a save deliverance both of woman and child and the woman mended quickly after If an Astrologer should commit such an errour it would be recorded against him to all posterity And whereas Wendeline objects that an Astrologer can not give a right judgment because he knowes â—ot the true number and nature of all the Stars I confesse indeed sometimes the most skilful of all misse both of Astrologers and Physicians But what shall Wendeline doe then that knoweth not what an aspect is or his master Picus But though men doe not know all the Stars and â—earbs now yet Adam knew all but â—n him we lost it we have still the â—parks we know now but in part so that God made them not in vain in respect of their significations Therefore I end this argument with this that like as in Phyâ—ick Art â—ut of the knowledge of causes signes â—nd effects ariseth the art both of â—udging foretelling many changes and alterations of mens bodies â—ea even of death it self yet this is â—onfest to be free from superstition because it is the meditation of the divine works so in this divining art â—udging by the position and nature of the Stars of the causes signes and effects what other is the consideration â—ereof then the beholding the divine works of God and therefore as worthy the name of an art free from all superstition as Physick without Astrology is and far more for Physick cannot well exist without Astrology but Astrology can without Physick Besides I wonder they should approve it in Hypocrates and condemn it in all others And whereas Wâ—ndoline thinks he hath wonne Bullen or rather defended it against two or three of our breaches with his one bulwark this one distinction that the causes of all things either came by necessity or by contingency thinking thereby that because he knowes we maintain as litle necessity in them as himself therefore he would fain denie all influence and inclination of the Stars at all for my part I hold that the principal cause of all is God himself who sometimes indeed works alone by himself by stirring up principal motions in the minds of mens wherein the inclinations of the Stars have no place but proceed immediately from God such as in David who immediately was indued with singular courage and stirred up by Gods spirit to fight with Goliah A second cause is mans free will which either followes or resists the temperament of the body This free will of man should govern the Stars which both can and ought both by meditation invocation the fear of God and daily exercise bridle correct and take away invading evils and ingendred vices least that common song prove true Natura sequitur semina quisque suae So that we maintain no necessity that Nero Caligula or Anthony were compelled to commit their wicked acts but this we hold Fata moverâ— Deus tollere fata potest and that the will especially being holpen from above yea even its owne power may avoid many such inclinations of the Stars though it be seldome done A third cause is the Divel himself who doth often involve the wretched minds of men in this so great infirmitie in horid wickednesse And thus Nero's fury riseth not onely out 〈◊〉 his temperament but he also earnstlâ— affecting it and being in love witâ— pleasures and covetousnesse is morâ— and more instigated of the Devil and he himself forcing it forwardâ— is become much worse then his owâ— nature though otherwise bad enough of it self gave him to be And 〈◊〉 an innumerable company of men who together with the helpe of the Stars are of very good natures mosâ— horribly rush into such wickednesse whole facts and events are not to bâ— referred to coelestial causes and the will of man 25 Whether is it possible or whether is it lawful for one to tell of one that died this very hour 100 miles off This is not a foretelling but anâ— aftertelling but such a one as exceeds the common apprehension of man If you say it is impossible I proove it thus I teaching a School at Hitchiâ— in Hartfordshere about anno 16â—4 where amongst others I teaching three of one Mr. Christopher Butlerâ— children of Stapleford neer Hartford who inviting me to keep my Christmas with them I being there discourâ—ing with his wife a godly Gentlewoman she told me she was the famous Doctor Foxes grand-child that wrote the Book of Martyrs and withall told me this story of him that he being beyond Sea at the time of the death of Queen Mary as he was preaching about the midst of his Sermon he stood still a pretty while and paused inâ—omuch that the people marveiled by and by he stands up and utters these words My Brethren I can do no lesse then impart unto you what the Spirit of God hath now revealed to me that this very hour Queen Mary is