beauty_n be_v equal_a to_o that_o of_o lactantius_n and_o his_o reason_v be_v much_o before_o his._n if_o any_o one_o say_v philosophy_n with_o who_o boethius_n be_v hold_v a_o dialogue_n define_v a_o accidental_a event_n casum_fw-la and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o produce_v by_o any_o connexion_n of_o cause_n i_o assert_v that_o chance_n be_v nothing_o in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v a_o empty_a word_n without_o any_o sense_n or_o signification_n at_o all_o for_o where_o can_v chance_n find_v a_o place_n in_o thing_n which_o god_n keep_v in_o a_o regular_a method_n there_o be_v no_o great_a truth_n than_o that_o nothing_o can_v come_v out_o of_o nothing_o not_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n ever_o contradict_v this_o maxim_n though_o they_o understand_v it_o not_o of_o the_o efficient_a but_o the_o material_a cause_n now_o if_o a_o thing_n be_v produce_v without_o a_o cause_n that_o thing_n will_v come_v out_o of_o nothing_o but_o if_o this_o can_v be_v than_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o chance_n according_a to_o our_o definition_n of_o it_o well_o but_o reply_v boethius_n be_v there_o then_o nothing_o which_o we_o can_v proper_o call_v fortuitous_a or_o casual_a or_o be_v there_o somewhat_o to_o which_o these_o name_n belong_v though_o the_o vulgar_a know_v it_o not_o aristotle_n say_v philosophy_n have_v clear_v this_o difficulty_n in_o few_o word_n in_o his_o book_n of_o physics_n and_o come_v very_o near_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n what_o i_o pray_v be_v his_o resolution_n of_o the_o case_n say_v boethius_n when_o any_o thing_n be_v do_v with_o a_o certain_a design_n reply_n philosophy_n and_o some_o other_o thing_n different_a from_o that_o which_o be_v intend_v do_v for_o other_o cause_n happen_v this_o thing_n so_o beside_o the_o intention_n of_o the_o agent_n be_v what_o we_o call_v a_o fortuitous_a or_o casual_a event_n as_o if_o a_o man_n for_o instance_n in_o dig_v his_o ground_n with_o a_o design_n to_o cultivate_v it_o shall_v find_v a_o pot_n of_o gold_n hide_v there_o we_o say_v this_o be_v casual_a but_o yet_o it_o have_v a_o real_a and_o proper_a cause_n and_o the_o unforeseen_a and_o unexpected_a concurrence_n of_o such_o cause_n form_n that_o which_o be_v term_v a_o casual_a event_n if_o he_o who_o cultivate_v his_o ground_n have_v not_o dig_v it_o or_o if_o he_o who_o bury_v this_o treasure_n have_v not_o lay_v it_o in_o that_o place_n the_o gold_n have_v not_o be_v find_v as_o it_o be_v these_o than_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o accidental_a gain_n which_o happen_v to_o the_o man_n by_o this_o concurrence_n of_o they_o altogether_o foreign_a from_o the_o design_n which_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o in_o dig_v his_o ground_n the_o remainder_n of_o this_o argument_n may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o original_a for_o i_o can_v agree_v with_o boethius_n in_o every_o branch_n of_o it_o but_o this_o prove_v that_o if_o the_o ancient_n use_v the_o word_n of_o fortune_n or_o chance_n to_o denote_v any_o unknown_a be_v which_o act_v without_o any_o rule_n and_o which_o be_v neither_o a_o spiritual_a nor_o a_o bodily_a substance_n they_o know_v not_o their_o own_o meaning_n and_o yet_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v that_o aristotle_n use_v they_o whatever_o boethius_n say_v here_o to_o bring_v he_o off_o let_v we_o now_o consider_v the_o thing_n in_o itself_o and_o in_o order_n to_o discern_v what_o sense_n these_o word_n fortune_n and_o chance_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o must_v remember_v that_o there_o be_v only_o two_o sort_n of_o being_n which_o we_o know_v of_o that_o can_v contribute_v to_o any_o thing_n that_o befall_v we_o the_o first_o sort_n consist_v of_o body_n which_o act_v alone_o and_o without_o the_o interposition_n of_o any_o other_o cause_n leave_v no_o room_n for_o fortune_n or_o chance_n because_o they_o act_n by_o fix_a unalterable_a rule_n of_o mechanism_n as_o all_o who_o have_v the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o