dead in England and so it proved And further she told me of an old man then alive that heard him which thing I being there at Whit-suntide following meeting there with him he did constantly affirm And I fully beleeve Sr. Kenâ—elme Digby her neer kinsman can say more in it then I have done And thus much and a great deale more is recorded of him of the like kind in a Book intitled the lives of holy men of these latter times Now if you say that he did this by revelation our Church will condemn you for an Heritick If you say they are all deceived I ask why may not a few of you more easily be mistaken in point of Astrology then all of them in point of revelation Again if you say he did it by Astrology then you not onely confesse that you denied all this while that an Astrologer can not tell true Wendolâ—ne page 646 but it is either by some compact with the Divel or by his secret instinct whereon he quotes Aug. lib. 5. cap. 7 De civitat Deâ— I say as much credit is to be given to Doctor Fox as to Augustin Dare you or Augustine either if he were living say Doctor Fox did it either by compact of the Devil surely if you say that he casts out Devils through Beelzebub we lesser punies must not take it a mis however you raile of us 26 What I pray you is becomge of Mercury when saw you him sure he is but an ill servant to you that will scarce be feen three times in a twelve moneth he alwayes hides himself that seldome or never he will hold the Caldle unto you yet I beleeve that is all the work you have to set him on other service he doth you little They count him a great Astronomer but I doubt he will scarce tell when begins Spring Summer Autumn or Winter nor when Sunday comes nor yet whether Easter-day will fall on the Sunday this year or no me thinks such a servant should be small ornament to your house and my thinks such idle Fellowes as will no wayes doe you good
truth of this noble Science For doth not all creatures participate of the heavenly influences Quis eâ—im non videt â—olem Lunam â—â—terare fruges fruct us Quis nescit vicissitudines temporuâ—â—b â—â—triâ—â—endere And the learned Alstedius the 17 Book 1 cap. 5 Reg. observes that Nihiâ—â—agni in hoc mundâ— evenit quod non haâ—eâ—â—â—estimonium in coelo Est enim coelum velut â—uidam liber manu Dâ—i scriptus in quo tanâ—uam liter as legibiles stellas coeliposuit Cerâ—ainly were it an art either Diabolical or of â—o certainty it would never have gaiâ—'d the favour and approbation of the learned in all ages but we find that even of late times many learned men of singular skill in Astronomy and the Mathematicks have travelled very far therein and given exceeding commendation thereof as is manifest by the learned Epistles of Melancthon to Schoner Grynaeus by the testimony of Maginâ—â— Stofâ—er Leovitius Junctine the Divine Argol Virdungus Origan Madronus Alstede Eichstadius our Country-man Dr. Dee and others But let our Adversaries both speak and write what they please against the Art and the Professors thereof for my own part I never knew any Astrologer that maintain'd any fatality in the stars that this or thaâ— thing must come to pass as they unjustly charge against us Astra inclinant vâ—luntatem in nâ—llo tamen necessitant Accidit tameâ— frequentèr Astrologâ—s vera prognosticare dâ— mâ—ribus hominum propter pronitatem â—orâ—â— ad sequendum appetitum sensitivam the stars incline the will saith Scotus yet in nâ— wise necessitate it notwithstanding it ofteâ— hapneth that Astrologers fore-tel truthâ— concerning the manners of men by reasoâ— of their proneness to follow their sensitivâ— appetite And though some pretending tâ— the Art have abused it onely to please thosâ— that have imployed them upon hopes to have the more liberal reward yet what is that to us or against pure Astrology Tâ— metsi â—â—teÌ„ tantus hujus doctrinae sit abusus nâ—â— tamen ideo rejiciendus est usus sed potius aâ— illo pessimo abusu distinguendus Although the abuse of this doctrine is so great yet the use thereof is not to be rejected but rather to be separated from that foul abuse Let us hear what that famous Mathemetician and Astrologer Mr. D. Origanus saith against some in his time Meritâ— reprehenâ—enâ—i sunt illi deceptores juventutis qui Aâ—ologica turpis lucrâ— caussa ut ipsi saltem â—cepta eô commodius repetant sibi famiâ—ria faciant in trivio pâ—eris vel adolescenâ—us propâ—nunt quibus adminicula desunt â— dum judicium ullum est aâ— rimâ—ndas â—udicanâ—as caussas rationes variarum in â—tura actionâ—m quod Simiae caput fundaâ—nta ipsa â—equaquam intelligens pâ—rum atâ—ndit But the honest sober and learned Astroâ—ger that makes reason his guide and â—oks onely upon the natural and influenâ—al operation of the Planets and Stars â—orns utterly abominates these actions â—e it is that diligently weighs and considers the natural operation and secret influence â—f the Stars and Planets whose dispositions â—nd vertue depend upon the heavenly moâ—ions and their various configurations at the earth We see indeed that some Astroâ—ogers have a greater in sight and profounder knowledg therein then others and some â—here are that seldome fail in their praedictions and these are men that are well exâ—erienced and not rash and over hasty iâ— giving judgment whilest others againâ—â—oo apt upon every occasion when tâ— is no remarkable position of heaven venture their credit and repute to the scâ—dal and discredit of the Art they profâ—In Astrologo requiritur naturatis inclinâ— ad divinandum saith Orâ—gan fol. 400. A really as my noble friend Mr. John Gâ—bury observes it is not for every man hope to be an Astrologer for heavâ— clubs to the act of his Creation in an espcial manner an Artist as a Poet is boâ— and not made As touching the first inventions of tâ— art I will not here take upon me to dâ—pute though I verily believe 't was inveâ—ted and practised long before the Floud â— the old World but however there may bâ— brought authorities of two or three thousand years antiquity of most learned aâ— godly men who have by their knowledg in this Art performed many excelleâ— atchievements and contrariwise that haâ— eschewed many eminent dangers Julius Caesar who was a learned Astronomer and spent many hours in the company of Sosigenes to correct the motion of 〈◊〉 Sun and Solar-year was fore-warn'd the day of his death and there upon was â—ised by Spurina that he should in an â—cial manner beware of the Ides of â—rch but when the day came seeing Spuâ— as he was going to the Senat-house said unto him Spurina the Ides are â— come who answered They are come 〈◊〉 not past but immediately he was there â—â—in according to his prediction Aechilus the Phisosopher knowing by 〈◊〉 Nativity that he should perish with a â—den stroke and the time of his prediâ—on approaching he went abroad sub â— extra Civitatem degebat the better to â—ape the danger but as he was walking 〈◊〉 the field an Eagle suddenly let fall a â—ortoise or Shel-crab upon his naked â—d whereby he suddenly perished Vitellius deriding the Astrologers of his â—e for their predicting he should be Emâ—our thinking with himself that he â—uld never obtein such honour but â—en he had obtein'd it as they fore-told 〈◊〉 notwithstanding banished all the Astrologers out of Rome and that by a â— day they should depart Italy whereupoâ— they fore-seeing by the Figure of his Nâ—tivity his end approaching fore-told the time thereof addiem as it exactly câ—me â— pass Sulla a Mathematician foretold the death of Caligula as it punctually hapâ—ned Picus Mirandulanus when he was forâ— told by Bellantius of his death that shouâ— happen in the 33 year of his age was â— moved with wrath that he wrote a Booâ— against Astrologers but notwithstandinâ— he coâ—ld not evade the immutable decrâ— of the heavenly Book for he died the samâ— year Petrus Leonius the Physician when â— Astrologer fore-told him of the time â— should perish by water he wholly avoidâ— to come neer the Sea and other Riveâ— nevertheless about the time predicted â— was found drowned in a Well not â— from Florence in a Village called Caregio Paulus Tertius or Paul the Third a skilful Astrologer cui Pontificatus fuerat prae dictus à Paride Ceresariâ— Mantuano wrote to Peter Aloysius his sonne that in the year 1547 he should beware of the 7 day of September the Father could fore-see the danger but his sonne could not avoid it for under pretence of discourse Landus Angosâ—iola and Scotus slew him the same day in his own Castle Zonarus reports that an Artist hearing that Julian was ingaged with his army to fight his enemy spake these words Hodiè Julius in Persia occiditur To day is Julian slain in Persia and
this doubtless he foresaw by the Figure of his Nativity I could here heap up infinite Examples of this kind but I have neither time noâ— room to insert them besides our learned Authour having taken the paines to write the whole subsequent discourse puâ—posely in vindication of the ART to satisfie the ingenious and to un-deceivâ— all such as doubt any way of the unlawfulness thereof I shall therefore not detein you any longer but commend the Book it self to your serious consideration Vale North-Luffenham in Rutland July 18 1659. VINCENT WING QUESTIONS Concerning ASTROLOGY Wheter lawful or un-lawful IF Astrology be unlawful whether is it in erecting the figure or in judgment If in erecting the figure what