mechanic_n and_o natural_a philosophy_n be_v abundant_o satisfy_v the_o common_a people_n indeed_o say_v a_o body_n fall_v of_o itself_o when_o no_o man_n nor_o any_o sensible_a cause_n that_o come_v under_o our_o observation_n throw_v it_o down_o as_o when_o fruit_n fall_v from_o a_o tree_n or_o a_o tile_n from_o the_o roof_n of_o a_o house_n without_o any_o pull_n or_o blast_v of_o wind_n to_o blow_v it_o down_o and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a usual_a thing_n to_o say_v such_o thing_n fall_v of_o themselves_o or_o by_o chance_n but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n true_a that_o nothing_o interpose_v and_o that_o no_o external_a cause_n contribute_v to_o that_o fall_n the_o air_n and_o the_o weight_n of_o the_o body_n not_o to_o mention_v several_a other_o cause_n that_o may_v concur_v occasion_v their_o fall_n a_o body_n will_v continue_v for_o ever_o in_o the_o same_o state_n do_v not_o some_o cause_n from_o without_o make_v a_o alteration_n this_o be_v a_o axiom_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n which_o i_o need_v not_o here_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o second_o sort_n of_o being_n be_v what_o we_o call_v spirit_n who_o among_o several_a other_o faculty_n belong_v to_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o liberty_n which_o they_o exercise_v upon_o infinite_a occasion_n they_o can_v at_o any_o time_n do_v or_o not_o do_v what_o they_o do_v they_o can_v do_v it_o after_o this_o or_o that_o manner_n they_o determine_v themselves_o in_o doubtful_a or_o indifferent_a case_n or_o what_o they_o look_v upon_o to_o be_v such_o by_o humour_n and_o fancy_n without_o any_o other_o reason_n but_o that_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o act_v so_o or_o so_o and_o without_o the_o interposition_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o shall_v necessary_o engage_v their_o judgement_n or_o their_o will._n without_o trouble_v my_o reader_n with_o a_o long_a lecture_n of_o metaphysic_n i_o appeal_v to_o every_o man_n be_v own_o sense_n and_o experience_n and_o be_o entire_o persuade_v that_o all_o who_o will_v speak_v true_o what_o they_o feel_v within_o themselves_o in_o innumerable_a instance_n of_o humane_a life_n will_v agree_v that_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v the_o very_a truth_n of_o the_o case_n in_o this_o respect_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o free_a determination_n of_o a_o spiritual_a substance_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o chance_n because_o it_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o any_o necessary_a cause_n and_o in_o regard_n spirit_n act_n much_o upon_o body_n the_o intervening_a of_o these_o operation_n produce_v somewhat_o casual_a in_o those_o motion_n which_o otherwise_o will_v not_o be_v at_o all_o we_o will_v put_v the_o
these_o thing_n but_o only_o that_o we_o acknowledge_v every_o thing_n that_o happen_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o his_o direction_n and_o governance_n of_o the_o world_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n god_n be_v true_o say_v to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o every_o thing_n except_v only_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o voluntary_a depravation_n of_o the_o humane_a nature_n thus_o we_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o ascribe_v to_o god_n any_o good_a fortune_n that_o happen_v to_o we_o whether_o by_o matter_n depend_v upon_o chance_n or_o any_o other_o way_n whatsoever_o though_o we_o do_v not_o think_v that_o he_o interpose_v after_o any_o particular_a or_o extraordinary_a manner_n for_o the_o determine_n of_o they_o second_o this_o proposition_n import_v that_o god_n know_v beforehand_o all_o that_o happen_v in_o every_o kind_n and_o have_v it_o in_o his_o power_n to_o hinder_v any_o part_n of_o it_o will_v not_o however_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o or_o divert_v the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o hinder_v the_o good_a luck_n thus_o about_o to_o happen_v to_o any_o person_n