is there in it but plain Astronomy and what is it but a map of the heavens at some particular time for though Cities Towns nor Houses on earth change their places yet the Stars doe at least in respect of us And is not our Anography as lawful as Geography For if there be nothing in it more then Astronomy why is it not as lawful as any other of the seven liberal Arts II. If judgment be unlawful I ask whether if upon mine own and many others observations we finding for the most part we have hot weather in the Dog-dayes is it not lawful for me to judge it will be so this or the next year though God can alter it as he please And so if I see the Moon full South may I not judg it full Sea at such a place because God can alter it We tie not God but alwayes Deo volente is understood neither in humane actions doe we tie the will of man yet we say the Stars doe so strongly incline that they guide the will very often Now then if both parts that is all the parts both erecting and judgment are lawful then the whole Astrology is lawful neither may the whole be condemned for a part of a part if any such be found unlawful we must not blame Moses for having skill in Astrology because the Chaldeans and Egyptians joyned inchantments with it for which they are blamed in divers places of the Prophets which indeed is the ignorance not the learning of the Egyptians and which Moses withstood Exod. 2. 11. Nor yet if Horary questions should prove unlawfull blame neither Ptolomy nor Sir Christopher Heyden who though they never used them yet wrote not against them mutato nomine Chambers Sir Christopher take you to task and then de te fabula narratur rumpuntur ilia Codro But I would fain see his Book answered But for further confirmation let us examine the lawfulness of judgement of such things wherein wee have a set time by these Questions following and afterwards the Horary 1 Whether the Stars are not made for signes Gen. 1. 14. Jer. 10. 2. Mat. 24. V. 39. 2 If for signes and so all men call them must they not foretel something otherwise it is contrary to their names their nature and Gods purpose in making them neither are they for signes of seasons as some would have but for signes and seasons If they doe not foretell something what need men be afraid of them or be forewarned from fear of them Jer. 10. 2. But I suppose this bidding them not to be afraid both there and in Psal. 91. and Matth. 24. and sundry other places is not to tell them such events shall not come but rather that they shall come as in Math. 24. 2. and therefore to forewarn them against these times to make their peace with God and to shrowd themselves under the covert of his wings Psal. 91. 1. And then though â— plague shall come it shall not as he saith come neer their dwelling Not but that a Godly mans house may be infected with the plague and a daughter of Abraham possessed with a Divel as well as a wicked person But that their shall no affliction come to them but such as shall work together for the best to them Rom. 8. For in common calamities the godly must share with the wicked Jeremy must go unto captivity with others and to tell them such plagues shall not come is but to sow pillows under their arm-holes 3 If they doe foretell is it not a meere accusing of God of idleness if he doth not withall both allow land give to some knowledge and skil to understand their significations otherwise the trumpet will give but an uncertain sound and who will prepare himselfe to the battel 4 Is there any other way to understand their meaning besides Astrology 5 If God made the Stars all but the Sun only for lights for the night why might not the Moon have served for all as well as the Sun for the day by placing it in a continual course opposite to the Sun for so it would have been full Moon and then all the fixed Stars and five lesser Planets might well have been spared Ye is there any other use of them I think it no lesse then blasphemy to accuse God of making them in vain 6 What is the influence of the Pleiades and of Orion Job 18. 7 And what is that Lunacy Math. 17. 14. 8 And doth not the Prophet Esa. 3. V. 2. threaten it as a plague that the Astrologer shall be taken away Our English hath it the Prudent but the Hebrew the Astrologer 9 What was that learning of the Egyptians that Moses was so well skil'd in Acts 7. not their enchantments for them he withstood Exe 2. 11. 10 What was that cup wherein Joseph divined and prophesied 11 Whether is it lawful in it selfâ— to erect a figure 12 Whether experience doth not shew many things in Astrology even to ignorant people As every Physicia and each Midwife can tell us that the Child born in the new or full moon is either short lived or never healthful and is this unlawful to think it or judge it to be so and are the dumb creatures the Bees able to foretel the weather and the Mouse when an house will fall and must man that studies for it tell nothing the Swan celebrates her own funerals and me thinks it should be possible for a man that studies for it in time to atteine as much wit as a Goose Suppose Bishop Vsher in his Macedonian year tels us that the 24th of his first Moneth Dius which is about our 17th of October there will be magna aëris turbatio great trouble of the air because then the Hyades rose at Sun-setting and though no reason can be given for them more then others yet it seems Adam knew their qualities well enough he would never else have called them the rainers of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} to rain and is this unlawful either in Adam or in Bishop Vsher So also for the Winds the 21 of his 6th moneth Zanticus which is about our 14 of March he fore-tels the Oetrithiae begin to blow when the crown riseth in the evening
if there â—ay be two more then the summe of both or 11 as in the dexter and 14 as in the sinister then both by his rule and examples there are no bounds and so no distinction of aspects Alas good Wendiline thou muâ—â— to thy crosse row again for Astrology and get thee a better Master theâ—Picus least the blind lead the blindâ— I dare undertake neither of you botâ— know what this character ⚺ of a semisextile meaneth if you had yoâ— would never have called that a âš¹ no marvel theÌ„ that though you trieâ— you did toto coelo errare and coulâ— never find truth in it and that makâ— you think there is no truth in the Art because there is no truth in youâ— work 24 Why may you not better denâ— that hearbs were ever created foâ— Physick rather then the Stars fâ— signes since in their very ordinatioâ—Gen 1. 14. the stars are expressely saiâ— to be both for lights and for signeâ— not for seasons as Picus Wendilinâ— and Gauh would have them helpiâ— God with a lie and making a noâ— of wax of his word but for signes aâ— for seasons but as for hearbs in the same chapter v. 29. there such hearbs as have seed in themselves are appointed to man for meat and in Verse the 30 every green hearb for food for cattel Now if that be a good reason that because the Stars are made for lights and for signes of seasons therefore not for signes and seasons notwithstanding the word is expresse for signes and seasons I may more safely reason thus God creates the hearbs for food and will you turn them to Physick where is your warrant you know what is said of the holy writings Exo. 30. 33. whosoever useth it to any other purpose then that which it was made for must be cut off Yet you will use hearbs for Physick that were made for food will not use the Stars for signs wch were made for signes Also if it be unlawful to use the Stars for signes I mean Astrology because the Chaldeans and Egyptians used enchantments with it Ergo it is unlawful for them to use hearbs for Physick because Witches and Conjurers use enchantments with them yea even in the very gathering of them this is just like many that cry out against English construing books for children yet they themselves will use them for Greek Hebrew French Spanish and Italian Besides that where can you produce any one place of Canonical Scripture where ever they were commanded to be used in Physick And therefore no marvel though there was a time when Physick was as much cried down as Astrology is now Besides that it is as likely that Physicians in curing any disease make a secret compact with the Devils and more then Astrologers for it is certain that together with a green ointment which cures all diseases new and old hot and cold they have their charmes for Tooth-ake for biting with a mad Dog for the falling sicknesse convulsion fit c. Again it experience will doe nothing in Astrology what reason besides experience can be given that such an hearb should cure sucha disease If any could be given Phisicians might quickly learne to cure all diseases Or if that be so as they say that if an Astrologer doth not know both all the Stars and the nature of them he cannot give a right judgment Where is that Physician that Bâ—tomist that Chiruâ—geon that knows all hearbs plants trees minerals and drugs together with their natures useful in Physick who can give the reason why an Ivy lease should stay the bleeding of a wound though never so fast that it should stay it at the first touch Surely you will say if an Astrologer layes it on that he did it by secret compact with the Devil as some great Professors told me long before I knew what Astrology ment that because