and_o that_o for_o special_a reason_n though_o we_o can_v positive_o affirm_v that_o god_n have_v no_o such_o reason_n in_o his_o eye_n because_o this_o be_v what_o we_o know_v nothing_o of_o nor_o can_v we_o affirm_v that_o he_o have_v at_o least_o except_o god_n shall_v please_v to_o reveal_v they_o to_o we_o or_o that_o we_o can_v fair_o infer_v this_o by_o the_o consequence_n of_o those_o effect_n for_o the_o purpose_n the_o great_a lot_n late_o draw_v in_o england_n and_o scotland_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o chance_n in_o the_o disposal_n whereof_o it_o be_v possible_a god_n may_v have_v some_o particular_a reason_n induce_v he_o to_o give_v they_o to_o those_o particular_a man_n but_o it_o be_v possible_a too_o that_o he_o may_v not_o act_v upon_o any_o such_o particular_a reason_n he_o have_v not_o reveal_v to_o we_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o consequence_n of_o that_o advantage_n which_o some_o person_n gain_v have_v not_o produce_v effect_n considerable_a enough_o to_o incline_v we_o to_o think_v that_o god_n have_v any_o particular_a reason_n for_o order_v those_o benefit_n to_o those_o that_o enjoy_v they_o three_o this_o proposition_n may_v signify_v that_o god_n do_v interpose_v in_o casual_a event_n after_o so_o particular_a a_o manner_n that_o he_o act_n by_o a_o immediate_a power_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o production_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o usual_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n for_o otherwise_o man_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o say_v that_o god_n preside_v over_o lot_n and_o casual_a event_n in_o any_o more_o particular_a manner_n than_o he_o do_v over_o all_o natural_a effect_n whatsoever_o now_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o deny_v that_o god_n can_v that_o i_o be_o well_o content_a to_o allow_v that_o he_o do_v upon_o several_a occasion_n interpose_v after_o so_o extraordinary_a a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v the_o lot_n fall_v upon_o some_o certain_a person_n upon_o who_o possible_o it_o will_v not_o have_v fall_v without_o such_o interposition_n i_o shall_v explain_v myself_o by_o some_o example_n of_o this_o kind_n by_o and_o by_o but_o the_o thing_n i_o contend_v for_o be_v that_o general_o speak_v we_o can_v make_v god_n the_o immediate_a author_n of_o good_a and_o ill_a luck_n so_o as_o that_o he_o shall_v bring_v this_o about_o by_o any_o supernatural_a and_o extraordinary_a operation_n i_o be_o aware_a of_o one_o passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n usual_o produce_v for_o proof_n of_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n but_o i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o clear_a that_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o answer_n that_o purpose_n when_o i_o have_v first_o lay_v down_o the_o reason_n which_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v that_o general_o speak_v god_n do_v not_o direct_a or_o concern_v himself_o with_o the_o event_n of_o this_o kind_n more_o particular_o than_o he_o do_v with_o those_o of_o any_o other_o kind_n whatsoever_o first_o i_o aver_v this_o opinion_n to_o be_v a_o supposition_n take_v up_o without_o any_o ground_n for_o i_o shall_v show_v present_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o scripture_n to_o support_v it_o so_o that_o they_o who_o hold_v it_o have_v no_o other_o refuge_n leave_v than_o to_o prove_v it_o by_o the_o consequence_n of_o such_o event_n now_o these_o consequence_n as_o i_o say_v before_o be_v not_o of_o such_o importance_n that_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n shall_v common_o be_v think_v visible_a in_o they_o if_o the_o general_n good_a of_o a_o nation_n or_o kingdom_n or_o of_o some_o person_n eminent_o serviceable_a to_o the_o public_a be_v the_o result_n of_o such_o event_n we_o then_o may_v probable_o conclude_v that_o god_n be_v more_o than_o ordinary_o concern_v to_o promote_v such_o good_a effect_n but_o nothing_o of_o this_o kind_n yet_o appear_v nay_o we_o see_v quite_o contrary_a that_o