in Surveying I could tell distances before I measured them that I could do it by no good meanes and that I scandalized the Gospel by it wishing me either to give it over or my profession And how know you that such an hearb is in such a degree of heat or of cold Physicians differ as much about them as Astrologers about Astrology Besides Physitians may use Astrology but no other Hypocâ—ates and Galen may doe without controlment or any other Physician in his critical dayes a Physician hath as much priviledge in this as a Priest to keep a Concubine And the truth is a Physician without it is scarce half a Physician for I dare boldly say that a Physician working Mathematically will three to one tell both the state of the disease the place afflicted and the danger of death or hope of recovery without failing one to the Urine thrice witnesse Dr. Napier â—lias Sands brother to the famous Lord Napier of Scotland first inventer of Logarithms who was Minister of Linford in Buckinghamshire and withall practising Physick and with whom I have often been for Physick who continually used both the Urine and erected a figure also not for the time of decumbiture for in Chronical diseases few know that but as a Horary Question who being demanded by Mr. Bowles of Sutton and Mr. Wilson of Hawnes successor to the famous Brightman both for place and vertues what truth he found in his figure for of the lawfulnesse they doubted not his answer was that where his figure deceived him once the Urine did it ten times and that sometime they would speak quite contrary things but he always found in his figure most truth And for that the Urine would not shew many things that the figure would as about women with child And this Mr. Wilson told me of whom I was an often hearer and that time did scruple Astrology very much and this answer he told me satisfied both Mr. Bowles and him And I fully believe the Urine will not tell whether a woman be with child or no upon this ground My wife practising Midwifery and going into Kent to lay a Daughter of hers one Mr. Sparks wife Minister of Cooling whiles she was there another Gentlewoman not far of who had been in labour a week together who having three Midwives with her two gave her over the third hearing of my wife comes to her acquaints her with the businesse and craved her assistance to whom she consented together they went and finding the Gentlewoman disconsolate without hope of life yet committed her self to my wife who finding no such danger as the other feared bids her be of good comfort for she doubted not but all would be well quickly the word was no sooner spoken but in comes a messenger whom they had sent to Dr. Caesar of Rochester forbidding the women to use any more ado for she was not in labour No quoth my wife I see then the Doctor hath no skill and I doubt not but by Gods goodnesse it shall appear within this quarter of this hour and accordingly it fell out presently God gave
it yet he is but a man and subject to errour as well as others and one that divers good Divines will beg leave to dessent from in some of his tenents As first the unlawfulnesse of Cock-fightings and Dog-fightings Secondly that it is unlawful to buy an Almanack because if that saith grain will â—e dear it makes men trust in it and â—listruft God I can not deny but if â—ny shall doe so as to put any absoâ—ute confidence in an Almanack or â—igure they greatly sin because there â—s in them a possibility of errour for â—everal occasions before alledged so â—s there not in Gods word yet there may be a kind of trust I doubt not â—n some measure or perswasion at â—east of the truth of the Almanack or Figure by how much the more experience I have had of the truth of the â—ike or the same mans making before For suppose I owe 20 l. to be paid upon bond the first day of April to such a one as I am sure will â—tand upon the forefeiter but I have â— trusty Tenant that never failes me â—ut payes me 40 l. Rent the 25 or 26 of March at furthest will not any one rather trust to such a Tenant though there be a possibility of failâ—ng as by thieves fire c rather then â—o borrow it elsewhere or sell commodities to lesse Neither can I think but according to Josephs example it is lawful in a plentiful time with the one to lay up against a time of scarcity The other of Mr. Perkins quoted by the said Rowland is concerning a rule used by some Astrologers concerning the time when the effects of an Eclipse begins which is this Observe at the middle of the Eclipse how far the Luminary eclipsed is distant from its rising and how long it continueth above the Horizon then reduce them into minutes and say by the golden Rule If the whole continuance of the Luminarie eclipsed give 365 dayes what shall its time from the rising give The time hereby found say some is the time of the beginning of the effects But Mr. Perkins there reckons many several Eclipses whose effects of his own knowledge began presently after the Eclipses Where note that we need no stronger witness to prove that Eclipses have their effects and that these effects are found by Astrology deny it they that can and for my part I am of his mind for the time of the beginning of the effects and so is Origanus and so is Mr. Wings Ephemeris Yet let me answer one objection more which is this Though in erecting of Figures you doe not work by the Devil yet they that come to you doe beleeve you doe I aske must I give over my calling of a Surveyor or Ingineeâ— because some great Professors thinking because I could tell distances without measuring them that I wrought by the Devil and thereon moved me to either leave it or my profession of the Gospel for I was a scandal to it Or must our Saviour Christ give over casting out Devils because some thought he wrought by Beelzebub yet I would have none so bold to tell the effects of Eclipses or great conjunctions before they fall least they misse of the time when they will fall as Lilly did for as Kâ—pler saith it is hard â—o hit Near the beginning of this letter I spake a word or two in commendation of Sr. Christopher Heydens Book and that I would fain see that answered It hath been mine hap very lately to see a Book coming under the name of one Vicars B. D. as if he were a Bachelor of Divinity But if that can be called an answer certainly it is so strange an answer that it gives me as little satisfaction as Rowlandâ— book that promised in the beginning of it to answer Sr. Christopher in the end of it but he would first answer an other which by that time he had done answering him Mr. Finis called him away that he could never attend to answer him since Just so dealeâ— Mr. Vicars he promiseth in his Title Page great matters but truly so far as I read which was more then â— quartern I may well say Parturiunt mâ—rtes nasâ—â—tur ridiculuâ— inus Much is promised but nothing performed I read till I was weary stilâ— expecting some arguments thaâ— should either disproove the lawfulnesse of Astrology in general or aâ—â—east something that Sir Christopherâ—ad defended But I found my expeâ—tation failed me for all that time â—o far was spent against Conjurers Witches Charmers Inchanters and â—uch as observe the flying of birds are â—uch as look into the River as if Sir Chrâ—sâ—opher had mainteined these â—hings Iâ— you did it not to make the world believe so truly you have â—aken a great deale of paines but nihil â—d thumbum you may as well tax Mâ—â—es as Sir Christopher for these things Again you say you have known â—ome were such dunses in the Univerâ—ities that being fit for no learning hey then set upon Astrology that hey may have the Devils help in it â—hough you speak never so mystically â—et I have a sound witness even your â—wn conscience that you would make â—en believe Sr. Christopher to be such â— one Iâ— he be not such a one why do â—ou speak it if he be such a one speak â—lain English a man may more easily â—eâ—end himself from a masty dog that flies at his face then from a little Whirpet that bites one by the heeles Truly Sir this is but backbiting at the best far unbeseeming the profession of a Divine neither is it the breach of the least Commandement though it were yet if you teach men so you are unfit for the kingdome oâ— God Besides this whether he be more in wealth or poor in gifts the Wise man tels you he that despisetâ— the poor reprocheth him that made him He could have made him wise and you foolish But what is this to the matter this is onely against the man Besides this How common a thing is it throughout your Book to call him My Gentleman My Gentleman Hath king James mâ—de him a Knight and will you degrade him and make him but a Gentleman Sir I am sure if I should call you so Would you not take it as irâ—nically spoken and is this to fulfill the Royal Law of Liberty to doe as you would be done to Quod tibi fierâ— non vis â—lteri ne feceris But whether this will beare an action in the Court of Honour I leave to others to judg Non nostram inter vos tantâ—s componere late 's am sure it will beare an action in he high Court of Heaven But sure 〈◊〉 his shews that learned king king Iames that great enemy to Astroloâ—ie whom you so boast of saw more â— him then Astrology though you â—ee it not otherwise he would never have made him a Knight for that he was so great an enemy to pretenders â—e did it after he had wrote his Book gainst Mr.