several_a upon_o who_o these_o benefit_n have_v fall_v make_v no_o other_o use_n of_o they_o than_o to_o be_v more_o profuse_a and_o vain_a in_o their_o expense_n and_o make_v they_o either_o minister_n to_o their_o pride_n or_o increase_v their_o avarice_n and_o can_v any_o man_n of_o common_a sense_n suppose_v that_o god_n have_v go_v out_o of_o his_o way_n as_o it_o be_v and_o wrought_v miracle_n for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o vain_a and_o the_o covetous_a second_o if_o god_n act_n after_o a_o particular_a manner_n in_o casual_a event_n he_o either_o do_v it_o in_o all_o or_o in_o some_o such_o only_a if_o in_o some_o only_a let_v they_o be_v specify_v and_o let_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o such_o a_o immediate_a operation_n do_v not_o extend_v to_o the_o rest_n now_o this_o be_v a_o point_n never_o to_o be_v decide_v but_o by_o express_a revelation_n or_o at_o least_o by_o argument_n draw_v from_o effect_n worthy_a of_o so_o particular_a a_o providence_n without_o one_o of_o these_o proof_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o advance_v any_o such_o distinction_n now_o if_o god_n preside_v thus_o over_o all_o such_o event_n and_o direct_v they_o by_o a_o positive_a and_o particular_a act_n of_o his_o will_n it_o will_v follow_v from_o hence_o that_o god_n work_v miracle_n every_o day_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o man_n who_o it_o be_v but_o too_o plain_a be_v not_o worthy_a of_o they_o and_o in_o place_n where_o we_o can_v hardly_o suspect_v that_o god_n shall_v take_v any_o delight_n in_o exhibit_v his_o presence_n after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n they_o that_o play_v at_o card_n and_o die_n will_v at_o this_o rate_n engage_v god_n to_o declare_v for_o they_o by_o perpetual_a wonder_n and_o the_o groom-porter_n and_o gaming-house_n will_v have_v infinite_o more_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o they_o than_o ever_o the_o temple_n itself_o or_o any_o other_o place_n have_v though_o we_o shall_v take_v in_o all_o that_o stand_v upon_o record_n or_o be_v ever_o do_v under_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n i_o can_v tell_v whether_o such_o consequence_n as_o these_o will_v go_v down_o with_o other_o but_z for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o declare_v free_o that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o thing_n which_o i_o find_v myself_o less_o dispose_v to_o believe_v than_o that_o god_n work_v miracle_n of_o this_o kind_a every_o day_n for_o gamester_n lottery_n indeed_o be_v nothing_o near_o so_o frequent_a as_o game_n but_o it_o be_v every_o whit_n as_o improbable_a that_o god_n shall_v particular_o interest_n himself_o in_o these_o as_o in_o those_o for_o if_o the_o place_v of_o the_o ticket_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o chance_n but_o of_o a_o particular_a providence_n then_o every_o ticket_n draw_v present_v we_o with_o a_o fresh_a miracle_n and_o as_o oft_o as_o man_n shall_v take_v a_o fancy_n to_o set_v up_o new_a lottery_n god_n will_v be_v oblige_v if_o i_o may_v have_v leave_n to_o say_v so_o to_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o regulate_v the_o order_n of_o the_o ticket_n he_o by_o his_o positive_a assignment_n will_v dispense_v the_o money_n to_o some_o and_o not_o to_o other_o without_o any_o visible_a reason_n of_o this_o difference_n whether_o we_o regard_v the_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n or_o the_o use_v they_o make_v of_o it_o will_v those_o that_o have_v draw_v the_o most_o considerable_a benefit_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o say_v that_o their_o merit_n be_v so_o much_o superior_a to_o they_o who_o have_v only_a blank_n as_o to_o give_v they_o a_o better_a title_n to_o the_o favour_n of_o heaven_n or_o have_v we_o any_o reasonable_a assurance_n that_o this_o success_n will_v dispose_v they_o to_o be_v more_o beneficent_a and_o charitable_a for_o the_o future_a this_o be_v a_o enquiry_n which_o i_o charge_v upon_o their_o own_o conscience_n to_o answer_v and_o what_o time_n must_v inform_v